Excuse me, but HOW is tomorrow April?! It’s same-old-same-old every time Links + Things I Love rolls around…cos time be a-flyin’. How was your March? Some V. EXCITING THINGS are happening around these rosy parts this April, so I hope you’re as stoked as I am! 😉 This past week, one of my blogging besties came to stay with me for a few days, and we had such a good time. I friggin’ lovelovelove that random people can meet on the internet, start talking, and become actual real life best friends. How cool is that?! We had so much fun, but now I’m lowkey drowning trying to keep my ahead above the water in my overly flooded inbox…whoops. Time to keep calm and carry on amiright?? J and I have a fun+ chill weekend ahead, so here’s hoping you do, too. 🙂 Now…8 Links + 5 Things I Love, a playlist for your month, and *drumroll please* announcing the winners from my birthday week giveaways! Diving right in…
LINKS I LOVE:
1.) A revival of genuinely *crafty* (but easy + doable!) DIY projects. This girl isn’t the craftiest (at all), but now I’m kinda inspired to hit up AC Moore ASAP…
2.) A guide (with pictures + ingredients!) to the healthier options at popular chain restaurants. (Chick-Fil-A is on the list…)
3.) How to start a fashion blog. A super thorough guide! (I have a similar post here with my own tips + thoughts!).
4.) This dad posted about his wife and their selfless decision to bring their baby to full term for organ donation. Have tissues on hand!
5.) The cutest DIY pom pom pillows with text.
6.) Three easy, yummy veggie bowls to get through the week.
7.) Here’s why influencer marketing will *explode* in 2017.
8.) An AWESOME quiz that tells you exactly what vitamins + supplements you should consider taking for your own health + lifestyle.
My March Playlist:
Things I Love:
– This thing is just the cutest ever. Funny story here…So when I first saw this dress, I reaaaaally wanted it. But it was $73. And ain’t nobody got time (or $$$) for that. Then, on Black Friday, the price dropped to around $50. This girl is not one to splurge on things like a trendier dress, but I loveloveloved it…so I did it. BUT, turns out, the order didn’t go through. So I STILL didn’t have the dress. By the time I realized something was wrong and figure out the order hadn’t processed, it was on sale for – wait for it – $36.50. PRAISE JESUS. That was my sign, and I took it and haven’t looked back. 😉 I’m so excited to sport this all. spring. long. Date nights, girls’ days, even weddings…it works for everything! I lovelovelove how flowy + feminine it is, from cut to color. Obvi the hot pink is right up my alley, AND the pleats, but I’m also a fan of the off-shoulder trend that is literally everywhere right about now. BONUS: The dress is lined! Bless up and *insert fiesta girl emoji here*. 🙂
– These bad boys are near-EXACT lookalikes (as seen in this post) for the $600 Chloe espadrille wedges and. Every blogger and their mom seems to have some variation of this espadrille wedge on Instagram nowadays, and for good reason. How cute are they?! If you’re not one for stilettos but like some added height, a good platform wedge is so ideal. The espadrille makes them super casual and laidback for spring and summer, and they’re comfortable as heck. They’re a quick n’ easy, more laidback substitute for heels, and a more dressed-up alternative to flats. SO, lovelovelove. Also…pretty sure the only thing you couldn’t get away with wearing with ’em is sweatpants. Seriously! Jeans, skirts, dresses, shorts, any other pant…it all works like a charm.
– I’ve mentioned the gel couture collection before (and this post on at-home manicure tips, too!), but it’s worth mentioning again. From the moment Essie first sent me a bottle, I was hooked. If you’re a nail polish fanatic like me (we’re talking 100+ bottles, peeps…it’s nuts), this line is worth the few extra bucks at the drugstore. The applicator brush is a bit flatter and wider than regular brushes, and it’s slightly angled, so you can cover an entire nail flawlessly with two strokes. The regular gel couture polish by itself still lasts longer than regular polish, but when you pair with the gel top coat, it could last a solid week with zero chips! I typically do two coats of the polish followed by the top coat. And what’s cool: it’s supposed to give you the gel look sans UV light. This new ballet nudes line is just *clutch* for spring. I mean…blush. Have you gone to a store or clicked on the internet lately? Chances are, you’ve been bombarded by blush as one of the absolute IT colors for the new season. Which I ain’t complainin’ about, cos I’m SO hooked on blush. But that’s another story. 😉 I lovelovelove that the ballet nudes line has some pretty pinkier shades, but also other pretty pastels and neutrals that all *scream* springtime chic.
– This is literally PERFECT for any room of yo’ own, and it’s seriously perfect as a gift for anyone you give a hoot about. It’s a.) super cute, b.) super soft, and c.) super versatile and chic. The big pom poms are just fun, but it’s so cozy squishy soft, too. Guaranteed you’ll want to wrap up and snuggle as soon as you get it. Plus, I lovelovelove the more decorative look, since it looks perfect even lazily draped over the back of a chair. BONUS: It’s typically $80 and it’s on sale for $32.99. Get one for you, yo’ bestie, yo’ mama, yo’ sister, and yo’ grandma while you’re at it.
– These are honestly an every month favorite. Ask J – he’ll back me up. 😉 YOU GUYS. If ya follow me on Snapchat (erica_lig), you might’ve caught snaps in the past with my not-so-guilty afternoon treat. If I had to pick a favorite sweet treat, Justin’s would be it. They’re hands down my FAVORITE peanut butter cup of all time (and it HAS to be the dark version!). Justin’s aren’t as sweet as other name brand PB cups (*cough* Reese’s *cough*), which I like because I’m not left feeling like they went straight to my hips. Maybe it’s cos they’re organic and “healthier” (someone tell me the benefit of organic chocolate, plz?), but they’re really just the perfect sweetness to satisfy a craving without sending you straight to sugar OD. I like to have one cup with my mandatory 3 pm cuppa joe and call it a day. Would highly recommend buying in bulk and hiding the stash from EVERYONE.
What have been YOUR favorite links + things + music this month?
I’m always on the hunt for new things to lovelovelove, so put your faves in a comment below. I know ya have good taste. 😉
AND FINALLY…
I’m so stoked to be announcing the winners of my birthday week giveaways! First off, I can’t thank ya enough for all of the sweet words for my birthday. And I REALLY can’t thank ya enough, those of you who constantly come back to read, check out what’s new on Instagram, or share something with your bestie…whether you’re a diehard CUR reader who doesn’t miss a new post or an occasional clicker, I can’t even adequately express how grateful I am to you. To be honest, there have been *so many times* where I was tempted to just throw in the towel and take an “easy” route. But I have a whole folder aptly titled “For when you need faith in yourself” of sweet notes, comments, and messages from you guys, and that really gets me through. So, thank you. Giving to you on for my birthday was the biggest no brainer to me since you’ve given me so much in all of your support and kindness.
BIRTHDAY WEEK GIVEAWAY WINNERS:
Day 1: Aveda Smooth Infusion Shampoo, Conditioner, Style-Prep Smoother, and Nourishing Style Creme, plus a complimentary facial at your local Aveda salon
@gabriellekhoover
Day 2: IT Cosmetics limited edition + *sold out* Superhero eye palette, Heavenly Luxe No-Tug Dual eyeshadow brush #5, Superhero mascara (my favorite!), Black liner love, and the Heavenly Luxe Tightliner 10-in-1 Dual-Ended brush #13
@raisingbusinesswomen
Day 3: Mywalit Porto bag (genuine Italian leather!)
@merbrowder
Day 4: “I Heart Caffeine” sweatshirt + $100 to Starbucks
@lorae.the.pa
Day 5: $200 Gift Card to Tula
@chels_bells
***IMPORTANT: If you won, you need to EMAIL ME (erica@cominguprosestheblog.com) to claim your prize! If I don’t hear back from winners, I’ll have to go to runners up. So…email me. 🙂
TGIF!
