Good Will Hunting.

My favorite scene from any movie...

Found: Boy at The Getty wearing Wallabees.

So, when I was in Los Angeles a few weeks ago I went to The Getty Museum right when I got off the plane. I oohed and aahed over the antique furniture (and was so proud of myself for knowing the whys  and fancy vocabulary for elements of the chairs, dressers, and beds), soaked in the vitamin D of the California sun, took a nap in the cool grass, took photographs of the views of the ocean, hills, and tall buildings, and as I was walking down the steps to leave became a coward. See, as I was walking down the steps on the far side of The Getty I passed a young man that may or may not have been the man for me forever. He was wearing Wallabees (My favorite shoes for guys to wear because they are very southern. Not many guys in Dallas even wear them because, as I have said and will say again, Dallas is not really the south.), khaki shorts, and a polo, carrying a fancy camera, taking pictures at The Getty, the same.day.as.me. I almost said, "I really like your shoes", but lost my bravery. Why, Erin, why??? So, if you or a guy you know was in L.A. at The Getty, taking pictures, wearing my favorite shoes, let them know, I am here. Ready and waiting. And, as I took one last picture of the beautiful form of the curves of the building I happened to get "The Boy from The Getty Wearing Wallabees" in my picture. 

If you are reading this, I hope you know I am kidding. Not about liking the boy's shoes, but ya know, the whole being a creeper parts (a.k.a Man for me forever and picture parts.)

Happy Thanksgiving!

This is what I am thankful for...

"We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade, the presence of God. The world is crowded with Him. He walks everywhere incognito." -Clive Staples Lewis

Kristen Plus Dax Equals Love.

My new favorite celebrity couple is none other than Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard. Kristen was Veronica Mars (the coolest, smartest, and bravest teenage detective ever) and Dax is the fabulous Crosby Braverman (playing the stepping it up, wonderful father to Jabar on Parenthood. Oh, and it is definitely on my list of Top 3 shows I would want to set decorate on, second only to How I Met Your Mother). Honestly, I don't really know what KBell and Dax are like in real life, but I do love their television characters, they look to laugh a lot, and are just so darn cute together.

If you have not checked out their shows, I would highly recommend renting the VM dvds, and TiVoing Parenthood, Tuesdays 10/9 Central on NBC.

All images found by way of Google image search.

Braids.

Images found via weheartit.

Kate Spade.

For my Fundamentals of 3-Dimensional Design class I am having to design an upscale clothing store in NorthPark Mall. It has turned out to be one of my favorite projects to work on in school thus far. The project is done entirely in Google SketchUp, which I have loooved learning. It is fun to finally see my design ideas played out, even if it is just on the computer. For my store I have been drawing lots of inspiration from Kate Spade's retail interiors, especially the Soho space. They are so fabulous I just want to eat them up with a spoon!

Can't wait to share my store (I named it sparrow) with y'all in the next couple weeks! I am glad to finally be excited about a project in school again too. The past couple weeks I feel like I was SO excited from my trip to California about interior design and set design and where God is leading me that I kind of sunk real low for a couple days once I was back in the routine of school work and work work, but feel like things are on the up and up again. Goodnight!

Yummm!!!

Toasted Marshmallow Milkshake

Makes two small or one large milkshake. 

8-10 large marshmallows

3 large scoops vanilla ice cream or a heaping 1 cup of vanilla ice cream

1/2 cup milk (or red velvet chocolate milk found at Target)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Place marshmallows on a skewer and toast until slightly charred over a gas flame. If you don't have skewers or a gas range, you can toast the marshmallows on a sheet tray in the broiler for 2 or 3 minutes. Keep an eye on the marshmallows as they're in the oven. They're liable to burst into marshmallow flames pretty quick. Place on a plate to cool slightly. In a blender mix together the ice cream, milk, vanilla extract, toasted marshmallows (and some mint chocolate chips for a little holiday flare). Be sure to save one or two marshmallows to top the shake(s) with! Blend well, pour into glasses and top with the toasted marshmallows. Drink out of mason jars with red striped straws and enjoy!!!

Recipe found HERE (with a couple additions by me.)

Neighborly Christmas.

To get you in the holiday spirit, if you aren't already...

Drew, Ellie, (and the Neighbors), and Dave are going on a Christmas tour this December. I would definitely recommend checking them out if they are coming to a city near you.

Dec. 1st - Raleigh, NC - Lincoln Theater

Dec 2nd - Greensboro, NC - Grace Community

Dec. 3rd - Atlanta, GA - The Loft at Center Stage

Dec 4th - Birmingham, AL - Workplay Theater

Dec. 5th - Knoxville, TN - Bijou Theater

Dec. 8th - New Orleans, LA - Tipitina's

Dec. 9th - Austin, TX - The Parish

Dec. 10th - Dallas, TX - The Door

Dec. 11th - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live

Dec. 14th - Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall

Dec. 17th - Memphis, TN - Minglewood Hall

Dec. 18th - Nashville, TN - TPAC Polk Theater

Welcome to Hollywood, what's your dream?

This past weekend I went to Los Angeles for the Set Decorator Society of America's Day With A Set Decorator. You may remember me blogging about it here. It was pretty fabulous, so...
Here is my Top 10 list from my 5 days in L.A.:
10. Flying on a free buddy pass on Southwest thanks to my sweet friend Jenna. Thank you, again, Jenna!
9. Knowing how to get to Target in West Hollywood without using my GPS.
8. Seeing the hills and ocean, plus having a city bus drive by me, all in one day.
7. Hearing about why the Bible is still relevant today at church.
6. Hanging out all morning at The Getty. The weather was gorgeous, the antique furniture was amazing, the architectural tour was wonderful, the fall leaves were enormous and orange yellow, the views were to die for, and the succulents were the most beautiful I have ever seen.

5. Seeing my friends Gretchen and Jennie. They were so warm and welcoming to me while in town and fun to hang with!
4. Celeb sightings at Warner Brothers...Conan and Zachary Levi. (Z.L. might be my newest crush.)
3. Touring the set of Glee! Yes, I got to see everything from Will's house to Emma and Sue's offices, to the choir room, auditorium, cafeteria, and Rachel's room. I also got to see what I think is their bikes. And, I think my bike would fit in just perfectly.

2. Hanging out with my cousin, Ellen, who is the closest thing I have ever had to a sister. We got to see each other twice and I was so encouraged by her creativity and fresh outlook on life.
1. Meeting so many professional Set Decorators who have worked on beautiful movies and television shows including The Holiday, ER, Little Fockers, True Blood, Four Christmases, Anchorman, Almost Famous, Parenthood (the t.v. show), Will and Grace, and more. They were so nice and encouraging, saying that if you are passionate and work hard you can make it in the set decorating business. And, the top highlight was going on an in-depth tour of the Warner Brother's prop house and eating lunch with the set decorator from CBS's  $#*! My Dad Says and being offered an opportunity to intern with her. Amazing dream come true huh? What a reminder that sometimes God's plans are better than my own.

Calling.

But, what if that is a place where you never saw yourself going and not at all how you imagined your life? What if it means going to a place where you are going to be very much out of your comfort zone? What if it is a place where you have to work really hard? What if it ends up being the worst experience ever? What if it ends up being the best experience ever? What if it is hard, fun, scary, exciting, life changing, and growing all at the same time? I think living out the quote above is probably most likely the last "what if" and, I do know that God is good and He takes care of us and loves to see us trust and love Him no matter what it takes.

TFM.

I just found out about this acronym (Total Frat Move) and its website. It could be one of those things that really means something really bad but to me it just means Frat cliches. And, being a sorority alum (lions and diamonds, ADPi forever) and a southerner (TN, NC, & AL y'all) I think this website is hilarious! I mean as much as TFM is generalizations they are so true and a culture that even though I was very TFM counterculture in many ways in college (and still am) it is a way of life that is very familiar to me.
Here are a few of my favorite TFM photos from the website...

Shooting bow and arrow in a blazer in the fall wearing RayBans.

Black lab in the South Carolina lowcountry. 

 Gray New Balances. 

Boots and Boxers mixer. 

Monogram, Vineyard Vines whale, Palm and Crescent, and a mallard. 

TFM. And, I love it.