Canvas

I bought one a deal on Gilt City for the service that turns one of your photos into a canvas, but now I'm having trouble figuring out which photo to use.

The canvas will hang in my formal living room, which is currently gray, black and yellow, but will soon have a POP of yellow. Some chairs I bought for a fantastic price at an antique store are currently being recovered (for a price that makes my fantastic price, not so fantastic) in a pale yellow stripe. I want to pull in the yellow in the chairs with the photo and some pillows on the black sofa.

I'm no professional photographer, but I like to pretend I have some skills. I took a few photos while in Spain that I think might work for the canvas. Currently considering the following:yes, the same as the blog header.

Leaning toward the second photo. Also leaning toward none of the above and thinking of just getting a black and white photo from our wedding since we, for some reason, have none in our house. Not sure how that happened. Options, options.

powder

I'm looking for a new powder. I've been loyal to Lancome since college, but I just don't feel like it provides my (aging) face with the coverage it did before. I've asked around some and have some recommendations.

First is Laura Mercier.I love their eye illuminator and tinted moisturizer. I don't buy them regularly because that's a lot of money to spend on make-up, but I've splurged before.

I've also heard good things about Bobbi Brown.


I've never tried any of these products, but they are highly lauded on blogs and fashion magazines. I'm also interested in trying the creamy concealer kit. Lancome made a Photogenic Concealer that I was in absolute love with and then two years ago they discontinued it. I was devastated. Remember that episode of Saved By the Bell where Lisa and Screech were going to be in a dance contest together and then when she heard that they discontinued her favorite color of nail polish, she kicked the TV and broke her foot? That's what I felt like doing, except I was in Dillard's and kicking something would probably not have been well received.

The other make up I've heard is good is Yves Saint Laurent. I'm not too keen on spending nearly $50 on powder, though. I'll probably try one of the other two OR end up going with Lancome because I'm typically a creature of habit. We shall see!

Images from Sephora

oh na, na, what's my name?

I honestly don't know why I chose "Whimsical Release" as my original blog title. Well, I guess I do like all things whimsical and I was thinking this blog would be a release for me. So, I guess I do know how I came about the name, but, it just doesn't fit me and my life anymore. So I've been thinking about a name change for a while. Every blog I read has such a clever name, I didn't want to haphazardly re-name my blog. So, I gave it some time. And some thoughtful consideration. And then I chose the name on a whim. Story of my life.

My family and close friends call me Eddie. Erica in spanish is pronounced Ed-e-ca. Remove the "ca" and it's Ed-e. Remove the "e," like my college roommate did and it's just "Ed." See what I did there?

So, welcome to a new year and to my abbreviat [ed] life!

Speaking of nicknames, do you remember Eddie Pinetti from the Wonder Years? Growing up I watched this show with my family every week. I was in lurve with Kevin. Eddie Pinetti was a bully in one (or maybe several?) episodes and while I was the furthest thing from a bully, my family started calling me Eddie Pinetti. I love that they still do. It makes me smile to think that I have a Wonder Years-inspired nickname.

Image Source

Viajando

Los Cabos

Well, the first month of the new year is half-way over and I have to be honest, I haven't been even a little committed to my goals. This year has already been so busy at work and I've pushed most of my personal goals to the side so that I can focus on being organized, anxiety-free and at peace while at work. It hasn't come without a few moments of squeezing my eyes shut, taking a few deep breaths and even a few heart palpitations. But, through it all, once I let God have control, I've been given His peace.

On Friday my sister, Joa and I Facetimed with my mom and dad and my pops mentioned a family vacation in Los Cabos! Joa and I have been trying to figure out travel plans for the year and a beach vacay with the family helps settle things a bit. I really wanted to go Paris for a joint 30th birthday trip and Joa wanted us to go to NYC because I'm always pestering him about going to NYC. Plus, I wanted a beach destination on the side because, well, we haven't done that since our honeymoon. But those three PLUS a trip to Puerto Rico in there somewhere is just a bit more than our budget allows for.

So, when pops said Los Cabos - I was OK with dropping Paris and hanging on to NYC and PR. I told Joa we can take our kids to Paris one day (where both Joa and I signed our names on the Eiffel Tower and where I first told him I liked him our junior year of HS).

NYC!

Puerto Rico

All that to say, I'm ready to drop some elbees (one of my 2012 goals) and get beach ready. No diets for me this time around. Just a commitment to sensible eating (juicing a few times a week) and exercise. I really want to start doing yoga, as well as running. I have a gym membership, so the running is taken care of (plus the availability of the open road), but yoga gets pricey. So, I'm going to have to figure that one out. I'd say I could go to the classes at the gym, but those are always at stay-at-home mom times like 11:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Yeah, um, hello? I work.

Here's to beaches and the city that never sleeps in 2012.

Paris, one day

Dreaming of Paris...

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

NYE Pinterest Projects

We are hosting a party for New Year's Eve. I much prefer it to braving the (douchey) crowds in Dallas, shoving people out of the way to get a drink circa Erica in college and most definitely don't want to be driving with so many people drinking.

My eyes are always bigger than my hands and in my head there's tons of sparkle, dazzle and Pinterest projects, but alas, there's just not enough time. Here are a few that I am managing to pull off though.

A variety of photo booth props (minus the photo booth)

I made mine with sparkle paper instead of tinsel.

Blue cheese and pears with pistachios.

Champagne sparkle jell-o shots

Happy New Year, whatever your plans may be!

My To-Dos in Two Zero One Two

I don't like the word resolution. I'm one of those that always breaks them by the second week of the year. I so admire those that follow through with their resolutions. Like my sweet friend over at Sum of All Things. I'm pretty sure it was her resolution one year (or was it Lent?) not to eat a single french fry. And she did it. She said no to french fries for a year. I would have caved at the first waffle fry put in front of me. Hence, I'll stay away from resolutions, and rather list a few things I'd like to accomplish in 2012.

• Read as many books authored by the Lost Generation as possible


• Run a half-marathon


• Host a Saturday-morning brunch for my close friends using recipes found on Pinterest and my two new recipe books!


• Cook more creatively


• Take a class - not sure what type of class yet, but I want to go back to school for something.


• Take at least 25 crafts on my Duh board (or any board, for that matter)


• Do something dramatic with my hair


• Let God into parts of my life I've tried to be in control of for far too long


• Take more photos


• Finish painting the interior of our home


• Redecorate the master bedroom


• Bake a pie from scratch


• Learn to make my abuelita's gorditas