Mantra Monday

It's springtime! I love spring! I love spring colors, peeps, and that the days feel longer and brighter! This is a time to feel rejuvenated and get ready for the warmer weather to come. This warm weather means summer is around the corner and it is time to get fit.

For that reason, today's mantra is Get Up and Move! I am inspired lately to get up and move my body, whether it be an intense gym workout or a power yoga session. Summer, more sunshine and beach days are coming soon! What are you doing to ramp up your current workouts?

Gorgeous Spring arrangement at my office! Loving Spring!

Springtime Cookies

This weekend was a lazy rainy one in LA and to entertain myself I decided to try and make some healthy-kind-of-not-really cookies from scratch. I have never made a thing from scratch so for my first attempt I think I did a great job!

What I used:
Whole wheat flour (the only semi-healthy ingredient! Haha)
Sugar
Eggs
Unsalted butter
Vanilla extract
Salt
Frosting- 2 kinds: strawberry and buttercup cupcake icing from Betty Crocker

See the pics below:

Mantra Monday

Hi everyone! It's Mantra Monday! I was walking down Main St. in Santa Monica and came across this delightful mural.

I don't know about you, but this Monday has been pretty good for me so far. I think it's important to do something for yourself today during the beginning of the week craziness and just remember that you are beautiful! :)

St. Paddy's Day Treats

I haven't tried baking any treats lately for the sake of being healthy and with St. Paddy's Day this week, I decided to splurge and get a little fancy with a normal batch of cupcakes. I found a decorating kit that really transformed the decorations on my cupcakes. I usually bake the cupcakes then put the frosting on them immediately after the oven because I can't wait to eat this delicious treat.

Using this decorating kit was really simple and made the frosting process far more fun! This kit had tons of bottles and decorating metal tips that could personalize each cupcake and make fun designs. I played around with the kit and made many different designs on my cupcakes. I have a long way to go with becoming an expert froster, but I think I did really great for my first try. Also to add to the fun of the holiday, I added in some green food dye to some of the frosting and the cake batter. 

I loved using the decorating kit and I don't think i will ever be able to make cupcakes the way I used to  now that I found this! Check out my cupcakes below:

Betty Crocker 11 piece decorating kit

San Francisco trip

San Fran was an awesome time although I only got to spend 16 hours there. It was a very short and fast trip. I wish I could have stayed longer! This city is amazing and I plan on going back very soon and spending more time there. See my pics below:

Rainy SF day: View from the pool balcony at the Huntington Hotel

View of the city from the Top of the Mark

Pool at the Huntington Hotel

Enjoying my quiet time at the spa

Map of the city

Grace Cathedral in Nob Hill: Gorgeous!

Me in front of the breathtaking view at the Top of the Mark

Yoga room at the SFO Airport

Last week, I went on a blogging hiatus due to a crazy whirlwind of a week at work. During my crazy week, I got to visit San Francisco for a client event which was really fun and exciting! My first business trip ever! 

While walking through the airport I noticed that there was a Yoga Room available to travelers! Only in San Francisco you would see something like this! How amazing is that? I think this is a great idea for people who travel a lot and don't have time to exercise or expect to be sitting on a plane for hours at a time. 

Yoga Room sign- A little bit fuzzy as I was trying to rush to the terminal

Would you take advantage of a yoga room at your local airport?

Shutterfly Photobook

Click here to view this photo book larger

This past weekend I was suppose to go to Mammoth for a work trip, but I got sick and had a bunch of free time on my hands. I decided to make a photo book from my trip to Thailand. ( I still haven't printed my pictures and the trip was in October!)

Shutterfly has so many amazing ideas to share photos with loved ones. I think my next purchase will have to be one of those pictures on a canvas. I need more art in my living room and having a personalized picture would mean a lot to me. Check out my latest photo book.

Griffith Observatory Hike

Last weekend was a REALLY hot weekend in LA. On these days, I am itching to get outside and do something active. Not only do I love yoga, I love hiking also. On Sunday, we decided to do a hike in Los Angeles where we could see the Hollywood sign and get a great view of the city. 

What outdoor activities do you do? I want to know!

xo,
Erica

Birthday Resolutions

Every year I get really excited about my birthday. I think of it like most people think of New Year's Day. On this day, I reflect about the past year of my life. I think about the good, the bad, the ups, the downs and everything in between. Most people make New Year's resolutions on New Years Eve.  But for me, my birthday is when I set personal goals for myself and strive to meet those goals within the next year. Some of my goals include keeping in touch with old friends, eating better, and fully immersing myself into yoga.

A few pics from my birthday party this past weekend:

my friend Marco and I

twinsies in yellow. me and abby

me and my handsome boyfriend

me and my best friend in the whole entire world :)

Do you make birthday resolutions? Do you have any traditions on your birthday?

xo,

Erica

Mantra Monday!

It's Mantra Monday everyone!

I don't know about you, but I had a fun filled LA weekend which has inspired my mantra for today.

I gave into my ultimate vice this weekend and totally broke my pact with myself of forgoing pizza for lent.

After a delightful Hollywood Sunday hike in the 85 degree weather (maybe even hotter!), we decided to grab a bite to eat in Larchmont Village. I am a sucker for the pizzeria here and had to get a slice. After the move to Santa Monica, going to Larchmont was truly a treat for me and I just couldn't resist.

With that said, today's mantra is "Treat yo' self" (yes, I've been watching some Parks and Recreation lately!)

So whatever you are doing today, just remember that it's ok to treat yo' self.

Pics from the weekend recap coming later this week :)

xo,
Erica

Ready for the Weekend

It has been a crazy week. I am SO ready for this weekend. My boyfriend and I have guests coming into town which makes for a fun and non-stop LA weekend ahead of us.

Things on my list to do: Friday night yoga and healthy dinner  in Santa Monica with my favorite yogi friend; playing tour guide across Los Angeles; a visit to Dry Bar on Saturday before some pre-birthday festivities; and a lovely Sunday hike. Will report back with any interesting news!

Do you have an exciting weekend ahead? Are you ready for the weekend? One more day!

xo
Erica