sponsor love + giveaway!

I decided to make your day even better with a feature on some of my sponsors and a giveaway!

woot.

I asked them what they wanted to be when they grow up...

 rags to stitches: blog // shop  // facebook

 sew beastly: blog // shop // facebook

 Kim and Jane Handmade: blog // shop // twitter

i am along for the ride: blog // shop // twitter

go say hi to these great ladies but before you go... I'd suggest entering my giveaway to add to your collection of purses (because everyone needs more purses.)

so how about...

$15 toward a neon bow clutch from Rags to Stitches 

and a $20 toward a ruffled clutch from Sew Beastly? 

 love it.

enter after the jump!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

xo, erika

what i wore in california (+ photos)

tee: gap (similar) // necklace: h&m // shorts: target // sandals: target (same style, different color)

When I told people I was going to California, they usually responded with a "hey- enjoy the beach!" or "whoa-- enjoy the city!"

What most people don't realize is that California is a HUGE state and most of it is not city or by the ocean. A lot of it is farmland.

And that's where a lot of my extended family is -- dotted in smaller towns, towns you may not know, in places quite far from L.A., San Francisco and any beach.

But that doesn't mean that it's any less fun to get away for a little bit.

My grandma's house is especially fun. Besides being full of memories of running around with my cousins, it hasn't changed really at all since my grandparents bought it in the 1960s. Same stove, couch, wallpaper... everything.

My grandma is 94 and I loved seeing her with my cousins' children -- her great-grandchildren. There's something amazing about seeing generations together like that.

 92 years of difference doesn't really mean anything.

We also went over to wander nearby lavender farms, which was gorgeous but even better seen through toddler eyes. 

I also got sunburned, so you know the weekend was worth it. 

xo, erika

p.s. don't worry-- it wasn't on purpose. I'm definitely pro-sunscreen.

your mom style linkup

<a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Frougeandwhimsy.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F05%2Fyour-mom-style-linkup.html&h=EAQHK3PTN" target="_self"><img src="http://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4Rdz6o9XdQ8/T7lu3znhKnI/AAAAAAAAFhU/U4f4OnE6kp4/s175/yourmombutton.jpg" alt="mom stye" width="175" height="175" /></a>

 What goes around comes around.

Nothing is new-- and this is so clearly demonstrated in this style link up. I was looking through photos of my mom in the late 1970s and I realized that without any effort, I could practically create an exact outfit of her... with just a slight variation on my typical hair style.

my mom:

my mom is on the far right in the green stripes. (she's in a European hostel.)

and me:

I get the "you look like your mom" thing a lot.

A lot, a lot.

In high school I didn't like it, just because I was a typical teenager but today, I look at her and I do see our similarities, especially when I compare photos of me with photos of her in the late 70s and early 80s.

Especially when I recreate her 70s hair style.

What do you think? Do we look alike?

Don't forget-- this is a linkup! I'm so excited to see your posts about your mom's style! Any interpretation is welcome-- come back and link your post here or on Just Lovely Things and it will show up in both places!

say hi to abbey

Blouse, pants, belt: LOFT. Hat: Target. Shades: Anthropologie.

Hello, Rouge & Whimsy friends! I am Abbey from Along Abbey Road, a personal style and lifestyle blog mixed with bits of ridiculousness. So happy to be here today! Erika is just the cutest and that hair. Oh how I envy that gorgeous hair!

A little about me...

I've been married for 3 years to my awesome husband, Matt. We have a studly 4 month old, Luke. We are obsessed with Disneyland. I eat Oreos like nobody's business. Matt does exceptional made up Broadway performances. Luke's full-time job is giggling and squawking. One might say it's quite the circus over here.

Be sure to stop by Along Abbey Road for more silly anecdotes and fun moments!

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Okay Abbey *blush* thanks for the compliment but girl, you  have great hair!

 To see more of Abbey and to see what I wore on her blog.. (it's funny, we both chose leopard)... head on over here.

xo, erika

saturday discount

oh hi there.

I know you need a new tote or wristlet for summer... can I suggest a pretty cute shop on etsy? ;)

 coral and gray tote

 gray and yellow tote

 black and white chevron wristlet

 striped green wristlet

let me sweeten the deal a bit, too.

MEMORIAL gets you 20% off until Monday! woot :)

xo, erika

friday finds + favorites: first link-up

I'm so excited to have you join me & link up this week! Each week, join me to share your favorite things online & off.

what I'm loving: 

this colorful dress from nordstrom 

i love window seats. via design sponge

painted stripes on a tee via cotton & curls (someday when I have time...)

other things:

- this story about amazing trader joes employees

- having friday off + flying to see family 

- we are taking care of my parents' corgi bridget right now and honestly the only thing funnier than one corgi is two corgis. 

- lack of sleep but a remarkable energy of tons of sleep. not sure why, just gonna go with it.

share your favorites finds & favorites!

please link to your post & please link back here either with the button or with a text link. thanks :)

<center><a href="rougeandwhimsy.blogspot.com/search/label/friday finds and favorites"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2e-esoOSbYw/T2K7co7HGbI/AAAAAAAAEwQ/Dsouk-7Gg7E/s320/18383449009.jpg" /></a></center>

xo, erika 

my thrifting lucky charm

 top: Anthropologie similar // belt: thrifted // skirt: thrifted similar // shoes: Steve Madden similar

As I explained previously, I grew up thrifting and hitting vintage and second-hand stores is in my blood passed down from generation to generation my mom.

The husband on the other hand isn't too much of a thrifter. Not really because he's against it (although he does rant against the amount of hipsters in Seattle every so often), but it's shopping. And it's his least favorite: shopping that doesn't always have a clear purpose.

When you thrift you have to comb the store, aisle to aisle, shelf to shelf and you have to go back repeatedly. Thrifting isn't the in-and-out, quick-and-dirty kind of shopping excursion that the husband likes, which is why when he agreed to go with me last Friday after our little happy hour date, I was surprised and thrilled.

But, I mean, how could he not go when the bar was across the street from Goodwill.

Destiny, I tell you.

Destiny and fate because I found this perfect little chiffon polka dotted skirt. There was a tiny rip at the waist band-- easy fix-- and it was only $4. Score. (I also found a mint trench coat for $12. That baby will debut another day.)

Perhaps the husband is my lucky charm for thrifting.

And that means he should go more often with me. What do you think? ;)

xo, erika

p.s. don't forget about the first every friday finds + favorites link-up tomorrow! come share whatcha like on the internet and in real life!

p.p.s I'm also linking up here-->