I’ve been toying with Tumblr for about a year now, and after tons of consideration and motivation from friends and readers, I’ve decided to start Erika’s Eats which is a photojournal of exactly what it sounds like: everything I eat and drink!

It’s pretty new (as in, I launched it yesterday) so right now it’s a lot of food from restaurants and quotes, but I eventually will be using it to share the recipes that I post on here as well!

If you were worried that the food portion of SSOS was disappearing, have no fear–it’s staying! I just needed an outlet for all of my mouthwatering foodie goodness.

So head on over to Erika’s Eats and tell me what you think! (And be gentle, please…it is still brand new!)

If you’re not familiar with 16 Handles, it’s the lesser-known, and way better version of Pinkberry/Red Mango..etc. I’m sort of obsessed with it, to the point where I’ll go out of my way just to get some froyo there. They have 16 flavors “on tap” at all times, that you can serve yourself any way you want, and a treat bar stocked with tons of goodies to top off your creation. The whole thing is weighed, paid and there you have your own customized-creation to devour. Because you get to decide how much of what you want–flavor and topping-wise (and you basically pick your price because it’s weighed by how much you put in)– it’s pretty much perfect.  Seriously: my favorite spot in the summertime.

The Upper West Side store

So as if your concoction isn’t tasty and customizable already, 16 Handles is rolling out a new machine that will blend your froyo (think McFlurry, DQ Blizzard…etc..) but your way!

Now you’re thinking ‘that’s really cool, but get to the point of the story,’ (I’m a mind-reader in my spare time), here you go: 16 Handles wants you to name what the machine creates.

‘What’s in it for me’, you ask? Well, if you win, you’ll get a $500 Visa gift card…. That’s a lot of froyo.

That $500 could get you more than just some tasty 16 Handles–new shoes, new clothes, new home decor accents… now I’ve got you thinking and you want to know how to participate:

Head over to 16 Handles Facebook Page (this is where the contest is being held) and you only have until midnight on February 2nd (one week from today!) to enter your fabulous tasty treat name.

After the entry period closes, 16 entries will be selected and fans will have a chance to vote for their favorite from February 4th to the 5th. From there, 16 Handles will choose the Top 3 from the fan votes and have one more round of voting on the 6th and the 7th to decide the final winner.

So what are you waiting for!? Get those creative juices flowing, go get yourself a cup of froyo and enter the contest already!

1. Savor the Date Dress $79.99 at ModCloth

2.  Twist Cutout Bodycon Dress ~$56.00 (£36.00) at Topshop

3.  Wrap Front Dip Hem Maxi Dress by Rare ~$76.00 (£49.00) at Topshop

4. Peterpan Collar Dress with Puffed Shoulders $80.57 at ASOS

5. Fit and Flare Dress $115.00 at Oasis

6. Lorna Dress $188.00 at Anthropologie

7.  Taryn dress in Bright Coral $99.99 at J.Crew

8. Aloha Dress $88.00 at Shabby Apple

9. Mary Portas Jersey Wrap Slinkly Drape Dress ~$102.00 (£66.00) at House of Fraser UK

10. Old Towne Adventures Pleated Dress In Plum $42.99 at Ruche

11. Lima Dress $84.00 at Shabby Apple

12. Flowing Right Along Dress $44.99 at ModCloth

While I kind of missed the boat on the previous big-name designer collaboration (Missoni for Target) I full intend on dishing out every dime in my wallet for every piece of Wu’s collection for Target, especially because not a single piece exceeds $49.99. Yep, you read that right: not a single piece of Jason Wu’s 53-piece collection for Target costs more than $50…hello, affordable fashion!

And while there are certainly a few pieces I’m not crazy about (uhhh, the blue flower wallpaper print scarf/bags and the cats with the bows around their necks on a scarf) I’m basically lusting after every sheer blouse, striped a-line dress and any hint of ruffles that I see.

Check out the full lookbook below! (Photos via Target)

Which looks are you coveting?!

I can’t believe I just admitted that.

Anyway, since my pickings for February 14th are looking slim once again this year (although, there is one guy I have in mind who j’aimerais spend it with…sh!t–now every guy I know reading this that thinks I might maybe sort of-kind of like them a bit is thinking this is about them now and the Carly Simon song “You’re So Vain” has popped into my head…and if the person I have in mind is reading this, he probably doesn’t think it’s about him…isn’t it ironic? Don’t you think? Ugh. Now Alanis Morisette!) I’ve decided that I’m going to celebrate this commercialized day that I formerly used to call “Valendoom’s Day” with the friends and family I love, and stop worrying about my perfect date that’s never going to happen unless the guy I have in mind is, in fact, reading this and decides to act upon it, in which case: I’ll take that last sentence back…but I highly doubt it.

You’re wondering when I’m going to get on with it, eh? Okay, here is some of my favorite inspiration for Valentine’s Day, mostly via Pinterest:

Heart-shaped Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

Ladurée pink, grapefruit-flavored Coffret Saint Valentin macarons $25/box available at Ladurée, 864 Madison Avenue (and most likely in the Paris outposts of Ladurée as well) via Refinery 29

Cute "Valentines" to give out...or as party favors!

A simple Valentine's Day centerpiece with a big impact

Table setting inspiration via Pier 1

The world's cutest V-day-themed cookies

A vintage-styled label to re-label wines or other party drinks, with a reference to an oldies song!

Pink, Black & White Decor---j'adore!

Last year's Valentine's Day Chocolate-Covered Oreos

Doing my Vanna White-thing: I'm already all ready for Valentine's Day...I match the candy aisle!

Need some inspiration? No problem!

1. BB Dakota Garland Pleat Dress $99.00 at Dillards (and among several other stores!)

2. Xhilaration® Orange Crinkle Scarf $14.99 at Target

3. Blank Denim The Tangerine Ankle Skinny Jean $68.00 at Karmaloop

4. Calvin Klein Belted Sweater Dress $118 at Nordstrom

5. CHI Deep Brilliance Digital 1″ Titanium Hairstyling Iron – Orange $139.90 at Target

6.  Coral Rose Tangerine Fashion Stripe iPhone Case $39.95 at Zazzle

7. MICHAEL Michael Kors Hamilton Loafers in Tangerine $110.00 at Dillards

8. Essie Nail Polish in Capri (shown), Geranium, and Tangerine – $8.50 at Nordstrom (and several other stores)

9. Gorjana Graham Leather Triple Strand Wrap in Neon Orange Combo $97.00 at Shopbop

10. Budd Leather Lizard Print Calf Large Passport Case $30.00 at NewEgg

11.  Burberry Leather Trim Rain Boot $350.00 at Nordstrom

12. La Mer Collections Neon Simple Wrap Watch in Neon Orange/Gold Combo $88.00 at Shopbop

13. MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in Neon Orange $14.50 at MAC Cosmetics

14. BE & D Irina Cosmetic Case in Red/Orange $98.00 at Shopbop

15. Oh My Darling Wedge $54.99 at ModCloth

16. Skinny Leather Belt in Neon Rose $29.99 at J.Crew

17. Orange Chick Candleholder $7.95 at cb2

18.  Bold Flame Skirt $42.99 at ModCloth

19. MOR Macaron Lip Balm in Orange $10.00 at Urban Outfitters

20. Sun God Bracelet $8.80 at Forever 21

And the first way to get them in my head: to see them…every…single…day…

I framed my 2012 resolutions!

I purchased a pretty frame to match my bedroom at Homegoods for $6.99 (this one is by Valerie Bertinelli), drew up my resolutions in Word and printed them on 4×6 photo paper to put into the frame. And not only did I frame them, but I put them on the bureau across from my bed, so that I’ll be reminded of my resolutions every day when I wake up.

My 2012 Resolutions are simple:

1. Learn how to play guitar – I’ve owned a guitar since 7th grade and learned to play a little in middle school, but not enough to count for anything…now I have to relearn everything again, but learning to play will taking my performing ability to the next level.

2. Start taking tap dance lessons – And while we’re talking about taking performing to the next level, my tap skills–or lack thereof–may be holding me back from my Broadway aspirations. Learning tap will give me the ability to audition for 75 % of the shows I can’t currently audition for. 

3. Resume ballroom dance lessons – I took ballroom lessons for a year and a half during my freshman and sophomore years of college. I loved it, but the cost of classes was putting a dent in my wallet. I’d like to start going to group lessons or find a partner to dance with to offset the cost. Ballroom was the dance I enjoyed taking the most and was the best at! (I’d also love to become a certified teacher, but maybe we’ll save that resolution for next year!)

4. Resume voice lessons – I took voice lessons for over 8 years through middle school and high school to help develop my voice. With all the auditioning I’ve been doing, I’m running out of songs that are relevant for me to audition with, and I need some structure to help keep my voice in shape.

5. Acquire a legit agent to represent me - A “legit” agent is a talent agent who represents talent for live theatre, television and film. Finding one would make my life a lot easier and would probably lead to me booking more jobs.

6. Cut Starbucks habit to 2-3 days a week - Not only am I addicted to Starbucks “coffee beverages” that are full of calories and other crap (even though I take most sugar-free and skim), but drinking coffee at Sbux is costly in NYC, and apparently they’re raising prices 1% in the next few weeks. Cutting my habit from 7 days a week, and sometimes 2 times a day, to 2-3 times a week will save me over $1000 a year…and countless calories.

7. Exercise more - In high school, I played a sport every season and stayed in better shape than I’m in now; not having a “team” to practice with hasn’t done me any favors over the last 5 years. I resolve to make a team of one (and maybe grab some friends) to start jogging, hit those dance classes, and use the many workout tapes I own. 

8. Eat healthier (less take out!) – Because I’m a pescatarian (I eat fish, vegetables, and animal by-products, but no actual meat) you might assume I’m “super-healthy”, but my restricting diet has become more of an inconvenience than something beneficial to me. I have no time to cook and have resorted to quick breakfasts (bagels and cream cheese, fried egg and cheese..etc) and frozen dinners (pizza and mac ‘n cheese) and way too much takeout…which equals lots of carbs. I resolve to start cooking, stop getting so much take out (and save money!) and seriously stop with the frozen pizzas.

9. Write more (blog and book) - In 2011, I pledged to write every day and broke my resolution after 3 weeks because I felt like I was creating content just to post it, and not because I had anything to say. This year I want to write every time I have something great to share–even if it’s a short post. I’ve also been working on a book for the past 2 1/2 years, that I’ve started, and restarted, thrown away, stopped writing, and restarted again 15 times. This year, I resolve to write the book…and finish it.

10. Stay positive, even when times are tough - Like I said in my Happy New Year post: 2011 wasn’t exactly the best year I’ve had. With social media to rant to 24/7, I had an outlet that let me pour my negativity into the world all the time and people at my beck-and-call to rant with me. This year, even when things get tough, I’m going to try to find a positive angle in every situation…and I’ve even started vlogging, turning my negative thoughts into humor…which is helping me to work on my comedic chops! And instead of the sparkling clean language that you normally get here…other than the title of this blog…you get to see a whole other side of my personality…the side a lot of my friends know.

11. Stop caring what other people think - I’m constantly worried about what people think about what I’m doing, how I look and how I’m acting. In 2012, I want to stop worrying about being an incessant people-pleaser. My friends don’t think I should date that guy because he’s a jerk? I’m going to go out with him, at least once and decide for myself.  Everyone wants my hair darker? Well, I like my hair blonde, so it’s staying blonde. …etc.

12. Take a vacation - Last year I never took a single vacation…not even a weekend at the beach. Even though my actual “employment” was a little spotty because I changed jobs and then stopped working for the off-Broadway show I was in: I’m pretty sure I never had a day off in all of 2011. I haven’t been anywhere since I traveled to Paris and Madrid in March 2010, and this year I want to go somewhere else in the world I haven’t been yet…I’ve only hit about 15 spots on my list of hundreds, so I think the possibilities are pretty endless…and if nothing else…I’m taking three days at the beach with my iPhone off: non-negotiable.

What are your 2012 resolutions? How do you plan to keep them?

Because Cory is currently not on active duty, he has no health insurance and as a result of his multiple surgeries, there is now a major financial burden on his family. Many of his friends and family have stepped up to help, and there has been an outpouring from the Armenian community, but this economy is tough and the cost of surgery without health insurance is unimaginable.

Cory Garabedian - 31B Military Police

It’s not often that we get to thank our service members for doing what they do every day to help keep us safe, but if you’re reading this now, you have the opportunity to do a small part in thanking Cory for his service and by helping him in his recovery process.

While I would normally never ask anything like this of my readers (especially because I always question the legitimacy of people asking for money) Cory is a personal friend of mine.  The accounts that have been set up for him were initiated by his family and best friend, at the request of Cory’s friends who were looking to help. The smallest contribution can help in the bigger picture of Cory’s mounting medical bills–even a dollar. And if you’re not in a financial situation to give but you say any of sort prayers, I just ask that you keep Cory and his family in yours.

There are two different ways to give directly to helping pay Cory’s medical bills: the first is by visiting any Sovereign Bank (anywhere in the United States) and telling them you’d like to donate to “Friends of Cory” an account that was requested by Cory’s friends and set up by his family;  the second is by visiting Cory Garabedian True Friend – WePay which was setup by Cory’s best friend, which can be done online and you can choose to have your name listed or privately give (if you do donate–I know Cory, and I know he’d want to know who you are so he can thank you for helping him and his family.)

In the meantime, if you want to read about Cory’s status and surgeries please visit the Friends of Cory Facebook page, which is often updated by his aunt, best friend, and his fellow servicemen who are with him at the hospital 24/7.

As I mentioned, I would never expect anything from any of you, but if there is anything you can do—even just offering a prayer for him–I know that both Cory and his family would be forever grateful.

I can’t say 2011 was the most amazing year for me; I had some wonderful opportunities and experiences, but I also had some downfalls and personal losses. It was a great year for a lot of people, and I can only wish that 2012 is even better for all of us. I’m looking forward to sharing my lengthy list of New Year’s Resolutions this week and I’m also looking forward to everything that the new year has to offer (and seriously hoping the Mayans were wrong about 2012…because I’m only getting started!)

1.  Ravi Instant Wine Chiller and Liquor Refresher $39.95 at Home Wet Bar

2. Jessica Simpson Art Deco Applique Earrings $49.99 at 6pm.com

3.  Jonathan Adler Mr. and Mrs. Muse Mugs $24.00 each (picture shows front and back of mugs) at Orange & Pear

4. Kuroko Mini Nail Polish Set $35.00 at NARS Cosmetics

5. Sharif 3-pack Sequin Clutch Gift Set (shown in Brown) with Gift Boxes $49.90 at HSN

6. Brooklyn Slate Cheese Board, $29.95 – $30.00 (depending on size, 5″ x 18″  shown) at Williams-Sonoma

7.  Pearly Winter Gloves $29.99 at ModCloth

8.  You’ve Got the Power Solar iPhone Charger $37.99 at ModCloth

9.  Beveled Glass Jewelry Box $39.00 at Urban Outfitters

10. Smashbox Click You’re It Eye Palette $40.00 at Sephora