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Hey Erin, how’s unemployment?

Published by Ereen @ Everyday Ereen

Very well, thank you for asking. There might have been days where I’m bored out of my wits but I’d rather be bored than be under work-related stress, if I do say so myself.

Hi, hello, I’m Erin.

The scarcity of new posts here is all due to the fact that I have gotten into reading, again. Reading has always been my favourite pastime ever since I was little but I grew up; I stopped buying books (can we just talk about how expensive books are in Malaysia?) and I stopped doing activities that take more than 5 minutes of my attention. I have lost so many years of not immersing myself with books and I think that’s a total loss on my part.

I have been unemployed for a good month now. I should have gotten at least a couple of posts up on my blog as I have planned for January (I have an editorial calendar in my digital planner) which I did not follow through because of reason mentioned earlier. I read quite a lot of romance books courtesy of BookTok and BookTube recommendations. Getting back into it really brings me back to the days where I used to read a lot. I’m a hopeless romantic, what can I say…

What else have I been doing? Oh! I cook now. I have never been into cooking before. All throughout my marriage (we’re coming into year five now, time sure does fly!), my husband did the majority of the cooking with the minority being me cooking once in three months LOL. My kids are both in school with my eldest in preschool and my youngest in playschool which I’m really grateful for because I have the daytime all for and to myself. I’m enjoying the peace and quietness of the house that I usually got once in a while.

I spend my days doing house-related chores and cooking dinner. In between those time, I watch Netflix, YouTube videos, and catching up on my TV shows. I enjoy being able to keep the house clean and the laundry all washed and neatly folded and dinner prepared for my kids when they arrive home from school. It makes me happy and content. I have enough rest during the day that I care for my kids with love and one hundred percent of me and not because they are just one of my responsibilities that I need to check off at the end of the day.

To look back on my recent years, I went through two pregnancies in 2020 and 2021. Being a stay-at-home mom with two babies 13 months apart was driving me quite literally insane. I was not in a good mental state that when a job opportunity arose, I grabbed it faster than you can say ABC. To be a working mom while also caring for growing toddlers after work ends was an atrocity on its own. Being a SAHM was lonely but working mom? I was overstimulated. It was just too much for me. I am an introvert; I enjoy my own company and I certainly do not appreciate the stimulations from work place and also my kids when they are now in their throwing-tantrum-for-absolute-nothing phase. I had my down moments that I was not proud of. My kids deserved a better version of myself than what I was giving them before.

Am I going to stay being a housewife indefinitely? No, absolutely no. While I love my current situation, I am for sure would like to work again. This unemployment situation is only temporary and I would like very much to make something of myself other than just a mom. What I want to pursue is still a big question mark for me but I’m figuring it out as I go. I believe God will lead me to the best version of myself I can possible be. I just need to see the sign and follow what my heart tells me to.

Long overdue catchup

Published by Ereen @ Everyday Ereen

It has been a while on this space!

I doubt I have anymore loyal readers knowing that I have left this blog untouched since the last post here, five months ago. Well, life got in the way and my nine-to-five sucked all my energy leaving nothing left to spare for the blog. It’s sad, I know. I long too much to get back into writing more contents for this blog but my kids and my job take precedent over everything else.

My toddlers are now three and two years old, both are very active and always want to jump on mummy when they see me on my MacBook. They make a mess of the house, they eat way too much for their age, they talk too much and fight non-stop with each other. Sometimes when they get a little too much for me to handle, I take a step back and reflect that there are married, trying-to-conceive couples out there who would kill to have their little ones running around the house making a mess out of everything. This toddler phase will pass and I shall enjoy it while they still want to be cuddled and kissed. Both of them are already going to school which is what I’ve always wanted. I want my kids to be independent and make a lot of friends their age.

Now let’s talk about me. I tendered my resignation in October and I have 5 more weeks left of serving my notice. This wasn’t an easy decision on my part. I went back and forth between to do or not to do but I decided that that’s it. Once you’ve had that thought of leaving a company, there isn’t going back from that thought. I am scared of what the future holds. I don’t know what I’m going to do with my life yet but what I do know is I am excited to start planning my future project. I believe this is God’s way of directing me to the correct path that essentially will make our lives and our future a little bit better, in shaa Allah.

As for this blog, if you are reading this, then that means you stumbled upon my Instagram and clicked the link to my blog because well, well, well. I changed my domain name for nth time. from erinazmir to littlesipsoftea to thatcoffeechic, we are now on herlittleplans.com! I feel like this name resonates with me the most because everything that has been and will be produced on this blog are my little plans and I’m a big planner gal and it just fits. I hope that this will be the last change ever because my blog is invisible to everyone right now and unless you’re searching me, you won’t find this blog.

Last month, my husband and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary! Four years passed by in a blink of an eye. We’ve been together for almost eight years now. That’s crazy. I received flowers from him at work and we spent the weekend together without our kids. We booked a hotel in KL, had some good food, went to the cinema, and overall it was a super nice weekend. Need to repeat that again soon.

I guess that’s it for this little catchup. I’m going to finish my tea and spend the cosy evening just snuggling and watching Netflix. Till then.

The Sunday Currently: Vol. 15

Published by Ereen @ Everyday Ereen

Happy Sunday! I am accompanied by a cup of tea and Netflix running on my iPad. It’s been a lovely day today, with the weather not quite warm but not too cold my laundry isn’t getting the appropriate sun. My kids are down for their afternoon nap, house is clean, lunch is made (by my husband, of course!). Overall a beautiful day, henceforth.

currently…

Reading.

I am not reading anything at the moment. But my new venture needs me to do some reading on that particular subject which I am not to announce here yet, so I shall buy some e-books or take up a course about it soon.

Watching.

Bridgerton Season 2. I have been sleeping on this show for so long but I have waken up albeit three years too late. It’s super stinkin’ good. Romance-themed period dramas?! I am down.

Thinking.

About how my writing is being influenced by my countless hours of Bridgerton. Writing style I picked up here and there that I recently noticed…

Wishing.

For a one million ringgit in my bank account.

Wearing.

A pastel green top and pant set I got from Shopee. I have a few colour, just so happened I’m wearing green.

Wanting.

I have something in my Etsy cart that I would like to purchase. It’s a desktop wallpaper/organiser listing which I have a 30% discount on. Still thinking if I should get it or not.

Feeling.

Super hungry. I’m off to have my lunch.

Writing.

I wish I can say that I managed to write a couple of scheduled posts but on weekdays, though, I am occupied with work and house chores after I put the kids down. By the time I am finished with both, I long for a bed instead.

Listening.

Coldplay – Hymn for the Weekend. Coldplay is coming to Malaysia but too bad I’m not going because my husband is not big on concerts so being a devoted wife, I adhere to the rules. BUT, the rules would have to be broken if Taylor comes. I just can’t bear not going. Nope.

Smelling.

BBW Dark Kiss mist and my cuppa tea.

Hoping.

I got my increment from work as I’m hitting one year of duty, alhamdulillah. Now I’m hoping for bonus because oh lord, I want to save half and enjoy the other half LOL.

Loving.

A new glitter case for my MacBook. It’s so pretty! I just wish we have one for iPad and AirPods cases. Oh it would be super cute.

Needing.

I need Gigi Coffee Buttercream latte pronto. I wanted to order from Grab but it’s unavailable to purchase, ugh I’m a bit disappointed to say the least.

Friday Favourites 17

Published by Ereen @ Everyday Ereen

things to be happy for this week

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

There’s a reason why it’s the best-selling loose powder in the world, and that is because it is that good. THAT good. I’m ashamed of myself for taking this long to try it. My skin looks smoother, doesn’t get oily very fast, and looks like I’m not wearing any powder at all. I have been wearing this every day to work right after my sunscreen or dr jart+ cream, pat this on with a big fluffy brush and I’m good to go for the whole day.

Charlotte Tilbury Mini Filmstar Bronze & Glow: Contour & Highlighter Palette

OH MY GOD. Can we just – throws confetti – to whoever at Charlotte Tilbury for creating this product? A few weeks ago, I accidentally dropped my thebalm mary lou manizer that I’ve had for 8 years (yikes!) in the toilet. It was the only highlighter I have as I find it redundant to have more than just one. I saw someone reviewing this one day and I thought hm maybe I should get it, looks nice. It’s a contour and highlight duo that is very easy to use as the colour is buildable so you can always add more. I do not contour because I never find it necessary, but last week we had a celebration at work so I thought mm okay full-face makeup it is. I put it on and it was just *chef’s kiss* Very easy to apply, looks great on my skin tone, and it’s foolproof for people like me who’s not used to contouring. Loooove.

Good Virtues Co Micellar Rose Perfumed Shower Cream

For body, my setup for shower creams would be that I would have one bottle of regular, everyday one and a few bottles (currently, four bottles) of perfumed ones from Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works. I ran out of my regular one which usually just something you can get at the supermarket. I wanted to stray from the usual brand I used to buy, Lux, and got myself the GVC shower cream in Rose. I smelled another one – ylang ylang – which was delicious but it was the only bottle left and I personally wouldn’t go for it if it’s the last bottle just because. It smells heavenly and the smell stays on for quite some time. Would definitely get a refill next time.

My blog and blogging

Hello hello, fourth blog post in a week and it’s not even the weekend yet! Now that my kids are both at that age where they can play by themselves (2Y9M and 1Y8M) and sleep through the night better, this momma has some time to spare for her blog, you guys. I don’t know if anyone’s been reading this but at this point, I’m doing this for myself. My needs for writing and sharing my daily lives and loves have been cooped up for too long. It’s time to open the treasure box full of ideas, dust it away and write, write, write.

4 Lip Products in My Bag

Published by Ereen @ Everyday Ereen

You can tell a lot about a person by what lip products they are carrying in their bag. I vouch myself as someone who’s always ready for whatever’s coming, so I have a little bit of everything in handy. Here’s an edit of the lip products accumulated in my bag, currently: (PS. Read what I had from 4 years ago.)

The matte

MAC Matte lipstick holds a special place in my heart. It’s iconic, it’s matte, and it’s just great. The shade Twig is my go-to.

The liquid

Sometimes I’m feeling liquid lippy, so I always have the Maybelline Superstay Vinyl Ink in Cheeky in my bag.

The Gloss

You can never go wrong with Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fu$$y. It smells yummy and is great as lipstick topper.

The balm

Chapped, dry lips is a no-no especially in this hot weather so I always have Nivea Fruity Lip Balm in hand.

Blog talk | Does blogging have to be expensive?

Published by Ereen @ Everyday Ereen

Blogging doesn’t have to be expensive. It never was an expensive hobby to begin with unless you make it expensive which kinda depends on the type of blog you have. Lifestyle bloggers have the best of both worlds where we are only dipping into certain category without going full force with it. For example, my beauty category. I am not a beauty blogger, but when I do buy and use products I love or if I deem suitable for my blog, I can write a review on it. Or not. It’s entirely up to me. I don’t buy beauty products just for the sake of doing reviews, but I can write reviews for products I am buying for myself and use. You get what I mean?

The first seven years of blogging, I spent next to nothing for my blog. Just some spending on drugstore makeup here and there for reviews because of course I had the typical lifestyle blog with the occasional bout of makeup reviews.

And then I discovered Etsy.

Figured out how to link debit cards to Paypal.

And the rest is history. My blog had makeover every month and I accumulated a huge collection of blog templates over the time. It was a disease. My obsession was a disease.

I was ecstatic to visit other blogs and leave the link to my shiny new blog on their comment section, hoping that everyone else reading would click it and see how beautiful my little corner of the internet that I spent so much time customising.

Then I discovered WordPress.

That, friend, is an entirely new world of its own.

I was itching to own a WordPress blog.

“It looks so cool!” I thought to myself, while checking my bank account debating whether I could squeeze out some money for WordPress.

That went on for quite some time.

Should I? Or shouldn’t? Should I? Maybe I should.

So I did. From blogging on a free platform, I upgraded and decided that paying yearly fee for a mere hobby was what I needed.

“Well I can’t be using a free theme on a paid platform, now, can I?” It defeats the whole purpose of upgrading.

So off I went, and came back with a paid theme. Mind you, that WordPress themes are expensive. Some really good ones are in the hundreds.

“Anything, as long as my blog turns out beautiful.”

I think I spent more than RM1500 on blog themes alone which to be fair I have made back from sponsored posts. My current theme, Barton by EmPress Themes is by far my most customisable and bang-for-your-buck theme I have ever purchased. Proof? I have been using it since November 2021 and the only tweak I made since was just changing font type. And I need not add CSS codes because every single thing on the theme is customisable. It’s just that good. If you have been following me since blogspot era, you would know that I was obsessed with buying templates. Now, nothing compares to Barton and the ones who come close are hella expensive. Uh – no.

This time around, I think I will be loyal to just one theme until EmPress Themes comes out with a new theme that is better than my dearest Barton. Period.

See? I can be loyal to just one. My blog doesn’t need to have a makeover every fortnight. Tsk.

However, like I said, you don’t need expensive theme to start a blog although it would certainly help to have a clean, polished site to establish your mark in this blogging universe. But in this era where TikTok is ruling the social media, does one ever want to start a blog?