Happy New Year's Eve!

Happy New Year's Eve to all!

Yours truly, 

Emily

Home For The Holidays

Spending time at home over the past few days for Christmas has been just what the doctor ordered. The Holidays around the hospital are insanely busy and I found myself getting into a rut routine of waking up, going to work, staying late, possibly making it to the gym, coming home and crash, and waking up to do it all over again. Having a few days off to recharge and spend time with my family really pu things into perspective of just how crazy things have been and left me wanting to add a little balance. Sounds like a perfect easy New Years resolution, only come January I will not only be starting graduate school but also starting a new position at work! I wish I could say I am look at January as a chance to rebalance things but being that I will be working two weekends and traveling the other two, I am thinking balancing may have to wait. However, I absolutely soaked up my few days of relaxing at home knowing that next month will be hectic. Here's a bit of how I spent my few days at home...

So glad I was able to see my best friend for our annual Christmas Eve Open House! Every year we open up our doors and the house is filled with family and friends. I look forward to it every year and am so glad Alison and her family were able to attend this year!

3 generations. These two mean more to me then I could ever put into words and I am always grateful of their encouragement and support for wherever life takes me.

Me and my sweet momma!

As for Santa... he was definitely good to me this year and I got almost everything on my list and more...

How were your Holidays spent?

Yours truly,
Emily 

5 on Friday

Thank goodness Friday is finally here. I am so lucky to have today off, as well as the rest of the weekend! Christmas time around the hospital is crazy and filled with lots of donations and long hours. This weekend I am looking forward to my dad coming in town, a bit of relaxing, and finishing my Christmas shopping! I can't believe Christmas is next week, I am officially counting down the days until I am home with friends and family. Today calls for a quick gym session, a few errands before dad gets here, and a way overdue hair appointment!

{one}

This yummy brown rice Greek salad made the perfect grab and go lunch. Recipe to come next week!

{two}

This weekend my dad will be visiting Richmond and I can't wait to try out some new dining spots. Tonight we have reservations at The Roosevelt and I have heard nothing but wonderful things about their delicious food and specialty drinks. 

{three}

In yesterday's post I shared that I had received 2 pieces of good news all in one day. Yesterday not only did I enroll in my first graduate school class starting in January, but I also got a new assignment at work. I currently cover a school age and adolescent unit on my hospital but have always had an interest and particular passion for working with children with cancer and blood disorders, aka hem/oncers. This week it was decided that starting in January I will be the inpatient Hem/Onc Child Life Specialist for all pediatric units.... talk about a dream come true!

{four}

Speaking of work... my hospital debuted this video last week and it has gotten a ton of media coverage! It was so much fun to make and I loved getting to be a part of it. 

{five}

Last but not least, this past week we had a bit of a health scare with my Pop-pop. He was admitted to the hospital Sunday night but yesterday was all thumbs up and ready to go home. He is over 90 and I'm always amazed at his energy and love for life. So happy my Pop-pop is feeling better and will be going home soon!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Yours truly, 

Emily

Thoughts for Thursday

Another crazy whirl wind week over here and boy am I counting down the days until Friday! Thanksgiving's timing this year and a crazy month at work has completely thrown off my Christmas spirit and this girl has yet to do any Christmas shopping! This weekend my dad will be in town and I can't wait to knock some things off my list. I apologize for the ranting but here's a few other things on my mind this week...

{one}

I have become completely addicted to listening to the sound of rain while I fall asleep. Every night before I go to bed, I put the nature station from Songza on and off I go. It has become part of my nightly routine and I love it. 

{two}

This week I had 2 very exciting things happen, both I will be sharing for tomorrow's 5 on Friday!

{three}

Even with a crazy schedule I have managed to make it to the gym this week and am loving the after feeling of sore yet refreshed. 

{four}

Today my hospital is getting a toy donation that will be dropped off in an 18 wheeler... all organized by one child and his vision to give something to children in hospitals. It will be a crazy day but totally worth it to see the look on my patients faces!

{five}

I made the most amazing brown rice greek salad this week and have had it almost every day for lunch- look for recipe next week!

{six}

Hope everyone is having a fabulous week!

Yours truly,

Emily

Monday's Mantra

Happy Monday friends! 

Yours truly, 

Emily

Thoughts For Thursdsay

I apologize for the lack of words today but this week has been extra insane. Long hours at work, stressing about starting graduate school in January, and Christmas being right around the corner has got me in some kind of tizzy. Today I am working a simple 8 hour shift and then heading out to catch a showing of a local high school's play of Beauty and The Beast. One of my co worker's daughter will be playing Mrs. Potts and I can't wait to see her! An easy work day with a special treat tonight will hopefully give me a chance to slow down and enjoy the day a little bit more then I have been. Today's thought...

Yours truly, 

Emily

Currently...

Looking at the list above you can tell I have totally settled into a "comfort" week. The weather in Richmond has been so nasty and included rain and freezing temps almost everyday. I've been wearing lots of layers for work and wishing I had a pair of Hunters to sport with all this rain. Trader Joe's Almond Butter is being eaten by the spoonful and made for the perfect breakfast paired with a toasted English muffin. Also being that this week has been a bit crazier then others, I've settled into ending my nights with a glass of chardonnay, listening to Frank, and doing some reading. Normally come winter I am all about some red wine, however lately I've been loving a good smooth buttery chardonnay.

What have you been up to this week?

Yours truly,
Emily

Weekend Report

Sorry in the delay for the past weekend's festivities, Monday got a little crazy and by the time I knew I was crawling in bed. This weekend was a special rarity, not only because I was off work but also in Richmond! 

Friday my roommates and I had a few people over and ventured to a few spots in the Fan and downtown. It was a ton of fun and I'm so glad I could see a few ECU grads as well!

Pirates in Richmond!

Saturday I had plans to babysit for a family I used to nanny for when I lived in Annapolis. They will be moving to the Richmond area in just a few weeks and I can't wait for them to be close again!

Silly faces while making a Gingerbread House

Saturday night I headed to my work Christmas party and can't believe I forgot to take pictures! I wasn't there long because to be honest I may have had one too many drinks on Friday night but it was great to see everyone outside of work and celebrate the season!

Sunday I whipped up some waffles for my roommate and I. It had been a while since I broke out the waffle maker and am already looking forward to the next time. 

Sunday night we also decided to get a little festive and added some decorations around the apartment. 

This week will be filled with lots of seasonal events at work, long hours, a few spin classes, and hopefully a happy hour with a friend! 

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Yours truly,

Emily

Just Another...

Promise to be back tomorrow with a full recap of this weekend's festivities!

Yours truly,

Emily

5 on Friday

Friday sure did take it's time getting here and this girl could not be happier to see the weekend! Working last weekend after Thanksgiving and then into this week was rough and I can't wait to have a break this weekend and lucky for this girl, my weekend starts today! Let's get started with this weeks 5 on Friday!

{one}

You may have noticed a change here at Eloquently Emily! I decided I was finally up for a new format and could not be happier with the way it turned out! I purchased my new template from Crissy's store on Etsy and absolutely love it so far. Crissy was extremely helpful in helping me set it up and I would highly recommend her different templates!

{two}

Last week while I was at home my grandma sent me home with a big batch of homemade Maryland Crab soup. It was so delicious and made for the perfect dinner multiple times this week.

{three}

This week I made it to 3 spin classes and loved each and every one of them! It's official and I am addicted to Boho Cycle Studio. This week I went to classes taught by Katie, Shannon, and Jo. Each class was so different but definitely left me sore and sweaty. 

{four}

This weekend I will be headed to my annual work Christmas party. As you can tell from the picture above, my work party isn't quiet like other work parties and they tend to get a little out of control. This year we decided to make it "tacky" themed and I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

{five}

After a long week at work and now a long weekend off... this quote could not be more appropriate. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Yours truly, 

Emily 

Tuesday Eats- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic Aioli

This Thanksgiving I was eager to try out a new appetizer and so pleased with the way this recipe turned out. It was super easy but so flavorful and definitely something you could throw together before having company over. I am a huge fan of brussels sprouts and would be lying if I said I wasn't intimidated when I read the word ailoi, but all together it was SO simple!

Ingredients:

20-30 Brussels sprouts

Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper

Mayonnaise

Minced Garlic

Lemon juice

Flat parsley leaves

Begin by cutting your brussels sprouts in to quarters and tossing them in a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper. 

Place brussels sprouts on baking pan and roast at 400 for about 15 minutes. You want them to a little brown on the edges and tender. 

While they are cooking mix together mayonnaise, minced garlic, and lemon juice ( I did this to taste but feel free to follow the original recipe.)

Once brussels sprouts are done, place on dish and serve with aioli! 

Enjoy!

Yours truly,

Emily

 

Thanksgiving Recap + Getting Back A Routine

Now that Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is in full effect I have a feeling the next few weeks will fly by! It is so hard to believe that today is already the 2nd of December! Last week I was fortunate enough to get to head home for a few days spent with family and friends. It was such a good time and I can't wait for Christmas! Here's a few snapshots of my time at home...

Days off call for coffee and Sex And The City

My yummy Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic Aiolo (recipe tomorrow!)

So happy to see my best friend, Alison!

I mean if this picture isn't cute I don't know what is! Aaron, Alison's boyfriend is one of the nicest guys I have ever met and treats Al amazing- best friend approved!

Overall it was such a good time but I am defintiely happy to be back in Richmond and get back to my routine. The past few weeks have been extremely busy both at work and just in life in general. Grocery shopping, cooking, and going to the gym have all been pushed to the back burner and this week I am hoping to get back on track. My top priorities this week will include making it to the gym and cooking at least 3 meals, oh and let's not forget the mountains of clothes piled on my bed that still need to be folded and/or hung. 

What works for getting you back on track?

Yours truly, 

Emily