Thursday, July 31, 2014

Thoughts for Thursday

Thank goodness it is Thursday! This week has seemed incredibly long given the fact that I only worked 2 days last week in between beach trips! I am beyond ready for this weekend and given that the week has been a little crazy, I have an array of thoughts to share for today's link up...



The weather has been absolutely beautiful in Richmond this week and reminded my entirely of fall! I may have taken it a little too far by adding a dash of cinnamon in my morning coffee AND having my first glass of red wine of the season, cheers!

I'm dog/house sitting this week and had a minor incident the other night which ended in me being so scared and in tears I had to call the police to come check the house. Yes you read that right. I was convinced a few things in the house were misplaced and that someone was hiding inside that I actually called the police to come check everything out. Everything was fine but my goodness I was a mess!

During my downtime this week I managed to watch a movie on Netflix per Allie's recommendation- The Importance of Being Earnest. I really enjoyed it and thought it was a great easy watch. 

Thank y'all so much for your comments and suggestions on what I should treat myself to for my 25th birthday! After lots of thinking I have officially made up my mind and can't wait to share with y'all what I ended up choosing- look for the reveal in tomorrows post!

I have yet to hop on the La Croix trend but am seriously considering trying out this popular drink- any suggestions on what flavor to try first? 

It's hard to believe that in just a little over 2 weeks I will be hiking 20 miles in one day! Ultimate Hike is getting closer and closer and this weekend I will be hiking 15 miles... prayers appreciated. 

Tess from Tea Time with Tess recently posted that she would be going carb free for 30 days. Ever since she posted about it I have not been able to stop thinking about it and how much I want to try it for myself. I'm going to think about it the rest of the week and maybe even begin next week!

Hope everyone is having a great week so far!

Yours truly, 
Emily Ann


Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Opinions needed- What Should I Treat Myself To?



Today I am reaching out to everyone for their opinion on what I should treat myself to for my birthday. This birthday was kinda big for me and overall not the best day in general. I've been working really hard at work lately and have even picked up some second little jobs to bring in a little extra money which has left me wanting to treat myself to a little extra something. Obviously I still have my monthly expenses and am looking forward to putting a bit in savings but also looking forward to buying myself something nice that I know I worked for. 

I essentially have 2 options- one nice more expensive item or two less expensive items...


Option 1-
David Yurman X Crossover Ring
I've had my eye on this ring since college and for some reason have never bit the bullet and just bought it. I love the simplicity of it and that it could be worn every day. 


Option 2-



Sam Edelman Penny Boot

I am definitely due for a new pair of boots this fall and I love the look of these. 


J. Crew Factory Quilted Puffer Vest- Black

This is another piece I've had my eye on since last season and know I would wear it throughout Fall and into Winter. I've seen different bloggers style it and know I would be able to wear it with so many different things, bonus that it's on sale right now! 


So now the decision- the David Yurman ring or the two items for Fall/Winter? 

What do you treat yourself to?

Yours truly, 
Emily Ann

Monday, July 28, 2014

Weekend recap: Celebrating 25 at The Beach!

Thank you all so much for all the sweet birthday wishes last week and over the weekend! For those that didn't know, I celebrated my 25th birthday last week and had the pleasure of celebrating with these wonderful ladies at on of my favorite restaurants in Richmond. 

Celebrating with wonderful friends

Candid while singing Happy Birthday

Unfortunately late Thursday night/ early Friday morning something did not agree with my system and I wound up getting food poisoning. Having never had food poisoning I wasn't really sure what was going on but I don't remember getting so sick so quickly. It was honestly miserable and I totally feel for anyone that has ever had it. Friday I was due to head to the beach to spend the weekend with my best friends from college and though I was feel less then great, my friend Ellen drove and I relaxed and slept on the way down. Friday was a bit of blur as I spent most of the day/night sleeping but I woke up on Saturday feeling better and ready to relax on the beach. 
So thankful for these girls and the times spent with them!

Myself and Ellen, another July baby!

The whole crew at Jacks in Morehead

Overall the weekend was a great time and I am so happy I was able to rally and spend time with everyone. This week I am hoping to get in a few work outs but lay low before a weekend with NO plans... I can't wait! 

Yours truly, 
Emily Ann


Thursday, July 24, 2014

Twenty Five!




Today I am officially 25 years old. 

Today I thought it would be fun to share 25 things about me that you may not know...

1.Doesn't matter the day, time, or season I absolutely love rain storms. Some people find rain depressing and sad but I am just the opposite and find it comforting and peaceful. 

2. Breakfast is by far my favorite meal and I could easily eat it for every meal- nothing better then scrambled eggs with feta or waffles or pancakes or a good 'ol bowl of cereal... the list could go on. 

3. I am awful at painting my nails, like embarrassingly awful. My left hand always looks semi decent but the right is a whole different story.

4. As I grow up the thought of going out has become less and less appealing to me. These days I would much prefer to grab dinner or drinks with friends before heading in to bed early... old lady status. 

5. I love doing things by myself- running errands, shopping, laying out, or even seeing a movie. Being an only child I think I got used to doing things on my own and to this day still love being on my own, especially for shopping. 

6. I talk to my mom at least 2-3 times a day. I talk to her on the way to work, sometimes during the work day to check in or ask her a question, and sometimes even 1-2 times at night. Somehow we always have things to talk about and I love our little conversations throughout the day. 

7. I am terrible at spelling and grammar... this probably isn't too hard to tell judging by my posts sometimes but it is a serious downfall of mine. 

8. I still get overly excited about making new CD's and listening to them on car rides. I've always been really into music and in college my friends jokingly referred to me as DJ Dep (Dep is part of my last name.) The title has stuck and I am still in charge of providing the tunes for any of our car rides together. 

9. I miss living in North Carolina every day... literally every day. I am itching to move back to my favorite state and hoping it happens sooner then later. 

10. My all time favorite movies are The Godfather, Father of the Bride, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. 

11. This past year was the first time I took a trip fully funded by myself across the country to visit one of my best friends in San Francisco. I love traveling and experiencing things and new places and being able to make it happen all on my own was a great feeling. Being that I loved SF so much, I am hoping to get out there again this fall and have a few others in mind including Chicago, Charleston, Miami, and Boston. 

12. My love for wine is sometimes frightening. Spring and summer you can find me drinking Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc while fall and winter is reserved for Pinot Noir or red blends. Sometimes having a glass of wine at the end of the day is all I need to get me feeling relaxed and make the distinction from work to home. 

13. I never learned and still do not know how to ride a bike. Shocking I know but at this point I honestly have no desire to learn how, hopefully the future hubby will be able to teach the kids! 

14. I really enjoy reading and always have, even at a young age. My dad used to take me to Barnes and Noble every Sunday and I remember absolutely loving being able to sit and enjoy looking a books for hours. I haven't made the switch from paper books to electronic ones because to be honest I love the feel of a book and the ability to turn the page and weirdo but I also love the smell of library books. 

15. Fresh flowers make me ridiculously happy. I often treat myself to flowers about once a month and love the way the liven a room and make it seem so much more homier and inviting. My favorites are peonies, hydrangeas, and lillies. 

16. Even though I work in a hospital and am surrounded by doctors and health care all day, I am not a fan of going to the doctors. If I have a big appointment or even have to have a small procedure done you better believe my mom and grandma comes with me. I once had my mom, grandma, and two best friends all in the waiting room for me during a procedure but couldn't have been more happy to see them when I got finished. 

17. I love cheese. Any kind- brie, feta, cheddar, gouda... you name it, I love it. 

18. I really enjoy working out and can feel a difference in my body even when I skip just 2 days. I am fully certain if I didn't work out or eat as healthy as I do I would gain 5-10 lbs quickly. It's a pretty scary thought but it definitely helps me to keep on track and be conscious of what I put into my body aka not too much cheese or wine. 

19.  I'm not sure I've figured out exactly what the terms means but many people have referred to me as an old soul. My older friends here in Richmond think I am pretty mature for my age and while I would definitely agree, I also critisize myself for being "an old lady" aka in bed early, being over going out, love of sweaters and the comfier things in life. 

20. Coffee at any time of day is comforting to me. I have about one cup in the morning, another in the afternoon around 3 or 4 and then sometimes a cup of decaf at night. 

21. I absolutely am blessed with the best friends and family could ask for. They mean the world and more to me and I really hit the lotto when it comes to people I can count on. 

22. Even though I am officially at my mid 20's spot I still think I am so terrible with money. I am awful when it comes to talking about retirement accounts, 401k, roth IRAs... couldn't even tell you what they are. Within the next few years I am hoping to get a lot better about managing and understand my finances. 

23. I want a dog so bad I wish I could go out and get one this afternoon. I miss Corduroy every day at home and if I lived in an apartment that allowed dogs, I would easily have bought one a long time ago. Being around dogs just make me happy and I definitely want to get one within the next few years. 

24. My favorite places to go shopping include TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Gap, J. Crew and Banana Republic. I always hit up TJ and Marshalls before I go anywhere because I always seem to have such great luck there and lets be honest, you can beat their prices. 

25. Tonight I will be celebrating my birthday surrounded by my best friends in Richmond at a fun wine bar in Carytown before heading to my favorite restaurant for more beverages and yummy food. Tomorrow it's off to the beach to celebrate with my closest friends from college, cheers to 25!


Yours truly, 
Emily 




Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Mid Week Muse: Casual Birthday Celebration + Updates

Mid Week Muse: Casual Birthday Celebration + Updates





I am officially back to work after a few days at the beach with my family and already itching to get back on the sand in a few days! This week is a short week, one because I was off on Monday and Tuesday to visit Carolina Beach and two because it's my birthday week and I am off Friday to head to Atlantic Beach to catch up with friends! I can't wait and am so excited to see all of my best girlfriends from college. 

This week's Mid Week Muse focused on a casual birthday outfit as this Thursday I will be celebrating the big 2-5 at one of my favorite restaurants in Richmond surrounded by amazing friends. I can't wait and am eager to get these two days of the week out of the way before its back to the ocean! Be sure to check out Ann and Morgan's link up if you have not yet participated!


Also in updates- last week I mentioned that my laptop at home had crashed... this unfortunately is still true and it does not look like it will be making a come back. Apparently losing a laptop wasn't enough for last week and my phone also fizzled... terrible luck. Fortunately I was able to get a new one and transfer all my contacts, however all of my pictures have yet to be transferred. At this point I am not sure if they will be able to be transferred and I am so so upset because I had so many things in the works to post on. I will be working on sorting this out and hopefully will regain some sort of technology capability soon! Thank you for you patience and understanding! 

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week so far!

Yours truly, 
Emily 


Friday, July 18, 2014

Friday Finds + Weekend




Thank goodness the weekend is here! This morning I have a few meetings before I am off work early, heading to a long overdue hair appointment then ready to enjoy the weekend! Sunday it's off to the beach for a few days with my family before my birthday next week- cheers!

Here are a few finds throughout the week...

+ Loved this article on 30 Smart Career Choices To Make Before 30

+ Call me crazy but this girl is already dreaming of fall- football, pumpkin everything, boots, scarfs.. I could not be more excited. I am thinking this vest will be making its way into my fall wardrobe. 

+ Speaking of boots, I need a new pair for this season and have my eye on these

+ As a lover of fried pickles, this recipe looks amazing and super easy

+ I've heard a lot about oil cleansing but as someone with oily skin have not yet tried it, this article had a ton of great tips and products. I may just have to try it out! 

+ Loving this simple necklace, perfect to wear for everyday 

+ This quote could not be more on point

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

Yours truly, 
Emily 

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Thoughts For Thursday



Happy Thursday friends! Y'all have no idea how crazy I am going not being able to post without a computer at home- it is no fun! Today I am sneaking in a quick post to share a bit of what I been up to and posts to hopefully come in the future...

+ Last weekend I worked so had the day off on Monday and can't say how nice it was. It started with spin class with a friend followed by lunch in Colonial Williamsburg, outlet shopping, and capped out with a winery visit. 

+ This week I am housesitting/dogsitting for a friend and although I love dog, he is not even 2 yet and so much to keep up with! I can't even count on one hand how many things of mine were chewed just in the first day!

+ I haven't forgotten about my Versona giveaway and am hoping to have it up by next week!

+ Being that pizza is one of my all time favorite foods, I was all too excited when a new pizza place in Richmond sent me a promo box and gift card to try out their pizza. Next week I will be doing a full post on my Pie Five experience!

+ My birthday is officially a week away from today! Can't believe I will be turning the big 2-5 in just a few days!

+This Sunday I am heading out of town for a quick beach trip with my family in Carolina Beach. Even though I am only going a few days, I am beyond excited for a few days away relaxing with my family!

+ This week has been one of those weeks that I am surviving on coffee in the mornings and wine and night... detox next week maybe?



Hope everyone is having a great week and can't wait to get back to my regular posting schedule! 

Yours truly, 
Emily 

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Technical Difficulties...



Happy Tuesday readers! Due to technical difficulties aka my computer crashing I have been unable to post since last week! I wish I could say I have a new one and will be back to my normal schedule but unfortunately not yet. Hopefully I can fit in some updates this week!

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Yours truly, 
Emily 

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Versona Grand Opening + Giveaway To Come





If you are a follower of Allie over at Alexandra Bee Blog you know that she and I recently attended the grand opening of a new accessories store in Richmond- Versona! This was my first time being formally invited to anything as a blogger and I have to say it was amazing! Not only did I get to spend time with Allie doing what girls do best, but I also came home with some amazing jewelry pieces. Here are a few of the picture from the opening and things that grabbed our attention...

Who knew an accessories store would have home items as well! They had a great selection of frames, jewelry holders, and decor for any room. I was immediately drawn to the Wet Bikini bags and think they are such a great idea to have in your beach bag for summer!

I snagged a few pairs of studs while I was there and loved their selection of every day jewelry. 

A favorite necklace display of mine, I love the purple and blue combination together. 

Fully stocked and ready for 4th of July outfits!

I absolutely loved this blue strip dress and think I may have to go back and get it! Perfect to throw on with jacks for a summer BBQ or with wedges for a fun night out. 

Here's the exciting part- Versona was nice enough to send me not one but two gift cards! One to buy something for myself, and the other to spend on a giveaway! Next week I will be giving one lucky reader 2 pieces of jewelry- stay tuned! 

Be sure to check out Versona online to see if there is one in your area! 

Happy Thursday friends!

Yours truly, 
Emily 






Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Mid Week Muse: Beach Days

Mid Week Muse: Beach Days



Being that it is prime time beach season, it only seemed appropriate to talk about my beach essentials. I could honestly stay on the beach all day as long as I have my sunnies, a good book, and my toes in the sand. My favorite part of the day is around 4 or 5 when people start to leave and the beach gets a bit quieter and I am able to take a little snooze before heading up to shower and indulge in a little happy hour. How do you spend your day at the beach?


 Be sure to check out Ann and Morgan's link up- Mid Week Muse for other bloggers favorite fashion picks of the week! 



Yours truly,
Emily 

Let's Catch up...



The past 3 weeks have seemed like an absolute whirl wind and I am finally settling back down after back to back wedding weekends followed by celebrating the 4th out of town with friends. While I absolutely loved being able to celebrate 2 amazing couples AND spending time with friends, I am beyond ready for a break and eager to get back to my routine. This post is a bit picture heavy but here is what I have been up to the past few weeks...


Early mornings spent with my new favorite breakfast- greek yogurt, almond butter, and granola + coffee. 



Days off spent at the pool with Allie and a new book.



Experiencing my first massage,it will most definitely not be my last!




Training hikes for my upcoming Ultimate Hike in August! 





Spending time with friends while celebrating an amazing couple- still reminiscing about Lindsey and Brad's wedding in beautiful Raleigh, NC. 


Whipped up a batch of healthy banana muffins to bring to work for coworkers.

Watching one of my best friends from college tie the knot! I could not be more happy for Abby and Stephen and loved being there to celebrate such a wonderful couple.


Catching up and seeing these girls, I could not love them more.



Snagging breakfast with Gram- she is the best and I am always so thankful of my time spent with her!

As you can see it's been a busy few weeks and will continue at this pace until the end of July! Here's to enjoying the summer and all the time spent at the beach and with friends and family!

Yours truly, 
Emily 


Monday, July 7, 2014

Back To Reality



 It's officially Monday and this girl is back at work after a fabulous 4 day weekend spent at the beach with friends. I can't believe how long it has been since my last post and I promise to be back on track this week! Look for tomorrow's post on what I have been up to! 

Yours truly, 
Emily