Weekend Links

Happy Friday friends! Sorry today's post is a little late, I had planned on waking up early and polishing it off but would you believe I actually slept in until 9! Yikes! I am officially back home in Maryland for the weekend and can't wait to spend the weekend with my family relaxing. Here's this week's round up of links...

+ Tuesday I am finally heading to get my hair cut and colored and boy is it overdue. I am gong to get my ombre colored over and hoping to go for a deep warm brown similar to this one. 

+ Now that it's officially the first day of Fall it seems appropriate to break out everything pumpkin related. I can't wait to head to my Trader Joe's to stock up on some of my favorites but definitely am going to be looking for a few things on this list. 

+ Has anyone ever ordered anything from Shein? Megan recently did a try on session with some things that she ordered, some that worked and some that didn't. I've always been super hesitant to order anything just not knowing sizes or quality. I loved this knotted top and for just $10! 

+ A must try recipe from Skinnytaste, especially for this time of year. 

+ Truth

Happy weekend y'all!

Emily Ann

Thoughts for Thursday

This week is dragging like no other and I am ready for it to be over.  Let's dive right in on this weeks  thoughts...

+ I am off tomorrow and heading home to my family this afternoon and literally can't wait to spend time with them and relax. My grandmother who lives next door to my family just got a new golden retriever puppy named Tilly and I can't wait to spoil her with lots of love. 

+ It is hot as all get out here in North Carolina and this girl is over it and ready for cooler temps. I've got my sweaters, booties, and scarves all ready. 

+ Last week I made my first recipe in my crockpot and man did I forget how great they are. Having dinner ready when you walk in the door from a long day is heaven. I am going to be trying a chicken chili next week, I will share recipe tomorrow!

+ The past 2 weeks I have been fighting a major cold and I am finally feeling better this week and was able to make it to the gym and spin. It was my first spin class in quite some time and man did it kick my butt. 

+ Y'all my hair is as long as it's ever been and thank the lord I am getting a hair cut on Tuesday. Serious horse main going on over here. 

+ Next week I am heading to Asheville with a girlfriend for a few days and I am really looking forward to some time away. I am hoping to get in a few hikes, have some yummy food and check out the Grove Park Inn spa. Any other recs?

+ Every week I say I am going to bite the bullet and try the Vital Protein Collagen Peptide powder. The only question I have is should I drink it in my coffee or just mix it with water and drink it that way?

+ And because I needed this reminder

I think that about does it for today! Hope everyone is having a good week so far, xo!

Emily Ann

Let's Talk Furniture

I've been very fortunate to not have to buy new furniture really at all since living on my own. I've inherited a lot of pieces from my family including my bed, dresser, and bedside table all of which I've had for 4+ years. I know eventually there will come a time when I will have bite the bullet and get some furniture of my own and truth be told I am a little intimidated. 

Recently I was contacted by Furniture.com to review some of their furniture and collections and I have to say I was majorly impressed. Check out a few of my favorites below.

Sofia Vergara Monoco Court Oyster Sofa

This couch is from the Sofia Vergara collection and I love the nail head detailing. 

While looking through some of the other collections I also really liked a lot of the pieces from the Chesapeake collection 

Aside from living room collections, Furniture.com also has a really good selection of bedroom furniture. 

I love the look of this rod iron iron like bed frame. 

Freemont Lane Gray King Bed

A tad more luxurious is this beautiful raised gray bed with nail head details. 

Loden Gray 3pc King Upholstered Bed

And because what good is getting new furniture if you can't get all the fun finishing touches and accents...

Cable Knit Accent Pillow

Who doesn't love a good accent pillow?

Katya Gold Mirror 

If you are in the market for new furniture or even just a few accent pieces, I highly suggest perusing through Furniture.com. 

Hope everyone is having a great Tuesday!

Yours truly, 

Emily Ann

Monday, Monday, Monday

Monday we meet again. I don't have too much to complain about this morning seeing as how I had a very low weekend and also only have a 4 day work week. This past weekend I wish I could report lots of exciting activities but I honestly just took it easy, ran errands, spent time outside, watched movies, and cooked at home most the weekend. Sometimes you just need a weekend like that, am I right? This weekend I am heading home to Maryland to celebrate my friend at her bridal shower and I am so excited to spend some time with my family. As for this week, I have a few spin classes scheduled, a new book I am reading and hoping the week flies by. Here's a little inspiration for your Monday...

Yours truly, 

Emily Ann

Fall Bucket List

Now that we are half way through September and just a week away from the first day of Fall, it finally feels appropriate to break into all things fall related. I have yet to have anything pumpkin related or even break out any fall candles. Today I thought it would be fun to share a bucket list of activities I am hoping to do this fall...

1. Last year I kept waiting on our landlord to powerwash our house before decorating for fall and wouldn't you know he didn't get around to it until right before Christmas. This year I plan pick up a few mums and pumpkins for the front steps and hoping to maybe even make a fall wreath.

2. A few years ago I hosted a pumpkin carving party with a few girlfriends and I am thinking I need to bring it back this year. Everyone bought their own pumpkin, there was lots of wine and we even watched Hocus Pocus.

3. Another thing I didn't get around to doing last year was baking an apple pie. I've made several in the past and once you get the hang of it its not as intimidating as one might think.

4. There is nothing like being in the mountains when the leaves have just started to change and there's a crisp in the air. I am hopefully going to Asheville the end of this month and can't wait to get in a hike and drive along the Blue Ridge.

5. Today is the first day I am using my crock pot for the start of fall recipes and I am so excited. I love being able to smell dinner as I am walking in the door, not to mention it simplifies dinner planning so much. Tonight I am making White bean Turkey Chili.

6. Last year we threw Friendsgiving for the first time and had so much fun. We provided the turkey and everyone brought a side, dessert, or a bottle of wine and it turned out perfect.

7. Because what else screams fall but going to pick apples, drink apple cider, and if your lucky get apple donuts.

8. This is our first fall living in our new house and we have yet to make use of the fire pit in our backyard. I'm thinking a fire pit party is a must with pumpkin beer, chili, and s'mores.

9. Lucky for me I've already been to one ECU game so far this season but hopefully I will be able to get in a few more before the end of the season.

10. This one is a bit random but I think I am finally read to go back to being a solid brunette. Over the summer I added a lot of blonde to my hair and while I loved that I pushed myself outside of my comfort zone, I am ready for my brown locks back.

What are some of your plans for the fall?

Yours truly,
Emily Ann

Weekend

Happy Friday y'all! Anyone else think for a short work week that this week just dragged on? Unfortunately I am working this weekend but honestly looking forward to having a low key weekend and plan to spend my evenings just relaxing and doing a bit of Netflixing. My heart and prayers go out to everyone being affect by Hurricane Irma, I can't imagine the devastation that has already taken place and what's to come when it hits Florida and the coast. We won't be seeing any bad weather in Raleigh until Monday or Tuesday but hopefully it will just be rain. I hope everyone stays safe and has a lovely weekend, here's this weeks roundup of links and finds...

+ Another house tour that has me ready to move in. 

+ Chili season is officially upon us and I can't wait. There is nothing better then coming home from a long day and being able to smell dinner as your walking in the house. This recipe is a different take on chili but looks so yummy and from one of my favorite sites. 

+ Majorly loving this poncho for fall, and it's under $15. 

+ I can't believe I am about to admit this but how have I still not been to Charleston? This article is making me want to plan and book my trip ASAP.

+ I needed this quote today. 

Yours truly, 

Emily Ann

Lately

Happy Thursday friends. How is everyone's week so far? Mine has been a mix of lagging and then crazy with just keeping up with getting back from vacation. The temps here have been on the cooler side and it has me majorly looking forward to fall. However being in North Carolina, I am fully aware we probably have a few more heat waves coming our way before the crisp temps are here to stay. Today's post includes a bit of what has been going on in my world...

Watching: 

I finished Ozark last week and man was I sad to see it end. It was a show that definitely kept me on my toes and that I felt like I actually had to pay attention to. The ending was crazy and I am really looking forward to Season 2. I love Jason Bateman and thought he did a great job and it was definitely a change from his normal comedy vibe. After Ozark I wanted something a bit lighter and something I could just mindlessly watch before bed, enter Cedar Cove. It's a Hallmark show and stars Andie McDowell and so far it has been surprisingly really good. 

Eating: 

I bought a cast iron grill pan over the weekend and finally got around to using it last night and couldn't be more happy with it. I had never used a cast iron pan before and while I think I need a bit more practice I have already been looking up more recipes to make. My one hiccup was not using enough oil and some of the pork chops I was making ended up sticking to the pan a little bit. Next week I plan to try some pesto chicken and maybe even a steak. For those interested, I ordered this one from Amazon. 

I also posted on my Instagram story last night about a new Trader Joes product I tried and loved- Turkey Jerky. Holy moly... this is so good and makes for an easy snack during the day or even on my way home from work while I am stuck in traffic. 

Wearing: 

I am loving all of my new sale pieces I got over Labor Day weekend and have gotten so many compliments this week. I think my favorite buy has been this top, it was so comfy and the cuffed sleeves look so polished. 

My new trench coat also came and I can't wait for the weather to get a bit cooler to break it out. It is still on major sale and a great buy for fall! 

Reading: 

While on vacation I polished off 3 books and loved them all but here's the crazy part and I apologize y'all but I can't remember the titles! Blame it on lack of caffeine or just flying through them but I even checked my library account and they don't keep record of books you've checked our after you return them... not helpful. Currently I am reading Who Do You Love by Jennifer Weiner and it's pretty good but definitely not my favorite. 

Looking forward to:

Tonight I am getting together with a friend for a slumber party and I can't wait to enjoy a glass of wine, spend time catching up, and watch a chick flick. 

Speaking of a chick flick, has anyone been watching Bachelor in Paradise? I got caught up last night and while I do think there are a lot of really great couples, I couldn't get over the Dean/Christina/ D Lo situation. He is an absolute idiot and I literally found myself really feeling for Christina and relating to what she was going through.

Wanting: 

Anyone have any good bridal shower gift ideas? I'm a little bit of a procrastinator and everything on the registry has been claimed. I was hoping to find something cute I could personalize on etsy but haven't found anything I love just yet. Any recommendations?

Hope everyone has been having a good week, only one more day until Friday!

Yours truly,

Emily Ann

Weekend Links

Happy Friday y'all! Hope everyone had a good week and is ready for a long relaxing holiday weekend. I have been off since last Friday and it has been amazing and such a needed break. Today I am heading to the river for the weekend for a little more R&R before it's back to work next week. The weather is supposed to be a little iffy but I loaded up on some new books and plan to just enjoy the last of my vacation. Here are some links and finds of the week...

+ I've become a huge fan of letting my hair dry, it's so much easier as well as less time consuming and gives me a chance to get out of the door a lot sooner. Here are some tips for ways to style your hair without really styling it. 

+ How yummy does this recipe look? I think I will be making this this weekend for a fresh and easy side. 

+ Obsessed with these pants and love how they are styled in the picture. These could easily be worn now with a cute tank and even later with a blazer and some pumps. 

+ This house is an absolute dream, absolutely stunning. 

+ I needed this reminder today, it is 100% true. 

Off to finish packing, stock up on wine and snacks, and then it's to the river!

Yours truly, 

Emily Ann