2012 In Review and Hopes for 2013

Looking back at 2012, I can't believe how much has happened! Last year at this time I had just completed my internship and moved home to start my first job post college as a preschool teacher. It had been a LONG time since I lived at home and I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little excited to be back home with parents and lets be honest- life while living at home isn't too bad. I also loved my first job as a preschool teacher and thought it was a great transition between ending college and finding my current job. Also while at home I got to spend lots of time with friends from high school who I had not seen in so long- it was so great spending time with them and pretending like we were back in high school for girls nights. 

During this period at home, I also took the time to focus in on my health and more importantly what I was putting into my body. I pulled back on dairy and switched to almond milk and started cooking with a lot more veggies and tofu. While I can't say my parents were thrilled about these changes, it definitely set me up for starting to cook for one when I moved into my apartment. 

Mid-way through the spring, I accepted a job in Richmond and moved myself and my life to a new city where I knew almost no one! Even to this day, I still can't believe how big of a move I made in terms of not knowing anyone but luckily I have been fortunate enough to meet a great group of girlfriends! Most of my time spent in my new town has been spent working and while that sounds boring, I have made a lot progress in my current position and after the new year will be getting a mini promotion! 

I have never been someone that is big on resolutions so instead here are a few prints I have found that capture I want to look at 2013!

Hope everyone had a great New Years Eve and has a wonderful start to the New Year!

Catching up from Christmas!

Hey Y'all sorry I'm a bit late on my update from Christmas but better late then never! Christmas flew by extra fast this year, being that I had to work the day before Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas. I wasn't home for long but I still loved spending the time with my family and friends! I actually am back home now for the weekend and New Years Eve which  definitely makes up for the short visit. Here are a few snapshots of our holiday!

One of my best friends and her family come over every year for Christmas eve and being that I don't get to see her too much throughout the year, I love knowing she'll be there every year to catch up with! She also just graduated Nursing school and landed her first nursing job, could not be more proud of her!

Life of the party... aka my sweet gram!

3 generations 

Wednesday I was back at work and although I wasn't thrilled to be away from my family, I made sure to treat myself to a few things...

Since moving to Richmond, I have been eager to find something else to do on days where going to the gym and getting on a treadmill or elliptical is a task far from happening. After doing some research online and finding a Groupon for Barre classes, I quickly signed... and quickly fell in love. While I am not sweating profusely throughout these classes, they absolutely leave me with the feeling that I will be sore the next day. So far I have been to 3 and can't wait to keep going!

One of the gifts I received for Christmas was a gift card to B&N, this was perfect because I had just finished my book last week. I have just started this book and so far love it! It also didn't hurt to read with a glass of red and a new candle.

Now that I am home until after the New Year, I plan on doing lots of relaxing, spending time with family, and heading to this city to ring in 2013!

This year I am going out in D.C to the National Harbor with one of my best friends, Jenna! I could not be more excited for a night out on the town with this girl maybe a few glasses of wine.

Lately and a few Christmas Deals!

Sorry I have been so M.I.A... along with the rest of the human race... this time of year is CRAZY- especially if you work at a Children's Hospital and are trying to get organize Christmas for patients that will be in the hospital over the holiday! 

Here's a few updates what I have been up to...

Attended my fabulous work party- it was SO much fun and I would be lying if I said I wasn't struggling a bit the next day.

 

Received this sweet gift from a friend for our secret santa exchange

Speaking of the Pirates.. I also treated myself to this new tervis and have been using every day... all day

 Lots of Christmas shopping...

Snuck in a quick treat myself... nothing like a McDonald's fry and coke (yes coming from the girl whos diet consists of veggies, salmon, and tofu)

Most importantly though- the Childrens Hospital I work at decided to make a music video as part of the 12 days of Cheer promotion! Take a look- it is super cute and was so much fun to make! Unfortunately I did not make it into the movie due to getting patients organized and ready but I could not be more happy with how it turned out!

Hope everyone is finished or finishing their Chistmas shopping- there are some GREAT deals out there right now!

 

Check out a few that I have spotted...

50% off everything at Loft!

40% off everything at Gap Outlet

40% off Denim at Gap... love Gap jeans

40% off everything at Express

As for this weekend- I am working Saturday and Sunday and then will be headed home to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas day with my amazing family and friends! Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and is able to spend it with the ones they love!

Christmas List- The Apartment Wish list

Having a new apartment makes my Christmas wish list a bit longer then usual... however everything I have chosen is moderately priced and ABSOLUTELY cute. I am fortunate enough to already know a few of the things I am getting... one of those being a new flat screen TV! I CANT wait to get this in my living room on a new entertainment center. Below are a few items that have been emailed to my parents, fingers crossed I see a few of them under the tree!

New Bedding:

I currently have this set in white and while I do love it, I have decided I want the colors of my bedroom to be grey and navy blue... simple and chic. 

And of course new bedding deserves new pillows...

I have asked for 2 of these chevron throw pillows!

This small lumbar pillow will go in front of the two chevron. I think the mixing of prints against the grey will look great! 

To go with my navy and gray theme, I have asked for these simple navy curtains. 

Living room:

To go with my new flat screen, I have asked for a simple black TV stand that will go perfect with the rest of my living room furniture!

And clearly a few new candles... this girl is candle obsessed.

It's a lot but I think it will be the finishing touches on the new place!

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Better Late Then Never... Lets Talk Boyfriend...

Hey Y'all, so I am little late to pick up on this trend but I am absolutely loving it and pondering a pair to get for myself. No I am not talking a boyfriend... I am talking about boyfriend jeans! Girl, please... I am young, single, living in a new city and far from getting a boyfriend. However what I do want is a pair of boyfriend jeans that can be worn on weekends and easily transitioned from day to night. Here's a coupe looks that have led to my new obsession...

Anyone have any recommendations on brands or styles? 

Yours truly, 

Em

Neiman Marcus at Target

Lets take a second to chat about Neiman Marcus at Target... because this girl has some serious needs from this new collection. I have yet to make to my local Target because I have been working all weekend but you can bet that I will be checking it out this week! Hopefully a few of these will be left by the time I get there!

I am loving this Tracy Reese blouse and think it would be SO cute with some black skinnies and nude pumps. Perfect for a holiday party!

A set of these desperately need to make their way into their my china hutch to have when entertaining guests

. 

Tory Burch thermos... hello lover. 

Carolina Herrera Travel bags- I love all the different colors and sizes. Perfect for putting your make up in one and jewelry in another for traveling.

Absolutely obsessed with this Thom Browne blazer. It could be dressed down with a pair of loafers and boyfriend jeans or dressed up with skinnies and booties!

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend!

Yours truly, 

Em

Thoughts Of Thursday

Happy Thursday All! I am still trying to get my days straight after thanksgiving! Friday after Thanksgiving I headed back to Richmond and was up early Saturday to head back to work. Since working the weekend, I am off today and tomorrow and have a few visitors I cant wait to see! Every year my mom and her girlfriends travel to Richmond for a big event known as Bazaar Bazaar. It is a HUGE Christmas craft show they hold at the speedway. This year however is a bit different because I now live in Richmond! My mom, grandma, and aunt will be making their way to Richmond on Thursday and staying until Saturday when I have to head back to work. I am so excited to not only see them but also experience Bazaar Bazaar!

Here are a few pictures I have found while looking up the event...

In addition to thinking about this fun craft show and getting excited to see my family, here are some other thoughts I've had this week...

- Call me crazy and a Grinch but Christmas is not my favorite holiday and I did not jump on the decorating the day after Thanksgiving train

- I only like certain kinds of classic Christmas music- my go to favorite is Frank Sinatra

- I refuse to listen to Christmas music in the car and absolutely hate that I have to hear it every morning when I am on the bus to work

- If I get any sort of tree at all it will be the Charlie Brown Christmas tree

- The day Starbucks takes away the pumpkin spice latte will be beyond sad

- I detest getting hair out of the drain in the shower, I literally shut my eyes and just for it

- I am beyond obsessed with Mindy project, she is absolutely hilarious and I look forward to watching every week

- I am still using a sheet as a futon cover because I have yet to decide what color I want to get...judge away

-One of the reasons I am looking forward to my family being in town is to try some new restaurants... foodie problem

- I am also looking forward to an excuse to have wine with dinner both tonight and Friday... yep wino problem

Hope everyone has a great rest of the week and I will be sure to post some pictures from Bazaar Bazaar!

Yours truly, 

Em

Black Friday Buys

I am not normally a fan of Black Friday and I was far from someone up by 4 to make it to the early morning sales. I took a bit of more relaxed approach this year and meandered out to the stores around 10 and still got some great deals! Normally starting Thanksgiving, until Christmas I really try to limit the amount of things I buy for myself and start saving up for Christmas gifts for others. I did however come away with a few things today that I am looking forward to wearing this week! 

I stopped by Loft after reading Colleen's post over at The Lunchbox Diaries on how many good things she got, for only $45! I did not have as good of luck as she did but did come away with something I have been eyeing for quite some time...

I scored this super comfy but cute sweatshirt for only $20! This will be great for those mornings when I feel like staying cozy and warm while running errands. 

Next I headed over to Old Navy and scored some more great deals!

This super cute sweater for only $20

A fun and colorful blouse that could be dressed up for work or be worn with jeans and boots

A new winter coat! Prior to today I only had a white long fancyish winter coat and have been looking for more of a casual coat that can be worn to and from work and while running around on weekends. This coat is a great camel color and super cozy and warm. 

I also wanted to make sure I thank Kelsey over at Kelsey Nicole! She had a fabulous giveaway last week and I actually won! This was my first time winning a giveaway and I am now the proud owner of a $50 gift card to Sephora! If you haven't checked out Kelsey's blog- please make sure you do! She lives in Annapolis, my hometown, and I always look forward to her posts! Thank you again Kelsey!

Yours truly, 

Em

Happy Thanksgiving!

thanksgiving by ead0724 featuring loose tops

Loose top / Loose pants, $190 / Ben-Amun gold bracelet / Tory Burch earrings

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Above is the perfect outfit for spending the day with your family- cozy and chic! Hope every has a blessed and safe day with their family!

Yours truly,

Em

Another week of pure craziness

Y'all... holy cow did this week kick my butt! I worked more hours this week then I did last week... I did not even think that was possible! However even with working crazy hours, including a 14 hour shift.. I still managed to have some fun this week and get together with friends. 

Here's a few shots from the week...

A yummy loaf of pumpkin bread

The barista at Au Bon Pain got a little fancy with my order...

Hot and yummy oatmeal with bananas and almond butter

Girls night spent at Melting pot 

Spotted the cutest ECU print at a local boutique in Richmond- I am obsessed.

 My article was published in the Children's Hospital of Richmond calendar!

Finishing the week with a glass of one of my favorite wines!

This weekend I am fortunate enough to be off work and have 0 plans. I am looking forward to lots of relaxing and doing a deep clean on my apartment- it is WAY over due!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Yours truly, 

Em