Thoughts For Thursday: Currently

Today's thoughts for Thursday include everything I currently have my eye on. With Fall just around the corner I am finding myself drawn more and more to pieces that can be worn from late August into the cooler temps. 

One.

This Larkin Tote from Banana Republic is beautiful and could definitely be worn throughout most seasons. Bonus that it's on sale right now!

Two.

I am a sucker for anything stripped and this dress definitely makes the cut. Can't beat a good Target find. 

Three.

Normally I just use a simple Neutrogena facial cleanser to remove my makeup at night. While this does the job, I often feel like I still have some makeup on my face. This cleanser is a bit thicker and would be perfect for the cooler months ahead when my skin tends to need a bit more moisture. 

Four.

Gold and leather strap watch... perfection. 

Five.

These candles were recently on sale during the Nordstroms Anniversary sale and I can't believe I forgot to snatch them up. I love all these scents and love that the design of the tins add a little something extra to the room their placed in.

Six. 

Drooling over these grey suede scalloped heels, absolutely to die for. 

Anything you currently have your eye on?

Yours truly, 

Emily Ann

Emily Ann, An Introduction

Last week two of my favorite bloggers, Tess and Natasha both posted these introduction posts and I couldn't help but follow in their footsteps for today's post! Here's a little more introduction about myself for those that don't know me too well and a little bit more info for those that do...

Name/Occupation/Age/Stats

Emily-

My mother named me after a soap opera star Emily Ann, not the greatest story but absolutely true. I used to not be the biggest fan of my name but it's definitely grown on me and now I love it. One of my grandfathers has always called me by my whole name, Emily Ann and to this day I love hearing him say it. I am 25 and live in Richmond, VA. I moved here just a little over two and a half years ago. I am originally from the Annapolis, Maryland area and I would be lying if I said I didn't miss home on a weekly basis. However my heart will always be in North Carolina where I attended college and completed my internship. There is nothing like driving south and seeing that Welcome To North Carolina sign! Fingers crossed life will take me back there some day!

Child Life Specialist. 

I am currently a Child Life Specialist at Children's Hospital of Richmond and work with pediatric inpatient hematology/oncology patients. My job is to take the stress away from being hospitalized. We provide normalizing opportunities and materials for patients while they on the floor, including toys, movies, and crafts. However a large majority of my job and my favorite part is explaining new diagnosis and procedures and providing distraction and relaxation for invasive procedures. This could be anything from explaining an MRI, IV, diabetes, leukemia, or a major surgery. I absolutely love my job, especially working with my hem/onc kiddos and am so thankful for the opportunity to meet such amazing children and their families during a stressful time and be a support to them in any way I can. 

Family Info. 

I am actually an only child! My parents separated when I was 2 and both have remarried. My mom and stepdad live in the Annapolis area, while my dad and stepmom reside in New Jersey. I have a slew of aunts and uncles and cousins on both sides and am so fortunate I am not far from my family. They are truly a blessing. 

Favorite Hobbies.

Reading, blogging, working out, cooking, shopping, enjoying wine, trips to Barnes and Noble, spending time with friends and family, football games, and coffee.

Five Things I Can't Live Without

1. Wine- shocker that this is #1 but I am true fan of wine. Whether it's after a long day or enjoying a glass outside, I love wine and it makes me happy. 

2. Time Spent with Friends. I absolutely live for anytime I get to spend with my friends. It picks me up, puts me in a good mood and I am so fortunate to have the best friends around. 

3. Music. This girl is a fan of all different types of music at any time of day. I listen to music while I'm getting ready in the morning, I normally sing in the shower, jam on the way to work... music is great and can definitely be a mood changer. 

4. Books. I love reading and always have even at a young age. There is something so great about getting lost in a book for hours and not wanting to put it down until its finished. 

5. Working out. This is definitely a love hate but I'm convinced if I didn't work out I would be a good 10-15lbs heavier. I love the feeling after a good workout and even more that it allows me to have some of my favorite things without feeling guilty aka pizza and wine. 

Favorite Things To Do

Some of my favorite things to do include listening to live music- outdoor concerts are the best but any sort of live music and I am happy. I love taking my weekly visits to Barnes and Noble to peruse the books and magazines, visiting wineries and breweries, and going to the river. 

Go To Outfit.

I am a big fan of dresses, especially comfy casual ones. I tend to pair these with a scarf or statement necklace, jacks and call it a day! 

Biggest Pet Peeves. 

Not nice drivers and people who use the last of the toilet paper and don't replace it. Not a whole lot tends to bother me which I guess is a good thing. 

Typical Day. 

I am normally up by 5:45 and either off the gym or spin before work or hopping in the shower to get to work early so that I can head out early for a work out. I normally work 4, 10 hour shifts. I do have to work weekends but they are normally short and not too stressful. I get to work anywhere between 7 and 8:30 depending on if I worked out in the morning or not. Every day has a different set of meetings and rounding schedules but I normally leave anywhere between 5-7, again depending on when I got to work. Once I am off work, I normally head home to unwind and cook dinner. Most evenings you can find me in the kitchen, glass of wine and pandora cooking away. 

Favorite Go-To Beauty Products

This is definitely an area I wish I was better about as I tend to try different products all the time. However currently a few of my favorites include: Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation, NYX Boudoir Collection Mascara, Bare Minerals Ready Bronzer, Rosebud Salve Tube

Favorite Music/Bands/Singers

I love all different kinds of music, anything from country to pop to acoustic. A few of my go to favorites are Van Morrison, John Mayer, Mumford and Sons, Alabama Shakes, 1975, and Dave Matthews. 

 My Top 10 Movies

Hmm definitely a toughie but I would say Father Of The Bride, Godfather, Weddings Crashers, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Gone With The Wind, Little Women, Love Actually, Hocus Pocus, Sixteen Candles, How to Lose A Guy in 10 days

Favorite Foods To Make:

Salmon, roasted veggies, homemade pizza, and omelets. 

Other Q&A
What you wanted to be when you grew up: Teacher
Beauty secret: Washing your face at night
Celebrity crush: Jake Johnson aka Nike from New Girl 

Yours truly, 

Emily Ann

Monday Musings...Bedrooms

This past weekend was pretty uneventful being that I worked both Saturday and Sunday. With that being said, I am skipping the weekend report and choosing to post about something a bit more fun, new bedroom inspiration! I have lived in my apartment about a year now and I am embarrassed to admit how little I have done with my bedroom. When I first moved in I had all these plans of making a headboard, distressing my dresser, and adding a desk... none have actually happened. The colors of my room now are white, grey, and navy. Here's some looks I am loving and using as inspiration for a little bedroom pick me up...

I love the pops of different patterns against the white comforter and pillows. 

Love the addition of other colors  the side table lamps.

This one grew on me a bit, I love the addition of gold and coral along with pattern. 

Love the navy headboard and distressed bench at the foot of the bed. 

Loving everything about this look. 

TJ Maxx and Homegoods are normally my go to spot followed by Target and World Market for anything home related. Over the next few months I would love to add more pieces to my bedroom as well as invest in things I know I will have for a long time. 

Where do you go when needing new items for your house?

Yours truly, 

Emily Ann

Weekend

Thank goodness the weekend is finally here. This week while I had Friday off just seemed stressful and rushed. While I wish I had the weekend off, I am heading to work both Saturday and Sunday but no plans other then to relax and enjoy the last bit of summer. Here's some finds from this week...

\ I love every inch of this apartment. I live for looking at The Everygirl's apartment styles and this one I absolutely fell in love with this one. From the prints to the pillows to the book case design... I am obsessed. 

\ I have heard nothing but RAVE reviews about this overnight cream. Once fall comes around my face tends to need a bit more moisture and I am thinking this will be perfect to add my bedtime routine. 

\ Anyone else beyond obsessed with seasoned pretzels? This recipe looks too easy to pass up! 

\ In one of my latest Target runs I found these set of sheets and am thinking I may need to go back and get them. They are an absolute steal and would match perfectly in my grey/navy room. 

\ Gap is currently having their Friends & Family sale, there are a ton of great pieces for a steal including this scarf! 

\ This quote is spot on. 

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Yours truly, 

Emily Ann

Mid Week Muse: Chairish Decor

Mid Week Muse: Chairish Decor by ead0724 featuring brass candle holders

This week I am switching it up a bit for Mid Week Muse and focusing on home decor. I was recently contacted by Chairish Furniture and Home Decor to do a product design. Once I perused their website I was absolutely smitten and am still drooling over this design. I love the mix of the pattern and colors in the Turquoise Tuft Barrel Chair and wanted to use basic gold and cream accents throughout the rest of the design. All of the above pieces can be found on the Charish website. Also be sure to check our their selection of vintage accent chairs- they are to die for!

A few other items I might add to my coffee table might be...

The Perfect Candle

Capri Blue Mercury Glass Jar Candle

A solid collection of "coffee table books"

How would you design your living area?

Hope is everyone a great week so far!

Yours truly, 

Emily Ann

Weekend Report

This past weekend could not have been more needed. This was the first weekend in I can't remember how long that I was in town AND off work! The only plans I had all weekend was to do a training hike on Saturday, which pretty much kicked my butt for the rest of the weekend. Here's a bit of how my weekend looked...

Friday started out with a spin class and breakfast with my friend Carrie. It's been a few weeks since one of our Friday dates and it felt great to be back to the routine. Lucky for me I am off this Friday and looking forward to doing it all over again! If you are in the Richmond area, I highly suggest you check out Boho Spin Studio AND Lamplighter Roasting Co. Both are amazing and make Fridays even better.

The rest of Friday I headed into work for a few hours before heading home and relaxing. Leftover spaghetti and Bravo were the only activities of Friday night which was totally ok in my book. 

Saturday I was up entirely too early to head to the mountains for my first training hike with members from Ultimate Hike. I was a bit intimidated before starting but so happy I was able to finish the hike and got to meet some amazing people. 4 of the people we hiked with were in their 70s and may have been in better shape then me! 

The views were absolutely amazing and this shot was taken at the top of Stony Man Gap in the Shenandoah Valley. 

A few of the people I will be hiking with in a few weeks for Ultimate Hike! 

Saturday night was spent recovery and relaxing watching movie with a friend and taking it easy. 

Sunday I had homemade brunch with friends along with some pretty delicious bloody marys and then spent the day by the river! It was beautiful out and it felt so good to relax my feet in the river and lay out on one of Richmond's famous rocks down the James. Sunday night I went to a cookout at a friends and whipped up some Texas Caviar, always a crowd pleaser and so easy to make! 

Overall it was a great weekend full of time relaxing, time with friends, and enjoying the beautiful weather! 

On board for this week is a few work outs, trying out a few new recipes, and attending a fundraising dinner! 

Hope everyone has a great week! 

Weekend

Happy Friday friends!

I am so excited this weekend is finally here! After putting in a few hours at work today I will be off a tad early and ready to enjoy a weekend with minimal plans. After a crazy few weeks traveling and being busy at work, a little R&R is just what the doctor ordered! Here's a random assortment of finds from this week...

+ Spinach pie is one of my favorite dishes and this recipe looks amazing! 

+ The Every Girl is always putting out fun and interesting articles to read. I really enjoyed this one perception and being authentic. 

+ One day this week I had a little extra time on my hands and decided to swing by Anthropologie to check out the sale section. I stumbled across a few gems and still can't believe I didn't bring them home with me.

This sweater reminded me a lot of the J.Crew Factory Swing sweater and I am still kicking myself for not getting it. It was so comfortable and I loved that it slit at the side and was longer in back. This would be perfect for fall paired with a fun necklace or scarf. 

I finally got to try on the beloved coverup everyone has been raving about and much like the reviews, it did not disappoint. Unfortunately I needed one size smaller but for those who I haven't tried it yet, run to your nearest Anthro!

+ Of course now that my hair has finally gotten back to its originally length after chopping it 2 years ago, I am itching to make another cut. I loved my bob and think I would love it even more now that I really know how to curl my hair- this look is too cute and has me wanting to run to my hair stylist. 

+ Thank you all so much for your opinions the other day on what to treat myself to. Everyone had such great points about each about but in the end I decided on this...

I apologize for the plain nails but definitely wanted to share with y'all after everyone's great recommendations. I am so excited I bought the ring and know I will treasure it for years to come. 

+ This quote is the winner of the week and so very true. 

Hope everyone has a fabulous and relaxing weekend!

Yours truly, 

Emily Ann