Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Please & Thank You

Please & Thank You



If the fact that I was convinced it was Thursday this morning gives you any indication of the week I am having, I'm sure you can guess I am beyond ready for Friday. This past Sunday I came into work for what thought would be a few hours and ended up turning into the whole day. Since then my week has just felt a bit off and I am counting down the hours until Friday. Above are a few things I am currently lusting after it. With spring right around the corner, I am itching for some new wardrobe pieces. 

Hope everyone is having a great week!
Yours truly, 
Emily Ann

Friday, March 13, 2015

Weekend






Happy Friday friends! Yet another week is gone and it is the middle of March... crazy! With no plans this weekend I am hoping it will be a low key with lots of relaxing. Saturday is supposed to be rainy with thunderstorms, perfect excuse for some catching up on shows and reading. Here's this week's links and finds! 

/ Over the past few weeks I have been getting back to my love/hate relationship with the treadmill. This workout seems easy enough to fit even in even when I'm crunched for time. 

/ With all the warmer temps lately, I am majorly craving salads and more veggies, this salad look too yummy not to try. 

/ The perfect clutch for spring.

/ I am majorly becoming a fan of podcasts, especially while getting ready in the A.M, looking forward to try out a few of these

/ A new favorite word to add to my vocabulary.

Cheers to the weekend!
Yours truly, 
Emily Ann

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Thoughts for Thursday



Y'all I just can't seem to get my act together when it comes to the blogging front. I swear every night I sit down to write a post and then think about the other things I should be doing like laundry or packing my lunch for the next day. I also have been having major writers block lately and can't seem to come up with anything to actually write about. Anyone else go through these periods where blogging and posting seems nearly impossible? Today's post will include a random assortment of thoughts/finds/you name it. 

- It's Thursday and I still have not made it to the grocery store this week.... oops. Thanks goodness for a quick trip to Fresh Market to pick up a few things for today's breakfast and lunches. 

- Speaking of breakfast, I think I have finally found a yogurt I actually like...
I am not a yogurt person... at all. I'm not sure if it's the texture or the actual taste but something about it just does not agree with me. I've been trying to get myself to try different kinds because I know it's a great quick healthy breakfast and think I finally found the winner with Chobani Coconut Blend. 

- This week I received my tax return and while I thought I would be able to treat myself to a few things, that has not been the case. From paying different bills and making payments towards my credit card, it's nearly gone! 

- If I was going to treat myself to something, these would be a top contender
- I really need to get better about my before bed routine and get back to reading. I used to read all the time, I'm talking 2-3 books a month! Lately I have been perusing my phone and instagram before bed but starting to think it has an effect on staying asleep throughout the night. I keep hearing rave reviews about this book and might try it out this weekend. 

- This week I tried out 2 new workout spots in Raleigh- one a hot yoga studio and the other a barre class. While I totally love barre and how sore I am the next day, I am much more of a sweater and feel I get a better workout if I am sweaty and nearly out of breath. Anyone else feel this way?

- While on the subject of working out, I have yet to buy a thing from lululemon and would love to hear if their pieces are work the extra $. I tend to just buy my workout clothes from Gap, Old Navy, and sometimes TJ Maxx or Marshalls. These are super cute but also way more expensive then I would normally pay


Hope everyone is having a great week so far!
Yours truly, 
Emily Ann



Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Weekend report

Another great weekend in the books with gorgeous weather and time spent outside. I blame the time change for my delinquent weekend update but here's a bit how my weekend looked..

Friday I got off work later then expected and hit so much traffic on my way home, not exactly the start to the weekend I was looking for. Once home I hopped in the shower, poured a glass of wine and got ready for a fun night out with friends. My roommate had some cousins in town so we were eager to get out and show them around a few of our favorite spots in Raleigh. Typical me, I had the hardest time decided what to wear out and ended up taking selfies to send to my best friend for her opinion. Anyone else have the hardest time deciding what to wear? I swear from getting ready for work or even just out on the weekends- it's a major struggle. 

I ended up going with the heels because I felt the boots make my legs look unnaturally short which is hard to do when your only 5'2. 
Outfit details:
Heels: Target, Black leather leggings: Nordstroms (old) Poncho: Madison Boutique (borrowed from a friend) Necklace: House of Harlow

I also decided to change it up before we headed out and made a yummy Moscow Mule. These are my roommates favorite drinks and with her birthday approaching this week, I am thinking a set of cooper mugs are in order. 

Saturday we were up, slightly feeling the after affects of the night before, but ready to head to the NC State vs. Syracuse game. As a Pirate, I can tell you I will most likely never root for State so was pretty upset when they ended up beating Syracuse. 


Next we hopped over to Mellow Mushroom to enjoy some lunch and drinks in the sun. The weather here was absolutely amazing all weekend and it finally felt like Spring out. 


I'm not sure if you have a Mellow Mushroom where you live, but it has quickly become one of our favorite spots. Their food is nothing out of this world but they do make a good pizza, yummy margarita, and have a great beer selection. 

After Mellow we also hit up the new Carolina Ale House near our house. Again, nothing to write home about but a good spot, plus it has a roof top area that we have visited a few times now. 

Saturday night was spent cheering on Duke for the UNC vs. Duke game and I am happy to report a Duke win! After the game the crew headed out for a few drinks but I opted to stay in and was asleep within 5 minutes of my head hitting the pillow. 

Sunday we all slept in a bit before heading to one of our favorite downtown spots- Raleigh Times for a fun rooftop brunch. I've posted about this spot before and I am embarrassed to admit that I have gone once a week since I moved. 

The rest of  Sunday was spent going on a 5 mile walk around our neighborhood and grabbing an afternoon drink at the brewery just blocks from our house. 

Overall it was such a fun weekend and I am so glad we were able to spend most of it outside! 
Here's to hoping this week is just as warm and flies by!

Yours truly, 
Emily Ann


Friday, March 6, 2015

Weekend





Happy Friday loves! Sorry for the silence around here this week! I promise I am going to try and be better next week! This has been such a whirlwind that I am skipping weekend links and just leaving you with well wishes for you weekend! Here's to hoping for warm weather and lots of relaxing! 

Yours truly, 
Emily Ann

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

One Kings Lane Lusts



Maybe it's the start of the new month and spring being right around the corner or maybe it's wanting to decorate every inch of my new house... either option has me on a major home design kick. One of my favorite sites for home shopping is One Kings Lane. I love perusing the different pieces and things available and mentally placing them in my own home. Here's a few of my favorites currently available now...

The perfect coffee table book


















Yours truly, 
Emily Ann

Monday, March 2, 2015

Weekend Report



I normally am pretty sad to see the weekend go come Monday, but today I am really wishing we could rewind this weekend all over again. It was filled with sleeping in, getting together with friends, and enjoying taking it easy. Here's a bit of the weekend looked like...

Friday I headed out of word, snagged a bottle of wine on my way home and spent some time relaxing. Eventually I headed out to dinner with my friend Mackenzie and her sister at Irregardless Cafe. I had never been but Kenz had heard great things so we decided to check it out. 


We ordered a few appetizers and entrees to share and had such a good time catching up and enjoying the live music. Next we headed to meet my roommate at Clockwork for a few after dinner cocktails. Clockwork has always been one of my favorite spots in Raleigh, they have a great atmosphere and make a mean cocktail. 
My roommate Stewart and I 

We hopped to a few more places in downtown Raleigh before heading home and jumping in bed. 

Saturday I slept in a bit before heading to the gym for a quick work out. Truth be told, from the snow and busy days over the past 2 weeks, it had been far too long since I had worked out. It felt great to be back in the gym definitely gave me the jump start I needed. After the gym I was craving a smoothie and decided to check out a local Raleigh spot I had heard great things about- Happy and Hale. 

Happy + Hale serves everything from salads, breakfast/veggie bowls, fresh juices, and smoothies. I ordered the Almond Brothers and absolutely loved it, packed with chia seeds, almond milk, banana, almond butter, and cacao nibs...it was amazing. 

Next it was off the to Trader Joes for some serious grocery shopping. Due to getting a bit out of control and off my routine the past few weeks, this week is back to business. I have decided a bit of a cleanse is in order and I will be eating as clean as possible. I have even planned out my meals and already have them made and ready for the week! Breakfasts will be spinach and feta egg cups with a piece of toast. Lunches will either be a salad with lettuce, mushrooms, broccoli, onion, peppers, and tomatoes or tuna mixed with greek yogurt in a lettuce wrap. Snacks are apple with almond butter or almonds. Dinners are looking like sautéed veggies and tofu, black bean burgers with sweet potato fries, and salmon with brussels sprouts. I can't wait to get back on track with my gym workouts and healthy eating... look for updates throughout the week! 


After grocery shopping I headed out to meet some friends before spending the rest of the night babysitting. While it wasn't the most exciting Saturday night, it was spent with a very cute baby and watching some good 'ol chick flicks. 

Sunday I happily slept in again and caught up on a few shows before heading out to the mall to run a few errands. I had hopes of trying out Bare Minerals new foundation- Complexion Rescue but unfortunately they were sold out in the shade I needed. Anyone else tried this foundation? I have heard amazing things and definitely looking forward to trying it myself. While at Sephora, I also picked up this cleanse I had recently heard about and wanted to give it a try. 

With claims of a flatter stomach and radiant looking skin, I figured trying it for a few days couldn't hurt. Look forward to a review by the end of the week! 

A few of my other purchases from the day included...

My favorite Anthropologie Candle 

While I am a bit embarrassed to admit I got this dress in the Juniors department, for just $12 it seemed like a no brainer. With a few wedding and baby showers coming up this spring, I thought it would be perfect paired with nude heels. 

 The rest of Sunday was spent grabbing one last indulgent meal at Raleigh Times before heading home to meal prep and do laundry. 

Overall it was such a relaxing weekend that I am wishing I could reply over and over again. With not too many plans this week, I am hoping for a short and fast week! Hope everyone has a fabulous week!

Yours truly, 
Emily Ann