Weekend

I want to start today's post by thanking those for their sweet comments and emails after yesterday's post about my new diagnosis. They absolutely made my day and made the week much easier. I don't know about anyone else but this week was long and this girl couldn't be happier that its Friday and moving weekend! I am so fortunate to have my parents coming in town to help me out and I can't wait to get into the new house and of course spend some time with them. 

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

/ Drooling over these turquoise earings.

/ It's been a few weeks since I have baked anything and I am thinking I may try Ashley's muffins this weekend! 

/ I took a trip to Sephora this week and grabbed a few new products to try that I will be posting about including this mask which has gotta rave reviews.

/ Pom pom throw pillows, perfection

/ I thought this article was entertaining discussing the difference between red vs white wine drinkers. I love a good Pinot Noir or Cab Sav but always a sucker for my buttery Chardonnays.

Are you a red or white wine kinda girl?
Yours truly,
Emily Ann

Health Update: A Diagnosis Q&A

Happy Thursday friends! Anyone else beyond ready for Friday and think this week seemed to drag on a bit too much? I can't wait to be done work tomorrow and spend the weekend moving into my new house! 

Back in December, I posted about my health and a few things I was being worked up for. If you're new around here, long story short- I had high liver enzymes and symptoms of severe itchy skin as well fatigue and weight gain. I underwent a number of tests including an ultrasound, chest CT, multiple lab draws, and at the start of January when we still had no answers- a liver biopsy. It was an extremely stressful few month with lots of tears and frustrations but today I am somewhat relieved to finally have a diagnosis. Here's a little Q &A on my diagnosis and what it means for me...

Q: Diagnosis?

A: Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, a form of liver disease that affects the bile ducts within your liver and the way you process and excrete bile out of your body. 

Q: How do you get it?

A: My doctor seems to think that due to have 2 family members pass away from liver cirrhosis that were nondrinkers, I am at a pretty big genetic predisposition for liver issues- aka liver disease. 

Q: Is it treatable?

A: YES! While PBC is not curable,  medicines are able to slow down the progression of the disease, as well as help your body process bile. 

Q: What medications am I taking?

A: So far I am taking a medicine 3 times a day with meals, as well as a powder that mix with orange juice and drink first thing in the morning. The powder is probably the worse and it's definitely taken me some time to get used to it. 

Q: (and probably what I get asked most) Is this because I drink and can I still drink?

A: While I am a lover of wine and used to have a glass 3-4 nights a week, my doctor has assured me that this was in now way caused by my drinking or alcohol. It's unclear why people get PBC, other then genetic reasons and certain environmental factors- nor alcohol related. I am allowed to drink but do intend to scale back quite a lot. 

Q: What is my prognosis?

A: PBC is very much a disease that you can live with and treat the symptoms with medications. My doctor's main concern about my disease is that I am extremely young to not only be diagnosed with PBC but also to be showing symptoms. Most people do not get diagnosed with PBC until they are 35-40 and find out through a routine blood check and discover they have high liver enzymes but no symptoms. People that are diagnosed around that time then start to experience symptoms 5-10 years later. I first started noticing my symptoms back in mid July, meaning my disease technically was starting around 5-8 year ago. Essentially this just means that my disease is a bit more aggressive then most and needs to be carefully monitored. 

Q: Will I need a liver transplant?

A: At this stage in the game- no way! While my disease is aggressive and will need to be more closely moniotred then most, I am hoping that with medication I will live a normal healthy life. PBC is the number 2 reason for liver transplant but right now I am not even thinking about that. 

Q: What does this mean for everyday living?

A: The most important part of my diagnosis and how it will affect my life is to take my medications. I am absolutely horrible at remembering to take any medications and am fortunate that up until now I haven't had any daily medicines. I also need to be conscious about what I am putting in my body and making sure I am drinking a lot of water. People with PBC tend to retain water more then most, hence my notice in weight gain. Making sure I drink enough water will help with this, in addition to a low sodium diet. 

Q: How am I feeling about everything?

A: At first I definitely felt a bit overwhelmed and scared, as would anyone hearing that they have a form over liver disease. I immediately thought I was way too young for this type of diagnosis and was a bit annoyed and frustrated that it would be something I would have to deal with the rest of my life. Since then, I have had a few weeks to take everything in and get into a routine of my meds and adjusting my lifestyle and so far so good. While I still itchy occasionally and my sleep isn't great yet, I am hoping in time both of these will work themselves out and I will go back to feeling like myself again. Working in a hospital, I also had to remember that this could have been much worse and I am extremely lucky to be as healthy as I am and surrounded by an amazing support network. 

Q: What now?

A: I have a few more easy tests to look at my vitamin levels and bone density, as those are things that can be affected by liver disease. I will follow up with my liver specialist a few times a year but should be fine if no complications arise!

While I was unsure if I wanted to post about my diagnosis, I am glad that it's out there and I am able to share about it on my blog. It's very personal and something I am still working through but as always, the blogging world has become a part of me and I am always thankful for the support and encouragement I have gained through my blog. If you are still reading- thank you and I apologize for the length post!

Here's to getting Thursday out of the way and onto the weekend! 

Yours truly, 

Emily Ann

Bedroom Inspiration

At the end of this week I will be moving into my new house in Raleigh, to say I am excited is a bit of an understatement. When I first moved to NC I found a quick housing option with roommates in Durham, just minutes from my new job. I am so fortunate to have found such a quick option and also to have found such amazing roommates. I knew I eventually wanted to make it Raleigh but it was just a matter of timing and finding the right house. Sure enough right before Christmas, I found my new house and am so excited for the big move. I also can't wait to be living with one of my best friends and a friend of hers that are both moving from the DC area. 

Being that I will be moving into a new space, I thought it would be fun to refresh my bedroom a bit but also use some pieces that I already have. I created this vision board and think I will be able to recreate it almost exactly. 

Things I already have from this collection:

- Target Threshold Pinched Pleated Bedding in Grey

- Target Curtain in Navy

- Antique White Dresser

-Small White Side Table

-Antique Crystal Lamp

Things to Get:

- Area Rug

- Upholstered bench

Decorative Tray

- Sitting Chair + Throw Pillow

- Art Work

Being that I have a pretty good start, I think over time I will definitely be able to add to the room and can't wait to see the finished product. 

I would love to hear how people have decorated their bedroom, incorporating things they already have and adding new touches!

Yours truly,

Emily ann

Weekend Recap

This past weekend I traveled back to Richmond to catch up with friends and also babysit overnight for a family I have known since in high school. It was such a good weekend and I am so glad I was able to catch up with so many friends in Richmond, as well as spend time with my favorite 3 and 5 year old. Here's a bit of how the weekend looked...

Friday I got into town and actually stopped by my old hospital to visit and say hi to my old coworkers.I hadn't seen or talked to most since I left back in October so it was really nice to see them and catch up. Next I headed to run a few errands, one of which included stopping to pick up a few new beauty products (post to come.) Once errands were out of the way I headed out to dinner to meet 3 of my closest friends in Richmond for a fun girls night dinner at Lucys. I had never been to Lucys but our meal was amazing and I would definitely suggest it if you are in the Richmond area. They have a farm to table concept and we all loved our meals. I went with the spaghetti squash and "meatballs" made from avocado, artichokes, and spinach... so amazing. 

After dinner I met up with more friends for a fun evening out. I wish our picture had turned out but we were having so much fun I didn't bother to get another one. 

Saturday morning I headed to babysit and boy did we have a busy day. I have known these boys since they were babies and have loved watching them grow up. We ended up going to the Farmers Marker, Sugar Shack for donuts, the Children's museum, and our last stop was the grocery store. I thought it would be fun to make homemade pizzas with the boys and while only one of them wanted to try it, he loved it and actually did a great job. 

Sunday morning obviously called for pancakes and of course coffee for myself while the boys played on the Wii. 

After breakfast I pulled the boys away from the TV and we ventured to Bryd Park to check out the fountain and birds. The weather was so nice and the boys enjoyed walking around the pond looking at the different ducks. 

I had so much fun babysitting but have to admit I was a bit relieved when their parents got home earlier then they expected. Watching two boys for the weekend was no joke and I give major props to all the momma's out there. Going to the grocery store with a 3 and 5 year and making it out without so much more then we needed and only a few things knocked was a miracle. By the time I got back to North Carolina, I was beyond tired and didn't get stay up to catch Revenge. 

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Yours truly, 

Emily Ann

Weekend Shopping

Sorry for the lack of posting last week- it turned out to be a crazy week and I also had my follow up appointment and received an official diagnosis from my doctor regarding my liver biopsy. While I do plan to post about it at some point, for now I am going to focus on something a bit more fun- shopping! There are so many good deals going on right now, I have definitely been doing some online perusing. Here's a few things I have my eye on as of lately...

Loft:

A few weeks ago I found a Loft gift card that I had completely forgotten about and boy was I excited. I made the mistake of stopping in the store when I only had a few minutes to look and didn't end up leaving with anything due not being able to make up my mind. 

Floral Charm Pocket Blouse- I tried this blouse on and immediately fell in love. It would be perfect now paired with jeans and booties as well as some white jeans and wedges in summer. 

I also tried on this Two in One top and was surprised how much I liked it! It's very flattering and could easily be throw on to run errands with leggings or dressed up with some skinnies, heels and a fun necklace. 

Bonus- Both of these tops are on sale right now!

J.Crew Factory

How adorable are these dot shorts, I am loving them and think they would be perfect with a slouchy black tee and wedges. Also currently 30% off!

Also loving these print pointed flats, I am a true sucker for anything white and navy. These are also included in the sale and a great deal right now!

Piperlime:

I was so sad to hear that Piperlime is closing, they always have the best selection and variety of brands and products. They are currently having a sale and I would anticipate a lot more before they officially close in April.

Loving this simple brown leather watch. Perfect for casual weekend arm party. 

This Joie blouse is stunning and looks so flattering. Another piece that would work in winter/fall with jeans or white jeans and jacks during the summer. 

What are you shopping for this weekend?

Yours truly, 

Emily Ann

Weekend Review

This past weekend was jam packed with so many fun meals and activities, lets jump right in...

Friday morning I picked my dad up from the airport and we headed to run a few errands before grabbing lunch. I needed to be measured for a bridesmaids dress for my cousins wedding I will be in in August. She has chosen a bright poppy pink color, strapless and floor length- absolutely beautiful. This will be my first wedding as a bridesmaid and I am looking forward to all the various events we have planned over the next few months! Back to the weekend- after grabbing my measurements, we were both in the mood for sushi and headed to one of my favorite Raleigh restaurants- Cowfish. I was lucky enough to have tried Cowfish before when I lived in Charlotte and was so excited to learn there was also a location in Raleigh. 

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One of my favorite parts about Cowfish is that you can get a half of a roll. In other words if your are trying to decide between two different rolls, you are able to get a half of each- perfect in my book. 

After lunch my dad was feeling pretty tired from his early morning flight and wanted to get settled into his hotel. I went back home and ran some errands before it was time to head back out for dinner. Friday night's dinner may have been my favorite part of the whole weekend. I have been dying to try out 42nd St. Oyster Bar and was so excited when my dad mentioned being in the mood for oysters. 

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We opted to sit at the oyster bar and had one of the best meals I've had since living in Raleigh. 

Of course we had to try out the oysters and they were absolutely amazing. For dinner we both had the grouper and it also did not disappoint. We also finished our meal with Apple Pie and rum sauce.. holy yum. 

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Saturday morning I headed to the gym to get in a quick workout in hopes of working off some of the last night's calories. After the gym, my dad and I headed to breakfast at Guglhupf, a German bakery in Durham. I had been once before but was definitely looking forward to returning, especially for their latte, which is still my favorite in the area. 

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For breakfast I went with my favorite, the Eggs Arnold- toast, 2 poached eggs with tomatoes, artichokes, and spinach finished with a bit of hollandaise and fresh fruit. If you are in the Durham or Raleigh area, I highly suggest checking out Guglhupf, it has quickly become one of my favorite spots! 

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After breakfast I actually had to head into work for just a bit but it was the perfect chance to show my dad around my new hospital. He was very impressed with some of our newer buildings and renovations and it was fun to show him where I work everyday. 

Next we headed to a man's dream world- BassPro Shop. My dad has only ever been to one before and since they don't have in Philadelphia, I thought it would be something fun for him to see as he loves to camp and fish. My guess was right and we walked isle by isle for nearly 45 minutes looking at all the different outdoor equipment and products. 

Next we headed to try out a local brewery- Lonerider. 

Lonerider makes one of my favorite Brown Ales, Sweet Josie so I was especially excited to check out the brewery and other selections on tap. Lucky for us the weather was gorgeous and they had a food truck! Another good place to try if you are in the Raleigh area and looking for a good craft brewery!

After the a few beers and snacks we headed to the movies to see The Theory of Everything. 

Dad let me pick the movie and after seeing so many previews and hearing how good it was, I couldn't turn down the chance to see it. The reviews turned out to be correct and I actually loved the movie, aside from getting a bit teary at times. I had no idea that Stephen Hawking is still alive and am looking forward to doing a bit more research on he and his family. 

After the movie we rush back to change and get ready for our dinner reservation in Chapel Hill at Lantern. When I was originally preparing for my dad's visit I knew I had to be prepared restaurant wise because my dad is not just into food, but really good food. After getting several suggestions from people, many people recommended Lantern as a good upscale but casual restaurant that would not disappoint. 

Our experience at Lantern was absolutely amazing and I would definitely recommend it to others as well. From the service to the wine to the dessert, everything was lovely and such a treat. 

Sunday my dad's flight wasn't until the evening so we had the whole day for more exploring and hate to say it but even fit in one more yummy meal. Sunday morning we ventured into Raleigh and had brunch at Tupelo Honey.

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I honestly shocked we were able get a table but was happy we could check it out. Our breakfast was amazing and both my dad and I couldn't believe how good their coffee was. As someone who loves good coffee, it definitely did not disappoint and reminded me of something one would find in a small coffee authentic coffee shop. 

After breakfast we headed to the mall to walk around bit and I ended up scooping up a new dress I am really excited about.

I originally went into H&M to see if I could find Emily's dress she scored on clearance but had no luck. I actually loved so many things at H&M which could end up being a post later this week. 

After the mall we headed to check out a new brewery located just blocks away from what will be my new house in a few weeks!

If you are in the Raleigh area, this is another brewery I would definitely check out. They have a great space, both indoor and outdoor seating, cornhole, and live music on certain days. Two of my friends ended up coming up to meet my dad and I and enjoy a beer and some of the live music they had playing. 

Sadly we head to the airport that afternoon so my dad could catch his flight but boy did we have an amazing weekend! Major props if you made it through this length post! 

How did you spend your weekend?

Yours truly, 

Emily Ann

Weekend

Anyone else beyond relieved the weekend is here? This week seemed to drag on but I am so happy Friday is here AND that I have a long weekend! Being that I worked last Saturday, I was able to take today off and am really looking forward to the extra relaxing. This weekend my dad is flying in from Philadelphia and I can't wait to spend time with him and show him around my new city. We have dinner reservations both tonight and tomorrow and fun activities between so it should be a great weekend ahead! Here's this week's links and finds...

/ As a lover of sushi, I can tell you that this recipe will be happening ASAP. 

/ I've been on the market for a new watch and I love the timeless look of this one. 

/ This Manhattan apartment. 

/ As someone who uses heat on their hair almost every day from either a blow dryer, curling iron, or straightner, I think I need to incorporate this product into my daily routine. 

/ One of my favorite quote finds yet this year, so true. 

Yours truly, 

Emily Ann