Happy Wednesday friends! Anyone else relieved to have made it through half the week? The week before vacation is always the longest and I swear the days are not moving. I truly apologize for the lack of posting the past few weeks, I am really going to try and step up my game from here on out. This summer has been so busy with traveling, events at work, and keeping up with my normal routine of working out, laundry... all that good everyday stuff. 

Here's a bit of what I have been up to lately...

Saw Tedeschi Trucks with Sharon Jones in concert... amazing. Susan Tedeschi is extremely talented and I have been listening to them on repeat since the concert. 

A selfie shot of the roomies and I at the concert. 

Received the sweetest Thank You notes from patients. 

A fun dinner with my roommates, mom, and grandma to celebrate turning the big 2-6!

A weekend Bachelorette trip to celebrate my cousin Jackie getting married in just 2 short weeks! Full Boston recap to come! 

What have you been up to?
Yours truly,
Emily Ann

Thoughts For Thursday

Well clearly I am not going for blogger of the year of here, yet another week is almost gone and I have yet to post this week! Today's Thoughts for Thursday includes a bit of what I have been up to and might explain the lack of posting...

- Working weekends is no fun. I worked last weekend through this week and have officially hit a wall. I am counting down the minutes until I am out of here this afternoon and off for the rest of the weekend! 

- After work today I will be hitting the road to Richmond to catch a flight out to Boston tomorrow morning to celebrate my cousin, Jackie's Bachelorette weekend! I am beyond excited to celebrate the bride to be and even more excited for my first bachelorette weekend experience. 

- Tomorrow is also a tiny bit special because it is my birthday! My birthday totally creeped up on me this year and it's hard to believe tomorrow I will be another year older. 

- My mom and grandmother came in town this past week to be with my as I had a follow up appointment with my liver specialist. Everything went great and she said I am "disgustingly healthy" and she is extremely happy with how my liver is responding to my medicines. Insert sigh of relief and huge weight off shoulders!

- Work has been pretty sad lately and I am definitely needing some recharge time- next weekend and the start of my week vacation with my family can't come soon enough. I am ready to be at the beach for a whole week with not a care in the world. 

I apologize for the craziness this week, here's to hoping I can get a few posts in next week!

Yours truly, 

Emily Ann

Weekend

Happy Friday friends! I am happily off work today but unfortunately will have to head back to work tomorrow and Sunday. I am not a fan of working weekends but it has been so busy lately, I am somewhat looking forward to getting through some emails and a few work tasks that have gone neglected. Here's this week's links and finds...

// I don't know about you but once summer rolls around, I rarely break out my blow dryer or curling iron and have been air drying my hair almost every morning. Here's a great guide on how to and what products to use! 

// I'll take one of everything. 

// Maybe my favorite house tour yet, love love love it all. 

// This looks like the perfect dish to make on a Sunday and have a little bit each day for lunch. 

// Advice. 

Yours truly, 

Emily Ann

As of Lately...

Hey y'all so sorry for the silence around here this week, it has been beyond crazy at work! Today's post is picture heavy but gives a bit of insight as to what I have been up to lately! I will be back tomorrow with the normal Friday weekend post and hoping to get back on track next week!

Last weekend I decided to hit up the Raleigh Flea Market and it did not disappoint. From antique furniture and little trinkets to just some really good people watching, I am really looking forward to going again. If you are in the Raleigh area I definitely suggest you check it out! It is open every Saturday and Sunday, be sure to get there early as it does get a bit crowded! 

Need a quick but yummy meal- insert my new favorite salad to throw together. A handful of chopped tomatoes, a baby cucumber, splash of red wine vinegar, lots of yummy feta, and some salt and pepper... yum. I whipped this together last weekend for a quick lunch and have made it several times since then. It's so simple but really tasty and doesn't leave me feeling too full. 

I snapped this quick picture as I was driving over the Bay Bridge a few weekends ago on my way to the beach. It an attempt to beat beach traffic I hit the road before the sun came up and was greeted by this pretty sunrise as I crossed the bridge. 

I am still going strong with my workouts in the morning and have been pretty consistent about running Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays. Tuesday and Thursdays are weight/toning classes which are my favorite and have been leaving me pretty sore. A few times over the past few weeks I have ventured out for an early morning run. I much prefer to run on a treadmill but with my beach vacation quickly approaching and wanting to get in a few runs on the beach, I thought it was time to transition. 

I've also been alternating my breakfast options and not complaining about my quick go to recipe of overnight oats. I will share the recipe I have been following next week. On mornings I don't have overnight oats, I typically eat 2 hard-boiled eggs, 2 pieces of veggie bacon, and a piece of avocado toast! 

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Yours truly, 

Emily Ann

Weekend Shopping

It's no secret that one of the best sales of the year is currently going on at Nordstrom. This is a great time to snag some things you've had your eye on that are finally on sale and a bit more affordable. Unfortunately with all my upcoming travel plans and a now car payment, I will not partaking in the amazing sale but that doesn't mean I can't look! 

Here are a few things I've had on my wish list...

This necklace is absolutely stunning and would be perfect with so many outfits. 

This bag... I can't even, it is perfect. 

I have yet to find a leather jacket I like on myself but this one is beautiful. I love the draped front and that it looks more comfortable and less structured then others I have seen. 

The last thing I need in my closet is another blouse but I love this blue color and that it's long enough to wear with leggings or be tucked in the front like shown. 

If you are in need of activewear this is a great time to stock up on some Zella pieces for a major steal. I am desperately in need of some new leggings and I love this fun color. 

These shoes are currently on my birthday wish list and I am obsessed with them. I love the fringe detail and think that would make a fun addition to a fun going out ensemble. 

As a candle lover, these may be one of my favorite items on sale. Perfect opportunity to stock up on some of your favorite scents or even better to give as gifts!

With a lot of different brush set options out there, this one was by far my favorite. It has a great array of brushes and I love the angled brush included for contouring. 

Will you be hitting up the Nordstrom sale this weekend?

Yours truly, 

Emily Ann

Weekend

Happy Weekend! This week was long long long and I am so glad Friday is finally here. This weekend I plan to relax, lay out at the pool, and run a few overdue errands. Not too exciting but boring plan free weekends tend to be favorite and I am not complaining one bit. Here's a few of my favorites from this week...

// Am I the only one who didn't know Gap Factory was now online? I am loving these shorts and even more that their less then $15! 

// I followed this recipe for a quick make ahead breakfast and will definitely be making it again- so yummy!

// Anyone else sad over this breakup? They have always been one of my favorite couples and I am so sad to see them part and always feel terrible for the children.

// An easy enough to follow video on contouring.

// truth.

Yours truly,
Emily Ann

How I Unwind

Everyone's has different ways to unwind and relax and today I thought I would share my normal go tos. Their not exactly in any particular order but all of these seem to help when I am feeling a bit overwhelmed or just needing some "me" time. 

1. Reading- Ever since I was a kid I have been a huge reader. To me there is nothing better then crawling into bed at night and reading a good book. Not to mention I swear I fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer as opposed to getting on my laptop or watching a show. 

2. Netflix- Sometimes working in a hospital can be a bit stressful and sad at times. One way to let the day go and escape from reality is to veg out and watch a good show. Some of my favorites lately have been OITNB, Bloodline, Mistresses, Friends, and True Detective. 

3. Working out- I know it sounds a bit opposite to work out when you need to relax but sometimes after a stressful day, all I want to do is hop on a treadmill and run it all out. Going for a long walk or pumping out a good weight routine also can help too!

4. Vino- While I don't normally drink during the week, sometimes grabbing a drink or happy hour with a friend can make the worst day a bit more bearable. After work drinks are a great way to catch up with friends and decompress before you've gotten home. 

5. Take a bath- This is one I wish I was better about because when I do do them, they are so relaxing. I love lighting a candle, turning on some music and just zoning out while soaking in a warm soapy bath. 

6. Instagram- By far my favorite form of social media and often what I do when I am bored or just need a break from reality. I am totally guilty of spending too much time on instagram right when I get into bed and normally peruse until I can't keep my eyes open anymore. 

How do you unwind and relax?

Yours truly, 

Emily Ann