Emily and Dot Turns 1!!!

Well can you believe it? It's officially been 1 year that I've been posting on this little corner of the web! For me, it's pretty hard to believe! It feels like just yesterday that I opened up my computer and started typing away hoping for a new kind of outlet. I mentioned in my first post that I've never been someone who was consistent at journaling or any kind of periodic reflection but somehow E&D has made it 365 days and I'm pretty proud.

It's been great getting to work with some fantastic companies, I've gotten to know and collaborate with an amazing community of bloggers and I have readers that make my day with every instagram like and post comment! I'm so happy where E&D has gone over the past year and I can't wait to see how my blog evolves!

To celebrate this day I picked out a few random posts that I thought highlighted the different aspects to Emily and Dot. Of course I had to start from my first post first two posts (E&D essentially started twice) and ended with my recent fashion posts that I finally got rolling! There has been everything in between from writing about unplugging {here}, a mid-week puppy break {here} and even working with Modcloth {here}! Check out some of my favorites below and, once again, a big big thank you to everyone that has stuck around! I'm thankful for your readership, your support and your inspiration! You guys are the best!

{So I'm Starting a Blog} // It all started from a very cheesy post as a New Year's resolution. Beware of the cheese. 

{An End to the Hiatus - I Need Blogging} // After a break from posting I found my way back and got E&D rolling again. This post sums up a lot of the reasons why I continue to blog!

{Emily's Guide to Creating a Custom Pinterest Hover Button} // The first blogger guide turned out to be a great success. It's been an adventure in the coding world but I've learned a lot and I'm happy to help!

{Emily's Guide to Centering Your Blog Header} // After seeing a lot of bloggers with headers left-aligned I figured I'd help some sistahs out! Look out for more coding help to come!

{See my Interview with Rachel from Seashells + Sparkle} // It was super fun getting to do this interview with Rachel! I'm always happy to see that people keep up with my little ramblings and I really loved her questions!

{The Liebster Award} // This award was making its way around the blogger world and I was excited when it landed on me! These awards are such a great way to connect with new bloggers!

{Find Your Sunset} // This post captures my mantra on paying attention to the little things around you

{Closure: It's All About You} // Whoo! Got personal on E&D! The blog has been a good outlet for showcasing my favorite fashion trends at the moment but also for processing events in my life. 

{My Go-To's with Marley Lilly} // I finally got an outfit post up! Thankful for the chance to get to work with Marley Lilly! I've already worn this scarf too many times to count!

{Keeping it Simple with Free People} // I loved the background of this post and I can't wait to keep rolling out more outfit posts in the future! 

Thank you, thank you to everyone and everything that has made 365 days possible! Here's to more to come!

Emily

This Year's Christmas List!

So what's a better time than Black Friday to post my Christmas List. To preface this extensive list, this is much, much more than I would ever expect to be under the tree but it's the list of all the things I've accumulated on my want-list over the past few months. This is definitely the most random list that I've ever had but each item has it's reasons! All product links can be found {at my Polyvore account here}!! Without further ado, and in no particular order, I'll dive right in!

1. Quality leather sandals: With a extended trip to Milan coming up this summer as well as my focus on really investing in shoes these three are next on my shopping list. They each three would be staple shoes that go with any and everything and I'm particularly eyeing those silver Seychelles. The thick heel and the neutral color are a safe bet with a twist.

2. Evelyn Henson Prints: I saw these prints a while ago and I'm loving that her store is extending cities. These map prints of Lexington and Memphis have my heart in a nostalgic way and would be perfect for any room! If only she had an Antwerp print!

3. J.Crew Barrettes: I love J.Crew's hair accessories. I have collected a few tortoise shell hairbands that I use constantly but I'm in need of some barrettes with a currently growing bob and these are perfect!

4. Olay Skin Brush: One of my roommates has a Clarisonic that she absolutely swears by but I see the price to be utterly unreasonable. I've searched around for other brushes that have the same basic function, without moisturizing pads that would do the trick. The Olay brush has great reviews and is only a fraction of the price of the Clarisonic. My face is begging for this under the tree!

5. Compact Point & Shoot Camera: I have a SLR Canon that I invested in during high school and it was one of my best purchases I've ever made. While it's a great camera, the sheer size has it's drawbacks. Especially when traveling abroad this summer, I wished I had a smaller more portable camera for those times that I had a tiny cross body or needed to be able to sneakily take a photo in a no-photozone cathedral! This would be perfect for nights on the town, more active adventures and the ability to throw in a small purse!

6. Small Crossbody: I'm in need of a good-quality purse to carry around with me everywhere. I love these simple structured cross body purses from Kate Spade and Fossil. I'm looking for a bright pink or turqoise color or a neutral gold!

7. Camp Socks: These socks are from LandsEnd and have great reviews but I'm also a fan of my tried and true Camp socks from J.Crew. Who said getting socks for Christmas was such a bad thing? I love these around the house and tucked into boots to be more cozy and warm!

8. Dave Matthews Antwerp Print: This print has all of my favorite things. It's the poster for the DMB concert in Antwerp a few years back and it has so many memorable symbols of the city that I love. What a cool addition this would be to a room!

9. Italian Lessons: Wow, never thought I'd be asking for this but I'm really looking for some Italian lessons. With a summer spent by myself, in a city with a completely foreign language, I need to know some basics. I'm not sure if Rosetta Stone really is the program that I would learn best in but there are some General Italian Lessons in Memphis and some geared specifically for business in Italy. I'm keeping my eye out for some of these and to have these as a gift would be so appreciated!

What is making your list this year?
Emily

This Thanksgiving: 10 Things I'm Oh So Thankful For

Thanksgiving is good for us all. Not just for the acceptable day of an overindulgence of carbs but, more importantly, because it gives us a time to think of all the things we're thankful for. Even if you don't go around the table and formally state these things it's still in the back of your mind. We all need to do this every once in a while. It's easy to take for granted the great things in our life. Here's the list that I've been thinking about the past few days and it came out to a perfect number 10. So in no particular order, here are 10 things that I am oh-so-thankful for during this past year.

1. Family // Family is important and I'm lucky to have the family that I do. Being in college really makes me appreciate the time that I spend with my family even more and I'm always thankful for the time to relax around such a supportive and loving group.

2. The Very Best Friends // I'm not sure what I would do without my best friends. I know I would have a lot less blackmail-potential photos and way less embarrassing stories but I wouldn't change it for the world. I'm thankful for my the best friends that have at school, the best roommates that I get to live with daily and the best friends I have that are only a phone call away. These goobers are for life and I'm so appreciative.

 3. Kappa Delta // It may sound cheesy but KD has given me so much more than I would have ever thought. Not only did it give me an extensive collection of t-shirts but it also opened up to me a network of 200 amazing women, introduced me to the above mentioned best friends at school and gave me the opportunity to have a hands on role in leadership. AOT to all of my sisters. I'm so thankful to be apart of this incredible organization.

4. A Happy Home // Thanksgiving is a time that I do reflect on some of the things that I am lucky to have like food on the table and a roof over my head. I am so thankful for a happy home both in Lexington and Memphis where I feel safe, welcomed and loved. A bed is a beautiful thing and shouldn't be taken for granted.

5. Opportunity to Study Abroad // It might sound cliche but studying abroad truly changed my life and I will forever be appreciative of such an amazing opportunity. Not only did I get a chance to learn in Antwerp classrooms my favorite subjects but I learned of my independence, unquenchable curiosity and a passion for travel. I'm thankful for all of the things that made this possible and all of the alterations that this experience had on my outlook on life.

6. My School // To keep it simple: I picked the right one and it's a great feeling to be completely sure of that. The opportunities that Rhodes has opened up to me has been unbelievable and something that I hadn't expected. The chance to live in a soulful city, the ability and financial aid to study abroad, the chance to work at the core of some of the campuses main operations, one-of-a-kind classes with incredible professors and brilliant students have made my 3 years spectacular and I cannot wait for the fourth. I'm so thankful for this beautiful campus and the amazing opportunities that it has offered.

7. A Time to Date Myself // This summer I finally got the chance to focus on solely me and this summer I started a great relationship with myself. I learned the importance of treating myself, taking care of myself and really getting to know who I am. Just like the feeling of knowing I picked the right school, it's even better to know exactly who you are and feel completely you. I'm so appreciative of the opportunity to make my own decisions purely for me and to guiltlessly live out my dreams. I'd urge anyone to take the time to date themselves and I'm appreciative of the chance I've gotten to do this.

8. Road trips // The road trips that I took this summer, besides the big one across the pond, really stuck out in my mind when looking over this year. Whether they were a 30 minute drive to a hike, an hour and a half drive to a concert or a six hour drive to a much needed lake weekend I'm so thankful. The chance to get away and take your mind away from routine is always needed and the soul-searching that also comes along with these drives and mini-vacations is a much appreciated added perk.

9. A Good Pair of Running Shoes, Some Concert Tickets and a Netflix Subscription // These are luxuries that I am so happy to have. I'm happy to know the little indulgences that make me happy and I'm happy to have them in my life. I'm thankful that I found a free therapy in running. I'm thankful for the chance to go to concerts this year with my favorite people and I'm thankful for the mini treat once in a while that is a Netflix binge. I'm lucky to have these luxuries and on Thanksgiving I'm giving them their much needed appreciation on my list. 

10. Emily and Dot // Last but not least, Emily and Dot has made the list. I started E&D at the beginning of this year and it's completely blown me away by, first that I've actually stuck with it, and secondly by what it's grown into. What started out as a way to jot down random thoughts has turned into a daily ritual, a business venture and a way to meet other amazing bloggers in this crazy little universe. I'm so so happy and so very thankful for what Emily and Dot has become and I'm thankful for the readers like you that have made this happen. 

So here's my list and I guarantee I have left many things out but I'm lucky to have the things in my life that I do. We always need time to sit down and reflect upon the things that we're grateful for.

What made your list this year?
Emily

100th Post // Unbelievably Proud And So Very Thankful!!!

Wow. I really cannot believe that this is my 100th blog post for Emily and Dot. While that feels like so many I know it's just only just the beginning! I started this blog on a whim, essentially as a New Year's resolution and although it was a rocky start (one post and then a two month break before starting up again) I ended up on a roll.  I chugged away with my weekly posts, and some ghastly photoshop pictures, throughout a few months of the school year until the end of the semester when E and D came to a screeching halt.

This summer, there have been a lot of changes both in myself and in my life around me. I've shared a few tidbits on here over the past few months; I finished up my sophomore year and had to come to the realization that half of my college career is now over, moved out of my childhood home from downtown to the 'burbs, I studied abroad for the first half of the summer and truly had the experiences of a lifetime, settled into a new work schedule at home and ultimately dealt with some personal life changes as well. E and D proved to be the perfect outlet to express myself and look a little deeper into what I like, what makes me happy and even where I see myself in the future.

Emily and Dot has been such a great learning experience and I'm so proud of myself for revving the engine once again after I was a little definitely burnt out. I had never been a person who consistently kept up with a journal or a diary however with Emily and Dot I finally found an outlet that I truly got hooked on. This blog has opened up so many doors that I never would have thought possible. I've been so lucky to meet so many confident, driven and stylish girls from all across the country and I can't wait to continue working, collaborating and getting to know even more wonderful women. After a few months, and a hundred posts later, I'm really starting to see the fruits of my afternoon blurbs and I feel like this is the perfect time to share some of these things with you all!

Besides my recent invitation to the {HerCampus} Blogger Network some truly exciting things are happening that I never would have expected. I'm am absolutely thrilled to announce that I am now one of the contributing bloggers to the {Marley Lilly} Blog, {The Monogrammed Life} and I could not be more excited to work with this fantastic company! Also, I am happy to announce that I am now on the Undeniable Report team working as the Editor of the Business Column! You can check out the latest issue of the Mag {right here}! Over the summer the magazine has been going through a major facelift but stay tuned for our first issue to come out on September 1st!

I am so so unbelievably thankful of all the opportunities that little Emily and Dot has welcomed and I am unbelievably proud of the growth over the past few months. I sincerely want to thank all of my readers who have stuck with me through my awkward ramblings (like this one…) and all of the bloggers who I have already had the joy of working with in this crazy blogo-sphere that we so love. I am so grateful to have met you all and I can't wait to see what is in store! Keep sticking around Emily and Dot for the big things to come in the next few months, I couldn't have done it without you all.

Always,
Emily
                    

The Liebster Award! Pass it on!

Whoop whoop! The Liebster award is flying around right now and I was lucky enough to be nominated by two awesome bloggers ~ {Dressed to a Ti} and {Fresh Faced}! You should definitely take a look over at their blogs! So what's the Liebster award? It's a way to showcase up-and-coming bloggers with less than 200 followers, gain some publicity and connect with other new bloggers! Sounds perfect! 

                  

{Rules}

1. Post 11 facts about yourself.

2. Answer the 11 questions provided by the person who nominated you, then create another 11 question set for the next group of nominees. 

3. Choose 11 people to nominate with under 200 followers then link them in the post

4. Let your nominees know they've been tagged!

So here we go, 11 facts about myself!

1. I am heading into my Junior year of college at a small school in Memphis, TN and the fact that I'm a  junior sounds absolutely crazy to me!

2. I'm studying International Business and I'd love to do Marketing when I get out of college!

3. I also have a minor in International Studies and I spent the first half of this summer studying abroad in Europe! *whirlwind!

4. I'm an avid runner and my favorite time to run is right at dusk! It's such a great way to clear your head and breathe in some fresh air!

5. I play both the ukulele and the violin!

6. I never go anywhere without a moleskin notebook.

7. Despite my efforts to eat healthy, I could live off of powdered donuts. (Yikes!)

8. Brunch is my absolute favorite meal of the day. Can you say Mimosas and French toast?!

9. One of my most cherished possessions is a Canon DSLR that I splurged on in high school. One of my best decisions to date.

10. I am proud of my stationary collection addiction and I write letters every chance I get. 

11. (I'm not a hoarder but) I like keeping small mementos of my favorite memories in a box in my room.

Now for Meghan's questions!

1. One thing I can't live without?

       My friends. No question about it!

2. Who do you admire the most?

       Probably my parents 

3. Coffee or tea?

       Chai tea! My absolute favorite! Hot, iced, frozen, anything!

4. Best book you have read?

       This is tough, I'm such a book nerd. The Fountainhead and Catcher in the Rye are two of my

        favorites but Harry Potter definitely makes the list too!

5. Why did you start your blog?

      Really, I started it on whim and I ended up getting hooked!

6. Favorite food?

      The most amazing food I ever ate was a four cheese pizza in Reims, France 

7. In which country would you live for a year if you had the chance?

       London, England! (I'm hoping to intern there next summer!)

8. What is your biggest addiction?

       I hate that I'm so attached to social media! Instagram is my kryptonite! 

9. One fashion trend you don't understand?

       Crop tops. There is way to do them conservatively and chic but there are few that I have actually

       seen pull this off. 

10. Are you a kindle or a book person?

       Book, there's nothing better than an overflowing bookshelf.

11. What is your biggest pet peeve?

       Disrespecting people of authority, whether that's children talking back to their parents or students

        ignoring a professor in class. Show some respect people!

Whoop whoop! Now it's your turn!

1. Favorite drink at a coffeeshop?

2. Favorite fashion trend going on right now?

3. If you could shop at only one store for the rest of your life what would it be?

4. You have a plane ticket tomorrow for one country anywhere in the world. Where are you going?

5. If you could only have three apps on your phone (besides calling/messaging), what would you pick?

6. Dream job?

7. Favorite guilty pleasure television show?

8. Favorite dessert?

9. The first three websites you look at when you surf the web?

10. Where is your dream vacation?

11. Why did you start blogging?

I nominate….

Connie at {Prep Northwest}

Kacky at {Gals + Grace}

Kerri Ann at {A Trendy Peace}

Carrie at {Carrie on Blogs}

Kate at {Long Island Prepster}

Eliza at {Eliza's Ramblings}

{This definitely isn't 11 girls so if you fit the bill, under 200 followers and haven't been nominated yet, simply comment below with your URL and attach the Liebster Award to your blog as well! I'd love to check it out!}

Always,

Emily

Lusting after Lilly

This past weekend was Mom's Weekend for my sorority. Unfortunately my mom wasn't able to make the trip but it really has been great to be able to see everyone else's mothers! I feel like I always see the "school side" of people so it truly is special to be able to meet everyone's parents and it's really neat to see the immediate connection them all. I hope in twenty years all of the moms and daughters will still be able to meet up once a year and have brunch together. I can picture it now!

Yesterday, we sponsored a luncheon for all of the Moms. It was a time for them to come, grab a bite to eat and mingle with everyone. These types of brunch meet-and-greets are something that I really miss when I'm at school. Apart from yesterday I can't tell you the last time I've been to one but frankly, I love a good luncheon. Tea sandwiches are one of my favorite things in the world and more importantly, I love dressing up for a luncheon. First off, I think dresses are the way to go. A conservative sun dress is a must for any girl's closet and I am a firm believer in this. Whether this is a simple J.Crew shift dress or an Anthropologie Maxi dress, the style is your choice, but having that go-to dress that you could wear "to see your Grandmother" is a definite necessity.

For me personally, Lilly Pulitzer brings back so many good memories of spring. Every Easter my mom would buy "Mommy and Me" Lilly dresses. She would have the colorful shift and I would have the matching loose A-line, little girls version. It really was adorable and of course my daughter will be running around in those one day too! For me, Lilly is an understated celebration. It's classic, conservative, feminine and fun. It's truly the epitome of Southern style. It's horse racing season, mother-daughter tea, Easter Sundays and luncheons. At school I don't have any of my Lilly dresses with me because I haven't seen a need to keep them here before but I was really regretting it yesterday. With flowers blooming and a Mom's meet-in-greet I was flashing back to Mommy and Me days in those brightly printed dresses.

I jumped on the website and fell in love all over again. Here are some of the one's that particularly caught my eye. I am totally obsessed with the Lexington dress! (Fine, that's partly because it's the name of my hometown but mainly because it's absolutely adorable!) I mean… Easter is just around the corner, I think that's excuse enough to add another one to my collection!

The Becky Dress

The Delia Shift Dress

The Robyn Short Sleeve Dress

The Piper Shift Dress

The Lexington Dress

Lusting after Lilly,

Emily

Saturdays in Spring

The picture above is exactly how I am planning on spending my day today. The sun is shining and the temperature is supposed to be in the 70's! Hallelujah! I wrote a post earlier this week about the finicky spring weather but I am 100% wearing shorts today. 

One of my favorite things to do is to lay outside. Not necessarily to get a tan (I'll still take it) but to just enjoy the breeze and the Vitamin D! This is something that my mom got me hooked on as a little girl and I've loved it ever since. When I was little we'd go out into the backyard with a large Mexican blanket and a pitcher of lemonade and lay there for hours.  Even if it's just for an hour it's so relaxing! Some sweet tea, a good book, a mexican blanket and happy tunes make for that perfect afternoon. 

How do you plan on spending your Saturday?

Emily

Friday Finds: A Netflix Guide!

Today's Friday Find is honestly the last thing I need as a chronic Netflix-er. If I have any kind of guilty pleasure it's definitely Netflix. I love when I have those few minutes at the end of the day when I can turn on my computer and fire up one of my favorite tv shows! And honestly, there is nothing more relaxing than a Saturday afternoon Netflix marathon!

My current problem is that I've gone through two of my absolute favorite shows. I finished Gossip Girl a few months ago and it truly was a sad day. Call me caddy but it's really my favorite. Between the fashion and the friendships it's an easy watch and who wouldn't want to be Blair Waldorf?! Even more recently I finished Grey's Anatomy. Yes, yes they do still make shows but without a tv at school all I can do is wait until more are posted on Netflix. Bummer.

Lately, I've tried out a few shows hoping to find one that was going to fill in the gap. As of now I've got nothin'. I started watching New Girl because, let's be honest, who doesn't love Zooey Deschanel but I was a little underwhelmed. I loved her awkward and quirky character with impeccable pattern mixing skills but I just wasn't hooked. On the other hand, my boyfriend is obsessed with the Walking Dead but I'm not stepping anywhere near that one!

So I'm back to square one, lost without a tv show until VOILA! I came across this article!

Click on the image below!

I absolutely loved this! Just find your personality type and look at the shows that suit your taste!

Here's what I got:

I'm really going to have to check out Orange is the New Black. I've heard a lot of great things about it! Despite those orange jumpsuits being the exact opposite of my favorite Gossip Girl threads it looks like it might be right up my alley! Also, when I saw the description of Guilty Pleasure you bet that one caught my eye!

I'll keep you posted on how my search goes! What are some of your favorite shows right now?

I'll still always be a Blair Waldorf girl,

Emily

My Busy Week Go-To's!

Recently my life has been a mess of emails, work, meetings and general running around. Well, maybe that's always my life but even more recently it feels as if I've been so much more go-go-go! I don't think hustle is such a bad thing but maintaining your style can really suffer. These are the kinds of days where I skip the elaborate face of makeup and the perfectly planned layered threads and look towards my Go-To's. I'd define Go-To's as those items that never let you down, we all have 'em! Here are some of my recent, busy week grabs!

1. J.Crew Keeper Chambray Shirt (here)

This shirt is my absolute ultimate Go-To. I bought a slightly oversized version in order to get that "boyfriend" feel and more comfortable and casual look. My easiest outfit is throwing this shirt over a pair of fitted pants and I'm good to go in a quite literally "effortless" look. It's one of my best layering pieces, going great under a vest or sweater and looks put together when tucked into a skirt or loose over a pair of pants. Love love love this shirt and it was so worth the regular-priced-J.Crew splurge.

2. J.Crew Minnie Pant (here)

These pants are also one of my greatest investments in my wardrobe. The stretch twill gives the pant enough structure to give your legs a flattering fit but also has enough stretch to feel like you're wearing a pair of leggings! These are another piece that can be worn with just about anything. These pants make a button down or even a simple t-shirt look like a million bucks and on days where you're time to get dressed is crunched these are an obvious pick.

3. Leopard Print Flats (here)

A comfortable pair of leopard print flats are my recommendation for every girl's closet. I definitely consider a great leopard print as a neutral. I love the combination of stripes and a print. It's one of those mixes that give an outfit that extra bit of an edge and spice up a simple pair of jeans and a white top. Comfortable, is also a key word here. A day of a cheap pair of flats can really cause some major blisters. Investing in a better brand is so worth it and will return in the long-run when you're still rocking these babies a year after you purchased them. Knowing a trusty pair of comfortable shoes are a definite necessity for my closet. 

4. Warby Parker Finch Glasses (here)

So I'm definitely a turtleshell-aholic. And once again, I would consider this, "print" if you will, a neutral. Nothing says prep like a turtle-shell accessory am I right? If you wear glasses it's key to find at least one pair that will match any outfit for those days you need to run out the door without contacts and without thinking of the color that will match those navy pants.

5. Essie All-In-One (here)

You might think this one is a little odd for a Go-To but this is truly great for those hectic weeks. Sometimes it really is hard to maintain the upkeep on your nails when you're constantly busy and chipped nails are definite no-no. Essie all-in-one is the best way to maintain healthy and professional nails throughout the week. It's also great to give your nails a little love every once in a while and a break from the constant painting. Let your nails breathe and give them a strengthener while you're running from meeting to meeting!

6. Longchamp Le Pliage (here)

A total must. I really can't say enough about the worth of this bag. For travel, school, overnight carry-all and as a casual day-to-day tote it truly does it all. The fact that it can fold up  is amazing for quick trips when switching from a backpack to and from class. It's classic cool style goes with absolutely everything and believe me the room reminds me of Mary Poppins! It can carry everything I need on a daily basis without me having to worry about if the straps are going to snap! 

7. Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter (here)

I've truly fallen in love with this lipstick. Lip butter. Chapstick? I'm not confident on how to categories this type of lip product but it really conquers all. For one, the consistency doesn't dry out your lips! It keeps them smooth and even slightly moisturizes them lasting you all day without the upkeep of gloss, vaseline and then reapplication. I've been digging orange lately on those days when my makeup routine is lagging. It really makes you face pop when my foundation and eye routine has fallen by the wayside.  

8. iPad mini (here)

My handy dandy iPad, what would I do without you? I love carrying my iPad around. I always keep my iPad in my bag for those hectic running-out-the-door kind of mornings. On days that I forget to pack my laptop my iPad comes in handy and it's also great to have for waiting room occupation! If you're debating buying one of these "unnecessary luxury items" I would absolutely recommend it. I've gotten so much more use out of this than I expected and the size and weight is convenient for taking it everywhere. 

What are your busy day Go-To's?

Emily

Can you go Computer-less?

So last week my computer charger split in two! Right where the thinner cord comes out of the square part on the Mac charger. Sorry for the un-official terms but to get to the point, it just split! And as soon as it did, my laptop could no longer charge within a day. Let me tell you, this was such an inconvenience! I always thought that Mac's had the longest battery life until I had nothing to charge it up again! For a solid 4 days I was having to borrow friends' chargers, moving to do work beside them or using their chargers when they were done for the day and going to bed! Finally, I squeezed in an appointment at the Apple store in hopes to regain control over my work schedule!

Unfortunately they weren't able to give me a new cord. Apparently chargers aren't covered under Apple-Care? Fine. But they did give me a discount since I came in to see them so I'll take that. 

Once I got back and charged up my Mac once again I was good to go but those few days really showed me how surprisingly dependent I am on my computer. I feel like I'm so far behind on work because quite everything, is accomplished on my Mac. Emails, papers, articles, online homework, online banking, social media, blog posts! They all require my computer! 

I'm not really sure how I feel about my whole life being tied to this new electronic world but it really did shock me how much I'm on my computer all day. I need to start learning how to space out my computer time. Not only can my Mac become a black hole of time but I also get massive headaches after staring at the screen for too long! I think it would be good to go back to physical textbooks and handwriting outlines for papers, give my eyes a rest and learn to focus outside of an electronic workspace. The computer can really become a distraction at times and although it is so necessary in my day-to-day life I don't like feeling that dependence on an inanimate object. 

I think I'm going to start challenging myself to unplug for a day. Turn off my computer on a Saturday and simply detox. It can't be good to constantly be tuned into the world wide web and entranced by that glaring screen. I am so so thankful to have a working charger again but I really wouldn't mind spending a little less time with my inevitable Apple friend. 

Can you go without your computer for a day?

Emily

It's Formal Weekend!

This weekend is formal weekend for my sorority. Two formals, Friday night and Saturday, which means a multitude of things but mainly some pretty sore feet. I am a firm believer that you can't dance your best with blisters on your feet and my secret to dancing the night away is this:

For dinner and the pre-party I wear my best heels. Those ones that match your dress perfectly and make your legs look a million miles long. Take your pictures in them and then toss them away. Dancing all night in some killer heels may seem like a great idea but for me all I get are just some killer blisters! My trick is this. Right before I head out to go to the formal venue I grab my flats. I have these perfectly worn in pair of J.Crew black flats that I always throw on. They are my most comfortable shoes and in those dark venues, people aren't even looking at what you have on your feet!

I'm currently looking around for a new pair of formal flats that will keep me looking great but let me dance all night long. I'm truly lusting after those J.Crew Lillian wedges. They do have a little bit of a heel on them but they still look so comfortable, not to mention those Seychelles Home Sweet Home flats. Oh girl. 

So find your dancing shoes and have a killer night! 

Happy feet happy girl,

Emily

Friday Finds! Happy in Memphis

Today's Friday Find comes from right here in the 901!

To begin with, I am totally obsessed with Pharell's "Happy". The song just gets me in an upbeat mood and I'm dancing around all day. A school from Memphis put their own spin on the tune, highlighting some of my favorite places around the city and boy this little guy is cute!

With the sun shining and the grass finally becoming green, this song is the perfect way to end the week!




Happy Happy Happy,
Emily

Spring has sprung!

Finally! Spring is here. The weather is slowly warming up and I am happy to say that I am in shorts today! Spring is definitely my favorite season. A cool breeze, blooming flowers and a glass of sweet tea is an absolutely perfect day. Blogging outside is another plus!

Apart from the great weather, and generally more upbeat days, brighter clothes are right up my alley. Dust off those hot pink shorts that have been tucked away in your closet and drag out those lime green flats. Spring is the perfect excuse to mix some bold colors and prints!

These are some of the items I'm lusting over from J.Crew, Madewell and Gap. Some solid staple pieces can really go a long way and I truly consider stripes to be a neutral. Spring is here to stay and I'm loving it.

Feelin springy,

Emily