A Year In Review: Oh the Places I Went in 2014

One of my favorite things to do is to open up my iPhoto and click on 12 months. It's always neat to see what I was doing exactly a year ago. Well, on January 1, 2014 I was on a plane and, honestly, it's only fitting that this year started off on a plane. I really feel like I went places in 2014. Not only did I have a year full of physical traveling but I also had a year of personal changes and life altering opportunities and I'm the proudest, most confident and most happy that I think I have ever been. So 2014, you were great to me and I can't wait to see what happens in 2015. I'm thankful for a day to look back on my 12 months of photos and remember all of the amazing things that this year had to offer. Here is my list of the 20 things that I learned, the memories that stuck out to me and the things that I'm truly appreciative of in 2014.

1. I started the year on a plane and shockingly learned that I actually like flying. Now airports are another story.

2. I learned that there will be people that come in and out of your life. And I learned that this is okay.

3. I realized that I truly picked the best school for me. And that, is a refreshing, humbling and glorious feeling.

4. I learned that I'm addicted to traveling. Seeing new places, new people, new cultures, new artwork and new adventures is something that I have to have. I'm lucky for the opportunity to travel and I can't wait to see where this itch takes me.

5. This was the year that I discovered Oreos. And there's no turning back now. 

6. I'll never forget the first moment stepping out into the Brussels streets. My first steps abroad will always stick with me. And that first sandwich will also always be the best. 

7. I learned how to run, and to keep running and to get up the next day and do it again. 

8. I added more black to my wardrobe and yes, I am proud of that. 

9. I took an Art History class and fell in love. Art will be a subject that I will always strive to continue educating myself in. 

10. I dropped to my knees when I learned that I'll be working in Milan this summer. I've never been more shocked, honored and unbelievably excited in one moment of my life. I didn't know it was possibly to cry so many happy tears. I'll always remember that moment. 

11. I can truly say I know how to study. It's good to know your strengths and your weaknesses and how to use these to learn the most you can. 

12. I've learned to evaluate my investments. It is important to me to recognize and evaluate my rate of return on my organizational involvements, business ventures, relationships and of course clothing. I blame my major but it requires due thanks. 

13. I've worked harder at getting to know my city. Grizz games, new restaurants and trolley nights. I've only got four years in this soulful city of Memphis and 2014 was the year I started making them count.

14. I've learned how to let it go. Some stress isn't worth it. Type A can take a rest every once in a while. 

15. I've learned that I'd rather spend $15 on a dinner out with a friend than a new shirt. Sometimes its okay to put your money where your mouth is.

16. I've learned my limits. Sometimes after a long day it's time to throw in the towel and drive to get a donut. The work will always get done. 

17. My friends and family have found my blog and (although at first I was pretty embarrassed) I'm excited for them to see a different side of me. Welcome aboard guys.

18. I've taken me-time. I know what makes me happy, what calms me down and what inspires me. Taking a few months to figure this out was something that I will be thankful for the rest of my life. 

19. I have selected a subject that I am truly passionate about. Marketing and business makes sense to me and the opportunities that have already opened up in this area only prove that it was the right decision. 

20. To end where this year really did start - Emily and Dot took off. A blog I started on a whim turned into a business venture and a personal place to reflect and share. Thank you to all of my followers. Every comment, Instagram like and page view really makes me proud. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone and everything that made 2014 so spectacular. Here's to hitting the ground running in 2015!
Emily

Keeping it Simple with Free People

{Dress // Free People (similar, similar), Sandals // Nine West (similar, similar) , Purse // Cole Haan (similar)}

High 70's is something that I definitely can't complain about. Nor can I complain about the breezy dresses that are coming with it. We decided to explore a little bit yesterday and with a few hours of walking around, my favorite Free People dress came in for the win. A simple effortless slip dress is something everyone needs and FP has it on lockdown. I bought this dress a few years ago and it's seen everything from concerts to formals to art galleries. I'm loving the FP layered style but I'm not sure if I'm gutsy enough to pull it off yet. For now, I'll just admire their Instagram {dying over these looks} from afar and keep it super simple with a pair of metallic sandals that never let me down. There's something to say about investing in a great brand of sandals. I love my Target knockarounds from my post yesterday {view here} but these ones really step up the quality a notch and last longer than just one season. I'd say the same goes for a go-to cross body. You can never go wrong with a simple metallic that fits all of your essentials. 

Roaming around we came across this not-so hidden gem of the Ringling family art collection. Their gallery was absolutely beautiful, not to mention the incredible art that was inside! Follow along with what I saw over on my Instagram @emilyanddot {link here} where you can see more pictures of this pink palace and my pink sunburn!

Loving it!

Emily

P.S. Had to include the brother on this post because this kid keeps me on my fashion toes. 

Dock Days in Florida

{Dress // Springfield (similar here), Shoes // Target (here), Sunglasses // AJ Morgan (here)}

Well I'm definitely already digging our time spent here in Florida. Salty hair and sandy clothes are a cure for absolutely anything and after a busy week of finals, Christmas and the on-set of winter, escaping to Florida was just what we all needed. The weather is absolutely beautiful, the beach is right outside our door and I have a clear schedule for 7 days. Life. Is. Good. A break from school is always great but there's never anything like the relaxation that you get from the beach. I'm more than happy to be here. 

As you know, I'm a sucker for taking photos of anything and everything and I've actually already taken 697 photos in three days (actually laughing out loud). Make sure to follow along on my Instagram @emilyanddot {link right here!} to see everything I'm up to on the trip! These photos were snapped while we were waiting on the grill to fire up last night for dinner. 

Here I'm wearing one of my favorite dresses I snagged from a store while I was abroad in Belgium. It fits similar to my favorite J.Crew Factory dress and there's even a similar color {here, here}! 

I've been running around on the beach in these sandals but honestly, where haven't I worn these? These are $20 Massimo sandals from Target {here} and they're my absolute favorite. No blisters whatsoever and they have stayed together after the cobblestone streets of Europe, outdoor summer concerts and now walking to and from the beach. I'm not lying when I say that I have four more pairs waiting for me in my closet for when I walk right through these. Love them. 

Last but not least, these sunglasses from AJ Morgan {here}. I grabbed these from my favorite vintage store this past summer and I've been obsessed with the entire brand ever since. AJ Morgan isn't vintage but they make reasonably priced ($12!) glasses in all different shapes and colors. Check them out if you haven't heard of them already!

Hope everyone else is having a great rest of their breaks and stocking up on all kinds of goodies with these post-Christmas sales! What are you all doing for break?!

Emily

My Christmas Eve Playlist!

Merry Christmas Eve everyone! Today officially kicks off the festivities at my house! Our Christmas Eve traditions revolve around a short drive to visit family where we start with an overly-filling dinner and end opening a few gifts! For today's drive I've curated a short Christmas playlist to settle into the Christmas spirit! Click the link here {listen to my Christmas playlist on Spotify} to play directly off Spotify!

Also, I want to Congratulate Rachel from {Seashells & Sparkles}for winning my Marley Lilly Giveaway! Thanks for everyone that participated and I can't wait to show you what I have up my sleeve for the future!

Merry Christmas Eve!
Emily

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Here's to Treating Every Day Like Christmas!

 I mentioned in a post {here} about how Christmas always sneaks up on me now that I'm at school and I'm not constantly surrounded by garland, string lights and carols. I've been trying to get into the Christmas spirit while I've been at home by catching up on all of my favorite holiday movies. I recently watched Elf (one of my all-time favorite movies ever) and it reminded me of something really important.

Amidst laughing about syrup covered pancakes or angry elves, there is a short scene about the code of the elves and the number one rule is: Treat every day like Christmas. There's something to be said here and it is this. Getting into the Christmas spirit and preparing for this holiday shouldn't' be as stressful as it inevitably turns out to be. Rushing around trying to find those last minute gifts {hope I can help with this post!}, throwing the baked apples in the oven and scouring the house to find one more bow to throw on top of a gift can really make us forget the real purpose of this holiday. Getting into the Christmas spirit isn't about cramming all of your last minute movies or listening to Jingle Bell Rock for the 300th time, it should realistically mean simply taking a breath and enjoying this time around family and friends. Yes, Christmas is just another day. But it is so special because everyone is relaxed, happy, festive, smiling, full with calories they didn't even try to count, warm off of age-old hot chocolate recipes and giddy because they finally got that present they've been eyeing all year. Christmas is about simply enjoying the day and treating every day like Christmas is about constantly looking for ways to give, things to be happy about and moments to celebrate.

So the conclusion that I've come to. I need to chill with my Christmas-cramming and understand that getting into the spirit isn't about making sure I remember all of the words to Feliz Navidad. It's appreciating the family and friends around me, the fact that we have gifts wrapped under the tree and making sure that I get the most out of my time at home. I really should take my life lessons from Will Ferrell more often.

Here's to treating everyday like Christmas!
Emily

P.S. Only one more day to enter into my Christmas giveaway! Click the Rafflecopter below!!!

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