Goodbye Summer

Writing the title of this post took every ounce of energy I have left after what seems like a summer of working. I know we all spend our summers working, but oh my gosh. This is the first summer in the history of, well, ever, that I've thought, "Wait, summer can't end." I am a fall baby all the way. I love it. But, the thought of classes starting and having homework on top of all the other stuff I already have to do kind of makes me want to throw up. Really, you should see my to-do lists.

There are some things you just can't change though, and the fact that I have my first class at 3:00 today is one of them. Did I mention it's three hours long? Jokes on jokes. And fingers crossed it doesn't actually go that long. This summer has some major highs and major lows; it's been by far the most beneficial summer for me. I've learned a lot, worked a lot, and laughed a lot. A good combination if you do ask me!

Anyway, I've seen a lot of "Hey, it's ok!" posts out there this summer. Inspired by Glamour and my favorite blogger, The College Prepster, I've decided to do my own as a kind of testament to this summer and all it's taught me.

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To eat a completely oversized bowl of stove-popped popcorn a day.

To kiss the boy you'll never in your life see again.

To color code your planner compulsively.

To wake up to a room completely destroyed by getting ready the night before.

To eat pizza at 2a.m.
To legitimately dream about Chris Soules from The Bachelorette.

To spend a rainy day holed up with your best friend watching Dirty Dancing, eating cupcakes, and ordering in.

To drink a bottle of wine on a Wednesday night while watching Love Actually.

To spend every spare moment (though few and far between) binge-watching HIMYM. 

To drop your phone in a toilet at a country concert.

To tell all your friends you dropped your phone in a toilet at a country concert.

To forget to check that all the members of the gym you work at are out of the building BEFORE you close it up (oops!).

To hang out with friends until 6am just talking about who knows what.

To go to Mexico and indulge in as many fruity drinks as possible (#judgeme).

To practically cry at a Disney fireworks show.

To force your family to watch every  fireworks show that Disney World has to offer.

To bawl your eyes out at the movies, tissue box in hand.

To talk to your dog like they're an actual person, because really, aren't they basically?

To not want to go back to classes because holy crap, you're graduating in May.

To not want to grow up.
To, at the same time, want to grow up.

To secretly like (gasp!) Mondays.

Happy Monday!

Sundays In Bed

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I'm currently on my way to Saratoga, NY for a Luke Bryan concert with my best friend!! If you're wondering if I already saw him this summer, the answer is yes. In DC. But my motto is that you can never have too much Luke. And I will stand by that forever. But if you're relaxing all day and laying around (which is just what I did literally all day yesterday), then I've got your reading for you :)

"No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world."

1. Monday was a hard day for so, so many people. We lost such a great actor and comedian. I love that Disney now recognizes the loss at the end of Aladdin, and of all the tributes out there, this one has been my favorite.

2. On that note, the profound quotes from Robin Williams that helped shape our generation.

3. An experience earlier this week really taught me that you can't let the little, stupid things break your happiness. Really, sticks and stones, my friends.

4. I fell in love with this print while shopping around on Etsy this week. Oh, and this one. And this one.

5. There are no words for how jealous I am of Rach Parcell's closet. No doubt about it, it's my dream closet.

6. Summer is coming to an end in (UGH) one week! Excuse me while I go cry. The 21 highs and lows girls go through when summer ends. Jeans and sweatpants = no shaving season (AKA the only good thing about summer ending)!

7. Loving these ALS Ice Bucket Challenge videos! Have you been nominated?!

8. THIS IS HAPPENING TOMORROW AND I CAN'T WAIT.

9. Check out the latest post on my other (newer) blog, life, lemons & vodka (LL&V)! What is the perfect relationship?

10. A new playlist for the end of summer and a new school year!

10 Things We All Experienced During The Bachelorette Finale

SPOILERS: DO NOT READ ON IF YOU HAVE NOT VIEWED THE FINALE.

I don't know about all you fellow #bachelorette viewers out there, but this season has got to be, hands down, my favorite. I honestly think Andi was one of the strongest women I've seen in the position of bachelorette, and I may or may not have cried when Josh finally got down on one knee and proposed! I know it's a show, but I actually firmly believe they're the real thing. And I am so happy for her! 

Chris Harrison didn't lie for once about this finale. I don't think any of us could have predicted everything that happened in those two hours. Andi sending Nick home before he could even propose was admirable, but holy s*it. My friend Sara and I were watching together, and both our mouths dropped. Needless to say, we were pleased with the finale and the season. OMG IT WAS SO GOOD YOU GUYS.

Oh my god, STAWP.

1. The obligatory "Holy-crap-we've-come-so-far-I-can't-believe-it's-already-the-finale-who-do-you-think-is-going-to-win" pre-finale freak out sesh with your gal-pal viewing party. Basically, if you're not in the "Who's going to win Andi's heart?" conversation, you're irrelevant.

2. "Oh my gosh, it's starting. Nobody speak." But there's always that one friend who doesn't ever shut up. Everyone but her is thinking:

3. The second Andi's dad blatantly says he'll be comparing Josh and Nick when Josh comes to meet the family you're like: "LIKE JOSH BETTER LIKE THE REST OF AMERICA YOU IDIOT." And then you can tell good ole Hy likes Josh better than nervous wreck, boring, Nick. That feeling once you realize Josh has won over not only Andi's heart, but her dad's? Victory, my friends. Nick is as good as gone now.

4. Throughout the whole episode Nick is acting like a pre-pubescent Cory Matthews. Except for it's not cute, it's creepy/extremely annoying.

Okay Nick, she smiled at you. I smile at a lot of guys, it doesn't translate into "OMG I'm in love with you." Jeezum.

5. Going off that, every time Nick opens his mouth you just want to be like:

SHUT UP AND STOP BEING SO EMOTIONAL. BE A MAN FOR PETE'S SAKE.

6. Then during a commercial break Chris Harrison ever so slyly suggested that Chris Soules might be the next Bachelor. Cue every girl in America squealing and jumping for joy. Cue every single one of your friends claiming him. But you can't help but laugh to yourself, because you're just like, "Lawlz, it's cute how they think they stand a chance. He's mine."

7. When Andi showed up at Nick's room to tell him when she woke up that morning that "something was off", every one pulled a Taylor Swift.

Is it finally happening? Is she sending Grumpy home?

She's done it! So long Nick. We all knew she was going to pick Josh because Chris Harrison told us at the beginning that the man she didn't choose basically stalks her. And only Nick would do that. Obvi. Here's a message from all of us:

Dear Nick,

Love, 

America

8. Josh proposes to Andi. It is the most rehearsed and well thought out proposal ever given on the show. Everybody cries because WHY DON'T WE HAVE BOYFRIENDS LIKE THAT? WHERE IS MY HUGE NEIL LANE ENGAGEMENT RING?!

9. By the time ATFR starts, you and your friends are all so emotionally exhausted and seriously questioning signing up for the next season of The Bachelor. You realize that you spent the past two hours stressed to the max about two people you have never met in your lives, and then to make matters worse, you realize that you spent the last ten minutes of The Bachelorette's season crying because you're so happy for these two people whom you actually DO. NOT. KNOW. You then realize you're semi-pathetic and turn to the only thing in the world that truly understands you (unless, you're like, in a happy relationship or something... in which case you're an anomaly.)

10. By the time the three hour debacle of a show finally wraps up at 11pm, you realize that you and all your friends are hammered and depressed. You've also chosen "Bottoms Up!" as your new group motto. Happy Monday.

xoxo

Insta-Lately

I know, I know. Another cop-out post. But unfortunately, life is busy and I'm trying. This weekend really flew by and Monday kind of hit me like a bus. Tomorrow I promise you a good post! I PINKY SWEAR. OKAY?!

In the meantime, check out what I've been up to on Instagram!

If you follow along with me, I'll love you forever!

Have a great Tuesday!

xoxo

While you're following me on Instagram, maybe click over to Facebook and Twitter too?

Stronger

You guys. Life has been so, so good lately. 

So why is the title of this post "Stronger"? The answer is really extremely simple. Regardless of the fact that almost every aspect of my life is going incredibly well right now, I am still prone to the dreaded anxiety attack. As I'm writing this, my stomach is literally in knots, my heart is pounding and I feel like there is a 100 pound weight on my chest; and in true Emily fashion, I have no freaking clue why. If I'm being honest, I think this post is my own sort of therapy session to explore why I'm feeling this way. Congratulations, I trust you (my lovely readers) with my less-than-sane (yet totally normal for a 20-something) antics.

What do you do when the future is right around the corner, but you're still hanging onto the past by the tips of your fingernails? When you're so close to being ready to let go of all that has made you you, and move on to all that will make you who you are ten years from now, is it okay to feel scared s**tless? Because I'm scared s**tless.

And my friends, it's not fun. It's not fun thinking every day (and pardon my French here), "Holy s**t, I'm a senior in college. Oh my gosh, in less than a year my life is going to be drastically different than everything I've known for essentially my whole life." It's not fun thinking about friends getting married and moving in with boyfriends and that I should be doing the same, yet here I am focusing on my career. It's not fun thinking that failure could be around every corner I turn for the next five to ten years. It's not fun thinking that before I know it I'm going to be thrown into a world that has yet to open it's arms to me and welcome me in. It's not fun thinking that the real world never opens it's arms to you in a welcoming, warm hug. Basically, nothing about right now is fun. It's all down right terrifying.

I'm really good at pushing all of these thoughts to the back of my mind and forcing myself to not worry about them. The way I see it, I want to enjoy this next year with as few panic attacks as possible. But when I'm laying in bed it's hard to not think about it all. I'm excited. And nervous. And everything in between.

In two and a half months I celebrate another birthday, and when I start to look back on this year, I see how much I've changed. My views on so many things-- friendships, relationships, life in general-- it's all changed. I think the thing that's really scaring me the most is the fact that for the first time in my life I feel prepared to take on all the twists and turns heading my way in the coming years. Don't get me wrong, I'm still scared to death of them. But lately when I look in the mirror, I don't see a little girl anymore. I might live an extremely sheltered life, but when I look in the mirror I see someone who's seen enough of the world to know that it can swallow you whole, I see a young lady ready to grow into the woman she's meant to be. Sometimes I miss the "Part of Your World"-singing, curly blonde-haired child that I used to be. Sometimes I can't wait to see the woman I am five, ten years down the line. And sometimes, I just want to stay right here, stuck in the in-between. But that doesn't mean it's not a hard place to be.

If I'm being completely honest with you all right now, yes, I am totally and 100% completely afraid of failing. I'm terrified of not leaving after college and of getting stuck in a place that I love and am comfortable in, but want desperately to leave. I'm terrified of not getting the right job, of not doing the right thing after graduation. I'm terrified of it all. But at the same time I'm not. It's so conflicting! The other half of the whole truth is, I'm scared because I'm ready to face it all head-on. I'm scared because I'm stronger than I've ever been. And if that makes me a walking contradiction, then I guess that's what I am--because I'm beginning to think being scared and being strong might be the same thing.

{Summer} Sweater Weather

I'm notorious for being cold in the summertime. I've been thinking literally all summer of just how badly I need a lightweight sweatshirt to wear around the camp I babysit at nearly every day. The kids make fun of me because, unless we're at the beach, I'm almost always huddled up with a blanket. It could be 80 degrees outside, I don't know why on earth I get so cold.

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The Top 5 Planners for Life

It's literally my favorite time of the year. I'm starting to feel the back to school bug getting to me, and call me what you will, but getting a new planner every year is easily one of the highlights of my year. I went on the hunt for the planner to the left, but was semi-disappointed at it's contents. Points for an awesome cover though! And for my sassier friends out there, there's this cover too. If it didn't scream "unprofessional" I'd be all over it.

Anyway, I've been spending the past month looking up planners to get for the upcoming school year (senior year!). But now I also have to consider a planner that can carry me into the real world post graduation. Talk about a struggle! I've narrowed my choices down to five amazing planners. The hard part is going to be picking one!

Summer Nails

I'm a "have to have my nails done year round" kinda girl, but in the summertime I stray from my dark winter shades and move towards brighter, happier shades. Summer is definitely my season and you can usually catch me rocking a new manicure a few times each week. I've stopped paying for gel manicures every few weeks since it just got to be far too expensive and it was wreaking havoc on my nails. Now I just invest in new nail polishes!

Perfectly Polished

Photo/The College Prepster

Photo/Bows and Sequins

Photo/Cupcakes and Cashmere

10 Things About Traveling to Disney

For those of you who know me, I have always loved Disney. I had every single word to The Little Mermaid's "Part of Your World" memorized and I used to perform it for my family at my Nana's house whenever possible. When I'm in Disney, seeing the princesses is still my favorite part. It's a lot of walking, a lot of cool rides, and a lot of awesome shows (and fantastic fireworks!) But for those of you who haven't been to Disney, be warned: it's not all fun and games.

Believe it or not, this (below) is what most people look like while at Disney.

When You Believe in Something

I got back from Mexico safe and sound yesterday, and tomorrow I am off to Disney World with my family! A hectic two weeks, but fun none the less. After spending all last night doing laundry so I'd be prepared for our drive down to Providence today, it's safe to say I'm pretty exhausted. Excited to be going to Disney, not so excited my parents chose to fly us out of an airport that is five (yes, FIVE) hours away from home.

But, I can't really complain because I'm lucky enough to still be going on vacation with them at 20. It's likely to be one of my last family vacations for a long time (seeing as after next year I have to actually be a real grown up...), so I'm planning on cherishing the time I get to spend with my family in our favorite place! Yes, we may or may not call Disney World our home away from home. My brother insists he doesn't like Disney, but I think he secretly enjoys it! Not that he'll ever admit it...

Summer Flip Flops

We landed safe and sound yesterday in Mexico! And oh my, is it gorgeous! Our resort is fantastic and it's all inclusive ;) The sun and the pool bar sand is calling my name, so this post will be a quick one! Hope all is well wherever you are!

I've been rocking flip flops for a month or so now, but as of late my all around shoe fetish has really just become a flip flop fetish. #guilty 

I'm partial to my Jacks in every way possible when it comes to flip flops and sandals. I love them. I'll be the first to admit my feet start to hurt after an extended period of time walking in them though. Although, I'll take the pain with the style I suppose. By the end of the summer I plan on investing in a new pair of Jacks and yes, I might be a little, too excited about it. Call me a flip-flop snob. But you can't wear Jacks all the time, right? (Highly debatable, I know...) so included at the bottom of this post are some equally as cute alternatives!

Lose Sight of Shore

As you read this I'm on my way to Mexico with Taylor and Julie, two of my best friends from high school (and my new roomies!). Jealous? I'm so excited to finally be on vacation. We booked this trip kind of spur of the moment back in February or March and have been waiting for it ever since! Cancun, here we come!

Leaving America to head to Mexico hasn't exactly done wonders for my nerves. I am not the world's best traveler. It's a little better when I'm on trips alone or with friends. Anyone else feel like traveling with their whole family is extra stressful?? I love them, but I'm a significantly better solo traveler. (Sorry parentals.)

Last summer when my friend Kate and I went to Europe for two weeks, I found during the weeks leading up to our trip that I was just an anxiety-ridden mess. Granted, this was before I realized just how bad my anxiety was, but still. I was surprised to find that I've been feeling the same way since I got back from DC a few weeks ago.

She Loved Three Things...

Do you ever ask yourself what three things you love most in this world? They don't have to be people, they don't have to be tangible objects, they can be moments, songs, memories, feelings, and so on. But really, how often do you ask yourself what you love most about this world or about your life and role in it?

My guess is not very often.

I know we all try to count our blessings before we fall asleep, but to be honest once I hit middle school my nighttime ritual of reading the daily thought in my little kid's "Be Thankful" book that my Nana got me completely went out the window. I mean, I know we outgrow things, but I kind of really liked ending my days that way. It always made me feel hopeful for the next day, even if the past 24 hours had been a 10-year old's version of a living hell (and trust me, that doesn't take much.)

Shake It For Me

For those of you who don't know, this Thursday I'm jetting off to DC with my friend Taylor to visit our friend Esther and go see (I'd be lying if I said I wasn't squealing as I write this...) Luke Bryan! Also known as one of the best men to ever walk this earth. Excitement aside, I'm notorious for not packing until the last minute, and even more notorious for not planning what I'm going to wear to an event until the (you guessed it) last minute. Shockingly, I know what I'll be wearing come Friday when we drive off to Virginia for what will be the best concert of the summer! I mean... It is Luke.

He shakes his butt.

And he looks like this.

Yeah nothing else needs to be said.

Take Me to Rio

It should come as no surprise that I'm a Kate Spade addict to any of you, but alas, I couldn't resist doing a post on their latest new arrivals. I browse the site almost daily and while I had my doubts about the latest additions to the collection, they've really grown on me.

As if I wasn't obsessed enough with their book clutches, I absolutely fell in love with this one. It's so bright and summer-y, if I had a reason to carry around a clutch I would totally invest in it! I have a feeling that my bag addiction is never going to stop. I love them, and really, can a girl ever have too many bags? Hint: the answer is an unequivocal no.

Summer is my absolute favorite (although my hair would suggest otherwise... frizz is at it's highest from May to August). I love dresses, and I love skirts. I am the epitome of a girly girl and summer is my season.

Sunshine and a Little Pink

Yesterday was such a gorgeous day here that it put me in the most amazing mood! I love, love, love the sunshine. And even though it was only 58 degrees, I made up a cup of coffee and settled in on my back porch to catch up on some reading! It was a beautiful and relaxing afternoon, and sometimes the best music to listen to are the songs the birds sing when the weather is especially nice. Am I right?

What I'm really excited for is summer. Not only will the sun be out, but I'll also be able to really focus on this little thing! I've got some plans for Class and Sass over the summer, and we're coming up on our six month anniversary at the end of this month! Stay tuned as I'm trying to set up something fun to celebrate, a giveaway perhaps? ;)

Summer's Coming, Time to Start Running

See what I did there with that little rhyme? I won't lie to you. The fact that we just got 18" of snow infuriates me. Granted, it's made me miss quite a few classes this week (bad weather does have it's ups), but it's also managed to discourage me from anything and everything productive. A lot of people look at spring (which should be here already...) as a time of renewal, but I've never been a huge fan of the season.

I would gladly skip right over spring and just get. to. summer. Although that may just be because where I'm from we don't really have spring, it's more like mud season and unbelievably gross. I've been holding onto the idea that summer is coming soon though, and I'm fully convinced it's all that's going to get me through the next month and a half. Pray for me people. I need all the help I can get!

Where there's summer, there's also swimsuit season...

Some people spend the majority of summer lounging by the pool or on the beach in their teeny bikinis. Totally fine. I have never been one to jump for joy the moment it's time to get into a swimsuit. As a matter of fact, for basically as long as I can remember, going shopping for new suits has been a source of anxiety and a 100% guarantee that I'm going to leave the store absolutely loathing the cruddy dressing room lighting and it's emphasis on every imperfection on my body. Throw in a fight or two with my mom and that's what a typical bathing suit shopping trip looks like for me. It. Sucks.

I'm the girl who every single January comes around is like "I'm totally going to lose 40 pounds by the time June comes!" First of all, I don't need to lose 40 pounds. I would be scary looking. And secondly, now I realize how unhealthy living my life in such a mindset was for me. Or maybe it's just that now that I'm older, I'm more confident in the body I'm stuck in.

Some things never change though...

While I have gotten better when it comes to body image (thank God!), the struggle to stay healthy is always impeccably real throughout the entire year. But more so when summertime is approaching. I'm still planning on running a half marathon by the end of the year, however that's going to be extremely problematic if I don't start running again. So that being said, consider this post a reminder for the upcoming week to take care of you. Being healthy is more important than a number on a scale; trust me, if there's anything I've learned it's that. Here's what I'll be doing this week in order to help me have one of the best summers yet!

this coming week I will...

1. Sub out a smoothie (like this St. Patty's Day one!) for the regular cereal I usually have in the morning (at least three times), and try a new recipe!

2. Go for a 2 mile run three times this week.

3. Do this fun circuit Tuesday and Friday night. I work at a gym, might as well kill two birds with one stone, right?

4. Attend a yoga class.

5. Meditate for five-fifteen minutes every night before bed. Love this app!

6. Strive to maintain a positive mindset.

7. Be happy!

How do you stay healthy?

xoxo

All I Think is Mexico...

So after spring break, we're kind of in the home stretch. And I just realized yesterday that I only have one final (granted, it's on the last day of finals... because, well that's just my luck). Ignoring that little tidbit though, I basically decided that I'm officially done school April 30th. It's SO close! But so far away. It's also the most aggravating feeling in the world. I feel like I have senioritis and I'm not even a senior. Whoops!

Moving on though, last week was basically torture scrolling through my Instagram feed and seeing loads among loads of pictures of paradise. Key West, Cancun, the Dominican Republic, oh, they all looked so nice! Needless to say it put my wanderlust into full throttle and two of my best friends and I booked a trip to Mexico this June. To be followed directly by my family trip to Disney! Last summer was amazing, and I knew it'd be hard to beat, but I don't know... this summer's looking pretty good so far.

In other news, I'm broke again...

But oh well! One of the perks of working three jobs is that I know I have a steady inflow of cash coming in. So yay! My anxiety attacks related to lack of funds have officially subsided. And now all I have to really focus on is making sure I get through the next six weeks of school (which is already proving to be an issue as I took a "mental health" day yesterday.) Professors give out freebies for a reason, right? The reason being they understand how vital spending a day online shopping is to a girl. But don't worry! I haven't clicked "purchase" on anything, yet.

Wasted Away Again in Margaritaville

Elan Halter Cover-Up, $64

Steve Madden Crochet Cover-Up, $36

Kate Spade Capri Espadrille Francis, $268

 

Lilly Pulitzer Shoreline Tote, $78

 Lilly Pulitzer Delia Shift Dress, $198

 

J. Crew Sailor-Strip Underwire Top, $58 (I'm eyeing it in blue grotto...)

 

J. Crew Rosewood Geo Bandeau Ring Top, $44

 

Vineyard Vines Reef Strip Maxi Dress, $158

And to think, that's just the start of the list...

Count on a new pair of Jack Rogers for this summer too. Ahh my weakness. But seriously how cute are these?!