Guest Posters Wanted!

I will be out of town on June 9 through the 15th and would love to have seven wonderful bloggers take over for me! I've never had guest bloggers before and was asked to guest blog for Emily Anne at Preppy Kentucky Belle blog (she is the cutest! be sure to check her out!) around the same time and thought that having guest bloggers was a great idea!

I'm not really sure how it works, but I'm sure one of you can tell me how haha. I have a few people in mind, but I would also like to let other people have the option if this is something they would want to do. 

Y'all know that I'm pretty all over the place when it comes to blogging, so the only thing I ask of guest posters is to keep it classy, which pretty much goes without saying since all of you are so wonderful :) 

So whose interested? 

You can either leave a comment with your link or email me to let me know! I'll reveal the line up sometime this week when I get enough people and figure out how this works!

Have a wonderful Thursday!

xo,

eMr

DIY Cupcake Holder

I was trying to figure out a neat little gift I could make for my good friend and sorority sister this weekend when she came to town to visit. I haven't seen her in about a year! So my first thought is food (this is the South haha), but then I thought wouldn't it be fun if I decorated what I put the food in.

What You'll Need:

Plastic Cake Holder (You can find them at Wal-mart)

Colored Paint Pens

Sharpie

Ribbon

1. The first thing I did was type out her last name in Curlz MT font and tape it underneath the plastic lid. I traced the letters using a sharpie, then filled it in using a black paint pen. Try using a paint pen that has a fine tip. 

2. I then drew circles on the lid using colored paint pens. I outlined the big circles and then did small circles in alternating colors. I used blue and orange because she's a Florida Gator fan and thought this would be cute to bring at a tailgate. 

3. Tie matching ribbon on the handle and you're done! This is a great gift for people who like to tailgate or you could use sorority colors to be a gift for a little or big.

What I liked most about the pan was that it had plastic holders inside for deviled eggs or cupcakes. You can fill the pan with anything you want (cookies, brownies, or cupcakes) as a sweet treat for your friend.  

Alright, and Bachelorette last night... Arie is a winner. And why in the world did she not get rid of Kalon? He is so rude!

Have a great Tuesday!

xo,

eMr

Happy Memorial Day!

I hope you all are having a great long weekend! Remember to thank a vet today for their service and remember those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

Have some tissues handy...one of the sweetest videos!

God Bless America! Hope you have a wonderful Monday!

xo,

eMr

Memorial Day Weekend

Hooray! I am so excited about this weekend because our pool finally opens! It's been in the 80s and 90s here and I'm ready to get a sunkissed glow (I've been looking rather pale lately).

I'll probably have the same look on my face after jumping in too. 

What are your plans this weekend?

Hope y'all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

xo,

eMr

Summer To Do List

Ok, who watched the Revenge season finale last night?! Oemgee. I don't want to say to much, because I don't want to give anything away to people who haven't watched it yet, but wow. Not expecting any of it at all! I can not wait until the second season!

I'm going in Tuesday to the Christian Childcare center to get the ball rolling to start working there part time. After my last post, I decided it was the best thing for me to do and I feel like this is what God wants me to do in my life right now. He has a plan and this is just a point in my life that I'm going to have to trust Him.

And hey, working part time will give me time to study for the GRE, take on all the craft projects I plan on doing, recipes I've been wanting to try, laying out by the pool, and helping Liv with her wedding. Just have to look at the positives :) Don't get me wrong I'll still be looking for a full time job involving my major, but for now this might be best. So I thought I'd list some things I want to do.

Summer To Do List:

1. Hand paint wine glasses. I really want to do a nautical set! A crab or lobster, anchor, sail boat, starfish, seahorse, etc. Don't worry, I'll post about it and give step by step instructions if I'm successful haha.

Kinda like this

I really love this blue crab!

2. Painted cooler. You better believe I'm going to make my own! Love it!

3. Plant an herb garden. I think these chalkboard labels are adorable and I'd love to cook with fresh herbs. Very Southern Living magazine of me haha. 

4. Read a couple books. I have quite a list! And study up on the GRE. 

5. Go berry picking. My mom used to take me when I was younger and I haven't gone in awhile. It's so much fun. 

6. Make a Senior cruise scrapbook. I think I'm going to make one online like my sorority sister Liz did. It looked great!

7. Go fishing. Also, something I haven't done in a really long time. 

8. Go to the beach with my girls! I'm thinking Hilton Head!

9. Camping with some friends.

10. Have a great summer! 

What are some things on your summer to do list?

Hope you have a great Thursday!

xo,

eMr

God vs. Clothes

No, I don't think God is anti-clothes and wants us all to be nudists. I was just trying to think of something where most of my money goes to, and well there you have it. Clothes, jewelry, purses, SHOES! you know. But I've come to realize I have a problem. My name is Emily and I'm a shopaholic. 

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. - 1 Timothy 6:10

To be quite honest I was going to post about something completely different today, but felt that this is something that I struggle with and know that a lot of people struggle with too. Plain and simple it's money.

 I won't lie, I'm a spender and can burn money like you wouldn't believe (You've seen the movie Shopaholic? one reason I refuse to own credit cards haha), but now I have student loans and I want to build my credit. It's time to enter big kid world and I want to do it right. I have seen many people struggle with finances and the absolute stress and pain it can cause. One of my close friend's parents ended up declaring bankruptcy when she was in middle school and it was extremely hard on her and her family (going to a private school or any small school, everyone knows).

I've kinda come to terms that the medical sales job isn't going to work out right now, so now I've begun job hunting and it is extremely discouraging. I feel like I don't know how to do a thing, which isn't true at all but at times it does feel that way. I'm thinking about just finding a small job for right now and possibly consider taking the GRE.

The one thing that I do know is that I don't want to be in debt.

The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. -Proverbs 22:7

I don't believe that God wants any of us to be in debt. Think about it...it stresses you out, makes you lose sleep, you're unhappy. God doesn't want us to feel this way. So are those really cute shoes, clothes, and all the little stuff I don't need worth it? No.

I've decided to try going to the man of finances, Dave Ramsey. He has a Christian website for people who want to learn how to deal with their finances, debt, creditors, and what the Bible says about money. If you're interested at looking at this site too, you can find the link here. I'm looking at his Financial Peace University and his book for graduates (hey, what do you know? I'm a graduate haha).

But no matter how much money I ever have in life, I will always remember this (and you should too! )

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:19

God will fulfill any needs I ever have and I already am the richest girl because I have Jesus Christ :)

Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!

xo,
eMr

Little Red Dress

Alright, I know I am not the only one who watched the Bachelorette last night. Were any of you drooling over Ryan on their first date like I was?! and forget the boy...that red dress Emily Maynard was wearing! WANT! What a cute date dress or dress to go out with your girls in?

 

So of course, I went to Possessionista Fashion Blog to figure out where this pretty little red dress was from.  If you don't follow Possessionista you should, she puts up every item of clothing from TV shows and tells you where they're from! Click here for her site. 

This Nightcap Victorian Lace One Sleeve dress runs for $352 at Revolve Clothing, a little to steep for my wallet right now, but a girl can dream haha. I liked a lot of what Emily wore last night, but the pink and purple formal dresses weren't my favorite. 

Also, who called it? Both Ryan and Jef got roses before the other guys, and from the sneak peek of the next episode, Arie looks like he's going to get the first kiss. I was a little disappointed that she decided to keep Kalon and the MC guy around, but I guess the show needs some more drama.

What did you think about Emily Maynard's clothing and the episode last night?

xo,
eMr

Graduation Pictures

Sorry it took me such a ridiculous long amount of time to upload these pictures! I know I graduated May 5... but as promised here they are!

My decorated graduation cap 

"I'm Done!" in front of my college's sign. (I made the I'm Done sign using poster board that I cut and a sharpie).

One last picture in front of the Sigma Kappa sorority house at UTC. So many memories...

Me and my little sister after eating lunch at a little Italian restaurant (if you're ever in Chattanooga, go to Tony's in the art district. You'll thank me haha) Make sure to make reservations for you and your guests a few days before graduation to guarantee you don't wait a long time. 

Here are my tips for taking graduation photos:

1. Take the pictures you want of yourself on the college campus the day before graduation. I did this for the sign, grad cap, and sorority house. It's so much easier and no one is on campus, plus the day of graduation is so hectic with everyone taking pictures you'll feel rushed and have random people in your background. 

2. Check the weather forecast for the day of and day before graduation. There is little you can do about rain on the day of graduation, but you can take pictures on your college campus any day of the week if it happens to rain the day before. 

3. Make sure you pick a patient photographer. My little sister took these photos and she was very patient with me (even though it was hot as Hades outside! haha). We took pictures at several locations on campus and we took a lot so I could look through and figure out which ones I liked and disliked. 

4. Take pictures in the late afternoon (a few hours before the sun sets, usually around 5:00). This is when you'll get the best lighting. Plus, by the time you finish taking pictures it's around dinner time so you can treat your photographer. (I took Amy to go get sushi haha) 

5. Have fun! These pictures shouldn't be a burden. Do fun things that fit your personality and take them at places that are significant to you. 

Have a wonderful Sunday!

xo,

eMr

I Miss My Long Hair

I miss my long hair. 

I used to have really long hair until I made the drastic decision last summer to cut it all off into a long bob. It was cute, but more high maintenance and all I could do was straighten it. I'm the kind of girl who likes using curling irons, hot rollers (which I love and miss using desperately), and straighteners, but with my short hair I realized that I couldn't curl it the way I wanted. Plus, I would always throw my hair up in a messy bun or pony tail when I didn't feel like dealing with it that day...can't do that with short hair. 

Then I see pictures like this on Pinterest:

Ugh! I want my hair that long again with pretty layers!!!

It's been a year and my hair is only a little past shoulder length. I've been taking Biotin and it does seem to help, but do any of you know any other ways to make your hair grow faster and healthier? I've also been sure to keep getting my hair trimmed, which I heard also helps and I looked online and found an awesome site that shared foods that help hair growth here.  

If you have any fast growing hair remedies I'd loved to hear them! I'm very impatient apparently when it comes to my hair growing haha.

Have a great Saturday!

xo,

eMr 

Madeleines

I decided to try a new recipe today! I bought a madeleine cookie pan at TJ Maxx last week and I finally mustard the courage to try and conquer the recipe. It was an experience and it definitely tested my culinary skills (when I say this I mean browning butter and grating a lemon rind haha) but they turned out really well.

For those of you who don't know what madeleines are, they are spongy shortbread cookies that are in the shape of a shell. They are so pretty and great for bridal showers, baby showers, and house warming cookies.

There are a ton of recipes online for this cookie, but I just used the recipe that came in the box with the pan. If you're interested in buying a pan I'd check TJ Maxx first. I got it for $7.99 and its much cheaper than prices you'll find online for a madeleine pan. I believe the company is Fox Run that makes the pan. 

And apparently I've been living under a rock for the past couple years because I just started watching True Blood and I'm addicted! (I know, like I need another show to start following haha) 

and if none of you have watched the show before...

.... this man right here is enough to make you start watching. haha

I still have yet to hear back from the medical sales company to see if they want an in person interview so please pray that they contact me soon and that they want one!

Hope you have a wonderful Thursday! 

xo, 

eMr

The Bachelorette

Thank goodness a cute southern belle is on The Bachelorette! If I had to go through another Courtney I think I might have screamed.

I love Emily Maynard. I think she is absolutely adorable. I could see myself being friends with her, plus we have the same name haha. I hope she finds a great guy this season who she will actually marry and be happy with. 

Here are some of the fellas I like so far, but its still early to tell who I think she might choose:

Jef. Totally not the type of guy I'd probably go for right away, but he seems absolutely precious! I mean really? He donates money to build wells in impoverished countries. I think he'll be around for awhile. 

Ryan. Athletic and cute. They'd make pretty babies. 

Arie. The race car driver. I bet he'll make it to the top 3. I can already tell she likes him. 

Have any of you ever wondered if you were on The Bachelorette how you might react to some of these guys? I mean come on...who could keep a straight face or not feel awkward over the guy dressed up like an old woman or the guy with the egg? I think I would have burst out laughing, but maybe its just me haha. 

I don't know how I feel about Kalon (the guy that came in a helicopter), he seems a little full of himself.  And Stevie, the MC that danced when he met her, keeps talking crap about people (uhm Kalon), its just not very attractive and annoying. 

Which guys do you like so far? or not like? 

Have a great Tuesday!

xo,

eMr

Love you Mum!

I know, I know. I've been a horrible blogger lately! I've been super busy (no excuse, I know haha). I've been moving, trying to redo some furniture I have (will blog about that later), chaperoned for my mom's fifth grade class field trip to the zoo, and now on top of it all I think I'm getting sick! Bad timing. I haven't gotten sick all school year and, of course, when I get home it hits me. My mom thinks it might be strep since one of the little girls in her class got it...oye vey.

As of right now my wonderful mother is spending her mother's day doing what mom's do best, taking care of her sick child. She's out getting me some medicine right now. She is the greatest! I love my Momma.

And look what we found yesterday on our trip to Wal-mart!

I don't think you understand how long I have searched for these! It was like finding gold. I was so excited that my heart dropped when I saw the pink box in a sea of red boxes! 

Then my mom surprised me when she practically bought every one they had! They were hidden behind the other regular boxes but they had quite a few. I think they had so many because this Wal-mart is sort of janky, so the people who shop there probably don't know who LP is. My mom was more than happy to support Operation Smile, which is where LP is donating the money to :)

Told you my mom is the greatest! Happy Mother's Day Mom! I love you to the moon and back!

xo,

eMr

My Little Driving Buddy

When my mom and dad came down to Chattanooga for my graduation, they decided to bring the dogs. My mom stayed an extra day and helped me pack up both of our cars, so that meant Moe got to ride back with me.

She is the best driving buddy. She slept most of the time, but when we were driving back we hit some major thunderstorms. Moe HATES thunderstorms. If she was home she would hide under the bed, but she was stuck in my small little car with nowhere to hide....except in my lap (which fyi makes it harder to drive. I have no clue how some people drive with their dog in their lap).

Her "Oh my gosh, what was that?!" face. 

But other than her scared freak out moments it was a good drive....

We sang along to Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan...

.... and had girl talk. (She is the best listener!)

You know what everyone does on long drives with their pets haha. I love this little dog. 

Have a great Tuesday!

xo,

eMr 

A Freshman in Life Officially

It's official. As of Saturday I am now a college graduate. I got to admit it didn't hit me until after the ceremony was over and then I got really depressed. I loved college. Yes, I hated studying, all nighters, and hundreds of papers, but all that vanishes when I think of all the wonderful people I met and the fun things we did. I will still see most of them, but still nothing will ever be the same. Ok, getting sad again haha. I did get some cute photos that I'll show later! I'm thinking about making those my announcements, which I will also show later :)

I started moving out of my apartment in Chattanooga to my wonderful home in Nashville and am exhausted! But since I haven't posted in a little awhile, I thought I'd share some of the things I am loving right now (a.k.a. my wanting to buy list).

Bumble and Bumble products. This is what my hairdresser uses and my hair feels fantastic after I use it! If only it wasn't so pricey! I'd have it in my shower all the time. You definitely get what you pay for. 

These cookie cutters!!!! A shift dress and bow tie cookie cutter?! So cute. Also a tad bit pricey, but I need them right? haha. You can find them here.

And in my fantasy closet, I'd own a pair of Jack Rogers sandals in every color. I'm debating between purchasing white or platinum ones right now.

Just the tip of the iceberg of my lust list haha. Seriously, if I had a ton of $$$ I'd have great hair, cute cookies, and more adorable shoes....but then again wouldn't we all?! haha. 

Have a great Monday! 

xo,

eMr

Cooler Lusting

I've been trying to get all ready for graduation. I have my hair appointment tomorrow (I can't tell y'all how much I am in desperate need of a cut and color!) and I debated getting my nails done, but I'm pretty good when it comes to painting my own so I thought I'd save some money instead. I think I'm going to get a spray tan tomorrow or Friday too,  just so I have a nice little glow.

I'm trying to make sure my family is in tip top shape as well for pictures. It literally took me almost an hour to convince my dad to shave his beard. He never used to have a beard while I was growing up and just recently started growing one. I think its his way of handling my sister and I getting older. Maybe he's dealing with a midlife crisis...some buy corvettes, mine grows a beard.  He seemed really torn though about shaving the beard, even for his little girl (I'm a complete Daddy's girl and I am his little princess haha). I still don't know if he is going to shave it or not, so I guess we'll just have to wait and see (I'm betting he does).

Also while wasting time on Pinterest today, I found the cutest cooler! I'm seriously debating buying it or making something like it for Liv's bridesmaid girls trip (and for myself for the beach and pool haha).

The lady that makes them uses LP fabric instead of paint! Isn't it just the cutest thing ever?! I'm trying to figure out how she did it...mod podge on top of the fabric maybe? I don't know, but I want one real bad haha. If you have any suggestions on how she might make them I'd love to hear it! 

You can find them here. She can also leave space for you to put your monogram or a sorority decal. Ah! I just love it and thought I'd share my Pinterest find and possibly the next craft project I undertake haha. 

xo,
eMr

The Lucky One

I had my phone interview yesterday and I took all of y'alls advice. I think it went pretty well, but I was super nervous and kept repeating myself (but maybe I just noticed myself doing this haha). The lady told me that I was very pleasant and engaging to talk to so I hope thats a good sign! The only thing thats hurting me is my lack of experience, but she also said that everyone has to start somewhere and if you're never given the opportunity how can you? SO true!

If I don't get this job at least I had practice with a phone interview and can offer some of you pointers now! haha. The one thing I can say is that you need to have questions for them. The best question she said that I asked was "What are the most important values and skills for this job?" This way I got to hear what she was looking for in a new employee. So if any of you have a job interview soon remember to ask questions! It shows that you're interested and have done your research on the company.

After my nerve wracking interview, Liv, Meagan, and I went shopping for an engagement photo outfit. This is proving harder than finding Liv's wedding dress! We had to keep thinking about what would look good next to her future hubby, in a field, and what fits them as a couple. HARD. We struck out everywhere we went and decided to call it a day and grab some dinner before going to see The Lucky One.

I don't really know what I can say about this movie. It was sweet. I cried, but it was just okay. It was the kind of movie you can wait to see on DVD and not spend the money on seeing it in the theatre. At some points I felt like it went really fast and even without reading the book I could tell it was skipping a lot. My friend Meagan read it and said that the plot was almost completely different (so if you read the book, be prepared to see a difference). I wouldn't say it was disappointing though because it accomplished what all Nicholas Sparks movies do, but thats about it. Basically, save your $10 and wait for it to come out in a Redbox for a girls night in haha. 

Have a great Tuesday and Happy May Day!

xo, 

eMr