birthday sparkles!

I had the best day today!

My 25th birthday was filled with plenty of princess sparkles...

new gold kate spade bag

simple black leather pumps

(needed these, mine are shot!)

cell phone cases and a martini glass from sister!

I also got some cash...

(more on how that it's going to be spent later)

As well as a "gift certificate" for sessions with a personal trainer!!

The gym/personal trainer is something that I've always wanted to do... I always get discouraged when I feel like I'm working my tail off, yet I'm not getting anywhere. This fall, I wanted to join a gym, but the money to fork out on joining fees were just never there.

I'm super stoked about this endeavor and cannot WAIT to start researching more about personal trainers when I return to Virginia.

Today was wonderful. I am so happy.

Xo,

E

ps. one of my friends also sent me this picture today of his dad's pup and I just couldn't help but share. his name is Chance- how precious!

Last Minute Shopping

Anyone else running around panicking for last-minute Christmas gifts? Here are some thoughtful, yet inexpensive ideas. Cheap enough to buy in bulk and tuck under the tree for that unexpected friend who pops in to exchange gifts and you didn't think they were "that kind" of friend.

One of my favorite gifts to keep handy are scarves. These are usually pretty enough to skip the box and wrap in a simple ribbon. Check Wal-Mart, Target and T.J. Maxx for a nice feel and inexpensive patterns. Guys love scarves, too so make sure to pick out a few masculine prints for them as well!

Forever 21 also has some cute, inexpensive jewelry. Pick up a few accessories and drop a few coordinating pieces in a cute Christmas bag. Your girlfriends will love it!

For the girls who have many a guy friend: keep a few $5 Starbucks {or my favorite, a local coffee shop} gift cards, mugs {try to skip the festival ones so they can enjoy all year} or a mini bag of Starbucks Christmas blend available.

And lastly, a bottle of wine is always appreciated by many. I love purchasing wines from local vineyards- it gives them a chance to experience where you live!

These are all gifts that you can easily skip the box or bag and tie a cute bow or ribbon around- perfect for grabbing at the last minute and without the hassle and embarrassment of peeking through bags hoping your grabbing an appropriate gift for your guest. And the best part is, if you bought more than you need- all these gifts would be perfect to enjoy yourself!

Happy shopping!

Xo,
E

Things that I would enjoy...

"I should unsubscribe from Kate Spade's daily email to my inbox."

-tis a common thought that crosses my mind every morning when I open my email.

I can at least drool though, right?

Dear Kate,

I love your new "34th Street Printed Treesh". You blended the leopard trend with a classic flawlessly.

I also need to replace my classic black bag and would love to add this to my collection.

Black patent leather. Classy. Chic. Modern.

I also found your new books to be quite adorable. I would love to add these to my bookshelf. I also am in love that you incorporated "she is quick and curious and playful and strong" somewhere in each of these books. I look forward to adding these to my collection.

Oh Kate, you never fail to impress me. You are classy and modern, yet vintage and playful. You bring out the best in me and no matter how many times the fateful thought to unsubscribe from your emails crosses my mind, I will always be faithful to your daily correspondence.

Love always,

Kate Spade + Office Supplies = LOVE

Does anyone else out there have an obsession with office supplies?

Probably one of my all-time favorite movie quotes is: "Don't you just love New York in the Fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address..."

Anyone know what movie that quote is from?

In my daily email from katespade.com, they featured their new 2011 calendar.

What isn't to love about this gem?

Kate Spade + office supplies = love

This WILL be going on my Christmas/birthday list.

It's My Party... and I'll Cry If I Want To

okkk... so I really don't want to cry at all!

I'm too happy for that.

{via we heart it & made you blush}

It's my birthday!!

Because a girl always NEEDS one more thing...

I read tonight that girls can never stop buying.

That's a true story.

Whether it's picking up a Dove Chocolate bar because I can't afford the new shirt that I reeeeally want... I'm always buying something... even if it's groceries (and yes, at one point in my life... I looked forward to grocery shopping just because it meant that I got to browse the store and shop. Don't judge.)

I forgot to add a few things to the Christmas list, and since Mom and Dad aren't going shopping till Sunday... I think I still have time to add a few of those last minute requests:

A few new make-up brushes. MAC has some great ones in their holiday collection, as well as Target's Sonia Kashuk (they're so soft!). I definitely need a new blush brush, as well as a powder brush for mineral powder. Maybe one or two for eye shadows...

And, since I'll probably give my dad an early heart attack if I mention another pair of shoes... I'll stick with asking for a few books found on Amazon that I've been wanting for umm... about 3 months now but just can't seem to take the plunge and purchase them. (College kind of turned me off to the whole "I actually enjoy reading for pleasure"can I get an amen?)

All can be found on Amazon and were previously mentioned here.

Other news:

after being dead-set determined that I wouldn't get sick this season, my immune system finally broke down. I've got a nasty cold... the kind where my eyes water about every 5 minutes, my voice sounds worse than a pre-teen boy and when I sneeze... welll... I'd rather not draw a mental picture of that for you. I might lose a few followers by doing so.

Hopefully I'll be able to kick this as quickly as it came on....
*sigh*

Christmas Time is Here

Mom left a note for me today that said... "Christmas list today or you ain't gettin nothin." That's my mama for ya. I decided to share with everyone what I'm wishing and hoping for this Christmas. So without further adieu:

Ema's Christmas List 2009

Starbucks Christmas Blend
{whole bean preferably}
And a pack of the Starbucks Via Instant Coffee
{which is uh.maaaazing, you should go purchase some}

{I would also like to have my Keurig back so that I can brew some of this loveliness as well, please and thanks}

I've heard this book is really comical and a good read... so I'll go ahead and ask.
Someday My Prince Will Come
True Adventures of a Wanna-Be-Princess
by Jerramy Fine

These gorgeous Tory Burch Cat Eye Sunnies.
I am obsessed.
{wishing and hoping these are on ebay by now}

And speaking of Tory,
I really, really REEEALLY want a set of her cosmetic bags
{Which I'd be willing to bet you can find on ebay, hint hint}

Then I saw Coach's new purple tote and immediately
fell in love
with her perfection.
Ok, this one is up there in the "want" list, too...
{Mom, talk to Ana about how to get this, bigger tote preferably
...if I do get it}

I'd really like a pretty pair of booties, too.
Here's a few styles that I like:

Charlotte's Buckled Peep Toe BootiesCharlotte's Suede Ruffle BootiesAnd even though my dad will say these are hooker's shoes,
and will probably object to me owning a pair,
I'd really like a pair of strappy booties, too.
Here's Charlotte's as well.Also, a massage would be nice, indeed. I've never had one.
{I know right, who am I??}

I'm also on the hunt for the perfect perfume this Christmas.
Suggestions of YOUR favorites are highly welcome.

And now I will be practical. What I really need is a new power adapter and battery for my MacBook. How boring. Both can be found at Apple.

And lastly,
for kicks and giggles, Mom and Dad
{and anyone else who has $725 sitting around...}
I would love to have Christian's Peep Toe Glitter Pumps.
{you can stop laughing now, Dad, and no... they don't do anything other than look pretty}
Ahhh... this, people... if perfection could be summed up in a shoe, this would be it.

What about you, lovelies?
What are you hoping and wishing for this
Christmas Season?

My List Just Got Longer

Can I just say that I had a flippin' b.l.a.s.t today!!

I literally shopped till I dropped. Good company, good shopping and good food to finish.

I decided to save my money for my little adventure today, and if you followed by twitter today, you may have heard of some of the stores we visited. ALTHOUGH, I am just slightly disappointed that I didn't indulge in the tanning package... Can't have my cake and eat it too, I suppose. That will be my next thing I indulge in... after bills, but before Christmas fo'show.

I ended up snagging a few pieces from Banana Republic, {at to die for prices, you'd be so jealous} but since I found them at the factory story, there's no pictures. You'll just have to wait for an outfit post to see them.

For your viewing pleasure though, here's a few other things I fell in love with today:

Kate Spade's Rainy Day Blakely Purse Bag
can be found on the 'bay here

I FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS ORANGE!!

{check it in the red and pink too!}

And Kate's Guilia Heel
can be found here

{omg, I HAVE to have these shoes- they look so fab on my footsies}

And remember said post about these fab shoes from Miss Lizzy Marie? Guess who found an EVEN MORE fab.u.lous pair that had a bonus peep toe and adorb bow?? And for $16 {after an employee discount} at the Charlotte Rouse FS, who can pass these hotties up?

Holllerrrrrr.

What did you find this weekend, lovelies??

And is anyone with me when I say that this has always been my favorite season to shop... for myself???

It's those little decisions that are the hardest to make...

Today I am having a quandary.
How to spend money.

Ok, so that's totally a lie. I have never, ever had a problem spending money- in fact, I'm actually quite talented in this area of life {just as Mr. Former}. Never had problems and I'd be willing to admit that the older I get, I just keep improving my spend-tastic capabilities.

What can I say?
I'm just that awesome. ;)

But HELLO REAL WORLD... you're knocking on my door and about to barge yourself through my Pottery Barn decorated front door.

...{and please keep the fingerprints off the new paint, please and thanks}

Yes ladies, recently, I've had to cut the strings on my flippant, spontaneous spending... watching under a microscope every dollar that comes in and out of my pocket. {ouch, I don't like saying that}. I've had to cut the strings on most of my spending money in order to build my savings account back to where it needs to be, because what I want in the future over-rules that to-die-for dress that just made its appearance in the front display window at J.Crew. Basically, I've cut almost every frivolous expense so that I live on just the things I need... all because of that damn future of mine. JKKKKKK. I'm actually looking forward to the future!! Just don't like not spending money while preparing for said future. {and mommie, please don't yell at me for cursing. at least it wasn't in front of mo}

HOWEVER, I know me. And I know that occasionally, I will want to take a budgeting break. SO, I've wisely decided to *budget* in a small amount of spending money to spend on something frivolous and fun here and there. SO... after working 6 straight nights, I'm going to spend some money tomorrow.

Now for the quandary:

I can't decide what to spend it on!!! My wish list exceeds {by miles} my spending allowance. These are my options of what I've narrowed it down to.

1. save my spending money so that I can use it on a shopping trip/adventure with a friend this weekend.
2. Indulge in a luscious bottle of red wine (yummmm) for the house for after work this next week


3. Purchase a tanning package for the month so I can have a pretty glow for those Christmas pictures that I have despised in the past because I look like a ghost in every.single.one.

4. lastly- put the money towards 3 books that I am DYING to own. Which include:

Adobe InDesign CS4 Classroom in a Book

InDesign CS4: Industrial Strength Publishing Techniques

And lastly, Adobe Photoshop CS3 Classroom in a Book

HELP ME DECIDE GIRLS!!
Which should I go with???

I walked away before I got into trouble.

Girls... I took myself window shopping last night just for fun in an effort to pick up my less than glorious mood... AND... look what I found!!

I'm from a place where we have a TON of factory stores; you name the store, it can be found. Coach, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, J. Crew, Nine West... all these just to name a few.

Since it was later in the evening, I only had time to run into a few stores, Banana Republic Factory Store being the first. LOOK at the this beautiful coat that I am IN LOVE with.

I think I should have it for my birthday, no??