Tell Me Something Good!

Let's start Monday off right! Tell me something good! 

At home there is a morning radio station that features a segment where listeners call in to tell them any and every bit of good news they've recently had. So why not have that here?! Monday's aren't the best but they're at least a little bit better with some good news tucked in your back pocket! So here's my good news to start off this Monday!

1. I visited Venice this weekend for the first time and it was incredible! 

2. We stumbled across a fireworks show so I finally got my fix from the fourth of July!

3. We have a surprise class field trip to a museum I've been wanting to see!

4. I celebrated National Ice Cream day with some great peach gelato!

5. And lastly, I learned my brother is coming to Italy next week!!! Eeep!

So, tell me something good! What's your good news from this weekend or coming up?!

Emily 

New Years Resolutions / Reminders

The turning of a New Year is a great chance to sit down and reflect. It's known as a time to start fresh and clean and make new renowned change in your life. I mentioned in a post earlier {link here} about how this year I want to focus on continuing the change started in 2014. I'm happy where I am right now however there are things that I need to remember moving forward. I finally got a chance to sit down today and really think about these little reminders and it turned out to be quite a hefty list. Here they are!

Relationships

Write more notes // Good stationary and happy thoughts can make anyone's day

More one-on-one dinners // Friends and food and good conversation

Acknowledge thankfulness // Don't take relationships for granted

Plan a roadtrip // Take advantage of friends and a full tank of gas

Blogging

Reach 1,000 followers on Instagram // Hopeful to see where my new insta account will go!

Have blog posts scheduled two days in advance // Less stress and earlier posts!

Work on more blogging relationships // Get connected to this great web community

Consistent Link-Ups // What's better than one blogger? Two!

Look into guest posting // Mixing it up is always welcomed!

Fashion

Invest in high quality neutrals // Grey, black and camel will never go out of style

Wear more hats // I like hat people. Let's be hat people.

Take more risks // Be who you want to be that day. No apologies.

Nail an all-black outfit // It's classic and chic. It doesn't have to be emo. 

Beauty

Face mask once a week // Treat your skin as well as you want to be treated. 

Don't skip washing your face // No excuses.

Discover drug store products // Make up is good. Cheap good make up is better.

Diet

Don't drink your calories // Cake > Coke

Drink four glasses of water a day // Starting with realistic goals
Think Green // Green is good!

Fitness

Morning stretches // Start each day fresh.

Work out daily // Keep up with daily worksheets. Your body will thank you.

Rediscover running // Some addictions can be a good thing.

Spending

Curb spending // Any more to say?

Start saving  // Milan ain't cheap. 

School

Visit professors 3 times a piece during the semester // Even if it's for one question. Go. 

4 hour Off-Days // Four hours of work between Friday & Saturday. Sunday will thank you

Read the news // Break out of the bubble. Come out from under the rock.

Unplug

Tech-free days // Step away from it all for 24 hours at least once a month.

Walk to class without looking at your phone // De-clutter your mind before class.

Read for fun // This doesn't just have to be a break privilege.

2015 Jar // Collect the little things throughout the year. 

I hope to come back to this periodically. It's important to revisit and revise these little reminders. What's on your list of New Years reminders?
Emily

Years that Question & Years that Answer

Well, happy 2015 everyone! It's crazy thinking that another new year is upon us. Usually I see the new year as a fresh start, a blank page and a place to start completely from scratch but this year I see that last digit change in the date a little differently. I truly was happy with how last year turned out. I had a lot of changes that I did not see coming and they all had a funny way of really working out. So today, and this year, I only want to continue on that path of change and see where these opportunities take me. This year, my New Years Resolutions are more of New Years Reminders and when I finalize my list I'll share them but for now I'm just focusing on enjoying this bright new day. 

I did want to take the time to share something that I stumbled across the other day. I saw this quote while I was on Pinterest (of course) but it really stuck with me. There are years that go along steadily and then there are years that push us out of our comfort zones and make us make changes. Both are good and both are needed. I definitely experienced the latter in 2014 and I'm excited for an answering year to see how the questions raised in this past year are really going to play out. 

In the meantime, I will continue to be stubborn with my goals. I will continue to work hard, be kind, stay humble and laugh often. I will continue to keep trying to make the most out of my everyday. And I will continue to believe that life has a funny way of always working out. 

Here's to an answering new year. What's your favorite new year quote?

Emily

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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The "Good' In Goodbye

Mondays are rough. Mondays are especially rough when you're having to say goodbye to your best friend for more months that you would like to count. There is always the inevitable packing after the end of the fall semester. Most students are packing their bags for a trip home for break while other students are packing their rooms to take off across the pond next semester. Studying abroad is an absolutely amazing opportunity that comes with exotic foods, beautiful architecture, lively discotheques, and countless memories but if there is one drawback, it stems from your semester of independence away from friends and family. This is a wonderful thing, and one of the reasons that I would really encourage any student to pursue traveling abroad, however the initial goodbye is not so equally wonderful.

After being in a long distance relationship, I'd like to think I've become a pro at goodbyes, but if I've learned anything, it's that for those who truly matter, the goodbye is never easy. We're not expected to be good at goodbyes, and we're not expected to all handle them the same. You're allowed to freeze up, you're allowed to be silent, and you're allowed to cry like you just got socked in the stomach. It's okay.

For those saying goodbye before a semester abroad, there are a few things to remember. First, remember the reason that saying goodbye is so difficult. Friends and family, and the memories that make goodbyes so bittersweet, will be there forever but also remember that we cannot wait to pick back up right where we left off. Second, find comfort in the technology of the 21st century. With Skype, Facebook, iMessage and Snapchat you are only a button away. The phone works both ways and communication never has to be an issue. Staying up till 4 in the morning to FaceTime will never be a burden. Third, remember that your friends and family will be waiting for you with open arms to hear the stories of your travels and see the photos of every Spanish churro you ate. School will be here waiting for you in the Fall, and your roommates will be more than ready to knock off the rest of your tasks on your college bucket list. Lastly, don't let the goodbye overshadow the amazing experiences you are about to encounter. Everyone truly is excited for your adventures and cannot wait to see where you will go in this world.

So yes, goodbyes are the worst but I would say that there is some "good" in goodbye and it is this. In saying goodbye, we discover how truly lucky we are to have people who are hard to say goodbye to. And I'm lucky that today's goodbye was a hard one. So for my best friend leaving next semester I urge you to take an unreasonable amount of photographs and never forget the pure joy that comes from receiving a postcard. I can't wait to hear about your exotic travels, European men and scroll through Instagram photos of food in the air. I already can't wait to see you in five months in Europe.

Only goodbye for now,
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

Pause: I'm Living in Milan?!

A few weeks ago I wrote a post {here} about going for your dreams even if they sound far-fetched. A little while after I wrote this I got some big news, good news but big, and it was one of those moments that really stops you in your tracks. I made a big step towards my dreams for the future and I'm coming to the conclusion that even though it sounds cheesy, everything I said in the post really is true. Sometimes you just have to jump in and go for it. Honestly, most of the time it will fail but those times that they pay off are unbelievably magical. I've laid a few hints around E&D about my plans in my post about applying for internships {here} and relentless wanderlust {here} but this past week all of these things came together.

So what's the big news? Let's start at the beginning. Recently, I applied for a scholarship provided by my school that would fund an internship abroad, anywhere in the world, for the entire summer. Historically, my school has sent students to the same cities with many of the same companies. I started writing my application for one of these programs but in the middle of it,  I figured if I was applying for something so far-fetched anyways then I might as well go all in. I decided to throw in all of the cards and take a risk. I wanted to ask for my ultimate dream, many people's ultimate dream, knowing that I was possibly diminishing my chances for the scholarship. I applied to intern in Milan for a fashion creative agency. Crazy, I know.

It was risky.  Honestly, as soon as I turned in the application I regretted it and told myself to start forgetting about it because I was sure it was impossible. Fast track a few weeks to last Thursday. I finally got the much dreaded email but, here's the good news,  I've never been more blown away in my life. It paid off. I picked the ultimate dream, working in the fashion industry in Milan, and now I'm headed there this summer. I threw in all of the chips and, holy crap, I'm going to be living in Milan!

It's been pretty neat to see the culmination of all of my hardwork and right now, I'm having a blast seeing how my life is unfolding. It all does pay off. Keep working your butt off and amazing things will happen. It just comes to show that one of my favorite quotes really is true: the harder you work, the luckier you get. I'm having trouble wrapping my mind around the fact that Emily and Dot will be written out of Milan this summer but I couldn't be happier.

Life is good,
Emily

So You Want To Be An Actor? Then do it.

I found this image the other day and it really fits how I've been feeling lately. I'm so guilty We're all guilty about pushing our little aspirations aside, because of inevitable obstacles that naturally to get in our way. These obstacles take a few forms whether it be time, additional hurdles or the biggest hindrance, ourselves. 

Obviously time will always be something that gets in our way but time should only motivate us to quit thinking so much. Quit hesitating and do whatever it is that the little voice in your head is telling you to do. With the acknowledgement of a constant ticking clock, it is even more important to engage ourselves in the things that we truly find both engaging and rewarding. Additional hurdles will always be in place. Don't let these hurdles weed you out whether they are interviews and applications or coursework and internships. Don't be turned away at the mere sight of these obstacles. The road less traveled tends to be greener.

Lastly, and most importantly, we need to stop getting in our own way. One of the main issues is that, often, we don't realize that we're doing this. So you've always wanted to be an actor? You start to tell yourself to be realistic, you rattle off the statistics of salaries and job availability and then top it off with a touch of judgement. Why?! Maybe it is the positive, glass-half-full thinker in me that's saying this but we need to stop. If you want to be an actor then go for it. I'm not saying that we'll achieve all of our dreams every time we try but is that really the point? You can try all your life to step onto that Broadway stage with the ending outcome of only being turned away at the door but if you never pursued that dream in the back of your mind that door never had the possibility to be opened. Which is more rewarding? This you have to decide. 

My take on this is that if you want to be a professional basketball player, then do it. Lawyer? Do it. Open your own bakery? Do it. Marketing Consultant in the Fashion Industry? Quit making excuses and go after it. Don't put yourself down and convince yourself that it's impossible. Work hard, put in the time and dedicate yourself to those things that you've always wanted to do. Schedule your trip to the Grand Canyon and apply for that internship in Milan. Impossible is nothing because here's the thing: Someone's gotta do it. It might as well be you. 

What are your thoughts on this? What have you always wanted to do?

Emily

Stop And Smell The Roses

Spending the weekend at home gave me the chance to really, well, stop and smell the roses. It gave me a break from the hustle and bustle and it also gave me time to appreciate all of the good things around me whether that be family, friends, or even food! While this was such a treat to have I need to remember to take a little time out of my day to get a whiff of the roses. "You know, life moves pretty fast." Especially at school, I get so caught up in the whirlwind that is a busy school schedule that I forget to pause and take a look around. We work so hard in classes or in our jobs but how often do we actually stop to realize why we're working so hard and what this work is truly getting us? It can get so easy to overlook the little beauties in our days when running from meeting to meeting with a million things on our to do list but that's when it's especially important to take a breath.

Today let's take a break to look at our rewards from our hard work, let's look at how far we've come and let's look at how close the weekend is on this hump day! Today, let's stop and smell the roses.

Emily

A Little Hump Day Help!

Happy Hump Day everybody! In honor of being smack dab in the middle of a bustling week here's a few pictures to get you through the grind! Hope these little guys perk up your Wednesday!

Just smile and remember Friday is right around the corner!
Emily

Challenged: 1 Down & 3 Up

Last week I got to see this really great speaker at school. Her name was Erin Foley and she spoke about confidence, mainly directed at college girls. The talk was truly awesome. She touched on a lot of points that really hit home and I've got to say, I truly did got a lot out of it. I'd consider myself a confident person who is fairly sure of themselves and what I want to do with my life. I live in an apartment with  5 other girls. They are each five strong, confident and beautiful roommates but at the end of the day we all are guilty of self-downing.  This was one of the big things that Erin talked about that really made me take a step back and ultimately realize how much I do this to myself.

This is not something that we're born with. As a toddler you don't walk around saying how gross you look today. It's something that we learn on television, in magazines, and from the other girls around us.  You know when you've had a long day, you woke up late, your feeling frazzled and you feel like nothing's going your way? Of course you do, we all have them. Well it's at the end of this super long day and you finally see your best friend so what do you do? You walk into the room so exasperated and start ragging on yourself.

"Ugh, it's been the longest day. I woke up late. I look so gross." *PAUSE 

Why do we do this? Somehow, to make ourselves feel justified in our exasperation we have to vent about how awful we are. Examples? Ugh, I've gained so much weight. Gosh, how stupid could I be. Ugh, he'll never like me. Honey, pause. You look fine, you've had a rough day. Eat that ice-cream cone and don't feel bad about it and who cares about that boy? Why do we constantly find the need to tear ourselves down? You never hear a guy looking in the mirror and saying, "Eww my muscles really look small today".

So in an effort to fix, or at least recognize this fault in so many girls, Erin challenged us to this little test. When your friend comes into a room ragging on herself tell her to pause. Next, ask her to say three good things about herself.

I am smart.
I am kind.
I am funny.

The biggest mistake that so many of us make with this issue is that we don't even realize we're doing it. I challenge you to try this with your girlfriends. Hey, maybe you'll even stop yourself from putdowns now that you're thinking about it. We're so much better than this. Let's start with little steps!

What do you think of the 1 Down & 3 Up Challenge,
Emily

Closure: It's all about You

This weekend I got a surprising text in the middle of the night from my former significant other. My two year relationship ended at the beginning of this summer, so to say that this text was a surprise would be an understatement. Really for one of the first times in my life, I was pretty speechless. In being completely honest, I would have done anything for that text message a few months ago but the way I reacted showed me how far I've come. To break it down, he was reaching out and looking for closure, something that I had wanted all summer. Over the summer I had wanted to sit down with him, talk about it together and figure out what the split really meant. In that text he was asking for the same thing, to figure it out together, but what I've come to realize is that closure after a relationship isn't about the both of you anymore. It's not about talking out why it ended and continuing as friends. It's just about you. It's about you, individually finding admiration of the past, acceptance of the ending and ultimately it's about finding yourself and moving towards your own individual future.

It takes some time, it does. It's hard to wholly love yourself again after someone stops loving those little things in you. You no longer have that safety blanket to run to. You have to learn to build that trust and confidence in yourself and you have to learn that you can handle it all on your own.

I loved dating someone long distance for two years of my college career and I will never say otherwise however I am happy that it is not continuing.You know, sometimes we outgrow relationships and it's okay. I'm lucky that he was able to see what I couldn't: our relationship wasn't perfect. I can honestly say that I think I've grown more in the past five months than I have during my two years of college combined. Why? Because I've truly been making independent decisions. I'm the one making my decisions solely for me, planning my time solely for me and loving solely me. I feel more me than ever. I get to focus on the things that make me, and only me, happy. I get to direct my future towards my own goals and I don't have to sacrifice and compromise my dreams and aspirations.

So yes, it is a few months of battling but the result is beautiful and oh so rewarding. No one ever said it was easy, but I'm telling you it's worth it. There are little steps along the way to remind you that you can handle it and that really you're doing okay. For me, it was throwing a gifted bracelet off a boat in Paris that was truly liberating. Maybe for you it's burning old photos or simply dying your hair a crazy color but closure is all about you and your progress and ultimately, your acceptance. The hard part is that you can only get there by yourself. But you know what? It feels pretty great to be able to text him back and tell him that.

What do you think about closure? Have you ever dealt with this after a breakup?
Emily

Find Your Sunset

Any time I see a sunset I whip out my phone and take a picture of it. It's definitely one of the cheesier things that I do but I can't resist. They're truly one of my favorite things in this world. Yesterday as I was taking the photo below, I got asked by a friend why I always take so many pictures of sunsets and my answer was pretty simple. I figured I'd share my answer with you all as well.

{See this on my Instagram}

So why sunsets? 

Well, it's because they give me something to smile about. In the middle of a busy and stressful day they make me me stop and think of all of the beautiful little things around me that are more important than the work ahead of me. On the flip side, after a long and perfect day, they're simply the cherry on top. Sunsets with friends are as picturesque as it comes, but a sunset alone is just as internally satisfying. Every once in a while we need something to make us pause and simply take our breath away. Sunsets give me that inspiration daily and the truly gorgeous ones I will always want to capture. So I'll keep going through the trouble to drag my phone out and take a picture of every sunset I see because its my daily documentation of the more important things in life. For me it's all about the little things, and life will always be about the little things.

What is your sunset? What's the little thing that makes you smile?
Emily

So Here's the Thing About the "Selfie"...

So this year the word "selfie" got added to the dictionary. Now when I'm talking selfie, I don't mean the awkward solo photo of you standing in front of some great historic monument, I mean the full blown self-ie. Arm out, phone tilted sideways parallel to your 45 degree head tilt, wide eyes and even wider mouth. *see below* This can be taken with one or more people.

 {Selfie at the Bean in Chicago!}

To me, they will forever be awkward but I am totally guilty of them anyways. My thing is, if it makes you happy, or feel pretty, beautiful, smart, sexy, funny, or goofy, DO IT. If taking that selfie with your best friends in the front row of the concert makes you look back in years and smile about that awesome night then do it. By all means, take twenty. If taking that mirror picture of "the outfit of the day" makes you feel like the office supermodel then do it. 

Maybe you're sending it to all 2,435 of your Facebook friends, maybe you're sending it to your bff over snap chat, maybe it's to your SO at another school or maybe its destined to simply sit in your camera roll to mark that Tuesday that you were looking HAWT. It. Doesn't. Matter. 

So yeah, to me, selfies will forever be awkward but girl, snap away and keep on smiling. Rock the selfie and rock that confidence too.

What do you think of the selfie?
Emily

Just a Little Hump Day Inspo!

Just a little inspiration for this hump day! 

I can't believe that with only my fourth day of classes I am this swamped. I mean, absolutely swamped. I thrive off the energy but (whoo!) they weren't lying when they said Junior year was the busiest! I promise once these initial hectic weeks begin to die down I'll have thoughtful blog posts back up and running! Until then, enjoy this hump day and may the rest of your week be solidly downhill from here!

Time to take down this to-do list and punch today in the face! 

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
                    

Make Your Mornings Count!

I appreciate the days when I can sleep in. I really do, sometime's its exactly what you needed after a hectic week. It can feel so refreshing and rejuvenating however, sleeping in multiple days in a row just ends up making me feel sluggish. On my days off this summer, I've been setting an alarm an hour before my body would naturally wake me up. Spending a little bit of extra time in the morning slowly easing into the day has got me feeling even more refreshed than sleeping until the last possible minute I can.

I've gotten to squeeze all of my little morning staples into that hour so much more efficiently and it really starts my day off on the right foot! As soon as I get up I stay in bed for a few minutes checking the weather and text messages on my phone. I stretch then get out of bed and head to the kitchen where I answer emails with an overflowing bowl of Cheerios in front of me. Getting this out of the way early creates a clean slate for the rest of my day, I know exactly what I need to accomplish and I'm automatically on the ball! Besides emails and some last minute post tweaks I also get a few minutes to scan the web for the news, great sales and cheesy youtube videos before refilling my now empty bowl of Cheerios! The absolute best part of waking up a little earlier than usual is that I'm not rushed! I get leisurely wake up and I'm never scrambling to jump in the shower and get ready. Easing into the day is so underrated!

So read the paper, a magazine or a book and start your day off right! Just a few extra minutes can really make all the difference!

Emily

Enjoy the Little Things

You know those perfectly mundane and understatedly comforting errand days? Well today was one of those days. The kind of days where you have a check list of about five non-hectic errands to run and you're just enjoying the music on the radio, the AC is finally at the perfect temperature, the Panera smoothie is on point and one of your favorite stores is 50% off so you throw that on the list of to-do too.   So yes, nothing exciting but just a damn good day and I have absolutely no complaints. We all need to be thrown one of these every once in a while and I'm thankful for this one.

My head's been in a fog for the past few weeks and this just needs to go. I've always been about enjoying the little things and it's time for that attitude to come back. Today there were a lot of little things. It's getting to see your parents before they hurry off to work. Picking up the new pool pass with a spring in your step. Spending all day in the bookstore searching for the next summer read then getting to your doctor's appointment 30 minutes early just so you can crack it open. It's having that Panera smoothie that's on point then finding out it's 120 calories *ZING and it's spending a fairly relaxing day with your brother listening to cheesy girl ballads. Oh and did I mention the 50% off is at Anthropologie? Cherry. On. Top.

So yeah, today's been good (minus the absolute hit to my bank account the last stop was) but everyday should be this good. And even if it's not, perspective is everything. It's time to get out of this fog and enjoy the little things again. Life is good if you want it to be.

E.

Hump Day is here!

T.G.I.H.D. Is that a thing? I'm not sure but I'm making it one.

I don't know why but this week has already been a complete whirlwind. Maybe because I've been thrown back into the swing of things after a week of no schedules, no assignments and no cafeteria food or maybe because it's simply a busy week, either way, it's been crazy. I am already feeling overwhelmed and this is not how I should be feeling two days after a break. I was hoping to come back feeling rested and revitalized, ready to tackle this second half of the semester head on but I'm feeling like it just tackled me.

After feeling lost for the first two days of this week and more importantly being completely unproductive it is now time to regroup. Chill, Emily. I talked about my need to relax and simply breathe in one of my recent posts [here] and these are the times when I really need to work on this.

Last night, well after I finished all of my work it was technically this morning, I took a minute to just sit. I've got a lot on my plate for the rest of this week and it was a good chance for me to lay out all that needs to get done. I think the main reason why Monday and Tuesday seemed so hectic was because I hadn't prepared myself for it. I didn't realize I had all of this work that was going to be pushed onto my plate and I didn't have time to plan and prioritize. By giving myself that little bit of time right before I went to bed I allowed myself to take a breathe and visualize what was going to be coming up the next few days and you know what, it's totally doable. Phew. Take a breath. I got this.

Now with hump day it's smooth sailing, or at least all downhill from here! If you're feeling stressed at all today take some time to sit down and just breathe. The work will get done, it's not worth feeling frazzled! So T.G.I.H.D! Let's enjoy this Wednesday!


Turning this week around,
Emily

Feeling Like a Grownup

Recently I've been applying for scholarships and internships for this coming summer. First off I think its semi sad that I'm so focused and determined to get internships over the summer instead of planning the days I'm going to the pool. I can honestly count the number of times I was at the pool this past summer on one hand. Easy to say I wasn't very tan. Then again, it does feel pretty good and honestly rewarding to have a "real-people" job in an office.

Due to this need for experience (and mainly money) this past week has been a little stressful with all of the March 1st-3rd deadlines. Anyways, in doing this I've come to the conclusion that I'm pretty impressed with my drive and willingness to work hard in order to get my dream job. I was designing business cards last night, I'm not sure if I should be ashamed of that or proud.

For one of my internship applications I had to provide a Curriculum Vitae. Firstly, I'm prefacing this with, I had to look up what that was… Secondly, most of the samples I looked at were in other languages. Twas a task looking for an English version. By the end of the day however I had successfully completed this document and I'm actually excited about it!

So long story short, I think I can deal with this growing up thing. Although I'm missing pool time, I'm currently feeling a little accomplished and definitely driven. I can handle this.

Now with a fancy resume,

Emily