The Morning Commute

The morning commute is an endless source of entertainment.

TRAVEL TIME
15 minutes makes all the difference.
Leaving my house at 8am means a 45 minute drive to work.
Leaving at 8:15 means a 30 minute drive to work (with the occasional detour if there is exceptional traffic)
Leaving at 8:25 means you'll arrive at work in the 20 minutes it takes to get from home to office at off-peak times.
... Interesting

MUSIC
A good CD is necessary when the radio decides to play "You're the One that I Want" (which should only be heard when watching the movie "Grease")
It's sad when you realize that the song you were singing along to is now over and you are singing the radio station's jingle as if it were a song.
You realize your music might be a bit too loud when the car next to you looks over with that look on their face that they are searching for where the mysterious music is coming from... or maybe I'm just paranoid that the lady in the green Honda was thinking that this morning.

THE LAW
I took driver's ed when I was 14 1/2. The only thing on my mind was "pass this class and get your learner's permit... then license."
I don't recall certain laws...
Can I change lanes in the middle of the intersection?
When a school bus has it's lights flashing, but the stop sign is not out yet, can I still pass by?
Where exactly does the speed limit change? When I can see the sign or when I reach the sign? (this is a bitter point for me, seeing as how my one and only speeding ticket was in a 25 zone, but I could see the 35 MPH sign!)

THE STRATEGY
I have learned when to be in the right lane and when to be in the left.
Once I get towards uptown, I don't want to be in the left lane because when people are waiting to turn, that lane backs up.
I've developed the hypothesis that the designers for two stretches of my morning commute had NO idea the volume of traffic/traffic patterns that would come as Charlotte grew.

I'm so happy that it is Friday, and it's the LAST 15-hour work day (until Tuesday).
xoxo, E

Wednesday's Wonderings...

Have I mentioned that I love my internship?

I also love my paying jobs... yes, plural... I've got to save up for the big-girl world!

However, there are not enough hours in my day for all the other things I love!
The work I'm doing for Momma and Papas (haha, kind of sounds like The Mama's and The Poppa's) gets pushed back to the weekends, and I dart from the internship to the Crew with a bit in between for a yummy dinner.

One major void in my life that I'm feeling right now is the gym. There is just no time!
I am used to working out seven days a week. Sometimes more than once a day.
The roomie used to joke that I was obsessed.
I just think of myself as a bit of a gym rat...


There has been a LOT of Chickfila in my life recently, no complaints here, but have you heard about the new spicy chicken sandwich? You can actually register online here for an exclusive tasting of the new sandwich for FREE. I definitely want to try it! I'll give up the "no fried foods" mentality for a day to taste the yummy-ness that Chickfila knows how to roll out.

Really excited to have lunch with CB today =) Going to check out her condo, the soon-to-be sewing room, and all of her fabulous Hems and Hers fabrics! Yay!!

It's Wednesday! Which means there are only two more "work days" this week. Glad there's a three-day weekend ahead, but it's yet to be determined whether or not I'll have to work at the Crew this weekend... OR if SATC2 and some work for the parents (with good $$) is on the agenda!

xoxo, E

Patience pays!!!

I have been looking for hooks for my long necklaces for SO long!

A friend of a friend had really cute hooks in her dorm that she found at Hobby Lobby. I have been looking for them for a few months now... no luck.

In my boredom yesterday, I surveyed Made by Girl. After clicking on one of the ads on her sidebar, I found Modern Chic Home. And guess what?! I found these:

Crown Hooks!!! AND they're affordable!!

And this...

How adorable would this memo board be on an office wall with some gorgeous black and white photos... or in the foyer to a first apartment?!

Ah, wishful thinking... too bad the finances are all going towards savings right now so that I can afford stuff for the big girl apt in December.

Okay, one more indulgent item... How cool would this chair be as a desk chair in an office?!

WAY out of the price range though!

Happy Monday! xoxo, E

SATC2 this Thursday...

...but I won't be able to see it until Saturday... AT LEAST.

I've got four 13-hour work days, in a row, in my future.

I am a big SJP fan... and her fashion in this new movie doesn't disappoint!

And I simply love Kristin Davis' look in this photo... Chanel has never looked so cute!

Have a fabulously style-filled week!! I'm going to make a silent tribute to SATC with the work wardrobe choices this week! xoxo, E

Big Birthday!

Betty's got a BIG birthday coming up today!!

She's turning 60,000!! I love my girl!

Had a great time last night at Blaydes' grad party. Laughed SO hard with Crandall. We haven't seen each other in FOUR years (unacceptable!), but laughed and chatted as if no time had passed. It was such a special time!

Side note: I saw a Hems and Hers dress on one of the attendees at the grad party :) SO excited to see CB's designs out and about in the Queen City!

I'm off to work 2-8 today... yuck :(

xoxo, E

Obsessed

I am obsessed with...

1. Researching job openings -

After talking to PD&PB, I've decided that it's my

goal to send out my cover letters and resumes

at the end of September.

2. This chair (that's on sale!) at Pier 1 -

3. This print (courtesy of Made by Girl) -

4. Bravo's Nine"9 by Design," the Novogratz fam (I LOVE Cortney!), and their book "Downtown Chic" -

5. This bedding from Anthro -

I think these are all healthy obsessions, no? Happy Weekend!! xoxo, E

Books-a-Million

My title might be a bit misleading... I am not referring to the bookstore... Rather, I am talking about my obsession with books... millions of them. Okay, so that's an exaggeration, but still.

I finished Emily Giffin's latest book "Heart of the Matter" last night. It was SO good. I had to limit how much I read daily to keep myself from finishing it in one sitting. I got on her website today hoping that it'd be my lucky day and I'd find an announcement for her next book to be released. Sadly, no such luck. After all, this book WAS only released last week.

I'm VERY excited for Beth Harbison's new book to come out in July. But that seems like SUCH a long time from now. Beth is an author that I discovered last summer. I read two of her books in 5 days.

My ultimate favorite author of all time is Sophie Kinsella. Just for kicks and giggles, I got on her website today. WHAT?! "Mini Shopaholic"!!! What is that?! Well, get excited, come September, Sophie is releasing a new book. As of now, her website is showing the artwork for the UK jacket.

The art for the US/Canada one will be released soon. I must admit, I had no idea that she had different book covers for the US vs. the UK. I totally judge a book by its cover, and I am loving this one!! Papas might have to pick it up for me in London in September... unless the US one is just as cute. I must admit that I like the covers on all her books that I own over the newly designed covers for the US, or those in the UK. So, we shall see.

Looking for the next great book... xoxo, E

love, love, love

I love, love, love my internship.

One of the wonderful aspects is getting to see PD&PB every day!! We had a simply delightful lunch together today. I hope that becomes a repeat occurrence.

I love my desk (clearly, since I covertly snapped a photo today lol)

I love the building; I love the people; I love driving uptown in the morning (as long as I don't see a sea of red brake lights in front of me).

Summer 2010 = GREAT so far!!

Tonight is my first non-13 hour work day (no JCrew for me tonight!). It was great to hit the gym and watch far too many episodes of "Say Yes to the Dress."

Tomorrow is Thursday, which means it's almost Friday!! Which means I get to wear this new Anthro dress to a friend's graduation party!

I'm SO proud of Blaydes!! Friday will be the one evening I say "Go Tigers!" and supress my Tarheel pride =)

xoxo, E

Summertime

"She's got a smile that heals me. I don't know why it is. But I have to laugh when she..."

Billy, under normal circumstances I love the sound of your beautiful voice.

At 5:45am, I. Do. NOT!

The alarm went off too early for my taste this morning. It was my first day to work at the JCrew here at home. 8am - 12:30pm shift. Silver lining, I got to enjoy the rest of my day!

I start my internship tomorrow, and I'm just OH so excited!!!

I can't wait to work with Polka Dots & Protein Bars =) I am going to be the best intern she has ever had!!

Now, the tough decision... what to wear?! =)

xoxo, E

New Swaziland Video...

I watched the video I made for Mere's birthday today and decided I wanted to do one as a summary of our trip to Swaziland. I hope you enjoy!! xoxo, E

Song: "The Power of Your Name" by Lincoln Brewster

Sorry for the poor upload quality :(

Thoughtful Tuesday...

As I enjoy my second day of summer, which for weeks past has been a school day, I reflect on what I was doing a week ago...

We were doing our entertainment marketing presentation, and I just have to brag and show you a few of our creative pieces. Robert is OUTSTANDING with a computer. So proud to have worked FAR too many hours with him on our "Get Pulled Into Vineyard" campaign!

Still waiting to find out our final grade. But we felt really good about the presentation!!

Happy Tuesday!! xoxo, E

My Monday...

It's the first Monday of summer...

Taking full advantage of this time of rest following 2 crazy weeks of stress.

Rented "Toothfairy"

... and "Leap Year"

I love movie nights!!

I start my internship a week from today. Can't wait to work with Polka Dots & Protein Bars! I'm thinking I might also have some Hems & Hers in my wardrobe by the end of summer!

Enjoying my last free week. Starting at the JCrew here, at home, next week as well. Money, money, MONEY!! =)

Hope you've had a Marvelous Monday!! xoxo, E

Momma's Day!!!

Happy Mother's Day Mamacita!!!

You're the best momma in the whole. wide. world!!

Olive you thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis much!!!

xoxo, e

Graduation... but not for me :(

My EB girls graduated today...

... as did my roomie, double-mint, Megs, and far too many of my other friends. Sad day. I'll be joining them come December.

But as for now, I'm back home in NC. Love being home but missing my friends already!!

xoxo, E

Finally Finals Week

It's finals week.

Luckily, I don't have any finals today.

The agenda for Monday is as follows:

Get my air pressure checked in my tires for the 17 hour drive home

Take all my bedding, bathroom rug, and shower curtain to the dry cleaners

(currently my room looks like a hostel... nothing on the beige walls, bed is low to the ground b/c I took my bed lifters out from under it, and white sheets with 2 pillows on the bed. lol)

Pack up what is left in my room

Sell my textbooks back

Finish my Entertainment Marketing Project

Have lunch with Megs!

Have dinner with Mere!

... and GO!!!

xoxo, E

"So long, Roomie!"

The roomie and I have been friends for 4 years and have lived together for 3. I was thinking about it last week. It's going to be so weird to walk into our apartment (it'll always be OUR apartment) next semester and not say "hey rooms!"

What I'll miss:

Seeing her perform on stage (I guess I'll just have to fly to NYC for that. Darn! lol)

Sitting in the living room and watching Real Housewives of NYC

Screaming when the velcro doesn't hold our key rack on the wall and it comes crashing down with our keys.

All of our notes on the whiteboard.

Watching Biggest Loser together.

The roomie coming into my room to talk... and by talk, I mean having a discussion while she looks at herself in my full length mirror. LOL!!

Hearing the word "like" a good 50 times a day (jk rooms!)

But most of all, I'm going to miss HER!! Rooms, you have been such a great friend to me these last 4 years. I'm glad that our friendship isn't over, it's just transitioning =) I love you.

P.S. Found this pic on my computer from Lip Sync at Homecoming freshman year. BAHA! It makes me smile because I can still hear your voice saying, "I'm the BRIGHTEST STAR IN THE SKY!"

Love you!!!

xoxo, EMN