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Tonight I'm going to a Darius Rucker show with one of my best friends from home, and I'm so excited because it's my first big country concert! I've seen Taylor Swift, but honestly who considers her country anymore? After that this weekend will be full of painting, staining, and organizing in my room and for some of the projects my mama has put me on. Monday I go back to work, so I'll soak up some freedom while I can!

What are your plans for this weekend?

I want to try out this recipe for thyme lemonade that looks so delicious

This nail polish has been on my mind the past few days, so I might have to pick it up on my weekend Target trip

Maybe I'll wear something like this classic blue and white striped outfit for the show since it's outdoors!

And I'll be on the hunt for any shoes like this, so if anyone knows of a more budget-friendly version, let a girl know!

Projects on Projects on Projects

Hello from South Carolina! I've been absent from the blog recently to catch up on some much needed family and friend time before I have to go back to work next week, but I'm back for now. Since returning it's not like I've just been lounging around, eating American foods and American drinks with all of my American friends for the past few days. Since I walked through the door Saturday night my mom has put me to work on a few projects we've had in mind.

1. Dining room overhaul: new chandelier, paint the trim (including crown molding...yikes) and walls, new art
2. Spruce up the foyer: update the light fixture, replace the area rug, general sprucing of the foyer table and art
3. Kitchen re-do: decide what color to re-paint the walls, take off wallpaper ceiling lining, find new curtain fabric for bay window, paint kitchen counters

So...yes. A lot of work. But nothing I don't love! Put me in a room that needs to be completely re-done including paint, furniture, and decorating, and I'm a happy girl. Add in some 90's tunes and I'm set. So far I've been putting together some home inspirations for my mama and this is what I'm thinking for the dining room.

chandelier / dining room / living room / place mats / palladian blue

As for the foyer, I'm still trying to convince my mom to let me continue painting the trim from the dining room into the foyer, but at this point it's one project at a time. The lighting we have is great, but it needs a bit of an update with some bronze spray paint and a little love. Here are some photos I'm taking inspiration from:

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The kitchen will be a much bigger project, so who knows when that will get done, but I'm enjoying the planning phase for now. At first we considered gutting the kitchen and replacing all of the cabinetry, installing new floors, and getting new countertops, but since the cabinets are in good condition and just need a good clean, I thought we could save some money by painting them a crisp white and focus our finances elsewhere. I'm thinking something along these lines:

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So it's interior design that's been taking up most of my time that's not allotted to seeing old faces. I start work next week as well as a summer class, so I'll be sure to post photos of the dining room/foyer/kitchen progress to keep me sane!

Goodbye, London

I'm coming home today, and I think this song just about sums it up.

There's no way to describe how I'm feeling right now except weird. I'm so happy I got the opportunity to live in such an insanely cool city, but I am happy to see everything familiar at home. I'll let you know how the transition goes, because London definitely has some perks that Columbia, SC does not.

I'll post again soon on Eastern Standard Time!

Southern State of Mind

hydrangeas / shorts / lamp (similar) / spanish moss / bedding / wedges

Home

Everyone has those little things that remind you of home, wherever that might have been when you were younger. I was lucky enough to grow up (for the most part) in one house my whole life. I have so many memories of my parents and my sister and me growing in my hometown, in the two minivans my mom had, and in our backyard. I remember taking our pup Eddie home for the first time and letting him sniff around the living room, and I remember my mom sleeping on the sofa next to him the first night he was here so that he wouldn't be alone. I remember painting my room three different times with my sister.

There are definitely songs that trigger those memories and feelings of nostalgia. Definitely songs that remind me of why I love home. Danny's Song by Loggins and Messina, in particular, reminds me of driving to the grocery store with my mom. Even now, when I really have no reason to go with her, my mom will wake me up on Saturday mornings to see if I want to go with her. It's a little tradition that's always stuck. It's the little things and the little memories that make home what it is. It's what, despite how hard this last week in London is, the reason I can't be too upset about returning home.

What is a song that reminds you of home? It seems like the most random songs conjure up the most random memories, right?

True Friendship

I was reading this article by College Prep the other day and it made me start thinking about my friends. I'm lucky in that I've never had a problem making friends. The kind of friends that you message on Facebook to see what's going on, or the friend you hang out with during class, and maybe a lunch or two afterwards. When I got to college, first at the College of Charleston, was the first time I've had a hard time finding a true good friend. A best friend.

I think there are two types of people out there: the type that makes lots of good friends and the type that has one or two best friends. There's the type that spends $10 on Christmas gifts for each of their friends, or the type that spends $50 (or more...oops!) on one or two friends for their birthdays. I'm definitely a best friend type of girl. Not saying I don't have other friends, but generally I'm really close with one or two people and that's about it. I used to hate that about myself, but I'm learning to respect that that's just how I am. I can't change it. My sister, on the other hand, is the type with lots of friends. I wouldn't have called her a "popular" girl in school, but she always had a group to hang out with. That's one of the perks of being in a group - there's generally always someone to hang out with.

Not saying that either is better than the other. At Charleston I had a really hard time because, unfortunately, I had a falling out with my former best friend. My mom and I have always been close, but at school I had these "let's go to lunch" friends, and not much else. I felt alone. That, among other things, factored into my decision to transfer to the University of South Carolina. At USC I met some friends right off the bat, but again, not a best friend. It wasn't until sophomore year that I met one of my best friends, Mevy. Someone that I can share everything with.

Now with leaving London so close on the horizon, I can see who amongst my London friends I'll stay close with. We all meet people that come in and out of our lives. In this case it's like all these people are  thrown at us, and we have to find the really good ones that stick. I may not keep up with all of these people for the rest of my life, but I'll be able to look at my pictures and remember how much fun we all had together.

With only a week left in Londontown, I can't wait to squeeze in as many last-minute experiences I can with friends that may or may not stick, but who will share these memories forever. Here goes nothing!

Gizoogle Your Gangsta Tweets

Please do yourself a favor and go to Gizoogle to have your tweets gangsta-fied. I saw this website after checking out Cupcakes and Cashmere, and the results definitely do not disappoint. All you have to do is type in your twitter name (@whateveryournameis) into the search bar and it'll do the rest. I never knew I was so gangster!

Let me know how your funniest tweets turn out! I think I'm getting more laughs out of this than I probably should!

Quote to Live By

photo via

"Anything can happen, child. Anything can be." - Shel Silverstein

I've been thinking a lot about this quote in the last month of my time in London. I feel like right now, although I still have another year in South Carolina, I'm at a pivotal point in my life. I'm at a point where I've realized how much I like things I never expected, and how much I dislike things I grew up thinking were built in. Not an option. I'm realizing that life can literally be anything you want it to be if you're willing to change it yourself.

There are a lot of questions I'm asking myself about what I want to do with my life. I love London so much, and I truly never want to leave. A few times this week I've found myself apartment hunting or job hunting for advertising/marketing/PR jobs in London. I'm so excited to see my family and friends in almost a week, but if I had the choice, I would stay in London forever. Saying that (typing, whatever) does make me feel a little guilty. I know my family at home is so excited to see me, so I don't want to be completely honest about the dread I have about coming home.

But I can't keep that in the back of my head. When it's time within the next year to actually start looking at job openings, I need to be completely honest with myself about what I want, where I see myself, and who I am. Looking at what I can actually afford will unfortunately also be a factor, but that's growing up, right? I don't have to stay at home. I don't have to come back to London. Literally, anything can happen. While that thought is beyond liberating, it's daunting too. Having too many options has never been my favorite thing.

Has anyone else felt intimidated about the possibilities after graduation or big moments in life? I have coming back to the USA, and then graduation in a year! Who else is in this too?

Scenes from this Weekend (plus some dancing music)

This weekend I visited the house (now museum) where Sigmund Freud lived during the last year of his life after he and his family fled to London from the Nazis in Vienna. Check out the turquoise door!

Then my friend Teresa and I got coffee. I didn't realize my name is hard to spell...or that Emily can be spelled Enimyly.

So this happened while I explored Kensington. Side note: Kensington is my favorite part of London. Fact. Such neat boutiques and stores without being super commercial *cough cough, Oxford street*

A card I was thisclose to buying while exploring Kensington. My dad wouldn't have found it funny, but I just love this type of humor. You wouldn't find this kind of humor in America.

Walking around Green Park with my friend Teresa, and it was gorgeous. How can I leave this?

Next up, this song is I Choose You by Timeflies, and it's a dance song that always makes me feel like grooving, even if I'm in public...so get ready to dance ASAP.

Kate Spade Summer Wishlist

I don't know if y'all know this, but I'm a believer in retail therapy. It's not good for the wallet, definitely not good for my savings account (i.e. future safety net account, car down payment account, puppy savings account...the usual), and not good in general as a habit, but I can't stop. I've been getting a little bit mopey since I'm realizing I now only have two...

(and can I just take a second to say OH MY GOD ONLY TWO)

...weeks left in London, so I've been making a pretty good shopping list for when I get home. At the same time, I know I'll have no money when I get home. No job = no money, so realistically, I doubt I'll be getting any of these actually soon, but just imagine with me. These are the things I will absolutely get when I get home because they are so damn expensive here. As in, take how much things cost in dollars, and instead just put a £ sign in front. It's basically the amount x 1.5. Ouch.

all photos via kate spade

These sailor's knot earrings because I can't get enough cute little studs - they're my staples.

This cute gold scallop ring because I've been looking for a small daily ring to wear with a little personality!

I could add this straw and coral crossbody to my collection because that color is pretty much my all time favorite! It's such a nice spring/summer-y color.

Obviously I would wear this navy stripe dress to any summer wedding!

The Things We Love coffee table book because although I don't have a coffee table, once I get one it won't need any extra books or decorations.

This fiji turquoise checkbook wallet because I literally never use cash at home and this one would save so much room in my crossbody bags!

Emily's European Adventures (in Food and Drink Form)

So one of the things I am #sorrybutnotsorry about is taking pictures of my food. I'm that girl. I feel bad about it and guilty and a lot a little embarrassed about it when I do it, but I take pictures of pretty much all my food if it looks really good or really pretty.

I've noticed I've upped my game a bit since I've been abroad, so I thought I'd share some of my food-scapades with y'all. Because I know you're super interested in my food. I digress.

 One of my staples since I've been in London. Fish and chips from Cottage Cafe. SO good. I'm going to miss you, old friend.

One of the first meals I had in London (after not eating for three days - my body was traumatized by the move). A meat pie and chips. Like a true Brit.

Godiva chocolate on chocolate on chocolate cake in Harrods. So good eating it, but it makes you feel so awful later. But a nice kind of awful.

Again, another staple from Cottage Cafe. Two eggs, two sausages, two pieces of bacon (British edition - it's pretty much just ham) and two pieces of toast. All for £4.40 (like $6).

The first Thai food I ever had for one of my friends' 21st birthday. This was in January, and I don't remember much about it (oops) besides the fact that I couldn't pronounce its name. But it was delicious.

Again, in Dublin in February my friends and I stopped by a Greek place two nights in a row during our three night stay. This wine was pretty darn incredible, and I'm not a red wine person.

I haven't been to Giraffe in a while, but I will definitely miss this place. I feel like you can't understand the true size of this burger. It was massive. They should have called it the "You can't eat this without a fork and massive hands" burger.

 This wasn't from a restaurant, but it was one of the four dishes I've made regularly in our flat. Pasta with sautéed mushrooms and spinach. Yummmmmmmmm.

 Again, in our flat, my friend and I decided to be fancy and made American bacon and cinnamon pancakes. They look burnt (they are a little), but mostly that's the cinnamon syrup we poured on them. This dish is not for the light hearted or those not willing to get some kind of clot in the heart.

If there's anything to know about me and my drinks, it's that I love mojitos and I love grapefruit juice. The Breakfast Club in London has a grapefruit mojito...so I'm a happy girl there.

 This was one of the funnest nights I've had in London, and my friends and I never even went out. We got some scones mix and made them at home (with the same cinnamon syrup that was on the pancakes). Maybe they're not traditional scones, but they were THE BEST, and that night was so fun. Aren't the best nights those that you stay in with your friends??

 Such an amazing salad in York with my mom and aunt. I mean...A+ for the presentation itself.

Tea, champagne, scones, and mini sandwiches at The Langham? Literally nothing better on earth. Emily = stuffed.

This mojito was only notable because it was £15. I loved it, but I mean really who can afford a basically $22 drink on a regular basis? Oprah? That's what I thought. Good, but ridiculous.

This photo is from the only fancy dinner I had in London, and that's because it was with family. My dessert was dark chocolate cake with milk chocolate (fudge thing on top?) with mango sorbet. OH MY GOD SO GOOD.

First caramel macchiato of the season. This was at the end of April. I had to share.

From my favorite gelato place in Nice called Oui Jelato. I'm obnoxious for having a favorite gelato place in Nice, but I don't care. I'd never had gelato before and I'm scared I won't again because I won't be impressed. I'm a gelato snob, I'm sorry.

And the best pizza in the whole world, pizza on the pebble beach at Nice. With the world's spiciest olive oil (peppers and chillies included still in the bottle).

I know I keep saying Nice has "the best" everything, but in this case...it's still true. Sangria is my friend.

Celebratory fajitas in Canterbury with a few friends for Cinco de Mayo!

And finally, my present to myself for doing well on my first exam. Stella Cidre and Cinnamon Toast Crunch (or what they call here, Crazy Squares).

All photos from my iPhone...because I'm not willing to take out my giant DSLR. I'm not that embarrassing.

And by the way...HAPPY FRIDAY!

Study Week...Ugh

Hi everyone! I'm sorry that it's a Monday. I know those can just be the worst sometimes. From the bottom of my heart, I feel for you, and I hope this weekend comes fast.

This week I'll be preparing for my exams by going to my university, locking myself in the library and sticking my head into some books for the next few days. I'm going to have no fun and probably procrastinate as much as I possibly can. Therefore, I'm going to assume that I'll be taking a little break from the blog, but should I be in a procrastinating mood and decide to blog something, stick around. I'll miss you all, and I can't wait to see you on the other side of these papers and exams.

After my exams I'll only have another week left in London, so pardon me if I happen to post any sappy love posts to London on here. #dontmakemeleave

For now, I'll leave you with some things that I've been coveting on Pinterest.

 Floral Zara Shorts

Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cupcakes

 Sharks Teeth Studs

 Ecco Ossima Wedges

Luella June

 Thyme Lemonade

Toast Lace Trim Pillow Cases

Cozy California Bungalow

When I find a new website I'm in love with, I like to talk about it. A lot. So when I found out Domaine, a new interior design site by the women behind Who What Wear, had just been launched, I had to check it out. This is an apology in advance: if I blog photos and stories from this website too much, I'm sorry...but it is awesome.

For instance, I can't get over how they re-did two areas of Lea Michele's home in California. The colors and designs are so clean, but the designers threw in funky little details in the fabrics and colors. It's the perfect balance between clean and cool! Check the slideshow out here for more photos!

Don't you love how they styled these spaces?

Photos via Domaine, taken by Justin Coit