5 Things about my 19th Birthday

I can't believe this is my last year as a teenager. It feels like I'm actually getting old which is both scary and exciting. Though it's actually pretty funny because I'm pretty much the last of my friends to turn 19. One of my closest friends is actually turning 20 in about a month, so I really am a baby!

I honestly had the best day ever, here are five things I did:

1. I started the day off at the farmers market with my dad and step mom. We bought freshly made cinnamon donuts and farm fresh raspberries. YUM!We spent close to an hour pursuing all the flowers and produce and listening to live music.

Om nom nom nom nom

My step mom and I nomming on donuts!

2. I know it's not supposed to be all about the presents, but I got the best presents from my friends and family. This includes a spa day from my mom, a cross necklace from my dad and a video my friend Angela made me that made me cry!

3. Sushi x 2! My best friend, K, took me out to sushi at our #1 favorite place and we got to catch up and laugh. The second time was out (at a different restaurant) with my mom and my other friends. Some people couldn't handle that much sushi, but I can never have too much!

4. Hanging with my mom during the day. We snuggled, watched TV and went shopping. She ended up going out at night so we did each others makeup and got dressed together for our respective outings. Time with my mom is the greatest blessing.

5. You guessed it! Terrace time with my friends taking goofy pictures, eating food and getting up to our usual mischief ;) We actually ended up driving around town and this ended up happening:

No comment

It was my best birthday yet!

I don't know about you, but I'm feeling 19 

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo,
Emily

P.S. That was "xo" typed out 19 times :)
P.S.S.  Since it's a post about my birthday, I feel like I have the authority to post a 6th thing about my wonderful day. I got so much love from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and in cards, texts and phone calls. I am overjoyed to have so many wonderful people in my life. You are EVERYTHING to me. Here are some of my favorite photo collages made for me!

Top 5: Dorm Bedding (Walmart)

So going in to last year my roommate and I agreed to color coordinate our room with the color blue because that was 1) a color we both liked and 2) we knew that one of our walls would be painted blue anyway. We ended up getting the cheapest quality duvet covers and inserts from IKEA for about $10.00 each and ended up regretting that descion. While it may have been economical, the price tag truly showed through wear and tear.

Long story short, both my roommate and I are looking for new comforters for next year bringing on a whole new wave of stress. While we haven't come to a consensus on weather we are coordinating again this year- I've already started the hunt. I've scoured far and wide and still struggling on choosing one. I had a hard time even knowing where to start!

Anyway, when you think of getting cute yet reasonable bedding you normally think of Target or Bed Bath and Beyond. However, let me tell you that Walmart has really delivered this year. The prices literally can't even be beat, and while I can't speak for the quality yet the designs are so adorable.

Let me show you my top 5 choices for bedding. You would never guess they are from Walmart!

Should I give Walmart bedding a try? What should I choose!

Happy Shopping!
Emily

P.S. Check out my friend Kelly's blog post on Urban Outfitters bedding for more inspiration

5 Ways I Celebrated the 4th

The 4th is one of my favorite days of the year. Here's a look at how I spent my day!

1. I attended the 4th of July Parade that runs just a block away from my house. I got front row seats to the actions where the theme of the parade was "Glen Ellyn: Home of the Champions". I wasn't the only celeb in attendance however: a lot of state politicians marched in the parade (like the governor of Illinois!), a float with singing clowns and of course the football team of my Alma mater, which won 1st in state football this year. It made me real proud to be from Glen Ellyn!!

Parade side with Tom

2. Terrace time!! My house is known for having this really sick terrace/balcony right off my bedroom where my friends I and live during the summer. Pretty much after the parade we just camped out on the terrace and sunbathed and talk and laughed. The terrace shows off Glen Ellyn in a special way, because while you can see the Chicago skyline from the terrace, you can also see the stars at night. Perfect.

Terrace lovin with Mar and Ang

3. As per usual we then had a hankering for Asian food, so my friends and I had to leave the terrace to grab some Chinese/sushi. How patriotic! :)

4. Tradition in my town is to do the fireworks over the little itty bitty lake that sits right next to my high school. The whole town gathers around the lake on blankets and yard chairs, in the bleachers of the football stadium and on the deck of the little boathouse. It's so magical and is unique part of a Glen Ellyn 4th!

Bad picture but you get the idea!

5. I guess the over arching theme of my day was friends. After the fireworks at the lake we headed back to the terrace and watch all the amateur fireworks take off and spent the night just basking in love and patriotism.


A little late, but I hope you all had a great holiday!

Always,

Emily

5 Updates about Life

Hello blog world (aka my one reader)! Long time no see, am I right? I apologize for my long extension of silence, but I lost all passion to blog when I came home for the summer. However, as you will see in #4, my summer is getting a lot more structured which (hopefully!) will lead to more regularly blogging. Yay! In any event, since the last time I blogged...

1. I celebrated the 4th of July with my fab friends in my hometown and it was a magical day. I will blog about this tomorrow!

At the 4th of July parade with K

2. I celebrated my birthday with my friends and family. This finally made me me the last of my college friends to turn 19 (Hee hee I'm the baby). However my best friend from home still has to turn 19... I was born 5 days earlier than her and I never let her forget it :) Again, more about this to come!

Blowing out my delish b-day cake!

3. I led the first part of a bible study at my church for my old youth group. It's been incredibly hard to take a leadership role when I really struggled with my faith this year, but I'm sure I'll blog more about this soon.

4. I finally started work this week nannying two sweet girls, finally giving my summer structure and purpose.

5. I actually started missing university life, which is saying a lot considering I was dying to go home by the end of my freshman year. I guess that means I'm growing up or moving on which is indescribably terrifying.

It's never to late to start over, right? Stick with me!

Always,

E