Graduation!!!

Well I have officially finished college. I believe I am supposed to feel different right now but so far it almost just feels like I am on winter break. Also you would think that now that I am not taking classes full time and working I would have more time. However, it is more like work + work + Christmas time = less time than ever. Graduation will probably set in after Christmas. Hey! I now have a Bachelors Degree in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in Art History.Time to check that off the list!

Side note! My handsome Steve got his hair cut off again. I love his hair no matter what he does to it. It could be to his waist or completely gone but, I think he looks particularly dapper in this photo.


I hope you are having a great week so far! Having fun getting all of your Christmas presents together and wrapped!


Emily

Atlanta Gift Guide

I love giving presents to my friends and family that were made locally. It has become easier to do so now to with Etsy, Scoutmob, and Bourbon & Boots. I compiled a list of items that were made in Georgia for an Atlanta Gift Guide. I looked for unique items that I thought would be fun and unique. You would not have to worry about duplicate gifts with this list. And even if you did accidentally end up with two bags of Bacon's Heir Pork Clouds that just sounds like a good thing.

1. The Mixologist's Holiday Gift Set: $51, This looks like it would be so much fun for some drink experiments. There are a couple of different mixers to change your drink as much as you want! I have discovered how much I love a whiskey sour so I am venturing away from my traditional beer to some "grown up" mix drinks. I think this would be a great way to venture out of your drink comfort zone.

2. Champagne Soap & Candle Gift Set: $18, I love gift sets! This set sounds especially nice. I can just picture having an awesome relaxing bubble bath drinking my champagne and the candle burning. Then smelling like the Champagne soap afterwards. It would be a Champagne bonanza!

3. The Standard Bag: $175, A wonderful classic tote! It has lots of different pockets to help keep yourself organized. This would be great for a student to keep organized. I love that the tag says Made in Atlanta.

4. Wishbone Necklace: $40, I think this is a wonderful little dainty necklace. I love the wishbone. I think it is a really interesting charm. Representing good luck, we could all use a little bit more right?

5. Carved Porcelain Bitters Bottle with Gold Rim: $22, This little bottle would look adorable on a bar cart. It would also be a great addition to the Mixologist gift set. I love the gold accent. 

6. All the Stars Print: $19, I had to include this print. I love the saying, "I love you more than all the stars." This would look great in my imaginary office.

7. Clue Town Books: Oakland Cemetery: $12, This book is definitely on my wishlist. I think that it is a great idea! This would be great for a Saturday day off. There are also books for Piedmont Park and Downtown Decatur. I love Oakland Cemetery. That might sound just a little odd. Oakland is one of the most beautiful places in Atlanta.

8. Bacon's Heir: Pork Clouds: $12, This take on pork rinds is a fun gift for a foodie. I actually just tried some of these at the Marietta Square Farmers market. I am actually not a huge pork rind fan but, if you already like them you will love these! The man at their stall told me that they actually just tested the fat content in their product and it was lower than they initially thought. Always a good thing.

Bonus: Also some great gifts are the things to do in Atlanta. If you are buying for someone who would rather have an experience than a tangible item there are a lot of activities happening in Atlanta around Christmas and for the next couple of months after.

• Panic! At the Disco @ the Tabernacle on February 7th.  
• Flogging Molly @ the Tabernacle on February 15th. (This is the weekend of Steve and I's 5 year anniversary. We are totally going to this!)
• New Years Eve With Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ @ Variety Playhouse December 31st. Steve and I went to this concert a few years ago when it was at the Tabernacle and it was awesome! Drivin' N' Cryin' do it every year.
•  SkyView Atlanta, This is a brand new Atlanta attraction. I have yet to go but I think it would be fun. I have heard that the view is great.

I hope some of these ideas are helpful to you! I love buying local when I can. Do you have any great local gifts you are buying this year for Christmas presents?


Emily

Sephora Wish List

Sephora has a lot of great items worthy of being added to a Christmas list this year. I wanted to share some of my picks. I really like getting make up for Christmas especially the special kits brands come out with every year. The kits are usually a great deal too!

Top Row: 
Caudalie Favorites Set - $32
Lip Tar All-Star Mini x 4 Set - $20
Little Black Book by Boscia- $48

Second Row:
Second Row:Pure Delights 8-Piece LipSurgence™ Lip Set by Tarte- $34
Art of the Fine Line Stay All Day® Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner Set by Stila - $39 
Marc Jacobs Beauty Genius Gel Super-Charged Foundation - $48

Third Row: 
Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline - $64 
Sephora Favorites Glitz & Glam - $45 
Bumble and bumble The Ultimate Blow Dry To Go Duo - $12

Bottom Row:
Bumble and bumble Spraychalk - $19 
GLAMGLOW Gift Sexy - $69 
Urban Decay Ocho Loco 2 - $59


I went a little overboard when I started making this list. But I thought it is a "wish" list isn't it! I would love to have any of these items. There are some great deals to like I said above. The Urban Decay Ocho Loco 2 set's suggested retail price is around three times what it costs. Some of these items I would totally take a smaller size or just one of. The Stila eyeliner set is awesome. I completely love the stay all day eyeliner, check out my Stila Brand Diares post. The Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline has been on my list for 2 years now. I would love a big size or even a roller ball of it. The sets that Sephora make are always great but, I think that the Glitz & Glam one is my favorite so far.

What are you wishing for from Sephora this year? Or have you tried any of these items, love or hate them?

Charleston Weekend Getaway

This past weekend Steve and I got a chance to go Charleston. It has been a crazy past month or two so we decided that before all of the holidays began we would take a weekend to ourselves. I highly suggest this. It was really nice to spend the time together. We did drive. Reflecting on our idea having to drive around 6 hours Saturday morning and then drive 6 hours back home Sunday night was not the best plan.We still had fun though! Charleston is gorgeous! I wish I could have an entire week to see everything. I would love to do some of the tours and go to the museums. We were able to walk around the historic district for an hour or so on our way from our hotel shuttle spot to the Battery. I think I must have said, "I love that house" at least a hundred times during the weekend. We were able to eat at a great brewery called Southend, the food and beer were great. Then we went to a bar called Mad River. The inside of both places was just incredible. Southend was a great combination of modern and historic elements. Then Mad River was fantastic. It is inside of an old church and the stain glass windows were amazing. Check them out the next time your in Charleston! Some of my photos are from some of the back roads we took on the way and the majority are of actual Charleston! Enjoy. =]


A few random life tidbits. My schedule has been hectic to say the least. I am graduating in December so all of my school work and projects are winding down. At work we had some issues so I have been working around 30 hours plus the school full time. Steve and I have still not found a house. I think we just had offer #3 denied. I know we will find something it is just hard watching and waiting for houses to be posted.

       
       
       

  

Have you been to Charleston? What did you do when you went? Do you live there? Is it really as amazing to live there as I think?

Fire King Treasures

The other day I decided to stop by at one of the thrift stores I like to go in. It is a hit and miss most of the time. I can find something awesome there one week then I will not find something for a couple of months. I went in the other day and found one Fire King plate and I was super excited. Then a little old woman who worked there came up to me and asked if I liked "those dishes" and appreciated them. It was a cute funny little moment. I of course said yes and she showed me the mother load.

I love Fire King dishes! It is hard not to be drawn to the Jadeite dishes. But Jadeite has been priced ridiculously high now. I rarely find some that is priced well. So I have been collecting the white pieces and the Philbe Sapphire Blue dishes. I was so happy to find these dishes. The Philbe pattern is one of the oldest that Fire King made.  I got the whole load of them for $30. I saw the set of the same bowls for $75 on etsy. I am so excited. I love the pattern.

What good finds have you had lately?

P.S. Steve placed a bid on a house on Friday. It is kinda driving me nuts though. It is a short sale so I do not know when we will find out if they except the bid. But wish us luck!

Emily

Fair Date Night!

The past week or two have been super busy. I feel if it is not work it is school. Then there is also so much I want to do with my friends and family. Despite the craziness I was able to smush in some play time. Steve and I were able to go to the North Georgia State Fair last Friday night. I wanted to share some of the shots from the fair. I was particularly interested in the new ride, the Georgia Mountain lift. The ride takes you from one end of the park to the other. This is great considering after you walk to the other side of the park you really do want to ride back! It reminds me of like a ski lift. I hope you enjoy the pictures. There might be more fair pictures coming later. My friends and I are having a girls night this Friday!

P.S. Steve and I's house hunting is still going. We went and looked at our first house with a Realtor on Monday. It was interesting. Not going to be a keeper house. But I did not expect the first house to be the one I would fall in love with.