Things I Love Thursday

• Double-cloth lady day coat by J. Crew, $365. Maybe one day I will get lucky and find this coat at the J. Crew outlet near me. It is fabulous and so classic. It is calling my name. 

• Personalised Brass Locket Necklace by NewtonAndTheApple, $35.06. I love how you can punch a cute message inside and it is only readable when you open the locket. Adorable.

• Giant Jenga by A Beautiful Mess. This is an amazing tutorial. I can not wait to make this. As soon as I have a place to have a cookout I will be breaking out the Giant Jenga. Also if you have not checked out their blog I highly recommend it.

• Ball Gallon Jar, $19.99. I am obsessed with mason jars. This jar is huge! I love the idea of using this as a vase. One of my friends was proposed to over the weekend! While I'm not engaged it made me start pinning to my "For One Day.... I like to plan ahead" pinterest board. Having a couple of these mason jars on a table full of wild flowers sounds perfect to me.

• The Mortal Instruments Series, I am having to take a break from this series because of school. However, I tore through the first three in a week. It was literally read one in a day and a half then start another one. I was in my own little world. I did see on Rotten Tomatoes that the movie does not look like it has went over well. Also read another review and it apparently does not follow the plot. Despite that I will probably be picking it up at Red Box or Amazon online. The books are awesome. A quick light read.

• Harness 12r by Frye, $360. These are awesome I love the strap. I have some wonderful Frye boots that I bought myself after Christmas a few years ago. They have a little higher heel than this. I would love these for walking around campus.

I hope you enjoyed today's Things  I Love Thursday. I changed it up a little bit. Throwing in the tutorial by A Beautiful Mess and the Mortal Instrument series. In the future I want to make it more than just a wish list. It will be a mix of things that I currently love and am lusting after online. 

We are almost to Friday!!!!

Emily

Top 5 Favorite Documentaries

It is no secret among my friends that I love documentaries and mini documentary series. Netflix and Amazon have encouraged my obsession. There is something about watching something informative that is entertaining that I love. Documentaries are also my favorite background noise for doing homework. I wanted to share my current top 5 documentaries. These are not the mind numbing documentaries with someone mumbling in the background. They are beautifully filmed and narrated. A lot of the documentaries are on Netflix and Amazon.

1. The National Parks: America's Best Idea
The fact that this is about National Parks and is done by PBS you would totally think that this would be a boring miniseries. Boring it is not. The story is a beautifully told story with amazing narration by Ken Burns. The filmography is incredibly beautiful. I have not had the chance to actually make the trip to one of the great national parks. Yet when you see the parks in this documentary you begin to build a connection with the parks. At least I did. Seeing the fire get so close to the Yosemite valley this week made me tear up to think about what could be lost.

2. Sound City 
Amazing. The best music documentary I have ever watched. Actually I am watching it as I type this. I knew my dad would love this. The documentary follows the Sound City Recording Studio and the Neve console. Some of the greats have recorded there. The documentary is directed and produced by  Dave Grohl. If you love music you will fall in love with Sound City. You seriously just have to watch it. If you have Amazon Prime it was just made a prime video.

3. Food, Inc.
I was shown this documentary in a freshman sociology class. Food, Inc. was on the top of the wave that came in full of food documentaries. I love how there are different categories and directions that this documentary takes to tell their story. I actually had two of my very good friends after watching this decide that they were going to become vegetarians. After I watched it I did not become to vegetarian but it did make me more conscious of my food and where it come from. Also it began my dream of having my own little farm. I might not be able to have it sooner probably later but I would love it. Little warning there are some graphic moments in film with the animals. I would not let children watch this.

4. Fastest 
This is one that I actually watched because Steve picked it. We love going to races and Steve has discussed trying to go into motorcycle racing. After watching this it scared me to death. It is amazing what these riders put themselves through. It is incredible. I have been at a vintage race and watched a rider flip a bike from front wheel to back at least three times in a row and walk away safe. It was terrifying to watch. I love how this film highlights how passionate and competitive the riders are.

5.$ellebrity
This is very interesting to watch from a personal and photographer stand point. We have talked about paparazzi in my digital media class. I liked hearing the point from the celebrities. It is an interesting reflection on our culture. I am on the middle ground on this subject. While I believe that by being in the industry you are opening yourself up to the public and are therefore a public figure but, there is a line that needs to be drawn. Endangering a person or someone's family and being on someone's property is crossing a line.


I hope you get the chance to watch some of these!!! If you have a suggestion for a good documentary please leave it for me. Please let me know if one or more of these make your top 5.



Emily

Birthday Week in Review

This past week I turned 22 on August 22nd. I promise not to be disappointed if Taylor Swift lyrics immediately pop into your head. Despite working on my birthday I had a good night. Steve, my Granny Betty, and Alyssa came a visited me. Then on Friday night I went out with my friends. We started out at Carrabba's for Italian food. I had the Pasta Wessie which was fabulous and the name made me giggle. I have a tradition of Italian food for my birthday dinner. Then we went to the Melting Pot for their chocolate fondue for dessert. Finally, we ended up at Bailey's for drinks. My friends and family gave me some wonderful gifts. To be a little cheesy my favorite present was getting to see some of my friends and family all weekend. I do want to share some of the items that I was given.

My mom gave me a wonderful Fossil Tote. I have wanted a nice tote especially for my last semester and for future jobs. I love the professional appearance of a classic black tote.

Then my Granny Betty gave me an adorable necklace from James Avery. My Dad and I gave my mom a bracelet from James Avery with the same Georgia charm for her birthday. I have been in love with it since. I was so excited when I opened the box! I think I am going to wear this pretty much everyday now.

My Aunt Jen gave me this great t-shirt! I love it one of her friends made it.  Some how everyone got the message and bought me southern themed items.

Steve gave me a few books and a promise of helping me create a darkroom once we have a house. I have wanted to learn how to develop my own film. It would enable me to shoot some of my vintage cameras that do not take 35 mm film and develop at home. I have not been in an environment where it is possible for me to learn so we will create one.

Alyssa gave me an adorable necklace by Creations by Kelsey. I actually went to high school with Kelsey. She is one of the sweetest people I think you could meet. Sadly, Her shop is closing because she is now a full time Elementary School teacher. However, you can still buy the remaining items in her etsy shop. Also she gave me a wonderful cocktail shaker. I have been talking about starting to gather items for a bar cart so she read my mind.

My friend Sonya gave me this really pretty scarf! I think it is going to be great to transition into fall.


I have been on a buying binge the last two weeks. I will share what I have bought in a haul soon. Yesterday I picked up the Queen Helene Grape Seed Extract masque and the Batiste Coloured Dry Shampoo in Brunette. I hope you had a great weekend and are having a good week so far.


Emily

Brand Diaries: Stila

While going through my make up the other day I realized that I have quite a good bit of Stila products. Also I bought two Stila products that I mentioned in my Birchbox haul. So it is time to do some reviews! I am going to try and keep this short and sweet for each product. Also this is not a paid advertisement for Stila. I honestly just wanted to show all of my products from one brand. To start off I love Stila eye products. My experiences with their eye products have all been great.

 The In The Garden Palette was a purchase I made a month or so ago. I am pretty happy with it. It is definitely making me branch out a little with my color choices. And I do not mean that as a bad thing. It is fun mixing up the colors I wear some. Also I have the UD Naked Palette so having some colors to mix with that is fun. Also the shadows are nicely pigmented. However, my only critique is that the packaging is not very sturdy and becomes dirty easy. I have actually dented one of the sides a little.

 

I have 3 different Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liners and they are in Stingray, Peacock, and Starfish. Also I own the Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye liner in Intense Black. These are all winners. These pencils stay in place after would smudge them and are really smooth to apply. I originally got the Peacock in a Birchbox which was wonderful. Peacock is not a color that I would choose for myself but, I really like to use it when I want to branch out. Stingray I actually bought myself off of amazon when I was tired of all my black liners coming off and getting everywhere. Then when I bought the In The Garden Palette the Starfish eyeliner was inside. I have not used this one as often but it still has great staying power. Then on to the Liquid Eye liner, this is incredible. I used my Birchbox points to get this and when I run out I will be spending the 20 something on it again. It stays like all day, seriously. The only problem is when you make a mistake even if just a couple of seconds you can not wipe it off. Also the tip of this product is great for winged liner.

 The two face products that I have actually have were sent to me in my Birchbox. They are One Step Bronze and a sample of Stay All Day Beauty Balm. The One Step Bronze is actually a full size product! I was really excited to get it in the box. Both of these are not home runs in my opinion but are pretty good. I have not used a ton of the One Step Bronze. This summer has not been the summer of tanning for me so I think it makes me look a little orange. The BB cream is good but has a weird smell that I do not like.

I have misplaced my Liquid Lipstick in the color Beso from them that I received in my Birchbox this month but I absolutely love it too!


Let me know what you have liked from Stila or what you have tried and not enjoyed.

This is a crazy week for me. I started my last year of Undergraduate college and I turn 22 on Thursday!


Emily 

Sephora Wishlist

I picked a bunch of items from Sephora that I would love to try. If you have tried them please let me know I would love to know what you think. Also hopefully I will have a little bit of birthday money to spend on myself soon!

1.  NARS Cheek Palette, $41, I really like the tones in this palette. 
2. Yves Saint Laurent OMBRES 5 LUMIÈRES (6 Garden of Eden), $58, I love the greens in this. I have been wearing more green eyeshadow lately. And who can not love the YSL packaging. 
3. Grapefruit+Aloe Body Butter Maximum Moisture Cream, $29, I am obsessed with anything Grapefruit scented. And I can always need a body butter that has maximum in the title.
4. Josie Maran Argan Creamy Concealer Crayon, $20, I have not heard anything about this but Argan and concealer in the same title sound like it will be nice.  
5. Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil, $38, I have some of the Bumble and Bumble styling cream and one of the sprays that I love. This weekend I bought a curling wand so my hair might need some helpful oil. 
6. Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté Shine (bright cajun coral), $34, I love this color! And the packaging is fabulous.
7. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics OCC Tint: Tinted Moisturizer, $29.50, I really like lighter foundations the majority of the time. This OCC Tinted moisturize looks really interesting. I have not tried an OCC product but, I have heard good things. 
8. Stila Perfect & Correct Foundation, $44, Another foundation that I am curious to hear about. I have a bronzer from Stila that I love and it is this same twisty form and I really like it.

I would love to hear your feedback on these products!


Emily


This is not a paid advertisement for Sephora nor any of the brands mentioned in this wishlist.

All You Need Is Love

Happy 4 1/2 years anniversary to my wonderful boyfriend Steven Meriwether Cole. We have come a long way from just walking from English to Art History when we were in High School. I can not wait to live through the changes that this next year will bring with you.

We have changed in small ways throughout the years. You cut your glorious hair short and I got bangs. Which I in turn have cut and grown out twice since then and you grow your hair till you get tired of it. We went through a year of commuting two hours to see each other while I was at Young Harris College. You joined a fraternity and lived in dorms, a fraternity house, then an off campus house. I have taken classes full time with a part time job and you have worked full time and went to class part time. We have went on multiple trips around the South.

While we have changed and grown my love has grown with our time together. I love you.

I hope everyone is ready to start this week! My last semester of classes starts next week along with my 22nd birthday! I am not one to post lovey things on the internet about Steve and I for our "mini" anniversary I gave in. The first picture is film from High School when we started dating and the bottom picture is from a week or two ago.

Emily

To Market, To Market...

Saturday I spent my wonderful day off with my family and Steve. My mom and I went to the Marietta Square Farmers market. If you live close to the market I highly suggest it. There are great vendors with fabulous produce, meats, honey, goat cheese, etc. We ended up picking up quite a few items.

We bought some honey, olive oil, basil, two bags of peaches, jalapenos, heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, goat cheese, scupadines, some homemade pita and baklava. Then my mom made amazing chicken gyros tonight from Tide and Thyme. This recipe is fabulous! The market was great. There were even little goats. There was an adorable little goat that was only a week old. Adorable.

I hope you enjoy the pictures! Sorry there are so many. There were just so many beautiful things around.

Have a great week!!!!


Emily

Birthday Wishlist

My birthday is coming up! It is actually August 22nd and I will be 22. I do not have any massive plans for it. Probably will have dinner at Pasta Bella's like I have for the past like 6 years and chill out with my friends. Maybe try to convince my laid back boyfriend and friends to go to a new bar. I thought I would share my wishlist. I am slowly becoming obsessed with Fall. The start of school is definitely an influence. The thought of cool weather during which I can wear light sweaters and boots is appealing considering the muggy/hot/wet weather we are having in Dallas (GA.) right now.

1. Sydney Shopper, Fossil, $168. Lovely classic tote for school and after graduation. 
2. Tortoise Bangle, Fossil, $68. I absolutely love this bangle. It would match my Fossil watch.
3. Camera and Lens: The Creative Approach, Ansel Adams, $39.95. 1st Edition gently used.
4. Omnia Crystalline Eau de Toilette Spray 40ml, BVLGAR, $64. I have wanted this perfume forever. I have loved it since I received a sample of it in a Birchbox. 
5.  Estate Portofolio Brief, Fossil, $218. Another great school bag. I love the maroon color.
6. The Downtown Field Jacket, J. Crew, $148. Great olive green color. Classic casual style. 
7.  EF 40mm f/2.8 STM, Canon, $199.99. I think this would be a fun walk around lens.
8. Floral Perfection Handmade Quilt Queen, Bourbon & Boots, $138. Gorgeous for my bed and for outdoor photoshoots.

I have noticed that is seems like this month has a ton of blogger's birthdays in it. Happy Birthday to all who celebrate their birthday this month!


Random life tidbits:

• School starts back on the 16th. I am ridiculously ready to start and finish my last semester of college. 
• Steve and I's 41/2 year anniversary is on the 12th. We are celebrating this weekend going for random drives to discover hidden places and getting really good Italian food. 
• Tomorrow morning I am going to go to the local farmers market as long as it is not down pouring outside. The Marietta Square has a lovely farmers market so look forward to a post about the market soon. 
• Check out my new Art Prints on Focusing Daily.

Emily

New Art Prints Released!

The Prints are available on EV Photography under Art Prints. 


Emily

Thrifting Goodies

Before the last couple of weeks I was in a thrifting dry spell. Then the other day I found a bunch of stuff that I talked about in my Thrift Haul. Well I wanted to show Steve the cool antique mall in the old factory and lo and behold I found a couple of more items. Another Butterfly Gold Cinderella bowl that matches the one I bought the other week! It is actually the large bowl in the set. Now I only need the other two bowls and I will have my first Cinderella set. It is not perfect but hey I was excited to find it!

Then I found my Polaroid 250 Land Camera!!! In my last Wednesday Wishlist post I said how much I wanted to find one of these. When we were walking around I turned a corner and it was sitting right on top of a table staring at me. If you want to hear more about the Polaroid 250 Land Camera check out my post on Focusing Daily.

What have you checked off your wishlist lately? 


Emily

Polaroid 250 Land Camera

I have wanted an old camera that I did not have to mess with someone else developing the film. I found a couple of articles the other week about Polaroid Land cameras. It is a match made in heaven. The film is still readily available and is pull apart. Steve and I went to an antique store on Friday and behold I turned to look at a table and the camera was sitting right there. It is meant to be because a week before when I was in there the camera was not there.

Miraculously the camera was only $10. When I took it home and opened it up the camera was in pretty good shape. A little bit of surface rust was inside but I took some alcohol and water and cleaned it with Q-tips. Then I bought the film off of amazon and Steve found me the special battery for it. You can convert it to use AAA batteries but I did not feel like cutting wires.Yesterday, I was able to use the camera.

I love it!!! I still have some kinks to work out. Still trying to get a hang of the focus, but I still like my slightly unfocused shots too. Next time I will perhaps try a different way of cleaning because in a few pictures I have some streaks across. 

Here are some of the shots!!!

 

Emily