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!