Thursday Randoms

Well hello there! Long time no see! I'm slowly getting settled here in New Orleans and have been wrapped up in a world of spending money, getting lost and seemingly endless boxes. But guess what? I'm absolutely loving it. I can't tell y'all how much I love having a walk in closet and my own bathroom. It's WONDERFUL after a few years of sharing bathrooms and living with clothing racks in my room.

I've been gone from DC for about two weeks, and to catch you up quickly here are the highlights of the last 10 days.

• Sprained my ankle the day before moving. The universe decided to beat up on me. 
• 2 yellow jacket stings. Again, I angered the universe. 
• 1 flat tire. Are you getting the drift?
• 2 wonderful nights in Athens catching up with old friends in my old college town. 
• 5 awesome days in Atlanta with my the dash of soul team.
• 1200+ miles in the car. 
• And about a million margaritas at Tin Lizzy's. #RoughLife

So now you're all caught up! But goodness knows I can't write a Thursday Random's post without pictures!

Can't wait to share more of what I've been up to in New Orleans! Orientation starts on Monday! 

Thursday Randoms

Well it's Thursday, that time during the week where writing a full blog post with pictures seems extorindarily difficult, because I'm tired and ready for the weekend. But I still have stuff to say, so blog post in bullet form it is!

• Y'all were awesome yesterday! I got some really thoughtful insight and emails which I'm still in the process of returning, so if I haven't already told you, thank you!

• Today is kind of my friday, because I'm taking tomorrow off to go look at a law school here in DC. What???? yes. Woot!

• I listened to the whole S Club 7 album last night, and it was awesome. Remember them?

• I also went to the gym last night for the first time in I don't even know, and it wasn't that terrible yay! Maybe I'll even go again tonight. 

• I have the WORST senioritis right now, and it's bleeding in to all aspects of my life. I'm just so checked out of everything. ie. I'm super lame and quiet on social media this week. sorry folks. 

• I plan on spending a ridiculous amount of time in my bed this weekend. I'm even debating about putting paper over the windows and sleeping in a masque and ear plugs to keep out distractions. I'm serious when it comes to sleep. 

• I really am feeling an intense need to go shopping for beauty products and I even need some refills... but I don't trust myself at target. What's a girl on a budget to do?

• How are you guys liking bloglovin a week post google reader? I loved it at first, but now I feel like it takes me SO much longer to get through my daily blog roll b/c I have to load every single page. Is it just me, and my slow internet connection?

• I made cheese burger mac hamburger helper for dinner on Tuesday, and realized how freaking gross that stuff is! WHY did I ever buy that crap? never again.

• I really loved this post from Betsy on Tuesday. I can't wait to see what she says in her response. 

• Is it normal that I'm really sad at the thought of leaving my DC blogger friends? I don't know where I'd be without you girls, and even though we don't hang out irl as much as we should, I don't want to leave you!

• Is it weirder that I'm considering how many blog friends I have in other potential cities as a factor in my law school decision? (ATL is looking pretty good, blog friends-wise. You know who you are).

Well that's all I've got for you today. No pictures. Just my witty randomness to keep you occupied. See you tomorrow for Friday's Fancies (everyone's favorite day of the week).

Introduce Yourself

So I want to switch things up a little bit today. Instead of me talking about me, because honestly sometimes I don't know why you keep coming back here to read my blog about my boring life (though I LOVE that you do), I want you all to introduce yourselves!

You can write whatever you want, but if you need some prompts, please answer any or all of these random questions. 

Do you blog? If so, what's it called and where can I find you?

Where are you from? 

Pick one: Leopard, Floral, Sequins or Stripes?

What's your favorite cocktail?

Pick one: Football, Figure skating or Frog Racing?

I'll get the party started

I'm Emily, I blog at the Blue Dog Belle (obviously). I'm from Atlanta, Georgia; I live in Washington, D.C. While it's a tough choice I'm going to have to pick Leopard. Gin and Tonic or a glass of pinot noir, I can't decide. While frog racing is a long time hobby of mine (what? you didn't know that about me?) I'm going to have to go football. 

Now get to commenting boys and girls. I promise to come visit you (or send you an email if you don't blog), plus maybe check out a few of the other commenters and make some new friends :)

Thanks to Lauren for the inspiration. 

Be Right Back

I'm super busy today with work and just life in general. I start sewing class tonight with this pretty lady tonight. Not to mention I'm fighting a little bit of a post-redskins game headache. Sunday drinking is just not a good idea. I'm craving an amazing latte right about now... and lots of grease. Happy Monday Ladies!

via

2012 in Review

Well since the new year is upon us, I thought I would do a quick look back at 2012. What a year it was. I had a rough start to the year emotionally, but I think I've really come into my own, and so much of that is due to blogging. 

January and February

A stressful few months at work, but that stress led to a few emotional breakdowns that ultimately lead me to make some major changes in my life. The stress lead me to the take the jump and make the decision to get back into the blog world. 

March and April

I created Blue Dog Belle and absolutely fell in love with blogging. I began branching out, meeting new friends, and trying new things with fashion. 

May and June

Tons of fun. Puerto Rico. Relaxed in the lovely pre summer weather. 

July and August

Lots of life decisions were made in these two months. I began devoting myself to the LSAT full time and realized how much I love fashion blogging. 

September and October

I had the greatest ride during the political season this year. The convention in Charlotte was the experience of a life time then came the decision to trek out to Ohio for the final push into Election day. Fun times. Oh. And I took the LSAT

 November and December

We Won! I came back to DC rejuvenated and ready for change. Started working on the blog more, took time for friends old and new, and started planning for 2013. 

Can wait to see what next year brings!

{Day 27} Insta-Thursday

Happy Thursday Night! I haven't forgotten you all... I just got back home to DC after a long day of traveling, so please forgive me that this post is picture heavy. I haven't done an instagram dump in a while... so here's what I've been up to lately. See you tomorrow for some Friday Fancies!

Pups at the dog park | Black and Leopard

Bored at Work | Green and Rose Gold Nails

Coffee Blog Dates | More Leopard and some Oxblood 

Karaoke Night | Awesome Wine accessories

Quiche c/o the Lawfully Wedded Wife | Lights Tour in Arkansas

No power on Christmas | 10 inches of snow in Arkansas

More scenes of snowy christmas

{Day 20}

write a letter to someone

Dear Oliver,

Once again. Thank you for chewing my feet this morning while I was trying to appreciate my last few minutes of snoozing. One would think that for someone who sleeps 18 hours a day you would appreciate the fact I only get 7 precious hours. But no. You're hungry. Fine. I'll get up. However, maybe you should try to catch a mouse or two and eat them... I'm just saying. Mice are not toys to play with and I don't appreciate you rubbing your face all over them only to release them back into the wilds of our living room. Not cool sir. Not cool. However, please don't resort to eating plastic bags (I know they're your favorite) or string. String is for playing with, not for eating. As you well know, string may cause some discomfort towards the end of the digestive process-- and may yield an oh so awkward dingle-berry moment. I know you hate that. So put down the string already.  

On that note. Thank you for being a constant source of entertainment. I don't know what I would do with out your clumsy antics and your snuggles. 

Don't eat too much while I'm gone for Christmas, I'll try to do the same. 

xoxo, 

Emily (aka the one who found the decapitated mouse)

Gift Guide from {A Pop of Style}

Hey ladies. I have a treat for y'all! A guest post! The lovely Jenn is here. Take it away girl!


Hi all, it's Jenn from A Pop of Style! I'm so excited Emily has given me the opportunity to share one of my gift guides on her blog. I'm so jealous that she lives in Washington, D.C.-- I spent my final semester of college there this past spring interning at C-SPAN and would give anything to be back in the city! Because I'm having a little D.C. nostalgia, I thought I'd share a Washington essentials gift guide for women. Hopefully you find something here for your co-worker, roommate, friend or even something to add to your wish list! I hope to see you over on a Pop of Style!

{Kate Spade tech earmuffs - on sale!} {Infinity fur scarf} {Kate Spade lip crayons} {Invitation clutch - on sale!} {Leather card case} {Zip leather gloves} {Quilted jewelry organizer} {Backup iPhone battery} {Plaid wool bag} {GW Serving Tray} {Jackie Kennedy pillow} {Taxi mittens - on sale!} {Monogrammed business card holder} {Hair ties} {Quilted shearwater boots}

{Day 9}

something you’re proud of in the past few days

hmm... this is a tough one. I'm feeling a little under the weather today, so productivity is low. 

I've been working hard on my law school applications over the last week or so.

I've done an inordinate amount of laundry today. 

I knocked out all of my office christmas presents! Woohoo. 

I've been working on some exciting things for the blog... which y'all will find out about soon enough. 

I guess I need to be a little more productive over the coming days... hmm.

Day 1

Welcome to the inaugural day of the...

day 1 – recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself

"Hi There!"

1. I always sing along to the radio when I'm in the car. 
2. I have a fear of cotton balls
3. My eyes change color depending on what I'm wearing (they range from very light blue to deep green)
4. I'm obsessed with everything on Bravo. 
5. I cannot stand Kelly Clarkson.  
6. I spent a summer in Tanzania teaching english to children affected by HIV/Aids. 
7. I have four best friends. Three of whom I've known since before I was 12. 
8. I am super picky about textures. Clothes, food, linens. Everything.
9. I lived in Spain.
10. I was a super competitive softball player. I played just about year round from age 12 to 18. 
11. I have a unhealthy obsession with cilantro. 
12. I probably watch CNN 60 hours a week. No lie. 
13. I hate texting. I avoid it at all costs. Even more than that, I hate when people abbreviate their texts.  u no wat im sayin.  
14. I am was once an N'SYNC super fan. Lance was my favorite.
15. I'm not ashamed to say I have a serious crush on several elderly grey haired politicians. (If you really need to know: Joe Biden,  Chris Dodd, Max Baucus and Bill Clinton. 

and Happy Birthday to this girl!

Love you BW!

It's over

Well. It's Monday and I'm still alive. The LSAT is over, thank goodness and I hopefully never have to look at those questions ever again. Yay! Thank you everyone who has been so supportive over the last few months! I truly appreciate all of the well wishes!

On an unhappier note, the Georgia Bulldogs missed the bus to columbia south carolina and we lost. Here's to hoping this off week will let us regroup and come back stronger for Georgia Florida.

Oh and the braves lost in the most ridiculous way ever.

So yah. That was my weekend. 7 hours of LSAT. 8 hours of epic athletic losses. and the rest was spent in bed.

But now I have a life again!!! Woohoo!!!

Now I need help y'all. I'm treating myself to a mini shopping spree at sephora... what should I get??? I need recommendations!!!

I got this in my birchbox a few months ago and I'm still loving it... should I invest???

Viva La Juicy La Fleur 

Happy Labor Day

I had another fashion blogger weekend. What do y'all think... should I do more outfit posts? Full post to come soon. 

In the mean time. I'm in Charlotte. Loving every minute of being back in the south amongst all the most awesome folks in my professional world. Networking up a storm. 

What I'm Loving Lately

Happy Tuesday Ladies. I feel like I've been a little lazy in recent weeks when it comes to the blog. So many guest posts... and link ups. I kind of hate that I'm turning into one of those bloggers who doesn't really create anything, and just publishes pretty pictures she stole off of pinterest. I promise, come October 6 I will be back full force. In the mean time, one of my blogging favorites Niki has started a new linkup, so I thought I would join in for the inaugural edition. It's called

"What I'm Loving Lately" and it is giving me a wonderful excuse for an instagram drop. Get excited ladies. I have some good ones.

I've become obsessed with the starbucks refreshers--- my favorite is to mix the berry and the lime together! AWESOME. 

Loving this Coffee House Brew from the Williamsburg Ale Werks. Coffee in Beer? You know they won me over with that one. Good thing I'm stopping in the 'burg this weekend on my way to Charlotte!

Loving wearing my hair curly lately. I cannot believe how well it's been holding up in the August humidity of the swamp that is Washington D.C.

Benefit's How to Look the Best at Everything kit

Naked Palette and a few other fun toys :)

I've been loving playing in my ever expanding makeup collection. I did some damage in Sephora this weekend, and I'm completely obsessed with this new Benefit kit!

Loving having blonde roots again. PS. Thank you for your input on twitter and instagram yesterday!

New favorite snack. Roasted chickpeas. They are AWESOME. and pretty much idiot proof. Turn on your oven. Take a can of chick peas. coat in olive oil and some of your favorite spices (I used yellow curry, some chili powder and a tiny bit of cayenne pepper, and salt and pepper to taste). Bake for 45 minutes-an hour (shake the pan every so often to prevent burning). Thank me later.

I've been doing a little too much shopping lately. I almost bought this dress Friday night, but didn't. and I'm still thinking about it. Should I go back?

Now, question for y'all. I've been doing a little closet cleaning lately. and I have some good stuff that I'd like to sell, not just donate. Do any of you have online shops for your clothes? I've been using Poshmark, with little success so far. Would y'all be receptive to a blog sale? DC area ladies, know of any good consignment shops that take plus size clothing? help!!! 

That's it for today! Happy Tuesday Ladies!

Thursday Randoms

Hey ladies,

I've seriously been missing y'all lately. I hope you've been enjoying all the guest posts. I know I appreciate the break from daily blogging (plus I love getting to know some of my favorite ladies a little better), but I miss y'all. I miss writing, and I feel like I'm phoning it in. When I started this blog I knew it would be a time commitment, but sometimes it's really like a second job. whew. emails, comments, writing code, keeping track of a schedule? It can definitely get overwhelming at times. I know this whole LSAT thing is temporary, but man is it a lot of work. Since I haven't really updated y'all on my day to day happenings lately, I'm going to do a bit of a check in.

Trying to get in a few more fruits and veggies | Succeeding at Brunch at Matchbox

Some of the greenery in my life lately. Pretty flowers on my desk | basil on the stoop

who doesn't need georgetown cupcake in their life | latest makeup obsessions

Not that y'all are super interested in the details of my LSAT prep (though if anyone wants to talk about it/has questions, I could probably discuss the subject for hours), but I wanted to share a little bit of my progress. I'm about a month in to my class, and I hadn't really been seeing improvements in my scores. BUT I took a timed full length test on Sunday and had a wonderful 6 pt bump (You can score a 120-180, generally you need to be 150+ to get in to any school). I was so happy I literally jumped up and did a happy dance around my kitchen. not kidding. Hopefully all this hard work will pay off come test day.

It's August Recess. I forgot how awesome August in DC can be. No traffic. Recess hours for weeks on end. No mandatory fundraisers or other functions requiring appearances. Jeans whenever? I mean, I'm loving it.

I have also been craving chocolate milk like a crazy person lately. I've gone through like 4 containers of chocolate soy/almond milk in the last 2 weeks. It's kind of ridic.

sidenote--- I'm not a health freak person, but drinking milk kind of sketches me out. I've never been a big fan taste or texture wise, but I can't get over the whole drinking another animals milk... pretty sure we're the only species that does that. I don't know. I much prefer almond and soy milks. thanks.

 Oh! I won one of Fashionably Broke's giveaways--- any pair of glasses from Firmoo

what do y'all think? I'm kind of obsessed with them! I have this stupid dream of being mistaken for a hipster... and I feel that these glasses might just help this dream come to fruition.

Why I desire to be mistaken for a hipster is beyond me. I think it's probably because I'd like to blend in with the cool kids... and in my neighborhood (Bloomingdale for all you dc folk) hipsters reign supreme.

I think that's about everything happening in my life lately. I really just go to work and practice for the LSAT.

HOWEVER. I'm going to do my best to make it to Kate's big shopping event on Sunday. Let me know if you're going! If you aren't, you pretty much need to.

Now that recess is here, and I only have 2 more weeks of lsat class, I'm hoping to put a little more effort into my posts. Have some exciting things planned for you ladies, so I hope you keep coming back!

In the mean time, I'll see you for a cocktail around these parts some time tomorrow.

Thursday Randoms: Blog Awards

So, exciting news, I've been nominated for a few blog awards recently. I haven't had a chance to respond to them yet, so for this week's Thursday Randoms I'm going to participate in several of them, because one, I need to thank the lovely ladies who nominated me and two, because I know y'all love random facts about my ever exciting life. So here we go. *Warning this is kind of a long one.  

First off the lovely Tabitha of My Cliffnotes awarded me 

The Rules for the Sisterhood Award:[-] Include the award's logo in a post or on your blog.

[-] Share the love, and link the person who nominated you.

[-] Tell seven facts about yourself.

[-] Nominate 7 other fabulous bloggers.

[-] Link your nominees to this post and comment on their blogs, letting them know they have been nominated.

The Rules for One Lovely Blog Award:

1. Link back to whoever  nominated you.

2. Write 11 random facts about yourself.

3. Nominate 11 bloggers.

Jessica of Preppin' Postgrad and Ally of  Sunny Sweetheart both awarded me 

1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.

2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you and create 11 questions for the people you have tagged to answer.

3. Choose people five people to pass the award onto and link them in your post.

4. Inform those individuals of their award.

5. No tag backs!

And if that wasn't enough the wonderful ladies at Wil.Harris3 awarded me not one but two

 

The Versatile Blogger rules are:

1. Nominate 10 fellow bloggers who are new to blogging.

2. Let them know you have nominated them.

3. Share 7 random facts about yourself.

4. Thank the blogger who have nominated you in your post.

5. Add the versatile blogger picture to your post!

The Kreativ Blogger rules are: 

Post a link to the person who awarded you

Share 7 well-thought out random things about yourself

Award 10 other bloggers and let them know

Seriously, I cannot thank you all enough. I started this blog only four months ago mostly as an outlet for me. I'm not going to lie, I love adding followers, and I kind of live for comments. But honestly, I never really expected anyone to read this but me and a few friends. But now my GFC following is getting extremely close to 100 (help a girl out and follow me if you don't already! I promise I'll love you forever and ever!), and I just can't believe I've made so many friends across the country and here in DC, it's wonderful!

So, by my count I owe you 32 random facts and 22 answered questions. Here we go.

[1] I have LIVED in 15 different residences in the last 6 years. 

[2] I met Diego Luna in Madrid when I was 16.

[3] One of my best friends is seriously a nine year old. She is related to this lovely person.

[4] I love to spackle. As in fix wholes and dents in the wall. 

[5] My go to cocktail without fail is a Gin and Tonic

[6] I love to cook, but I rarely do because I hate cleaning up afterwards.

[7] I played softball like a crazy person from about age 11-18. (I started at age 8). Travel ball in the summer, varsity in the fall, and spring. I played ever single position, and even was the pitcher my senior year. 

[8] I haven't picked up a ball in 6 years.

[9] I had an unhealthy obsession with NSYNC as a pre-teen. (still do actually)

[10] In the 7th grade one of my homework assignments was to go sit by a tree and describe how it was feeling. I kid you not. I went to a crazy hippy liberal kind of a school in Atlanta.

   

[11] I met Bill Clinton once, and I would totally be his Monica. (Yet I LOVE Hillary. like LOVE her. I have a problem)


[12] I wear a size 9.5 shoe, but I'm only 5' 4''. Life isn't fair


[13] I was a Spanish Major, but now can barely hold a conversation... if even that. FAIL.


[14] I was also a Political Science major, so my college career was not for nothing. 


[15] My favorite building in Washington, D.C. is the Jefferson Building (Library of Congress)

[16] I have an unnatural love of cilantro. 

[17] I spent a summer in Tanzania teaching English and math to a group of 4-7 year olds affected by HIV/AIDS. Most amazing experience of my life

[18] My favorite thing I've every purchased for myself is my Michael Kors watch. 

[19] I have a phobia of cotton balls. Like they seriously stress me out. 

[20] I spent 18+ years of my life in Atlanta, GA, but I think of Athens, GA as home (even though I only spent 6 semesters actually in Athens).

[21] I'm the kind of girl with a lot of great friends, but very few "every now and again friends" if that makes sense. 

[22] I hate venturing too far into nature (the beach is an obvious exception though). I'm a serious city girl. 

[23]  My guilty pleasure is anything Real Housewives. 

[24] My favorite color is seriously grey. and not ironically, or from the counting crows. 

[25] I am hard core addicted to diet coke. I've tried to get off it, but to no avail. 

[26] I am obsessed with monograms. I would seriously monogram everything I own. 

[27] I am AGGRESSIVE driver. 

[28] I have 2 sisters. One goes to Clemson for her Undergrad. One is going to The University of Minnesota for her Masters starting this fall. 

[29] I cannot stand mayonnaise and refuse to eat just about anything that is mayo based. 

[30] I have an abnormal ability to name Congressmen and Senators. I often impress myself  with my relatively obscure knowledge of the various delegations. Political nerd right here. 

[31] I studied abroad in Spain in 2008, and it was AWESOME. 

[32]  I drive a 2006 Jetta 2.5L in Navy Blue. I love her.

Questions from Preppin' Postgrad

1. If you could meet one blogger and one celebrity in real life who would you want to meet? 

I am seriously obsessed with youtube makeup gurus. My absolute favorite is Emily Eddington of Beauty Broadcast. I adore her, seriously. I kind of need to be her best friend.

2. If you had access to a time machine where and when would you go? 

Did y'all see Midnight in Paris? I've always been so enthralled with the 1920's, flappers, prohibition and since I saw that movie my interest has only peaked. I would totally hit up Paris circa 1925.  

3. If you were a kitchen appliance what would you be? 

I would probably be the oven, because I have a tendency to be cautious, thoughtful and meticulous as I make my way through life. Some may call it slow to move, but aren't the best things in life (definitely when it comes to food) prepared low and slow. Hello, BBQ anyone? yes. okay. I'm the oven. 

4. What fortune would you want from a fortune cookie?

"The path you've ventured down will lead you far"

5. What is your favorite book?

Hmm... that's a tough one. I'm not traditionally one of those with a favorite book or movie. The book that has resonated with me the most (at least that I've read lately) is The Happiness Project. 

6. What song describes you?

Gold digger. 

haha, not at all actually, but I have no idea how to answer this question.

7. Favorite candy?

Reeces Peanut Butter Cups. Hands down.

8. Favorite movie you have seen recently? 

Magic Mike. No explanation necessary.

9. Dream job?

Senior Legislative Aide to a Senator or on a Committee, with an Energy and Environmental focused policy portfolio.    

10. Beach or Mountains. 

Beach

11. If you had $1,000 what would you do with it? 

Buy a real camera. DSLR I will own you one day. 

Questions from Sunny Sweetheart

1. Why do you blog?

It makes me happy, and its a great creative outlet from my all to often boring and oh so serious Washington DC life. 

2. What is the last song you listened to?

Where did our love go--- Diana Ross

3. What is your favorite social network (Facebook, Blogger, Twitter, etc.)?

Instagram(follow me @EmPri88)

4. Favorite childhood memory?

Summer trips to St. George Island, FL. 

5. What makes you smile?

Oliver, our kitty cat. He's a klutz, and beyond entertaining. 

6. Favorite spring/summer 2012 trend or fall/winter 2012-2013 trends?

Color blocking. I cannot get enough. I have always leaned towards solids over patterns, so I've been color blocking for years! But now it's cool!

7. What pets (if any) have you had in your life so far?

Kiki (cat and my first child, passed away 2007)

Tiger (cat, passed away 2006)

Woody (Puppy 12 years old)

Oliver (cat, 2 years old)

Nicky (dog, 9 years old)

8. Favorite hair tool or product?

It's a 10 

9. Do you prefer e-books or regular books?

Regular. I don't have an e-reader. 

10. What ingredients make your perfect sandwich?

Whole wheat bread, Chicken, Avocado, Roasted Red Pepper, Dijon Mustard and Goat Cheese. 

11. What sports or activities, if any, did you do/currently do in high school?

I was a softball playing fiend. 

OKAY. wow. I really should have broken this post up, but oh well. Now, I guess it's time to nominate folks. I'm a little hesitant to send out nominations into the blogosphere. I'm not normally one to participate in these chain email kind of things, but I really do appreciate being nominated. SO. I am going to nominate 10 lovely ladies. If you are nominated feel free to pick your award. I don't really care. I love you all, and you are all creative and versatile and caring and what not, so you all qualify. 

1. Lauren of Lawfully Wedded Wife

2. Jaime of Forever81

3.Krista of Blonde Aesthetic 

4. Heather of Pineapples and Pearls

5. Alissa of Feeling Good

6. Missy Ann of The Penny Pinching Prep

7. Kelsey The Capital Barbie

8. Kellie of The Yuppie Files

9. Leslie of Life in its Ordinary Form

10. Erin of Currently Coveting 

If you're still reading... kudos to you. See you tomorrow for a Friday Cocktail!