I'm Back!

I'll just go ahead and apologize now for my extremely prolonged absence.

I've missed you guys!

The last month and a half has consisted of pull-out-your-hair-and-cry-all-the-time craziness, including written comprehensive exams in music history and music theory, lessons, homework, teaching, my graduate recital, an oral exam in violin history, a jury, projects, and finals.

And graduation. Thank goodness.

Whew. And then it was all over.

Our masters' robes had this weird extra material hanging from the arms, which we decided to turn into puppets. We even considered shaking the president's hand like this. The thought sent the three of us into inappropriate, unstoppable giggles during the extremely long ceremony.

I'm showing off my hood in this picture. Pink is the academic regalia color for music. How awesome is that?

Dexter Edgar Converse, who founded Converse College (and whose parents obviously had great fun in naming their child), loved strawberries and cream. Therefore, generations of Converse students have reaped the benefits of his favorite food. Thanks Dexter Edgar.

Hangin' out in the hood.

(Haha, get it? ...Don't ever ask me to tell a joke.)

{Dress: Target} {Shoes: Target} {Watch: Fossil} {Pearls: From my Mama - the real deal, ya'll}

{Nail polish: OPI Lucky Lavender}

Here I'm modeling my manicure from my day at the spa! And I'm still sportin' my hood. I definitely wore it all day. To Chilis. And Verizon. And all the way home.

You may call me Master Emily.

;)

What did I miss while I was gone?

Your Favorite Color {A Winner}

Just popping in to announce the winner of the giveaway!

The winner of the necklace and hairpins and items from Mandipidy and Moonbeamwishes is...

...comment number 32, Gina from Hiya Luv!

Congrats Gina!

Disappointed you didn't win? Use the code BLOGFRIENDS30 for 30% off your purchase from Emerging Em until Wednesday, April 20th! Don't forget that I'm participating in Handmade With Purpose, and 50% of proceeds this month go to the American Diabetes Association. Please consider shopping for a worthy cause!

:)



Your Favorite Color {and a giveaway}

Remember how I told you that I would host a giveaway for reaching 50 followers?

Well, here it is!

I've teamed up with two other bloggers to give you a whole lot of cute stuff!

First up is the very sweet Ms. Megan, who blogs over at moonbeamwishes and sells her beautiful paper magic on Etsy.

She is giving away a $10 credit to her shop!

Here are some of my favorites.

Next up is the adorable Mandy from Mandipidy, who sells fun prints (and now cards!) on Etsy.

She is giving away the winner's choice of print!

My favorite right now is this...

...and I own one of these.

Lastly, I'll be giving away items from my Etsy shop.

The winner will receive a Rosette Necklace...

...and a set of hairpins, both in the winner's choice of color!

(They don't have to be the same color, of course.)

That's 50 dollars worth of delightful items!

To enter:

Leave a comment telling me what color or colors you would choose for the necklace and hairpins if you win.

Extra Entries:

1. Follow my blog.

2. Become a fan of Emerging Em on Facebook.

3. Follow me on Twitter.

4. Blog, tweet, or facebook about this giveaway.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. Be sure to leave your email address so that I can contact you!

The giveaway will run through Friday, April 15th, and I'll announce the winner next Saturday!

:)

Handmade With Purpose

I'm participating in Handmade with Purpose!

For the month of April, over 20 handmade shops and blogs have joined together to give back. Each of the particiating shops and blogs will be donating proceeds to the charity of their choice.

Please help us give back by:

-buying handmade goods from participating shops

-sponsoring participating blogs

-donating to designated charities

-spreading the word on your blog, Facebook, or Twitter

{#handmadewithpurpose}

Please visit Handmade With Purpose, and specifically this post, to receive updates and to learn about the participating shops and blogs and the charities to which they are donating.

Thank you to Lindsay, of Paint Me a Picture, for organizing this exciting event!

Emerging Em's charity is the American Diabetes Association and the movement to Stop Diabetes®.

Join the Millions^SM in the fight to Stop Diabetes. Help build the momentum needed to put an end to diabetes once and for all. To learn more visit stopdiabetes.com.

"Our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes."

Every 17 seconds equals a new case of diabetes, and I have several very important people in my life affected by the disease. My boyfriend, Daniel, has had diabetes since he was three, and my little cousin Chris has also struggled with the disease for a few years. Both have been hospitalized from complications. I want to help them as well as the over 25 million people affected by diabetes in the United States.

That's why I'm donating

50%

of the proceeds from Emerging Em for the month of April to the American Diabetes Association to Stop Diabetes®!!

You can buy one of these...

or these...

or these...

...and shop for a worthy cause!

I'm so excited about this opportunity, and I'm hoping you'll consider helping me give back!

Dear Daniel

*Warning: Please excuse the extreme mushyness ahead.*

;)

Dear Daniel,

I know it's only been about four months since we started dating, but I feel like I have spent some of the best moments of my life with you.

The long awkward silence when we met for the first time...but then we ended up talking for hours for the rest of the weekend.

You sending me "snow" for my birthday.

Ice skating by The Bean in Millennium Park in Chicago.

Seeing Chicago and kissing you from the top of the John Hancock Building.

You teaching me how to make latte art and the giggles that ensued.

You waiting for me and hugging me at the end of my first half marathon.

Stuffing our faces at Paula Deen's Restaurant on Valentine's Day.

Sharing my favorite coffee shop, Coffee Underground, with you.

(Coffee Underground)

Sitting in a swing by the Reedy River and talking about the future.

Watching the sunset from Caesar's Head.

Dancing with you at your cousin's wedding in Charleston.

Still getting butterflies when I look at you...

Thanks for sharing in our adventures! It's been a wonderful journey so far!

I love you.

Giveaway {Coming Soon To You}

I've reached 50 blog followers!

YAY!

I think I'll celebrate by treating myself to a cupcake. With sprinkles.

(City of Blackbirds) 

I think I'll help you celebrate with a giveaway from Emerging Em!

(Unless you want cupcakes, too...)

Be on the lookout soon!

And thank you for being such wonderful, lovely readers! I truly appreciate your comments, advice, and support!

:)



Adventures in the South: Part Four

After all of our traveling, Daniel and I spent a few days at home in Greenville, and he got to meet my parents and sister. We took him out for some good ol' southern barbeque.

I also took him up to Caesar's Head, which has some spectacular views of upstate South Carolina.

We hiked down to this viewpoint and watched the sunset.

We then walked back through huge rocks to a higher viewpoint.

A gorgeous sunset over the mountains...

The next day, it was time for Daniel to go, and I really miss having him here in the south with me!