With Design Consultants all across the country, we wanted to get a taste for what each was doing this Memorial Day weekend! We took to Twitter for our first #DesignConsultantPoll and this is what we heard:

Sarah, Providence College-Hopefully venturing to Kennebunkport for shopping, seafood, and beach time. My favorite getaway spot! 

Elle, Auburn-Memorial day weekend I’m going to a wedding and I cannot wait to wear my Jenn dress! I’ll post pictures!

Caitllin, Rollins College-lobster in Greenwich at my girlfriend’s golf club #delicioso. Don’t worry I’ll send pics

Jill, Georgia Southern-spending my memorial day tanning at the beach!!

Sam, Marquette University-my memorial day plans include heading to my cousins wedding! #mightjustweareagrahamdesigns

Emily, Trinity- planning on a weekend down the cape full of beach time with friends, rocking EG attire of course!#cantwait

Sydney, Ole Miss-getting some sun and finishing the planning of my first Emma Graham trunk show!

Miranda, Kentucky-  I’m going to San Casciano in Val di Pesa Florence, Italy for the Vintage Car Race!!

Lauren, Clemson-hopefully Charleston!!

Maria, Clemson-I’m going to be working for the memorial tournament in Dublin, Ohio hopefully catching some glimpses of Bubba Watson!

Logan, UNCW-I will be moving to NYC over Memorial Day weekend!! Cannot wait to spend the summer interning for such a great company!!!

Amanda, High Point-I’ll be attending my little brother’s high school graduation while rocking the Jenn Dress!

Busy girls! How are you spending your Memorial Day? We would love to hear, fill us in on Twitter!

Memorial Day is one of those great holidays that marks many beginnings. The beginning of summer vacation season, the day you can begin to wear white (although I have totally been wearing white since April), and the beginning of those carefree summer days you have been dreaming about while stuck in the library during finals. 

I thought a great way to kick off this summer season would be to show some of my favorite outfits that would be perfect for celebrating Memorial Day weekend. 

I love a nice long beach day with a group of friends, followed by a beach bonfire later that night. 

What are your plans for Memorial Day weekend? Do you have an outfit you are dying to wear for the occasion? 

EG Book Review: The Hunger Games

            Having just finished the first book of Suzanne Collins’ trilogy, The Hunger Games, I had to share my thoughts with Emma Graham lovers. Many of you may already be on the bandwagon for this addicting series, but some of you may still be wondering, what’s all the hype about?

            In The Hunger Games, the main character Katniss Everdeen is faced with an unexpected curse when her little sister Prim is selected to go into the Capitol’s annual hunger games. Almost immediately, she nobly sacrifices herself as District 12’s female tribute to go into the Games, which are universally assumed as a death curse amongst all the districts. The Capitol hosts its annual Hunger Games as a means of keeping the twelve districts in check and avoiding any uprisings or rebellions. Along the way, Katniss gets to know the mysterious and handsome Peeta Mellark, the male tribute from her district who is the son of a baker. Katniss faces both internal and external conflicts before and during the Games. She must deal with self-doubt, her own personal weaknesses and feelings, the other tributes, and any and all challenges presented by the Capitol throughout the Games. Forced to be strong for her family and district, Katniss scrounges up all of the strength and bravery she can and starts on one of the most arduous, emotional and life-changing journeys she has ever encountered.

            I encourage you all to pick up a copy of the Hunger Games today! Collins’ refreshing and exciting story of a teenage girl faced with life or death will surely keep you on the edge of your seat. I just finished the must-read and can’t wait to see the movie and start on the second book!

Emma Graham Meets the Parents!

            This week, I brought my newest love interest home with me from FSU so that I could show off for everyone back at Tampa. You may be thinking tall, dark and handsome, but nope I’m thinking Emma Graham! Hosting trunk shows and handing out EG coozies and sunglasses at FSU this past semester has certainly been a blast, and I can tell by girls’ reactions that the brand is growing more and more each day. So I took the opportunity to introduce Emma Graham Designs to all my friends and family in Tampa on my two-week long summer vacation before returning to Tallahassee.

            I hosted a Sunday afternoon trunk show complete with decorations, an iPad picture slide slow (courtesy of my lovely Mom), decadent cookie brownies and pink and blue sprinkled sugar cookies. For most of my guests, this was their first chance to see Emma Graham in person, and I loved seeing all of their reactions to the pieces. “This looks so much cuter on!” and “I love this style on me!” were among the comments throughout my two hour show. It is so important for girls to be able to put an Emma Graham dress on and see how it makes them feel. Allison felt girly and ready to take on her internship in New York in the classic Aimee dress and Danielle loved the sassy look of the Lauren. Jessica even made a deal with her Mom to save up and pay half for the Leah because she fell in love with it as soon as she put it on!

           Needless to say, EG made quite the impression. With the Emma Graham team in the process of hiring new Design Consultants for summer, I would just like to highlight how much I love this job! I can only imagine the doors that will open, the opportunities that will present themselves and the experience and memories I will gain from working for such a great and fun company. #Egis(most definitely)forMe!

Bronzed

            So today thought I would write about a topic that has been seeming to rise up more and more the closer we get to Summer…that is tanning, glowing, bronzed, all of the above! As the temperatures start to rise and more skin starts to show, that’s when this “tan” becomes extra important. Luckily, in today’s world there are many more ways to get your tan on than sun exposure and the infamous tanning bed. Fake tanning has become so popular and the products are so well made that there’s no point to putting your skin through the harsh methods used in the past to get that golden glow. Since we’re just beginning to make our way into summer I thought it would be a perfect time to list the best self-tanning products and other ways to get your glow ready for all of the lakes, beaches, and pools to come! So lets jump right in to the top tanning lotions you can do at home, as well as some of the best other ways to get glowing.  

$33.00: Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel$9.00: Jergens Natural Glow (More price friendly too)

$23 for 10 wipes: Tan Towel Self-Tan Towelettes

38/session: Mystic Tan UV-Free Spray on Tanning (Have to go to a salon for this, but it is done by professionals with guaranteed results)

I hope this helps everyone get some inspiration to save your skin the trouble of beds and sunburns and get the exact same look with these awesome products! Tanning this way we will not only be looking fabulous now, but down the road as well. Taking care of our skin will definitely pay off! Happy Summer everyone!

With college graduations in full swing, college students across the country are frantically applying and interviewing for their dream job or internship. Although applying for jobs and going to interviews is always a super exciting time, I’d be lying if I said that interviews don’t give me a slight case of the butterflies. I’ve found that the best way for me to reduce my nerves is to be over prepared for anything that might go wrong or might surprise me. I research the companies, think of answers to potential questions, compile a list of questions to ask about the job, I’ve even driven to the company the day before to make sure that I know exactly how long it takes so I will arrive on time. 

I also think it helps to have an amazing outfit planned! Your outfit will vary depending on the job you are interviewing for, the industry, as well as the company culture (this is where the research you did on the company comes in handy). I think this Emma Graham inspired outfit will give you the confidence to knock that interview out of the park! 

Are you ready for Steeple Chase…Nashville style?

           One of best experiences I have had in College is having the opportunity to attend Steeple Chase in Nashville after my exams freshmen year. The experience was so great, simply because I got to wear a fancy hat; a sun dress, and be with all friends while watching horses! I mean who doesn’t enjoy dressing up? Every girl around seemed to enjoy the preppy, age-old look of brightly colored dresses with huge Kate Middleton like hats. And of course you can’t forget the “young gentlemen” with the plaids, seersuckers, and goofy bow ties. The horserace, which may seem silly to most, is a way to show the society that you are that Southern Belle and the wealthy tradition means great honor to you. But let’s be honest… you get to wear a hat! So now that Steeple Chase has arrived once again, what will you wear this year? Since I seem to be an “experienced” Steeple Chaser these days, here are a few do’s and don’ts of Nashville Steeple Chase.

            To start, DO wear a hat. PERIOD. You will look silly and ruin all of your friends’ pictures. Hats are what make the experience that much more fun and special! Second, DO wear a flowy dress or one with bold print. The day will be hot and no one wants a dress clinging to them and making them sweat through. (Gross, I know) Third, DO NOT wear stiletto heels. You will look crazy and I will personally laugh! Wedges are a girl’s best friend, especially when it comes to soft grass at a horse race. Fourth, DO bring a rain jacket. Learned that mistake the hard way! The weather can be your worst nightmare, whether it is sunny or rainy. So do bring a rain jacket because you certainly do not want your make-up running, hair freezy, and looking like a wet dog in the middle of a high society horse race. (Yes, I may have been that girl last year…) Fifth, DO NOT wear a complicated dress when it comes to using the restroom. Yes, I had to say it because believe me there are no nice restrooms with mirrors. Bottom line be aware of how complicated it may be and plan accordingly! Finally sixth, DO take lots of pictures and laugh the day away! Steeple Chase is not the norm, so take advantage of the privilege of being there. You and your friends are guaranteed a fabulous day if you allow it. So take pictures and remember the fun you had in your hat and dress with your best friends!

            So here is the main question…what will you wear to Steeple Chase this year? I know what I am wearing and it screams Emma Graham! Meet Meg and Ann, they assured me they are Steeple Chase ready and fabulous!

Charleston: What to taste, what to do, and where to visit! 

Charleston has recently been named Best Town in America, Number 1 Place to Visit, City with most Attractive people in America, and so on! In light of these recent wins, I thought I would put together my top five list of things to do if/when you visit Charleston (because you seriously need to visit soon). I definitely am not a Charleston expert, but over the past three years I developed a serious love affair with this city. 

What to do as a college student in one of the best cities in America:

1. EAT! Seriously, save your pennies up for at least one meal at one of the award winning restaurants. Some of my favorites are Fig, Husk, Cru Cafe, Leaf, and Circa 1886. Husk was just name best restaurant in America, so make sure you make reservations at least two weeks in advance. But besides all of the fancy restaurants, there are some that are a little more college-budget friendly and just as delicious! Stop by the Farmer’s market on Saturday morning and visit the Roti Rolls food truck-YUM!

Fig:

Husk:

Farmer’s Market:

2. Take a walk/bike ride around the battery and white point gardens and pretend that you are Scarlett O’Hara. The houses you will see are unbelievable (and you may need to walk off that big meal you just ate!).

3. Go to the beach! Drive out to Sullivan’s Island for one of the most gorgeous and peaceful beaches.If you’re lucky, you may see a dolphin! On your way back downtown, stop by Poe’s for the best burgers, tacos, and salads around! 

4. For the 21+ crowd, spend an evening visiting the bars on upper King Street! Some of my favorites include Closed for Business for a unique beer, Fish for a fun DJ, Hom to play ping-pong and Midtown to end the night! If you’re still hungry, visit Butcher and Bee, a late night only restaurant that is a little further up King street. It’s definitely not your typical hot dogs and pizza!

5. Visit a plantation or take a historic home tour. Honestly, you could spend the entire weekend eating and playing on the beach but if you are looking for a little southern culture visit Magnolia Plantation (my dream wedding spot) or take a tour of the Calhoun mansion. You won’t regret it, these spots are just gorgeous!

Where are your favorite spots in Charleston? Do you have any travel recommendations for me? Enjoy your stay!

Study Tips for the Dreaded Finals Week 

Finals Week is quickly (and unfortunately approaching), and for some of us the dreaded week of all-nighters and too many Starbucks iced coffees is already upon us. Although finals can be stressful and tedious, there are ways to make it less of a strain on yourself and to finish out your year strong. To help out my fellow EG lovers, I’ve come up with some tips on how to ace those finals. 

1.     Keep yourself healthy. It is so important during a stressful and tiring week of studying and tests to make sure you are eating a healthy and filling breakfast, getting enough sleep, and getting at least a little bit of exercise each day. Try a Whole Wheat English muffin with peanut butter and jelly (my fave) with a cup of coffee in the morning. You’ll be surprised at how energized you feel. Getting your 7-8 hours of sleep is crucial, as attempting to study on four hours of sleep is virtually impossible. And no one expects you to run a 5K during Finals Week, but as a study break, take a 15 minute walk or swim a few laps. I promise it’ll help clear your mind and make the most out of your studying.

2.     Make a study schedule. A lot of us have two, three, maybe even five finals within a week’s span and it can definitely be overwhelming. At the beginning of your week, write out a list of what tests you’re going to study for each day. This way, you can allocate your time in the most efficient way, since we all know how precious our time is during this week!

3.     Pick a study buddy. Whether it’s one of your sorority sisters, an older friend, or that really smart guy in your Economics class, ask them to study with you. One of the best ways to retain information is by teaching it to someone else, and chances are, they need help too. You can bounce information off each other, quiz each other with flashcards and clear up any questions you both may have. It also takes the boring factor out of studying when you’re suffering through it with a friend! 

Hopefully you all use these pointers throughout your studying and tests in these next few weeks. With a little bit of hard work and dedication, you’re sure to pass those finals with flying colors. Study hard and Good Luck!