In a "Private School" Bind

So fall has officially begun and I'm in a pickle. I've always been to private school and so we had uniforms. I haven't had to have a real, functionally fall wardrobe for my entire life. I'm extremely unsure about what to buy for fall. There are a few things that I'd like to buy:

1. Shirt dress (my #1):

Vineyard Vines:

or Lilly:

2. I know I'm going to need khakis. I have them from American Eagle that I wore to school last year but I desperately need to let the hem down. That won't fly in college.

3. Corduroy skirts. I have a pink vineyard vines one, but I'd like one in khaki and navy blue (or maybe black?). Polo + Cable Knit + tights = fall outfit. I'd love to wear that!

3. Sweaters. I have several cable knits and Lillys but I always feel like I could use more. I need a black cable knit and I've seen 2 from forever21 with adorable bows that I covet. One's like camel colored, LOVE IT!

4. Trench coat. There's a traditional one from Old Navy that I LOVE. I have a grey wool pea coat, a bright pink car coat, and a cream Lilly quilted jacket so I have those bases covered. For the really cold days, I have a black North Face fleece (like the rest of the world's population of college students) and a pink parka that I can zip it into.

6. Jeans. I don't need more jeans. I have 3 pairs alone here with me. I may throw in my 4th pair that are super worn out (from wear, not by design) as junky ones.

7. Comfortable flats. I have a few pairs of flats that I love but Nordstroms has 3 pairs that I really want, but obviously won't actually buy all of them (if any, because then again I am a cheap college student):

These are my favorite of the 3. Pearls on flats? It can't get much better!

I've wanted Tory Burch Revas for awhile, but at their price tag, I may have to wait until Christmas or when I start working again over break.

Adorable, fabulous with jeans! Love the patent leather!

8. Boots. I've narrowed it down to 2 pairs from piperlime. These are one of the only purchases I know I'm going to buy. I think its necessary to have a pair of boots to go under jeans, or with jeans tucked in that AREN'T Uggs:

These are the front runners. I love them!

These are my other choice. They're darker brown, but I love the croc at the top!

I need fall shopping help desperately. If there is something that I didn't list please let me know! In SC, it gets just about as cold as it does in MD/PA it just takes longer to get that cold. I really appreciate any input!!

xxKatie

PS. THIS IS POST #100! Who knew a school assignment would go this far!

Good Read

Hey everyone! I've been swamped with schoolwork and organizations on campus that I haven't had too much time. Since I'm not one for partying Friday nights prove perfect timing for blogging! For one of my classes called University 101, I'm reading a book called How Starbucks Saved My Life. U101 is sort of an "intro to college-get used to south carolina-we'll help you out with adjusting-extended orientation" type of class. All the instructors are on the administration or faculty of the school in all different disciplines. Along with the instructors there are peer leaders who are students themselves, typically juniors or seniors, that can relate to the freshman. I'm really luck because I have both a great teacher and peer leader!

We're reading this book because it tackles diversity, crossing barriers, and some social taboos. I'm only about 4 chapters into it, but I'm loving it so far. Its certainly a quick and easy read that will keep your attention! The movie's "in process" according to IMDB.com too!

PS. Anyone watch the season premier of Grey's? I missed it because I was at the Ole Miss/USC game (totally worth it!)!!

xxKatie

Gameday!

Our first homegame was last night! GO COCKS! Williams-Brice Stadium was jam-packed and the student section was awesome! USC crushed FAU thankfully to rocking the 2nd half. I had a great time for my first Gamecocks game!

Me and the roomie on our way there.

Our tailgate crew- O-Phi's, KKG's and ∆T∆ boys!

Jerry the gamecock and two of my favorite Kappas!

Delta Tau Delta pledges who were cooking all day! They made DEEElish burgers.

U-S-C GOOOOO COCKS!

Williams-Brice section from 32 baby!

WOOO MORE STUDENTS!

GOOOO COCKS!

What a fun beginning to our home season! This Thursday is the Ole Miss game and I've got a ticket! Can't wait!

xxKatie

Spotted! LP at a Polo Match in the Hamptons. With C, B, and S?

For those of you who watch Gossip Girl, or have read the books, you'll recognize the format of my title. L for Lilly (Pulitzer) obviously!! If anyone watched the season 3 opener, you'd have noticed the 3 Lillys in at the polo match!! Lilly online (pre website do over) used to have a section where'd they feature LP products if they were on TV, but I don't think they have it anymore. In the "Press" section, they haven't updated it yet unless they haven't seen it! I managed to get some shots of the episode on my computer from watching the episode online:

See that yellow halter? Its Lilly! The Willa Dress has also been on Desperate Housewives thanks to Bree Van De Kamp. I actually featured it on one of my first posts!This is the back of the Willa. You can see the preppy guest with her back to the camera.

There was another Lilly in the episode as well. Its very similar to the Kristiana Dress, but I can't seem to find the name of it anywhere!

Look at the dress behind both Blair and Chuck...Lilly! This is one of my most favorite dresses ever! There's a photo at the Pink Crab of the old manager and the store owner and she's wearing it and I love it! Check this one where you can see the front. Tell me if you can spot the 3rd and last Lilly:

Now you can see the dress fully next to the man in the pink blazer (oh how I wish to go to a Polo match!), and its much more recognizable!! She looks adorable. Try to spot the 3rd Lilly? See it? Hidden directly right of the woman dressed like a prisoner in all orange, the woman's wearing a traditional shift. Here's a better photo:

See it now? She's slightly bent over in the background!

Spotted, L at a Polo match. Is she talking mingling RL? I guess you'll never know.

x-o-x-o

GG

PS. I've never posted 2 posts in one day--it probably won't ever happen again! Oops!

LBD

I have this LBD from forever 21. You MUST BUY IT! I LOVE IT! It is the perfect cut and length to be appropriate for a span of situations. I've worn it for birthday dinners, formal meetings and I plan to rock it for a gameday! At USC, all the girls wear LBD's with garnet (NOT maroon, I've been corrected of that probably 4 times) costume jewelry. I've seen some photos and they look adorable.

I got this dress several months ago, and I've been searching for it on forever 21's website. Now, I know some of you are like "forever 21? Really?" and I totally understand because usually its hit or miss. This is a definite hit...hit and sunk (just like battleship!!). You must must must go out and buy this dress or get it online. Online ordering from forever 21 is sometimes a little shady with sizes and things, but it runs true to size. I can go between a small or medium from there, and mine is a small. I'm sure I could have gone with either one, but I got the small, so don't hesitate with sizing.

Go out and grab one for yourself A-SAP!

xxKatie

Big College Tests

Ahh! I have my first big college test tomorrow! Its an "Evolution of Nursing Science" test, blahhh. I wrote down all the answers to the questions on our studyguide and scanned them so I have them in my files. I'm a little nervous, but our teacher gave us a great studyguide! I've been at the library all morning since my class got out today. Roomie and have been studying separately but we'll probably collaborate tonight. I went to the library for the first time today (oops!) and it was awesome. The library here has 7 floors I think. I must have looked so silly walking in and not knowing where to go!

On another note, I began following about 10 more blogs today! Yay! Maybe it was more, I always lose track. Its been awhile since I've commented on stuff, but forgive me. When I get a free minute I'll be back to blogging!

Wish me luck for tomorrow!

xxKatie

Preppy vs. "Preppy"

Since I've been at college, I've really started to notice what people are wearing. I went to a private school, so we had uniforms. They were more like dress codes, but for the most part we either wore khaki skorts and a polo or khakis or a navy blue skirt with a polo and tights in the winter. We looked VERY preppy as uniforms go. On assembly dress days I especially loved the way everyone looked with blue blazers and wool plaid skirts. Although this is a VERY silly photo, its like one of the only ones I have wearing my uniform.

When I decided to go to USC, everyone was like "OH! They're SO PREPPY down there! You'll fit right in." It seems like people are confusing truly preppy with trendy. Yes, girls wear dresses to class, but you're way more likely to find the very popular two-tone dresses that are usually black and white than you are to find anything Lilly or Madras. I think that people are confusing the preppy as we know it with a more "trendy" style. Or some people are even considering girls who wear dresses at all as "preppy". I consider myself very preppy, and I'm happy to wear a Lilly to class or a printed skirt and crew neck shirt, however I question what preppy is viewed as on campus these days. Certainly Lilly isn't the only preppy brand out there and I think that some people believe that it is the only way to be preppy. Whatever happened to the rules from the Preppy Handbook? Why don't people wear khakis anymore?

Even during rush, girls would be like "I'm SO PREPPY, sororities are perfect for me!" and the flipside too, "I HATE Lilly, so this house is immediately wrong for me." I think people aren't getting quite the right ideas. Maybe its just South Carolina's wrong impression or maybe its schools everywhere, I just don't know!

What are your campus attires like? What do you consider acceptable for class? For walking around? What is preppy to you?

xxKatie

Thought for the Day

Today, thank a firefighter or police officer. Follow Lilly's footsteps and make a pact to do something spontaneous. Give an extra hug or 2 or 8. Say a quick prayer if you hear an ambulance. Say a quick prayer if you don't. Do a good deed like the New York Says Thanks Foundation. Help out someone in need. Sign up for a community service opportunity. Don't watch the news. Call your mom. Leave a note for your best friend thanking them for being your best friend. Smile at everyone you see while walking anywhere.

"Take a moment now to consider where your good deed will be on September 11..."

9/11 National Day of Service

xxKatie

Lilly-fy Your Computer!

Hi all, I'm obviously posting from school!!! I just downloaded Mozilla so that I could have my Lilly theme! Check it out:How cute it is? Check the Lilly facebook page for it! Adorable, this one is Beach Bum and there's the Hollywood Squares patch too that I love, but I had to go with the strictly pink and green!!

While we're on the subject of technology, I really want a laptop monogram sticker. College Prep showed a photo of one and I think I'm going to order one! Probably a bright pink one for the front left corner of my laptop! Everyone seems to have the same aluminum MacBook, so I'm gonna make mine look a little different! They're cute little additions that will set you apart from the crowd!

Not to mention, my school bookstore just started selling Lilly stationary! They also have kate spade and some other more "upscale" stationary brands. Very cute! I have awesome stationary from Michael's that I adore from "The Preppy Collection". They're in the 10/$10 section so go stock up!

And, my Kenwood Lane pushpins arrived! They're already being used on my bulletin board! See them along the side? And my note from Sarah's up there too. She included a handwritten note, what a sweet businesswoman! You can see my DZ turtle in the corner too!
Hope everyone's doing well!

xxKatie

Ace of Cakes

How many people watch "Ace of Cakes" from the Food Network? Well I do, and its one of my favorite shows since I love cakes and cupcakes and Duff Goldman, THE Ace of Cakes, is from Baltimore. His bakery is called "Charm City Cakes" and some of the most eclectic characters work for him. Today, at USC there's a cake decorating contest going on and Duff is the head judge. Well, I MET HIM!!!

(And I was wearing my FAVORITE Lilly sweater as an added benefit! I'm thinking its now good luck!)

He was checking out the cakes that the students were making. Some students were amateurs while some were seniors in the culinary school. One team was even a freshman and her sophomore RM!

Here he's checking out the design plans for this team's cake. Their cake was 4 tiers of BRIGHT colors that they were beginning to apply fondant designs to.

This group's cake was Chesapeake Bay themed, playing to a definite MD favorite. Right after I took this photo, they began painting the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

Tonight is the final judging that Duff is doing and it starts at 8, but I have a floor meeting with our residence life coordinator. I think I may have to miss it, but thanks to some tactful stalking...I'd say Mission Accomplished.

xxKatie