Tied With a Bow

My family isn't really too keen on Black Friday shopping, but this year we happened to be shopping ON Black Friday because it was the only day that my mom, my sister and I all had together before she left and I left to go back to school!

We didn't go to Target or WalMart or anything crazy, but instead just walked around downtown Annapolis. Of course, we had to go into the Pink Crab, and I actually found a top (shhh, I don't know about it!) that had sold out in South Carolina so that ended up making it's way home for Christmas. (AGAIN, SHHH! IT'S A SURPRISE!)

I think that big bow ring that, a gift with purchase from the Pink Crab (and I'm assuming all the Lilly stores), was my favorite part of Black Friday! There's a matching earring set too:

These come in all gold (AMAZING) and navy too!

One of my favorite parts of Christmas time, and especially working during Christmas time, is wrapping gifts! These bow accoutrements are right up my alley--too cute!

xxKatie

Get Nauti with The Cruisey!

Everyone knows I have a thing for koozies! That's no secret. But now a hands-friendly koozie? Um, yes, sign this girl up! See that pink one? YEP, that's MINE! These wonderful creations are brought to us by The Cruisey!

It all started out in Annapolis, so clearly I was going to like it already!

These koozies come equipped with an AWESOME lanyard, and mine is hot pink, see below:

When the creators sent me an email, this pick was their favorite too!

The Cruisey koozies are all over Annapolis!

Ella, a staple of Main Street in Annapolis, even gives her endorsement of The Cruisey! Clearly she's telling us, "Yachta, yachta, yachta!"

What's more Annapolis than a Nauti Crusiey COVERED IN OLD BAY?! Pretty much nothing. #TotalMarylandMove #MarylandProbs #AnnapolitanProblems

Anyway, you can find The Cruisey ALL over:

Facebook

Twitter

Website to place your own orders!

I'm about to place an order for at least one in every color!!

xxKatie (and The Cruisey team!!)

The Ring

So awhile back I told y'all about my big 21st birthday gift! My parents and I decided on a signet ring in December. Because of Christmas timing and everything, the ring would not be ready for 6-8 weeks when I wouldn't be home. I got over it, and knew I'd be reunited with my ring over Spring Break.

Well my sneaky Mom shipped it to me hidden among my Valentine's dresses and candy. I was shocked when I first saw it: it was PERFECT!

Sorry it's a little blurry, I have quite a shaky hand in the Macro setting on my camera! Anyway, I went with a traditional monogram with cRa and I wear it on my left hand ring finger. We got this signet ring from a local jeweler in Annapolis where we've gotten a few other pieces before. The script on the ring is special to the jeweler and I have a silver cuff that I got for being my sister's Confirmation sponson that has the matching script.

My right hand ring finger is occupied by my graduation ring:

I posted about this awhile back, I'm still in love with this ring every time I see it. It's a Pandora ring, and part of their stackable line--I see it often on Pinterest actually! I get a little chuckle whenever I see people pin it!

I don't really wear a lot of jewelry regularly, but I wear these two rings 24/7. They both are very special and I am reminded of my family every time I look at them. Both were given to me for momentous occasions in my life and they always put a smile on my face! I know this update took long enough, but I'm excited to share with everyone!

Are there pieces of jewelry in your collection that are special to you?

xxKatie

Outfit of the Day: Pink Icicles

March 6 by letsbepreppy featuring frye boots

So, when I was packing to come home, I was NOT expecting as chilly weather as it's been! Yikes! I sure was in for a surprise! Thankfully, I keep my warmest pink North Face parka at home since it never gets cold enough to wear it at school. I've been donning it because of the chilly temps and wind! I also went to our local H&M (I desperately wish we had one somewhere close to school--while H&M isn't always the best quality, if you're in a pinch, chances are you can find something that will work for your occasion whether it's business-y, fun, or somewhere in the middle!) and picked up an awesome cardigan that I've seen floating around blogs:

Thankfully I did because I didn't bring any warmer tops home with me! I've been feeling like a total pink icicle though--so cold and in ALL pink! Kinda fun too! 

While back I also found a pair of Hunter boots on sale online for $50! I had a $30 credit and so my new fabulous pink Hunter boots (also pink) were only $20!

Unfortunately, I accidentally shipped them HOME to Annapolis instead of Columbia so I had to wait like a month to finally see them! They arrived right around Valentine's Day, so imagine my wait.

So here I've been, the pink icicle! Is weather perking up for you? I know in South Carolina, we're in shorts these days and I'm LOVING it!

xxKatie

Cookbooks

So I don't really cook often. That doesn't mean, however, that I don't like cookbooks! Here are a few of my favorites, and ones I'd like to try!

Greek Revival is written by USC's own first-lady, Mrs. Moore-Pastides! A portion of this cookbook goes to USC scholarships.

Of Tide and Thyme is the Annapolis Junior League's Cookbook--I've thumbed through this many times!

Cooking Rocks has some of the first recipes I ever tried on my own, including Honey Nut Chicken!

I would LOVE to try the Momofuku cookbook! All the desserts in here sound AMAZING!

100 Recipes Every Woman Should Know piqued my interest on Pinterest! I added it to my Books board, and I really want to buy this!

What cookbooks do you love? Anything you rely on?

xxKatie

Designs by Amanda Bee

My VERY talented friend, Amanda Bee, has been painting these designs very recently! If you follow me on Pinterest, I'm sure you've seen a bunch of them since I'm pinning them all too! The one above is my absolute favorite she's done so far, but check out some of my other picks too:

Maryland by Amanda Bee

Loafers by Amanda bee

Crosshatched by Amanda Bee

Knotty in Blue by Amanda Bee

Monkey's Fist by Amanda Bee

Argyle II by Amanda Bee

Colorful by Amanda Bee

Umm how amazing right? You MUST check her out!! See more of her full-size designs on her blog!

xxKatie

Colder Weather

Every week as I either get ready for class or work at the store, I always tune in to watch the Today Show! I like Matt, Money 9-1-1, the Friday concerts and even Hoda and Kathie Lee. Sometimes they can be kinda annoying, but sometimes they're fun!

One time I did like them was the day Hoda introduced us to "Colder Weather" by the Zac Brown Band!

It describes my trek back up North to a tee! I could feel it during my drive get colder and colder and colder until today when I was a PREPSICLE! (I can't take credit for that one though, I wish! A girl I went to high school actually called me that!)

At one of my stops near the exit to Boone, NC, I even saw my breath!!!! I got out of the car in yoga pants, sneaks, and a long sleeve t-shirt to get gas and nearly FROZE! Quite the homecoming for this girl who wore shorts to her Friday final. Craziness!

What's the weather like for you at school vs. at home? Just like me? Totally the opposite?

xxKatie

Home! Home! Home!

This is my hometown. It is crab pots, Old Bay, plebes, flip flops, American flags and hot dogs in the Summer. It is boat shows, the most magnificent trees turning, and Indian Summer, knee socks, Navy Football and colonial colors in the Fall. It is chilly, frozen anchors, quilted coats, Tall Jamaicans, heat all the way turned up and high school basketball in the Winter. It is shorts, boat shoes, the annual Sock Burning, .05K, and lacrosse in the Spring.

It is Annapolis, MD.

I am so unbelievably, ridiculously thankful to be home for a few weeks!

xxKatie

707: Starboard Clothing Co. Giveaway!

Starboard Clothing Co. is teaming up to giveaway a product that hasn't even been OFFICIALLY announced yet! It's still a little bit of a secret, and I can't wait to help share it with y'all!

HATS!

Starboard Clothing has just come out with some awesome looking hats and will be doing a giveaway for these brand new beauties! They are making the hats in red, white, blue (above), and green too! How cool is that? They're made of a super comfy premium cotton twill, ideal for wearing anytime you need to block out the sun, or just show your Starboard style!

In order to enter today's giveaway here are all the ways:

1. Follow Let's Be Preppy (1 entry)

2. Like Let's Be Preppy on Facebook (2 entries)

3. Like Starboard Clothing Co. on Facebook (3 entries)

4. Follow Let's Be Preppy on Twitter (4 entries)

5. Follow Starboard Clothing Co. on Twitter (5 entries)

6. Tweet at @letbepreppy and @StarboardStyle about the giveaway! (6 entries)

Best of luck in the last giveaway!!! This giveaway will run until 11:59pm on Sunday! Can't wait to see who wins for the last day!!

xxKatie

Capri Blue: Volcano

Oh. My. Lawd.

I got this candle from a store at home over my fall break and I am in love! I don't have this huge size, but when I go back home over Christmas, I fully intend on buying this big one. I have a smaller one but oh my goodness it is so great.

Capri Blue was a candle company I had never heard of until I smelled this wonderful candle. Worst part: I can't really even tell you what it smells like. Does anyone else ever have that problem?

I have this smaller size, it's probably 4 or 5 ounces. Keep your eyes out for the Volcano scent, that's the one I have! All the other scents seem to have good reviews too. I'm a Volcano fan though!

It's part citrus, part sweet, part AMAZING. I am IN LOVE with this new scent and I fully intend on snatching up as many as I can!

Anyone else ever used this candle? Do you love it as much as I do?

xxKatie

Weekly Gratitude

1. I am thankful for my family and their welcoming me with open arms at home!

2. I am thankful for my close friends who I was able to reconnect with if only for a few days!

3. I am thankful for my FAB new bracelet! It's kind of an identity bracelet but not the typical kind: it's pink AND a giraffe...talk about my identity! I'm a big Fornash fan!

4. I am thankful for the ease and speed of traveling in and out of Charleston. It was a breeze and really makes a HUGE difference in traveling back home.

5. I am thankful for my new phone battery (did I say this last week?) because it's making a huge difference. Now if the Blackberry system could catch up with patching the holes!

6. I am thankful that I got to spend time with my Grandparents. Our snowbirds were on their way from outside Augusta, Maine down to  Zephyrhills, Florida!

7. I am thankful that Annapolis is the best haven for clearing my mind. Fall break seems to always give me a new perspective and allow me to wrap up the semester with a better attitude. 

8. I am thankful that I'm back in Columbia and very luckily have no tests this week! What a great feeling.

9. I am thankful for everyone's kind words yesterday and this entire time with all my big news! Y'all are the best.

10. I am thankful that I'm past the midpoint of the semester, as are most of my college followers! Here's to ringing in the rest of the tests, quizzes, projects and everything else we tackle during the rest of the semester!

xxKatie

#AnnapolitanProblems

I'm comin' home, I'm comin' home, tell the world I'm comin' home!

Today I head back up NAWTH to pretty pretty Annapolis, Maryland for Fall Break. I haven't breathed the Bay air or really worn a coat yet. I'm SO looking forward to getting back home to my old stomping ground, see my family and hang out at all our "places".

Here are a few things I'd like to do while I'm home:

1. Drink hot and cold Jamaicans 

2. Visit the Crab

3. Hit up Lemongrass for some Chicken Lettuce Wraps and Chicken Ka-Pow

4. Cheer on the Midshipman against ECU

5. Lay in my bed

6. Not wear a coat

7. Wear cowboy boots in Annapolis

8. Soak up as much REAL nautical-ness as I can

9. Go to CPK, a Rudder family fave

10. Pay a visit to my Alma Mater, THE one-and-only Severn School

I will be departing from Charleston around 7:00 and landing around 8:30, and I can't contain my excitement!!!!

xxKatie

Weekly Gratitude

Yet another week I hardly remember...this next coming week is my last full one at home! CAROLINA BOUND SO SOON! I can't wait for what the rest of the summer has in store for me!



1. Thanks to rain. I think you're coming around and fingers-crossed with knock out alllllll this INSANE heat. I would prefer the state of Maryland to not be "white hot" on Weather.com.
2. Thanks to the Market House for FINALLY OPENING. Woo, it's sure taken a long time but these vendors are pretty yummy and I hope they stay!!
3. Thanks to the South Carolina State Fair for posting their performers!!!! It's like I can FEEL being back at school already!!!!
4. Thanks to everyone's patience last week with all the emails--I PROMISE I will get back to you as soon as I can!!
5. Thanks to knocking another book off of the book list! #anotheronebitesthedust
6. Thanks to my floor for being such a great shelf for stuff. With all of our family in town, we "joked" (as in said in a joking tone but really meant) that no one wanted to stay in my room. Well, humph, my room wasn't looking for any new tenants! Take that y'all!
7. Thanks to ALL the packing I've done for school. Not.
8. Thanks to my job, internships and getting ready for the next few weeks for keeping me busy. A friend of mine from school, (Timmy, I'm not sure if you read LBP but here's your shoutout) and I were talking that we've just about hit the ready-to-go-back point. Both of us were glad to have been home for the summer, more than thankful, but we're both ready to see everyone!!
9. Thanks to my fabulous friend for being able to talk me down this week! It's been one of the most hectic I've had all summer--and I'm not even in school ANYMORE!
10. Thanks to everyone who participated in my boots poll! I'm excited to post more--kinda a fun reader input option on facebook! Feel free to let your opinion be known! Not a facebook fan yet--JOIN THE CLUB!

xxKatie

Weekly Gratitude

I barely even remember this week. Flew by SO fast...I guess that's a good thing but maybe not for the summer!

1. I am thankful for my parents and how much they listen to me when I need venting time, advice or just to chat. They've been especially awesome recently.
2. I am thankful for Saturday night "New Country" on my local station. Any Annapolitans listen to 93.1? Shows how cool my summer is...blogging on Saturday nights
3. I am thankful (more like SO unbelievably, ridiculously, kiss-the-ground thankful) that my summer classes end this week! Thursday is my LAST DAY OF SCHOOL UNTIL I'M BACK AT USC! #4weeksofFreedom
4. I am thankful for a tall lady who came into the store on Sunday and mentioned CAbi clothing. Apparently the owner is rumored to be 6' tall! Tall girls gotta stick together! We gabbed about jeans, how we never hem stuff and how we're always dropping hems! She was so great. (Now all I have to do is find someone hosting a party!!)

5. I am thankful for my Jack Rogers. I just realized my Platinum pair toe part is ripping big time. Care of the above night, my Jacks were "flat-tire"-ed one night when we we all out. I had duct tape in my purse...yeah...and was able to repair them. I didn't realize though, was how stretched the toe became. If these little guys men make it through the summer I will be STUNNED. (Sorry to anyone who was sent this message--the original version--in picture message form from Sara's birthday...)
6. I am thankful for the BEST manicure I've ever had in my life that I got on Saturday. If anyone in Annapolis needs an acrylic manicure, go to Fiona at Bella Salon by the Annapolis Mall.
7. I am thankful for getting the power back in Annapolis. That was a mess!
8. I am thankful for all the quotes I find on Pinterest. The one at the top of the post is from Pinterest. It's chock-full of bit of wisdom put to wonderful typography. Very cool.
9. I am thankful for the couch in my room that serves as a wonderful place to store clothes. As my mom reads this she's going to cringe.
10. I am thankful for everything that's on it's way in the next few weeks. I think it'll be a lot more of the summer I had planned! I'm ready for freedom, ready for a break, and ready for Bethany Beach in a few days!!

xxKatie

Weekly Gratitude

I figured it would be IDEAL to post my Weekly Gratitude post in it's scheduled time since it's the 4th of July. We're goin' RED, WHITE, AND BLUE style (with a little bit of humor thrown in...) for the usual WG:

1. I am thankful that we get to celebrate our 235th 4th of July today! Let's party like it's 1776!
2. I am thankful for all our soldiers, reservists, fighters, firefighters, police officers, and other civic workers who keep our country safe. You do a lot for us (and myself included) don't thank everyone in that category enough!

3. I am thankful for Betsy Ross and her AWESOME design skills and sewing abilities. Homegirl got it done for us. Looks like some of our founding fathers were impressed too.
4. I am thankful for Thomas Jefferson who wrote the Declaration of Independence. I am thankful for John Hancock for having the biggest signature (and giving us the idiom of the "John Hancock"). I am thankful for (while we're in the Declaration frame of mind) Charles Carroll for reppin' Maryland and Catholics, and being the longest-living signer of them all!
5. I am thankful for Toby Keith (cue historical change) for giving us "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue"..."Hey Uncle Sam put yo' name at the top of his list...!"

6. I am thankful for Robert Mills. He was the designer of the Washington Monument in DC AS WELL AS the Maxcy Monument built on the Horseshoe of USC to honor our first university president, Jonathan Maxcy!
7. I am thankful for the Han Dynasty (206-220 BC) for inventing fireworks by burning bamboo!
8. I am thankful for Old Navy for annually releasing their American t-shirt and American flag bathing suit every year. In store only, that is.

9. I am thankful for Steven's Hardware in Annapolis for selling "Made in the U.S.A. American flags" and only ones made here.
10. I am thankful that I am an American and am able to safely, excitedly, and patriotically celebrate the 4th of July!

xxKatie

Can Someone Help This Girl Out?

About a month ago a girl walked into the store with the best croakies I've ever seen:

I am obsessed! I can't seem to track them down ANYWHERE though! I even emailed Chums yesterday to inquire where I might be able to find these. My new Harpoon sunglasses from Costa del Mar are just CALLING for these!

In the meantime, I've settled on finding red Chums for my pair which are proving to be nearly as hard to find in person. I may just resort to buying them online, but I'd much rather walk out of a store with my new goodies in hand, just that kind of shopper! Effectively I'd be wearing these:

I love the red for summer but also may end up buying a Navy pair since they'd probably match more or another Palmetto pair like the ones I already have from OOPS. 

Has anyone ever seen these before? In the midst of searching for all of these, I had the brilliant idea of a Port/Starboard combination! This, however, I believe hasn't been created yet. 

I know they're also Christmas colors, but most avid sailors/people who live in a sailing town (like me) would know what this really means! Just a thought for all those fabulous sunglass retailers out there!!

xxKatie

Store of the Week: The Pink Crab!

WE ARE SO EXCITED TO BE LILLY'S STORE OF THE WEEK!

This is such a fun honor to have for the week! And in OUR week we even got to have National Wear Your Lilly day! 

Have you ever shopped at the Pink Crab? Heck, have any of y'all been to Annapolis? If you're ever in the area, be sure to stop in and let us know you're a fan! We had all kinds of goodies for Wear Your Lilly day even though it was quite hot considering it was the first day of summer!!!! We are having a blast being featured on the Lilly blog--thanks for all the love y'all!!

Pink Crab Love and All of Mine,

xxKatie

Outfit of the Day: P&G Party

Good friend Amanda (and her equally fabulous TWIN sista Amy) are hosting a Pink and Green throwdown birthday bash tonight! After work, I'm off to dinner with my sister and then we're heading our little selves over to the P&G party. P&G is a huge tradition for the twins and I can't wait to go to my first P&G party! This is what I will be donning for the shindig tonight:

June 11 by letsbepreppy featuring south sea pearl jewelry

I can hardly think of anything more appropriate than a P&G shift full of crabs! I'm looking forward to tonight and the wonderful theme of the party. I also can't wait to see what all the other guests are going to be wearing themselves!!

Ever been to a pink and green party? I can't wait!!


xxKatie

A Week in the Life of: Let's Be Preppy

I got this question on tumblr and decided to answer it in a real post. I want to turn it into a profile for a bunch of bloggers out there! Keep your eyes peeled (and your emails refreshed!)! My weeks are anything but typical. I've been lucky to have some kind of schedule this summer, but that is very rare for me. This is how my typical summer weeks have been running for the past month (which has FLOWN by if I do say so myself!). Click the days to check out an OOTD to accompany the day!

Monday: Get up around 8:30. Lounge until 9:00. Start getting ready for work. Depending on my dad's schedule sometimes he drives me, sometimes I drive myself. Work at the store from 10-5:15. Run to pick up really fast dinner and get to class by 6:00. With tourist traffic, this is sometimes difficult! Classes until 8:30-9 depending on how tired my Econ professor is. Get home between 9:00-9:30. Finish homework, answer emails. Tweet and tumble a little if time permits. Go "up" (which means to my room to lounge, read blogs, and answer more emails) around 11:00, asleep by about midnight.

Tuesday: Same as Monday!

Wednesday: Day off! Lounge until 10. Leisurely walk downstairs, eat brunch (this can vary from day to day) around 11:00. Watch TV, blog, do more homework. Lay out for about an hour and read Nudge while sunning if weather permits. Turn on SoapNet at 1:00 for The O.C. and watch One Tree Hill (as long as it's NOT the Nanny Carrie episodes. See this tweet.) until about 4. That is my absolute guilty pleasure of summer. Gluttonous, silly, fake TV shows. This 3 hour block I love. Start gathering things for school. Shower and change before class. Class from 6-9 again (I'm taking 2 classes, 12 hours a week!). Come home, do personal emails. Favorites include my chain with Holly! Play around on Pinterest for Bayside Bride or for myself.

Thursday: Wake up early, do tweeting and video uploading for internship #2. Check internet to see if website is working. Continue uploads and start getting ready for work. Work from 10-5:15 at the store! (Note: this Thursday I'm off to the Lilly Warehouse sale!!!!!) Go to school until 9ish again (you're really starting to get the idea huh? ...Yeah me too.). Blog, email, book summer plans. STAY ORGANIZED.

Friday: This is my day that tends to change all the time. Sometimes it's a day off. Sometimes I'll work the later shift at the store. This weekend, I'm working from like 2-7 then heading to a friend's Pink and Green birthday! Thinking about wearing that to the birthday since it's a little more formal and fun BUT if I find a gem at the sale I'm gonna rock that!! I usually have to clean and do more homework on my days off. Laundry is supposed to fit in there somewhere too, right?

Saturday: Bask in the glory of not doing anything school related! I usually work the late shift again and enjoy dinner with the fam. I get picked up by the knight in shining armor (my dad) and we all eat until late. Saturday nights we tend to on-demand movies and "go up" early.

Sunday: Church at 9:00. I work some Sundays from 11-6 or run errands all day. That includes but is not limited to, laundry, supply shopping, Target runs, blogging, shopping, Robek's, etc. You get the idea. They're leisurely. Then we all grill out and have a quiet night. I download a lot of music on Sundays and gear up for the week ahead. Another special event to this week is sCe's 21st! Love her--such a sophisticated celebration!

You can say I've been busy for the summer! School and work take up my time, but I'm SO SO SO lucky (as I type this, I realize I haven't done a Weekly Gratitude yet...!!!!) to have all these opportunities this summer! I have loved every minute of being home and think of all my fabulous friends in Columbia 24/7 y'all! (Miss you like CRAZY!)

We're in the midst of one of the crazy weeks, but I love it! What are your summer weeks like? Insanity? Fun? All relaxing? Anything like mine? Let me know!!

xxKatie

Recent Acquisitions!

I've had a gift certificate burning a hole in my pocket since CHRISTMAS! Can you believe it? I was able to hold out on a LILLY gift card for 6  entire months. I know, quite a feat for this prepster! I wanted to make it worth it's while, so I wanted to pay the least amount out-of-pocket as possible. After being SO impressed with this last summer shipment, I decided on TWO pieces to spend my card on:

What says Annapolis more than boatflags? Nothing...also these shorts do feature the Whiskey flag...

I also topped off my packed with the Wiley tube top. I LOVE THIS TOP! I'm also going to get it in white from the store I like it so much. It is really flattering and long enough for me to wear. I'm considering the navy as well. So versatile and you could easily throw a cardi on top of this for a complete look to toss it into fall!

Anyone else get anything from this nautical line? It's one of my favorites that they've introduced!!

xxKatie