Katie Rudder South Carolina I'm a Senior Marketing major with a minor in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior at University of South Carolina! Go Gamecocks! In addition to writing Let's Be Preppy, I am active in the Carolina community, work at a South Carolina Lilly Pulitzer store, serve as an marketing intern for the American Red Cross and lead tours for prospective students at USC. Any questions or comments? Email me: katie@letsbepreppy.com
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Since all I've been wearing these days has been neutrals, I have been longing after a new pink!
I was really looking for a color that was pinkish-purple and Essie's newest collection had a color that perfectly fit the bill. Enter, Madison Ave-Hue.
This party pink is such a good color and I know it will become part of my regular rotation. I also really wanted a color that was going to be opaque and not translucent, and this color is just that as well. I can't wait to check out what other colors Essie rolls out for the rest of spring and summer!
I got a new Essie color over Christmas break that I had actually forgotten about until a few days ago! I found it in a small cosmetic bag that hadn't been opened since I got back. Much to my surprise, I saw "Secret Story" hiding as my little stowaway in the bag!
I needed to give myself a pedicure because I would be wearing peep toe shoes the next day, so Monday night I decided to paint my toes this fun new color!
It's my new favorite BRIGHT pink! It comes out a little darker than what the bottle shows, but I love it. "Secret Story" reminded me of another Essie color that I love, "Chastity" but darker. This is a color I am absolutely going to be keeping on my toes for awhile. It looks great and very girly!
Once I get a little tanner and not going on job interviews, I am totally putting "Secret Story" on my fingers!
My current color obsession is Essie's Sugar Daddy!
It is the perfect pink-y neutral. It is totally translucent and took 3 coats to even see a hint of color when I got my nails done the other day.
Even the woman doing my nails remarked, "Oh, you're going for the very natural look!"
Sugar Daddy is perfect for a polished look for job interviews, blending in, and an easy put together look. I am a HUGE fan and will keep this on my short list for great colors!
I wear very similar things most of the time. I stick to shapes I like and colors and textures that I'm used to. That being said, my Christmas outfit is usually along the same lines, although it does differ every year! There are a few holiday staples that you'll want to keep handy as you run from soiree to event to dinner during this Christmas season!
I am starting at the bottom, but these are actually my Christmas shoes this year! I found them at a clearance sale at the beginning of the summer at the most fun accessory store next to the store I work at, and there was one pair left in my size. I took it as fate and snagged them! I've been saving them for something special and Christmas seems perfect. They are Libby Edelman "Nalini" Suede Bootie. Find a pair of shoes that will work with multiple outfits. Stick to black and nude patent or suede!
Finding your frock is always a tough decision! I usually like to go with metallics or jewel tones. This year, my dress is royal blue and emerald (to kick off the color of the year!) but last year I wore a gold shift. I like this strapless one especially if you're on the party circuit (and it's on sale!)
I am still a big fan of my metallic Christmas dress from last year and I always look for more occasions to wear it!
Find a fun and festive statement necklace! I love this BaubleBar gold bib necklace because it can jazz up an LBD or work great with a red or green party dress! (Not on BaubleBar yet? Get your invite today!)
Top off your look with the perfect Christmas color for your nails! Tons of people RAVE about "Bordeaux" as a go-to holiday color, so clearly this is the winner!
Do you have your holiday outfits picked out? Are there certain colors or Christmas items you stick to?
Not BB&T or the BBC, but BBE. What's that you ask?
BaubleBar and Essie
TWO OF MY FAVORITE THINGS!
(Sidebar: Not on BaubleBar yet? Get your invite and special unlock code here!)
This color is called "Snap Happy" and definitely has collection potential. I NEED it!
"Where's My Chauffeur" is a great mint green which has been on-trend for awhile now! I love the bracelet pairing.
I saw this color, "Beyond Cozy" in Target the other day and now that it's part of this collection, I might have to snag it and create a stack!
That's the BaubleBar offer--you get to create your own Essie inspired stack. You build it with the first bracelet and polish combo, then you pick two more!
You could add in this gold bangle!
I would HAVE to incorporate this pearl bracelet into my stack, it's perfect!
This combo would make a GREAT gift for your sorority big, roommate or sister! Gotta start being on the lookout for those gifts now!!
I really like the Essie Metallics collection. As elusive and hard to find as the collection was, I tracked a few of the best shades down and snagged them for myself!
I recently added "Penny Talk" to that list and just the other day, decided to put it on my toes! I use my toes as a tester before I do my real nails to see if I like the color out of the bottle and how it looks "on". After donning PT on my toes for a little, I've decided that I LOVE it, and I think I honestly like it more than the gold! It's a rosy gold-coppery color and looks very neutral believe it or not!
If you can find this metallic collection somewhere around you, you gotta go look for "Penny Talk" to add to your list!!!
I have found the perfect garnet nail polish. So perfect in fact, that when I painted my nails, two of my friends thought the color was so perfect that they painted their nails the same color!
Essie's "Size Matters" is one of the best red family nail polishes I've ever worn! I think it's also good luck, since we got quite the Gamecock win yesterday!
This is the only actual picture of my hands that I have, but I am LOVING this garnet color!
I also love this picture and had to share it with y'all!
If you're a Gamecock, in the market for a new garnet nail polish, like funny names of nail colors, or are prepping for the red-nail holiday season, DEFINITELY try Essie's "Size Matters"!
Essie's "Good As Gold" was definitely tough to find--two Targets didn't have them and upon heading into CVS I finally tracked it down!
There are a bunch of metallic options, but I love the gold! It's actually surprisingly neutral once it's on your nails and I rocked it over the weekend for the concert!
I only had to put on two coats and I was TOTALLY good to go! It was a tad difficult to get off my cuticles and surrounding nail area, but I suggest going out and buying yourself a bottle!
This stuff is too fun and you'll definitely be glad it's in your nail polish arsenal!
It's been OVER TWO WEEKS SINCE I'VE CHANGED MY COLOR!
I think that has to be some kind of Katie record.
That never happens. I get too bored with a color or one itty bitty chuck of one nail flakes off and it's all downhill from there. (For me as soon as I see one big chip, it's like all of a sudden, all the polish has to come off. This is also usually in a place where nail polish remover is not readily available so I chunk it off...gross...)
This red-orangy-coraly color is EASILY in my top 5 colors to have in your arsenal. I'm a big Essie fan and y'all know that! I love to paint my nails and for whatever reason, I always am able to do my nails better when I use Geranium.
It is a great year-round color that I LOVE. It's even a shade of red that looks good with pink! That in itself is a feat!
This week's color is Fruit Sangria! It's way more red on your nails than it looks in the bottle!
I love this color and it looks great during the summer! It's fresh and fruity and a mix between red and pink...too much fun for the 4th of July if you don't like red nails. I happen to LOVE them!
What's fun about this color is that although it's rather creamy, there's also a metallic undertone in the polish! It's silvery and as a result it is SO shiny on your nails! It doesn't look cloudy like some colors can. I also used Kwik Dry by Sally Hansen and it worked GREAT:
I don't always know what to expect with these kind of top coats, but it didn't smudge and I washed it off my hands after about 5 minutes. It says to only leave it on for 1 minute, but I figured I would do it for good measure! Anyway, the result was great and I'm very pleased with the way it turned out!
Fruit Sangria is a great summer pinky-red if you're in the market! What's your favorite pink or red shade? What are you currently wearing?
I love this Elsa top and didn't originally think that it would be a good summer blouse! It works great for South Carolina because it's light and airy and not heavy at all!
Essie's "A Crewed Interest" is my current color. I really really like it and it is really pretty on. The bottle color is pretty accurate plus a bit more orange-y, but not too much. Definitely a great summer color!
The only downfall is that it took a LOT of coats to look solid. I'm saying like 3-4 on most nails. I also had to go over a few nails because my hands were extra shaky when I was painting--not really on my nail color game! Aside from the many coats, I really am a fan of "A Crewed Interest"!
As a business major, I couldn't NOT get one of the colors from this line! My second favorite from the Navigate Her collection was "Tour de Finance"! I just loved the nod to the business world in all these whimsical names!!
Some tweeps LOVE "A Crewed Interest"! Is it a color you'd wear or you've worn?
My summer seems to have a decent pattern as of these last few weeks! My current summer essentials are:
Costa Del Mar Isabela: My absolute go-to pair of sunglasses
Lilly Pulitzer Agenda: I mistakenly thought that summer meant less plans. Nope!
Pinch: Our favorite place to hang out, Wednesdays are my fave!
CeraVe lotion: This is SAVING my skin from all my new acne medicine! I would recommend it if you have dry skin--it's TOTALLY worth every penny!
Wedges: What if I'm as tall as my dad? I've been all about the wedges and don't even care if they make me like 6'4''. That rules!
Pink Nail Polish: "Off the Shoulder" will be my next color! I bought it and I know I'm already going to like it. Wanna know how? When I got that pedicure, I got it in OTS! I tested the color out and it's a 100% match. Talk about a stylish subconscious!
While it's a motley crew of summer staples, this is what I'm living off of these days! What are your summer must-haves?
xxKatie
P.S.: If anyone is heading to Columbia Style Week events tonight, I'd love to meet up--tonight is a meet and greet anyway! Snap a few photos for the facebook page ;) Send me an email (katie AT letsbepreppy DOT com) or tweet @letsbepreppy and let me know!!! I know some of my Columbia readers are in town and it's gonna be an awesome week of festivities!
...Well actually, for me, and most of my fellow prepsicles out there, every season is about pink!
Here are some of my favorite pinks for summer:
Elephantastic Pink
My current nail color!
Mod Squad
It's a Girl?
Fiesta
Strawberry Margarita
Off the Shoulder
I've seen this polish from the new collection and have picked it up at THREE different stores THREE different times. Y'all I think that means I need it!
Pink Flamenco
Chastity
What are you must-have summer colors? What's on your nails now?
I actually got my nails all soaked off--it'd been awhile since I have had nothing on my nails, so I decided to get the acrylic removed. I hadn't been the one to paint my nails in months, so I decided to paint my own. I went with the whole "statement nail" look after I painted my nails Geranium by Essie!
Most people make their second or fourth finger the statement nail, but I decided to be a bit more whimsical and go with my pinkies!
I put Ulta Pinata Yadda Yadda on my pinkies!
I'm excited about my new color! I'm not sure how long I'll keep it on my nails, but I do LOVE Geranium!!
Sorry for the junky quality--iPhone here I come so soon!
So do you do the statement nail? What is your design of choice?
I posted this on facebook yesterday and must have stumped everyone!
My new color of choice is Essie's "Cute as a Button"! It's very pink in the bottle, but a little bit more coral on your nails. I really like it and it's a fun, hop into spring color. My fabulous, fashionable little sista Grace got me this nail polish as a stocking stuffer and I was so excited to test it out over the weekend.
I'm totally the customer who walks into a nail salon WITH her own color. I just get too overwhelmed when I have to pick from the 100's of unorganized colors from the wall at each place. Am I the only one like that?
Anyway, this color is really cute and I recommend it for anyone looking for a bright, resort-y color hopping into spring! Just remember, it's cute as a button!
Essie's new collection is perfect for all my fellow Business majors out there! Inspired by the business world (and I've heard maybe even the "Occupy Wall Street" saga) you'll love all their names! From left to right:
1. Navigate Her
2. A Crewed Interest
3. To Buy or Not to Buy
4. Tour de Finance
5. Olé Caliente
6. Orange It’s Obvious!
I pinned these guys a few days ago without knowing their individual names but the collection is just too much fun!!
xxKatie
P.S.: A big thank you for all the "Happy Birthday" tweets and comments! Y'all are SERIOUSLY the bomb!
So behind on this!! Yikes! Time to refocus and get ready for the week ahead!
1. I am thankful for YOUR SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS! The Capital One Bowl was ridiculously fun once the Gamecocks realized it was a Bowl game and could seriously change their collegiate careers, 2011 season and fan feelings all with one game. We just finished an 11-win season for the FIRST TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY!
2. I am thankful for the wonderful break that Christmas provided me. It was restful, relaxing (most times), and a much needed month off.
3. (With that said...) I am thankful that I get to go back to school on Thursday. Which is the day after tomorrow. Cue packing frenzy!
4. I am thankful that my birthday is on SUNDAY! I've been counting down since, oh, January 9, 2011. 21 club here I come!
5. I am thankful for the WiFi I'm currently using in the Orlando airport. I wish all airports provided you with free service like this. It's such a treat to be able to use you computer for a few minutes without having to pay ridiculous fees like $9.95 for 24 hours. I hope I never have to be in an airport for 24 hours!
6. I am thankful that it has been a relatively mild winter. I really really hate the cold! Like really really hate it. I was so uncomfortable in NYC when it was windy and freezing. This mild winter has been such a blessing!
7. I am thankful for the FAAAAABulous new Essie color I tried out: Fruit Sangria! Love it!
8. I am thankful that I am starting second semester junior year. I can't believe it, but I am. It is WILD! Now on the lookout for internships for the summer. I have a list of a few that I'd like to apply for so we'll see where it takes us! (Shameless self plug: anyone in Charleston looking for a Marketing/PR/social media intern?)
9. I am thankful for Southwest Airlines and the ease with which I've traveled this break. It was easy to book and both ways we were on time! It makes such a big difference when traveling is easy.
10. I am thankful that I am about to board my flight! Hopefully I'm home around noon!
About two and a half weeks ago, I got my nails done in Essie's "Geranium" and it was SUCH a great holiday color! It's red and fun and definitely not as coral as it looks in the bottle. I LOVE it and highly recommend this shade to anyone looking for a very festive red. It held up great and didn't look dingy when I got my nails redone.
Just two days ago, I had them redone (is two weeks a normal time for y'all?) and chose OPI's "Strawberry Margarita" for my Christmas color. I'm sure y'all are thinking why didn't she flip flop them or just keep the red? Something about pink at the holidays is very me. It's just close enough to red to be festive but I think that pink nails are almost always appropriate. I actually thought that "Strawberry Margarita" would be an AWESOME color on my wedding day (depending on the flowers and bridesmaids dresses of course!) because it's bright and a great shade. A few of my Twitter followers said it's their go-to summer color, but I really think it's a good all year round color. I may have to go out and buy it soon!
I think my next nail color will be Essie's "Bachelorette Bash" for my birthday color! And to go with my dress, I'll either match my toes with this same shade or go VERY BOLD and do:
Essie's "Turquoise & Caicos" since my dress has so many shades of blue/Lilly's Lagoon Green!
