Southern Wedding Week: The Dress

A few weeks ago when I was in Charleston, Aly and I were window browsing just about every store we could see! There were so many little boutiques (90% out of our college girl budgets) that had dresses and party essentials that we couldn't really help ourselves! Among my favorites were all the wedding dresses that we'd pass from window to window. The periodic tuxedo was so precious too, I mean how can you not just swoon over a tux and bowtie combo? Gets me every time. Although we didn't see Fabulous Frocks, the idea behind it is so cute, I had to pass it on to any ladies in the area after a reader of mine told me about it!

Fabulous Frocks specializes in consigning wedding dresses that have been "wed" already! What a good idea, right? I mean my mom's never gonna wear her dress again, and isn't this a great idea for any bride who won't use her dress for anything else! There are some criteria for each dress to be consigned, but how cute is this? What a good idea for the bride on a budget or looking to get a designer gown for far way less!

Fabulous Frocks has brand name designers (including my 2 favorites!!) ranging from Badgley Micshka, to Carolina Herrera, to Modern Trousseau (one of my favorites!), to Rivini (my other favorite...remember this dress...MY dress?) to Vera Wang. There are currently over 80 dresses listed online for you to check out and have even more in store to choose from personally! Also, go visit store manager and recent Gamecock grad, Mary, to help you out, she's adorable and in the planning stages of her own Southern Wedding!!

Next time I'm in Charleston Fabulous Frocks will be a definite stop just for fun...I mean you can never start too early right? No way! No go follow Fabulous Frocks on twitter at @FabFrocksBridal to see what they've got going on!

xxKatie

Interview Attire Do's and Don't's

In the spirit of recruitment for one of the student organizations that I'm in, I figured I would post about what's appropriate to wear to an interview. We're holding second round interviews for students who moved past the forum round to a panel round. Last night I worked the check-in desk and so we saw everyone the minute they walked in. One girl had a black, cotton/spandex blend, short tight skirt:

It was so wildly inappropriate for the interview or even anything remotely close to an interview. She wore it with a pink top and a white sweater on top. My friend Laura remarked that people think black and white automatically means appropriate. And usually, I'd say that that holds true, but this girl had it SO wrong. She had to tug on this skirt so that it would stay down. That should have been her red flag #1.

We also had an applicant come in wearing a black Polo t-shirt, garnet skirt and Target flats. She looked cute for her outfit, but it wasn't dressy enough for an interview of this caliber. She even admitted to mixing dressy and Carolina, but this time unfortunately it didn't completely work. It's always better to be overdressed than underdressed in my book.

I clearly remember one girl and how cute she looked. She wore a super cute houndstooth skirt that was similar to the one above, but was grey and black instead of white and black. She wore a cute cotton top that was the same shade of grey, a cropped black blazer, a cute necklace and very basic black flats. She was fun and peppy and I really hope she makes it! Her look was so classic and clean though, and she did a great job of looking appropriate without looking stuffy.

Another candidate was wearing a blue shift that had some white beading, she added a white cropped cardigan and wore Jack Rogers. I liked her outfit, but it was generally on the more casual side of things. There were definitely more dressed up people and less dressed up people. 

I always enjoy the people watching (now that I'm on the easy other side) element of things like this. It's clear that some college students know how to dress for events like this and that others still have some learning to do. Professional dress always means such different things to different people too which is also interesting to point out. Sometimes it means heels and sometimes it doesn't, where the line is drawn isn't always easy, so I don't mean to complain about everyone and I understand that often times it is unclear. I wish the best of luck to anyone who has upcoming interviews!

What do you wear to interviews? Have any go-to pieces? Is being overdressed better than underdressed?

xxKatie

A Free Wedding?

So I was online last night checking my email, and the subject line read, "Who wants a free wedding?" Weird. I click to see who has sent this mysterious email. Wait for it. My school newspaper, the Daily Gamecock. Very intrigued, I click to see what this madness is about. Could my college be offering a free wedding? Really?

Yes, really. A class here at USC (HRTM 362 for any of my USC readers) is actually going to plan a wedding for the engaged couple who wins this contest. The wedding will take place (in what I'm assuming is next) November on the historic USC Horseshoe, seen here:

 A very small portion of me wanted to apply for this contest (too bad I'm only a sophomore...oh yeah and aren't engaged...or even in a relationship. That could be a problem!), but then I read on and one of the requirements was to be engaged already. The couples had to be current USC students, alumni, or children of alumni.

Unfortunately the wedding can only be limited to 75 guests. That could have proved to be a problem with me (well, realistically, not really. I have to remember I'm not on Say Yes to the Dress...) but the cool part about it all is that the reception is held on an 80 foot yacht. I've seen photos from some sorority functions on this yacht and it seems very nice. 

Photo from the Daily Gamecock, and she's the winner of the 2007-2008 contest! How adorable is she?

As far as all the "stuff" goes, it all has to be donated. (Does that mean the dress?) The catering will be done by a delish restaurant close to campus, very upscale, the type of place you would bring your parents. The class is broken down into committees that plan each of the portions of the wedding: catering, etc. 

As interesting as this concept is, I don't know if I could just give over my wedding to a class of college students. I think it's a great idea (I wish they could be on TV so we could watch their progress!) especially for someone who's a current student on a super limited budget. I'll keep you updated on anything I hear about this wedding!

Could you do it? I don't think I could just give all the reins to a class!! I wish the bride, groom, and 70 students in HRTM362 the best of luck!!

xxKatie

Butch Bakery: Cupcakes for Boys!

A few weeks ago when I was getting my hair colored I was reading one of the gossipy lady magazines and came upon a place called Butch Bakery. I was intrigued by the name so I continued to read about this manly bakery located in New York.

They have very manly names with very manly ingredients (including some alcohol soaked flavors even!) and have no frilly decorations on top, but instead a chocolate disc with patterns like camo, plaid, and houndstooth. No girly flowers, pink sprinkles, or any pink!

Don't they look delish?!

Check out all their different varieties and fun names: where butch meets buttercream! I even love the words choice like "mouth-wateringly awesome"! Campout, Big Papi, and Tailgate are all my personal choices!

When you place your order, you can get all kinds of different options! Notice though, the small disclaimer (it made me laugh!):

If you live in NY and have a man who loves a good cupcake, you gotta grab these up and send him an order! It's perfect for a guys night in, poker game, birthday or Father's Day!

xxKatie

Spring has Sprung!

Spring has sprung AND it just so happens that today is the last day of winter!! Goodbye to the icy cold winds of Decemeber and say hello to the warm breezes and fresh smell of spring!!

Everyone here keeps talking about the famed "tulip trees" and I had no idea what they were until about last week! They are in full bloom here and really are the first shot of color that my campus is getting. A friend of mine, Chelsea, was giving a campus tour to a large group of students and in the beginning she asked the group, "What are you interested in?" Generally that question garners the response of "Biomedical Engineering" or "Pre-Law" or "International Business", and she got many of those answers, but one student answered with "YOU!" to which everyone broke out into violent laughter that we could hear inside the building! Later during the tour, that same student offered Chelsea one of the tulip tree flowers along the tour, so they have been a very popular flower recently. These trees are all over school! They can be grown in multiple climates and I really think that they are very pretty!  

Also, I have a few friends getting ready to go to the Carolina Cup! As most of you know, it is a big horse race that is extremely popular with the college set. Many of them are in sororities that have sort of paired up with fraternities and are taking big busses together. I can't wait to see all the photos and outfits that they all wore! There are a few other horse races going on tomorrow throughout SC as well as Cup, I know my roommates for next year have both been to Steeplechase in Aiken.

I can't believe that spring is here!! I am so happy that it is finally getting warm and we won't be in pants and jeans 24/7!

xxKatie

Top 10 of 2009!

It may be a little early for this post, but I don't know how much time I'll have within the next few days since I'm working a bunch! Here mine go:

Katie's Top 10 of 2009

In no particular order:

1.         Biggest Overall Moment of 2009: Going to college: In this year, I’ve managed to graduate high school, apply and choose a college, attend said college, and go through the up’s and down’s always associated with first semester. Plus, I can sit here and say that although the beginning may have been rough, I’m sticking around to be a proud Carolina Gamecock!

           Internet Moment of 2009: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0. On many blog lists of the “Top ___ of 2009” people seem to always include a youtube video. This one takes the cake in my opinion. You know you’re doing something right when The Office copies your wedding.

3.          TV Moment of 2009: Debut of Glee: This show crushes my TV quota for the year. I don’t download TV shoes from iTunes ever, and yet, I found myself downloading “Sectionals” (the episode) in order that it might hold me over until next season. Sorry Degrassi, Glee is just too good—I’m sure my dad would never think I’d like a show more than Degrassi since it’s on literally 24/7 in my house if I’m home!

4.          School Moment of 2009: Becoming an Ambassador: At school I’m now one of the tour guides who work at the Visitor Center. It is a pretty big deal at USC and so I’m super proud. This organization has played a major role in my decision to stay at school.

5.          Most Type-A Moment of 2009: H4H trip: I singlehandedly organized and carried out a Habitat for Humanity trip to Cary, NC. I was so proud of the 20 other classmates that joined me on the trip. It has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done, and I would love to do one again. I can say on behalf of every member of the group that we had a great time and would go back in a heartbeat!

6.          Sports Moment of 2009: USC over Ole’ Miss: What a game it was! Ole’ Miss was ranked 4^th when USC played and beat them. It was the highest ranked team that USC ever beat. (Meeting Eric Norwood in person takes a close second place as far as best sports moments go in 2009)

7.          Personal Moment of 2009: Au Natural: I’ve taken my hair from bleach blonde “highlighted” to basically my natural color. And as my aunt Jeanne said, “Welcome back to the club”. It feels good, I must say!

8.          Occupational Moment of 2009: Working at the Naval Academy: This summer I worked at the Naval Academy during the first few days of Plebe Summer and I couldn’t be more thankful. Aside from working for Lilly, this has been the best job I ever had. Those new plebes were some of the most anxious, nervous, apprehensive, excited people I’ve ever met, and I cannot wait to go back next summer to be a friendly, smiling face to try to make them a little happier and their day a little brighter!

9.           Family Moment of 2009: Getting to know my sister: During the two years my sister and I overlapped in high school, we really got to know one another. I am so thankful that we did because I realize that it’s getting tougher and tougher now that I’m in college. The first night that I came home for Thanksgiving break she sat in my room for 2 hours and we talked about everything. I’m so proud of her and I’m so happy that she’s my sister. (My mom’s probably awww-ing right now, but I needed a family moment of 2009!)

10      Funniest Moment of 2009: The infamous Skype video: My roommate Kathleen was skypeing with a mutual friend of ours silently while I just happened to be dancing—just like nobody’s watching—to “Sexy B---h” thinking she would expect it. Well the joke was on me when I turned around to see the friend and his roommate watching. And laughing. A lot. Needless to say I turned PURPLE, and the friend and I never addressed it. (Kathleen, I hope you enjoy being included in this.)

         What were your top 2009 moments?! My 2009 was great, and I can't wait to see what the new year has to bring along with its arrival!

          xxKatie

Alumni Dinner Success!

So last night was the dinner that I've been planning for about a month and a half. About 25 people showed up, so it was slightly less than I anticipated, but I was super excited that these 25 people were just as pumped to go as I was!
Fuddrucker's was so nice to all of us and I think they appreciated the business! Here are a few photos:

The Boys!

Some of the early arriving girls!

                                       

I loved all these cute reuniting moments!! Everyone caught up on schools and stories and fab things like that!!

More attendees!

All the tall girls from my graduating class--we're all 6'0'' or above! This was the best skirt photo too! I got so many compliments on it! Go forever21!

A few girls around the AWESOME cake my mom designed, check it out:

A bunch of schools that my classmates are attending!! Everyone loved this! Maroon was one of my high school's colors so we used it as the base. One local grocery store specializes in cakes and they are awesome!

Can you believe tomorrow is Christmas Eve Eve? I always feel like Eloise from Eloise and Christmastime when I say that. I love that book and the movie in New York. What a great Christmas spirit movie! I hope you all are enjoying the pre-Christmas days, and I hope you're all staying safe if you've got as much snow as I do. Avoid the roads and the malls if AT ALL possible!

xxKatie

Working Hard or Hardly Working?

Today I've been super duper productive! The farther I get into college, the more I realize how much I like to plan things. Today alone, I've worked on planning two huge events! I'm organizing a big dinner for the class of 2009 since we're high school alumni! I'm trying to figure out a venue that will support a large group but no catering or things like that. Ideally, I'd like a restaurant that is semi-suffering from the economy so that they'll be happy to take a group of college kids between 30-50 in number. I have 3 spots in mind secretly. Facebook has been extremely useful since everyone checks it and it makes RSVP-ing super easy! I've also made my Facebook group for my Lilly collegiate representing and in 5 hours my membership is steadily increasing so I'm very proud! I got my official advertising package with order forms, personalizing forms, samples, etc, etc, etc. I couldn't be more excited to throw a Lemonade party next semester! I emailed the sorority presidents today hoping that they'd pass on my email to the sisters! YAY! I can't wait to see what happens with that! Not to mention, Emma came today and we had such a good visit! Her grandparents came too and made the day very interesting. She was surprised at how much she liked the University, so I was excited. From her high school and my high school, she knew of so many people who had applied to USC which is awesome! Its really becoming popular in MD! Here we are back in the summer:

Tomorrow I have a busy day studying for a test that I have on Monday as well as a party tomorrow night and an important meeting that will take most of Sunday I believe! Then, next thing I know, I'm flying home on Tuesday! I'm so excited!

The more busy I become, the less I think about being home which is definitely good because I am certainly ready for a break. I can't believe that I will be back home in 4 days!!! My closest girlfriends are meeting at a friend's house on Wednesday night to have a HUGE catch-up sesh since it will be the first time we've seen each other since we said our weepy goodbyes! I have so much to look forward to in the next few days that I know I can make it through to Tuesday and then to Thanksgiving and then to the CLEMSON game!!

xxKatie