My Chickens

Earnest Lee is a famous artist in Columbia, SC. On my bucket list for college, I wanted to acquire a few Earnest Lee paintings for myself. He's famous for his chicken paintings, and is even dubbed "The Chicken Man" around South Carolina.

These chickens were the ones that ultimately made it home with me! I knew I wanted a chicken with Gamecock colors, and I knew I wanted a pink chicken (to be the Katie chicken) and I figured a palmetto would complete the collection and always remind me of the state of South Carolina.

I was SO excited to start my little art collection with my chickens! They will forever remind me of Columbia and my graduation.

xxKatie

GIveaway: Tracy Negoshian

All my SEC ladies love their Tracy Negoshian!

Gameday is well, the name of the game!

I see SO many Tracy Negoshian dresses at Gameday and they are PERFECT especially as we start to transition into chilly-er weather. Some of the most important games fall toward the end of the season: rivals week, Championship games AND Bowl games! The season is hardly over when it really starts to get cold!

Can't decide if you're a Clemson or Carolina fan--this is the dress for you! (I would say though, that it's definitely more of a Clemson Gameday dress!)

This is another great garnet and black combination Gameday dress!

This makes a great Gameday dress and even a good work dress!

Of course I have to include an Auburn version for my sister and all her sorority sisters too!

Enter today's Tracy Negoshian dress giveaway here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I can't wait to announce this winner!!

xxKatie

I'm Goin' Out With My Boots On

Ladies and Gents, it's their first Gameday out!

Today, our biggest Gameday of the year (and my college career so far...) and I'm finally breakin' out the boots.

We're filling up the Horseshoe, donning our sassiest LBD's, puttin' on the face tattoos, and going out with our best Gamecock attitudes because today is COLLEGE GAMEDAY AT YOUR UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA!

I couldn't be more proud or excited to be a part of such a time-honored sports tradition! It's going to be a big day y'all, and I couldn't imagine it any other way!

See you in the student section--excuse us while we Sandstorm!

xxKatie

Tailgate City, USA: The Dress

Your choice of outfit is among the most important choices that you'll make for Gameday! PS: How cute are all my models with their Swoozie's gear?

It's not an easy feat, but we have four FAAAABulous models all with different Gameday looks!

Jami

Jami's look is Traditional Carolina Gameday: black dress, pearls, cowboy boots and a sorority button! And she looks awesome!

Hannah

Hannah's look is Classy Carolina Gameday: patterned ruffle shift, garnet sash, black Jacks, Ray Ban Wayfarers and a sock bun! Isn't she our little Carolina Audrey Hepburn?

Jordy

Jordy's look is Cool Carolina Gameday: eyelet dress, strappy sandals, aviator sunglasses and a great garnet belt! Her look is perfect for games like the ones we've had so far when it is SO hot out!

Colleen

Colleen's look is Sassy Carolina Gameday: ruched sweetheart dress, bow belt, garnet crossbody bag, and flowery flats! Colleen's look is great when you're looking to get an awesome tan during those day games and tailgates!

What's the dress code for games at your school? Do you wear dresses or is it more of a t-shirt and jersey campus?

A quote from ESPN College GameDay sums it up perfectly:

"If South Carolina isn't the essence of Southern hospitality, I don't know what is. Those women sure know how to dress. Of course, in the South, a college football game is practically a formal event. Everyone – especially the ladies – gets all dolled up. But USC takes it to a whole new level. That football crowd is like something you would see in Vogue magazine."

xxKatie

Tailgate City, USA: The Spread

For the next few days, I'm kicking off this Tailgate City series!

Thanks to Swoozie's, we had a FULL tailgate spread over the weekend. The spread is the most important part to your tailgate. The spread is any and everything including tables, food, plates, cups, platters and everything in between!

Swoozie's sent us SO much fun Gamecock stuff! We had plenty to use, share, and keep using for the rest of the season!

Before we set up our official spread, I was playing around as we unpacked the car. Here's the best Heisman I could come up with with that HUGE Gamecock burlap football!

Not only did we have an awesome, full spread, but it was ALL Gamecock Gameday themed!

These buckets were a HUGE hit along with the Gamecock 1801 platters! Since it was LBP's birthday, I got some cupcakes that people enjoyed munching on all day long!

Ever seen a redneck wine glass? Our whole crew was sporting them all day!

Swoozie's even included a personalized one for me!

This was DEFINITELY the most fun I've ever had at a tailgate! I love being a Swoozie's Sweetheart and I can't wait to bring y'all more fun things as a partner with them!

MAJOR thanks to Swoozie's, Ashley with Swoozie's and the entire crew for helping me host, organize, and work our entire tailgate! Happy tailgate season y'all!!

xxKatie

Happy Birthday, LBP!: Swoozie's Sweetheart Style

Today is the day for the Swoozie's Tailgate!

I am a PROUD Swoozie's Sweetheart and I am hosting my first official Swoozie's event with all things USC that you can think of (read: "Cock"-tail koozies!)!!

It will be a blast, and if you're around tailgating, look for us in the Andrews Lot by Williams Brice--you won't miss us!

Follow our whole day on Twitter (@letsbepreppy) and Instagram (@letsbepreppy)!

Look for a full update next week with an awesome recap of EVERYTHING from this weekend from outfits to recipes to fun products!

GO GAMECOCKS!

xxKatie

The Beginning of the End...

IT'S OFF TO GAME NUMBER ONE OF SENIOR YEAR WE GO!

I can't wait to cheer with all my fellow Gamecocks, put on my black dress, stand up for almost 4 hours, let half the stadium split between GAME and COCKS, and kick off senior year the right way!!

Here's to an awesome season with the SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS!!!

Gamecock Love and all of mine,

xxKatie

SouthernLeague Magazine: The Gameday Bible

With Gameday RIGHT around the corner, literally, it's ALMOST the weekend, what should you consult for some pregame notes? Need inspiration for a Gameday outfit? What about songs for your Gameday playlist?

There are so many different stories that are perfect for football-loving, cowboy boot wearing, bow-tie tying, college kids! 

 I have prepped a few more super fun pieces for the magazine, and can I tell you, if the first copy is any indication of how good the rest will be, you'll LOVE what's coming up soon!

Here are a few of my favorite pieces:

A Well-Worn Southern Tradition

Times Have Changed, So Have the Rules

Tailgate Tunes

There are so many fun things to choose from especially since we're getting so close to everyone's favorite season: FOOTBALL SEASON! (Formerly known as fall...)

xxKatie

U-S-C GOOOOO COCKS!

TONIGHT YOU CAROLINA GAMECOCKS TAKE ON THE VANDERBILT COMMODORES! 

Gameday is like Christmas for any SEC student except it comes once a WEEK instead of once a YEAR!

Cheers to the first Gameday of the season and to many many more to come for Senior year!

U-S-C GOOOOO COCKS! I can hear that fight song humming in my head right this second!

xxKatie

Last First Day of School!

I've gone to a few schools in my day. THIS IS SO WEIRD. 

It's my last first day of school!

So far, I have loved my three years here at the University of South Carolina! I feel like freshman orientation was days ago! I remember moving into my dorm like it was yesterday!

My BABY FRESHMAN YEAR DORM

This couldn't have been THREE YEARS AGO!?

Time has absolutely flown by and if you had asked me if where I am is where I'd be when I was a freshman I would have laughed in your face and said "NO WAY!"

It's been an awesome six semesters, 100's of meal plan swipes, 38 football games, 35 classes (not limited to, but including anything and everything from Organic Chemistry to Intro to Shag), 5 parking tickets, endless group text messages, 11, 310 tweets, and more. I can't wait to see what SENIOR YEAR has in store!

"Here's a health Carolina, forever to thee..."

xxKatie

Tailgate City

In form following Luke Bryan's "Suntan City", I feel like this post could come out on his "Spring Break 5" EP!

Football season is right around the corner and is just about the only thing on my brain until school starts. We're figuring out which games to make roadtrips to, which games we're definitely going to, our tailgate spots, you name it, if it has to do with football, we're talking about it. 

The question is though, where to get all your tailgate supplies? For the amateur, you can go to WalMart or Publix, but for us tailgate veterans, I love browsing all the fun things Swoozie's has to offer. (To all my friends, I really should rename this post, "How Katie is Going to Pimp Tailgate Spreads")

I think everyone will want one of these...

Redneck Sippers...enough said

As a matter of fact, this is already in my Swoozie's shopping cart! I have a few friends who would enjoy this too much!!!

"How to Really be a Gamecock"

A WILLY B platter?!?!? YES.

What are your tailgate essentials? I have a fun list of other essentials (food, drinks, etc.) that I can't wait to share with y'all once tailgate season gets closer!!

xxKatie

A Heart Divided: Dating the Enemy

I couldn't be more excited to finally share with y'all that I am to a contributor for SouthernLeague Magazine!!

The big debut was yesterday and my article was featured as a Lifestyle piece perfect for any SEC belle!

all images via SouthernLeague Magazine

When Christie of Gridiron Belles asked me if I wanted to be a part of the project, I was so excited and couldn't wait to get on board! She asked me to write a piece on what happens when you date your schools enemy! 

A major hotbed of rivalry activity happens to be right in my backyard between USC and Clemson so I have a had plenty of friends and friends of friends date the enemy! My article includes advice for all kinds of different situations that you might run into as a rivalry couple including Gamedays, meeting friends and the all important head-to-head Gameday! 

See my article here!! 

And as always, GO GAMECOCKS! This article and magazine debut is making me SO EXCITED FOR FOOTBALL SEASON!!!

xxKatie

Summer Statements: Zolie Designs

Y'all know that this summer has been the summer of the accessory for me. I've bulked up my collection thanks to all kinds of sites online. I have loved pairing statement necklaces with strapless dresses and tops this summer and I look forward to integrating them into my fall wardrobe and Gameday wardrobe as well!

Zolie Designs is a great go-to option for awesome statement jewelry. Here are a few of my favorite pieces:

Pink, green, and some glitz? This has LBP ALL over it!

Pink and orange is such a great combination for summer through fall. I could see this working with the majority of my closet!

Speaking of Gameday, this could be perfect for my sister who's headed down to Auburn in under a month! Blue and orange has got to be calling any Auburn Tiger for Gameday!

This would be another awesome Gameday piece for a Gamecock, Alabama fan or Georgia Bulldawg! Just not a summer Gameday or you could be crusin' for a brusin' with a crazy suntan line. I'd rock this over a black dress and turtleneck, jumper style--a favorite cold Gameday look of mine.

Picture this necklace with a white oxford button down and navy shorts and white Jack Rogers OR skinny jeans and boots. Talk about transition!

Zolie Designs has graciously offered LBP readers 10% off with the code: BEPREPPY

There is a statement necklace to match any outfit option, summer THROUGH fall! Which one is your favorite?

xxKatie

GO GAMECOCKS!

I'm all about some Gamecock baseball today! The finals are FINALLY upon us! It's USC vs. Arizona for the College World Series finals! LET'S GO GAMECOCKS!

GO GAMECOCKS!

xxKatie

Giveaway: Chirp Your Colors with JP Crickets!: WINNER!

I am SO excited to announce today's winner!

Jamie from Him, Me, and our Three is today's winner!

Jamie, shoot me an email at katie (AT) letsbepreppy (DOT) com!

Everyone else, thanks for your tweets and pins, and keep your eyes out for the next giveaway this weekend and for the next few weekends! Y'all are in for lots of treats!

xxKatie

Classic Carolina Gamecocks

While this picture isn't from last night, the Carolina Clemson regional game for the College World Series was a stressful but extremely exciting game yesterday!

There's a chance that this rivalry could meet up for a second time TODAY with Clemson playing early this morning and if they win, playing the Gamecocks again tonight!

Here's to another strong Gamecocks baseball game on our HOME TURF in Columbia!

GO GAMECOCKS! Road to Omaha!

xxKatie

Giveaway: Chirp Your Colors with JP Crickets!

 

It's that time again y'all! Let me present you with JP Crickets!

This fun brand is all about showing your pride all the way down to your toes! JP Crickets is the go-to loafer that still boasts YOUR University pride! There are more designs that have monograms, logos and even custom designs too!

How perfect would these shoes be for a Gameday, party, or even networking event! I know USC has Gamecock clubs all across the nation for Gamecock alumni everywhere--you'd be the talk of the party in a pair of these! With Father's Day right around the corner too, they'd make an awesome gift for your dad--or grad!

Being the Gamecock that I am, I'm quite partial to this pair!

Although it's the-school-that-shall-not-be-named, I like the mule version of the loafers too! Even Clemson fans can share in the fun!!

In honor of my sister who's headed to Auburn University in the fall, these blue and orange ones are too fun too!

University of Georgia Bulldogs can even enjoy their shoe in linen for those HOT Georgia Gamedays!

 

All of these universities are included in their collection too!

Special for LBP readers, JP Crickets is offering $20 off anyone who would like to purchase a pair from their website (the only place they're currently available!!) directly with the code "PREPPY20"! How awesome is that?! PERFECT for gift-giving!!

Anyway, in order to enter the giveaway, you must do all of the following:

1. Leave ONE COMMENT telling how you would "Chirp Your Style" with JP Crickets!

2. Like JP Crickets on Facebook!

3. Follow JP Crickets on Twitter @jpcrickets

4. Follow JP Crickets on Pinterest!

5. Like Let's Be Preppy on Facebook!

For additional entries:

1. Tweet using #ChirpYourColors tagging @letsbepreppy AND @JPCrickets using this button: Tweet #ChirpYourColors

2. Use the #ChirpYourStyle on Pinterest after pinning your favorite shoes from the JPCrickets website!

Y'all, there are SO MANY WAYS to enter this giveaway! I am SO excited to share it with you, it's one of my favorite giveaways to date!

This giveaway will run for ONE week so get it while the getting's good!

xxKatie