HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

Thanks for always being there for us! We are the luckiest fam to have you as our Dad and fearless leader! I can't wait to see you in a few days and celebrate the real way!

xxKatie

Toomer's Corner

Congrats on your graduation (WITH distinction!) to my sister Grace and all of the class of 2012!

Grace is headed to Auburn in the fall and we couldn't be more excited to be a house divided!

In honor of Auburn, part of her graduation party was our DIY Toomer's Corner:

To quote "The Parent Trap" this "brilliant beyond brilliant idea" came to my Mom and she and I kept it a secret from Grace!

Before everyone started to arrive, I decided to get Toomer's Corner started...

Awkwardly, I was pretty good at it, but I'm not sure how all those Tigers do it on SUCH a high tree!

For those who aren't familiar with Toomer's Corner, this is what it looks like after football wins! Read more here.

This was just one of many of the TP-ed trees in our backyard in our own Toomer's Corner! It ended up being so much fun and a great activity to get all the little kids involved in! Definitely something to think about if someone you know is headed to Auburn!

HAPPY GRADUATION GRACE! It was great to celebrate with you on Saturday!

xxKatie

(P.S.: It's REALLY weird to write about another SEC school's tradition. Just sayin'...GO GAMECOCKS.)

Gift Picks for the Preppy Graduate

The wonderful editors of the Swoozie's blog, "The Land of the Swoo" contacted me about pairing up to make some fabulous picks for graduates!! I LOVE Swoozie's! Don't you?! Here are my choices:

1. Acrylic Monogram Necklace: Just like colored denim is a fun, fabulous trend this year, so are these whimsical colored acrylic necklaces! This makes a great gift for a college OR college-bound high-school grad!

2. Personalized iPhone Case: I’m a sucker for anything madras, and if you add a monogram on there, I just about can’t resist it!! This cute cover would make any girl swoon (for Swoozie’s!). Add a big bow (and maybe even that shiny new iPhone to boot) and this cover will be perfect to give to your grad!

3. Personalized Cosmetic Case: Staying organized for a grad is always important. Maybe your new grad is moving to hall-style dorms and she’ll be sharing a bathroom with 20 girls sometimes! Maybe your new grad has moved to her posh new, hole in the wall big-girl apartment and needs a small place to keep her beauty products! Whether you’re sharing with all your floormates or your New York City new roommate, this personalized cosmetic bag will make a great “thinking of you” present!

4. Personalized Hugger: Koozies are huge in college with me and my friends! Imagine how jealous your college girl’s friends will be when they see she’s got her own pink and green monogrammed koozie! Too stinkin’ cute!!

5. Cupcake Folded Note Cards: I’m a cupcake girl through and through, so these have my name all over them! I was even known as the “Cupcake Queen” during my time in high school! I have always hand-written thank you notes for gifts, but these notes are perfect to drop friends a note who may have also just graduated and moved or friends who are away at school for the first time!

6. Chloe Necklace: In college, space is a premium and you’re pressed for what you can bring. What does that mean? Looking for pieces and accessories that match a TON of stuff! This white Chloe necklace would pair great with a pink and green shift, color blocked top, or just jeans and a t-shirt!

Are you part of the class of 2012? One of my favorite ladies, my sister, sure is!!

Happy graduation to all the members of the class of 2012!!

xxKatie

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

SUIT UP!

Any other How I Met Your Mother fans out there?

While I'm not entirely referring to one of the Barney Stinson catchphrases, I'm more talking about finding a suit. Today I have a mock interview for one of my assignments for a business class, and it's basically a staged, practice interview with a real company but it just has no real job! It's supposed to be a great way to practice for real interviews and a HUGE career EXPO we have coming up next week. I'm wearing this great structured black, tweed Tahari dress that my mom picked up for me a while back: 

I'm adding black tights and plain black heels to make it dressier. It runs a little longer on me than this model, but you get the idea. Anyway, I am now a junior in the business school which means that it's officially time to start looking at REAL business wear: AKA SUITS. I've found a few that are more "me" and less "suit-y" than most:

Ann Taylor Loft

(it even comes in tall--a major PRO for me!)

Tahari

I just love that bow--too bad I can only find it in navy!

Victoria's Secret

You're probably like WHAT--let me just say, their skirts and jackets are SO LONG that I'd just have to try it to test it out and see!

Tahari

This one even has the TINIEST bit of pink in it!

So to all my fellow business scholars out there, do you just stick to structured dresses or have you gone with a skirt suit? I have friends who have done both, but nearly everyone owns at least one of both just to make sure that she's covered in every situation! This is one of the ONLY times I wish I was a boy because getting ready would be so easy!! To my business power women out there, what do you recommend?

Please let us know! This is very real life for many of us!

xxKatie

Signet Rings

Add a monogram to this baby and it's an ideal signet ring! I love the way these look: timeless, clean, and match everything. Signet rings are a wonderful go-to if you need a special gift, are celebrating a hallmark event like a graduation or important birthday or to commemorate something big. 

I'm typically not a gold loving girl, but I much prefer gold signet rings over silver ones. I do however, absolutely adore this old school circle monogram! If I ever got a signet ring, this would be the kind of monogram I'd want! 

Here are several styles! While I do like the single letter engravings, the monograms are so special because they commemorate different times in your life! Some monograms celebrate your childhood and others celebrate a fun, new married life!

There are so many ways to personalize your own signet rings!

Do you have a ring like these? When did you get it? What does yours look like?

xxKatie

Con-grads Grads!

Today I'm working the College of Arts & Sciences graduation ceremony. This post is for all of the fabulous seniors that I'm going to miss. You all have changed my college career and touched my heart. This one's for: Sarah, Georgia, Amanda, Derek, Alayna, Aldric, Laura, Kaleb, Aaron, Greg, Kathryn, Patrick, Hakeem, and everyone else who is celebrating their special weekend! Congrats on an awesome 4 years!

Forever to thee!

xxKatie

Forever21 Headband Steals!

While I was at home, I managed to go shopping with my mom and sister BEFORE Black Friday! I didn't snag too much, but I got a few good picks from forever21:

LOVE this rosette headband! Even better--it was only $3.80! My roommate Megan loves headbands like this, so I'm sure she'll want to snag one too. The flowers are also in a good spot so it doesn't really matter which side you wear it on. I really like this neutral color too so I can wear it with pretty much anything!

I liked it so much that I got another one in grey! I see online that it also comes in black too!

Finally this was the last set I snagged. My gold headband was a little different though and it had a big woven bow on it! That headband even made it into the Christmas card! OOTD and actual photo to come in another post!

I also got a pair of blue leggings (that I wore with my Lilly Sadie dress) from f21, but they're the first pair of leggings I've ever worn! They sort of don't count though because I wore them under a dress with boots so they'd give off a look of tights. I did enjoy them however, and they were comfy. I still don't think I could wear them as "pants" but instead more like thick tights. 

I have a tacky Christmas party to attend Wednesday night (when my rookies "graduate") so I may end up wearing black leggings under a tacky sweater. We'll see though--it all depends on the length of everything!! I have to be so careful about that stuff.

I hope everyone had nice Thanksgiving weekends!

xxKatie

"The Dailies"

I've gotten a few requests and comments about the jewelry that I wear everyday. I don't wear much jewelry, but I do wear a few things each and everyday. From the top down:

I wear this exact necklace everyday. No joke, that is my exact monogram, cRa and I have the Basch Sterling Sliver Script Monogram Pendant. I wear it on a round silver snake chain that I got from a local silver jeweler. I get tons of questions on this necklace when I feature it on my Polyvore. A jeweler that eventually ended up closing its doors sold me mine, but a company called Basch are the ones who actually make the necklaces. Since all the work is custom, it takes a little bit to get to you, but for as much as I wear mine, it's so worth it. You can actually buy them on QVC.com if you search "Basch" in the box. 

I got this ring for my High School graduation from my parents and I wear it everyday on my right hand ring finger. I was hesitant to wear it because I knew I'd be sick if something happened, but then again why have nice, pretty jewelry if you can't wear it! It's tough to see, but it has 4 pink sapphires around the sides. I like to have the 2 brightest ones facing out (and I actually get particular if someone takes my ring off that it gets put back the right way!)!

Everyday I also wear earrings unless my ears hurt from the last pair. I don't have sensitive ears at all, but sometimes junky earrings get me. I often wear a pair of pearl earrings or silver pearls. If they get switched out, then I wear fake diamond studs or a specific pair to match what I'm wearing (Elsa Peretti silver hearts, black pearls, etc.). One of my favorite pairs of earrings is actually from Claire's and they're pearls with teeny tiny cubic zirconias on top of the pearls. They're so tiny and delicate that people always think they're real. Very classy for Claire's, I know, kinda ridiculous! 

Do you ever wear some things everyday? Got any great wedding/engagement rings to show off?! I'd love to see!!

xxKatie 

Outfit of the Day: Georgetown Evening Graduation

Tonight my mom and I are headed into Washington D.C. for Georgetown University's graduation. My oldest cousin Ryan is graduating, and some of our family will be there. This is what I'm wearing for the night:

May 22 by letsbepreppy featuring Longchamp bags

My mom got me this skirt about a year ago at H&M and it was also a Michelle Obama purchase, so they ended up flying off the shelves in our area at least. I wear it with a black mock neck sleeveless shirt tucked in so it looks neat. I'm pairing it with black Jacks so I'm comfortable if we're walking around. I also have a fabulous headband that matches perfectly with the champagne color on the skirt.

After graduation, we're heading to 1789 which is a restaurant in D.C. for a late dinner and all my family members will be together so that should be fun as well!

xxKatie

My Graduation Gift

My parents gave me my graduation gift like the night before my graduation, but it wasn’t the right size. They gave me a gold and pearl Pandora ring (that I actually posted about when I got back from spring break…funny story: my mom didn’t really like it because she thought “I was hitting her over the head” by saying how much I liked it, so in turn, I deleted the post.) and I absolutely love it! It has 4 teeny tiny pink sapphires in the sides of the “crown”. When we were in Phoenix, the saleswoman told me that it was part of Pandora’s princess collection. How fab? Well, anyway, mother had ordered a size 7, which I’m guessing is like typical ring size. The 7 easily fell off my hand though, causing a slight wearability problem. It fit on the middle finger of the hand I write with, and even that finger has a huge knuckle that it fit over. Needless to say, I needed a much smaller size, so we headed back over to Smyth to get a new one. After ordering the size 6 (and being properly fitted) it finally arrived a few days ago!

I’m still getting used to wearing a ring, and I tend to fidget taking it on and off and on and off. It does turn fairly often, so I find myself turning it back because of the texture (you can see the little balls on the photo). Also, to take the close up pictures (pardon the hair, my mom seemed a little grossed out, but I didn’t think twice about it) I used the digital macro setting on my camera for the first time! I upgraded my camera around Christmas time and I still am not sure how everything works yet! It took incredibly clear VERY close up photos of the ring. I decided to take the picture ON my hand because you can see the pink sapphires the best. Who even knew that sapphires could come in any color besides blue?! Well, they come in the fabulous shade of pink too!

Ever get any special graduation gifts? This is definitely one I’ll remember!

xxKatie

Commencement 2009!

Well, now that its all over-graduation and all that it entails-I have some time to write. I'm actually back from my school's beach week because I decided that it WAS NOT for me and headed back with (a saint of) a girl who was making the way back-thank you a million times, Kate! Baccalaureate was a raving success and I had SO much fun there. There were such good performances by a bunch of my classmates and they really showed off their pipes! This is a picture of Kathleen, me, Lizzie and Sarah. We're all at Baccalaureate and headed to USC. We have gotten a bunch of "South Carolina Girls" pictures. The 4 of us are all going there and Kathleen even wants to be a nurse too! This is me and Ben. We've gone to school for 12 years together, sorry Ben, I had to break the pattern, I decided to choose USC over...MIT. Yeah, the real MIT from the movie 21. No joke. He's 6'7'' and going to play basketball there, and he's just a little smarter than I am!! He-he.

Graduation was a blast too. My friend Evalyse brought up a great point. It was really one of those like "life-long" moments and she kept telling herself, "Remember this. Remember this. Remember this!!" This is a shot taken of my "group". I ended up wearing my Kate Spade shoes just for fun, and hey-both my PRINCIPAL and some other Director said something. Literally, AS I WAS WALKING ACROSS THE STAGE TO GET MY REAL DIPLOMA. I will always remember my walk across the stage. As you can see I'm the only one without some kind of neutral shoe on. It was awesome. Actually no one else in my graduating class had shoes like mine!

Also, I know I promised a photo of my USC bedding, and here I am to follow through! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this and my mom picked it up kind of as a surprise. She just found it and had to buy it and thank God she did because it is perfect!!! Hope everyone is having a fabulous beginning to their summers! USC move-in is officially 2 months from Monday!

xxKatie

Since I temporarily fell off the face of the blogging earth...

This stinks. I haven't blogged in ages, but hey- its just like riding a bike, right? What a bummer, I feel like I've totally let everyone down. Well here's my attempt at redemption (again).

Since I last blogged, SO much has happened. WOW. First and foremost: prom. What a fun night! It happened to be the last day of school for seniors which was totally an added bonus! The theme was "Vegas" and there were mocktails (I had a mock cosmo!!) and mock gambling, but that was a bit over my head. Here are a few photos from prom:

This was how my date (Brad) asked me:HOW ADORABLE IS THAT? I know. My dad was like, "Am I allowed to eat one?". We loved them in my house!
This is my "group" and our dates, and it happens to be one of my mom's favorite photos from the night. I'm in the pink:
This was decidedly one of our favorite pictures, me, Brad (minus his crooked tie), and Grace my sister:

It ended up as a very fun night that I think most everyone enjoyed. Thank you to all the members of the class of 2010 who put it on!

Next, I came back from my Habitat for Humanity trip. (Click the link for the location we went to.) I LOVED IT. It was so much fun and I encourage everyone to do something like this, especially with a group of people you know. We all got very close to one another and it was really a great bonding trip for everyone who went.This is the entire group that went except one girl because she was at her sister's college graduation (Boston College!) and had to fly down to meet us later. We all had such a good time!

I've been working a ton and Lilly Summer 2009 rocks. Swimsuits, dresses, ahh its fabulous! The store is really picking up especially with the Navy graduation week and everything. What a good few weeks for the store!

Also, believe it or not, I'm gearing up for school. Its CRAZY. Taking placement tests, buying stuff here and there (I have positively the cutest bedding that my mom picked up for me. Photos will obviously follow.) I can't believe I head out August 14th! I guess first I technically have to graduate, which is June 6th. Woo-hoo! The night before my graduation is Baccalaureate, which is a big event (dressy) put on by students for students. There's a big reflection, and tons of people perform guitar or sing or make candid power points of us across the years, its generally a tear-jerker. This is the dress I'm wearing that I love from j.crew and now its on sale:Very cute! Unfortunately I had to take the hem down a little but it was totally worth it. Plus I can take it with me to SC!

I feel like so much is going on these days that I can't think of everything. Thankfully, I will be blogging regularly fairly soon so that will be good, I'll be able to keep up with stuff again. Miss you all and its really good to be back!

xxKatie