Outfit of the Day: Preppy Profesh: Metallics and Neutrals

I wouldn't normally post OOTD's this fast, but everyone was wondering where this outfit was from! I have good and bad news--good news: it's all VERY affordable, bad news: it's all a little bit old...

Sweater: H&M (similar here)

Skirt: Target Merona (similar)

Flats: Target (similar)

Multi-Strand Pearl Necklace: J. Crew (similar)

One of the great things about an internship is practicing for a real job. Not only practicing work skills like computer programs or networking, but practicing what to wear. Some days are a hit, some days are a miss. Today was both. My boss told me that I looked great--total plus! I didn't realize though, however, when I was getting dressed that it was chilly outside! I had bare legs when covered legs may have been more suitable.

I also work for a relatively conservative non-profit, so I tend to always dress conservatively. I also almost always have a cardigan because where I work is ALWAYS cold. Our office building is huge and they keep it cold ALL the time. On the days I forget I'm always telling myself, "DON'T FORGET NEXT TIME!!!!" because it's so chilly! I sit and work at a computer for the majority of the time that I'm there so a cardigan is a great addition to have!

This outfit was definitely good practice for dressing for an office. While it's not "business professional" (to me that's a hard and fast SUIT rule), it's definitely more "business casual" or my new name for it "preppy profesh"!!

What do you usually wear to your work or internship?

xxKatie

Outfit of the Day: Dress to Impress Social Media Style

May 24 by letsbepreppy featuring costume jewelry

Yesterday morning I went to my first official business networking event put on by the business school at USC! It was very informative and I learned a ton. I was invited by a former professor from the spring semester to attend a breakfast presentation about social media! I connected with my professor on LinkedIn after our class ended and he found me through there to invite me. I was extremely excited when he first mentioned it and looked forward to it!

I was TOTALLY nervous before I went, so I checked and re-checked, then scrapped, and checked and re-checked my outfit. Multiply that about five times, add in my roommate and her help and finally I decided on what to wear. Business dress is officially the hardest thing to dress appropriately for. Not prom, not the first day of school. But "business". Like really, what does that even mean? I figured my suit would be too stiff and dressy, but I didn't want to look like an amateur when I showed up.

Anyway, I finally decided on my navy blazer (remember that REALLY good deal I got awhile back? Yep, THAT blazer) and a new skirt I got at H&M. It must have been a good look because one of the ladies sitting at my table asked me if I taught at the University! Ha! I took it as a major compliment though, and an implied acceptance for my outfit. Clearly I was stressing about it!

When I checked in I must have looked a bit forlorn because the woman at the desk asked if I needed directions somewhere...oh boy! Then she realized I was actually in the right place and handed my official nametag:

Katie Rudder

Let's Be Preppy

Needless to say, I was obviously excited by that! I decided to register under LBP because that's where the majority of my social media skills come from! It seemed to make sense and ended up being a great choice!

What do you wear for these kind of events and presentations? I'm still learning and building my working wardrobe, and I'm totally open for advice and suggestions!

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

Outfit of the Day: Pink Blazer

January 10 by letsbepreppy featuring faded jeans

Pink Blazers seem to be the "it" thing--they're all over Pinterest! I saw this blazer while we were shopping before Christmas at H & M. My jaw just about dropped! My mom wasn't as big of a fan as I was, but I knew of a few outfits that it would be PERFECT with! My first inkling was to pair it with a white button-down like this. Then my mind drifted to all the other combinations I could pair it with! One dress came to mind IMMEDIATELY:

Right?! How perfect is that?!

Anyway, I've been dying for nice weather and an event that warrants such a formal, structured dress and a blazer so I can pair them together!!

Do you like the pink blazer trend? Do you have one? If so, what do you wear it with?

xxKatie

My Very Own Crossbody (and a Surprise OOTD!)

Well lovely ladies (and gents) I finally did it! I bought a crossbody and I love it! I got mine from Target:

It's fabulous and I encourage all of you to go out and get one! It was $15.00 and SO worth it! It's roomy (so roomy I thought I actually lost my camera) and has safe pockets for money, ID's, CarolinaCards (or your university's version) and you can be hands free--that's by far the best part in my opinion.

I wore mine to our football game too and that was great! I didn't have to put my yucky Longchamp on the ground, but instead could just wear this one and not have to worry about it!

Last Gameday of the Season! by letsbepreppy featuring h&m dresses

This is actually my favorite gameday outfit I've ever worn! It was a little too hot for my choices (a sweater and tights) but I was getting ready at like 9am and around then it was still chilly. I'd totally wear this outfit again for a holiday party or something festive like that. I LOVE this H&M dress and actually only wore it for the first time ever at the game but I got it last year for a Pink Crab Christmas party that was a lot more casual than I thought. 

Anyway, I love this bag and I think everyone should go out and buy one of their own!

xxKatie

Busy Bee

Hi all! Today I went power shopping. I had 2 goals in mind and I went shopping knowing what they were. I said in my last post that I like to browse online before I go into the store. I was headed to forever21 in my mall and so I checked the website to see what they might have in store for me. I came across two things on the website that I wanted to look for in the store. Fortunately or unfortunately, I found one of them! Check out this skirt that I snagged:

How cute?! I need an outfit for an alumni function for my high school class that I'm organizing for next Monday the 21st. Imagine this with black tights, a black turtle neck and black boots! I'm so excited that it only set me back $20.99-tax included, it's very me too! I managed to snatch up the very last one in the store, or at least the last one I could find, you know how forever21 stores can be! Here's a photo of the "real life" version that I actually own:

                         

It really is pink, but there isn't really good lighting in my room!!

I also needed a Christmas cocktail dress for a work party that a close co-worker of mine is hosting! She sent out fabulous evites a few days ago, specifying cocktail attire and I don't have any decent dresses for the winter. I grabbed this dress from H&M for ~$35!

How fun is that bow at the top? Click on the photo if you need so you can see the details. It looks nicer as a larger picture! I'm super excited to pair this with black tights and some kind of festive black shoes. My sister is going to wear a similar champagne colored dress with a scoop neckline from Madewell (J. Crew's "cousin" store) with black tights as well!

I am so excited about my week coming up! It should be a lot of fun. And hopefully my hair will be all set to go right around Wednesday because that's my appointment day with my REAL hair woman. I'm crossing my fingers that she can salvage the current color (yucky orange-auburn, not me at ALL) and get it to something respectable-oh college adventures!

I'll keep ya posted for sure!

xxKatie