Carolina Cup Week: Today's the Day!

BE THERE OR BE SQUARE!

Can't wait to see everyone's well-dressed, hat-covered, CAROLINA CUP LOVING faces!

For tips, tricks, and photos, follow me on Twitter (@letsbepreppy) and Instagram (@letsbepreppy) for updates all day long!

xxKatie

Put a Bow On It: Scarf Edition

I've recently Instagrammed a few OOTD's (outfit of the day's) with scarves tied like a bow! A few of y'all have inquired about how to do it and even tried it on your own!

For those of you who have tried, you know, it's SO EASY. If you can tie your shoes, you can tie your scarf. You literally follow the exact same steps:

The steps go L-R top then L-R bottom!

Step 1: Lay your scarf with equal tails on each side. 

Step 2: Make a simple knot, like the first step when you'd tie your shoes.

Step 3: Pull one loop through, then followed by the other side. Again, just think, shoe tying!

Step 4: It will be lopsided. Choose to adjust or tie again!

Step 5: Adjusting

Step 6: Pull the loops to be wider so you can really see the bow!

Voila, you've just tied your scarf in a bow! Really, I follow the EXACT same steps like you would tie your shoelaces, so if in doubt, keep that in mind!

Give it a shot, and if you wear your scarf in a bow, tag me on Instagram @letsbepreppy so I can see your scarf bows! I'll post the best ones!

xxKatie

Princess Wedges

It's no secret we all love Princess Kate. Anyone who says otherwise is lying. She's a great style icon that we can all emulate and is becoming a trendsetter for 20-somethings everywhere. It's about time we have a great style icon to look up to for our generation.

Last summer the Duchess of Cambridge was spotted pre-Olympics in the cutest wedges! As per her usual (or more correctly probably her stylist's usual...) Kate was in a nude shoe. Well, you can be Kate in your own nude wedges!

Target has made their own Princess Kate wedge that is beyond budget-friendly and comfortable!

I bought them myself after seeing one of the people I follow post them on Instagram! You can't see it, but this neutral color has some very light and feminine strands of gold weaved into the espadrille part of the wedge. It really elevates the look and makes it fun and festive. I love these wedges and I know I'm going to get a ton of wear out of them!

If you're in the market for a new pair of versatile wedges, these Target ones are definitely the ones to snag! Since they are from Target, I would suggest heading into your local Tarj to see if they're available. My Target only had one pair in my size (multiples of smaller sizes, only 1 10, sorry Columbians!) so you'll want to check ASAP.

xxKatie

Quack Quack!

I spoiled this post a few days ago when I posted my duck boots! I've had these LLBean Boots for a few years but I hardly ever get the chance to wear them in South Carolina!

Although it probably wasn't even "cold" by most of y'all's standards, it was CHILLY for us here! Read: I actually had to wear a winter coat. YUCK!

They had been calling for rain on-and-off and so I decided boots would be the best choice.

I have the LLBean 6'' Boots and they work perfectly for my climate and usage. I didn't need lined ones nor did I need really tall ones. Mine are EXTREMELY comfortable, especially the fat rubber heel. To me, they feel more like heavy running shoes than snow boots.

If you aren't on the Bean Boots bandwagon (say that 5 times fast!) you'll need to know that if you buy yourself a pair, you'll need to go down a size(s). I normally wear a 10.5 and actually ordered the women's 9 believe it or not. They still fit with fat socks. They aren't roomy, but the fit is great in the 9. The laces will also take a little getting used to, but they're nothing a double knot can't fix!

I think Bean Boots might be the ONLY perk of it being this cold!

xxKatie

Posh Pets

I'll be the first to admit that photo shoots are FUN. You get to pretend you're in another world for a few hours with people making you fabulous and showcasing knock out clothes. I was a part of a photo shoot organized by blogger, The Shop Tart, Columbia, SC aficionado for a local magazine!

photo via the Shop Tart

As you can see pets were involved! My animal was a grey cat named Insley, who we joked, had a perfect name to be a contestant (perhaps a VIP cocktail waitress?) on the Bachelor!

I was decked out in merchandise from the store and got the special opportunity to be a part of this shoot with a close friend of mine who works at the store next door to mine!

We were joking that we had great outfits that represented out respective stores but they were also outfits that we'd normally wear in real life!

I can't wait to see the final choices from the shoot. I was able to snag a few for my own Instagram--you can even see Insley poking out of my bag--too cute! Sweater, tote, cuff, and shoes all still available. I'll post the fish critter jeans as soon as they're live online!

Big thanks to Columbia Metropolitan Magazine (see you in March!), The Shop Tart and Pawmetto Lifeline and Pink Sorbet!

xxKatie

Tied With a Bow

My family isn't really too keen on Black Friday shopping, but this year we happened to be shopping ON Black Friday because it was the only day that my mom, my sister and I all had together before she left and I left to go back to school!

We didn't go to Target or WalMart or anything crazy, but instead just walked around downtown Annapolis. Of course, we had to go into the Pink Crab, and I actually found a top (shhh, I don't know about it!) that had sold out in South Carolina so that ended up making it's way home for Christmas. (AGAIN, SHHH! IT'S A SURPRISE!)

I think that big bow ring that, a gift with purchase from the Pink Crab (and I'm assuming all the Lilly stores), was my favorite part of Black Friday! There's a matching earring set too:

These come in all gold (AMAZING) and navy too!

One of my favorite parts of Christmas time, and especially working during Christmas time, is wrapping gifts! These bow accoutrements are right up my alley--too cute!

xxKatie

OOTD: Boots & Bootcut

When I see people wearing cowboy boots, they usually pair them with a dress or skinny jeans here on campus. I definitely rock my cowboy boots with skinny jeans, but I also love the look of cowboy boots UNDER bootcut jeans. It's absolutely one of my favorite fall looks! Your cowboy boots can just peek out under your jeans!

The jeans I'm wearing here are a great cut that I found at Nordstrom Rack. They're Seven for All Mankind's Skinny Bootcut--kind of the best of both worlds! I haven't seen any other brand come out with a design similar to these skinny bootcut jeans!

If you have a Nordstrom Rack by you definitely check the racks to see if they have your size. I snagged my pair for WAY under retail! Actually they were almost 90% off believe it or not!

This pair comes pretty close to mine! I am a huge fan especially for the amount of stretch in the denim material also. There is a massive amount of stretch and I feel great when I wear them. 

I paired my fab bootcut jeans with this flannel shirt that I recently found at Old Navy. I've never been big into flannel and I decided to take the plunge with this shirt. I loved the sherbet-y colors of it and knew that I had pink and orange stuff to match it. The base color is neutral and would work with a ton of different accessories and bottoms. 

My boots are my tried-and-true Frye Billy Pull On boots that I SWEAR by! Y'all know how much I wear these boots and I know I will have them for the next GOOD chunk of my life. I have broken them in and find them to be extreeeeeemly comfortable. The color I have is the basic brown and it really matches basically everything I own.

This has definitely been one of my favorite fall outfits that I've put together. It's rare that it's cold enough for flannel and a scarf, but I made it work! Do you wear a lot of flannel? What's your favorite denim cut?

xxKatie

Outfit of the Day: Preppy Profesh: Pink Blazer

Y'all know how much I love my pink blazer! It's rare when I buy a really TRENDY clothing item, but when I saw this I couldn't pass it up. My mom actually got it for me for Christmas and I LOVE it! I wore it to my first day of school last semester after my birthday and have worn it a few times since then--I don't want to over wear it, but I tried it over a professional dress and it worked great!

I was doing an interview on campus for a position within our Dance Marathon at USC. I think I was probably over-dressed by the time that I got to the interview, but I felt so much confidence in this outfit.

I paired my pink blazer with my Lilly Pulitzer Collins dress that I got at the warehouse sale! The print is among my favorites and the cut is great because it's both conservative for work, but still lovably Lilly!

I paired it with these gold basket weave wedges that are super comfortable and appropriate. The metallic is too fun as well!

Do you usually wear dresses or suits for interviews? Have you interviewed for anything recently?

Polish Change: Size Matters

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"!

xxKatie

Outfit of the Day: Goodbye White Pants

Since I didn't do anything at ALL yesterday except go grocery shopping at WalMart, I didn't really utilize my last day of white pants! You'll probably see me break the rule a time or two since it's so stinking hot in South Carolina for awhile, but in honor of the last day of white pants yesterday, it appears that it is time to say goodbye!

I wore this outfit to work last week! I love any version of an Elsa top by Lilly, and this embroidered one was great! The colors are fun and vibrant and coral and turquoise seems to be everywhere these days!

This was also the first day of my Tory Burch flats! I got them for a STEAL! I can't even believe! The gold is definitely something I need to get used to, but I think they'll be a lot more toned down with dark jeans and great for fall!

Goodbye white jeans!

What are your thoughts on still wearing white jeans? Yay or nay? Hello or goodbye?

xxKatie

"You Make Me Wanna Roll My Windows Down and Cruise..."

I LOVED seeing this Instagram picture of a Let's Be Preppy Cruisey in action! 

For those of you who have expressed interest and don't live within deliverable limits of where I live, you can order them HERE! 

Both the pink and green are still available!

Recently, in a "Cruisey" state of mind, I've been rocking out to "Cruise" by Florida Georgia Line. They were actually in Columbia last week but I had a meeting to go to and couldn't make it over to where they were playing!

Enjoy your last day of crusin' since most of us have the day off!!

xxKatie

Outfit of the Day: Just Add Lemon

I love white pants. I am TRYING TRYING TRYING to wear them as much as possible before they're deemed "unfashionable" for fall. Although, I do believe that South Carolina deserves an extension because it stays so hot here!

Anyway, I wore this outfit a few days ago to work! It was actually the first time I ever wore these wedges. I have a few aunts who all live around NYC and they send me shoes that they decide they don't like anymore. This includes Stuart Weitzman woven heels, Frye boots, and this ROCKIN' pair of over the knee boots. Perks of having tall relatives with big feet! Usually these shoes are only worn a few times before I get them! Can you say lucky?! 

These wedges were one of those hand-me-downs! They're Tommy Hilfiger and they have the tiniest bit of lurex in the linen! I'm not sure why I haven't worn them before, and my boss even told me that I looked great that day which always feels good! I was also able to rock my new Target watch that I am LOVING!

The top I'm wearing has fish and sea animals all over it. It is one of my favorite prints and has the name "Just Add Lemon":

HOW CUTE IS THAT?!

The blue cardigan matched the blue perfectly so I had to add it in the end!

xxKatie

Foul Weather Wellies

It was POURING last night. The kind of rain where I feared time and time and time again that my car window were open (they weren't) and I got nervous anytime I saw a sky-filling bolt of lightening.

I have these tall, candy pink Hunter Boots (Wellies) that I love! I sometimes hope that the weather will be bad, just so I can wear them! They gained a good bit of fame at Carolina Cup, when I was featured on the Lilly Pulitzer Instagram:

I love these boots and got them NEW for a HUGE steal on eBay! (I then made the mistake of accidently sending them home to my house in Annapolis...not South Carolina...)

As I type this post and it's raining cats and dogs, I'm secretly hoping that it's still not so nice weather in the morning so I can rock these boots!

Here's to foul weather wellies!

xxKatie

The Transfer

Step One of getting ready for school: Getting organized

How do you get organized? Well, transfer all important dates from first semester from one Lilly agenda to the next, of course!

I had the old blue agenda and then just purchased my new pink "Life of the Party" agenda two weeks ago! Since we're well into August, I figured I'd better do it soon since I've been carrying both around for a little while!

Fun events on the horizon:

Hootie & the Blowfish in Charleston with the bitties (WOOOOO!!!)

Start of school

Start of fall internship

First days of volunteering at the Visitor Center (giving tours)

Perhaps Dierks Bentley concert!

First Bingo night of the school year

Helping my friends move into their new places

Famously Hot Music Festival country concert

And that's still ONLY just August! Man oh man senior year is shaping up to be a good one!

As for today, I'm off to deal with the insurance ramifications from the bad-luck-dress-induced fender bender, figure out the extras associated with my big girl credit card (I've never had one y'all!), and more organizational to-do-list items on my list!

How do you stay organized? Have you made the switch to your new planner for the year?

xxKatie

Outfit of the Day: The Bad Luck Dress

At first I debated whether or not to post this OOTD, but I figured y'all might find it funny...or something.

Let me clarify first: I am NOT AT ALL superstitious. I don't care about black cats, or ladders or broken mirrors. I don't throw salt over my shoulder, or anything like that. I think superstitions are silly and weird. However, the bad luck dress is more than convincing.

So, I have this dress. That I love.

Pink and orange and it has this awesome back to it and it's a great, unique cut. Amazing.

Except for the fact that something horribly awful happens in it almost every time I wear it. Y'all probably think I'm off my rocker, but Wednesday it yet again proved itself unlucky. I thought I made it all the way through the day at work without anything going on. PHEW! I made it! I figured I had broken the curse and nothing was wrong anymore.

FALSE.

I got in a VERY MINOR car accident. All the damage was cosmetic and it wasn't my fault. We were all safe and nothing serious happened, BUT IT WAS STILL AN ACCIDENT NONETHELESS. I had the realization and asked myself, "REALLY?!"

So, is it really a cursed dress? My friends (who have experienced the dress' ill-effects) all think it's cursed. Am I the only one who has a cursed piece of clothing? Needless to say, something has to be done and I need to find a solution!

Has anyone else ever experienced something like this? I'm SO curious to hear if anyone has ever had a similar situation!!

xxKatie

A Look in The Mirror

By now, a lot of y'all have seen my outfit of the day (OOTD) posts! They feature my outfits of choice for work, internship days, going out and more. They also feature another player though, my mirror!

I'm sure you have also seen how busy that mirror is with all my stickers!

Going Out

Internship

Work

See all the stickers? Maybe you haven't noticed them as much as you have now! I worried about putting stickers on my laptop (or car) like a lot of college students do because I wasn't sure if they'd come off AND I didn't want to ruin the most valuable things that I own. I decided that this would be a more fun alternative!

I've added a few new stickers including the Vineyard Vines sicker on the bottom of the mirror! As you can see it's a lot of stores/brands and even one for my high school's lacrosse team!

The top features two restaurants, more brands and stores, and a crowd favorite of the "Go Navy Beat Army" sticker that my mom sent me in a care package freshman year! 

This is definitely a fun way to showcase all your favorite stickers without having to put them on your car or laptop! Ever thought about where you can incorporate yours? I've also seen people put them on the top of their desks with a glass pane on top--I LOVE that idea too!

Where do you put all of yours?

xxKatie

Outfit of the Day: Upcycling

I posted this picture on Instagram about a week ago and included my upcycling project!

If you can see the tunic top that I'm wearing, believe it or not, it humbly started out as a Minnie's size 14 shift dress! My mom and I found it in a consignment store in Rehoboth, Delaware (just down the road from where I am now!) for $40! Springing at the chance for a little DIY project, she told me to get it and we would figure out how to make it work! I'm lucky because I'm small chested and this top has NO darts or extra material in the chest, but I was able to get into it!

We took the dress home and to the tailor that we trust with our favorite things. She vented the sides up about 7 or 7.5 inches to make it a much better tunic fit. She also removed the bows from the shift and voila it was a tunic for me! It's a little hard to see, but there's this rocking square neckline that's so much fun. 

An upcycling project just goes to show that you CAN very easily transition a fun piece with very little work! We transformed this dress to a tunic in a matter of days with just a teensy bit of assistance, but you could TOTALLY tackle this project on your own! Keep your eyes out for girls' dresses that you can do this to yourself!

Have you ever done a project like this? Have you transformed (upcycled) a piece of clothing to a new, fresh piece?

Happy upcycling!

xxKatie

Outfit of The Day: Fallin' In Love

While this post has nothing to do with actually falling in love, it is the name of one of my favorite dress prints!

Since getting my iPhone I've been able to do OOTD's in an entirely different way! Instagramming (@letsbepreppy) different pictures has become my new favorite thing to do via my iPhone!

Fallin' In Love is the name of this charm bracelet print by Lilly. I was able to snag this dress before Christmas on a HUGE sale for a Christmas present from "Santa". I wore it to work (as you can see in the background) for a big event in the store that we held for Miss South Carolina pageant week!

I paired my strapless dress with my Fornash clover necklace and wedges. In the straps of my wedges are a little bit of metallic material that really pops with the necklace. There is also a bit of gold in the buttons on the dress that I love! Being the navy girl that I am, the combination of blue and gold (which also happens to be one of my Pinterest boards!) never gets old for me! I also had my Wayfarers on which are such a staple of summer for me!

I pulled my hair back in a fat French braid since it's one of the only hairstyles that keeps my short hair out of my face while still looking nice. I have only VERY RECENTLY learned to French braid my own hair--the key is to NOT think about it if you can tell yourself that!!

Here's to attempting to stay cool in this steamy SC summer (AND fallin' in love--both kinds!)!!!

xxKatie

Crafternoon: Glitter Decorations

I was feeling inspired when we were crafting (more crafts to follow this week--we had a crafty weekend!) on Sunday when I thought that I would attempt something that I've had my eye on from Pinterest:

I didn't use canvases, but chose to do mine on little thin wood discs!

Super plain, $.79 discs I had from Hobby Lobby from MONTHS ago that were lying around.

Then I painted them a random pink I had lying around that I liked.

Then I freehanded my initials onto the painted discs as a guide to where to put the Mod Podge and glitter! We're finally getting to the fun parts!!

I painted MP onto the letters, and I put two coats on to make sure they were wet. (This ended up slightly being a mistake. I tackled this craft with no directions so it was a game of trial and error. You'll still need both supplies anyway!)

I used the glitter and covered the letters with all the Mod Podge. Like I said, this was a mistake. You'll see what I did instead for more full coverage.

I did what all those blogs suggest and mixed a bunch of Mod Podge with the glitter to make a glitter paste and pasted on top of the existing glitter. This worked MUCH better.

It really started to take shape at this point!

Since I used discs instead of canvases, it made hanging a little bit more difficult. I decided to go the 7-year-old-room's-decoration-route and use ribbon! I made a false bow and glued the rest onto a long ribbon.

Then I combined all the pieces and voila:

I was so excited with the way it turned out! I put it on the front of my bedroom door so that anyone who comes over knows which room is mine! I am SO happy with the look and couldn't wait to share it with y'all!

Maybe you'll want to try this craft on your own! It was so easy, cheap since I had everything laying around, and looks great when finished! Happy crafting y'all!

xxKatie

I'm BAAAAAAAACK

Vacation was nice, but I'm glad to be back! My computer has been on the fritz and I had no wi-fi, so what's a girl to do!?

Instagram. Obviously.

Anyway, I'm back and ready to blog! Here's a little recap of my holiday:

Out at dinner with my friend Jami at the beach in South Carolina!

My shirt for the 4th that I very eagerly purchased at a store that had an entrance that was a shark.

Spent any amount of time that there was even a SLIVER of sunshine happily clad in sunnies.

Went out a few nights!

I had to decide between patriotic red, white, and blue Lilly or the State of Mind Patch which would have been PERFECT for America and the 4th! I ultimately decided on the red, white and blue and didn't regret my dress since it was so hot!

ANYWAY, now I'm back and ready for action! Sorry for my vacay hiatus!

xxKatie