Pink Sorbet Loves Winston's Wish

Last Monday we had a big celebration party for Winston's Wish, the Autism awareness organization that fosters friends of Autism here in Columbia, SC! Pink Sorbet, Lilly Pulitzer print designers, and Winston's Wish all teamed up to make a one-of-a-kind Autism awareness Murfee Scarf! It's so special, and we were honored to be able to have an in-store event during Autism Awareness month.

Winston himself, front and center, is known for wearing his bowties, which he is PROUDLY donning for the day's event!

These special scarves are available exclusively at Pink Sorbet! 

xxKatie

Outfit of the Day: Seersucker and Sass

Shop this look:

Shorts

Shoes

Top (similar)

Necklace (similar)

This has been one of my favorite outfits recently! I love the way that the wedges ties in PERFECTLY with the seersucker Buttercup shorts!

One of my favorite looks for summer is a strapless top with a big, chunky necklace, so this outfit was right up that alley. These seersucker wedges are about the cutest thing I've seen in awhile, and I LOVE the way they look on. Lilly wedges are very comfortable, but definitely make sure that you have enough room in the toes. One of my other metallic pairs isn't as comfy as these ones, and they really squish my toes.

In my book, seersucker is such a fun sign of spring and summer! Seeing it all over makes me so happy and I try to wear it as often as possible since it's so seasonal. Seersucker is one of the most classic fabrics and will never go out of style.

Happy Seersucker Season y'all!

xxKatie

Outfit of the Day: Maxed Out

Last summer when the "You Gotta Regatta" print came out from Lilly, I got a dress for my sister's high school graduation. I couldn't really justify getting two dresses in the same print, so I skipped out on this Treena Maxi dress originally.

I had HUGE remorse for not snagging this dress when I had the opportunity. I was ELATED when I logged onto Rue La La to see that it was being offered in the most recent Lilly pop-up shop! There was high traffic all day, so I didn't think I was going to log on, let alone even order or purchase this dress. After trying my patience, I finally got through on Rue La La and ordered my dress as soon as I could! I was PUMPED when I got my confirmation email that it was on its way. 

I paired this dress with a yellow party cardi and my neon McKims from Carolina Cup, and added my monogram necklace on to top it all off. I cannot wait to wear this dress more often because it seriously feels like PJs when you're wearing it. Needless to say, I am LOVING my newest acquisition!

Have you ever snagged a dress after longing after not buying it?

xxKatie

Formal Season: The Short Story

It's that time of year again, y'all! The season of formals, galas, weddings, and proms is upon us! Today is all about the short dress for a big event!A big trend I've noticed in college is rocking cocktail dresses to formals and events instead of attempting the (often impossible) task of tracking down a long formal dress.

Whether your excuse to dress up is a big fete or a small soiree, here are a few of my favorite formal dress choices for your event!

I have to take extreme precautions to actively NOT order this Tibi ruffle dress. I am IN LOVE with it. I have a formal event coming up (more to come!!) and would LOVE to wear this dress. This dress would be a phenomenal dress to have in your closet because of its wearability. There are so many ways to change this dress and the shape works for so many different options!

I think this Isaac Mizrahi dress SCREAMS party! The bow and shimmer makes it perfect for your dressy event and I love this look for a prom or formal. Pop your date in a pink bowtie and you are ALL set!

In the most recently Lilly shipment, the Rosaline in this delightful pink and orange combination showed up! I haven't tried this dress on because I'm afraid I'll like it too much...

This Tibi shift is one of my faves I've seen recently. It's shift shape is appropriate for all kinds of events, and I see your date in a white dinner jacket to complete the ensemble! The pale pink can be dressed up and down and the sheen looks great with any color metallic.

This silvery-champagne Aidan Mattox stunner reminds me of something we'd see Kate Middleton in pre-pregnancy. I would advise a little bit of a tan in this dress since it's so neutral, but I see this dress looking great for a wedding or formal. If you wanted to get adventurous, adding a metallic or patent belt around the waist!

I know, I know, I said short story, but I had to include one long dress! I actually saw this dress on an episode of Castle (anyone else watch it!?) and through some investigation, I finally found who made it! This Laundry dress really caught my eye on TV and this is a dress I absolutely want to add to my collection. I wish I had formal events to go to more often to make this even more practical, but it's calling my name so loudly that I might have to get it anyway!!

What's your big event this spring? What are you donning for your formal event?

xxKatie

Rest In Pink!

As everyone saw all over Twitter and Facebook yesterday, one of our style icons, Lilly Pulitzer Rousseau passed away.

Lilly made shift dresses popular, made classic prints fun, and make pink and green a staple in all of our wardrobes.

She is a style inspiration to us all and will be missed!

In her honor, today let's all "Live every hour like it's happy hour!"

xxKatie

Outfit of the Day: Pinks and Golds

I am SO glad that it's finally time again to wear Jacks and sandals!

This Lilly dress is one of my favorites and I wore it a few days ago to work. It's one of those awesome, no-wrinkle silk blend dresses that are perfectly packable and wearable. It has fun ruching along the sides and sleeves but its tough to see under the sweater.

Normally, I also really don't like the way things look belted on me. I rarely like the way that looks on me, but I was playing around with the gold belt at work and decided to keep that look for the day! I liked the way it popped with my shoes and pulled it all together!

Pink and gold is one of my favorite combinations and I will definitely be rocking this look again!

xxKatie

Carolina Cup Week: The Dress

Girls take a long time in choosing an outfit, we know that. Imagine Christmas plus warm weather plus a day long tailgate plus mimosas plus hats and you've got the beginning of the gist of Carolina Cup.

Choosing a dress for Cup is no easy task. I take awhile in deciding my dress. Carefully evaluating all my options. Trying on tons and tons and tons of different styles. Do you go strapless? Straps? Stripes? Solids? Prints? Ruffles? Longer hems? Peplum? Embellishments?

And that's only after you've made the choice of designer. Lilly is the obvious choice, and 95% of stylish Cup attendees will be in a Lilly Pulitzer dress dating back to 2003 until the last 3/25 shipment.

There are so many choices! After having worked a full Cup season, these are the front-runners of dresses:

The Lowe Dress in Pretty Pink Tootie was hands down the most popular dress that people were buying for Cup! It is SO stinking cute on, and we even suggested monogramming the seersucker part on top!

The Payton Dress was second ONLY to the Lowe Dress. This sweet strapless number was so popular, and I have to think it's due to all the faaaaaabulous colors in the print. They really knocked it out of the park with this floral look.

Although a late arriver to the game, the Lonnie Dress was another big player! This dress was really elevated when you added a belt. Knockout!

Valentina Dress--pink seersucker, TDF. Done and done.

The Sandrine Dress in Shorely Blue Tossing the Line was an early front-runner. There are fun embellishments and the back is a big V. So so so cute, but definitely better for the shorter gals!

The Adeline Dress in my book is a "life dress". I have this from last year and I was elated that it was brought back for Cup '13--apparently so was everyone else! This was snatched up SO quick!

The Nina Dress in Tootie was another popular choice! As you can see, the best part about this shift is the ADORABLE back and zipper!

I have also been TIGHT-LIPPED about my own dress, but I am SO excited to announce that I am wearing the Lowe Dress in POP!:

As soon as I saw this dress on the back cover of the Spring catalog, I knew this was going to be my Cup dress! I ordered it and had to do a bit of altering to make it Cup-ready, but I. Am. In. Love. I look forward to taking LOTS of pictures with anyone who has made the same choice as me, because, we all know that great minds think alike! This dress and print are one of my favorites I've seen in recent years, and I am THRILLED to be wearing this number!

What are you wearing? Is you dress on the short list? Do spill the beans...I did!

xxKatie

Carolina Cup Week: The Bow Tie

Carolina Cup is not for the long tie. Sorry to those guys who insist on no-bow ties, but it's just the way it is. You wear a bow tie. Not only that, but you wear about as festive of a bow tie as you can find. This might mean:

Southern Proper's Topless Beau

High Cotton Ties' Spring Four Way Bow Tie

Social Primer's Sea Island Bow Tie

Southern Proper's Mint Julep Beau 

Lilly Pulitzer's Resort White Spring Fling Bow Tie (Lilly or louder, right?!)

Bow ties are the single most important MUST-HAVE for the guys on the day of Carolina Cup! For the gals, you must insist that your date dons his best beau so that you can boast  you've got the best lookin' date of them all out there!

xxKatie

Carolina Cup Week: The Holiday

Carolina Cup is the biggest party of the spring in South Carolina!

It's our version of the Kentucky Derby in Camden, SC!

It's a horse-race that starts with mimosas in the morning, party busses to the race course, and popping from tent to tent throughout the day!

Students from almost all the local schools attend, with some making a weekend or entire 24-hour event of the day. It's one of my FAVORITE events each spring and is THE place to see and be seen!

Last year, it started out in the POURING rain, but eventually the day brightened up!

One of my favorite excerpts about the Cup, from Columbia Living Magazine says, "The label “clothes horse” may have been first applied at the Cup; seersucker and madras plaid make new debuts there each year. And Palm Beach shades, especially Lilly Pulitzer’s signature pinks and greens, are sported by sorority sisters and once-preppy matrons who, in the ‘60s, affirmed the venerable Florida designer’s belief that tropical colors and patterns make posh resort attire of simple sundresses."

This Cup week will cover EVERYTHING you can think of about the Cup! Any questions? Tweet them at me @letsbepreppy!!

Will you be there?

xxKatie

Carolina Cup Week: Opening

You know the famous Andy Williams song "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"?

Well hum that as you read posts for the next week! Because, y'all it IS THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR! 

It's Carolina Cup week! Carolina Cup is on Saturday and I for one, am SO excited!

Last year I had the opportunity to be a part of the Lilly Pulitzer corporate team of workers who helped man the Lilly tent at Cup! I will be returning again this year to be at that same post, so I can't wait to see some Cup-loving familiar LBP faces again! We had so much fun last year, even if the day did start out with pouring rain--I swear my boots were famous that day!

This week will be devoted to all the different aspects of Carolina Cup for those of you who may not be familiar--you will be fully educated in Carolina Cup by the time it rolls around on Saturday!

xxKatie

Zip It Up!

A lot of times what really makes a statement in a piece of clothing is the details. Details are KEY in these zipper pants!

They're trendy and still a classic cut with a great shape. White jeans are a staple in every girl's wardrobe (or they should be) and these white jeans with the zipper are just the BEST.

Believe it or not, these jeans get even better! I love a good swiss dot pattern and these pants feature a sweet white swiss dot on the cool blue denim!

The best part about these pants is their length. They work on all body shapes. I wear them as longer capris, but on other girls that I work with, they're funky ankle pants. There's no wrong way to wear these fun jeans!

I first saw them on one of the Lilly dream team job gals and was determined to find out where they were from. I was delighted to see (and surprised) that they were Lilly in the end! I am SO excited to wear my pair out finally! I realized that I have so many more options to wear with the blue pants than I had ever expected. Don't you just love when that happens?

Here's to spring weather and white pants season!

xxKatie

Outfit of the Day: Over the Top

Over the top is the name of the game in this OOTD!

I ordered the Lilly Pulitzer Malibu Blazer and Juliana Dress for when the corporate team came into Pink Sorbet for a big meet and greet! No one had really thought about adding the striped blazer over the striped dress, but we all agreed that it really worked!

I'm excited to add the blazer over navy shorts and pair it with wedges once the weather gets hot. I think that would be a super fun outfit once it gets nice out again!

Do you remember "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants"? This dress could be a substitute for those pants. It works on gals of every size. I have it, and I've seen shorter girls look KNOCKOUT in it as well as girls of different sizes! What the best part really is, is that the fluorescent part isn't really close to your face. The stripes set them apart, and the neon doesn't wash you out like it can sometimes.

I've also been in search of a good professional bag. I have a black one, but often times, black doesn't always match my professional outfit. I found a great tote from Target:

This Merona Tote was a great score and it fits everything I need it to! I was in a time crunch to find something that worked ASAP, and I'm definitely still on the lookout for a more long-term option. I would LOVE any input!

xxKatie

DIY: Monogrammed Cooler Tote

So I am IN LOVE with all the new prints for Lifeguard Press giftables for Lilly!

"Chin Chin" is an entirely pink and green print (I think it was made to match LBP) with elephants that have celebrating monkeys on them! It's slated to come out in a color way that includes pale yellow and pale blue in the next shipment of clothes. Think swimwear and beach pants--hello spring and summer!

I had a monogram decal that I had originally bought to put on my Nook cover, but I measured it wrong. I figured that my Nook dimensions would need the same dimensions monogram...oops! Probably a better rule of thumb would have been 1/2 the size of my Nook. Anyway, it left me with this AWESOME repurposable vinyl monogram! It had been in my purse for quite awhile, but then it hit me: put it on a bag!

Most of the market totes had too much white in the prints themselves, so instead I put it on the insulated tote! Not only will it be a great tote bag in general, but I can store drinks and snacks in it for the beach, and ideally Carolina Cup! It has a velcro opening at the top to keep your things the coolest they can be.

This might be the easiest "DIY" I've ever posted. I'm not even sure if it really qualifies as a true DIY but more like "Semi-Homemade" by the Food Network's definition. I really just combined things I already had (ehem, after I purchased the cooler tote) together!

1. Step 1: Assemble your items. My sticker took a bit of a beating in my purse, but it didn't matter in the end.

2. Step 2: place your monogram on your bag and press 100% of the vinyl on the bag firmly. I used the blunt end of a pen to make sure I got alllllll the spots.

3. Step 3: Slowly remove the sticky backing of the vinyl. This can be tricky, so be patient.

4. Step 4: Admire your work!

I purchased my vinyl monogram on Etsy, and there are hundreds of vendors you can choose from. There are tons of colors you can choose from and match it totally to whatever you choose to add your monogram to!

I am PUMPED to use my bag and I know I'm going to get a ton of usage out of it! They are durable with great handles and now a knock-out monogram!

Happy monogramming y'all!

xxKatie

Outfit of the Day: Sweet Nothings

Yesterday I donned a new-crowned favorite dress of mine! It's a silk-blend all over-print Lilly dress that works great in fall to winter! I love that I can wear this dress with tights and boots but also flats or nude heels too once it gets warmer.

It has the best v-neck neckline and is a false wrap-dress. It's a professional looking as a wrap-dress but you don't have to worry about sitting the 100% correct way like you do in a true wrap. My mom and I agreed that a wrap dress is an ideal work dress because it's almost always appropriate. I've worn this dress with a blazer on top (with nude heels) and it's been great.

To casual-ize this dress, I added a cream colored scarf to bring out the creamy base color and added the black tights and my two-tone boots. I wore my hair down regular and plain so that the dress could do the talking! The print name is "Sweet Nothings" which I just LOVE as we approach Valentine's!

With this kind of bold print, you can really tie in so many of the colors! We had a woman come into the store and bought a pair of blue trousers that really popped with the top she had in this print and made the bits of blue really stand out. Did you even see the blue in it?!

I'm glad I can still get some use out of my dressy boots before the weather turns to Jacks and McKims weather!

xxKatie

Tradesy

Another little "something" I spotted on Instagram was Tradesy. Think of an upscale consignment store meets eBay for name brands ONLY. Imagine your favorite brands: Lilly Pulitzer, Kate Spade, Jack Rogers, you name it! Heavy hitters like Christian Louboutin are even listed!

I decided to list my BRAND NEW unworn Jack Rogers on Tradesy as a test! I've never held a blog sale, because I'm afraid of scams (not that any of y'all are scammers!) and listing items or "selling" them on Facebook. I know that you have to be watching for transactions live, and I'm usually in class or at work when my blog goes live.

Anyway, Tradesy takes all the hassle out of it! I don't have to monitor it like I have to monitor eBay and you don't have to worry about the shipping mess. Tradesy will send you all the stuff you'll need as well has handling the credit card transaction and then pays you!

Sign up here to check out what's for sale or list your own items!

xxKatie

Outfit of the Day: Meet Sessilee!

This Sessilee Dress is one I normally wouldn't have picked off the racks for myself. We were trying different things on at work so we could really get a feel for fit and true sizing, and I got to try on the Sessilee Dress. It comes in a few different patterns and color ways, but this blue and white one was my favorite! I LOVE this dress! From far away, I think it looks like a romper which is fun and whimsical and TOTALLY unexpected. The navy makes this dress so wearable and the white accent elevates the print and shape. 

We didn't get a chance to photograph the back, but it looks like two pieces from the back! So cool, right?! I also love that you can pair this with navy, white, metallics, and I'd even toss in hot pink! It's a little tough to see in the picture, but there's also a zipper and drawstring that really add to the dress.

I am a big Sessilee fan (and I would sure like to know where that name comes from!) and hope y'all get a chance to run into your local Lilly Pulitzer store to check it out!

xxKatie

Style for a Steal: Lilly Pulitzer Edition

An email I often get asks about where to get preppy fashion for a discount. When you're a college kid or living on a budget, luxury goods are often out of our price range. This leads me to deal hunting!

(via)

Today is the day ladies and gents! I'm going to start a series on where to find different preppy brands for less than full price! No guarantees, but I'll do my best. We're starting with Lilly Pulitzer today. More often than not, I'm donning the bright pinks and greens Lilly prominently features. I've been wearing Lilly since I could decide what I wanted to wear and I've worked the retail side of Lilly as well.

The best place to start is at your local Lilly Pulitzer store. There are both corporate Lilly stores as well as merchant-owned ones called "Signature Stores". Most likely, you'll find that your store has a great sale rack that you can check out. Maybe your state or town doesn't have a store? Pick up the phone and call another store! You'll find that most stores are more than happy to ship to a new customer! Click HERE for a map of all Lilly Pulitzer stores! Lilly P also just finished up a great "New Years Cheer" sale--be sure to hop on the mailing list to make sure you get emails of when big sales like this happen throughout the year.

For flash Lilly sales, Rue La La is a great place to start! TODAY there is a Lilly sale going on! Flash sales can sometimes be harder to track down since they have such a short duration. RLL typically has Lilly one or so a quarter, and items will be a little older, but if you have your eye on something, this is the place to look! You will need an invite to many of these flash sale websites. Get yours HERE!

Depending on where you live (or how much of a Lilly lover you are) the Lilly Pulitzer warehouse sale is another great option! The warehouse sale is a 3-day event held close to the Lilly headquarters in King of Prussia, PA where they are able to unload merchandise for Lilly lovers on a budget. Deals here are among the best! Scarves and shorts--items that you hardly ever find on sale--can sometimes even be tracked down. I've been to the sale twice and each time we've been very successful. My trips and the loot I was able to score were documented here in 2010 and here in 2011.

6pm.com is also a great resource for discounted Lilly merchandise! I shared this site with my Mom who was looking for a co-worker of hers shopping for her daughter and I referred them to 6pm. The prices do change on this site though, so do know that going into shopping. I have purchased a few things from 6pm and the shipping is reliable and fair. The returns are as well--I made a return recently and had no problems. They are a company owned by Zappos (read about it here), so that really comes as no surprise.

I'm very hesitant to say eBay is a good place to find Lilly items. This can be very hit or miss and I'd say it's far more often a miss. eBay items have very little guarantees and you have to trust the seller. What's REALLY stopping someone from saying their gently used item is "NWOT"  (new without tags)? You'd like to think that sellers are honest, but I worry very much about the quality of items on eBay. I would venture to say that eBay is good for finding SPECIFIC pieces that you might be looking for that are very old or harder to find. 

These are just a few ideas of where to start your Lilly bargain hunting! Where do you find your Lilly steals?

xxKatie

Mixology 101: Mixing Prints

I am by NO means a bold risk-taker when it comes to outfit choices. I stay conservative with what I choose to wear and I stick with what I know. Occasionally I'll try (and like!) trends and some times they don't work out as well for me!

Recently for church, I wore one of my staple outfits, a black turtleneck, a colored skirt, black tights and boots. It's a notorious Katie outfit. I change up the skirts and shoes, but this outfit gets mileage. As I was getting dressed, I decided to toss on a Murfee scarf that shared colors (pink and orange) with the skirt I was wearing. 

Let me back-track a little, and add that my boss at work is a PRO at mixing prints. She always does it well and I admire how breezy and easy it is for her. As I was getting dressed, I was channeling her--especially because she loves that print of my scarf!

Anyway, the idea grew on me a TON through the rest of the day. I do have a few tips for mixing prints though:

1. Pick coordinating colors: choose items that have close colors. This keeps the look unified and clean without getting confusing.

2. Keep everything else basic: I feel like this speaks for itself; if you're going to mix prints or motifs, keep everything else subdued. My boss with often add a plain vest when she's mixing prints.

3. Be confident: know your look is GREAT and rock it!

Is this untraditional look something you've tried? How did you mix?

xxKatie

OOTD: Snorkel Blue

Doesn't the name "Snorkel Blue" just make you think of a Caribbean vacation?

I immediately think of a beach with white sand, cool ocean and views and expanses that you can see left and right! I'm also obviously already dreaming of spring break, my family and I are headed to Turks and Caicos for what could be our last big family trip...SO weird to think about that!

Anyway, one day at work, Taylor and I decided that "Snorkel Blue" would be our scheme and had on the same print! I instantly fell in LOVE with those printed Lilly jeans. Since it's a print, it's actually called "Snorkel Blue Hold Your Horses" a little play on words with the sea creatures instead of the land animals. The little pops of orange really are too fun and show up great in person.

I have really debated these jeans and I think I'm gonna go for it, possibly as a birthday treat! At first I was at a bit of a loss for what to pair it with other than white, but navy blue would be a great option and really, the right shade of pink would make a great addition too. I had gold Tory Burch Reva flats on, but could just as easily pair them with platinum or white (or even glitter--I have my eye on those too!) Jacks once the time comes too.

After rationalizing these FABULOUS printed pants, I think I need them in at least one of the prints! They are simply too much fun and would easily make the transition to summer--wherever that may be for me!

xxKatie