School's OUT for Summer!

Today I finish my summer class! I am ecstatic! I couldn't be happier about being done with school! While most people finished up in May, I had about two and a half weeks off and then started back up in classes for the month of June! TODAY IS THE LAST DAY! I take a two hour final and I should be out around noon!

Send a few last-day-of-classes-prayers for me today!

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

Spirit Fingers

Step 1: Pose like this

Step 2: Point your spirit fingers in the direction of Columbia, South Carolina

Step 3: Send lots of good mojo in that direction

Step 4: Hope and pray for me in the hardest exam that I will have taken in my college career including the two ahead of me that I have yet to even take classes during. 

Intermediate Theory of Microeconomics, BRING IT!

As y'all are reading this, I will be entering my last exam of junior year at 9am! Here it goes!

xxKatie

Through the Looking Glass

As much as I complain about my phone, I was thinking how funny the compilation of the pictures on it is. Think of your phone photos: snapped quickly, usually under silly conditions, or maybe in a funny place. Here are a few of my last phone photos:

My favorite study snack...you can see all my econ notes and econ textbook opened to Cobb-Douglas Productinon Functions and Other Examples of Technology (Chapter 18 for anyone in my class...).

My little baby Little smushed between two big trucks in my parking garage!

My first fashion show outfit!! 

My first USC baseball game! How do you like my pink Hunters on their second day out?

...More studying!

Showing off my bowtie-tying skills at work! A must during Carolina Cup season!

I couldn't help but share my fortune cookie a few days before I went home for Spring Break!! TOO cool!!

MMMMM, the pecan squares before being cut...still gooey and cooling! I'll be sure to post this recipe soon, so easy and so good!

What do your most recent uploads say about you? Clearly I've been snacking and studying a good bit of my time!!

xxKatie

Weekly Gratitude

1. I am thankful to have had such an awesome weekend at Clemson! We had a blast and I loved seeing the campus, however, I'm still PROUD to be a Gamecock!

2. I am thankful that I have a relatively easy week this week. I'm able to knock out a bunch of things that I had been wanting to! 

3. I am thankful that I will finally be able to do laundry since I don't know how long I've gone without it.

4. I am thankful that Blogger let me sign back into my account yesterday!! IT'S ABOUT TIME!

5. I am thankful that my FABULOUS Lilly Pulitzer Callahan shorts arrived last week! I was able to snag a pair in the "State of Mind" patch! If you haven't gotten a chance to see all the states up close, find yours here!

6. I am thankful so many people liked my wall hanging!! Major props to everyone who even remembered it when I've run into them, etc.! Y'all rock! I've loved seeing it being pinned on Pinterest!

7. I am thankful for my planner this semester. It has really kept me organized. I use yellow to highlight all important school stuff and pink to highlight important extracurricular stuff. It has become the BEST system!

8. I am thankful for my Econ review session tonight. I have a feeling my entire class will be showing up for the extra help!

9. I'm thankful I saw THIS post on Pinterest too, it's taught me so much about "Beauty 101"! Here's an excerpt:

71. The antihistamines in allergy medicine dry out the skin, so skip heavy foundation during allergy season. Instead, use a tinted moisturizer.

10. I am thankful for everyone who helped transition to www.letsbepreppy.com! Thank you thank you thank you!!

xxKatie

Longest Week

This is how I feel. 

This has been THE LONGEST week ever. I am SO tired! I think it's just that week right before all my class' first exams start, where I've settled into my schedule, and I'm starting to understand the demand derivatives for Cobb-Douglas economic functions for utilities (catch that?).

Anyway, I'm going to use this weekend to VEG out, sleep in (as much as I can), and bask in saving all my homework until Sunday night. Needless to say, I'm SO happy that this week is O-V-E-R and I can relax today!

Has this week been as crazy for y'all as it has been for me? Are you feeling like that little guy up there? If you answered yes to any of the above questions (anyone else taking Marketing Research?) I hope that you'll get a chance to unwind and take a break this weekend too!!

xxKatie

Week 1

It is week 1 of the semester.

I don't think I've ever been more excited for any single semester of college! I was excited for my real first semester of school, but a totally different, anxiety-filled excited as a freshman.

This week I'm adding on a new, second major. 

This week I'm going to continue to celebrate my birthday.

This week I'm making major major commitments to school and work and I'm pumped.

This week I'm doing school supply shopping.

This week I'm organizing my entire month.

The first week of the semester is one of the most important. Finals week takes the cake for importance, but starting off on the right foot is like eating breakfast--important, and you can feel it about 75% of the way though if you didn't do it right.

So here's to an AWESOME first week--it certainly started off great! Here's a sneak peek from my birthday:

xxKatie

My Exam Friends

TI 84 (painted with glitter nail polish, mind you)

The Hot Zone (I highly recommend this book!)

Principles of Finance, 4th Edition (I highly do NOT recommend this book!)

Snickerdoodles from the Great American Cookies are my study FAVORITE, couldn't have gotten through this week without them!

Under Armour Leggings (Judge away; my excuse this week is the time I'd usually spend picking out my clothes, I am utilizing better to study)

Management, 10th Edition

I've spent much more time with these folks than I'd have liked, but hey it is after all, exam season! I will be heading home Monday after a brief stop in Charlotte on Sunday. I cannot be more excited to be home with my family. The latter half of the semester has been nothing but (unforeseen) stress and I can't wait to take a break from studying!! I know I'm not the only one who is in that boat!!

Sending big, huge, all-consuming exam hugs out to all my readers who are in exam season!

Thoughts and prayers are appreciated!

xxKatie

Hibernation

Last week was crazy. 

I mean CRAZY. I don't think I've ever been so stressed in my life. There was so much going on, I was stunned. A few nearly sleepless nights, and cramming for tests and prepping for homecoming, BUT now it's over. 

I think I'm ready to hibernate. 

Instead of "Spring" I'd just like it to say January 7th. That way I'd be awake in time for my birthday--January 8th! I could primp and get all set and be ready for my birthday. 

I do, in a sense, feel like I'm about to hibernate though. All I have to do is make it through the end of the semester--through exams, finishing up group projects, and crossing the fall semester finish line. Then, I can take it easy for a month, end that month long break with my birthday and start (literally, the next day) the new semester feeling invigorated.

To all my fellow college readers, how many of you feel like you're ready to enter hibernation mode?

xxKatie

Outfit of the Day: Back on Track

So just as a bet to myself, I wanted to see how many days in a row I could complete Polyvores for my OOTD's! I had been VERY successful over the summer, but unfortunately a few days ago I stopped recording them between test mania and going home for fall break I got a little away from it and managed to accidently skip a few days. I cannot for the life of me, remember what I was wearing for a few of the days, so I'm going to start again! I started officially on October 25 again and have two days under my belt. Here's to a successful run (again)!

Anyway, here's my OOTD from yesterday! I was able to wear my lagoon green Lilly Pulitzer Elsa Top. The Elsa is SO versatile and I have it in this shade and white. They match SO much stuff and I look forward to getting a printed one from Resort 2011!

October 26 by letsbepreppy featuring pearl stud earrings

I also have recently gotten into Jeggings. I never thought I would. I don't like tight clothes. I shy away from tight shirts and I do NOT under any circumstances wear leggings as pants in public. I hardly ever even wear yoga pants out and about. I just prefer shirts and pants that aren't as tight as some peoples' preferences. I did though, cave and buy a pair of Target Jeggings on sale! They're a dark wash with a little detailing around the knees but otherwise are very plain. The stitching is reminiscent of True Religion Jeans but the pockets are plain. I did have to go 3 sizes up but I noticed that they were mismarked, so be sure to try on your Jeggings at Target! As I told my co-worker today, I can't believe that I've been stuffing bootcut jeans into boots now! Jeggings make it so easy!!

So how do you feel about Jeggings? Are we pro or con?

xxKatie

First Day of School!

Here begins another school year! Today is my first day of school! Here's what I'll be using all day long:

Lilly Pulitzer Nadja Dress

Jack Rogers

North Face Borealis Backpack (with my initials of "CAR" in hot pink embroidered on there!)

Lifeguard Press for Lilly Pulitzer Large Agenda in "Nice to See You"

South Carolina Palmetto Tervis Tumbler (filled to the brim with diet coke, of course!)

I am SO excited for today to begin! My first class starts at 9:30 and I'm in class straight until 3:15! Just like high school! I am ready to be in a good rhythm of classes and a few workout classes. I am hoping to get into a good pattern and have a GREAT semester! I'm taking a bunch of business classes and 1 health promotion, education and behavior class (my minor) so I have a great spread of topics!

Happy First Day of School y'all!

What did you/do you study in college? Are there any essentials that you can't live without?

xxKatie

Weekly Gratitude

It's been one heckova week in my life. Major up's and down, and I have a lot to be thankful for.

1. I am thankful for all of my friends. We were all reunited in a big event this week and it was great to see the high turnout. High school guys and gals I'm really proud of the class of '09, showing up in big numbers and with a lot of pride. Rally, and rally we will.

2. I am thankful for the lady at the Clinique counter at Macy's for being so efficient with helping me in my major foundation confusion. I've never been a face makeup girl, but in a pinch needed some for Monday. She was so helpful and kind and understood exactly what I was looking for. A great shopping experience indeed!

3. I am thankful for meaningful work that I enjoy. I have a great job that I love with people that rule. Does it get better than that?

4. I am thankful for a new Sally Hansen nail polis color that I bought over the weekend. It's exactly the same as OPI's Strawberry Marg for about 1/4 of the price...yes that's $1.99 a bottle!

5.  I am thankful for all of the small moments I get to spend with my parents. Just the past few nights my dad and I have watched some TV shows together and it's times like these I have to learn not to take for granted.

6. I am thankful for the Econ take home test we get tonight. I'll be able to take it at my own pace on my day off on Saturday which will be nice. In the meantime, I had another test yesterday in my second class! Eight weeks is sure to fly by at this pace...

7. I am thankful that gas at the beach was $0.20 cheaper per gallon than gas at home. This girl is ridin' dirty (any Chamillionaire fans out there? Throwback tunes party of 1.) with a full tank.

8. I am thankful that my new facecare routine is starting to show signs of changed. Sistagirl here has been super broken out (and since diagnosed with "adult acne"...gulp.) and I'm finally seeing some facial progress!

9. I am thankful to get the chance to start my new book! LOVING all the South Carolina bits!

10. I am thankful for 2 friends who have a ONE YEAR anniversary coming up SO soon! I like to think of myself as a 3rd member of that relationship. Man, this is the week of anniversaries! I LOVE it!So happy for y'all...xoxo

xxKatie

So. Close. To. Summer.

Today is my last official study day before summer starts. I have an Art History final tomorrow covering many very famous paintings:

Munch

Monet

Mondrian

We are at the very end of the Western Art spectrum. We finished up our lectures almost 2 weeks ago so I'll be memorizing about 40 paintings and a lot of the necessary info about them. I look forward to finishing up my final final (yay!) and heading home! I'm thinking of everyone else stuck in their exams just like me! We'll be done soon!

xxKatie

Outfit of the Day: Exams All Day Erryday

April 27 by letsbepreppy featuring hair bow accessories

So I'm smack in the midst of my exams. I've finished 2 of them and have 2 more to knock down. I will also be here until the last day of finals which totally stinks because all of my friends will be finished by the time I still have my last one! (#bitter) I am so ready to be done with these classes but I am SICK to my stomach thinking that I'm halfway done with college. I can't believe it! Anyway I've been sticking with comfy clothes to study for exams and I'm always carrying around a sweatshirt just in case we start studying where it gets too cold! All the buildings tend to CRANK up the A/C since everyone's inside now and I'd say we all highly appreciate it.

Anyone else in exams? I am thinking of all of you in between the Boolean Proofs, Balance Sheets, Production Possibility Frontiers, and Expressionist paintings that I'll be studying this week!

xxKatie

Outfit of the Day: Shorts Shorts Shorts Shorts Shorts Shorts Shorts Shorts Shorts

In the words of "Shots" by LMFAO, I decided to adapt it to my own OOTD. It is currently the PERFECT climate here in SC. You can wear shorts and at night all you need is a sweatshirt. Simply phenom. I wore this last week:

March 15 by letsbepreppy featuring a sterling silver monogram pendant

It was so comfy and relaxed. I'm LOVING this presummer condition before it really starts to heat up. We're very lucky right now other than the allergies that I'm currently suffering from, but still pretty lucky compared to the North where it's only beginning to warm up!! What are the temps like by you??

xxKatie

Weekly Gratitude

Highlight of the week: Corey Smith on Sunday

This week was JAM packed with work and even a little teeny bit of play. I didn't speak to my parents for a whopping 4 days (that never happens, we speak everyday.) but I still have a lot to be thankful for:

1. A friend of mine who agreed to help tutor me. Big time.
2. One of my professors who FINALLY changed a grade from last semester. Although it took awhile, I'm still oh-so-thankful that he did it.
3. My econ professor for pushing our test to the Thursday after spring break instead of the Tuesday. We were all thankful.
4. Our shag class for being moved into a room with better A/C. Nothing says hot quite like the bottom floor of our gym's lack of A/C rooms.
5. My frog. I sleep with a stuffed frog. He didn't make it to Aruba and it was weird. He makes sleeping in my bed (away from my little fam) better.
6. Allergy medicine. Enough said. #SCpollenseemsworsethananywhereelse
7. For Glee's "Loser Like Me". Again, enough said. Y'all rock.
8. For next week to hopefully not be as difficult as this week. I really hope it's easier.
9. For polarized sunglasses. You make seeing the world so much easier. Once you go polarized, you never go back.
10. For St. Pat's yesterday. Even though I didn't participate fully in the festivities, I still had an awesome time and got to see Corey Smith. For only $12. I'm lucky. He was awesome.

xxKatie

Outfit of the Day: A Week in the Life of

I go through very busy weeks in school. One of my absolute biggest pieces of advice for other girls in college (especially those, like me who have a hard time getting up for those early classes) is to lay out your outfits the night before you go to bed. It saves me time in the morning of choosing what I want to wear, finding that elusive white crew neck shirt that always seems to disappear, and I can focus on the important stuff like brushing my teeth (haha!) and washing my face and finding my makeup in my bathroom. By the time Friday rolls around, I've probably gotten lazy, but I don't have to be on campus until 1:00. Here's a week in the life of me via OOTD's:

Monday

January 31 by letsbepreppy featuring cashmere tops

This is actually what I wore to one of my Monday night Shagging classes! It gets SO hot in our dance classroom so a cardigan that I can take off is essential.

Tuesday

January 18 by letsbepreppy featuring jeweled jeans

On Tuesdays/Thursdays I'm in class straight from 8-3:15 no breaks, so I have to lug around a lot of books. Naturally, a backpack is a MUST. I don't play around trying to fit everything in a tote or something, so I need my big ol' black North Face backpack that everyone and their mother has.

Wednesday

February 2 by letsbepreppy featuring black skirts

On Wednesdays I work and volunteer at the Visitor Center for about 5 hours. I am usually in Carolina gear all day long, so I try to liven it up a little from week to week!

Thursday

January 19 by letsbepreppy featuring a boat neck tee

Another backpack day, but on top of being in class until 3:15, I work until 4:30. Thursdays are very very long, so being comfortable is ideal.

Friday

Jan 14 by letsbepreppy featuring summer scarves

Like I said, Friday I only have one class and it's pretty fast. I'm not on campus for too long and not many people have Friday classes, so I don't see a lot of people. Ironically, my class on Friday gives me the most homework of any of my classes, so I can give myself a lazy morning and afternoon once in awhile.

Saturday

January 29 by letsbepreppy featuring a foldable tote bag

Last Saturday I wore this ensemble to a sidewalk sale with my roommate. We typically relax, grab lunch and just veg out since the week is finally over!

Sunday

Febuary 6 by letsbepreppy featuring gold jewelry

Sunday mornings I head to Church with Colleen and new friend Will, and we grab a little lunch after. It's a low key nice way to start my week and Sundays are all about finishing homework for the week AND trying to get ahead!

Now you've seen my week a little bit! Quite busy, oh the life of a college student!!

xxKatie

Addcited

I am fully addicted to Diet Coke. 

As I get more school work, I tend to stay up later or have to get up early and DC just does it for me! I'd say Diet Coke is the drink of choice for most college girls, but it's just a thought. I don't drink coffee, so this is my kick of caffeine!

Anyone else addicted? Even just a little?

xxKatie

P.S. The Diet Coke colors work great for Valentine's Day! #FabFeb

Shag Update!

Tonight is my third class! Thanks for all the words of support and good luck! Class is going surprisingly well mostly because my entire class is new to shag. Very few of the class has even done it before, plus we're all pretty awkward, so there isn't much judgement or weirdness in class. I've been watching YouTube videos because we have a quiz in class, and I tend to absolutely crack under pressure when our instructors are watching. We've gone over the "basic step" as well as the "walking basic" and two types of passes already! Like I said in the beginning, we missed our first two classes, so we've gotta move fast! I've been having a great time, and even getting a workout! My friend Colleen and I had sore backs after our first class because our posture has to be a certain way every class. I also have a problem with letting the guy lead, but I'm working on it! This video has really been helping me understand the passes and footwork more:

It really is SO much fun and I can't wait to learn more! On an upcoming Thursday, we have to go to a local shag club (Jillian's here specializes in Thursday shag nights) and dance with the professionals! I've heard it is a TON of fun and my old roommate used to go to it, but now she's abroad! I'm excited to be led around by a trained dancer who isn't in our class and we get extra credit for it! 

Any of my SC readers been to Jillian's? Anyone really good and have a few pointers!?

xxKatie

Outfit of the Day: Shagging Class Choices

January 24 by letsbepreppy featuring handcrafted jewelry

This was the outfit I wore to shagging! My shirt was a little different, but the color and sleeveless style from J. Crew was spot on! My shirt had a big rosette instead of the ruffles, but you get the idea. Our room was so warm that I can't imagine ever wearing anything besides sleeveless or MAYBE a cardigan. Anyway, it was super functional and the dress "code" was a pretty big range. A few of the sorority girls came in like 80's workout gear which looked a little out of place, but their leggings and t-shirts were comfortable for our "workout" type parts of class. Boys had all kinds of clothes on, but the most popular outfit of choice was a t-shirt and khakis with legal shoes (which ended up being, for most of us, socks). I had SO much fun and I can't wait to go back! I'm really looking forward to starting some of the harder moves and one of my close friends is pretty much a shag expert who even teaches at a local Jillian's! Depending on the weather and other variables Monday, I'll probably end up in a similar outfit!

xxKatie