Katie Rudder South Carolina I'm a Senior Marketing major with a minor in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior at University of South Carolina! Go Gamecocks! In addition to writing Let's Be Preppy, I am active in the Carolina community, work at a South Carolina Lilly Pulitzer store, serve as an marketing intern for the American Red Cross and lead tours for prospective students at USC. Any questions or comments? Email me: katie@letsbepreppy.com
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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.
I hardly ever wear short shorts. 5'' shorts are my game, and I rarely ever buy anything shorter than that. I did find though, a FABULOUS pair from Target in the store last time I went:
I snagged these shorts to wear on those occasions when you want dressy, possibly going out shorts. I prefer dresses to go out, but I remember a few times over the summer last year and in the early fall, where I really wished I had a pair of black shorts to go out in. I envision these shorts with knockout wedges and some cute top with a big, chunky, statement necklace.
Thoughts?
I'm really excited about these shorts! They also come in a few different colors that I might have to go back and check again:
This color is called "Calistoga Blue" and I'm slightly obsessed.
These shorts are fun because they have a bit of stretch and even some sheen to elevate them a bit. Best part? ...they're $17.99. Yep. Just under $18 for these awesome shorts!
Usually short shorts are TOO short on me! I don't like when shorts ride up or when they're too tight, and often times short shorts can do both. I usually go for 5'' shorts and something shorter than bermuda-style shorts.
Until recently. I found a GREAT pair of shorts, on sale, in my size at Old Navy--wouldja believe it?
Normally if they were full price, I wouldn't have gotten them, but it was one of those right place, right time fashion moments. I also majorly kicked myself for not getting those silk boat tops that they had in stock during the spring--still suffering from non-buyers remorse!
I snagged these shorts for just over $12 and LOOOOVE them! In fact, they're making their big debut today!
Don't you just love those moments where that certain item was meant to be there for YOU!?!
xxKatie
(Also, Grace, my sister, finds out her BID TODAY!! GOOD LUCK TO GRACE and the rest of her Pi Chi and I can't wait to hear where she ends up!!!!)
I love summer because it means white shoes, seersucker (horrible but very funny typo: I OFTEN accidently type "seersucket" ahhhh!) and nautical sails and shapes! The Buttercup shorts I have in the pink seersucker from Lilly from this summer are at the top of my list a lot! I love these shorts! My only regret is that I wish I got the size smaller (I'm always between two sizes) size because mine have stretched a little, typical of seersucker, I shoulda known! The Paley cardigan is also one of my favorites and my Mom actually has it too! We tend to have a lot of similar things in our closets!
Everywhere in South Carolina during the summer seems to jack up the AC to keep everyone cool when it's so hot outside, so I've been bringing a cardigan with me everywhere I go! I probably look crazy at work to everyone who comes in to shop, but we actually get chilly--can you believe I'm even saying that!?
I also have just been using my wallet recently, all my bags seem to be too big or too heavy for summer, so I've just been grabbing the essentials before I head out the door: phone, wallet, keys and sunglasses and I'm good to go for the day! It's simple and easy--just like the summer months!
My summer go-to fragrance is "Beachy" by Lilly Pulitzer a few years ago!
While it has been discontinued by the company who was manufacturing it (they went out of business) you can still find it online (eBay, perfume outlets, etc.) and even at some TJMaxx's and Marshall's! Whenever I see a bottle of Beachy I snag it while I can--it's perfect for summer and lasts even if it's REALLY hot out!
What are your summer S's? Mine are seersucker, sails and scents!
"I'm in LOVE, I'm in LOVE and I don't CARE WHO KNOWS IT!"
...in love with Target! ...But y'all already knew that! Right?!
Who isn't already in love with Target! The paisley shorts from my May OOTD are from Target and I do not stop getting compliments on them. They TOTALLY look like they're the J. Crew 5'' chino shorts and they fit great. They are true to size, if you're looking to get them online and have a high cut at the top. I often tuck mine in with big belts, like I did that day and wear them with basic tops so they can speak for themselves!
I got mine on a day when they were on sale, but I'd pay the $18 price tag for them. The colors are spot on and trendy for this season, but they're still paisley and have a classic cut. I also believe that they're good for any age!
Speaking of Target steals, has anyone checked out their ADORABLE boutiques they've recently added?! I'm OBsessed with The Webster originally hailing from Miami.
I didn't see these shoes in-store, but ohmygoodness they're amazing! I love neutral wedges--and talk about neutral, these would go with almost anything! The coral is equally amazing and would match SO much of my Lilly stuff!
This cardigan looks so upscale for Target--I'm very impressed!
I am in LOVE with this dress! I actually bought it from Target without trying it on, and unfortunately needed to return it for a smaller size. I was outta luck though, none in my size left! Oh no!! Lesson learned--try it all on in the store! I thought this dressed looked like Tibi or Milly and the material was TDF. If this dress is in your Target, be sure to snag it quickly!!
Do you like all the "curated shops" at Target these days? This bargain hunter sure does and I can't WAIT to see what else we're lucky enough to see at the ones in the future!!
I'm not referring to the famed "Teach Me How To Dougie" rappers, but I am referring to Callahan shorts! Callahan's are an absolute summer staple for me! I love the length, I love their bright colors and I love how versatile they are!
Here are just a few of my favorite pairs!
From left to right: Lilly's State of Mind Patch, Turquoise Jungle Glam Toile, Ten Speed, Classic White Had Me a Blast (technically, these are Buttercup shorts...), Starfruit Yellow Uncontainable, Regatta Embroidery, Lilly's B&B (vintage), Chillin' (vintage).
These are some of my FAVORITE shorts that I own! I live in Callahan shorts because they're nice and light especially for these HOT HOT HOT South Carolina summers and Indian summers!
My mom picked up these shorts for me at the J. Crew outlet not too long ago! I wore them for the first time and got so many compliments on them! The colors are a lot of orange, pink, gray and even some dark green in there too! I wasn't exactly sure what top to wear, but I ended up picking a gray silk blouse from J. Crew too that I love! I think it looked pretty good together!
Other than Lilly Callahan shorts, I pretty much live in J. Crew chino shorts! Whether they're printed chinos like these, critter shorts like my anchor ones, or even the solid colors, I'm a big J. Crew shorts fan!
What about you? Do you wear J. Crew shorts? What inseam works best for your summer or shape?
I have finally broken out one of my favorite tops from last summer, the Wiley Tube Top! (Good news: I know that Lilly is remaking this WONDERFUL staple of my closet this summer!) The Wiley features such a fun ruffle across the top and comes in a few other colors too! (A ruffle often helps us girls out who could use a little assistance up top...if you know what I mean!)
This week the weatherman had been calling for rain and high temps, but since we're in South Carolina, all we got was the hot weather! ...and pollen, but y'all have seen enough of my stuffed up tweets about my allergy issues! I was excited to rock my Wiley when it was 86 degrees on Wednesday if you could ever believe that! Late March and it's already 86 degrees! I can't imagine what the summer is going to be like, but it should be toasty!
The Wiley Tube Top is absolutely one of my favorite tops that Lilly has ever produced. I tend to go up a size, so it's not as constricting, but it also gives you the chance to tuck it in, which I did and added a belt! It adds a little bit of flare to your outfit and can make it look more polished. I like wearing the tube top loose with white jeans and when it's really hot out, that way it's not tight or too close to your body!
What are some of your favorite hot weather staples? I'm all about shorts and fun, frilly tops like this!!
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!!
Just yesterday a facebook friend of mine posted a list of "Alternatives" to VERY collegiate looks (you know, "Norts", Uggs, Vera Bradley...) and I didn't really like their items. I thought they were too much of a departure from the original looks! Here are my choices to eliminate all the repeats walking around on campus:
Go from Uggs to Riding Boots
Any time it's appropriate to wear Uggs, I promise it will be equally appropriate to wear riding boots. You can tuck them into jeans, wear jeans over them and they'll keep you warm!
Switch it up from a North Face Denali Fleece to a Pea Coat
Pea coats come in just as many colors as North Face Denali Fleeces do and some are even insulated for extra warmth! You can find wool ones that will be even warmer than just a simple fleece.
I beg you to swap Norts for Anything Else
You can wear skirts, printed shorts, jeans, ANYTHING ELSE! I don't hate Norts at all, I'm actually wearing them now, as I type. But I'm getting ready to go to bed. I wear Norts as PJ's, not to class. I don't understand the Norts-to-class phenomenon! It is just as easy to put on real clothes as it is to put on Norts!!
Try instead of a Vera Bradley Wristlet going for a heartier Leather Wristlet
Both my roommate and I freshman year had Vera Bradley wristlets, everyone did! It was so easy to pop your Carolina Card out of the plastic pocket and store everything we needed in them. However, they show dirt like CRAZY! And everyone has one, so while you might be the only one with your pattern, everyone has the same style! Try a leather wristlet that will last longer, stay nicer looking, and has the same ease of use that the VB one has!
Do people on your campuses have all these things? Do you see them everywhere? I sure do!!!
Summer is good for a lot of things: re-evaluating, starting fresh, getting serious (or not), catching up, catching sun, cleaning (or not), clothes collection, tons of stuff. It's also great for learning what you like. I've learned a lot about myself this summer, some of which are my absolute-no-matter-where-you-live-must-haves:
1. Front Runner and Most-Compliment-Getter of the summer, ladies and gents I present you with, Sinful Colors Pink Forever 313:
Never in my life have I gotten as many compliments on my nail color (weird thing to notice, am I right?) as I've gotten wearing this puppy. Might be the best $1.99 I've spent, at Happy Harry's nonetheless, all summer long.
I'm a FIRM believer in the 5'' shorts (Michael if you're reading this you can laugh at the 3 vs. 5 inch debate we had a million years ago) and Lilly does it particularly well. I have 2 pairs from last summer and have added 3 pairs this summer that I adore. They're the tall girl's short shorts...
Along those same lines, I've hit it big with this shirt. I WAY missed the boat with the navy and didn't snatch it up in time, but I have the white and the pink and I try to convince people to at least try it on daily. If you don't have a Wiley grab one "wiley" you still can!
I have never been a makeup girl. I'm a get up and go girl. Until this summer when I was diagnosed with adult acne. Sista needed a little help and the lovely ladies at Clinique did exactly what I needed and fast. I've relied on this with Sephora Brand Primer and it's great!
4. Croakies, Croakies, and more Croakies
If you give a girl a croakie...
5. Ke$ha
New K-E-Dollah-Sign-HA (as Glee's principal says) fave. We'll say Kesha and I have connected. Because we're the likeliest of pairs...I like it!
6. Steamers:
I steam a lot at work. We get new shipments in weekly and they all need to be freshened and given a bit of life after they come out of the boxes! We joke with our UPS men that they're always delivering gifts to us! I love to steam all of our goodies and have started browsing them with my boss for our own personal use...professional grade steamers...for our personal use...you know you work in retail when.
7. Movies:
Although not my favorite of the summer movies I've seen, I've seen a bunch and have a hankering to go to one this weekend. Not sure which one, but I want to go to a movie, and veg out for 2 hours in someone else's way too cold AC. Sounds so nice after these summer steamy days we've been having!
8. Shopping for formal dresses (that I don't need):
I literally have ZERO need for a floor-length or remotely dressy dress. I don't go to proms anymore, I'm not in a sorority and don't have formal, and none of my friends are having black-tie weddings, so I'm at a loss. Does it stop me from fancy dress shopping? Absolutely not.
9. Carolina Gamecocks
No matter where I am, I'm cheering for the Gamecocks. Having been through this week, I think this is enough said.
It has never been easier to connect with Gamecocks, alumni, school friends, Lilly lovers, random friends from high school, Charlestonians, bridal companies, and so many other people than through Twitter! I have had a blast using it and learning it's ways--and tweeting my way through the College World series!
My summer purchase list is quickly being filled out! I haven't done much shopping between school and work, but a girl can online browse right? I got about an hours worth of shopping in while I was at the beach, and snagged a new dress from the store but here are a few of my summer snags:
Lilly Pulitzer Ramona Dress
J. Crew Printed Mini (I got another one of these but I can't seem to find the print anywhere!)
J. Crew Carson Short Printed
Lifeguard Press Croakies in "Floaters"
Nike Tempo Running Shorts--ON SALE! I also got another pink/black pair that are very different but equally as fun! Find other colors of this polka dot pattern on sale here too!
I got a lot of summer staples and I have a few extra items on my summer wishlist! I also have a few absolute LUST items on my mental list...those are the real "wishes" that I want! Some also happen to be awfully impractical, but that makes them all the more fun right...?
What's on your summer purchase list? Any big wishlist items? Let me know!
It's BOOKED ladies and gents! I'm off to Cape Cod for the beginning of August! I'm visiting a friend who's interning for the farm team baseball leagues! Summer Catch anyone?
I can't wait to head up to New England for a few days!
It is going to be so much fun to head out there! I've never been to Cape Cod before so it'll be great! cRc will be a local by then and more than able to give me a tour!
I hope I see a lot of these...
Even more of these...
And a ton of this SPECIFIC shade of red. Anyone out there can name it? (PS, are we loving that belt? Yep, gave it to Daddyo as a Christmas giftaroo!)
Just last year I was in the planing stages of THIS roadtrip which turned out to be a huge, massive raving success! To Aly and Aldy expect an anniversary shoutout y'all! I expect nothing less from this roadtrip as well!!
Can anyone name the color I'm thinking of? It's a destination themed color...that's a big hint!!
