Lilly Pulitzer Backgrounds

While randomly perusing Instyle.com, I saw this DIY project So I looked into the DIY guru, and found her blog!  It's great!  Anytime she comes across a fashion trend she likes, she tries to make it herself, and then posts a guide for her readers.  Here's my favorite project: LOVE the pearl and ribbon collar!!! Check out her blog I Spy DIY .  Some of her projects have been featured in InStyle (hello, fab!).  I think I'm going to try some of her projects once I'm finally done with my last four essays of the semester.  On that note, I'm taking a blogging break until Sunday to finish major papers.  I'll respond to comments and post again then! Have a good rest of the week! xoxo,

Dear Vineyard Vines Mini Rowing Tote , Please find your way to my already-overpopulated tote bag collection.  You will not only be practical and cute, but a perfect reminder of my happy rowing days. Sincerely,

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! I don't live in the US anymore, but I still was lucky enough to have my parents visit me and take me and my roommate DW out for a lovely Thanksgiving lunch, complete with yummy food, crazy family stories, and the usual debate (sorry DW for being exposed to my family's craziness!). Anyhoo, it's giveaway time again!  In return for doing a little work for Jewelry Without Jewels (I helped create a pattern for the website's background), the founder, Erica has graciously offered to provide a necklace for a giveway! (plus a JWJ necklace of my very own, which I'm super excited to get!) Some info about Jewelry Without Jewels: Erica was inspired by a fabric necklace in her mom's jewelry box JWJ necklaces are fun, funky, and versatile and made of either soft cotton or silk (read: super comfortable) 10% of each purchase goes to VH1's Save the Music Foundation, helping keep music programs alive in schools (how great ...

As if Gwyneth Paltrow wasn't already lovable enough, she played a substitute teacher on Glee (my current TV obsession) a couple of weeks ago. This song has been stuck in my head ever since (and apparently everyone else's, considering how many times I've heard people humming or singing it!): Enjoy! xoxo,

If you don't live in a dorm and don't have a meal plan at the dining hall (like me, who lives off-campus), it can be difficult enough during the steady school year to eat well.  During the peak exam, project, and paper season it can get even worse.  So the following are tips, recipes, and links from Her Campus , with some personal tips mixed in. Snacks and meals to pack : sliced fruit and nut butter unbuttered popcorn (I like to put on a little parmesan for flavor) mixed nuts (raw, not salted) turkey sandwich version 2.0 - two pieces whole wheat or multi-grain bread, light mayo, low-fat turkey, sliced apple, slice cheddar cheese (also works well with ham) 100-calorie packs greek yogurt parfait - pack one serving greek yogurt with some berries and granola in tuperware (good only for a little while before the granola gets mushy).  I like to add coconut and sliced almonds for extra flavor and protein.  So yummy! edamame granola bars - but read labels before you buy...

It's been a while since I've done "outfit of the day", so I thought it would be nice to bring it back for Study Week.  To be honest, I tried to make my outfits with Polyvore, but after an hour of wasted time, I couldn't find anything that resembled the pieces I was looking for, so I decided to go back to drawing my outfits. While many students go to the library in sweats or pajamas (eek!), I like to still look presentable.  Just because I'm super stressed and locked myself into the library, doesn't mean I can't look good and be comfortable! So let me first confess that I'm not a big fan of pants (I will quite actually risk frostbite by wearing a skirt or dress to avoid wearing pants or leggings), but there are some days that are so unbelievably cold and windy that jeans are unfortunately necessary. Last week we had one of those days: I wore Old Navy jeans, Lilly sweater, Vineyard Vines polo, Bass tassel loafers, Lands' End tote, D&G glasses...

Let me first admit that I am not a big fan of the library.  There is something about the extreme silence that makes me a little anxious.  Normally I prefer to study in our on-campus coffee shop. But there are times when extreme silence is a necessity.  So when I do go to the library, I practically move in, staying for the majority of the day. I bring a LOT with me, here it goes: Lands' End large tote Scout lunch tote Lilly coffee tumbler cold drink tumbler school books and notebooks pencil case laptop and charger planner post-its galore cozy Lilly sweater ipod legal pads wallet and glasses (not pictured) Food on campus is horrendously overpriced, so I tend to bring healthy snacks of my own.  And I carry both a hot and cold tumbler for the all coffee and water trips.  I drink a LOT of water and coffee when on a daily basis, even more when stressed. I take a lot of notes when studying because it helps me remember things a little better (I have a terrible memory), ...

So it's gotten to be that dreadful time for us students- exams and final projects (ewwww!).  So in honor of the upcoming sleepless nights, cups of coffee, and stressful moments, I thought it would be appropriate to share a daily study or library related tip this week. Since I forgot to do Soundtrack Sunday yesterday (woops), I thought I'd do my study playlist today.  As I've mentioned before, I NEED music in my life.  I need it to study, to overpower my brain freaking out about the workload ahead, to calm me down, and to provide a good groove to allow me to keep going. I tend to have a couple of playlists, depending on what it is I'm working on: Reading:  Normally dedicated to those intense case studies or articles about Marxist art historical theory Vivaldi- Four Seasons (one of my favorite pieces of classical music) Pride & Prejudice Soundtrack (it allows me to drift off every once and a while and dream of finding my own Mr. Darcy in the library) The Beatles- ...

I finally finished the art work won by Lilly and Lacrosse Sticks in my giveaway.  Her pattern of choice was In the Slim Here are a couple pics of the progress And the finished product I'll be sending this out soon.  I hope Lilly and Lacrosse Sticks likes it!  I certainly had fun painting it. xoxo,

It's that time of year again.  Many have been posting Christmas wish lists, and I was going to wait to brainstorm until my semester ended, but then I came across this cutie: It's from Maya Brenner Designs  and I'd love it as a token of my "home" state.  I tend to accumulate a lot of tokens from FL.  In addition, there's the option to buy a diamond, which is then placed in location of your city of choice.  How cute is that!  They also have all the other states available.  I'm normally a pearls only girl, but I'm in love with this! xoxo,

If you haven't tried Five Guys yet, you must! Their burgers are unbelievable!  So tasty and fresh.  I tried my first burger in FL, and have missed them so much.  Thankfully they just opened one here in Kingston last week!   I haven't been yet, but it's a definite stop this weekend. Even Obama's a fan! xoxo,

For some reason whenever I am intensely working or studying, the music I find most motivating without being distracting is classic rock from the 70s and 80s.  This week I've been replaying Journey, Queen, and Bon Jovi as I've been frantically trying to complete my Condition Report on my rare book for my Art History Conservation class. Although I just recently started to like country music.  I love that itunes has a radio feature, because I honestly have very little country in my music collection.  Anyone have any suggestions for good country "work" music? xoxo,

First off, welcome new followers, and thanks for following and entering everyone!  It was so great to receive so many compliments on my work!  So for the winner-picking process, I thought it appropriate to pick the name out of a Lilly bag. I wrote all the entries on post-its, folded them up, mixed them into the bag, and picked... Congratulations Lilly and Lacrosse Sticks!  I'll be emailing you soon. Thanks again for entering everyone!  Look for another giveaway in December.  I'm thinking Lilly-inspired painted ornaments. On another note, so glad to hear that bows are still acceptable for my age!  I'll certainly be wearing them with a little more confidence now. xoxo,

I've been wearing bows in my hair since I was a baby.  My first Christmas I wore a giant, pouffy light pink dress with a similarly giant pink bow in my hair.  And of course I always put a ribbon in my hair on the rare occasion I wear my hair up (even at the gym). I also have a couple bow hair clips that I love.  While tying ponytails with ribbon was 'all the rage' in high school in FL, it's not exactly a popular tradition up here.  My friends do occasionally tease me, although they also say I look funny without a ribbon.  Hence my question, Is 22 too old for hair bows? What do you think?  Does one ever become too old for hair bows? Even Bunny, Charlotte's mother-in-law, wore bows in Sex and the City!  xoxo, P.S.   Giveaway ends tomorrow at 11:59 pm!

Wishing the Queen of Pink and Green the happiest birthday!  Thank you for providing us preppies with wardrobes full of colorful happiness! xoxo,

Last year I purchases these babies from By Paige . They are unbelievably comfortable!   After about a week or two of blisters and pain, they formed perfectly to my feet and are now one of my favorite pairs of shoes ever.  I signed up for emails from the company a while back, and here's some good news:  there are many pairs of loafers, mules, and ballet flats on sale, some as low as $56.  So if you're looking to buy needlepoint shoes, now is the time to do so! Perhaps as a Christmas gift for a preppy friend or family member? Here are some of my favorites from the sale bin: xoxo, P.S.  Don't forget to enter my giveaway !  It ends this Friday!

I always say that my life has a soundtrack.  I need music almost all the time- while studying, while walking to class, even when falling asleep.  I also tend to hum or sing randomly, usually without conscious thought (probably a result of my choir days).  My roommate has to point it out, because apparently it can be a wee bit annoying (woops!).  So I thought it would be fun to do a weekly "Soundtrack Sunday," sharing a song that has been stuck in my head, defined, or provided inspiration for the week. This week's song is "Don't Stop Believing" originally sung by Journey, but this one by Glee: I just got Season 1, so I've been re-watching a lot of old episodes (I'm such a Gleek!). I've also been super-stressed this week about my future, so it's been my theme song for the week.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! xoxo,

Check this out!  Remember the car from Tommy Hilfiger's great tailgating ads from this fall: Well, now you can buy the wagoneer from the ad, "pimped out" Tommy-style of course!  For its 100th anniversary, Women's Wear Daily is holding an auction of rare fashion pieces, and this car is included!  Here are some pics of the car (taken from the auction site here ): I love all of the plaid detailing!  Currently the next bid is set for $11,500.  I'm almost tempted to give up my Volvo for this super preppy, and now iconic, vehicle!  If anyone is in the market for a preppy car, this may just be your lucky day! xoxo,