Don't Just Weather the Storm!

If there's anything I've learned since being in Chico, it's that it rains a LOT.  But while rain is not my favorite weather, it does give me a chance to show off my stylish rain gear accessories!

Take jackets, for example.  There are so many options-- you can keep it basic with a North Face, or go for the more classic option of a trench coat or waterproof zip up.  All of the colored trenches are really popular now too, which is always a fun way to brighten the day.  Personally, I like to switch it up.  These three have proven to be staples for me this season, although I have been known to break out my red and kelly green trenches every now and then too.  

Then of course, there's the issue of shoes.  Whether you're in boots, boat shoes, or those new sassy rain loafers that are popping up everywhere-- rainy days have become more about keeping your feet dry these days.  Rain just gives us another opportunity to accessorize, so why not take full advantage?

So what happens when you pair cute rain coats with sassy boots?  

Why the perfectly preppy rain look of course!

Now don't get me wrong, I will always stand by my beliefs of staying inside, taking naps, watching classic movies, and drinking hot tea on rainy days-- but if you must go out you might as well look cute! :)

And remember...

<3

The West Coast vs. The Best Coast

I moved to North Carolina when I was 6 months old and apart from my angsty teenage phase, I've never seriously wanted to leave.  Last year however, I stumbled upon an opportunity to move to Chico, California for a year and attend CSU-C as a National Student Exchange Student.  The hope for a year of new experiences, paired with the irony of the fact that it was the same school and program that my mama had participated in 25 years before pushed me to apply, and later accept, the position.  

It didn't take long after getting off the plane in Sacramento that I realized I wasn't in Kansas anymore-- or in this case, Wilmington.  Although the initial shock has worn off, there are a lot of things I have learned about Californians that are a LOT different than the good ole folks back home.

Guys: There are NO southern gentlemen in California.  Sure, there are plenty of nice guys, but no one like the ones at home.  Most of it is just little things, but they make all the difference.  Like holding the door for instance.  I've gotten so used to guys doing it back home that I find myself awkwardly standing in front of doors when I go places, only to realize that they're waiting for me to open the door and get out of their way.  Another big difference is the way that they dress.  On a typical day at UNCW, you're bound to see at least 100 guys in polos or button downs.  I've lived in California for almost 8 months now, and I can tell you that I haven't seen 100 button downs or polos since I've been here.  Guys wear tshirts and shorts-- no matter how old they are.  Their ideas of "college bros" is anyone from SoCal, and I'm pretty sure that half of the guys don't even own shirts with sleeves.  Don't get me wrong, being in California has been an amazing experience, but it didn't take me long to realize that I wasn't going to meet the guy of my dreams here.   

Style:  All of my friends teased me when I was leaving to come to California because they said that everyone would be wearing Patagonia and tie dye everyday.  Well that's not 100% true, but they definitely dress differently than I do.  When I first got here none of my friends knew what jacks, norts, croakies, or monograms were and they just thought that Lilly was a friend from back home that I really missed.  My style hasn't changed since being here, but it's definitely given me a better appreciation for the shopping we have back home and the fact that I won't have to pay to have everything shipping out to me anytime I want to buy something.  

Labeling:  I came to California expecting for everyone to label me as the preppy new girl and call it a day.  One of the most shocking lessons I learned in my first few weeks was that my style wouldn't even be considered preppy here-- it would be classic.  Preppy on the west coast equates Hollister and Abercrombie, not J Crew and Loft.  Everything that I'm used to being called, judged, or just associated with back home is completely different here.  It's kind of invigorating in a way: to just be 100% yourself and to dress and act however you want because you know that people won't judge you one way or another. 

While those are the major differences I've found from life in California, but there are some other lessons that I've learned since being here, like:

People constantly confuse NC and SC

They don't know what sweet tea or Bojangles is, which is really devestating

They've have never had Sundrop

When people find out that you're from the east coast, they tell stories about people they know from the east coast or a trip they've taken there once to relate to you

The only associations people ever make with NC is Nicholas Sparks and One Tree Hill

I have loved my time in Cali and I love all of the people that I've met, but I have to say that my time here has really helped me to see how much I love home and just how fortunate I am to be a Carolina Girl.  

Spring Essentials

Spring is hands down my favorite time of year.  Summer's right around the corner and if you're in North Carolina, it's not too hot yet.  The days are beautiful and it's the perfect opportunity to break out all of the bright colors that have been stuck in the back of your closet all winter.  Now every preppy girl is different, but these are the staples that my spring collection just wouldn't be the same without...

Skinny Belts:  paired with capris, jeans, or shorts-- but always with the shirt tucked in.

Print Shorts: They match everything (or nothing) in your closet, but it's just so hard to say no to something so cute!

Stud Earrings: I love earrings, but they have to be small and light if I'm gonna keep them in all day!  Fortunately, these studs are exactly what I needed.  

Loafers: Whether they're sparkly or standard, every day can be a loafers day.  

Sun dresses: Spring is wonderful because people start wearing dresses all the time instead of just to church. Let's be honest, I wear dresses 12 months out of the year-- but some of my favorites are the ones I get to wear in the spring and summer. 

Scarves: I'm obsessed with them.  Unfortunately, it's hard to pull off Lilly summer prints in November and December, which is yet another reason why I love love LOVE spring.  Coral, nautical, and lilly oh my!  But of course I couldn't leave out my pashmina's-- they're in style all year long.  

So that's my spring collection-- what does yours look like?

What better way than to spend your Monday?  Even if it was cold and rainy!  

Traveling in style

This past week was our spring break, but rather than pay the $600+ to fly home to Carolina for the week, my friend Sarah's family graciously let me stay with them.  Now I'll be the first one to tell you that most Californians don't know what ole fashioned southern hospitality looks like, but the Denton's have to be the sweetest, most welcoming family I've ever met.  I couldn't have felt more welcomed had it been my own home, and the time spent around a warm, loving family was exactly what the doctor ordered.

I was so glad that the week was stress-free, because packing for the week-long trip was a feat in and of itself.  Mama's rule growing up was always if I could make it fit I could bring it; I'm pretty sure UPS got their "if it fits it ships" slogan from her.  Now I've never been a light packer, but over the years I learned to roll, fold, and squish my way into any bag.  Take this week for example:  

This was my bed before I started...

And this was the result!

I've said it once and I'll say it again:  I know what I like and I have a hard time doing things any other way. Sure, I probably could've made it through the week with one jacket instead of four, but I made them all fit so why not bring them right?  A southern girl will do whatever it takes to get what she wants, especially if it means the alternative would be pairing down on her packing. :)

Preppy style is more than just polo shirts and khakis.  It's a very colorful way of life if you ask me!

The sweet and sassy life

When people say preppy, it's normally thought of as being a bad thing.  Polo shirts and stuck up country club kids come to mind and people turn up their noses and want nothing to do with them.  But as a girl who has always loved the finer things in life-- I can tell you that it can't be helped.  

My mama didn't send me to prep school or give me designer clothes in elementary school, but I always knew what I liked and that couldn't be helped.  I liked dressing up and matching everything with accessories, and like every southern girl, I loved my monograms.  While I was never encouraged to dress or act one way or another, I always tended toward the more "fancy" side of things.  When I was four years old I told mama "We just aren't the mother/daughter matching type because I just dressed fancier" than her.  

As I've grown up I've naturally changed-- now I shop at J. Crew and Loft instead of American Eagle and Aeropostale, but I'm still a little too sassy for my own good.  Preppy, classy, or conservative-- call it what you will.  The words have different meanings for everyone but for me it's just who I am, and I couldn't change it if I wanted to.