Jack Rogers: Popular Shoe of the Preppy

Jack Rogers, the preppy brand of sandals, are typically the shoes of the preppy. The brand is known for its "Navajo Sandals" which come in many different combinations of colors. One website even offers over 200 combinations of colors and heel size. Ranging from the typically pink to the racier leopard, the sandals are easily customizable!

These sandals are very recognized in the world of preppy. I have actually ordered my own in the "Platinum" color and the low flat heel. The popular sandals can be monogramed, but they come in a different style. There is a triangle where the band and toe-seperating "flower" is. To customize these shoes, you can pick the heel height, band color, and thread color. In some styles, too, you can even customize the material that it is made of: leather, patent crocadile, suede, or decorated with turquoise.

Some of my favorite combinations include (band color/thread color, respectively) Fuschia/White, Pink Metallic/Pink Metallic, Fuschia/Lime, and Platinum/Platinum (which is a goldy-silvery mix).

There are also knock-offs of the popular sandals. Steven Salario, who was Jack Rogers' old partner, now makes very similar sandals in wider widths. The pair worked together until they split and now both men are making virtually the same sandals. The shoes are almost unrecognizable when compared to one another. The Steven Salario shoes have a small triangle under the toe-seperater. Again, the Steven Salario sandals come in wider widths since the Jack Rogers are relatively narrow.

The shoes are not very expensive for the quality and longevity that they have. The leather and suede low flats run for around $85. The Metallic, Leopard and Croc low flats run for around $92. The turquoise run for about $125, but are intricately beaded and camel colored. The monogrammed low flats go for 120, and the monogrammed stacked heels go for $135. The monogrammed slides are about $120 as well.

When trying these shoes on, make sure you try them on for length. I know this sounds funny, but the width will stretch out. Now I mean, be able to get your foot in, but make sure they are long enough. The other day when I tried mine on, I was debating between a 9.5 and a 10. My boss, who was helping me, told me to try and kick it off. The 10 slid right off! I couldn't believe it, but, she said that I should go a size down. Make sure you try all of these methods when ordering!!

Now go out and buy yourself a pair at one of your favorite preppy retailers!

xx Katie

The Great Debate Results!

Here are the results from the post the other day!

First of all, to set it straight, this is the JR/SB "Navajo Flat" real Great Debate. Fellow blogger Melissa C. Morris says she spoke directly to Vivian from SB (I didn't write this, she did, so click the link to see the full "article"):
Bonanno: The Original.
My father made them back in the 60's with Mr.. Luigi Pucillo, his partner. My mother cut out the leather into patterns, the long thin strips for the whipstitch as well as punched every single hole by hand. She put together all the tops of the sandals chose the colors she thought would show nice on her counter, while my father glued, stitched and sanded the soles. The Bonanno name was never stamped into the sole until my brother took over the business in the 1980s.
Jack: Imitation.
They saw a good thing, copied and mass produced them and sold them in dept stores. There is no patent on a shoe so more power to them.

Here are the results to my Great Debate (I felt compelled to make it official!):
Look at how some won by landslides--Lilly for instance! Tomorrow is my mother's birthday, happy birthday in advance mom!

The Great [Preppy] Debate

Hi all! The other night, I tuned into one of the funniest shows I've seen in awhile on VH1 called The Great Debate. They take tons of comedians, famous singers, other celebrities and random famous people and ask them which they prefer, "A vs. B". In the category of "Favorite John Travolta Character", substitute Danny Zuko for "A" and Tony Manero for "B". (Obviously, my heart belongs to John Travolta in Grease since I was like 5.) They had crazy other things too like Aunt Jemima vs. Mrs. Butterworth and Cabbage Kids vs. Tickle Me Elmo. Well, between the comedians' commentaries and the jokes from the celebs, this show was too cool, so I decided to think up a few preppy "Great Debates". Post your answers!

1. Best Preppy Color Combo: Pink & Green vs. Navy & White









2. Best Preppy Pattern: Stripes vs. Plaid
3. Best Preppy Material: Seersucker vs. Madras










4. Best Preppy VV Guy: Shep or Ian
5. Best Preppy Tote Bag: Vineyard Vines or Vera Bradley
6. Best Preppy Shoe: Lilly Pulitzer McKims or Jack Rogers Navajo Flat










7. Best Preppy Silver Accessory: Silver Pearls or Silver Rings
8. Best Preppy Monogram: Circle or Script
9. Best Preppy Menswear: Blue Blazer or Boat Shoes
10. Best Preppy Designer (the tough-y): Lilly Pulitzer or Ralph Lauren

Let me know your Great Debate picks!

xxKatie

Alright, how is this for weird?

So today I wanted to blog about what I wore to work last Sunday, so I search the name of the dress from Resort 2008. This is the result from my Google search: Look at the fifth site down from all the results (hopefully you can see it)..."Preps Rock It With Our Collars Popped"...I got my own blog as a result!! A.) I didn't think that blogger was available in google searches, but the other day I got a comment on a prom post about a fellow blogger finding my site looking for the Chellis dress (that I'm in love with), B.) I'm so excited!! I just think that is too cool! Plus I just signed up for "Google Analytics" which is a free service that gives you all kinds of updates about your website. My friend Audrey told me to sign up so I finally did after seeing all you really had to do was register your website and voila, too easy!

To continue about my work dress though, I wore my Jacqueline Ponte Knit dress from Resort last year. Every time I wear it I get more and more compliments. It is such a functional and appropriate dress that really does look good on everyone- snatch it up if you can find it (its very true to size). I paired it with a very lightweight cardigan from Target that is basically the same color green as the green stripe and I was perfectly dressed for the beautiful day downtown! We were even able to keep the door open and had some doggy visitors (one of my favorite co-workers Harriet is a HUGE dog fan so she lets all of them in and gives them a drink!) I wore my platinum Jacks for the entire 5 hour shift and survived! Prom here I come! We also sold a pair to a high school senior who was buying the Olie Printed Dress with Bows (yellow strapless, Lilly, very cute on her for graduation party/festivities!) and she agreed on their versatility and function. Yet another satisfied Platinum Jack Rogers owner! Woo hoo! It is so nice to finally have Lilly dress weather!!!

P.S. Thanks for checking in everyone! I can't believe I got 60 views in one day. As far as I can remember that's the most ever in a single day!! I'm working on following more people so I'd love to find you if I haven't already!! And and and I'm still looking for another survey-type post like my list of 25, so if you see anything fun, let me know!! They're fabulously fun posts to do!

P.S.S. I still have made no college progress. It will happen. 30 days until I have to send in a formal deposit and enroll. We shall see, my darlings!

xxKatie

Lilly and Lemonade Party!

I told you guys awhile back that I was a Collegiate Representative for Lifeguard Press, which is the line of stationary that does all the designing for Lilly Pulitzer stationary. Yesterday, I hosted my very first Lilly and Lemonade Party for the sisters of Alpha Chi Omega, who were so nice to host me! One of their sisters, Leigh, was just diagnosed with cancer, so this was part of their major fundraiser/philanthropy for this year all in honor of her!! We had so many orders come in, so check out what the spread looked like:

These were some of the fabulous items that Lifeguard Press  makes for Lilly! Check out all of the great spring prints!!

Here is the spread of snacks that we had for all of the girls to eat while they browsed samples and looked at the catalogs!

There were tons of sisters who came to see what I had and to help out a fellow sister! They were so friendly and hospitable and I would love to work with them again in a heartbeat!

I wore the Worth Shift and white Jack Rogers to the Lilly and Lemonade party to match the front cover of the catalogs!! It was such a great dress and I absolutely ADORE the print! Here's my polyvore outfit set:

                
March 26 by letsbepreppy featuring Jack Rogers sandals

All in all it was a great day and I had so much fun working with all the Alpha Chi's! They were so nice to me, as well as having a beautiful house! I also saw some Delta Zeta's, Gamma Phi's, KD's, and even more! It was a really fun day in the Greek Village and I can't wait to schedule some more events with other sororities!! 

xxKatie

Packing Essentials: Warm Weather

Since I'm going to a hot weather destination, I figured I'd do a post about all the necessities of a beach vacation. I've never actually been on a cold vacay--no skiing or snowboarding for my family. We've been to beaches all over and I love all of our family vacations. I'm lucky enough to have parents who  have provided me with all the different experiences and I couldn't be more thankful!

Swimwear essentials:

Sorry for the awkward photo. I bought this bathing suit for this spring break after seeing a friend who had it. I've never worn a bandeau before, but I'm really excited to have this one from VS! Bandeaus are great because they minimize tan lines especially if you've got a great strapless dress to wear! Right now, this swimsuit is $29 all in. What a great price!

I also have this Lilly from a few years ago. It is very full coverage, so I usually wear this during my first few days in the sun. I actually was lucky enough to find this gem at a Marshall's in NY!

Sunscreen:

No-Ad sunscreen is the best you can buy. We use this sunscreen year after year and when we're saying at our beach house, we'll go to shop at places with No-Ad sunscreen specifically. It runs about $7 for a huge 36oz. bottle that will certainly last you awhile! No-Ad comes from their policy: no advertisements. Because of that, you may or may not have ever heard of it! 

This is my favorite after sun lotion. The rest of my family hates it actually though! It smells like a creamsicle and I believe they think it's too strong. I like it a lot and usually put it on before I go to bed! 

This is my second favorite after sun lotion, and the lotion is use most often. I have two bottles here at school with me and it is the best smelling, best working moisturizer out there. I found this lotion at a Walgreen's in Key West (I love any version of Walgreen's/CVS/Happy Harry's/etc.) when I got the very worst sunburn of my life. The skin on the back of my hands looked charred and my pores got so big. It actually changed the feeling of my hands to today. Yikes!! I learned my lesson for sure!!

Cover Ups:

I recently got this from VS too, and I posted it in another post. I cannot wait to wear it and I'll be sure to take a photo or two! I love how this feels and definitely recommend it!

I just got this cover up from Target the last time I went also. It is NOT this long though, it barely covers my tush! I got it more of a tunic than a dress for sure!

Clothing:

I always seem to almost forget socks/undies/undergarments/pj's! How bad!! For some reason, they're not pulled out of my dresser first, and by the time my bag is packed, THAT is when I realized I need to pack them!! SO SILLY!

Pack a dress or two (or a few...) for nights when you may want to dress up. This dress will be making the trip with moi and I can't wait to wear it for the first time! Bring a few nicer outfits in case you and your family or friends decide to go to a nicer restaurant or decide you just want to dress up one night! I plan to debut a few things that I got for Christmas on this vacation that are probably nicer than the usual. 

Pack comfy clothes that you can just throw on. I'm going to bring a few Lilly skorts and J. Crew t's so that I can be comfy if I have just gotten out of the sun and don't feel like getting all the way dressed up! A polo and a pair of 5'' chino shorts is always a great option too! All these packables are great options to have too in case the weather is a little variable! 

Shoes:

Jack Rogers!! These are a must have for tropical vacations! They look great with all types of outfits and I know I'll have mine with me. I think I'll be bringing my Platinum, Gold, and White ones with me but I haven't decided yet. I've spent the last week wearing them around campus so that I can break my feet into them...ouch! I was out with a friend Friday afternoon and got the nicest compliment on my gold Navajos!

Rainbows flip flops are also a great item to have in your bag. These extremely well made leather flip flops are guaranteed for life and can withstand just about everything. I have the thick women's in the traditional brown as seen in this picture and I love them. If you go to any high school or college campus in the spring, these will without a doubt be the shoe of choice. 

Miscellaneous:

Liquids: make sure to pack all your necessary beauty supplies while you follow all the rules for flying. I've become quite a seasoned flyer (haha-just kidding!!) since school started, but I always forget about my liquid. Two times my LP Beachy perfume was challenged by TSA officials because I forgot to pull it out of my big Vera Bradley bag. Now I always pack my perfume in the middle of my bag under my stuffed frog that I sleep with so that they are protected by soft items. Both times in the airport, my silly squished frog was pulled out in front of all the travelers!! Ahhh! A little embarrassing, BUT everyone slept with something when they were a kid (or college student...) so they can't really judge!

Always make sure you have all necessary technological items with you. This may include laptops/chargers, cell phones/chargers, iPods/chargers, speakers, clocks, cameras, other random cords, hair dryers/straighteners, or anything else with a cord! There is always that moment when you're in the plane on your way to your destination and you realize you forgot your ______ charger. All too frustrating!! 

Chances are I'll probably refer back to this post when I have to pack my own bag. That is what Wednesday will be devoted to completely!! I am getting SO excited about going if you couldn't tell! I'll be sure to take some photos if I can!!

xxKatie

A Post for Me

Hi all! I'm sitting here watching the clock and counting the seconds to spring break! It is just about the only thing on my mind these days and I can't wait! I saw this post on another blog "In the Pink", so I thought I'd copy it and do it myself. I think these little introspective posts are fun sometimes, so definitely post it yourself!!

If I was a month, I would be late May or June. 

If I was a day of the week, I would be Friday.

If I was a time of day, I would be dinner time.

If I was a planet, I would be Momma Earth.

If I was a sea animal, I would be a giraffe!

If I was a direction, I would be East like the water.

If I was a piece of furniture, I would be a bean bag chair (90's throwback style).

If I was a liquid, I would be Cherry 7-Up.

If I was a gemstone, I would be a pearl.

If I was a tree, I would be a Magnolia Tree. 

If I was a tool, I would go on Tool Academy (haha...).

If I was a flower, I would be a Gerber Daisy.

If I was a kind of weather, I would be an Annapolis summer day minus the humidity.

If I was a musical instrument, I would be a electric guitar.

If I was a color, I would be PINK!

If I was an emotion, I would be happiness.

If I was a fruit, I would be an apple.

If I was a sound, I would be steel drums.

If I was an element, I would be Krypton (Kr).

If I was a car, I would be a navy blue Honda Civic (I miss you Little Car).

If I was a food, I would be a sugar cookie.

If I was a place, I would be home.

If I was a material, I would be printed cotton.

If I was a taste, I would be cupcake.

If I was a scent, I would be Lilly Pulitzer Beachy.

If I was an object, I would be a shell.

If I was a body part, I would be a heart.

If I was a facial expression, I would be a big goofy open mouth laugh.

If I was a song, I would be "On the Street Where You Live" by Willie Nelson--that's my new favorite, from the Valentine's Day soundtrack.

If I was a pair of shoes, I would be platinum Jacks--my signature!!

Now it's your turn!! Try one out for yourself! I had a lot of fun with this one!!

Here's the fam last spring break! CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU GUYS!

xxKatie

Groundhog Schmoundhog

So, whatever groundhog result means more winter was apparently what we got, but let me tell you, that ground hog was pretty incorrect. Now, I hope I'm not jinxing the weather, but it has been SO unbelievably nice here! As the weather people say, it has been "unseasonably warm" recently and I love it! It makes me so so so excited for spring break and lacrosse season! The other day, we had a "free dress" day at school, meaning we can wear whatever we want and you pay a dollar for it. Usually there's a fundraiser behind it, but some weeks the money just goes to student council. Anyway, I was able to wear my new black Jacks to school and they were fahhhhbulous! I love them!!!!!

My mom finalized our spring break plans, and I have to be here one of our two weeks because the boys have like 80 games (just kidding!) that I have to statizize (I'm the stats girl). I think they have 3 or 4 games and then they head down to Atlanta, GA, for some warm training. When they go there, my family and I are heading to Arizona! I can't wait! It is going to be so much fun. We're staying at this resort that's like a water park and has all this cool stuff and then one day we're going to the Grand Canyon. I've never been West before and my parents got really excited about it too! Then when I get home, we start school a few days later and the season picks right back up where it left off!

There is so much going on right now that I have to write about. Last night, with my friend Caroline, I saw He's Just Not That Into You. Oh my goodness! It is so cute! you must go see it! The cast is fabulous and I don't care what the critics say, but it is great! There is a huge Love Actually vibe because (without spoiling) there are a bunch of couples that the movie follows, but the couples never like interact with each other (I'm pretty sure...minus like 2 couples). Anywho, it is adorable and a must-see!!

Also, today I got a new pair of running shoes! I love them! They are bright blue, white, and turquoise! I have gotten into working out at least 3 times a week since cross country ended and I lift and do cardio each day. I actually am seeing results and my dad seems to be pretty proud of me! He says now that I've gotten carrots (poking fun at my muscle size) I have to look forward to getting sweet potatoes!

I'm sorry that I haven't really been writing too much, but school is just nuts! I've been at college after college every weekend and have yet to make a decision, and I won't really know until about mid-March. I will be sure to keep everyone posted!

Happy Valentine's Day Eve!

xxKatie

I scream! You scream! We all scream for Vera!

So a few minutes ago, I got my copy of the spring and summer 2008 Vera Bradley catalog! I was immediately drawn in by the print on the cover. Very summery colors are so in for this season and I can't wait! BUT something even move interesting caught my eye: a collaboration between Jack Roger (the unofficial shoe of the preppy) and Vera Bradley (tote bag queen). On the front cover was a hybrid pair of both.

A slew of new colors is in for the new season as well. With names like Raspberry Fizz and Pinwheel Pink, I am very excited. There are obvious patterns to fill in for more popular-but-retired colors. Raspberry Fizz, for example, is a replacement for the old color of Sherbet, the old but very popular pink, orange, and yellow combo. Pinwheel Pink is a

much more recent replacement for the soon-to-be-retired Capri Melon (which is one of my

favorites) and Petal Pink (which I have the small duffle in). The pink and g

reen combination is a very popular addition to the new fleet.

About these shoes however, I am still very interested. I searched on Google to see what I could find and typed in "vera bradley jack rogers" exactly like that. I wanted to see what I could come up with. On (http://www.villagebootery.com/VillageBootery/scripts/prodList.asp?idcategory=247&curPage=3&sortField=description) website, they have several versions of the Vera Bradley/Jack Roger combo shoe. Very cool right? They run about the same price as the regular shoes, about $85. In many of the 2006-2007 colors like Capri Melon and Botanical prints. I think that it is a great idea for the two brands to collaborate, if the results are as cool as this!!

One problem: as I search further and further (like vera bradley jack rogers, or vera bradley shoes, or very bradley shoes 2008) less and less becomes available. Eh, small dilemma. I want the shoes in the catalog! I mean if you're going to put them on the FRONT COVER, in one of your own prints, you should PROBABLY sell it!!

AND! For any of you readers, how good was I at predicting the cute Lilly Pulitzer Sunglasses? EY, EY? I believe I nailed that on right on the head!!

xxKatie

It's that time again...

Why, yes, I have worn Jack Rogers twice in the past two days and it is only January 19th. I got super excited when we had a "warm snap" (instead of a cold one) this last week. It has actually been so hot in our dorm that we're considering investing in a fan! I can't get over this! I know that it will end up getting colder again (at least for a little while) but soon enough I can look forward to tanning here:

This is the Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center and I've been there a grand total of maybe 10 times since I've been at school (that includes Orientation, and other non-working out type scenarios because I'm sure my dad would laugh if I said I went to the gym 10 times last semester). I know, I know, terrible. But, when the weather gets warmer, I can only imagine how packed this gets! Not to mention its right next door to the Greek Village (that's what USC calls the typically named Sorority Row) so its a 5 minute walk for all the people who live there! And after it starts getting warm at school, that will mean only LESS time until Spring Break and I can look forward to tanning here:

I am counting down the days!!! I just looked at all the photos from the Resort we're staying at (we've been there before actually and LOVED LOVED LOVED it) and just got so unbelievably excited! I had forgotten how beautiful it is!!

I  hope each and every one of you guys are dreaming about warm weather! I know I am...I just gotta get my girly-feet ready for those Jacks!!!

xxKatie

BlackJack!

Well, I ordered some Jacks from piperlime.com a little while ago, maybe a week. piperlime.com is the shoe website associated with Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic. It has a great selection of all kinds of shoes ranging from affordable to eeeeeexxxxpensive. Anywho, I recently got $50 in giftcards to both Gap and Old Navy for Christmas and didn't exactly find anything. I remembered from prom that I had used a Gap gift card on my clutch from piperlime and it worked out beautifully.

I picked out a pair of black Jacks to get thinking that they would be very practical, wearable, and comfortable after a few wears. Well, for $1.67 out of pocket, I'd buy just about anything. The price plus tax and shipping came out to be $101.67, as I remember. So technically, I got a brand spankin' new pair of Jack Rogers for $1.67, that's less than what I would have gotten with my store discount!!

Moving on, they arrived today, and I was very happy! I open up the green and brown box to see my shoe box. I open up that box to see my new sandals, only to be made even happier. Not only were these the sandals that I had ordered, BUT they ended up being black leather with patent black "lacing"! I was super excited because these were the ones I was looking for, but had previously thought that I had come up empty-handed. So, I got my black matte-black patent Jack Rogers for $1.67. What more can a preppy girl ask for?

Plus, today I finally got my hair highlighted. It had been long overdue, and with my birthday looming, when else?! Anyway, it's now more blond and my mom approves so I was happy!

Plus Plus, day 6 of my New Year's resolution is going well. I am planning away and have all of my homework, tests, quizzes, school events, and games all consolidated into one place. Finally, I think I might be getting good at this! Hope everyone is enjoying the new year!

xxKatie