Top 10 of 2009!

It may be a little early for this post, but I don't know how much time I'll have within the next few days since I'm working a bunch! Here mine go:

Katie's Top 10 of 2009

In no particular order:

1.         Biggest Overall Moment of 2009: Going to college: In this year, I’ve managed to graduate high school, apply and choose a college, attend said college, and go through the up’s and down’s always associated with first semester. Plus, I can sit here and say that although the beginning may have been rough, I’m sticking around to be a proud Carolina Gamecock!

           Internet Moment of 2009: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0. On many blog lists of the “Top ___ of 2009” people seem to always include a youtube video. This one takes the cake in my opinion. You know you’re doing something right when The Office copies your wedding.

3.          TV Moment of 2009: Debut of Glee: This show crushes my TV quota for the year. I don’t download TV shoes from iTunes ever, and yet, I found myself downloading “Sectionals” (the episode) in order that it might hold me over until next season. Sorry Degrassi, Glee is just too good—I’m sure my dad would never think I’d like a show more than Degrassi since it’s on literally 24/7 in my house if I’m home!

4.          School Moment of 2009: Becoming an Ambassador: At school I’m now one of the tour guides who work at the Visitor Center. It is a pretty big deal at USC and so I’m super proud. This organization has played a major role in my decision to stay at school.

5.          Most Type-A Moment of 2009: H4H trip: I singlehandedly organized and carried out a Habitat for Humanity trip to Cary, NC. I was so proud of the 20 other classmates that joined me on the trip. It has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done, and I would love to do one again. I can say on behalf of every member of the group that we had a great time and would go back in a heartbeat!

6.          Sports Moment of 2009: USC over Ole’ Miss: What a game it was! Ole’ Miss was ranked 4^th when USC played and beat them. It was the highest ranked team that USC ever beat. (Meeting Eric Norwood in person takes a close second place as far as best sports moments go in 2009)

7.          Personal Moment of 2009: Au Natural: I’ve taken my hair from bleach blonde “highlighted” to basically my natural color. And as my aunt Jeanne said, “Welcome back to the club”. It feels good, I must say!

8.          Occupational Moment of 2009: Working at the Naval Academy: This summer I worked at the Naval Academy during the first few days of Plebe Summer and I couldn’t be more thankful. Aside from working for Lilly, this has been the best job I ever had. Those new plebes were some of the most anxious, nervous, apprehensive, excited people I’ve ever met, and I cannot wait to go back next summer to be a friendly, smiling face to try to make them a little happier and their day a little brighter!

9.           Family Moment of 2009: Getting to know my sister: During the two years my sister and I overlapped in high school, we really got to know one another. I am so thankful that we did because I realize that it’s getting tougher and tougher now that I’m in college. The first night that I came home for Thanksgiving break she sat in my room for 2 hours and we talked about everything. I’m so proud of her and I’m so happy that she’s my sister. (My mom’s probably awww-ing right now, but I needed a family moment of 2009!)

10      Funniest Moment of 2009: The infamous Skype video: My roommate Kathleen was skypeing with a mutual friend of ours silently while I just happened to be dancing—just like nobody’s watching—to “Sexy B---h” thinking she would expect it. Well the joke was on me when I turned around to see the friend and his roommate watching. And laughing. A lot. Needless to say I turned PURPLE, and the friend and I never addressed it. (Kathleen, I hope you enjoy being included in this.)

         What were your top 2009 moments?! My 2009 was great, and I can't wait to see what the new year has to bring along with its arrival!

          xxKatie

I Heart Glee

So, just like everyone else, I absolutely ADORE Glee. If you haven't seen it or heard about it, then you must live under a rock because every week the songs are in the top 10 on iTunes and everyone watches it AND loves it. And if I'm facebook friends with any blog friends, my status is "I LOVE GLEE".

I also happen to understand that everyone LOVES Emma! Not to mention that we were all so happy when Schue worked up the courage to end the season the way he did--I don't want to ruin anyone's opportunities of Hulu-ing the episode since that's usually the only opportunity I have to watch it. I'm writing this post at 10:34 on Wednesday night and I'm sure by the time I get around to publishing it, at least 6 other bloggers will have beat me to the point I hope I'm able to make. If you've been dutifully following the season, you know that Emma's wedding was tonight.

I am in love with her wedding dress. I am a sucker for weddings as well. My roommate can attest to how much we watch "Say Yes to the Dress" and how I cried during Khloe Kardashian's wedding on "Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami". As soon as the episode of Glee was over I headed on over to trusty old Google and checked out where this beauty was from. Knowing ALL of Emma's wardrobe is from J. Crew, my guess that her wedding dress was as well. Well, I and everyone else who made this assumption, was correct. Her dress is the Silk gazar Nanami gown. And she looked ADORABLE! I cannot get over a) how cute she is, b) how much I covet her wardrobe, c) how the episode ended, d) what's going to happen next season, e) and what se-----als will be like (I don't want to give anything away again).

Here's the beauty's back from J. Crew! Emma looked DIVINE in this. It was the most adorable moment in the VFW hall! Ahhhh I'll have to download this episode to KEEP for sure from iTunes! I hope everyone's as GleeFUL as I am!

xxKatie

P.S. Read my post below this too, because it shows how excited I am to be home. I was very excited also to post about Glee. Probably too excited actually. But that's ok. I just did 2 very excited posts in 1 night. Clearly I haven't blogged recently.

Perfect Weather

Today was just about as nice a day as I can ask for! It was sunny and bright and so comfortable. If you stood in the sun you got warmed up and it was so nice! Unfortunately, it seemed to be just about the only warmth I could find though. The nights here get pretty chilly and they're not turning the heat on in my dorm until Thanksgiving break. I have a feeling its going to be a chilly 3 weeks inside the room! I've had to lint roll my jeans a couple times a day after wrapping up in my cozy fleece blanket as I sit in my room. Everyone I talk to who has had their heat turned on, tells me that I should be happy since the USC heat seems to be "wet". I can only imagine that the heat will be a little muggy for the first few days. I remember at home when we first get the heat started it really smells like something is burning, yuck! Anyway, I will be very happy if the weather continues to be this nice if our dorm heat isn't turned on! I wore this today since it was so nice out (I'm really starting to LOVE polyvore if you couldn't tell): 

Novermber 3 by letsbepreppy featuring Bandolino shoes

If you all didn't notice in my curls photo, I do have highlighted hair and its beginning to grow out. I haven't colored it since I got to school, so I'm quite due for a color job. I'm a little nervous to try any hairstylists out down here just because I don't know anyone's reputations. The amazing girl I go to has a great rep in our hometown and we've told many people to go to her as many people told us to! My mom, sister and I all get our hair done by her and this will be the first time since I was 15 (literally from my 15th birthday) that I haven't gone to her to get my hair done. A friend of mine who came here from a rival school back home has done peoples' hair that I know and so I talked to her tonight and I'm gonna go to her! I figure I can try her "styling" out for all of about $10 and if it doesn't exactly work out, I can get it fixed at home for the regular price. I need some advice on home hair coloring if anyone has experience. I'm heading over to Target tomorrow with another friend to go on what we're calling a "Target date" and she's gonna go shopping with me! I'll probably pick up a kit or something tomorrow and have Jacey do my hair some weekday this week! I'll post before and after photos for sure!


Right now, I'm very guiltily watching Natalie Morales and Kate's interview from John and Kate Plus 8. She seems so sad. I do love Natalie Morales though, we're a Today Show family at home!


Hope everyone else is enjoying this fab weather!


xxKatie


PS. Gracie Beth, man the USC Gamecocks did not show up against your Vols! Congrats on the W!!

Hellcats on the CW

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I was looking for something to watch while lying in bed sick with a cold yesterday and I came across Hellcats on I-Tunes so I decided to give it a shot. It's great! Think Legally Blonde meets Bring it On and has a baby resembling Coyote Ugly!

Hellcats is about a girl named Marty who is studying pre-law at a Memphis University and finds out her scholarship isn't being renewed. Having a dim-witted alcoholic mother and no father, she can't depend on anyone but herself. She decided to try out for cheerleader to get a scholarship and she makes it.

The show is very good. Ashley Tisdale shines as the character Savannah and Aly Michalka is perfect as Marty, the street tough Memphis girl with brains and a heart of gold. The show is intellegent and girly... for me, that's a perfect cocktail for sick-day viewing pleasure. If you haven't seen it yet, I would definitely recommend it! I'm hooked and watched 5 episodes in one sitting!

What I've Been Watching

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I've really been enjoying as much unplugged downtime over the weekends as possible. Even when I've been doing chores, I've had something great on tv lately. Last weekend we watched The Kennedy's and I have to say, I thought it was fantastic! There were a few odd quirks, but all together, I thought it was great!

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I've been catching up on all the RZ action I've missed... currently watching Season 3! Loving it!

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Downton Abbey Season 2 is now on and so far I've seen one episode. At the moment I'm not as enthralled as I was before, but I can tell it's building up to something big and exciting! Love this show!!!

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And my new favorite guilty pleasure is Pretty Little Liars! Love this show! I zipped through the whole first season in about a week... does anyone know if there's a second season?

What are you watching these days? I'm always looking for great new things to watch and I love my American tv shows courtesy of Lovefilm or I-Tunes so if there's something I should be on the lookout for, let me know!

New Obsession: The OC

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I know I'm a bit behind, but I am so obsessed with The OC right now, it's not even funny! I literally check the mail every day to see if the next dvd has arrived from Lovefilm! I truly love this show on a 90210/Gilmore Girls/Gossip Girl level. It's a great show... by great I mean, silly high school show with great clothes and beautiful teenagers that have serious grown-up problems! Amazing!

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Who doesn't love a show with high drama at a debutante ball? I mean, seriously! This is good television!

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I'm just waiting for the episode where someone starts screaming "Donna Martin Graduates" or something equally poignant!

Have you seen The OC before? How did you like it?

PS - I'm still on season 1 so no spoilers in the comments please! Thanks!!!

Welcome to the 60's

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The 60's are back and bigger than ever for Fall! I have to say that I'm surprised to see the 60's and the 70's resurfacing on the runway at the same time, but after seeing Kristen Stewart's gorgeous photos from W Magazine, I believe this trend to be confirmed!

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I have been suspicious that the 60's trends are left over from all the Mad Men madness, but after seeing these photos of Christina Ricci, I'm realizing that the trend has merely spread throughout the airwaves as well. There's also a popular new television show here in England called The Hour and though it begins in 1956, I suspect it will carry on right through the 60's as well.

As we all know, fashion influences television and television/film most certainly influence fashion as well! I have a theory though that something bigger has inspired these escapist period shows and fashions - when times are hard and things seem desperate, people love to harken back to the old days when things were simpler and prettier. I think that the recession, war, famine and all the other tough things going on in the world have inspired the desire to escape into a world of time gone by, before we were all contactable 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by cell phones and social networks... a time when families dined together, women were making strides to find their place in the world and a cocktail & cigarette was all in a day's regular business.

The 60's inspired fashions for Autumn are bolder than their predecessors as are the characters in these television programmes. With strong women running the show like Peggy Olson and Joan Holloway from Mad Men or Bel Rowley from The Hour, these television shows are showing us what powerful women would've been like in those days and they make it hard to believe that men were ever paid more than women! The characters seem to be a hybrid between the ideals of yesterday and the realities of today. This hasn't escaped the runway, with a-line dresses formerly done in pink or muted patterns now being shown in bolder prints and colours on the Autumn 2011 ready-to-wear runways. Here is a sampling of my favourite looks:

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I absolutely love this trend! I think these dresses will look amazing with dark tights and boots or pumps and I can't wait to wear this look!

What do you think of this trend? Will there be room in your closet for a 60's inspired frock next to your 70's inspired flares?

Excited to See Katie Holmes as Jackie Kennedy in The Kennedys

With every photo that comes out of Katie Holmes on set filming The Kennedy's for the History Channel, I get more and more excited! She looks perfect for the part and I'm pretty sure this is going to be great! Holmes and Greg Kinnear definitely look the parts! I'm so excited to see this film! Here are some photos. Check out the awesome costumes!

All photos from www.people.com

Before They Were Stars: A Little Trivia for You!

Photo from www.shoppingblog.com

You now know January Jones as Betty Draper from Mad Men...

Photo from www.whatsontv.co.uk

But did you know she was one of the hot chicks that Colin Frissle picks up on his trip to America in Love Actually?

Photo from www.hollywoodbreakout.com

And Kristen Stewart will be forever known as Bella Swan, the only human to tame the hearts of both a vampire and a werewolf...

Photo from www.kristenstewartfashion.blogspot.com

But did you recognize her as Jodi Foster's daughter in The Panic Room?

Photo from www.newmoonmovie.com

Emma Roberts is famous for being Julia's niece, but also for her roles in Valentine's Day and the Nancy Drew film...

Photo from www.teens.aol.com

But did you know that she played young Christina Jung, daughter of Johnny Depp & Penelope Cruz in Blow?

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

Pink Julep at the Library: Club Dead

I have to be honest, this book bored me to death. I can't get through these books, especially with the series going on... they're just too different and to be honest, I'm losing touch with both. They're just not for me... I can't relate to the characters and I find there's not enough action or emotion in these books... so I gave up on this one half way through. I've struggled through the first 2 books and half of this one so I'm giving up the good fight.

Next on my reading list is How to Walk in High Heels: The Girl's Guide to Everything by Camilla Morton. I'm pretty excited to read this one!

xoxo,

Pink Julep!

I'm In Love With an Undertaker!

I'd seen Six Feet Under a few times, but didn't watch the whole series when it was on HBO and have wanted to get it for a while. When hubby and I saw it in the tv series rental section of our local Blockbuster, I jumped at it! We have been watching it now for the better part of 2 days! I'm addicted and totally in love with Peter Krause... HAWT!!! I saw him in a Broadway play when I was 17 and have loved him ever since, but he's especially dreamy in this show! It's very clever and if you didn't catch it first time around, then it's definitely worth watching on DVD!

xoxo,
Pink Julep!

Style Icon: Nancy Botwin aka Mary Louise Parker in Weeds

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I am totally obsessed with Weeds! We have just started watching Season 3 so for those of you who are far ahead, don't spoil it! Anyway, I love the show, but I particularly love Mary Louise Parker's character Nancy Botwin and everything about her. She's chill, laid back, smart, witty and most importantly, extremely stylish!

Nancy's style is very California in my opinion except for her wearing black most of the time. She has an easy, flowy silhouette in most of her ensembles and there's a sense of luxury there without looking overly fussy or too done up. She also has a bit of a boho quality to her look, which I totally love! Some other things about Nancy's style are 1. she's a drug dealer so she always needs a big purse, 2. she's a mom so I think easy is key for her, 3. she's a single widow so she's sexy when it counts and 4. she lives in a wealthy suburban community, so there's always a sense of luxury to her wardrobe.

Here are some outfits I've put together in the style of Nancy Botwin:

1. Casual Day

Shorts by 3.1 Phillip Lim
Sandals at Matalan

2. Casual Day Denim

Bootcut Denim by Hudson Jeans
Heels at Urban Outfitters

3. Another Casual Day Denim

Tanks by Juicy Couture
Heels by Nine West

4. Evening 1

Black Dresses by Karen Millen
Heels by Schuh

5. Evening 2

Black Dresses by Dorothy Perkins
Clutches by Clarks

So are you a fan of Weeds? Do you love Nancy's Style? Would you wear these looks? I think I totally would, especially if I had Mary Louise Parker's body!