The Perfects

So, in an attempt to do a reflection on the 2008 year, I thought I'd come up with a "The Perfect ________" list. Here are some items on my personal "Perfect" list:

The Perfect Bag: The Vineyard Vines Classic Tote
This bag is huge, but not overwhelming. A step up from an LL Bean Boat' n' Tote Bag, this is a preppy must-have. I've used this bag at school, shopping, as a carry-all, at the beach, when I go out, you name it! I have a classic blue whale on pink pattern on mine, and I can't wait to monogram the top middle section above the front pocket.

The Perfect Sandal: Jack Rogers Navajo Sandal in Platinum
I have worn these shoes time and time again. Beware that the first few days of wearing them, they ARE NOT comfortable. Upon breaking them in, however, I could live in these shoes. Not kidding, either, this color is the one I always tell people to buy in the store. They can be dressed up (as I did wear them to both prom and the debutante ball) or dressed down (as I've worn them with a simple LP skirt and polo for a work day). This color is also a fusion between gold and silver and is still shiny, but much less attention-drawing than metallic.

The Perfect Trendy Accessory: Pashmina Scarves in Plain Colors
I have recently gotten one of these scarves (from Target nonetheless) for Christmas. Don't buy an expensive one because you can pick them up easily for $10-$20 and really, the quality is not that much different. I have a raspberry colored one that goes well with black, white, brown, navy, cream, jeans, dresses (as a shawl). Usually I'm not into very trendy things considering my wardrobe is cable knits, polos and jeans, but I do like these scarves very much. Head up though, if you don't like ironing, look for a different material for these scarves. If you want it to look neat 24/7 you'll have to iron these, I don't mind a wrinkle so I let it go.

The Perfect Book (it's a tie): The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao OR In Cold Blood
I read both of these books this year and loved them both. TBWLoOW won the Pulitzer Prize for literature earlier in the year and my English teacher in 11th grade wanted us to read it. Although not the most uplifting of stories, it takes a look into the life of Oscar Wao. It is very readable and is about real life. A funny running commentary by Junot Diaz on the history of the Dominican Republic is conveyed in the footnotes. ICB, on the other hand, is not a happy story at all. It follows the story of 2 murders and the family that they kill with the climax of the story at the murder scene. Besides Harry Potter, I have never read real literature SO fast in my entire life. It took me probably less than 48 hours over the summer to read this book, and I would recommend it to anyone.

The Perfect Scent: Lilly Pulitzer "Wink"
Cleverly put in a pink bottle, this steals it for me. I own this as well, from Christmas, and again, I tell everyone in the store to buy this one of all the LP scents. In the words of Lilly herself: "Wear pink and make the boys wink!" It is the one on the bottom!

The Perfect Nail Polish: Sephora Brand Nail Color in L19 "tagada"
Talk about the perfect pink, this is it. Barbie Pink, Princess Pink, "Tagada", "L19", call it what you want, it is true pink, $4 to boot, and I love it. Cover it with a good clear topcoat and you're all set! As I look at my bottle, I have to remember to get more!

The Perfect Coat: H&M 6 Button Pea Coat
This is a great dressy, light coat. I have it in a charcoal color that is functional for everything. I love the way this looks with my uniform at school, over an outfit, and with a black turtleneck underneath. The only problem is that it is lined with polyester or something like that, and if any wind gets up there, it chills the fabric and your arms get cold!

The Perfect Running Shoes: Any Shoe From The Brand "Asics"
Now, I know there are some runners out there who will disagree, but I've run for 4 years of cross country with Asics. Some people argue that the toe box is too big or that Mizuno or New Balance make the best running shoes, but I love these shoes. I have had 2 pairs of the exact same model and changed recently for my past running season. Now, I am in no way a serious runner, but I did it for fun and to keep in shape. These shoes were so comfortable, held up beautifully, and I will be an Asics girl for the rest of my life.

The Perfect Gift: A Handmade Gift Basket
I have fallen in love with doing this. I think that for people that you really care about, this is the best gift that you can give. With a color scheme or theme in mind, you can't go wrong with putting one of these together. Bonus: it's a crafty project and you get to go shopping in a few different places!

Perfect Earrings: Silver Pearls
A twist on the traditional pearls, silver pearls are easy to find, stylish, and come in a variety of sizes. You can go with real silver or silver plated. I love wearing silver pearls because they go with everything, minus like gold stuff, and you can find coordinating bracelets and necklaces to go with them!

Perfect Treat: Funfetti Cupcakes!
Boy oh boy, am I a fan of these bad boys. I have become known as the cupcake queen at my school for making funfetti cupcakes. They are SO easy to make and are always good. It's tough to mess up cupcakes from a box. Tip: don't overmix the batter. If you overmix, you lose that melt in your mouth taste (as corny as that sounds...). Although, I have had a friend tell me that she's bitten into a little rock of batter from me not mixing enough!!

Any other additions? Leave a comment with some of your Perfects!

xxKatie

Annapolis Casual?

So, the other day I was talking to a co-worker at The Pink Crab in Annapolis about a wedding that she'd been invited to you. It was not a "Black-Tie- Affair" but the dress was termed "Annapolis Casual". Think about it, Annapolis Casual. Now what comes to mind?

Now anyone who has even been to Annapolis would appreciate the term "Annapolis Casual". As my co-worker explained to me, "Annapolis Casual" is defined as navy blue blazers, blue or white oxford shirts, preppy ties, khakis or the washed-out light-colored pants, and SOCKLESS boat shoes. Living in Annapolis myself, the sockless idea is not new to me. This look is seen throughout the catalogs of Vineyard Vines, showing the weddings where the groomsmen all picked the same tie to wear.

Not only is the "Annapolis Casual" look becoming more prevalent in weddings, but it is also seen more often at prom. Boys are wearing the cummerbund and bow tie set. This is much more formal than the "Annapolis Casual" look, but it is still very preppy! The casual look is becoming more popular these days. As I think about it, I myself have been to an "Annapolis Casual" wedding without even knowing it. It was held right in Annapolis, about six years ago. The men all had their blue blazers, maroon/gold/navy striped ties, pleated khakis and boat shoes. They looked very nice if I do say so myself.

Some weddings are even going as far as ditching the khaki pants for khaki SHORTS. The groomsmen still have the oxfords and ties and blazers but wear shorts instead of pants. These weddings are much more casual and most who choose this option will typically go for an outdoor wedding or a wedding on the beach.

But why "Annapolis Casual"? Annapolis does boast the title of "Sailing Capital of the World" but should it have the name "Preppy capital of the World" too?? Annapolis is on the water and full of photo opts, but is it becoming the preppy capital? There are kids here who were raised with a crabbing net in one hand and a lacrosse stick in the other and wore their first popped collar when they were two months old. Neighborhoods in the Annapolis area even have events where 98% of the girls wear Lilly dresses. So do you think it will be a new preppy capital?? In my eyes, probably not. (Things could change for the better...) Again, Annapolis can boast the Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store, and like 4 boating supply store within a half-mile, and a yacht club of its own but is it becoming the next Martha's Vineyard or sunny Florida? Vineyard Vines is HQ-ed there. Lilly Pulitzer is HQ-ed in King of Prussia, PA but began in Florida. Will Annapolis start a sockless boat shoe trend? Or a new casual wedding trend?? Well, we'll watch the Sailing Capital of the World, very closely for awhile and if anything shows a pattern, you'll hear it from the Annapolis native, here first!

xx Katie

Ropeknots, and Whales, and Buoys! Oh, TIE?

Vineyard Vines "Vineyard Whale Tie"

Vineyard Vines, an extremely preppy Martha's Vineyard brand makes clothing of all kinds but by far, the most popular item they make is their ties. Ranging from the simple VV Whale logo to surfers and golf clubs, these ties are far from ordinary. Their motto for the ties: "Ties for all guys" shows how easy-going these Martha's Vineyard guys really are.

These ties not only come in preppy logos but also come in prints made especially for colleges and universities. On my college trip out to University of Virgina, a small store carried the school-specific ties. The "College Collection" as named by creators, Shep and Ian, comes in a variety of colors with the logos of many colleges (if the college is considered preppy that helps too!). My favorite UVA tie was salmon in color with the UVA "V" and the cavalier swords beneath it. Let's just say that if I was a frat boy and went to UVA I'd have this tie in every color that it comes in.

These preppy prints are not only limited to ties! Sashes and D-Ring belts (all the true preps know what D-Ring Belts are, but for everyone who is new to the preppy thing, D-Ring belts are typically cotton or ribbon belts that have silver D-Rings used for fastening) come in many of the signature prints VV makes. "Sconset Sashes" are very popular and can be seen in the Summer catalog, being modeled by a recent Princeton grad (ahem, she is also wearing a sconset sash which is part of the college collection).

Vineyard Vines is also a clothing manufacturer. VV makes ladies polos, which run pricey but wash extremely well, skirts, dresses, pants, flipflops, sashes, and more for fall and winter. For women, the polos are probably the most popular, but you can always recognize a girl in a Vineyard Vines skirt. The New England themed prints come with lobsters, buoys, whales, and hermit crabs (and I'm only naming the items I have in my own closet!). One of my favorite things to see is a mom and her daughter wearing matching Vineyard Vines (dads and boys too especially with matching ties!!)

Another favorite item from Vineyard Vines of mine is their lacrosse tie! Since I live in Maryland, and lacrosse is extremely popular, I appreicate this tie more than most. At our school many boys have their fair share of Vineyard Vines ties, not to mention most of the lacrosse players have some version of the lacrosse tie. There are two versions of the lax tie, one with criss-cross sticks and one with actual little "laxers" on it. A classmate of mine even remarked that "They're the best ties ever!" Another classmate of mine admits to having 5 ties himself (which makes me very happy...there are preppy boys out there!) Vineyard Vines also makes many other sports ties like football, basketball, hockey, golf, and baseball but the lacrosse print tie is BY FAR the most prominent here.

xx Katie

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

Gamecocks + VV= Love

They finally have it online! WOO HOO! Vineyard Vines has finally put their USC collegiate line online! I am SO excited. For all of you who didn't know, the USC mascot is a Gamecock! That's it pictured in the print. Cocky is the USC mascot who goes to all the USC games' name. There are a bunch of photos of Cocky where its posing with its arms out so I've begun calling Cocky the sassy Gamecock! Look at how cute this bag is! I'll definitely be picking one up before I head down to school! This also comes in Navy blue but how can you pass up the traditional USC garnet (I'm using the official school color name...)?! I am so excited! As the VV website says, "Wear Your Colors With Pride!" Click the link to see if there are totes or ties for your current school or Alma Mater!

xxKatie

New Picks from Vineyard Vines

Now I know that recently VV hasn't gotten the best rep for some of their designs, but I'm loving some of their current stock!!

I am LOVING this oxford. I love all the different prints and the underside of the collar!! I also just like the name...Party Shirt!! 

I think this top is TDF! I love the pink and green and all the intricate details. I'd definitely recommend checking out the shirt on their website to see the back and all the details of the print on the top. It is very Hermes if you ask me!

These VV shorts are right up my alley. I like both colors that the shorts are designed in, and the 5'' length is perfect for everyone. As I've called them before, 5'' shorts are a tall girl's short-shorts!! They have this Pear color and a Coral color that have baby stars on them! So cute!

I'm a HUGE VV tote bag fan! I have two of my own that get used 24/7 for general bags, shopping totes, bookbags in class, you name it! I think this bag is super functional for any of those uses because of all the pockets! I wish my current VV totes had a place for a water bottle (or Diet Coke for me...oops!) that I could stick something in without worrying about how close it was to my computer. With a drink pocket, there's at least a little barrier between the liquid and the important stuff! This also comes in Natural (shown here is the Flamingo) that has more traditional patchwork colors: red, navy, yellow, etc. Both are great options!

I am SO happy VV is bringing back their big hat. Either last year or 2 years ago, they had a straw hat that sold out faster than anything else that was in the LP store I worked in. We showed them hanging on a flight of stairs in the store, and everytime someone saw one, they tended to snag one. The great thing about this one is that you can add a grosgrain ribbon or another sash in place of the blue one to match every outfit! So fun!!

I want this so much! VV just brought out a rain umbrella full of patchwork prints that is adorable! I love all the nautical/water prints, just like the rain! I'd love to pull this out on a rainy day on campus and show this baby off!

I am getting ridiculously excited for spring break! I have a test or two this week and then I'll be all ready to go! I'll add a post about what I'm gonna pack for my vacay to...Turks and Caicos!!

xxKatie

Boy Lesson 2: Casual Wear

This is part two of my segment on what boys can wear! I'm not entirely sure how many posts this will have, but this one is devoted to casual wear (for warmer weather since it's snowing in many places now!!) since the last one was a bit more formal. Let's start with tops/shirts:

T-Shirts:

                                 

T-Shirts can be great for any occasion. They can be worn tucked in or not, and just keep them clean, both hygiene-wise and word-wise. No one likes your tacky beer shirt or the "I'm with stupid" shirt. Novelty shirts are just silly. Sports teams are also great! When I was in high school, all the boys typically wore either lacrosse t-shirts or sport teams that they played. Now that I'm in college, I think it's time for guys to depart with all their high school sports team shirt and move onto college--much more timely!!

Polos:

                                

                                  

Polos are a good alternative to t-shirts. They automatically look dressier than a T, but here it's all about preference. I think every guy needs a few colors: White, Black, Navy, Red, and Pink (yes, pink, you can pick the shade). With those 5 colors, the possibilities are endless, especially with white. A white polo is so crisp looking and I think when in doubt, a white polo always looks great!

Shorts:

                                  

                                    

                                     

If you're looking to go basic khaki is always great, even though not pictured. I think that nice khaki shorts are great in the spring through early fall and can be very versatile, coordinating with a button-down, polo, or t-shirt. All the other shorts options shown are great too. I'm a HUGE fan of madras as I said in the last post. I like both pastel (I'm actually more fond of pastels) and traditional, but I think guys are more likely to buy a traditional colored pair with deep hues like red, navy and gold. Either way they're a great choice. I absolutely ADORE colored twill shorts. I think these are the best choice out of all of them because of the color range. You can get colors to literally match anything in your closet. And last but certainly not least are seersucker. I think seersucker is the epitome of summertime since it's so light and comfortable. (The last 3 photos of shorts are all from VV, just a head's up because they've got a great selection for guys!) 

Accessories:

                                  

Croakies: I'm not entirely sure how I feel about them. If you take them out of context, they are extremely functional, although at school they have a rep as being "very fratty" (which I don't this is entirely a bad thing, but like I said, it depends on the context) because mostly frat guys wear them. I wear them, though and I'm a girl. I have a garnet USC one for gameday and I have a pink palmetto one that I like a lot! 

                                    

Sunglasses: They don't have to be aviators, but I think every guy needs a good pair of sunglasses that look good on them. Again, they're very functional, but only buy expensive ones if you know you can take care of them. Brands boys wear typically include Costa del Mar (in the South), Ray Bans (in the North), Oakleys (in the north), Von Zipper (in the North), and then most of the time cheap-o ones from anywhere. 

                                       

                                                  

Belts: I think every guy (and girl for that matter) needs a good leather belt. Along with a leather belt, maybe spring for a few funner belts like these from Tucker Blair and Smathers and Branson. These two companies are well known for their craftsmanship, and you know you're getting something great. At the store I used to work in, we sold S & B belts and keychains and the keychains flew off the shelves with women too! There was a boy in my high school who had a S & B 4-leaf clover belt that I LOVED. I never told him that but it was SO nice!

I hope the boys out there will appreciate some of these notes!! Just suggestions and chances are they probably have some in their own closets!! 

Have any of your own suggestions? What do you like boys to wear? Definitely let us know!!!

xxKatie

Boy Lesson 1: The Art of the Bow Tie

Two days ago I was called by a friend of mine (who will be living 2 houses down from us next year) about a clothing crisis: "Can you wear black pants with a pinstripe blazer?" So it got me thinking about a "segment" I can do for all the boy readers that I might have (max = 3) and what they need to know about looking nice and preppy (dare I say it about them) well dressed.

I have to admit it. I have an affinity for a boy in a bow tie. I think boys have this weird stigma that they associate with bow ties and none of them ever want to wear one! I absolutely love them (with the exception of a few boys--really just one who's running against a friend of mine in the college elections, but I digress.) I have a few friends who detest a bow tie, but coming from Annapolis, it's just part of the culture. My junior year a guy friend of mine asked me if I would help him figure out what to wear to prom (he was taking a girlfriend of mine, Lizzie) and I was so excited to help him. He explained his choices on a bus ride to a lacrosse game and we settled on a great red Vineyard Vines print that had crabs and some polka dots with the matching cummerbund. He looked great and I think guys really underestimate bow ties! Now that it's spring, I'm hoping to catch a few more guys in a good bow tie. Here are a few of my favorites:

King Crab (I LOVE the crowns) from Vineyard Vines

                                  

Stars & Stripes from Vineyard Vines

                                              

Regimental Guard Stripe from Joseph A. Bank Clothiers (My dad shops here periodically and I love to go! They have tons of ties and bow ties that I love browsing!!)

                              

Lilly Pulitzer Printed Bow Tie (how can you not love pink and green seahorses!? If I had a prom date my junior year, this would have been perfect with my LP Jillie Dress circa Resort 2007)

                                     

These bow ties are made by a local designer in Columbia, SC called LaRoque. She makes all kinds of great custom dress--so custom that no one else will ever have the same combination of prints and dress style as someone else. Getting a dress from there is on my list of things to do before I graduate. This photo is from her facebook. I'm sure I could get a perfect length dress for my 6'1'' body! 

I think the moral of my story is that a bow tie is just SO hard to resist! This makes me feel SO spring-y! If any of my readers are boys remember this!! Girls do love the bow tie! (Now madras anything and a bow tie is downright dangerous for this girl...)

xxKatie