Frozen Boogers

Hey Preps!

(Outfit of the Day: Lands End Canvas Gingham Oxford Shirt, Lands End Canvas Cardigan,

Delia's Red Corduroy Pants, Sperry Top-sider Sheerwater Boots)

My nickname from a favorite college professor is Smiley.

Hmmm I wonder why.

This past weekend I was out with "red in the face" boy,

and someone I know came over to us...and told him

ALL about my huge glasses and retainers that I used to rock in the 90's.

"Red in the Face" boy laughed, and said he really wasn't surprised.

Great. He already knows I'm a freakazoid.  

A freakazoid perfectly happy being who she is. Retainers and all.

Can't you tell from this picture? Or this post title?

It is freezing here in Pittsburgh.  Early this morning, I sprinted to my car to avoid the cold and shivered the whole way to the gym.  I have a secret spot I park in at the gym that is actually a lot closer and cheaper than the meters, but no one has figured it out yet.  I feel so sneaky.  Anyways, I made another mad dash into the gym...and announced to the lady at the front desk that my boogers are officially frozen, as I took a big sniffle in.  She lost it.  I think she will always laugh at me when I make my entrances into the gym now, thanks to my half-awake but blatantly honest comment.  

I feel like I could write a novel about all the things I hate about the cold.  I hate dressing in huge layers and feeling like a rollie pollie all the time, I hate the possibility of wiping out on ice, and I just hate being cold in general.  Honestly, frozen boogers are the least of my worries in the cold.  

Usually on crummy days like this, I just want to curl up into a ball and go back to sleep.  However, today I am just plain happy.  Maybe it was my 'off the cuff' comment that I made, or maybe it's just the balance that I have been feeling to great extents in my life lately that keeps me happy...regardless I cannot stop smiling.  

In my personal opinion, I have found that happiness is something we often lack.  We are always complaining about how tired we are, the to do list we have to accomplish, and anything else.  There are so many days that I hear numerous people make "whoa is me" statements.  We are always making excuses about why we are unhappy; constantly examining other people's lives and wishing we had something they do.  

Why do we do that?

There are so many times I compare myself to others.  Oh I wish I had her pretty curly hair...Oh I wish I was taller...Oh I wish I had (you fill in the blank).  We are always wanting what others have, always feeling as if we are somehow missing the mark in our own lives...and it makes us completely miserable.

Instead why don't we focus on how much we DO have in our lives?  I am blessed with an incredible family who supports me and loves me unconditionally.  My puppy is the best snuggler in the world.  My friends keep me grounded but still know how to have a good time...I am a college student but already have a career teaching fitness classes and just got paid to become a personal trainer.  I can beat the boys in a lot of sports.  I proudly dress modestly and rock side pony tails.  There are so many blessings in my life and so many things I am proud of.  I really need to remember those more instead of focusing on what I am lacking in.

I am not saying that if you are struggling with something that you should ignore improving yourself as a person, I'm saying start appreciating what you have a little bit more! How can we truly be happy if we are always focusing on the negative things in our lives when we really should be focusing on everything we DO have.  

So be happy. Count your blessings...and laugh at your frozen boogers. 

 Life is too short to not appreciate it.

Have a blessed day y'all!

Oh, The Places You Will Go!

Hey Preps!

Adventurous red pants and some sturdy boots...and off exploring I go!

Amy Rebekah Photography

(Outfit of the Day: Lands' End Canvas Sweater and Shirt,

Delias Skinny Colorful Cords, Sperry Top-Sider Sheerwater Boots)

Don't mind me, just the queen of being cheesy in pictures.  I can't help it I guess.  Last night I was out with a friend, and was told that I never stop laughing.  Then he said, "you're such a cheeseball".  I died.  Apparently my jokes are only funny when I laugh according to him.  Just your personal cheeseball of a blogger here. 

Do you know what you want to be when you grow up?  I don't.  Not a clue.  Today I was writing in my journal, and I made it a point to write out who I think I am as a person, and how I can get to be the person I want to be.  I sat there and made bullet notes of what makes me who I am.  Then, I made a new bucket list.  Do you make bucket lists?  I make one every year, and it's so funny how they change.  Yet, this one is my best yet...why?  Nothing on my bucket list is dealing with pleasing someone else or making my parents proud.  Every single thing on that list is for me.  It's things I want to accomplish in my life, and when I want to accomplish them.  

It's so easy to make a Bucket List, yet so many times those dreams seem farfetched, or we are unsure of how to achieve those dreams.  To reach your goals in life, it takes work...hard work.  Also, reaching those goals takes failure.  Many times we hide our failure.  I am certainly one of those people.  If I do poorly on a test, I am humiliated.  There is a bit of me that is a perfectionist, so when I do fail, I don't like it.  Yet, instead of ignoring those failures, we all need to start learning from them.  I wouldn't be half as strong as I am today if I didn't go through hard times.  I wouldn't know who I am or what I wanted if I didn't try some things I didn't like first.  Additionally, I wouldn't be a fitness instructor or runner if I hadn't gained some weight that made me realize how important healthy living truly is.  

The other thing I noticed that my Bucket List takes is time.  I am an impatient person.  I want things to happen over night.  For example, I got bored with high school, and decided to graduate a year early.  I rushed my last year, and didn't really get to enjoy it because I was so busy cramming two years of classes into one.  I need to slow down.  

Finally, I need to do what I love.  For the longest time, I have forced myself into things I hate.  My major is one of them.  I am stubborn, and never gave that major up.  Here I sit, and I don't want to be in a lab or become a doctor.  I want to write, to work with people, and to be a positive influence on those around me.  Promoting people and their strengths is something I love doing.  Working as a fitness instructor, I have the honor of helping people get back on track with healthy living.  It is awesome to be someone that is inspirational to those I help, and to see people improve and grow in such a short matter of time.  Every day I feel good about doing that for people.  I know that is what I love.

I love traveling, and being outside.  I truly could just travel my whole life and explore if the means were given to me, but they are not.  Which is why there is something called saving money...and something called a Bucket List that will hopefully keep me on track with my world adventures as they come.  

What is my advice to you today?  Do what you love.  Make a Bucket List.  Explore.

...and read Dr. Suess' "Oh the Places You Will Go"

Check out Amy Rebekah Photography on Facebook!

Have a blessed day y'all!

One of the Boys

Hey Preps!

It is snowing (and has been for the past three days)!  Like I said in my previous post, I hate cold weather...but...that excludes lots of white fluffy snowflakes making those ski resorts ever so irresistible!  I just want to go outside and play all day! Who is with me?!

A side introduction there, but winter for a preppy girl means a few things.  It means Wellies with fleece socks, duck boots, and lots of chunky pieces that include sweaters, heavier polos, corduroy, and tights.  A girl has got to survive in these climates, and for me, surviving them means sitting by my heater most nights, and layering these chunky/boyish pieces.

Did she say boyish?  Yep.  Sometimes a preppy girl is stuck with the predicament of having to wear pieces that look like she's one of the boys.  How then, can she possibly keep her girly appeal?  So glad you asked, because I have the answer.

When Menswear Meets the Girly Prep by pittsburghprep 


Here is a perfect example of pairing menswear with feminine pieces.  Above the 'menswear' pieces are a Rugby Polo shirt, and penny loafers.  Both are known as classic masculine pieces that the ladies just couldn't resist to steal.


To prevent them from looking too manly, an easy way to balance these pieces is to add a classic corduroy skirt to the mix.  I once read somewhere (so it's credible, I just can't credit to the source) that men respect a woman more when she is in a skirt.  Now, I am not talking a hiked up mini skirt that shows all of your goods, I am talking a classic skirt like the one shown above.  So what perfect way to impress the gents than to pair some of his wardrobe favorites with a few girly ones of your own?

The other day, one of my best girlfriends who happens to be an amazing and creative photographer, Amy Rebekah Photography, and I had a play date together.  I put together some outfits, and she masterminded behind the lens.  Knowing I have been dying to explain this whole balance of the gender wearing stuff, I put together an outfit that exemplifies what I wrote about above:

(Polo Ralph Lauren Rugby Shirt)

(Kiel James Patrick's Jephson's Passage Traversed Bracelet

Lands' End Canvas Corduroy Skirt)

(Eastland Penny Loafers)

So ladies, are you willing to give menswear a try?

Hope y'all have a blessed day!

P.S. Be sure to check out Amy Rebekah Photography on Facebook (and expect a guest post from her shortly)!

Gym Talk: Common Mistakes

(Outfit of the Day:

Plaid Flannel Button-down from J.Crew

Lands' End Diamond-Quilted Down Vest

Tommy Hilfiger Corduroy Skinnys

Hunter Boots)

Just walked into the gym...for the third time today.  This time, to work.  One of "my usuals" as I so fondly call them, walks up to the desk I sit at in the fitness center and says: "what a slacker".  Then he smiles as he anticipates my explosion of a rebuttal.  

"Excuse me, but I worked out for two and a half hours already today.  If anyone's a slacker it's you."

Mind you, this usual is the chief police officer of my town.  Yeah, I have guts...and he finds my feisty opinions refreshing I think.  

He responds, "Oh Kalyn, I just like getting you fired up before your shift".  

Too bad I already was.  One thing I can't stand is laziness.  Sure, I have days where both ends of the candle were burnt to the point I must, for my health, take a lazy day.  That is completely different than what I am about to explain.  

As a fitness instructor, and personal trainer (in training)...I see a few common flaws in the people who make use of the gym.  Sure, I will give them credit for showing up and getting on that treadmill or elliptical.  However, if you are looking to get in shape...there is a lot more to it than just that.

Someone today said to me as I was leaving the gym, "Eat a cheeseburger".  Usually I find that funny, but today I didn't.  Guess what?  I eat cheeseburgers.  I am not saying I swing by McDonald's for a Big Mac daily, but I do on occasions eat poorly...but really? That comment was not necessary.  Why?  Because I work.  I work hard to stay in shape.

Last night in a class that I teach, a few members were being...lazy.  There, I said it.  They weren't staying on pace, and refused to do anything too hard.  Worse of all, they decided to talk during one of the hardest circuits that they opted not to do.  I snapped.  I looked over at them, as I was drenched in sweat and said:

"Look at me, I am soaked...THIS IS NOT PRETTY GIRL SWEAT!"

The whole class lost it.  They were dying with laughter.  Not funny, but okay my sarcasm got the best of them.  

So back to my rant, a lot of people want to know what I do to stay in shape.  So I am going to be blunt and say I work my butt off.  I am in the gym consistently 6 times a week.  I teach classes on top of that.  I don't just get on the treadmill and coast...no I am sprinting, doing intervals, sweating and pushing myself each day.  

There are days I don't want to run...I do it anyways.  I push myself, and I SWEAT.  One common mistake I see especially women doing is this:  they get on a cardio machine and they hardly even move.  They go so slow with no resistance or incline and they think they are getting a good workout in.  YOU'RE NOT.  To get the results you want, you have to work for it.  That means pain, sweat, and getting up and pushing yourself even when you want to stay in bed.

Listen, I feel your pain...I have 22 hours of school this semester, I work mornings, nights, and teach classes.  I am so busy.  Sleeping in on the weekends is the only way I make it through...trust me, I really don't like going to the gym sometimes, but I do it anyways.  So guess what?  I don't have sympathy for you if you don't feel like it either.  

Rome wasn't built in a day folks.

Okay so second common mistake I see...girls don't want to lift heavy.  Yes, you.  I see you lifting that dinky 3 or 5 lb. weight. Guess what? Your purse weighs more than that.  

"But I don't want to get big muscles"

Listen, you are not going to bulk up in one day.  The way you get rid of fat is by building muscle.  You don't build muscle if you are lifting something that is too easy for you.  The fastest way to have good results is to lift heavier than you are used to.  It is supposed to hurt the next day.  It is supposed to hurt when you are lifting...plus, muscle burns fat...so the more muscle you have...the better your metabolism is.  Just sayinnnn.

So there you have it...my rant about what people do wrong at the gym.  I feel much better now.  

Just remember, it's not ever going to be pretty girl sweat; but it has it's benefits.  Like looking killer in a dress when you aren't sweating?

Hope y'all are having a great week...working off all that stuffing and pumpkin pie!  

Thanks for reading this crazy feisty post!

Thankful Thoughts

Hey Preps!

(Outfit of the day: Cinched Corduroy Dress from Lands' End Canvas

Gray Textured Tights

Carlos Santana Flats...don't judge...they are amazing!)

It's well after midnight, so maybe not officially Thanksgiving anymore...but that doesn't trump how incredibly thankful I am.  Today consisted of way too much food, family members overflowing within my house, and friends that you can spend months away from...yet still pick up right where you left.  Days where you are surrounded by those who love, support, and uplift you are the best.  There is absolutely no denying that.

I started questioning why we don't have more holidays like Thanksgiving today.  Why don't we constantly surround ourselves with positivity? Why are there so many days where I take the blessings in my life for granted? The whole binge eating thing should very intelligently be limited to once per year...yet everything else Thanksgiving stands for should be the way we live our daily lives shouldn't it?

So, as we complete another year of turkeys and pumpkin pie...I challenge you to radiate positivity and graciousness everywhere you go.  Truly take the time to think about everything you have been blessed with in your life, and appreciate those people and blessings that have created you to be the person you are today.

That being said, I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes, said by Mother Theresa; a woman who took her circumstances, and made the world better through them.


"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

God bless!

Christmas: In A Dress (Hasselbeck Agrees)

Hey Preps!

Have you ever checked out Lands End Canvas?  If the answer is No, you should.  When describing Lands End Canvas, I see the classic foundations of Lands End that every classic fashionista adores, with a bit of a modern flare.

For a college girl, it is hard to sometimes find attire that doesn't always look (what Pat's friends call) "mom".  You want to have clothes you can wear when going out,  but still stick to your classic means.  Lands End Canvas offers such a clothing line, and with reasonable prices.

Yesterday, I made a Lands End Canvas transaction, and purchased this particular dress:

I find this dress to be so fun, and appropriate for the upcoming winter holidays and the events they entail.  The cut of the dress is my definition of classic, and the length is appropriate to wear to lots of different functions.  The plaid pattern is playful, and I absolutely love the color combination!

Who else also is in love with this dress?

None other than ABC's The View's, Elisabeth Hasselbeck...a style icon of mine.  She was wearing the dress on the show this morning...making my investment in the same dress even higher up on the list of things I did right this week.  

It definitely is the end of the semester...I am swamped, and sick.  Hope y'all are having lovely weeks though!

Friday, Do you Exist?

Hey Preps!

Wowzers.  What a week it has been.  I forgot what an addiction to caffeine I form during the school year.  It is 10:30 in the morning and I already have had two cups of coffee, and am currently sipping on Chai tea. No motivation.  None.  I have class in an hour and I just don't even want to attend.  I am currently freezing, and I feel as if every time I write a post I complain now.  SORRY!

Just yawned.  Someone laughed at how huge my yawn was.  You want to know something?  When Pat and I first started dating I wouldn't let him see me yawn.  Nope.  I was embarrassed of it.  I still am, but now I just don't care.  However, I still have this tendency to hold it in until I can't even stand it anymore; letting out the largest yawn you have ever seen.  My dad always says that he's surprised I haven't swallowed any bugs because of them...  Thanks? Glad I haven't.

As you can see I have a ton of ADHD going on this morning.  I really am half alive.  So, I made a quick Polyvore showing you what I am wearing today.  It is chilly here today.  Boo.  I still am on the internal clockwork of the South where it shouldn't be this cold until late October (and this is as cold as it gets).  I really don't even want to think about snow or freezing temperatures.  Yet here I am, already wearing jeans and layers to class...

Why Is it Only Thursday? by pittsburghprep featuring a wool jacket

J Crew wool jacket
$200 - net-a-porter.com

Abercrombie & Fitch vintage jeans
$54 - abercrombie.com

Tory burch boots
$495 - net-a-porter.com

Longchamp tote bag
$145 - longchamp.com

MICHAEL Michael Kors crystal watch
$250 - nordstrom.com

Boys' Secret Wash shirt in jenson gingham
$40 - jcrew.com






First on the list you will see a wool blazer.  Mine is technically tweed but looks identical to this J.Crew one.  Please don't be ashamed of me when you see that next on the list are Jeggings...from Abercrombie. I have the hardest time finding jeans that fit my waste and don't sag too much in the butt.  I mean I want to look like I have a little bit of a booty, but I am not the type of person to be caught in anything skin tight.  I get made fun of for wearing "mom clothes".

Whatever.  I don't care, because I'd rather be a little more conservative than I need to be than show all of my goods to the whole college population.  I always have been that way.  So back to the Jeggings.  They are ridiculously comfy, stretchy, and are form fitting but not in the gross, "muffin top" way.  I love the dark wash of them.  I think it's a little more classic than traditional jeans.  Plus I have always been taught that darker jeans are more slimming.

I pair my Jeggings with the prize of my shoe collection; Tory Burch Boots.  They make me happy.  Yep, just looked at them.  They are just the best, and so comfy!  I love how classic they are, and the fact I can pair them with so many different outfits.

Next on the list, my large Longchamp bag.  I usually just carry it and my binder to classes on these days since I only have a small book for one of my classes.  The bag is big enough to throw the book, flashcards, my Lilly P. binder and whatever else in it.  I am obsessed with Longchamp bags.  Everytime I see someone on campus with one, I secretly give them a thumbs up in my head.  Then I think I'd probably be friends with them if I knew them...probably not though, because if they knew I was giving them "mind thumbs ups" they'd probably think I was the biggest weirdo.  Which I am.

Michael Kors is one of my favorite designers.  The next item on the list is a crystal watch he designed.  I always have to have a watch on, it may be my only jewelry of the day, but I go crazy if I don't know what time it is.  Some of the classrooms at my college have clocks, but most do not.  So it's nice to have a watch so I can glance at the time and count down the minutes until I am free.  Yet wearing a watch has also helped me stay timely throughout my college career.  I highly recommend you wear one!

Finally, Gingham is making a huge comeback this season.  Not sure how I feel when I see people misusing Gingham because it is supposed to be paired with a traditional wardrobe.  To each his own...I guess.  It took me a long time to find a Gingham shirt that I absolutely had to buy.  Lands End Canvas and J. Crew were the only two stores I found the blue Gingham I was in search of...and oh, I definitely purchased a men's shirt from J. Crew.  It was cheaper, and I liked the blue better than the women's shirt.  Don't judge!

So there you have it, my in depth post on what I am wearing.  Sure you are thrilled you read through this whole post of randomness!  Hope you all are staying warm and dry!  Happy Thursday...last night of studying before the weekend (where I will be heading to Colombia, SC to watch Navy take on the Gamecocks...so excited to be down South for a football game again)!

Hope y'all have a blessed day!