Anchored Down by the Past

(In picture: Swell Caroline Earrings, KJP Bracelet, Lilly Pulitzer Dress, J.Crew Bangle, Polo Ralph Lauren Sweater, Tommy Hilfiger Sweater)

Hey Preps!

No I do not need therapy.  I promise I only have a mild (huge) obsession and collection of anchors.
A San Diego native who was shipped to the Northeast, and then decided to attend college in the South...I couldn't tell you where my collection even started, or why I initially fell in love with the global symbol for stability.  Maybe because I feel like my life is never completely stable (which it shouldn't be yet), and is ever changing that I have developed a love for the symbol that completely contrasts my current spot in life.  Not to get all philosophical, but maybe like my love of anchors, I am constantly trying to get to the future without enjoying the present.  Why?  Because knowing what my future holds allows me to prepare for it...which means stability.

And there you have it...I have just confessed to being a total control freak. Kalyn, the weirdo girl who is preparing for the zombie apocalypse (not really).  But sure, I want to be successful, and I want to know if I will be right now.  I want the biggest girl job you can find me, no baby-steps along the way, please.  I'm a leaps and bounds type of girl (now gentlemen...no I do not mean in relationships so don't even snicker at that).

Then I feel as if I am also the opposite...not only do I want to see what the future may hold, but I also tend to dwell in the past.  I think of all the things I would have done differently...I regret a lot; even on teeny insignificant things...and through my life I have actually become a little bit less outgoing, and a little bit more cautious when it comes to friendships and relationships.  Do I think guarding your heart is a good thing?  Yes.  Do I think getting to know someone slowly is a good thing?  Absolutely...but there comes a point where you know that your guard has been up way too long, and you wish you knew how to lower the walls that are stopping you from developing a really special bond with someone.

Social Media these days has had a huge impact on the way we as society function.  We constantly compare ourselves to what we see on our Facebooks, or go through our old pictures thinking about the good ole' days.  It's pointless.  It really does no good except make us want more and not appreciate the life we are currently living.  It anchors us down.  

I am anchored down by my impatience of the future, and the reminiscence of the past.  I know that, and am trying each day to overcome the weights that bind me from truly enjoying my life (not that I don't).  I have been hurt, and will probably be hurt again...but why am I putting all my blame and energy on a past relationship that didn't work out?  Why am I spending time worrying about the future...when I know I will one day get to where I want to be if I work at it hard enough.  We put so much pressure on ourselves when we are worrying about things we can't help.  I can't help that I have been hurt in the past...so instead of using that as an excuse...I need to focus on the present, and enjoying my life.  We can find reasons to feel anxious or upset...but we can also find even more reasons to be thankful and excited about each day as it comes.  When you are truly happy...that is when your future takes ahold of you, and blesses you in ways you can't imagine.

Don't ever forget where you came from, or the lessons you have learned along the way.  People are put into our lives to teach us.  Look back on the good and bad, and know that you are better from it...and take baby steps instead of leaps and bounds to truly grow as a person.

The first being to admit what is anchoring you down, so you can slowly lift it off the ocean's floor and begin to sail again.  

(I am such a nerd with all my analogies...just call me your 2013 Plato...

my anchor analogy, his cave allegory...basically the same level).

God bless y'all!

Margaritas on my Mind

(Easter Sunday Outfit: Lilly Pulitzer Dress, Steve Madden Sling-back Sandals, 

and a Vintage, Changeable, Lilly Pulitzer Clutch)

I love spring, it means Pink and Green!

Ok, so I am just gonna vent for a second.  I am so hungry right now.  I am sitting at work and Food Network is on.  Fried twinkies.  Fried macaroni and cheese.  Everything fried seems to be the theme.  Of course someone would want to be watching the Food Network while they are working out, causing me to reap the cons of such a show.

My training for the marathon is coming to an end.  That means this final month is TAPER.  I love tapering because it means less mileage and a higher intensity.  Go hard or go home type of mindset its needed.  However, what I hate about tapering, is the fact that I have to start cutting back on the calories/fat in my diet.  When you are running 60+ miles a week, it's easy to let your diet slide a bit.  Trust me, I have been an eating machine.

 When your mileage decreases though, the diet becomes more important. This means no drinking in season (there goes my glass of vino until October), eating lean protein, and lots of veggies, limiting my sugar/fruit intake, and keeping the closest eye on my carb intake.  Since I am gluten-free, I turn my nose up at most carbs because of what they do to my body.  Yet, when my aunt makes me G-free Pumpkin Muffins, and it's time for me to cut...it's really not fun staring at them and having them stare back at you.

The month before a huge race is when I start watching everything I consume.  If it doesn't benefit my body in some way, and help to make me a better athlete, I don't eat it.  Trust me, it's extremely hard...and it means denying a ton of cravings and sometimes being a little bit hungry.

Last night I was texting my girlfriend, and mentioned how super bummed I was that my race was the day after Cinco De Mayo.  Kids, I love me some mexican food.  Everything I can eat.  Corn tortillas, rice, beans...it's a carb heaven for G-free people like me.  I also love me some Margaritas.  Mucho grande por favor.  

So, as soon as this race is over, and I am fully hydrated and functioning again.  I WILL have a Margarita, and the biggest enchilada I see.  Then it will be back to training and cutting for Triathlons.

What is the point of writing this?  First, I just needed to express my hunger.  Now I feel much better.  Second, I wanted to stress the importance of nutrition.  It is equally if not more important than your daily cardio and weight session if you are trying to lose weight.  I know it stinks sometimes, and isn't easy to always eat well.  Trust me, I am a huge fan of Skittles and Ice Cream.  However, you have to look at how the food you are eating will benefit or hurt you in the long run.  Doing so, will help you make better decisions.  I promise.

So I challenge you to eat well for a week, deny those processed foods, sugars, and fattening cravings.  You will feel so much better...and be on your way to a healthier lifestyle!

What I'm Wishing For

Hey Preps!

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and there is exactly a month until Christmas.  The holidays surely have crept up on me this year, and before I can truly enjoy them...there are quite a lot of papers to be written, tests to be taken, and chapters upon chapters to be read.  Yet, the anticipation of Christmas always seems to make the last few weeks of the semester a little bit 'cheery-er'.

So, even though I turned on my computer to attempt a paper...I ended up writing a new post instead.  It is so much easier for me to write about something I love.  My blog is a passion of mine.  An outlet.  My fun thing I treat myself to when the homework is done.  Yet, why can't I seem to have the same passion when writing a nine page paper for a class I dislike?

Anyways, that's besides the point.  The point is we have 30 days until Christmas!  That is it!  Eeeeeek!
Excitedly, I have started putting together some Polyvores themed with gifts.  I thought I would start off the gift ideas with a Polyvore of items I would be thrilled to receive this Christmas:

Christmas List 2011 by pittsburghprep featuring ballet flats

J Crew cable knit sweater
$178 - jcrew.com

J Crew trench coat
$250 - jcrew.com

J.Crew waterproof boots
$178 - jcrew.com

Tory Burch ballet flat
$235 - bergdorfgoodman.com

Kate spade handbag
$177 - katespade.com

Michael kors watch
amazon.com

J.Crew retro sunglasses
$420 - jcrew.com

C. Orrico Lilly Pulitzer Toasty Mittens Hotty Pink The Gangs All Here
$48 - corrico.com





So what's on my list?


The first item, is a Cable-knit sweater...I already have a few, but you can never go wrong with a traditional and cozy sweater.  The color of the one on my Polyvore (found at J. Crew) is really playful, and could definitely jazz up a simple gray pencil skirt, or a pair of jeans...it works with any look you are going for.  


Next on the list, is a military-inspired trench coat (also from J. Crew).  I love the royal blue color of this jacket, as well as the way it can be tied to show off your waist, while staying warm.  I always feel when I am dressing for the colder months that I look like a big puff ball in all of my layers.  This jacket would be a perfect way to avoid my typical puff ball look.  Practical and cute, that's my kind of clothing!


Speaking of practical and cute, Sperry Top-sider has the cutest Sheerwater Boots.  They are waterproof and have wool inside.  Plus the traction on them is great for any college girl dealing with the icky snow.  I have a pair of plaid ones that I am obsessed with, but I need a median between my Bean Boots, and my plaid Sheerwater Boots, so I am asking for this fun, pink lined one for Christmas.


As a prep, there are some times where you just have to add a little sparkle to your outfit.  What better way than adding a pair of sparkly, scaled, Tory Burch flats to your wardrobe?  


Going down the list, the Kate Spade military inspired purse comes up again.  I love this purse so much that I even wrote a recent post on it.  I would love to see this under the tree Christmas morning.

I love watches.  ADHD is so much better managed with watches.  I actually have a problem that I like to call "phantom watch syndrome", where I accidentally look at my wrist to check the time even though I'm not wearing my watch.  Therefore, I think this Michael Kors watch is calling my name.  I love the turtoise patterning of it, and think it very versatile.

Next on the list, a pair of retro shades.  I have been dying to try a pair of early 60's inspired shades like these.  Definitely something unique, that can dress up a winter outfit.

Pink and green plus Lilly Pulitzer, in a warm mitten?  I love the C. Orrico mittens in the winter collection on Lilly's website.  They would be such a fun accessory that would make the winter months a little bit more manageable.

Finally, what could be preppier than the bangle by Lilly Pulitzer?  I love the pink and gold color combination, as well as the fish-scale look!  This would be such a fun gift to receive, don't you think?

Concluding, I still could go without all of these items and still be happy.  I truly can't wait for more time with my huge family and amazing friends this Christmas.  Still feeling extra blessed today.

What is on your Christmas list?

Hat Do You Do?

Hey Preps!

Hope you all are having a blessed Good Friday.  It's quite rainy here which I find appropriate.  Although I really wish the sun was out.  Thanks to the holiday weekend, I have off school...am at my family's house...and my creative juices are currently flowing.

Last night I was perusing my mothers closet for hats.  My mom has an abundance of hats thanks to my lovely grandma who wore a hat daily...and sadly passed away from Ovarian Cancer several years ago.  Her classic and unique style still finds it's place within my home.  From my inherited authentic cowboy boots to vintage jewelery, ending with her endeared hats, my grandma will always live on in our hearts, and through our outfits.

Why was I stalking my mom's hats today?  You see there is an annual croquet tournament in Annapolis next weekend, in which the Midshipmen take on St. Johns College, also located in Maryland's capitol.  Sad to say that the Midshipmen have a history of losses to St. Johns, but it doesn't lose reason for me (or Pat who has been planning his outfit for weeks) to dress up.  It is great fun, and the fashions found at this event make me drool.

On the ladies' end, a very popular trend is to wear a hat and sundress combination.  Given all the free time I have today, I thought I would put together a few outfits to see what y'all thought:

Dress: Anne Taylor

Hat: Passed down to my momma from my grandmother

Kitty had to come be in the pictures.  (and get hair all over my dress)

Dress: Vineyard Vines

Dress: The Limited

Sir Maxwell didn't like Kitty getting all the attention

Smelling the fake flowers

Dress: Lilly Pulitzer

Which combination is your favorite? I can't decide (and have three other combinations I didn't take pictures of)!  I also put together a Polyvore of some of my own personal favorite hats:

Hats Galore by pittsburghprep featuring a wide brim floppy hat

Couldn't you just wear one everyday?  

Animal Crackers in My Soup

Hey Preps!

I have something to admit.  I have a huge problem, and it especially comes out during Easter time.  Today my phobia has been at an increased state resulting in my anxiety due to my hunger finally overcoming this phobia.  Lots of people have phobias.  Some hate heights, some hate spiders (ask my roommate who slept on top of her covers last night due to a spider incident)...I have a phobia with eating anything that is shaped and/or looks like an animal.

Yep.  So Easter time when Peeps shaped like innocent bunnies and chicks come out...I can't bare to watch someone bite their poor heads off.  This phobia all started as a little girl.  My obsession was lambs.  Maybe I watched too much Lamb Chops, or maybe it was my plethora of colored lambs my parents bought me as a baby...either way, my dad would take me past a farm on my way to school as a little girl, and we would baaaaa at the un-expecting sheep.  

My childhood best friend and I at a Halloween costume contest parade

...I was a genie for Halloween

but of course had to bring my LAMB with me

Years later I was crowned and was giving the same responsibility

of judging the Halloween parade that my LAMB and I were

in together years before...ironically that childhood best friend

was my first runner up

Then there was gym class.  Ladybugs would sneak into the heated gym at my small private school to try to stay warm.  While the other kids were stomping over them while playing dodge ball, I was collecting them and moving them to a safe environment.  (Maybe this is why I had not problem pinning and identifying 600 different species of insects for my Invertebrate Zoology class years later?)


Regardless.  You can see, that I do have a mild passion for animals.  So when Easter comes around...I still have trouble eating cute chick Peeps, Lamb shaped cookies, and chocolate bunnies.  Although it is getting better...today I ate a bunny Peep.  I was proud, but guilt soon succumbed me.  


I really don't know why this is such a problem for me.  You are probably laughing at how ridiculous this phobia of mine is.  Go ahead and laugh, I admit it definitely is unique.  But in the meantime I will stick to chocolate eggs and jellybeans.  (The funny thing is, I eat meat..not lamb, but anything else....)


So what does any of this have to do with animal crackers?  Well I bet you guessed that it has been hard for me to eat animal crackers as well...however I might make an exception.  


My exception is thanks to Lilly Pulitzer who wants you to Join The Hunt.  Lilly is encouraging so by gifting a pack of their very own...personally designed...Barnum Animal Crackers with every online purchase!  I mean given the fact I tend to hoard everything Lilly (even tags sometime) I own...it would be pretty neat to keep the cute box that these poor animal crackers come in.  Don't you think?

Leave it to Lilly to do something this adorable!

Does this give me an excuse to buy yet another Lilly dress?  I think it does! Especially with the new spring arrivals!  I also just love the new collection pictures...take a look:

I love the Claire Dress Silk Jersey in this pattern

Can I please have a little girl that looks 

I love everything Seersucker...especially this Blossom Dress

Hello cute wedges and hot pink chair!

(photo credits: Lilly Pulitzer)

I have two very important questions to ask you:

#1.  What are your favorite Lilly picks this spring?

#2. If you are a vegetarian is it considered humane to bite the heads off of animal crackers?

What's On My Desk?

Hey Preps!

The semester is unwinding, and the weeks seem to blur together.  Between the papers, tests (that professors always HAVE to include before finals), finalizing summer internships, working, and being a full time student...time does seem short.  However, there are a few things that seem to make those studying blues deflate slightly.  So today, I took a quick snapshot of what is on my dorm room's desk:

I truly believe every college student needs a HUGE calendar.  As you can see, I scribble all over mine.  It's a great way to be instantly reminded of events and due dates just by a quick glance.  

On the far left corner, you can also see a flash card holder.  I take mine with me to my Chemistry classes, and just rewrite formulas and memorize them that way.  

Other basic things found on my desk, are sticky notes (with a K, for Kalyn), textbooks, tissues for that occasional sneeze or panic attack, pictures of Pat because I miss him during the week, and a horribly made ceramic pot (by yours truly) filled with fake flowers.  

As you can see I have numbered some of the items on my desk.  Why?  Because I think every preppy girl should have these:

#1.  Pink Polka-Dot Lamp (with a K on it, although you cannot tell) from T.J. Maxx

#2.  "Stuck on You" Sticky Notes and a Koozie (for that occasional Diet Coke) from Lilly Pulitzer

#3. Thermal Mug for the not so occasional coffee from Lilly Pulitzer

#4. Anchored Weekly Planner to keep my busy life fashionably organized from Sarah Pinto

#5. Cute Love Postcards to send to friends (I Whaley Like You) by ModCloth

#6. Blink by Malcolm Gladwell a great book that really allows you to make great and fast decisions

#7. Perfumes: Wink by Lilly Pulitzer, Betsey Johnson, Princess by Vera Wang

__________________________________________________________________________________

What's a must have on your desk?

Buy Me Shoes or Purses...I Will Love You Forever

Hey Preps!

Yesterday, it finally started to feel like spring!  It reached 70 degrees, and then it down-poured...thundered...and now it's cold again.  When is it going to be warm?  It is now April, and my itch for spring the began in February...is now desperation.

To relieve some of my Lack of Spring-itis, I decided to make Polyvores of my top picks of shoes and bags this coming spring! 

Spring Purses by pittsburghprep featuring striped handbags

Vera bradley tote
zappos.com

Marc by marc jacobs handbag
$250 - net-a-porter.com

Ben de Lisi striped handbag
24 GBP - debenhams.com

Kate Spade vinyl tote bag
$225 - nordstrom.com

Nautical tote bag
$25 - cherryredboutique.com

Lilly Pulitzer floral tote
$148 - saksfifthavenue.com

Kate spade handbag
$125 - endless.com





Nautical seems to be a huge theme this spring (which I loooooove because of Pat).  The Vinyl Tote Bag by Kate Spade would be perfect to take to the bay since it is durable.  I of course love Pink and Green, so between the Lilly Pullitzer tote and Kate Spade handbag, my niche will be perfected.  

Spring Shoes by pittsburghprep featuring lilly pulitzer shoes

J crew shoes
$98 - jcrew.com

Topshop shoes
$38 - topshop.com

Lilly pulitzer shoes
$198 - footcandyshoes.com

Leather boat shoes
$75 - sperrytopsider.com

Sperry slip on shoes
$75 - sperrytopsider.com

Kate spade shoes
$225 - couture.zappos.com

Kate spade shoes
$225 - endless.com

J Crew ballerina shoes
$58 - jcrew.com

Hunter rubber rain boot
$125 - bloomingdales.com

J Crew sport shoes
$78 - jcrew.com



Yesterday my "to the gym" attire consisted of Naval Academy Shorts, a workout top, and Wellies.  I could just live in Wellies, although I'm glad it doesn't rain every day.  For those who prefer to stay dry without rain boots, the J. Crew rubber ballerina shoes are waterproof...as well as the L.L. Bean Coastal Skimmers that I post about way too much (and wear just as often).  I also of course added duck boots.  I love mine, and love the fact they can get muddy.  I'm ready to splash in some mud puddles!


As for flats, spring is the time where you can make them stand out a bit more.  This is why I chose Kate Spade flats.  They definitely will get people looking at your feet more often...not sure if that's a good thing or not.  You decide.


Next on the list, Sperrys!  Do I even need to say more?  They are comfy, slip-proof, cute, and come in so many styles and patterns.  For example, the Seersucker Anglefish pair above.  How cute!
_________________________________________________________________________________


So as we are once again expecting snow in PA,  these spring staples are what is going to be getting me through this chilly Tuesday.  Wishing you all a warm and fun-filled spring day!  

Wear Pink, Make All The Boys Wink

Happy Pink and Green Thursday, Preps!

Today I was browsing Preppy Princess' lovely online store, and found croakies! They guys have been wearing Southern Proper and Vineyard Vines croakies now for quite a while.  I think it is time the girls take the stage.  Here are the lovely Lilly Pulitzer croakies I found:

(Photo courtesy of Preppy Princess)

I absolutely adore the sayings on the inside of these.  The first says, "Wear Pink and Make the Boys Wink" and the second one says, "Follow the Sun".  How adorable are these? I will definitely be getting a pair for this summer!

Also, VERY IMPORTANT Miss Preppy Southerner is having an amazing Lilly Pulitzer giveaway on her lovely blog! Be sure to enter! You will not want to miss this! 

Stay tuned for my Awesome and Awkward Thursdays post tonight!