Stuck On You by Lilly Pulitzer

Hey Preps!

As many of you know, I was away all last week on a cruise.  It was absolutely a blast, but now it has been major catch up time.  My blog has been neglected, so tonight I decided to catch up on a quick post that Vineyard Loveknots' very own Miss Lindsay tagged me in.  So here it goes(written on Stuck On You, sticky notes, by Lilly Pulitzer):

1. Your name:

2.  Blog Address: 

3.  Favorite Quote:

4.  Favorite Songs (two of my all time favorites):

5.  Write this:

6.  Tag three favorite bloggers:

7.  Random fact:

I am a horrible artist!  Always have been...my only B in high school

was in ceramics! This is my attempt at drawing my pup, Six Maxwell Smart,

who is a West Highland Terrier.  

For Japan

Back To Reality!

Hey Preps!

So sorry I have neglected my blog (and my life) for the past few days!  Just got back from a wonderful cruise with Pat.  It is midnight, and I am exhausted...and class is bright and early tomorrow morning! Therefore, I will leave you with a few pictures from our adventures, and save the stories for tomorrow!

Hope you are all having a great end to your weeks, and cannot wait to catch up on your lovely posts that I have missed out on!

(All from earlier on in our trip)

Have a wonderful Friday ya'll!

Prep: Living the Lifestyle, Knowing the History, Wearing The Fashions

Hey Preps!

Today, I want to go in depth on a subject in which I have apparent passion for; being a prep.  The typical definition of "preppy" is one who attended a fancy private prep school prior to college.  Perhaps we may throw in the thought that the come from "old money".  When looking at the term from a fashion standpoint, it defines a person who dresses classically conservatively. This person has fewer, yet more expensive pieces in their wardrobe, usually of neutral colors that can be worn in many different ways.  However, the coined term "preppy" is used to describe this type of person for lack of better vocabulary.

The idea of dressing preppy, is to look as if you are well-off.  However, not dressing in a gaudy way that showcases wealth.  The styles considered preppy are timeless.  For example, the clothes you wore in college should be the same clothes you wear at age 60 (I have all my mummy's old Polo cable sweaters...and have had them since high school).

So with "preppiness" suddenly increasing in popularity within the realms of the fashion world, I found it important to explain the key components for each gender on what it is like to truly be a "prep".

A quote from author of True Prep, Lisa Birnbach (on being a prep) states: "It's about ease and confidence.  It's about fitting in when you do and even when you don't.  It's about your endless supply of clothes that always look the same, no matter what the era or fashion dictates.  It's about being the fourth for tennis or for bridge, or somehow come to the rescue of a social situation.  Because you can.  Because your parents taught you by example."  


So let's begin shall we?  Ladies first of course.

As a young preppy lady, one is always put together.  Her hair is always in place combined with natural looking make-up.  She is polite (does not swear) to everyone she meets.  She may dislike a person, but will never show it.  She is considerate of others, and truly listens to what they have to say.  She smiles often, and is quite a socialite.  She is always gracious, and never speaks too much or too highly of herself.  Perhaps she played sports such as field hockey and lacrosse growing up, or went to a private prep school.  Maybe she was raised in the South where being a lady is a perfected art.  Either way, people like her because of her humility, classic styles that make her approachable, and her positive attitude and appearance.

Here are examples of what her wardrobe should look like:

And now the preppy gentlemen...they are bold, sociable, and cunning.  Tend to be the life of the party, and have a wide-ranged social network.  They are usually very well educated, and great businessmen.  Ladies will flock to them because of their polite qualities that allow them to know "how to treat a lady" which results in blindsiding most because of their initial charm.  Tending to wear bold colors such as Nantucket Reds, and in general can get away with a flashier style than the average preppy lady. Brought up in good families, they are a reflection of so.  Lacrosse, rugby, tennis, and golf tend to be the sports of choice.  These men are well-rounded and well-dressed.  

Here are examples of the preppy gentleman's wardrobe:

(all photo credits go to Unabashedly Prep)

Being preppy, isn't just about wardrobe, but about the lifestyle you live.  It withstands all trends, and keeps to it's traditions....which are more than likely traditions that are quite worthy of upholding.  Some preps may be elite, some may come from money...but this no longer defines "prep".  In some ways preps live simply, they are not flashy in their wardrobe or in their mannerisms.  They treat others with their deserved respect, and are very socially adaptable.  Preps tend to be hard-working, and take pride in their country and where they came from.  Active, family oriented, and fun loving...they do have a good time.  They stand strong in their faith and beliefs, but do not bash opposers. Oh...and do they throw great events!  This is the preppy lifestyle.  

How do you define "preppy"?

Hope you are all having a great Wednesday (Westy Wednesday later tonight)!  Thank you for your continued support!  

Bow Ties Make Me Swoon

'Tis true.  There is just something about Bow ties...

It all started back as a little girl.  I went to a private school where the Headmaster always wore a bow tie.  A Vermont grad himself, this was very appropriate.  However, we had a special relationship...he called me "smiley" my whole career at the school, and well...I had quite an unnecessary love for his everchanging bow ties.  

At my prep school's graduation, all the young gentlemen I graduated with got to pick out personalized bow ties.  This also led to my love of the unique trend.  

Finally...I went South for college.  Tennessee football games meant orange dresses for the ladies, and seersucker slacks and orange bow ties (usually Vineyard Vine Collegiate) for the men.  Oh did they look dashing...

Vineyard Vines Collegiate Collection

Preppys are often bashed for our lack of imagination.  For example, we still vacation in the same spots we always have, we dress traditionally...people consider this somewhat of a laziness, while we find the classical traditions intriguing and worth withstanding.  Well, to those who use the term "preppy" negatively.  Bow ties, in my opinion, are about as creative as you can get.

Warren St. John, (New York Times) once said,


"To its devotees the bow tie suggests iconoclasm of an Old World sort, a fusty adherence to a contrarian point of view. The bow tie hints at intellectualism, real or feigned, and sometimes suggests technical acumen, perhaps because it is so hard to tie. Bow ties are worn by magicians, country doctors, lawyers and professors and by people hoping to look like the above. But perhaps most of all, wearing a bow tie is a way of broadcasting an aggressive lack of concern for what other people think."

I love this, because as Preps, you almost have to be unique at times...trends are always changing.  Preps are always classic.  The stability to dress and live the preppy life-style truly is a decision.  There will be times where it's popularity rises and falls, but do "True Preps" care about their trends being popular?

Lacking variance in our style is also something I find false.  There are ways to update classic fashions, you just have to know where to start.  The bow tie is the perfect example.  I promise you can find one for every occasion.  They come in every shape and color.  Some our reversible.

Pat and I always browse bow ties when shopping together...he always shys away from purchasing one because he doesn't know how to properly tie one.  I found an easy solution:

^{Easy steps to tie a bow tie.  Problem solved!}  

^{So, gentlemen...if you want to win a lady's heart, I recommend buying a bow tie or two!} 

Motivation Behind Monday

Hey Preps!

Currently on campus, my "middle" class of my three classes today was cancelled...so I thought I'd let you know what is getting me through Monday.  Last night, it snowed, sleeted, and did anything else windy and cold you can imagine.  Coming from being in the South, this is just unheard of.  It's March, it should officially be a rule that it cannot snow once it's March.  Agreed?  I will let the Big Guy know my thoughts.

On top of snow, I have the frizziest hair in the world currently.  Yep, not a good hair day.  Times like these make me extremely happy that Pat only can see me on the weekends, when I have more time than usual to put forth effort in "taming the mane".

So enough of my complaints, I am a very blessed girl, and I need to remember that more often.  So what is keeping me chipper today?

In 5 days, or 10 classes and 2 labs from now...Pat and I will be on a plane to Tampa.  Then we will be on a cruise ship (I like to call it the "fun ship"...Pat finds it amusing) to Mexico, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica.  Oh yes, this is pretty excellent motivation I'd say! What do you think?

I actually already started packing last night.  Considering the fact that I will be wearing Lilly dresses and bathing suits all weekend, this is completely unnecessarily early.  What can I say, it's like Christmas to me!

I cannot wait to be on Playa Mia in Mexico with Pat.  Warm weather, cute boyfriend, and Margaritas.  

Me gusta! 

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What is your motivation behind this Monday? Currently working on a post for later...one that is not scatter-brained!  Hope ya'll are having great starts to your week! 

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P.S.   How cute are these Tommy Hilfiger towels?  Pat loves lobsters, I love flamingos.  I think they make good his/hers towels for the beach! Another scattered thought for you!

Tommy Hilfiger + True Prep = Time Capsule Collection

Hey Preps!

Tommy Hilfiger's new collection based on the handbook, True Prep

As some of you may or may not know, from a young age, I have had a mild obsession with Tommy Hilfiger.  Many of my previous posts ramble about his various Ad Campaigns and Ready-To-Wear Collections.  Today, I feel I have much more exciting news (that may be slightly belated).

Tommy has teamed up with True Prep's, Lisa Birnbach to create a "preppier than preppy" capsule collection of 60 pieces (for both genders) that they named, Prep World.  This amazing collection is up and moving and makes it's debut stop in Manhattan this April.  Tommy will be showing off his world of "Nantucket Reds" in Paris, Tokyo, and Stockholm as well.  A world-wide PREP INFUSION is what I think I will be calling it!

The Prep World's, "Capsule Collection"
Items from True Prep, that Tommy is working with

Recently, I have noticed Tommy truly excelling in giving the classic preppy wardrobe, a modern twist, from his heeled duck boots this past fall, to his Sperry Top-sider wedges this spring.  You can buy this brand new collection at Tommy.com, as well as see Birnbach's and other classic icon's opinions on Prep World.  Birnbach is the brains behind "The Prep World Global Guide" on the website as well.

A sample of "The Prep World" Collection
by Tommy Hilfiger

 So folks, as I excitedly scan through this new collection, I have one comment to leave you with:

It's a preppy world out there, and we are just living in it!

One of Tommy Hilfiger's 2011 Spring Ads 

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Enjoy your (hopefully not snowy like mine) Sunday!