He Is Risen!

Easter holds a special place in my heart for the obvious reasons.

It's a time of celebration for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This day is such a great one to be alive and thriving. The combination of the spring season with the holiday that celebrates resurrection and freedom from sins is so refreshing.

This year we lucked out and got some of the best weather we've seen this spring. It was 74 degrees and sunny which was perfect after this atrocious winter. In fact, this  entire weekend was beautiful. I was able to break out the dresses that have been hanging in my closet anxiously awaiting great weather. As always, it was fantastic to see family and friends. I was able to catch one of my sister's track meets, interview for a summer job, see both sides of the family, and finish Hart of Dixie!

Unfortunately, I came back to a ridiculous amount of stress. These next few weeks are going to be full of exams and studying and lots of caffeine. I have a few exams that are terrifying, so I'll be taking everything one day at a time. It's crazy to think that I've almost got my freshman year of college under my belt. Seeing everyone was great encouragement to get through these grueling weeks, and before I know it I'll be home for summer!

Getting dressed up always results in pictures, pictures, and more pictures. My sister and I are always scoping out the best places for pictures (I like the natural light) and we end up getting some great pictures, both posed and candid.

From my family to yours, I pray you had a great Easter weekend and enjoyed time with family

-Sarah 

as always, the
graceful candid

Smoking Slippers

I have long been on the hut for the perfect pair of loafers or smoking slippers.

I've looked everywhere- online, department stores, boutiques. You name it, I've looked. Of course I've found some perfect ones... that conveniently cost $300. I love shoes, but I've never owned a pair of shoes like this before. All I know is the vision that I have in my head of how they should look, and all that I find in my price range look cheap. 

I guess that's the problem, though. Smoking slippers aren't the typical person's choice of shoe. They're a luxury. So now my choice is to either settle with the price tag or not having them. My intensive searching and the welcoming of the fall season has proven to find a few pairs that I really am loving. Whether you're like me and want to save or have the money to splurge (I am jealous!), I've found a promising selection.

Tory Burch Patent Jess Flat / Nylah Flat

Tory Burch Hair Calf Chandra Loafer / Sperry Pennington Loafer

Tory Burch Printed Chandra Loafer / Jack Rogers Worth IV

Have you caught on to what style I'm loving this fall? Yep. Tory Burch everything. But seriously, they're a "splurge" but none of the pairs I have here are over $300, so even that's doable... or would be if I wasn't in college and still had a job. I was really surprised at the selection Nordstrom has, and the Jack Rogers really surprised me, as well! Sperrys are great for all year and I love the cute bird. But I might just have to save up my monthly allowances for a pair of the Tory Burch flats- they're just too perfect! 

Are you liking the splurge or the save?

Recruitment Wear

Being a college freshman, and a prep, recruitment time is the best time. 

Rushing a sorority has been one of the things that just goes with the idea of college. As a little girl at football games, I couldn't wait to be one of the pretty girls hanging out with the well-dressed guys at the tailgates. My mom used to take me to her house every time we visited Purdue. I'd meet the girls, and more often than not, some of my mom's pledge class women. 

Greek Life and college go hand-in-hand.

Recruitment is hard. That's nothing new. 

It's intense speed dating that your entire college career depends on. Sounds serious, but it's absolutely the truth. The house you pick as a freshman is yours for life. The sisters in your pledge class are the ones you'll be making the majority of your memories with. You'll be living, eating, breathing with these girls. And, at least here at Purdue, you only have a week and a half to figure out which chapter is for you.

Pressure.

For me, I've been trying to be as relaxed as absolutely possible. That means that I plan out my outfits and hairstyles ahead of time. Being the listmaker that I am, I've prepared questions to ask and little tidbits about myself that are easy to forget... number one being that I'm a lifestyle and fashion blogger! (seriously, when you're focused on school activities and classes, it's easy to forget the parts of your life that aren't the most visible on campus) I know that recruitment gets more pressuring as you go farther South- the one thing I like about being more North- so these outfit ideas may or may not work for your personal rushing specifications.

1st Invitational

Every school does things differently. Here at Purdue, the first invitational is split up between Friday night and Saturday. The fact that they jam-packed the first two weekends of school is a bit stressful, but I can appreciate the fact that we'll have bids and everything before the first round of exams happen. 

Dress-wise, this is a very casual round. Looking cute is necessary, but it's important to also be comfortable. They're long days with lots of walking and- quite literally- sitting pretty. Tonight, I'm planning on a maxi dress. Something that is classy but comfortable. 

Tomorrow is supposed to be in the nineties, so a cool sundress is my go-to. For both, I'll probably be wearing my Jacks or flats of some sort.

2nd Invitational

Here is where we start to get down to business. At this point, it's pretty obvious who wants you and who doesn't... hopefully it's the same houses that you want! It's essential to dress to really impress. You want to look polished and show that you can clean up and look professional, but still cute! I'm planning on wearing a basic Lilly Shift. Nothing to standoff-ish, but enough to impress the girls who recognize it. To everyone else, I'll simply be wearing a really cool dress. To the Lilly lovers, they'll just get it. Another point is to wear a dress that really shows who you are. Let it express your fashion taste! In a house full of girls, fashion is important (or maybe not? you'll find out!). 

Since I'll be visiting fewer houses on Sunday, I'm planning to also wear my Lilly McKim wedges. They're extremely comfortable and dress up my outfit a little bit.

Pref Day

If there wasn't any pressure up to this point, there is now. As calm and collected as I've been through the recruitment process thus far, I know that Monday I'll be a nervous mess. Hopefully I can channel the nerves and jitters into excitement and personality. And, if not, hopefully my top houses at this point will understand my nervousness. 

This day is the day that you pull out all the stops. Wear your best cocktail dress and some heels. Side note- make sure none of your clothing is brand new. Imagine walking to houses in heels that need breaking in or a dress that itches... test it all out and make sure that you'll be able to rock the dress! I'm planning to wear my Lilly dress that I wore for graduation. Luckily, Rush was early enough that I am able to still wear my summer dresses. 

If you don't have a dress in mind, I'd again suggest one that you feel comfortable in and that just boosts your confidence. Wear a dress that you love and that loves you! Bright colors are great for this day, as most sororities embrace color all year round. Something stylish- peplums are great for all seasons and are timeless, but so in style right now.

Whatever your plans are when it comes to sorority recruitment and college, I hope you are able to do what you love! It's a lot of work, but it'll all be worth it in the end. 

Have a fantastic Labor Day weekend!

here's a little humor... that isn't really funny because it's actually so true.

Wish List Wednesday

It's been a few weeks since I did a post like this... And in the case that I have any readers who really, really love me, I've gotta keep them coming. Right?

That's my rationalization, anyways.

I'll get right to it!

Okay, please excuse the picture quality (lol but not really). So I've had this slight obsession with leopard print for the last year or so. It's such a classy print that livens up any outfit and looks awesome with fall and winter colors. It does the impossible of making black and brown work together, and this bracelet would look fabulous around my wrist.

It's every preppy girl's dream to have a Lilly Jeep. 

In general, I think a Jeep would be an absolute blast to drive around in. The top off, the salty air blowing through my hair. There wouldn't be a care in the world in this car. The only sad part is that it's very rare for someone to personally own one of these beauts. In the case that you do, and you'd like to get rid of it, I'm your girl. 

While I love this Kate Spade watch, I'm wishing for time more than anything. I'm not wishing for more hours in the day or more years to my life. I'm wishing for time to slow down when it comes time for me to relax. I don't mind one bit the speed at which time moves when I'm busy and productive. What I do mind is the fact that time seems to blow by 10x faster the minute I sit down with a good book or for a phone call with my Grandma. All I want is more relaxation time- more time to laugh and smile and not have an agenda. That'd be great.

Okay so the big, tangible wish list item now is this Tory Burch Tote. It's beautiful and elegant. I love the slight color that is still subdued enough for the winter. It's magnificent. And if it isn't on my shoulder by Christmas, I hope Santa and his Elves leave it under the tree for me :)

Jack Rogers. Tortoise Shell.

If we're being honest, there's nothing more that needs to be said here. Unfortunately, I could never pay $148 for a pair of shoes that I will never wear. Here in the midwest, fall is definitely not sandal weather. And I don't think they'd work for any other season. Also, I'm living on a college girl budget. So until I'm working and vacationing to Palm Beach in the winter, these will have to remain on my wish list...

Wish, wish, wish. That's a girl's job. And while I don't like the fact that I can almost always think of 3-5 things that I want, I think that (if nothing else) this is a fun series of posts that I can look back at and remember the types of things I was into at various times of my life. But, if I ever want to be able to afford these Wish List items, I need to get back to the books and make a living on my own.

Sayonara!