Under the Sea {Critter Couture}

Hey y'all, 

I am so sorry to have had a blog post hiatus this weekend. I was so busy with a work picnic Friday afternoon, a get together at LJ's house Saturday, and then hanging out with friends watching Guardians of the Galaxy Sunday that this little blog land got neglected.

I think it might be the fact that I competitively swam for most of my childhood but I have always loved the sea and the many creatures one can find in the ocean. I mean, I might have a whale toothbrush holder and soap dispenser in my bathroom since whales are one of my favorite animals. I think sea creatures are becoming more visible in the world of fashion especially with companies like Lilly Pulitzer and Vineyard Vines becoming more widespread nationally.

Here are some fun finds if a sea creature is more of your fancy:

under the sea by postgradprep featuring a a line dress

More Creature Couture: 

elephants

camels

giraffes

sheep 

  

Did you ever fancy yourself a mermaid and want to have sea creatures as friends?

Little Mermaid fans?

Stand Tall {Critter Couture}

Hey y'all, 

It is another rainy, grey, fall day here in NC and I thought I would share some more of my critter couture series with my favorite animal, the giraffe. My love for giraffes might stem purely based on the fact that my Daddy loves them and that I am the shortest person in my family. However, who doesn't love an animal that has the confidence and poise to stand tall in any situation.Here are some picks for items to show off a love of giraffes:

Stand Tall by postgradprep featuring fornash jewelry

And remember if you missed a post from critter couture you can catch up by reading about my finds with the following animals: lambs, camels, and elephants.

 Tomorrow is FRIDAY! Do you have any exciting plans for your weekend?

Wishlist Wednesday {September 24} & Humpday {Critter Couture}

Hey y'all,

It is a rainy day here in the triangle so I thought I should share some of my current rainy day wishlist items along with another installment of my critter couture series. It is Wednesday so of course I am highlighting some items with the lovely camel on them. I mean, who wouldn't love this sweater in the nice chilly days that are coming for fall.

Camel by postgradprep featuring c wonder jewelry

Other Critter Couture:
elephants
lambs

Since it is a rainy day, I would rather be at home cuddled up in these cute polka dot pjs from Old Navy, wearing nice comfy slippers (I love my Minnetonkas and this pair might need to join the bunch), watching my latest Netflix obsession The Blacklist. I might also need some hot chocolate in these cute mugs from World Market and have y'all tried the White Cheddar Popcorn from Angie's? It is delicious and all the ingredients are normal!!

Wishlist Wednesday {Sept 24} by postgradprep featuring floral coffee mugs

What are you wishing for this Wednesday? Would you wear camel gear?

Welcome Fall, Y'all

Hey y'all,

So today marks the official start to the fall season. I have to say that fall is my favorite season. Who doesn't love boots, jeans, scarves, sweatshirts, cool days, changing leaves, hot tea, and crockpot cooking?

I stumbled upon this list thanks to Fabletics (their Lima capris are amazing!) and since it includes most of what I want to accomplish this fall I thought I would share.

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What is on your fall to do list?

Everyone's Favorite Pachyderm {Critter Couture}

Hey y'all,

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and it wasn't too difficult to climb out of bed! Last week, I started a mini-series I'm calling Critter Couture! I love that the fall brings boots, scarves, and lots of whimsy over the past few years as far as critters appearing on clothing. From dresses to sweaters to jewlery, animals are making lots of statements and I thought I would share daily a different animal and all the cute options you could add to your closet. Today, I thought I would focus on the elephant. I think everyone loves elephants and as seen by everyone's obsession with Lilly Pulitzer's pattern Tusk in Sun, elephants are here to stay in the world of fashion.

Here are some of my finds:

Pachyderm by postgradprep featuring a chain link bracelet

What are you currently crushing on in Fall fashion?
Do you love elephants? Would you ever wear critter couture?

Sunday Sayings

Hey y'all,

I hope these sayings help inspire you as you get ready for your week.

via

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Gameday {ECU}

Hey y'all, 

It is gameday again and UNC is headed to Greenville to take on the ECU Pirates this afternoon. While I am not at the game but will instead be watching Dirty Dancing at the DPAC. If I was making my way east, here is what I would be wearing. The weather is still beautiful but on the cooler side so it is time to take out the boots and enjoy a nice tailgate.

UNC vs. ECU by postgradprep featuring a stud earring set

Are you going to a game today? What are your favorite tailgate recipes?

Book Club Friday {Duchess of Love Series}

Hey y'all,

 This past week I ended up catching up on the Duchess of Love series by reading Loving Lord Ash and Surprising Lord Jack. I read the first book in the series, Bedding Lord Ned, back in December and then the prequel, The Duchess of Love, in January but I had never gotten around to reading the second and third books in the series. I am glad that I finally came back to the series since both of these books were great!

via

Description:

Frances Hadley has managed her family’s estate for years. So why can’t she request her own dowry? She’ll have to go to London herself and knock some sense into the men interfering in her life. With the nonsense she’s dealt with lately, though, there’s no way she’s going as a woman. A pair of breeches and a quick chop of her red curls, and she’ll have much less to worry about…
Jack Valentine, third son of the famous Duchess of Love, is through being pursued by pushy young ladies. One particularly determined miss has run him out of his own house party. Luckily the inn has one bed left—Jack just has to share with a rather entertaining red-headed youth. Perhaps the two of them should ride to London together. It will make a pleasant escape from his mother’s matchmaking melodrama!

My Opinion:

 Of all three books I think this was the hardest to get into. It might have been the way the book opens with Frances dressed as a man that the masquerade made it hard to connect with her for a bit. I did think there were a lot of valid feelings about being a charity case and Jack's need to protect all women in dire circumstances that clouded each other's feelings and ability to truly declare love. It is a great book and I liked that Jack was able to find someone without the matchmaking of his mother.

 

via

 Description:

Kit, the Marquis of Ashton, is in a sticky wicket. He married young and for love—how naïve. He discovered his mistake the very day of his wedding, but he is saddled now with a wife he's reluctant to trust. And however much evidence he gathers against faithless Jess, he can't seem to prove her guilt to the final judge—his foolish heart.
Jessica knows she's bobbled her marriage, however innocently. A fairytale wedding makes no difference if she hasn't got the marquis charmed to show for it. Well, she's had enough of accidental encounters with naked gentlemen and near misses explaining things to her husband. It's time to buck up and go win her man back—even if she has to fight very dirty indeed.

My Opinion:

 This is probably my favorite book of the series and not just because one of the main characters shares my name. I was very frustrated with both characters throughout the book since I honestly wanted to toss them in a room together so they could shout out their feelings and move on but it goes to show you how much communication and trust play into relationships. I am so glad this relationship was rectified although it took eight years for all the truths and feelings to be settled.

What are y'all reading? 

My book club is reading Where'd You Go Bernadette so that is coming up shortly!

I've Got My Eye on Ewe {Critter Couture}

Hey y'all,

The past few fall seasons have included a lot of critters making their way onto the runway and this fall from looking at stores is no different. I thought I would compile some looks over the next week or so of some adorable animals. Who needs a menagerie when you can add some critters into your closet?

Ever since I joined Phi Beta Chi, I have steadily been on the look out for adorable things with lambs on them. I currently only have lamb socks and pajamas but I am thinking this scarf from Target might need to join my collection for fun chapter apparel during on of my advisor duties.

I've Got My Eye on Ewe by postgradprep featuring long sweaters

Are there any critters you adore?

Wednesday Wishlist {Sept 18}

Hey y'all,

Between pet-sitting and recovering from Recruitment I have abandoned this little blog space and I apologize. Things have finally settled down and it is beginning to feel like fall here in NC! I mean, highs in the 70s work for me. I am ready to break out the crock-pot, go on nice afternoon runs, and be able to actually attempt to straighten my hair since the humidity is going down. 

As usual, I have complied a list of a few things that I am wishing for this Wednesday:

Wishlist Wednesday by postgradprep featuring a snap closure wallet

Kate Spade New York Glitter Bug Stacy Wallet. How cute is this glittery wallet and it is on sale! I love my Hobo Lauren wallet but this is the perfect wallet that can be used to grab and go to the grocery store in style.

C. Wonder Printed Signature Tote. I am currently lusting after brown leather bags so when I stumbled across this gorgeous herringbone bag for under $100 it was immediately added to my list. I mean, who doesn't love a work tote appropriate for almost every outfit. Plus, we all know herringbone is a perfect fall pattern as seen by the infamous J.Crew vest.

Riding Boots. My old pair of riding boots have hit the dust. They were inexpensive and lasted over 4 years so I'm impressed but it's now time to find a new pair. Any suggestions of boots you have loved are welcome.

Fall Candles. Is anyone else obsessed with candles when fall hits? I love this Marshmallow Fireside candle from Bath & Body Works, it smells just like fall nights by the campfire making s'mores. Really. My other favorite fall/winter candle is Cranberry Woods. Grab it if you see it at the store. I am thinking Monday I might go and treat myself to a few new candles for our apartment.

Throw Blanket. Fall to me means hot chocolate, a nice candle burning, being wrapped in a blanket and eating food from your crockpot. This throw from Target caught my eye due to my love of polka dots and for under $25 I think I need to find this in store and check out the quality.

Gala ready dress. I have been loving looking at cocktail dresses. This fall/winter I am attending a few Broadway shows at the Durham Performing Arts Center as well as attending a wedding in December so finding the perfect dresses for a small budget has been interesting. But, Modcloth has so many great dresses you might be seeing a post soon!

What are you wishing for at the start of the fall season?

Welcome Home, Alpha Zeta Class!

Hey y'all,

The past two weeks I have been super busy helping out my sorority's chapter as they prepared and underwent recruitment! Recruitment has always been one of my favorite times of the semester in the sorority and as the advisor I love getting to know the next generation of Phi Beta Chi. This year was a little different since our chapter is approaching campus total and as associate members of the Panhellenic council on our campus this is the first time we have been this large going into a recruitment. Well, politics aside, last night was Bid Night and we welcomed home 36 beautiful new members home! 

The majority of the officers on Philanthropy Night.
I am lucky to work beside such wonderful women who thoughtfully lead the chapter.

 The seniors in front of the house at Bid Day! 

It is crazy to think I was a Senior when it was these girls' bid day!

 The Alpha Zeta Associate Member class after receiving their bids!

 Traditional photo at the Old Well!

A quick selfie with KR! 

I can't believe she is a Senior and will be "hopefully" off to med-school next year!

I hope you all have a lovely Saturday!

Motivation Monday

Hey y'all,

I have been steadily trying to get healthier and this summer I participated in Tone It Up's Bikini Challenge. While the challenge was great, I had a lot going on so my participation was not 100%. Well today marks the start of their fall challenge, termed Frisky Fall. 

Essentially the challenge consists of weekly workouts (a lot of the workouts are free on their Youtube channel and those on their DVDs can always be supplemented) and lots of inspiration from the TIU community. Karena and Katrina are so caring and really do put in a lot of effort for everyone to have a healthy lifestyle. There is a nutrition program that consists of eating lots of fruits and veggies, and eating clean. This is all about positive changes for health not a get fit quick. 

The challenges also include you doing either 100 miles or 150 miles before Halloween. This consists of anything from walking, running, biking, swimming or going to fitness classes. I was so surprised when I finished my 100bysummer a week early! This challenge I am opting for 150byhalloween since I have my half marathon on October 19th so 13 miles will automatically be done-not to mention all my half training runs to account for!

If you want to follow along, new routines are posted every Tuesday during the challenge but every Sunday afternoon you will get a new week of routines already laid out that cover toning up your entire body (not just spot targeting).

So if you want to get in a nice healthy routine (8 weeks of consistent healthy habits=them sticking) before the holidays begin I would recommend checking this out! I mean, FREE workout routines and lots of encouragement are perfect motivation for fitness. Let's go make our Pinterest Fitness boards jealous!

What do you do to stay fit? Have you tried Youtube videos to supplement your fitness?

Gameday {San Diego St}

Hey y'all,

Last year I loved making and posting gameday attire for football season so I thought I would get back to that series. Today's game for Carolina is against San Diego St. and is the stripe out game so I made two different looks depending on where in Kenan your tickets are!

Here is the stadium map:

Also, how great does the field look for the game? I love following the Turf guys on Twitter!

Here are my looks for both stripes black or blue:

 

UNC SDSt by postgradprep featuring a black cross body purse

Stripe out by postgradprep featuring light blue home decor

With the weather still pretty warm I thought some nice dresses would work out. I love wearing dresses to the game since they are so easy to throw on and you look so put together. Perfect for those pictures in the stands while waiting for the game to start. 

Are you going to a game this weekend? What is your favorite thing about gameday?

 As always GO HEELS!

Friday Funny

Hey y'all, 

I know that most people as they transition into life as a postgrad have searched through the Ikea website and catalog. I think as well, most of us has seen a commercial for any apple products so this video had me giggling at my desk. I thought this video would brighten your Friday afternoon!




What Ikea pieces are your favorite from the new catalog?

Book Club Friday {The Light Between Oceans}

Hey y'all,

Today, for Book Club Friday I thought I would share my book club's most recent read. We read, M.L. Stedman's The Light Between Oceans.

Description

 After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast. To this isolated island, where the supply boat comes once a season and shore leaves are granted every other year at best, Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel. Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby.

Tom, whose records as a lighthouse keeper are meticulous and whose moral principles have withstood a horrific war, wants to report the man and infant immediately. But Isabel has taken the tiny baby to her breast. Against Tom’s judgment, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy. When she is two, Tom and Isabel return to the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their choice has devastated one of them.

M. L. Stedman’s mesmerizing, beautifully written novel seduces us into accommodating Isabel’s decision to keep this “gift from God.” And we are swept into a story about extraordinarily compelling characters seeking to find their North Star in a world where there is no right answer, where justice for one person is another’s tragic loss.

The Light Between Oceans is exquisite and unforgettable, a deeply moving novel.

 

Opinion

I liked this novel. It was an easy read, but not altogether captivating until you hit Part 3. I felt like a lot of the characters faced terribly heart-wrenching sad situations and very few people are able to be truly happy at the end of the book. Tom is such an interesting charachter having survived the war to take on the role as a light keeper only to begin to pursue a girl/dissuade her from the lonely life. Tom and Izzy have such a great relationship in the beginning of the book only to watch how various factors and decisions apart from one another destroy them. I can honestly say I would never want to be in the situation of living on an island seeing only one person for months on end but it was interesting to see how Stedman weaved that life into the characters. Some of my favorite quotes are below.

“You only have to forgive once. To resent, you have to do it all day, every day.”
  “Putting down the burden of the lie has meant giving up the freedom of the dream.” 

What have you been reading this week?

Food Rut

Hey y'all,

I feel like I am currently in a dinner food rut and need your help! It can be hard to cook meals for just one person, especially if that meal (like tacos) makes plenty and you then are eating it for the entire week. I know with Pinterest, my collection of cookbooks, and blogs this should not be the case but I would love some feedback of some of your favorite meals for the weeknight!

Here are some of my go-tos:

Cowboy Turkey Burgers

 

 BBQ Pulled Pork in the Slow Cooker

 

Chicken Stroganoff (when it gets cooler)

Tacos

  

Others:

Breakfast for Dinner

 Mac and Cheese

Baked Chicken & Couscous

Thanks for all of your help and suggestions!

Shake It Off

Hey y'all,

I think by now, the majority of the world has heard Taylor Swift's new song, Shake It Off. However, I thought I would share this cute video of the Diamond Cutters from the Durham Bulls. It is almost the end of the summer and I am sad I never made it to a bulls game this year especially for this kind of entertainment.

Yep, and this is not their first performance. You can watch many more here. 

I hope this brought a smile to you this Wednesday afternoon! Don't forget to check out my Wednesday Wishlist post as well. 

What are some of your summer traditions?

 Anythings you need to complete on your summer bucket-list?

Wishlist Wednesday {Sept 3}

Hey y'all

It's Wednesday again and I thought I would share some things I have been loving this week! It is finally September so I am thinking of Fall and Halloween coming up. I have always loved decorating for Halloween and though I wait until October to put anything up the fact that some of my favorite stores are moving their school supplies to Fall decor makes me wish the weather was no longer in the 90s.

Wednesday Wishlist {Sept 3} by postgradprep featuring Pier 1 Imports

Running Tanks/ Riding Boots/ Jeweled Top/ Book/ Spider/ Gel Clings

Can you believe these cute running tops are from Target? There are so many cute designs and for under $10 each they are perfect for those days you need a bit more motivation to get out the door. 

Son of No One is the newest book in the Dark Hunter series out TODAY! I am actually currently re-reading the series since I missed a few while in college and as my favorite author I need to catch up and grab this book!

I am a huge Halloween fan and these gel clings and little glitter spider would be perfect additions to my apartment this fall. Hint, hint Mom (and yes I do still get a gift for Halloween from my parents. I get my love of the holiday from them.)

The brown riding boots from Ralph Lauren are gorgeous. I am unfortunately having to find a new pair of brown boots after mine hit the dust this past winter. I mean, a pair that cost $60 lasting over 4 years is impressive! Now to invest in a nice pair.

How beautiful is this J.Crew Factory top? I am thinking it is perfect for fall and winter with that color and is the perfect top for work or with a nice black skirt for all of those holiday parties. Now to wait for it to go on sale.

What's on your current wishlist?

Do you love Halloween too?

What's your favorite thing about fall?

 

My Week in Photos

Hey y'all,

I know I have been MIA but I thought I would catch you up in my world through a few photos. I hope you all had nice long weekends. I know personally I am so tired and I might need to go grab a Diet Coke soon! Also if you hate really long photo posts you might as well skip this post!

Quick OOTD:

Cardigan: New York and Company

Tank: Old Navy

Skirt & Scarf: Target (scarf is now $5!)

Bag: Kate Spade

Our apartment is almost all together.

 I love how we turned this book shelf into our wine glass and cookbook collection.

Another quick OOTD (ignore my bath room clutter)

Top: Old Navy:

Capris: Target

Cami: Aeropostale

Bag:Philip Lim for Target

My weekend wear(running errands)

Top: UNC Class of 2012 shirt

Shorts: Nike Tempos

Shoes: Rainbow FlipFlops

My other weekend wear (teaching Sunday School)

Top: Summit Kids shirt

Jeggings: Target

Shoes: Rainbow FlipFlops

Last week started the Hosea plan on #SheReadsTruth and I highly recommend joining in even now!

I have been loving this salad: Romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, salami, mozzarella, balsamic vinegrette and garlic olive oil!

My tickets arrived!

My work friends and I all took the plunge and ordered season tickets for the Durham Performing Arts' I love New York season of musicals. I have a musical almost every month from now until June!

Sunday was a day of celebrating LJ as she married WS! I am so glad I was able to catch up with so many friends(and sorority sisters) like MScott here.

Some of the lovely ladies at my table.

  

The gorgeous bride! Now LJS!

Also, one of the other guests and I had to take a picture of our matching Kate Spade book clutches!

Her clutch. Mine.

Yesterday, I was able to grab this picture of the capital building on my way back home after the wedding brunch!

Other happenings, my Lilly After Party Sale purchases have all arrived!

I bought way to much La Croix water at Aldi this weekend

My room is slowly coming  together and I am loving this little space I made for my quiet time/devotionals.

Speaking of devotionals, Love God Greatly's Esther study started yesterday! The book of Esther is one of my favorites!

How was your weekend? Any caffeine in your sight this morning?