Fish Fam Expands

Hey y'all,

It has been a crazy weekend so I am sorry for the late post. I thought I would just brag on my sorority fam since this weekend included reveal. I became the great-great-great-grandbig of sweet ePe! I am so excited for her to join the family especially since gBl, her big, was ecstatic when she heard the news that ePe was her little! 

Saturday was filled with hugs, giggles, and gifts at a picnic themed reveal at the arboretum at UNC. It is sometimes hard to explain Big/Little to people outside of greek life but it is true to call it a family. This group of girls has been such a great support system to me and I have loved mentoring and walking alongside them! It is crazy to think it was six years ago when I found out that sCa was my big and I joined the fish fam. sCa is still there as a sister to support me and encourage me even after we both became post-grads. 

This is probably the last reveal I will be attending in the near future since after May I am stepping down as faculty adviser so it was special to be there and help out as the photographer for my family. 

ePe, gBl, cFm and myself! 

We were only missing my little, mGk, and glittle, kBm, for a full family picture.

Who can't smile at that excitement! 

ePe was so happy to learn gBl was her big after a week of clues!

My sweet fam!

Okay, bragging over! 

What were you up to this weekend?

Gameday {UVA}

Hey y'all,

It's Saturday so it is time to watch my Tar Heels take on the Cavaliers in Charlottesville today. For today's look I found this gorgeous dress from the boutique, Bluetique. The navy color actually works for both teams so I based this look on the dress and thought a few colorful accessories could determining if you are cheering "WahooWa" or "Go Heels." With fall coming in, a scarf and boots finishes off the look along with some jewelry that coordinates for a stylish look that won't have you shivering in the stands.

UNC vs UVA by postgradprep featuring gold watches

What are your go to items for making a gameday look?

What's your favorite tailgate food?

Five on Friday {October 24}

Hey y'all,

It's Friday! Typically we are all counting down until the weekend but since Sunday I have been at my parent's house on vacation so I am kind of sad the week is coming to an end. I needed some time to rest and recuperate after the half and I hadn't been home since May! I am lucky that my parents are only a few hours away and love having their kids home. This week has been filled with great food, lots of Food Network (I don't have cable), and hanging out with my parent's and baby sister. I'm linking up with April, Darci, Christina, and 
Natasha as usual.

one. Keds. Yep, the shoes we all had when we were little are back and I found a great plain white pair on Clearance at T.J. Maxx this week for $20! I think these will be the perfect weekend shoes. I still have the kate spade x keds polka dot sneakers on my wishlist but for now I will be seen around town with these kicks.

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two. Blogging advice. Yes I have been writing the blog for a few years but I love still finding great advice on blogging and blog tips. This week Ashley wrote the post "8 blogging tips for all levels of bloggers" and Carly wrote "50 ideas for blog posts." If you have any posts I need to check out link them below!

three. The North Carolina State Fair is going on right now. I love that the State Fair comes every fall. I went last year with my friend LC since she had tickets to the Scotty McCreary concert at the areana. It was a great show although I was not a huge fan. I'm going to the fair Sunday afternoon with one of my co-workers who is a NC transplant and has never gone. I'm so excited for corn and fried oreos. 

Throwback to the NC State fair 2010 with jCm now jBm!

four. The Best of Me. Yesterday, us girls ditched my Dad and went to go see the Best of Me movie. I had bawled through the book back in May 2012 (when I started this blog). I remember it vividly since I was volunteering at the NCMA and was trying my best not to cry while all the security guards walked by the desk. I just re-read the book and was surprised about how some of the things played out in the movie. It was an okay adaptation. I did still cry a lot in the movie but I would recommend to read the book and ditch the movie.

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five. The Pioneer Woman. I love Ree's blog but without cable, watching the show can be a bit hard. While pet-sitting and being home I have been able to watch a lot of episodes. I even found ulive where you can watch some of the episodes. Ree is my cooking idol. I mean, her dishes are always so beautiful but simple. Perfect for this girl who loves spending time in the kitchen.

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What are your favorite foods at the fair?
Who is your cooking idol?

Radio Silent

Hey y'all,

I am so sorry I have been pretty radio silent over the past two weeks but now I thought I would share some what has been going on through some photos I took on my iPhone. I'm warning you of photo overload now!

Our second show of the season at the DPAC was Cameron Mackintosh's production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera and it was fantastic! It was a spectacular production and worth every penny. It was a great afternoon out with my friends and my parents saw it the following week and enjoyed it as well.

This month at work has been filled with a lot going on including a project I am halfway through! To get through the work day, bright paper straws and Lime La Croix. I have also been loving the Grapefruit La Croix.

October means Big/Little in the sorority and I was excited to find out who my great-great-grandlittle will be! This was a family photo last October before GB joined the tree! Saturday is reveal and I can't wait to rejoice in our new baby!

I don't know about you but I love getting mail! It helps when you receive adorable thank you notes in the mail. This particular note is from LJ now LJS who writes the lovely Wedding Belles Blog.

I have the best co-workers ever. I mean, who else brings you a cupcake on a Tuesday after lunch? These co-workers also agreed that frozen yogurt was necessary on Thursday after a 3+ hour meeting.

I might have spent over a week pet-sitting this little guy.

Thursday was productive, I mean, the whole to do list got done! Dove chocolate, obviously helps the productivity.

Fabletics Lima Capris are the best and icing your shins is completely imperative before race day.

You can read all about my Sunday morning run, aka my half marathon here. It was one long #SundayRunday!

Green tea is always better in a great mug and for as long as I can remember my siblings and I have always fought over this mug at my parent's house. 

I might have been spoiled all week by my parents with great food. This was my lunch at our favorite deli. Spinach, strawberry, kiwi salad was also consumed. This deli also makes the best chocolate covered apples and that night for dessert my family and I split an oreo apple and an apple pie apple. Yum!

Monday afternoon I went to a store downtown that specializes in Polish pottery. Our family has a lot of Polish pottery from when we were abroad and it was a lot of fun looking at various patterns we had never seen. I might have picked out a few pieces for my Christmas list.

What have you been up to this week?

Are there any items in your family that have caused arguments?

Curly Hair Care

Hey y'all,

Since I am visiting my parent's currently that means it was time to see my favorite hair dresser. Yes, I drive two hours to have my hair cut but it can be hard to trust anyone with your hair. I have been going to the same salon for over 10 years so it is nice to go in and let the hairstylist do whatever she wants since she knows your specific texture.

Today I went in wanting to chop off my hair and came out with shoulder length hair. Here is a picture of my new look:

Curly hair can be a bit of a hassle to take care of so I thought I would share some of my current favorites. Yes it is nice to get out of the shower and not spend hours messing with your hair but we will not discuss the fact that all summer the humidity in North Carolina and I are not friends.

curl care by postgradprep featuring TIGI

Now I use a lot of products since I have some pretty thick hair that is always in need of moisture. Here is a list of my current favorite products:

I typically rotate shampoo and I am not brand loyal. I always look for moisture or curl care shampoos especially since my hair is no longer color treated. I am currently loving the Pantene Pro-V Curl Perfection line.

After the shower, I apply Aussie Hair Insurance leave-in conditioner to detangle my hair and then use Macadamia Nut Oil's Healing Oil Treatment on my ends. Once that is all done I tend to flip my hair over head and scrunch in my curl products. I start with Bed Head's On the Rebound Curl Recall cream, then add in some John Frieda Frizz Ease Take Control Curl-Boosting Mousse and if I want some more defined curls I will add in some Pantene Pro-V Curl Shaping Gel.

Every two weeks I take the time to deep condition my hair with either the Macadamia Nut Oil Deep Repair Masque or the Aussie Three Minute Miracle. I typically will apply the masque and then put my hair in a bun and watch an episode of TV before rinsing it out. To keep my ends looking well every day I have started to use Pantene's Overnight Miracle. 

My favorite hairspray is the Tresemme Tres Two hairspray. It is great and very inexpensive. I also love the Sebastian Shaper (and Shaper Plus) hairsprays but the pricepoint makes them more of a splurge and since I don't use hairspray daily I tend to stay with the drugstore brands.

I have yet to find a dry shampoo that I love but I have tried the Suave Dry Shampoo Spray for those in-between wash days but it is not a favorite yet. What is your favorite dry shampoo?

What are your favorite hair care products?

Any products you have tried and hated?

Weekend Update {I'm a Half Marathon-er}

Hey y'all,

This past weekend was an exciting one! After months of training it was finally the weekend of the Bull City Race Fest Half Marathon. Friday was low key at work. I am in the middle of a large project so that kept me busy and it was Employee Appreciation Day for all UNC employees so it was filled with free food. Not a bad way to kick off the weekend. The rest of the evening was spent relaxing watching TLC's Brideday Friday.

Saturday after babysitting in the morning I set off for downtown Durham to pick up my race packet. After picking up the race bibs and exploring the expo I decided it was time to treat myself to a new pair of riding boots after my last pair bit the dust after four years.

 My baby sister, kDi, arrived that afternoon to run the race with me so we set out our clothes and then it was time to head to Village Pizza and Pasta in Pittsboro to carb load.

 We took our pasta back to my place and it was time to ice my shins while watching Beauty and the Beast. I mean, the best thing about racing might be the necessary carbs the night before. I mean, who doesn't love garlic knots and penne in a pink basil sauce. 

 At 5:20am the alarm went off as we got ready to head to downtown Durham before the race kicked off. Yep, it was an early start and we got there in plenty of time before the race start at 7:30am so we had to take selfies and pre-race pictures between checking our bags and stretching.

 All smiles before the race!

 A quick selfie in line to start the race!

The race was filled with hills and my baby sister trained on flat land so it went a little worse then expected. My ankle was having a lot of issues after the first few miles and both of our hips were not our friends by the end of the race. Towards the end of the race we walked a lot but we finished without any major injuries and I am actually not terribly sore today! YAY for completing 13.1 miles!

 After the race and being stretched out by Empower Fitness!

One of my small group leaders was even there to cheer us on (we had to grab a quick selfie)! Thank you Ginger! 

The rest of Sunday included showering, grabbing food, and then heading to my parent's house for naps and watching some Downton Abbey!

How was your weekend?

Gameday {UNC vs. ND}

Hey y'all,

Today, UNC has headed up to South Bend to take on the Fighting Irish. Since the high there is pretty cool I decided to keep the looks for both teams casual. All you would need is a nice coat and you can head to the stadium for tailgates and the big game.

Notre Dame vs UNC by postgradprep featuring American Eagle Outfitters

I am such a jeans and sweatshirt girl whenever it gets cold so this is a typical fall outfit for me. Who doesn't love the little pops of Carolina blue especially with this gorgeous tote which can be embossed with your initials.

For Notre Dame I tried to keep the traditional colors of blue and gold, although I know that green is prevalent when talking about the fighting Irish. I love the Kate Spade watch I was able to find and it would be stacked perfectly with this Alex & Ani bangle that shows some team spirit. I always love simple accessories for football games since you will be outside and standing for a couple of hours you want to be comfortable and dressed for a game not a gala.

ND vs UNC by postgradprep featuring kate spade jewelry

Who are you cheering for this weekend?

Five on Friday & Book Club Friday {Tudor Rose Series}

Hey y'all,

It has been a while since I have written a five on Friday post so what better way to come off a mini-series and get back to lifestyle posts than a nice link up about five things as we gear up for the weekend. Thanks again Darci, April, Christina, and Natasha for organizing this link up weekly (and for the awesome giveaway!) Here we go:

one. Phantom of the Opera. I think Phantom of the Opera is considered one of the quientessential broadway productions and I am so excited to be seeing it tomorrow. I have loved the music for years and have watched the movie adaptation and many documentaries about the show. I can't fully explain the experience of seeing a musical live. Now for

two. the SkinnyTaste Cookbook & Fresh20. I don't know about you but I love being in the kitchen. It might have been how I was raised but the kitchen has always felt like home. I have been following the SkinnyTaste blog for a while and I just recently picked up the cookbook. My nutritionist also told me about the website, Fresh20. It is a subscription service similar to e-Meals that focuses on 20 fresh ingredients to make 5 dinners a week. Also, they have specific "for one" plans! I am trying it out and will keep you updated.

three. Flywheel. They recently opened up a flywheel studio in Raleigh and I am excited that I have planned to go a few times towards the end of this month. I think some classes will be the perfect thing after my half in 9 DAYS! I wish I was able to go to the ride on Oct 15th since Ruth, the creator of Flywheel, will be leading the ride. However, I have work stuff at 5pm that evening in Pittsboro so I hope some readers are able to go and enjoy the ride. I will be over here being jealous. If you ride in Raleigh let me know! You can sign up for classes here.

four. Boo Bags. I don't know about your neighborhood or office but October means boo-ing to me. Every year our office participates in the tradition of anonymously giving bags of Halloween and Fall decor and candy to one another. The boo ghost started on the first and a few offices have already been given goodies but hopefully in the next week or so I will be receiving and giving a bag away.

five. Book Club Friday. Tudor Rose Series by Susan Wiggs. I recently found the Tudor Rose series through the North Carolina Digital Library and I have read the first two books of the trilogy. This historical romance series connects with the Tudor family in England with the first book including Henry VIII and the second book has Elizabeth's coronation at the end.

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 Description:

Frustrated by his own failures at matrimony, King Henry VIII punishes an insolent nobleman by commanding him to marry the vagabond woman caught stealing his horse. Stephen de Lacey is a cold and bitter widower, long accustomed to the sovereign's capricious and malicious whims. He regards his new bride as utterly inconvenient...though undeniably fetching.
But Juliana Romanov is no ordinary thief—she is a Russian princess forced into hiding by the traitorous cabal who slaughtered her family. One day she hopes to return to Muscovy to seek vengeance.
What begins as a mockery of a marriage ultimately blossoms into deepest love.

 Opinion:

 I actually read this book after reading the second in the series so some of the mystery in the first book was kind of ruined. This book begins with Juliana losing her family in a horrible murder. I thought it was interesting that she was a Romanov and no one thought to go looking for her for years. It was a cute story and I love the temperamental nature of both of the characters. They are stubborn and want various things but together they heal one another of their past burdens and tragedies.

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DESCRIPTION:

Roguishly handsome Oliver de Lacey has always lived lustily: wine, weapons and women are his bywords. Even salvation from the noose by a shadowy society provides no epiphany to mend his debauched ways.
Mistress Lark's sole passion is her secret work with a group of Protestant dissidents thwarting the queen's executions. She needs no other excitement --— until Oliver de Lacey drops through the hangman's door and into her life.
As their fates become inextricably bound together in a struggle against royal persecution, both Oliver and Lark discover a love worth saving ... even dying for.

Opinion:

This is the first book in the series and I got sucked in and wanted to read the rest right away. I loved that Susan Wiggs writes women characters with some feisty personalities and ones that are intelligent and contribute to society. Lark has had an interesting past and is very resistant to Oliver but together they work to help various individuals in the rebellion to keep England as a protestant nation under the inevitable death of Mary and ascension of Elizabeth.

I am about to start the third book in the series after I finish my two book clubs' books.

How is your Friday going? Any big weekend plans? 

Have you ever tried Flywheel?

Favorite musical? 

Birds of a Feather {Critter Couture}

Hey y'all, 

We have almost made it through the work week! Today was a tough day but I am lucky to have plans with one of my grandlittles tonight. We have a tradition of hanging out watching Scandal while drinking wine and eating cookies. Yep, we are those kind of friends. Really, I haven't seen this girl throughout the summer since she has been so busy graduating college and becoming a teacher!

Today ends my critter couture series. It has been a nice change of pace for my blog but do not worry we will be back to more lifestyle posts soon as my life will be calming down after my half marathon on the 19th! 

I think most people have wondered what it would feel like to fly, while I'm not able to give you that superpower I can give you some great items for your closet that highlight our fine feathered friends.

Birds of a Feather by postgradprep featuring a pink lace top

If all over bird prints are not your style, you can check out this sweater or this one from Ann Taylor.

As always, you can check out all my critter couture posts here.

Would you rock animal critter prints?

Zealous Zebras {Critter Couture}

Hey y'all, 

Do you ever feel that you are stuck in a rut. I think that I wear way to many black clothes to work every week so I am starting to explore other options. However, black and white are such classic staples and even found in nature, such as in today's featured animal for my critter couture series. Yes, this mini series is almost over and while it might have been a bit lackluster, it did jump start me back into posting regularly.

I would love to hear some of your thoughts on your favorite posts! Come back Thursday for the conclusion of my critter couture series!

Black & White by postgradprep featuring stud earrings

You can catch up with the rest of the critter couture series here.

Also, today I found out who my great-great-great-grandlittle is! Yes, there are some benefits for being an advisor to your sorority including meeting all of you family members! I am so happy for my ggglitte since she is so excited to craft and welcome her little in two weeks!

 Do you have a favorite color palette for work?
Do you ever feel like you are in a rut for work outfits? 
Any favorite work appropriate pieces on your wishlist? 

Horsing Around {Critter Couture}

Hey y'all,

My Mom grew up riding horses all the time so I have always had a soft spot for the magnificent beasts. However, you will never find me riding one. They are kind of scary for me and my Mom had a bad fall when I was little so I have been wary ever since. I mean, I will brush them and spend all day at a farm with them but if you ever see me on a horse it might be the end of the world.

It seems like horse items are slowly coming into the world of fashion. Here are some things you can add to your closet that show you love the magnificent beauty of horses without wearing a costume:

Horsing Around by postgradprep featuring a hinged bracelet

You can click on the image to find all the items, and you can check out the other critter couture posts here.

What are your feelings on horses? Have you ever gone riding?

Sunday Sayings

Hey y'all,

As usual, Sundays for me are for getting ready for the week. It is a day of meal prepping and going on a nice long run in prep for my half in TWO WEEKS! So here are a few quotes and verses to help you regroup and get motivated for the week ahead.

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Does anyone else think this would be such a cute print in a house? I think this is something we should all abide by.

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What do you do on the weekend to prepare for the week? What inspires you?

Gameday {UNC vs. VTech}

Hey y'all

It is another Saturday in the Fall which means it is time for some football. Today my beloved Heels take on the Hokies of Virginia Tech. I am lucky that the game is this afternoon and I have time to watch the game before I head off to teach some Pre-schoolers about the Miracles of Christ at church. I even decided that this week I would include some game day outfits for the team on the other side of the field so no matter who you are rooting for during this Military Appreciation Game you can look great!

Since the weather will be in the high 60s, I thought this skirt from Olly Oxen would look great paired with a white long sleeve top and boots. Throw on some more carolina blue accesories like this tassel scarf from Francesca's, this gorgeous tote bag from Barrington Gifts and your trusty pearls before heading out to a tailgate or climbing the Bell Tower.

UNC vs VT by postgradprep featuring a beaded tunic

Now if you are a VTech fan, I figured you might need something a bit more comfortable since you are making a drive down to the game. I love this J. Crew Factory Top and it is the perfect maroon color. All you need are a few orange accessories like these Reva Flats and this Hat from State Traditions. I mean, if you have an early morning driving, throwing your hair up in a pony tail and tossing it under a hat are a perfect combination for cute and casual. Also, this Alma Mater scarf from Peach Roots shows off Virginia Tech pride perfectly for early fall.

VTech vs. UNC by postgradprep featuring stud earrings

Who will you be rooting for today? 

Any favorite items for Football games in early fall?

Book Club Friday {Where'd You Go Bernadette}

Hey y'all,

My book club at work recently completed Where'd You Go, Bernadette as our September book. While I had had this on my GoodReads radar for over a year I had never sought the book out to read. Now I have finished the book and thought I would share some of my thoughts since I know a large number of you have read it! Please comment with your thoughts on the book as well! 

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Description:

Bernadette Fox is notorious. To her Microsoft-guru husband, she's a fearlessly opinionated partner; to fellow private-school mothers in Seattle, she's a disgrace; to design mavens, she's a revolutionary architect, and to 15-year-old Bee, she is a best friend and, simply, Mom.
Then Bernadette disappears. It began when Bee aced her report card and claimed her promised reward: a family trip to Antarctica. But Bernadette's intensifying allergy to Seattle—and people in general—has made her so agoraphobic that a virtual assistant in India now runs her most basic errands. A trip to the end of the earth is problematic.
To find her mother, Bee compiles email messages, official documents, secret correspondence—creating a compulsively readable and touching novel about misplaced genius and a mother and daughter's role in an absurd world.

Review:

It took a while to get used to the format of the book since it changes perspectives often from an email to Bee's point of view to a letter, etc. But once you get into the book and later find out about the reason for the formatting it makes more sense. I thought that Bernadette herself was very funny as a character however, the handling of mental illnesses and drug abuse were pretty appalling. I also think the book ends abruptly and I would have loved to have had another chapter to finish it. It was a good quick read!

   

And, if any of you grew up with Pizza Hut's Book It program, it's back! As a BookIt Alum you can sign up and gain a free personal pizza! No reading required this time! 

What is on your to-read list? 

I am about to re-read The Best of Me in prep for watching the movie with my Mom in a few weeks.