Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Must Have Camp Clothes

In honor of heading to camp tomorrow I thought it would be extremely fitting to share my must haves for camp! This will be my third year as a counselor and ninth year at camp s you could say I am a bit of a seasoned pro and having the right camp attire can change the entirety of the experience!

Dressing at camp is not to be a fashion statement but instead it is important to dress for a day filled of activities and heat! Below I have included my very favorite camp fashions!


Patagonia Shorts or Nike Shorts are the perfect bottoms for a long day at camp! Sometimes I like to mix it up by wearing a running skirt but that is reserved for when I am really looking to change my routine!

My Camelbak Water Bottle is essential in the summer! This summer, I am in charge of fitness so water is that much more necessary for the summer!

Workout tops are crucial for the middle of the summer when the temperatures get increasingly hot. I love my lulu lemon ones but Target has some awesome options as well.

TShirts are also an essential all summer long. Comfort Colors are my favorite!

Headbands are great for when I get too lazy to braid my hair into a ponytail in the morning. My favorite are from lulu lemon because they have a grip that keeps them in place in your hair!

Chacos and tennis shoes are my constant rotation at camp. Chacos are the perfect camp shoe and I love them so much that I have 2 different pairs, they rock!

Spirit Jerseys are the perfect thing to throw on over your outfit during chilly mountain mornings! 

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Dorm Headboards

One of my favorite aspects of my dorm room was my headboard. Headboards in dorm rooms make the room feel so much more like home and permanent! As many of you know, I made my own headboard because I was determined to have a Lilly Pulitzer headboard.

Check out some great places to get dorm headboards below!

DIY with yours truly ;) Go check out my post from last summer all about creating your own headboard! Mine probably cost about $25 to make and I will definitely be making my next headboard for when I am in the apartments as well!

Blue Moon Bedding is a great dorm bedding site and the fabrics they have are not like any that I have seen on other custom bedding sites! All of the dorms they help with are flawless and totally lust worthy!

Decor 2 Ur Door has great monogrammed options that can match seamlessly with the bedding they offer!

Dorm Suite Dorm has cute button options for their headboards! I love all of the fabric options they provide as well!

Recover an Overstock Headboard, this is what my roommate did and hers turned out super cute. The perk of this is that you aren't stuck with the typical square or rectangle shape offered by other places! 

Best of luck!

Monday, May 26, 2014

I'm Gonna Soak Up The Sun { Swimwear Favorites }

{Happy Memorial Day Friends! Check out loads of sales here!}

I'm gonna soak up the sun / gonna tell everyone / to lighten up (I'm gonna tell 'em that) / I've got no one to blame / for every time I feel lame / I'm looking up o I'm gonna soak up the sun

Sheryl Crow makes it quite clear that summer is the perfect time to soak up the sun and spend some time beach side! I love spending time on the boat, in the water, and on the beach and a cute suit is a great added bonus to all that time in the sun!

I've seen so many lust worthy bathing suits while scrolling through my pinterest feed this year and I am excited to share some of my favorites with y'all!
(This is the one I just purchased, I adore the pom poms on it as well as the price!)



Whether you are looking at target or searching through the internet there are so many great options out there, just don't forget the sunscreen!

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Memorial Day Sales You Don't Want To Miss! {Sale Roundup}

In your time between barbecuing and laying out on the beach check out some awesome sales taking place this weekend! #treatyourself


Asos: 20% off + free shipping per $25! I just got the cutest bathing suit top from there, definitely check out their swimwear! 

Bauble Bar: 30% with code MEMORIALDAY

Club Monaco: an additional 30% off sale styles! This dress is super cute!

French Connection: 30% off w/ code S14MEM

Gap: 40% off regular priced styles w/ code EVENT

J.Crew: 30% off site wide with code WEEKEND

J.Crew Factory: 50% off 

Joie: Extra 20% off sale items w/ code MDW20

Nordstrom: Half-Yearly Sale

Neiman Marcus: The Real Deal sale

Shop Bop: Lots of New Markdowns + Free 3 Day Shipping



Let me know if you end up getting anything! Shop on!


Friday, May 23, 2014

Summer Packing Tips

When I was asking for post ideas while I was away many of y'all wanted to see my summer packing tips!  This is kind of ironic because I have a tendency to overpack sometimes all the time!
Maybe if I am better about following my own tips then packing will become a breeze for you and I both!


Always start with a list, the weather update, and an itinerary! By checking the weather and knowing your plans for the trip it will be a lot easier to narrow down what to pack and for what climate!  After knowing this, start making a list of what you want to pack! Only pack one outfit for each of the "events" you'll be participating in while on your trip!

Summer traveling is a bit easier considering the clothes are lighter weight and more compact! If you are going to be gone for an extended amount of time then don't be wary of re-wearing outfits!

(Lizzie McGuire anyone?)


I like to have multiple bags in my duffle in order to separate different items from my clothing! My undergarments are always in a separate "diddy" bag of sorts which makes them so much easier to find!

Definitely roll your clothing instead of folding it since it optimizes space and causes less wrinkles!
Be reasonable about how much you are packing (and this is coming from the chronic over packer) chances are you won't need as much as you think!

Leave any advice you have below in order to help me out as I am packing for camp!

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

My Leisure Summer Reading List

One of the MANY awesome parts about being in college is that required summer reading no longer exists. While I read many great novels because of summer reading I also read many that I would've been just as happy to start a fire with. I've discovered through the lack of required reading I have just how much I love to read. It is so nice to have the freedom to read whichever books I want at a pace that works for me!

One of my favorite parts about coming home for a break is that I finally have enough free time to read! I constantly have a reading list going on the notes app in my phone and it is so nice to finally get around to crossing some of those off the list. Over Christmas break alone I was able to read 4 books that I had been hoping to get around to and I hope this summer provides me with ample time to enjoy many others!

Behold…my leisure summer reading list!


(Please do yourself a favor and read the book descriptions on Amazon because I am absolutely terrible at describing the plots or details of books).

Mysteries:
Gone Girl (Gillian Flynn) - I have already read this and enjoyed the thrill and mystery it provided! It was one of those books that I did not want to put down and I found myself staying up super late just to find out what was going to happen next! This is coming out as a movie in 2014!
Sharp Objects (Gillian Flynn) - I have already read this one as well and it was another great mystery. These books can be pretty dark and vulgar at some points but if you ignore that aspect they are great quick reads!
Dark Places (Gillian Flynn) - I am hoping to read this one very soon and will definitely have it done by the end of this summer! (It is already sitting and waiting for me on my kindle app on my iPad). This novel is coming out as a movie as well!

My Must Reads For The Summer:
Heaven Is For Real (Todd Burpo) - I have heard awesome things about this book from my friends and it just recently came out as a movie! I think this one will be a great one to read after a day at camp!
The Book Thief (Markus Zusak) - I have been hoping to read this novel for a while but the length of it has kind of intimidated me! I have heard rave reviews about the novel as well as the movie that just came out!
Where'd You Go Bernadette (Maria Semple) - This book has also been recommended to me by various people and it too is a light fun "beach read" that I am saving for the end of the summer!
Looking For Alaska (John Green) - I am reading this right now because I loved John Green's work in The Fault In Our Stars and this book is about kids at a boarding school in Alabama. It's a fun and quirky novel that I have really enjoyed thus far.
The Fault In Our Stars (John Green) - If you read one book this summer make sure it is this one! I first read it over Christmas break and adored it and have since read it another time! One of my all time favorites! This is coming out as a movie in June!
It's Kind Of A Funny Story (Ned Vizzini) - This was suggested as similar to The Fault In Our Stars on amazon so I'll probably give it a read before long!

Inspirational:
Love Does (Bob Goff) - This is the book that I have been reading a chapter a night of for a while now and I really love it! It puts my life into perspective each night before bed and reminds me of what I should really focus on (believe me school work and grades can be all consuming and damper your mood). I definitely recommend this to anyone who is looking for a great book!
The Happiness Project (Gretchen Rubin) - Along those same lines, this will become my chapter a night book after Love Does! It is supposed to be an inspirational book all about how to add even more happiness to your days and life by making minor changes in your routine! This seems like a great one for when you get overly set in your routine or feel like you are in a slump!

Let me know of any books you think I should add to my list!

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

My New Favorite Marley Lilly Hat + The Fraternity Collection $100 Giveaway

While you will be seeing a whole bunch of cute outfit pictures of "put together" clothing while I'm gone this summer in reality this is more along the lines of what I will actually be wearing. Nike shorts, an oversized tshirt, and a hat scream summer to me! Comfort is always a little bit better in my eyes if it matches and thats why I can do no wrong in my new Marley Lilly monogrammed hat! With the ample amount of pink I have it is easy-peasy to find something to match it with!

My roommate gave me this Fraternity Collection shirt for Christmas and I always find myself grabbing it right out of the dryer! I have had a couple other shirts from there and this one is by far my favorite! The company just branched out into making oxford style seersucker shirts and like everything from the brand, they are fabulous!

The Frat Collections customizable pocket t-shirts are a great change and way to mix things up from my ever growing stack of Kappa Delta shirts!

 

 

In honor of their new collection of shirts, the Fraternity Collection offered to team up with Prep In Your Step to giveaway a $100 gift card to one of you!

Good Luck!

Monday, May 19, 2014

Krass & Co Summer Shorts

With summer her (for me at least) I am slowly falling into the deep hole of comfy shorts and oversized tshirts hoping this combination will pass as a put together outfit. While I definitely can't get away with these outfits all of the time I have found a way to dress them up a bit! 

Krass and Co shorts provide me with an excuse that I am no longer just wearing nike shorts and a tshirt and the reassurance that these are cute shorts!

Below I have included some of my favorites for this summer! You can go ahead and assume that I will be wearing the stars and stripe shorts for fourth of July! Now you have the perfect excuse to get your own because I have a 20% off discount for you! Use the code FURMAN20 for 20% off your entire order!


Go ahead and stock up on all of your favorites now!

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Graduation Gift Ideas

With graduation for many high school seniors about to take place and many college students are graduating very soon or have already graduated I thought now would be the perfect time to share a list of great graduation gift ideas!


photo frame (pier 1) | watch | pajamas | statement necklace | state necklace

It is crazy to think that my high school graduation was a whole year ago! It honestly feels like it could have been yesterday! Find more great graduation gift ideas below!



Friday, May 16, 2014

When Life Gives You Lemons

Nothing is more satisfying in the summer than fruity citrus whether that is in the form of a popsicle, some watermelon, or an ice cold lemonade refreshing fruit can do no wrong! Well it seems this citrus crave is no longer limited to food and has found its way into fashion!

Yellow is such a bright and happy color but sadly it doesn't always look that great on me be in doses I think it could be really fun to attempt to add it into my wardrobe! 

If you are looking to add some yellow or lemons to your wardrobe then look no farther!



Other great lemon themed products!



Thursday, May 15, 2014

Lilly Summer Collection Favorites


If you couldn't tell from my spring / summer lust list that I am loving all of Lilly's new collection then this post will surely clarify that fact for you! All of the patterns and styles are perfection and I can't help but want some of the pieces to pop in my closet!



Wednesday, May 14, 2014

The Spotted Zebras Giveaway

Today I am teaming up with a super fun business called The Spotted Zebras to giveaway a gift card for an adorable wooden wall monogram! One awesome thing about this site is that when purchasing them you can choose to have them painted for you or unfinished for you to paint yourself!

With many different sizes and styles to choose from you will be able to find the perfect piece just for you and the space you hope to accessorize!


My wooden monogram was one of my favorite pieces in my dorm room! It was the perfect accessory and decoration to personalize my room and add to the insane number of monograms noticeable in my dorm!


Enter to win your own!


Good Luck!

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

What Posts Are Y'all Interested In Seeing?

As many of you know I have spent my last few summers as a counselor at the summer camp I went to when I was younger! In the past that has meant that blog posts have not been going up in the summer but I am committed to make this year different! That means, I am prescheduling posts like crazy! I have around 60 posts that I am going to do my best to get up to keep y'all entertained this summer! 

With all that being said, I need some post ideas! I have a lot of ideas already spinning through my head and would love to hear what y'all want to read since you are the audience! Be sure to leave any and all ideas below so that I can start working on them ASAP!

Going BIG because I won't be at home!
via my instagram @prepinyourstep

Leave me ideas please!

Monday, May 12, 2014

Custom Dorm Room Bedding Wedbsites

With many seniors preparing to graduate at the end of this month or the beginning of next it is hard for college to not be on your mind. One thing that I continuously thought about before getting to college was how my roommate and my room would look. Making your dorm room feel like home makes the transition to college a bit easier in my opinion. I was completely in love with how my dorm room turned out! The hardest part in choosing how you want your dorm room to look (aside from agreeing on color etc) is finding a place to purchase your bedding and accessories from! 

Below I have included 4 different great custom places to purchase dorm room bedding from! I adored having free reign of designing a space that would be all my own and these sites really add to that fun!

Decor 2 Ur Dorm: Whether you want to completely customize your dorm or go with one of their bed in a bag sets the options are absolutely endless! With this being completely online it is great for if you and your roommate want to coordinate or match perfectly! And if this is your second year in a dorm or first year in a sorority house you can even choose Greek options to personalize your room even more!

Dorm Suite Dorms: Not only does Dorm Suite Dorm have bedding but also personalized storage ottomans and chair slips! With tons of fabric and customization options you will surely find the perfect bedding to fit your style! 

Not Just Dorms: This is a new one that is great if you are designing your dorm or if you want to update any room in your house because they do more than just dorms (bet you would've never guessed that). The Not Just Dorms team has an eye for style and would be more than happy to assist you in any of your decorating decisions!

American Made Dorms: With fewer options and less fabric options this is the perfect place to go if those other sites overwhelm you! I adore the bundles they sell and their accent pillows are adorable and match the bedding perfectly while still adding fun and dimension to the bedding!

I hope this helps any of you incoming freshman and be sure to leave any other sites like this below for people to check out!

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Finals / Exam Week Study Tips

Although I am now finished with my finals for the year I know AP Exams and Finals for High Schoolers are currently underway! Here are some of the best tips I have for Exams and Finals!
If you want to see another exam week tip post I did last year then click here.



1. Coffee and Sleep are Essential:

For those of you who don't drink coffee props to you and for those of you who claim you don't like it then you need to go try Starbucks Peppermint Mocha! While I am not like most and don't drink coffee daily, I do find that it helps me focus when I am studying or tired. Speaking of tired, get enough rest! Here at Furman we have "study days" prior to exams which is super nice but be sure to utilize the time you have in the proper way so that you are not forced to stay up late.

2. Be Sure to Ask the Teacher Questions:

Why not ask the teacher questions when they are the one creating your exam! It is a no brainer, if you are confused shoot them an email or go in to see them, my guess is that they will appreciate your effort and clarify things better than google would.

3. Make Flashcards:

I personally find flashcards essential to studying. Not only does it force me to rewrite my notes but they are also a way for me to quiz myself in more than one way. If you are totally against writing flashcards out then try an online site like Study Blue or my personal obsession, Quizlet!

4. Don't Procrastinate: 

This just makes you feel like you have a whole lot to do but not a lot of time to do it in! Cut out distractions so that procrastinating will be less tempting!

5. Keep your Study Space Clean and Organized:

It is harder to get tasks accomplished quickly when your surrounding space is cluttered and messy. Before you even start studying be sure to clean up the surrounding area!

6. Take Adequate Study Breaks:

It is proven that studying for long periods of time is not effective unless you break up your studying. If you are looking for some ideas on how to spend a study break wisely check out this post

7. Be Sure to Study Solo BEFORE Studying with a Group:

You are not helping yourself or a group if you show up to a group study time without having previously studying. I personally am a lot better at studying solo than with a group because groups tend to get less accomplished in a longer amount of time. If this is the case for you as well then study on your own and once you are more prepared then join a group setting.

8. Remove Distractions: 

This goes along with not procrastinating but by removing distractions you are less likely to procrastinate! Look into getting the app Self Control, it is a lifesaver at keeping you on task. Also, don't be afraid to completely shut off your fun while studying or leave it in a different room, chances are you will get a whole lot more completed without answering text messages while studying. 

Be sure to check out my previous posts to see a few of my gift guides!

What are your exam studying tips?

Good Luck!

Friday, May 9, 2014

Swooning for Scallops

Scallops are continuing to be incredibly popular just about everywhere! I am glad about that because I am swooning over just about anything with scallops!



I am also loving these bags (1 & 2) and this watch and this skirt is adorable as well (and under $40, a summer staple)!

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Road Trip Home Playlist

With a long 8 hour drive ahead of me today I'll be belting music from CDs and eating lots of snacks! Fortunately my roommate and I can follow each other home which makes the trip easier cause I have a guaranteed pit stop buddy! Because we both understand the struggle of a long drive we tend to make each other lots and lots of CDs. Our taste in music is usually pretty random and we definitely have quite a few throwback CDs! I look forward to the drive home for this very reason!

Below I have included a playlist of all the songs on the newest CD I've made for us for our trek home! Some are sentimental and have to do with leaving each other, school, and going home while others are funny ones which is probably pretty evident!


I love adding new songs to my playlists so definitely leave any fun and random songs you've been loving lately in the comments!

Sweet Home Alabama Here I Come!

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

What's In My Bag

I've had a few people request a post like this and become I am nosey and love to see what other people keep inside their bags I thought it is only right to let y'all snoop inside of mine!

I am hoping to do this again with my smaller cross body bag as well so maybe in June or July y'all can snoop in that one as well!


The bag I am currently using is the largest bag I tend to use, my large Longchamp Le Pliage tote! I love the Le Pliage totes and have different sizes and colors in these and you really can't go wrong with any of them!

I am a big fan of having pushes and different "sections" within my bag and that's one reason I adore my  Gigi New York Clutch! I store tons of miscellaneous items in the clutch and it holds way more than you would ever suspect!


Inside I store:
No- Crease Hair Ties | Compact Mirror | Chapstick | Lipstick | Pens | Lotion | Tissues | Current Nail Poilish | Hand Sanatizer | Q-Tips | Whisps | Hand Warmers (not necessary in the summer but nice to have when you need them in the winter) | 

I also keep my mini-mergency kit with me no matter which purse I am using! Such a great small container for a plethora of items for when you are in a pinch!

Snacks can constantly be found in my purse! If my bloodsugar gets low not only do I turn mean but I also feel like I will pass out if I don't eat something right away! My favorite snacks to keep in my bag are granola bars (Luna Chocolate Peppermint & Kind Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter are my favs), candy bars (Snickers are not my favorites which make them perfect to keep in my purse! I will only eat it if I need some energy and not if I want something sweet, I highly recommend using this method), and fruit strips or gummies!

I also keep my portable phone charger, sunglasses, waller, and key wrist on hand at all times!

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Spring / Summer Lust-List

Oh, if only I had an endless spending account.. Being a college student, that is clearly not the case, but a girl can dream! I've had my eye on quite a few items for Spring and Summer that I am wishing would somehow end up in my closet (that's how it works right?)! 

I am not opposed to any season but I am a huge fan or spring and summer and the bright colorful products that come out around this time each year. Lilly Pulitzer absolutely killed it this season with their newest collection (this was the collection I got to see in the showroom when I went to New York so I knew the perfection that was to come)!


Earrings | Wedges (see post here for countless other cute wedges) | Perfume (The rollerball is perfect for travel!) | KD Bag | Longchamp Mini | Fringe Scarf | Popover | Cork Jacks | Scalloped Leather Travel Bags

Between the time that I made this image and today when I am posting it, the list has already grown!
These are definitely #1 on my to purchase list! (with this fun top) Jamming Jellies and Lobster Roll are too cute to pass up!
Also, these shoes (only available online)! Only $20 and I have the silver glitter pair and wear them frequently and love them!

What is on your spring / summer lust list?

Monday, May 5, 2014

BE A BUILDER NOT A BULLDOZER

With finals in full swing this week as well as the stress of packing up a dorm room (they are small but boy can a lot fit in them) and saying goodbyes everyone has a lot going on! During one of my many pinterest (I pin lots, follow me!) breaks I saw a pin that said be a builder, not a bulldozer and I couldn't get it out of my head. I thought that this was such a great way to phrase the idea of being positive and uplifting! 


Not that I am a negative or discouraging person by any means but I feel like having this as a reminder can be such a great way to remain encouraging always! Always build people up instead or bringing them down!

Whether you are complementing someone on their outfit choice or the hard work they've put in lately being a builder to others leaves you and the other person so much happier!

(I've also heard another phrase similar to this stating, be a fountain not a drain!)

Kill People With Kindness,
Happy Monday!

Friday, May 2, 2014

Things I've Discovered My Freshman Year Of College | It Goes By So Quickly

This one is a bit ironic. People tell you over and over how fast the college years will go by but until a year is nearly over you may not believe them! This year has absolutely flown by, yes there were some really long and rough weeks but there is no way this can be my last friday as a freshman. I can't have just finished one of my three exams. This should not be my last weekend here with my friends. No way can it be over.

I guess as cliche as it sounds, time really does fly when you are having fun. Granted, writing papers and studying aren't exactly number one on my list of how to have fun but thinking about packing my bags and heading home is unfathomable. 

I am excited to be back at home for a little bit. I miss my mom, dad, and brother but leaving Furman for 3 1/2 months is crazy. Can my friends just come home with me? Fortunately I have some plans to see the cool kids I met here over the summer but I can't get over the fact that this year is nearly over. How is the best question I have for it!

Fortunately, a big group of my friends here are going for ice cream tonight and my pledge class is having a big pledge class picnic on Sunday so at least the memories aren't all the way over!

Move in day feels like yesterday but the memories from then to now are absolutely endless!
I couldn't have been luckier with how great this year has been and I wish I could tack a couple of workless weeks onto this school year!

Clearly we weren't close at this point…literally, little did we know how that would change.


And people think they have a prettier campus? I will always disagree!












Clearly I have had the best roommate experience possible. So thankful for my friendship with my roommate and so glad that so many majority of my memories include Nell!!







Joining KD has been such a blast as well!











My first time being incredibly spontaneous, loved every minute of my day trip to Athens!















Thanks for being a part of these and countless other memories!
Stay tuned next week for a road trip home playlist that would be playing if I made a slideshow of my freshman year! (#sentimental)

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