Just Be YOU!

I have been thinking about writing this post for some time, but feared being too negative. However, after speaking with several good friends (both IRL and blogger) I have found that many others are on the same page so here goes nothing. Before proceeding, please note that is it NOT directed at any one person in particular. These are simply my general observations from my time as a blogger.

It is always funny to me when I get emails from people asking how to make their blogs "popular". In the grand scheme of things I have never ever considered myself popular. Yes, I HAVE always had a GREAT group of friends, but I was never Homecoming Queen or captain of any team. Perhaps living in smaller towns and going to smalls schools where I was just friends with everyone and a definite "in" crowd did not exist made me not even care about being popular. However, even in a HUGE metroplex I do not feel the need to try and become more popular as I remain happy and confident in my choices and life. When I started blogging almost four years ago I never intended to be popular on the internet either. Now, I have been incredibly blessed to have met SO many AMAZING people on this four year journey, but again I am no Pioneer Woman. I am simply a very happy almost 27 year old living MY life. The key word in that statement is MY. I never write posts with hopes of gaining some sort of popularity or sponsorship. I simply write about MY finds, MY day to day life and MY loves. As I have stated before, at the end of everyday this is MY blog and it is simply an added perk that so many of you enjoy supporting me and teaching me on my journey.

With all that being said it seems as if the more and more blogs I come across seem to be steering farther and farther away from themselves. I have no problem at all with people branding themselves. In fact I am sure some of you could consider my having a blog, Facebook page and Twitter account a form of branding, but in my defense I am not actively checking who unfollows me or searching keywords that bring people to my blog (I will admit I look at Google Analytics three to four times a year for a good laugh on the funny key words that connect people to me). It all just seems silly to me when people try SO hard and frankly seems like way more effort than it is worth. Your blog is an extension of YOU and who YOU ARE! If you are writing about things simply to get more readers is your heart really in a post? Twenty years from now, for goodness sake, even five years from now I do not want to look back and realize I neglected to post or tweet about something because it did not fit your intended "audience" or I was afraid to offend people and would lose followers. No matter what you write you are never going to be able to make everyone that comes across your blog happy anyway and there is ALWAYS going to be someone that will judge you. Also there is the question of time. While I sincerely love sharing my life with you all I have other things that I value too. I just cannot fathom spending hours upon hours a day writing posts, updating my multiple pages, contacting companies to host giveaways (I personally just allow them to reach out to me) and whipping up some new sort of pie or unheard of project. If I was to do this I feel like I would essentially be neglecting other things that matter to me. Now, I highly envy those of you that are able to juggle so many tasks (you must not require as much sleep as me ;) ), but that is just not for me right now. It is important to find a happy balance and that can be different for everyone.

Anyway, all in all what I am trying to say is that your blog is YOUR blog. It is about YOU! There is no sense in trying to create some facade just to gain popularity. In all honestly, people will see through your facade and this might even back fire.

Just be you!

Blogging is NOT a competition nor is all about the numbers. You may get one comment one day and ten the next, but having five readers is MORE than have zero! Whether you make one friend through blogging, or twenty, you will still have more friends than you had before you started! Let people fall in love with who you are and let yourself grow on your journey. The ways of this world can be rough, but if you conform to them it will only get harder. Stick to your guns and you will find success in everything you do!

I will end this in the words of Michael Buble: "Keep on loving what is TRUE and the world will come to YOU!"

J.McLaughlin Dress Giveaway!!

J.McLaughlin is a staple in our little family of three. My mother and I both have numerous pieces (even matching dress; yes we do indeed) that we truly consider preppy classics. Their clothing holds up SO well and is of the highest quality which appeal to multiple generations. I have had my J McLaughlin ribbon skirt since 10th grade (since 2001)...now if that does not show you how well their items are made and how timeless they are I do not know what will. If you love J.McLaughlin as much as I do than today is your lucky day...

I am partnering with J.McLaughlin to give you one of my favorite dresses for the Spring, a Mari dress!!!

The Mari is SO practical and versatile. It is made of nylon and spandex (easy to care for and great for travel), has 3/4 sleeves (great for transitional weather) and comes in a wide array of fun prints (added perk). You can wear it alone or pair it with you favorite belt to show off that new 2012 waistline :) The Mari is stylish, fun, preppy, flirty and classic!

To enter this giveaway simply "like" J.McLaughlin on Facebook then visit their website and tell me which Mari you would choose for yourself (personally I am loving the swirl and the pink stripe). You can gain a second entry by following J McLaughlin on Twitter.

All comments must be left by Thursday, February 2nd, 2012 at 9pm CST.

Please leave all your entries in ONE post.

One lucky lady will be well dressed in their Mari this Spring thanks to J.McLaughlin! Best of luck to all and long live preppy, classic clothing!

The Look for Less

Even though I had a horrible customer service experience at Kate Spade last Fall I will admit they have some beautiful designs and fabulous products. While I would never buy their lipstick again (or any item directly from them for that matter) their clothing line is classic as well as chic.However, the upscale looks DO have prices to match so imagine my excitement when I was browsing the JCP website on Friday and came across a dress incredibly similar to a Kate Spade dress I am constantly eyeing:
Now, the very BEST part of this find was the price difference. The JCP version was not 50% less, not even 75% less. The Bow Front Bridesmaid dress in red is NINETY FIVE percent less, yes you read that correctly, 95%!!! At $20 this red dress has a similar bow, back and all over cut. The only real difference I noticed is the color, fabric and then the neck has a slightly deeper scoop. The dress is available in a few other colors as well for $50 ( still a steal in my opinion). I think everyone I emailed this beauty to ordered it so once it comes in I will be sure to provide a short review in a "Friday Five" post.

Until then, be sure to check out JCP. I know they have had a bad reputation in the past and I will be the first to admit to you I had only stepped foot in a store one time until October. However, I have found so many GREAT items here in our new store (which is apparently a demo/model store) which is nicer than Macy's and Dillard's. Plus, their costumer service is right up their with Neimans and Nordstroms and their return policy it is just amazing. If you have a store near you, order your items online and then have them shipped to the store for FREE! JCP is quickly becoming my new Lilly; tee hee :)

*The opinions on JCP are mine and mine alone. I have not been compensated for this post.*

Blog Sale: Lilly and Kate Spade!

In an effort to continue to work on cleaning out my closets in 2012 I have another handful of items that are looking for a new home. All the prices below include shipping. If you are interested in an item please email me at kappaprep@gmail.com. All payments are required with 24 hours and only Paypal will be expected. Items will be shipped the day after payment is received (this means as soon as tomorrow!). Happy shopping!

NWT Black Lilly Pulitzer Cashmere Top, Size XS- SOLD

This is a darling top paired with a full skirt for parties, but would also look perfect under a jacket. The lace/cutout detail makes this extra unique and of course the cashmere makes it extra luxurious.

Lilly Pulitzer Pink and Gold Dress, Size 4- SOLD

The silhouette and pink and gold combination make this a simply stunning dress. It is is however, cut straight through the hips which is not the best cut on me. This dress has only been worn once for a short period of time (my last day working at Lilly) and is in perfect condition. This dress can be paired with black tights for holiday wear or worn alone for a Spring/Summer event. Great dress that works year round!

Ann Taylor Loft Black Eyelet Skirt, Size 0- $15
This skirt is fresh and fun! It has only be worn twice; once with a silk blouse and another time with a white tee thus proving its' versatility. This is a great addition to any wardrobe looking to be freshened up this Spring!

Lilly Pulitzer Black and White Polka Dot Skirt, Size 8- SOLD
Am I throwing you for a loop with the wide array for sizes in my closet?! This skirt has been hanging in my closet for years in hopes that I could finally find a tailor to make it fit me correctly. It has been worn one time and in perfect condition. The material is a heavy weight cotton jacquard. It can be worn year round as it can be paired with various tops for each season. This piece is incredibly practical and stylish and unlike many other "loud" Lilly skirts.

Lilly Pulitzer Brown Palm Beach Fit Brown Jeans, Size 4- SOLD
This brown pair of Lilly jeans is just like my beloved white jeans. They are so easy to wear and comfy too. This pair was purchased from the 2009 Warehouse sale and I hear they are very hard to come by in the brown ;)

Lilly Pulitzer Ivory (Winter White) Jeans, Size 6- SOLD
These ivory jeans are from a Lilly Fall collection. They are not your typical jean as they are lighter weight and a bit dressier in my opinion. They are SUPER soft (much softer than regular LP jeans) and great for work and play.

NWT Kate Spade Lori Berkshire Hobo Bag in Gazpacho- SOLD

10.5 H x 14.5 L x 2.5 W

This is a brand new Kate Spade Lori bag in the color gazpacho (a deep orange with hint of red). The bag is leather and retails for $325. This beauty has an adjustable strap and is fully lined in a classic polka dot fabric. There are three pockets inside and the bag will come with the original dust cover. More photos upon request.

Friday Five

1. Target going Chinoiserie/Hollywood Regency

I have spotted quatrefoil trays and candles and now foo dogs. What could be next....bamboo tables and chairs?!

2. Chocolate Cappuccino topped with Whipped Cream

I ordered this deliciousness when I went to breakfast with Mandi at Bistro 31 this week. Even if our meal had not been good we would be back to enjoy this goodie. The Lombardi Group never lets me down!

3. Resolution List
I picked up this fun list of resolutions at a She Reigns/Daley Ann trunk show this week. How fun it is? Words to live by friends!

4. My Fascinator
I popped into SteinMart last weekend and came out with my arms full. One of the gems I found was this FABULOUS fascinator. It will be PERFECT for my Royal Wedding Anniversary soiree!

5. Couponing

While I am still not yet a hard core couponer I was SO proud to finally save OVER 50% of my bill. The best part about this was this trip had NO planning involved as I simply popped into Tom Thumb, scanned the add as I grabbed what I needed and ran out. This just proves to me that you do not need to be all extreme as those seen on TV. I spent NO time planning and saved this much; no need to spend 60 hours a week!

Chargers

The other day when I was searching for hot pink food coloring I came across the most amazing chargers (do not ask me how Google put these two things together....I shall never understand). I LOVE putting details into my place settings and chargers are really the next best thing after flowers in making a table come alive. I am always on the lookout for pretty chargers that will compliment my china and I found just that through Google:

PINK CHARGERS!
Not only one shade of pink, but a hot pink and a light pink!
Michael's and Hobby Lobby often have similar chargers, but I have never spotted the beaded chargers nor have I come across such a wide array of color options.

You know how I love, love, love some blue and white with pink so in my opinion the hot pink are just what I need for my table settings.

Now, since not all of your love pink as much as I do (you poor souls) there are loads of other color chargers to choose from. The rainbow of blues also caught my eye.
This navy would also work well with my china I think. It is number two on my list since I am all about the pink right now.
Preppy Pink Lilly Lover: the purple and green are calling your name for your Mardi Gras soiree!
These chargers are such a great way to not only bring pops of color to your table design but are perfect for carrying out a theme as well. They can also be used for larger gatherings when you do not have guests seated at a table. Guests can get a plate, fill it up with their food and then grab a charger to better balance the plate on their lap. The lightweight charger and large size have made numerous events much easier for my mother, myself and our guests.

The chargers can be purchased individually, but are also come in sets of 24. The price is certainly right and you cannot beat the rainbow of colors! Happy entertaining!!

The Vow

I am off to a screening of The Vow tonight and can hardly wait. I am a sucker for a good love story, even if it is sad (I mean, look at The Notebook) so I will be sure to report back my thoughts on Facebook and Twitter later tonight. In case you have not seen the preview, here it is:

Have a delightful evening!

Pretty in Pink!

I am dreaming of all things PINK! Here are a few pretties on my current lust list:

Bubble Gum Hartley Skirt
Pink Heart Bed Linens
Pink Trench

City Bike
Spade Earrings
Grosgrain Polka Dot Ribbon

Hot Pink Straws and Gift Bags
Leather Coffee Cozie
Celebration Tapers

Naptime Diaries Quote
File Folders
Pink Extension Cord
Pink on Pink Macaroons

Resolutions

I am a bit behind on sharing my 2012 resolutions, but better late than never, right? Anyway, I am a very goal oriented person. When I want to do something I make it a goal. I set out to achieve my goal and do not stop until I get there. Obviously, I try to be realistic in my goals. While I am constantly updating my goals the new year is a great time to update and expand my list. I stayed very on top of my goals last year and am proud to report that I kept up with reading the paper and the Bible in a year (though I am a month behind I WILL finish). I did not however, run a 5k :( or continue with squash (my club is still looking for a new pro and as soon as they find one this will be back on my list).

Anyhow, I wanted to share my 2012 resolutions with you all. Judging by my the list below it appears I have my work cut out for me...

I am one of those people that just LOVES to shop (shocking, I know). I can find cute things no matter how terrible the store is and cannot pass up a good deal (you know, for my gift closet). However, as much as I love deals and shopping my space is limited and my budget is shrinking. I am going to start saying NO to purchases and YES to saving!
I LOVE to host parties! Putting together an event is a real thrill for me. I love themes and carrying out said theme in every way possible. This year I want to have one party every three months. I already have two parties in the works (not even including my birthday fete) and plan to have another Halloween bash as well.
Scripture plays such an important role in my daily life. I truly admire those of you that can refer back to verses in any and every situation. In 2012 I plan to memorize more scripture. I am starting with just one verse a month (join me; see my sidebar), but am going to try to up it to two a month once I get a handful down.
I am a slow reader and can tend to spend too much time on the internet or "catching up" on things around the house. This year I WILL read at least one book a month! Things are off to a great start seeing as I just started book number three for the year.

In keeping with the theme of spending too much time online and with electronics in general I am implementing a turn off time. At 10pm on weeknights there will be no more internet time, no more texts, no more phone calls, no more TV etc. In just the few weeks since I have started this I have noticed SUCH a difference and would highly encourage you all to try this as well!! Since running a 5k never happened in 2011 I have carried it over to 2012. I am not a runner as I mentioned last year. In fact, I really hate running, but this is something I have always wanted to do. I am signed up to run a 5k in February and can hardly wait as I get to enjoy it with friends!
It is no secret that I have gotten WAY behind on blog emails over the past two years. Time and time again I have tired to catch up, but I have failed. I am going to just have to delete emails sent before July 2011 and start anew in order to catch up and stay on top of it. I think I can, I think I can...!

I have had the same goal weight for years and years. I am SO close but have never really taken action. So this is the year I WILL hit my goal weight (and stay there)!! While I do love to cook planning meals for myself can be more of a chore. Thus, I end up eating out more often than I should. I want to start planning ahead then cooking on the weekend and partially freezing some of what I make. I know this will not only be easier and healthier but more cost effective as well (save more).
While I never text while driving I do always take my phone out at lights. Though it is easy to multitask, driving is just really not the time to do that in my opinion. The phone is staying put when driving from now on!

Well, that is my packed list friends! I certainly have my work cut out for me, but thankfully I now have all of you to hold me accountable. It is sure to be a great year if the last few weeks are just a preview!!