It's offish....

I've found an apartment!

It met three of my four previous criterium... It's within walking distance to work, pet friendly and in a great neighborhood!

A quick run down on the place... I have a two bedroom, one bathroom apartment on the second floor. It has carpet throughout and each room has a window. It doesn't have much in the way of overhead lighting but I dislike overheard lighting. I have my own  entrance way (with a peep hole and three separate locks!) as well as a den, my own kitchen and two doors! The rooms are also BIGGER than my room at home! And the closets.... well I hit the motherland! THEY'RE HUGE!

Mom and I stopped by the other day to take measurements and it had a fresh coat of paint, a new stove and two new air conditioners! We've been shopping around for all kinds of home wares and I've been feeling crafty (so get prepared for a butt-load of tutorials!)

I move at the beginning of August. Look out, Gainesville!

Do you have an apartment? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

My Preppy Apartment

In early August, I'll be leaving home for the first time truly on my own! I'll be moving into an apartment closer to work (the two hour commute from home is killing me!) and while the process of apartment hunting is stressful beyond belief, I've found a way to rid that stress by planning the decorations!

I've decided to build a registry list on Overstock.com and Target.com (you can view those lists here and here! and are welcome to gather inspiration!) This way, I could make a public list for my family (read, my parents) and actually purchase things.

It's so weird to think it's all coming together! I'm no longer planning for fun, soon I'll have a real apartment with real furniture!

My apartment will be kelly green and bright pink with navy and white as neutrals. Think Lilly Pulitzer meets Vineyard Vines, plus a little offbeat indie/vintage for good measure.

My Preppy Apartment by alysonnnnnnn on Polyvore

What do you want your dream apartment to look like? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

Lilly loves Estee Lauder!

My boyfriend's mother is an avid Belk shopper. So when she saw the Lilly Pulitzer for Estee Lauder gift with purchase, she made sure I got one!

Via

I've never used a lot of Estee Lauder products. They're a bit pricey, and with the Georgia heat, most of my make-up slides off my combination skin. I'll experiment with anything and I just love to shop at specialty make up store, but I usually try to find drug store copycats of my department store favorites.

However, there were a few things I just loved: the Lip Conditioner, the Sumptuous bold volume lifting mascara and the Daywear moisturizer! And of course, I love the tote bag that comes with!

I got a little lucky and got a few extras from my dear's mother, including a full size sample of the day wear kit. I'm head over heels for the Illuminator!

Via

The price is really steep for me though, especially being the bottom of the ladder at work. Maybe when I'm super rich I can spring for the whole line! I'd definitely spring for the mascara and the lip conditioner again, though.

Did you nab any of the Lilly Pulitzer gifts with purchase from participating department stores? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

Card carrier

Recently, I realized I lacked business cards.

For someone without a job and therefore, not much to put on a business card, I didn't really think it mattered... until I went to my internship interview for that Big Company and didn't have one to attach to my resume!

It wasn't a big deal, but it's always better to be over prepared. So I took advice from The College Prepster and ordered some cards from Moo.com!

I used the 50 free sample cards offer instead of buying a ton of cards. I didn't need that many and I don't feel like the small Moo logo on the back would be an issue.

I designed my own cards featuring a Moroccan/Quatrefoil print (a little homage to Phi Mu!) and my name, phone number, email and Linked-in profile.

I got my cards in the mail quickly and they turned out fantastic! They were glossy, professional and no where close to boring!

Next task? Finding a sassy card carrier! I had a Phi Mu one but I used it to carry my loyalty cards and have since misplaced it. Wah!

While I look for it, I also am looking for other options. I like metal carriers, but they're often a little blah. Leather is always good, but finding quality ones in other colors than black is a little challenging.

Do you have business cards? What do you carry them in? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

Be Mine, Valentine!

For Valentine's Day, I'll be heading to Alpha Chi Omega's annual Valentine's Day Breakfast, class, a date with my sweet Daddy and finally a date with my wonderful beau!

Here's what I'll be celebrating in!

Be Mine, Valentine! by alysonnnnnnn featuring tory burch flats

Top / Levi's skinny leg jeans / Tory Burch flat

What does your outfit look like for Valentine's Day? Share with me in the comments below!

Pay Day

Unfortunately not the candy bar, pay day is a mythical day that comes rarely as a college student.

I manage my school's online newspaper, so I get paid $150 per month to read, edit and pass stories through to post every week.

I typically like to save $50 from each of these paychecks, but last month was a struggle. I had all that I needed, but I did not like seeing my bank account dwindle, so this month I started out by saving $25.

It's hard to predict money. It fluctuates, for one. Some months there are really important things to pay for, some months there are only cute clothes to pay for. Sometimes you want to spend all of your money on sushi. It changes so frequently and it's hard to plan!

So how do you plan by ear?

1. Save something. Like I said earlier, I prefer to save $50 each month, but even half that can be helpful later.
2. Withdraw cash for food. I always get annoyed when I see a $3.25 charge for a snack. I withdraw about $20 and use it for food. If I need more, I'll get more. This also keeps unnecessary snacking down.
3. Decide if you want to save more. How did you first week go on your paycheck? If you didn't spend a lot, consider moving more money into savings. Even $10 per week in between checks can make a difference.
4. Treat yourself. If you haven't needed to spend your money on bills, food, or surprises, consider treating yourself to a little something. A piece of cake or a new necklace, it's important to keep you in mind.

Do you have a college paycheck? How do you budget? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

Kate Spade for Keds

I'm not the biggest fan of sneakers. In fact, if you pretend my Chuck Taylor phase didn't happen I've basically never worn them.

Now, I like tennis shoes. Actually, a lot. They're so comfy! I just feel like I look stumpy and I can never get them to go with my outfits!

But then... Kate Spade announced she was partnering with Keds. Known for their classic canvas "Champion," they have been loved since 1916 by celebrities such as Audrey Hepburn, Mischa Barton and Taylor Swift.

Via

While I kind of think Keds make my feet look like almonds, I have to have a pair of these. Finally, my prayers have been answered! Cute tennies!

I mean just look at them!

I simply adore the white with black polka dots. I love polka dots and I especially love pairing them with stripes - mostly because I can mix patterns without looking like I'm mixing patterns.

I've already dreamed up a few outfits... a casual, hanging-out with friends outfit and a business-y, casual Friday outfit!



Will you be snapping these up in March 2013? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

Lilly Pulitzer Spring Line!

The Spring Line is up for viewing! Most things won't ship until March, but what do you think?

I wish there were more patterned dresses, similar to the original shift. It's their signature piece, and while there was a few I wish there were a little more!

I did like these few pieces though... and I am looking for a graduation dress!

I must have the gingham one!! Love the peplum.

Keyhole neckline or bateau!?

I'm a sucker for jacquard.

Luckily, the fun blazers and jackets redeemed the lack of patterned shifts.

Did Lilly read my blog? This is how I want to dress for work!

The capris and tops are pretty cute too... Oh, a trip to Lilly at Phipps couldn't hurt, could it?

Bye, paycheck. It was nice knowing you.

What do you think? Will you be buying from the spring line? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

Rain, rain, go away!

It's raining here is Georgia today. In fact, it's been raining all week!

At Brenau, the campus used to have a trolley run through the streets. The tracks have since been paved over, but the streets are really high up and the gutters are really low, meaning there are always puddles to jump in!

I purchased a pair of pink rain boots when I came to Brenau, but last summer they sprang a leak. I was so sad! They went with everything! (I can't even find a picture of them! I have one somewhere....)

I purchased a new pair eventually due to a surprise storm during work - I was wearing a favorite pair of leather flats and refused to ruin them!

Today, I bought a new pair of boots. The second pair I had were outrageously patterned and was too much for my typical, already patterned outfits. So instead, I looked for another solid color.

This time, I picked a shorter pair in a berry color. The selection at my local Target was a little picked over (it is the rainy season!) but I found what I was looking for.

I was kind of looking for these guys - not solid, but how cute are the critter whales!?

I've always liked Hunter rain boots, but I can't justify purchasing $135 worth of rubber! Yes, they're cute, but it only rains once in a while down here, and after college, I'm not sure how much I'll wear rain boots! But since I'm not getting the expensive pair, maybe I'll get the Critter Whales too!

Do you own rain boots? What kind? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

SALE ALERT: Lilly Pulitzer on Rue La La!

If you are unfamiliar with Rue La La, it's a website dedicated to speciality boutique sales featuring tons of designers - men, women, children, home, you name it!

But there's a catch - the boutiques are only open for 2 days and are first come, first serve! It's also invite-only.

I peeked through the boutique, but didn't see anything I needed (trying to stay true to the resolution!)

Did you snag a deal from the Rue La La sale? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

Belle on a Budget!

Hey y'all!

Every college student is on a budget, whether we like it or not. But being on a budget doesn't have to trample your style!

Whether you're paying your way through or are slowly getting cutoff from Mom and Dad, a budget is always a good plan. It takes money to make money - and if you blew each and every paycheck without saving anything, you'd learn very quickly after college ended how much of a disaster that is!

So how can we outfit ourselves, our rooms, our beaus and our dogs on such a budget?


First, if you don't mind gently used, try thrifting. I really don't like to share or borrow clothes, but my expensive taste is slowly turning that stinginess off (although it is good to draw limits, especially for sanitary reasons!)

I don't really like to shop at thrift stores, but I have been known to stalk Re-Lilly into the wee hours and to routinely check eBay. Often times, you can find brand new pieces that just didn't lay right, or well-treated pieces worn once or twice for special occasions. You can even resell pieces that you haven't worn or no longer want! It's a win-win.

If that still doesn't float your boat, or if you are turned off about buying from strangers, be sure to check your local discount department stores. Places like TJ Maxx, Ross, Marshall's, Stein Mart and HomeGoods all get chunks of merchandise to resell.

After working retail, I've learned that a lot of these lots of clothes are redistributed due to silly things, like mislabeled or missing tags. Which means a never-worn, never-stocked item is available for half the price!

Of course, the merchandise varies by store and not every store has great merchandise. If you can, try to drive around to different locations - you'll get a completely different stock!

If you really can't stand buying discount or gently used items, consider adapting your budget. If you really want a certain top, try cutting out your morning Starbucks and brew a cup at home. Or, decide to eat-in for a week and put what you would have spent away for your must-have.

Where do you like to shop? Do you shop resale? Know any great bargain sites? Share in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

New Year's Cheer Part 2

I woke up to a wonderful surprise from work today... payroll! And it was a lot more than I was expecting - it actually filled in all of the money I spent on random little things this past week.

Which meant, after putting a little slice over in savings, I could treat myself to a little more New Year's Cheer....

I thought the Jumbo Planner might help keep me busy after graduation.

(And, buying them "late" means getting them on sale for a steal!)

A little Phi Mu love for my future office!

Did you snag any good sales from NYC? Did you go back for seconds, like I did? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson