Cashmere Cold Weather Accessories

Hi Readers,

Happy November!  Now that the weather should be getting colder. I say should because it is currently 63 degrees in my part of Michigan.  Two years ago, I bought these adorable cashmere gloves at Target.  Every year, they continue to have the set.  It is 100% cashmere and comes in nice colors like cream, grey and red.  Online has an even larger selection.  The scarves run about $25 and gloves and hats for $20.  These are a great gift for this holiday season, or for yourself.  I will be buying the scarf this year to go with my gloves. 

If cashmere isn't your thing (how is it not?!), they also have a variety of leather gloves. However, I would steer clear of the acrylics because the quality is never as good and never as lasting as the classic and quality materials.  

mSa

Down Vest

Autumn weather always makes me wish to wear cozy clothes, but as the weather fluctuates between freezing in the morning and 60 during the day, a full blown coat is sometimes too much.  For the weekend, I like to hang up my trench and wear my puffy vest.  It is super cute with a sweater and jeans and allows enough air in so that I don't get too warm.  I have a basic black down vest a few years ago from Eddie Bauer, but here are another great option.  This is the Old Porter Puffer Vest from Vineyard Vines is adorable and functional.  It is $148 which is not bad for down.  If this is out of your price range, look for solid seams, a good zipper, and the stuffing. It should be high quality.  Since most outerwear even from cheap stores can be around $50, I think this is a time to spend more money and get a better quality and not waste your money on a cheaply made item. 

Apple Slices

I thought I would do my go-to autumn snack for you today.  

Take your favorite type of apple, core it and put it in a Ziploc bag.  Sprinkle in a fair amount of cinnamon, a dash of nutmeg and a small pinch of sugar (if you desire) and wait until mid-afternoon.  

Enjoy your yummy, healthy treat!

mSa

Affordable Fall Essentials

Now that the weather has turned and actually become colder, I think I can do my fall essentials post.  It is so difficult to resist the urge to wear my cold weather clothes even when it is 70 degrees out, but it doesn't really apply. These clothes can get you through to a few weeks before Christmas depending on where you live. 

1.The trench coat

Nothing exudes class like a classic trench.  Structured and borrowed from menswear, a trench can be ladylike and provide an extra pizazz to your wardrobe.  Instead of a classic camel straight from the mens' department, choose one with a ruffle, or in an interesting color like apple red, hunter green or chocolate brown.  The khaki coat is the one I just purchased from New York and Company and the Red is London Fog.

2.  Rain boots

If you live above the Mason-Dixon line, chances are you spend a decent amount of your autumn hiding from the rain.  This year, fear not, because you have rain boots.  They come in cute colors and prints to satisfy your every wardrobe need.  While Hunters boots and Bean boots are top preppy choices, they run between $90 and $130. If this isn't in your price range, or you want boots that you will legitimately wear only a few times, most stores will have rain boots in a variety of colors and patterns.  Please make sure you have an adult pattern if you have to choose one since you do not want to exude a child on a rainy day.  For example, polka dots in a small pattern and muted color, yes, bright yellow ducks, no.  If you live near any discount store like Marshall's, TJMaxx, or DSW, they have good choices.

3.  Cardigans

While in my mind, cardigans are ALWAYS an essential all the time, this is the time of year to get cozier, thicker cardis in all those great earth tones.  If you canafford cashmere, get it!  If you only want or can afford one, pick a neutral you will wear often like cream or navy.

4.  Skirts with tights

Fashionable, classic and ladylike.  Wear with boots, cute ballet flats, or heels.  As long as you choose complimentary colors and don't pick two bright colors (choose one neutral please), you can't loose.

5. A chunky watch

While I love my delicate ladylike watches, in autumn I like to pair my summer clothes with a chunky watch for a good transition look.  Pair with a lightweight shirt, a cardi.

You can buy watches in the mens' department, or now, as they have been for a few years, in most ladies' stores.  My current wish list includes one I saw at NY and Company that is reminiscent of Michael Kors.  (And while I do not like designer imitation, I like designer influence.)  These two are from Fossil and Michael Kors.

Unless you spring for a mid-price range watch like Fossil, Juicy Couture or a store like Ann Taylor, I suggest a few things:  muted color, no bedazzling (this should apply for everything!), and something that looks as unfake as possible.

6. Grey trousers

These are great alternative to navy, black, and khaki, and are often underrated.  Grey trousers in a variety of materials, including wool, especially later in fall, can look luxurious when paired with cream, blush, lavender, sea foam or just about any pastel.  Add pearls and a delicate chain necklace to complete the look.

7.  A structured bag

Calvin Klein

Goodhope

I can't believe I made it this far on my list without talking about purses.Since summer fun is over, most of us are thrown back into work, school, charity, whatever it is you do.  If you don't do any of these, yourself, chances are someone around you relies on you for a ride to one of these.

While a tote is great for a lot of books, I like a structured bag for less bulky carrying.  The often fit your daily needs, a book, your planner, a granola bar and a sweater or pashmina tossed on top.  Look for stiff side seams, thicker handles and hard wear.  Nice hard wear can add a bit a va va voom to an otherwise dull bag.

8. A new shade

A quick, inexpensive way to update your look for the new season is new makeup and nail polish.  While i tend to wear little makeup, only usually to enhance my eyes, I am a HUGE nail polish fan.  It is my beauty weakness of choice and I love Essie's polishes the best.

Merino Cool

A couple of options for makeup is to use earth tones, or choose a shade or two darker than your summer shade.  I switched my eye shadow from a opalescent pink to a lavender pink.  I'm curently using Sonia Kashuk's Leather and Lace with Black Plum eyeliner from Ulta on the outer corners.  For nail polish I'm loving Essie's Cool Merino and Hot Chocolate.

Leather and Lace

 9. Luxurious fabrics

Speaking of leather and lace, autumn is the time to play with textures.  I think it is essential to try to incorporate ate least one of the following into your autumn rotation: leather, lace, cashmere, suede, tweed, velvet.  Experiment and enjoy!

10.  Last but not least, Boots.

 I think nothing says autumn like a great pair of boots.  Equestrian inspired or heeled, depending on your outfit, or for you Southerners, cowboy boots,  will complete any outfit and help bring you into autumn. 

mSa

Bath and Body Works Slatkin Candles

Since here in Michigan, autumn has seemed to officially arrived in it's rainy, gloomy and cold glory (yes,  it's still my favorite season despite this) I thought a post about autumn scents would be fun. 
I am a HUGE Bath and Body Works fan.  I love the deals, the scents, and the displays.  When the 3 wick candles are on sale, I stock up.  Right now, they have bakeshop displays for their candles which have a bakeshop theme.  The candles are 19.95 a piece and sometimes the store will run 2 for $20 deals (my fav!)

From the fall scents, I have always been a fan of Leaves.  I like Autumn, Spiced Cider, and Pumpkin Patch, but Leaves is my favorite mix of all of these. 

Right now I have Frosted Cupcake in my kitchen.  Of their newest scents, Marshmallow Fireside is amazing.  It has the spicy richness of an outdoor fire, but the sweetness of the marshmallow balances with a sweet mellow flavor.  It is my new favorite and I think I will have to put this in the house somewhere this year.

 

BBW also has candle sleeves and pedastals that fit their candles.  If you peel off the candle label and put it it, or on, one of these, they can fit any decor. 

What is your favorite fall scent? 

mSa

 

End of Summer

The end of summer is upon us and after this weekend, we will be back to life as normal.  Enjoy your last weekend of summer, get outside and have a hotdog (or tofudog if you prefer). A lot of county parks end summer operation hours next Tuesday so make the most of them, and if you are lucky enough to have a boat, get on the water! If you don't have a boat, get it in. 
Also, go watch some college football.



mSa

French Memo Board

My husband I bought a house this year and we are slowly starting to make it a home (aka, decorating).  While I'm waiting until next spring to paint, I still have been hanging things on the wall. 

They can be cute and still hold all of your important announcements, invites, reminders without having a multitude of magnets on your fridge.  I bought mine on sale for $5, but you can make them cheaply as well if you want it to match decor and it is difficult to find a complimentary color.  

1. Use a board, an artists' canvas, or thick cardboard.  

2. Cut batting or an old terrycloth towel so it is about a half an inch smaller than your base. 

3. Cover the batting and the board with the fabric of your choosing so the fabric can wrap around the back.

4. Turn the board over and with the fabric taut, use a staple gun to secure the fabric tight. 

5. Now, take your ribbon and lay it diagonally across the board.  Do only one direction at a time.  If it is easier, do one ribbon at a time.  Secure ribbon to the back using the staple gun. Ribbons should weave so not all one direction is on top. 

6. Add buttons at the intersection of the ribbons by sewing or gluing.  

7. Use one more long ribbon to make a hanger, or use a picture frame hanger.

8. Enjoy! 

mSa

The Library

Your library.  Old boring books, deathly quiet, old ladies with glasses and granny sweaters...not really.  In fact, mine has an indie guy with long hair and a heavy set, but preppy dressed guy both in the 18-25 age bracket.  No one wears granny sweaters.

If you are anything like me, you read a lot.  I can go through up to three books a week just from going to the gym or reading before bed.  And that is if they are longer books.   

The modern library is a great place to get your fix on all of your easy reads, chicklit, biographies, and learn about your random interests without having to drop $15- $20 a pop on books you will only read once.  I always buy my few favorite authors, and have a plethora of books on my phone, but for those one read only books, this is a great way to get your fix.  Not only that, but most libraries have a network where you can order a book from another library if yours does not have it.  

In addition to all of this, some libraries have classes like genealogy, computers for beginners, scrap booking and whatever else you can imagine.  


mSa

Preppy Organizing when you are Out and About

I have to say, I am a serial organizer.  I clean my purse out about 3 times a week, when I was in school, I cleaned my bookbags EVERY day, and I am a bit OCD about surface areas.  I have been known to clean surface areas just in order to properly fall asleep at night.  With that being said, one of my FAVORITE was to preppy up my life is containers, bags, totes, makeup cases, etc.  So just to get you thinking, here's the main component of my purse.

  

Inside here, I keep my wallet, datebook, a koozie, a coffee cup koozie, a notebook, a small change purse with my USB keys, a fabric pouch filled with those great punch cards and coupons and the like I get from stores, a nice pen, a Lilly Pulitzer phone pouch, and a small pouch for something small should I need it in a pinch. 

Of course there are other things in my purse, but this is my way of organizing my most important belongings without getting one of those Horrid purse organizers with the pockets. Plus it keeps all my important papers from getting crinkled in the bottom of my bag.

This is just the start of my organizing.  Other suggestions I have is to keep a small folding basket in your car for when you are out.  Stash small bags in it in the trunk so they don't spill (since thieves target bags in cars), use it for tailgates, picnics, trips to the library, and anything else.  Mine is pink with a green grosgrain ribbon tied on it.

Enjoy your organizing!

mSA

Etiquette in the North

Hi all! 

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week.  I just wanted to quickly touch on a super important item.  

Etiquette.  I am NOT going to list the in's and out's of Emily Post's massive collection.  However, I am going to remind you that preps use their best judgment and their etiquette at all times.  Please, thank you, holding doors and allowing other drivers to get in front of you are only the beginning. Don't talk like you are a sailor! Brush up on your etiquette and host a party!  Summer is almost over, make sure you make the most of it!

The folks in the South have us Northerners beat in this and I think it is about time we give them a run for their money. Now I realize we will never be as gracious as Southern Belles, but I'm certainly going to try! 

Attempting to be a super gracious girl for the weekend.

mSa

Why I Talk About Money

Money is something preps don't talk about.  Just consult your Preppy Handbook or True Prep.  While I seem to be breaking this code with my blog, I can't help but notice the rampant materialism I notice in everyday life and I am striving to not let it overcome me.
I love seeing money in my bank account, not in the high price designer items I can buy that can wear out or go out of style.  Remember though: quality and longevity are everything. 

With that being said, here are my preppy rules for money:

1. Don't talk about it.  No one wants to listen to you brag.
2. If you have a working one, you don't need a replacement.  This goes for tote bags, appliances, most cars and even some items of clothing.  (Will anyone know the difference between your five pink cardigans? No one but you.)
3. Don't try to justify it. Say, "I want it", and buy it, but don't do it for every item.
4. Don't buy a ton of one item in every color all at once just because it is quality.  Buy them over time and they will wear out overtime.  Or, for that matter, loose your interest over time. 
5. Save save save! Better to buy a bigger boat instead of a new sweater every time the whim strikes. 
6. Don't be stingy.  Just because you don't throw money around does NOT mean you can act like a Scrooge.  Buy for fundraisers, give nice gifts, and buy better booze (if you already don't) when you have people over. 
7. Don't waste your money on consumables from fancy stores. In other words, learn to brew your own coffee.
8. You must own a cute preppy wallet to house your money. :)

Lilly Pulitzer

Just Madras

A cute cheapie

Or, make your own!! Try out your sewing skills and get some Lilly Pulitzer fabric a  cute clasp or zipper and go to it!  A wallet is basic enough to try sewing on your own even without a pattern.

mSa

Giveawy to check out!

Everyone loves free stuff.  Especially when it is high quality! 
If you want to win free stuff (specifically a Smathers and Branson needlepoint belt), check out Let's Be Preppy's Blog http://letsbepreppy.blogspot.com/

The Basics

So I have been gathering ideas for posts and here is my first post on topic. 

Being a thrifty prep can be confusing.  It is not about living cheaply, but making wise purchases to fit your lifestyle.  Here are my rules for shopping:

1.  It must be high quality.  If it is adorable, but is falling apart after 2 washes, your wasted your money.  Good clothes last a long time!
2. It must fit with at least 3 of your current belongings. If you see an adorable shirt on sale, but it doesn't go with your own personal style, you will never wear it as much as you should.  It is a good idea to pick a style and stick with it.  You don't want to give your friends and family style whiplash or look as though you don't know who you are!  (This should be true for anyone, not just preps!)
3. Make sure you have high quality items that can go with your less expensive or homemade items. 
4. Don't be afraid to be crafty.  Like that cute plaid wristlet at the store?  But it's $75...?!  Make one!!
5. Things EVERY girl should have (regardless of how much money you spent on them)

• There is no way to get around it, you need a little black dress. High quality, good fit and a classic cut.  If you want a trendy one, make sure you have a classic that will always be in style first.
• A nice summer dress.  (This is where you splurge and get your Lilly!)
• Good earrings: a pair of pearls, a set diamonds and something you can dress up an outfit with such as a good pair of dangly earrings.
• A good watch.
• A bathing suit you would feel comfortable in if you were going to have your picture on the cover of a magazine (with your front at back showing!) that your grandma would be able to show to her friends.  In other words, no thongs(!) and you must not be hanging out.  In addition to the bathing suit, have a classic coverup please!
• Button down oxfords in several colors, but of course, white!
• Cardigans. Lots in every color! (Do you have a signature color?  Get more) These are wonderful for any season when you need a little extra, or to change an outfit.  I always have one in my bag or car.  A sweatshirt is not an option every day!
• Shoes: A pair of classic black pumps, ballet flats and a nice pair of sandals (not flipflops).
• A good pair of each: dress pants, khakis, jeans, and shorts (Madras are nice) (not too short!). Add more of your fav to your wardrobe. Remember, no rips, tears or sequins here!
• 2 skirts: one fall/winter, one spring/summer
• Hair is a personal choice, but I use a lot of headbands, ribbons and bows to dress up my 'do!
• As far as bags go, if you have a nice tote (Think LL Bean or Vineyard Vines), a good, classic purse and a nice clutch to go with your lbd, you are good to go!
• Workout wear.  It is workout wear, not going to the mall wear.  Don't confuse the two.

This is where I stop on the necessaries!  If you have these, you could go to any event and never be underdressed, or look unprep.  You can add more to each category of course, but I am a big believer in having the basics first then adding.  I for instance, have more than 2 purses (in fact, they are kinda my weakness), but I don't have to dress up often in the winter and have only one, nice LBD.  Make your wardrobe work for you.  You can add other types of dress blouses, if you have to dress up for work a lot, add more pants if you live where it is cold and have more shorts if you live in the South.
Remember, the initial investment may seem like a lot if you don't have any of these, but you can start with basics and work your way up.  Wait to buy the dresses until you think you will need them, don't buy diamond earrings and not get button downs.  You can always wear cute critters until you have real diamonds or pearls.  Those can always make a great gift from someone who wants to get you something nice.  Clothes first! Replace items as they wear out and you won't ever have to drop a ton on clothes again! (Unless you want to, of course!) 

First Post

Hello! 


My name is Melissa and I am a preppy girl who loves to save money.  I chose a career with a less than stellar pay scale and thusly love to make my dollar stretch.  Despite my husband's good career and income, I can't help myself when it comes to saving money.  I suppose I would rather have it after student loans are paid and I can enjoy my later life (and get what I want) unlike so many who were struck by the recession that were living beyond their means when they were my age.  However, this does not mean I will settle for cheap.  (Eww!)  While I like to save, good quality is a must!


Good finds are my friend.  I hope this will be a preppy resource for making your money work for you, for yummy healthy recipes and a haven for those who live the preppy lifestyle without breaking the bank.  It's not about how much money you have, it's how you use it!