The Vest.

It's official, fall has arrived (doing the happy dance). Now that it is officially fall it is time to break out the vests. Vests a long sleeve shirt underneath some jeans and my Wallabees, that is my go to fall outfit.  Now when I say vest I mean fleece vests, not the sweater vest that subject is worthy of its own post.  I have two vests that I absolutely love a Navy Vineyard Vests from Vineyard Vines and a Natural Synchilla Patagonia.

Hotty Toddy Sister and I at the Pumpkin Patch last fall wearing my Navy Vineyard Vest

Another option if you wanna step it up from just a long sleeve tshirt is an oxford underneath.  I would like to get a black vest in the near feature. I am thinking of switching it up and trying Mountain Hardwear's Mistral vests.

Mountain Hardwear  Mistral Vest $100.00

On the other hand I love my Vineyard Vines vest why not go with the safe option and their new Sherpa Fleece vest?

http://www.vineyardvines.com/product__108648_____14691_13051

Walking Thoughts

Weheartit.com how I heart you...

 So tonight I went walking with one of my good friends who lives up the street from me. I feel like an old lady whenever I reference "walking" but those "old" ladies are on to something. Walking is awesome. It gets you outside, it gets you moving, clears your head, you can do it longer than other physical activities such as running and plus you can be social. Back to the point, so my friend is from New Jersey (no she is not friends with Snooki or The Situation in fact she is the farthest thing away from your stereotypical "Jersey Girl") anyways I was bending her ear about how I am getting frustrated with people I know being disrespectful.

No need to hold an umbrella, just common curiosity will suffice

She brought up something that I thought was really interesting and observant. We both agreed people from the south are known for their manners and hospitality. However she made the observation that as time went on and you became good friends, some southerners suddenly loose their manners and become just as rude as the "stereotypical Yankee".  No more "Can you please pass me that?" it instead becomes "Pass me that".  Now I have been thinking about that all night and you know what? I think she is on to something.  This is coming from my own personal life experiences but southerners tend to put a lot of stock in outward appearances and impressions. So the politeness and the good manners initially all make sense.  Now all of the situations that I have thought about that support this observation have two things in common, one all the offending parties were female and second they were all college age. So in their defense maybe its just a "college thing" and they will grow out of it. I for one certainty hope so.  Even if you are with your best friend there is no need to be rude or forget your "please" and "thank yous". 

I'm Back

Okay so I know it has been awhile since my last post. I apologize but wow the past two weeks have been super busy. If you don't believe me check out last week's list.

My Weekly Checklist

My weekly list's are a recent addition in my life. Sunday night I sit down and figure out what is due when and what readings need to be finished for the week.  When I complete a task I highlight it. I organize everything by class and I got a cute little notebook that is the perfect size.

Pink Houndstooth & Monogrammed

Since I have started doing my weekly lists I haven't forgot about a single assignment, or quiz. I still use my top notch planner, but mostly I just use it for appointments, sorority stuff and major test dates.

The Domestic Goddess is in the Building....

The Domestic Goddess and her mother (so my grandmother) have come to visit me this weekend! I am so excited, they came in last night and took me out to dinner. It is actually parent's weekend for my sorority this weekend, so tonight we have a scholarship dinner then tomorrow its football time. It's my Grandmother's first time visiting my school so I am super excited to show her around campus.  I was just thinking how happy I am here at school and how much pride I have in our campus.  O and I almost forgot today after I am done with classes we are going to go check out senior rings. The Clemson ring is a huge deal and a tradition people take pride in. There is a ring ceremony and everything. Two weekends ago I was walking around on game day and I saw a man with a walker (he had to have been at least 80) and noticed he had his Clemson ring on.

The Art of the Fleece

So it's kinda of Fall.  I say "kinda of" because it's chilly in the morning like mid 60s then come afternoon its 80 degrees and you are sweating. Ahhh living in the upstate. You really do need two different outfits or just lots of layers. Which brings me to the point of this post, layers, more specifically jackets.  Now its not cold enough to break out my favorite pea coat but especially in the morning you need a light jacket/fleece. 

Patagonia Women's Re-Tool Snap-T Fleece Pullover

This pullover is my saving grace in the morning. Nothing comes close to Patagonia fleece, seriously nothing. You will never find a softer, more comfortable fleece. The North Face doesn't even come close,  Mountain Hardware comes a little closer but still. Clearly I love this pullover, the problem however it is a pullover (meaning it messes up hair and can be a pain to take on/off).  So I have been looking for a light  zip up fleece.  Now I am sure 99% of people out there are familiar with The North Face Black Denali Jacket.

The North Face Denali Jacket

Looks familiar no? Seriously flash back to high school and everybody had this jacket.  Thankfully now at school there is a little bit more variance (thanks to Mountain Hardware, Patagonia and Vineyard Vines). I refuse to wear the Denali, you just gotta leave somethings behind. Anyways lucky me Patagonia has my pullover as a zip up!

Patagonia Women's Full-Zip Re-Tool Jacket

North vs. South (Football Edition)

This was forwarded to me,  looks right to me. 

WOMEN'S ATTIRE
North: Chapstick in their back pocket and a $20 bill in their front pocket. 
South: Louis Vuitton duffel with two lipsticks, powder, mascara (waterproof), concealer, and a bottle Perrier. Wallet not necessary-that's what dates are for. This was forwarded to me,  looks right to me.

STADIUM SIZE
North: College football stadiums hold 20,000.
South: High school football stadiums hold 20,000

NAMES
North: Doug Flutie
South: Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning


FATHERS
North: Expect their daughter to understand Sylvia Plath.
South: Expect their daughters to understand pass interference.

ATTIRE
North: Male and female alike: tshirts, cargo shorts, school hoodies, jeans
South: Male - pressed khakis, oxford shirt, cap with fraternity logo.  Female -sundress, Jack Rogers, scarfs, leather boots

CAMPUS DECOR
North: Statues of Founding Fathers.
South: Statues of Heisman Trophy winners.

HOMECOMING QUEEN
North: Also a physics major.
South: Also Miss USA.

HEROES
North: Mario Cuomo
South: "Bear" Bryant, Bobby Bowden, Steve Spurrier'

GETTING TICKETS
North: 5 days before the game you can walk into the ticket office on campus and still purchase tickets. 
South: 5 months before the game you can walk into the ticket office on campus and still be placed on the waiting list for tickets.

FRIDAY CLASSES AFTER A THURSDAY NIGHT GAME
North: Students and Teachers are not sure if they are going because they have class on Friday.
South: Teachers cancel class on Friday because they don't want to see the few hung over students that might actually make it to class on Friday.

PARKING
North: An hour or two before game time the university opens the campus for game parking.
South: RV's sporting their school flags begin arriving on Wednesday for the weekend's festivities. The real faithful begin arriving on Tuesday.

GAME DAY
North: A few students party in the dorm and watch ESPN on TV.
South: Every student wakes up, has a beer for breakfast, and rushes over to where ESPN is broadcasting Game Day "Live" to get on camera and wave to the idiots from up North who wonder why Game Day is never broadcast from their campus.

TAILGATING
North: Wieners on the grill, beer with a lime in it, listening to local radio station with truck tailgate down.
South: 30-foot custom pig-shaped smoker fires up at dawn. Cooking accompanied by live performance by Hootie &the Blowfish, who come over during breaks and ask for a couple bottles of beer.

GETTING TO THE STADIUM
North: You have to ask, "Where's the stadium?" When you find it you walk right in with no line. South: When you're near it, you'll hear it. On game day, it becomes the state's third largest city.

CONCESSIONS
North: Drinks served in a paper cup filled to the top with soda.
South: Drinks served in a plastic cup with the home team's mascot-filled less than halfway to ensure enough room for bourbon.

WHEN THE NATIONAL ANTHEM IS PLAYED
North: Stands are less than half full.
South: 80,000+ fans sing along in perfect 3-part harmony.

THE SMELL IN THE AIR AFTER THE FIRST SCORE
North: Nothing changes.
South: Fireworks with a twist of bourbon 


COMMENTARY (MALE)
North: "Nice play."
South: "Dammit you slow sumbitch! Tackle him and break his legs!!!"

COMMENTARY (FEMALE)
North: "My, this is a violent sport."
South: "Dammit you slow sumbitch! Tackle him and break his legs!!!"

AFTER THE GAME 
North: The stadium is empty before the game ends.
South: Another rack of ribs on the smoker. While somebody goes to the nearest package store for more bourbon, planning begins for next week's game.

Gameday Dresses

Okay so this weekend I realized that my supply of orange/purple dresses was not as abundant as I originally thought. In fact I have two purple dresses and one orange.  I realized as I was frantically trying to piece together an outfit Saturday they are all solid colors, nothing wrong with solid orange and purple but it get a little boring. So was doing some online "research" and I found some suitable alternatives.  A big thing in now is floral prints, pair some of the options below with a nice pair of boots (cowboy or otherwise) and you have an outfit not only you could wear on gameday but to class/out/downtown.

Ruche Ascending Pleats One Shoulder Dress in Coral $44.99

 This one below has to be favorite out of the bunch and only $15.00!

Forever 21 Mini Flower Print Short Dress $14.90

 

Forever 21Woven Square Print Dress With Belt $27.80

Nordstrom's Angie Sleeveless Floral Dress $44.00

Forever 21 Flower Paisley Dress $19.90

Joni's Floral Melodies Dress $38.99