VOTE!

Head over to the College Prepster Facebook page... because...

Voting for the vineyard vines contest is officially open!

You have from now until July 8th at noon to "like" your favorite sets.

Good luck to everyone entered!!!

xoxo

June Books

Okay, here we go.  These are the books I read in the month of June.  I liked almost all of them and LOVED some.

Hope in a Jar

Beth Harbison

Loved it.  It was a story really close to my heart so I enjoyed seeing the "twenty five years later" part.  The flashbacks were hilarious, and I loved how every chapter began with a quotation from a beauty ad campaign.

Blue Shoe

Anne Lamott

Um, not a fan.

The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder

Rebecca Wells

Loved loved loved this book.  I really want to read her other ones now.  I went to New Orleans at the beginning of high school for a conference and now I want to go back!

The Truth About Delilah Blue

Tish Cohen

Quick, light read.  Not amazing, but better than okay.

Girls in Trucks

Katie Crouch

Interesting, good for a summer read.

Lucky Stars

Jane Heller

I was initially really annoyed by the quirky humorous writing.  The mom really got on my nerves.  But, kind of like a dumb or cheesy movie, it grew on me.  Funny stuff.

One Day

David Nicholls

LOVED this book.  I absolutely cannot wait for the movie.

Names My Sisters Call Me

Megan Crane

This is the current College Prepster Book Club selection... so obviously I like it :)

The Power of One

Bryce Courtenay

READ THIS BOOK.  So amazing.  Be careful when purchasing it though, there's another abridged version for children.... the one you want to read is 500 pages.

Skinny Bitch

Rory Freedman & Kim Barnouin

I really liked this book.  I've definitely made better choices about eating after reading.  Warning: It's crude.

Summer House

Nancy Thayer

Pretty much the absolute definition of a summer read.... and I loved it!

Have you read any of these books?  What books are you reading?  Have any recommendations for me?

xoxo

Fourth of July :: Outfit Inspiration

Whether you're having a low-key Fourth of July with family or a big neighborhood bash or a relaxing day at the beach, putting together that red-white-blue outfit is a lot of fun.

My family used to go to North Carolina every year and my sister and I got really into the outfits.  (Realistically speaking, I was probably more into the outfits and sort of forced/dragged/persuaded her to join in.)  One year, we had these weird scrunchies from The Children's Place... oh, how cool I thought they were.

Of course, my days of scrunchies and American flag bikinis are more than over.  This doesn't mean that festive outfits that are sophisticated and "grown up" can't be put together.

The College Prepster family is heading to Longboat Key for the weekend... I'm preparing my suitcase and filling it to the brim with reds, whites, and blues!

What are you wearing?

xoxo

retiring

I have all these cute Lilly bathing suits from high school... and for probably obvious reasons, they do not fit at all anymore!

Which is terribly, terribly sad.  Especially considering we're going out of town this weekend for the fourth of July.  I have a few bsuits that still work for me thankfully, but it's sad to have to retire my favorites!

Although, this could mean new bathing suits are in order......

I have a bsuit from Tommy Bahama and I love the way it fits.  This polka dot style is pretty cute, right?

Where are your summer bathing suits from this year?

xoxo

You scream, I scream

This is the absolute worst ice cream ever to be invented.

And what I mean by this is it's the BEST ice cream ever to be invented.

Seriously, finger-lickin', eat-the-whole-carton, gain-ten-pounds good.

{via flickr}

Ice cream has really been bothering my stomach lately, but it's not stopping me from indulging in a few scoops.  It's like peanut butter ice cream with chocolate... and mini buckeyes.

Have you had plain buckeyes before?!?!  Soccer Mom's friend makes them for us every Christmas.  We stick them in the refrigerator and eat them by the handful... very dangerous!!!

Here's a great recipe from Smitten Kitchen on how to make the little divine treats.

YUM.

Are you a fan of the peanut butter buckeyes?

xoxo

Happy Birthday Soccer Mom!

It's Soccer Mom's birthday today!!!

We're going out to dinner as a family and I can't wait to celebrate with her :)

LOVE YOU!

Last week I shared some Flashback Father's Day pictures... I couldn't resist showing this one!  I wasn't kidding about my parents' Ray-Bans!

Last year in London!

xoxoxox

vineyard vines + College Prepster Contest!

I've teamed up with vineyard vines for a NEW contest!  Instead of a normal giveaway where the winner is chosen at random, this is going to be a contest using Polyvore and the winner receives the Lobster Beach Tote!

The Basics:

Create a Polyvore set using the Lobster Beach Tote.  Show us how you'd wear the tote if you won it!  I'm going to collect the links and upload screen shots to the College Prepster facebook page.  The screen shot of the set with the most likes will win the tote!

The Details:

You may enter ONE design.  Include the live link in a comment on this post.

I will collect entries NOW until Thursday June 30 at noon.  The screen shots will be added to the facebook page Thursday afternoon!  Once the photos are uploaded, you may begin to rally for likes.  The contest ends Friday July 8 at noon.

For the equivalent of TEN additional likes, follow @vineyardvines on twitter.

For the equivalent of TEN additional likes, "Like" vineyard vines on Facebook.

Please mention if you follow or like vineyard vines on twitter/facebook in the same comment with your Polyvore link!

HINTS:

The more vineyard vines products included in the set, the better.  So many things match the tote perfectly, so they're great for the set.
Be creative!

You may want to include your blog name in the set so your readers can recognize it and vote for you.

Following VV on Twitter and Liking them on Facebook gives you TWENTY extra likes.... these could be game changers for the winner!

Here's an example of a set I created:

I can't wait to see your entries.  If you have any questions, you can email me at carly [at] thecollegeprepster [dot] com.

Good Luck!

xoxo

Town Toiles

Yesterday, when I blogged about the Charleston Toile bow tie I remembered this really cute company that makes products with toiles specific to different cities.

Town Toiles offers toiles for Annapolis, Boston, Charleston, Chicago, Fisher's Island, Nantucket, New York City, San Francisco, and Tampa.  (As well as beach and nautical scenes.)

The toiles are really fun representations of fun places around each city.  The website is a little difficult to navigate, but check out all the different products offered.  I think these would make great hostess gifts when you go to visit friends over the summer, or going away presents for college students leaving their hometowns!

They even make University of Florida wallpaper!

I love the Tampa Toile!

xoxo

summer bow ties

Starboard Clothing Co SUMMER LINE 2011 is now available!

My favorite is the Charleston Toile bow tie!!!

xoxo

Sponsors

After much deliberation and thought and emails and pros/cons lists... I've decided to offer advertisement space on College Prep!

Email me if you're interested and I'll send you statistics and pricing.

carly at thecollegeprepster dot com

xoxo

alex & ani

I love Nordstrom.  A lot a lot a lot.  The only thing I dislike about the amazing department store is that I end up wanting more every time we go!

Recently, our local Nordstrom added a new counter on the second floor.  I have no idea what it's called, but it's sort of contemporary and sort of designer.  Whatever it is, I love it.

Sporty Sister and I discovered these really fun bangles by Alex and Ani.

Think about your current bangle collection.  Do you have a favorite one that never gets worn because it's too big?  I seriously have three or four that fall off my wrist every time I lower my hand!

These bangles are expandable!!!  Hello, genius.

They expand and "pop" open really wide and then you put the bracelet on and let the bangle take its shape perfect for YOUR wrist!  It's really fun to open and close it, but it's also really practical.

Love the pink.  These would totally complement your favorite stack!

Banana?  Ha, these are great.  Love the charms.

Who doesn't love a bracelet with your initial?

Something blue?

Wouldn't this be a great present?

So, what do you think?  Does anyone have one?

xoxo

What I Wore :: The Book

If you're on Tumblr, then you definitely follow What I Wore.  And if you don't, you should!!!

First of all, Jessica's outfits are so amazing.  I love seeing her daily posts pop up on my dashboard.  She wears clothes that are timeless and trendy and can pull off just about anything.

She was invited to NYFW and I loved reading all of her insights about the different shows she went to.

(Did I mention that her husband is her photographer?  Precious.)

Well, she just wrote a book and it's coming out in TWO WEEKS.  I for one, cannot wait!  But the best news is that she's giving away 10 signed copies.  You can read more about the contest here.

xoxo

Officially Summer :: Beat the Heat

Yes, I have been in summer mode for quite some time, but now it's REALLY summer... and the weather seems to be cooperating with the change of seasons.

The forecast for Tampa today.

Very fitting for the first day of summer...... What do I do when it's hot and humid?

For starters, I stay inside as much as possible.

I have given up the blow dryer and straightener too.  I can't get out of a hot shower and then stand under a blow dryer and then use a hot flat iron on my hair.  It is just about enough to make me faint!  Not to mention afternoon storms and the plain ol' humidity are perfect for curls.

Garnier Fructis Curl Shaping Spray Gel to the rescue.  It works.  Trust me.

Looking cute takes a bit of a backseat to staying cool.

  

 

This is basically my summer uniform.

J. Crew Chino Shorts + Old Navy V-neck T + Jack Rogers

When I do make it outside, sunscreen is more than important.  Just from walking around every day, I have tan lines on the tops of my feet from my Jack Rogers!

Remember my summer makeup video?  Moisturizers with SPF are key.

I love my Tinted Moisturizer by Bobbi Brown.

Laying out by the pool?  My checklist includes: Bug spray (I am a mosquito magnet), sunblock, sunglasses, hat, and WATER.

How are you planning on beating the heat this summer?

xoxo

trend: ikat

It's everywhere!!!  It's everywhere!!!

IKAT

Seriously, the print is ev-ery-where.

I love the pattern a lot and pretty much every color imaginable!  If you need a new accessory for your house, maybe consider one in ikat... new dress, think ikat!

ikat pillow

{etsy}

ikat towels

{anthropologie}

ikat dress

{nordstrom}

ikat chair

{urban outfitters}

ikat dinnerware

{target}

What do you think about ikat?

xoxo

Happy Father's Day

I've dug up some old pictures for this post.  Only went through a few photo albums, but found some gems of Little College Prepster and Soccer Dad.  Funny how he had a lot more hair then and I was the bald one.  Ha, just kidding :)

^^ This picture's on my desk!  I love love love it!

 

**nice shorts, dad**

 

Hmm... I was a rather large baby. Oh, and quite pale too.

Pre-Braces... loving my missing teeth (would you believe me if I said this was in middle school- late bloomer).  Loving his Ray-Bans!  In fact, I'm thinking I should dedicate an entire post to my parent's collection.

Neon's cool again!

 

Happy Father's Day

xoxox