Cat Lady Confessions...

...no, I am not a cat lady. I am 100% a dog person, let's just get that straight before we dive into this post.

However, recently I have been spending my evenings like a quintessential Cat Lady/Spinster. I love BBC Miniseries'. There, I said it. It is my total Netflix guilty pleasure. They're fabulous for the classic book lover like me. They take a book and, because it's over several episodes, actually tend to really embody the spirit of the novel.

My favorite BBC miniseries of all time actually doubles as one of my favorite cinematic events to watch. Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy might just be the greatest thing ever (see old post about my love for Darcy). Unfortunately it is not available on Netflix, but it is totally worth the investment if you ever get the chance.

Colin Firth as Darcy over everything

Don't worry, though, there are plenty of good options on Netflix just waiting for other classics nerds to have a relaxing night in, settling down for a couple of hours to watch one of these. Also, I have heard that a glass of wine and a homemade dinner is the best accompaniment for this ;)

North and South

Based on the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell

 

I am not kidding. I am absolutely in love with this one. I wish I had read the book before I watched it because I just don't see how it could even compare...yeah, that's how good this was. There is definitely a certain Pride and Prejudice element here with their relationship, however the circumstances of the plot are quite different and the characters are amazing. The dynamic of this is far different than the gentry that are so often covered in Austen novels, adding a really refreshing labor element.

The Forsyte Saga

Based on the novels by John Galsworthy

Ohhhh, this series. This is a fabulous miniseries that will actually take a few weeks to watch. The character development is absolutely spectacular and you end up gaining a really personal attachment to some of them. All the women in my family have our various preferences for favorites because it really is that well developed! Watch this...just do it. It's shorter than a real TV series, but you can't watch it all in one sitting.

The Buccaneers

Based on the novel by Edith Wharton

A great story about four American women coming out in London society. Well worth the watch and seeing where the different women end up and how their values have shaped them and their lives.

Pride and Prejudice

Based on the novel by Jane Austen

I know, I know, I told you to watch Colin Firth. But if you just want one for now, this one is pretty good. I thought the actor was a bit stern, but overall very nicely played Darcy...a role I find has been historically hard to cast. Also, the actor who portrays Mr. Collins is absolutely great in this movie...just the sort of repulsive, yet harmless character I always imagined.

What is your Netflix guilty pleasure?

xoxo,

SSP

Fall Getaways

I am almost Blacksburg-bound people! I am so excited to spend a couple of days with amazing friends and my brothers and of course Hokie Football. Weekend getaways are the best, but I always struggle to pack for them. What if the weather changes? What if we go (insert activity here) and I don't have (crucial item)? There are endless struggles with packing and I certainly get my overpacking gene from my Momma. I'm not kidding the woman brought a full suitcase for Parents Formal last weekend.

My trip this weekend is less than 48 hours, but the list I am giving would be perfect for a Friday afternoon-Sunday evening trip. Also, I tried to include as many suggestions as I could from J. Crew Factory because again, it is 50% off today...yeah, crazy amazing. You would be hard pressed to find this quality at this price elsewhere. Enjoy!

The Packing List:
Good Overnight Bag: I absolutely love the Carry-On bag Lesportsac gave me. If anyone is looking for the perfect weekender, this is it! (Lesportsac)

Sweater: it might get chilly (especially in Blacksburg) (JCF sweater)

Button-Ups: regular and Chambray...they go with everything (JCF Camp Shirt)

Riding boots/Duck boots: Change this up based on the weather and what you're doing, but I can say that I have never regretted bringing my Duck Boots anywhere

Ponte Pants: I may never wear real pants again (JCF Gigi Pant)

Jeans or Cords: Real pants are always a good idea too

Skirt: It's the perfect item to dress up or down. Bring one in a neutral color and mix and match it with other items you bring for the perfect outfit for any activity (JCF accordion pleat mini)

Field Jacket: I am loving my new J. Crew coat, it is perfect for this weather and so cute. (JCF Field Jacket)

Vest: Puffer vests are one of my favorite things about fall that I left off of my list. I wear mine all the time, also, Eddie Bauer has them on sale sometimes for amazing prices so keep an eye out! (Eddie Bauer Vest)

Necklace and/or Scarf: Bring a fun piece of jewelry with you. Just one that can add a little flare to your outfits, shockingly enough my tortoise flower necklace is my neutral travel go-to ;) (JCF necklace)

Flats: This should go without saying. A neutral flat will get you far in life. (Steve Madden)

Comfy Stuff: Relax, wear something comfortable, I know you'll want to on the drive back!

Toiletries: self-explanatory...I hope
Game Day Attire: I will be rocking some serious Orange and Maroon tomorrow

What are your weekend getaway essentials this fall?

xoxo,
SSP

Just Another Priceless Work of Art in His Gallery

Please tell me some of you got that reference? Hypothetical High Five for throwback music. I mean what's better than a little Mario Vasquez singing about how amazing you are? Turning 21 at an Aaron Carter concert? Oh yeah, that'll do it ;P Spoiler: That's what I'll be doing in a couple of weeks, anyways....

I love gallery walls. I kept seeing them on Pinterest and knew that I had to do one once I got my own apartment. Of course, once I got here I had a dozen things to do and decorating just couldn't be a priority (aside from my desk). There were some minor setbacks, like realizing I didn't bring a screwdriver to school, but as of this morning I can say that my gallery wall is officially complete.

Living on a tight budget in college made decorating a gallery wall a challenge. I would fall head over heels in love with a print and then realize it just wasn't where I wanted to spend $25 (J. Crew Factory being 50% off today is more my cup of tea) and it was getting discouraging. Then I decided to search for free printables on Pinterest and now I can proudly say that the only things I purchased for the wall were frames, a clock, and the wooden symbols. I decorated my wall just how I wanted to, but for a fraction of the cost. Of course, finding prints was the easy part, planning the wall is a whole different story:

How to Decorate a Gallery Wall 101

1) Pick a vision.

I realize this seems like a big step, but do you want crisp white lines? Do you want an antique vibe? You need to know what your end goal is (to an extent) before starting. I actually changed mine a bit, but it was definitely helpful to have a starting point.

2) Get frames.

I highly recommend BigLots. I got 3 of my big frames there for $7 a piece. Since I have so many big, white walls, I wanted frames that weren't totally flat. I like the dimension a simple border can provide. Also, color doesn't matter because you can always paint them. I still might paint some of mine.

3) Make a layout.

This is really important to do before you go on a crazy journey picking out prints. You want to have an idea of what size, color, and images to put where. I knew that I didn't want all text on one side of my wall and images on the other, etc. Plus this is a great time to incorporate any other accents you want to put on the wall. I got the cheap wood symbols from Michael's and just glitter painted them (see here). 

4) Pick out the prints.

This will take a while and it should. I basically did this in all the free time I had on a Thursday a few weeks ago. If you are saving by finding free printables, definitely block out more time. It will take longer to find the free ones, but on the plus side you get to instantly print them instead of waiting.

5) Scramble.

My idea for my wall kind of evolved through the print selection process and the placement of prints changed as I added more. Find a balance that works for you, after all, you're the one who has to live with it.

6) Hang them up.

Ideally do this with a hammer and nails, but as I have proven, thumbtacks get the job done too.

7) Enjoy.

There is such a sense of pride in seeing something you took the time to decorate (hello, mantle) and this is one of those things.

Do any of y'all have a gallery wall?

xoxo,

SSP

The Little Things

Fall has finally come to Charlottesville.

(photo credit)

I got to break out a wool skirt and riding boots today and it is making my Wednesday a heck of a lot better. (For those of you who don't already know, my Wednesdays are basically non-stop from 9am-10pm so little things become really awesome). My excitement over this skirt got me thinking about what truly makes me happy. I think I skip over how amazing so many aspects of my life are on a day to day basis. I didn't really appreciate my free time yesterday, or the fact that reading a card from my Momma made me laugh. Sometimes it takes a lot of stress and exhaustion (aka Wednesday) to make you really appreciate the little things. Now, I am not going to pretend that I suddenly will appreciate everything thrown my way, but I am going to try to tune in more to the little things that make me happy, even on a good day.

http://instagram.com/p/fP8d6dSATT/

Today it is that I got a Pumpkin Spice Latte (not iced!), wore a wool skirt, and I get to have coffee with a friend. Friday it will be the fact that I will be Blacksburg bound to visit so many people I love and care about and the time I have to myself in the car on my way to down...but seriously, I am a pretty amazing car singer if I do say so myself ;)

In the grand scheme of things, these things aren't important, but at the time, they'll put a smile on my face and I certainly can't complain about that. 

Oh! So as I was writing this I forgot to include the most important part about this wool skirt. Happy Woman Crush Wednesday because Jess from New Girl is awesome and Zooey Deschanel wore this skirt to a New Girl premiere. Hypothetical High Five! (yes, I know I am mixing my TV shows here...whatever)

admittedly hers was probably from when this was an expensive skirt in J. Crew Collection not factory, but whatever

Well time for me to get back to my Wednesday and classes, hope you are enjoying the little things in your day!

xoxo,
SSP

PFormal and more!

Well this weekend was so much fun, but so busy. Seriously, this coffee is the only thing keeping me functioning right now. Since it was such a crazy weekend, I thought a picture post would be better than me telling you all about it. Enjoy!

Friday Night

Chi Omega Parents Formal at Farmington Country Club

 

L: Momma, Dad and I; R: best friends make the best dates. K-Soms & I

L: littles!; R: my best friend, my momma

 

Saturday

I had to work a 5k...

and then Momma and I drove up to watch Kyle and Nate play in a club lacrosse tourney. It was so hot and I am pretty sure I melted. (I also got a sweet sock tan line...see above picture) Oh, and then I decided to go out with my friends when I got back to C-ville, hence the total exhaustion right now.

Sunday (today)

We had a mixer with Sigma Pi at King Family Vineyard to watch a polo match. I was so tired after the weekend, but I am glad my friend convinced me to come because it was an awesome end to the weekend.

stomping the divots...a polo tradition

And now I am sitting in the library attempting to get work done but procrastinating quite a bit...oh well, totally worth it for such an amazing weekend!

xoxo,

SSP

Loafing Around

One of the advantages of having a preppy, classic sense of style is that staples in your wardrobe become popular every couple of years and you almost look trendy...kinda. I have had that Ralph Lauren classic streak in me since before I could say prep thanks to my momma. I love dressing with classic style because it makes me feel better about investing in quality pieces that I can a lot of wear out of. This year I am so excited to see the smoking slipper and loafer inspired flat making a big splash in the shoe world. These are the perfect shoe for college because they're sturdier than a regular flat and work so well with both jeans and skirts. Seriously, these last way longer on the uneven brick sidewalks of UVA than any pair of regular flats ever will.

Since they have gained such widespread popularity, you can get them at almost any price point and pattern now. So, while I still pine after Stubbs and Wootton slippers that I will actually never be able to afford, more affordable options are out there that are friendly to a college girl's budget.

Adrienne Vittadini Chiquita Flat (DSW)

Franco Sarto Gerry Loafer (DSW)

Kelly and Katie Dandy Leopard Flat (DSW)

Steve Madden Tweed Flat (DSW)

Stubbs and Wootton (one day...)

Do you have any favorite fall flats?

xoxo,

SSP

Hey October!

Happy October 3rd to all my fellow Mean Girls fans out there!

October is hands down my favorite month of the year, and no, it's not just because my birthday is this month (though it doesn't hurt either). To me, October perfectly represents fall. The weather starts getting cooler, leaves change, apple picking is at its prime, and every Sunday I can park myself in front of a TV for a day dedicated to Football. 

The list goes on and on, but I thought I'd share a few of my favorites with y'all. Get excited for fall, y'all! Don't forget to check out my fall decorating post...seriously, y'all, it really is my favorite season.

Fall Candles

I have heard great things about Bath and Body Works fall candles and they're affordable! I am definitely going to have to stop by and get a couple this weekend. Unfortunately, my lease doesn't allow for us to burn candles in the apartment, but I got a candle/wax melter over the weekend and I already love it! Perfect for any of y'all who want the smell of fall but live in an apartment or dorm like mine! Personally, I love pumpkin scents and am currently melting "Autumn Pumpkin" by Yankee for Kohl's.

All the Sports!

I absolutely can't leave this off the list or stress how much I love this. I love that football has kicked into gear, hockey has started, and the MLB playoffs are going on (even if it's without my beloved Yankees). Fall really is a great time of year for my sports obsession!

Apple Picking

last year at Carter's Mountain with my brothers

I keep meaning to just write a post about this. It's such a great fall day activity, seriously we went as a sorority a couple of weeks ago for just an evening trip and it was so much fun!

Sweaters

Enough said. Now if the weather could just cool down so I could kick off sweater season that would be so clutch. I love how you can just wear a sweater and jeans in the fall. It is the perfect transition between the dog days of summer and bundling up in my winter coat come January.

Pumpkin (and) Pies

Okay, I will basically eat anything pumpkin you put in front of me. I have no self control around a plate of pumpkin flavored baked goods whatsoever. Yesterday at the grocery store I saw Pillsbury pumpkin cookies with cream cheese chips and I haven't been able to stop thinking about them. Also, Trader Joe's has a great display of pre-made, frozen, and mixes for pumpkin/fall flavored goodies. All these sweets bring me to my next favorite...

Do pies just scream fall/winter to anyone else? I mean, I love pie at all times of the year, but something about pie in the fall just works. I haven't made a pie this year, but as the weather starts to get cooler, I think I might have to break out my pie plate (a necessity in any college kitchen, no?)

Dark Nail Polish

I love fall and winter nail polish colors. By October I am so tired of neon nails and ready to break out some other colors. And yes, I have seasonal nail polishes, have you seen my collection? Anyways, I am really excited for fall nails. I ordered one of the new Essie polishes, "Twin Sweater Set" on Amazon and while it is way closer to "Head Mistress" than I realized, I love it. Currently I am wearing "Midnight Cami" and I am pining after "A Vested Interest" and "After School Boy Blazer" (much flatter than Midnight Cami) from Essie's new collection.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Have I mentioned that I like pumpkin? Well, I love the Pumpkin Spice Latte, but I hate that price tag. I reach a happy medium in this by buying a container of Pumpkin Spice Creamer and putting that in my coffee some mornings. Normally I am all about black coffee, but this is a great fall drink!

What are your favorite signs of fall?

xoxo,

SSP