Lookin' Fine, Valentine

First of all, I am sorry the title is punny and rhymes...I couldn't resist. Do you have a hot date for Valentine's Day? Good for you. Are you single for the big day? Well then, plan an evening of wine and chocolate fondue and a rom-com, at least that's what my friends and I are doing. Oh, and there's a party for a friend turning 21 at midnight...so honestly, I could care less that I'm single for this Hallmark Holiday (that I have mixed feelings about anyways). Regardless of what your relationship status is, here are some outfit ideas to encompass whatever your holiday plans are, from a night on the couch to a fabulous meal at that restaurant downtown everyone wants to go to.

Casual Night In

Take the night off to enjoy yourself. Grab a blanket, chick flick, and some snacks and enjoy your night! You can even make a girls night out of this. Seriously, I'm talking face masks and Spice Girls sing alongs like you're in the sixth grade again.

Casual Date or Casual with Friends

Here is a more low-key outfit that encompasses any plans you might have for the day/night. There are some touches of red, but nothing overwhelming. Also, totally picked this sweater because of the "lobster" and my FRIENDS obsession. Sorry not sorry. Don't know what I'm talking about? Check it out.

Date Night

Oh la la, is your boy taking you out? Well then, break out the dress and pumps. I love this red dress and you can never go wrong with a statement pearl necklace. Have fun on your hot date. Oh, and if you think he's proposing, don't eat that cake too fast ;) #DontSwallowYourRing

Night Out On the Town

Do you have other plans for the evening? Well then, you are free to wear whatever you want. Here is an outfit that incorporates a touch of red to acknowledge the holiday, but nobody wants to be single around another single person obsessing over the day. Keep it understated and have a great time! I realize this might be more conservative than what most of y'all will wear out, but this is me who is making the set and totally reflects what I'm planning on wearing that night. Put on a sparkly shirt and some heels to dress this look up, but please stay warm...there is nothing hot about being a shivering mess waiting in line to get into the bar.

What are you planning to wear for Valentine's Day?

xoxo,

SSP

Sweet and Simple Flats

Who doesn't love Target? I mean, I could (and sometimes do) spend hours perusing the place. Over the weekend, I was in the store and they had just put out a lot of their early spring line and I scored some great flats for walking around grounds.

One of the best things about my school can also be a total pain in the butt. I go to a historic university, where the Lawn we walk on every day is a world heritage site. It is beautiful and elegant and sometimes I can't believe how lucky I am to attend UVA. So how can that be a pain? Oh, well, it's the little things like having your basketball game moved from 7pm to 9pm because President Obama is bringing the French President to visit Monticello and the visit will mess up traffic patterns. Personally, my biggest woe is that the brick sidewalks do a number on my shoes. Honestly, just walking as much as I do can mess with my shoes, but the sidewalks don't help, and they don't discriminate between a $40 and $20 pair of flats. 

Luckily, I found the Madeline flat at Target and I am so excited to share my find with y'all. They're so cute and simple, perfect for any outfit needs at school. And the best part? They come in navy!

I have been searching for a pair of navy flats for a while...
sorry for the excitement

They're super cute and comparable to the J. Crew Classic Leather Ballet Flat, but for a fraction of the price. I have them in navy and coral and can't wait to use them as we transition to spring...at some point. Also, I know I can't be the only one who is getting increasingly tired of pulling out the same beaten up pair of riding boots day after day.

how cute is the gold?

What is your go-to school shoe?

xoxo,
SSP

P.S.I originally titled this post "Simple and Sweet" instead of "Sweet and Simple," if y'all were wondering why I need coffee to function, that is a prime example right there. Happy Monday...

#SochiProblems

Y'all, the olympics are here! Big surprise, this girl is super excited. However, I think this might be the first year that I am not totally bummed that I'm here in Charlottesville and not in the Olympic host city. Call me crazy, but I prefer my doors to have handles, flush toilet paper when I use the bathroom, and to have water that actually looks like water. Don't know what I'm talking about? Well, today's post will answer your question, and feature some links to other articles so that you are all ready to watch the games when the Olympic Opening Ceremonies finally broadcast at 7pm...8 hours after they actually happen...

1) @SochiProblems

This. Is. Absolutely. Crazy. I mean, seriously, how is this possible. I would understand a last minute construction project or two, maybe, but these problems are absurd. You have to read/see it to believe it. Personally, I think it's hilarious, but I get to go to bed in one that isn't too small for me and in a room with lights.

2) Shaun White Backs Out of Slopestyle

I chose this pic, because most of y'all will be confused
when he appears clean-shaven this week

He says it's because the course doesn't seem safe. Well, Torah Bright of Australia is competing in all three snowboarding events and she's still competing. Could he be backing out because he is not the favorite? That seems to be what most people involved in the snowboard community think, and based on some of the stuff they said in Vancouver, I wouldn't be too surprised...

3) Bob Costas in Glasses

rock those spectacles, Bob

Oh hey, Sochi Problems, long time no see. Yeah, our boy Bob has pink eye...maybe that's what's in the water 

4) Olympic Hockey

YEAH CARLY

That Canadian roster is scary good, y'all. Quite frankly, hockey is a hard event to predict because the whole thing can be thrown off early by a rogue game. We're talking March Madness type upsets...however, it does make for some exciting games. Also, injuries have plagued some of these rosters so it is worth taking a second look to see if your favorites are still playing or if they were added. I'm gonna be cheering the US boys (obviously), especially my Washington Capital, John Carlson. Of course, I'll pull for the other caps in their respective games as well. Oh, and owners, I realize it isn't ideal, but we want to see the best of the best out there on that ice come Olympic season every four years.

5) Security Threats

they look legit...

Well, apparently there have been quite a few serious security threats. Something to keep in mind here is that many big events have threats. Honestly, I think it just kind of plays into the general lack of organization people seem to be experiencing. 

Despite this list, I am still pretty stinking jealous that I'm not in Sochi. I don't care what the conditions are like, I WANNA BE THERE. Are you excited for the best two weeks of every two years?!?!

xoxo,

SSP

layered.

This weather just cannot make up it's mind. And you know what? I am tired of wearing my Eddie Bauer down coat everywhere. Today is nice enough to get away with layering, though. If you scroll through my Instagram outfits, you'll probably see that I am a big fan of the shirt/sweater combo.

{original}

It's just really comfy and cozy, which can be nice in a drafty room or a giant lecture hall that pumps in AC no matter what the outside temperature is. You can honestly layer an outfit in so many different ways and it can completely change the mood of the outfit. Today I am wearing my "Heart and Soul" Old Navy sweatshirt, but some simple outfit changes makes it look much more chic than it really is. 

layered by sugarsnappearls

Here are a couple of tricks for comfortable layering:

1) Make sure that each layer can be seen. It might not seem important, but just a small sleeve cuff to show off the button up under your sweater can change how it looks. It also shows off that you're layering, not gaining weight.

2) Pick thin layers. I don't generally wear a heavy button up under a sweater, just in case it is warm wherever I'm going. I also like to wear sleeveless blouses under heavy wool sweaters sometimes because it can get pretty toasty.

3) Check the fit of each layer. If you wear a loose layer on the bottom and a fitted layer above it, you will be uncomfortable. It's not that you can't wear a loose bottom layer, but make sure that the upper layer(s) are loose as well so you don't get awkward bunching or an uncomfortable fit.

How do you layer your outfits?

xoxo,

SSP

Happiness is a Polka Dot Wall

I love polka dots. The fact that I have yet to dedicate a post to them is baffling to me. Polka dots just make me happier than a pig in poop kid in a candy shop (that's more lady-like). Stripes too, but for now, let's just stick with polka dots...specifically, polka dot walls. I mentioned that I was inspired to do a polka dot wall by Lauren Conrad a couple of weeks ago and I finally did it last week.

{original on instagram}

Decorating a rented apartment can be tricky because you don't have the flexibility to paint the walls, no matter how massive and white and blah they may look. I already did a gallery wall above my couch, and I was stuck with this big blank wall across from it and nothing to fill it. 

Well, thank you Lauren Conrad because now that wall is anything but bland.

I ordered my dots on Etsy from Polka Dot Wall Stickers. The price was great ($20 including shipping for 2 sets) and they came in no time at all. I highly recommend this shop if anyone else is inspired to polka dot their walls after reading this. Are you inspired? Well, here are the easy steps to putting up the dots:

1) pick your polka dot size

so many polka dots in one picture...

I went with the 4" polka dots. I didn't want them to be too big and I didn't want to have to space out a bagillion tiny ones either, so I found this to be the perfect size. Measure and cut out a template circle to figure out what size dots you would like.

2) decide on a pattern

Do you want them to be laid out in a grid? or random? This is something to decide on ahead of time and it will honestly probably affect number 3 quite a bit. If you are a mega perfectionist, the organized chaos pattern might be your friend unless you want to spend hours with a ruler.

3) pick a number and order them!

Honestly, I Pinterest searched for polka dot walls to figure out how spaced out they should be. Cut out a template or two and stick them up on the wall to see how much space they take up to guess-timate this number. Also, pick a color. The shop I used had a bunch of colors, but I knew I was going for gold from the beginning (accidental Olympics pun?).

4) start to "lay them out"

When the dots come in and you start to apply them, make sure you are only lightly sticking them to your wall. Get an idea for the spacing of them before you stick them down totally. They're vinyl stickers so they will stick without being fully pressed down. This took me probably about an hour or so to do...but I am a perfectionist so I had to move them several times before I was happy with them.

5) press them down and enjoy

Yay! You have a polka dot wall. Get ready for a daily dose of happiness every time you see it! And, as you can see in the pics above, I still have a couple of things on my wall. You can still lightly decorate, but don't over-do it!

How did you decorate your apartment?

xoxo,

SSP

World Cancer Day

"I run for hope, I run to feel, I run for truth and all that is real"

-Breast Cancer Survivor, Melissa Etheridge (I Run For Life)

Today is World Cancer Day. Today is a day where we remember those who have lost their battle, support those who are fighting, and honor those who have beat cancer. Today is a day of purple, of life, of living, and of hope. One day we will be able to say that there is a cure for cancer. We will be able to say that we celebrate more birthdays. Guess What? We will be able to say that we helped make that dream a reality. I may not be a doctor or a scientist in a lab working towards this goal, but I can raise money so that they can do so.

Every year since the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life came to my hometown, I have participated in Relay for Life. Here at UVA, it has become an integral part of my everyday life. Not a day goes by that I don't have a conversation about Relay, or a brainstorming session on the side of my notes page. I believe so wholeheartedly in this cause that nothing can stand in my way of doing it. This year, I have the honor of being one of the Recruitment Chairs for our school's event. I am so lucky to be a part of the Exec family I have found in this program. 

Grandmama and I

Every year, I relay for my Grandmama, my Grandfather, Linda, Lauren, Sandy and Olivia. This year, I have added another to my list. While selling tickets for a Relay benefit A Capella concert this fall, I got a phone call from my dear friend and sister in Chi Omega, Laura, telling me that her mom was going to be with God after a long battle with cancer. There has never been a time where I have been more keenly aware of why I relay. I am so honored to stand by Laura and everyone else as we raise money for the American Cancer Society and cancer research and patient care. 

Well, now you know my story, but how does this affect you.

Laura and I are Down to Fight. Are you?

First, Purple Your Profile. Chevrolet will donate $1 to the American Cancer Society for every person who participates in this campaign. It is such an amazing way to raise money and awareness for the organization.

Secondly, find your event and get involved. We can fight cancer together. Make a team, join a team, volunteer at an event, do whatever it is that you feel comfortable with. Together, we can find the cure.

And finally, donate. Donate whatever money you can. Buying a piece of pizza at a late-night bakesale on Beta Bridge even sees that money going right back to Relay for Life. If you're looking for someone to donate to, I would be honored if you would donate to my personal fundraising goal.

We can do it. We will beat this, together. Let's work towards a world where World Cancer Day is a celebration for finding a cure.

xoxo,

SSP

Superbowl Crash Course

The Superbowl starts in 30 minutes...and I totally forgot to put this post up (sorry!). But, if you are at a party or about to go watch the game, have fun. Still don't really know what's going on? Here is a super quick guide to all you need to know about the Superbowl.

Who: Denver Broncos v. Seattle Seahawks (pick who to cheer for here if you haven't already)

Where: MetLife Stadium...it's in New Jersey and it's outdoors, this is a big change from previous years

When: You should turn on your TV now...

Players To Know:

Denver Broncos

Peyton Manning...you should probably know who he is already

Wes Welker: former Patriot, now a Bronco

Seattle Seahawks

Russell Wilson, Quarterback

the guy who isn't Tom Brady. He has a big personality but
he's great

Halftime Show: Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers (it's no Beyonce, but whatever)

Drinking Game: Venus Trapped In Mars has a great one for those of you who aren't recovering from Boys Bid Night

Eat some wings (or Qdoba), drink some beer, have a great night!

xoxo,

SSP