Why Buy This: Re-Lilly Feature

Okay, I am so sorry for not posting this on Wednesday. I have had the most hectic week...seriously, I didn't realize how bad the week would be until Monday night and am currently running on coffee and fumes. And then, when I finally did have time to post it, of course Polyvore was down so I couldn't put up pretty dresses and that's no fun!
This week's WBT Wednesday isn't about a particular item of clothing, but rather a mecca of Lilly Pulitzer. If you are not already familiar with the Re-Lilly group on Facebook, let me introduce you.
I love Lilly, I love the prints, the colors, and even the basic pieces they sell. The only problem is that a college girl like me cannot always ever afford to drop that much on a sundress. Enter Re-Lilly. This place has all things Lilly, from cups to shoes to dresses. People sell both new and gently used items, all are in great condition and it is organized so well! Not a fan of Lilly or just want to look at other designer brands? Well, they have a group for that too (The Pink Closet)
Why am I bringing up this site now? Well, I know that Carolina Cup is over and Keenland is about to start and for my fellow Virginia (primarily, UVA) ladies, Foxfields is right around the corner. I definitely didn't budget my money well enough to head over to my local Lilly store and pick something up, but I don't need to with a site like this! I have been scouring the site for a couple of weeks now looking for a few dresses that I really want for Foxfields (I already have my monogrammed hat, don't worry) and I am just going to keep looking. 
Here are some Lilly Pulitzer things I am loving right now...and always:

 Lilly Lovin' by sugarsnappearls featuring lilly pulitzer

Lilly Pulitzer sleeveless dress / Lilly Pulitzer silk top / Lilly Pulitzer cotton blazer / Lilly Pulitzer striped shorts / Lilly Pulitzer ankle tie sandals / Lilly Pulitzer / Lilly Pulitzer bracelets bangle / Lilly Pulitzer / Lilly Pulitzer wide belt / Lilly Pulitzer / Lilly Pulitzer Coffee Mug - Travel Mug | Lifeguard Press / Lilly Pulitzer 2013 Agenda

Seriously, go check it out! What are some Lilly items on your wish list? What are your favorite Lilly items and dresses? Any ideas for me for Foxfields?

xoxo,
SSP

Easy, Peasy Printable Monograms and Giveaway Winner

First of all, congrats to Betsy B. for winning the My Capital Letters Monogrammed Keychain Giveaway! I hope you love yours as much as I love mine! If you didn't win, you should definitely buy one for yourself anyways (happy belated easter present to yourself? totally necessary)! Again, I could rave about mine till the cows come home, I love it and all of their products that much. 

So last week was all about winning a free keychain, and this week we are keeping with the free theme. Plus, if you get this free monogram, you can totally splurge on a keychain and we can be twins ;) If you do get one, send me a pic!
A while ago I came across For Chic Sake and I saw that they had free printable monograms but I never did anything with it. Well, today I decided to try one and let me tell you, they are amazing. Seriously, it is so simple to do if you follow the directions and they look adorable. They are prefect for binders or folders or even picture frames like they have on the website! 

look how cute!!! (nail polish is Turquoise and Caicos)

They also have calendars for each month (here's the April Calendar) which are so cute! Seriously, go check these out, and the rest of the site. I used a couple of their Christmas backgrounds this year, love it. 

Happy Monday and Happy April!

xoxo,
SSP

SATC Sunday: Formal Date

Do any of you have a completely unremarkable friend or maybe a houseplant I could go to dinner with on Saturday night?

-Miranda

Okay, so I haven't started watching my box set of Sex and the City yet (I've been too busy to finish The West Wing!), so this is another google'd quote. I came across this one and started cracking up because it reminded me of a tweet that I sent out last week and apparently my friends think I am funny...or that I have actually gone crazy.  Let it be noted though, that I am WAY more of a Charlotte than a Miranda...like Charlotte and I could probably be twins. 

Regardless, this reminded me of that tweet so I thought I'd share it with y'all! Just to clarify, I am not actually taking my fish to formal (really hope y'all realized that though). Maybe I'll stay in, blog and finish The West Wing, maybe I'll go home for the weekend. Totally lame, but definitely no plant or fish dates. 

Oh, and this is my fish, Chubbs. He's pretty cool, I mean, for a fish.

Happy Easter and I hope y'all have a wonderful week!!!

xoxo,
SSP

P.S. the Monogrammed Keychain Giveaway ends TONIGHT! so enter if you haven't!

Run, Forrest, Run

If I had a nickel for every time I started this post and then deleted it....
Last weekend I got a comment from Rebecca on my Instagram asking if I would do a post about my training for the 17.75k I ran. I was so flattered, but a bit nervous. I am not an expert runner and running this race completely broke the mold for my normal habits. I have debated what the best way to write this post is and I have come to the conclusion that one post just isn't enough. There's my story, there's motivation, and there's the training itself. Sure, I could write it all in one post, but y'all don't want to read that and quite frankly, I wouldn't either.
With that being said, I am going to start with my story because, trust me, I can relate to all of you beginner runners.

Whoop, Whoop! Access Granted! Marine Corps Marathon or Bust! (rough, no-makeup post-race pic)

How did I start my journey to that picture?
I was tired of being out of shape. Simple as that, I was just tired of seeing people running and reading articles about health knowing I was in bad shape. It wasn't that I was gaining weight or obese, but I certainly wasn't toned and yeah, my body could be better and I know that metabolisms only slow with age. So, at Thanksgiving Break I told my momma that I was going to run the Marine Corps Marathon in October 2013. That was that, I set a goal and this time, it stuck. I guess it just finally clicked that I was in charge of my life and only I could make this happen.
How did I train?
Slowly. I mean, I started off in January being tired as anything after running 2.5 miles (not good). It was really disheartening but I knew I had to run the Marine Corps 17.75k in March so I just kept going. I was absolutely worried it wasn't going to work, but I coudn't just give up.
Honestly, that race motivated me more than anything else. I had to train, I had to run, otherwise I was going to embarrass myself in front of my family and friends.
I was not great about my training and the farthest I had run prior to race day was 7.5 miles, but 7.5 is way farther than 2.5 so that was good enough for me. Also, motivating myself to run was hard, but knowing how much I loved the feeling after my run actually helped. Running allows you to clear your mind and you release endorphins when you run making you happy, and that post-run feeling is a high like no other.
Disclaimer: I have to say buying good running shoes and learning the wonders of eating a banana before a run certainly aided in this training process.
Did I ever want to quit?
Yep. I really wanted to quit, but pride got in the way and I kept running. Running sucks, but crossing the finish line is pure bliss. Plus, my family makes fun of me for being the least athletic. Maybe I am, but they really can't say anything to me after I finish an 11 mile race.
How was the race?
Cold. Holy crap, it was cold that morning. I was thinking signing up for a race at the end of March would mean great running weather, not a 32 degree start. I was also beyond nervous. I was basically convinced I was going to come in last place. Then the race course basically made the Rockies look flat. I mean come on, making mile 8 basically a giant hill was cruel and unusual punishment. I don't like running with other people normally, but being in that setting helped push me and I definitely wouldn't have made it up those hills without seeing Gramps running (jogging slower than most people walk...yeah, that steep) up it in front of me.

cold and scared because everyone around me looks like they know what they're doing! (yeah, I ran with my pearls in my ears)

  
Did I achieve my goals?
I completely blew them out of the water! The goal I was telling people was that I wanted to run at least the first 7.8 miles without stopping. My secret goal was to run the whole thing and finish in as close to 2 hours as possible. I crossed the line at 1:57:37 with only that slight 15 second hiccup and was so proud of myself. Every second of training was worth it for that blissful feeling when I crossed the finish line. 
Still Running?
Yep. Still training, that Marathon is only getting closer and that is one race I cannot risk being unprepared for. I am running the Nike Women's Half-Marathon at the end of April with some of my sorority sisters too. I also don't want to risk losing the progress I have made thus-far by slacking now. Admittedly, I only ran once this week (yesterday) because I stretched a tendon in my foot on Saturday (super common but surprisingly uncomfortable and a bit painful) so I let that heal for a few days first. I need to go get some inserts to support my arches better to avoid having that problem again. 

What are your plans for training? If you are a seasoned runner, do you have any tips for me? I would love some advice! And I will post 

xoxo,
SSP

Fashion Friday: Week of the Colored Nails

Happy Friday, loves! And for my fellow Catholics, Happy Fasting Friday...we're all in this together! Well, I am writing this post nice and early because I am Charlotte, NC bound for the weekend. All of my family is congregating there to bond and love on each other...well, kind of, the other excuse might be that my cousins just got 2 adorable Sheltie puppies and we want to see them!
Regardless, I hope y'all have a wonderful weekend and that this post allows you to escape the Friday grind for at least a little while.
Also, I am really not sure why I painted my nails so many colors this week. Maybe I normally do this but don't document it? I mean, I am basically a compulsive nail painter...gives my neutral outfits some color!

Monday

So it was thoroughly chilly and snowy on Monday. What is this spring weather? No, I am seriously ready for warm weather, right now. Well, I ended up using the snow as a reason to pull out my (faux) fur vest again because it's warm and it allowed me to wear leggings. Also, I announced my Monogram Monday Giveaway! If you haven't entered, there is still time! There is also a bonus Instagram entry!

vest: Momma (sorry, the brand is "Kensie" though) // shirt: Ann Taylor Loft //  leggings: Target // bracelets: boutique in Annapolis & Fornash (I have been taking the starfish on and off to stack them) //  boots: Hunter // keychain: My Capital Letters (don't buy it yet though, enter here!)
http://instagram.com/p/XSYxMTSAXY/

Tuesday

Tuesday was for busy work and errands. And my nails were bothering me so I painted my nails in the Library Stacks while studying...totally normal, right? 

shirt: Target // scarf: Target // jeans: Gap // boots: Etienne Aigner // bracelets and watch: Fornash (same thing as Monday); NY&Co. // nail polish: Essie "Madison Ave-hue"

Wednesday

I have super long Wednesdays so I really want to be comfortable, but I wasn't feeling pants so enter this Target skirt that might just be my favorite piece in my spring wardrobe. It's a chambray skirt...basically classing up that go-to denim skirt from my middle school years (the one I wore with all the RL polos and popped collars, don't act like you didn't do it too). I also got lunch with K-Soms who is basically one of my favorite people on the entire planet and understands me completely. Seriously, I spilled my pink lemonade everywhere and she acted as if it were totally normal...best friends for life right there. 

shirt: Ann Taylor Loft // skirt: Target // boots: Etienne Aigner // earrings and bracelets: Fornash (here and here) // nail polish: Essie "Cute as a Button"
http://instagram.com/p/XXhQtGyAfw/

Thursday

I have been dying to wear this anchor shirt and I didn't want to do red and chambray again but since the weather refuses to cooperate and warm up, shorts just weren't in the cards. Today I ran to Target and put together a care package for my poor, sick little (Love ya, Em!) and then class...I clearly live a really exciting life.

shirt: Old Navy // pants: H&M // shoes: Steve Madden // earrings: Fornash (LOVE these) // bracelets: Fornash (so I kind of like their jewelry...) 
http://instagram.com/p/XZwaG1yAca/

Friday

One class down and now just waiting for Momma and the boys are coming to get me and I will be Charlotte bound! Happy Friday! Also, today's color scheme conveniently matches my keychain giveaway ;) Actually, I swear that was totally accidental, I just really wanted to wear these shoes today! Today's nail color also has a special meaning to me. My Grandmama passed away on Good Friday my Freshman year of High School and we used to get our nails done every other week. Dutch Tulips was her favorite color and I think of her every time I wear it!

shirt: H&M // jeans: Gap // earrings: Fornash // arm party: Fornash, Kiel James Patrick, Target // shoes: Target // keychain: My Capital Letters (win one!) // nail polish: OPI "Dutch Tulips"

http://instagram.com/p/Xcqn6USAQu/

xoxo,

SSP

Why Buy This? Canvas Wedges!

Happy Hump Day, everyone! I hope your week is going well and I am so jealous of those of you currently on Spring Break right now. Virginia apparently has missed the Spring memo, but I am hoping we get some warm weather soon. I am really excited about this week's Why Buy This? Wednesday because I have the shoes I am featuring and I absolutely love them! 
Close-toed wedges are perfect for transitional spring weather, and even those summer days when you forget to get a pedicure. I got to break these bad boys out a couple of times over Spring Break in Florida (here and here) and I am dying for some weather to do it again. 
As for comapring them to the J. Crew ones, the picture says it all. Why buy a $130 shoe when the $30 alternative is just as cute. They don't have the color you want? Lies. I included all the colors they come in and guess what, they match up! You can get all four of the Target ones for less than one pair of the J. Crew ones. This is a no-brainer people. 
Anyways, these shoes really are amazing and I am dying to pick up another color, maybe the red, because they're so cute and affordable!

WBT: wedges by sugarsnappearls 

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week, and don't forget to sign up for my Monogram Monday Giveaway!!!!

Also, as Kathy pointed out, Target shoes are buy one, get one half off right now! So go buy these shoes!!! Also, go check out her fabulous blog, Mortar and Pastel!!

xoxo,

SSP

Monogram Monday GIVEAWAY

As I mentioned in my Fashion Friday post, I got a monogrammed keychain last week from My Capital Letters and I am absolutely in love with it. I had been looking for one for a while now, but couldn't find one that I really wanted, until now.
This keychain is exactly what I was looking for. It is the perfect size to be noticeable, but not overbearing. Plus, having this on my keys was super helpful this weekend when I was home and needed to grab my keys off of the rack among all of the other lanyards hanging up! This keychain is not only super cute, but it's really well made! The double layer gives the scripty "vine" font a bit of extra reinforcement that I was looking for.

Seriously, how cute is that?

http://instagram.com/p/XI0tM2SAfj/

I have already gotten so many compliments on it and I have only had it for a couple of days! Now that you know how much I love mine, don't you want one, too?
Well, Happy Monday, lovelies! You are going to get a chance to win one for yourself because My Capital Letters has generously offered to give a Monogrammed Layered Keychain in Vine Font (the one I have) to one of my readers!
The giveaway is set up through Rafflecopter and there are several opportunities (including one that you can do every day!) to increase your chances of winning! There is also an Instagram entry if you repost my photo with the hashtag #SSPGiveaway!!! The giveaway will run through 12am April 1st and I will announce the winner in next week's Monogram Monday post!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
My Capital Letters has more than just these keychains though! Check out their website for all sorts of Monogrammed goodies, like this Mom keychain...it could be a great Mother's Day present! Or the monogrammed mirror that would make a cute addition to a dorm room or apartment! I think that I am going to have to figure out how to incorporate this into my room next year!
When you do look, please use my college rep site www.sugarsnappearls.mycapitalletters.com!
If you are interested in becoming a College Rep for My Capital Letters, like me, there is a form you can fill out on here, too! Just say that you heard about it through this blog post!

Good Luck and Happy Monday!

xoxo,
SSP