Preppy Blog Club Mondays: Being Mrs. Cullins

Welcome back to Preppy Blog Club Mondays! As you can see, Kappa Prep and I changed it to Mondays for a little bit because of some scheduling issues. If we change it back to Fridays, we'll be sure to let you know!

This week, Ms. Hopsy has chosen an absolute FAB prep! Her name is Lindsey and she is just as cute as button! And I'm not biased because she lives in my hometown, promise! ;) This lady just embodies the preppy spirit and attitude.

Ladies, may I introduce Ms. Cullins...

1. How did you come up with your blog name?

My blog actually started as a way for friends and family to stay updated on our wedding planning progress, therefore I chose, "Our Baylor Wedding" for the title. (We were married on Baylor campus atthe Armstrong Browning Library). Once we were married the blog name had to change to reflect the new challenges and excitements of being a newlywed. I went to New York with Kent's family about two weeks afterthe wedding, and while sitting in Mary Poppins on Broadway listening to "Being Mrs. Banks," I thought: Perfect! And "Being Mrs. Cullins" was created.

2. What preppy item could you not live without aka the one thing you would take with you to a deserted preppy island?

The wooden duck sitting on our coffee table, gifted down two generations now. Maybe it could be my "Wilson" on my deserted island, though obviously his name would be "Drake."

3. Who is your preppy icon?

I would have to say Grace Kelly. She was always so poised, with theperfect proportion of modesty and style. She's someone that any generation could turn to for inspiration, and she looked absolutely fabulous in To Catch a Thief!

4. Where do you find your daily blog inspiration?

I write about things that I experience, see, or read about in my daily life. When I learn something new, whether it's cooking, cleaning, decorating, fashion, or spiritually related that I believe could be valuable or helpful to someone else, I post about it. My mother made being a mom and a wife look so easy, but there are tricks of the trade she learned along the way. These posts are essentially the notes from my journey. Some will be more personal in nature, while others will seek a more general audience.

5. What is your favorite preppy photo of yourself?

6. If you could have one celeb's wardrobe including shoes and bags,whose would you get?

Could I just have Betty Draper's stylist, please. I'm obsessed withthe clothes from Mad Men, so tasteful and preppy...If I had to pick a real person, I would say Angelina Jolie (Mr. & Mrs. Smith era and beyond) She had a deal with St. John, which should be reason enough, but those emerald earrings would be awesome for Baylor games!

7. What clubs, societies, or volunteer organizations are you involved in? Were you in a sorority in college?

Kappa Kappa Gamma! I just moved to Dallas with my husband. We've only been married a little over three months now, and I officially walked the stage in August, so I'm just now getting aquainted with everything. I registered with the Dallas alumni chapter yesterday, and I hope to get involved with the Dallas junior league. While in college, I was a Panhellenic chair for Kappa and a Supreme Court Justice for the Baylor Student Government.

8. What were your plans for the weekend?

Friday night Kent and I stayed at home and watched Lawrence of Arabia. I made us a loaf of Pecan Praline Apple Bread. If you don't have thel atest Southern Living check my blog; I'll post the recipe. Saturday was a Baylor football day in Waco! Sic 'Em Bears!!!

9. Describe your perfect preppy outfit. Don't forget to include accesories.

Preppy wardrobe Fall edition: nude leather quilted Burberry headband, pearl studs and necklace, silk ivory ruffle blouse from Ralph Lauren, brown wool plaid Brooks Brothers trousers possibly with a Carmel colored cardigan and Salvatore Ferragamo suede signiture flats. Or you can substitute the cardigan for a sweater tied around your neck. Add the LV bag the mister gave me for a wedding gift and the pearl Yurman bangle from our first Christmas and I'm ready to go!

10. What designer do you think embodies classic American prep and why?

Definitely Brooks Brothers. It fills all the requirements: tweed, argyle, herringbone, plaid, houndstooth, seersucker, blazers, shiftdresses, GTH pants, oxfords, polos, cuff links, scarfs, and etiquetbooks. It also has a rich preppy history; I learned this summer that Brooks Brothers invented the seersucker suit. It's a classic brand that sticks to it's traditional roots. It never flirts with the trendy like Ralph Lauren and J.Crew sometimes do, but remains a staple for the preppy and conservative at heart. Can you tell I'm a fan?

Preppy Blogger Club: Sweet Home Amy

It is Monday and time for the Preppy Blogger of the week award! I apologize for changing the day on you, however Friday was a day Kappa Prep and I felt needed to be solely dedicated to all the victims of September 11th and all our service men and women. We must never forget how lucky we are to be Americans!

This week we are excited to award Sweet Home Amy as Preppy Blogger of the week! Amy is such fun and always is sporting a beautiful grin (just check out her preppy photo below!). She is in the midst of traveling and moving her preppy self to a new city. Amy and I have become quite good blackberry messenger pals. :) She is always there with a kind word when I need it most. Love this chica! Good luck with your move, Amy- and bring some much needed preppy style to Los Angeles!!

1. How did you come up with your blog name?

I actually have a post dedicated to how I came up with my name. It derives from the song, “Sweet Home Alabama”, which is my home state. The name was suggested to me by a fellow blogger, and it just clicked. Since my divorce in 2008, I’ve been searching for a place to call home, a life to call my own. My blog is all about my journey, my personal search for who I am, truly and deeply.

2. What preppy item could you not live without... The one thing you would take with you to a deserted preppy island.

It would have to be J.Crew embroidered flip flops. I became obsessed with their flip flops back in college, and once I started working and could afford to buy more than one pair, I’ve only bought J.Crew ever since. I love the cute lobsters and whales and everything! And they are the most comfortable, just an added bonus!

3. Who is your preppy icon?

Honestly, it would have to be my best friend. She wears the best clothes, and it’s always so cute and adorable and preppy-to-a-tee! I used to always raid her closet when we lived together in college, and nowadays, when I go to visit her or we go on a trip together, I don’t bother to pack lots of clothes because I know she will pack extra for me to borrow!

4. Where do you find your daily blog inspiration?

From so many places. I find inspiration in my relationships, mostly. I find lots of inspiration through reading other blogs, and all their fantastic topics and ideas. There are so many great women out there blogging, it’s easy to find someone to connect with every day.

What is your favorite preppy photo of yourself?

6. If you could have one celeb's wardrobe, including shoes and bags, who's would you get?

I have to say Sienna Miller. I always envy her flawless style, it’s so relaxed and carefree. She has the best wardrobe, including the most awesome purses and sunglasses! Jennifer Aniston is my favorite celeb, but Sienna always captures me with her style.

7. What clubs, societies, or volunteer organizations do you belong to? Did you pledge a sorority in college?

Right now I am club-less. :( But that comes with constantly moving around I guess! In college I was so active, I was made activities chair for my sorority (Zeta Tau Alpha) because they knew I was already active on campus, and could easily encourage others to broaden their horizon and join more clubs. I love being involved in church groups, also; the work is so fulfilling. I have to say that pledging Zeta was the starting point of my love for all things preppy - wearing pink & turquoise all the time definitely pushed me in the right direction!

8. What are your plans for this weekend?

This weekend I will be on the road! I am moving to Los Angeles, and my boyfriend is moving to Alaska. We are traveling together for the first half, following each other to Colorado, then I will head out West while he heads North. I am truly excited to get to start this new adventure and see where it takes me!

9. Describe your perfect preppy outfit. Don't forget to include accessories!

Oh my. So many ideas! I would have to say an adorable skirt, in white. Then add a long sleeve top, cotton of course, and pearls! You have to have a pearl necklace & pearl earrings to be Southern preppy. I would wear flip flops, and carry the biggest purse possible! I love Kate Spade purses, and Coach.

10. What designer do you think embodies classic American prep and why?

First designer that comes to mind is Ralph Lauren. Everything is so sophisticated, clean, and crisp. I love the blues and reds and whites - perfect American style!

Preppy Blog Club Fridays!

Welcome to our first edition of Preppy Blogger Club! Hopsy and I decided the best way to find out more about who we see and talk to almost everyday is to just have them tell thier own stories. :) So, we brainstormed several questions for them to answer, and hopefully you'll get to know your fellow bloggers better. :)

After much discussion, Hopsy and I have decided to go with Ms. Marianne over at her blog, Preppy, 50, and Loving Lilly. If you have yet to meet Merianne, then you are missing out on some FAB preppy finds and great preppy shopping suggestions. Sometimes she even posts deals for preppy stores. In fact, I thought I saw one recentely from Boatman Geller. (Mental note to Southern Housewife: use this code for early Christmas cards!!) We just love everything about this preppy diva, and I'm sure you'll fall in love, too after reading just a bit more about her.

1. How did you come up with your blog name?

The inspiration for the name of my blog comes from my love of Lilly Pulitzer and my love for preppy fashion. When I decided to blog I decided to choose to blog about preppy fashion but I felt that I should incorporate my age into the title. I did not want to misrepresent myself in any way shape or form. I wanted my readers to know that I am older and that I was not a college student. I read a lot of the preppy blogs for awhile and it took me a few weeks to come up with a blog title that I was satisfied with.

2. What preppy item could you not live without... The one thing you would take with you to a deserted preppy island.

The one preppy item that I could not live without on a deserted island is my gold charm bracelet. I figure that if I was deserted and could not have anything that I was used to having that having my charm bracelet would bring back the memories of all of the good times and momentous occasions in my life.

3. Who is your preppy icon?

My favorite preppy icon is/was Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Like so many women my age I always thought that she was the epitome of style. I remember being in Serendipity in NYC in the 1980's with a friend of mine and she was in the next booth. I thought that I died and went to heaven.te pt that she was the epitome of style. I remember being in Serendipity in NYC in the 1980's with a friend of mine and she was in the next booth. I thought that I died and wen
4. Where do you find your daily blog inspiration?

I get the inspiration for my blog from my fellow bloggers. You have taught me so much about myself and have provided me with friendship, spirituality and fellowship. I am also inspired by current events, friends, co-workers and family. My late maternal Grandmother owned a clothing store (haute couture) and she inspired my love of fashion. I find that someone will tell me a story or relay and event to me and I find myself thinking that this would be perfect for my blog.


5. What is your favorite preppy photo of yourself?




6. If you could have one celeb's wardrobe, including shoes and bags, who's would you get?

Angelina Jolie is the celebrity whose clothes, bags and jewelry I would love to have. I may not agree with Angelina's political motives but I love her simplistic style. Her classic look, beautiful makeup, classic jewelry and Birkin Bags make her a woman after my own heart.

7. What clubs, societies, or volunteer organizations do you belong to? Did you pledge a sorority in college?

With regard to sororities I am a graduate of Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs New York. Skidmore has no sororities/and or fraternities. My brother was a member of Cottage Club at Princeton University and parents were each President of respective sorority/fraternity. I am sorry that I missed out on that experience. I am currently a member of a Philadelphia suburban country club and am involved in my local community serving on both the Adult School and the Library Board.

8. What are your plans for this weekend?

This coming Labor Day weekend will be action packed with a trip to the shore planned. I am hosting a small lobster dinner on Friday evening ( I get clambakes already prepared in their own individual nets from a local fisherman). On Saturday evening I will be attending a cocktail party on the beach and Sunday will be reserved for outlet shopping and last minute chores before I return home on Monday. Monday is our Labor Day Party on our street at home (My street has five houses so the party is small).

9. Describe your perfect preppy outfit. Don't forget to include accessories!

My perfect preppy outfit consists of a Lilly Pulitzer shift with Ferragamo flat shoes or Revas. I would wear a Ferragamo headband in my hair and would wear my stack rings on my right hand and my large signet ring on my left hand along with my gold bangles on my wrist and my Tiffany diamond fleur de lis necklace around my neck. I would choose a classic Louis Vuitton Speedy for my handbag.

10. What designer do you think embodies classic American prep and why?

My favorite clothing designer that exemplifies preppy style would be Lilly Pulitzer. Her style embodies the classic preppy look in this country. It looks good on women of all ages and lasts for years.

Preppy Blog Club Fridays!

It's here! It's here! Preppy Blog Club Fridays are here!

Hopsy and I have been scheming together for the past month for ideas on how we could make PBCFs a success, and we decided the best way to do this is to choose one preppy blogger to highlight for that week. We'd send several questions ahead of time to 'interview' them and they would send their answers back. We'd get a better view of the people we read about, as well as some fun tips and facts about the preppy lifestyle.

I cannot wait for this Friday! We will be choosing our first Preppy Blogger tonight and will have it all up this week. :)

Some extra info:

• Click here to read more about PBCF.
  
• To be considered for Preppy Blogger, you must have your preppy badge on your blog. This is the easiest way to identify those who wish to participate. If we don't see it, we'll assume you don't want to be asked.
  
• If you are asked to be featured, you will receive a special button highlighting that you were a featured preppy blogger. Please do not steal these from another's blog.