Saturday, June 30, 2012

The perfect Fourth of July cake!

Look at what the geniuses at Betty Crocker concocted! This exquisite American Flag cake would be the highlight at any Independence Day celebration. 

You don't have to be a pastry chef to create this work of art. Follow the simple step-by-step instructions on Betty Crocker's site. With a few basic ingredients, you can look like a pastry pro at your Fourth of July get-together!

CP


Harding-Lane Giveaway!


Chicago Prepster and Harding-Lane are pairing up to give you a chance to win one of their fine needlepointed baseball hats! Enter here using Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


That's it! Contest ends Sunday, July 9 at midnight.

 You can view all of Harding-Lane's designs on their products page.
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Started by brother and sister duo Steve and Sarah, Harding-Lane is an up-in-coming New England brand that offers preppy hats with stunning needlepoint designs. Along with their colorful line of baseball caps, Harding-Lane  is dedicated to being an eco-friendly company that gives back to organizations focused on preserving precious land and wildlife. 

A word from Harding-Lane : "We thought about how cool it would be to put needlepoint stitching on a baseball hat (something we had never seen before) and to give profits back to environmental organizations in order to help save the places we loved. We wanted to create a product that somehow intertwined our love for New England, our respect for the environment, and our desire to live a life in which our work was our passion." 

Harding-Lane 's unique products and mission makes them a truly original company. Don't miss out on this great giveaway!

Good Luck!
CP

Succulent Fourth of July strawberries

Next to Christmas, the Fourth of July is my favorite holiday. Not only because I love fireworks and parades, but because I love celebrating our country's independence...with food!

Up until the Fourth, I'll be sharing some of my favorite patriotic recipes I've found online - maybe you'll used them at your own Fourth of July party!

Fourth of July Strawberries from Mississippi Kitchen

Ingredients
- Strawberries (as many as you think your guests will eat!)
- 1 cup white chocolate (chips or melting discs)
- Blue sugar crystals or sprinkles
- 1 tablespoon of shortening

Method

  1. Melt the while chocolate and shortening in a mixing bowl over a pot of simmering water. Stir until smooth.
  2. Dip each strawberry in your white chocolate mixture with desired coverage.
  3. Pour your blue sugar crystals or sprinkles into small bowls for easy dipping.
  4. After you've dipped them in blue, place your completed strawberry on a pan lined with wax to dry.
I think these strawberries are absolutely adorable and would be a hit at any USA celebration. You could even add sticks to make them easier for your guests to eat!




Let me know if you tried these for your Fourth of July party. I'd love to hear how they tasted!

CP

Friday, June 29, 2012

Hot Mama in J.Crew

I guess style runs in the family!

Found one of my mom's many J.Crew sweaters buried deep in her closet (she said she wore this in the 80s with leggings). How cool!

Trรจs chic!

CP

Words to live by

I have a keen sense of wanderlust. 

CP

Don't forget!

Remember to take advantage of these two exclusive CP follower discounts for Country Club Prep and Starboard Clothing Co.!



Happy shopping!

CP

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Red, White & Bubbly

In search of a patriot cocktail for your Fourth of July get-together? Try this Red White and Bubbly cocktail I found on dinnervine.com. Add fresh red, white, and blue berries and fun straws to garnish your guests' fizzy drinks. And of course, don't forget the mason jars!


Ingredients
1 bottle of dry Champagne or sparkling wine (chilled)
1 ounce of Blackberry brandy
2 ounces of sparkling citrus water (plain works too!)
Fresh ripe cherries (halved and pitted)
Fresh blueberries
Fresh white raspberries
Ice

It's 5 o'clock somewhere!

CP

An exclusive CP offer from Starboard Clothing Co.!

Here's another exciting offer for Chicago Prepster followers! 

Starboard Clothing Co., a fabulously preppy company specializing in dapper bow ties, has been gracious enough to give Chicago Prepster followers a 15% discount on their entire next purchase; simply enter the code "CHITOWNPREP" when you check out to receive your discount. What a perfect excuse to buy your favorite man a new bow tie (I know mine needs one)! 

It sure pays to be a CP follower! Share this with your friends so they can become CP followers, too! 

Here are a few of my favorites from Starboard Clothing Co.:



Happy shopping!

CP

Colors safe for the workplace

Scared your colorful wardrobe is too shocking for your 9 to 5
job? You shouldn't have to sacrifice personal style
for the workplace, but be it's good to be conscientious about
your wardrobe so you aren't distracting to the rest of the office.

Here's an idea: try muted or pastel colors combinations
to tone down (what could be) bright and obnoxious to your 
coworkers.

I love this sheer pink top and pale yellow peplum skirt paired with
teal accessories and a neutral black and white bag. This ensemble
allows you to be playful with your clothes yet still remain in a
professional environment.

Live colorfully!

CP
Workplace

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Words to live by

Happy Wednesday!

CP

An exclusive offer from Country Club Prep!

EXCITING NEWS: Country Club Prep has an exclusive discount for Chicago Prepster followers. Enter the code "CHICAGOPRESPTER" when you check out to receive 10% off your entire purchase!

CCP is your one-stop shop for all thing preppy. They carry everything from bow ties to tote bags made by a variety of designers including Southern Proper, Kiel James Patrick, Tugs, Pink Pineapple, and many more. Here are a few of my favorites from Country Club Prep!


Leave a comment with your favorite CCP item and what you purchased with your discount! Enjoy your exclusive discount and happy shopping!!

CP

POTD

An elaborate koozie collection.


True southern fashion

Check out LaRoque, a small boutique in Columbia, SC that I have instantly fallen in love with. An excellent example of true southern fashion and style.


Words to live by


On my shelf: perfume collection

Next to handbags, perfumes are my shopping weakness - I can never have enough! I love having a variety of perfumes to choose from for all occasions: school, sorority social events, date nights, job interviews - they all require a different scent (in my opinion). You can imagine the collection I've built over time!

I thought I'd share the sweet scents of my favorites perfumes from my collection.


Lilly Pulitzer, Beachy
Fragrance notes: citrus, watermelon, jasmine, frangipani, amber, vanilla, marine air accord, tiare flower, salt crystals.

Juicy Couture, Viva La Juicy
Fragrance notes: honeysuckle, gardenia, jasmine, praline, amber, caramel, vanilla, and sandalwood.

Coach, Poppy Flower
Fragrance notes: grapefruit, mandarin, jasmine, water lily, sugared raspberry, musk, sandalwood, and creamy apricot skin.

Philosophy, Falling in Love Summer
Fragrance notes: warm, fruity florals.


Happy Wednesday!
CP

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Be bold!

Sick of playing it safe? Here are some ways to spice up a neutral
wardrobe with a pop of color. Neon or brightly color accessories
are easiest to incorporate into any wardrobe, but don't be afraid to
add main pieces to your collection, like a bright flirty top or feminine
skirt. These can easily be worn with any black or white top, any pair
of jeans, white denim, or even khakis.

Be bold!

CP

Untitled #4

In this collage:

J Crew tiered tank
$70 - jcrew.com

Angel Eye military shorts
£15 - vanmildert.com

Bloch shoes
€87 - zenggi.com

Gorjana wrap bracelet
$38 - piperlime.gap.com

Gorjana Mott Wristlet
85 CAD - eluxe.ca

The wise words of Audrey Hepburn

Product Spotlight: "Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow!" foundation

Within the last month, I've become obsessed with Benefit Cosmetics. Before school got out for the summer, I visited one of Benefit's boutiques in Chicago (Armitage and Fremont) to pick up some "Foamingly Clean" facial wash that a friend suggested to me. 

After I picked out my facial cleanser, one of the personable beauty consultants showed me an array of amazing products. Although I only left with a bottle of face wash, I looked up all the products the consultant showed me and bookmarked them in my browser. On of the products was this: "Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow!" foundation. She even gave me a sample-sized bottle to try (which surprisingly lasted me a good month and a half!)

After using the sample for a week, I had to brag about how much I loved this product to everyone I knew (sorry, Mom!). This is by far the best foundation I've ever used. It's so light on my skin and blends in so well - it's more like a tinted moisturizer - and it comes in a variety of colors to match your skin perfectly. I use "Honey (I'm so money)".

When I got back from my Florida vacation, I threw out all my old makeup and ordered all new makeup from Benefit. These products are magical; every new product I've tried has become a favorite.  Although it's a bit pricey, these products last a very long time and are worth every penny. Because of Benefit, I look forward to my 10-minute makeup routine every day!

Enjoy!

CP

Summer books to read: Nadia Knows Best by Jill Mansell


I found this book while browsing the bookshelves in Barnes & Noble after my boyfriend's brother gave me a B&N gift card for my birthday. I stumbled upon Mansell's section and I admit I was first attracted to the teal cover (CP's favorite color), but after I read the summary on the back, I knew I found a winner. 

I looked at Mansell's other novels and couldn't decide which one to pick (I actually had five novels spread all over a table trying to decide which one to pick). I eventually narrowed it down to two novels: Nadia Knows Best and To the Moon and Back. Ultimately, I chose the teal-covered Nadia Knows Best and I figure I can pick up the other novel once I'm finished. 

I haven't started reading this book yet (I'm still working on Southern Charm) but it looks like a hit from the back cover and reviews I read on Amazon. Jill Mansell's novels are a worthy addition to your summer reading list!

CP

Here's a review from Amazon: Landscape designer Nadia Kinsella meets Jay when she’s still involved with male model Laurie, her teenage sweetheart. But when Laurie leaves Nadia to pursue his acting career in Los Angeles, and Nadia ends up working for Jay, she’s hoping the timing will be right. Meanwhile, her impetuous artist sister, Clare, falls for a complete cad, who dumps her when she needs him most, while their father begins his first romance since their mother left him. Their glamorous grandmother Miriam confronts a long-buried secret, and their flighty mother, Leonie, pops back up in time to unsettle their youngest sister, Tilly. Mansell’s trademark wit and quirkiness is showcased in this fun chick-lit tale that has enough going on to keep readers entertained through the last page.

POTD

We have two Pics of the Day today! In love this watercolor and Jack Rogers illustration. 

Happy Tuesday!

CP

Monday, June 25, 2012

I pledge allegiance...

...to the United States of Lilly. What a beautiful sight!

CP

POTD

Vineyard Vines on Vineyard Vines! 

CP

A gem I can't live without

We all have that one special piece of jewelry that we can't live without: we feel naked when we forget to put it on in the morning and store it carefully when we aren't wearing it.

For me, my gold and opal ring is something I never take off. No one else has a ring like this: it's unique design and color combo is something you don't often see. I'm constantly getting compliments when people spot my ring, and when I tell them it's been passed down through my family, they love it even more.

I like to think of this ring as a family heirloom. My grandma purchased it for my mom when she was a teenager, and when I turned 13, my mom gave it to me. I've worn it ever since (7 years...wow!). I hope one day to pass it on to my daughter once she enters her teenage years!

Whenever I look at my ring, I think about the strength, wisdom, and love that comes from all the women in my family. They are my role models and inspirations, and I hope one day to be as accomplished as them.

What's your favorite piece of jewelry? What special meaning does it have for you?

Pic of the day

Love this Pic of the Day! Nothing better than a crowd of Jack Rogers.

CP


In a very sunny state of mind!

Have a beautiful day!

CP


Happy Monogram Monday!

In honor of Monogram Monday, I invite you to check out Monograms on Webster, the monogramming boutique I work in Chicago. Browse the wide selection of monogrammable items including cell phone cases, totes, bath towels, throw blankets and much more!

CP



London calling

In honor of the 2012 Olympics, here's my take on a British-inspired
ensemble that even the Queen herself would adore.

With inspiration drawn from the British flag, I've focused on pinks,
corals, creams, and various shades of blue for a subtle take on red
and royal blue. Add some pearls and a golden crown ring and
you're ready to enjoy a spot of tea and crumpets.

Cheers,
CP

London Calling


Sunday, June 24, 2012

Words to live by


Some J.Crew nautical favorites

I love all these pieces from J.Crew. This summer, I'm focusing most 
of my wardrobe on nautical prints and colors. It's all about anchors 
and sea foam blue for me!

CP

J.Crew Favorites