Lilly Pulitzer Animal Crackers

Brainfood doesn't get much cuter than this! :) What's your favorite study snack?

All You Need is Love: Countdown to Valentine's

1.) Heart Headband (ban.do ($35)
2.) Arrogant Cat Heart Back Sequin Dress (Asos $114)
3.) Pink First Base Murfee Scarf (Lilly Pulitzer $118) 
4.) Gumdrop Stud Earrings (Kate Spade $38)
5.) Olive Heart Pillow (Etsy $26) 
6.) Old River Road Valentine's Day Copper Cookie Cutters (Amazon $12)
7. )The Sonnet's and a Lover's Complaint (Amazon $13.60) 

Can you believe it's already the fourth of February? With only 10 days to go, the countdown to Valentine's has officially begun. If you're feeling prematurely lovey dovey, check out these fun Valentine's-inspired goodies. I especially love the heart-shaped cut out on this dress.

Maybe I'll have to try out my DIY skills and transform a t-shirt a la A Pair and a Spare.

Readers--do y'all already have Valentine's plans?

Gift Guide #1: Stocking Stuffers

With my exams almost finished, I'm finally starting to get into the holiday spirit. This post marks the first in a series of gift guides I'll be writing to help last minute shoppers find the perfect presents for their loved ones. I figured I'd start small, so today's guide is all about stocking stuffers!

Row 1 (L to R):
Taylor Swift's Speak Now (Amazon, $8.99)

Bliss Grape Seed Hand Cream (Sephora, $8)  
Behind the Hedge Cuff (Lilly Pulitzer, $68)

Row 2 (L to R):
Jeweled Headband (J. Crew, $26.50)
Tory Burch Leather Wristlet (Nordstrom, $125)
Milk Chocolate Gingerbread Man (Godiva, $6)

Row 3 (L to R):
Minnie Muse Notepad (Forever 21, $4.80)
Set of 6 Polka-Dot Coasters (Kate Spade, $20)
Set of 5 Fifi Lapin Notecards (Fifi Lapin, $15)

Save the Tatas through Shopping

While it’s important to focus on breast cancer prevention and education all year long, October has been designated the pinkest month with the label Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Corporate America has jumped on the pink bandwagon offering products whose price includes a donation to breast cancer prevention, research or education. There are hundreds of products available so show your support while shopping this month. Here’s a list of my favorites:

Ralph Lauren's Pink Pony Campaign includes both products and an auction that benefit breast cancer care and prevention. My pick from the collection? The slim-fit pony tee pictured left.

One of my favorite beauty products, Clinique's Dramatically Different face lotion, benefits the Breast Cancer  Research Foundation this month with $10 from each purchase going directly to the nonprofit.

Check out this limited edition Lilly Pulitzer scarf. Five dollars from each $118 purchase goes to the American Cancer Society.

Tomorrow, October 22, the online sample sale site Rue La La is hosting a pink-themed event with 10% of the retail sales going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation  (Plus, if you click here and sign up before October 25, you'll get a $20 credit for the site!)

From now until October 31, Coach will donate 20% of the proceeds from the sale of their pink leather Mia Maggie bag to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is "to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime by providing critical funding for innovative clinical and translational research at leading medical centers worldwide, and increasing public awareness about good breast health."

Gorjana will donate 60% of the proceeds of their Heart Necklace ($48)  to Breast Cancer Connections, "an organization whose mission it is to support women and their families in overcoming breast cancer."

 A portion of sales from Essie's sweet shade of "We Can Do It Pink!" nail polish benefits Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a national education and support organization devoted to helping those who have suffered or are currently suffering from breast cancer.

Wake Forest Alum Starts Preppy Clothing Line: Southern fROCK

Fashionistas dissatisfied with your current wardrobes, look no further than Southern fROCK for this season’s most-stylish tailgating attire. Drawing inspiration from the laid-back lifestyle of the coastal Carolinas, Southern fROCK’s spring/summer 2010 collection is filled with light-weight fabrics, flattering silhouettes and perfect pieces to transition from a casual lunch date to a night on the town.

The preppy clothing company, best known for vibrant sundresses and chic skirts, was founded by Wake alumna, Amelia Rogers, and her close friend Emily Newman in the fall of 2009. Just three years after starting her career as a kindergarten teacher in Charlotte, NC, Rogers made an impromptu life-changing decision when she spontaneously moved to Charleston, with Newman, a childhood friend and fashion design major who had recently graduated from Meredith College.The pair spent a few months hammering out the details of starting a clothing company, and Southern fROCK was born.

Unfortunately, the company decided to forgo designing a fall/winter women’s wear collection this year. Instead, Southern fROCK is choosing to focus on preparing for the Atlanta Apparel Trade Market in October, giving the company an opportunity to be showcased to wholesale buyers alongside popular clothing lines including Vineyard Vines. Additionally, this fall, Rogers and Newman are expanding the company to include a menswear line. “The Tobacco Road” is a collection of men’s clothing inspired by local sports and North Carolina history, scheduled to debut in November.

The company’s original marketing platform was based entirely around digital sales and trunk shows, but boutiques in North Carolina and Georgia recently started carrying the line. Click here for store locations. Wake Students, contact senior Rebecca Hinson (hinsre7@wfu.edu) if you'd like to schedule a trunk show for your sorority, group of friends or other organization.


Later this semester, Southern fROCK will be one of the featured brands in  Panhel’s Breast Cancer Fashion Show slated to take place on campus Nov. 1. The line will be modeled in the show alongside other preppy industry staples like Lilly Pulitzer and Southern Proper. I'll post more details about the show when they become available.

For more information about Southern fROCK (or a little online retail therapy), check out the company’s new website: www.southernfrock.com.

Readers, what are your favorite new clothing companies?

You say Tomato

During the summer of 2004, Meg and Bret MacFayden hosted a small art show honoring the tomato and planned a handful of neighborhood events to promote their business, The Art and Innovation Gallery. Six years later, The Tomato Art Festival is East Nashville's premier summertime event. With over 100 street vendors, a New Orleans-style parade, musical performances, a tomato 5k, and of course, the tomato art that started it all, The Tomato Art Fest has something for everyone.

 (Image Credit: Delgado Guitars)

Around 10 this morning my mom and I headed over the river and through the 'hood to East Nashville's five-points area, the crux of the festival. Having attended the event since 2006, we like to consider ourselves seasoned tomato veterans. This year, we slept in and missed the parade, so we made the Art and Innovation Gallery our first stop, in an effort to beat the crowd. This year's tomato art contest winner was a beautiful mandolin embellished to resemble everyone's favorite summertime fruit. The piece was handcrafted by Manuel Delgado of Delgado Guitars.

 Pictured above is all of our tomato fest loot. My mom's piece of folk art, a tomato magnet, bumper sticker and commemorative coffee can from Bongo Java.

After making a few tomato-themed purchases, we decided to peruse the hoards of booths crowding the streets. There were restaurateurs, insurance salesmen, book vendors and clothing designers. You name it, there was probably a vendor selling it. I pocketed a handful of business cards, but couldn't commit to purchasing anything today. At 90+ degrees, it was just too hot to carry anything. My mom, on the other hand, picked up a piece of wooden folk art.

We finished the day at Fanny's House of Music. This instrument store doubles as a haven for vintage lovers. I walked away empty-handed, but there were some fabulous pieces. Now that it's on my radar, I'll definitely be going back.

If you're in the Nashville area and missed out on this morning's activities, don't fret. There are still events going on! Click here for a complete schedule. And don't think we starved ourselves during this celebration of food. The culinary experiences of The Tomato Fest deserve a post of their own. Check back later tonight for all our dining adventures!

For more photos from the festival click below!

 Every year the festival hosts a bumper sticker contest. These are some of the winners from years past.

 My mom and I both entered the "Guess how many tomatoes are in a jar" contest at Wonders on Woodlawn.

 My mom bought her folk art dove from the man who owns this van!

 The star of the show!

 Being a musical theater nerd, I thought this was hilarious!

 How cute are these tomato tutus?

We stumbled upon this fabulous vintage Lilly dress in Fanny's House of Music. The silhouette wasn't my style, but I absolutely loved the pattern!

Lilly Pulitzer Designs Sorority-Inspired Prints

Yesterday, Lilly Pulitzer's Facebook page showcased a sneak peak of the brand's fall collection. Included in the line are four mini-collections inspired by different national sororities. As a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, one of the sisterhoods included, I cannot wait to see the completed product. Far too often sorority paraphernalia is in-your-face and cheesy, but Lilly's designs appear to be slightly more subtle. In addition to KKG, Kappa Delta, Tri-Delta and Delta Zeta will also be featured. Each line will include a tote, carry-all, pencil pouch, wallet, scarf and cosmetic case with prices ranging from $28-$148. The Lilly sorority collections as well as the complete fall line will be available in stores in August.

Click below for images of the Kappa Delta, Tri-Delta and Delta Zeta collections.

 Kappa Delta

Tri-Delta

Delta Zeta

Anchors Away!

Left- Lilly Pulitzer ($118) Right- Anthropologie ($29.95)

Something about nautical-themed clothing just screams summer. I'm loving these anchor-print bottoms-they'd look equally as cute with a crisp white blouse as they would with a v-neck tee.