To Welly or not to Welly...

If you don't already have a pair and you're any kind of 'Prep', I'm sure you've heard of the famous Hunter Boot.

Whether you're roaming the hills of the country side, marching through the muck on the farm, shopping at your local farmers market, or walking in the snow down Michigan Ave. you're bound to spot a pair keeping some lucky girls feet and calves dry and warm (and in summer, maybe just comfortable and stylish).

Here's where I run into a jam:

There's a killer sale going on, on the Hunter website for their Original Tall boots for $79 (a steal!). And Mom has said she'd go in 50/50 with me for my birthday.

However, being the former cheerleader I am, and that I hate running, my calves are not what you might call 'slim'.

Being the savvy consumer that I am, I know this since last night I went to Nordstroms to be sure of the size before ordering.

The nice gentleman there, Jermaine at the Woodfield store, assisted me and showed me that Hunter, being the smart company they are and knowing not every girl has the same size calves, makes a different boot called the Huntress. This shoe has a slightly larger mouth to it, allowing for plenty of room for my cheerleader calves.  

 

My dilemma is this: Am I really going to wear these often enough to justify spending $135? I can't wear them at work (which is like 36% of my time; the rest being split between weekends 31% and sleeping 33%). And yes, I'm a numbers girl, so I did just calculate my time that I would/could be wearing these boots.

Here's where you come in:

I need you to vote Y/N, if you think I should get them. 

Either by leaving a comment below or (preferably) clicking the survey link HERE.

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Here's where they really real me in... They have ADORABLE socks to go with the boots!

I mean how cute are these!

On the Hunter site they also have these on sale for 50% off!:

And fun British flag ones:

Anywho, that's my little style decision for the day. I greatly appreciate your input!

XOXO, the Prep

1canoe2 Letterpress - Print has arrived!

Guess what arrived yesterday?!?!

My BEAUTIFUL print from 1canoe2 Letterpress!

I'm so excited and can't wait to frame and hang it!

I did end up going with the Georgia print as it is my roots.

You can check out more about 1canoe2 Letterpress below:

website

Twitter

Facebook

Thanks again ladies for the incredible print!

XOXO, the Prep

Champagne Toasts & Tons of Laughs

This past weekend my BFF Sarah S. came to visit me!

She got in fairly early on Friday evening, and of course we had to make our way to Giordano's for some Chicago stuffed pizza.

I know there's some debate over not only which city (NYC or Chicago) does pizza best, but even in Chicago they fight over which pizza is supreme. Some people like Giordano's, while others prefer Lou Malnati's... still others prefer other small hole-in-the-walls around the city. I feel like this is a divided city over so many things: hot dogs, pizza, beers, and baseball... thank god hockey's back as they can at least agree on that.

After dinner and a few margaritas, we made our way home for an evening of shenanigans and Pitch Perfect.

This is my current movie obsession. If you haven't seen it... DO!

I asked Little Sis to get this for me for Christmas, and I swear I've watched it like 10x since.

 I think I love it so much for 2 reasons... 1.) the music is AMAZING! and 2.) I want to pretend that the main characters are me and BF: 

Jesse: "You're one of those acapella girls, I'm one of those acapella boys, and we're gonna have aca-children. It's inevitable."

On Saturday, we made our way to the city.

We had purchased tickets a while back to go see Book of Mormon.

We had gotten tickets to the 2pm show, which actually worked out pretty perfect, not too late and allowed us fun time after the show.

IRONICALLY, Benji from Pitch Perfect was our lead!

He was really good! The whole play was pretty clever, however coming from someone who isn't easily offended, I wouldn't say I got uncomfortable, but I don't know that I'd see it again.

The sets were awesome, and the characters were well developed. I did like the actors voices a lot!

Afterward, we were looking for a fun cocktail bar we could have fancy martini's at. We happened to stumble upon Pops for Champagne. This place was great!

It was all so sleek and shiny, with fashion shows on the tvs, and nothing but champagne on the menu!

These are the 'Start Wearing Purple' and the 'La Vie en Rose' Champagne Cocktails

We did get some lite appetizers to hold us over till we figured out dinner... Turns out there's a huge difference between east coast oysters and west coast oysters. PS West coast is WAY BETTER!

I also treated myself to an early birthday treat of a bottle of champagne. Tots worth it!

Cheers to you going there soon! Let me know and I may meet up!

Afterward, BF was so sweet. He drove us down to Little Italy for some 3 Aces!

We got to enjoy ourselves with some crazy pool while we waited on our table:

And I got all artsy... I blame the champagne...

Maybe had 1 too many totties

And BF was nice enough to take us home :)

Sarah had to head home the next day, and I will miss her until we can plan another fabulous adventure!

Sunday BF helped his brother move and I hung out with his Mama.

We ended up going to Rosebud's for lunch in Naperville before hitting up several fund shops.

Just overall an INCREDIBLE weekend that will not soon be forgotten!

To learn more or interact with some of the places and people mentioned here, check them out below:

BF: @dan_mayer

Giordano's Twitter & Facebook

Lou Malnoti's Twitter & Facebook

Book of Mormon Twitter & Facebook

Pops for Champagne Twitter & Facebook

3 Aces Twitter & Facebook

Rosebud Twitter & Facebook

the Prep

Twitter

Pinterest

Tumblr

Till next time...

XOXO, the Prep

New Wish List Item

Found a new wish list item...

Some of you may or may not remember a project I did a while back for my bedroom wall:

 

Well, I just saw on the Lilly Pulitzer facebook page that they now make a duvet and sham set in the same Impressions print at Garnet Hill!!!

OMG just died!

Now, the only reason I'm not getting it IMMEDIATELY, is that I just can't justify it right now...

BUT, should you feel so inclined:

The Duvet Cover is between $128-$188, and the Shams vary based on size, but there's free monogramming.

AND! 

I found a coupon code for $20 off $75! (K3SAVE)

PLUS: BF already thinks my place is too 'girly'.... but I think it's ADORABLE!

To see more of Lilly Pulitzer, you can check them out here:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest 

XoXo, the Prep

I WON SOMETHING!

I received an email this afternoon from 1Canoe2 Letterpress:
"Congratulations on being a winner of the 12 Days of Southern Weddings Christmas Giveaway! We are so excited you won and can't wait to send you your free state print from our collection."

My first reaction... "OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH!"
My second reaction... "Crap... I CAN'T CHOOSE WHICH print I want more!"

HERE'S WHERE YOU COME IN

Check out the prints below, then go to the link and check which one you think I should get!

GEORGIA

INDIANA

ILLINOIS

SOUTH CAROLINA

Survey Link

I really appreciate your input!

If you'd like to purchase a print, just click through to their hyperlink. Each print is available for $16 on their website, plus you can check out all their other neat stuff!

As always this blog isn't just about what I find and like, it's about my readers!

How YOU can help:

1. Introduce yourself!
2. Recommend things/places you think I should check out and feature
3. Tips on how you think I can better myself and this blog

XoXo, the Prep

2012 Recap & Hopes for 2013

I realize it's been a while since I wrote (I apologize). This year has been PRE-TTY cray-cray.

There's been lots of fun with great friends through festivals, bbq's, trips and lots of sports.

March 2012: BF & I hosted a killer St. Patrick's Day party, which almost resulted in a noise violation, Darby O'Gill on loop, a keg of green beer, biscuits & gravy, and awesome memories:

Sometime in Spring? My good friend Sarah S. came to visit for some fun:

 We went to Tipsy Paint, a BYOB painting studio I found via LivingSocial. We got to enjoy our J&J Wines and get our creativity on! If you're ever in the area, the owners are very welcoming, and it's even better when you bring hors d'oeurves!

I'm so excited, she's coming in this weekend again and we're going to go see The Book of Mormon! 

Ok, Ok, I realize this may be taking things a bit far, and recapping a whole year in one post might be someone crazy (actually moving backwards...).

So here's the cliff notes: 

May: 

• Kentucky Derby/Cinco De Mayo Shenanigans in Old Town
• Avengers Movie Preview

June:

• Wells Street Art Festival & Karaoke Party
• Visit to Richmond to Sarah & Jimmy!
• Chicago Summer Fest
• L.A.T.E Ride

July:

• BF's Birthday Boat outing
• Jen's baby's Baptism
• Kicked off 3rd year of Happy Hour Flag Football
• Sarah S. Comes to visit
• Lisa's Baby Shower
•  Pirogi Fest/ Big Ten 10k

•   Oh yea... did I mention Adam Levine came to work?

•   Sister's 21st Birthday

 August:

•  Mom & Dad came to visit
• Kenzie & Tim's Wedding

•  Air & Water Show
• Movies in the Park: Wizard of Oz in Oz Park

•  BF does his 2nd Chicago Triathlon

September:

•  Myrtle Beach with the Family

• Visit Richmond
• WWE Smack Down with Work 

 October:

•  JLKD 5k & Fun Run
• Purdue Homecoming

•  Ladies Luncheon at the Swan House
• GREG & LJ'S WEDDING  (LJ Please let Greg know I mentioned y'all, otherwise I may never hear the end of it... ;) XOXO LOVE Y'ALL! )

November:

•  Caught up with Aunt Julia
• JLKD Book fair
• (More) Tipsy Painting (I SWEAR THIS IS SO MUCH FUN!)
• Oh and then Matt Forte came to work...

 December:

• Lots of Christmas Parties
• Lots of Presents
• Great Friends & Family memories (I promised BF I wouldn't go into detail... but trust me when I say it's a book in and of itself).

 NOW!

That's a lot more than I remember. Sorry I don't have pictures for everything. I realized this year, with not blogging, I didn't force myself to have pictures from everything, which makes me feel like I missed out. It's another reason I wanted to start again.

My Hopes, Wishes, and Goals for this year:

Keep in touch with more friends.

Token-work-out-more resolution (and eat 'healthier'... maybe)

Discover more opportunities and expose myself to new things.

I hope that by blogging, I can meet new and wonderful people, find exciting products and places, and be a better, kinder, stronger person.

How YOU can help:

1. Introduce yourself!
2. Recommend things/places you think I should check out and feature
3. Tips on how you think I can better myself and this blog

I love getting to know my readers and providing something you enjoy as much as I enjoy writing it. I hope to hear from you soon, and cheers to a great new year!

XoXo, the Prep

I'm Back!

Chello everyone! I apologize for the extended, shall we call it a virtual holiday?

After the holidays things just got crazy with Year End for work!

Where to even begin with what's been going on...

JANUARY:

The big thing was my trip out west to L.A. with BF again for his company's End-of-the-Year Bash. The amazing L.A. Holiday Blogger Erin picked me up at the airport when I flew in on Friday. We went to lunch in Brentwood at this great sushi place, Sugar Fish, where I experienced my FIRST public celebrity sighting! 

 (From Jurassic Park, The Fly, and more recently one of Rachel's Dad's on GLEE!)

We saw Jeff Goldblum grabbing a bite with some people and I was informed by the locals that you're not supposed to tweet/blog/etc. at the time because then they'll get mobbed, but everyone seemed very respectful!

After lunch we walked around Brentwood a bit, before driving along the PCP and stopping to enjoy the absolutely gorgeous weather!

Erin & I

The Gorgeous view!

We ran & screamed on the beach, and Erin even convinced me to do some cheers from our CHS days! "Y-E... L-L, everybody YELL!"

That evening we grabbed some pretty tasty 'Margs' (in the words of Mrs. K.G) over at Baja Sharkeez near BF's hotel. What I couldn't get over was how awesome all the fish was! Between Sushi for lunch and the fish tacos I had for dinner... I want to live in Cali just for the fish!


Saturday, BF and I debated about what to do for the day before the annual shindig that evening. We decided since last year I made him do all the touristy stuff, we'd go in search of some famous California wines. Since Santa Barbara was about 2H away, we felt that would significantly cut into potential wine time, so we settled on Malibu... and boy was it A-MAZING!
In search of our first vineyard, we accidental stumbled onto an ACTUAL vineyard (not a tasting room like you're apparently supposed to), then from there stumbled onto the Biggest Loser Ranch... that's right, I KID YOU NOT! 
We eventually at lunch there as well... after finding the wineries :)

BF at the Ranch Restaurant

Me out in front of Malibu Wines

This year's company blow out was at the club 'My House' it was neat and creepy all at once. Neat because it actually modeled a potential real house, complete with full kitchen (used as a second bar in this case), outdoor patio with grill, den, and living room. Creep-tastic because it had an actual bed complete with fur throw blanket and in-room jacuzzi...

creepy bed at the club

But all in all it was a pretty amazing trip that provides some wonderful memories.


February:
I got old... nough said.

Well, not actually Old-Old... but old-er.
I had my birthday, around the Superbowl.... again.
The Superbowl was in Indy. Everyone from Indy in the Midwest was freaking out and going home to see the spectacle. Same-ole, Same-ole. :)


All kidding aside, I actually had to look at my calendar to remember what I've done because I've been so busy. For my birthday weekend, we actually spent it downtown watch Purdue lose in a miserable basketball game at Red Ivy. But BF and I made up for it the following weekend for Valentine's Day.
He took me to the Violet Hour... a place I've been DYING to go to since he first told me about it! We got all dressed up, and went to enjoy our $12 cocktails. But BOY is it worth it!

One of th bars at the Violent Hour, but imagine with much dimmer lighting.

The bar doesn't allow people to crowd everywhere. there's almost always a line. But this allows you to feel like you're in an intimate setting even in a large room.

The bar tenders don't use hoses of soda water or even jugs, everything is glass or pewter and the drinks are mixed the old fashion way!

I was also recently recognized at work and received free tickets to see Cirque De Soleil. We went, I was creeped out by the eery music and scary clowns.
All-in-all, though this year has started off big.


Can't wait to share more with you all!



XoXo