how to: accessorize your school uniform!

Hey, everybody! I'm here today to gripe and complain about the dreaded school uniform....yuck. When it comes to boring school uniforms, you are forced to wear shapeless, solid colored separates that "give you a clean and presentable appearance." Ever heard that before?  I know that every school has a different variation of this form of unfashionable torture, so I thought I'd share my ideas on how to differentiate yourself from the monotonous sea of solid black, navy, and white polo shirts and khaki pants. 

1 // Choose your colors wisely!

Even if you can't wear patterns, you can still find great solid colors that suit your skin tone and make you stand out among your peers. For example, at my school, we have to wear solid colored tops with our school's logo embroidered on them. By choosing a soft lavender or a deep green, you can really emphasize your natural features while getting compliments on your unique color choice! 

Land's End has some great options for basic school shirts and is one of my favorite places to shop for flattering tops in vibrant colors. Quick tip: You can shop the regular women's t-shirts for school as well! Just call Land's End to place your order, and they will monogram those shirts with school logos!

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 You can't beat a classic v-neck tee, and this one comes in so many pretty colors!

(plus, it's on sale!!)

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 Loving the navy tips on this basic white polo, and paired with those polka dot chinos,

it 's too cute to pass up!

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Bright magenta + jeans + leopard flats = so cute! I love the way these

polos fit as well (not too boxy!).

2 // Khakis are... cute?

Khakis are a standard choice for bottoms in many school dress codes, and they can often look frumpy and unflattering. If you are required to wear them on a daily basis, you should really spend time making sure you find the perfect pair. Straight leg, bootcut, skinny, boyfriend, cropped... whatever floats your boat! Finding a special style that flatters your body type can make you look much more put together. Also, look into khaki skirts! Especially with the fluted skirt coming back into style (I die over J.Crew's version!!!), a khaki skirt is a way you can add some stylish flair to your outfit.

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Love the combo of army green, khaki, and warm brown!

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You'll definitely stand out in these unique red-brown khakis!

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The shape of this khaki skirt is so flattering, while still being
dress code appropriate!

3 // Belts are your new BFF!

One thing I love to do to spice up a boring "jeans and a t-shirt" outfit is to tuck in the top and add a fun belt. There are so many to choose from, and they are available at all price points. I love finding belts with unique patterns or fun shapes.
A great place to find affordable yet adorable belts is Target. As you can see below, they have everything from leopard to glitter! Their belts are always on trend, and I've found them to be pretty long-wearing, depending on the material. Here are a couple of my faves from Target's line!

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4 // Bold jewelry is a must!

I don't know about anyone else, but I definitely get into a jewelry rut where I wear the same things every day, which is great if you're in a rush and need to look presentable in 10 minutes. However, if you want to stand out in the crowd, you've gotta take some risks! Statement jewelry has been a constant in my wardrobe for the past few years, and I hope it never leaves! My favorite way to incorporate it into everyday wear is to wear navy on navy with a huge, blingy necklace and a pair of killer flats. So polished and chic!

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This Groop Dealz necklace really makes a statement with a splash of teal for spring,
and it comes at such an affordable price!

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This crystal and gold bracelet from Benevolent Jewels will bring some subtle
shimmer to any outfit!

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Benevolent Jewels hits a home run with this bold, floral tortoise shell
statement necklace!

*If you're interested in shopping these Benevolent Jewels pieces, use the promo code PPCODE20 to get 20% off of your order!

5 // Take a chance with some fun shoes!

Shoes are another great way to branch out in your otherwise basic wardrobe. I personally love to wear ballet flats on a daily basis (they add just a touch of chic to even the most boring of outfits!), but there are plenty of other options as well. Some of my other favorites include Sperry's (love my gold ones!), oxfords (classic or patterned!), and Dankso clogs (seriously the most comfortable shoes ever!). A fun pattern, color, or texture is a great way to differentiate yourself (not to mention a conversation starter ;). 

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I am all about anything metallic bronze, so these are perfection! :)

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How ladylike are these Old Navy flats? The gold heel definitely makes
these blush pink flats so much more fabulous!

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Navy and polka dots...how much better can it get?

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Thanks so much for checking out this blog post! Standing out in a dull school uniform is definitely something I struggle with consistently, so I definitely wanted to share my tips and tricks about how to jazz it up with all of you. If you have any further suggestions, please let me know in the comments because I'm always on the hunt for new ways to spice things up! Thank you all so much for your time, and have a great day!

**This post is not sponsored by any of the brands mentioned. I am part of the Benevolent Jewels Ambassador Program and do have a coupon code (PPCODE20) where you can get 20% off of your online order!**

little weekends make the world go round!

Hey, everybody! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend! This weekend was very relaxing and fun for me. I finally took some time for myself to get out of the house and do something different. On Saturday, I went to a 'Power Yoga' class (whatever that's supposed to mean...?), and at first, I was very skeptical. But surprisingly, I found that I really enjoyed it, even though it was super hard (I have never sweated so much in my life!). Later that night, I went out to dinner and bowling with some of my friends. It was nice to do something low-key and get to catch up with everyone. It's the little weekends like this that can really change my outlook and perspective, as well as make me appreciate the simple things in life, like sweating up a storm, good food, and close relationships with friends!

When going out on the town on the weekends, I generally stick with the rule, "The simpler, the better." Therefore, all of my classic essentials are in heavy rotation. I've compiled a list of my ole reliable clothes, shoes, and accessories that I can throw on with any outfit and know it will look great. 

First, my monogrammed necklace...must I say more? It goes with everything, while adding some girly flair to every outfit. Next, my Ralph Lauren oxfords (I have quite a few... they're a guilty pleasure!) are literally the most perfect button down shirt. So easy, effortless, and versatile...simply

the best!

During these fall and winter seasons, my Patagonia vest has definitely been a staple in my wardrobe. It's so warm and cozy, while also providing a great alternative to a fleece or pullover jacket. Following that, my Michael Kors watch has been a must-have in my jewelry collection for a few years now. I'm so happy that I chose a gold and tortoise-shell pattern because it literally goes with anything and everything.

I purchased this Groop Dealz statement necklace earlier this fall and have been hooked ever since. I check their website a few times a week to scope out their cute, new stock. They've got great designer look-alike jewelry for fabulous prices (like super low! :). I wear this one ALL. THE. TIME. It's definitely worth checking out their website!

Can we just take a moment to appreciate these amazing boots (on sale now!!)? This camera, though it's a very nice one, is still not doing those boots justice. From the rich, perfectly worn, brown leather to the gold buckles, these boots can do no wrong. They work with casual jeans and a tee to a dainty blouse and skirt combo.They were a great investment, and I've really loved wearing them over the cold months.

I hope you all enjoyed my weekend escapades and list of classic essentials! Tell me in the comments what your reliable fashion must-haves are. Thanks for reading, and have a great day!

a midwinter night's dream (+ a giveaway!)

Recently, I've been gravitating towards wearing these amazing Ralph Lauren button downs almost every day. They are just so comfy and flatter every body type. They have definitely been a fall staple this year! This particular shirt will be so cute to wear to Christmas parties because of the dark green and red plaid pattern.

I really love outfits like these because they are functional yet stylish. This Patagonia vest keeps me super warm when outside in the chilly winter air. It also adds more texture to the outfit and blends seamlessly with the dark plaid pattern in the button down. The dark brown boots really polish off the look and keep my toes nice and warm! 

This outfit is great, if you have some sort of outdoor festivities during the fall or winter, like a bonfire or oyster roast for the holidays. I will definitely be putting this style on heavy rotation when the holiday party circuit begins!

Shirt: Ralph Lauren (mine is from the boys' section of TJMaxx)

Vest: Patagonia

Jeans: American Eagle

Boots: Brooks Brothers

Watch: Michael Kors

Necklace: Moose and Nigel c/o

Giveaway Time:

In my Instagram photos and recent outfit posts, you might have seen this rose gold 'love' necklace. I've been wearing almost every day for the past two weeks. I've had a pretty big obsession with small and dainty necklaces for a few years now. I have another necklace, a small gold star, that I've worn forever, but I think this might be my new everyday necklace. I love the way it layers with larger statement necklaces, and alone, it adds a unique flair to any outfit. Meghan, the owner of Moose and Nigel, was kind enough to send me a necklace to review, as well as one to give away to one of you guys!

Here's how to enter: 

1. You have to be a follower of this blog, Poised and Preppy!

2. You need to leave a comment on this blog post telling me one or more items on your Christmas list!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please check out Meghan's Etsy shop, Moose and Nigel! She has some great jewelry that has also been featured by other popular fashion bloggers! Thanks so much, Meghan!

Getting to Know Me!

Hi, guys! Welcome to my new blog, Poised and Preppy. This blog was born as an extension of my Instagram page, @dreamingofpreppy (the name is changing soon!). I will be posting about fashion, beauty, organization…. basically, a little bit of everything. However, today, I thought I'd start off with a few fun facts about me, so we can get to know each other a little bit better. 

• I am currently living in North Carolina, USA (go Tarheels!). I am definitely more of a girly-girl, and I would wear dresses every day, if I could. 
• I have a serious addiction to chocolate and peanut butter… seriously the best thing ever (right behind pimento cheese burgers!!!)
• My favorite color is navy, and I love mixing it with bright colors, like coral and hot pink.
• I love, love, love to read, mostly realistic or fantasy fiction. The Harry Potter books happen to be my favorite, and I've read the entire series at least 10 times…
• Classic, preppy, and demure are three words I would use to describe my style. Being a southern belle, I have definitely adapted the "southern preppy" clothing taste, and I wouldn't change it for the world.
• My favorite clothing brands include J.Crew, Kate Spade, Lilly Pulitzer, Brooks Brothers, and Madewell. I am all about some great neutrals, but I can also rock a bold choice!

I hope that y'all learned a bit more about me, and I can't wait to get to know all of you! Thanks for reading, and I'll talk to you again soon!