cozy in cable knit

Racing my brother to see who can wrap the garland around the staircase the fastest. Baking Christmas cookies (which are oatmeal peanut butter chocolate chip in my house :) at home with my Mom and scolding Dad for snagging a few. Hanging ornaments on the Christmas tree and erecting the nativity scene with holiday songs playing softly in the background.

These are all essential moments that make up the holiday season for me each year. These are the moments that I look back on and cherish year after year.

To work like busy bees decorating the house all day, you have to be comfy and cozy. This cable knit sweater with velvet elbow patches is the perfect solution to looking stylish but being able to move. I paired it with jeans and metallic ballet flats.

For accessories, I wore a pair of simple pearl studs and a plaid, retro-inspired purse. Lastly, I just had to add my orange pea coat (featured in this post) because the colors coordinated so perfectly with my purse.

Sweater (similar): TJ Maxx

Tank Top: Target

Jeans: Madewell

Ballet Flats: Target

Purse (can find on Pinterest): Target

(can you tell that I have a wee obsession with target?)

Tell me in the comments section what your favorite winter fashion essential is, and how you would style it! Thanks so much for taking time to read this blog post, and I hope you have a great rest of your day!

what's black, white, and pink all over?

A slightly sunburned penguin who's been out in the sun a little too long…. or me!

It's starting to feel a lot like winter (except for today's 80 degrees…what?). I've finally had to start wearing tights with skirts and dresses, seeing as it is December.

Yesterday's outfit was very Kate Spade inspired. The black and white color blocked sweater coordinated perfectly with this feminine, pink skirt. Add black tights and flats, and voila!

Sweater (similar): Madewell

Skirt: J.Crew

Tights: Target 

Ballet Flats: Wanted 

Watch: Michael Kors

Necklace: Stella and Dot (old)

Thanks so much for reading! Make sure to check out my giveaway of the Moose and Nigel Roe Gold 'LOVE' Necklace! Have a great day!

out of every oyster comes a pearl

Well, I didn't see any come out of the ones I was eating last night… 
Last night,  I went to an outdoor oyster roast, and boy, it was cold!! I had to make sure to wear a super-duper warm outfit, but I still wanted to look polished and put together. 

I paired my colorful Fair Isle sweater with these cozy caramel corduroys for a cute and casual combo (say that three times fast :). I chose my long brown riding boots, so that I could wear fuzzy socks and foot warmers (don't judge me... it was seriously cold). Lastly, I added my pearl studs and MK watch for a touch of glamour. Over top my comfy ensemble, I added a burnt orange peacoat and gloves, and I was out the door!

Sweater: Madewell

Pants: Madewell

Jacket: Hydraulic (mine's from Belk)

Boots: Madden Girl

Necklace: Moose and Nigel c/o

Watch: Michael Kors

Thanks for reading everyone! Don't forget to check out my giveaway of the Moose and Nigel Rose Gold 'LOVE' Necklace! Hurry to enter and win! Have a great day!

hey, hey, hey mike… guess what day it is?

...TURKEY DAA-AAAYYY!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my lovely readers! I hope each one of you is living today with an attitude of gratitude. Thanksgiving itself is filled with a plethora of blessings: clothing the house with festive decorations, cooking your favorite dishes, and spending the entire day with loved ones. For me, the icing on the cake is putting together a special outfit to commemorate the day. (Plus, at least one of your relatives will complement you on it!). Here's the outfit I chose for my huge family dinner, as well as a few sneak peeks of our Thanksgiving table decorations!

orange mums and silver goblets

picturesque

gobble, gobble, gobble

monograms on monograms

frolicking with the tulips

candid

i'm ready for my close-up

sweater: j.crew

corduroys: madewell

shoes: target

watch (similar): michael kors

earrings: tory burch

ring: vintage

Thanks for reading, and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

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!