just plain chic

Hello, everybody! Long time, no blog….but I still wanted to wish you all a (belated)  Happy Thanksgiving! What a great way to kick off the holiday season with a day full of good food, lovely family, and warm beds/couches to crash on afterwards… ;). I worked on college applications all weekend, and I CANNOT wait to be finished with them! Don’t get me wrong; I have worked very hard on them, and I definitely want to get into college, but they are pretty grueling. Though they have tired me out, the holiday spirit (mostly due to the decorations around my house and Christmas music playlists on iTunes ;) has kept me going!

Speaking of the holiday season, it has brought along with it some chillier weather into my hometown…thus, the tights are necessary! To me, this outfit is classic. You really can’t go wrong with a cuddly, camel turtleneck, and paired with this elegant, navy skirt, it reinforces the legacy of this historically-perfect color combination! To cope with the cold, I added these gray cable knit tights. I also slipped on sassy, Mary-Jane style heels for an extra boost. I am loving the vintage touch that this purse adds to the outfit, as well as the glimmers of gold from the purse and necklace.

Sweater: H&M

Skirt: J.Crew

Tights: Target

Heels: Target

Watch: Michael Kors

Purse: Thrifted

Necklace: Target

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Can you tell that I love Target a little bit too much?! And, with that, we reached the end of another P&P blog post. Let me know in the comments what you all did for Thanksgiving, and if you managed to snag any great bargains on either Black Friday or Cyber Monday! Thanks so much for taking time to read this post, and I hope that each of you has a fabulous day!

P.S. Here are some promo codes for the P & P readers who made it to the very bottom of this post!

Benevolent Jewels: PPCODE20 for 20% off of your purchase

The Shiny Mix: PandP10 for 10% off of your first purchase

clad in plaid

Hey, everybody! I'm back today with, drum roll please... more plaid! I am accumulating quite a few blog posts featuring plaid outfit options; should I change my blog name to "Poised & Preppy (in Plaid)?" All jokes aside, my obsession with button-ups is often too much for most people to handle, so I hope you all can bear with me ;)! 

The plaid on this flannel top is actually the same as on the plaid pants I wore for an outfit post a few weeks back. Lands End has basically captured my heart with this multicolored, zesty take on a classic pattern. Also, adding a mini monogram like I did is a great way to incorporate another special detail that will personalize your look. 

I don't know about you all, but when the holiday season begins to roll around, my ability to get work done plummets. Being constantly surrounded by colorful decorations, yummy food, and holiday cheer can be so distracting, and I find myself more concerned with what to get my friends for Christmas than my academic and familial obligations. And every year, without fail, my mom reminds me that life will not slow down during the holiday season just for me! 

Am I the only one that becomes a little too enamored with spirit of the holidays? Let me know in the comments how you remain focused on your responsibilities and goals to make it through the holidays in one piece!

Top: Lands' End

Jeans: American Eagle

Booties: Ralph Lauren (on sale!!)

Clutch: Marley Lilly

Watch: Michael Kors

Necklace: J.Crew

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And, that's a wrap, folks! With the holidays quickly approaching, I would love to do a few posts featuring how to decorate and celebrate P&P style! Let me know in the comments if that's something in which you're interested! Thanks so much for reading through my latest blog post, and I hope that each of you has a wonderful day!

P.S. Here are some promo codes for the P & P readers who made it to the very bottom of this post!

Benevolent Jewels: PPCODE20 for 20% off of your purchase

The Shiny Mix: PandP10 for 10% off of your first purchase

daytime dreamer

Hello, everybody! Today, I'm posting a look that is pretty uncommon for a high school student to be sporting (unless you are forced to wear a school uniform...I feel your pain!! :). 

But why, you ask, am I not enjoying the socially acceptable (sort of) laziness of teens everywhere who feel the need to go out in public in sweatpants, looking like they just rolled out of bed?
(**Note: This pointed question does not cover sleepovers with friends, late night snack runs, or sick days...just a disclaimer! ;)

I've always been a firm believer in putting your best foot forward in any and all of your endeavors. This includes maintaining a consistent presence throughout your physical appearance, body language, and verbal/written interactions with others. For me, this begins with the clothes that I put on in the morning, which helps me hone in on the mindset needed to propel my best self forward.

So, while it is not necessary for me to "dress up" for activities in everyday life, like school, I feel that it helps me to present myself as a professional individual who has goals and aspirations in life and is willing to work hard to achieve them. I called this look "daytime dreamer" because it is the first step in the course of reaching for the stars (and my dreams!).

To me, this look depicts an image of casual confidence. I don't know what it is about this jacket, but every time I slip into a structured, navy blazer, I feel like I can run the world (for a few seconds anyway! ;). This outfit is great for occasions where you want to look put together without trying too hard, like a school presentation or an important lunch date.

Just through the clothes I wear, I can solidify the image I want to portray and boost my sense of self-confidence, which, like many girls, is constantly plagued by societal pressures to look and act "perfectly," whatever that's supposed to mean. By wearing clothing that is comfortable and feels like "me," I am able to encourage myself to radiate positivity and exude confidence!

Let me know in the comments section what clothing item gives you that instant boost of confidence when you slip it on. Also, I challenge each of you to spread a little bit of your own confidence to someone else who could use it. Post a picture on Instagram using the hashtag, #poisedandpreppy, so that we can inspire one another by sharing our confidence via the Internet! :)

Blazer: J.Crew (currently on sale!)
Shirt: J.Crew Crewcuts (similar and bargain!)
Jeans: Gap
Wedges: Tory Burch
Purse: Thrifted
Watch: Michael Kors
Necklaces: Baublebar, Shop I Love Jewelry

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Thanks so much for checking my newest blog post, and I hope that each of you has a fabulous day!

P.S. Here are some promo codes for the P & P readers who made it to the very bottom of this post!

Benevolent Jewels: PPCODE20 for 20% off of your purchase

The Shiny Mix: PandP10 for 10% off of your first purchase

plaid fad?

Hey, everybody! I am so excited to be back today to share the outfit I created around these adorable plaid pants!!! Never in a million years did I think that I would be one to rock such a bold and trendy look... but, right now, I'm loving it! And, yes, in case you're wondering, I am planning on wearing these to school, so we'll see how well they're received by the general public! ;)

One of my biggest tips when styling outfits featuring a certain trend is to have that piece be the focal point of the outfit and then build around that. Otherwise, there tends to be too much going on! Here, the plaid pants are the first thing that stands out! So, to accent their color and cut, I chose a black, 3/4 length sleeve sweater up top and a pair of black, suede pumps. Add an elegant, camel handbag and a dainty gold necklace for extra chic factor, and you're good to go! By adding minimal accessories, you can morph a completely trendy outfit into a more classic and wearable look (that you hopefully won't cringe at in 10 years ;).

Additionally, these pants have dragged me out of my jeans rut (thank goodness!). As the weather gets a bit chillier, I tend to gravitate towards wearing solely jeans as bottoms for a solid four months (aka all of winter!!) because they are basic and will match with anything. However, I am definitely appreciating a deviation from the navy monotony that is my jeans collection. These fresh and festive plaid pants have breathed some life and spirit back into my fall/winter wardrobe!

Sweater: Talbots (similar, cheaper)

Pants: Lands' End

Pumps: Isola

Bag: Thrifted

Necklace: Shop i love jewelry

Watch: Michael Kors

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So, what fall trend have you all been brave enough to rock (at home or in public ;)? Let me know in the comments section! Also, use the hashtag, #poisedandpreppy, on Instagram to show me pictures of your fabulous looks! Thanks so much for reading this blog post, and I hope each of you has a grand ol' day!

P.S. Here are some promo codes for the P & P readers who made it to the very bottom of this post!

Benevolent Jewels: PPCODE20 for 20% off of your purchase

The Shiny Mix: PandP10 for 10% off of your first purchase