What to Wear to: Graduation!

Hey, y'all! Summer is slowly creeping nearer and nearer, which means graduation month is almost upon us. Although I have not yet graduated, I've been to a zillion and one different graduation ceremonies for relatives and friends who are older then me. Whether you're the one walking down the aisle touting a cap and gown, or the one sitting in the audience filming the ceremony and tearing up a little, this outfit is a great choice! It's appropriate for the formal ceremony and all of its surrounding soirees, while also helping you stand out from the crowd with the flattering shape of the dress and bold statement earrings.

 Dress: Old Navy

Clutch: Marley Lilly

Wedges: Target (old!)

Watch: Michael Kors

Earrings: The Shiny Mix

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Graduations are such fun occasions, and I hope that this post gave you some inspiration to reflect that in your wardrobe choices as well. Let me know in the comments if any of you or someone you know are graduating this year! Thanks so much for taking the time to check out this P & P post! I hope each and every one of you has a fabulous day!

P.S. Check out this post where I style these earrings for a casual spring day! I love that such a bold accessory can be worn on such different occasions and still look like t  belongs!

P.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 fist purchase

in a spring daze!

Hey, you guys! I don't know about y'all, but here in NC, we've had fabulously hot weather for the past couple of weeks. I'm loving it! Even studying isn't so bad when you're outside in the balmy sun and surrounded by buzzing bees, chirping birds, and blooming flowers.

In case you can't tell, spring is one of my favorite seasons! Not only do I love being able to spend more time outdoors, but unsheathing my pale legs (don't judge; we all have them! ;) to wear shorts and skirts is pretty fun too. Besides dresses, I think shorts are my most frequently purchased item. I don't know about y'all, but during the summer, I am pretty much always trying to come up with reasons why I should be able to wear jean shorts and a t-shirt. However, rocking a pair of statement shorts in a funky pattern or neon hue is a great way to mix up your summer wardrobe.

So, let's talk about this little number.... again, I pretty much stick with my same old uniform on a day-to-day basis (navy and white stripes = my life!!), but today I have a unique twist, courtesy of The Shiny Mix. Now, don't be frightened about the immense size of these earrings in person (they are seriously ginormous!!) because you can totally pull them off by wearing your hair loosely to tone them down a little bit. The combination of tortoiseshell and turquoise makes these the perfect summer statement earrings!

 I mentioned The Shiny Mix in a previous post, and I'll say it again: their jewelry is amazing! For being a brand new company (they just started out in April!), the quality of the products and customer service is superb. I highly recommend for all of you to check out their trendy and affordable pieces here!

P.S. Sorry that I'm all over the place today; the birds' chirping is going to my head! ;)

Shirt: American Eagle (similar)

Shorts: J.Crew (now 25% off!)

Sandals: Old Navy

Purse: Kate Spade

Watch: Michael Kors

Earrings: The Shiny Mix

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So, what do you all think: are bold shorts a must-have necessity, or would you rather stick with your tried-and-true jean shorts? Let me know in the comments section! Also, check out my last post about my newest blog series, and leave me your suggestions of topics to discuss in the comments as well. Thanks so much for taking the time to read today's blog post, and I hope y'all have a wonderful day!

P.S. The Shiny Mix has been generous enough to provide the P & P readers with a coupon code (PandP10) for 10% off of your first purchase!!

buzz buzz!

Hello, everybody! As I'm struggling to keep warm in this backlash of winter weather, I thought I'd share a spring-y outfit to help boost my spirits. This bright blue and white polka-dotted skirt was the answer to my prayers! It's light enough for warm spring days but also thick enough to keep your legs cozy indoors. Plus, it has pockets, so it basically made my life complete :). Paired with this short-sleeved Ralph Lauren oxford, the outfit is fresh and fun, while also taking a page from the classic style of the 1950's (my favorite era of style!!). 

This look would not be complete without some big ol' jewels (you guys know me...gotta have some bling! ;). This bumblebee-inspired statement necklace was actually sent to me by Shiny Mix, a new online jewelry boutique. I actually fell in love with their merchandise on Instagram (you need to check it out here!) and giddily anticipated their online launch at the beginning of April. Currently, they're offering free shipping to all U.S. customers! Everyone should go to their shop or any of their social media outlets, and give them some love for a job well done on their stylish website!

Skirt: J.Crew

Flats: Target (on sale!)

Blouse: Ralph Lauren (simliar) 

Necklace: Shiny Mix

Watch: Michael Kors

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Thanks so much for taking time out of your day to check out my newest blog post! I hope you all will go and follow @theshinymix on Instagram and click over to their amazing online shop! In the comments, tell me some of your favorite up-and-coming online boutiques that I need to check out! Thanks for your time, and have a fabulous day! 

in the life of P & P!

Hello, everybody! I hope you all had a fun and refreshing weekend (I know I did!). I'm not sure about anyone else, but to me, the spring season always brings with it a little extra hustle and bustle than the fall. There's SO much going on, and it seems like I don't have time to do it all (typical... ;). However, I thought I'd do a quick round up of my recent #ootd pictures from Instagram (if you don't already, follow me at @poisedandpreppy!).

1 // getting ready for a girls' night on the town

I wore this look out with a couple of girlfriends to go get Mexican food and see Divergent (such a good book, btw!). It's so nice to take a night to kick back, laugh a lot (until you get shushed in the movie theater!), and just relax with great friends. I swear they're the only thing that keeps me sane ;)!

 glamming up with a lil' lipstick

xoxo, p & p

i kinda feel like minnie mouse with the black and white polka dots and red flowers...see the resemblance? 

loving this $15 Target alternative to the $130 J.Crew necklace!!

Sweater: Belk's

Necklace: Target

Bracelet: J.Crew Factory

Purse: Rebecca Minkoff

Lipstick: Maybelline Color Whisper 'Pin Up Peach'

Blush: Nars 'Deep Throat'

2 // mixing it up at spring barbecues 

After my Saturday soccer game, we headed to a family friend's birthday barbecue. The weather was breezy, balmy, and beautiful. There were also lots of yummy treats (coconut bites, Brazilian sausage, and Reese's cupcakes...oh my!). I so enjoyed being able to slow down and relish the company of friends I don't get to see very often. Plus, I got to wear shorts for the first time this season!!

so excited that the weather is (finally) warming up :)

those are actual jean shorts you see!

this ella moss top is ethereal... makes me feel like a fairy!

Blouse: Ella Moss (old!)

Watch: Michael Kors

3 // attending fancy evening functions

That night, I had the pleasure of attending a full night of socializing, munching, and (amazing) singing. It was too fun to play dress up for the night and really made me appreciate the life I'm able to live. Weekends can just put you in the best mood, can't they? :)

saturday night 'cessories

i love love love the simple yet sophisticated nature of this erin dress...so chic!

Dress: Erin

Necklace: Groopdealz

Watch: Michael Kors

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Thanks so much for reading today's blog post! If you're interested in my day to day posts, then please follow me on Instagram (@poisedandpreppy) and Pinterest (Poised and Preppy). Let me know in the comments what you're most excited to do during this spring season; I'm always looking for fun ideas! Thanks for your time, and have a fabulous day!!

**Poised and Preppy is not affiliated with any of the aforementioned brands in this post. I do, however, have a coupon code with Benevolent Jewels (PPCODE20) to get 20% off of your purchase.**

spring forward, already!!

Hey, y'all! I'm here today with warm, spring NC weather and one of my favorite outfits to date! This C. Wonder tunic pairs with the navy fluted skirt (so in love!!) and the striped wedges in such a perfect and magical way (okay, I'm getting a wee bit out of control...<3). Therefore, this post is going to be pretty photo heavy (#sorrynotsorry)! 

The combo of this orangey-red (aka the 'scarlet red' crayon color) and navy screams for snacking on scrimps and cocktail sauce while lounging by the pool. All of the gold accents add to the nautical vibes of the outfit. And last but not least, those navy striped, woven wedges could not be more fitting for a summer picnic complete with a fireworks show!

In case you couldn't tell, this magnificent, sunshiny weather has me daydreaming of spring and summer days spent tubing or sun basking on a motorboat or having sunset dinners on the back of a yacht (à la Revenge!). This outfit definitely took some inspiration from the fashionable Ms. Emily Thorne of the Hamptons, but I digress. 

With spring well on its way, I've really been trying to think about the way in which I live my life and if and how I want to change it. Even though I'm technically "doing everything right" when it comes to school work, I want more. I don't want to steamroll through high school, textbook after textbook, without taking time to enjoy being (relatively) carefree while I still can. So, one of my goals this spring is to "blossom" in all areas of my life, besides academics: my family life, my faith, my friends, my service work, etc. I'll keep you guys updated on how everything's going from time to time, but I challenge each of you to find at least one part of your life in which you can culture yourself and blossom into the person you know you can be!

Outfit Details:

Top // C. Wonder (last summer!)

Skirt // J. Crew

Shoes // Target

Clutch // Michael Kors

*Fun Fact: My "clutch" is actually a MK cosmetic bag that came with an Estee Lauder purchase a couple of years back. Reduce, reuse, recycle, people!

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Thanks so much for taking your time to read this random and jumbled blog post! Let me know in the comments sections a) what your favorite thing about spring is, and b) how are you going to "blossom" in your life during this spring season. I hope each and every one of you has a extra fabulous day! 

*This post is not sponsored by any of the aforementioned brands. I do, however, have a coupon code with Benevolent Jewels (PPCODE20) that will give you 20% off of your purchase!*