Merry (belated) Christmas!

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas; I disappeared for the last week and a half because of a family emergency. Everyone is on the mend as of now and I hopefully will be back to blogging regularly!

Christmas was a whirl-wind for my family and as happy as I was to celebrate, I am happy its over and I can finally relax!

New Years is upon us and I need something to wear!
I wore my Lilly Shauna black and gold tunic on Christmas and my Navy and gold Adelson on Christmas Eve for church.
Any suggestions??? Lilly or otherwise I am stumped!!!

What are your New Years plans??? And what are you wearing?

xxAmy

Its December WHAT!?!

This month has just been flying by! Between working, shopping and partying, I have been too busy to sleep much less blog!

And with all the events I've been going to and all the delicious recipes I've been getting from friends, I'm going to look like a whale come New Year!

I hope all of you have been having a great December thus far and if you are getting ready for Christmas, all your plans have gone without a hitch!

Hopefully I will be back next week; the kids are out for two weeks and so am I!

xxAmy

Under The Palm Tree

Since I finished all my finals early (yey!), I treated myself to some new Lilly. Now, I wasn't a fan of much from Resort, so thanks to UTPT, I now have all the things I did like (at 40%!!! off!)
If you want to get in on the deals, just friend them on Facebook; they are having a different Lilly deal for the 12 days of Christmas! We are on day 6 now and each day has been full of some great deals (Shere sweaters at 40% off, Murfees at 20% off, Multi See Me at 40% off). And the girls at UTPT have the best service! They send things out so quickly; I remember one time I ordered on a Wednesday morning and had the item by Friday afternoon! Kansas to Pennsylvania in 2 days!!!

I got a few things for myself...

Paley Cardigan

Wayles Dress

Adleson Dress

Shiva crop pant

Moira skirt

Pierre Cardigan (a girl can never have too many cardigans!)

Shift Magnets (I have been wanting these for a while!)

I know, Christmas is almost here and I shouldn't be buying myself goodies, but I think I deserved them after the rough fall semester I had. And at 40% off, my hubby would never be able to get these items at such a great price!

Head over to Under the Palm Tree to stock up on some great deals for Christmas (and maybe a little something for yourself!)

xxAmy

Its Finals Week!

I won't be writing much since its finals week, but I thought I would give you all a laugh before I disappear till Friday!

(A little picture I got via e-mail from this tasty little Mexican restaurant called California Tortilla; you might have heard of it since its a chain. And I love Wills and Kate and think they are a darling couple, but this picture just made me giggle a smidge!)

xxAmy

New Name...and an adorable sweater find!!!

You may or may not have noticed a new name for this blog; I felt Southern Lilly Lover wasn't quite right anymore; especially since Lilly and I haven't been on the same wave length this past season and I enjoy blogging about more than just Lilly! Hence the name change!

Anyway, I was at American Eagle a few nights ago picking up some Christmas gifts for my college freshman brother (he is still in the phase that AE and Abercrombie are the height of fashion!) and stumbled upon the most amazing sweater...for myself!

Snowflake Toggle Sweater

And it took everything in me to resist this cutie! (I might have to stop back in for it!!)

AE Fair Isle Trim Open Cardigan

Honestly, I was shocked! I haven't purchased anything for myself at AE in years (not even exaggerating!)

Where have you found some unexpectedly cute pieces???

xxAmy

It's Christmas Time!!

December is finally here! I feel like I've been waiting for Christmas season forever! (Or so it seems, especially when stores have been playing holiday music since late October!)

I have been gathering a Christmas list; short this year since I have been so blessed in so many ways and really don't NEED anything; just a few wants. :)

And the only thing I never buy myself is jewelry; just a personal opinion, but I don't think ladies should buy that for themselves. Clothes, shoes, purses, etc, of course; I always buy my own, but jewelry...I enjoy it more as a gift.

Cartier Classic Tri-Color Roll Ring

David Yurman Linked Heart BraceletTiffany & Co Open Heart Bangle

Just a few baubles to tide me over until Valentines Day.

What's on your wish list???

xxAmy

Lilly Monopoly winner!

I am no good at screenshots and all that fancy stuff, but I put all the entries in Excel and used random.org to pick the number...

And the winner is...

Preppy Pink Crocodile!!!

Congrats! Please email me your information. :)

xxAmy

Lilly Warehouse sale

I just returned from the sale and goodness it was crazy! I thought fall was supposed to be a bit more tame!
We got tickets for this morning last night; I heard people had been camping out since Tuesday for a line number ticket; crazy!!! We got there around 5:15 and were out by 6:15! We were numbers 145 & 146; they said they were giving out 500 last night! (but only expecting 250 to show up).
Well, this morning at 6 I was glad we went yesterday! There were those with line numbers and then those without, and the line was so long for those without. So, we lined up at 6 upstairs and then they began taking groups downstairs to the other line outside of the sale. Well, I was a smidge perturbed since I was told yesterday by Lilly employees if we came later than 6:15 or so, we would lose our spot in line and our line number would be void! Well, lo-and-behold, from 6:15 until almost 7 people with line numbers were coming down and getting in line where their numbers were. I couldn't believe it! If I had known I could have moseyed down at the last second I could have slept in more!!
Well, anywho, we got into the sale around 7:10 and began shopping! I avoided the samples tables for the most part because those people are crazy! Grabbing and shoving and just throwing one of everything into their bags and carts. Its so rude and unladylike.
I got a bunch of great fall pieces from the past season but was bummed some that I had been eying were not there and others I already bought were. Win some, lose some I suppose.
I'm at work now, but when I get home, I will post pictures of my haul!!! I'm already wearing my Murfee Scarf in Catch of the Day Pink Toile.
Was anyone else there??? Did you get some great deals?

xxAmy

40 followers!!!

Wow! I was just checking in to read some blogs I follow and saw I hit 40 followers! When I started months ago I never thought I would even have 1!

As a thank you for reading, I am having a giveaway!

I have a brand new, still wrapped Lilly Pulitzer Monopoly game I bought as a gift for a friend when I noticed she already has it! But I already have this version and it is too fun! I need to share it with you all!
To Enter:
You must be a follower! Please comment whether you new or 'old' follower! 1 entry

For Extra Entries:
2 for posting this giveaway on your blog
1 for sharing on twitter
1 for sharing on facebook

Please leave only one comment with all your entries; I will put it all together via Excel!
Giveaway closes at Midnight on November 25.

Good luck!
xxAmy

PS I will ship overseas if you win!

Lilly Warehouse Sale

Valley Forge Convention Center finally updated the Lilly warehouse sale posting and we have details for line number distribution; the doors will open at 9 AM and numbers will be handed out at 6 pm. Now, I'm trying to be reasonable but how am I supposed to work to pay for my new Lilly if I'm supposed to be in line all day waiting for a number! I will probably get there around 3 or so and just hope its early enough to get a number for Friday morning.

Here are the details...


I am getting so excited; as usual!
Anyone else going???

xxAmy

Thank you Veterans!

I just want to take a quick moment to thank all of our Veterans; past, present and future. You are the reasons I can live in a land where I can vote and have a job and reach the highest degree of learning I chose. Thank you for my freedoms. And having a father who served in the Air Force in Vietnam and a grandfather who served in the Army in WWII, I know what those men and women in war had to sacrifice; mentally, physically and emotionally.

Thank you. You are my heroes.

xxAmy

Its Lilly's Birthday!

The woman who started it all with her juice stand is turning 79 and in honor of her...

let's pop open the champagne...

eat some yummy cupcakes....

and dance the night away!

Happy Birthday Lilly!

And for those of us celebrating today, there are many fab deals out there! Visit any Lilly store today for champagne and cupcakes and any purchase over $150 receives a passport holder and over $500 a tote!
Happy shopping Lilly-Lovers!

xxAmy

Christmas...already???

Maybe I'm just uptight, but I went to Michael's craft store last night and they had Christmas music playing! Then I popped over to Lord & Taylor and guess what...more Christmas music! I can't stand it!
I love the holidays as much as the next person but goodness, all this holiday coming two months early sucks the fun out of it! And what happened to Thanksgiving...its like its not even happening this year. I love Thanksgiving; almost as much as Christmas and its a shame we can't even celebrate it properly because we are being rushed by retailers to Christmas in the beginning of November!
Even Lilly has given into the hype by listing their Holiday Gift Giving guide 2010 on their site. I don't want to think about holiday gift giving because its not the holiday season yet.
Maybe I'm being a scrooge but I think each holiday should be enjoyed and cherished; not just a mad dash to the next one.

xxAmy

PS, College Prepster is giving away tcfw note cards!

November 2

No matter your affiliation, please vote today.
There are so many countries where people don't have the right to vote or it is unsafe to do so. Remember, you can't complain about the government if you didn't at least vote to try to have your voice heard!
xxAmy

Halloween @ the manor

Well, our house isn't really a manor, but it was fun to say for the day! We had a lovely little get together on Saturday night with a few close friends and it was such fun. I obviously went overboard on the refreshments but it just means lots of leftovers for the hubs and I!

Decorations about the house.

The Candy bar was a hit! And so yummy.


Bobbing for apples!
How was your Halloween? Attend any get-togethers? Host an event yourself?

xxAmy

Resort 2010

We all have been excited and anxiously waiting for resort to come in. Well, I saw it last night at my local Lilly store and really....wasn't impressed or excited by it. :(
And I keep seeing pictures and I'm still not loving it. There were two things I really liked and other than that, I foresee a happy husband and money actually staying in our account rather than going directly to Lilly!
I was excited for resort since I loved this past spring, summer and fall so much; I'm kind of bummed now.
But the few I did like were...

Reenie

Jonah

Jonah

Love Letters

Now, I wouldn't buy all of these; I like the Jonah from fall, so I might get the multi-colored one and the light blue is cute, but not me. And the Reenie top is adorable, so that's in. The love letters top is cute, but again, not me at all. And while the pink dress is so pretty, where would I wear a strapless dress in the winter in Pennsylvania?!?
I hope at the warehouse sale, they have some stuff from past resort; since I won't be getting much from this years!

What are you loving/hating or in-between on?

xxAmy

Homecoming!

This past Saturday was my school's homecoming; what fun it was! And it was a beautiful day; couldn't have asked for a better one actually. The sun was out, it wasn't windy or cold. Our football team won but our soccer and water polo teams put up a good fight but couldn't bring in a win.
That evening, I chaperoned the dance. I figured since the boy's dates were dressing up and getting new dresses, I should too!

Sophia Dress Printed

Coach Kourtney Heel

The heels are pewter and so much cuter in person! I think they will perfect for an up-coming fall party we are going to in 2 weeks. See, I am planning on wearing these more than once. :)

Hope you all had a fab weekend!

xxAmy

PS: A Preppy Princess is hosting a Christmas Card Swap; I hope it will be a lot of fun so sign up if you have time!

October 20: Go Purple

I had originally planned to write this yesterday, but the day did not have enough hours in it!

In college, I met many wonderful and amazing people; one of whom came out to me one night while we were watching a movie in his dorm room. It was so powerful to see the shame and helplesness in someone's face; to have them tell you they know they can never tell their parents who they really are; to have them trust you with a secret so dear and personal. The night my friend told me, I was shocked; he always looked like a ladies man; always flirting at parties and generally good with the girls. He said this was a facade and he was tired of pretending to be something he wasn't. Whether or not I support the GLBTQ community, I supported my friend. Who would ever put themselves through the ridicule and isolation for their entire lives because they wanted to? My friend told me his secret over 5 years ago and I have always kept it for him. This past summer we met for lunch and he told me he finally got the nerve to introduce his boyfriend of 3 years to his parents; they were shocked and mad for a while. After a month of the cold-shoulder from them, they asked to meet with him again. They had done some soul searching and decided their son's happiness was more important to them than what they had always been taught from their parents and from their Church. My friend was stunned; and seeing him this past summer he looked like a different person. The light had returned to his eyes and face; he was genuinely happy. He told his family and friend and most of them accepted him for the way he was; not the way he was supposed to be.

Yesterday, I and many others, wore purple to support him, the millions of other GLBTQ and to show reverence for those who were bullied to death. No matter your personal beliefs, we supposedly live in a free country where we are free to attain 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness'. The bullying must stop; acceptance must begin. I was taught homosexuality was a sin; and regardless of my thoughts, there is only one judge and when we finally meet Him in the end, I want to know I never judged someone else; I just tried to live the best life I could.

Now, What I Wore!

The Colby Dress Engineered

J Crew Cardigan

Purple suede Tory revas

I hope all of you found it in your heart to wear purple yesterday; even if you don't support their choice, you can support the knowledge bullying must be stopped.

Hope you all have a terrific Thursday and a fun-filled Friday!

xxAmy

Champagne and Cupcakes with Lisa Birnbach

Last night was the big event! I finally met the brains behind The official preppy handbook and True Prep, Lisa Birnbach! She was so sweet and lovely and fun! Lilly was packed with prepsters young and old for the event.
I finally got up to the table to meet her after waiting in line about 30 minutes but it was worth it!
We chatted a bit about kate spade and Lilly and all things preppy; like the local prep school I work for. She then signed my book and offered to take a picture with me. (Please excuse my red face; it was so hot standing next to her under these crazy bright lights! I don't know how she didn't melt after being there for 2 hours already!)
A smidge of a wait, but 100% worth it! I was also glad I decided wearing my Sandpiper dress in the crane print; what a faux pas that would have been!

I then picked up the Sophia in Its Getting Hot in Here to chaperon the homecoming dance next week in (I was already in the store, so why not pick up a gift for myself)!
My next big event is Tim Gunn is coming to the King of Prussia Mall on October 30 @ 2 (since he is the creative director for Liz Claiborne and KoP has kate spade, Juicy and Lucky jeans housed there!) I can't wait to meet him and ask him to say "Make it work!" for me!!!

Hope you all had a fab week and will have a lovely weekend!!

xxAmy

A smidge upset at Lilly...

I just received all my goodies from Under the Palm Tree and as usual, everything was well wrapped, folded and I receieved it timely. My issue is with Lilly. It seems everything is getting smaller! I take my measurements monthly (obsessive, yes, I know. But weight doesn't always indicate growth and I always need measurements for buying suits and pants) anyway, I have not grown in the shoulder area and yet the Colby dress I just got is so tight over my shoulders! I am a bit confused to say the least! I wear the same size in almost every style (except strapless!) and I just don't get it! Also, I am wearing the Wayles for the first time today, and it seems very short! Has anyone else noticed shorter hems this fall??? Or have any inside information to help me with my plight???
Anyway, sorry for the rant, I just feel Lilly used to be mindful of sizes and hem lengths; we want to look nice but also professional!

New e-blog

As we all know, I live for deals! And it just so happens, UTPT's Hadley has started an email blog and get this; each blog post contains a coupon to be used the following week; last week was 30% off any full price piece!!! Amazing! And eblog readers get free shipping with any purchase over $150; which is really easy to do (fortunately or not, I'm not quite sure!) The eblog also features sale items; which were considered new as soon as a month ago!
If you want to be added to the eblog list, just email Hadley at hkombrin@slu.edu with your name, state and birthday (I think that's it!)
I am planning to order this beauty from UTPT today before the 30% off sale ends!

Sandpiper Dress Crane Pose

That's all from me! Hope you all had a fab Columbus Day (and hopefully were off from work or school!)

xxAmy