Back to School Outfits

I know most people have already started classes, but I leave for school tonight. Heading back to school, no matter the age, is always exciting. We all want to show off how much we have grown up, gotten prettier, smarter, more fit. Nothing exemplifies this desire than the outfit you wear on the first day of school. Hours go into crafting an outfit that says "look at the fabulous new me".

This summer I got tan (and by tan I mean no longer whiter than a piece of paper) so that's what i'm going to show off. Here are a couple of outfits that highlight the new you.

J. Crew Tank // Ray Ban Sunglasses // Tory Burch Bracelet

Modcloth Satchel // J. Crew Chinos // Keds Champions

You spent all summer slowly working up a tan while staying sun safe, show it off with white shorts and a cobalt top. Wear a hint of gold to show that you are no longer a strictly silver girl.

Topshop Peplum Top // Kate Spade Watch // Henri Bendel Bracelet

Abercrombie & Fitch Jeans // Michael Kors Bag // Topshop Wedges

This summer you ate right and worked out, show off your fab body with an always flattering peplum top and skinny jeans. Keep colors dark for an extra slimming touch, and complete with bright accessories for a pop of color.

Madewell Silk Dress // Loren Hope Earrings

Michael Kors Tote // Lucky Oxfords

You spent the summer running, lifting, and getting ready for fall. Show it off with a sleeveless dress in a solid color. Keep accessories minimal to keep all the attention on your awesome guns.

J. Crew Tuxedo Shirt // J. Crew Glasses // Kate Spade Watch

Alice + Olivia Skirt // Topshop Satchel // Jon Josef Smoking Loafer

You spent the summer with your nose in a book: studying for the SAT, the GRE, attending lectures, and sharpening your mind. Show of your smarts with a plaid skirt, glasses, and a classic satchel.

What do you want to say with your back to school outfit?

Lawnparties Fashion Guide

Every spring and fall Princeton dresses in its preppiest, drinks its cheapest champagne, and opens our street to numerous musical acts in mockery of our status as one of the preppiest schools in the country. The fashion for Lawnparties is very serious business, and rides a fine line between fun prep and trues prep.

The basic outfit is a brightly colored pastel sundress. Lilly Pulitzer is the traditional staple. Make sure you look preppy, but not like you actually are too preppy, we are making fun of ourselves after all.

Here are some of my picks for this Lawnparties, which is just two weeks away!

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Lilly Pulitzer

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The Do's

• Bright pastels
• A-line skirts
• Feminine details
• Oversized patterns
• High necklines
• Shift dresses
• Cotton and silk material

The don'ts

• Cutouts: This is not a music festival
• Low Necklines: Again, this is not a music festival, only exception is for a wrap dress
• Crazy Florals: No black background color, and keep the palette simple
• Structured Dresses: Nothing you wore to your high school homecoming

Where to Shop

• Lulu's has great cheap sundresses
• Elizabeth McKay, but can skew old
• Country Club Prep
• Nordstrom Juniors
• Lilly Pulitzer
• Kate Spade, but very spendy
• C. Wonder

Tommy Hilfiger Shoot on Campus

This last spring Tommy Hilfiger shot their new campaign on campus. It’s a bit of a tradition, every April and May Brooks Brothers, Tommy Hilfiger, or Ralph Lauren trek to campus to shoot preppy people in preppy clothes at the preppiest place on earth. I must say the Princeton arches are the ideal location, but the shoot gets really annoying by the end. Here are a couple of things

• They brought in three different cars to use as a backdrop, in the middle of a walkway between me and all my classes.
• The bikes they use aren’t very functional. Someone tried to steal it, realized it was broken and returned it.
   
• However beautiful those male models may have been, they did not know how to throw a Frisbee. My teammates and I were all shaking our heads.

Despite the mild annoyance, and major ego bruising being around such attractive people, the photos really are amazing. I’m glad more people get to see the beauty that is possible in the middle of New Jersey. So here are a few of my favorites. It’s been great Tommy, until next time.

Photo Credit: Tommy Hilfiger

Dorm Design

My school colors are orange and black, kinda the ugliest combination out there. I have found the right solution though, navy and orange. This year I am in a four person suite and my roommates and I have spent all summer planning for our room.

Crate & Barrel Sofa // Target Lamp

Jayes Studio Trash Can // Jonathan Adler Chair

Etsy Book Print // PBteen Duvet Cover

Etsy Pillow // PBteen Rug // Etsy Pillow

And the finishing touch, a class banner, that costs a really stupid amount of money for above the fireplace

School Supplies

One of my favorites this to do every September is go shopping for school supplies. Here is my list of everything you need for a great school year, no matter how old.

1. Moleskine Notebook

2. Lily Agenda

3. Chevron Pens

4. Bobino Slim Pen

5. Gentle Reminder Pencils

6. Etsy Pencil Pouch

7. Contigo Travel Mug

8. Bobble Filtering Water Bottle

9. Everlane Backpacks

10. Life is Good Acrylic Tumbler, or photo tumbler

Best Apps for College

1. Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock

Great app for making the most of your precious sleep in college. Lets you track how different factors affect your quality of sleep. 

$1.99 for iOS

2. BAC Tracker

Everyone likes to cut loose a bit in college, just make sure you keep it safe. Enter your height, weight, and gender and it will calculate your blood alcohol concentration. It can remind you when it's safe to have another drink, set goals and favorite drinks. The party girl's new best friend.

Free for Android

3. iStudiez Pro

A great app that lets you track all of your classes, setting unique schedules, assignments, exams, projects. Never turn in another thing late or get caught by surprise by a test.

$2.99 for iOS

4. Run Keeper

Running is great in college. You get to go outside for a bit, soak up your beautiful campus, and explore. RunKeeper helps you track everything: routes, distances, paces, set goals, and break records.

Free for iOS and Android

5. School App

Almost all schools have their own app. Download it. Most have maps, academic links, calendars, emergency assistance, and a lot more. This will be your best friend orientation week

6. GroupMe

A group texting app. Great for teams, sororities, clubs, your besties. You can edit and create groups control whether you get texts or digital messages (using wi-fi/data).

Free for iOS and Android

7. Dropbox

You should have Dropbox on your phone and laptop. This has safed my life, and GPA multiple times. Like when my computer got ran over, I was able to send documents from my phone that evening, or when I was at a tournament and forgot to email a document to my professor. Get it and use it.

Free for iOS and Android

8. Songza

The best music streaming site your will ever use. No more discombobulated Pandora playlists, no more crappy songs. Pick curated playlists based on the time of day, mood, and activity. My favorites are Alt-Rock Workout and Sunshine Indie Pop

Free for iOS and Android

9. Bank

Most banks have apps now a days with features like automatic transfers, check deposit, and budget tracking. If you are like me and have a small regional credit union on the other side of the country this is a life saver

Free for iOS and Android

10. USA Today

I have kissed a lot of news app frogs in my day and this is the definitive winner. With up to date news, low data usage, and easy navigation this is a must have for the well informed college prepster.

Free for iOS and Android

 What are your go to apps for school?

Paperwork to Pack

For many, college is the first time you are responsible for all your important documents, financial information, and identity security. When heading to campus make sure you have the originals of these documents.

Passport – If you don’t have one get one and the world will open up

Social Security Number – either have your card or preferably memorize it. Never keep this in your wallet.

Blank Check – This is used for setting up direct deposits for any job you might get. Alternatively you can just use your bank’s routing number and your account number, but make sure you know these.

Birth Certificate – Use this to renew your passport if it was issued before you were 16, also general back up proof of citizenship

Driver’s License – If you don’t have one go get a state issued ID. You need this to buy Nyquil, see R rated movies if you look 12 like me, and buy alcohol (once you are 21 of course)

Keep all of these things safe and accessible in a file folder, where you can also keep bank statements, pictures, and other important documents.

great options from target here, here, and here