Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

This weekend was one for the books and was amazing. I have never been to such a large mall as in three levels high, then it crossed over the road and had a second side to the mall with another two level on the other side. I would definitely say that walking into Gucci was a moment that I will definitely not forget. We don't have stores like that around the Grand Rapids area at all. Yes, I definitely touched Gucci loafers and took a picture of them to add onto my wish-list. The Somerset Mall is a two building complex where one building has a three story level of stores and the other building is only two story. As you cross over the Skywalk (which reminds me of being in an airport), you go to the more expensive side. Vineyard Vines, Lilly Pulitzer, Gucci, Versace, Tory Burch, and other amazing stores are found in the second building. I have never been in a Nordstrom quite like that one in the mall. I was in love, literally. 

We finished the night with dinner at P.F Chang's and then headed back to our hotel for the night. The next morning, we enjoyed breakfast at the hotel and then we were on our way to Target and Old Navy. We enjoyed lunch at Panera then we were on our way home for the weekend. 

I can't wait to share all of my goodies that I bought over the weekend within upcoming blog post. Spring is definitely near and I can't wait to break out miniskirts and pastels. Enjoy! 

 This Spring Break was definitely one for the books as I really don't want to go back to school but know that there is only eight more weeks until summer. I am ready for warm weather and sunshine. 

Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale

The Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale was a great success with amazing pieces as Lilly Pulitzer has out done themselves once more. I really liked a lot of the clothing pieces as they had other patterns from past years. The savings were huge, with the great deals that Lilly gave this year made it mindful that these deals are hard to come by. Lilly Pulitzer does not offer sales throughout the years but when they do the sales, they are usually great! 

With the best items usually selling out quickly, it is always best to have a plan before the sale. These five tips will make the next Lilly After Sale successful. 

1. On the day before January 3rd (so January 2nd) make sure everything is set up before the sale. It's important to make a profile on Lilly Pulitzer's website with your credit card information saved to make the secure checkout easier on your behalf. 

2. Definitely set an alarm for early times around 7:30 on both days. Open your computer roughly around 7:45 AM while you are brewing coffee to stay awake while waiting in line. 

3. Once sale begins, sort the sale by your size. Not every item will be in your size, so it will be easier to find what exact item you are looking for. Then if you like something, put it in your cart and move on. The second you made your selection, check out immediately before the items sell out. 

4. Check back on the second day of the sale. I like to check the second day of sale since Lilly Pulitzer always adds more styles on the second day. You just don't want to miss out on those deals. 

Once you shop the Lilly Pulitzer sale, please leave a comment below or on social media with your favorite Lilly purchase. I love seeing what everyone else scored with this sale. Happy shopping everyone! 

The items I got within this sale was 

1. Sleeveless Essie Dress: Brilliant Blue Catch And Release

2. 5" Callan Shorts: Blue Current Drop Me A Lime 

3. IPhone 7/8 Phone Case: Multi Beach Loot Tech 

4.  UPF 50+ Luxletic 21" Weekender Cropped Pant: Multi Casa Del Sol Small 

5. Marigold Skort: Brilliant Blue Catch and Release 

I hope everyone had a wonderful experience shopping online! Can't wait to hear all of the goodies that were purchased! 

How I Organize My Lilly Agenda

As part of Simply Emily Elizabeth takes on year three of college, I thought it would be wonderful to show helpful tips on organizing a Lilly Pulitzer Agenda.

In high school, I never used a planner or agenda ever. I always thought that I could get by remembering certain due dates and times of events throughout the week. Which looking back now is absolutely crazy. I live by my Lilly Pulitzer agenda day in and day out.


                            Separating to-do's and schedules:
I have found this to be essential when organizing my agenda. I would write down my classes for the day or look at any assignments that were due or within a couple of days, then I would write down what I needed to do for those particular classes. I like to rewrite the upcoming week usually every Sunday right while I prepare for the week. Many times I will use Post It notes to write down my to do list for either the day or week. By the end of the week, there are tons of sticky notes around my agenda, reminding me what I need to complete for the week.

Using the Monthly View of the Calendar:

I never really used the monthly view for the past two years until now, when looking at the bigger picture for the due dates that are coming shortly. Also writing down birthdays, celebrations and schedules for soccer, work and personal events gives a great reminder throughout the upcoming weeks. Although I haven't written in anything August, I will surely begin write dates down for September. It will be easy to plan ahead accordingly with major test and projects for school.

                                              Color Coding:
To keep me organize I like to keep my classes to a certain PaperMate color pen. I am constantly coordinating colors with specific events and due dates. For example, for my summer course Human Anatomy and Physiology had two parts for there is a lecture three days a week and a lab twice a week. How I stay organized throughout my Lilly agenda is by color coordination towards the many different schedules that gets put into the agenda.
According to the following colors:
Dark Pink- Lecture
Lime Green- Lab
Black- Ellie (my sister) soccer games
Cobalt Blue- Joey's baseball schedule
Lilac Purple- Schedule for the Hospital
Black pen- Work Schedule at Uccellos
Neon Pink- Blog schedule
This helps me understanding what events are on each day. This planner becomes my life and a necessary utensil that I use within the school year. I seriously don't know how people don't write down test dates, deadlines for papers, or even homework assignments. With my class schedule, it is easy to identify by a glance what events are going on through the week.

I hope these simple tips on organizing your agenda helps. This fall will surely be a handful (with 18 credits) but nothing will compare being successfully organized with my Lilly agenda.

Must Needed School Supplies

1.  Binders/Binder Covers: At the beginning of my freshman year of college, I wanted some binder covers to decorate the boring looking binders. My binder covers have stayed in amazing shape throughout two years of college. I found this wonderful website with a full front and back cover of simple Lilly Pulitzer designs. Instead of paying major $$ for the covers, this website is free. All you do is download the PDF in Adobe Reader, change the monogram and then print on cardstock. With the size for the binders, I majority get the one inch ones but if I knew the class will have a lot of papers then I would purchase a two inch binder to give more flexible room for more papers. I prefer to use the color coding for each course (being a certain color) and then switch the binders at the end of each semester. Rather than buying brand new binders for each semester, it is easier to reuse plus it saves you money.

2.  Notebooks: Now everyone is different about notebooks, a lot of people like to have one five-subject ringed book, while others (like myself) prefer one notebook per course. For me, it helps with organizing notes between classes and not losing them. I usually like to pair a color notebook along with the same binder color (go figure). Recently, my mom has begun working with her Cricut to create monogram stickers (I’m trying to convince her of starting her own Etsy shop, but so far, no luck).  But in past years, I have seen people but stickers or monograms on their notebooks to give them more personality. I would love for this year to monogram my binders or notebooks.

3. Pencil/Pen Bag: For this a simple one zipper bag that I found at Target in the dollar section, it has held up many of the PaperMate colored pens (that will be later discussed in another blog post). I love to use these pens for writing down important dates and deadlines for school. I also like to keep one or two sharpies in my pouch along with a couple of pencils. A simple bag will keep your pens or pencils for the semester and keep them from the bottom of your backpack.

4.  Agendas/Planners: I have been obsessing this summer over my new 2017-2018 Lilly Pulitzer agenda. Mine is a large agenda in the Beach Loot pattern. I seriously cannot wait to begin writing in my brand new agenda. I will have an upcoming blog post about organizing an agenda or planner to be successful for the upcoming semesters. I often like to write down all course material deadlines in the specific color that I assigned when writing down the time frame of classes. Plus do not be afraid to personalize it with an adorable monogram on the cover.

5. Backpacks: In past years, I would have backpacks that do not stand to the power of multiple books with binders inside. At Christmas of my freshman year, I got a NorthFace backpack that can hold majority of my books and binders per day during the week (including my laptop). I kept with the classic black color as black goes with everything. With two main compartments, there is room for many little things along side two water bottle holders. At Aquinas, it is a very common backpack to have around campus.

I hope everyone has a great couple weeks before school and the craziness of fall begins. Soccer has been in full swing for the past two weeks, I love walking around Aquinas and seeing the new additions to the campus.

My Top 5 Favorite Pieces in My Closet

I would describe my style as traditionally preppy: simple, yet bold. I love to wear neutral clothing to create the foundation of the outfit. My favorite staple pieces in my closet are pieces of clothing that fit well, look nice, and are versatile. Here are some of my favorite clothing staples!

1. Lilly Pulitzer Madison Skort: During the After Party Sale, I purchased this amazing skort by Lilly. This skirt is super comfortable and durable for any activity. I would probably recommend going a size up, because there is elastic around the waist but shorter in length. I am obsessed with this stylish piece for the unique pattern and fun colors.

2. J.Crew Toothpick Jeans: These jeans are one of my favorite pieces in my closet. When I worked at J.Crew, I received my first pair and I fell in love. They fit like a glove, I definitely love that they are not tight around the mid thigh region or the hips. I love that these jeans are skinny jeans but aren't constrictive like typical skinny jeans. I have three pairs of pants in a dark, medium and light colors. I love that these jeans go by numbers rather than just a medium or large sizing. Always try on any clothing from J.Crew whether it is jeans, shorts or a top to reassure that it fits before buying the item.

3. Old Navy Relaxed Peplum-Hem Top: I have this top in classic colors of orange, cobalt blue, raspberry pink, and white with black striped. The hem part lays right above the hips as the long sleeve gives the piece a nice boat neckline. I love how lightweight this top is, and its versatility for all seasons. I wear a medium in this top (though I do have a large #clearancescore) This top is a classic neutral piece that can be worn all of the time.

4. Sam + Libby Tibby Whip Stitch Thong Sandals: This pair of shoes reminds me of Jack Rogers or Palm Beach Sandals. I didn’t want to jump into buying a pair of Jacks or Palm quite yet; although I truthfully enjoy these sandals as they are comfortable and easy accessible to slip on. They are not too narrow or too wide. I have the colors gold and white, and I love these cute shoes. But if you do have Jack Rogers or Palm Beach sandals, I would love advice about purchasing them.

5. Vests: I am addicted to vests, I have nearly all of the different colors such as pink, white, red and black. During the fall and winter, they become my essential piece of clothing. Many of my vests, I have bought them through TJ MAXX. I have a couple of Lands End vest in pink and multi colored plaid vest. I can easily style underneath with simple layering of a sweater and a button down. I have many excursion vest in all different styles of stripes, buffalo check, gingham, herringbone and puffer.

I would love to know what your favorite pieces in your closet! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

June Favorites

Happy Monday! Finally I was able to complete more blogging as my summer college course came to an end. Since June is about over, I thought of going over my favorite products and things that hopefully you will try out and love as much as I do!
Beginning this month (from now on), I will be sharing all of my favorite products from upcoming months.

Lilly Pulitzer Agenda "Beach Loot" - I recently bought this agenda at Mason Jones: Paper Plus in Grand Rapids that carries Lilly accessories (relatively close) to me. I am very excited to begin write down dates from my soccer, work and school schedule. I'm obsessed with the navy, pink and orange colors that are mixed on the front cover.

Bare Minerals Gen Nude Matte Liquid Lipstick: Swag - This is one of my favorite types of lipstick, it really sticks on your lips and continues to stay color throughout the day. I love the color "Swag" as it gives a great color of pink and nude. It is always my go to lipstick whenever I am doing my makeup routine.

Ked's Champion Pennant Sneakers - With baseball season continuing during the summer, these shoes are essential to make a statement in the stands. Since Joey (my boyfriend)  plays college baseball, the sneakers become a favorite of mine to walk around the diamond. They are very comfortable and stylish.

Kate Spade Jackson Street Lacey Wallet - Having a Kate Spade outlet store in Grand Rapids surely becomes dangerous when there are constant sales on wallets and handbags. I had an impulse decision to buy a new wallet but I love how spacious the wallet is that it can hold many gift cards and credit cards.

Kate Spade "Set in Stone Enamel Stone Hinged Bangle" - This bracelet is a great stackable collection for arm candy. I love the cream color with the logo of Kate Spade in gold. It's always a good time to add a little shine to your jewelry. I have the bangles in black also but I continue to wear them almost everyday.

Carolina Dandy Monogrammed Scallop Purse - I am obsessed with my newly purchased purse through this amazing company. I did my monogram in a navy blue color. It easily compliments every outfit no matter what you wear. I love that it is light and easy to carry around.

                    What were your June Favorites? Let me know in the comments!

Happy National Wear Your Lilly Day!

One of my favorite things about Lilly Pulitzer, is how I feel like it's created such a close knit community of women who all have one common love: that life is a party and we should all dress like it! With the obsessing over the recently new released Lilly Pulitzer clothing line with bright neon colors added to the older prints. I recently purchased two Tate skirts from Lilly Pulitzer, one in the pattern of Daisy Dance Allover and the other in Pink Pout Flamenco. I love the bright colors of the Daisy Dance Allover as it is a great piece for the spring and summer seasons. What gravitated my eye on this piece was the unique color of the blues and the usage of the floral as it's not the typical bright pink pattern. The skirt is not overwhelmingly neon or seem to be "too busy". I paired the skirt with a Ralph Lauren oxford white button down, my Kendra Scott and pearl necklace, and tan Merona wedges. 

Although, National Wear Your Lilly Day was on Wednesday and the first day of summer you should always be a Lilly lover and always be sporting some Lilly. I hope you all have a wonderful first day of summer and are rocking some of your favorite Lilly prints.