Catch up with Kara

Hey y'all. Sorry I been M.I.A. lately, I am currently on vacation at Bethany Beach in Delaware.  Anyways, last weekend I went with my best friend from kindergarten on a girls day. We went to Carytown in Richmond, Va. If you ever find yourself in Richmond be sure to go to Carytown! The shopping and food are some of the best in the city. They have a really cute store called Clementine's and it's a Lilly Pulitzer gold mine, I mean dresses with tags for $60!!

We ate at Weezie's Kitchen which I honestly was hesitant to eat at because we had never heard of it, and we ended up getting pancakes because it was only 11 am and it was raining out. They were the best pancakes I have ever had, and my dad makes some amazing pancakes. They were so light and had a slight hint of vanilla but it wasn't overpowering. AMAZING!

By the time I remembered to take a picture I had almost finished it and I normally never finish anything!

When we were walking around we came across this flower stand. Look at these roses, they were so colorful and full, but we were about to go out of town so I didn't get any (I thought about it though)

Since it was still raining we made our way to Stony Point Mall and wandered into anthropologie, of course. I need this flamingo stuffed animal! It is adorable and so soft.

I also wandered into Vineyard Vines and got this fleece vest for $50!! They retail for $85 so that was a deal! I also posted this on instagram, be sure to follow me if you aren't @prepandpeonies!

xox
Kara

Agendas

Every year my favorite part about july is getting my new agenda! It takes me literally  3 weeks to decide which one I want because it will be my lifeline for the next school year. I, like most people, love the Lilly Pulitzer agendas, however I wanted to share some other adorable options I found.

1. May Designs

This website is awesome to create a totally custom agenda. You get to pick everything from the pattern, border, and you can even add a monogram or your name! Bonus, if you already have your agenda you can customize a journal or stationary! They are small enough to be carried around everywhere!

2. Simplified Planner

These agendas, created by the wonderful Emily Ley, are everything you could want in an agenda and then some. They just came out with a new edition of agendas, smaller and gold binding which makes it look so pretty! All of the Academic Daily planners are sold out but mark your calendars for September 9th when they release more agendas!

3. Kate Spade

Kate Spade agendas are so classic and simple. A part that I really like about them is the binding rings are on the inside almost like a binder, so you don't have to worry about it bending up. They are perfect for if you like to color coordinate everything like I do, thanks to the black and off white theme throughout it. 

4. Lilly Pulitzer

Shocker right, these agendas are my favorite. I love the fun patterns and how colorful they are. This year they updated it some, there is a new travel page and page with the little pocket is now printed instead of white! This years patterns are definitely my favorite! They used a better variety of patterns and included some from their collections, which are always my favorite!

I hope that this insight can help you decide which agenda to get! What other agendas do y'all love to use? Leave a comment and let me know!

xoxo

Kara

USA! USA! USA!

play We Are the Champions by Queens while reading ;)

If you watched the Finals in the Women's World Cup, then you witnessed some awesome U.S. women kick butt against japan with a 5-2 win! 4 of the goals were scored in the first 16 minutes and 3 of those by Carli Lloyd. Additionally the U.S. Women's team is the first to win 3 World Cups. Talk about girl power! These women are so amazing and they had some pretty inspiring things to say about their win and how they accomplished it, so I thought I would share it with you

"I worked on my weaknesses and made them my strengths."- Sydney Leroux

"Every time you fall down, it gives you an opportunity to question yourself, question your integrity. It's not about the actual failure itself-- its how you respond to it."- Abby Wambach

"Excuses are like losses. Everyone has them except champions." -Alex Morgan

"Embrace the opportunity, no matter what it is. Look at everything in a positive light."- Julie Johnston

I hope y'all find these quotes as empowering as I did. And if you aren't watching the U.S. Women's team in their normal season, you should because they are a force to be reckoned with! 

xo 

Kara

DIY Collage wall

Hey Y'all! I am back with another DIY. This is one did a few months ago but I absolutely love it and get so many compliments on it so I decided I would show y'all how to make your own. I just had this awkward wall that is about 3.5 feet, and I didn't know what to do with it. At first I was going to do a collage with picture frames but I wanted to include typography and make it kind of an inspiration wall.

I don't have a specific theme to the wall (think Kate Middleton, Sydney Leroux, and lilly pulitzer prints) not coordinated at all. I went on pinterest and found all these quotes I really liked. I also looked up my favorite celebrities and role models like Amy Adams, Jackie O, Reese Witherspoon, and Blake Lively. Some of my favorite places were included too, New York, France, and Notre Dame, to name a few!

 The J'adore picture above as well as paris map below are starbucks gift cards.They were so cute I couldn't throw them away!

I simply attached the pictures with different washi tapes. I also used scotch two sided glue dots to keep some pictures down in the corners. 

It is currently raining so the pictures look faded but its super colorful and it makes me so happy because it has everything I love! Thanks Dad for letting me use all of your ink :) I hope y'all liked this DIY! It kinda looks like a pinterest feed, but who doesn't love pinterest!
xo,
Kara

Online Shopping

I am finally starting to get a routine down for summer. I just started a job as a nanny for my neighbors, and I am exhausted when I get home! Who knew that a 5 year old and a 3 year old could take so much out of you. So when I get home I go straight to my room, chill on my bed,and online shop (of course)

I think we can all agree that Lilly Pulitzer's collections have rocked this year! The past few previous years I have only liked one or two patterns in each collection, but they made an awesome comeback! A few things I have had my eyes on are this dress, this coverup , these shorts, and this agenda. It took me so long to decide which agenda to get because I always purchased a medium one. However, this year I already know that I am going to be so much more busy with school and other things so I decided I would go big and get the jumbo. Another reason I got the jumbo is because my medium sized one's binding would get messed up from being moved around from my textbooks.

Another store that I have been purchasing a ton from is Loft. I feel like it is a hidden jem because nobody that I know shops there except my mom. Their clothes fit so nicely and the quality is so good (except for the shoes) They are always having sales like 50% in stores right now on everything! It's like Ann Taylor but more casual and aimed towards younger people. I have their cardigans in every color and love them more than the J Crew Claire ones. I really want this dress, and this one (its not as purple in person, it looks more of a maroon) and this scarf (with a navy dress, SO CUTE)

Lately, I feel like everyone has been disappointed with J Crew. However, J Crew Factory, has had everything I've been missing from J Crew at a fraction of the cost. Right now their entire store online and in store is 50% off! This Pineapple Sweater is so cute, I had to get it! I usually don't like maxi dresses but this one is great for summer! And these shorts are great! I have 2 pairs and they are so easy to wear and extremely comfortable! They have become a staple in my summer wardrobe.

What are your favorite stores to online shop at? Leave a comment and let me know!
xo,
Kara

Don't forget to follow my other social medias:
Instagram:prepandpeonies
Pinterest: Prep And Peonies