Keep It Classy, Alabama!

If you haven't checked out this blog, you should! Lindsey Leigh is an adorable Southern belle with a lot to say! Not only is she a fellow Lilly-lover, but a super sweet girl to boot! She's currently having a week of giveaways to celebrate her 1 year "Blogaversary" so help her to celebrate and check out her blog!! I'm finding all sorts of cute new places to shop with her giveaways, too!

Keep It Classy, Alabama

Also, check out Preppy Paper Designs for some ADORABLE stationary!

xx, Emily Ann

Smart Bargains

I know I said I was on a "spending hiatus" as I save up for my big move in May, but when a crazy good deal comes your way it would just be WRONG to let it pass you by, right? So when a friend told me that Smartbargains.com had an extra 55% off already marked down items, including a Lilly dress I've had my eye on for a while, I couldn't resist! I bought the Harlow dress in the Multicolor Map print- I've heard this called "X Marks the Spot" as well, I believe it's from a previous resort line? If anyone has the answer for me I'd appreciate it!

This isn't necessarily an item that would typically catch my attention, but I've seen this print up close and it's adorable! Not to mention it's another one of those prints I see as a "must have" for a social studies teacher! (I got this dress for $31 originally $238- can you say a STEAL?!)

The other dress I see as absolutely necessary as an English teacher is the Jonah (or any other dress in this print) in Sealed With a Kiss. With stationary, etc. all over it I find it to be adorable! If anyone knows where I can find this dress for a great price please let me know! It's been on my wish list for ages now!

xx, Emily Ann

OOTD Sunday 1/29

I actually had a Sunday off work, it's a miracle! Working retail can be tough- my days off are in the middle of the week while everyone else is at work. During the weekend when everyone else is off work, I'm working 8 or 9 hour shifts. So the fact I had a Sunday work-free was amazing! Sunday mornings are dedicated to church with my family, and usually I go straight from church, to lunch, to work and my work dress code requires all black (blah). So of course I took the opportunity to put together a colorful outfit!

I wore my Stephanie Shift (a Lilly Pulitzer New Year Cheer Sale purchase!) in Dress Rehearsal with a navy cardigan from Charlotte Russe (bargain buy) black sparkle tights from J. Crew, and black Nine West riding boots from Macy's.

I spent the rest of my day being as productive as possible- it's not often I get a free Sunday! I accomplished 6 loads of laundry, reorganized my closet, put together 4 large bags of clothes I don't wear anymore to donate to Goodwill this week, turned in my last online assignment, and baked chocolate chip cookies. I love feeling so productive!

Hope y'all had a fabulous Sunday afternoon!

xx, Emily Ann

Lilly Pulitzer Spring 2012

I'm sure my fellow Lilly-lovers are already aware of this, but I can't contain my excitement over the release of Lilly's new Spring line that launched online Saturday! I had to work all day, but as soon as I could get home and to my computer I had the Lilly Pulitzer site pulled up so I could go through and "heart" my favorites! I couldn't possibly share every item from the line I love, because let's be honest, I love it all, but I want to share a few that are on my Must Have list!

First is the Lottie Dress in Cherry Mine Engineered. I love the colors and the silhouette, I could definitely picture wearing this for an evening out with friends or a day at the winery!

Second has to be the Somerset Dress in both True Navy and Hotty Pink. I honestly can't decide which color I like better in this dress, because I could see both of them fitting perfectly into my wardrobe. Dress it up with the LP leopard wedges I ordered from Leapin' Lizards and a cute belt or pair it with a pair of Jack Rogers Navajo sandals for a day around town. At such a great price, I may need to buy both anyway, it can be for any occasion!

The third item I'm loving is the Mariana Dress in both Bright Navy Yum Yum and State of Mind Patch. (State of Mind is by far my favorite print from this new line, I want it in everything they made it in!) I love the lace details and classic silhouette. I love a classic shift, the shape seems to really suit my body type, and this seems a variation of the Adelson Shift to me.

The last and most coveted item for me this Spring is the Ricci Shift in Multi Lillys State of Mind Patch. From the super adorable print that has a patch for each state (I love how Missouri's has the St. Louis arch!), the super cute bow on the shoulder, the cut-out neckline, and the fact the Ricci tends to run slightly shorter (great for a gal like me who is under 5' 2") there is nothing I'm not loving about this dress! And in case you didn't know, my degree is in Middle School Language Arts and SOCIAL STUDIES. I have to admit, this print just screams Social Studies teacher to me! There has been a lot of buzz over this dress in the Lilly Lovers community, anxiously anticipating the print's release, and in case you haven't had a good look go here to see it a little better!

Needless to say, Lilly Pulitzer has done it again!

xx, Emily Ann

Elsa Out On the Town

Working retail leaves me without weekends to do with as I please. Since I haven't had a weekend off since before Thanksgiving and the end of football season, a few of my college girlfriends decided to make the trip down to Cape Girardeau to visit for an evening. These gals are some of the best friends I could ever hope for, and thinking of the fact they drove 3 hours to spend one evening with me gets me a little choked up. If there was one thing I have taken away from college, it's that true friends are there for you no matter what the obstacles. The three of us had a fabulous night out on the town together, and I am so glad I finally got to have some fun in one of my absolutely favorite Lilly pieces!

I made a point to document my outfit. I adore the Elsa top! This is my Snorkel Blue Greens With Envy I purchased on ebay for a steal! I love the colors, and the cut is flowy, flattering, and comfortable all wrapped into one fabulous top. I received so many compliments on my outfit- I paired my Elsa with a pair of dark wash jeggings and BCBG camel colored cowboy boots that have been a closet staple for me. I felt cute all night, and I think that's what Lilly is really all about- how fabulous and pretty you feel when you're wearing it!

Horny Flamingo shots- very yummy and a pink drink I think Lilly would approve of!

Love, love, LOVE these gals!

Rocking My Lilly

I was going to do a New Year Cheer Sale post, but I don't have photos in all of my Lilly purchases. So I decided instead that I'd do a post with pictures of me wearing my Lilly! Every one of my Lilly pieces was purchased on sale- either at a Via store, from Re-Lilly/Shifting Lilly, or at the New Year Cheer online sale! I have a few other pieces that won't be posted because I haven't had a chance to be photographed in them yet, but you can be sure I'll blog about them when I get the chance!

Photos with the roommate-to-be, I'm wearing my cotton Elsa on a night out with friends- didn't get a great shot of the top, but I received so many compliments that night and completely fell in love with the Elsa! I got this one for only $30 at Ruelala.com during one of their Lilly Pulitzer events!

Snapped a picture in the fitting rooms at work. My Rivia Flounce top in Azalea Pink- I love when we're allowed to add pink into our wardrobe at work for special holidays! Purchased this at 6pm.com for only $35

Trying out a new way to tie my Hotty Pink First Impression murfee- my absolute favorite print! Bought this one off a lovely fellow Lilly-lover who knew it was a "holy grail" item for me.

Murfee in Nice to See You for running errands on my day off work. Another purchase from a fellow Lilly-lover, I had to get the murfee to match my iPhone case!

Getting ready for a night out in my Shauna in Big Bang- I LOVE this dress! Bought it at the Lilly Pulitzer New Year Cheer Sale.

Wearing my Shauna in Big Bang for drinks with the girls- another photo with my roommate to be!

Modeling my Stephanie Shift in Dress Rehearsal while deciding what to wear out one night (A New Year Cheer sale purchase!)

Wearing my Wayles in Hotty Pink Ring My Chimes for Thanksgiving! (I tweeted this picture and got a response from Lilly Pulitzer! The highlight of my holiday!) I bought this for only $100 at The Pink Magnolia, a Lilly Pulitzer Via Store. It was my first Lilly purchase!

Even the background on my iPhone is my favorite Lilly print! I can't get enough of Hotty Pink First Impression!

Thanks for all the kind words and support, y'all are indeed the best!!

xx Emily Ann

Spending Hiatus

I'm currently 23 years old, recently graduated from college, and living with my parents. It's tough to be done with school and not find a "real" job right away. Don't get me wrong, I love my retail management job, but I don't make near enough for all the time I put in and how many hours I work. Living with my parents these last few months has left me with nothing but work, time, and no financial responsibilities. It's been wonderful to be bill-free and able to spend my money on whatever I wanted. Especially because I've been a shopaholic since I was able to pick out my own clothes. My mother, bless her heart, is a wonderful woman who only ever wanted to make me happy. However, I have no impulse control and I think that can at least PARTLY be attributed to the many shopping trips she and I have taken since I was a little girl where I have rarely ever heard "no."

Now, as I said I've had little to no responsibilities towards which my hard-earned money had to go. And have I spent this time saving up my money? Of course not! Now I find myself a few months away from moving into my first apartment that I will be paying for completely on my own. Yes, I will have a roommate who will be sharing the bills, but I will be paying my half of the rent, utilities, groceries, etc. Along those same lines, I will be taking my phone bill, car insurance, etc. away from my parents so the burden will all be on me. I have been beyond blessed with parents who not only have the means, but the desire to support me as I have gone through school. I have always held a job, but the money I earned was meant for "play" or extra expenses that weren't necessary, but more a choice on my part. I know my parents would continue to pay my way until I have a "real" job as a teacher, but I am feeling as though it is past time for me to be fully responsible for myself.

I have a few months, it will be April or May before my roomie-to-be and I can move into our new place, but I've come to the realization that I need to start saving and putting money aside for the big move now. I have some credit card debt to pay off, and from putting together a budget I've become aware of just how tight it's going to be for me with all my bills, rent, and other responsibilities. This being said, I need to be on spending hiatus so as much of my money as possible can go towards paying of my credit card and setting money aside in preparation for my move in a few months. This is going to be incredibly hard. I love spending, especially on Lilly Pulitzer. I'm going to need help!

My hope is that through this blog and my Lilly-loving friends, I can live vicariously through y'alls purchases and moral support. I want and need to be independent, and I want to be successful at it. My parents have made it clear- once I move out, I'm on my own. I don't want to have to come back home because I "couldn't make it." I know there are plenty of others who live on a tight budget on less money than I make, so I know I can do this! Help me stay on track, y'all!

xx Emily Ann

Lilly & Football

I've done a lot of talk about finding dresses for football season, but I finally bit the bullet and purchased one the other day at 6pm.com. I bought the Lela Lace Shift in Starfruit Yellow. I'd heard that the lace causes the dress to fit a little more snug than usual, so I sized up to a 12 when I would usually wear an 8 or a 10. I tried it on first thing this morning when it arrived. And while it is slightly snug in areas, I think I would have been OK to wear my usual size 10, especially because I'm attempting to lose weight in the next few months. Hopefully, if

the weight loss goes as planned, I can just have the dress taken in a bit. There are darts in it already, but I have a friend who designs and alters dresses all the time, so hopefully it won't be a problem for her!

I took a few photos, but being home alone and issues with lightin

g, the photos really don't do the shade of yellow justice. I'm really loving the dress, I'd go so far as to say I want it in the pink color it comes in, too! The lace is so much prettier in person, and you can really tell it's well-made. I like the length of the dress, too. I plan on wearing it with my cowboy boots this fall, so I put my boots on for the "photoshoot." If the weather turns cool, as it usually does at some point during football season in Missouri, I'll put on a black cardigan (black & gold, duh!) but I opted not to put one on for the photos. I will say though, after looking over these photos, I realize I'm going to need to put some arm routines into my workouts to tone up my arms before it's too warm for cardigans with every outfit!!

I hope it's just the angle of the camera and not the case all the time, because I really think this dress is flattering for my curvy figure, but I don't know that it really shows that in these photos. Once football season comes back and I get to tailgate in my beautiful Lilly, you can be sure I'll post plenty of photos!! Thoughts?

xx Emily Ann

Stalking the UPS Man

I knew I had a few packages that would show up on my doorstep sometime today from the extensive buying I did on ebay last week. So of course, every time I heard a truck or vehicle outside I ran to the window like a little kid in anticipation of it being the UPS truck with my Lilly goodies! So when I finally saw him pull up, I ran to the door to meet him with my not-so-long anticipated mail. Wasn't I surprised when it wasn't two, but THREE Lilly-filled packages!

First, my lovely new Lilly Pulitzer txt message wallet and matching tote. I can't wait to get back into teaching and carry this around with all the papers to grade and books. The wallet is being filled as soon as this post is finished and going straight into my purse. Right beside the matching pencil case that is currently holding all my lipsticks and lipglosses.

Maybe it's a little sad, but the third package could have been a number of things, so it really felt like a surprise to open it. Guess this is why my roommate-to-be calls me a Lillyaholic, I've ordered so much I don't know for sure what's in a package when it shows up at my door! But I was very excited to see that it was my new silk Elsa in Snorkel Blue Pintucks that I won on ebay last week. It is GORGEOUS. If it's even possible, I love it more th

an my pink cotton elsa. I love how it fits, and I feel so pretty in it. I'll definitely be wearing it out for a night on the town this Friday when some of my best friends from college come to visit! I'm thinking it will go great with my dark washed jeggings, and to spice things up a bit, I'm wanting to wear it with my gold glitter pumps. Too fun, r

ight?! Lilly Pulitzer, girlfriends, cocktails, and glitter. I'd say it's the perfect combination!

Don't worry, I'll be sure and post pictures of my Friday night outfit and share all the fun I have in my Lilly. :)

xx Emily Ann

PurseladyToo

As much as I love my Lilly clothing, I just can't get enough of all the Lilly stationary and accessories, either! Between the notecards, pens, pencils, phone cases, tumblers, coffee mugs, etc. I'm surprised I use anything that isn't Lilly-fied! My absolute favorite place to find all things Lilly is PurseladyToo she always has great prices, free shipping when you spend over $30, and has the BEST customer service! She ships quickly and efficiently, and typically adds a little note or goodie in addition to your purchase. I love supporting any kind of local/small business so I go through her for all my Lilly stationary needs! Lifeguard Press already has several items from the spring collection released- such as the Cherry Begonias cooler I'm dying for and blogged about a few days ago- but I'm opting to wait until PurseladyToo gets them in stock. I'm regretting the decision to not pre-order through her, but you live and learn!

There are several items from the Spring 2012 collection I can't wait to get my hands on. Top of the list is, obviously, the Cherry Begonias cooler I listed, but oh how long my list is besides that! I already have the iPhone cover in Nice to See You (thanks to my secret santa!) as well as the Business or Pleasure cosmetic duo and the Murfee scarf. (I obviously really like this print) So of course when I saw the acrylic pitcher, tumblers, and wine glasses I knew I had to add them to my collection! I'm moving into a new apartment in a few months, so I've started the search for Lilly items now. My kitchen will be very happy to receive all the Lilly "entertaining" pieces!

Hotty Pink First Impression

This is my all time favorite Lilly print. I've been back and forth for a very long time over what to get in it. I have the murfee in this print and I feel like I wear it at least once a week. I don't think I could live with myself if I let this print pass me by in a dress. I think I'm going to get it in the Keetan. I've tried the Keetan on before, in this print, and wasn't crazy about it. However, I have seen it belted and I liked it a LOT better with the Sullivan belt than when it was by itself. Honestly, at this point I think I would take ANY dress in this print. How could you not love it? It's the background on my computer, the skin I put on my Nook, and I'm getting ready to order it for my Macbook and for my iPhone. I think it's safe to say I'm obsessed with this print!

Tailgating

Tailgating by emilyannv featuring a long sleeve cardigan

J Crew long sleeve cardigan
$120 - jcrew.com

Madden Girl Sanguine Western Boot - Brown
$60 - dsw.com

Tailgating in Style

As a college sorority girl, everyone dressed cute for tailgating and football games. While I was a student, the look was cowboy boots, denim mini skirts, and football jerseys. I had fun rocking this look to many a tailgate, but now my alma mater has joined the ranks of the SEC! So of course this Lilly girl is super excited because that is going to mean sundresses and Lilly for football! While I know football season is still at least 9 months away, I have started my search for the perfect dresses because my school's colors won't be easy to find. Mizzou black and gold are fun, but not really a common scheme in Lilly's color palette. Lucky for me, I have some lovely ladies over at Shifting Lilly who are on the hunt for me to find the perfect Lilly for football season. During a conversation with a fewof them last night, I shared a dress I had found and they talked me into pulling the trigger and ordering my first Lilly football dress! I ordered the Lela shift in Starfruit yellow, and I plan on wearing it with a black cardigan and cowboy boots! I think it will be adorable and I can't wait for football season!

Lilly Cooler

I know this fall, Lilly Pulitzer had a GWP of tailgate totes. Unfortunately for me, I was never able to purchase enough to get the GWP and any time I saw one of the tailgate totes or coolers pop up online they just weren't a price I could justify. Now, with the Lifeguard Press spring Lilly collection coming out, I think I'll have to have the Cherry Begonias cooler! A group of friends and I started to get season tickets for Mizzou football this past season and we're making it a tradition. As alumni, we think it's an important to start these traditions right away and hopefully continue them as we get older, and bring our children to these events and maintain our friendships. I adore these ladies, as well as their significant others, and they all tolerate my love of Lily and enjoy all the colorful goodies I bring to tailgates. So at $32 I must have the cooler, in one of my favorite Lilly prints, to carry my adult beverages in for every tailgate!

Original Txt Message Hotty Pink

When I first saw the Txt message print, I thought it was cute but not something I would carry. While I'm currently on the hunt for a job and thus not teaching, my degree is in English education. So as an English teacher, it wouldn't be right for me to carry around a bag or anything with "text speak" all over it! That would go against all I stand for as an educator of the English language! But the more I saw it, the more I liked it. It can be ironic, right? The English teacher carrying around a tote with text message words written all over it, in my favorite shade of pink- cute, right? So I found the pencil case on sale at Saks.com Fashion Fix and snatched it up. (Thanks to the lovely ladies at Shifting Lilly for finding it for me!) I LOVE it! I'm currently using it in my purse to put my lipsticks, lip glosses, etc. in so they aren't constantly getting lost in the bottom of my purse anymore. It's adorable and the perfect size for my huge, oversized handbag!

So of course after having it for a few days, I went on the hunt for more items in my favorite new accessory! I found an adorable wallet, it even comes with a clutch strap! So of course I bought it and it's currently on it's way to me!

So now the question is: do I get the matching tote that is super adorable and matches my new accessories, OR do I get the ADPi tote that is a more age-appropriate way to carry around my letters? Such a hard decision to make!

Lilly Pulitzervention

As I was sitting at dinner with my dear friend and soon to be roommate, going into detail over my latest Lilly purchase and the dresses I'm currently trying to decide between ordering for football season (I know, MONTHS away, but a girl needs to be prepared, right?) when I realized she hadn't said anything for a while. She was just sitting there, staring at me. Apparently, she believes I am on the verge of needing a "Lilly Pulitzer intervention."

WHAT?! How is it even possible that a girl can be too obsessed, in love with, infatuated by all things Lilly? Too much is never enough, right? Because Lilly is a lifestyle! Am I right?

xx Emily Ann

Lilly-fied Nook

I am an avid reader. I love books. Historical fiction, romance, classic British literature, science fiction- you name it, I read it. So of course I have a Nook. I was skeptical at first, I didn't think there was any way I would prefer an electronic device to my paperbacks. My parents ended up getting me a Nook for my 22nd birthday and I loved it! As soon as I found one, I bought a Lilly Pulitzer Nook cover. It looked like a hardback book, with pink and green pattern and gold edgings. On a bit of a whim, I went to Barnes&Noble.com after Christmas and saw they had marked down the new Nook Color and Nook Tablets. So I ended up purchasing a Nook color. I love it, everything I wasn't crazy about with my 1st Generation Nook was improved 10-fold with the Nook color. Unfortunately, there are no Lilly Pulitzer Nook covers for the color! I was so upset. Until I found a website that would let me order custom-made skins! www.uniqueskins.com was a lifesaver. I was able to order a skin for my Nook in Hotty Pink First Impression, my all time favorite Lilly print! I'm thrilled with how it turned out. I think my Nook is adorable and Lilly-fied!

Living Life as a Lilly-Lover

I feel inspired. My love of Lilly Pulitzer needs an outlet, and I think a blog is just the thing! Fingers crossed I can keep up with posting on a regular basis, but I hope to post photos of my Lilly outfits, ramblings about items I have on my wishlist, crafts I do that are Lilly inspired, and anything else in my life as a Lilly-Lover! There's no denying I'm a shopaholic, but I'm also a bargain shopper. Living on a budget is hard when you have expensive tastes, but I do what I can!

xx Emily Ann