Pea coats, please.

I know that pea coats are hardly a new trend but one thing I love to see every winter are all the great colors!  Anyone can rock a classic black peacoat, but sometimes it's great to find a fun, colorful one to best suit your personality!

Savvy: MICHAEL Michael Kors Double Breasted Pea Coat in Orange Spice // 295.00

Save:  Madewell Sidesaddle Riding Jacket in Bright Berry // 148.00

Splurge:  Brooks Brothers Wool Pea Coat in Grey // 598.00

What color is your pea coat?

CK

Essie giveaway!

Hi everyone!  I know I said would be posting a giveaway on College Kara this week and it's finally here!  For my first giveaway, I decided to go with one of my favorite products for this season which is Essie's nail polish Scarlet O'Hara!

This is a gorgeous ruby red that would be wonderful for the holidays!  It has just a hint of shimmer to it and looks gorgeous both in and out of the bottle!

You can get a closer look at this color on Essie's website here!

There are only two rules for this giveaway and they are both very simple!

1.  You must be following College Kara's blog.

2.  You must be following College Kara on twitter.

You can access these options through the Rafflecopter widget below (which is how I will randomly select a winner!)

This contest closes on December 11th, so you have plenty of time to enter!

Best of luck to all of you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks(giving) a bunch.

Hey everyone!  I know it's been a while since I've been able to blog, but I will have more time now that the semester is winding down!  I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I had to stay up at school for work this weekend, but lucky for me, my parents and one of my brothers came up to celebrate with me!  Here's just a few shots from my turkey day!

My brother Matt and I at dinner this afternoon.

Snowing on Thanksgiving over Lake Superior - gorgeous!

Right now I'm cuddled up in the hotel suite with my brother watching We Bought A Zoo.  This is my first Thanksgiving away from home, but I'm so glad my family is here with me!

There will be a giveaway for College Kara posted this week!  Eep!  I am so thankful for every single one of my wonderful readers!

Happy Turkey Day everyone!

Care packages.

One of the best parts of going away from home to school is care packages!  The best part of having an amazing best friend is having her mother send you care packages full of homemade goodies!

Today I came home from the longest day ever on campus and I was absolutely exhausted.  After making a quick dinner I decided to check the mail just in case no one else had that day - and they hadn't!  We had lots of mail and two boxes and one of them happened to be for me!

My best friend's mom sends us the coolest stuff and this was by far my favorite box!

Pictured above there is a an adorable necklace, a mug with it's very own cute sweater, and a pair of knitted slippers (which I am wearing right now and they are so snuggly)!  My best friend's mom is a knitting guru and she always sends us the best and most creative stuff!

She sent my newly engaged roommate a pair of mittens that is meant for couples, where each person gets a single mitten & then they have one they can both put their hand into as well as matching hats - too cute!

I absolutely adore the necklace she sent me:

I love the colors: a warm mauve-y taupe and maroon details - I can't wait to wear!  

What do you like to get in a care package?  Can you knit something great?

CK

Bust, it seems.

One of my first posts here on college kara was entitled "Bubbles or bust." and talked about the pros and cons of bubble necklaces.  I decided to take up an offer I saw on Facebook from a store called "The Poke a Dot Shop" based out of Tulsa, Oklahoma.  I also spoke about this purchase in another post.

I placed my order with them for a wine red bubble necklace on August 21st while I was on vacation in Pennsylvania.  Unfortunately, I have yet to receive my order even though I paid for my necklace just over two months ago.

I'm especially saddened because due to posts on their Facebook, it sounds as if they've completed and shipped their orders placed since mine, and I have yet to receive my bubble necklace.

I have contacted their customer service via email twice already and have also called their provided number, but have yet to hear anything back other than an automated response.

This is both disappointing and disheartening because I would like to receive the item I have already paid for, and the event I purchased the necklace for has already come and passed.

Have any of you purchased something from The Poke a Dot Shop?

CK

Guac, guac, guac.

So I know this isn't the usual college kara post, but one thing I wanted to share with all my lovely readers is a new recipe I tried out this past weekend (I love cooking for people)!  Last week, one set of my parents came up and with them they brought me a bag of avocados from Costco!  So now I had seven avocados and needed a way to use two of them right away seeing as they were ripe!  This weekend, my other set of parents came up, so I decided to buy the other ingredients for a new guacamole recipe I had found.

The recipe went something like this:

2 avocados, cubed & mashed with a fork.

1/3 a tomato, the insides removed & cubed.

1/3 cup of gold corn.

1/3 cup of chopped purple onion &

the juice of 1/2 lime.

Salt to taste.

I ended up really enjoying it and so did my parents.  It took just about 10 minutes to whip up and if you don't finish the whole batch with your guests, the lime juice in the recipe keeps the avocado from browning for a day or two!

Are there any easy recipes you like to share with others.

Little things.

The other day my sorority was invited to a private shopping event at Francesca's.  For those of you who don't have a Francesca's near you, or perhaps have never heard of it, Francesca's is a chain of boutiques that sell jewelry, shoes, limited apparel and other knick knacks.  I wouldn't say that it's expensive per-se, but it's important to watch your spending because the little things do add up.  At our event I purchased the following:

1.  Coral leather clip-in hair bow.

2.  Gold bow ring

3.  Multi-colored chandelier earrings.

I also purchased another little turquoise ring but unfortunately after falling in love with it and wearing it nonstop for 5 days, the gem on it broke off & was lost on my walk home from campus.

Like I said earlier, it's not quite pricey, but with a 20% discount, my four items still added up to just about $40.

This weekend I was also fortunate enough to have my parents up and they spoiled me with lots of groceries, free meals as well as 2 new dresses and a new pullover fleece!

As you can see (kind of), I am wearing my new earrings with my fleece!

Have you purchased anything from Francesca's before?

CK

Boots, boots, baby.

Winter is coming.  I'm sorry, it is.  I know that not everyone loves winter as much as I do, but it's a fact of life.  With winter comes salt lines on clothing and frozen toes - unless you invest in a great pair of winter boots!

Like most young women my age, I'm getting tired of the standard winter uniform of a Northface fleece, jeans and Uggs.  Uggs especially. If you're not feeling like the Australian boots are your best option for the winter months (or maybe you are) check out these options below!

1.  Sperry women's Hingham boot.  (on sale!)

2.  L.L. Bean 8" Bean Boots with Thinsulate

3.  Hunter Boots Regent Aspley Boot ($$$)

4.  Women's Classic Short Uggs in Sand

I just bought my own pair of the Hingham boots in green and though I haven't worn them out yet, I love them!  they are really roomy in the calves and I just love the look of them!  Plus they are on sale right now and I got them for almost $30 cheaper than their original price!

CK

Don't sweater it.

I love buying new nail polish.  Getting new polish never ever gets old and my latest addition to my collection is no exception!  When a few of my friends and I went to lunch the other day at a new restaurant in town, we sat facing an Ulta the entire lunch.  The Essie fall collection was staring me in the face - and even though I had gas, groceries and dues to pay for, I made a beeline for the doorway as soon as lunch was finished and picked up this gem!

This is Essie's "Don't Sweater It."  And I am officially in love.  Neutrals are so hot for fall and this taupe-y mauve color is so warm and inviting and it makes me want to curl up in cable knit sweater with a mug of chamomile tea.

This color screams fall and I am seriously contemplating buying a second bottle just in case.  This shade is going to be on my nails all autumn long.

Have you checked out Essie's fall line?

Busy bee.

Hi everyone!  I know that I have been the absolute worst about updating College Kara, and for that, I am truly sorry!  I can't believe that in just a few days over a month, I've had so many of you beautiful ladies (and gentlemen) visiting my blog - it is so exciting and humbling!  The past 2 weeks have been absolutely crazy with greek life recruitment in full swing and now with college hockey season which for me, started tonight!

A little outfit update: Two weeks ago I had initiation for new members into my sorority.  It was just warm enough to get away with wearing summery clothes and I knew it would be my last chance, so I took it!

I know some of you are just groaning at the fact that I'm wearing my khaki blazer again, but I swear, she's going to be put a way for a while.  Here I'm wearing my blazer, seersucker slacks cuffed into capris, a polka-dot top, my watch, a Juicy Couture my bracelet gave me, and nude wedges along with my Marley Lilly monogrammed clutch.

My amazing roommate did my hair and stuck a cute red flower into it.  I have a LOT of hair and any time I can get it off of my neck/shoulders and not have to worry about it for a few hours is great!

Here's a photo of my sorority sister and I at our initiation.

I am going to try my hardest to keep posting this at least once a week.  Now that recruitment is over, it should be much easier to keep up with College Kara.

Can you believe that we're already a month into school?  Senior year is going by way too fast!

Sweaters & diamond rings.

So the other day my friend and I made a very unplanned stop at the mall.  We stopped for lunch at Noodles & Co. since a brand new one had just opened up in our college town and thought it wouldn't hurt to swing through DSW to find some winter boots.  Well three stores later we ended up in Old Navy.  Old Navy is a swing store for me.  Sometimes you can find entirely cute staples there for very cheap, and other times everything seems very tacky and odd.  Well, my roommate found a great denim blazer and I found a light v-neck sweater in a great coral color.  I wore it that night to my sorority meeting!

The next day, I repurposed it with a different outfit and remembered how much I liked that simple pieces can always be used in a multitude of ways.

On the left:  I've paired the sweater with medium-blue denim skinnies, Sporto low-cut duck boots, my khaki blazer & a white and blue striped scarf.  On the right: I dressed my sweater over a matching gingham button-down, dark blue boot-cut jeans and my Sperrys along with my Vera Bradley hipster.

I personally prefer the look on the left, but my outfit for my sorority function was a little more appropriate for the occasion!  Here's a photo of my sister, Javi, & I at meeting!  Don't you just love her leopard print loafers?

In personal news, I'm so happy to announce that my roommate and good friend Meghann got engaged tonight!  I love this picture because it was taken only a few minutes afterwards - her eyes are wide with adrenaline and mine are squinty with happy tears!

 

For those wondering, Meghann is the one who always takes photos of my outfits out in front of our house!  She's also wearing my OPI color "Did it on 'em" from the Nicki Minaj collection.  Congratulations to you, Meg & Cub!

Hope everyone has a fun and safe weekend!

CK

Cords on cords.

As I mentioned in my last post, I picked up two new pairs of cords when I was home for the weekend.  The hard part now is working them into outfits with clothes I already have!  One of my friends cracked a joke the other day that sometimes I dress more scholarly than our professor.  I told her that I accepted the challenge.  Today I paired my medium muddy-brown cords with low-cut duck boots (for lack of a better shoe), a gingham button-up and a maroon blazer.  I accessorized with my pearls and watch and a braid down my shoulder.

I'm not really sure how I feel about mixing cords, but I kind of like the way it turned out.  Ignore my silly face, I was mid-giggle when my roommate snapped the one on the left.  Anyway, this is my professor look.  I can't wait to incorporate my new pieces into more 'every day' looking outfits.

What are fall pieces you're excited about?

My current feelings.

My current feelings about school, football, hockey, sorority, student government, newspaper.

But on the other hand, I bought 2 new pairs of chords and a new pair of jeans this weekend.  New outfits(!) to come.

CK

The shoes that almost were.

We all have the one that got away.  Well, the pair of shoes, at least.  If you follow my tumblr you know that I have been craving a pair of leopard print loafers since about last April.  I was dying over the Steve Madden Madee leopard print slipper but was ready to settle for the Valantine or Eazzy.  After a quick trip to TJ Maxx a few days ago with a sorority sister (to scope out cheap nail polish), I found them.  They were illuminated and calling to me as I passed them.  I instantly kicked off my Sperry's and  slipped them on.  They were too. small.  Half a size.  I could have braved it and broken them in for only $30, but the more I carried them around the store, the more I knew I couldn't buy them.

The more I think about them, the more I wish I would have bought them.  I might swing back at TJ Maxx and if they are still there, it's obviously fate, but I keep telling myself that I made the right choice.

In other news, this transition from August to fall is killing me, especially when it's maxing out at 40 degrees outside of my classrooms are topping off at 80.

So I've just been layering like a madwoman.

Here I'm wearing my J. Crew chambray button up & grey Ralph Lauren v-neck sweater.

That way I can wear as little or as much as I like throughout the day.  I'll be going home this weekend to do a little golfing with my stepdad and taking in a Gopher football game with the family!

Do you have anything you're looking forward to this weekend?

Dressing up a graphic tee.

Like most college girls, I have a crazy amount of screen-printed tees.  From shirseys, to sorority tees, to school spirit tees, I have 3 dresser drawers full of them!  It's hard to justify throwing on jeans and a tee as an outfit, so I try to dress them up a bit with different bottoms, a jacket, accessories, etc.  Lily over at It's Official did a great post on how to dress up a plain white tee.  I recently ordered a new shirt from one of my favorite hockey clothing vendors, Sauce Hockey.  They were having a great labor day sale, and I had been eyeing up one of their men's tees for a while now.  Their shirts are super soft and while they are not exactly "hit the town with the girls material," I like to wear them on game days before hitting the arena or hanging out at home to watch the Blackhawks.  The shirt I ordered is pictured below!

I was super excited when I finally got it in the mail about a week after placing my order and it came with a free koozie for ordering during their Labor day sale!

To dress up this tee a bit, I paired it with a pair of seersucker pants that I cuffed into capris and my trusty khaki blazer.

I am also slowly realizing how often I just toss on a blazer as an afterthought, but with this weather, It's easier to wear a light blazer than my jean jacket.  Ideally I would have worn a navy one, but as you all know, I'm still in the hunting stages of the perfect navy blazer.

How do you wear your favorite graphic tee?

Quote of the day.

CK

Blazers & braids.

If you have your own blog, or twitter, or tumblr, or instagram, you've noticed by now that blazers are super trendy right now (and have been for a few months).  Being back on campus as well as going out on weekends for birthdays or girls night out, blazers are seriously everywhere.  It's also reminding me to pick up a few more in darker colors seeing as of now, I only have a maroon blazer and a khaki one.  This weekend I went out for dinner and drinks for one of my good friends birthday's, and because we're in this up-and-down transitioning phase between seasons, I threw my light khaki blazer over a colorful sheer top for the occasion.

Personally, I've been pining for a navy or black blazer.  I've found some cute ones here, here, and & here in a wide variety of styles and prices!  I'd also love to pick up this great yellow blazer from H&M! This is how I would dress it up for this transition period between summer & autumn.

Blazer: H&M

Nailpolish: "Bahama Mama" by Essie

Purse: Lonchamp Le Pliage tote in Fir

Shoes: J.Crew leopard print flats

Jeans: Marc by Marc Jacobs Lou Skinny Wash Jeans

& pearl studs.

I'm super lucky that my roommate is an actual hair guru and while you cannot see it in the photos above, I have an amazing "waterfall braid" all around the back of my head.

As I've mentioned before, I work for my university's hockey team and they needed help training in the football interns this weekend, so they asked me to come in.  My roommate worked her magic and I got to channel my inner Katniss Everdeen with this braid:

Braiding my hair is my go-to on mornings I may not have time to blow-dry my hair, but I feel as though braids have gotten very popular over the summer and hopefully into the fall!  I think braids are just so classic and simple looking with minimal effort.  In my opinion, nothing looks better than a clean braid paired with pearl studs.

What's your go-to hairstyle in the morning?  Have you picked up a blazer for fall?

- CK

Senior status.

Welp, as well all suspected it would, school has started, and I am a senior in college!  Eep!  The past four days have been absolutely crazy between moving up, unpacking, working & getting ready for recruitment!  So this post is going to be very short and sweet.  Campus is so warm, so I had to switch outfits in the middle of the day!

I wore my favorite jean jacket, dark jean capris & a screen-print anchor tee.  I had planned and planned for a cute first day outfit for so long and never had time to actually lay it out, so I was floundering around at 7:30 looking for just anything to throw on.  I knew campus was going to be hot (hence the bun) but I didn't know it was going to be scorching!  I came home on a break between classes for lunch and changed tops.

I changed into my favorite polka-dot tee and headed back for my afternoon class.  Being on campus from eight in the morning until five in the afternoon was enough.  I've been working and doing homework ever since, and I've got to hit the ground running tomorrow at seven again.

How was your first day back?

Back to school.

By the end of August I'm usually itching to leave home and get back to campus.  This year, it's different.  Yes, I'm excited to be back in my college house with my space and regiment, but now that I'm a senior, I'm constantly thinking about what I'll be doing post-grad.  To try to quell my anxiety, the first thing I do when I get back to my house is square all my things away and clean up.  A clean living space means a focused mind.

Yes, I have pink carpet.  No, there's nothing I can do about it.

I've also hit the ground running working for my sorority creating posters, banners, t-shirts, handouts, and videos for our recruitment.  Today I spent 4 hours cutely packaging 70 of our recruitment shirts.  

I'm pooped.  I've also been informed that I will be running a workshop for 200+ freshmen this monday for athletics.  I can do this.

I'm ready for recruitment and welcome week to be finished so I can finally get back into my swing of things.  Right now I'm all jumbled with my outfits, work out schedule & grocery planning.

Let the senioritis begin?

Never say goodbye to summer.

Wrapping up August and moving back up to school always feels like something is dying inside of me.  I know that sounds dramatic, and it's probably my senioritis looming, but I have so much on my plate already for my senior year and classes haven't even started.  At my University, I write for the sports section of our newspaper, I have a full-time internship with our D1 hockey team, I am the director of public relations for my sorority, and I am a rep at large for our student government.  In my spare time, I take class.

I am also an awful packer, so I let my mother handle all that with the laundry and the duffel bags.  The one thing I have to look forward to with starting school is the changing of seasons. I love fall.  Fall is my second favorite season (to winter) and I can't wait to wear long jeans, cable-knit sweaters, warm boots and drink a pumpkin spice latte.  I've started my transition into fall - breaking out my gingham button-ups along with a little wishful thinking.  Also, I'm excited to get back to school with my regular schedule and a little more structure.

I can't tell you why I'm making the most ridiculous face in that photo - It was probably some embarrassment from my mother insisting we take it in front of 30 people at Target.

The bottom shot there is just a mess of our dining table as I wrapped up one of my best friend's birthday presents.  I crafted her a set of her initials to hang on her wall!  Gratuitous photo below.

Does anyone else have anxiety about school starting?  

It is essential to brunch.

Nothing says 'welcome home' like going out to brunch with the parents.  My Dad, Stepmom and I headed to a quaint little Italian restaurant in South Minneapolis this morning for brunch.  I also got to break out my new chambray button up(!!) paired with dark jeans, a bright pink necklace, my watch, leopard print flats, and a big statement ring from Topshop.  The best part of brunch?  Endless mimosas - yes please!

Putting together my outfit and getting dressed this morning was an adventure.  I'm not always crazy about tucking in shirts because I have hips for days, but I ended up being really pleased with the results!  Also, after brunch, my parents and I headed to Mall of America so I could get some new running shoes!  I picked out a pair in a great, bright, fruit-punch color.  While at the mall, I actually got compliments on my outfit in DSW and Macy's.  It's always nice to get a little positive affirmation!

Running to the mall to get shoes reminded me a lot of going back to school shopping throughout grade school (and made me miss it terribly!).  However, navigating the mall was less than fun with so many people getting ready for school as well.

What are some pieces you'd like to pick up before classes start?

Home sweet home - for now.

I am pooped.  Five days in Pennsylvania and two in Manhattan - I couldn't be happier to be home in my own room, and in my own bed!  Walking around Manhattan was fun, it was my friend's first time & her mother's first time in 30+ years - and since I've been going every summer for 7 years, I let them set the agenda.  We hit all the obvious tourist spots like Times Square, the Empire State Building, Saks Fifth Ave, and Rockefeller Plaza.  Here's a shot of us at the observation deck of the Empire State Building - 86 floors up (it was very hot outside)!

Also, here's a shot of us at Rockefeller Plaza, also very early in the morning - hence the big coffee!

I'll be home in Minneapolis for four days to help my other friend celebrate her birthday before moving back up to school!  I'm excited to get on a more routine schedule and of course, back to school outfits!

Thanks for sticking with me during my summer of adventure!

What are some fun trips you've taken this summer?

Pretty in Lilly.

As you know, I'm vacationing near Philadelphia and today we got the chance the spend the day at King of Prussia Mall which had so many stores that aren't available in Minnesota!  My first stop the moment we walked in was straight to the Lilly Pulitzer store.  We do not have a Lilly in Minnesota and I was planning on ordering a planner online, but got to buy one in person instead!  The store itself was so lovely!  The girls that worked there were either 1. older and so pleasant, or 2. younger and less than thrilled to help anyone.  Either way, I had a great time and got the planner I wanted!

 

I also was able to snag a cute new top & necklace from H&M!  Definitely expect an OOTD post with them!  Here's a shot of my new planner and necklace: