Kate the WASP

First of all- I have to say that i've been following Kate the WASP for almost 2 years on Twitter (@KatetheWASP)

Her tweets are not only hilarious, but basically remind me of my own life.

Also, I was reading her article on the take on the whole #LillyforTarget scandal (that y'all KNOW i'm passionate about) and I had to share it.

I too was picked on in middle school. I pretty much hated life for 3 years, but now as I look back, I see that you don't want to shine in middle school. Just wait, your time will come. :) I now have a job I love, and more self confidence because of the tough stuff. I love talking to middle schoolers through my job now, and encouraging them. It was cool to see a comedian do the same thing- and get personal on why a brand means so much to her.

Her article was amazing- so here it is for all of you.

http://katethewasp.tumblr.com/post/117020295910/real-talk-lilly-target

ALSO- just because I love me some Kate the WASP, check out her list of webisodes! 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/kate-hendricks/

In short, Kate the WASP is totally my Spirit Animal.

She's hilarious, she loves Ann Romney, and she says what she thinks. #loveit!

Kate, you are freakin' fabulous! XO!

Vultures are the WORST

Wearing Lilly Pulitzer symbolizes that you love to live a beautiful life filled with smiles and sunshine.

The Lilly girl is a happy girl.

...which is why I was a little shocked to see and hear about the poor behavior of the "Lilly Lovers" buying #LillyforTarget, until I realized that they weren't Lilly lovers at all.

I was so thrilled to see Target bring that brand to life within their store. 

I was so excited to see Lilly being sold for cheaper prices. 

I was so excited to buy a few pieces to add to my collection.

Then...the Lilly Hunger Games set in.

The actual Lilly lovers got nothing.

...NOTHING.

Vultures swooped in and bought it all within 10 minutes, punching each other and stealing out of other peoples carts.

Like, seriously? That's not the Lilly way. That was not the point of this sale.

You do not punch for prints.

I'm upset because these vultures literally KNEW that we would be there looking for cute things and a festive deal, so they took advantage and they took it away from us.

I don't ever get mad...about anything, but when I do, it's not pretty.

I'm mad right now. In fact, i'm really mad. I'm not irritated, annoyed, or even frustrated.

Put simply, i'm just mad. 

I am fired up by this #LillyforTarget mess.

You'll remember I posted a few months ago about how I was all about Lilly being made available for everyone. I thought it was awesome...well I don't anymore. I think it was a terrible, horrible, no good very bad idea. 

Now, it's not available for everyone. It's overpriced and there should have been a limit on how much people could buy.

Their marketing director should be ashamed.

You know what's awesome?

The fact that a girl like me has an authentic brand that truly represents my personality. The fact that I was excited that Lilly was expanding, and the fact that true Lilly lovers around the country were willing and ready to buy Lilly for Target. We were excited, the prints were precious, but then the truth set in.

You know what's not awesome? 

The fact that it wasn't a new collection, it was a mere flash sale. A flash sale meant for people looking to profit. That's sick. How dare you ruin what was supposed to be a fun and special day for Lilly lovers everywhere.

You know what's not awesome?

The fact that these trolls were STEALING the signs that BELONG to Target because they say Lilly Pulitzer. A true Lilly lover would never EVER be that desperate to have our hands on the brand. So, if you think for one second that I would bid on eBay for a sign that you STOLE...you're wrong. You're wrong about the Lilly girl. You have wasted money (about 3 grand to the woman in front of me who bought 5 carts specifically for eBay.) and lost our respect. I think you are the worst kind of person.

You know what else is NOT freaking awesome?

The fact that Target took a brand that has meaning with a certain price point, and priced it a bit too low. That allowed people to plot and buy it all within 5 minutes. They then plotted to sell it on eBay for what an actual dress on LillyPulitzer.com is worth. Hell, they even priced it for hundreds over. They did this because they thought they could make a profit. 

Newsflash- They WON'T. 

EBay Rules for bidding.

Real Lilly? Yes. 

Lilly for Target? No. 

I will not buy what was supposed to be fun and affordable for what I would buy a normal Lilly for. 

Simply put- I will not do it. 

Target should have priced everything upwards of $60-80. I guarantee you if that had happened we wouldn't be seeing 1500+ pieces of #LillyforTarget sitting on #LillyforeBay right now.

When I see Lilly chairs (2) going for $920, and they were bought for $60 each, it makes me sad for the brand. 

Not only that, it makes me sad for the vulture selling it for that amount. Are you serious? But really, are you serious? Oh, you are. Okay...good luck with that.

It's Lilly Pulitzer, not a chair the Pope himself sat in.

I can't even with this.

I will stick to LillyPulitzer.com and wear what I have always worn.

Is it adorable? Yes. 

It's the principle of the whole concept at this point,

That's why I am boycotting #LillyforTarget.

I could NOT believe people yesterday...I saw a woman with 7 carts, she had every maxi dress in the store and told me..."yeah, I don't wear this stuff but I heard it sells for upper hundreds, so i'm selling it all on ebay." 

Newsflash- I strongly dislike you, and that is tasteless.

Lilly Pulitzer is rolling over in her grave right now thinking about this.

I am in shock. I am sad. I am OVER this whole #LillyforTarget scandal. 

I wish I could have the adorable prints that target put out, but now I will not even look at them. How could this happen? How could nobody have known that this would happen? 

Do not support #LillyforTarget on eBay.

That's my rant. #Sorryimnotsorry

#icanteven

Okay, so like, first things first...
Have you ever been hit in the face with an umbrella? 

I have. Multiple times, actually. All in the same night. It's something terrible enough to require a support group, which I haven't found on Google yet...but surely it's out there.

So, my friends set me up on a loooot of dates...and I seriously think it's because there is always a good story for "porch time" to come afterward. I have ZERO desire to get married anytime soon, but it is always fun when they come to me with someone new.

I suck at saying "no thank you".
I'm a yes girl.
They know this.
They use it to their advantage ;)

Last night was a fail from the beginning. Don't get me wrong, such a nice guy...but I just immediately knew he wasn't my "Prince Harry" in disguise. #itsfine #notreallybutwhatever

Yes, the guy was successful.

Yes, he was very nice

Yes, he was 4'8...ehh, maybe 4'9

...I'm 5'3. *I'm no sequoia, but like, please.

So...he shows up at my door, and as I open it, I'm smiling at eye level with myself. There's nobody there.

I look down thinking those cray kids down the street were playing ding dong ditch again, when I notice a tiny little man standing there with an umbrella. 

That...would be my date for the night.
That...would be my cue to remove the heels, and put on muh Jack Rogers!

As we walked to the restaurant, he walked in front of me as a gentleman would, but the umbrella kept pelting me in the face...
over and over and over and OVER!

At one point I took a hit to the eye, and that's when I just freakin' gave up, crouched underneath it and got on his level. 

We could have easily Ubered .2 miles and it would have been much more "me".

I mean, an umbrella to the eye.

After dinner, he walked me to the door (frankly because it was lightning, and I wasn't gonna be the one holding that metal umbrella!)

It was a night i'll never forget for all of the wrong reasons.

In 3 short words...

#Ican'teven,

Enough is Enough.

(click the link below)
Negative Reaction to Lilly at Target.

#LillyforTarget

Apparently this has caused quite the stir for many girls across America.

Look- my two cents (read it or don't) is this...

I have been wearing what some of these sorority girls in these tweets are calling "real" Lilly Pulitzer my entire life.

and guess what...I am thrilled to see Lilly hit Target. I can't believe how rude people are being about it. Why would Lilly not expand to provide prints and products for those who want to enjoy the look and feel of this amazing brand?

I adore Lilly. 

I have always adored Lilly.

I love the story of how it began.

I wore it to every Debutante Party I attended, and when I was a student at Meredith College, a preppy all girls school, all of the girls wore a different Lilly almost every day! The first week of class, we would have a "secret" competition to see who wore the best prints!

I don't buy it because people consider it "High End". I don't wear it so people will think I paid a wild amount for a dress. Truth be told, 

I wear it because it embraces my personality, and makes me so happy. Without Lilly Pulitzer, I don't know how I would dress. 72.4 % of my closet is Lilly!

That being said, cost should never be why you wear such a gorgeous piece of clothing. 

The dresses will be cheaper at Target...and in custom prints. 

...what's the problem here?

I don't know about you, but for me...my closet thanks you! That's just more colorful dresses I get to hang up, and new prints I can bring into the mix. 

I will never ever turn my nose up at Lilly expanding their brand, and making it more affordable so everyone can enjoy it.

Every time I put a Lilly on, I can't stop smiling. I would wish that for everyone- and am so glad that now many others will have a chance to wear the clothing. 

I know Lilly like the back of my hand. I love the brand. I respect the brand. To me, it will always be amazing and beautiful. 

Anybody that wears Lilly looks elegant, and I am thrilled that Target will be helping everyone feel fabulous.

I wear Lilly for the colors, and patterns. They are loud, and bold- a lot like my personality. I don't wear Lilly so people will assume I paid $300 for a dress, I wear it because it makes me feel more like myself. I wear it because it's my brand, and I was just really taken back by these tweets. It makes me sad.

You can get Lilly at Marshalls, TJ Maxx, on EBay, or in a Lilly Store. Target is a fabulous option! 

That's my rant- I just can't stand seeing tweets from 20 year olds about how they're upset Lilly will be at Target. Pretty sure at 20, 30, 40...hell all the way to 99...Target is a girls best friend. 

I'm also pretty sure as a 20 year old, I never would have been able to buy Lilly after Lilly on my own...so we should all be excited and not so stuck up. 

Again, coming from a girl that has worn Lilly since practically my Baptism, I can't wait to give my wallet a break- and be able to buy Lilly anytime I want! (I am in Target at least 3 times a week- so watch out Lilly P, i'm comin' for ya!)

#TargetRules
#LillyforTarget
#LillyPulitzerFoLife

New Years Resolution's!

I came across my blogpost from 2014 on TimeHop today, and it got me so excited to pick new resolutions for the 2015 year! Looking back on what I wrote was a lot of fun. It was interesting to see how I (as everyone does) have changed as a person over just the last year!

This year has been a whirlwind- another big move, another big job, new friends, new "family" away from family, and new goals. I have changed, and grown (or not in certain areas) so much as a person. I still have a long way to go, but it's fun to look back, and move forward into a new year.

A bad habit i'm going to break:

I  would say picking my nails...but then i'd be lying...then i'd have to break 2 habits.

I'm probs not breaking any habits this year. 

A new skill i'd like to learn:

I would love to learn sign language. I think it would open up a whole new form of communication. That would be fabulous!  

also- I would love to learn how to relax. It's not in my nature. 

A person I hope to be more like:

Jesus

...and Jimmy Fallon. (we're both kind of out there) 

A good deed i'm going to do:

As Kathy Lee Gifford once said "I love to talk, but the real truth is, I love to listen too!"

I want to really BE there for people. Whether it be a family member, friend, or even a complete stranger I want to BE there. I never want anyone to come to me without leaving laughing, or with a smile. Life is too short to be anything but funny/happy.

We're all brothers and sisters making it through this crazy journey we call life together. Plenty of people have been there for me, even over the smallest of issues. This year, I want to make it my year to be aware of everybody, and be there to listen and help. Caring about others, doing for others, and living a life of service is what the Bible says it's all about.

A place i'd like to visit:

Over the course of my short 26 years of life, I have moved 9 times. My family has stayed in my hometown, but I have personally moved 9 times. 7 of those times were within my home state of North Carolina, but then I took on New York City. My biggest adventre has been over the last year, living in Ohio. I have tried to visit every small town within this state!

I love small towns, they are the heart and soul of America, and the people in each small town I have seen have been incredible. Truthfully, if I could visit my favorite small town- it would be Wrightsville Beach. I absolutely love it there.

I don't care about going overseas, or even across the country...I just want to surround myself with the beauty of a small town...preferably with a "Gilmore Girls" like gazeebo, and people who treat you like a member of their sweet "small town"family when you walk by. Specifically, Bellville Ohio has bee a favorite so far. Their gazeebo was gawwgeous.

(Thanks to Garden & Gun Magazine for so many great small town attractions) So many ideas, and places to go.)

 So, small town America- i'm comin' for ya!

A book i'd like to read:

Well, y'all know I already discovered the miracle that is "Garden & Gun Magazine". I could read each issue over, and over, and over, and...okay you get the picture! :)

Truly, I would love to read another etiquette book. I have been collecting them since I was 12. Over 72 books grace my shelves, all highlighted and marked in throughout to present my favorite parts. I love to learn abut etiquette, manners, and social graces. I also read medical dictionaries for fun...maybe I drop that habit, and start reading more of the New York Times. No, it's not a book- but it is informative, and Chuck Bass reads it. ;)

A letter i'm going to write: 

This letter. I want to get back into blogging. It's the greatest outlet. It is so nice to write, and come back to read it a year later.

Also, I need to write those bajillion thank you notes for all of my Christmas gifs. I need to get on that. Stat.

A new food i'd like to try:

Antelope or Zebra. I've heard great things!

I'm going to do better at:

Living a life of faith and service. Not worrying about what the future holds, and truly putting my life in God's hands. I want to smile and laugh more every day! Life is good baby, and way to short. I don't want to delay the happy by dwelling on the past, or fretting about the future. The present is pretty great! I am going to do better at embracing each day, and making it my best day yet.

 Happy New Years Eve, y'all!