What to where to an interview... BCBG Rosette Dress?

Readers I am in a fashion crisis...

The medical school interview season has started and I don't have the perfect suit to wear. Having done this before I know that everyone, and I mean EVERYONE wears a black suit. Most girls also wear a black pant suit.

I happen to own a lovely black suit, but I never wear it and am not comfortable in it (although it is a comfortable cut and fabric, it's just not me). The interview is all about the admissions staff getting to know you, and a part of my personality that I love is that I am feminine and intelligent. I would love for that side to show, without breaking too far from the mold of what's expected.

So far, I'm leaning heavily toward this beautiful contrast rosette dress from BCBG (Mr. Prep's darling sister wore one like it to a New Years Soiree and looked stunning), of course with a jacket...


I love the details of this dress, the rosette collar, and the buttons up the side. I've tried it on and the cut is very flattering (although the silk fabric does not breath well and the buttons are difficult to fasten on one's own).
In addition to this do ya'll have any suggestions? Any places I should look for that must wear suit? Any wonderful suits you've found lately?

There's Always Grace

Nothing pretty, witty, or wise to share today, but there's always grace:

1. A small rain shower

2. Mr. Prep home safe from a business trip

3. A supportive boss willing to give me ridiculous amounts of time off to be with my dad during radiation as well as to travel to and from each of my pending medical school interviews

4. A clean home (it's amazing how tidy it stays when Mr. Prep is away)

5. Flowers blooming in my yard

Graces

Lest I forget, in all the Eddie Ross excitement here are my graces for the day:

1. A hot morning shower, that I didn't have to rush through because I woke up on time

2. My committee letter of recommendation has been submitted to complete my medical school applications

3. An overcast day in Austin, that may have kept us below the 100 degree mark for the first time in 26 days

4. A membership to a gorgeous gym paid by my company

5. Three happy pups who are ecstatic to see me at the end of the day

Eddie Ross Wednesday

Happy Wednesday Readers!

We are halfway through the week... and it's Eddie Ross on Etsy day. Since it's been a while, I thought I'd remind everyone that Eddie Ross is one of my favorite designers. He left Martha Stewart Living, and started his own blog, and of course his wonderful Etsy store, which gets updated every Wednesday. 

Here are a few of my favorite pieces from today:

1970's Handblown Jars with Cork Stoppers and Rattan Handles

I think these are so charming and would look stunning as vases, or they would make a great hostess gift filled with a Martha Stewart favorite hostess gift of Scented Sugar.

The next piece is a monogrammed silver tea spoon, engraved with the date 1916 and the letter D. Eddie suggests giving a monogrammed tea spoon, a tea cup, and some gourmet tea as a hostess gift. I also think it would be lovely paired with a monogrammed napkin, tea cup, and the spoon.

*All photos are links to the items mentioned

My Guilty Pleasure

When Mr. Prep is traveling for work I get to indulge in several guilty pleasures. One is eating popcorn and drinking champagne for dinner (Mr. Prep who's a chef just about dies when he hears about that), the other is watching movies and shows that Mr. Prep cannot stand. This is how I found my newest guilty pleasure.

So I have to admit, I have been a fan of Real Houswives of Orange County for a few years now... As much as I love the housewives, and as much as I've loved watching them overcome personal struggles and challenges. In recent seasons it's felt like they are casting the housewives, and bringing in "new" friends that aren't really friends of any of the wives. It feels very contrived. I also feel sort of like I'm staring at a car wreak watching them carry on, and party, and be mean and snarky with each other.

*Photo courtesy of soapnet.com

That's why I found Southern Belles Louisville on SOAP Network so refreshing. The first season is now over, but you can catch repeats on several times a week and you can also download them from itunes. It's similar to Real Housewives except each of the Southern Belles is age 26 to 36. They aren't married, and they don't get drunk and fight with each other. Okay, so once all the docudrama is out of reality TV is it still interesting to watch? I think so, it's nice to see young women facing the challenges and questions that I face. Furthermore, I love the comparison with the crass Housewives, to the more genteel Belles. Granted there are a few PG 13 moments, but overall I think it's an improvement in the "reality" TV genre.

Dry and Thirsty Land

As usual we've been busy, busy, busy at plenary palace... but I wanted to get caught up on graces from yesterday

1. Birds joyfully playing in the sprinkler. Central Texas is in a drought and I realize every day in a new way what the Psalmist meant when he said he was in a "dry and thirsty land." ~Psalm 63

2. Playing darts with Mr. Prep (aka cheffie)

3. $3 Gladiolas that are still blooming (almost a week after purchase), and brightening my mantle

4. A steady paycheck every two weeks for an entire year!

5. Wonderful neighbors with whom to chat in the yard


Psalm 63: 1-8
Oh God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindess is better than life, My lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have been my help, Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.

As Time Goes By...

Okay, so maybe my life isn't as exciting as Casablanca... but a lot has happened in the months I've been away.

My garden bloomed and prospered

We went to visit Cheffie's parents not once, but twice (their home is as beautiful as any resort)

I made the decision to re-apply for medical school and have nearly completed the first part of this arduous process

I fell in love with Southern Living magazine and question myself every issue why it took me so long to subscribe

I met my very first nephew

We spent a weekend at a friends beach house

I took a group of clients to see a performance of Wicked

I spent a quick weekend in the rockies

My puppies turned 4, 5, and 6

I fell in love with the cute little blog started by a college friend drop by and see it Baby Makes Three

From this blog I've adopted the practice Grace in the small things, which is the idea of finding small ways in each day that you see God's grace in your life

on a sad note my father contracted cancer suddenly the struggle and angst of this horrible disease is a very somber part of my reality

Garden Giveaway Winner.... and I'm back!

Hello Dear Readers....

It's been ages... I'm afraid that life just got a little busy and the blog was the first thing that I let slip by...

But today is my 51st post! Hurray! And the winner of my long overdue Gardening in Texas Giveaway is Preppy Pink Crocodile, Be sure to drop by and say congratulations!!

I promise there will be a full update soon, but farewell for now dear readers!