What to Keep in your Bag for Gameday

The best time of the year is already here...college football! While I wasn't the biggest football girl before college, you can't help but love gameday in the fall at a big state school! Gameday isn't just about the football game- it's an all-day event with lots of tailgating leading up to the game!

Many stadiums have bag regulations for what you can bring into the stadium so packing everything you need can be a bit tricky as you need stuff to be prepared for the day but can't bring too much due to the size of your bag so I decided to pull together the essentials for your gameday bag and share them with y'all!

the bag

For my eighteenth birthday (before I started college), I received a smaller Tory Burch bag that is orange that I use for gameday! They unfortunately don't make it anymore but here is a similar option. Another great option is to get a clear purse, which usually allows you to get a bit of a bigger bag. I am just extra and can't go anywhere without a bag but I know some of my friends just use a phone wallet and that's it!

keys (image via)

Even though I tend to overpack for everything, gameday isn't really the time to do that as 1. you can't fit that much into a small bag 2. you don't want to be stuck carrying it around all day. So think essentials and that's it. Of course, keys fall into that category! If you're not driving, just bring your house key so it's less things to carry!

student id, regular id, debit/credit card (image via)

Continuing with just the essentials, you definitely need these! At Clemson, they sometimes ask for your school id when entering the student section (even though we have wristbands) so I usually bring that just in case. Regular id is good to have on hand plus your debit or credit card is handy if you need to buy anything!

hair tie

I always have a hair tie on hand for gameday because especially for the first few games when it's boiling out, you get to a point when you are done with your hair and just want to put it up!

sunglasses

I never go anywhere without sunglasses and gameday is no exception!

lip balm

My lips always get so chapped and I feel like this is one non-essential that I love keeping on hand! 

sealed water bottle (carry with you!)

Most stadiums allow you to bring in a sealed water bottle, which I definitely recommend doing! The first few games of the season are definitely hot and you will want it (plus the stadium water bottles are usually expensive). I usually grab one while I'm tailgating and bring it into the game with me so I have one.

What do you keep in your bag for gameday? Let me know in the comments!

Fall Wishlist

It's officially October and I am so excited for fall, even if South Carolina isn't wanting to let go of summer temperatures quite yet! Since I can't exactly start wearing fall clothes without having a heat stroke, I decided to round up some of my favorite fall pieces to share with y'all in the meantime. Hopefully, we'll be able to wear cute fall clothes soon here in the South but in the meantime, I'll still be drinking pumpkin spice lattes (just iced for now!).

Lake Pajamas- My Lake pajamas were one of my September Favorites and I definitely think I need a pair with long pants to wear in the fall and winter. They are the comfiest things ever and totally worth the splurge!

Free People Dress- This dress gives me season 1 of Gossip Girl Blair vibes (I think it's the ruffles?) and I think it would be perfect for semi-formals, nice dinners, or even Thanksgiving. Plus, it's under $100!

Ruffle Neck Blouse- I love the ruffle detailing of this blouse and also the color! I think it would be perfect for everyday wear or a business casual look.

White Sweater- I had to get rid of my go-to white sweater at the end of last winter as it had definitely seen better days so I have been on the lookout for a replacement. I love that this sweater has a fun neckline to give it a bit of "something" but isn't a tight turtleneck either!

Printed Shirtdress- I'm starting to think about adding more "teacher clothes" to my closet as I will in the classroom more often next semester and love this dress for fall and winter. Just add a pair of flats and maybe a cardigan and you'll be good to go!

Black Jumpsuit- Black isn't necessarily what I think of when I hear "Lilly Pulitzer" but they knocked this jumpsuit out of the park. I absolutely love the bow detailing and it is so pretty. Now, I just need an excuse to wear it!

Orange Sweater- I have this sweater in a different color from a few seasons ago and I love it. It is loose and comfortable without being frumpy and baggy. I love this bright orange color and think it would be great for gameday once it gets cold outside!

Tunic Dress- I love how simple yet cute this dress is! I think it is perfect for the beginning days of fall where it is still warm out as it is a fall color but isn't too heavy material-wise either!

What is on your fall wishlist? Let me know in the comments!

September Favorites

Happy October! At the start of each month here on Chic in Carolina, I love sharing my favorites from the month before and since it's been a while since my last monthly favorites post, I have a quite a few favorites to share with y'all!

Lake Pajamas- Paying this much for pajamas is a tad bit ridiculous but they are seriously so comfortable that I dread taking them off in the morning. I bought mine during the summer sale but they are such a great little luxury! I did size up to a medium so they would be loose and comfy!

New iPhone + Case- I had my old phone for just over two years and it was just being a pain in the butt with battery life! I splurged on a XR and absolutely love it so far. I went a few days case less (a risky move considering I was at home nannying with two kiddos who love holding my phone) and ordered this phone Kate Spade case off of Amazon! It is a tad bit high maintenance with the tag line "hold my calls" but I think it's funny!

Trader Joe’s Rose Water Toner- A really random TJ's purchase that I am loving so far! I spritz it all over my face after washing my face in the morning and at night and it is so refreshing!

Metal Reusable Straws- I drink a lot more water when I use a straw but feel like a horrible person using a plastic one. We have a bunch of these metal straws at home and they are so handy- I brought one with me to Clemson and need to order more!

Scout Lunchbox- Now that I live off-campus and don't have a meal plan, I usually bring a lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays as I don't have enough time to go home between classes and don't want to buy something on campus. I bought this lunchbox over the summer and love it- I had one in this shape in high school but I, of course, love the gingham.

Drybar Hot Toddy- A random find as my roommate and I were walking around in Ulta. The heat protector I was using isn't technically a heat protector so I figured I should buy a real one. Just like all other Drybar products, this does an amazing job and smells amazing!

Lilly Pulitzer Pullover- This was one of my After Party Sale purchases and oh my gosh, it is one of the comfiest things ever! I sized up one as I like to wear my t-shirts very oversized and wanted to be able to throw this on over a t-shirt. I wore this the whole weekend I was in Vermont and am now waiting for South Carolina to cool down so I can wear it again! I couldn't find it for the sale price but it is available here.

What were some of your September Favorites? Let me know in the comments!

How to do it "all"

I think we all have that friend or know someone who has it together. They do a million and one things on campus, have enough time to hang out with friends, and generally seems like they have their life together while the rest of us are running around like crazy trying to get it all done.

While I may not exactly be "that friend" (my friends may argue with me on that one), I do have a few tips on how to get there and be able to do it "all", or make it seem like it, in college.

image via this blog post

make time for yourself

Yes, you can do everything under the sun but you need to make time for yourself or you are going to get burnt it pretty quickly. I think self-care has become a term where you need to pamper yourself for hours and I don't think that should be the case. I think doing something you love each day is the perfect way to find balance in a busy schedule. You can't get water from an empty well so you can't give to others if you are running on empty!

be intentional

Think back to that person who does it all. Odds are they aren't actually the president of every club on campus. Be intentional in what you are involved in. Make time for the things you love and cut out the rest! Not only will you be happier and less burnt out, you will be able to put in more effort to the organizations you are involved in.

I think being intentional is also so so important for friendships. Focus on your friendships and being there in ways that matter. Send a text wishing good luck before that big test or project presentation, be there for a mid-week coffee date, make fun plans.

be on time

Rolling into lunch with a friend, class, or a meeting all frazzled because you're late isn't exactly what I think of when I think "having it together". Of course, everyone runs late from time-to-time but I think arriving on time, if not a bit early, is definitely is a good way to feel less stressed and seem like you have your life together more than you actually do!

to-do lists, to-do lists, to-do lists

How to keep up with it "all"? A million and one to-do lists and an organized planner. On my busy weeks when I feel like I have a million things to do and not enough time to do it, I sit down and write down everything I need to do that day (or that week). And when I say everything, I mean it- put even the littlest things like taking out the trash or showering. Having it all written out helps you think of everything you need to do and make you less likely to forget something. Plus, usually it's not as much as you think it is!

make your lunch the night before

Since I don't have a meal plan anymore (officially old), I bring my lunch to campus twice a week. The days where I pack my lunch the night before run so much more smoothly as I have one less thing to do before heading out the door!

respond to emails promptly

I feel like it is so easy to let your email inbox become a mountain of unread messages but keeping on top of them definitely helps you feel more on track. I try to sort my emails into folders and then leave the ones I need to respond to promptly in my inbox- because let's be real, if you don't do it right then, it may take a while!

use the reminders app

My key to not forgetting the little things? Putting a reminder in my phone and then setting the time for it to remind me. Perfect for when you need to pack something in your backpack or need to do something at a specific time. This has helped me not forget the small details and makes your life a tad bit less chaotic.

How do you do it all? Let me know in the comments!

Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale Favorites

Mondays are always a little bit better when it involves some Lilly Pulitzer on sale! And lucky for y'all, the Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale starts today and is your chance to snag some Lilly for a fraction of the price. As y'all know, Lilly is one of my favorite brands and love the color it adds to my wardrobe.

It rarely goes on sale online (you can find a sale rack in store though) so if you don't live close by a Lilly now is the time to stock up on some pieces! I decided to round up some of my favorite pieces from the sale for y'all as there is so many cute items available!

tunic dress ⎢shift dress ⎢pink top ⎢skort

bikini top ⎢pullover ⎢dress ⎢elsa top ⎢earrings

Are you shopping the APS today? What goodies did you snag? Let me know in the comments!

Let's Catch Up!

Getting into a groove...oh boy, no matter how many times I try, it seems I cannot for the life of me get into a groove in terms of blogging. I jump from being excited about blogging and coming up with lots of new posts for y'all to being frustrated, unmotivated, overwhelmed and then not really doing anything about it.

Let's be real, I love blogging. I absolutely do! I have learned so much from it, pushed myself outside of my comfort zone through it, and have made so many amazing connections from it. But as blogging has changed over time, I don't feel like I'm being real with it anymore. My "brand" in blogging is centered around cute and preppy outfits as well as tips for school and life that paint me as an expert in those topics. I absolutely hate using the term busy to describe why I haven't been active but honestly I've been focusing on my "real life" in 2019, not the perfect picture of myself I paint on the internet. Because let's be real, I'm not wearing a cute Lilly shift right now as I'm typing this. I just got home from class, my hair is in a ponytail, I have no makeup on, and I have on running shorts and a t-shirt. 

The pressure to "keep up" honestly has gotten to me. To constantly post on Instagram, on my stories, here on the blog. I don't feel that anything that exciting or noteworthy happens for me to post every single day, multiple times a day! Plus, I've may or may not be the worst at editing pictures for Instagram so that's fun.

So where does that leave Chic in Carolina? Maybe let's just figure that out as we go along? But I want y'all to know that everything I share here on my corner of the internet is real. As cliche as it sounds, I always write my posts in the mindset that I am talking to one of my friends whether it's sharing about my new favorite leggings or a recipe I made last week for dinner that was better than expected or a cute yet inexpensive rug for my living room. I hope y'all see that every time you see one of my blog posts or see me over on social media and that I focus on that rather than how many people like my pictures or read my posts. It's so easy to let those things dictate what I post or talk about but I don't read blogs to see another cookie cutter version of the perfect blogger so why would I do that myself?

Ok now that I've been on a bit of a monologue about blogging, let's catch up a bit! I'm planning on getting back on track with my "My Chic Week" series on Friday where I essentially wrap up the week but since it's been a while, I figured a mini update of sorts should work too!

August has been a busy month! My family and I got back from our trip to Upstate New York right before July ended so I jumped back into my summer routine of nannying + going to Pure Barre classes for a few weeks before heading back to school.

My lease started on the 10th so my parents and I headed down to Clemson for the day to move most of my stuff in as my roommate didn't finish her internship until the following week. We were pretty productive and then I headed home to Charlotte for a week before officially moving in on the 17th.

I'm living off campus for the first time this year (posts on that coming soon!!) and love it so far. It's kind of weird not being on campus all the time and not sharing a room anymore but the extra space is so nice and I feel a lot more adult now, which is definitely interesting!

a little sneak peek of my bedroom!

Classes started last week so I've been getting into the routine of that and figuring everything out!

Thanks for keeping up with all of this and thanks to all of y'all for consistently being here on CiC (even when I'm not haha!). 

xoxo,

Katie

FDOC Tips & Tricks

Happy FDOC, or First Day of Class, from Clemson! The first day is always an exciting one as it means you're back on campus with a new schedule of classes and a fresh start ahead of you! Even if your semester does not start today like mine does, I am sharing some tips and tricks to start the semester on a good note!

my first day of class freshman year!

go for a cute & comfy outfit
I always find myself wanting to dress a little bit cuter than norts and a tee on the first day (even though at this point, I know everyone in my classes haha) so I usually go for a cute yet comfortable outfit for the first day. This way you look nice but aren't too uncomfortable for what will likely be a hot day with lots of walking around campus!

treat yourself to a cup of coffee
A little extrinsic motivation to get through the day! Whether it's in-between classes, before class begins, or after class, grab a cup of your favorite coffee!

introduce yourself to the people around you

A simple "Hey, I'm Katie!" totally works! This makes the class less awkward and may give you someone to ask questions to or grab notes from if you're sick! Plus, who doesn't want to make a new friend?

pack light

Odds are you won't need a lot for the first day so don't worry about packing a lot! I would bring your agenda, your laptop (but wait to see if the professor allows technology before whipping it out), and maybe a notebook! I wouldn't bother bringing the textbook the first day!

arrive early

Most people arrive early on the first day so I definitely recommend doing this so you can claim your seat! This way you don't have to worry about being late for the first class either!

update your agenda + calendar with the due dates from the syllabus

You typically don't have too much work during the first few weeks so I always like to use this time to grab the syllabus and write down every single due date and assignment into my agenda and in my calendar on my computer as well. This ensures that is all there and I won't miss an assignment. Starting the semester on an organized note will help you so much later on in the semester when things start to get crazy!

actually eat breakfast

I sound like such a mom saying that but you definitely want to start the day on a good note. I'm not the biggest breakfast eating but grabbing breakfast with a friend is always fun and the start of the semester usually has more free time so take advantage of it!

celebrate the first day

You made it through day 1! Be sure to celebrate the new semester to start the new year on a good note. Whether it's grabbing ice cream with friends or treating yourself to some new pens for your agenda, celebrate a little!

What are your tips for success on the first day of class? Let me know in the comments!