The Total Prepster

6/08/2013

My Weekend Whereabouts and the Wonderfulness of Summer

Most of the time, during the summer you will find me by the pool reading on the weekends. But not today. I have to be cooped up inside for a conference. So since I can't lay in the sun and get a tan, I thought why not talk about all the things that I love about summer!

1. The Sun

I love that the sun is always so warm and bright in the sky during summer. Sun gives us so much; it makes the plants photosynthesize, it makes pale people burn, it makes tan people tanner, and it brightens up the world! But remember: never fall asleep in the sun, and always put sunscreen on!

2. Wearing Lilly!

I always think of summer as a time that I can swim, play tennis, and wear Lilly. Some time in the middle of winter I will go on the Lilly Pulitzer website and look at all the pretty dresses for summer.

3. The Pool/Beach

Ever since I was little I have had an aversion to the beach, because when ever I go to the beach and take a swim in the dirty salt water, I get an ear infection. So I tend to avoided it. I would much rather be able to sit at the pool at my Country Club and read a book. I have annoying kids running around, but it's home. I have been going to the same Country Club with my family since I was six years old. I have swam on their swim team, have done countless tennis clinics, learned how to play tennis, ran on hot asphalt to go get ice cream in July (long story - but fun and painful times), and grown up there.

4. Free Time

I just thought that this picture was cute!

I know that adults don't have summer vacations, but in the summer everything is easier and more relaxed. I love that I wont have to get up at 5:30 in the morning to get ready for school, or have absolutely no time to read because I have to read the book for English class and not the book I want to read. Even though I have only been summer break for a little over a week, I have enjoyed being able to get up at 8:00 or even 11:00 if I want. I can spend all day reading, playing tennis, swimming, sun bathing, anything I want to do! I love it! I don't have teachers who always yell at the bad kids, or the super perfect kids getting on my nerves all the time.

5. Sleep!

This Baby = Too ADORABLE!!!!

I am sorry for all of the adults who still have to work in the summer, because us kids are lazy. I have to have an alarm clock wake me up so that I am at least half way productive in the summer. I love that I can get up, play tennis, and come back home and sleep some more. ;) I am one of those people who always sleeps under the covers, even in the middle of July when it is a 100 degrees out side. The baby was just too darn cute to not put the picture in!!! That is almost the way I sleep now.

So now you all know the reasons why I love summer so much. Thank you everyone!

Your Faithful Prepster,
mSv

6/07/2013

My Southern Heritage

My heritage is very important to me. I have a very strong belief that if you don't know about the past, you don't know anything at all about the future.

On my Daddy's side of the family his parents were first generation Americans whose parents had immigrated in the early 1900's from Italy. My Daddy doesn't even know the names of his grandparents. The earliest record we have of our family is when they enter Ellis Island. So that side of my family is a dead end.

But my Moma's side, we can track all the way back to before the American Revolution. I even know that one of my great-grandfathers fought in the American Revolution. Most of my Moma's family settled in the south, in the Carolinas and in Georgia mostly. My great-great-great grandfather, Colonel Robert Bowen fought in the Confederate army, and was a founding trustee of Clemson University. My family knows all of this because of a book, The Bowen Family of Georges Creek.

The Bowens were the original ancestors that came from England before the American Revolution. The Bowen book is the entire story of my family from the first people from England to the most recent generation. I think that my southern heritage is so important because I was named after my grandfather (and yes I do have a boys name) who died almost fifteen years before I was born, and I never got to know who he was. My Nana and Moma tell me that I am a lot like him, and really wish that he would have stopped smoking before he had a heart attack.

Most people don't even know who their great-grandmother was, but I do. So I suggest to everyone, ask the older generations about who they are and have them tell you some stories. You never know, one day your children will ask you to tell your stories and about your grandparents, and you won't have any if you don't write them down.

So everyone can make their own family tree.

Your Faithful Prepster,

mSv

6/06/2013

My Favorite Shoes

I love shoes! Flip-flops, high heels, sneakers, flats, you name it I love it! You have already seen my obsession with Jack Rogers. So here are a some of my other favorites.

I love my Sperry Top Siders. They are so versatile. You can wear them with skirts, jeans, shorts, anything. You can wear them in any season, too! Sperrys are also really comfortable and you can get them in all different kinds of colors and designs.

One of my favorite things about summer is that I get to bring out my Rainbows. I have had a pair for 5+ years. They are worn, water damaged, and comfy. I love them. At the end of last summer I bought a new pair because my others were starting to look really bad.

Stephen Bonanno is a GENIUS!!!! I love my Stephen Bonanno monogramed sandals! They are so comfortable! Mine don't look like the ones in the picture. Mine are white where the black is and turquoise where the pink is. I love them so much!

To my favorite winter shoe: Duck Boots! I love them so much! They can handle rain, snow, and the life of a teenager! They are also so comfortable! You can see a trend, I only like shoes that are comfortable.

Do you really think that I would forget my Jack's? If you read my last few posts you know that Jack Rogers are my favorite to wear to wedding, school, with jeans, and pretty much everyplace else! This picture is not of a pair I own, its of my schools colors: blue and green! I love that you can get Jack Rogers in any color you want!

Well, I love shoes and now you know my favorites.

Tomorrow's post is about my southern heritage.

Your Faithful Prepster,

mSv

6/05/2013

The Traveling Youngster

I traveled all over the United States, from the east coast to the west coast. I have been to 21 States, all before I ever traveled outside the United States.

I never even had a passport until January. I had to have one to go to Costa Rica with my class during spring break. I have to say my passport picture turned out better then about half my classmates' pictures did. :)

I was so excited to go to Costa Rica! When we got to the customs gate at San Jose Airport I even had one of my classmates take a picture of me. It was a momentous occasion.

This is coming from the person whose mother took her on a plane and changed her diaper in her lap when she was only a few months old!

In Costa Rica my classmates and I had the opportunity to paint houses, play with kids, and zip line. The zip lining what really fun! All of my classmates and I got really close. It was 10 days of just friendship. I miss it. But I wouldn't take that trip back for anything.

There are so many places that I have not yet visited. Here is my top five places that I want to visit before I die:

1. Rome, Italy

I might have not told you guys this, but I am a total History nerd! Especially when it comes to Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece. I even take Latin in school. There is just something about how the Roman Empire was there for so long and then fell so mightily so fast. Also, I think the Roman Colosseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa are so beautiful! And come on, who wouldn't want to go to the birthplace of Romulus and Remus, and walk the Seven Hills of Rome!

2. Prague, Czech Republic

St. Vitus Cathedral

So, I was never around when the Czech Republic was still Czechoslovakia, but I do know that the City of Prague is one of the most historical medieval cities in the world. Again, I am a History nerd. But all of the city is SO beautiful. I mean look at the picture, isn't St. Vitus Cathedral spectacular or what?!

3. Athens, Greece

In Greek Mythology, Athena and Poseidon were trying to fight for who would be the patron saint of Athens. Athena, the goddess of wisdom gave the citizens of Athens the olive tree, while Poseidon just gave them a horse. For the obvious reasons, the citizens of Athens choses Athena to be their patron saint and in turn named their city after her. Okay, wow, I really am a History nerd! I think that the Pantheon in Athens is so marvelous! I just what to go there and see if I can feel the history of the city. Athens was also a powerhouse city of knowledge at its height. Sophocles, Aristotle, Euclid, all from Athens.

4. Istanbul, Turkey

I know its a strange place, but their are actually more ancient ruins in Turkey then there are in both Rome and Greece. The reason, because Turkey was not directly on the Mediterranean, meaning it was less interesting to loiters who sailed the Mediterranean. Remember: History nerd!

5. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro has so much culture. and I love places that have culture AND beaches to lay out in the sun. ;) I would love to go during Carnival, that would be so spectacular! I also hear that Brazilian guys are really hot!!

So now you know my top five places to go before I die. Tomorrow will be about my favorite shoes! Thank you all for reading!

Your Faithful Prepster,
mSv

6/04/2013

Vera Bradley

I don't think I remember a time in my life that I have not owned a piece of Vera Bradley. When ever my family travels in the car, it is like Vera has thrown up in the back of our Volvo.

For Christmas, my parents bought me a Vera Bradley comforter for my bed. I was super excited to get that present!

Over the years, I have had Vera Bradley backpacks for school, pencil cases, note pads, laptop cases, suitcases, purses, wallets, duffel bags, hanging bags, toiletry bags, makeup bags, laundry bags, huge tote bags, pool bags, tennis racket cases, coin purses, hair straightener/curling iron covers, and many other things that I am probably forgetten about.

The reason that I love Vera Bradley products so much is because they are utilitarian, pretty, and last a long time! When you buy something that is made by Vera Bradley you know that it won't just last for a few months, it will last for years. I have had my Vera Bradley suitcase since I was in 1st grade! It has been on planes, in cars, carried up stairs, carried down stairs, and beaten up so much that it should be in shambles. But it not, because it is a Vera Bradley.

Everyone knows how much you use your pencil case when in school. I have been using my Vera Bradley pencil case for two years, and it still looks great (if you ignore the ink stain on one side - I forgot to cape one of my pens before putting it in my bag :(! It may look small, but it will hold a lot. I can fit ten pens/pencils (all different kinds), a big pink eraser, and four highlighters in it. That is all you really need.

Vera Bradley is so versatile. I have seen young and old carrying Vera Bradley. Another good thing about Vera Bradley is that you don't have to have everything in the same pattern, it is acceptable to have a wide range of patterns, because by the time you need another purse, the styles, and the patterns have changed.

Tomorrow's post will be about travel and the places I have been and the places I want to go!

Your Faithful Prepster,

mSv

6/03/2013

Currently Obsessed With: Bows!

My Daddy's birthday was in March, and I have been reading a lot of blogs at the time, especially College Prep. I had this great idea to get my Daddy a pink bow-tie!

When everything truly went down hill for me was when I found Kiel James Patrick. Why do the bow-tie bracelets have to be so darn cute!

Cherry Till

On a recent trip to a college town about a hour and half from where I live, my classmates and I were able to walk around with our teachers and shop some. We went into this really cool shop and I found this:

Pearls + Sparkly Bow = My Dream!

A few years ago, my Aunt Pamela (not really my aunt, but I will explain later) gave me a gold Tiffany bow ring! I wear it all the time and it is so pretty!

Even Kate Spade loves bows!!!

Mini Bow Bangle

Licorice Bow Ties iPhone 4 Case

Bows are really the in-thing right now! One of my Lilly Pulitzer dresses even has bows on the back!

Nina Dress

I think the reason that I like bows so much is because they are so universal. They can be any color you want them to be, they can be on anything you want them to be on, and they can be for both genders! You can't lose with bows; you can only win!

In tomorrow's post I will talk about my lifelong love: Vera Bradley!

Your Faithful Prepster,

mSv

6/01/2013

First Saturday of Summer

This is my first Saturday of Summer!!! How am I going to spend? I am going to a pool party for the end of the school year at a friend's house. So since I am not doing anything really exciting today, I thought I would pick my top five summer essentials.

1. Sunscreen!!!

Any kind of sun screen will help prevent skin cancer. Did you know that people who are in their late teens and early twenties are the most likely to develop skin cancer. So, if you don't want a patch of your skin removed: WEAR SUNSCREEN!!!

2. Jack Rogers!!