6 Shoes That Should Be In Every Girl's Closet

Meet Grace!  She's a journalism major currently attending University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill!  She has a passion for fashion and has been blogging for nearly 4 years!

Read all about Grace and make sure to check out her blog, Gracefulleemade.com!

1. Who or what inspired you to start your blog?

"I always enjoyed dressing stylish during the start of high school. My friends and classmates would always comment on what I was wearing and ask me where I got it from. It became more common and that's when my friends encouraged me to start blogging. At first, it was more of a fun "project" that I wanted to try out and I haven't regretted any bit of it since."

2. Your favorite color combination?

"That's a toughie. On Pinterest and Instagram, I usually hashtag #favecombo on the majority of all the color combinations out there but if I had to choose... I'm crushing on orange + cobalt blue / pink + orange / anything with a pop of red. It's kind of funny because before blogging, I never really wore the color pink. Or thought to wear it with orange. It's simply amazing how blogging has given me the courage to try new things."

3. What is your major?

"I am majoring in journalism of mass communications at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill."

4. How long ago did you start your blog?

"I started my blog in 2010. Three (or almost four!) years and going strong."

5. Who is your fashion icon? Why?

"My fashion icon is Olivia Palermo because the GIRL CAN DRESS. There is not one outfit that I have seen on her that would make me think otherwise. I'm obsessed with the way she takes classy pieces such as a blazer and makes it edgy paired with leather leggings. She doesn't have just one set style but various combinations and looks that inspire me to step out of my comfort zone and try myself."

6. Who is your top 3 favorite bloggers?

"Blair Eadie from Atlantic-Pacific, Rachel Parcell from The Pink Peonies, Caitlin from A Little Dash of Darling"

7. 5 beauty products you can't live without?

"1. Revlon lipstick -- red, pink, plum. I'm kinda obsessed.

2. Liquid eyeliner

3. My Chanel lipgloss collection (does having 3 make it a collection?)

4. Maybelline mascara 

5. CoverGirl's smoky shadow blast stick (in blue + bronze)

Truth be told, I actually don't wear any face make-up because I don't really need it. Just eye make-up! It's a plus on rushed, late mornings!"

8. What do your friends think about your blog?

"They really enjoy it actually! It's quite funny when we're texting or meeting up for coffee dates and they'll be like... "love your outfit on your latest instagram. I had to check it on your blog" or make jokes like... "did you blog that outfit too?" sort of thing. It's the best to have friends that support me and visit my blog daily."

9. What are you doing when you're not in class or working on your blog?

"I love to run. I can't go three days without running or it just feels weird to me. Running keeps the stress away and helps me clear my mind."

10. What would you like to do after you graduate?

"Thinking about the future scares me, but it also excites me at the same time. I'm ready to graduate and step out into the big world, but I'm also contemplating what it is that I really want to do. I would preferably like to relocate and move to New York City, or any big city for that matter, to be a fashion stylist or even as a style editor for a fashion magazine. 'The Devil Wears Prada' really sets the tone for me there."

A special thank you to Grace for sitting down and chatting with us!

Top 5 Favorite Things of a Southern Sorority Girl

Meet Kate, she's an adorable Southern gal from Dallas, Texas.  She's a Kappa Kappa Gamma at UT Austin and is a Public Relations Major that became mildly obsessed with blogging after creating a blog for a school project.  We sat down with Kate to find out the ins and out of being a Southern girl and what she loves about fashion, blogging, and all things Southern!

Her Instagram account is filled with bright colors, bows, and her Southern Style.  Kate decided to share with us the Top 5 Favorite Things of a Southern Sorority Girl along with her TSS Interview!  Make sure to follow Kate's blog, A Lonestar State of Southern and follow her on Instagram!

1. Oversized Shirts

AKA my college uniform. I am a little bit confused as to how wearing tshirts the size of trashbags counts as socially acceptable, and I’m ALL for it.

2. Caffeine

I used to pride myself on not being one of those “coffee addicts.” This 5’2” girl wasn’t going to risk stunted growth, and it’s obviously way healthier to stick to water, right? Whelp, that mentality lasted all of two months, and now it’s part of my daily routine! No coffee, no talky. For real.

3. Rent the Runway

With date functions and formals always around the corner, Rent the Runway is my lifesaver. I love the huge selection of gorgeous gowns that are in price range and conveniently delivered to your doorstep. Three cheers for whomever came up with that fabulous idea!

4. Lilly Pulitzer Planner

Oh yes, I am that girl. And if my large planner in “Lulu” wasn’t colorful enough, the month views are an explosion of highlighter and colored markers reminding me of tests, functions, and babysitting commitments. 

            

5. Student Discounts

I can’t believe that I didn’t know about the wealth of stores that offer hefty student discounts until this semester! Jcrew, Madewell, Ann Taylor LOFT, Topshop, Urban Outfitters, and Pizza Hut (oops… how did that slip in there?) offer anywhere from 10-25% off. As if I needed more of an excuse to go shop!

1. What or who inspired you to start your blog?

"It all started last spring as an assignment for one of my public relations classes. We were told to create a temporary blog about whatever we fancied. Once I started writing about my love for Texan culture and Southern style, I couldn’t stop! This past summer, Lonestar State of Southern quickly become one of my favorite hobbies. Who would have thought school work could turn into something so fun?!"

2. Who is your celebrity style crush?  

"Reese Witherspoon. I have such respect for her classic style, and how she doesn’t feel the need to wear two feet of clothing in order to make a statement. Her quote, 'If it’s not moving, monogram it!' says it all."

3. So you're a Southern Belle- tell us what your favorite part about living in the South!

"My favorite part? There’s no way to narrow it down to just one! So I’ll cheat… My favorite part is that the stereotype of the South is completely true. Everyone here says 'y’all', cowboy boots are accepted dress shoes, and boys learn to open doors as toddlers. The culture here is warm and loving, the sky is huge and beautiful, and tea comes in 'sweet' and 'un'. What’s not to love?"

4. What's your favorite part about being in a sorority?

"Prepare yourself for the cookie-cutter response, but my favorite part is the relationships I’ve made through Kappa. College is such a unique experience, and having a group of ladies to figure it all out with has made a vibrant one We are all so different, and thank goodness for that! We bring different talents and interests to the table, balance each other out, and always have too much fun together!"

5. How does your sorority sisters support you and your blog?

"Everyone has a kind, encouraging word, and no one makes a big deal about it. That is what I love about Kappa. Everyone is supported in their interests here. whether that’s biking to Alaska to raise money for cancer victims, putting together $40,000 to build a school in Uganda, or writing a light hearted blog about life and fashion. There’s a shared joy in everyone’s different accomplishments, and that underlying theme is something I treasure the most about this group of girls."

6. What are 3 things that you always carry in your purse?

 "Warby Parker glasses (I’m under the age of 75 and have cataracts. Like, what?), my Lilly Pulitzer agenda, and a little slip of paper from freshman year. My freshman year of college, a stranger found my phone that I had left in the library and took the time to and turn it in and place a note where I had left it. It says “If you lost your phone, I turned it into the front desk downstairs! Have a great day!” in pink writing. I will never forget how moved I was by that seemingly small act of kindness. It’s my favorite reminder to take the time to love others!"

7. Who's your 3 favorite fashion bloggers that you religiously follow?

"1. Caitlin of Southern Curls and Pearls. We’re best friends. She is gorgeous, southern, and unpretentious. She has a fuzzy cat, flawless taste, and the ideal closet of a modern southern belle. Ok I should clarify the best friend thing… She actually doesn’t know that… so maybe don’t pass that on?

 2.  Molly of Bridget’s Own Diary. All jokes aside, I actually am super lucky to know this pretty lady (and fellow Kappa!) in real life. Her blog has style, soul, depth, and so much feel-goodness it’s hard to handle. She’s also the cutest thing to walk this earth, and one of the most thoughtful girls I know.

 3. Sarah of Classy Girls Wear Pearls. No explanation needed, right? Has anyone figured out yet if she and the Kiel James Patrick group are actually real?"

8. Southern Gentlemen- fact or myth?

"Fact! To anyone doubting their existence, take heart! I met mine in Seaside, Florida the summer before my freshman year of college. He wears Vineyard Vines, loves Jesus with his whole heart, and two years later still opens every door I come across. It’s tricky to find them on your typical college campus, but they’re out there I swear!"

9. How do you balance everything between school, sorority, and blogging?  Do you have any other things you are involved in?

"I wouldn’t be able to without my faith. Because of my faith- school, sorority, and blogging are all just icing on the cake! Those three parts of my life become joys instead of things that need to be juggled when I remind myself that I am loved unconditionally, and that nothing I’ve ever done or will do in the future can change that."

10. What's your 3 go-to stores?

"Eighty percent of the dresses in my closet come from Zara. That is one store that fits perfectly and without fail. Madewell always has the best sale items, and… wait I only have one left? Can LillyPulitzerJCrewStBernardsSportsH&MCWonder count as one? :)"

Isn't she just so stinkin' cute?  Now we know what it's like to be a Southern Sorority girl, live in the South, and date Southern boys!  Thank you, Kate- we loved having you on TSS! 

Sisters Succeeding: Kat Tanita from With Love from Kat

                       

This West coast girl makes her big move to New York City shortly after graduating from college to pursue her dreams in fashion, design, and blogging.  After 2 short years of being a New Yorker and now a full-time Fashion Blogger, invitations to New York Fashion Week, showrooms, and luncheons with other NY fashion bloggers is an everyday thing.  

The Sorority Secrets sits down with Kat Tanita to get the ins & outs of being a Fashion Blogger and how sorority life helped her get to where she's at today.  Read Kat's Interview below!

"Looking back, I think I was subconsciously prepping for the career I have now since I was in high school.  Before writing With Love From Kat full time, I worked at Calypso St. Barth and Saks Fifth Avenue, interned at interior design firms in college, and then, after earning a degree in design, did PR and social media for a start up jewelry company in NYC.  With Love From Kat showcases my passion for decor, fashion, and travel.  New visitors to my blog can expect to see plenty of photos showcasing my signature style which fuses elegant-yet accessible high/low fashion, along with regular decor inspiration, travel advice and collages featuring my latest must have items.  It's a site that provides good living for the savvy, sophisticated girl."  

1. How long have you been blogging?
      "I've been blogging for almost 3 years.  I started blogging right after graduating from college."

2. What/Who Inspired you to start a blog?
      "In college I was a design major so I was constantly working on different art projects.  When I graduated, I found myself missing the creative outlet that my classes provided.  I started researching blogging (the first blogs I looked at were Cupcakes + Cashmere and Fashion Toast) and realized that a blog would be the perfect creative outlet for me."

3. What sorority were you apart of and what was your favorite part about being in a sorority?
       "I was a Kappa Alpha Theta in college.  I loved being a part of such an inspiring, smart group of women!  It was a great way to meet people and made my college experience so fun."

4. What's your favorite part about being a New Yorker?

    "New York is extremely stimulating - there is literally always something to do, something to see, someone to meet!  Everything about this city inspires me - I couldn't imagine living anywhere else!"

5. Who's a blogger that inspires you?

     "I'm really inspired by Carin Olsson of Paris in Four Months.  She's incredibly mature and sophisticated for her age and moved to Paris to follow her dreams.  She documents her life traveling through Paris and all over the world with the most beautiful photographs."

6. The ups and downs of being a fashion blogger?

     "There are so many ups to being a fashion blogger.  My favorite part is getting to meet people that I've looked up to for years - magazine editors, authors, photographers and designers.  I love what I do and besides being occasionally tired I can't really think of any major downs to my job!"

7. NYFW just ended- what is your favorite part about attending NYFW?

    "NYFW was a whirlwind!  I absolutely loved attending the Rebecca Minkoff show - she had live music and every outfit that came down the runway was completely wearable.  I also loved catching up with blogger friends who flew in from around the country."

8. Tell us your Secret Steal?

      "I am a huge fan of consignment and vintage stores!   And I love a good sale - Shopbop and Nordstrom always have great sale items."

9. What has sorority life taught you that you have applied in the real world?

      "Being in a sorority taught me how to get along with all different kinds of women.  I feel like I can relate to almost anyone in some way or another which is a crucial skill to have in the fashion industry - or any industry for that matter."

10. If you can have anyone's closet- who would it be?

       "I would love Rachel Zoe's closet - can you imagine?!  Or Olivia Palermo's closet - she does such a great job of mixing high and low fashion."

A very special thank you to Kat for sitting down with us and sharing us her story.  Remember ladies, every girl can succeed, just have to follow your dreams and {keep going}! 

Happy Thursday!