NEW AND NOTEWORTHY

COLLEGE: Senior year has got me stressing to the MAX. Luckily, I am 99% sure that I have found "the one" university for me, which is AWESOME. Still, the application process and the potential of getting rejected is terrifying. I don't want to spill the details of which particular school it us, but you'll know soon enough! 

TRAVEL: To put it frankly I have been in Chicago two times in the past two weeks. My schedule has been NON STOP get in the car, drive 5 hours, rush to meetings, pass out, and drive 5 hours home. It's really fun, can't you tell. But don't worry, it's ALL for good reason, and yes this is another thing that I cannot tell you at the moment. 

ECTETERA: I am soaking up all of my last year at home. I've gone to all but one home game at my beloved Big House, and have been revisiting ALL nostalgic places in my neighborhood almost on a daily basis. My parents are unfortunately moving out of my childhood home(and hometown) after I graduate and I CANNOT handle the thought of leaving just yet. 

xo,

Rachel

POP IT LIKE CHAMPAGNE

photo via*

FIRST: 

This photo. I mean who doesn't love a little VEUVE, in case you didn't know, it sounds a little like LOVE when you say it. I mean it really is liquid love. I may be a little biased considering the fact that I have an empty bottle in my room that I use as a vase. It's the label, I'm telling ya. But Flowers & Champagne are match made in heaven. 

ALSO: 

I am just over a week into senior year and let's just say I'm KILLIN' it. I mean I only go to school for a total of 4 hours a day, hello  BEST senior year schedule, EVER. When I'm not in class I work for my dad at his car dealership, which is super fun especially when the Tigers bring their cars in(insert sly face emoji) The rest of the week I get to do whatever my heart desires which is usually taking a trip to downtown BHAM or Somerset, obviously. 

LASTLY: 

I am WAY too excited to be seeing George Ezra next weekend! I mean Georgie is my fav, OK maybe The Weeknd is my fav but for the sake of this post let's just pretend it's Georgie. Everyone reading this has probably heard his biggest hit, Budapest, but if you haven't heard the rest of the album, go listen to it. NOW. Some of my favorite songs include, Barcelona, Stand by your Gun, Drawing Board, and Breakaway. Truthfully though, they are all FAB. 

xoxo,

rachel 

*not gossip girl* 

GETTING REAL

all photos via*

OK. So it's been a month since the last time I updated you. I would say "I'm sorry" or "It won't happen again" but we all know that this is in fact going to happen again. I never wanted to be one of those bloggers who reached a point where they felt the need to post EVERY SINGLE DAY just because. NO, I do not pre-schedule posts. That's just not me. I share things with you that I find interesting or inciting. I do NOT post just because I want more followers or page views. Frankly, I find it artificial to post just to gain a bigger following, I mean why did you start a blog in the first place. I started one to share things I thought deserved to be shared with like minded others. ALSO, it's a great place to express myself with photos and other things I come across on the Internet. 

YES,  I do apologise for not posting in over a month. That's going to change very soon, with classes having just started, I have more free time(I know that seems like the opposite of how it should be but trust me, it's not) 

Now onto the real reason why I am posting this. QUEEN aka Olivia Palermo is collaborating with Bauble Bar to create a line of jewelry inspired by the growing new meets old trend. Even though the pieces won't be avaliable until the 29th of September, I already see things that for lack of better terms, I NEED. I do hope you enjoy the photos from the shoot! 

xo,
Rachel 

MENSWEAR CHIC

photographer: Martha Bates

 Buttoned on an angle, cinched with a sleeve, add a pair of pumps and you're ready to leave. Who would've though something borrowed from the boys could be oh so chic and easy?

Once solely a menswear piece, this J.Crew button down got a feminine twist. Using the collar as a base, I buttoned the dress on an angle then used the sleeves to accentuate my waist and give the ensemble a little something extra. I thought that navy heels would dress it up and I mean who can resist blue suede shoes? It's just that simple, plus when the night is over, you can transform the dress into an oversize sleep shirt. 

xo,

Rachel 

Nordstrom Sale Handbag Picks

Can you believe that we are already onto the 3rd post on the Nordstrom Anniversary sale already? Today I am sharing my handbag picks with you! There were SO many options I had a hard time narrowing it down! Sadly the Chloé bag I had my eye on sold out in the first day! My wallet sure is is happy about that! That Tory Burch tote is adorable, and oh so chic! I love that 3.1 Philip Lim bag  but I don't think that it would be the most versatile piece in my wardrobe of navy and white. I guess I'll just have to keep saving up for the coveted PRADA saffiano lux tote. 

xo,
Rachel

Nordstrom Sale Accessory Picks

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, there are just too many fabulous things to condense into one post, so here we have day two, accessories. I cannot get over how much they have on sale, it's going to be a challenge deciding what to buy! I definitely want to pick up that amazing Burberry scarf! I already have the cashmere scarf everybody and their mother has so why not get the summer version too? If I hadn't have just picked up a new pair of Ray-Ban aviators, I would be running to buy those adorable Gucci cat-eye's. Can't wait to share my handbag picks with you tomorrow! 

xo,

Rachel 

Nordstrom Sale Shoe Picks

The Nordstrom Anniversary sale is in full swing, and I thought that there was no better way to celebrate than by sharing some of my favorites with you! There were too many to fit in one post so naturally I am going to be sharing four different ones with you. My poor bank account, and all I've seen are shoes! Seriously, I NEED those Stuart Weitzman wedges.  The same can be said for the Nightfall Hunter boots, I am already planning outfits around them! If you happen to come across a pair I haven't mentioned let me know, a girl can always use another pair of shoes! 

xo,

Rachel 

HERE THERE & EVERYWHERE

You might have noticed that there has been a lack of posts lately and I assure you that it's all for good reason. I just came home from a trip to one of my favorite places on earth, Langdon Hall. I strongly recommend frequenting this country estate at least once a year. The food is to die for, the spa, amazing, and the grounds, breathtaking. It's a great place to visit if you need to unplug and escape from everything for a day or two. I've already planned another trip there in August...

xo,

Rachel 

CREW

because Clueless was likely the best film ever made, and everyone should acknowledge that

I just had to share the most exciting news I've gotten all month and quite possibly all year 

I'm making an app

Yes, you read that right, this blog will soon enough have it's very own app. I know, I'm excited too! This is such a big moment for Polished Prep, and I can't wait to share it with you! Let me know if there are any specific features you'd like to see! 

xo,

Rachel 

10 YEARS

via*

When recently asked the question "Where do you see yourself in 10 years?" I  couldn't help but hesitate before firing back a quick "Successful, obviously." When asked the vague/standard/satanic question, one usually feels the need to repeat the classic "living god knows where, doing god knows that with god knows who." The question desires a short response, not a 5 page length advanced, advanced copy of my memoir. I cannot tell you where I specifically want to be, or with whom I specifically want to be with. I don't know how many little ones I want or what shade my home will be. I can however tell you what I envision as far as events go. 

LE FUTUR 

Sipping a gin martini(with a quite sizable rock on my left hand)chatting up some delightfully exotic couple about their most recent trip to Barbados, could you think of anything more glamorous? 

Basking in the sun, at my home chateau in the south of France. Children in the pool, husband asleep, first copy of my book in hand for editing purposes. 

 Driving the children to school, a mundane task turned extraordinary. Done so in my beautiful Porsche 911 Turbo S, obviously.  

I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past

                                                                                                                                                          

Thomas Jefferson 

RECENT FAVORITES

*via

The Yves Saint Laurent film, available for your viewing on Netflix. Need I say more than YSL? The story explores Yves' Algerian upbringing to his days at DIOR(now you get the photo don't you?), and finally finding himself at his own fashion house, YSL. The illustrious designer along with his partner, Pierre Berge, were known to have kept many parts of their life a secret, this movie faces the hard truths of drug abuse, adultery, and heartbreak the two shared over their many years together. All in all fabulous and should be on everyone's must see list even though it's En Français.

Island Style by India Hicks. I have recently come to be quite the fan of this darling designer/mother/model. The book is to die for due to that fact that she resides on Harbour Island, a tropical paradise in the Bahamas. Owner of a lifestyle brand, also called India Hicks, she aims to share the love of a tropical lifestyle no matter where you're located! Some of my favorite pieces include the black hibiscus candle, black agra tassel, and wild spider lily rollerball!

Coffee, and I'm not talking about the beverage. The lovely Jeff McIntosh recently released a new song entitled Coffee. Needless to say it is the only thing I've been listening to aside from the occasional sing along to 'earned it' and I'm not in the slightest bit ashamed of that. The first time you listen to Coffee, you'll be hooked. As a creature of habit, I'm not so shockingly listening to it as I'm typing this #NoShame. You can find Jeff on Facebook and Youtube.

xo,

Rachel 

P.S. Let me know what you think of coffee when you get a chance to listen to it! You won't regret it! 

RELAX

via*

I cannot think of the last time I wasn't stressed out. That, to me at least, is incredibly sad. To think that my entire life revolves around things that either haven't happened yet or are likely to never happen is yet again, sad. I go to sleep stressed, I wake up stressed, it really is a vicious cycle. In efforts to resolve this, I've been recently drawn to the idea of meditation, and yoga, and eating right in order to relieve stress. Crazy to think that so many of us go on like this and don't think that there are simple ways to resolve it! 

For me, the best way to relieve stress is to meditate. Find a secluded place, sit down and feel all of your worries wash away if even for 10 minutes. Meditation is a fantastic way to let go of everything and just OM. Many times we bottle everything up and it is necessary to let it all out every once in a while. If you don't meditate, try it once, and you'll be hooked! 

If you have any specific ways to relieve stress, let me know! It's always nice to try something new, and I know some of you are just as stressed as I am!  

do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace 

                                                                                                                                     

Dalai Lama 

THE BIG THREE

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Can't get enough of:  Coffee by Jeff McIntosh. I cannot even tell you how much I love this song. It's been on repeat since the time I first heard it, seriously you NEED to check it out, trust me, you won't regret it. Listen to the song here! 

Lusting over: The J. Crew panama hat, I like it so much I did a blog post about it. Seriously I need to get my hands on it ASAP. If only I thought I could actually pull it off. Sorry friends, I'm more than slightly obsessed with it if you couldn't tell!

Feeling the need to: Escape the real world and find myself again in the real real world. I'm dying to go to Indonesia or India or Cambodia. My little heart has a huge desire to explore the far off, just like in Eat, Pray, Love. I mean staying in a 5 star hotel wouldn't hurt either! 

What have you been up to lately? 

xo,

Rachel

Spring Wish List

A few of my recent favorite picks to make spring or lack thereof a little brighter! I love this GiGi New York tote, and I just so happens to look perfect with that J. Crew striped tee! Plus, who can resist those gorgeous Prada sunnies and adorable necklace? I sure can't! 

xo,

Rachel

CURRENTLY COVETING

via*

I think it's safe to say that the hottest trend this season is the iconic Panama hat. Tried and true, this had has been around forever, Teddy Roosevelt made it famous actually.

Panama hats, originating in Ecuador, were taken to the hustle and bustle of Panama to be sold. I mean how many people were actually in Ecuador in the late 1800's shopping for hats, not many I presume.  The hats sold with no delay due to their attractive, and versatile nature. Today, after making their comeback from a period of time where only men over the age of 65 wore them, they are popping up everywhere. J.Crew, Madewell, and Gucci all have come out with their own versions and are fab to say the least. I'm actually heading to my local J.Crew to pick one up this weekend!

xo,

Rachel

NAVY & WHITE

It shouldn't come as a shock that this outfit has become a recent favorite of mine, I mean YA take a little navy and a little white and we are in business. Another reason why I cannot get enough of this outfit is because it's ALL from J.Crew, excluding the shoes and jewelry that is! What pairs with navy and white better than platinum jacks and the ray-bans everybody and their mother has? To top the ensemble off I threw on my vintage rolex, and pearl necklace, another shocker, I know! 

xo,

Rachel

SB ESSENTIALS

So everything is gold, white, yellow, or blue....? 

Can't really explain that one. I'm sure you could find one or all 

of these things useful regardless of the spring break destination! 

xx,

Rachel 

FACT

just a friendly reminder that our everyday actions

 no matter  

how small or tedious are still a smashing part of our lives

xo,

Rachel 

My Life Lately

via*

Long time no blog, after a more than short break because of fashion week, school, hockey boys, life, and my birthday, I'm back. This past Sunday was my 17th birthday and what a fabulous birthday weekend it was. Here's what's been happening in my life lately: 

Le Birthday 

Like I mentioned above, this past Sunday was my BIRTHDAY, can you tell that it was a good weekend? Friday, I went to dinner with three of my gal pals, then met up with a few other friends afterwords! Saturday I headed to the salon for some primping before heading off to dinner at my favorite restaurant with my parents! Finally, Sunday, my actual birthday I went to a very late brunch before picking up a free last minute things I needed for Park City! 

MBFW2015 

The illustrious Mercedes Benz Fashion Week went incredibly well. I was so blessed to have the opportunity to attend! I have SO many photos I want to share! I will be posting the in depth blog post once I can decide that it't good enough for you all to see...that's the perfectionist in me. All in all the trip was so much fun and I hope that I will be able to be at fashion week once again! 

xo,

Rachel 

BIG BIG NEWS

via* 

AAAHHHHHH the news you've all been patiently waiting for. 

I'M GOING TO FASHION WEEK. 

Yes, you did read that right. I am going to fashion week, I still don't believe it when I say it. I have never been more excited in my entire life(okay maybe that's a lie but I'm really excited). Now for the best part, I'm seeing the J.Crew show. I know, pinch me, I cannot even begin to tell you how lucky and grateful I am to have this opportunity, I guess having a dad with strong ties to Mercedes Benz has it's perks! 

Q&A

How did you get the tickets? 

My father has friends at Mercedes Benz, and they got us the tickets! 

What shows are you seeing?

I'm seeing J.Crew, and Badly Mishka, both on Tuesday morning! 

What are you going to wear? 

Don't even get me started, I have absolutely no idea! 

Will there be blog posts about MBFW? 

You can expect more than a couple blog posts when I return! 

xo,

Rachel 

FABULOUS FINDS

xo,
Rachel 

BITS OF RANDOMNESS

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BLACK WHITE AND...GRAY?

An interesting article that dives into the illustriously controversial gray area 

{read here}

WHAT'S THE WORD 

A fetching list of words we all ought to use more frequently 

{please click}

31 REASONS WHY RONNIE IS THE BEST

A cheeky list reiterating the many reasons why we all adore the late Mr. Reagan 

{said article}

SHOES AND FILMS 

A Single Man, the first film directed by designer, Tom Ford 

{watch here}

xo,

Rachel 

laughter is the best medicine

Via*

Because everyone can use a little more laughter in their life,  and laughter from 

Ansel Elgort(in a tuxedo might I add) can light up even the dullest of days! 

xo,

Rachel