With college graduations in full swing, college students across the country are frantically applying and interviewing for their dream job or internship. Although applying for jobs and going to interviews is always a super exciting time, I’d be lying if I said that interviews don’t give me a slight case of the butterflies. I’ve found that the best way for me to reduce my nerves is to be over prepared for anything that might go wrong or might surprise me. I research the companies, think of answers to potential questions, compile a list of questions to ask about the job, I’ve even driven to the company the day before to make sure that I know exactly how long it takes so I will arrive on time. 

I also think it helps to have an amazing outfit planned! Your outfit will vary depending on the job you are interviewing for, the industry, as well as the company culture (this is where the research you did on the company comes in handy). I think this Emma Graham inspired outfit will give you the confidence to knock that interview out of the park! 

Charleston: What to taste, what to do, and where to visit! 

Charleston has recently been named Best Town in America, Number 1 Place to Visit, City with most Attractive people in America, and so on! In light of these recent wins, I thought I would put together my top five list of things to do if/when you visit Charleston (because you seriously need to visit soon). I definitely am not a Charleston expert, but over the past three years I developed a serious love affair with this city. 

What to do as a college student in one of the best cities in America:

1. EAT! Seriously, save your pennies up for at least one meal at one of the award winning restaurants. Some of my favorites are Fig, Husk, Cru Cafe, Leaf, and Circa 1886. Husk was just name best restaurant in America, so make sure you make reservations at least two weeks in advance. But besides all of the fancy restaurants, there are some that are a little more college-budget friendly and just as delicious! Stop by the Farmer’s market on Saturday morning and visit the Roti Rolls food truck-YUM!

Fig:

Husk:

Farmer’s Market:

2. Take a walk/bike ride around the battery and white point gardens and pretend that you are Scarlett O’Hara. The houses you will see are unbelievable (and you may need to walk off that big meal you just ate!).

3. Go to the beach! Drive out to Sullivan’s Island for one of the most gorgeous and peaceful beaches.If you’re lucky, you may see a dolphin! On your way back downtown, stop by Poe’s for the best burgers, tacos, and salads around! 

4. For the 21+ crowd, spend an evening visiting the bars on upper King Street! Some of my favorites include Closed for Business for a unique beer, Fish for a fun DJ, Hom to play ping-pong and Midtown to end the night! If you’re still hungry, visit Butcher and Bee, a late night only restaurant that is a little further up King street. It’s definitely not your typical hot dogs and pizza!

5. Visit a plantation or take a historic home tour. Honestly, you could spend the entire weekend eating and playing on the beach but if you are looking for a little southern culture visit Magnolia Plantation (my dream wedding spot) or take a tour of the Calhoun mansion. You won’t regret it, these spots are just gorgeous!

Where are your favorite spots in Charleston? Do you have any travel recommendations for me? Enjoy your stay!

I could not be more excited about that the Design Your Own Jenn and Aimee dresses are now available in white.  I am someone who loves to wear white no matter what season it is - I am definitely a fashion rule breaker.  There is nothing that I love more than a white dress. Simple and fresh, and it’s so easy to accessorize!

In my last blog I mentioned that at College of Charleston, girls all wear white dresses (no caps and gowns, luckily). The Jenn dress stands out by itself with its bold ruffle and low back, so there is no need to go overboard on jewelry. I love the aqua tones in this Kate Spade bangle, and paired with the gold studs, you have just enough sparkle!

How would you wear this dress?

It’s hard to believe that this semester is coming to an end! This a bittersweet time of year, where summer is so close that you can’t wait to finish all of your final exams and projects yet you don’t want to say goodbye to your friends who are graduating or living in other parts of the country for the summer. 

Here at the College of Charleston we have a very special graduation tradition: all of the women wear white dresses and carry red roses, and the men wear white tuxedos with red rose buttoners. The graduation ceremony is held in the Cistern, one of the oldest and prettiest areas of campus. It was the backdrop for movies like “Dear John”, “The Patriot”, and “The Notebook” (I had friends who were extras….soo cool!). Tradition says that a CofC student cannot walk across the actual Cistern (the raised platform shown below) until the day of graduation. Graduation is a big deal at CofC, and I can’t wait to attend this year and watch as my friends graduate! 

Amanda Seyfried walks across the Cistern in Dear John:

Although I won’t be donning a white dress this year, (I still have one more year at this beautiful college, thankfully) I will be wearing Emma Graham to celebrate! 

The Griffin dress-so comfortable and breathable, and who can resist that coral!

Paired with this necklace: 

via:http://www.designdarling.com/collections/accessories/products/dabney-bib-necklace

And this fun Kate Spade watch:

What are you wearing for graduation? Does your school have any special traditions like CofC does? Fill me in @jordan_katherin

Charleston was buzzing with excitement last week during one of my favorite weeks of the year: Charleston Fashion Week!! I couldn’t help but feel my excitement grow as the tell tale white tents were set up the weeks leading up to the event in Marion Square, a park usually occupied by football-playing and sunbathing College of Charleston students. Not only is this a great time for local boutiques to showcase their spring looks, but Charleston Fashion Week also has an Emerging Designer competition and a Rock the Runway model competition. These competitions give up and comers a chance to break into the notoriously difficult fashion industry.

This year was even more exciting, because Emma Graham was participating in the “Pop-Up Shops” on Friday from 11-3 where fashionistas could purchase the perfect look for that night’s fashion show. Lauren, the Clemson DC, was home on spring break and came to help me run the booth. We had a fabulous time meeting new people and showing them what Emma Graham was all about. We even had all of the volunteers running around in bright pink Emma Graham sunglasses!

After an afternoon of helping shoppers, we went home to freshen up for that night’s fashion show. The line-up consisted of two boutiques, followed by 5 Emerging designers, and featured designer Chris Benz. The Rock the Runway model competition winners were also selected that evening.

We had a great time taking pictures on the red carpet, enjoying the DJ in the style lounge during intermission, and feeling like VIP’s in our front row seats! It will be one of my favorite memories in Charleston, and I already can’t wait for next year!

How to have a fabulous “stay-cation”

Although some may argue that living in Charleston is a year round vacation, many students at College of Charleston flee our beaches for ones that are just a bit warmer this time of year. Last year for spring break I jetted off to the Bahamas with a group of sorority sisters to relax on the beach and dance the night away. It was a great trip and I made some amazing memories, but this year I decided to do something different…a “stay-cation”!  I’ve decided to take the opportunity to enjoy my city while my schedule is more open.

• Pamper yourself: Have a spa day! Indulge in a manicure/pedicure, massage, or facial. Just because you aren’t on a vacation in another city doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to treat yourself like a princess!
• Check out a new restaurant. Gather a group of your fellow “stay-cationers” and taste a new cuisine or new restaurant that you’ve been meaning to try but your busy schedule has prevented you from! I am looking forward to trying a new “adventurous eating” restaurant…a little nervous, but excited!
• Take time to sleep in, read a new book, and catch up on movies and TV shows you’ve missed! 
• Schedule a fun and memorable activity to do that is unique to your city! I’ve always wanted to try stand up paddle boarding, and I’m definitely going to check that out this spring break! I may even try SUP yoga:

Are you sticking around for spring break? What do you have planned to make sure you will have an amazing time? Fill me in @jordan_katherin

Dress Review: The Jordan

I just received my first piece from the Spring 2012 collection, and needless to say, I’m in love!  The Jordan dress has my favorite color combination for Spring 2012: navy and coral, that has me dreaming of sunny skies, spring break and sundresses!

The fit: The scoop back of the Jordan was what attracted me to this dress at first glance. My favorite feature of this dress does not disappoint. It is quite form fitting, with that being said, if you are in between sizes, I would suggest ordering the larger of the two sizes. Otherwise, it is very true to size. With a hemline hitting a few inches above the knee, and a crochet detail at the bottom of the dress, the Jordan provides a look that is flirty, but not too sexy. You will feel comfortable in all situations in this dress! The darting on the chest also ensures a great fit.

How I would wear it: With Carolina Cup just a few weeks away, I’m looking forward to tossing this gorgeous dress on with a pair of metallic sandals, pearl earrings and my signature gold necklace. I may even Design My Own Ann or Millie hat to complete the look!  Beyond this fun occasion, the Jordan dress will be great for date parties or weddings-I also plan to wear it to my sister’s high school graduation party!

Have you tried on any of Emma Graham’s new spring collection? What do you think of the Jordan dress? 

 1.   Fashion Icon: Blake Lively, or really her character on Gossip Girl, Serena Van der Woodsen. She truly embodies effortless glamour.

2.     Thing you are looking most forward to about being a Design Consultant: This will be my third semester as a Design Consultant, so I’m looking forward to putting some of my new ideas and the things that I have learned in past semesters into action!

3.     Favorite Emma Graham piece (new or old collections): If I HAD to pick one piece, I would choose the Griffin. The King Crab Coral is such a great, current spring color. I also love dresses that are simple enough to allow you the freedom to dress them up or down with pretty accessories. I can’t wait to wear this precious frock to a spring wedding and date parties.

4.     Plans after Graduation?: I hope to combine the two things I love personally and professionally: Fashion and Marketing, for a satisfying and successful career!

5.     Favorite thing to do on a Saturday?: I usually like to start the day with a hot yoga class. Then I head to breakfast with friends at the great Farmer’s Market that we have in Charleston, followed by some shopping on King Street.

6.     Dinner for 2 or party with 100? Hard to choose! I love catching up with friends over dinner, but I also love meeting new people at a big party.

7.     Heels or Flats? Although some may argue that I’m a little tall for a 4-inch heel at 5’8, heels have some sort of magical power that I can’t resist! They can totally transform an outfit and make your legs look 5 feet long!

8.     Twitter or Facebook:? Twitter

9.     2012 New Year’s Resolution?: Learning to cook! I’ve always loved to bake cookies, brownies, cupcakes, you name it; but I am a hopeless cook.

10.  What’s #1 on your Ipod Top 25 Most Played Songs Playlist?: “Knee Deep” by Zac Brown Band. The best beach song!