Fabulously Flared

I recently made an order off of J. Crew Factory (shocker I know). I am so happy with my purchases and know that I will get a ton of wear out of them. The first thing I got was this navy flared skirt that everyone and their mother has, but now I know why! The skirt is flattering on everyone and is versatile all year round. At first I was a bit hesitant about the cut, but I absolutely love it and can guarantee this is not the last time you will see it in a post! I also purchased this grey shirt that I already have in two other colors. These shirts are made from the worlds softest material, they are a bit flowy and could be worn with legging and a vest or a skirt as seen here. It is so important to stock up on basics, especially ones that can be worn year round and J. Crew Factory is the place to go! 

I love little hints of leopard in the fall, weather it be a cute belt or a pair of loafers. Adding a little bit of pattern to a simple outfit can really pull it all together. 

It was super hot this weekend for later September- high eighties, so I opted for sandals. If the weather was a bit cooler this look would be great with flats or even riding boots.

I am obsessed with this crystal pendant necklace, it is a fun twist on the statement necklace.

Shirt- J. Crew Factory | Skirt- J. Crew Factory | Necklace- J. Crew Factory | Belt- Old Navy | Sandals- Target

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

Friday Favorites

Finally, it's the day we have all been waiting for, Friday. Honestly, Friday might be my favorite day of the week because by 4:30 school and sports are over and you have the entire weekend to look forward to. Recently, I have found a few things that I have been LOVING and wanted to quickly share them on the blog! I think that doing this Friday Favorites post is a great way to share some random interests with everyone- let me know what you think.

One: Scandal 

Three words: Oh. My. Gosh. Scandal is my new addiction, I started it three weeks ago and have finished all three seasons on Netflix.... Scandal is about the staff of the White House and a crisis management group called Pope and Associates. This show is so addictive and every episode has an intriguing plot and obviously some type of scandal! The created of Grey's Anatomy, Shonda Rhimes also created this and her newest show, How to Get Away with Murder. Scandal is on Thursdays at 9 on ABC, trust me you don't want to miss it! 

 Two: Trader Joes Pumpkin Waffle Mix

Just warning y'all I'm about to get real basic... One of the first things I think of when fall comes to mind is pumpkin everything (except pumpkin spice lattes- I hate those). Trader Joe's is amazing when it comes to pumpkin items for fall time, think granola, yogurt, cereal bars, ice cream, bagels, etc. however my favorite thing is this waffle mix. I instagrammed this picture last weekend, after having them for breakfast on Saturday and Sunday #dontjudge. If you have a Trader Joe's in your area definitely pick this up in your travels, you will not regret it! 

Three: Insulated CamelBak Water bottle

I have really gotten into drinking lots of water throughout the school day and obviously when running. I have found that it makes me feel so much better. In addition to that, a cold has been running ramped at our school and unfortunately I got stuck with it as well. Staying hydrated is so important especially when you are sick or before a workout. This water bottle is awesome because it stays cold for so long, the ice I put in it at 7:15 before school lasts until at least 1:00!

What have you been loving this week?

xoxo,

Catherine 

Preppy by the Sea 

Balance

I love this little Pinterest find!

We are almost done with our fourth week of school and I feel like I am really getting back into the swing of things. Every year of school is an adjustment.  There are new obstacles, maybe it is academically or maybe its socially, but there is always something each year. In the past four weeks I have really discovered the importance of balance in my life. School, sports, homework, friends, sleep- Can you really have it all? The answer is yes, you can! Last year, I really struggled specifically with balancing my homework and actually sleeping. This year I have not gone to bed past 10:30 and have been feeling so much more positive about school. At the end of the day I try to leave school with a plan that will make every day a good day. Sitting down and getting right to work is crucial, the earlier you start, the earlier you finish! 

Over the past four months, blogging has become a higher priority for me, and I find consistency very important. We are trying to have 4-5 posts up a week and with this comes a large time commitment. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing I love more than blogging and I will happily sit down for hours scheduling posts, but it also adds to the whole "balance" thing. In addition to this sometimes it is important to change your priorities. There are always some days where you really just have no motivation to do anything productive and just want to hang out with friends, catch up on your favorite show or in our case- blog.  This is okay. Give yourself a break, go do something fun and forget about everything you have to do for a little bit. Life is crazy and sometimes you need to be a little crazy as well. Have you been seeing the importance of balance after getting back into a routine?

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

September Playlist

When it comes to running, I am incredibly specific about my songs and often find myself constantly skipping everything in my playlist. Cross Country has obviously led to a decent amount of running in the past month and I think I have finally perfected my playlist. I am typically a big fan of country music, however when it comes to work out music my mix gets crazy random. I like to have loud, fast beat songs to run to. This month the six songs I have really gravitated towards are Save Me San Francisco, Shake It Off, American Kids, Day Drinking, Shower, All About That Bass and Sweet Home Alabama. I am actually laughing at myself for this group of songs, like what!? Do you find yourself listening to a weird variety of songs? Anyways, I love reading these posts on other blogs and hope you enjoy this month's edition! What have your favorite songs been, I'm always looking to add new ones?

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

Swell Caroline & Giveaway!

We are always browsing the internet looking for cute little shops that sell jewelry and oh my gosh, we think we found it! Swell Caroline is an online shop based out of Atlanta, Georgia, they have been featured on CBS, Southern Living, Daily Candy and many more! Julianna and I both are wearing the Sibley Necklace, which adds the perfect pop to any outfit! We absolutely love this chunky necklace; a versatile piece good for any season. Whether you are looking for a cute monogrammed necklace, a trendy statement necklace, Game Day essentials or some fun accessories for great prices, Swell Caroline is the perfect place! Not to mention, their wrapping is adorable, think pink confetti and cute little jewelry bags!  Lucky for you, today we are giving away a $50 gift certificate!

 We love the one gold ball on the necklace, it's such a cute touch!

 Even the clasp has an adorable little Swell Caroline tag on it!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A few of our picks from Swell Caroline!

Make sure to check them out on Pinterest// Facebook// Instagram //Twitter

xoxo,

Catherine and Julianna

Preppy by the Sea

Let's Play DRESS Up

Tomorrow kicks off (pun intended) Homecoming weekend at my school! The day starts off bright and early as different teams play their games and sell merchandise, later moving on to the football game and then the dance! Honestly, football games at our school really are not a big deal- although I really wish they were, but it will still be lots of fun! Although I do love sporting my teams red and white colors in the morning, working at the golf table and helping out student council, but what I look forward to the most is picking out a dress for the actual dance. I don't know about you but I will absolutely NEVER pass up on an opportunity to get all dressed up. I had the perfect outfit chosen (Lilly Pulitzer "Emmy" dress in navy with nude pumps) and then I found out the theme was "Endless Summer"... Don't get me wrong, summer is my favorite season but I wasn't exactly feeling it. Anyways with that "dilemma" I am now wearing my Lilly Pulitzer Delia Shift dress in "Watch Out" with Jack Rogers. Although, this is not a typical Homecoming look I think it will still be super cute! 

Below are a few of my favorite dresses that I have recently stumbled upon and think would be perfect for the event! The dresses range in price and are all super unique. A few weeks ago, Dorothy from Prep in your Step posted a picture of her wearing the first dress, I hunted it down and think it is just too cute! The second dress in the iconic J. Crew Factory scalloped dress in black. This piece is incredibly versatile, I have it in navy and have worn it too many times to count! Next is the navy dress in from Lilly Pulitzer- definitely more on the pricey side but so, so, so cute! Finally I just saw this emerald green peplum dress from Asos and obsessed would be an understatement- as Julianna said earlier this month emerald is the perfect fall color! I think I may need to invest in this dress- incase you were wondering the whole "No Shop September" idea hasn't exactly worked out...

Top Left ($48) | Top Right  ($89.50)

Bottom Left ($188) | Bottom Right ($104.74)

What is your favorite dress/What are you wearing to Homecoming?

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

Trendy With a Twist

When I was putting my fall clothes into my closet, I stumbled upon this chevron dress that I had completely forgotten about. I purchased this dress two years ago in New York City at Necessary Clothing. I have hardly worn it because it is little bit out of my comfort zone and a bit more trendy than majority of my clothing, but I actually really like it! I think that every once and a while it is important to take a few fashion "risks" and purchase something on a whim that isn't totally you. The chevron pattern and pretty autumn colors are my favorite things about this dress, also the material is super light so it is great for warmer fall weather! To add my own little touch to this outfit I wore my monogrammed necklace, a braided belt and a comfortable pair of nude flats. 

The dress is a tunic style which makes it easy to dress up or to dress down- you could wear it to class or change the shoes for pumps and wear it to a nice dinner in the city. 

I love the simple detailing on the sleeves. 

Nude flats are definitely a staple for fall as they so match with virtually everything! 

Dress- Necessary Clothing (Old) similar | Flats- Tory Burch (Old) similar | Monogrammed Necklace- Etsy

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

September Simple

This weekend really started to feel like fall and I am definitely having some mixed emotions about the cold. I packed up all my summer clothes and starting to bring out the sweaters, vests and jeans. Even with the crisp air, it is absolutely beautiful out so I headed over to the beach to take a few outfit pictures! This outfit is super simple but perfect for this time of year. I paired two of my most versatile pieces together, a white button down and skinny jeans and added a few fun accessories to complete the look! 

I love the amazing view of Boston that you get from the beach!

This floral tortoise shell statement necklace is one of my favorite fall accessories! 

Recently, I have been obsessing over all things gold and am loving this metallic gold essie polish.

I saw this cool old orange jeep and obviously had to take a picture with it :) 

Shirt- Ralph Lauren (Old) Similar | Jeans- Nordstrom | Necklace- Sparkling Sage via Rue La La Similar | Bracelets- J. Crew Factory & Forever 21 | Shoes- Tory Burch (Old) Similar

xoxo,

Catherine 

Preppy by the Sea 

Best of Blair

I'm sure that we have many Gossip Girl lovers reading the blog. Therefore I'm also sure we have readers who would do anything to have Blair Waldorf's wardrobe. I watched Gossip Girl over a year ago, yet I still find myself envious of Blair's classically chic style. Even as just a television character, she made such a huge impact on fashion; taking risks and putting all of us to shame with her unbelievable accessorizing. Her headbands, those red tights, and all of gorgeous gowns she wore were statements of her personal style. Did she ever have a bad look? I wouldn't necessarily consider Blair to be "preppy", but instead a classic and sophisticated dresser. There wasn't necessarily a label on what she wore, what mattered was she looked good going to high school, at her royal wedding, and everything in between. It's so hard to limit it down to just a few of Blair's best looks, but there were some outfits that really stood out to me.

10. "Hi Society" 1x10

Blair wore red tights several times through the series, and they were always my obsession. I'm not sure I could ever pull them off, but they are such a unique statement!

9. "The Empire of the Son" 4x17

I just love this dress. I think the pattern is gorgeous and the lace detailing around the neckline adds so much to its design. Black lace tights and pumps are any girl's go-to accessories. 

8. "Summer, Kind of Wonderful" 2x01

Not only was this one of my favorite Blair looks, this was by far my favorite episode of Gossip Girl. The fashion from the white party was incredible. Plus, I've always thought the best Gossip Girl story lines came at the beginning of season two.

7. Much 'I Do' About Nothing 1x18

I love this classic navy sailor dress Blair wears. I think the scarf is a cool accent and the defined neckline is exquisite!

6. "Double Identity"4x02

One of the most iconic Gossip Girl looks, I love this red dress! The pink purse and shoes match perfectly. Who knew pink and red went so well together?

5. "Dirty Rotten Scandals" 6x03

The moment I saw this dress, I was obsessed. I wasn't the biggest fan of Blair's season 5 style (nothing really stood out to me) but right at the beginning of season 6, she wore this stunning dress. But, the best part of this look is definitely the zebra shoes!

4. "Double Identity" 4x02

Bonus look from this episode! Some of the best Gossip Girl fashion was in the beginning of season 4, when Serena and Blair were in Paris. It was so cool that Gossip Girl actually filmed in Paris too!

 3. "Blair Waldorf Must Pie" 1x09

The shawl, the dress, the tights the shoes; it's fashion perfection! This look is put together so well. I love the color scheme and how all of the intricate details compliment each other so nicely.

2. "Last Tango, Then Paris" 3x22

This green coat is amazing and the yellow shoes and purse are too! Blair had the most incredible collection of coats she wore throughout the series, but this one is definitely my favorite. Plus, the polka dot scarf is so cute!

1. "New York, I Love You XOXO" 6x10

They honestly did save the best for last. In my opinion, Blair's wedding dress was the best dress she ever wore. Although untraditional in blue, Blair could not have worn a better dress in the final minutes of Gossip Girl

So, do you agree with my picks for Blair's best looks?

You know you love me

 xoxo,

Julianna 

Preppy by the Sea

Trying to Transition

Every year I always find myself trying to figure out what to wear during the month of September, sometimes it is 90 degrees and sometimes there are super chilly mornings with nice afternoons. It really is such a transitional month, so today I am sharing how I transition outfits from summer to fall. Colored pants are a great piece for this time of year because they are fun and bold, still incorporating summer, yet orange is an iconic fall color. Next, I wore a simple white short sleeve tee shirt, if it was a cooler day I would opt for long sleeve- or add a cardigan. I paired the top with my favorite pom pom scarf from Old Navy, which has pinks, oranges and tans in it. The scarf is both fashionable and functional, as it does provide some warmth. To give the outfit a fall vibe I went with darker colored accessories. I wore my cat eye tortoise shell sunglasses, leather bow belt, leopard loafers and carried a leather tote bag. I think that the few darker accessories and the bright pants really pull together the perfect look for a summer to fall transition day. Another super simple transition outfit would be darker colored J. Crew chino shorts paired with a long sleeve button down or tee. 

I seriously cannot stop obsessing over the pom poms on this scarf!

I was at Target the other day picking up binders and notebooks for back to school shopping and came across this adorable faux leather bow belt for only $14! 

Leopard loafers are the perfect fall shoe and I absolutely love mine from C. Wonder. They are so comfortable! 

Shirt- J. Crew Factory | Pants- Lucky Brand | Scarf- Old Navy (not available online) similar | Bow Belt- Target | Bag- Old Navy (Sold Out) similar | Loafers- C. Wonder (Old) similar 

xoxo,

Catherine 

Preppy by the Sea