Keep it Sleek

arrow necklace | shape bracelets | sparkle earrings | fringe necklace | silver cuff | knot ring | chevron necklace

While I still do love statement necklaces in moderation, my taste in jewelry has evolved a lot recently. Rather than choosing chunky, super sparkly jewels, I been leaning more toward smaller, simpler items. I love gold jewelry (some things never change), but I've become more open to silver and with mixing the two finishes together. I think pairing one silver and once gold bracelet together, when done right, can be an awesome combination. I really like minimalistic jewelry, simple shapes that add a finishing touch rather than a huge feature to a look. From browsing around the web, I've seen a bunch of necklaces, earrings, and bracelets that embrace this sort of vibe. Summer isn't a season where you can wear a lot of jewelry on a daily basis, but with fall right around the corner, it may be time to splurge on a jewelry buying binge!

xoxo,

Julianna 

Preppy by the Sea

How to Survive Preseaon

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Tomorrow marks the begging of cross country preseason at my school. Honestly, I have mixed emotions about this week. On one hand I am a bit bummed because it is the last week of summer and I will be spending it at school and waking up early. However, on the other hand I am looking forward to seeing friends that I have not seen in a long time and starting off the season! Preseason does not have to be a bad thing if you prepare right and have a good attitude, so I thought I would share a few of my tips. 

+Get a Good Night Sleep 

Gettting lots of sleep the night before a big workout is so crucial. Try to make sure you get at least 8 hours of sleep the night before so that you can wake up refreshed and ready to go! 

+Eat a Healthy Breakfast 

I will never understand people that don't eat breakfast in the morning. I need to fuel up for the day or else I will be super tired, dizzy, and of course hungry! I try to eat something light, filling, and healthy to avoid cramps during the workout. I find that yogurt, granola and fruit works the best for me, or an omelette if I have time! 

+Drink Lots of Water 

Make sure to not only bring a big water to practice but also drink lots before and afterwards. Chances are that it is pretty hot out, so staying hydrated should be your number one priority! 

+Buy New Workout Wear 

I don't know about you but having new athletic clothes makes be 100x more excited and motivated to workout. Treat yourself to something nice from your favorite brand (I love Lululemon)! 

+Practice 

Hopefully, you made an effort over the summer to workout and start to get in shape for the sport that you will be participating in! If you did some practicing over the summer, preseason should be a lot easier!

+Stretch

Stretching is so important! During your preseason activities, there is a good chance you will be working muscles that you haven't used in a long time. There would be nothing worse than starting the season out with a pulled muscle. Take 5 minutes at the end of the workout and do a few stretches so you don't wake up sore the next day! 

+Set Goals

Preseason marks the very beginning of your sport, so figure out some things you want to achieve over the next few months! This will help increase your motivation and leave you satisfied at the end of your season if you know you accomplished it! 

What are your tips to surviving preseason?

xoxo, 

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

Jane & Bleecker

dolphin pants c/o | striped pants c/o

When we were contacted by Jane and Bleecker a few weeks age, we were so excited! We had just seen their adorable pajama pants and shorts when we were in Nantucket and said to each other how much we loved them. All Jane and Bleecker products are available at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and Lord & Taylor! With fall right around the corner, our typical pajamas will soon transition into large t-shirts and comfy sweats, so these will work perfectly. Although this style may not have been what we would have typically purchased, they are still really cute and comfortable. The patterns are really fun and the cotton material breathes well and therefore don't get too hot for just lounging around in, doing homework, or just relaxing watching TV. Overall, we think these pants will be perfect for the upcoming chilly months and are looking forward to wearing them more often.

xoxo,

Catherine and Julianna

Preppy by the Sea

Friday Favorites

This week has been relatively low key as it is our last full week on the Cape. Next week is the start of preseason and I will be doing a lot of back and forth, so I am really trying to enjoy every second left of summer. I have been binge reading at the beach to try and get everything finished before we head back to school on the 8th, but no complaints as there is no place I would rather deal than at the beach. 

One: Boating

My family has gone out on the boat a bunch of time this week which is always so much fun. We went out one day and all of the sudden it turned into a huge rain storm, but that didn't stop us from having fun. Julianna and I went tubing and this picture was taken post wipeout :) 

Two: Breakfast

My dad and I went out to breakfast on Tuesday morning and the food was insanely delicious. I had peach waffles topped with fresh fruit and it was to die for. If you haven't figured it out yet I am a low key breakfast addict. 

Three: Beach Days 

I have spend basically every day this week at the beach. The weather has been beautiful and I have loved soaking up the sun and swimming. As I said earlier, this is also not a bad place to finish up summer reading #procrastination 

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

How We Edit Our Instagram Pictures (Summer 2015)

Often times when we post pictures on Instagram (@preppybythesea) people will comment asking us whap apps we use to edit our pictures and how we do it. We also were asked to do this post when we asked what you wanted to see on or snapchat (preppybythesea), so hopefully you enjoy the tutorial! We did a post about how we edited pictures this winter, however it was a bit different this summer. We tried to keep a bright and colorful "theme" this summer and our process for editing is actually super simple. So, here is the step by step to how we edit our summer photos. 

{before}

{after}

Fist of all, we use the Afterlight app which costs $0.99 at the App Store. We start by adjusting the saturation of the image, this brings out the color in the originally dull image. This adjustment is made on a case by case basis so obviously it does not go this high in all of our pictures. 

Next, we adjust the brightness. For the most part, we take Instagram pictures on an iPhone and the lighting is not always great, so this is an essential step in brightening everything up.

Following the brightness adjustments, we sharpen the image. If the photo was not taken on a camera, this make it appear to be of higher quality- a little goes a long way. 

Finally, (if necessary) we adjust the temperature. Often times the increase of saturation can make the image appear a bit more yellow than intended. By making the temperature a bit cooler it removes the yellowish tint! 

Hopefully this post was helpful. With fall approaching quickly, there might be some changes to this routine, so the post is all about summer edits! 

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

Watch Out

dress (last summer) similar | sandals (on sale for $89) | watch

Ever since I was little, Lilly Pulitzer shift dresses have been a staple for summer. The moment I laid eyes on this dress I knew that I had to have it. Everything about it screamed summer on Cape Cod- the beach, lighthouse, and band stands. Fortunately, I was able to score it on sale at the In The Pink Mid-Summer Sale! The classic shift style is so flattering, and I absolutely adore the beautiful detailing on the back- especially the anchor zipper! I have worn this dress to various events from dinners to even my school's homecoming last year. I have been waiting to get pictures in it, and August on the Cape seemed like the perfect time. This is by far and away my favorite Lilly dress and I know that I will get much more wear out of it in the summers to come! Also, a little side note- we are testing out resizing our pictures so bare with the difference! 

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

Exciting Announcement!

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We are so excited to announce that we said good bye to www.preppybythesea.blogspot.com and are officially www.preppybythesea.com! We have been in the process of doing this for quite some time and finally made it happen. If there are any technical issues, just know that we are still working out the kinks. This is just the start to some changes that will be happening in the future with Preppy by the Sea and we are beyond excited for what's in store! Having our original domain will make it easier to access the blog and helps to create a more professional vibe. Here's to a better blogging experience! 

xoxo,

Catherine and Julianna

Preppy by the Sea 

Transition Pieces

jacket | v neck | scarf | dress | jeans | striped tee | skirt | flats | converse

Yesterday, Julianna and I went to the mall to do a little back to school shopping. We have both been talking about how we really want to purge a bunch of items from our closet and just stock up on the basics. Distressed jeans are currently on the top of my fall bucket list, however I have had such a tough time finding the perfect pair. The boyfriend style is extremely unflattering on me and I don't want them to be super ripped. Anyways, above are a few basics that I think every girl should have in her closet for this time of the year. 

+ J. Crew Field Jacket

This is the perfect layering piece for early fall and the transition into cooler days. I love the olive green color and it really goes with everything.

+V Neck Tee

Personally, I prefer the V neck to a crew neck tee, but whatever you like the best works. They are usually pretty inexpensive and come in a wide variety of colors. The short sleeves are great to pair with jeans to transition and can be layered with a jacket for chilly fall mornings. 

+Scarf

Scarves are one of my favorite transitional accessories. Play with patterns and colors to create a fun fall look!

+Striped Dress

Striped dresses are probably one of my favorite things for fall. There are so many different variations of colors and sizes of stripes. Throw on a pair of flats, or boots as you move into the later fall months and you have the perfect outfit for school, shopping, or a dinner out!

+Distressed Jeans

As I mentioned before, these are on the top of wish list for this fall. I like the edgier look that the rips provide but they are still a great basic. 

+Colorful Skirt

Because early fall is still pretty warm out, a skirt is a great transition piece. I love the orange as it is so colorful but also would surprisingly match a variety of tops. 

+Striped Shirt

I am addicted to stripes and probably have one of these tops in every color combination. They are so simple but a little bit more interesting than a plain colored top. J. Crew and Old Navy have lots of great colors right now! 

+Flats

Last fall I splurged on a pair of black and gold Tory Burch Reva flats and they were one of my best purchases ever. I am obsessed with the nude tie up flats above, they are a little bit more trendy but are so unique! 

+Converse

Personally, I don't like to wear riding boots until late October because it is still pretty warm out. I purchased a pair of converse this summer right before I left for Europe and know that I will be wearing them a lot this fall. They will look great with a pair of skinny jeans or with a dress for a more casual look!

What are your favorite items to wear during the transition months?

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

London

Ever since I can remember, I have had an obsession with London. Between the accents, the royal family, and the oh so cute telephone booths, everything has my heart. We landed at Heathrow at 9pm on Thursday and took off for Boston at 9pm on Friday, so was in and out in 24 hours but managed to see a decent amount of the city. I wish that I had more time to explore, but I guess that just means that I will have to go back, right?

Our hotel was right next to the Westminster Bridge, so when we walked across it to grab some breakfast we were able to get a glimpse at Big Ben. I can't even begin to explain how incredible Big Ben really is because I was in awe when I saw it! The architecture is amazing and it is HUGE! 

9:45 am: Tour of Buckingham Palace 

We started off the day with a tour of Buckingham Palace, this was the number one thing on my to-do list for the day and I am so happy that I had the opportunity to see the inside. The rooms are so elegant and grand, I would do anything to go to a party in the ball room (insert heart eyes emoji). Unfortunately there was no photography allowed inside but just imagine the chandeliers, elegant china and plush couches and chairs for the Queen. 

Harrods

Wow. I honestly don't know how else to describe Harrods because I have never seen such huge and lavish store in my entire life. Not only do they have every high end designer you could think of, but ball gowns, gourmet kitchens, champagne bars, an entire floor called "shoe heaven" and pretty much any other thing you could think of. If you are visiting London I suggest you check our Harrods because it is quite an experience. 

We walked around Westminster Abbey, but because the lines were huge and we were on a time crunch, I did not make it inside.

3:30 pm London Eye 

Although this is a super touristy thing to do, it was such a beautiful view of the city! I recommend getting the fast pass ticket because the lines were insane. Being so pressed for time, the London Eye gave us the change to at least see the entire city of London.

Compared to the consistent 100 degree weather in Italy, London was relatively cool. It was in the low 70s by the afternoon, so I wore my white jeans and a jean jacket. My converse were lifesavers as we did a TON of walking! 

Of course I had to get my tourist picture in :) 

Overall, my day in London was a complete whirlwind and I loved every second of it! It was so hard to leave, but hopefully I will have to chance to be back. 

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

Agendas

pink | orange | teal weekly | brushstrokes | black stripes | floral

Wow, I can't believe that it is that time of year again where I am sitting and writing about back to school. Although I am dreading the return to my hectic and chaotic school year schedule, there is nothing I love more than shopping for school supplies. Mint condition binders yet to be filled with assignments, pens with fresh ink and a clean pencil case are all things that I love about September and back to school. However, my favorite thing to purchase before showing up on the first day is an agenda. For the past two years I have had a Lilly Pulitzer agenda. The layout works really well for me, and the cute patterns add a little spice to an otherwise boring task of writing down assignments. I debated trying out a new brand this year, but surprise I stuck with the Lilly! After combing through the internet and rounding up some of my favorite picks for the 2016 year, I wish that I didn't have to narrow it down to just one! I might just have to get the weekly one to put on my desk for blogging! Even though we are in an age of technology, I love writing everything down on paper and being able to physically cross it off when the task is finished. Are you an agenda person as well? Also, let me know if you would like to see an agenda organization post once we get into the school year! 

xoxo,

Catherine 

Preppy by the Sea 

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! This past week has been yet another busy one and I can't believe the weeks of summer are slowly dwindling away. Because I only have a few weeks left to enjoy before heading back to school, I have been trying to cram in as many last minute activities (and summer reading) as I can. The weather has been beautiful and I have had lots of time to spend with family and friends! 

One: Sunsets

The sunsets on the Cape have been spectacular this past week! My cousin and I went out on the boat to snap a few pictures and managed to make our way onto this buoy just in time for the sunset. 

Two: Maine

I went to Maine for 4 days this week to visits with camp friends. One of them is from Colorado and the other is from DC so unfortunately we don't get to see each other all the time. Throughout the trip they convinced me that they had to make it on the blog, so here is one picture that we took at the yacht club! We had so much fun going to the beach, bridge jumping, and visiting Portland! 

Three: The Beach

I have spent practically every single day this week enjoying the beach. August is my favorite time of the year and I love being able to spend it on Cape Cod. The ocean has finally warmed up and the temperatures are perfect! 

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

Positano

I am now sitting in my room back in Massachusetts reminiscing on my time in Italy. Eight days of our trip was spent in Positano and it was truly the most amazing place I have ever seen. The the beautifully blue Mediterranean sea, the villas on the hill, and the colorful flowers were all so picturesque. I had to bring my camera with me everywhere we went and thus needed up with a TON of pictures! This post has the potential to get lengthy (apologies) but I am going to share everything from my hotel, to restaurants and outings to take during the day! 

We stayed in a bed and breakfast called La Fenice, it was family run and everyone was so friendly and helpful. Every morning one of the sons would call and make reservations for you and help to plan activities such as going to Capri. The first picture is the view from our room which had a beautiful deck with a table and lounge chairs. The room had two bedrooms and a bathroom. One of my favorite things was the fact that it had a pool and a private beach. Not many hotels in Positano have a pool as it is difficult to build into the slope of the hill, and the private beach was a complete game changer because the public beach is relatively crowded. There was complementary breakfast every morning (along with amazing cappuccinos) and the option to get lunch at the pool. I could not speak any more highly about La Fenice and would 100% recommend it if you are planning a trip to Positano! 

This is a picture of the public beach which was definitely packed, but how cute are all of the umbrellas? I have never seen anything like this in New England! 

Pretty much roof deck goals.

I snapped this picture on the boat on the way to Capri. The geography of Positano is incredible as it is completely set up in the mountains but all leads down to the amazing blue water and beautiful beaches. 

The Positano harbor was filled with incredible yachts. I have never seen so many and so many HUGE (over 180m) boats all sitting in one place. My dad and I kayaked out to them one day to get a closer look which was so cool! 

The Amlafi Coast is know for lemons and there were lemon trees all over Positano. 

One afternoon, we took a boat over to a restaurant called da Adolfo for Lunch. This was actually the hotel right next to it, but the food there was incredible! Gwenyth Paltrow was there the week before! They also had a private beach that you could rent lounge chairs at and enjoy the beach for the day. There were tons of huge rocks that you could jump off of as well, which was fun! This is a must see spot if you find yourself in Positano! 

Another restaurant that we went to was called Rada. It sits up on a cliff and looks put over the ocean. We went here for dinner and made it just in time to watch the sun set. The presentations were breathtaking and of course the food was also incredible. This was a bit more upscale and one of the fancier places that we ate at. I had am amazing lemon risotto and they brought out an bread platter with all different homemade breads. 

Other restaurant recommendations: 

Chez Black- right in town, amazing pasta

Le Tre Sorelle- also in town, really good pizza 

La Tagliata- 20 min cab ride up into the mountain, amazing views, fixed menu is great because you get to try everything (antipasti, salad, pastas, meats, desserts) 

Next2- This was probably one of my favorite restaurants that we ate at, upscale, great views, great fish, pasta, and desserts! 

This was a picture that I snapped on my iPhone one morning at breakfast. They had the cutest handmade coffee cups, lots of yummy baked goods, and homemade jam. On top of that there was a main dish every morning! 

Have you ever been to Positano? If you are planning a trip there feel free to email me with any questions!

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea