Friday Favorites

TGIF! This week has been a long one and I am happy to finally see the weekend again! This was my first full week post cross country, which was really weird. I was in such a routine, wake up, go to school, xc practice, do homework, sleep and repeat, and now I feel like I need to completely readjust. I don't do a winter sport at school, so I am now relying on self motivation to hit the gym or go for a run! I don't really have any big plans for Halloween this year, but I will definitely be indulging in my favorite candy with friends! Also, if you are in need of a cute last minute DIY costume check this post! Anyways, here are a few of my favorites from this week!  

One: Boston

Last Saturday my mom and I went into the city for the day. With all the chaos of school, it was nice to enjoy some one on one time with my mom. We walked around Beacon Hill and the Public Garden and then did a little bit of shopping on Newbury Street. After we finished our shopping, we met my dad and sister in the North End for dinner, pastries and coffee. I always love getting out of my town and into the city every once and a while, as it is nice to see a change in the atmosphere. 

Two: Hunters

This week we had a few rainy days and I was able to pull out my hunters for the first time this fall! I have had this pair for two or three years and absolutely love the color. Surprisingly, green goes with practically everything and they add a subtle pop of color. 

Three: Pumpkin Bites

Last week, I was reading Fran's blog and came across the recipe for these pumpkin bites! I love all things pumpkin and knew that I had to give them a try. In the past week I have made two batches, they're that good! I also substituted peanut butter for pumpkin and they were delicious as well! 

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

October Playlist

For me at least, pop radio had a pretty good month. I've never been a Justin Bieber fan, yet his new song "What Do You Mean?" is so undeniably catchy it almost makes me want to be a fan (emphasis on the almost). Other favorite from current radio include "Same Old Love" and "Downtown". At first I thought "Downtown" had about 10 too many parts, but as I hear it more and more, it's really growing on me. I've also looked to some alternative music for doing homework and winding down after a long school day. I've realized how much I love Hozier's music  beyond his hit "Take Me to Church."

What songs do you have on replay?

xoxo,

Julianna 

Preppy by the Sea

DIY Donut Costume

With Halloween just around the corner, I thought I would share a cute and super easy DIY costume. If you have been stumped trying to figure out something to do, this is a fun option that you need basically zero crafting ability to make! This costume is actually my sister's, but since I helped make it I decided it would be worth writing about! 

What you need...

a tube- check local pool store as they are difficult to find at this time of year 

brown paint- I used three bottles

pink paint- I used one or two bottles

sponge paint brush

hot glue gun & glue

colorful straws

ribbon

newspaper

Step 1:

 Lay the tube down flat on top of newspaper and paint the top brown. My sister wore hers facing out, by attaching a string and draping it around her neck, but if you prefer to wear it like a tube around your waist, paint both sides brown. 

Step 2: 

After the brown paint dries, begin adding the pink paint. Paint most of the tube with the pink, but leave a few inches on the side so that you can still see a bit of brown. 

Step 3: 

Take the straws and cut them into smaller pieces. Next, begin using the hot glue gun to attach them to the tube until you think there are enough. Finally, add the ribbon to the top in a loop so that you can wear it. 

Today's post is part of Cathleen, Rachel, & Christina's Witches, Ghouls, and Goblin's Halloween Link-Up! Make sure to check out everyone's posts and get inspired for Halloween! Let me know if you ended up making this, as I would love to see how yours come out!

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

Apps I Love

As much as I use my phone, I'm really not a huge app person. I am slightly OCD when it comes to the organization of my apps on my phone, and tend to get the wonderful "you are almost out of storage" notification frequently, thus forcing me to delete anything I don't frequently use. In addition to your basic social media apps (Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and Facebook), above are nine of my favorite and most frequently used apps on my phone.  

+Health

The health app is one of the few apps that come on the iPhone that I genuinely like and find useful. Having the ability to monitor how many steps you take in a day, how many miles you ran/walked, and seeing your sleep schedule is something very intriguing to me. I especially enjoy looking at this when I am in a city and do a ton of walking in one day. 

+Nike Running 

This is probably one of my all time favorite apps. During summer training, and cross country season this is pretty much my holy grail. The app tracks your run with maps, provides your pace for the individual run, the time of your run, and lots of other handy stats. The challenges feature is also great, as you can set goals between you and your friends and watch everyone's progress! 

+Pinterest

I guess this is technically a form of social media, but for the sake of this post I am going to separate it. Pinterest is my favorite app to go on when I am lacking blog inspiration, in need for outfit ideas, or find myself with the need to plan my future house or wedding. It's very distracting #procrastination 

+Google Translate 

Fun fact about me: I am horrible at French. I would consider myself a pretty good student, but boy am I awful at foreign language. They have told us from day one of my french "career" to not use this app, however it's just so quick and easy that sometime you just need it. 

+Uber

This app is a game changer. I am a huge fan of Uber and find myself completely dependent on it whenever I am in the city. 

+Poshmark

Within the past six months or so, I have been loving the Poshmark app. Selling your clothes that you no longer wear or fit into is a great way to make some extra money. I am also a fan of eBay, but this is nice because they send you the shipping label and you don't even have to go to the post office. 

+Spotify

Spotify is my favorite place to listen to music. Besides Taylor Swift's album, I have not purchased any songs on iTunes in forever. I love having access to pretty much any song I could ever want, other people's playlist, playlists for your mood, and your friend's music. Premium is completely worth the $9.99 a month! 

+Bandsintown

This is probably the least known app that I have featured, but it's so handy. If you have never heard of it, Bandsintown uses your location and puts all the concerts coming to your area in one place. You can filter it to just show artists you are interested in and receive alerts when they announce tours. Also, there is always a direct link to purchase tickets. 

+VSCO

This is my favorite app for editing Instagram pictures. I like how the app allows you to have a grid where you can share your pictures as well as edit them. Follow us @preppybythesea

What are your favorite apps?

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

Beacon Hill

sweater similar | pants | shoes | bag | necklace | earrings

On Saturday, my mom and I went into Boston for the day. Although it was a bit chilly, the city looked beautiful with all the trees and fall decorations. Before we went shopping, we walked around Beacon Hill which always so much fun. The houses are all so quaint with window boxes and cute door knockers. We stumbled upon this little flower shop and I knew it would be the perfect place to stop and snap some blog pictures! 

Last week, I posted a picture on Instagram wearing these pants and I am so obsessed with them. I have been on the hunt for a pair of olive green pants for quite some time now (it seems to have become one of my favorite colors to wear in the fall) and I finally did! They are extremely soft and so comfortable, and wait for it... under $20!! There is nothing better than finding exactly what you have been on the hunt for and then getting it for a steal. They are still available at Old Navy, and come in three other colors if olive isn't for you. Enjoy the week! 

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! This week has been surprisingly manageable for me school wise, which is always great. Although it was an easy week, I of course am excited for the weekend. It is going to be a very busy one, but I have lots of exciting things planned. Tonight I have to volunteer at an elementary school halloween party, but afterwards my friends and I are all celebrating my friend's birthday! On Saturday my mom and I are going into Boston to do some shopping, blogging, and go out to dinner! Look forward to come fun city fashion posts next week! 

One: Madewell's Current Collection

Last weekend I was wondering around found myself in Madewell... I wonder how that happened?  I pretty much fell in love with everything in the store and wished I wasn't limited to a high school budget. My birthday is next month, so I guess I will start dropping hints to my parents :)

Two: Sunday Drives

The fall foliage is absolutely breathtaking right now! Last sunday I just drove around town looking at all the gorgeous trees! I drove through one of the parks and could not resist snapping a quick picture of the scenery. 

Three: Olive Pants + Black Flats + Mochas

This picture pretty much sums up most of my favorites from this week. I have been wearing olive green all the time, and these pants are amazing- and under $20! Also, I wore my Tory Burch flats three times this week, they are so great for this time of year. Finally I have randomly had hot chocolate craze. Typically I am coffee's number one fan so it is slightly out of the norm. I have been opting for a mocha to get the chocolate taste and the caffeine perks. 

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

Little Gold Necklaces

love knot similar | small monogram | v shape | script monogram | marble bar

This season, jewelry trends have have taken a more simplistic turn. As much as I love a good statement necklace, the name doesn't lie- they're a statement. There are still a few tasteful ones that I have from J. Crew that I will continue to wear, but some of them so bold. I am totally on board with the more delicate jewelry. Above are five of my favorites that I have collected in the past few years. Personally, I really like silver, however for some reason my collection is lacking it. Of course I will always advocate for the monogram necklace, they work with everything and add a personal touch. I have also found that Forever 21 has an endless supply of extremely inexpensive little necklaces. The marble bar and love knot necklaces are both from there and the quality is surprisingly good as I am pretty sure that they both cost about $5. I am yet to try out the layering trend, however I am always up for trying something new! Are you a fan of dainty gold jewelry?

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

Cuppow

via

via

Warning: the post has the potential to get nerdy, but just stick with me, I promise I have a point :)

I consider myself to be a fairly environmentally conscious person. I make my mom use only reusable bags at the grocery store, I take a reusable water bottle to school everyday, and I recycle as much paper, plastic, etc as I can. Granted, I'm just one person and of course there are days when my plastic Dunkin' Donuts drink container ends up in the trash rather than the recycle bin. However, I'd like to think my green-minded actions are having some sort of positive impact on the environment, as minuscule as it may be. On that note, I initially heard about Cuppow last year as their products were being sold by my school's Green Club for homecoming. This company uses recycled materials to create lids for mason jars that turn them into travel mugs. They also have products for food, it which a salad dressing, dip, etc. would go in the Cuppow product, while a salad or other food would go in the mason jar to make for the perfect portable lunch. I think mason jars are adorable, and I love that they can be put to use with the Cuppow lid. I now have these lids in two colors (mint and clear) and also have the coozie (made from recycled plastic as well). I plan to take my daily coffee or tea to school in my travel mug for the rest of the year, and am so happy to have a cute and reusable container that won't be adding waste to the world's landfills.

Check out their website here!

xoxo,

Julianna 

Cold Weather Essentials

This past friday night I was driving home from babysitting and looked down to see that the temperature was 35 degrees. It has been a relatively warm fall so far, but this weekend took a turn towards the cold. I know that it is still early in the Fall, but it's never to early to start ordering some essentials for the cooler months ahead! My entire life I have lived in Massachusetts and us New Englanders are pretty good with dealing with the cold; so I thought that I would talk about my top ten essentials to survive the chilly months! I have a few things in my wardrobe that I seem to have on loop for this time of year, most of them are extremely practical, but also relatively fashionable. 

+down jacket

A nice down jacket is 100% my number one essential for the cold. I have one from Patagonia and it is extremely warm, and super light weight. They are perfect for everyday wear, and can also be layered for super cold days with a ski coat. 

+vest

At this point, I'm sure every one and their mother have heard someone rave about the J. Crew vest. Also, odds are high that you too own one... or multiple. They are so adorable and come in a wide variety of colors, and they are also surprisingly warm. 

+barbour

A Barbour jacket is a little bit of a dressier coat that makes any outfit look great. These are not nearly as warm as a down coat, but it's nice to have options! 

+quarter-zip better sweater

This is my go-to peice on a lazy day. The cut is more form fitting than a sweatshirt and is certainly a much better option if you need to stay warm. You can toss this on after a workout with leggings and sneakers, or wear it with jeans and boots for a casual look. 

+sweater

If there is one fashion obsession that I have picked up from my mom, it would be sweaters. I am a sucker for a great sweater and honestly own a few too many, but when you live in a cold place they just always seem justifiable! 

+jeans

Having a great pair of jeans can make or break your wardrobe. Finding the right pair for you can sometimes be a struggle and a half, but once you do it's life changing. I have jeans from various brands and ranging prices, but the pair linked above are my all time favorite. They are under $60, which is amazing, and they are so, so soft! 

+camp socks

I love these socks more than anything, they are so cozy and look great with bean boots! 

+bean boots

There is absolutely no way I could survive a winter without my trusty bean boots. I have talked about them a million times on the blog, and don't expect me to stop anytime soon :)

+gloves

My hands get so cold, so easily. This past summer I would be in restaurants freezing on a warm night. A cute pair of gloves will be such a life saver if you find yourself cold all the time. 

+scarf

Not only are scarves fun accessories, but they are also practical. A cozy scarf adds a bit more warmth to a layered look!

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

Makeup

eye shadow | bb cream | mascara | concealer | blush | lip gloss 

I have never really been a big make up person, it is just one extra thing to do in the morning that is not totally necessary. On a daily basis, I just wear mascara, a little concealer if I need it and chapstick.  If we are going to be honest here, in majority of my blog posts I have zero makeup on. However, for certain occasions I go the extra mile and wear a little bit of eyeshadow, and face make up. With Thanksgiving and the holiday season quickly approaching, I thought I would share some of my favorite products as I will have more events to go to where I will be wearing make up. 

Pictured above are my go-to items. I never buy high end mascara, as I honestly like the ones from the drug store better. I have used a variety of different kids from Maybelline and they all seem to work great! I only wear waterproof because it stays on all day and gives my lashes a fuller look. The Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage is one of my nicer products, but it is worth every penny. There are two different shades in container and you blend them to get the perfect match to your skin. It has great coverage and I have had it since my freshman year and there is still a decent amount left. It has been a while since I have gone out and bought any new products, so let me know if you have any favorites, as I am always looking for recommendations!

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

Friday Favorites

TGIF! Despite this only being a four day week, as always I am excited for the weekend! As I am writing this, I am cramming for a few tests that I have tomorrow, so this post is going to be short and sweet. This weekend I am babysitting every night, so hopefully I can find a little bit of time to do something fun during the day! 

One: Homecoming Dress

Last weekend was homecoming at my school which is always a blast. This year I especially loved my dress because I can completely see myself wearing it a ton this fall! It is under $30, so make sure you get it before it's gone! 

Two: Leaves

This week I really started to notice that all the trees are finally changing. Driving around town is absolutely beautiful and there is nothing more scenic than fall in New England. 

Three: Layers 

The mornings have been getting super chilly and I have really started to need to toss on an extra layer. Vests and lightweight jackets are always great for this time of year!

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

How to Have a Great Week

image via

This week has been surprisingly great! Typically after a long weekend I am groggy and unmotivated, but for some reason this week has been totally different. I have not done anything particularly exciting but everything has gone smoothly. Yesterday, we took the PSAT. I took it last fall but because they are changing the format they suggested that we do it again. Obviously that was not the best four hours ever, but I got to miss four classes which was a really nice break. The weather has been gorgeous this week, which always puts me in a good mood and I have managed all my work well. After reflecting on the past few days, I thought I would share a few tips that will instantly boost your mood and positivity throughout the week!

+shower at night
I have always been a night showerer (is that even a word?). I think taking a nice warm shower right before bed is a calming way to rewind before going to bed. There is absolutely noting worse than going to bed stressed, as you can pretty much guarantee a terrible sleep.

+plan out your outfits the night before
Starting in Kindergarten, I remember my mom telling me to lay out my outfit for the next day before I go to bed. This is may seem silly, but honestly it is some of the best advice I can give. In the morning I am so indecisive and could try on everything in my closet before selecting my outfit. If you wake up knowing what you will wear, you can cut a solid 5-10 minutes out of your morning routine and can get a little bit more sleep or be out the door a few minutes early.

+wake up earlier
I know you are probably thinking that I am absolutely insane for saying this, but it is so helpful! This year I started getting up 20 minutes earlier than I did freshman and sophomore year. I have found that I am so much more awake by the time I get to my first class and end up having a better day. Also, it allows me to get to school a bit earlier and have time to do some last minute studying or mentally prepare for the day ahead.

+coffee
This kind of contradicts my last point, however enjoying a nice cup of coffee in the morning is a major game changer. In the colder months, a hot drink is so nice to take with you on the way to school or work. It may not be great for you, but caffeine is your best friend.

+read theSkimm
I have been subscribed to theSkimm for a year now and it is honestly my favorite part of my morning. If you have never heard of it before, it's a newsletter that is emailed to you each day debriefing world events. The ladies that write it are hilarious and it breaks down some complex affairs very effectively. It's basically a humorous spark notes of world news.

+ workout
Working out is a great way to clear your head after a long day. Not only will this improve your mental health, but also who doesn't want to stay fit? Consider going for a run with friends, hit the gym, or take a fun spinning, or yoga class!

+use the weekend to catch up/get ahead
The weekends are your savior. Although you most definitely need to take time out to be with friends, catch up on your favorite tv shows, or have a movie marathon, use this time to your advantage. If you know that you are a behind on an assignment, try to get some done. Also, consider getting ahead- trust me, your weekday self will thank you! Not only can you use this time yo work on school or work related tasks, but you can clean. Having a clean room for the week will make you more productive and organized.

+treat yourself
This one is so important. My friends and I try to go out to dinner together at least once a week. I am not at all saying that you need to go into the city and get dressed up to go to a fancy restaurant, although that is always a great time! Simply going to Chipotle after practice or out to breakfast on a saturday morning are great inexpensive ways to treat yourself and catch up. Additionally, every once and a while it is nice to treat yourself to some good old retail therapy. Occasionally reward yourself for your success, or to cheer yourself up after a rough week!

What are you tips and tricks to having a great week?

xoxo,

Catherine 

Barbour x Stripes

jacket | tee | jeans | bag | flats similar | sunglasses

Last weekend, the crisp air rolled in when I was on the Cape and I pulled our my Barbour jacket for the first time. Honestly, if I could only wear one outfit for all of fall, this would be it. A striped tee, dark wash denim, and flats are so simple but all look great paired together. Recently, I have styled a bunch of looks that I got for great deals, but this look (aside from the tee) is comprised of more "investment" pieces. I'm not going to sugar coat it, Barbour jackets come with a hefty price tag. I do not go out and buy super expensive pieces very often, but when I do I they are items with amazing quality that will last forever and can be worn frequently. I wore this coat pretty much everyday after I got it last year and know that I will continue to do that again this year. I opted for a the slightly more tailored look, with the Classic Beadnell jacket in the color olive. This fall, I have also been loving my suede tote from Mark and Graham with my initials on it. It's the perfect size for fit my laptop and camera, which makes it great for travel. What are your favorite things for fall?

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

Look For Less- Fall Accessories

Nordstrom Hat | J. Crew Hat | Gigi New York Bag | Old Navy Bag | Ferragamo Pumps | H&M Pumps | Burberry Scarf | Amazon Scarf 

Designer accessories are simple, we love them and our bank accounts hate them. Every season, I find myself lusting over some expensive accessory and contemplate making the splurge, however 9 times out of 10 I am rational and talk myself out of it. Recently, I have been seeing lots of dupes for the hot ticket designer items for the fall. Some of them are strikingly similar, like the Old Navy crossbody and the Gigi New York Version. If you can find a good dupe, I highly recommend opting for it. If you find yourself using the dupe all the time, then maybe consider making the splurge for the real deal. They are a great way to try out trends and see how much you really like them. One of the top things on my accessory wish list is a Burberry scarf. They are beyond gorgeous, but there is absolutely no need for a high school girl to drop $600 on a scarf. I have a great dupe that I wear all the time and maybe someday I will invest in the real one :) Do you splurge or save on accessories? 

xoxo,

Catherine 

Preppy by the Sea

Homecoming

dress | shoes similar

This past Saturday was homecoming at our school. During the day, I went to all the soccer games and the football game, along with working at a few tables. Homecoming is always so fun and great to see the whole town come together. Saturday night was the dance, all my friends and I got ready together and then took pictures. It was super dark out so we had to take the group pictures inside, but I shot my outfit details during the day. The dance at our school is relatively casual and we do not take dates. Every year there is a different theme, and this year it was Candy Land. My dress definitely did not go with the theme but I absolutely love it! I scored it at H&M for $30 (now on sale for $17). If you are interested in purchasing it, know that it runs really small. I wear a 2 in pretty much everything and purchased an 8. I know that I will get lots of use out of it and may even wear it again at Thanksgiving! 

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! I am beyond happy that we have a long weekend and can enjoy and extra day of relaxation, as this past month of school has been a lot. This weekend is going to be crazy busy because Saturday is homecoming! During the day, I will be working at various tables and watching the games and then will head home to get ready for the dace with my friends later that night! On Sunday, I am going down to the Cape with my family for the rest of the weekend, which was always will be lots of fun! 

One: Shopping

Last weekend, I went to the mall in search of a dress for homecoming. The theme this year is candy land, which was kind of difficult to shop for. I ended up with one that doesn't quite go with the theme, but I know that I will wear again! Look for an outfit post and recap next week on the blog to see what I am wearing! 

Two: Pumpkins 

All of the store have officially put out their large displays of pumpkins and I could not be happier. October is such a wonderful month and I love all the fun decorations. These mini white pumpkins were too cute to pass up on! 

Three: My Car

I got a car this week and I am so excited to say the least! The new found freedom is so rewarding and not having to use my parents cars is so nice, plus I am obsessed with my bean boot and american flag key chains! 

Enjoy the weekend!

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea