Friday Favorites

After this terribly long week of exams, I don't think I have ever been so excited for friday! It is hard to believe that we have started second semester and junior year is more than half way over at this point. With ACTs and SATs just around the corner (ahhh), and a few college visits planned out, it is starting to feel more and more like a reality. This weekend I am going skiing and planning on catching up on some much needed sleep. Do you have any fun plans in the works for the weekend?

One: Exam Essentials

This past weekend I pretty much lived at the library. My biggest accomplishment was getting there when it opened and leaving as they were shutting the lights off, needless to say I have logged in my fair share of time there recently. This week was not the most fashionable #teamsweats, and I resorted to patagonia pullovers and leggings. Also, I went to Starbucks and ordered a double shot cappuccino and they accidentally gave me a triple... If you are ever in need of some energy I guess that is one way to do it. 

Two: Snacks

The other day I was at Target with my mom and stumbled upon these mini Nutella packets. They are just the right size for a snack and dipping a green apple in them has quickly become my go-to treat!

Three: Camomile Citrus Tea

I am that person that is always cold, so in the winter I drink a ton of tea. My friend had been raving about this tea and since I have always loved camomile, I thought I would give it a try. Because I do drink lot of tea, particularly at night, this is a great because it is not caffeinated. The tea is available at Whole Foods and I highly recommend it!

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

January Playlist

This past month once again flew by and I honestly did not spend a lot of time making a playlist. After finishing Gatsby in my english class, I watched the new movie with Leonardo DiCaprio and fell in love with the soundtrack. Although a few of the songs are available with the purchase of the album only, majority of them are on Spotify! Also, a few of these are throwback songs that I forgot about but heard a bunch of times this month on the Sirius Pop2K station. If you have sirius in your car definitely check out this station, it's so fun to listen to some old favorites! What has been on your playlist recently?

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

Boston Harbor

sweater similar | jeans | scarf | hat | boots

Over the weekend, we experienced the very end of the blizzard and got a couple inches of snow. After last winter, I can't say I am excited for any huge storms so this was just fine by me! My mom and I went for a walk on Sunday morning and it was absolutely beautiful. Living in a town on Boston Harbor is so wonderful and I don't think I will ever get tired of looking out across the water and seeing the skyline. 

Pink and navy has always been one of my favorite color combinations, and I love how this outfit bring the colors together in a subtle manner. If you are looking for a new scarf, check out Gap. This is seriously the softest thing ever and it comes in so many different colors and patterns. Today is the last day of exams (whoo!!!) and tomorrow we don't have school, so I am excited to get some much needed rest!

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

Winter Shoes

I am a big shoe person, however during the winter months I find myself sticking to a few basic and practical pairs. As much as I would love to wear cute and stylish footwear, New England winters have won the battle. I narrowed down my collection to just five shoes (all under $175) that can easily get you through the next few months.

L.L. Bean Moccasins// I have had these for a while now, but I am just realizing how practical they really are. These are great to just slip on if you need to quickly run out of the house as they are waterproof and pretty warm with a good pair of socks. They also look great with jeans when you cuff the bottoms. 

Ugg Moccasins// My friends got these for my for my birthday back in Novemeber and they have quickly become an all time favorite. I don't know about you but there are some days when I just really miss uggs. Despite the fact that they were incredibly ugly, they were seriously they coziest shoe ever. These moccasins are the perfect compromise, plus they are a heck of a lot cuter! The rubber bottoms make them just as good outside as they are inside as slippers. 

Black Booties// These are the only really "trendy" piece to make my list. For the days you want to look a bit more dressed up, booties are great and they keep your feet way warmer than a flat. I wear mine all the time with jeans and a sweater, but you can also wear them with a dress or skirt.

Sorel Snow Boots// If you live somewhere that gets very cold and snowy during the winter and are looking for a great snow boot, this boot is the answer. They are a bit pricer (around $170), but I have worn them plenty of time in sub-zero weather and have never had cold feet. 

Bean Boots// You know what they say, save the best for last! I honestly don't know if I could survive a winter without my bean boots, they are the perfect everyday boot for snow or rain. Mine are on their fourth New England winter and are still in great shape. I know that they are currently backordered, but if you order them now you can still have them for the last few weeks of winter and will be  prepared for next year! 

What are your favorite winter shoes?

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

Friday Favorites

TGIF!! Despite the fact that this was a short week, it was very busy and crazy stressful. We started exams this week and the rest of them are on monday and tuesday. So, unfortunately this weekend will be spent with textbooks and lots of notes. On the bright side, I am starting my morning off with a 5:30 spinning class before school and am planning on going to brunch with my friends on sunday!

One: Long Weekend

Last weekend was a blast. I got to spend a ton of time with one of my close friends who I don't get to see that often. Sunday night we got about 5 inches of snow, so the skiing monday was awesome! Now that the mountain is finally 100% open, I am looking forward to lots of fun weekends ahead!

Two: Vests

Temperatures have dropped significantly this past week and I have been relying on lots of layers to stay warm. I own way too many vests at this point, but really is there anything better?

Three: Studying

This week has not been the most glamorous and I have definitely spent more time that I would like to studying. I am so excited to finish all the tests and start second semester! First semester they messed up my schedule and I was put in economics. Initially I dreaded going to this class, I was one of the few juniors and did not know anyone in it. However, I am actually so glad I took the class and ended up enjoying the material and learning a little bit more about the business world. Second semester I am taking wheel throwing as one of my elective courses and I can't wait to have a creative break during my schedule!

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

Exam Week

image via

This week marks the beginning of one of the most dreaded times of year, exams. Today and tomorrow I have my French and science exams, Monday I have AP Lang (send help), Tuesday is math and U.S. History, and finally Wednesday finishes up with economics. I always find midyear exams to be more difficult than finals because the content is much more detailed and specific. Although most schools finished all their tests before Christmas break I thought I would still share a few of my study tips! Just remember the three S's, sleep, study guides, and staying after!

Sleep// Overhearing conversations in the halls about people staying up until 2 or 3 in the morning makes me nervous for them. The chances of actually retaining information from the late hours of studying are very slim. It is so much more effective to call it quits by 11 and still have a few terms you are iffy on. During the exam you will be well rested and ready to go. 

Study Guides// At this point, majority of my teachers do not provide us with study guides. Going through old notes and creating your own study guide will help you figure out what you know and what you need to know. Also, having this on your computer will be super helpful when finals roll around. For language classes or any exams you know will be vocal heavy, make a quizzlet! 

Stay After// If there are certain sections you are still a little bit confused about, go in and meet with your teacher. This easy step will show your teachers that you have been studying and want to do well- they may even give you a few extra study hints! 

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

Green & Lace

sweater | pants similar | booties | bralette | watch | sunglasses

Now that winter has finally decided to stick around (we had our first "real" snow this weekend), I have been wearing sweaters all the time. The relaxed and oversized fit is so cozy, but still looks like you put some effort into the outfit. This whole look is so effortless and the neutral color scheme is great for winter. Also on the topic of comfort, this bralette is pretty much life changing. I was shopping with my friends and they wanted to go to Urban Outfitters. Slightly out of my element, I browsed through the store and found a huge display of bralettes in so many colors. Best $20 I have spent in a long time. Shoutout to the fashion industry for basically making sports bras chic :) Not that they are the most practical shoe for snow, but I have also been loving my black booties. They give me just enough height and I can wear them all day comfortably! 

Side note- exams just started at our school, so if there are any days within the next week without posts that is why. Junior year is an important one so school has to come first :) 

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

MLK Weekend Sales

J. Crew// 50% off sale "SHOPSALE"

J. Crew Factory// 50% off clearance "EXTRA50"

Madewell// 30% off sale items "TODOLIST"

Zara// hundreds of new items added to sale

Old Navy// 30% off your order, no code needed

Gap// 40% off "LNGWKND"

Vineyard Vines // 50% off sale items "WOAS50"

Forever 21// 30% off sale "EXTRA30"

Tuckernuck// 20% off sale items "FLASH20"

L.L. Bean// 10% off order "SNOW10"

ASOS// $30 off $150, $50 off $200 "SPLURGE30, SPLURGE50" 

Anthropologie// 40% off sale "XTRA40"

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

Winter Formal

dress | shoes | earrings | bracelet

dress | booties | necklace | headband | earrings

For the first time ever this year, our high school is having a winter dance. It's being sponsored by our junior class therefore it will hopefully be both a fun night and a precursor to prom in the spring! I'm excited because I love getting dressed up; yet I've found it's harder to find dresses fit for a winter formal than it is when the weather is warmer. While you're (for the most part) limited to darker colors, I like that you have the option to wear either sleeveless, or long sleeves. I've been looking at simpler dresses that can be dressed up and down so that I could it more than just to this dance and in a more casual setting. I'll be sure to update if I actually decide to purchase any of these picks, let me know your favorites!

xoxo,

Julianna 

Preppy by the Sea

What to Pack for a Ski Weekend

A few weeks ago I posed a picture of the mountain I ski at on Instagram and got a request to do a what to pack for a ski weekend posted. I have talked about this before but my family goes to Vermont every weekend to ski, so I guess I would consider myself a seasoned pro at packing. Martin Luther King weekend is always a popular weekend to head up north to ski, so I thought I would publish this just in time for the weekend. For the most part, you will be on the slopes or just lounging around, so packing a bunch of everyday clothes is not a necessity. I broke the packing up into a few categories to make the process as simple as possible!

+ For the Slopes 

When you are packing, plan on most of the things you bring to be worn while skiing. A pair of leggings (can be worn at night with a cute sweater), a pullover, under armor, a vest, and ski socks layered together will keep you warm and computable throughout the day!

+ Outerwear 

Obviously it is going to be fairly chilly on the mountain, so having good outerwear is very important. Pack a warm and waterproof jacket, snow pants, and gloves or mittens. 

+ Equipment

There is a ton of equipment required to successfully hit the slopes, so you don't want to forget anything. If you do not ski frequently, going to the mountain or local ski shop to rent equipment is definitely the more inexpensive way to go. There are so many variations of all the equipment, so depending on your ability and your preferred terrain you will have different styles. Before skiing make sure to have skis, poles, a helmet, goggles, and boots!

+ Après Ski

I always pack a pair of jeans and a sweater for weekend ski trips. Most restaurants are very casual so there is no need to pack any super fancy clothes. As for shoes I bring my bean boots, snow boots, and moccasins. Throw a book in your bag incase you have some down time- I'm reading Mindy Kaling's new book right now and highly recommend it! 

+ Random 

There are a few random things that I can't go without for a ski weekend. Bring lotion and chapstcik because the cold weather will dry your ski out so much. Also, pack some hand/toe warmers- you will thank me if you hit some super chilly weather, or lots of wind! 

Let me know if you're going on a ski trip this weekend!

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

Cleanse

*image via*

During Christmas break I indulged in lots of sweet treats and only hit the gym a few times, so when came home two weeks ago I decided to attempt to go on a cleanse. Surprisingly, tomorrow marks the last day and I have successfully made it through 12 days without any slip ups. I don't have a scale at my house, so this cleanse was not based on weight loss at all. I think that it's important to know your body and without a number be able to determine what feels "healthy". Without any drastic eating restrictions or rigorous exercise routines I was able to create my own cleanse based on what I thought I personally needed to improve on. So, without further adieu here is what the 12 day cleanse entailed. 

+ No desserts/sweets

+ No coffee

+ Only drink water  

+ Limited snacking

+ No red meat

+ Limited bread (only had 1 sandwich in 12 days)

+ Lots of fruits and vegetables 

+ Avoid most processed foods

+ Smoothie, yogurt, or eggs for breakfast 

+ Go to bed by 10:30 Monday-Friday

+ Workout at least 6 days (I went to the gym, ran, and took spinning classes) 

The first couple days of this cleanse were a little bit difficult. Ask any of my friends and they will tell you that I have such a bad sweet tooth, so I was craving a dessert a lot at first. By the 3rd or 4th day the sugar cravings started to dwindle away and it was fine from there on out. I found that drinking a ton of water (with lemons) made me feel so much better and decreased my snacking. I was able to try out a ton of new smoothie combinations that I love (comment if you would like to see a smoothie post) and play around with different salads. Fruit has always been one of my favorite foods and I had my fair share of grapefruits, clementines, and apples (with peanut butter). This cleanse has definitely given me a new mindset on eating and I think I will continue to abide by some of these rules even when it ends. 

From a more mental look at this cleanse, I feel so much less stressed and can focus much better. I knew that returning from break would be difficult school wise and wanted to make the transition easier. By working out at least every other day I could clear my mind after school and getting to bed by 10:30 put me in a much better position in class the next morning. Because this is not some insane juice cleanse, I think that anyone could do it and I highly recommend it. With exams just around the corner I am going to try and maintain a similar mindset to make the time a bit more pleasant! Have you ever done a cleanse? I would love to hear about what you did and your experience!

P.S. Read this article for a good laugh!

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

The Great Gatsby

images via

Last night I finish the Great Gatsby for my English class. Let me just begin by saying that I am not a huge reader, so it take a lot for me to genuinely enjoy a book, nevertheless a book required to read for school. I had seen the old Gatsby movie so I had some general knowledge about the plot, but wow was this book amazing. Being such a well-loved American novel, I had extremely high expectations and it one hundred percent lived up to them. Fitzergald's writing style is so unlike any other author that I have previously read. His vocabulary and descriptions are simply magical. 

The glitz and glamour of the extremely wealthy New York socialites during the 1920's is incredibly captivating. Lavish parties, exquisite mansions, and the complexity of each individual character and their relationships are blended together in a elegant style that will have you flying though the book. Because I read the book for school, I had to focus on themes, style, and syntax, which as any student knows can be annoying and often times take away from the actual plot of the story. I could see myself rereading the novel on my own to fully enjoy it without any additional work. This weekend I am planning on watching the newer film with Leonardo Dicaprio. It's always fun to see the movie after finishing the book and see everything visually and make comparisons between the two. 

Long story short, I guess I just wanted to breakdown my experience with this book as it is by far and away my favorite book I have ever read for school. This post was definitely something a little bit different than typical content, but sometimes it's fun to just sit down and write. Personally, I think that part of the reason that I enjoyed the Great Gatsby so much is due to my fascination with the era. Everything from the flapper's style to the luxurious homes during the 20's is so exciting and different. Most likely you have or will read Gatsby in school, however even if you have or know you will be in the future I highly recommend it. Are you a fan of this novel? 

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

Basics & Barbour {Collab}

jacket | sweater similar | jeans | boots | socks similar

Do you ever have one outfit that you always find yourself resorting to? This is mine. In the winter a variation of a white cable knit sweater, my favorite pair of jeans (linked above and under $60!!), bean boots, and my Barbour jacket are worn at least once a week. The look is so easy to throw together and   works for so many occasions. Today I am collaborating with Daria to share how we style our Barbour jackets. I got my jacket last year for my birthday and although they are a bit pricey, they will last forever and are so timeless. Personally, I love the olive color but the navy is also super cute! I have the beadnell style, which is a bit more fitted than the original bedale. What is your go-to simple winter look? 

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

*see Daria's post here*

Guide to Patagonia Pullovers

synchilla | re-tool | nano-puff | better sweater 

Now that it is consistently chilly out everyday I have been wearing my patagonia pullovers all the time. There are so many different styles, so I thought I would share my thoughts on each one. If you are in the market for a warm and great quality pullover than I highly suggest checking out patagonia. 

the synchilla// This style is very warm and great for layering. The fleece is super soft and has a bit of an over sized fit. 

the re-tool// This is probably the most popular style and the coziest. It is a bit more fitted than the synchilla. The middle pocket is great to put your phone or keys and is only a feature on this style. 

the nano-puff// This is the only style that I do not own, however I have tried it on. This would be an awesome layer to wear under your ski coat on a super cold day, or for a light jacket in the fall. I am absolutely in love with the navy and teal color combination! 

the better sweater// This is by far and away my personal favorite style. I have had mine for four years and it still looks brand new after TONS of wear! I like how it is fitted and can wear it and still look somewhat presentable. 

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday everyone! We finally made it through the dreaded week back after break and can take a deep breath and enjoy the weekend. This week was a very busy one at school with tons of tests and assignments. This weekend I am going to Vermont to go skiing, fingers crossed they get some more snow soon! 

One: Little Things

I have been loving using a bunch of the little goodies that I received for Christmas. The Tory Burch perfume has been my go-to scent recently, and this card case has been so convenient to just throw a little bit of cash and my license in. 

Two: Clean Eating

This week I started on a 12 day cleanse. After break I was feeling kind of disgusting after eating my weight in christmas cookies and decided to go on a cleanse when we started school. I have always said I was going to do one but then only lasted a day or two. Five days in and I and feeling so much better! I will be sharing some of the details about what exactly I am doing next week. 

Three: Skiing

I spent all of break in Vermont skiing and am excited to be headed back this afternoon. Although the conditions are not fabulous at the moment, it's still so much fun to get out on the slopes with friends and family! 

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

How to be a Morning Person

image via

This past year I have found myself slowly becoming more and more of a morning person, and surprisingly I love it. Waking up a little bit earlier gives you some extra time to be productive and makes you feel more awake by the time you need to be at school or work. Although getting out of bed when it's still dark out is not completely appealing, there are lots of benefits to becoming a morning person. Here are a few things that I have been doing to get up a little bit earlier. 

get to bed earlier// Freshman and sophomore year I stayed up way to late during the week doing homework and studying. I finally have my afternoon routine down to a science and have not gone to bed after 11 on a school night all year. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule will help you be more awake in the morning.

get up 30 min earlier// I used to get up at 7:00 every morning to be at school by 8:00 and this year I wake up at 6:30 Monday-Friday. I have found that I like to get to school on the earlier side as I can go to the library and finish up homework or fit in a little extra studying. Also, by the time 8:00 rolls around and class starts I have been up for an hour and a half and am significantly more awake. 

don't hit snooze// I think that I am in the minority here, but I get out of bed the second my alarm goes off and think that it really helps you get ready for the day. If you are constantly hitting snooze, try to eliminate one per day or week until you can finally get up the first time! 

lay out an outfit the night before// I have been doing this for most of my life and it is seriously a game changer in the morning. Waking up can be so much more relaxing and getting ready will not take nearly as long. 

morning workouts// Sign up for an early mooring workout class, or find the motivation to go on an early mooring run once a week. Starting your day with a workout will wake you up and give you the rest of the day to be productive! 

don't sleep too much on the weekends// I try to wake up no later than 9 on the weekends. If you are waking up super late on the weekends your sleeping schedule will get all messed up and waking up on monday will not be easy.

eat breakfast// I am a sting believer that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and have zero idea how people skip it entirely. You do not need to whip up some gourmet meal every morning but just having some fruit and yogurt or a bagel will give you some energy to kick start the day! 

drink coffee or tea// If you really are not a morning person and can't wake up, give yourself a little caffeine to kickstart the day. 

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

4 Products I'm Loving

brush | rollerball perfume | concealer | chapstick

This Christmas I asked for a few new beauty products, as somehow it has been over two years since I have really purchased any makeup. Over the past two weeks I have used these four products to death and know that I will continue to get a ton of use out of them. I am definitely a makeup minimalist, however when I do buy new products I tend to lean towards nicer brands as I know they are great quality and will last me a long time. 

brush// This present was actually a complete surprise on Christmas morning. My dad bought one for my mom, my sister, and me after he heard someone at work raving about them. All my brushes in the past have been super cheap from CVS or Target and I would never have purchased this for myself, but I am not so glad I have it. You can really tell the difference when you use it after showering and is definitely worth the money. 

perfume// I have been using my Daisy by Marc Jacobs since 8th grade (I still love it) and wanted to try out something new. The Tory Burch perfume has been all the rage in the blogging community so I wanted to give it a try. The scent is kind of a citrus and floral combination and smells amazing. Whenever you try out a perfume, I recommend going for the rollerball, they are significantly less expensive and easy to take on the go!

concealer// Investing in a good concealer is one of the best makeup decisions I have made. I love my Laura Mercier secret camouflage conceler and have used it every day for the past couple of years. I like how their are two different shades to blend together to perfectly match your skin tone. I borrowed this NARS concealer from a friend once and loved it. This one has a bit higher coverage and would be great if you get bags under your eyes.

sugar chapstick// My lips get insanely chapped during the winter and I find myself constantly putting on chapstick throughout the day. When I was Christmas shopping, one of my friends started raving about the sugar products. I honestly think I have tried every lip product under the sun, and this is one of my favorites. It keeps your lips hydrated for hours and the lemon flavor is amazing!

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea