July 29, 2016

Friday Favorites

TGIF! This week seemed really long, however it was definitely a good one. I was supposed to work eight days in a row and you could say I wasn't psyched, however I got cut early one day and didn't have to go in at all one day which was a major blessing. The weather has been a 10/10 for the past three weeks (seriously it hasn't rained!) so we have been enjoying lots of time at the beach and being outside. I don't have any big plans for the weekend but am looking forward to my friends coming to visit next week! 

One: Visiting Friends
On Wednesday night after work Julianna and I drove up to Falmouth to visit our friend Alison. We went to dinner at our favorite restaurant, Quicks Hole. If you are ever in Woods Hole I highly recommend stopping by, they have the best burritos (I love the cod one) and amazing chips and salsa. After dinner we went to the beach to watch the sunset and take some pictures followed by a trip to get ice cream. We ended up spending the night and leaving in the morning because the drive is about an hour home. The past year has been so amazing now that everyone has their licenses and we can visit friends whenever we want! 

Last weekend my camera lens broke when Julianna and I went out to take blog pictures, so unfortunately I had to order a new one. I purchased the Canon 50mm lens and I am obsessed with it. The quality of the photos is so much better than the 18-55mm lens that came with the camera, and for $125 it does not break the bank. I love how it blurs the background and really focuses in on the subject, which makes it perfect for blogging. See Julianna's outfit post here

Three: Running
With cross country tryouts just a month away, I have been doing a lot more running and have been trying to improve my distance and pace. It has been so hot during the day that I have been going early in the morning or late at night. The sunsets recently have been beautiful especially when you are by the beach which is such a nice way to end a tiring workout! 

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

July 27, 2016

Steal Her Style


It has been such a long time since I did a "steal her style" post and I am so happy to be sharing a recreation of this look today! Pinterest is one of my favorite late night guilty pleasures and recently I have stumbled upon so many cute looks that have really inspired me to take more outfit photos. Everyone and their mother seems to be loving the off the shoulder trend this season and there are so many adorable variations in every price range. I love the long sleeve top featured in the original look; it would be perfect for a breezy night while still being cute and summery. I hunted down something super similar for less than $70- plus the bow detail is to die for! This look is relatively simplistic, however the bright pop of color from the adorable clutch ties the outfit together and gives it a chic vibe. The clutch featured in the photo retailed for about $90 and sold out, but you can still purchase the one linked above from Tuckernuck for less than half the original's cost. Let me know if you enjoy this type of post because I like making them and would be happy to do more in the future!

Happy hump day!

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

July 26, 2016

Advice For High School Juniors


This past week it really hit me that I am going into senior year. It feels so surreal to think that I have already completed freshman, sophomore, and junior year and will be starting my last year of high school in about six weeks. The common app is up and I am officially entering the terrifying college process. On the bright side, however, I made it through my junior year alive and thought I would share some tips for the class of 2018. Junior year has bad stigma because yes it is challenging and stressful, however there are so many exciting things that come in this year and I guarantee if you manage your workload efficiently that you will enjoy it! It's a big year and a big learning experience- both in and out of the classroom- so good luck and make the most of it! 

Run for leadership positions // By junior year, chances are you have found a club or two that you are truly passionate about. I highly recommend taking the step and running for a leadership position during the year. Having a bigger role in a club, or being a sports captain is such a great way to get to know people better that have similar interest as you, and it never hurt to have an extra thing to add to your college application (we're all thinking it). Even if you don't win, this is such a great experience and will help you with public speaking.

Form a relationship with your guidance/college counselor //  It is crucial that you get to know your guidance counselor well throughout junior year as they play a very large role in helping you with your college process. If you have not been doing it already, start stopping by to say hi and chat a little bit. You don't need to have a major life issue or school problem to go talk to them, they want to know you to help make your high school experience positive, and you want them to know you just as much to help you when it comes time to apply to college. Additionally, they are such great resources when it comes to making a list of college you are interested in, and if you have any pressing questions/concerns about school. 

Take the SAT & the ACT // Though you may think that they are practically the same, the SAT and the ACT are pretty different in actuality. It is important to take both to figure out what which one you preform stronger on. Standardized tests have never been my strong suit, so I started tutoring in January and took the ACT at the beginning of February followed by the SAT in March. After getting both scores back I figured out that I like the SAT much better and have since taken it again. If you're like me and know going into the tests that you will likely take them a few times, I highly recommend starting as early as possible. Looking back, I really wish that I took the SAT in December because then I could have taken them 3 or 4 times before junior year ended. I think that I am going to take them a third time in October to hopefully improve my super score, which is honestly the last thing you want to do during senior fall, especially if you are planning on going ED somewhere in November. 

Don't stay up too late // One of the biggest things that I learned about myself this year is that I am not a night owl. During junior year, nine out of ten times I would go to bed before 11:00 and was so much more rejuvenated in the morning. Also, I realized that I did not retain a significant amount of information late at night, and staying up late "studying" just was not beneficial. The work load is a lot junior year, but if you manage your time well you can avoid unnecessary stressful late nights. 

Figure out teacher recommendations in the early spring // At my school, we are required to get two teacher recommendations for college before the end of junior year. I recommend finding out how many letters you will need and coming up with a few teachers that you know you would be comfortable asking for the letter in case one can't do it. Right after spring break there was a mad rush of people asking for letters and teachers began to put a cap on the amount they would write, which became really stressful for some people. Colleges like to have the teacher recommendations from your junior year teachers, so start building relationships with them at a the beginning of the year, this will make the letter more personal and appealing to schools during the application process. Remember to ask for the recommendation in person, your teachers are doing you a huge favor and you need to be respectful and appreciative of their time! 

Take electives that can boost your GPA // One of the main reasons that junior year is so stressful is that your GPA at the end of the year is what you will be applying to college with if you decide to go early decision or early action. It is so important to maintain a strong GPA throughout the year as it not only affects your college search, but also your acceptance into things such as the national honor society. At my school we don't count art classes and most electives towards your GPA, however if you take half year senior courses as an elective it will help you. I took economics my first semester and it really helped my GPA, so if your school works like this as well I recommend opting for electives that will factor into your GPA. 

Don't stress too much about prom // This one sounds kind of silly in the grand scheme of things, but trust me come spring it will be very relevant. Prom is just another high school activity, so don't stress too much about getting a date or finding the perfect dress. Have fun and take lots of pictures with your friends! 

Stay after // This is not so much specific to junior year but high school in general. If you are confused by a lesson, or just want some help reviewing for a test, stay after school with your teachers. It is their job to help you and by staying after you demonstrate your dedication to the class and your grades. Staying after may even help you build a relationship with the teacher and get a strong recommendation later in the year :) 

Find a good form of stress relief // I'm not going to lie, there will 100% be days, or even weeks that are simply awful. The workload can get difficult, especially in the spring with AP exams and long term projects and you need an outlet. This past year I got really into spinning and went 3+ times a week. 5:30 am classes forced me to get to bed early and get to school refreshed and alert, and night classes were the perfect distraction for homework. Whether it be running, spinning, walking, or going to the gym, find a productive workout routine that helps clear your mind, and keep you in shape throughout the year. 

Treat yo self // For all the Parks & Rec fans out there I hope you get my reference :) When you complete a research paper, or preform well on a test you were stressed for it is nice to reward yourself sometimes. I'm not saying you should go out and spend your life savings on some crazy designer item, but meet up with your friends for dinner on a friday night or grab some ice cream after school. It's the little things that will get you through them many bumps of junior year! 

Good luck to the class of 2018 this year, you will do great! Also, if you have any tip for senior year let me know as I am always looking for tips as well! 

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

July 25, 2016

Lace Up Dress






dress | shoes | earrings
As many of you know, Catherine and I have an obsession with the TV show, Jane the Virgin. If any of you are familiar with the show, I'm sure you've recognized that the character Petra has the most incredible clothes. So, when I saw her wearing this dress in an episode a few months back, I was instantly obsessed. I've been very into the lace up trend lately, and the color is absolutely to die for. I went on wornontv.net and found the dress at Nordstrom for $68 and still left in my size. I figured I had to buy it and now consider this dress one of my best purchases ever. It's super flattering, the neckline is deep, but not uncomfortably deep, and the sleeves are so fun!

xoxo,
Julianna 

Preppy by the Sea

July 22, 2016

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! This week has been yet another busy one, so I have tried to take advantage of every free minute possible. Apologies for the lack of posts this week, my lens that I use for blogging unexpectedly broke the other day. I always try to have a variety of posts each week including graphics and original photography, so this unfortunate mishap really limited the content possibilities this week. Thankfully, Amazon Prime is always there when you need it and my new 50mm lens will be arriving today! I have had my eye on it for a while and it has been recommended by lots of other bloggers, so I am looking forward to using it and improving the quality of photos on Preppy by the Sea! 

One: Beach Days
My schedule for work this week has been extremely busy, so I have not had a ton of free time. However, I have spent all my time off at the beach. The weather this week has been beautiful and the ocean is finally starring to warm up from its previous arctic state. I have also been doing a lot of reading at the beach and am just a few pages away from finishing Me Before You! 

Two: Flowers
Walking around the Cape right now is absolutely breathtaking, all of the flowers are in full bloom and everyone's gardens are perfectly maintained. Hydrangeas are one of my all time favorite flowers (I blame my New England roots) and it has been nice to see the variety of colors popping up all over town! 

Three: Swimming
There is absolutely nothing I love more than swimming in the ocean. I love the refreshing feeling of the cold water after a hot day. I love the salt in my hair, and I love the salt on my skin. In addition to lots of dips in the ocean, Julianna and I were babysitting and got to swim a pool which is always a fun change. The pool was actually salt water which I love so much more than chlorine and think is such a great idea for a beach house! 

Do you have any fun plans for the weekend?

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

July 21, 2016

Casual Stripes







top | shorts | bralette | bracelet c/o | shoes 
Happy Thursday everyone! Is anyone else struggling to believe that it's already July 21st? I know I am! Because August is rapidly approaching and nights tend to get a little chilly on Cape Cod in August, I kept that in mind with my most recent purchase. I recently ordered this striped long sleeve knit top and absolutely love it. It's great to wear in the summer at night or when it's not hot out, plus it's super versatile. I can dress it up with jewelry, white jeans, and wedges, or dress it down with jean shorts. It will work as a great transition piece too, as I can already picture myself wearing it with jeans an converse during the next few months to come. 

xoxo,
Julianna

Preppy by the Sea

July 19, 2016

Get it Done

As far as summer work is concerned, I would consider myself somewhat of a procrastinator. I always have everything done about a week before going back to school, but rarely do I get started in July. This summer, however, I need to follow a strict schedule because I have far more tasks to be completed before starting senior year. As crazy as it may seem, the Common Application has already been opened, which means that it is time to start writing the essay and completing resume details. Deadlines for early decision and early action are just a few short months away, so it is crucial to use free time in the summer to be productive and get ahead with the process. In addition to all things college, I have lots of summer work for my classes next year that I need to complete. 

To be completely honest, I am writing this post primarily to lay out what I need to accomplish in the second half of the summer and push myself to be more productive. However, I know that I am not the only one in this position right now (shoutout to the class of 2017). By writing about my plans for summer work, maybe a few of you could pick up some helpful tips, or share some with me so we can all help each other make the process more bearable. 

I highly recommend starting off with a list. Personally I think that seeing everything that needs to be completed in one designated area makes it easier to begin establishing a plan. Next, give yourself deadlines. If I write a deadline in pen in my agenda, there is a 99% chance that it will get completed, so this tactic is super helpful if you are a visual person and mildly OCD about crossing stuff off and moving dates :) 

After starting to chip away at the common app, I have realized that you need to break it up in order to complete it thoroughly, especially in regards to details about all of your high school activities and endeavors. In addition to this I am going to try to work on my essays two to three times a week so that I have solid drafts by September as I know my fall schedule will be very hectic.  Finally, once I begin my summer reading for school I will read and take notes every nigh so I can be finished in a timely manner. What is your personal favorite approach to getting sh*t done in the summer? 

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

July 16, 2016

College Touring Recap: South

Over our school's April vacation, my mom and I ventured down to Virginia and North Caroline to look at colleges. It's taken me quite some time to get this post together, as it was a super action packed week of touring; we saw 7 schools in 4 days! Honestly, I needed to process my thoughts about the schools I'd seen, as my reflections on the many tours I've done have helped me to narrow down where I actually plan to apply. We stayed at first in Virginia for two nights touring University of Virginia, University of Richmond, and William and Mary. We then drove into North Carolina and stayed with my cousins for two more nights, able to take trips to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Duke, and Wake Forest. All in all, it ended up being an exciting and rewarding trip as I realized I could see myself attending several of these schools. Plus, it's always such a nice treat getting to see my cousins that live in North Carolina more than just in the summer. Here are my thoughts on the schools I saw.


{University of Virginia}
Charlottesville, Virginia, 16,730 undergrad
UVA was the first school I toured on my southern expedition, and it set the bar extremely high. Up until this point I'd always heard people rave about the beauty of the "southern campuses," but I never understood the magnitude of this statement until I saw UVA. This school is absolutely beautiful. From the buildings, to the grounds, and even the dorms, every single part of the campus fits with this traditional southern architectural theme that is, in a word, enchanting. As I walked around the campus, I realized that every student around me seemed lively and upbeat. People were active in the green space, doing intramural sports, meeting for clubs, or just relaxing with friends. Not to mention, UVA is located in an adorable college town with a great restaurant scene. Founded by Thomas Jefferson, UVA has a rich historical background which plays significantly into the school culture, another unique factor that I found very appealing. On the downside, UVA is big, probably a little outside of my comfort zone size-wise. As beautiful as the buildings are, there are a lot of them, and they stretch down the streets of Charlottesville for miles. However, for me the pros outweigh the cons in this example, as UVA is definitely a school I could see myself thriving at. 


{University of Richmond]
Richmond, Virginia, 3,000 undergrad
I was equally wowed by the beauty of Richmond's campus as I was by that of UVA. It felt like it's own little community, each of the buildings with a sort of old-fashioned charm from the exterior, while being practically new on the interior. The campus is set on a lake which just adds to the picturesque nature of this school. I never thought I would like a small school and almost skipped Richmond on my list of tours, writing it off as not the right fit. I couldn't have been more wrong. Beginning with the information session, I knew that Richmond provided a great, and inclusive community for its students. Everyone on campus that I spoke with, whether asking for parking directions or just getting their thoughts on the school, was ridiculously friendly! Everyone just seemed happy, and excited to be going to school at Richmond, what more could you ask for?


{William and Mary}
Williamsburg, Virginia, 6,300 undergrad
I went into my tour at William and Mary expecting to love it. From what I knew just from google and people I'd talked to, it had a beautiful campus, was located in a cool, historical setting, and was a comfortable size. All of those things were true. The campus was lovely (but then again, what southern school isn't?) and colonial Williamsburg was so unique. That being said, I knew almost instantaneously that this school wasn't right for me. I realized from this tour that I wanted a college town that was a little busier and more cosmopolitan, Williamsburg just didn't provide that. Where UVA and Richmond really stood out to me, William and Mary didn't invoke that same type of reaction. I'm happy I toured here, though, as it has helped me to narrow down what it is I do and do not want in a school.


{University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill}
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 18,400 undergrad
I knew that UNC Chapel Hill was the largest of the schools I was to see in the south, which was an intimidating thought before I even got there. The information session was packed with people, making that undergraduate enrollment number seem even more daunting. However, once we broke up into groups for the tour, I felt so much more comfortable. I absolutely loved my tour guide, she was a fellow Parks and Rec lover which was a cool connection to make. The best way I can describe the UNC campus is alive. Walking around, I got a feel for the diversity of the student body, along with immense school spirit that seems to radiate off of students. I'm definitely looking for a school where spirit has a huge presence; I want to go to sporting events and feel like my peers are just as into the games as I undoubtably will be. I drove through Chapel Hill after my tour and recognized it to be yet another adorable college town, exactly what I'm looking for. UNC is most definitely out of my comfort zone, but I almost think a school like this could be good for me, a change up from what I've become used to in high school. 


{Duke University}
Durham, North Carolina, 6,640 undergrad
I think most of us can had a "dream school" when we were in middle school or earlier. We probably knew next to nothing about the school, yet it sounded pretty perfect in theory and became a dream. For me, Duke was that school up until around my freshman year in high school. At that point, college becomes more of a reality and it dawned on me that Duke is very, very hard to get into and maybe wasn't the most practical choice. However, my curiosity with the school never wained and knew I wanted to see it while I was in North Carolina. Walking onto Duke's campus, I got a completely different feel from any of the other school's I'd seen. Duke is a extremely competitive school when it comes to acceptance (only 10% admitted!) and that intensity seemed to radiate off of students and the campus as a whole. For that reason, I was able to distinguish that Duke was not the right fit for me. Disregarding the extreme selectiveness of the school, it was satisfying to see a school that I once considered to be a "dream" and realized that I had grown past it.


{Wake Forest University}
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 4,900 undergrad
Wake Forest is lovely. Everything on campus is so well maintained and in pristine condition, and it seemed that every building was brand new on the inside. As a bonus, at the information session they passed out, by fair and away, the best welcoming packet/pamphlet I had seen at any school. It has the rolling green hills and brick exterior, the way colleges always look in the movies. Academically, the school is so impressive with very small class sizes and incredible study abroad opportunities. I truly liked Wake Forest, but not as much as some of the other schools I saw. I think it would be a place where I (or anyone, really) could be really happy, yet it also didn't quite feel as special as, UVA, Richmond, or UNC did. 

Have you toured any of these schools?
xoxo,
Julianna

Preppy by the Sea

July 15, 2016

Friday Favorites

I don't think I've ever been so relived to see Friday during the summer! This past week has been beyond hectic. It started off with having a bunch of friends down to the cape for the weekend, then it was my sister's 13th birthday, followed by a ton of driving between the cape and home... needless to say I am 100% ready to enjoy the weekend off. Tomorrow night is my friend's graduation party and I cant wait to see her and everyone I haven't seen since getting out of school to celebrate! Do you have any fun plans for the weekend? 

This past Tuesday Preppy by the Sea turned three! It is unbelievable to think that we have been blogging since the summer before freshman year and we are now entering our senior year. So much has changed since we started the blog and I am so excited to see where it goes in years to come. Thank you to everyone who has followed along and supported our journey! 

Two: Fruit 
Fruit is probably one of my all time favorite foods and it is so delicious and fresh right now. From watermelon to cherries to peaches to berries, everything is to die for! I have such a bad sweet tooth and fruit is a great healthy and natural alternative to satisfy those cravings, plus what's better than a summer fruit salad? 

Three: Travel
I have been a little bit AWOL on social media this week, so I am resorting to an old picture for number three. Because of my work schedule on the cape and having things going on at home this week, I have been doing a ton of back and forth. Although the drive is only about an hour and twenty minutes, it can get really grueling doing a ton of driving, which has thus resulted in sporadic posts this week. By Sunday I will have driven back and forth four different times which is mildly insane, but hey you gotta do what you gotta do, right? Thankfully as of next week I will pretty much be able to stay on the cape for the rest of the summer which is quite a relief. Look out for some more outfit posts next week! 

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

July 14, 2016

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks








Today marks the beginning of the Nordstrom Anniversary sale. It is officially open to all card holders and opens to the public on July 22nd. After spending the entire morning browsing through all of the merchandise, I have rounded up all of my favorite pieces in four different categories: shoes, clothing, outerwear, and beauty & accessories to make your shopping experience a little bit easier. I know that it is difficult to think about fall and the colder weather as we are currently in the heart of summer, however the deals on investment pieces such as riding boots and cashmere sweaters are too good to pass up. There are lots of cute clothing pieces on sale, however my biggest advice for the sale is to stock up on any pricey items that you know you will be needing or have had your eyes on for a while. Brands such as Barbour, Burberry, Tory Burch, and Patagonia rarely ever go on sale so now is 100% the right time to buy. Also, if you are a big makeup/beauty person, there are so many gift sets right now on major sale. I am in the market for new boots so I may end up snagging a pair now! Have you made any purchases at the #NSale yet? 

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

July 12, 2016

THREE







Three years ago today we started Preppy by the Sea. It's so crazy to think that the blog has followed us through our entire high school journey and has evolved with us over the years. Since starting the blog on a whim during the summer of 2013, we have gone from completely anonymous to fully sharing our personalities and creative side with friends, family, and readers. Our content has expand dramatically and the quality of our images has gone from the iPhone 4 to DSLR (currently in the process of getting a new lens, look our for more improvements!). Blogging has truly become a huge part of our lives and has allowed us to discover and express our passions with our readers. As we enter into our fourth year of blogging our lives will endure huge changes; we will apply to college, turn eighteen, graduate high school, and head off to college. Though things will change, we look forward to the continued growth of Preppy by the Sea and expanding our role within the blogger community. 

This past weekend, Julianna, a few of our friends, and I all went down to the beach to take some pictures. Like any blog shoot, there were lots of bloopers, however I think that these in particular effectively convey our personalities #behindtheblog. Fixing the hair, funny strangers who enjoy photobombing, and our friends that put up with all of our blogging shenanigans made the pictures complete. Though our moms primarily take all of our photos, our friends deserve a big shoutout as well. Thanks for dealing with the need to get a good "blinsta" (blog insta) every time we go out to eat, venturing out to take outfit pictures, and doing Q&A's on snapchat, you guys are the real MVPs. Finally, we want to thank all of our readers who have followed us on our journey for the past three years. We absolutely love blogging, but having support from followers and reading your comments really makes it all so much more rewarding! Here's to many more years of Preppy by the Sea! 

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

July 08, 2016

Friday Favorites

TGIF! This week I worked four days (including the 4th) so it has seemed like a pretty long week. Thankfully, I have the weekend off and all of my friends are coming down to stay with me on the Cape. We are planning on spending lots of time at the beach, possibly going to a drive in movie, and of course stopping downtown for some ice cream and candy. Fingers crossed the weather is nice! 

One: The Parade
 My favorite things about the fourth is hands down the parade. Both my hometown and the cape put on an amazing parade every year featuring a plethora of fabulously decorated floats for various businesses and groups within the town. It's so nice to see everyone come together and celebrate in red, white, and blue. 

Two: KJP Bracelets 
Julianna and I were both so excited to receive bracelets from the new KJP Quartermaster Collection. I am wearing the Audrey Scallop and Julianna got the Cape Codder. The bracelets are perfect for summer and the nautical navy and white color scheme seems to match practically everything!  

Three: Evening Excursions 
Last night Julianna and I met up with two friends from home that were staying nearby on the Cape for some dinner and shopping. We ended up picking up pizzas and a salad and went to the beach for a picnic which was such a nice way to end the day. I love being at the beach at night when it cools off a little bit and the masses of people leave, plus is there really a better place to eat dinner!?

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

July 07, 2016

Seven Shoes

rainbows // these flip flops have been my tried and true since middle school. I have had two pairs over the past seven years and my thin strap pair from 8th grade are still going strong. Through they may not be the most fashion forward pair of shoes on the market, they provide decent support for a flip flop and can last through the constant wear and tear of sand and salt water.

sperrys // sperry's have also been one of my go-to summer shoes for a really long time. I would consider these to be the summer version of my bean boots; they're great quality shoes that can be worn in any weather and are made by loyal New England based companies. I find myself slipping these on all the time when I am running errands or going out on the boat.

converse // converse are really great for days when you know that you will be doing a ton of walking.  I wore them a ton when I was on my feet all day touring colleges this past year and never complained about my feet hurting. They also are great to toss on with a pair of jeans or to wear to a concert.

sneakers // I think that it is very important to invest in a good pair of sneakers that you know will last you for a while with your workout and running routine. Since starting cross country my sophomore year I have been wearing Asics and find that they offer the best support and stability for me and my stride. Though they can be a bit pricey, they are worth every penny. I am on my second pair and will be ordering new ones before the fall season begins.

jack rogers // My jack rogers have hands down been my go-to summer shoe for the past four years. I own four pairs (pink, navy raffia, silver, and black) and wear them all the time. They are definitely difficult to break in, but once you have had them for a while they are very comfortable and go with virtually everything from shorts to nice dresses. Jack Rogers has expanded greatly over the past few years and there are so many different colors and styles to choose from!

espadrilles // I purchased a pair of royal blue espadrilles from Soludos last summer on a whim right before I left for Italy as I thought they would be perfect for the trip. Little did I know that they are not only adorable, but they are also extremely comfortable. I highly recommend purchasing a pair to add a little pop of color to your wardrobe for the summer months- I have my eye on the wedges now :)

wedges //  Every girl needs a good pair of wedges in her summer wardrobe. Although I love wearing heels, wedges are so much more comfortable and practical for summer while still giving you the extra height boost. You can pair them with anything from dresses to white jeans and spice up an outfit from day to night.

What are your favorite summer shoes?

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea


July 06, 2016

My Daily Summer Routine

Now that I am about three weeks into summer and have started my second week of work, I feel like I finally have a solid daily routine and schedule. Every year summer seems to fly by so I like to get the most out of every hour of the day. I have been setting my alarm for 8:30 every morning to get going a little bit earlier and have the most productive mornings possible. So far I have been working about four days a week during the lunch shift. I really like having the nights free, however starting at 11 is kind of a weird time. I have found that the time between when I get up and when I need to leave is perfect for a run. It's nice to get my workout out of the way before it gets really hot out and I'm tired in the afternoon. On the days when I am off, I typically spend the entire day at the beach or out on the boat and enjoy the perfect summer days on the Cape. I enjoy having a little bit of time to relax and refresh in the afternoon, which is when I primarily take outfit photos, catch up on emails, and write blog posts. After that I eat dinner and then settle in for the night, or meet up with friends depending on the day. Do you like having a schedule during the summer or do you like to just go with the flow?

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

July 04, 2016

Fourth of July Outfit









top similar | shorts (under $20!) | bralette | hat | necklace | converse
Happy Forth of July everyone! This year I opted for a more casual red, white, and blue look for the 4th. It's perfect to go from the parade to the beach, followed by BBQ's later in the afternoon. The forecast for today appears to be pretty warm, so I wanted to wear something cute and comfortable. Ripped jean shorts paired with a simple navy tank and a baseball hat create the perfect patriotic look for a warm summer day. Later tonight I am going to our golf club to watch the fireworks over the bay and could not be more excited for all of the festivities! What are your plans for today?!

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea