My College Food Essentials

I'm back! Wow college is busy. I have been really inspired to blog recently and have been brainstorming new content ideas regularly. Unfortunately, my schedule has been go, go, go between doing homework, trying to meet new people, going to the gym, and actually getting some sleep. I am still trying to figure out a schedule for this year, but I am thinking that realistically that should be 2-3 posts a week. I love being able to publish new content as frequently as possible, but right now that just is not realistic. Hopefully I will have a more concrete blog plan to share soon, but in the mean time let's talk about food! 

Going to the grocery store is honestly one of my favorite things. It is not something the average eighteen year old girl enjoys, but going to Trader Joe's or Whole Foods is so much fun. I love checking out all of the products and buying food that I can get excited about. One of the downfalls of going to college in the middle of North Carolina is that Target is really the only place to buy food. Despite this, I have figured out what my staples are to keep in my dorm. I try to keep things in my room that are on the healthier side to avoid late night snacking on ice cream or chips... and the freshman fifteen. 

Dark Chocolate Pretzel Bark Thins // These have been my go-to dessert recently. There is nothing better than the classic sweet and salty combo and these really hit the spot. I like to keep a bag in the freezer (so good!) and have a few after a long night of studying. 

Peanut Butter Granola Bites // I had never had these before getting to school and they are amazing. I stumbled upon them in the cereal isle at target and they are the perfect mid-morning snack, or breakfast if you're someone who doesn't like to eat a lot in the morning. 

Natural Popcorn // Popcorn is one of my all time favorite snacks. I always have a bag of Skinny Pop on hand, but warm popcorn is such a nice treat if you have a little bit more time or want to have a movie night. 

Steel-Cut Oatmeal // I typically eat breakfast in the dining hall, however when I have my 8:30 class or if I get up early on the weekends before the dining hall opens this is my go to dorm breakfast. Just toss it in the microwave and add some berries and you're ready to go! 

Chia Seeds // I always add chia seeds to my oatmeal and I have also been making chia pudding in the dorm. They are a great thing to keep on hand and can add protein to lots of snacks. 

Almonds // Almonds are a great snack to keep in your dorm. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I have class from 12:00 to 4:00 and don't have time to eat a real lunch. I always bring a ziplock bag with almonds to class to keep me full. 

Seltzer Water // I am a seltzer addict, seriously it's the only thing I drink. I always have a stockpile of cases under my bed so that I don't run out. Unfortunately they don't have Polar here so La Croix (grapefruit is my favorite) is the next best option!

What food can you not live without in your dorm room?

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

Dove Dry Shampoo Line

Washing my hair every night has always been part of my routine because my hair tends to get greasy without a wash. Unfortunately, this practice is not good for your hair and sometimes simply does not fit into my busy college schedule. I tried dry shampoo for the first time last year and had only ever used the Batiste brand, so when Dove reached out see if I wanted to try their new line, I was all in! I have been using Dove products forever, and love their "Real Beauty" Campaign and company values. 

Over the past week I have been testing out the four different dry shampoos and can confidently tell you that they work wonders. When I wake up after not washing my hair, I spray the product and it almost instantly absorbs oils and leaves my hair looking fresh. Unlike the dry shampoos I have used in the past, it does not come out white and make my hair look powdery. My personal favorite is the Fresh and Floral scent, it smells great without being too overpowering, and works wonders. I also really like the Volume and Fullness dry shampoo, plus it comes in a travel size which is perfect for on the go! The new line is available at drugstores and online. Do you have a favorite dry shampoo? 

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

Friday Favorites

Does anyone else feel like this week absolutely flew by? It seems like it was just Monday and somehow we have already made it to the weekend! My third week here at college has once again been a busy one; I attended my first club meetings, heard from a guest speaker, tried a Barre class for the first time, and managed to do all my work and get some sleep. I am excited to have some down time this weekend and relax. 

One: Dove Dry Shampoo Line

I was so excited to get a package from Dove this week. They sent me a bunch of samples from their new Dry Shampoo line which I know will be very practical for keeping my hair looking fresh even on my busiest days when I don't have time to wash my hair. Look out for an in depth review post next week! 

Two: Ice Chai Tea Lattes

These are amazing. For some reason I never thought to try a chai tea latte before coming to college and now I can't get enough! I always start my morning off with a latte in my dorm that I make with my Nespresso, but these have become my go to afternoon drink. We have lots of coffee shops here on campus and they all make great iced chais. I think they are the perfect fall drink if you're like me and don't enjoy pumpkin spice drinks. 

Three: Study Spots

Now that I am officially in school routine, I have figured out where I am most productive...aka not my dorm room. This room is one of my favorite places on campus, the leather couches, oriental rugs, huge fireplace, and jazz music playing in the background feel so home-y. Its the perfect place for me to sit down and get to work. 

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

Freshman Year Dorm

Happy Monday! I am so excited to finally be sharing my freshman year dorm tour. Before coming to school I was expecting to live in a shoebox and was pleasantly surprised by a much more spacious room when I arrived on move in day. I am living in the historic neighborhood at Elon University and our dorm was just renovated over the summer, so it is a bit nicer than some of the other dorms in the area. My roommate and I did not coordinate our bedding or a color scheme, however I think that the room looks very cohesive and super home-y. 

When living in a small space, organization is very key. I tried to keep in mind the practicality of pieces when I was decided what to purchase for my dorm. Having the 6 cube organizer (under $35!) to store our food, Tupperware, and dishes in has been an absolute life saver. The cubes maximize space that we would not have otherwise used above the micro-fridge and still looks cute. Additionally, I have found that having the 3 plastic drawers in my closet has provided me with the perfect amount of space for workout clothes, and fits perfectly in my closet. 

Room Details: sheets (so soft!) | duvet | elephant pillow | floral pillow | coordinates pillow (custom) 

gold mirror | desk lamp | shoes organizer | rug | storage ottoman 

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

Weekend Wear

dress (similar) | shoes | sunglasses | bralette | bag (similar)

I am the biggest proponent of Nike shorts and a t-shirt, but honestly sometimes it is easier to just toss on a comfy t-shirt dress when running errands or going to your 8 AM class. This dress is hands down one of my favorite pieces in my closet, it is insanely soft and the color is perfect for any season. These are the last photos I took before leaving for college and I accidentally left this dress in my room at home...no worries my mom is going to mail it to me :) Unfortunately it is no longer available, but I'm sure you would be able to find something similar at almost any store. Do you have a favorite lazy day look? 

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

5 Things I Learned My First Week of College

1. It is more difficult than I thought
For some reason I always assumed I would get to college and make friends immediately because everyone is in the same boat. Yes, it is easy to go up to someone and start a conversation in your classes or at the dining hall, however you will not have a solid group of friends right off the bat and that has been hard for me after having such a close group of friends in high school. Additionally, I simply miss the familiarity of my hometown and my family, having a shower that is hot and has good water pressure, and just having down time. College is still so new and I do think Elon will eventually feel like home, but the first week is definitely a difficult adjustment.

2. Don't trust social media
Social media is a not a well rounded representation of someone's college experience. It is hard to look at all of your snapchat stories on a Friday night and see everyone having such a "great time" when you are not having your best day. It is important to remember than no one is going to put things on social media to let you know that they are also homesick, or struggling to adjust. Everyone adjusts to college differently and you just need to do what's right for you and try not to let social media impact you.

3. Make your room feel like home
I love my dorm room, it is cozy, happy, and overall just a place I look forward to coming home to. After a long day of classes, or when you just need some alone time, it is so nice to get into your comfortable space, and be surrounded by pictures of your family and friends, and things that make you happy. College is very tiring, so you want to make sure your rest time is enjoyable.

4. There is a lot of homework
College is a lot of work. I feel like this fact is often grazed over when people talk about college. You always hear about all the social aspects, however spending lots of time in the library is not usually mentioned. College is a place where you go to get your degree, so naturally that is not going to be an easy task. After my first American Government class, I had over six hours of work. Although it is not ideal to be spending hours and hours cooped up doing work, if you find a study spot on (or off) campus, you will be more productive and ready to get your work done.

5. Alone time is important
I have never shared a room before, so living with someone 24/7 is definitely an adjustment. My roommate and I get along super well and are on similar schedules, but it is still important to have time to decompress and have some alone time.

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! I have officially survived my first week at college. This past week has been quite the whirlwind, but I am definitely getting more acclimated to Elon. The first couple of days were definitely hard, and I am still really missing my fiends, however starting classes has made it a lot easier. 

One: Move In Day

Last Friday I moved into my freshman year dorm.. dorm tour to come :) I was pleasantly surprised at how painless the move in process was. My dorm room and closet are way bigger than I was anticipating and I really lucked out in the roommate department, so all things housing are off to a great start! 

Two: My bed

I never thought I would love my bed at college as much as I do. The 3-inch mattress topper, mattress pad, and soft bedding makes it the perfect cozy place to settle into after a long day. College is very tiring, so it is crucial to like you bed. 

Three: Exploring Campus

Now that classes are in session, I have been doing a ton of walking around campus. I have found some great study spots, running loops, and overall have started to really get to know the school. 

xoxo,

Catherine 

Preppy by the Sea