Spring Cleaning

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Last weekend was my first weekend home after being away skiing all winter. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade my weekends on the slopes for anything; but there is something so refreshing about being home and starting the new season fresh with some spring cleaning. I am an extremely organized person, yet somehow I have a TON of clutter that just piles up over the months. Dedicating one weekend to go on a mass cleaning spree may sound like a nightmare, but by the end of the day you will be in such a better place. I am no expert on cleaning, but I thought I would talk about the five things that help me get organized for the new season! 

Sell or Donate// The first step in my cleaning process is always going through my clothes. I am not going to lie, I have a lot of clothes, but I honestly probably only wear a third of them on a regular basis. This year my dad insisted that I go through my closet and donate or sell anything I didn't wear all winter or last summer. I ended up getting rid of a bunch of old clothes and my closet is now so much cleaner- plus I have some room to add a few new things this summer! Also, if you have some pieces that are on the nicer end and have barely been worn, I recommend selling them on eBay or Poshmark so you can make some extra money on your purge! 

Wardrobe Switch// I have a very small closet, so I only keep my clothes for the current season in my room. At the end of each season, I put everything in plastic containers and store them in my basement for the off-season. As part of spring cleaning, I like to put away my winer clothes and transition in my spring and summer pieces. PSA check your local weather, I put away all my big sweaters last weekend and then we had a big snow storm on monday #justMAthings 

Purge// Now that you have gotten rid of all the clothes you no longer need, start to go though all your "stuff". I honestly have no idea where it all comes from, but I have so much random crap in my room that I have absolutely no need for. Simple cure, a big trash bag. 

School// I am now almost done with my junior year (crazy!!), so I have a ton of school materials in my desk. As of right now, I know that I don't have a history or English final this year, so I am planning on tossing any worksheets that I know I won't need again. Also, getting rid of old binders and notebooks will free up space in your desk. If you are up for the task, cleaning up your computer is never a bad idea. The storage on my macbook air is horrible, so any chance to delete documents or pictures is helpful! 

Bathroom// My bathroom is really the only spot I actually clean, meaning I get out cleaners and sponges. The counter on my sink is so cluttered and sometimes just needs a good scrub. I also like to go into all my drawers and reorganize all my make up, nail polish, perfumes, etc. Get rid of any shampoos or makeup that you haven't used in a long time, and only keep the products you frequently use- the random eye shadow from eighth grade can definitely go :) 

Have you done any spring cleaning yet this year?

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

Ab Workout

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I leave for Florida in exactly one week, so naturally working out has been on my mind. I was pretty good this winter about working and going to spinning at least three times a week, however I slacked on abs. During summer training and cross country season, we do 8 minute abs every day after running and I want to get back into that habit. After doing plank, sit-ups, Russian twists, etc. daily, I definitely feel more toned. Though I don't think I will ever have a six-pack, this ab routine is definitely a winner and will have you feeling great for the summer! 

Ab workouts are so great because you don't need to make the trip to the gym and cut out time on a busy school night. Typically, I do abs after a run and before stretching. However, if I don't end up going for a run but want to squeeze in a 10 minute workout, I do them before I shower. Personally, I think that side plank and Russian twists are the best, as I definitely feel the burn in the earlier reps. If you are looking for an extra challenge, add some wights to tone your arms at the same time! 

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

Ame & Lulu | Giveaway

coral/navy | green/navy stripe

Spring break is just 10 days away, and with that always comes lots of packing. For vacation I am heading down to Florida and Julianna is going down south to look at a bunch of colleges, so between the both of us there is a lot of travel in the near future. When Ame and Lulu, a Massachusetts based company (whoo!) reached out to us we knew it would be the perfect fit! Not only do they sell great products, but they have been featured in Coastal Magazine, Oprah Magazine, People Magazine, and on the Today Show. If you are on the hunt for the perfect summer duffel, travel accessories, tote, tennis or golf gear, this is the place to go. We are seriously lusting over all the golf accessories, as our season at school has just begun! If you're looking for golf accessories, the divot kit and tee-bag are both so cute!

The large duffels are the perfect size for a long weekend or week away. There are zippered compartments on the inside for toiletries or jewelry, and a large compartment on the bottom to keep shoes in to keep your clothes clean. Additionally, there is a removable shoulder strap, so you can opt for that or the smaller handles. The variety of patterns offered assures that there is something that will appeal to anyone in need of a duffel. Having a bright colored bag is also a plus when traveling as you can always spot it in a sea of black luggage- plus you can definitely carry them on if you don't feel the need to check a bag.

We love our bags so much, we wanted one of you to get the chance to have one of your own! Starting today through April 12th, you can enter to win small duffel and matching cosmetic bag of your choice. Thank you so much to Ame and Lulu for sponsoring this post!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

xoxo,

Catherine and Julianna

Preppy by the Sea

Prom Dresses

long black| long light blue | long pink | long purple 

blue short | light pink short | short pink | short navy

For most schools, prom is just around the corner. At my school we wear short dresses to junior prom and long dresses to senior prom, which is a little bit different from what I think most schools do. Finding a dress can be difficult, there are so many different colors and styles that it can be a bit overwhelming to find the perfect one for you. 

I have found that Revolve and Shopbop have the best selection, as they have a wide variety of designers and price ranges. Personally, I am not a fan of the glittery and beaded dresses you would find at a prom dress store and prefer something more simple, so my dress is more of a cocktail dress. If you fall in love with a designer dress that is expensive, Rent the Runway is a great alternative that allows you to rent designer dresses for 4-8 days for a fraction of the retail price! Have you found your dress yet?

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

Book Review: Opening Belle

One of my goals for this year is to start reading more in my free time. When I was reading theSkimm one morning, Opening Belle was the book recommendation and it caught my eye. I goggled it to read a little more about it, and some reviews. In doing this I learned that Reese Witherspoon was making a movie about it- between that and the great reviews, I knew I had to order it. Within a few weeks (this is fast for a high school student with tons of work and sports after school) I finished it! 

Now you're probably thinking, what is this book even about? Opening Belle tells the story of Belle, a mother of three who has a huge job on Wall Street. Navigating the male dominated world of finance, extravagant manhattan lifestyles, and the constant desire for more, Belle finds herself amongst the chaos. Belle and the other successful women at her firm, Feagin Dixon, work together in pursuit of greater promotions and equality in their rambunctious workplace. 

Years after her ex-fiancé left her for another woman, they are reunited as he represents her biggest client. Balancing her lethargic stay at home husband, her children, and her demanding work schedule she wonders what could have been when the two are reconnected. Her morals are tested when the thought of rekindling the relationship emerges. 

I would highly recommend Maureen Sherry's Opening Belle. The balance between the crazy day to day life at a ruthless Wall Street job and Belle's complicated love life will have you flying though the book. Whether you are a high school student interested in the business world or a mom looking for a good read, I guarantee you will throughly enjoy the book! Let me know if you have, or plan to read Opening Belle.

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea