February 27, 2015

Friday Favorites

I am so happy that it is finally Friday, the week after break always seems to drag on and this was no exception. However, I am still shocked that this is the last week of February. This month was the month of snow storms and completely flew by! Because of this, I have had my mind of spring. I made quite a few purchases online that I can't wait to wear once the snow starts to melt! Balancing school and blogging this week has unfortunately been kind of a struggle, so sorry that there was no post up on Thursday. Anyways, here is what I have been loving this week!

One: Mindy Kaling's Book
Over break and this past week, I have really tried to read. My life is so crazy that I never really have the time to just sit down and read and when I do have the time, I would rather watch Netflix or write blog posts. Honestly, I am not that into reading which is bad and something I would like to work on this year.  Mindy's book, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (and Other Concerns) is freaking hysterical. If you have ever watched the Mindy Project or happen to follow her on Twitter, than I am sure you are well aware of her great sense of humor. If you are looking for a light and super funny read I highly suggest checking this out!

I am very particular about my sneakers. Before starting cross country, I really went more for comfort than style, as I knew support and stability would be important for long distance. I ended up buying the Women's GEL-Cumulus 16 Running Shoe. These were the perfect sneaker for me and I would highly recommend them for anyone who does a lot of running. Before purchasing these Nike Free Run 5.0 sneakers, I knew that I wanted a light pair to wear mostly for lazy day outfits, running errands or for golf (if I am not wearing golf shoes). I fell in love with this color combination and they were on sale! I have had this style of sneaker in the past and they are great for everyday use, but personally I do not like them for running. I got my first pair for lacrosse in seventh or eighth grade and they hurt my ankles really badly. Anyways, this pair is great and I recommend them, but definitely try them on first to get a feel for them on you. Everyone has different preferences and may like sneakers for different reasons! 

Three: My Second Roxbox Set 
I loved everything about my first box, however my second set is AMAZING! I love this Loren Hope bangle, along with the fun statement studs! My favorite piece was a dainty gold tube necklace from Gorjana that I purchased and can't wait to style! Use the code 'preppybytheseaxoxo' to get your first month for free! 

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

February 25, 2015

Get it Done!


 After vacation, coming back to school is always crazy and there is definitely no easing back into it. We went back yesterday and I knew that I would have a crazy week between school work, babysitting and after school activities. There is absolutely nothing worse than being stuck doing homework until midnight or saving a project until the very last second. Although I am not productive and proactive 100% of the time, I like to think that I have some good strategies for staying on top of the ball. Here are three things I find most helpful!

+ Make a to-do list 
Recently, this has been my go-to way to stay motivated. By writing down all the tasks you need to accomplish that day, everything is all on one place and you can cross them off as you go. I find that putting non school related tasks on the list makes it easier to get done and you can easily cross some things off! For long term assignments, I like to write down one step to make myself do each night. Currently, I am writing a research paper for history and by finding x amount of sources, facts or writing a single paragraph, you can get it done over time rather than the night before with a gun to your head. 

+ Remove Distractions
After school, chances are your phone could use a charge so why not put it in a different room? By removing your phone from your work space, I guarantee that you will be so much more productive! Checking Instagram and responding to the group text can wait. Secondly, I like to do my homework that doesn't require a computer first. I get so, so distracted on my laptop and can easily have 5 different shopping tabs open in a few minutes. After you finish that homework, then use your computer to type your essay etc. Try to turn your wifi off so you're not distracted or open a new window just for school related things. 

+ Take a Break
You can not just sit and do homework for hours on end, after a while you will not be putting your best effort into it and are not as concentrated. I always have a snack and catch up on other blogs when I get home before getting to work. When you do take a break give yourself a time limit so that the 5 min break you had planned doesn't turn into an hour. 

How are you most productive? 

xoxo,
Catherine 

Preppy by the Sea 

February 24, 2015

Spring Lust List


I am so excited for spring weather and have been lusting over all the spring collections that stores have recently released. Although spring really is not much of a thing in Massachusetts (we tend to transition from winter to summer and have to wear jackets all through april), I am ready for the warm weather. For spring fashion, I usually try to buy pieces that are both colorful and also warm for chilly and windy days. The hot pink sweater would be prefect to wear with light wash skinny jeans, or with shorts in later spring. I am loving the J. Crew Factory navy linen tie pants, they seem very comfortable and completely different from anything that I currently own. I am a big fan of a good white shirt, I know this seems kind of boring as it is a basic. I wear a lot of colorful pants and patterns in the spring so a nice crisp white shirt looks great with those. Madewell has great basics like this and I think a loose fitting v neck is one of the best styles. In April, it is still far to chilly here to break out the Jack Rogers, so a cute pair of sneakers, loafers or Sperrys are my shoes of choice. Finally, I am obsessed with the pink and white striped ruffle dress from Tuckernuck and I think it will have to be my spring splurge piece. How cute would it be for Easter!? What do you look for in Spring clothing?

xoxo,
Catherine 

Preppy by the Sea 

February 23, 2015

Favorite Looks | Oscars 2015

There are no awards that I love more than the Oscars. Watching all the actresses walk down the red carpet in stunning designer gowns is amazing, so I though that I would share a few that really stood out to me. Honestly, I hope that someday I will get to go to an event where I can wear a long gown and get all dressed up! Let's be real, who wouldn't want to be decked out in jewels and work with some of the biggest names in the designer world to design your own floor length gown? I have not seen American Sniper or Wild, however they look great and I am hoping to see them win something. There were not a lot of looks that I didn't like this year, so I narrowed it down to my top six. What were your favorite movies this year and what were your favorite looks seen on the red carpet? 

Gwyneth Paltrow 
Oh my gosh, I think that this is my favorite look of the night. I love the blush pink! The one shoulder with the rose is stunning, along with the soft neckline. She looks so pretty in this silhouette and her jewelry is a nice contrast to the simple and feminine look. 

Reese Witherspoon
Reese is by far and away my all time favorite actress, I mean after all Legally Blonde is one of the best movies and she has such a fun and bubbly personality! I adore her style in general and this dress is so pretty. I love the black and white. It is so simple yet very elegant. The neckline is very unique and flattering. 

Lupita Nyong'o 
This dress is beautiful, covered in 6,000 pearls you really couldn't miss it! The top of this dress is stunning, the halter neckline and little cutouts add a modern touch to a very elegant and modest look. I love how simple and natural looking Lupita's makeup was, along with her tasteful jewelry. 

Dakota Johnson 
Forget 50 Shades of Grey, Dakota Johnson looks gorgeous in red! Okay, this dress is so, so amazing. I love the structure of the top, along with the beading on one shoulder. The bold red lip looks great with the dress and her eyebrow game is so strong :) 

Anna Kendrick 
As Julianna was saying last week, coral is such a great color and she really pulls off this dress. The flowy bottom and jeweled neckline adds a very feminine touch. Her hair looks so pretty and her eye makeup is simple and stunning. 

Kerry Washington
How could I not include the scandal goddess, Olivia Pope aka Kerry Washington!? This dress is so fun and unlike anything else on the red carpet! The peplum top and textured bottom of this off white gown look great together. When she was interviewed, her fun personality really shined through as she talked about how much she loves her dress because its great to "shimmy" in :) 

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

February 20, 2015

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday everyone! This week I was on break which was much needed and oh so relaxing. Honestly is there anything better than not worrying about assignments and being able to sleep in? Although I did not venture anywhere super exciting for vacation, I really can't complain about a fun week of skiing. My vacation kicked off with some frightening temperatures, as low as -40 and has finally started to warm up for some pleasant days at the mountain. Here are a few things I have been loving this week! 

One: Sweaters
Going out to dinner après ski is very casual and I usually just wear a cozy sweater and jeans. I have found myself wearing this sweater from Vineyard Vines a lot. I love the fair isle and colors along with the quarter zip style, and good news it is currently on sale! I got this in a boys XL and it fits great! 

Two: Skiing
Obviously I have had lots of time to hit the slopes this week, which is something I have always loved. I ski raced since I was nine and just stopped this year so it is really nice to have time to just ski with my family and with friends. The conditions have been awesome after having so many snow storms and surprisingly the mountain has not been very busy. 

Three: Crepes
The mountain just got a new crepe place in the main lodge and it is so, so delicious. The other day I got a strawberry, banana and Nutella crepe which was a yummy treat for breakfast. My mom got a cheddar and apple one which was also very good! 

Were you on break this week?

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

February 19, 2015

Oldies But Goodies


This week my school is on vacation which is such a nice break from my crazy hectic schedule! As I have said before, my family and I go to Vermont to ski every weekend and so we are up for the whole week. After a long day on the slopes, nothing feels better than changing into cozy pajamas and watching Netflix or in this case, a good movie. Like many people, I find myself binge watching shows on Netflix (I just finished Private Practice, a spinoff of Grey's Anatomy) but sometimes I want to mix it up and watch a movie. Recently, I have watched a bunch of old movies, most of which are from the 80's. Ferris Bueller's Day Off and The Breakfast Club are two classics that everyone needs to see! I watched Dirty Dancing a few nights ago and absolutely loved it, plus it's on Netflix so you don't have to pay for it or spend the dreaded time waiting for it to download! I have seen every movie on this list and highly recommend them except for When Harry Met Sally, however I have heard great things about it and it is next on my movie-watching bucket list! What are your thoughts on old movies?
xoxo, 
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 


February 18, 2015

Plaid Scarves

Today we are doing a collab with Daria from Country and Class styling plaid scarves. In the winter (especially in New England) layering is crucial! This week, our school is on break and I am in Vermont with my family. Over the past few days the temperatures have gotten as low as -35, so naturally I am super bundled up in this look or else I would have frozen out there. My scarf is from L.L. Bean and I adore the colors in the plaid. This scarf is definitely more functional than fashionable but has kept me nice and warm. 



This jacket is actually my moms, but I like how it is a bit more fitted than most long down coats. 

This scarf is made of lambs wool, so it is super warm. Also, I like the little fringe at the end! 




A warm pair of boots are totally worth the more expensive price, especially if you live somewhere very chilly. I highly recommend the Sorel "Joan of the Arctic" boot, I have had mine for a few years and the quality is great! 

 jacket- Patagonia | jeans- J. Crew Factory | Scarf- L.L. Bean | boots- Sorel | watch- Kate Spade | hat- North Face (Old) similar | bag- Old Navy (old) similar

Like Catherine, I chose an outerwear look to style my scarf. One of my favorite things about plaid, scarfs in particular, is the combination of colors that maybe you wouldn't put together when picking out an outfit. This accessory is functional, practical, and stylish; what more could a girl want?

I love how the rust color looks with the greys, greens, and blues.


I wear these jeans and shoes together way too much!


scarf- Ralph Lauren (old) similar | jacket- Jack Wills similar | jeans- J. Crew Factory | shoes- L.L. Bean


Make sure to check out Daria's post here!
xoxo,
Catherine and Julianna

Preppy by the Sea 

February 17, 2015

It's Cuter in Coral


I love bright colors. So when I looked in my closet today and realized that 80% of all my clothes are either black, grey, or navy, I knew it was time for a change. Spring is coming up fast (though with 6 feet of snow piling up outside my door, I think I'll be wearing boots until June) so I've decided I'm done with dark and dreary colors. First on my list of colors I'll be wearing is coral. Although it is a loud color, it's also a neutral as it can go with almost anything. From sweaters to shoes, a vibrant pop of coral adds character to your outfit and can really bring out your sense of style. Shopping around lately, I've noticed that there is no shortage of coral in my favorite stores which makes me even more excited for warmer weather.

Join me on my quest for a more cheerful wardrobe?
xoxo,
Julianna 

Preppy by the Sea 

February 16, 2015

Lemon Bars

Considering that I've now had 6 snow days in the past 3 weeks and vacation week is here, I've had a lot of time to relax and wind down from stressful midyear exams that I took almost a month ago now. That being said, I've started to get a little bored with nothing to do and no where to go because of the snow. So, I've been doing some baking... more like a lot of baking. Ranging from scones to pies, I've pretty much made it all in these past few weeks. I've eaten a lot of tasty treats, but there is nothing that I've enjoyed more than the lemon squares I made last weekend. I found a good recipe in a baking magazine I bought my mom for Mother's Day last year (boomerang gift?) and literally devoured an entire pan of them in 3 days! That being said, maybe you guys are in the mood to do some baking too. It's a fairly easy recipe and will leave anyone who tries a bite wanting more.

Ingredients
Crust
+ 1 cup all purpose flour
+ 1/4 cup sugar
+ 1 stick unsalted butter
+ 1 tsp. kosher salt

Filling
+ 1 1/2 cups sugar
+ 1/2 cup all purpose flour
+ 3 egg whites
+ 1 egg
+ 1/3 cup lemon juice (make 1/2 for strong lemony flavor)
+ 2 Tbsp. lemon zest
+ Powdered sugar for dusting

Process
Get out the ingredients for the crust. Preheat the oven to 350°and line an 8 inch baking sheet with foil.

Pulse the flour and sugar in a food processor to combine. Gradually add in the butter in chunks and continue to until the dough is crumbly


Press the dough into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the salt over the top of the crust. Bake just the crust for 25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.

Next, get out your ingredients for the filling. Combine 1 1/2 cups of sugar and 1/2 cup of flour. 

Add the lemon zest, juice, egg, and egg white to the sugar/flour mixture.

Take the crust out of the oven and pour the filling onto the warm crust. Bake bars for about 25 minutes (it took me a little longer), or until the filling no longer jiggles.

After removing from the oven, dust with powdered sugar. Slice into bars and serve!

I hope you try and enjoy this tasty treat!

xoxo,
Julianna 

Preppy by the Sea

February 13, 2015

Valentines Day Outfit Link Up

Happy (almost) Valentines Day everyone, I hope you are getting ready to indulge in come chocolate and candy hearts! We were so excited to get an email from Ashley, who blogs over at Private School Prepster to join in on the Valentines Day outfit link up post that she organized! Taking picture for this post was quite the struggle, as flats and snow do not typically go hand in hand :) Valentines Day this year is the first official day of our February break, so I plan on spending it watching a movie curled up in my pajamas. However, if you have some exciting plans for this special day, I thought I would share a super casual outfit that you could wear. This outfit does not scream Valentines Day because I opted for a very subtle pop of pink with my bow belt and a pair of silver heart Kate Spade earrings. Adding a fun shoe is always a great way to spice up an outfit and these glittery ones are so, so fun! Do you have any plans for Saturday? If so, what are you planning on wearing? 


if you are in the market for a new white tee shirt, check out Old Navy. I love this top and it is a little bit more unique than your basic crew or v-neck shirt! 




top- Old Navy | jeans- 7 for all mankind | belt- Lilly Pulitzer | shoes- Old Navy (sold out similar | earrings- Kate Spade | necklace- Etsy

xoxo,
Catherine 

Preppy by the Sea 

February 11, 2015

Where I Would Rather Be







I think I am having a mid-winter crisis... I have not gone to school for a full week since right after Christmas break. We have had 6 snow days in the past three weeks and I kid you not there is at least six feet of snow outside, it's crazy! I would kill to flee the state of Massachusetts and get anywhere that is slightly less arctic than this, so I resorted to compulsively pinning travel related pictures and looking through old albums from warm weather trips. This is about the most random post ever but I guess I'm just throwing all my feelings towards winter into a post... Two years ago I went to Turks and Caicos for spring break and it was amazing. I have never seen water so blue and sand so white, I definitely recommend it if you are looking to go on a tropical vacation. I think just looking at the photos helps to not focus on the snowpocalypse happening outside :) Happy Wednesday, you're half way there! Back to this for now! 

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

February 10, 2015

Favorite Blogs


Not only do I love blogging, but I also love reading other blogs. Everyday after school I come home and have a snack and then catch up on daily blog posts from other bloggers. Each blog has something unique to offer, from the layout to the content. If you are also a blogger, then you can really  appreciate all the effort put into other blogs. Planning out new posts for five days a week can sometimes lead to "bloggers block". There just come times where you want to sit down and write a post but you have absolutely no ideas. Other blogs are a great place to get inspiration for your own posts. Love a post you see? Use an idea you find as the foundation for your post and then add your own personal twist to it. If you are new in the blog reading world, figure out your own personal style and then find bloggers that complement that. Personally, I find it nice to have a variation of blogs to read. Maybe you have a favorite for all things fashion related, fitness, food, interior design etc. Here are my favorite bloggers!

What blogs are on your daily reading list, I'm always looking for new blogs to follow?

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

February 09, 2015

J. Crew February Style Guide

I always love getting mail, whether it is a hand written letter, people magazine or a style guide for a store's new collection! There is something so nice about paper goods because there are just some things that the computer doesn't do justice. I am obsessed with J. Crew style guides, I adore flipping through all the pages and seeing the new items paired together in the unique ways only seen at J. Crew. I hoard these style guide, they are great outfit inspiration or to read on the plane or on a road trip. Although each and every copy is always amazing, I have fallen completely in love with the February guide. Oh my gosh, everything in amazing!! The looks are clean cut and simple but with a fun feminine flare. Here are a few of my favorite looks! 
This outfit is probably my favorite (except the Yankees hat- go Red Sox!). Seriously this outfit is amazing, the white peplum and pointy nude pumps are super feminine and contrast so nicely with the skinny ripped jeans and laid back look of the baseball hat and let down hair. 

This. Bag. Is. Beautiful. 

Probably my second favorite look. I love the blush colored skirt, it is so unique!

A light sweater with shorts is one of my go to spring or chilly summer days look. The two neutral colors look great together and the orange tote adds the perfect pop of color!

I am loving this jacket and of course a good chambray top is a wardrobe essential. 

The super dressy silk jumpsuit paired with the iconic J. Crew jean jacket is such a fun look that I never would have thought to pair together.

Oh so city chic.

I love the color yellow, its so bright and happy and just screams spring to me. I have never really thought I could pull it off, however I might test it out with this new collection.

What are your favorite looks from this style guide?

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea