May 31, 2016

Graduation Gift Guide

Graduation season is in full swing which means lots of grad parties and gifts to shop for. Next Saturday is graduation at my school so the chaos has not quite begun, however I know lots of schools have already had their ceremonies. Shopping for the perfect gift can be hard. Every party is a different, some people you know better than others, and everyone has different tastes. I think that this gift guide a little something for everyone (and every budget). Although it may seem impersonal, giving money is also never a bad idea. College students will greatly appreciate having a little extra spending money throughout the year! 

for the coffee lovergift card | keurig | tervis tumbler 
I know that many high school and college students (including myself) are extremely dependent on coffee. Starbucks gift cards are great especially because most colleges have one on campus! Also, if you are looking to spend a little bit more, a keurig is an awesome present that would be perfect to have in a dorm! 

New luggage is a perfect for someone about to head off to college. From lugging everything down on move in day to weekend adventures, I guarantee you grad will love a new tote or duffel. 

a reminder of homestate hat | necklace
Majority of people I know leave their home state when they head off to school. So, I think that something involving their state would be really nice to remind them of home during the school year. The coordinates necklace is such a cute (and inexpensive) gift that is very personal, you can even customize it with the exact address of their childhood home. 

on campusfitbit | shorts | s'well bottle
Being on a college campus, chances are they will be doing lots of walking from their dorm to class. A fitbit would be a fun gift to track daily steps or workouts-- avoid the freshman 15! 

for the jewelry loverring | watch
Personally, I think that nice jewelry is the best graduation gift. If you have been lusting over something for a long time graduation would be the perfect time to receive a timeless piece from your parents or family. 

for the dormbath set | slippers 
Moving into a dorm is a big change and giving a gift to make the transition a bit smoother is always a good idea. A nice bath set or slippers will make your grad feel at home next fall at college! 

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

May 30, 2016

Memorial Day







shirt | white jeans | jean jacket similar | shoes | sunglasses | necklace similar

Happy Memorial Day! This past weekend has been absolutely beautiful on the Cape which has me so  excited to be back in just a few weeks for the summer. Over the past three days, we soaked up some sun at the beach, went out to dinner and to our favorite ice cream shop, and squeezed in a round of golf! Memorial Day weekend has always been one of my favorite weekends of the year, everyone is always in such a good mood and after all it's unofficial start of summer!

I think I also love this day because I associate it with white jeans, seersucker, and Lilly. I know that the blogging community has declared white jeans before Memorial Day socially acceptable, however I am such a stickler for this fashion rule. Call me old fashioned, but I just think they are too summery to be worn in the middle of winter. Anyways, white jeans are one of my all time favorite pieces for breezy summer days and I can't wait to get a ton of wear out of mine in the upcoming months! 

xoxo,
Catherine 

Preppy by the Sea

May 27, 2016

May Playlist

Happy Friday everyone!! I typically share playlist posts at the very end of the month, however I thought I would do it today as I know a lot of people go away for Memorial Day weekend. I think that a good playlist can make or break a long flight to road trip, and this one has a really good variety. Now that is feels like summer, I have found myself listening to a lot of country again. Also, the top 40 stations have added a few new songs recently, my favorite being Cant Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake. It's so upbeat and perfect for summer! I am on the Cape for the weekend and am planning on taking advantage of the perfect weather and scenery to get some new outfit photos up soon! Do you have any exciting plans for the weekend?

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

May 23, 2016

The Homestretch

It's that time of year again, the weather is nice, the workload is light, and the seniors are about to leave. However, there are still a few more weeks of school. At this point I am so done with my classes which is really bad because I need to keep my grades up and finish the term on a high note. After practice, my friends and I have been going out to ice cream or getting coffee way more than we should. I have gotten home late so many times in the past two or three weeks and have been doing a lot of my homework in my study- please tell me I am not the only one with this problem right now! We have a little less than a month to go and I have been thinking about ways that I can power through the next few weeks, as after all we are in the homestretch. 

Balance // At the end of the school year, it's okay to embrace a little more free time and have fun with friends. However, it is important to maintain a healthy balance to avoid any academic mishaps at the end of the term when it really matters. I think that this is especially hard for juniors as it is the second to last term before applying to college, so there is a ton of pressure to do your best even after a long and grueling year. 

Get ahead // At my school we have a ton of events quickly approaching between sports banquets and awards night. So, look ahead at your schedule to help manage your time. I have always been a big fan of the monthly calendar in my agenda, it really helps me visualize what is coming up and how I can get ahead. If you know there are certain nights where you are going to be insanely busy, work on long term assignments over the weekend or on light homework nights. 

Busy weekends // I don't know if this is just me but school weeks always seem to feel longer and longer as the year progresses. Having a really fun and busy weekend to look forward to throughout the week is a great motivator. Now that it is nice out, plan a day trip with friends, or a dinner to catch up. Also, try to wake up earlier on the weekends, it will make you feel so much more productive and way less tired at school during the week! 

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

May 18, 2016

Rent the Runway




For the past year or so I have heard bloggers talking about Rent the Runway and I always thought that it was a great idea. When prom season rolled around, I was initially planning on buying my dress as junior year we wear short dresses, which I could wear again. However, when I stumbled upon this Elizabeth and James dress at Revolve I knew that it was the perfect prom dress. It retailed for about $400 which I decided was not worth it to buy. After continuously looking for a dress and finding nothing that compared to this I somehow thought of Rent the Runway. Thankfully, the dress was available and I quickly booked it for prom! 

My experience with Rent the Runway was a 10/10. The dresses arrived on time, were clean, and fit perfectly. I booked the dress about six week before the date I needed it for, so I'm not sure if it is more difficult to book for closer dates. When placing the order you receive two dresses in different sizes. The reviews for my dress said it ran small, so I ordered a 4 and a 6. For reference, I typically wear a size 2 and ended up going with the 6. It was a little bit big in the chest but everywhere else it fit like a glove. Having the extra dress is so nice as it eliminates the stress of the dress arriving a day or two before your event and not fitting. 

I definitely think that I will get my senior prom dress from Rent the Runway as I know I would never wear a long gown again. If you are someone that goes to a lot of events, or even if you are a college student who goes to multiple formals I would highly recommend getting a pro membership. This is $29 a year and you get free shipping on all orders and a free dress on your birthday! Have you used Rent the Runway before? 

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

May 17, 2016

Summer Swimsuits

tops: stripes | scallops | floral | ruffel 
bottoms: pineapple | citrus | teal | navy | gingham

When it comes to summer shopping, I just can't resist a cute bathing suit. I have quite a collection at this point in my life as I have worn the same size since middle school. Mixing and matching patterns is always fun- plus its great when you are trying to back lightly for a weekend away! All of the bathing suits above are from Target and J. Crew as they are my two favorite places to buy them. Target always has a plethora of patterns and styles, plus they are inexpensive and good quality so it's really a win-win. Although J. Crew is definitely more expensive, they are always having sales so you can always find a great deal on a super cute suit. 

Recently I have been really into the bralette style tops. If you are smaller chested they are hands down the most flattering style. Undwerwire and push-up tops are great if you are looking for more support, but the bralette 100x more comfortable. I'm not sure how I feel about the hight neck halter style, but the turquoise stripes are to die for ! What are your favorite bathing suit trends this year?

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

May 16, 2016

Prom Recap







Catherine: dress | shoes (they are so comfortable- highly recommend!) | earrings
Julianna: dress | shoes | earrings

This past Friday night, we had our junior prom! It's actually kind of funny that it's all over now considering all the build up and hype that surrounded it these past few months. Although it was raining and humid during the majority of the pictures, it was overall a really fun night spent with friends. Because prom was on a school day we got dismissed an hour early to get to our hair and makeup appointments. Neither of us really wear much makeup on a daily basis, so having someone who knows what they are doing was super helpful!

Dances at our school are typically very low-key. For homecoming and the winter dance no one takes a date and dresses are much more casual. So, prom was something totally different for us. Everyone goes with a date, girls go crazy about dresses in the Facebook group, and there are so many appointments the week leading up to the actual dance from nails to hair. The 6 weeks or so leading up to prom were super stressful, so we were happy that the actual night was lots of fun!

We all went to our friend Alison's house before prom to take pictures. There were a ton of people there between all of the kids and their parents. It seriously felt like the paparazzi was there as there were constantly a million flashes going off at once. The whole night was a great experience- even though I think we only got 3 or 4 hours of sleep! Have you had your prom yet?

xoxo,

Catherine & Julianna

Preppy by the Sea

May 12, 2016

Cherry Blossoms






top similar | skirt | shoes | necklace similar

I never thought I would be excited for a thursday, but I am finally in the clear! Yesterday morning I took my AP Lang exam and I am beyond happy to be finished and have a light ending to the year. I thought the test went fairly well, so fingers crossed the scores reflect that :) At my school we are excused for the rest of the day after AP tests so I went home at noon. My friend Clare and I went out to lunch and then she we nice enough to take some outfit pictures for me! It has been in the seventies all week and all of the trees are finally in full bloom. Driving down the quaint New England streets by the ocean with the windows down is seriously one of my favorite things. 

These pictures are coming up kind of pixelated on my computer, so apologies if yours is doing the same thing. Anyways, I have never been a huge fan of skirts (dresses for the win) but when I stumbled up this skirt in Florida I knew I needed to buy it. Olive green has quickly become one of my favorite colors as it looks good year round. That combined with the fun button details down the front and the tie at the waist had me sold. It's super comfortable (runs a little big I'm usually a small and opted for the XS) and can be worn with so many different things. Not gonna lie, I've worn it at least five times since I bought it! Since buying this skirt, I definitely am on the hunt for more...maybe even get really trendy and try out a denim skirt. 

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 


May 09, 2016

Staying Awake to Study

Tis the season of AP exams, finals, and term research papers. This year has gone by so fast, its honestly hard to believe that we are quickly approaching the end of the year. That being said, it's not quite summer until we get all of the testing out of the way. Preparing for exams that cover the year in its entirety is a daunting task. Although I try to get ahead and study for the week leading up to the test, each year without fail there are certainly exams that I end up crunching for the night before. There comes a point when your best bet is to just go to bed, however there are times when you need to stay awake but powering through the material seems nearly impossible. Here are a few things I have learned over the past three years that might help you through your upcoming exams. 

Workout // After sitting at a desk for seven hours, odds are your brain is fried. So, jumping right into a study session is probably not the greatest idea. Throughout the school year I typically get some sort of exercise after school. However, when I have a big exam this is an absolute must! Personally, I find that working out helps me clear my head and feel way more motivated to remain focused and study for longer periods of time.

Coffee // This is pretty self-explanatory, but caffeine is your friend. I always have coffee or caffeinated tea in the morning, and during exams I make sure to get a second one later in the day to help me stay awake. If you're really feeling desperate I highly recommend just getting a shot of espresso-- I am not super affected by caffeine but these never fail to wake me up!

Music // When I start to get really tired I can't study in silence anymore. Adding a little music to your study session can shift your mood and give you a second wind. I love listening to John Mayer when I study, this songs are just upbeat enough without being too loud and overpowering.

Location // Location is a huge factor for me when it comes to studying and staying awake. This year I have learned that I am most productive in the library as it provides a change of scenery from my house, limits distractions, and its very quite. The library in my town stays open until 9:00 (I am so looking forward to 24 hour libraries in college) so I can get most of my studying done there. However, when I am really tired and am studying at home I need to avoid my bed at all costs. The amount of times I have passed out mid studying and woken up at 3 am with my laptop and binders sprawled out on my bed, and the lights still on is mildly concerning. So, in order to stay awake I like to sit at my desk in my room.

Paper vs. Electronic // This past year I have found myself doing way more of my studying on my phone or computer than ever before. With my increased use of technology I have realized when I need to stick to paper. I use my computer earlier in the evening, however when I start getting tired I switch to paper study guides. Screens make my eyes hurt when it starts getting really late, and recent studies have shown that staring at a screen before bed will result in a poor night sleep. By resorting to class handouts, or simply printing documents from your computer you will be able to stay up later and get a better sleep the night before the exam!

Do you have any good tips that help you stay up and cram? Good luck to everyone taking AP exams this week!

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

May 08, 2016

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day everyone! I wouldn't typically write this kind of post, however my mom is so involved with this blog, that she definitely deserves a major shoutout today! I want to thank her for not only everything that she does for my family on a daily basis, but for everything she does to help me with Preppy by the Sea. From braving New England blizzards to shoot outfit posts with me, to constantly thinking of the perfect location for a specific look, she is so invested in helping me do something that I love and deserves a ton of credit. Though she might not be the most camera savvy person around, or share my shopping addition she is beyond supportive. 

My mom and I have always been really close, but I feel like over the past few years we have grown even closer. Throughout my entire life my mom has been very involved. From being a class parent in elementary school to taking on college tours with me this year, she really hasn't missed anything. I could always count on her to be standing on the sidelines of the lacrosse field, or waiting at the bottom of the mountain with a jacket after my ski races. There is something just so nice about sitting in kitchen talking after a long day at school, even though she isn't the greatest of cooks :) I feel so lucky that we have such a great relationship and appreciate everything she does 365 days a year, but especially on a day devoted to what she does best, being a mom. Here's to many more mother-daughter days full of food, fun, and lots of love! 

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

May 06, 2016

Life Update

Social media and I didn't have a great relationship this week, so a friday favorites post just wasn't going to work. I do hate abandoning the blog but wow was this week a busy one. As junior year is quickly coming to an end I thought I would give a little life update. These posts are typically not the most popular, however I think that it's important to give a glimpse into my life occasionally as I want this blog to feel more personal. So... you're probably wondering what the heck this lovely picture is. To be quite honest its a pretty damn accurate depiction of my life at the moment.

Fun fact, I literally never leave my house without my pearls in. However, my friend Clare captured this gem one day after school at the library. I had a pretty bad day and came home and took a nap after school (that's when you know) and took out one earring because that's the logical thing to do when your are tired and lazy. After that I decided that I needed to get my sh*t together and went to the library. I threw on my mens large sweatshirt, grabbed my incredibly heavy back back and left my house... little did I know that I was rocking a lovely pirate look! So moral of the story, we all have those days.

Now that I have that explained, let's talk about life. People warned me junior year was a grind, but up until probably six weeks ago my experience wasn't too bad. My homework was manageable and I stayed sane balancing sports, clubs, and school work. Then everything changed. My classes started to get harder, golf season began, and I missed a lot of school between college tours and school trips. Also, the reality of the college process hit me, which let me just tell you is scary. I submitted my AP Lang term paper, took the SAT and the ACT, and got inducted into the National Honor Society.

As for the past week...wow. I honestly didn't know I could do so much in five days. I started the weekend off on the Cape and found a summer job at a restaurant where I will be a bus person and a hostess. Last year I was crazy busy and did a lot of traveling and thus wasn't able to get a job. This is my first "real" job and I am excited to be doing something new and spending the entire summer in my favorite place.

I spent way too many hours at the library and drank far too many coffees to count this week. My semester long history research paper was due on Wednesday and at this point I know more about the growth of Wall Street in the 1920's than one ever should. That being said, I never been so happy to receive my receipt from turnitin.com and finally be finished! Additionally, we had to get our teacher recommendations lined up for college applications this fall. Each teacher only takes a certain amount of students so this is kind of a stress fest, but I have one of the two finalized and am so excited! I really can't believe that I am almost a senior and the college process has begun.

This week I also stepped significantly out of my comfort zone and ran for the treasurer of student council. Over the past three years I feel like I have overcome my fear of public speaking, however this was the first time I spoke in front of such a large group for an extended period of time. Although I was shaking a little bit, I ended up winning and am so excited to serve on the exec board in the fall!

My AP Lang exam is next wednesday so I will most likely be spending this weekend studying all the terms we have learned throughout the year and reviewing the different essay structures. Today is also my dad's birthday and sunday is Mother's day, so I think my family and are going to go out to dinner and celebrate both this weekend! Here's to the last 6 weeks of school!

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

May 05, 2016

3 Peach Recipes




The other day my mom brought home a bag of peaches from whole foods. I was a bit skeptical because they are typically not very good until the height of summer, however they were amazing! I hit up Pinterest in search of some new recipes as I love summer dishes with lots of fresh fruit. These three recipes look so delicious and I can't wait to try them out soon. Caprese Salad is one of my all time favorites and I am so intrigued by the idea of replacing the tomatoes with peaches! The peach green tea smoothie would be perfect for an on the go weekday breakfast; and the crepes are a great option for a nicer meal, maybe even a Mother's Day brunch! 

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

May 02, 2016

Polished


Sandal weather is finally just around the corner which means it is time to start pulling out your favorite summer polishes! I don't always have a manicure, however even in the dead of winter my toes are always painted. Feet kind of gross me out, so having a nice colorful polished pedicure is a always a must-- especially if you are going to wear sandals! Essie has always been my go to brand as I love their wide range of colors and all the fun names. I think naming the nail polsih shades would be such a fun job because seriously, who doesn't love a good pun? Fiji is my go-to color for manicures as the light pink matches everything and for some reason it always makes you look tanner than you are. However, I always mix up the colors for my toes. A bright blue, or watermelon are always great options! What is you favorite brand and shade for the summer?

xoxo,
Catherine

Preppy by the Sea