Split Back

top | jeans | boots similar

Before this year I had not purchased anything from Free People since eighth grade. I always found their clothes to be extremely overwhelming and it took a lot of scrolling though their site to find the few diamonds in the rough. However, this year I have fallen in love with a bunch of their pieces that are much more subtle but still have a trendy and boho twist to spice up my wardrobe. This split back turtleneck has become one of my favorite tops this year. I can throw it on with a pair of leggings and converse or dress it up a little with jeans and boots as seen in this post, seriously it's so versatile! If you are on the hunt for some cute flowy pieces, I highly recommend checking out Free People's selection this year! 

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

Cyber Monday Sales

J. Crew // 40% off with code HOLIDAY

J. Crew Factory // 60% off everything and an additional 40% off sale with code HAPPYSALE

Madewell //25% off entire purchase with code CYBERMONDAY

ASOS // 30% off everything with code THANKFUL30

Old Navy // 50% off everything

Gap // 50% off everything with code CYBMON

Urban Outfitters // $50 off $150 or $15 off $75

Anthropologie // 20% off full priced items and extra 30% off sale with code STACKS

Mark and Graham // 25% off everything, free monogramming, free shipping with code FRIENDS

Tory Burch // 30% and free shipping on orders of 250+ with code THANKS 

xoxo,

Catherine 

Preppy by the Sea

Eighteen

Today I turn eighteen. It's weird to think that I am now considered an "adult" and can technically make my all of own decisions, yet I am still in high school living with my parents. There are a lot of new freedoms that come with turning 18 like being able to vote, or getting a credit card, however right now I am battling a never ending cold and having the ability to buy myself DayQuil seems to be a major plus to turning 18 #thelittlethings. Anyways, on a more serious note it's weird to look back on the past 18 years as my childhood and from here on out I guess is the beginning of adulthood, whatever that may be :) I have made my way through most of high school, got my drivers license, had my first job, and survived college applications. However, this year is going to be a pivotal one. I will graduate high school, move out of my childhood home, and go off to college where everything will be different. I have a feeling that eighteen is going to be an exciting year filled with lots of new adventures and opportunities. Here's to the year ahead! 

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday, it's so nice to have the long weekend still ahead to look forward to! I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving and is slowly recovering from a food coma. Today I am planning on having a relaxing day on the Cape and maybe browsing around town or bundling up and going on a beach walk with my family. Sunday is my I8th birthday, so tomorrow night a bunch of my friends and I are going out to dinner to celebrate! Do you have any fun plans for the rest of the weekend? Good luck to all you brave soles braving the crowds today at the mall! 

One: College Visit

Last Saturday Julianna, my friend Kate, and I all drove out to Holy Cross to visit our friend Lea for the night. We had so much fun getting to see her dorm, meet her friends, and seeing the beautiful campus. This was our first overnight visit which gave us such a better feel for what life is like on a college campus compared to a quick tour and info session. Needless to say I think we are all excited to see where we will end up going! Also, you can see that this top has clearly been a favorite :) 

Two: Smile Brilliant

We are so excited to announce that we are partnering up with Smile Brilliant. After we finish the teeth whitening process we will be sharing our results and lots of other exciting details. Today they are having 25% off with the code "WHITEFRIDAY2016" which is an amazing deal for the holidays. 

Three: Thanksgiving Festivities

Yesterday morning my dad and I woke up early and ran the turkey trot. I'm not going to lie, I wasn't psyched to get up and go out in the cold, however the views of the ocean made it all worth it, plus it makes all the pie guilt free, right? We went to my cousins house later in the afternoon and feasted and then somehow all ended up watching Step Brothers together afterwards. Needless to say there were a lot of laughs and a lot of good food! 

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

Thanksgiving Outfit

skirt | top | flats | bracelet

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope everyone is having a wonderful day with your family and friends, and of course indulging in lost of delicious food. I am so thankful for all of our readers, there is nothing better than hearing from you on the blog, Instagram, etc! I am on the Cape with my family for the weekend and am super excited to be back in my favorite place. My dad and I are running the turkey trot this morning (praying that its not absolutely freezing), and then the cooking will begin. What are your plans? 

I am so happy to be back blogging after a 9 day hiatus due to and extremely busy week/weekend spent going to the school musical, the soccer state championship game, visiting one my of my friends at college, and studying for endless pre-break tests. This weekend I am planning on doing lots of blogging and getting new content up for the month of december so hopefully this doesn't have to happen again in the near future because there is nothing I love more than writing new posts! 

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

What I'm Loving Right Now

I love watching monthly favorites videos on YouTube to discover new products, however I don't consider myself very good with the whole editing thing so I opted for a blog post version. I am kind of camera shy and haven't given much thought to making videos for the blog, but if you are interested in that let me know as I'm always up for trying new things to spice up my content. This post is not restricted to a specific month, these are just some things that I have used frequently. 

Spindrift // My family has the biggest seltzer addiction around. In fact, when my mom has stocked up on cans at the grocery store there have been multiple occasions when the lady at the checkout has asked if we were having a big party... Spindrift is a fun alternative to your typical flavored polar or la croix seltzer. There is real fruit juice in every can, but just 15 calories and 3 grams of sugar (in the grapefruit flavor) making it the perfect replacement for soda.

Peppermint Oreos // Trader Joe's peppermint oreos are hands down one of the best treats ever. They are only out around the holidays and are extremely addictive... you've been warned.

Gilmore Girls // I have been watching Gilmore Girls on and off for the past year or so and have gotten back into it recently. With the revival series coming out in just a week, its the perfect time to play catch up! 

Patagonia Puffy Vest // Our girls soccer team has been doing so well this year and is going to states on Saturday. My friends and I have been going to all of the playoff games which have required some serious bundling up. This vest is my go-to layering piece and is compact enough to fit under other jackets. 

Ugg Moccasins // Now that the weather has turned, these have replaced my sperrys. My feet are always freezing and I can count on these moccasins to keep them warm lounging around the house or when I am out and about. 

iPhone 7 JimmyCase // I got the iPhone 7 about a month ago and my case which was backordered finally arrived a few weeks ago! JimmyCase sent me a case earlier this year and I was so bummed when my new phone had different dimensions. I opted for the navy case this time around in hopes that it would get less dirty. It may not be the cutest case around but I seriously couldn't live without the card case on the back! 

Volcano Candle // I picked this candle up from Anthroplogie a few weeks ago and can't get enough. My room smells like the store when I'm doing homework 🙌

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

Dinner: Lemon Editon

Yesterday my family was gone for the day and wasn't coming back until dinner time. I had an urge to cook dinner and was in the mood for something light, but not salad. After starting my day off at spinning, I went to Trader Joe's in hopes that something would catch my eye. When I first walked in stalks of brussels sprouts were on display and I decided that they would be really yummy with a lemon twist. Then I stumbled upon lemon pepper and knew I could make something super flavorful. The chicken was absolutely amazing, I let it sit in the fridge for bout 4 hours before cooking it (hence the awful lighting in the picture of the final product.. thanks again daylight savings) which allowed to absorb more of the lemon juice and maximize the flavor. The whole things probably took me an hour to prepare just because of all the lemon zesting/squeezing, but it was totaly worn it! I added a little bit of rice for a carb which was delicious with the juice from the chicken! 

Chicken 

chicken (2.1 lbs serves 4-5 people) 

1/4 c olive oil

1/3 c white cooking wine

2 tablespoons minced garlic 

1 teaspoon thyme

lemon pepper (use as much/little as you like) available at Trader Joe's

A shake or two of salt 

2 tablespoons lemon juice

lemon zest from 2 lemons 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees 

Heat olive oil + minced garlic on medium/low heat for one min

Add in lemon juice, lemon zest, thyme, salt 

por mixture over chicken

add lemon pepper on top

cook for 43-45 min depending on thickness of chicken 

(loosely based on this recipe)

Brussel Sprouts 

1 stalk of Brussels sprouts

Olive oil

2-3 Lemons for juice 

Lemon pepper 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

cut brussels sprouts in half and toss with lemon juice + lemon pepper in a large bowl

place on baking sheet

drizzle on olive oil and additional lemon pepper 

Cook for 40 min (move around every 15 min so they cook evenly) 

Add additional lemon juice half way though cook time

Let me know if you give this dinner a try!

xoxo,

Catherine 

Preppy by the Sea

Friday Favorites

We made it though another week! I have been able to get a lot of things checked off of my to do list thanks to the short week, and I am looking forward to a relaxing long weekend. After staying up late to see the results of the election on tuesday, I have needed to catch up on my sleep.  Today I am heading into Boston to meet up with one of my friends that does not live in my town. We are planning on doing some shopping on Newbury street and catching up as we haven't seen each other since the end of last winter! 

One: Sweetgreen

My friends and I all love sweetgreen and when ever we go into the city it is a must have. For those of you who have never heard of it, sweetgreen is basically like the salad version of chipotle. There are every kind of greens imaginable, rice, quinoa, vegetables, etc. that you use to create your own salads. On tuesday I tried a warm bowl for the first time which had kale, rice, chicken, apples, butternut squash, and goat cheese. I was a bit apprehensive to try it, but it was amazing! If you have a sweetgreen in your city I highly recommend stopping by. 

Two: End of Cross Country

Last night was our cross country banquet which officially marked the end of the season. It's weird to think that I will never run in an xc meet again, however I know that I will continue to enjoy the sport for year to come... bucket list items include run my first half marathon and run the Boston marathon at some point! 

Three: Happy Birthday Julianna! 

Today is Julianna's 18th birthday! She is currently away in the Caribbean (#jealous) but I can't wait to celebrate with her when she gets home! 

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea 

Make the Most of Your Day Off

Do you ever just have a rough couple of weeks and then finally everything changes for the better? As I said in my first term recap, this fall has been extremely hectic, however this week has been a breeze and it has been so rewarding. We had tuesday off for the election since my school is a voting precinct, and tomorrow we have off for Veterans day, making this a lovely three day week. Although it is nice to sleep in and just lounge around the house all day, I have been trying to make the most of my days off. Having a productive morning truly refreshes you, and then allows for more enjoyable afternoons and evenings. Over the past few days, I have found a few things that are great to get done on a day off or on a weekend to feel better about your day. 

Clean Closet // With my birthday and Christmas just around the corner, I have been cleaning out my closet to make room for some new winter items. I absolutely hate having a super small closet, however I guess it is kind of a blessing in disguise as it controls my shopping habits. Earlier this week I brought a few trash bags up to my room and made piles of everything I want to donate, and then a separate pile for things to list on postmark or eBay. Having a closet full of clothes you will actually wear streamlines the process of getting dressed in the morning or getting ready for an event, and who doesn't love to have a little extra time to sleep?

Organize Desk // I have a difficult time focusing and being productive when my desk is covered in clutter and unorganized. By the end of a week, papers start to pile up and miscellaneous items get shoved into cabinets which is never good. If you just take 15-20 minutes of your day off to clean off your desk and reorganize the drawers, going back to school or work will seem so much nicer the next day. 

Make Plans With Friends // On tuesday afternoon, my friends and I took the boat into Boston and grabbed dinner together. Although it did not take up the entire day, the change of scenery and getting into the city made the day off feel a little bit more exciting! 

Morning Workout // There is really no better feeling than starting your morning out with a good workout. If you know you have the day off, try and go to a morning class to jumpstart your day. Treat yourself to some extra sleep and sign up for something a little later than your weekday 5 am class. 

Go to a Coffee Shop // Even though you have the day off, you can still use the time to get ahead on assignments. Go to a local coffee shop with a friend and chat for a little bit, but then both agree to motivate each other to work. Placing yourself in a different environment will make the task seem more manageable, plus a little caffeine never hurts, right? If you can crank out some work in a few hours you will thank yourself later when you can relax after a long day.

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

Cold Weather Skin Products

Tis the season of cold weather and dry skin. Every year around this time my lips start to get super chapped and my skin goes into a never ending cycle of dryness. Because this tends to happen every year, I have found a few products that seem to work well for me. Just a little background, I have very sensitive skin and tend to breakout easily. So, if you are in a similar boat these products will likely work will for you! 

Lips// Every night I use vaseline lip therapy before I go to bed and find that it is much more hydrating than any chapstick. It works like magic overnight on super dry/cracked lips in the winter. Last winter I purchased a sugar chapstick for the first time after hearing a friend rave about it and will never go back. The $24 price tag is kind of ridiculous, however it lasts for a while and is great to have on the go. 

Face// I am extremely apprehensive to try new face products for fear that they will make me breakout horribly, so I just stick to what I know. I have been using cetaphil moisturizing cream for at least the past four years and have no reason to make a change. This was recommended to me by my dermatologist and keeps my skin moisturized without making it super oily. I apply the cream in the morning at at night after washing my face and it keeps my skin from getting dry in the cold. 

Legs// I always use the eos shaving cream because it moisturizes your legs while shaving and then I apply the St. Ives oatmeal and shea butter lotion after I get out of the shower. This combination will keep your legs smooth all throughout the winter- plus the lotion isn't greasy and dries fast! 

What are your go to products?

xoxo,

Catherine

Preppy by the Sea

First Term Recap

Last Friday marked the end of the first term of my senior year. We had a ton of long term assignments due last week, hence why I was a bit MIA on the blog. It's hard to believe that I am 1/4 done with my last year of high school. Because I am the oldest in my family, I did not really have any idea as to what "senior fall" would be like. So, today I am going to share my experience over the past three months of school.

All of high school I have heard people go on and on about how miserable junior year is, but none really talks about the challenges that arise during senior year. When I arrived at school in September, everyone was so excited to be seniors and about the year ahead. However, by week two I was in for a major reality shock. As a senior you not only have to balance rigorous courses, sports, clubs, and a social life, but you are in the midst of one of the most stressful processes, applying to college.

I started my college applications over the summer (highly recommend) which was incredibly helpful in reducing my stress level this term. However, even if majority of your applications are completed, there are still a ton of things that need to be sorted out at school. I honestly was in my counselors office everyday for the first few weeks of school making sure all of my recommendations were set, signing record release forms, and sending test scores. Now that first term is over and almost all of my applications have been submitted, I feel such a sense of relief. Although it will be stressful waiting to hear back from schools, I can't explain how much weight is lifted off of my shoulders now that everything is out of my hands... I know it sounds crazy!

Though most of this past term was consumed by all things college, my friends and I have been going to so many events at my school which has made this year the best year (so far)! We spent the entire day at school for homecoming watching the games and working various tables for clubs and sports, followed by our last homecoming dance. Additionally, our soccer teams have been doing super well again this year, so we have gone to a ton of their games! My cross country season ended this Saturday, but the season as a whole went very well and I was so happy to set my 5K PR in my last season!

Senior year has also pushed me to try new things and get out of my comfort zone. Last week, my friends and I spontaneously signed up for the lip sync. If you told me I would do that last year I would have told you that you were insane, but it ended up being so much fun. We did it to All I Want for Christmas is You and dressed up in all things Christmassy. We tied for third place so I would consider it a success seeing as we started practicing the day before :)

As a whole the first quarter of senior year was hectic, but I wouldn't change it. I'm only a fourth of the way into the year, so I can't offer a ton of insightful information about senior year but I hope this helped to set some expectations for those who have yet to go through it. This next quarter is going to be a big one, I turn 18 and might know where I am going to college... fingers crossed everything works out!

xoxo,

Catherine 

Preppy by the Sea