A Bit About Me

It's really easy to forget that my posts are no longer read by just my mom and grandmother. I am always so stunned to see how many people have viewed my blog and I am always amazed by the blogging world. Because I forget I have non-family member readers as well, I also forget that readers only know what I share.

 

So today, I'm doing a bit of a different post and sharing ten facts about myself that I haven't shared online. I was nominated by Stay Southern Stay Preppy, and I think it's a great way to make the blogging experience a bit more personal.

 

 

 

1.) I can count on my hand the number of people from school I have told that I have a blog. I love having my own little world through blogging! 

2.) I have lived in the Chicagoland area my entire life.

3.) I have been to Walt Disney World sixteen times. May or may not be a slight creature of habit...

4.) I have been dancing since I was three years old and still love it to this day. Ballet is definitely my favorite, but I love lyrical, too!

5.) I am close with my cousin Katie. Unfortunately she lives in Minnesota and I don't see her often, but distance makes the heart grow fonder, right?!

 

 

6.) I've worn glasses since I was in second grade, but I wear contacts now. 

7.) Even though winter lasts a solid six months around here, it still has a place in my heart as I love all the holidays, snow, and clothing that comes with it! 

8.) If you couldn't already tell, I have an extreme obsession with vests. It's arguably getting out of hand, but that's okay. 

9.) I have watched the full series of Gossip Girl three times through. (Oops...)

10.) From the time I began wanting to start a blog to the date of my first post was a little over six months. I've never looked back.  I am so glad I started blogging!

 

Again, thank you to friend at Stay Southern Stay Preppy! I nominate Cathleen from Classy Cathleen and Mikayla from A Seersucker State of Mind to post ten facts about themselves as well.

 

xoxo,

Kathleen

Shep Shirt Stylin'

Today I am doing a collaboration post with The High School Prepster! We both have incredibly similar styles, so it's no surprise that we easily agreed on styling one of our favorite Vineyard Vines pieces. Be sure to head over to her blog to see how she styled her oh-so-cute Shep shirt as well!

As I said earlier, Shep shirts are by far one of my favorite items sold by Vineyard Vines. They can so easily be dressed up or down and are a great weight for every season. They come in a variety of colors and shoulder designs, making them a very versatile closet staple. This gray one with navy shoulders is the perfect piece to throw on when I need an extra layer. I like to do a bit of pattern play and pair my gingham oxford underneath. My Lilly Pulitzer navy vest is perfect for an additional layer as it continues to be bitterly chilly here.

How do you like to style your Vineyard Vines Shep shirts during the winter?  I whaley can't wait for the next catalog to see the great new spring colors and designs.

Don't forget to head over to The High School Prepster to see how Macey styled her Shep shirt! Here's a sneak peek...

xoxo,
Kathleen

Tidy Tote

Hectic and chaotic are two words that could best describe the past few weeks. After misplacing a somewhat important school assignment this weekend (completely out of the norm for me), I realized my school bag was definitely not up to par. Random tissues, cough drop wrappers, and post-it's were scattered on the bottom and I couldn't help but cringe at my disorganization. 

This week, I'm really trying to do a better job of keeping things where they belong in my bag. Anyone else experiencing a messy school/work bag dilemma too?   Here are my current goals for maintaining organization.

1.) Put Things Where They Belong I will definitely be working on making a more conscious effort to not just throw things in my bag, but put them away where they belong. If it's a cough drop wrapper, throw it away after class. Sticky note I need to see later? Stick it inside my planner. Everything has a spot in my bag, and even if it takes an extra few seconds putting things where they belong will help my bag stay that much more tidy.

2.) Take a Minute to Clean it Out It's so easy to make the excuse "I don't have time for that!" when it comes to simple tasks. Whether it's right before I start my homework or taking a study break, taking a minute or two to clean out any trash allows me start fresh the next day and also eliminates excess weight that doesn't need to be carried along with my heavy textbooks.

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3.) Have a Spot for Everything Knowing where items belong in my bag definitely makes putting things back easier. By already knowing where things belong, it makes it simpler to put everything back. It also ensures I think about whether items I keep in bag are necessary! I only need so many colorful highlighters.

What are your tips for keeping a clean school bag?

xoxo,

Kathleen

Peek at the Week

This week was a bit odd. I only had one day of full class periods due to the holiday, an assembly, and a cold (snow) day. I love weeks that aren't five full days of school, but it also means a heavier homework load. My week was full of schoolwork and it looks like next week will be similar (sigh...).

My grandparents came to visit this past weekend and brought their adorable dog. Isn't she just the cutest?!

 

On my breaks from schoolwork, I've really been turning to the blogging world. Whether it's writing, going through my Instagram feed, or spending a bit too much time on Pinterest, the blogging world has really been something I've found to be a perfect break. Here are some of my favorites from the week!

 

1.) Pinterest I have switched my formerly personal account into my blogging account. You can still find me by searching letsgetpreppy! I love Pinterest and all the colorful spring pictures I've seen recently.  They’ve been a great change from this gray winter. 

 

2.) The List Meg from A Sunny State of Mind posted last week on her blog the best and cutest to-do lists. I've been using these forms like crazy. They are so great to break apart big tasks into smaller ones making the big projects less overwhelming. 

 

 

3.) Only Audrey Hepburn The other day I discovered the Instagram account @onlyaudreyhepburnpics. I immediately fell in love with the account. The Audrey picture or two that shows up on my feed everyday from their account is such a change from the norm, and I completely love it!

4.) Bean Boots  Ok, I grant you this is not actually a study break favorite.  But, it has been a much favored necessity.  My Bean Boots have really come in handy the past few weeks. The snow and cold are rough on a pair shoes, but these boots have kept my feet nice and toasty this winter. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday and great weekend! Did anyone else have a schoolwork-filled week? Fingers crossed the loads lessen up!

What's been on your radar this week?

 

xoxo,

Kathleen

Winter Blues

With frigid temperatures and gray winter days, I have been opting for more casual looks lately. Personally, I prefer to dress up than to dress down, which is why when I opened this J. Crew sweatshirt on Christmas morning I was as happy as a clam. While it is so warm and truly is a sweatshirt, the simple frilly fabric at the bottom takes a sweatshirt to a more dressy level. Plus, I love how easy it is to add simple pieces to dress it up a bit more. I paired it with my J. Crew gingham vest, jeans, and Bean boots, and kept my jewelry to a minimum. 

What is your go-to casual look?

xoxo,

Kathleen

Managing School & Extra Curriculars

January was packed. Finals, busy weekends, a new semester, and other obligations made January feel like the longest month. Schoolwork is very heavy this time of year due to the midterm and various long weekends here and there, and sports/clubs can make it very challenging to accomplish everything on my to-do list. Over the past few months I have developed some techniques that have helped me gain better footing when it comes to school and sports, leaving a bit more time for blogging and other activities I enjoy. 

 

1. Get a planner and use it. My Lilly agenda is packed with practices, test dates, due dates, and any other possible event I need to attend or complete. Every time I need to add something, I immediately write it down. It is incredibly helpful to see not only what I need to accomplish on a day to day basis but also long term. By writing everything down, I am able to make sure I do not forget anything in my hectic schedule and can view other projects that can be worked on ahead of time. 

2. Start homework right after school. Easier said than done. This was incredibly hard for me to start incorporating into my daily routine. After hours of sitting in a classroom, I needed a break. However, once I started working on homework right after school I was able to get to bed sooner and be more efficient than I would after a break or a sports practice. Do I finish everything before practice? Most days the answer is no, but it does allow me to get to bed at a decent hour and get much more sleep!

3. Turn off electronics while working on schoolwork. While I am a bit of a hypocrite when giving this piece of advice, I have been able to start doing this much more often. Not only does it eliminate a plethora of distractions, I am able to get a significant amount of work completed in less time. By completing homework faster, it allows more time for sleep which is beneficial for school, sports, and overall health. 

4. Master getting ready quickly. Forming a routine before and after practice that is quick and easy helps me gain more time for working. Plus if I fall into a routine that I like, it often eliminates some extra stress before practice and allows me to continue working on schoolwork, which will lead to a better practice or more productivity. 

How do you manage school and extra curricular activities? I would love to hear!

xoxo,

Kathleen

XOXO, Kathleen: A Sweet Way to Celebrate

Happy Valentine's Day! Today's post is part of Mikayla from A Seersucker State of Mind's link up. Be sure to refer back to her post to see so many fun Valentine's Day inspired posts from amazing bloggers! Thank you, Mikayla, for including me in this link up! 

While I will be treating today more like Galentine's Day, I can't help but love seeing so much red and pink and eating delicious treats. One of my favorite snacks to make are Rolo pretzel bites. They are super easy to make and the sweet/salty taste always hits the spot. I totally love finding new recipes for tasty treats, so I thought I would share this easy and fun recipe. Plus, it is incredibly festive. I love how it can be modified for any holiday, too! If you decide to make these delectable desserts be sure to tag me in a photo on Instagram (@letsgetpreppy_) or email me a picture (letsgetpreppy@gmail.com). I would love to hear what you think!

 

 

What you'll need:

Bag of mini pretzels (shape is up to you!)

Bag of Rolos (be sure to unwrap them after you purchase)

Bag of White Chocolate Mini Chocolate Chips 

Sprinkles (to fit the Valentine's theme, pink and red are always a great pair)

Cookie Sheet

Parchment paper (to fit your cookie sheet)

How to:

1.) Preheat your oven to 200°. 

2.) First, place the parchment paper over the cookie sheet. 

3.) Put the pretzels onto the parchment paper. The pretzels can be close together, but not touching. Normally, I am able to fit a good amount on the sheet. 

 

4.) Once the pretzels are in place, set an unwrapped Rolo on top of each pretzel near the center. 

 

5.) Set the completed cookie sheet into the heated oven for around three minutes. I tend to check them around 2.5 minutes to see how melted they are, but by three minutes they're normally good to go. The Rolo shouldn't be too melted otherwise you'll just get a gooey chocolate mess. 

6.) While the pretzels are in the oven, pour the bag of mini white chocolate chips into a bowl. Put the bowl into the microwave for about two minutes. Take the bowl out and stir. If it's a little lumpy, stick the bowl back in the microwave for 30 seconds and stir afterwards.

 

7.) When the pretzels are ready to be taken out, put another pretzel onto the Rolo. It will probably look like a messy Rolo-pretzel sandwich. 

 

8.) Once the Rolo is cool, dip the pretzel halfway into the melted white chocolate. 

9.) After it is covered halfway, sprinkle the white chocolate covered side of the pretzel with festive sprinkles. 

10.) Let them cool for a few minutes, and then enjoy!

The recipe is relatively easy and quick, and the end product is so tasty. Again, be sure to tag/send me any pictures! I hope everyone has a fantastic Valentine's Day! What will you be up to?

Don't forget to check out Mikayla's post as well as the other bloggers included in the link-up. Thanks again, Mikayla!

xoxo,

Kathleen

Festive & Fun

It is no secret that I absolutely adore the color pink, and given this fact it can be concluded Valentine's Day is definitely one of my favorites. There are enough sweets and pink to go around for the whole month. But when C. Wonder closed a few weeks ago (*tears*...), I snagged this top on their final sale. While there is no pink in this festive frock, it is still rather appropriate for Valentine's Day with the fun print. Despite the fact it is covered in hearts, the navy and yellow are great colors for spring and I plan on wearing it well into spring and summertime. 

What will you be wearing for Valentine's Day?

xoxo,

Kathleen

Galentine's Movie Line Up (& My Favorite Tasty Treats!)

While Valentine's Day can totally be about celebrating with that "special someone," it can also be such a fun time to spend with friends. There are so many fun activities to do with friends on Valentine's Day like getting dressed up and going out for dinner or decorating heart cookies. My personal favorite is watching movies and eating tasty treats. Valentine's Day treats definitely rival Christmas cookies in my book, and watching some of my favorite movies with great friends is too much fun. Here are some of my favorites! From a couple classics to just flat out funny, there is quite a variety on this list so hopefully there is something for everyone's taste. 

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Roman Holiday 

The Last Song

Freaky Friday

The Proposal

Life As We Know It

As for my favorite treats for movie marathons, you'll probably find me savoring something on the following list!

Chocolate covered popcorn

Twizzlers

Hot chocolate (whipped cream, of course and maybe some pink and red sprinkles)

Gharadelli dark chocolate squares

Pretzel Crisps with Jiff peanut butter and chocolate whipped dip

And for a special Valentine's treat, heart cookies with pink frosting

How will you be celebrating Valentine's Day?

 

xoxo,

Kathleen 

Wanderlust

There are so many beautiful places on this Earth and this long, gray winter has me feeling wanderlust all the time. Whether it be in the United States or halfway across the world, I am always discovering new places I would love to visit someday. The language, food, architecture, people, and beauty make so many locations appealing to me. I am fascinated by the diversity in the world and hope to someday be able to visit these places.

 

 1. London I love just about anything British. The historic buildings, the royals (especially the ever so fashionable Kate), the accents. It would be amazing to be surrounded by all things British for a few days and visiting places like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.  Maybe I’ll even get to see my favorite little royal (Prince George, of course) too.

 

2. Paris Between taking French for almost four years, a love for Audrey movies set in Paris, and a love for macaroons, France has definitely made it high on my destination wish list. There is so much I would love to see and do while there including visiting all the tourist locations, tasting authentic French cuisine, and simply walking around the city.

 

3. New York City While I have been to New York state multiple times, I have yet to go the Big Apple. Between Gossip Girl, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and some of my other favorite films, my love for New York City has grown incredibly through the past few years. I would love to stroll through Central Park, visit the Lilly Pulitzer store on Madison, and have a delicious sundae at Serendipity.

 

3. Bora Bora One word: gorgeous. Such a dream of mine to stay in an overwater bungalow and  be that on top of the ocean (literally)! Looking out my window and the snow covered ground makes this tropical location seems like absolute paradise. Can you be any closer to the ocean? I really don’t chance!think so! Days on end surrounded by the beach and nothing else to do seems like pure bliss.

 

4. Amsterdam What a stunning city. Pictures of Amsterdam seem to be very common on my Pinterest board and each one is just gorgeous. I would love to take a stroll along the canals. I especially think it would be stunning in the fall but I would love to go any time of year if given the chance!

(all images via Pinterest)

I am sure my list will continue to grow, but I think any of these destinations would be a good place to start. Where do you want to visit?

xoxo,

Kathleen

Quotes to Keep Me Going

It has been a rather hectic few weeks for me. Between finals, competitions for my dance team at school, being sick, and trying to start the new semester on the right foot, January was a very overwhelming month. Now that February has fully commenced (yay for sweet treats and pink!) and the weather has yet to take a turn for the better, I need a little bit of inspiration to get me through my day. Whether it's a post-it note in my agenda or a scroll through Pinterest, a few words can be the pick-me-up that gets me through the day. Here are a few of my favorites recently!

 

 

 

 

(all images via Pinterest)

What are some of your favorite quotes or sayings to cheer you up?

xoxo,
Kathleen