Kate Wins

school tips

My Back to School Finishing Touches

August 25, 2016

hey all!
so, since i officially go back to school in 4 days, i wanted to share with y’all my finishing touches for before school
my back to school finishing touches:
so its very important to plan some easy ways to make / buy some easy lunch foods to eat, so i picked out snacks and lunches! see the ones that i like.
planning snacks to DIY or buy:

peanut butter oat squares / oatmeal granola bars / chewy peanut butter granola bars / homemade fruit leathers

planning lunches to DIY:

microwave mac and cheese / freezer bean burritos / homemade spaghetti-ohs /

homemade hot pockets / sesame noodles

so some of my other last finishing touches include cleaning my adidas, in the article below it explains in steps how to clean your old shoes

how to clean adidas leather shoes

my next step would be loading all of my pens into my pencil case for school, at this point i also color coded my pens. i put labels on each of my pens that i need for taking certain notes.

my other finishing touches include packing my backpack and labeling all of my supplies. i bought monogram stickers from DavisVinylCreations on etsy. i absolutely love their product and would recommend these stickers to anyone!
hope you enjoy!
let me know about all your finishing touches for school!
xoxo

(aka kate wins!)

school tips

MY SISTER'S DORM ROOM

August 23, 2016

hey all!
so about six days ago, my sister moved into her dorm at usc, so today I am gonna share with you all what her dorm looks like, and whats in her dorm!
lets get started!

okay, so i thought that you could do alot with dorm rooms. turns out that even how hard you try it still looks like a dorm room! you can’t get away with it looking small
what is on the bed:
grid duvet cover / everyday is an adventure pillow / black and white pattern pillow (similar) / pillow backrest / blanket
whats on the walls:
hamilton poster (printed at kinkos) / command hanging strips / pictures
whats on the desk:
storage boxes / storage boxes patterned / printer / sorting rack / pen box

and here she is!
happy college student! she started classes yesterday, and shes enjoying her dorm room!
xoxo
(aka kate wins!)

My Back to School To Do List

August 21, 2016

hey all!
today is august the 21st and i officially go back to school in 8 days.
oh my god, EIGHT DAYS!!!

i am kinda excited but very scared because i still have alot of stuff to do before school starts
so naturally i still have stuff to-do, of course
so today i wanted to share what my to-do list still consists of at the moment:

label all of my school supplies
make my binder covers
- you can download ones that i made here blue / pink / purple
- follow the link onto the website : canva where you can edit and change to which class or block you want for your own binders!
put together your uniform / outfits for school days
put together my backpack
- organize my essentials kit (advil, eye drops, mints/gum, hair ties/hair pins and lotion, etc.)
put together my locker
- grab my carpet, locker shelf and mini white board
take a trip to costco
- buy easy snack options and last minute paper needs
make copies of my schedule for around the house and different school supplies
- i like to print out my schedule and hang it in different locations around my house to help to memorize my schedule
organize my desk area
organize my white / cork boards
- throw away unnecessary papers, etc

i have to admit, this is kinda all i have to do except for homework!
so tell me what you still are having to do before school!
xoxo
(aka kate wins!)

school tips

My Back to School Wishlist

August 18, 2016

hey all!
welcome back to my back to school series!
today i have for you a post about my wishlist for the stuff that i still want before school.
i have a few different categories so i am gonna share with you all of the things that i want!
so here we go:

pencil cases :

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pens & accessories :

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notebooks and agendas :

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well i hope that you have enjoyed my wishlist post of the school supplies that i like!
let me know if you have any school supplies you think that i might like!
xoxo
(aka kate wins!)

an update on kate

An Update with Kate : Teach Me How to Say Goodbye

August 16, 2016

hey all!
so as of tomorrow, August 17th my only sister will be moving into her college dorm.
basically i have two feelings about this…

and

so basically i am really not sure what to feel.
this is gonna be the first time i have been without her for more than two weeks, so basically its gonna be a HUGE difference for me.

so why am i happy?

because she’s going to a GREAT school (she’s going to USC film school!!). she’s living her dream by going to the best film school in the country that is so high tech and ahead of basically everything.
i am also happy because she won’t be too far, i mean she could have ended up in new york, but instead she will be attending the closest school that she applied to, (which by the way is only like 18 miles to drive to!)
i am also so happy to see her happy and with her people. i am also WAYYY happy because i got to help her put together stuff for her dorm, which is one of my favorite things (i will totally admit this!!)

so why am i sad?

well, like i said before, i have never been away from her for more than two weeks. so this is gonna be such a shock for my life.
when i was a little kid home alone i used to watch the tv, to keep myself busy. and whenever i would watch tv anyway i would always talk to my sister, whatever i saw that i felt like talking about in that moment. so when she was gone i used to talk to her like she was still there, even though she wasn’t just because i didn’t want to feel lonely.
i just feel sad, and lonely, i know i will feel lonely i mean we spent alot of time together. she drove me around and to school everyday and she was someone that i could always talk to and get a completely honest answer. like we would shop together and she would tell me all of her feelings, even though they might make me upset.
she is never afraid to show her feelings and i will really miss her and miss being with her.
so sadly the sad outweighs the happy, and of course i will miss her alot.
so to summarize my feelings i am sharing the song “one last time” from hamilton.
basically in the song, george washington is telling alexander hamilton that he is stepping down and not running for president for the third term. by doing this, he sets a precedent for two term presidents (and thats it!) so in the song, it uses the real lines of george washington’s farewell address and singing behind it. if you haven’t heard the song you really should give it a listen (and you can google it and find a live version too!) i think that listening to the song would give a great way to relate to how i feel right now. but also, the song is very poetic and really speaks to me in the moment.
i love the line from the song “teach me how to say goodbye”, and thats the line that i identify with at the moment. i want to say goodbye, but its going to be very hard for me, so i need my sister to teach me how to say goodbye, and learn that some goodbyes (even if only for alittle while) are necessary even if you don’t particularly want them to happen.
i know at the moment it hasn’t happened yet, but of course i had to put a hamilton reference in of course!!!!

well i hope that y’all enjoyed my post! comment if any of you all have dealt with any of this that you would be willing to share!
xoxo

(aka kate wins!)

school tips

My Back to School Necessities

August 14, 2016

hey all!
how has your week been? of course, i have been getting ready for back to school!
so today, in my new back to school series i am sharing with y’all my back to school necessities. the stuff i have to have with me at school, my necessary items!
lets go!!

here are my essentials, ill go one by one

so first, here is my backpack:
L.L.Bean Deluxe Book Pack -$29 (on sale right now!) : I have had this backpack for many years now, I usually switch up my colors so this year i picked the color dahlia purple this year. I also had it monogrammed in the style “initial flared” a new style for me this year, but i absolutely love it!

here is my water bottle:
32 oz Wide Mouth Hydroflask -$39.95 : okay, so this water bottle is a little expensive, but it’s a REALLY GREAT WATER BOTTLE. it keeps cold up to 24 hours, and I’ve tested this, i brought it to all day girl scout camp and on an overnight and i didn’t open the bottle till the next morning and there were still large pieces of ice! so basically i just LOVE cold water!

and i have my iphone case and my pencil case!
i have a
iPhone 5 Battery Case , Maxboost Atomic S iPhone Charger For Apple iPhone 5s -$29 : this is a super iPhone charger case! on top of being super cute, it is super functional because it charges so well. so when you forget to charge your phone the night before school you still have access to your phone because of this case!
0.55 liter Really Useful Box – $2.99: this is just supposed to be a storage box, but it works terrifically as a storage box. it holds all of the pens that i need as well as some washi tape and some post-it note flags!
so all, that is pretty much it for my essentials!
i hope that you enjoy, if you have any school essentials please share it with me!
xoxo

(aka kate wins!)

preppy | school tips

My Back to School Series

August 11, 2016

hey all!
so basically i love “back to school” im not so sure that i actually love going back to school, but i love fall, the back to school look and i am VERY excited to be back in my plaid everyday!
so i decided, since I LOVE back to school that I am going to do a series of back to school basically of my process, wishlist, todo list and many others!
I will be posting this speical series every sunday and thursday so basically just be watching out for special posts on this back to school theme!
so get ready for some great posts!
xoxo
(aka kate wins!)

Uncategorized

August 2016 : Fab Five

August 9, 2016

hey all!
how has your tuesday been so far? mine has been good, i am actaully working on my word of the month, organizing my room and my stuff for school.
so today i wanted to share with y’all a fab five!
lets go!!

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Street Level Reversible Faux Leather Tote & Wristlet – $48
BP. Colorblock Foldover Clutch – $25
Gorjana ‘Power Stone’ Semiprecious Stone Bracelet – $38
Steve Madden ‘Estoria’ Ankle Strap Sandal – $79.90
Madewell Chunky Hoop Earrings – $18

well i hope you enjoy my wishlist * of the current moment * and if you also like any of these things please comment!
xoxo
kwe monogram (aka kate wins!)

interview

Khat with Kate: The Blonde Prep

August 7, 2016

hey all!
today, i am back with my next installment of khat with kate where i interview some of my favorite bloggers from the blogs that i like to read.
so today i wanted to share my interview with:

Frannie from The Blonde Prep

When did you start blogging?

– I began blogging in eighth grade!
2. How did you get into blogging?
– I started blogging after one of my friends introduced me to a few “preppy
blogs” back in 2012, and I immediately thought the concept was just the
coolest thing. We both started our own blogs a few days later, and although we
really had no idea what we were doing, I loved it from the start! She doesn’t
blog anymore, but I have kept mine going for over four years and it really has
been incredible to see how much a little website I made with a friend has
created so many opportunities for myself.

3. Why do you enjoy blogging?
– I love blogging for so many reasons. I have made friendships and met some of
my favorite girls through blogging and networking on the internet. I’ve also
learned a crazy amount about networking in general, designing both websites
and graphics, creating a personal brand as well as an online business, and a
million other things too.
4. What do you like to do for fun?
– To be honest, I spend a lot of my free time doing something for my blog. It
might be writing an actual post, or it could be anything from responding to
emails, shooting outfits, analyzing my analytics, and maybe even shooting an
Instagram photo. However, I do also have a life outside of blogging (surprise,
surprise!) and I love hiking, running, cooking and baking, reading, and just
being with my friends. I’m also an avid traveler and I love to explore new
places.

5. What is your favorite social media platform for showing your blog off?
– I wouldn’t say I really aim to “show off” my blog, but I definitely think
Instagram (follow me @theblondeprep!) has been a main source of growth for
TBP. Lately Snapchat has been growing as well, and I think that is an
incredibly fun platform because I love keeping up with other bloggers’ daily
lives minute by minute, so I like the opportunity to post as much as I want on
my Snap (which is @franacciardo).

well i hope you enjoyed this interview with frannie!
you can check out her blog the blonde prep right here!
you can also see some of my other interviews with bloggers: preptista / navy striped peonies / citrus and style / classy girl with curls
xoxo

(aka kate wins!)

preppy

101 in 1001 – My Halfway Review

August 4, 2016

hey y’all!
do you remember when i started my 101 in 1001 days, well today (actually yesterday wednesday august 3rd) was/is my halfway point!
I HAVE ALREADY GONE 500 DAYS, HOW SCARY IS THAT! its totally insane and scary, it makes me feel old, and makes my blog feel old, so i decided that when i reached my halfway point i decided that i would do a update, i have been updating it all along the way, but today i wanted to do a special update that would show up as a new post! so here we go:
keep in mind, i have updated as recently as august

~~Finish this list~~ (March 23, 2015)
~~Get 450 subscribers to my blog~~ (okay, I don’t know the exact date, but I noticed on May 22, 2015 that I had 454!)
Get 100 followers on my Instagram and ~~Twitter~~
~~Make 5 Blogger Friends~~ (Paulina, Kate, Ashley, Sammy, Olivia)
~~Save my money, until I get to $1000~~ (May 2, 2015)
~~Write a collaboration with an other blogger~~ (With Paulina look here)
~~Get a Job~~ (working at my school teacher’s assistant)
~~Get real fans~~ (gradually happening!)
~~Buy a Website Domain~~ (Christmas 2015)
~~Have someone design my Blog~~ (me I love my redesign ! October 10th 2015)
~~Write in a journal for two months~~ (BULLET JOURNALING May-July)
Inspire someone to start a blog
~~Grow my hair out, past my shoulders~~ (a little bit–then I cut it! May 2015)
~~Learn how to use Photoshop, and buy Photoshop~~ (June 2015!)
~~Read 1 Book a Month for 6 Months~~ (April –Crazy Rich Asians, May-The Royal We, June-Skin and Bones, July-#GirlBoss, August-Joy Luck Club,September-Perks of Being a Wallflower!)
Get ads *good* on my blog
Do a giveaway on my blog (may 2016)
Do a thirty day photo challenge
Do 8 pinterest crafts
~~Build a terrarium~~ (June 4th 2015)
Visit the East Coast (again)
Ride a segway or a vespa
~~Make exercise goals and actually do them~~ (May 2015)
~~Buy/Get a nice camera~~ (May 9th, 2015, The Nikon 1 J5)
Save my money to buy my own *personalized* Palm Beach Sandals
Spend a day on Catalina Island
~~Go thrift-shopping~~ (for Costumes, June 2016)
Go to Vidcon two years in a row ( 2014, 2015)
Host a fancy party (my sweet 16 see it here )
~~Make a whole day of food from Pinterest~~ (May 2015)
Jump in a pool fully clothed
Go one month with out shopping
~~Start collecting coffee table books~~ (I started with the Kate Spade book!- April 19th 2015)
~~Get my license~~ (May 2016)
Do a fancy professional photo shoot
Run a 5k with my sister
Travel to a new state (Nevada July 23-25, 2015)
Travel to a new continent
~~Take a Trip with my Sister~~ (Newport Road Trip July 2016)
Re-do My Room
See an NBA Game
Create the perfect home-office space
Pull off an epic surprise
~~See snow~~ (December 28, 2015)
~~Invest in some Hunter Boots~~ (nordstrom anniversary sale! 2016)
~~Establish my style~~ (that would be preppy! SUMMER 2015!)
~~Buy 5 monogramed things~~ (1. My Backpack 2. My Water Bottle 3. iPhone Case 4. My Necklace 5.A duffel bag)
~~Design and order business cards~~ (October 2015)
Meet 3 blogging friends – in person
Attend a midnight premiere of a movie
~~Go through my closet, and actually weed out things that I don’t like~~ (June 2015)
Make my own bracelets
~~Take a photography course~~ (at School 2016)
Buy a new phone
Send care packages to friends
Try a Juice Cleanse
Get a 45 or below on a 9 hole course
Paint on a canvas (July 2015)
~~Buy a Lilly Dress~~ (April 2015!)
~~Find my perfect makeup routine~~ (April 3rd, 2015)
Visit Disneyland *again* (April 18th, 2015) (May 16th, 2015)
Make my own stationary ( for snail mail sisters! Summer 2015)
~~Learn how to *really* use chopsticks~~ (June 6th, 2015, my Dad’s friend Kirk taught me!)
Host a DIY/Pinterest Party
~~Take more pictures~~ (since I bought my camera! SUMMER 2015)
Attend a blog conference
Give a piece of furniture a redo
~~Dress up fancier more often~~ (Summer 2015! when i bought my lily dresses!)
Buy a whole outfit together
Run a disney race
Be happy with my body
~~Learn how to drive~~ (May 2016)
Work on my posture
Go to a conference (Vidcon 2015)
Go to a concert
~~Send 10 handwritten notes to friends~~ (10/10)
~~Regularly work out for a week~~ (Week of April 5-11 2015)
~~Let my blog turn one, while still writing on it~~ (October 5th 2015!)
Develop a good photo taking process (Summer 2015)
~~Create a budget~~ (April 7th, 2015)
Go to a fashion show
~~Get a maise purse from Kate Spade~~ (Christmas 2015)
Invest in a pair of great heels
Go two weeks without junk food
Go ice skating
Get a massage
Make homemade pasta
~~Re-Watch a Show I enjoyed~~ (Glee March-April 2015)
Make a cake with Fondant
~~Learn to Shoot Manual~~ (May 2015)
~~Actually print the photos I take~~ (June 2015)
Make a polymer clay figure (I made a macaron how fitting! July 17, 2015)
~~Do a media fast (for one day~~) (April 6th, 2015)
Have a disney movie marathon
~~Get to 10k pins on pinterest~~ (March 2016)
~~Make homemade ice cream~~ (CHOCOLATE, Father’s Day 2016)
~~Watch 5 classic movies I have never seen~~ (1. Sabrina-March 30, 2015, 2. Gentlemen Perfer Blondes- April 1, 2015 3. 9 to 5- April 11, 2015 4. The Producers- April 17, 2015 5. A Room with A View- April 25, 2015)
Get a Henna
Learn how to surf
Go to San Francisco (August 2015)
Finish everything on this list

55 things accomplished… I am halfway at halfway. I’m so glad for your support for all this time, and I am so glad you read Macarons and Must Haves!
xoxo
(aka kate wins!)

fall semester @ home & wfh virtual vibes

Fixing Up Your Space: On A Budget & What I Love For My Room

What it’s like being on my Sorority E-Board

Get Dressed Up for Facetime Brunch

My Back to School Finishing Touches

MY SISTER'S DORM ROOM

My Back to School Wishlist

pencil cases :

pens & accessories :

notebooks and agendas :

An Update with Kate : Teach Me How to Say Goodbye

so why am i happy?

so why am i sad?

My Back to School Necessities

My Back to School Series

August 2016 : Fab Five

Khat with Kate: The Blonde Prep

Frannie from The Blonde Prep

101 in 1001 – My Halfway Review

welcome!