Introducing // A Sprinkle of Kate

I've constantly told you guys that my new blog was under construction and that I was developing it. Well, it is finally finished! I'm so excited to share with you the final product and I can't wait to start posting on my new blog. I've been waiting for quite some time to start fresh with a new design and a totally new blog and I'm in love with the results.

The main reason I decided to start a new blog was because I never totally loved "seersucker + stripes". I was having so many issues with my original blog Preppy Daily and I quickly switched over to my new one. I never really fell in love with the name and/or the design. Also, the name "seersucker + stripes" was very limiting to the preppy style. I wanted to give myself a new name that let me explore more topics and let me grow as a person and stylist. 

I hope you're as excited as I am to launch my new blog! Definitely check it out because that is where I will be posting from now on. Also, if you're currently a member of my website via google friend connect be sure to join again on my new and improved blog. Also, subscribe via Bloglovin for updates on my posting. I will be posting every day (except Sunday) on this new blog (I will not be lacking like I was on this blog ha ha). 

I'm so excited to share with you the next chapter of my life on A Sprinkle of Kate.

XO, Kate

How To // Save Money

With all my travel this summer it's been insane how much money I'm going to need as spending money. I am definitely a spender and not a saver. I rarely put money in the bank (although I should), unless I get money in check form and then it goes straight to the bank. Whenever I am paid for babysitting it never takes me more than two weeks to spend the money. I guess I just like a lot of things. But, I've really been trying to save my money because I owe my parents a ton and I want money to buy things in NYC! So, I've been pretty cheap with my money recently because I need to be. These are my top money saving tips!

1. Stop eating out // I am constantly spending money on food when honestly there's perfectly good food at home! I always just seem to eat out and spend ridiculous amounts on something I could make myself. My friend gKe and I both are both broke so we are always just eating at someone's house and not wasting money on eating out. Eating out should be a treat, not a daily routine.

2. Limit the shopping // This is a huge issue for me because when I see something I want and if I have the money for it, I'm buying it. I definitely have no self control when it comes to buying things. I've been better recently because I have convinced myself that I'm just browsing and that I'm not going to buy anything. I also just tell myself that I'll buy things in New York and this helps me to buy less things.

3. Use change // This might not sound like a total way to save money, but change adds up! Either collect all of your change into a container and later cash it in or use change to actually pay for merchandise. It seems that change always winds up in between the couch cushions or just on the floor. I think we all forget that it's actually money and actually worth something.

4. Get a system // Make a system to keep track of your money/earnings and always put money aside. Whether it be just putting away 5-10% of your earnings or just never spending a $5 bill the money adds up!

Good luck saving your money -- and wish me luck as well because I need it!

XO, Kate

Pool/Beach Essentials

To be honest, I have yet to go to the beach this summer, but that doesn't mean this post isn't relevant. I've been swimming a lot recently and with the 90 degree weather here in Chicago, it only seemed fitting for this post. 

+sunscreen; I am fair skinned and extremely vulnerable to the sun. Let's just say if I don't wear sunscreen, I'll wind up looking like a tomato. I always want to get tan in the summer, but I have to wear at least SPF 15 so I don't get burnt. 

+chapstick; We don't want our skin getting burnt, but we don't want our lips to burn either! I always use my Nivea A Kiss of Honey lip balm because it's one of the only lip balms I won't have an allergic reaction to and it has SPF 15! 

+swimsuit; Everyone needs a cute suit for the beach! I've been adoring my mint swimsuit and also my newest Victoria's Secret swimsuit. 

+beach towel; The sand gets hot hot hot down at the beach and you're always going to need a towel to dry yourself off after swimming!

+sunnies; We need to protect those eyes too! I am of course wearing my classic J.Crew retro sunglasses.

+hat; I've been wearing my Vineyard Vines hat so much this summer and especially to the pool/beach. It's the perfect way to shade your eyes. I also love floppy sun hats!

+a good read; I've been bringing my summer reading book, Looking For Alaska, to the pool with me so I'd having something to do. It's a great book so far and also gives me something to do while I'm not swimming. 

Shop all my beach/pool essentials below:

XO, Kate

Summer Playlist

I love jamming to tunes in the car, on the radio or just from my iPhone in the summer (and basically every other season) and I've come up with some of my favorite tracks. The majority of these songs are just top hits because I'm basic and mainstream, but a few are just random favorites of mine! Also, please enjoy the beautiful photo of the Santa Monica boardwalk. What I would give to be there right now is unreal!

XO, Kate

Friday Fours

Friday, I'm in love!

Today I wanted to do a post inspired by Caroline via citrus & style! She always does super fun "Friday Fours" posts and I love reading them every week! I wanted to give something like this a try so without further adieu, here goes!

 #1 :: I've been using my camera a lot recently and this shot perfectly captures my brother's graduation night. Of course I sported a new Vineyard Vines dress and I brought along my trusty sidekick, my camera, to capture lots of pictures of the event. 

 #2 :: My sister is a health fanatic and with her help I'm striving to eat more healthy and what better way to start my day than with a delicious smoothie! I shared this recipe in yesterday's post and let me just say this smoothie is so tasty! My sister Kristen and I have also been making acai bowls. Let me know if you want to see a tutorial on that!

 #3 :: My friend J was thrifting the other day and found me this adorable Lilly skirt (it's actually a skort) for only $5! I can't thank her enough! It's in perfect condition and I wore it recently to my little cousin's birthday party. Excuse the awkward selfie. 

#4 :: I've been babysitting a lot recently (I don't mind, I need the money), but what makes my babysitting even better is the beautiful flowers the family I sit for have displayed in their house and landscaping. I am loving these flowers seen on their kitchen table! Beautiful!

Happy weekend, be sure to enjoy!

XO, Kate

A Summer Smoothie

I personally love smoothies and think they are an essential way to start your day. They easily fill you up without filling you with junk. They may be high in calories, but all of these calories are easily burned off because they are from fruit! I'm not sure if you saw this recipe featured in Undeniable, but I discussed my favorite summer smoothie recipe. In case you don't read the online mag (which you should because it's fabulous) I still wanted to share the recipe here on my blog. So, without further adieu, a perfect summer smoothie recipe!

Ingredients: 

-strawberries

-blueberries

-blackberries

-banana

-yogurt (Greek)

-orange juice + ice

Blend! Voila!

Yum! This is my personal favorite mix of berries and banana, but feel free to use whatever other berries you like!

XO, Kate

Dreaming of NYC

After mentioning in this post that I'll be heading to New York City this summer for the Smart Girls Summit I've just been too excited! I've never been to NYC, but I've been scouring the internet and Pinterest for things to do while I'm there! I honestly can't wait to just explore and experience the city! Here's my inspiration of NYC:

Comment any places that I should visit while in NYC!

XO, Kate