My 2014 Favorites

Can you believe that it is almost 2015 already? Wow did 2014 ever fly by fast! Even though my days are filled with the stress of class, homework, projects, exams, and work, I still managed to have a wonderful year! I cannot wait for 2015 though! I will start more of my higher level classes that are in my major, even though they are going to be stressful I look forward to them. I am also looking forward to the summer of 2015 because my brother is graduating high school so that means a fun graduation party and my cousin is getting married! I cannot wait to see many friends and family at these two fun events coming up this summer!

I decided to recap some of my favorite things from 2014.

1. Family

Some days I don't know were I would be without my family. They are always their for me when I need advice. They support whatever I choose to do, and always encourage me to try my best.

My brother and I

2. My sorority sisters and friends

I can truly say that I have finely found some lifelong friends! My sisters and friends are just like my family, they support whatever I want to do with my life and encourage me to be the best I can be. I know I can call anyone of them in the middle of the night and they will answer their phone! Whenever I spend time with all of my sisters there is never a dull moment, they all make me laugh and we have so much fun together!

Some, but not all of my sisters

3. Taylor Swift's 1989 album

I am in love with Taylor Swift's entire 1989 album especially Shake it Off and Blank Space. I think this album showcases some of her best music and was some of the best music of 2014. I loved the music videos for Shake it Off and Blank Space as well. They were very well done. 

4. Pinterest

If you know me you know that I LOVE Pinterest. I love that I can find so much inspiration. I enjoy looking at the Pinterest Humor page after a bad day, it always makes me laugh! Be sure to check out Navy and White Prep's Pinterest page! I guarantee you there will many pins in 2015.

5. Frye boots

Everyone has a favorite shoe or piece of clothing that they love to wear. For me it is my riding boots. I love my two pair of Frye boots. I got a new pair for Christmas, the Lindsay Plate. I cannot stop wearing them! They are so classic and comfy. I also have an older black pair from the Melissa line that I wear a lot too. 

6. Longchamp bag

As many of my friends and family know, I am obsessed with Longchamp bags. I bring my large black Longchamp Le Pliage tote with me everywhere I go. I goes with me to work, shopping, school, sorority meetings and everything in-between. It can hold a lot of stuff too. I also like my tote because it is very timeless and classic and will not go out of style anytime soon. For 2015, the medium size tote in navy is on my shopping wish list. 

7. School

I am so grateful to have the opportunity to further my education. At Minnesota State University, Mankato I have meet so many amazing people that have helped me to grow into the person I am today. My education has made me even more excited for my future and inspires me to continue to learn something new everyday. 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas this year! I hope you get to spend time with those nearest and dearest to your heart, and remember what this wonderful time of the year is really about. 

Today is the start of four days of Christmas celebration for my family. Tonight we are going to go to Christmas eve mass. I love Christmas eve mass because my Church is so beautiful this time of year. Tomorrow morning we will have a relaxing morning and exchange gifts with one another. Then tomorrow afternoon family parties start. I love getting to see my extended family, because Christmas is one of the only times of year I get to see everyone together!

Best,

RTM

Minneapolis Holiday Market

Today I visited the Minneapolis Minnesota Christmas market with my family in down town Minneapolis. I have always loved looking at pictures of European Christmas markets, especially the ones in Germany. I have always dreamed of going back to Germany during Christmas time so I can visit one of the holiday markets. I was in luck this year because the traditional European holiday market came to Minnesota! The Minneapolis market had many different vendors from all over Europe, but mostly Germany. Being of German heritage and having studied German for many years I was very excited. My family and I enjoyed walking around the market looking at all the beautiful handmade Christmas gifts for sale. We picked out new German Christmas ornaments for our tree. We also enjoyed trying some new foods and listening to the local music groups, and most of all spending time as a family. Over all it was a wonderful day and will defiantly become a new family tradition to visit the holiday market each year! 

Here is some more information on the Minneapolis Holiday Market

Best,

RTM

Homemade Christmas Cookie Gift Idea

One thing that I love about the holidays is baking cookies. I love to bake cookies while listening to Christmas music watching the snow fall outside. I also like to find cute ways to gift my homemade cookies to family and friends. I found a super cute and easy idea the other day. 

I choose to bake chocolate chip cookies because I gotta say I make a pretty mean chocolate chip cookie! I follow the original Nestle Toll House recipe because I think it is the best recipe out there!

Ingredients you will need:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 cup butter or margarine, softened (I use butter)

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 3/4 cups Nestle Toll House Milk Chocolate Morsels

2 large eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions: 

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit 

2. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in a larger mixer bowl until creamy.

3. Add eggs one at a time.

4. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl and then gradually beat into the the creamy mixture.

5. Stir in the morsels

6. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto greased baking sheets.

7. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until golden brown.

8. Cool for a few minutes.

Now that you have baked the cookies, YUM! It is time to do the fun part, decorate your jar.

You will need:

1 mason jar

1 sheet of card stock paper

Ribbon

Glue dots

Printer

Directions:

1. Print out the label for the jar found here. 

2. Cut out label and use glue dots to secure onto jar.

3. Tie a ribbon of your choice around the neck of the jar.

4. Fill your jar with chocolate chip cookies or a treat of your choice.

5. Gift to someone special in your life!

Best,

RTM

Ugly Christmas Sweaters

Ugly Christmas sweaters have become a trend lately, especially among college students. The past few years I don't think you could get through the holiday season with out seeing an ugly sweater or being invited to an ugly sweater party! I have even seen stores at the mall dedicated to just selling ugly Christmas sweaters! I few weeks ago at my second to last sorority chapter meeting for the semester we had a ugly Christmas sweater themed meeting. Pictured below is a few of my sisters and I showing off our sweaters! I think mine is pretty ugly! (I am not having the greatest hair day)

Do you have an ugly Christmas sweater that you like to wear during the holidays?

Best,

RTM

Stocking Stuffers

Perfume // Facial Cream // Nail Polish // Eyeshadow

Panties // Monogram Necklace // Bangle // Hand Cream

Wristlet // Sleep Mask 

Headband

If you are like me this year you are a little behind on your Christmas shopping. Most years I have all my Christmas shopping done by the first week of December. I have been super busy with finals and work this year, so I am a bit behind. I pulled some of my favorite stocking stuffer ideas that can also be given as small gifts. I just bought this sleep mask for my sorority big and little for Christmas!

Best,

RTM

Gift Ideas for the Ladies

Longchamp Tote // Sweater // Jack Rodgers Sandals

Pullover // Pearl Necklace // Monogram Sweatshirt

Some of my gift picks for the ladies are some of my favorite things that also cover a wide range of ages. I absolutely love my Longchamp tote bag, I think it would make a great gift for any on the go women in your life. You also cannot go wrong with classic cashmere or wool sweaters like this one from J Crew. Every preppy woman needs a classic pair of Jack Rodgers for the summer. Another pick for any age is a monogram sweatshirt. I must wear mine two or three times a week! I love it that much. You also cannot go wrong with classic pearls. I am also in love with this Patagonia pullover. I know it's one of the things on my wish list!

Gift Ideas for the Guys

Sweatshirt // Sportshirt // Boat shoes 

1/4 Zip Sweater // Noise Canceling Headphones // American Flag Hat

I feel that the men in your life are some of the most difficult people to purchase Christmas gifts for. I pulled some of my favorite gift ideas that I know the guys in my life would like. I feel that these gift picks cover a wide range of ages. 

Enjoy!

Best,

RTM

Best Sales of the Weekend

Oh my goodness Christmas is in less than two weeks! You all know what that means, holiday sales galore! I was out shopping today and noticed some amazing sales. Here are some of my favorite deals. 

J Crew Factory 

The J Crew Factory store is having 50% off the store this weekend online and in store. There is also a promotion running in store. When you enter the store you are handed a scratch card work 15% or 20% extra off your purchase. I bought a beautiful five strand pearl necklace today!

J Crew

J crew is having 30% off the store and 40% off sweaters with code GIVETHIS. This sweater is on my wish list. 

Madewll

Madewell is having 30% off $200+ or 20% off $100+.

in stores & online. Use code GOFORIT. I love this flannel shirt.

Vineyard Vines

Vineyard Vines is offering free shipping on everything. They also guarantee delivery by Christmas. 

Mall of America

If you are a Minnesota girl, Mall of America is offering their holiday ride wrist band promotion again. With a $250 Mall purchase who will recieve two ride wrist bands which is a $64 value. They make great gifts too! 

Kate Spade

Kate Spade if offering 25% off all sale items with code COZYUP. 

Vera Bradley

Vera Bradley has some awesome sale online and in stores this weekend. Certain sale items are up to 70% off on the online outlet. Also certain gifts are 25% off and all rolling luggage is 25% off. This is one of my favorite Vera Bradley items to gift. 

Lilly Pulitzer 

I love the bright prints of Lilly Pulitzer even in the winter! Lilly Pulitzer is offering free shipping and a free necklace with a $150 purchase.

Saks off 5th

Saks off 5th is offering and extra 40% off of everything with free shipping! I love this dress for holiday parties. 

Happy Shopping!

Best,

RTM

Hello!

Hello! My name is Rachel and I am a sophomore in college. I attend school at Minnesota State University, Mankato. I am majoring in dental hygiene and focussing on Pre-dental. I am in Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority and love it!

In my free time I love spending time with my sorority sisters, shopping and relaxing with my family. I love winter because the snow is so pretty and I think the temperature is perfect, yes I know I like cold weather. 

You might be wondering why my blog is called the navy and white prep. I picked this name because navy and white are two of my favorite colors, and prep because my personal style is timeless and classic with preppy influences.

I look foward to sharing my personal style, and lifestyle tips with you. I hope you enjoy my blog!

Best,

RTM