Good News/Bad News

1. Good News- Best. Weekend. Ever. Cannot wait to show you pictures...later.
2. Bad News- Forgot today was Book Character Day. Luckily, I work with an amazing teacher/friend who made me a bunny costume. Alli- you are amazing.

Tomorrow- Much better post! Happy Halloween!

Triple Threat

Love Blair from Atlantic-Pacific. See here.

Love Brad Goreski. See here.

Love DVF. What girl doesn't?

Photo courtesy of Atlantic-Pacific

These three powers have combined for some fashion advice. Watch here. (Ah, Blair adores thigh socks as much as me!) Thank you for making my week a little bit better.

Cannot wait to share my weekend adventure with you on Monday! Preview.

Redemption

This was Salma Hayek on Tuesday, October 18th...

Photo courtesy of USMagazine

This was Salma Hayek on Monday, October 24th...

Photo courtesy of Celebrity-Gossip

 What a difference a week makes!

The Red Coats are Coming

No Brit has ever looked better in a red coat than Pippa Middleton.

As soon as this photograph was released, my friend (and fellow royal family stalker), Sus had e-mailed me the look.

As soon as I realized where it was from (Zara), I proceeded to try to order it.

And so did everyone else.

So after I dried my tears, I decided it was my mission to magically become Pippa Middleton find a red  coat with no collar.

ASOS Minimal Coat With Gold Buttons

At $179.70, it is not quite as fantastic of a deal as the original, but still not bad. Plus, how can you put a price on Pippa?

(Disclaimer: I am not an actual stalker.)

They Make Me Smile.

Image courtesy of Artsyville

1st Grade- Every Monday I ask the kids what they did over the weekend. At the beginning of the year, every student said, "I went to the pool." This continued for many weeks until I knew the students were not swimming because it was too cold. Now they all tell me they went sledding at the park. This weekend it was 70 degrees.

2nd Grade- We are learning about charts and graphs. We took a poll to see the class's favorite subject- choices being Science, Reading, Math, and Art. Art won big time and not one person voted for math:( I was shocked, so asked the students why they didn't like math. One responded, "Maybe you should do more art."

2nd Grade- Test question- Estimate the length of this line. Student's response? "Ruler"

3rd Grade- Question- Which property makes 3 x 7 = 7 x 3 true? Response? "Yes-21."

4th Grade- Test Question- Write a word problem for 28 x 4. Student's response- "How can you solve 28 x 4?"

4th Grade- Question- What is another way you could solve 24 x 14? Student's Response- "Use a calculator."

5th Grade- We were reviewing our unit tests to prepare for the retest. After one student looked at her error I asked her what she would do differently next time. Her response?- "Get the right answer."

5th Grader- "I love your class. I now learn math more better." (Thank goodness I don't teach grammar.)

It's All Yellow

I now, and always have, loved yellow.

Images courtesy of reasontobreathe,  BHLDN, Oki-ni, Lick the Bowl Good, Atlantic-Pacific, Bippity Boppity Boo, Home Goods, J. Crew, Wanelo

I Dig, Part Six

After Almost Three Years, I Finally Painted the Baseboards

Best Husband Ever. He Listens. Well.

Cooler Temps=Break Out a Blazer

Perfect Elephant Hooks to Display Some of My Favorite Things

Finally Get To Use Some of My Favorite Fabric.

I am sewing curtains. Oh, and by sewing, I mean slapping some hem tape on the fabric and clipping it to curtain rings.

And let's keep it honest... what am I not digging at all?

Student Data is Taking Over My Life.

And my dining room table.

Giuliana Rancic

Monday, on the Today Show, Giuliana Rancic announced that she is battling breast cancer. My heart is so heavy for her. If you watch her reality show, you are aware of her struggles with infertility. I admire her (as well as her husband, Bill's) honest, yet positive outlook. They are one of the few reality couples I can stand. Praying for a swift recovery :)

Image Courtesy of OKMagazine.com

Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Mini Line For Target

Ultra cool rocker/designer/mom, Gwen Stefani, is bringing the cool to you on November 13. Few things I love more than a Target collaboration. You would think that my lack of children would keep me from purchasing this like crazy, but thanks to nieces, nephew, and all my friends' children that are pooping up all over the place, it is a safe bet that my money will remain at Target.

Click here to see full collection.

What am I dying to try?

This picture...

With this model...

Boo

I am the first to admit, decorating for Halloween is not my forte. I leave that to my friend Allison- her house AND classroom have been decorated since September. However, I have been interested (thanks to Pinterest) in getting a little creative with some pumpkins.

Courtesy of BHG

Courtesy of MarthaStewart.com

 And because it's funny....

Which is your favorite?

I Dig, Part Five

You see that big comforter on my bed? Yep, it's fall :)

My favorite bracelet- wear it everyday. A student gave it to me in 2007 when I was doing my practicum teaching.

The return of a "vintage" metallic maxi.

You see that door. I hung it. BAM.

We're returning here. Soon.

Realized that my wedding dress made a Hills appearance. It's about the small things people.

Happy Friday.

Best (and Cheapest) Beauty Secrets

Random Student Fact: According to one student, the average temperature of the human body in 12 inches. Bang. Head. Here.

Being a teach with a not-so-chic wallet, the beauty products have to a back seat to the groceries, bills, plethora of school stuff I have to buy. Over the past few years, I have developed some of my swear-by secrets that make me feel like a million!

Body

1. While in the shower, I slather baby oil on my legs. The water takes away the greasy feeling, but locks in the moisture. It creates an elongated leg (hello, I'm 5'4') with a shadow effect- so it looks very defined. I recommend JOHNSON'S® Baby Oil Gel with Shea and Cocoa Butter.

Mouth

2. Tiny lips? Lightly brush them with your toothbrush and water. It will take the dead skin off of your lips, leaving them plump and perfect-shade-o-pink.

3. You really can whiten teeth with baking soda! Once a day, put on your toothpaste as normal, but add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda on top. Brush away! (Warning: Don't brush your teeth with just baking soda... it is disgusting.)

Face

4. I am already terrified about wrinkles around my eyes. (Why didn't I use more sunscreen?!) To minimize lines AND decrease puffy eyes, try this. 1.) Remove eye make-up with cream cleaner. I like Pond's Cucumber Deep Cleanser. (Oh, and the best way to do this? The slab on/ wipe off method.)

Then, lightly rub Vaseline (yep, like this) in around your eye. Safe to sleep in- won't clog your pores. (And everything clogs my pores.) My MIL swears that Vaseline is the best anti-wrinkle cream.

5. I tend to have oily skin. Milk of magnesia is the best cure! Just shake the bottle and apply (works best with cotton balls.) Leave for 12-15 minutes and rinse. I like Phillips' Strawberry Flavor (because it smells better.)

Hair

6. Weekend life left your hair full of product? Mix 1 c of vinegar (Apple Cider smells better than the regular kind) and warm water in a large glass. Rinse your hair with this after you shampoo/ before you condition. It will remove build-up and leaves your hair shiny.

What's Your Favorite DIY Beauty Secret?

SJP Look for Less

Sarah Jessica Parker has been my favorite fashion icon since her Hocus Pocus Days. She takes risks, wears what she wants, and looks great doing it. Even her fails are hits in my book. I have had this picture of her tagged forever (like Mother's Day.) I think she looks so effortlessly chic, and I cannot wait to try this look for fall.

Since I do not make SJP's multimillions, here is the look for less:)

1. Sweater- Old Navy- $17.00

2. Skirt- ASOS- $69.84

3. Sunglasses- F21- $5.80

Total- $92.64

Ikea Hackers

Random Teacher Fact of the Day: 1 out of 10 Teachers Die of TMF...Teaching Multiplication Facts

Husband and I are very lucky that we live near an Ikea. Thanks to their affordable prices, we were able to furnish our home during of first years of marriage. The downside is that every other broke person in the greater Atlanta region flocks to Ikea to furnish their home. Dilemma? A bunch of cookie cutter living/dining/bedrooms. Almost every twenty-something home I enter has an Ikea lamp, bedside table, furniture, etc... (DISCLAIMER: Some Ikea pieces are AMAZING! Like our bed that I love!)

Solution: Ikea Hackers. Now you can still buy the inexpensive big box Ikea pieces, but give them your own personal (dare I say) "flair."

Here are some of my favorites:

Taking this...

Rast Nightstand

And making this...

Taking this...

Malm Dresser

And making this...

Or taking this...

Besta Wall Cabinet

And making this...

Pretty Cool, Huh?

Have you ever "hacked?"