Excuse My Random Thoughts

1. Guess what happens when you work at a school that serves almost 1,000 students and you have ONE copy machine that has been broken since before Thanksgiving?

2. Pretty sure someone from the E! networked knocked Kourtney up again to get the bad press off Kim.

Photo courtesy of USMagazine

This family has really started to annoy me.

3. I have been watching clips from the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Depressed.

4. It is cold. I need this coat. I wonder where I can find it? (Darn Pinterest and your lack of credit!)

Thank you for letting me be a little random.

Ummm....

Had a post.

Somehow deleted it.

How did that happen? 

Will be back tomorrow. Happy Hump Day.

Furbish

As we move toward the holiday season, nothing thrills me more than to find a new designer or store to share with the ones I love.

So as I sit with three weeks worth of papers to grade, I am falling in love with Furbish Studio- owned and operated by Jamie Meares in Raleigh, NC. You can read her entire story here, but the "I have five minutes until my next meeting" version goes that Jamie had just been let go from her job (ugh, the worst) so decided to take a leap of faith and do what she always wanted- open a shop that reflected her amazing personality (ah, the best.)

So after I fell in love with her/seriously considered making a weekend trip to Raleigh, I saw the "SHOP" button. OMG people. Her stuff is amazing!

Christmas List? Yes, please.

Aspen Earrings in Emerald- $18.00

Elephant Safari Earrings in Green- $25.00

(You know my feelings on elephants)

Zig Zag Zippered Pouch- $14.00

Pink and Green Zig Zag Coasters- $18.00

Pink Pagoda Thank You Notes- $10.00

There really is so much more cute stuff! Which is your favorite??

I'm Back and Motivation Monday

After 16 hours in a car...

I am back. And it was completely worth it! I had a wonderful Thanksgiving- splitting the long weekend between St. George Island and our hometown of Prattville, AL.

As the story goes though, I need a vacation from my vacation and really cannot believe I have to go teach children today. However, I saw this and found it perfect for Motivation Monday.

Story. Of. My. Life.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Today is my last day at school before Thanksgiving Break. I will be taking a break from the blog, but promise to return on Monday. As I said last week, I have so many blessing to be thankful for, but these are the top of the top.

1. My Faith- I feel that this year completely changed my perception on religion and having a relationship with God. I never knew there was a problem, until I experienced the solution. And for that, I am very thankful.

2. Husband- Amazing does not begin to describe him. He has been there for the ups and downs and kept a smile the whole way. Sometimes I feel so undeserving of how wonderful he truly is.

3. Family- How lucky I am so have a healthy, loving family! My daily phone call to my mom, no matter how long or short, brings a smile to me. Besides my biological family, my "in-law" family is just as fantastic. I am so thankful to see all of them during this week.

4. Friends- Never did I think in moving to Atlanta I would meet so many amazing people I call friends. My own special "Atlanta Family." A great friend is someone who you cannot remember life without them and that is what I have found. Both these friends, and friends far away, I am thankful to have you.

5. Job- In this economy, nobody should take their job for granted. I feel so blessed to have worked at this school for four years. I work with teachers and children I love- so I give thanks.

6- And finally, Rammer Jammer :)

Gossip Girl 100th Episode

The cast of Gossip Girl came out to celebrate the 100th Episode (ahh the Royal Wedding!) I will be honest, I had never seen a Gossip Girl Episode until this year. Now I am completely obsessed. The fashion both on screen, as well as the actresses off camera has me enamored. The fashion at the party was definitely up to par.

 Leighton Meester in Balmain

Blake Lively in Marchesa

Photos courtesy of the Huffington Post

Good News/Bad News

Good News: It is Friday!!! I have a stress-free, no-fuss weekend ahead of me.

Bad News: We are the only county who has to work Monday and Tuesday of next week.

Then I look at this picture and am suddenly a little happier to spend two extra days with my kids :)

From Bippity Boppity Boo

Amazing.

Blessings

Photo courtesy of Bippity Boppity Boo

With Thanksgiving a week away, I am realizing the blessings that have been given to me. I usually am complaining about "Why can't it be this way?" and "That's Not Fair." Today I realize how lucky I am to have so many blessings that it is hard to keep track.
I read an interesting statement the other day: "What if you woke up tomorrow with only the things you were thankful for today?"

Makes you think...and give thanks.

Bring On The Seafoam

Same Color Three Times?

Why Not?

How do you feel about layering the same color?

Deal of the Day: J. Crew

J. Crew is having the annual fall sale, but what am I trilled with?

Oxford Scout Chinos

And if you are vertically challenged like me, they are $19.99. Average height, it will cost you $29.99. 

(I don't feel bad. For once, being short pays off.)

Wonderful Weekend

I took Friday off to get my teeth cleaned. I didn't get the "Hooray No Cavities" award. I got the "You Have No Cavities That We Are Worrying About Right Now" Award. Um, hooray?

Late Friday afternoon, Husband and I left for Townsend, TN for one of our favorite places, Dancing Bear Lodge. Husband's parents give us this trip for Christmas, and we look forward to it all year. However...

I forgot the camera. Typical.

It was quite a wonderful weekend though! Now...hello Monday...ugh.

DIY? You Obviously Haven't Met Me

There is a reason that DIY looks similar to the word die... because that is what it makes me want to do.

I have been amazed at all the DIY pins on Pinterest lately. Do people really make this stuff? And even more importantly, does it look like what it was supposed to?
Let's take a look at some of these projects...

Sure, I have an old barrel lying around that I have been meaning on turning into a bookcase

No Daughter, you don't need to go buy a new dress, we will just cut up one of Mom's old sweaters

This one would be noooo problem

Because the hooks they sell at any store just won't cut it

You know what I want to do? Put magnet tape on the back of a map, cut out 50 states, and have people judge me for being a nerd

My favorite? You can make the above skirt with one seam. Beautiful skirt...but yeah right.

(I think there are a lot of people on Pinterest that really need to get started on these DIY albums.)

Dreaming

Last night Husband asked me where I wanted to go for dinner...

I don't think he was expecting my response :)

Sigh, One Day

You Can Own Jenna Lyons' Home!

For Just $3,750,000!

Yes, the lovely president and creative director of J. Crew is selling her posh Brooklyn Townhouse. True to form, her townhouse is just as spectacular as her collections. See for yourself.

Photos courtesy of Sotheby's

See more pics and get all the details here.

Thanks Laura K. for the exciting news!!

Best of Both Worlds

1. Life here is crazy. I have started teaching Extended Day two days a week, which means I am here at school until 5...if I am lucky. Wednesdays I am here late planning. I actually treasure Mondays...I can leave when I want.

2. With my crazy teaching life, I just don't have time to change out purses. I have never been a big purse gal (surprising, but true.) I tend to pick a bag that can go with anything and wear it until it has holes in it, only for it to reappear in 6-12 months when I decided that the holes really aren't THAT noticeable.

My heart belongs to my black and brown Longchamp. Even though I have had other Longchamp bags, this is my favorite because it is black AND brown (and has enough room to fit a small child in it.)

Longchamp Le Pliage- Large Tote

However, after three amazing years together (off and on), and the fact that I am pretty sure I am growing something in this bag, I have decided to venture out for another bag...two in fact. I am going to use another Longchamp bag as my "tote", but I also want need a black and brown "everyday" purse. Here are my favorites...

Kate Spade Bixby Bag

(I figured I should start out with the most expensive one.It is on sale though!)

Forever 21 Leatherette Handbag

(Sweet Price!)

Aldo Gerl

Zara Combined Bowling Bag

Which is your favorite?

Motivation Monday

In case you have a case of the Mondays.

(Or are completely heartbroken after a devastating football loss.)

The Marriage Trend

So excited to announce that TWO of my very close friends have recently become engaged!

I met Laura during kickball. Yes, kickball. She is one of the most loyal friends a gal could ever dream of- seriously would do anything for you. Her sweet boyfriend Charles (High School Sweethearts!) got down on one knee in Costa Rica (while ziplining!)

In Love.

My second friend to be sporting some bling on her left hand in Claudia. We met my freshman year in college. We lived in the sorority house together for three years. (I will be doing a blog on her business...soon.) Claudia met Erik after college, and he is perfect for her!

Stole this picture from my friend Hylan. It is from Kathleen's wedding.

So Happy for Both of You!

Shoe Envy

Image Courtesy of The Huffington Post

Rachel Zoe, how I envy your studio.

Gnome One Else I Would Rather Be

As you saw yesterday, I proudly wore my garden gnome ensemble to Helen, GA over the weekend.

I checked at Urban Grace, and literally squealed when I saw that her precious daughter was a gnome too!

But then I realized...gnome costume on a two year old=adorable. Gnome outfit complete with beard on a twenty-five year old=terrifying. Ah, Whatev.

I am considering mailing my costume to my wee gnome pal,she can totally rock it in twenty years. (Only if she wears the beard.)

Twins, right?

Right photo courtesy of Urban Grace

Helen Weekend

I made it through yesterday. Barely.

Alas, it is a new day, and I am excited to share a few pictures from this weekend. Seventeen (that's right) of us headed up to Helen, GA for our Oktoberfest trip. This year we rented a large cabin, and it was perfection.

Me, Tali, Tippi, Susannah, and Allison

Friday Night at the Cabin

Tippi, Me, Susannah, Libby, and Laura

We made the game that everyone had to wear the "German Dress" for one hour. We're good friends.

Apologies for those over 5'5".

Me and Sus

The band at this place remembered us from last year :)

We make an impression

Top Pic: Libby, Laura, Chris

Bottom Pic: Harrison, Husband

Then the costumes came...

I was a garden gnome last year and since we were in a German village, I felt that I should wear it again.

I mean...I must protect this garden!

(Me, Tippi, Chris)

Husband and Me

He still loves me despite my "adorable" costume

(Truthfully? He was telling me that the beard was creepy.)

(Also, thank you Susannah for the majority of these pictures!)

Cannot wait to make it even better next year!