Nesting

I think that teachers experience something similar to nesting as summer begins to wind down. This nesting sensation has hit me hard and I'm ready to get my classroom organized, my classroom management plan improved, my plans set up and start teaching third graders!

I spent a good bit of time this afternoon on pinterest (because how else do teacher's get ideas these days?!?) and stumbled across the most helpful blog. I think I downloaded and printed almost every one of her freebies this afternoon.

I have so many fantastic ideas running through my head... Now I just have to get in the classroom and hash them out.

Despite being ready to get back in the classroom, I'm trying to make the most of the last few weeks of summer with my kids. We've visited family in New Orleans, we're heading to Alabama to spend a few days in the country with more family.  And we've been spending every moment that isn't raining at the pool or the beach! If you hate that you're missing out on all that excitement, you can tag along via Instagram. ;)

Yesterday was one of those days where we managed to squeeze in an hour or so of rain-free beach time, then we got cleaned up and went to Sweet Frog for frozen yogurt. There's not a thing in the world that makes my kids happier than frozen yogurt, topped with an odd assortment of strawberries, gummy worms, m&ms and fluffy whip.

Dress: c/o Oasap

Denim Shirt: maurices

Sandals: Target

Bracelets: Gift

Ring: Alyssa's Antique Depot

How are you spending your summer?

I'm linking up today with Mix & Match Fashion and Three-fer Thursday with Perfectly Coutured and Everyday Fashion and Finance.

If I Were . . . (Featuring PersunMall)

I'm a busy mom with nowhere to go but Disney on Ice... (Which I actually enjoyed every bit as much as the kids did!)

But if my husband I somehow managed to get a sitter and we went on a hot date, I might wear a little something like this gorgeous frock.

I'm a teacher. I like to infuse my everyday style with a bit of personality, but let's be honest. I'm not prancing about in heels and sheath dresses.

But if I were, I might wear a sleek and sophisticated dress like this one.

Sometimes I like to sit back after my kids are in bed and I've got 30.5 seconds of silence before I drop off to sleep and imagine that I have somewhere important to be. Maybe some big political party where everyone is dressed to the nine's and people are discussing the hot issues of the day. Or maybe some fancy restaurant where the dinners cost more than my wardrobe.  If I were, I'd definitely check PersunMall http://www.persunmall.com/black-and-white-cocktail-dresses-c310/ for beautiful black and white cocktail dresses.

Do you have an occasion to dress up?  If you're like me, and the fanciest place you'll go this year is Disney on Ice, where might you wish you were going? And more importantly, what would you wear?

I'm linking up today with Still Being Molly and Monday Mingle.

Color Me Skinny

Ha, don't you wish it were that easy?  You wake up in the morning with a bit too much pinchable chub around the middle, look in the mirror and say, "Color me skinny!" And voila, you're a bit thinner than you were before. ;)

Nope, it doesn't quite work that way, as nice as it would be. Instead, we have to forego all of the deliciousness that I personally LOVE... chocolate, potato chips, cookies, chocolate, cheesy quesadillas, did I mention chocolate? Yep, and then after all of that self-deprivation, you also have to fit in hours of running, crunches, lunges, etc., each week.  At least that's how it works once you hit 30. ;) 

One thing that does instantly transform these legs of mine into fun candy-colored stems, however, are my brightly colored skinny jeans! Even if they don't make me appear any thinner, they do make me feel good about how I look.  And THAT is where you get my catchy title. ;)

Shirt w/ cardi attached: Bealls ($10)

Skinny Jeans: NY&Co ($30)

Shoes: Nine West, TJMaxx ($15)

Necklace: Charming Charlie's (Gift)

Arm Candy: Various Stores that I regularly frequent like Target, Bealls, Maurices...

There's just something about these turquoise skinny jeans that makes me happy.

Speaking of turquoise, yesterday, I did an experiment with my third graders.  We were testing how light filters through different materials and the way the color changes.  According to one of my bright students, when the blue and green lights blend, we get turquoise!  To me, it looked like a light blue, but hey, maybe turquoise is her happy color too, so I'm not faulting her for saying that it looks turquoise.  In fact, I was actually quite proud of her for coming up with a more descriptive word that "light blue." =)

I tried various poses today to show of my little arm party...

They look more ridiculous than creative. ;)

Do you have a trick for instantly feeling a little bit thinner? Maybe "thinner" isn't the best word... but you know what I mean. Do you have something you wear or do that instantly makes you feel a little bit more confident? Or something that cheers you up when you put it on?

Linking up today with the lovely ladies behind Monday Mingle!

Cry Me a River

I feel like all I do is whine lately! Eesh. It's got to stop. Like right now, all I want to do is whine. Other than that I can't think of anything even remotely entertaining to say!

I've been sitting here staring at the computer screen for nearly ten minutes and I've got nothing. Unless you want to hear about Once Upon a Time. Because that's what I've got playing in the background.  Poor Snow White and Prince Charming! Will they ever finally realize they belong together?!? Whatever it is that's keeping me from being my usual witty, entertaining self, let's hope it's gone tomorrow, right? ;)  Otherwise, you just might get to hear about more shows I'm liking right now.
 

Shirt: maurices

Jeans: Old Navy

Booties: JCPenney

Jewelry: Borrowed from my Sis

A little shout-out to Heather & Kayla of H&K Style Journey, who inspired me to go all black and white with no pops of color at all. It's shocking, I know! ;)
 

 I need to find a new photo editing site now that picnik is closing! Because without picnik, this is what happens. I get one picture that looks kind of decent and another that is all glowy. And I have no idea why. lol So, if you have any recommendations, let me know, please! =)
 

Well, I hope y'all are having a fab week! I'm linking up today with The Pleated Poppy! Head on over there to get a little inspiration to dress up a bit!