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.

Oasap Giveaway!

Hello, my lovely lady friends! I'm happy to say that Oasap wants to offer a giveaway to my readers!

If you've been following me for a while, then you know that I've received several pieces from Oasap and have been thrilled with them each time.  The swishy pleated blue skirt seen below came from Oasap and I love it!

Now, Oasap wants to offer you the chance to win one of the pieces that are listed below.  I've included photos of my two favorites!

Sleeveless Crocheted Vest

Cropped Lace Top

1) Sleeveless Crocheted Vest
2) Cropped Lace Top
3) Colorblock Long Sleeved Shirt
4) Sheer Fashion Tote
5) One-Shoulder Dress
6) Leopard Print Dress/Top
7) Lace Overlay Dress
8) George Washington Print Chiffon Shirt
9) Angel and Tower Print Short Sleeve Shirt
10) Cat Print Color Block Shirt

All you have to do is enter via the Rafflecopter tool below! =) The giveaway will be open until Monday, April 29, 2013! I'll announce the winner on Tuesday.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You have the opportunity to enter at least five times.  Hurry up and start entering so that you have a better chance of winning one of these lovely pieces!

Style Me Chic - Pretty Pleats

I finally have myself one of those swishy pleated skirts I've been seeing all over the place!
 

Shirt: Loft, Thrifted

Skirt: c/o Oasap (similar; cute option)

This skirt is perfect!! It's light and swishy and I adore the rich color. I should have attempted a twirl for you because it is the perfect twirly skirt!
 

Instead, I stuck with my tried and true blogger poses. =)
 

Shoes: Nine West, TJMaxx

I got these shoes on sale last fall and I still love them!

Multi-colored Stacking Ring & Silver Bracelet: Premier Design Jewelry

Watch, Big Silver Ring & Necklace: Target

Belt: TJMaxx

When I first received this skirt, I was unsure how to style it. It has an elastic waist, so if I'm going to tuck in a shirt, then I think it looks best belted... So, here's my question for you! Give me some ideas. How else would you style this skirt? 

I'm linking up today with YOLO Mondays, Monday Mingle, Watch What I'm Wearing and Style Me Chic!

It's the last day to enter my my Road ID giveaway!! Hurry up and get your entry in! I'll announce the winner tomorrow. =)

**This is a sponsored post. I received a skirt from Oasap to style, but all opinions are totally honest and 100% mine!

Beat the Heat Series & A Giveaway

Today, I'm joining other bloggers in Florida to talk about our beauty tips to beat the heat.  I am most certainly no beauty expert, so I'm not going to pretend that my tips are something new that you've never heard of.  Rather, they are just a few things that I do (you might even do them too) during the hottest months to look pretty while beating the heat!
 

Skirt & Cardigan: NY&Co

Leopard Print Shirt: c/o Oasap

Shoes: rsvp via 6pm

My first beauty tip to beat the heat is to go easy on the makeup.  I wear a light powder foundation by MicaBella, rather than caking on liquid foundation.  In Florida, even if the heat isn't too bad, the humidity is suffocating! The minute you walk outside, before you even lock the door behind you, you break into a sweat.  A light powder foundation allows your face to breathe. You can cover up any splotchy areas and still look fresh, even though you might be perspiring a bit!
 

Secondly, I like to wear a lip balm instead of lipstick or lip gloss. My favorite is carmex.  Don't get me wrong. I love the way I look when I'm wearing a pretty lip liner and gloss. However, when it's really hot outside, lip glosses can make my face feel sticky. Is that weird? It is, isn't it?  It's just that the heat and humidity make me all sweaty and then my lipgloss feels super sticky and it makes me want to rub and itch at my face. Please someone, tell me I'm not the only weirdo who gets Itchy Face Syndrome when I wear lip gloss during the hot months! Instead, I put on a bit of carmex and voila, I have soft, shiny lips without the stickiness. =)
 

Topaz Earrings: c/o Anjolee

Dangly Hoops, Bracelets & Rings: Premier Designs

Watch & Big Silver Ring: Target

Finally, I stay hydrated and I wear sunscreen! Seriously, I drink gallons of water every day, which when combined with the constant use of sunscreen will keep my skin looking young.  That's the plan anyways. ;) I didn't always use sunscreen. In fact, I used to religiously visit the tanning bed. *gasp* I know, it's terrible! But I had a little epiphany right around the time I turned 30. I realized that I didn't want to look like a wrinkly 60 year old by the time I was 40, so I started trying to repair the damage I had already done to my skin.  Now, I wear a moisturizer that has sunscreen in it every single day and I lather on sunscreen every time I plan to spend any length of time outdoors.  

 

So, those are my summer beauty tips to beat the heat.  What are yours?

 

I'm linking up today with Real Girl Glam, J9Style and Iris Focused on Fashion for their Florida Bloggers Beat the Heat event.

 

*******

Now, for the giveaway!!

Oasap is currently giving away 152 items!! It's incredibly simple to enter, too. 

First, go here and sign up for an account.

Then, pick your three favorite items that are on the giveaway page, choose your size and vote for each of those items!

I will be able to personally choose a winner out of every 100 entries that come through my blog! =) So, go enter and maybe you'll be the winner of one of their super cute dresses!

Who do I look like?

When I was putting this look together, I immediately thought of Tara from Mix and Match Fashion.  Doesn't this buttery yellow skirt look like something she would rock? 

Leopard Print Shirt: c/o Oasap (similar here)

Cardi: Old Navy ($10, similar here)

Skirt: NY&Co ($9.99, similar here)

Shoes: rsvp, 6pm.com ($6.99, similar here)

Of course, if I were really channelling Tara, I'd have topped off the look with a bright pink blazer and turquoise heels. Couldn't you just imagine her wearing something like that? She has a special touch when it comes to pairing brights perfectly!

Necklace: Premier Designs Jewelry

Glass Ring: Alyssa's

Wrist Wrap & Brown Ring: Target

I already have the perfect pair of turquoise heels, but I'll have to keep my eyes open for a pink blazer. ;)

When you wear something bright, do you like to keep the rest of your outfit neutral or do you like to pair it with other fun, bright colors?

I'm linking up today with The Pleated Poppy and Transatlantic Blonde.

Meow!!

I'm feeling very catty in this new shirt I recently got from Oasap.  It's incredibly soft and fits like a glove and adds just the perfect amount of cattyness to an outfit. ;)  In fact, I've worn it twice in the past ten or so days.

Leopard Print Shirt: c/o Oasap

Light Pink Cardi: Maurices

Fuschia Skirt: NY&Co

Nude Heels & Belt: Target

I wore this look on a day when I was absolutely exhausted.  The Little Miss had been up most of the night and I could barely function. When putting the items together, I was hoping that the bright skirt and bold leopard print top would give me the push I needed to make it through the day.  And it must have worked, because I'm still here! ;)

This is how I wore the second look before lunch . . .

Leopard Print Top: c/o http://www.oasap.com/

Cardi & Belt: Target

Khakis: Old Navy

Shoes: rsvp via 6pm

And this is how I wore it after lunch . . .

To help cover up the food baby that I had. ;)

Bracelets: Gift

How do you like to wear your animal print?

Oh, and I can't believe I completely forgot to announce the winner of the Kiss Nail Dress giveaway! Chosen via random.org, the winner is Cami from First Day of My Life!!

Cami, I'll be contacting you shortly! =)

I'm linking up today with The Pleated Poppy and The Transatlantic Blonde!

This is a sponsored post. I received free product to review.  However, all opinions are completely honest and 100% mine! =)