Summer Faves!

16 more school days til FREEDOM!!  LOL  I can't wait!!

Earlier this week my buddies at The Blended Blog shared their summer plans!!  I'm hopping on board today to share mine!! It's not a long fabulous list, as I really have no set plans on the horizon, no trips planned (I did those in May!) and none of my annual concert fun going on!

 Along with the usual antics with family and friends, it's going to be a summer filled with ordinary, everyday favorites!!

 This summer I really just hope to be...

Laying out on the Postage Stamp Patio DAILY!

READING LOTS!!

Spending a few Fridays on the beach!!

Enjoying all the drinks!!

Spending some time with my Boyfriend... RALPH!!!  :)

What are your plans for the Summer of 2017?  Let me know in the comments below and head on over to The Blended Blog to link up with us!!

Linking up with Erika and the girls for Friday Favorites and Tif and the girls for High Five for Friday, too!!

Hooray for Friday!!

We made it to Friday!!!  Finally!!  I'm really excited for this day to be here, but looking back on the week it was rather stressful. I'm off to visit my mom for Mother's Day, so I'm taking off work.  Leaving plans for the sub is just too much...and a lot of work!

They say that teaching is the only profession where it takes more effort to be out than it does to be there (or something like that!)...but this is so true! Times five for me!  LOL  But more on that later!  On to the things I really loved this week...

{1} 

A Funny

A co-worker friend shared this article from Real Simple magazine with me!  And I thought it was just hilarious!  Being petite, I was never really a pencil skirt girl myself but I always envy Rachel from Suits when I see them on her...in every single episode!

{2}

A Fun Tee

I'm more of a t-shirt and jeans girl myself!  I received this custom made Long Island shirt this week. And I'm fairly certain that it was hand-delivered to my house.  It was under my mat in an unmarked package.  I am not sure if I should be flattered at the customer service or a little weirded out!  HA!!  I can't wait to wear this next week when I take a trip to Canada to meet my TBB Buddies!

{3}

A Little Pick Me Up

These sweet letters from two students after what I thought was a totally teacher fail made my day!

{4}

An Upgrade

Finally upgrading to a new cell phone after 3 "completely dead for hours even plugged in" situations, I realized that I couldn't be traveling, turning my phone of during flights and fear that it would never turn on again!  I didn't go for the 7 tho, only the 6s, but I sure am loving it.

{5}

Favorite New Jam of the Week

#themesong

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!  Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there!  Thanks for reading the blog!  I am going to take a bit of a blog break!  Like I mentioned above I'm off to visit my mom this weekend into next week, will be home for about 18 hours before heading North to meet my Blended Blog Buddies for the first time in Toronto.  EEEEEEKKKKK...I am both excited and a bit scared!  So I may be taking a blog break but when I return, get ready for blog overload!!  If you want to follow our adventures follow me on Insta @solitarylife101 and The Blended Blog @tbblog!

Until next time...

Linking up with Erika and the girls today for Friday Favorites and Tiff and the girls for High five for Friday!

Friday Favorites!

Friday is Here!  I'm EXCITED!!!  And so ready for the WEEKEND!!  It's been a long week.  But it was filled with favorites...so lets get to it!

{ONE}  Favorite new top!
I know I said I wasn't going to shop this April and I really didn't...MUCH!!  I did however pick up this top when I saw it was on sale from a boutique on Instagram.  I like shopping small.  I like that this shirt was different, with the buttons on the back and elbow patches.  It's also multi-seasonal which makes it that much more versatile.  And for only $15, how could I not get it!?!?  Loved that we had a dress down on Tuesday and I was able to wear it!  But in all honesty, I'd wear this with leggings and boots to work any day!

{TWO}  Sweet Surprises!
Being back at work this week after 12 days off was rough!  Coming back and finding out that the last day of school was one day later than you thought it is going to be was even tougher.  HA!  But a sweet student coming and telling me she saw these at Target and thought of me made both of those things a little easier to swallow.

{THREE}  Blog Takeover!
Next Week my bestie, Mel is taking over the blog!  An avid reader,she joined The Blended Blog's Virtual Book Club earlier this year and was able to choose one of the books to read for April.  Since she doesn't have a blog of her own, I offered up mine to her to write her book review when we share them next Thursday, May 4th.  Yesterday earlier this week emailed me her review of The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah.  It is so good!  I can't wait for you all to read it when it goes live.  So come on back for that!!  And join TBB's Virtual Book Club in May!  These are the books we'll be reading!!  Read one, read all!

{FOUR}  National Pretzel Day!
You guys know I celebrate everything and since Pretzels as big as my head from one of my favorite places in town, are my absolute favorite, I had to go celebrate!  Nothing gets me over the hump of the week like a giant soft pretzel and a beer!

{FIVE}  Winner! Winner!
Last night I attended a small fundraiser for my school.  It was a great time.  It was like a cocktail party/happy hour kind of this with food and drinks...and raffles!!  I was lucky enough to win one of the Door Prizes!  A Stop and Shop Gift Card!  Woo Hoo!  That will come in so handy!  Love my school and community.  It's nice to get out and mingle away from the school once and awhile!


Thanks for stopping by the blog today!  What was your favorite thing about this week?  I'd love to hear about it!

Hope everyone has the best weekend!!



Linking up with Erika and the girls today for Friday Favorites and Tiff and the girls for High five for Friday!

FRI-NALLY

Geez Louise!!  Was this not the longest week or what!!  I thought Friday would never get here!  I think that's what happens when you have a half day and teacher conferences smack dab in the middle of the week!!  And rain almost every single day did not help matters!!

Ahhhh...but at last Friday is here and in just a few more hours I'll be peacin' out for the weekend! Even a slow week is not without some favorites!

ACM Sunday Night
Sunday nights are tough but since we all love country music, I invited my sisters over for an Academy of Country Music Awards viewing part on Sunday night.  It was fun.  We missed Meg, who was home sick but 3 outta four of us on a Sunday night's not bad!  We drank wine, ate snacks, painted nails and sang along to every song.   Not a bad way to kick off a new week!

Locale
I headed out to a new place in town, Locale, a Gastro Bar and Pizzete,  this week for a friend's birthday and I have to say, it might be my new favorite place.  So cool and chic!  The service was great, the wine was good, and the pizza I had was freaking awesome!  So glad I have leftovers.  Can't wait to go back!  to try more of the menu options, all of which sounded amazing!!  If you're a local, I highly recommend giving Locale a try!!

Being on the ball...
This was the first month is forever that I actually was on the ball and had all the After Care billing out on like, the 3rd day of the month.  And for March being such a long month I was pretty proud of myself!  Three days in After Care til 6 is clearly paying off for something!  HA!  I am sure the parents were shocked too!!

Prison Break: Resurrection
I haven't watched it yet because I was not feeling well on Tuesday night so I ended up in bed early, but this is definitely a fave this week.  I loved the original Prison Break and am so glad that Fox brought it back.  Can't wait to watch it this weekend!

Prison Break on FOX

The Blended Blog March Madness
A few Fridays ago I talked about The Blended Blog's March Madness Bracket being a fave.  It gave me some stock in the game and was a lot of fun, for almost the whole time I was #2, but after last weekend I inched up to #1 and with UNC winning,  I ended up winning!  So that was super exciting!  It was fun to watch the game and have a team to root for!!  Can't wait til next year!!  LOL

Hope your week was also filled with some favorites to look back on and an even more eventful weekend ahead!  Have a great one!!

Linking up with Erika and the girls today for Friday Favorites and Tif and the girls for H54F!

Friday...Lots of faves to choose from this week!!

This week, I had plans cancelled left and right.  So I spent lots of time reading, lots of time blogging and online.  But I still have a bunch of faves to chose from this week.  Here are my top five!

{ONE} Shutterfly's 50% off sale! 

This might just be my most fave this week!  If you know me, follow me on insta, or have been reading the blog awhile, you might know that, for the past two summers, I've put together a recap of my summer, called Summer in an Insta in a collage frame from Shutterfly!  The 2014 frame I ordered in I think May of 2015!  HA!  So I am so excited this year that I can order it right after Labor Day!!  And at 50% off, that is HUGE!!  I've already started putting the collage together and will be finishing it up this weekend.  It looks like Hurricane Hermine will be foiling our Labor Day Weekend plans, so I guess now my summer photos are pretty set!  Head to Shutterfly to get the deal too!

It's a little hard to see but this is last year's Summer in an Insta Frame!

{TWO}  My Final Pair of Go-to Shorts!

Earlier this summer, I posted about my favorite go-to shorts!  I mentioned in the post that the only color go-to's I was missing was the purple.  Well, this past week, they were on summer sale with free shipping on any order AND they had my size! So I took that as a sign that I should go for it and get them! And since a pink pair was stolen from my suitcase in the DR, I thought why not?  I'm so excited I did!!  It was my final summer purchase!!  There's a 50% off sale at JCrew Factory this weekend, if your interested!!

{THREE} On Tuesdays we eat Rice Pudding!

Many of my plans were cancelled this week, but my mom and I spent a nice day together on Tuesday, we did a little shopping and we went to our new favorite place.  The Crepe and rice pudding cafe in town!  My mom is a huge rice pudding fan.  When we went to lunch there earlier this summer, we found out that on Tuesdays, the rice pudding is buy one, get one free!! So crazy!  And you won't even believe what a huge savings it is.  On Wednesday, we came home with a ridiculous amount of rice pudding, but we shared! :)

This wasn't even the half of it!  This was just the haul I took home.  Oh and that top one was pumpkin!!  YUM!!!

{FOUR} You go Grandma!

Did you see the story of the Grandma who wanted hot firefighters at her 105th birthday?? Well she got her wish!!  So cute!  Check out her story here!

{FIVE}  Back to School on The Blended Blog

This week I headed back to School-unofficially!  Wednesday we had a Back to School BBQ where the students came and dropped off all their supplies, met new friends and reconnected with old.  And yesterday was a PD day for teachers.  Thursday I posted a Back to School Survival Guide for Teachers on The Blended Blog.  I would love it, if you checked it out!  Hopefully it gives you a giggle during this hectic Back to School time!

And now before the students return on Tuesday, and it's back to reality for me, I'm off to enjoy a four- day Holiday Weekend!  With the hurricane coming, we are expected to see it remnants, so  I see lots of reading, blogging, and interneting in my future...again!  I am thinking about binge-watching Stranger Things too.  It seems to have been all over this week and I've heard good things!  Have you seen it??

Hope you all enjoy the long weekend as well!!

 Linking up today with:

Erika and the girls for Friday Favorites
Tif and the girls for H54F

Five Things Friday

Back at it this week for a Friday full of faves!  Last week I took the week off, realizing nothing about the week was my favorite!  How sad!  Now if I could write the list of five things that were my least favorite...that'd be another story!!  But luckily last week is in the rear view mirror, I've turned over a new leaf, and this week was a whole lot better!!

{ONE}
Garth!!!!  So excited to be going to see Garth Brooks at Yankee Stadium this summer.  It's his first show country show ever at the new stadium and his first show in the New York City area in almost 20 years.  My bestie, Mel tried for tickets last Friday and was able to get them, an quick too.  We were so surprised!  Garth was totally on my bucket list, so I can't wait.

via

{TWO}
I literally spent Sunday clearing out hours of shows from my DVR.  And just deleting a bunch too...because ain't nobody got time for that.  But I have to say, it was a pretty fabulous day!  And a much needed day at home after spending two weekends traveling.

{THREE}
I've been cooking a lot lately thanks to Hello Fresh and I've just really been loving the meals.  I've enjoyed cooking them as well.  Spending time in the kitchen, with videos casting on my tv, dancing around the kitchen and sipping wine while I cook!

This seared steak and rice meal was definitely my fave

#srirachaisbloodyhot!! 

{FOUR}
2 fabulous 80 degree days this week!  Woo hoo!  I'll take it....so ready for summer!!


{FIVE}  
Girls trip booked!  Headed to Punta Cana this summer with my two besties!  So excited the trip was booked and set.  We have never done a trip all together before so it's going to be a blast!! And I've never been to the DR before so I am so looking forward to it!

Also looking forward to a three day weekend this weekend!!  Happy Memorial Day all!!  And if you missed yesterday's Holiday Weekend Throwback, you can check it out here!  Hope you all have a great weekend filled with sunny weather and some time to relax!!


Linking  up today with:

Erika, Andrea and Narci for Friday Favorites/Jennie/ September Farm for Oh Hey Friday/

Tif for H54F

This Friday's got me like WHOA!!!

YAY!!  Friday is here and I might be in a boring PD Day as you're reading this, but there's a light at the end of the tunnel! Because in just a few short hours I'll be headed to the sunshine!!  I'm visiting my Mom for Mother's Day again this year! {Read about last year's visit here!}
And that is definitely my most favorite thing about today!!  But before I go, here's 4 more faves from this week!!

A day off!  And on Cinco de Mayo at that!  So I spent the day eating Mexican and drinking Sangria with two of my favorite people!  And who doesn't love free tequila shots...that you must do because it's cinco!?!  LOL

totally love that I'm Aunt Katie to this little one!!  

Actually this first week of May has been all about Mexican... Saturday night, Tuesday night and Thursday I went out, while Sunday and Monday I had quesadillas here at home!  Food in the house was slim pickings since I'm going away! Good thing Mexican is my most favorite!!


This song on repeat.

I watched a country cover (of course!) of Lean On by Lennon and Maisy online one day and thought it was really great. These girl KILL IT on covers!!  Went back later on and listened to it again on YouTube on my ChromeCast through my tv, which is on autoplay, so it played all the suggested videos. This is one of them! I'm a lil obsessed and not one bit ashamed to admit I was dancing in my living room!!  I don't know who this Major Lazer chick is but I like her!!

Having all this week's posts done and scheduled by Sunday Night!
Because ya know...THAT NEVER HAPPENS!!!!!!  Especially when it's a 6 post kinda week...7 if you count my post over at TBB!!

Being the featured blogger on The Blended Blog's Style Perspectives!  My prompt was a leggings and scarf look.  I like leggings for Spring...and they can be jazzed up quite nicely with a scarf.  It's simple look but I like it!  For me any day in leggings is a good day! Check out my look here!



Hope you all have a great weekend!  Happy Mother's Day to all the MOMS out there!! Enjoy YOUR special day!!!

Friday!

After a lil bit of a blogger fail...I mean break.... 

I'm back to it this week posting my faves!!

I feel like the week went so super slow!!  Anyone else with me on this!?!

/ONE/
Blog Photoshoot with my sister!!  HAHAHA!  I really wanted to not have to take selfies for my Style Perspectives feature on The Blended Blog this coming Wednesday, so I recruited my sister to come over and take some blog pics for me.  So at 9 o'clock on Tuesday night, that's what we did.  Meghan had no idea what she was getting into.  She was super critical honest, we laughed a lot, drank Starbucks and had fun!!  We knocked out pics for the last few weeks of Style Perspectives!  She can't wait to return in a few weeks to photograph me for Create 28.  LOL  And don't forget to link up with us next week.  My prompt is a leggings and scarf look.  I think they're pretty simple staples for times like these, when the weather can't make up it's mind!

/TWO/
When I did the blog reboot earlier this month, I added pages to the header!  One of those was a popular posts page.  Until now, it's remained empty, but this week I finally jazzed it up a bit with some of my most popular posts.  Head there now and take a looksie!  I'd love to know if you have a favorite post of mine!!  I'll add it to the list!!  After a heck of a week last week, I feel like I'm back on my blog game!  Now if only I could get to that Pinterest HW Mme assigned...LOL

/THREE/
Sushi just makes Mondays better!!

/FOUR/
This story I saw online this week is definitely one of my faves!!  How sweet!  With so much awful out there it's good to know there are GREAT people in the world.  THAT makes my heart happy!!  And stories like this are a welcome change from all the politics out there!

via Today Homepage

/FIVE/
I'm so happy I decided to take these tulips home from the Spring Fling last Saturday because they have just been my favorite thing to look at and come home to this week!  I've also received tons of compliments on them.I posted them to insta and they even made a cameo in this week's Style Perspectives post  I may  just have to start buying myself flowers!!

And now, thank the good Lord above, the weekend is just a few short hours away!!  

Here's to hoping your Friday is short and your five o'clock cocktail is a strong one!!  Cheers!!

Linking up today!

Erika, Andrea, and Narci for Friday Favorites 

September Farm and The Farmer's Wife for Oh Hey, Friday!

April and the girls for Five on Friday

Katie and the girls for High Five for Friday!

Finally Friday!

Three cheers for the weekend!!  Is it just me or did this week feel long?  For me is was the first week back from Spring Break!  I'm glad to be back to my routine and was happy to see my students and teacher friends, but man, I miss just being off!  And the kids were kinda crazy this week!  Ekkkkkk...it's going to be a long last three months!  But anyway!  Let's get to all the Friday Fabulousness!!  And there's lots of it...

{one}

First and foremost, the blog's new look?!?  It's totally my favorite!!  After thinking about it and knowing I needed an update for a while, I finally took the plunge!  And I'm so glad I did because I LOVE it!  I got it on Etsy through Sarah @ Social and Chic.  She was awesome to work with!  So helpful! She answered all my million and one questions and even did the whole install!! It was super quick and affordable, too!  Sarah has lots of great options to chose from!  Definitely check out her shoppe and blog!  I kinda feel like the blog's brand new now!  And thanks to everyone who's sent a comment or a kind word to me about the new design these last few days!  I've been smiling so big!!

{two}

Sweet Emily  My second favorite this week is Emily from Simply a Rough Draft! Love her and her blog!!  She and I have been following one another for a while now!  She just left the sweetest blog comment on my Gratitude post on Monday!!  She's been going back and reading my very first blog posts!  How cool is that!?!  Nobody read those first posts...except maybe my mom!!  LOL  Emily made my day, week, month...my forever actually!!  THANK YOU EMILY!! Definitely go check out Emily's awesome blog!

{three}

A Spring Refresh  After being mostly Shop Free for the months of January, February and March and donating about $2500 worth of clothes during that time, I decided once April hit, I'd treat myself a bit!  I know I've said that I don't need another thing..and I really don't... but sometimes, you just need a little refresh!  I am off to Florida in May, so I bought a few things this week to bring along with me!!  A new bathing suit, cover up (I donated 4 from previous years!) and two outfits to bring on the trip!  All on super sale! So I'd say it was a win-win!

{four}

A conversation with Dad!  One of my favorites this week was a phone call with my dad!  Simply because we never really talk while he's in Florida!  But I gave him a call Tuesday.  My mom was on her way back here, and I called dad to see if he was on the couch, eating pretzels and watching Netflix like he told me he was going to do while my mom was away!  HA!  You see, my parents have retired to Florida, but my mom has not toned down her social butterfly status at all.  She still keeps them both as busy as ever!  Someone's always coming to visit for a week, their playing games with friends, dancing in "The Square" or going to social events in the neighborhood every night.  So while my mom is back home here, my dad couldn't wait for a week of downtime and doing his own thing!!  We talked about my broken iPod, plans for him to paint my bedroom this summer, our beloved Red Sox and his weather...86 and sunny!!  That's when I promptly hung up on him.  Just Kidding!! It's was great to talk to my dad... I should do it more often!!

Dad and I 

{five}

A free week of Hello Fresh!  THANKS MOM!! I haven't made anything yet, because I just got the meals last night, but there's a risotto on my list!!  Woo Hoo,,,making it tonight!!  Will report back!   Check out some of the Hello Fresh meals, I've made {here} and give it a try for yourself {here}.

Whew...it was a great week!!  But bring on the weekend!!  Hope everyone has a fun one!! Thanks for always reading my ramblings!
Katie

Linking up today!

Erika, Andrea, and Narci for Friday Favorites/ September Farm for Oh Hey, Friday!

April and the girls for Five on Friday/ Katie and the girls for High Five for Friday!

Friday! Friday! Friday!

You'd think after last Friday's debacle, I'd be more up on this, this week!  But I am in Spring Break mode!!  But I can't not link up for all the five Friday Favorites FUN!

Spring Break Bucket List

Last week I posted my Spring Break Bucket List on the blog!  This week I've been check, check, checkin' it off!!  YAY!!  I've gotten my haircut, met with old friends, had a few happy hours, went to Toast and more!!  The only thing I haven't really done is read!!  Booooo!!  To check out pics of the items I checked off on my list head to Insta here!!

Meeting Miss Reagan!

Easter Sunday I met this sweet puppy!  My sister's boys have wanted a puppy for a while and my sister and Brother-in-law finally gave in.  She's the only girl Sean will ever have and my sister got to name her...after the Reagan family from Blue Bloods.

Style Perspectives

I was excited to find out that my link on last week's Style Perspectives was the top clicked on The Blended Blog!!  The news was made even sweeter because I tied for first with my Canadian twin, Nicole!!  Seriously...we are the same person.  So many times she's commented on my blog and me on her's that we have that same thing or love that same movie, etc. And she's hilarious to boot!!   Head on over to Nicole's blog and meet her!!  You'll love her!!

Thin Mints

Finally!!!  My boxes of Girl Scout cookies arrived!!  I was so excited I may have eaten one....whole sleeve!  :)

Jamie Lawson: I Wasn't Expecting That

I know I had a video on last week's 5 too, but this song has been on repeat all week since my sister told me about it on Easter Sunday!!  Beware: The song is awesome...the video is sad!!!

Have a great Friday and an even better weekend!!! Katie

Linking up today!

Erika, Andrea, and Narci for Friday Favorites 

September Farm and The Farmer's Wife for Oh Hey, Friday!

April and the girls for Five on Friday

Katie and the girls for High Five for Friday!

Fri...nally!!

Holy Moly….Friday!!!  It’s about damn time you arrived!!  This was like The SLOWEST. WEEK. EVER!!!  I don’t know why but it just dragged and dragged!! Anyone else feel the same way I did??

But, it’s finally here so, on with the show! YAY!! Here are some of my faves from the week!

Style Perspectives The launch of the Style Perspectives Series at The Blended Blog! Woo Hoo!! Our first link up was a success. It was so fun to see how everyone interpreted the looks! Check out mine here! And link up with us next week!

A random Monday night out! I enjoyed a random night out this week with a friend. Sometimes burgers and beers are the perfect way to kick off a week!!

A sweet surprise! On Wednesday afternoon, as I was leaving school, I checked my mailbox and found two books!! They were by author Matthew Kelly of Dynamic Catholic, and the facilitator of Best Lent Ever. (Great Program! I've talked about it here!) wasn't sure who put them there but then I got an email from our pastor, letting me know he put the books in my box and thought I would enjoy them. I was touched that he had remembered I mentioned that I was participating in Best Lent Ever on Ash Wednesday! My reading list is growing and growing!

Not turning the TV on all week!  After binge watching Fuller House last weekend and the Oscars on Sunday night, I needed a break, I haven’t turned the TV on all week! I went out Monday like I mentioned and I read a lot instead!  I needed to finish the book for book club!

Speaking of Book Club, tonight is our first meeting!  I mentioned back in January on my Facebook Page that I was thinking of starting a book club.  I got a lot of interest, so we’re giving it a-go!  Our first pick (my pick really) is Edgewater.  I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to discuss it tonight!  Wish me luck!!

Hope your weekend is all sorts of fabulous!!

Katie

Linking up today!

Erika, Andrea, and Narci for Friday Favorites 

September Farm and The Farmer's Wife for Oh Hey, Friday!

April and the girls for Five on Friday

Jennie for Friday Favorites

Caitlin and the girls for High Five for Friday

Friday Faves

Some faves from this week!!

An unexpected 4-day weekend!! Last Friday we were hit with more snow round her so we had a snow day! I was actually bummed about because I was looking forward to the end of Catholic Schools Week Teacher Luncheon! And then on Sunday night we woke up to more snow!! Just Crazy!! So now all our snow days have been used. Fingers crossed Mother Nature is good to us for the rest of the year. I don't want to be going to school until July 4^th!!  But on the upside there was this...

so it was a good day!!!

Booking a trip to Florida for May! YAY!! I am looking forward to the annual ( I guess it's an annual thing now!  LOL) Mother's Day trip down to see my parents! I was waiting for the prices to drop but I guess the fare I booked at is as good as it's going to get and I didn't want to wait anymore! You can read all about last year's trip here!

The return of TGIT! So EXCITED!! It has seriously been FOREVER!!! So tonight it's wine, friends, and TGIT!

Best Lent Ever! Last Sunday I went to Mass at one of my school's regional parishes. It was a great Mass! I loved the priest, his homily and the fact that the choir rocked out with guitars, a keyboard and tambourine! As I was reading the bulletin when I got home I noticed an ad for an email/video program called Best Lent Ever. It' s based on a book, called Rediscover Jesus, which my friend at work had told me about. I thought it sounded interesting and would be a great way to help me grow in faith this Lent. I really do need to rediscover Jesus in my life these days!! I have only been doing it three days but am thoroughly enjoying it.

Posted this photo to Instagram on Ash Wednesday!  I got this fortune on Tuesday when the Kindergarten class was celebrating Chinese New Year.  It really hit home with me on Ash Wednesday as I embark on the #BestLentEver!

Follow Me on Instagram here!!

Favorite Comments! My Wednesday post this week was titled Love is...

With Valentine's Day approaching I asked some students to tell me what Love is to them. They gave me honest thoughtful answers! I loved that when my friend Deena commented on the post, she included the response her son gave when she asked him the same.

Willis (Grade 3) said: Someone who cares for each other and they look out for each other.  It's when you like, I don't know, go on date??

 I loved his sweet answer and loved that my post was able to spark conversation among the two of them!!

Cute! Cute!!  Thanks for sharing Willis!!!

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!!!!!

Katie

Linking up for all the Friday Fun with:

Erika, Andrea, and Narci for Friday Favorites 

September Farm and The Farmer's Wife for Oh Hey, Friday!

April and the girls for Five on Friday

Jennie for Friday Favorites

Caitlin and the girls for High Five for Friday

Friday Faves...NC Style!!

Friday's here!!  Only a few more school days til a much-needed Christmas Break!!  This week was a quick one for me!

Here's a few faves from the week...

{ONE}

My trip to NC last weekend was definitely a fave!  I didn't get to post a recap! Since this five is filled with snip-its of my trip, it's kinda like a recap though!!   It was a great time!  Lots of laughs and memories made with family I don't get to see as often as I like!!  I mentioned in last week's 5, that I was going there for my cousin's gender reveal party!  It was so cute!  She had the house decorated with sweet touches (who knew they made this stuff?) and guests wore stickers with what they thought the baby was.   It's a BOY!!  Can't wait for him to arrive in April 2016!!  I was totally Team Blue!

{TWO}

One of the things we did while I was in NC was travel to Asheville for the day!  My cousin Kevin lives right outside Asheville, so we spent the day hanging at his house, then headed to dinner in Asheville, for a little Irish Session and some good food.  While we were there, I got in the holiday spirit, drinking some Sierra Nevada Celebration (An NC brew!!).  When it arrived I noticed on the back of my coaster, it said if you hastagged a photo cheers-ing your Celebration, Sierra Nevada would send you two free pint glasses!  So of course, me being me, I did it!!  And guess what...2 free pint glasses are on there way to me!!  Woo Hoo!! It will probably take forever to get them, but that's ok!!  I LOVE free stuff!! And that's two more pint glasses for my collection and two less that I have to steal !

#shamelessselfieforfreeshit

{THREE}

I had a later flight out of NC on Monday, so my Aunt and I spent part of the day shopping!  One of our stops was World Market!  I saw the store on the way back from the airport Friday night and mentioned that I had just been on their website.  My cousin said that it was THE BEST store, so I was on a mission to get there at some point during the weekend!! (And pretty much talked about it all weekend...after my cousins' houses were filled with goodies from World Market!!) And seriously, can I just say....where has this store been all my life?"??  They have everything!!  And I mean EVERYTHING!!  Even WINE!!  Basically my dream store! :)  I came away with as much as I could fit in my carry-on, joined their rewards program, and have plans to shop on their website more soon!!  C'mon NY...get with the program and bring World Market here to my town!!

{FOUR}

No judgement for this next one!  But while I was away, my cousin shared with me her love of Justin Bieber (and Jordan Smith!)!!  LOL.  The Drive home between Kevin's house in Asheville and Kathleen's house is about an hour and a half.  On the way back we listened to Justin's new album, Purpose. I am not ashamed to admit I really liked it.  Not every song was great, but I will say for the last four days I've had about a half a dozen of them in my head.  I am not totally on board with purchasing the album just yet, but I have been casting it on YouTube every night!  HA!  Definitely worth a listen!!

Purpose Deluxe

{FIVE}
After the weekend and having Monday off, I feel like these last few days before Christmas Break have been worse than usual.  We go through to the 23rd but this week and next, there are days with Christmas fun scattered throughout so the kids are a lil bit crazy...which is kinda making me cranky.  I feel like such a Scrooge this week!! I have been trying to stay in the holiday spirit this week though...especially with my blog posts! And today I am looking forward to a dress down!  Any Friday in my jeans is a good day!!  But I am certainly counting down the days til the 23rd!!  EVERYONE needs a break!!

via

Hope you all get to enjoy some time off and time with your family this Christmas!!
Merry Merry!!
Katie

Linking up today with Erika, Andrea, and Narci for Friday Favorites !