Friday Loves

It's been FOREVER since I've shared a Friday post!  But last weekend, I spent some time with my blogging tribe! We ate, we drank, we shopped and beached!  And we talked The Blended Blog and Blogging.  I left feeling like I need to do more...wanting to do more!!! 

Today over at The Blended Blog we're sharing our love of fellow bloggers with a new (maybe old!) Feature Friday!  I'm heading on over there to link up my post...you should too.  Feeling rejuvenated on the blogging front, I read more blogs this week as well.  Here are some of the blogs I've loved this week.

Shaunacey spent the weekend with us in Hilton Head, but when she returned home to Barrie she was headed back to work after a year long maternity leave (three cheers for Canada's Health Care!!).  Before her first day, she shared a fabulous post that tugged at the heart strings...even for this non-mama!  I maybe loved it too because she centered the post around the song Seasons of Love from Rent, one of my favorite musicals!!  Read Shaunacey's sweet post here!

The teacher in my has had a hard time getting back into the swing of things myself, but I'm excited because Halloween is just around the corner.  The kids love Halloween, and I love the day off we get after it.  LOL  But I've been scouring Pinterest for some ideas to use in my library, and came across this super cute craft at I Heart Crafty Things.  Instead of using it in the library though, this year, my 6th graders are going to do this with their Pre-K buddies on Halloween.  So back to Pinterest I go!


I've been following The Single Woman, Mandy Hale  for years now! I've read all of her books, follow her on Insta, and just really enjoy her voice.  She's been posting leading up to her new book, You are Enough, that's out next week, and I'm getting super excited about it!!  Single or not, she's a good read.  Check out The Single Woman here!

I've posted lots of love for the clothes and ladies at Piper Street Shop on the blog.  So last week when they announced the store was closing after 5 years, I'm not gonna lie...my heart broke a little.  I love Sarah and Jenni, their clothes, and the love they show their customers on social media. I will for sure miss them!  The store is closing so that means deep discounts for customers.  Read all about the store's closing and their finals sales on their blog here.

I think this Kimono was one of my first Piper Street purchases!  It's still a fave!  I loved it so much I bought it in two colors!!

The last time I really blogged, Michael from Frankly, My Dear commented.  And ever since then I've been following her blog.  This week she posted a Bookish Q&A which I loved and hopped right on board with.  Yesterday I even posted my own version!  I'm so glad Michael found me and am so glad to now be able to follow her.  Check her out here!


How much fun was that!!  I'm heading over to The Blended Blog to link up...you should too!!

Have a great weekend!!!

Fri-YAY!!

Well this was a roller coaster of a week for me, that's for sure!!  But it's ended on a high note, so I'm sharing my faves!  It's a whole lotta random!!


1- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
I am the first one to tell you (and my students!) that I love three day weekends.  But this one comes with a reminder. I enjoy teaching my students about Martin Luther King, Jr. and all that he represents. We talk about how, even after all this time, yes, racism and injustice still exists, but it not the law!  It's in someone's heart...because it's not open to change and kindness.  In this tumultuous time we live in where so many are still divided, I thought this was the perfect quote for Dr. King.  I had not seen it before!  It's my new favorite!

2-  Facebook Fun! 
Saw this floating around Facebook this week and thought it was cute so I played along and commented!!  My three words were "Night with Family"  What would your three words be?  I'd love to know!!

Higher Perspective

3- Books, Books, Books!!
If I'm being completely honest, every weeknight this month so far I've been in bed reading at 8 o'clock.  I've been reading books and listening to audiobooks.  By nine, I'm fast asleep.  Except Tuesday night!!  Tuesday was THE WORST DAY! Among other things, I was not feeling well, so after getting in bed and shutting off my light, I put on my audiobook and I just could not stop listening!!  On a friends recco, I started reading The Art of Racing in the Rain.  It is narrated by a Dog.  And it was THE BEST BOOK!!  I stayed up reading and bawled...probably more than I should have, thanks to my awful day!! But I just loved it so. It's a must read!!
I was happy to see so many bloggers posting their January reads on their blogs this week. It seems like no one does much but read in January!!  And I'm always looking to add to my list.  Shelly introduced me to the What We're Reading Wednesday Link-up hosted by Stephanie!  I'm excited to join this one soon.

4- Good News!
This year since I'm a homeroom teacher I get to go on Field Trips with my class!  And this week I was confirmed to go to Medievil Times!!  Everyone is pretty shocked that I have never even been there!  They all say it's great fun so I'm really excited!!

5-Fun Weekend Plans 
After what feels like my winter's long hibernation, I am really excited to have a full plate o' fun on tap for this weekend.  There's Happy Hour after work today! Dinner and drinks with girlfriends Saturday night, and brunch to celebrate a teacher bestie on Sunday!  After all that, I'm sure I'll be back to hibernating for a few weeks again!!

Hope you all have a great weekend as well, whatever's on the agenda!!  Thanks for stopping by today!


Linking up today with The Blended Blog for Friday Loves, Erika for Friday Favorites, Tif for H54F

   

Christmas Bucket List: 5 things I'd love to do this Holiday Season!

Happy Friday!  And happy First Day of December!  What??  Where does the time go.  I'm excited December is here but it's also really scary!  Christmas is right around the corner...and I am soooo not ready!!  My tree is not up, my cards are not mailed (or even ordered!!) and I still have lots of gifts to buy!

Today I'm excited though to be taking the time to blog!!  I'm joining a bunch of fun gals and sharing a Mini Christmas Bucket List...5 things I'd love to do this Holiday Season!

Get a picture with Santa
I'm so angry with myself.  On Saturday, while I was shopping Small Business Saturday, they were giving a way SWAG Bags, having a food drive, and offering free pictures with Santa.  I dropped off my cans of food and noticed all these kids taking pictures with Santa.  It wasn't crowded and I thought for a moment about hopping on Santa's lap!  But then said to myself, "I can't really take a picture with Santa!"  But now, after seeing a friend's photo on Facebook of her two dogs (only dogs!!!) on Santa's lap, I'm totally regretting that I didn't do it!!  He was a really great Santa too.  So now I'm determined to get my picture with Santa!! LOL


Head the the Beach to see the Christmas Light Display!
A local beach had a huge drive through Christmas Display for years and I never made it.  When it closed I was sad that I never got there. They are bringing it back for the 2017 Christmas Season and now I'm determined to go!  Fingers crossed I make it this year!!

Actually bake my cookies this year!!
For the past few years my sisters and I have had our annual cookies and cocktails day!  It has always been the joke that I bring the break-and-bakes (and drink more than I eat)!!  I want this year to be the year that I actually bake my cookies!  I am hoping to find a fun recipe I can bake.  I think I'll be able to do it this year too!  Because now that the family's gotten so big and cookie day has gotten so crazy, we've decided to have the dough prepared ahead of time.  This way, while we're there all we have to do is bake!!  Oh and I'm open to recipe suggestions, so if you have nay, I'd love to know about them!!

Drive around the neighborhood and look at lights!
Years ago my friend and I used to go out and look at the Christmas lights on the houses.  We haven't done it in forever!  This year I want to bring back this tradition!!  Maybe make a Jammie Cocoa Christmas.

Get Christmas Crafty!
For the last few years, my mom has been gifting each of my sisters and I a Christmas present that she's made herself. And I've been wanting to do the to do the same. I have an idea as to what I want to make...actually I've had it for quite a while.  Half the battle is really just getting my butt in gear and finding the time to do it!  I think that the gift I have in mind is fun and will be appreciated.  If I put an actual time line and this and actually put the idea in writing, maybe, my chances are good that I get it completed this year. HA!

Mom with last year's Christmas creation!

What fun things do you want to do and see this holiday season?  Let me know!!  Have a wonderful December Weekend!!  And thanks for visiting today!




Linking up today:
The Blended Blog
Friday Favorites
H54F

Friday Favorites

Some weeks I don't share my favorites because not every week is the best!!  That was the case last week!  I did however, pop up to share my favorite things among the interwebs last week, which you can find here!  It's always fun to spend a Friday over at TBB!  After reading this post head to The Blended Blog to find out what Sarah loved this week and link up with us!!

This week was a pretty typical summer week but I still managed to find a few favorites along the way!

With the exception of today, the week turned out pretty beautiful.  So me being me, that means I spent lots of time out in the sun and with my books!  I have been reading like a madwoman!  And I am so excited about it!  Books in print, Ebooks, audiobooks, you name it, I've read it.  I'm am currently reading my 6th book of the month!  I've visited my library three times already too....

These are some of the books I've read, and some I still have to read.  Hello, Sunshine just came out on Tuesday, and I'm the first one to get it out of the library!  WOO HOO!!

Another favorite of the week was my blog photoshoot with my bestie.  On Saturday, she came over and we had a fun time.  Check out the first pictures and my post here!

I tried something new on the blog this week!  I saw three things on Andrea's blog on Monday so I tried it on Thursday.  Which is kinda funny because I myself did three things on Thursday.  My busiest day of the week!  Check out my Three Things here.


Happy Mail.  I was excited to receive these prints that I ordered on Jane this week. I got two. I  have one framed so far and I really like the way it came out...even if it took me 20 minutes to get it right in the damn frame!  Another frame is on it's way to me for the other one.

How could I let the week pass without mentioning the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale?  It started yesterday and since I was up at 4a.m., I figured why not shop?

 I  placed three orders! I read many of the blogs with bloggers' favorites, only using that as a guide...some picks are too steep for my wallet. I think I did a good job on my own.  I am shopping on a budget, so I try to scope out deals that are under $50.  I'll splurge on shoes and blardigans!  HA!   Check out Lisa's blog for some great affordable picks!! I'll be sharing what I bought and keep on the blog later this month.  Stay tuned!


What did you love this week??  Let me know in the comments below!  Have a great weekend!!

Linking up today with The Blended Blog for Friday Loves, Erika for Friday Favorites, Tif for H54F