8.27.2012

Coffee.

I have to wake up at 6 a.m. for a 14 hour school/tutoring day and I drank a coffee a little while ago out of boredom and now I'm blogging. 

Things I'm excited for:

1. I only had one class today so tomorrow is like my real first day of classes.

2. My birthday is 9 days. 

3. My friend, Haylee, could go in to labor at any moment.

4. I'm getting my hair done Friday and it's going to REALLY different from anything I've ever had done. This is a big deal because I've always had platinum blond hair. Oh my. 

5. I hope I can spend the night with my best friend Friday after next and sing singstar.

6. I'm almost to 10,000 views!!!!! 


Things I'm not so excited for:

1. I have to buy a really expensive book for my reading block. 

2. I need to get up and wash my face and pack my lunch but I'm in a frazzle and can't get up or fall asleep thanks to the coffee. 

3. Taking a shower at the rec tomorrow.


The good outweighs the bad.


Goodnight. :) 

8.24.2012

High Five for Friday: Favorite Blogs

Although I had a TON of amazing things that would make my High Five for Friday post this week I've decided to change it up a little bit and post my 5 favorite blogs to visit on the reg! 


This has easily became my favorite blog to visit. Julie is SUCH an awesome motivator when it comes to fitness and health and her little dog is PRECIOUS. If you are in need of a good workout or healthy recipe go visit her, NOW!

2. Cara Loren

I found this blog on Pinterest and have become so hooked on this gorgeous mommy's blog! She has the coolest style and tons of hair/beauty tips!

3. Southern Color

I LOVE this blog for DIY projects and just all things southern. This sister duo is always changing up what they post about and it's always something worth reading! Love, love, love it!

4. The First Grade Parade

I think it's safe to say that every teacher in the world wishes she/he could be Cara Caroll. I am constantly floored when I get on Cara's blog to see what she's managed to do in her classroom. I'm convinced that she's actually super woman because she also has a family blog, and a "housewife" blog that showed how great of a mommy and wife she is too. If you are a teacher you MUST go visit her blog!

5. From My Grey Desk

And of course, since this is my High Five for Friday post I have to link up with Lauren. Her blog is a lifestyle blog that has everything from style tips, to DIY, to everyday life. She's fun and stylish and just has an amazing blog.

Happy Friday!

8.22.2012

Craft Crazy

My final week of summer I have officially gone CRAFT CRAZY.

I'm exhausted, so this post will be short and sweet, but I had to share all the crafts/DIY projects I've been working on this week! 

First off, I made a hospital wreath/bedroom wreath for my sweet little (nephew-ish), Brandt! I can say that right? ;) 

I LOVED the way it turned out. 

What you'll need:
- Styrofoam Wreath
- Cardboard letters (Hobby lobby!)
- Your choice of fabrics torn or cut in to strips about 16 inches long
- thick ribbon to hang it from
- acrylic paint for the letters

I literally tied each strip in a little bow around the wreath and scrunched it tight against the next. Hot glue the words on after they are painted and you're done! 

My next project was this old wooden rocking chair my mom was going to toss.

I picked up some fabric and stuffing for the pillow and some acrylic paints to match and made a reading chair for my future classroom! 



And my FAVORITE DIY project this week was my game day t-shirt dress! 

I can't even begin to explain how to do this because my mom helped so much, but what you will need:

- 1 large t-shirt with team logo
- 2 yards of fabric for skirt
- 1 yard of fabric for sash

I'll post a "how to" later because this really turned out to be adorable! 


I hope everyone's week is going as great as mine! 

8.20.2012

Back to School Health and Fitness


Hi all! I just got home from my best friend's house where I always come home motivated and education on new health and fitness ideas so I thought I'd post about my current health habits and new things I've been introduced to! 

Since January, when I started this "lifestyle change" (I prefer that to saying I was on a diet because I've literally changed my lifestyle) I've been able to maintain for the most part, but I'm not where I was, so since it's back to school for me next week I've decided it's back to health and fitness as well! 

What I've been doing:

Eating healthy (most of the time)
Taking Biotin and Fish Oil (mainly for hair and nail growth, but Biotin is also a metabolism booster!)
Working out 2-3 times a week
Logging on MyFitnessPal (counting calories)

That's basically how I've maintained, but I'm ready to step it up so my new fitness goals are:
Add in a multivitamin
Eat more fruits and veggies
Work out 5-6 times a week
LOG EVERYTHING. (sometimes I cheat)

Also, I was introduced to 2 new AWESOME foods yesterday at the Conley's 

1. Balance Bars


Momma Sid went to the Zumba Convention in Orlando last week and discovered these bars. O.M.G. We had the double chocolate brownie ones after dinner last night and even a half of one was filling and perfect for a little sweet tooth craving. 

What I couldn't believe was all the vitamins! Take a look! 





2. Dannon Light and Fit Greek Yogurt
Had this for breakfast thing morning and it literally filled me up completely! Hard to believe it is only 80 calories! 


So these are now added to my usual shopping list! 

I'm preparing to go on a hike this afternoon with one my friends, trying to change up workouts a little! 

What is your favorite workout?

8.18.2012

Vacation :)

I took a break last week from all things to head to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida with my boyfriend's family for vacation. It was SO needed! 

I took a FEW pictures on my phone, so I thought I'd share! 

Monday we went to a Miami Marlins game and the dome stadium was gorgeous.

At the game.

We did a whole lot of this... every day, which I LOVED (minus the sun poisoning after the 2nd day).

This was the view from our room every morning... not too shabby.



Pup and I drove to downtown Ft. Lauderdale Wednesday evening and toured around before going to see The Dark Knight Rises at the IMAX theater! Talk about AWESOME.

Our last day on the beach we made a new friend who I absolutely fell IN LOVE with! 

Vacation was a success and I'm so thankful to have great "in-laws" who let me tag along with them! 

School countdown... 1 week! Let's make the most of it! 



8.10.2012

High Five for Friday!

Happy Friday everyone! I'm linking up with Lauren for my High Five for Friday post! 

This week was so relaxing because I had NO plans all week! My nanny-ing gig is over and I'm not tutoring yet, so I got to stay home this week and enjoy myself! 

1. Coffee in the morning! 
Yes! I've been able to start every morning watching HGTV and enjoy a cup of coffee! It's the little things! 

2. The 5 Love Languages
I just finished reading this book and I cannot believe how much I learned from it! I suggest it to all couples! 

3. Family Dinners
Wednesday my mom, dad, brother, and boyfriend all managed to be home for dinner! It was awesome to get to sit down with everyone and have dinner and catch up. Those kind of dinners are few and far between with all of our crazy schedules.

4. Great Sermons
Sunday we had a great lesson and a great sermon at church. It is always amazing how much better your week goes when you get filled so much on Sunday! 

5. Leaving for Florida
Yes, finally, this evening I am leaving for Florida with the Moore's! :) Can't wait to spend another vacation with them! 


I won't be posting until I get back from the beach! Have a great week! 

8.09.2012

Summer Reading List

This summer I made a goal for myself to read. I LOVE to read and had forgotten how much I loved it over the past few summers while I was working full time, so I decided to make myself a summer reading list and while I'm still working on the rest of the 30 I've manage to get almost 10 marked off the list and thought I'd share what I've been reading and my reviews on them! Heck, you're reading this so you must like to read somewhat... right? 


I started the summer reading Tim Tebow's book, Through my Eyes, and it was fantastic. This is definitely a book I would want my son to read one day. It's such a good mix of living a Godly life while also being that star athlete and balancing dedication to a worldly thing while God being the main goal. I loved it! 


I'm a sucker for a good romance book, but since Nicholas Sparks hasn't come out with a new book this summer I decided to get Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly's book, Gabby, after seeing a documentary on their relationship. After Gabby was shot at a political event Mark makes an account of their relationship throughout her rehabilitation. It was a beautiful book and a TRUE love story. 


Yes, I know I'm a little late, but I read the first book of the Hunger games (after seeing the movie and loving it). It rocked as everyone already knows. 


I finished this devotional, Lady in Waiting, which I have written about before. It is SUCH an amazing book especially for single young ladies. I mean every word of this book has a purpose and hits the nail right on the head. If you're a single Christian woman, read it. If you have a teen-ish daughter, buy her this book! I'm telling you it is WONDERFUL.


This book was one of those random books I bought for an English class. It is a memoir about a little girl from China who was adopted by an American couple and her journey afterwards to reconnect with her biological parents. It was interesting to me because I have a sweet little cousin who was adopted from China as well, but I wouldn't recommend it to just anyone to read. 


Thennnnn there was this book -- Yikes. This book literally scared me silly. While I believe this book makes you realize that hell is a real place, which I believe people, and Christians in particular, forget a lot, I feel there are some things written in this book that may cause a lot of confusion. Not a book I would recommend either. 


Then I read this piece of work. That's all I'll say about that. 


This book was FABULOUS! The storyline, the characters, everything. Such a need-to-tell story, but done in a way that everyone can enjoy it! Now I can finally watch the movie! 


I just got finished reading, Death at an Early Age, a couple days ago. I was given this book to read by a professor of mine. While it was a sad, but true story of the important and neglect of early education it was an older book filled with unnecessarily large words to make the author feel smart. (That's harsh, but how it came across to me.) I would, however, recommend my fellow teachers and soon to be teachers to read it to remind us the importance of our jobs!


I'm currently reading, The 5 Love Languages, recommended by my friend Lindsay. Although it is meant for married couples it is a great lesson for any person. It's all about strengthening your relationships and figuring out which love language your significant other speaks. I'm halfway through and I've already learned a lot! I recommend this to anyone, especially married couples! 

Well, summer is coming to an end and while I didn't get the entire list finished I got a few knocked out! Here's what's coming up next:

The Essential 55 by Ron Clark
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
Inside my Heart by Robin McGraw
Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney
And the Hunger Games and 50 Shades series

What's at the top of your reading lists? I'm always looking for a good book! 

8.06.2012

Championships. Babies. Dr. Jean!

Happy Monday!!! Except, it really is for me because I am free ALL week! So far this morning I've drank a cup of coffee, cut coupons, and watched HGTV... how old am I again?

Anyway, these last few days have been full of fun times so, I thought I'd catch you up! 


Thursday night my slow pitch softball team won our league championship! Go Bears! 

Friday my boyfriend got his wisdom teeth out (plenty of pictures, none that he would let me put on here).

Saturday was a day full of showers for my Mom and me! I didn't snap any pictures at the wedding shower, but boy, oh boy, did we snap them at the baby shower. 

This was one of the most adorable baby showers I've ever been to! It was a baseball theme and ALL of the food was concession stand style! It was precious and I'm sure I gained 20 pounds in those two hours.

 Pretty Momma and sweet baby Paxton! 

There were sweet babies EVERYWHERE and Momma and I were in love! 


Also, for all my teacher viewers, my mom got to go to a training Friday with DR. JEAN! Holy Cow! She got me a signed autograph which got me motivated to get all my teacher stuff organized and start some DIY projects! (For the classroom I don't have yet! haha) 

Be checking for those this coming week!

8.01.2012

Nanny Career Coming to an End

Well, it's been a super fun month, but it is coming to an end as my kiddos will be headed back to school! 

We have done everything, I think, possible to do in the tri-state area for children! 

The last two weeks my girl, Sara, and I have been having girls days because her brother is at band camp, so here is a short recap of what we've been doing! 


We visited the local pet store to see our favorite animals! 



I introduced her to Paula Vega cupcakes! 


We bought school supplies and donated them to the local Boys and Girls Club! 


I taught her MY idea of a pool day! Haha! 


We also met a friend for a LONG day at Camden Park. Sara rode every ride there, some even twice! I, on the other hand, stayed on the ground and did not have a tummy ache at the end of the day! 


We went to the Pottery Place! It was so fun! 


Of course I had to make something too! A teacher mug! 

Today we went putt putt golfing and it was a HOT ONE! We've been relaxing all afternoon. 

Tomorrow is our last day together and I've planned for us to go get pedicures! I've had a blast this summer with all my kiddos, but I'm ready to get in to school mode. It is hard to believe that in less than a year I'll be finished with college and applying for my big girl job. I'm so thankful for the parents who have let me work with their children all summer! It's been a good one!