Quote of the Week: {Feb. 17, 2014}

"We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back to whence we came."

-John F. Kennedy

Happy President's Day!

I hope that you are enjoying the day, remembering some presidents of the past and, if you are lucky enough to have the day off, enjoying the ocean! If you don't live close to an ocean, and have the day off, I hope you are finding something fun to do!

I am going to the beach after I finish an essay that I have to write, and I can't wait! It is gorgeous outside in California today, so I am very excited to go soak up some of that sun. 

Have a wonderful president's day, everybody!

xoxo

{Valentine's Day} LOVE

For a romantic or fun evening out!

Happy Valentine's Day! 

I hope that you are enjoying this day with people you love - a significant other, friends or family - and enjoy your Friday and the three-day-weekend ahead! Above is a photo of a dress I found that I would absolutely love to be wearing this Valentine's Day - it's so cute and festive, (buy it here: Poppy In for a Visit Dress from ModCloth) and would be perfect again in the summer -  but I already bought the cutest shirt!

Here's the shirt: 

It's from Target! So cute, right?

I'm a bit owl-obsessed so this shirt was perfect!

I had a wonderful day at work, and I was more spoiled today than I was at Christmas! It left me feeling very loved (and sugar-filled, but in a really good way). I even received a red rose from one of my students! Cutest thing ever.

Happy Valentine's Day, everybody!

xoxo

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

{Valentine's Day} Blind Date with a Book

Blind Date with a Book

It's one of the cheesiest holidays of the year, but of all of the date ideas I've stumbled upon, this is my favorite!

I was in a bookshop downtown when I saw a small table filled with books covered in kraft paper and a short description of the book inside - it's essentially a blind date with a book! Such a cute idea! My roommate and I bought two books, and while we hadn't heard of either, I'm hoping that we will love them!

Would you go on a blind date with a book?

xoxo

{Valentine's Day} Gift Guide

Jeffrey Campbell floral shoes / Leaf ring / Chain necklace / Vera wang perfume / Nordstrom nail care / Burlap home decor / Sur La Table heart shaped mug / Xhilaration Juniors 2-Pack Valentine's Day Crew Socks Assorted... / Valentine's Day Heart Shaped Berry Wreath 16"

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and if you are celebrating, it's often best to give a token of affection on one of the most romantic days of the year! I picked these things mostly because they were cute and/or pink, red, white, or purple. Or all of the above. 

What are you hoping for this Valentine's Day?

xoxo

Quote of the Week: {February 10, 2014}

"Wherever you go, whatever you do, be in love!" 

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Valentine's Day is this week (what? When did that happen?) and love is in the air. Also, bitterness, but I hope that those of you unhappy with this holiday remember that Valentine's Day is just another day. 

Personally, I think Valentine's Day can be used to show the love you have for anyone in your life, and this year I plan on spending it with my best friends, some silly movies, and Chinese takeout. Or a heart-shaped pizza. We haven't decided yet. 

I love my friends, my students, and my family, so those are the people that I am celebrating this year. I celebrate my love for them in all sorts of ways throughout the year, but Valentine's Day is my excuse to be extra cheesy. 

Also, I love wearing red, pink, white, and anything sparkly, so get excited! 

What are your plans for this Friday evening?

xoxo

ModCloth Make The Cut Contest: 'Prints Charming'

Have you always dreamed of becoming a fashion designer? Well now that dream can come true! The ModClothMake The Cut program is a recurring design contest that invites the ModCloth Community to design garments, graphics, or fabric prints. Its main purpose is to further their mission of democratizing fashion by producing clothing designed by community members. YOU can become a designer at ModCloth!

How does the contest work?

Entrants will design a new print for a private label dress silhouette that is already being produced! Contestants have two weeks to submit designs. After the submission period, the ModCloth Creative Team will narrow down the submissions to 20, which will be sent to the guest judge, Amanda Needham, Costume Designer for Portlandia. After Amanda has chosen the 10 finalists, they will be posted on the Be The Buyer page for voting. There will be a week for the Community to vote, then ModCloth will contact the winner and update the contest announcement with the big news!

• Contest is Live Now!

• End of Submission Period: Friday 02/14/14

• Launch voting on Be The Buyer: Monday 03/03/14

• End voting on Be The Buyer: Monday 03/10/14

• Winner announced on ModCloth Blog (winner will be contacted personally): Wednesday 3/12/14

Send your entry in now and good luck!

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

xoxo

Pre-K Wednesday: {Books We Love}

At our preschool, circle time is one of the kids' favorite activities, and for many of the children, reading is their favorite part of the day! So I've compiled a list of a few of the books we love to read most:

ONE | MADELINE


Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

Madeline is such a classic, and it's my personal favorite. I even dressed up as Madeline for Halloween! The kids just love to hear all about Madeline and her adventures.

TWO | OWL BABIES 

Owl Babies

Owl Babies is a sweet read for children aged 2 1/2 to 5 years old. The kids love helping me read this one aloud.

THREE | THE EARTH AND I

The Earth and I by Frank Asch

This book is a favorite of a few of our students, who bring it to me at all times of the day to hear it read over and over, helping me make animal noises (which we improvise) and for them, it is great fun.

FOUR | KNUFFLE BUNNY

  Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems

Knuffle Bunny is a very sweet and funny tale of a young girl who loses her stuffed bunny - and all that ensues. We love reading in the main character, Trixie's voice as they discover that Knuffle Bunny is missing!

xoxo

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Happy February! & {Quote of the Week}

Happy February! 

Wow, where did a whole month go?

I have been crazy-busy with work and school (three-hour long classes that don't end until 9:40pm... ughhh). But other than that, I've been doing homework, reading some amazing books, and attempting to get some time to relax in there. 

Which leads me to the quote of the week:

"It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it."

-Lena Home

This quote serves as a reminder that you are strong enough to handle what life sends your way, and if it seems like too much (which it often does), find a different way to carry it. Take deep breaths. Pick something manageable to start with, and everything will be okay.

I'm a really big list-person. I love lists. There's something so rewarding about being able to check off something, and when my list is done, I feel so relaxed! 

I make one big list for my week and divide it up into the days, and you know what? If it doesn't all get finished, it is not the end of the world.

Make sure you add some de-stress time to your list or your life!

It helps, I swear. 

xoxo