Back to School 1: Pencil Sharpener Review

If you're a teacher, you know your classroom pencil sharpeners break often due to excessive use or because they're cheap.  I saw a pin on Pinterest about this awesome pencil sharpener that was designed by an actual classroom teacher. Immediately, I went straight to the site from the pin and requested to review the sharpener by Classroom Friendly Supplies.  I received it and tested it out a few weeks before school let out.

front of the sharpener

The clear middle is actually a compartment that can be pulled out in order to dump the shavings. 

If you notice the hole at the bottom, that is where you can put in the clamp (it's included) that way the sharpener is stationary and stable. 

side view of sharpener

One of my students sharpening her pencil. 

My students fought over this sharpener. Well, not fought in the literal sense, but argued about who was going to use it first. The sharpener takes a little bit of getting use to because it's not like the traditional pencil sharpener, but once you do, it's awesome. It sharpens very well. The lead comes to a very good, sharp point without crumbling lead once my students put the pencil to paper. I would definitely recommend this sharpener:) FYI, I did keep it on my desk that way I could monitor the use of it. As you can see in the first picture, I've already unpacked it to use for the new school year. 

The one con I found was that it doesn't come in pink! ;)

Five on Friday

Have been a little absent this week because I had to attend a teacher workshop. Today, I'm linking up for Five on Friday.

1. I'm obsessed with my new blog design. Aubrey from The Kinch Life Designs is the designer. She is great to work with. I sent her a pinterest board I had created. I wanted a new up-to-date design. I felt my previous one was a little overplayed with the chevron and a little outdated. Aubrey did a fabulous job at capturing exactly what I wanted: clean, updated, girly, and a little sparkle. Not to mention, she threw in some ombre. You can really tell on the header.  I just love it, and I hope you do too! :)

2. I was chosen in a little giveaway post for a credit to Prep Obsessed's sale the night I commented. I ended up using it on this little seersucker clutch that included monogramming. If you're not a fan, I definitely suggest you become one. Prep Obsessed is a flash sale site that often has items such as throw pillows, jewelry, clutches, tumblers, Lilly Pulitzer items, etc. Nina and Corey, P.O.'s owners, are the sweetest girls and post the cutest stuff.

3. I am getting this done today. During the summer, I don't go a lot of places, so I try not to dry my hair very much. In return, it makes my hair grow pretty fast. My roots are jank, and this is LONG overdue! :/

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4. I have had this book on my nightstand for probably 3 1/2 years. I never got around to reading it because I had just started teaching and was planning my wedding. Not to mention, it's like 1400 pages. Often times I would just look at it and dismiss the thought of reading it because of the length. I couldn't sleep one night last week, and I picked it up. After that, I could NOT put it down. It's now in probably my top 3 books.

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5. I am very scared and overwhelming about teaching U.S. history. I've never taught history before, and it is quite different than teaching grammar. I am so overwhelmed that I keep opening my teacher edition and staring at it aimlessly and slamming it shut. I think I just need to take the next few days and enjoy them and not worry about it. If you're a middle school history teacher, feel free to hit me up with suggestions, powerpoints, lesson plans, ANYTHING. I am starting from scratch and feel like a brand new teacher all over again.

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A couple of back to school review posts will be coming early next week, so stay tuned...

OOTD: Surprise Party

So, my dad was TOTALLY surprised yesterday! He really had no clue. I am so glad we decided to throw him a surprise 60th birthday party. My hubs made sausage rotel dip for an appetizer (my daddy's fave), and picked up Corky's Bbq (famous here in Memphis!) which included all the fixings to go along with it. For dessert, it was a Baskin Robbins ice cream cake and cupcakes with whipped icing. Sadly, I didn't take a picture til it was over:/

OOTD

dress: Lilly Pulitzer dress in little lilet print

shoes: Lilly Pulitzer high McKims

jewelry: pearl necklace and earrings-market/assorted DY bracelets

My aunt told me I looked like a little housewife in this dress. Sadly, this look and my domestic abilities do not mirror each other. I am just no good at any of that. Maybe, one day? eh, who am I kidding---probably not. ha!

**note if you end up hunting down this shirt dress (it's from a couple of seasons ago), please do size up!!!! For something not fitted in the hips area, I usually wear a 4 because I have a slender torso. However, flow and all, I had to size up to a 6 and believe this runs small up top. fyi! not to mention, it's the perfect eating festivities dress--can't tell when I have belly swell from eating too much:) 

5 on Friday!

1. Still researching history stuff. Teaching this is nothing like teaching grammar. The change in content (more interesting than grammar!) will be a nice change for me.

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2. I'm throwing my dad a surprise 60th birthday. I don't know if my dad has ever had a "birthday" party before. He has no idea at least i don't think he does and will be surprised----I hope! We went with the theme in the pic above from Party City, "the party continues..."

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3. I've been able to go to the pool a few times the past couple of weeks. Love this towel that I got in the NYC sale and have used it every time I've gone to the pool.

4. Pea Salad--sorry for the messy pic. This is the last of it that I scraped together for the picture. This is SOOOOOOOO good. My friend made this when we had a pool day and cooked out. I asked for the recipe to take to a teacher pool day on Wednesday. We had some left over, and I've been eating it with my lunch. So good!!!!!
Recipe is as follows: 
2 pkgs frozen peas
6 or 7 strips of bacon
2 tbp finely chopped purple onion
1/2 cup chopped mozzarella
1/2 cup chopped cheddar
1/2 cup mayo
salt
pepper
pinch of sugar

5. Sunkissed Citrus Dryer Disk. Y'all this is SO yummy! I use the dryer disks to make my clothes and towels smell so good. This doesn't function as a dryer sheet; it's merely for smell. So, I throw a non-fragrant dryer sheet in with this. And voila, no static and smells divine!

Warmer Thursday: Lisbon

Someone shared an actual photo of Lisbon with Scentsy, and they put it on their facebook page.

Lisbon 

Inspired by Spain's rich history and varied landscape, Lisbon's beautiful scrolls are highlighted in shades of periwinkle over deep caramel.

Here's the stock photo: 

DAR official:)

It's official! I got my certificate, national number, and my welcome packet from the DAR a few days ago. I am very excited to transfer to the chapter closest to my house (i joined through a chapter in MD) and get involved. I'm curious to see how this year pans out doing both Junior League and DAR. I guess if I can handle both, I'll keep both. If not, I'll go with which I like best.

 The wonderful lady who helped me join sent me a little gift, the DAR mug and DAR pin. I thought that was so sweet of her:) You CAN meet wonderful people through blogging!

SB at the Movies: Frances Ha

A few weeks ago, I went with my MIL to see Frances Ha. Do I have a cool MIL or what??!?!?! ;)

Frances Ha rating: not an indie lover-rent it. indie lover-go see it men will not enjoy this movie unless they like indie, hipster-ish films just like going to the movies in general- matinee it. 
A story that follows a New York woman (who doesn't really have an apartment), apprentices for a dance company (though she's not really a dancer), and throws herself headlong into her dreams, even as their possible reality dwindles. credit for picture and movie summary: here

dreading typing this...

credit: here

i wasn't sure if i wanted to put this out there. it's kind of personal. but then again, this little space is like a journal---just online and for all the world to see. no pressure. i know you all have been anxiously waiting for me to post the results of my test. just kidding... so, i'm typing this hoping one day i'll be holding my child and laughing at this silly post!

my test didn't go well. in fact, my test didn't go at all. the procedure isn't supposed to take more than 30 minutes. i was really nervous when i arrived. the nurse could tell and asked me if i looked on the internet, and i burst into tears. she reassured me it wasn't as bad and the radiologist said the same. to make a long story short, the radiologist poked and prodded for quite some time til finally he gave up. it felt like i was having my "annual" over and over and over again. Not painful, but not comfortable whatsoever. after the radiologist waved his white flag in defeat of the female anatomy, they called in an obgyn in from my group to come assist. they said this happens about once a year, and the obgyn said it happens more than you think. when the obgyn started working, it hurt! and, even then, he wasn't able to complete the test.

i was sent home after three hours. yes, that's correct i was sent home from the thirty minute procedure after THREE hours. the next step is supposedly to go into my obgyn next month and have them help, and THEN go back and have the test performed. i won't go into graphic detail about all of it. but, i was just devastated. i was already anxious and all worked up to have this happen. definitely a blow to already low self esteem when it comes to my infertility.

and the radiologist and nurse joked that everything i read on the internet was true since he failed. ha! it was slightly amusing and sad all at the same time.

we had cancelled our vacation to do this, and we DIDN'T even get the dang test completed. i'm hoping eventually we have our baby, and it will make all these awful things worth it.

5 on Friday

Here's my 5!

1. I am SO late on this, but I love LOVE Duck Dynasty. It's hilarious! I like that religion and family time are an integral part of the show. Not to mention, my grandfather was raised not too far from Monroe and visiting as a kid was fun!

2. I recently ordered Scentsy's shower cream to try out, and it's my new go-to smell good bathing item! I like the consistency of the cream. It's not thick or greasy and lathers up well.  Sunkissed Citrus is a combination of the following: oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit. It's smells so good I *almost* want to eat it up. lol:)

3.  Palmetto Cheese's "The Pimiento with Soul." I am a sucker for pimiento and cheese. I'm a creature of habit and once I get on a kick of something I like, I can eat it every day for weeks. Lately, I've been eating Palmetto's original on my sandwich for the past week or so. And, I love the jalapeno version with Wheat Thins. I cannot take spicy food, so I can attest the jalapeno has just a little kick. Yummmmmmmmm

4. For all the people who complain that teachers get off all summer and don't work, that's not entirely true. I just finished up a 3 day workshop on the new common core stuff that's coming, and I did NOT get paid for this. Not to mention, I'm switching from being an ELA (English language arts) teacher to US History. It will be like being a new teacher all over again. I have no idea how to "teach" history. I have to learn the material. So, yesterday, when I got home from my workshop, I began to do research on unit plans, pacing guides, activities, etc. for the upcoming school year. And, I will be spending the rest of my time until August 1st working on this. Also, I have another 3 day workshop to attend in two weeks which I do get paid for. Teachers DO work during the summer:)

5. My new fave song right now is Blurred Lines. I crank it up E.V.E.R.Y. time it comes on the radio! 1st photo credit here. 2nd photo: my scentsy website 3rd photo: credit here 4th photo: credit here 5th photo: credit here

Primary Colors and BBMB 2013

It's Warmer Wednesday time!

The Primary Collection! Berry Blast, Fruit Punch, and Lemonade! This colorful collection brings back childhood memories of long, fun-filled summer days! 

Fruit Punch---Pure, bright red - the color of sugary sweet summery drinks

Lemonade---Remember your first lemonade stand? This warmer is just as refreshing as a glass of the summer staple on ice!

Berry Blue---a cool blue shade of your favorite syrupy snow cone

Also, BBMB (bring back my bar) is back!!! See below for the discontinued scents that are back for this month only. 

Bring Back My Bar 

OOTN: Dinner With Friends

OOTN: Dinner with Friends top: Ny&Co.  pants: SFAM jeans in original bootcut shoes: DSW handbag: boutique buy jewelry: bracelets-DY, Kate Spade, pearls/ necklace-Stella & Dot

I absolutely love this top. It's on sale for $25.77 and if you're an NYCO rewards member, free shipping til July 31st. They also have this in a khaki-ish color instead of pink.   Don't you just love this bag?!?!?! My MIL got this for me. I think it is so so cute:)  You might have noticed the watermark in the first pic. Some cray cray on ebay tried using a complete body photo of me to sell one of their items on fleabay claming g00gle images is free for all. Ummm no, it's a search engine and has no rights to the actual pictures. I mean they could have at least cropped my head out of the photo. And then they wanted to be super snarky when I asked them to remove. So, watermarking it shall be from now on.  And I totally didn't cut my hair off. It's the way the breeze was blowing, but it sure does look like it. Maybe, I might do it the next time I go in. Then again, it looks like straw. That means it's definitely time for a trim. Ah, the frying we brunettes do in order to have blonde locks.... ;)

SB at the Movie Theater

credit: here I thought this was a pretty good movie. I will say this is the first movie that has ever made me anxious. I felt like something was sitting on my chest the entire time. It was NOT scary. I think it was the combination of the music, noise in the film, and the clomid aka hormone x1000. I couldn't go to bed for like 2 hours when I got home just because I was so anxious. 
I will say Brad Pitt is beginning to look 50 years old. You can really tell in this movie. 

Hysterosalpi what?

credit: here

I cannot even begin to pronounce the word for the procedure I am scheduled to have done on Monday. It's called a hysterosalpingogram.

Since our we did not get pregnant from this cycle on clomid, they are wanting me to do this test to make sure my tubes aren't being blocked. Basically from what I understand, they run dye through the tubes to find out whether or not there is blockage.

Oh, fun! That sounds like a day at the spa! No wait, it's better----NOT! Fortunately

I should have known better than to look on the internet about this test. Some women said it was like a walk in the park and others made it out like it was the worst thing ever. Therefore, major inconclusiveness.

So, what did I do you might ask? I consulted Twitter and my Lilly group. They both made me feel a lot better. A few said it was like major cramping (like I said, fun!) and others said it was very very painful. So, at least now, I know it's gonna hurt anyway. However, the girls helped a lot. Now, I know to take some Aleve an hour before I go. And the doctor said I can take pain meds afterwards if it hurts that badly. So, I'm coming prepared.

I'm trying not to worry about my tubes being blocked. It's hard not to worry because TN isn't an infertility friendly state. Luckily, the hospital said that my insurance does have some infertility coverage like testing and such, but not treatments (i.e. IVF, IUI, etc.)

I'm nervous. I'm trying to enjoy my weekend and not think about it. Not to mention, I'm on clomid again which doesn't help calm my nerves. ha!

Hope you all had a safe and happy 4th:)