Happy List Monday

106//animal gifs. Not just gifs either, also pictures. A golden retriever wearing jammies? Evoke the giggles & get out of the way.

107//Jaime Lannister. I don't care that you're the King Slayer or that you have a creepy relationship with your sister {you can do worse}. All I have left to say is Hubba hubba.

108//Iced coffee. It's like drinking coffee ice cream AND you can transport it without the stigma of being that weirdo carrying around a bowl of ice cream. Not that I'm above doing that. Because I definitely would.

109//The return of Arrested Development on May 26th. You'll find me on my couch laughing maniacally & wiping Smartfood crumbs off my face. Participate if you'd like.

110//Sonic the Hedgehog. I used to be a Sonic master. I will earn back my seat on the throne.

 Want to see the first hundred or so? Clickito Skipito!

It's been a while since my last Happy List Monday post. Why make Happy lists? Well, you can see the original post here. But, allow me to elaborate a bit. Mondays, in general, stink. Why start off the week grumpy? No matter how late you woke up, how many things you have to accomplish on your To-Do list, how many meetings/deadlines you have this week, or if you had to fight your kids to get them out the door this morning the fact is this: there are little things that are going to make you smile throughout the day. If we let little things bother us {amiright, ladies?} why not let little things cheer us up?

Can I let you in on a little secret? I keep a little notebook where I jot down thoughts, ideas, inspiration, things that make me smile. It's like the diary that won't be embarrassing to read in 10 years. Brain yoga! This notebook includes a stash of Happy lists especially for the days when I just wish there had been a few more hours in my Sunday {okay, who doesn't wish for that every weekend?} or I am feeling particularly belligerent, bubbling over with bile and feeling like The Grinch wasn't all that bad {it happens, okay?}. The mean reds and all that.

You know what I'm saying?

things that are loved

I am in an inspired mood these days. I've been trying my hand at art, jewelry-making, baking {of course} and even home repair. Nothing has been quite so annoying as my attempt at photoshop & I've decided to put that on the back burner until I begin to enjoy struggling to create my vision. I'm the type of person who wants instant gratification.

In the meantime, I've been using Kate Spade's gorgeous & feminine beauties to feed my creative needs.  I'm going to create my own book of things I love. It's like my inspiration books, but the 2.0 version. Back in September 2011, Things We Love was posted on the Kate Spade Blog and it's just an aesthetically pleasing & fun book. The hard copy is set to be released in January & you can pre-order it on amazon. I'll probably get my copy. In the meantime, you could stroll on over to the blog & give it a virtual viewing. Here are some of the things that the lovely people at Kate Spade love that I also love:

love the gold font

a touch of shimmer

But most of all:

{all images via Kate Spade}
In other news, do they make fat {a.k.a. Chisel Tip} sharpies in pink or any poster marker comparable to Sharpie? Help a girl out.

happy list monday

Last week I strayed a bit from my traditional happy list to post some quotes that I'm liking on the pinterest circuit. Never fear, friends! I'm back with an all new set of happy things.

101// reconnecting with old friends

102// peacocks

103// good morning text messages

104//  falling asleep to the sound of heavy rain. You feel so well-rested in the morning!

105// word searches

Of course, if you missed the past happy lists, you can find them here.

You may also have noticed that my header is tiny now in comparison to the format of my blog. Blergh. I'm working on it... kind of...

it's monday

It's Monday & I should be doing a happy list, but instead I'm overwhelmed with mountains of paperwork {could report cards be more terrible?!} and job applications {why am I sending a resume AND filling out the same info on an application?!}. In the job situation, one of four things could potentially happen:

a} I could end up working in a career field other than the one I want. This could mean getting an alternative certification in something education-related or it could mean I'm managing a Dunkin Donuts...

b} I could end up teaching middle school {I'm crying on the inside}because I'm certified K-8 with a dual major.

c} Sending applications & resumes all around could be all for naught if I get that little letter {this week?} that says, "Hey it's all good in the hood. See you in August."

or

d} I teach. In another state. Away from my babies.

You see my panic? So the point is, instead of a happy list you are going to get pin-rolled. That's where I flaunt a bunch of pinterested quotes that are currently bringing a smile to my face. You're welcome! :) {Psst! I probably should have used a cut. You're double welcome!}

{life is made of the little moments}

P.S. The new outlets opened less than 20 minutes away. Review to come. Perhaps with photos!

happy list Monday

I started writing happy lists because of my 101 things in 1001 days challenge. Originally I did 5 a day each Monday, then I neglected a few and tried to compensate. Regardless, the time has come and I have completed a list of 100 things that make me happy. Yay!

91. scallop carbonara from The Salty Dog in Boston. Seriously, I would probably offer up my first born for this deliciousness.

92. Flash mobs

93. Everyone in a room singing along to a song. Biz Markie's "Just a Friend" is good for this one and apparently so is One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful."

94. fake accents. Real accents, too but especially fake ones.

95. dry shampoo. My bangs are super contented by this & it smells yummy

96. saying ow when you drop something & it's nowhere near your foot or any other appendage. Fake injuries are so silly.

97. When you think the lyrics to a song are one thing and then realize what they really are. It makes so much more sense!

98. wrapping paper

99. a frothy white russian

100. my job. I love my job.


see my other happy lists here

P.S. blog transition in the works!

happy list monday

81. cheesy jokes
82. walking into a room full of people & hearing your name being cheered {this happened over the weekend & it was pretty rad}.
83. {love} notes
84. Thank you cards & notes. I like when you get a card so nice that you want to write a thank you for the thank you!
85. warm blankets, good reading, & a rainy night.
86. movie previews
87. Boston
88. girl talk {having it, playing the game, and listening to the music}
89. finding a used book that you've been looking for and it's in excellent condition
90. deviled eggs

See my other Happy Lists here

Happy List Monday

76. lobster bisque- I don't know why this is so scrumptious, but my brain tells me it just can't get enough.
77. long, wavy hair. Is mine ever going to grow out?!?!
78. the promise of warm weather.
79. laminating. I just love it.
80. dancing around the house like you've gone mad.

See the other Happy Lists here.


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happy list monday

On Friday afternoon, right after my students went home for the day I had to go down to meet with my principal to acknowledge that I was given my pink slip due to "a serious financial challenge" that will "affect programs, staff, and students at all levels."
For someone who puts everything into her career, this is one of those things that is infuriating & disappointing. I'm also a natural-born worrier,  but instead of being sad, I've decided be awesome instead.

Is this happy list more difficult to write? Without a doubt. But, I think that also makes it the most important happy list that I've ever written. I could cry, yell, and point fingers at who should have been let go instead but instead I'm going to put my energy into finishing out the year, finding something for September, and separating my life & career from one another.

Without further ado, let's get to what's making me happy today:

71.          toddler art work
{Kyleigh has been drawing birds these days. Are you seeing how stinking cute this is?!}

72.          animal print apparel & accessories
{like this Ann Taylor cardigan that I found at The GW for $7!}

73.          candles {especially Voluspa candles}

74.          getting a great parking spot {extra happiness when this happens during rain, cold, &/or snow}
75.          bacon... i love me some bacon.

The End is Near

I can't believe I've neglected you for so long again. Work has really been stressful. Between literacy nights, report cards, progress reports, reports, assessments, field trips, and the impending mass pink slips I haven't had any ambition to much once I get home. Believe it or not, I even neglected pinterest at one point- which should tell you how crazy things have been.

I bought some wonderful glittery material for oversized couch pillows way back in February. My mission for this school vacation is to get those made, create some art, make some jewelry, rewatch old TV shows on netflix instant {I really miss Buffy}, and maybe take a trip to school to get some things done while wearing jeans.

My vacation started with a birthday party disaster. In the end though, my beautiful little niece {the 4-year-old} had her birthday party and she had a great time.

I think my oven burnt out that day, too because it isn't cooking things quite right {birthday cake, for example}. There was also an incident where the broiler inside started sparking. On a positive note, I will definitely be investing in a fire extinguisher this week. I had dinner with friends & got to see a japanese chef cooking my dinner in front of me in the fanciest of ways. Heck, I even used chopsticks correctly!

I sense regular updates on the horizon... for this week at least. The end of the school year is coming and that means warm weather is also on its way which means more photo opportunities. Plus, the return of Happy List Monday is here, too. Cheers!

61.  teacups- I love them!
62.  hearing an old song on the radio or popping up on your mp3 player & remembering all the words.
63.  laughing until you cry
64.  making someone else laugh until s/he cries
65.  reading a well-loved book that was lent to you
66.  ebay
67.  finding a red wine I like... FINALLY!
68.  the J.Crew catalog
69.  a long-lasting manicure
70.  checking off everything on a To-Do list

see more here

Happy List Monday

Happy Monday! I hope you are feeling sprightly & rested after your St. Patrick's Day weekend. I know I am! Am I the only one who isn't loving cabbage? I'm thinking not...

56.      spending time with friends

57.      hot chocolate

58.      storybook stuffed animals

59.      putting the garnishing & finishing touches on baked goods to give them that little something extra

60.      the french language

you can see my other Happy Lists here or you can just review the list below.

1.        organization
2.        brand new {Crayola} crayons
3.        forehead kisses
4.        the grainy look of a black & white picture
5.        calligraphy
6.        clean sheets
7.        making a meal that turns out perfectly- the first time you cook it!
8.        rollercoasters
9.        the feel of brand new socks
10.      watching my cats sleep in weird places/positions
11.      the idea of an elephant in a suit
12.      spoonfuls of cream cheese
13.      watching a student go out of his/her way for a classmate
14.      owls
15.      pink & gray
16.      Once Upon a Time
16.5    You fabulous readers
17.      handwritten letters in the mail
18.      teensy weensy, itty-bitty, kissable, nibble-able baby fingers
19.      The winter holiday season allowing me to wear sequins to work.
20.      turbo-speed internet
21.      putting glitter on anything & everything
22.      waking up to an impeccably clean apartment
23.      playing {and winning} a new board game
24.      teaching blogs
25.      spinach pie
26.      finding a perfume sample I like & storing it in my sock drawer
27.      the intial feeling that I might win a contest I've entered
28.      playing on a swing set
29.      big purses
30.      going a whole day without watching TV
31.      getting a strike in bowling
32.      printables
33.      reruns of Golden Girls
34.      50% off sales coupons
35.      unique jewelry
36.      pinterest
                                       5 from the holiday edition
37.      Hood golden eggnog
38.      sequins
39.      wrapping paper
40.      Bing Crosby's rendition of Baby It's Cold Outside
41.      gingerbread houses


42.      getting a great deal on just about anything
43.      BHG Do It Yourself magazine
44.      puzzles 
45.      trips to the craft store
46.      getting a really great deal in my email from Couptopia
47.      taking a long shower when you aren't feeling well
48.      colored denim 
49.      Mountain Dew
50.      smoothies

51.      curling up to watch TV after a long day of work
52.      birchbox 
53.      listening to a funny conversation between two people. 
54.      spray paint. 
55.      home movies

tuesdays are happy, too

Work is back in full swing & I'm loving it. Last week I spent the majority of my work week sick as a dog {as you may remember me mentioning} and so I came back to a wreck of a classroom. The substitutes I had {3 different people!} were not so delightfully awesome. One even went so far as to not give my class any of information for their reports, homework, or their math assignments. She also went through my stuff. Not awesome, friendo.

Yesterday I stayed late to get things back in order & update my classroom library {new adopted goodies & such} so I didn't get back in time to post a happy list. Fear not! Tuesday is a good time to be happy, too.


51.      curling up to watch TV after a long day of work {or anything, really}
52.      birchbox {surprises in your mailbox EVERY month!? Yes, please}
53.      listening to a funny conversation between two people. Bonus points if those people are little kids. Super bonus points if they're little kids talking about something like Pokemon books. This is apparently serious business.
54.      spray paint. It will change your life... or at least your possessions.
55.      home movies



In other news, my school bowling league came in second place. I assure you that I had nothing to do with it, but I'll reap the benefits of bragging rights anyway.



you can see my other Happy Lists here or you can just review the list below.

1.        organization
2.        brand new {Crayola} crayons
3.        forehead kisses
4.        the grainy look of a black & white picture
5.        calligraphy
6.        clean sheets
7.        making a meal that turns out perfectly- the first time you cook it!
8.        rollercoasters
9.        the feel of brand new socks
10.      watching my cats sleep in weird places/positions
11.      the idea of an elephant in a suit
12.      spoonfuls of cream cheese
13.      watching a student go out of his/her way for a classmate
14.      owls
15.      pink & gray
16.      Once Upon a Time
16.5    You fabulous readers
17.      handwritten letters in the mail
18.      teensy weensy, itty-bitty, kissable, nibble-able baby fingers
19.      The winter holiday season allowing me to wear sequins to work.
20.      turbo-speed internet
21.      putting glitter on anything & everything
22.      waking up to an impeccably clean apartment
23.      playing {and winning} a new board game
24.      teaching blogs
25.      spinach pie
26.      finding a perfume sample I like & storing it in my sock drawer
27.      the intial feeling that I might win a contest I've entered
28.      playing on a swing set
29.      big purses
30.      going a whole day without watching TV
31.      getting a strike in bowling
32.      printables
33.      reruns of Golden Girls
34.      50% off sales coupons
35.      unique jewelry
36.      pinterest
                                       5 from the holiday edition
37.      Hood golden eggnog
38.      sequins
39.      wrapping paper
40.      Bing Crosby's rendition of Baby It's Cold Outside
41.      gingerbread houses


42.      getting a great deal on just about anything
43.      BHG Do It Yourself magazine
44.      puzzles 
45.      trips to the craft store
46.      getting a really great deal in my email from Couptopia
47.      taking a long shower when you aren't feeling well
48.      colored denim {I am LOVING this trend}
49.      Mountain Dew
50.      smoothies

Happy List Monday

Today is the first official day of my school's February vacation. I'm pretty sure I have the stomach flu & the potential for pink eye {courtesy of my beautiful niece & nephew}, but I also have abcFamily on demand & a shelf full of books I've never read. Somehow I added an extra number to my Happy list, so I have a treat for you today that will get me caught up & then some.


42.      getting a great deal on just about anything {amazon is a champ for this}
43.      BHG Do It Yourself magazine
44.      puzzles {I go through spurts where I do loads of puzzles}
45.      trips to the craft store
46.      getting a really great deal in my email from Couptopia
47.      taking a long shower when you aren't feeling well
48.      colored denim {I am LOVING this trend}
49.      Mountain Dew
50.      smoothies




you can see my other Happy Lists here or you can just review the list below.

1.        organization
2.        brand new {Crayola} crayons
3.        forehead kisses
4.        the grainy look of a black & white picture
5.        calligraphy
6.        clean sheets
7.        making a meal that turns out perfectly- the first time you cook it!
8.        rollercoasters
9.        the feel of brand new socks
10.      watching my cats sleep in weird places/positions
11.      the idea of an elephant in a suit
12.      spoonfuls of cream cheese
13.      watching a student go out of his/her way for a classmate
14.      owls
15.      pink & gray
16.      Once Upon a Time
16.5    You fabulous readers
17.      handwritten letters in the mail
18.      teensy weensy, itty-bitty, kissable, nibble-able baby fingers
19.      The winter holiday season allowing me to wear sequins to work.
20.      turbo-speed internet
21.      putting glitter on anything & everything
22.      waking up to an impeccably clean apartment
23.      playing {and winning} a new board game
24.      teaching blogs
25.      spinach pie
26.      finding a perfume sample I like & storing it in my sock drawer
27.      the intial feeling that I might win a contest I've entered
28.      playing on a swing set
29.      big purses
30.      going a whole day without watching TV
31.      getting a strike in bowling
32.      printables
33.      reruns of Golden Girls
34.      50% off sales coupons
35.      unique jewelry
36.      pinterest
                                       5 from the holiday edition
37.      Hood golden eggnog
38.      sequins
39.      wrapping paper
40.      Bing Crosby's rendition of Baby It's Cold Outside
41.      gingerbread houses

Happy List

Do you ever wonder why Monday can't just be an extension of the weekend? It seems that it is the only fair way for the week to go. I mean, why do I have to work 5 days & rest for 2? Is it resting if I'm doing laundry, planning lessons, changing sheets, or worse {the dreaded kitty pan}? You think the unknown "they" will institute a 3 day weekend if I get enough signatures on a petition? I wonder... I just wonder.

30.    getting a strike in bowling. It almost doesn't matter that the remainder of the time my ball is in the gutter. :P
31.   printables. I love colored printers, don't you?
32.    reruns of The Golden Girls
33.    50% off sales/coupons. How glorious!
34.    unique jewelry.
35.    pinterest; how the heck is this number 35?!?!

I have decided to include the other Happy Lists here, for your viewing pleasure

Happy List

Mumble grumble... why am I Slackerella? Slackerhontoas? SlackerLightYear...

If only I could stay up past 9 p.m. and get up before the sun rises. Will you settle for a happy list?

Excellent. Excellent. I love you so.

26.    finding a perfume sample I like in a magazine & putting it in my sock drawer.
27.    entering a contest & the initial thought that maybe, just maybe that is going to be my winning moment.
28.    playing on a swing set & laughing until you can't stand
29.    big purses- because as cute as a clutch or a little purse is, you just can't store the kitchen sink in   them...
30.    going a whole day without watching TV


1.        organization
2.        brand new {Crayola} crayons
3.        forehead kisses
4.        the grainy look of a black & white picture
5.        calligraphy
6.        clean sheets
7.        making a meal that turns out perfectly- the first time you cook it!
8.        rollercoasters
9.        the feel of brand new socks
10.      watching my cats sleep in weird places/positions
11.      the idea of an elephant in a suit
12.      spoonfuls of cream cheese
13.      watching a student go out of his/her way for a classmate
14.      owls
15.      pink & gray
16.      Once Upon a Time
16.5    You fabulous readers
17.      handwritten letters in the mail
18.      teensy weensy, itty-bitty, kissable, nibble-able baby fingers
19.      The winter holiday season allowing me to wear sequins to work.
20.      turbo-speed internet
21.      putting glitter on anything & everything
22.      waking up to an impeccably clean apartment
23.      playing {and winning} a new board game
24.      teaching blogs
25.      spinach pie