Fashion Hack: First Day Copy Cat

I have officially started the school year again! Today's wardrobe came right from the votes you placed several days ago. Here is how I did!

Original

My version

So, was my fashion copy cat a success or a fail? Reminder, this photo was taken pre-makeup!

Neh, The End is Near

I cant say I am ready for the new school year to begin, but it begins on Thursday for me none the less! With it comes packing lunches, getting up earlier, and constantly running on E. My plans also include an attempt on eating right as well. I hope to make a life change that keeps my energy up and my clothes fitting well.

Tell me everything is going to be alright. Remind me why I do what I do.

Whatever happens, God has it in His hands and I don't need to worry about it.

Looking Forward

As the new school year begins I plan on showing off some fashion again. I also hope to bring fun new theme for September. Put dibs in now if you would like to have a hand in what we talk about next month! We have a few choices to consider:
Flashback- Stories and trends from my and far past
Call Me Crafty- Lets consider all those crafty projects I've been putting off
30 before 30- Creating something a little more fun than a bucket list
The choice is yours- Discussions based on responses to basic questions and statements, its like the Apples to Apples of blogging!

Pick One: Work Casual

Idea 1

Idea 2

Idea 3

Idea 4

So there you have it! Put them in order from your most to least favorite and help me decide what I will wear on my first teacher work day! Thanks a bunch everyone. Very soon we will have an active bunch of things going on up in here... I hope your ready!

Teacher Gear Picks

My top teacher gear choices this year are very sparkley! I love a little sparkle in my life! The top pick is from Etsy. I love the Solar System statement necklace. The lanyard comes from amazon. This blue ombre style is one of my favorites, but they have many colors to choose from. The last picture is of jeweled calculators. Walmart has these beauties for a single buckero! All of these things would be a great gift to give a child's teacher or teacher friend.


What are your top picks for teachers this year. Please feel free to post your ideas and links in the comments.

Looking Forward

Over the next few days I will be looking for your help on how to start my school year right! I'll be choosing my style and my lunch menu very soon.

Back 2 School Gear

Here are few of my favorite back to school find over the last few weeks! I have to tell you, finding pictures of these things online has proven to be harder than actually finding them in the stores. I'll be sure to mention where I found them, if you are interested!

Fun composition notebooks at WALMART! I especially loved the neon pink ones!

Hard side Iron Man lunch box. I found this at TARGET, but there is slim pickings now that school is about to start.

Purple dorm gear at BIG LOTS. From cool looking storage trunks, computer chairs, rugs, and baskets... there isnt anything in purple that I didnt wish I had when I was in college!

Primary composition books from the DOLLAR TREE. Much better than Wally-world's price of nearly 5 bucks!

There you have it! Whether your student is going to school for the first time or to great wide world of college, here are my picks!

Looking Forward

I will soon be sharing my top picks for teachers and staff returning!

Thoughts of Zombies, Purgatory, Denial

I cant believe it is the end of Summer.

I don't know if you realize, but Summer is literally coming to an end. School is beginning for most and life if going back to normal. Except for mine. I owe you an apology for my disappearance, but I am am tired and in denial.

Zombies

My nine month old has decided he no longer needs sleep. I am collateral. He wakes every 45 minutes. You may think I am exaggerating, but I kid you not. By about four I have to talk calmly to myself, remind myself I love him, and wake my husband. I am the walking dead. I am the definition of a Zombie. I'd be careful if you decide to come around, because I could choose to eat your brains at any moment.

He thinks not sleeping is pretty darn funny!

Purgatory

My husband and I have been waiting.....waiting for news of jobs, interviews to happen, and life to chance. I don't believe in purgatory myself, but if it exists, it surely feels like this. With no place of your very own in a waiting game. Sort of like the in the book "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" I am in the "most useless place. The Waiting Place." I'd like to tell God, "uncle" but  know that would only make it worse. So, whatever he has planned, I let it be and I'll just keep waiting.

Light at the End of the Tunnel

My husband was actually the one who begged me to get back on the horse. I had to agree, this blog keeps me sane and since sleep can't help with that endeavor, something ought to. I was supposed to be talking about going back to school. I work at a school currently, and so that moment will be arriving for me shortly. Over the last few weeks I will try to cover as much as I can. I want to talk about my favorite back to school finds, creating a family routine, and fashionable work wear for teachers. 


I've missed you. I hope you are as happy for my return as I am to be back! Lets get me sane, ok?

A little glimpse of missed life for you!

Choosing Daycares, Preschools, and Afterschool Programs

It occurred to me today as I was considering putting my son in a preschool/daycare that I have a lot of experience in the area. It also made me realize that I have high standards for any place I would put my children because I've worked it. As a benefit for my reader friends who may not have the same experience, I will share some of what you should look for in picking a daycare/ afterschool program.

First thing you should do is.... surprise them with your visit!
This will allow you to get a better view of how things actually go! Look at the cleanliness, the rooms, the bathrooms, the outdoor equipment, the gym, etc.

Next, have a list of questions ready. Here are a few important ones:

1. What do lunches/snacks consist of? (Are hot lunches offered?)
2. How many children are in a group?
3. How many staff are with each group?
4. Do you have a sample schedule? (What is the schedule like?)
5. What happens with children who wont/ cant nap? (preschool)
6. How much television/ movie time do the children get?
7. How much physical activity time is offered?
8. Do you provide homework help/tutoring?
9. How are difficult or disrespectful behaviors handled?
10. Whats the average age of your staff?
11. Are you staff required to have training? How much? In what?
12. Do the staff have CPR/ First Aid training?
13. How often are the children brought to the bathroom? (preschool)
14. What is you late arrival/pick up policy?
15. What is your policy for when a child gets sick?
16. Are you licensed and inspected by the state?

These are just a few ideas, but believe me, you will learn a lot by the way they answer. You may also want to visit several days at different times after your child starts attending. You will be able to see how they fit in with the afterschool program. Also, feel free to talk to some staff, get to know them, share concerns. The best thing you can do is be open for two way communication!

Oddly Uninspired

Usually I love the season of back to school. Shopping for new clothing, preparing lunch ideas, organizing... it all excites me. But recently I have been oddly uninspired by all this, so I have lacked motivation to write. This doesn't happen to me often, so as you can imagine, I'm lost.

I considered writing about organization or family scheduling/routine today. I have been working on several ideas in that realm. Recently I have also looked into writing family rules. Searching Pinterest, I have found several good ideas. I never make things easy, so my list combines all the aspects I love. I also found great printables for a family organization binders, but I used bits and pieces of those too! See, I just can't decide!

So here's what we are going to do... We are going to get inspired! We are going to get involved. We are going to be ready!!!! Now, how do we do that?

If anyone has ideas on how to get me past this funk, I'm down!

Parents, teachers, students... I call to you. What inspires you about back to school?

Back in Action

My apologies for the length absence. I have been helping my husband feel out some rather lengthy applications. We hope these applications turn out to be a new start and some great news. Until then, I am reminded that the school year's start is just around the corner. Some schools are starting as early as a week or two from now! Although I am looking forward to the new year, I am also dreading it. I get very spoiled by all this extra time with my kids and the hub-a-lub. However, I have some great inspiration to start the new year fresh, no matter where it sees me. Over the next few weeks, we will be discussing these lovely ideas, assuming we don't have a big change in plans.

I know you have missed me here on my blog, but on Pinterest I have been able to play off and on during the day. I have been finding some pin-spiration! If you want, you can check it out!

Until then, what is you favorite part of back to school? As a child I loved getting new clothing. It made me feel like I was getting a fresh start. I wont lie, it made me feel cool!

Stay "Too Cool for School" my friends!