Summer is finally here and an update on the past month! :)

Wow June flew by and I was soooo crazy busy I didn't have a chance to blog.

So much has been going on I don't even know where to start. So I will do a recap since I last blogged :)


End of the year gifts for my students (briefly...since I want to talk about my summer thus far) There will be plenty of posts later in July and August about my classroom!

Thank goodness it is summer vacation..I was SUPER jealous of all you bloggers out there that were out of school in May or early June. I was at school until JUNE 27TH! Yeah that's right....the 27th as in 3 days before JULY. That was basically the week before 4th of July (hence why it is July 8th and I am finally blogging).

OK so first ---some exciting news that I can't wait to share with all you teachers out there.... I am now a 4th grade teacher!!! I will be moving classrooms and changing positions (same school and it is actually right down the hall) BUT--I will no longer be working in special education (yes I am sad to leave but excited about this new opportunity in my district)...and I will have my own 4th grade classroom. I CANNOT WAIT (I started my teaching career as a 4th grade teacher and I am happy to be going back) Can you tell how excited I am?! ha
So all you 4th grade blogging buddies out there---any advice?!?!



So right after school got out about 10 teachers drove to Ellicottville (about an hour away) for a little getaway  overnight!! It was a long year and we deserved it!!! haha or at least we thought so :) It was a wonderful weekend shopping, eating and laying by the pool! Don't forget to look at that view.

Summer concert update : I have already been to the Taste of Country and Brad Paisley. Jason Aldean is this week...can't wait :)

Some of my favorite things about summer:

a delicious breakfast: iced coffee and a bagel with cream cheese! YUMMM

Summer bonfire...can't complain :)

 This is an absolutely amazing S'More...a pie iron. I couldn't even begin to describe how delicious it is! A regular s'more taken to the next level.

 A must have for summer.. crisp and refreshing sangria :)

 My favorite flowers...hydrangeas

 I can't have enough sushi..I could eat it every day if I had to :) my favorite is spicy tuna or shrimp tempura!












I also enjoy spending time with friends and going to the beach !!

Aww..what a cute picture at the beach :)

My newest obsession is Paint Nite. I went to one in NYC for a best friend's bachelorette. I didn't think I could paint at all..but it didn't turn out so bad. So i decided I wanted to do another one with my boyfriend :)

 How amazing are these paintings...we are real Picassos! ha

While we were there...I ran into some sorority sisters from my chapter as well as another chapter (it was an event!) I was so surprised and excited! I am joining the Sigma Kappa Buffalo Chapter and can't wait to meet more girls!















Since I didn't write a July 4th post...I will add it here.

Can't have a summer party without a Sangria...Independence Day style. 

 If you know me at all...nails have to coordinate. So a last minute mani did the job.

My first trip (that I can remember..unless I went when I was 5?!) to Dairy Queen.. I had the baby and Dan had the large haha

<3

 Melissa and I ...so festive :)

Before the fireworks!!










Being MIA for awhile really puts me behind on the newest trends in the blogging world..thank goodness I came back in time to see Blog Hoppin and their BlogHoppin2014 Scavenger Hunt. What a fun fun idea for summer!! I already at 33 posts to Instagram. There are 200 items on the scavenger hunt and in order to win prizes you need to snap 105 photos and upload to instagram using the hashtag and the bloghopping2014 sign. Check out the Blog Post here to join in the fun!


Okay that is all for now..sorry for the long post! I will post regularly now that I have time :)

Look for updates on Trending Closet and Trending Classroom as I update both this summer :)

Don't forget about my weekly link up Fabulist Friday!!! I will be starting it again this Friday so don't miss out!

Friday Fabulist 5.30.14

Hope you all had a great week! Sorry about last Friday...I didn't pre-plan for my link up and I was out of town for my sister's wedding!

But I am back today for my second Friday Fabulist post! I hope you will link up too :)

Okay---just grab this button above, read the post below and don't forget to link back to this post !! How can you pass up the fabulist??!


This is how it works:

Okay so it is called....Friday Fabulist
It is going to be about showing off something "fabulous." Whether it is in your classroom or your closet. Either one will work..since I LOVE both (and I know most of you do too)!!
SOO...What is one thing that you just bought or received (all of those 'boxes' we know and love birchbox, glossybox, slantbox, etc.)...think StitchFix, Target, Dollar Tree, Ann Taylor, anything really!..one thing that you already have (dig into the back of your closet in your house and classroom)...or something you just have to have (dream closet or dream classroom)..that is absolutely fabulous! Any piece of clothing or accessory trend that you are in love with, a new product for your classroom that you can't live without, a fabulous find at the store.... anything that can be added to the "fabulist."

**Don't be afraid to post more than one item..we want to know everything fabulous! Try one from your closet and one from your classroom!

Disclaimer: Hopefully we can come together and share what is on each of our fabulists!
I don't mind posts about TPT products but please don't use this link up to advertise for your store! Thanks so much :)


So this is something I already own...but cannot live without in my classroom! A Vera Bradley Lanyard...in almost every color for every season! These are a must have for the fabulist!

The newest addition to the Fabulist are my grey vans! I LOVE these..simple, classic and comfortable.  Another must-have on the Friday Fabulist!

 What are some of your most fabulous items?!?

Link up below and don't forget to comment!

Positive Thinking Thursday

Thursday...which means it's almost Friday. Time to link up again with Mrs. Laffin's Laughings for Positive Thinking Thursday

It's almost Friday..which means it's almost the weekend. I can't believe it's already JUNE! only a few weeks left of school...

In honor of my upcoming weekend with some of my best friends..I thought I would share some thoughts about friends!

Stitch Fix Review #3 and My Sister's Wedding

Post number 2 for the day!!! I am making up for missing a week of posting! Yikes!

Okay so for those of you who do not know about Stitch Fix...it is amazing. 

I found out about it through blogging (oh the wonderful things you learn through blogging!!) I just loved the idea...especially being obsessed with fashion and clothes. I just had to try to out! So all you have to do is  pay a $20 styling fee to get a "fix" and five clothing/accessory items are sent to your home. 

Then you get to try them on, in the convenience of your home. If you LOVE all five pieces you can receive 25% off your purchase. Or you can keep whatever you want or none at all (If you don't keep anything..you still have to pay the $20 styling fee) -- If you do decide to keep anything, your $20 styling fee goes towards your purchase. How amazing is that!? Even if you just like one piece from your fix..it is totally worth it!

 

To get started..before you schedule a fix, you get to fill out a style profile and let your stylist know exactly what you like and what you don't like. Be as specific as you can--  what type of items you do or do not want sent to you. Best part is you can pick price ranges as well as different styles--- So if you request clothing items around $50-100 a piece, you won't get sent anything above that like a $200 dress. Below are what some questions are on your profile.

Some important things that I figured out from reading other blogs and following boards on pinterest.....
(1) Be detailed in your style profile.  The more info you give the better!  Let them know if you’re in between sizes..if you are more of a dress or pants person....if you despise the color red or orange (I DO!)…or, if a certain cut or style doesn’t work on your body type...let your stylist know.  I changed my style profile and added more specifics after receiving my first box.
(2) Include a link to a Pinterest board.  Even name the board Stitch Fix and your stylist will know exactly what your style is and maybe even include pieces that you pinned from other people's fix.
(3) Give honest feedback about the items in your box. Don't sugar coat it---  You’re not going to hurt anyone’s feelings by saying you didn’t like something.  Give specifics because it will help your stylist to make your next box spot on.
(4) Ask for items you want to get in your box.  There is a comments section at the end of the style profile--add it there! You may or may not get it but it never hurts to ask.  I asked for the cardigan and got it in my first fix!
(5) Your first fix might not be exactly what you were hoping or looking for...but be patient..as it may take a few tries for your stylist to really understand your preferences. 

If you want to try Stitch Fix for yourself...use my referral code. I would appreciate it! https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3685046  

I love how they package the fix every time :)  I kept the maxi dress pictured in the style cards above. I also kept this blouse! I LOVE IT

Don't forget to use my referral link if you want to try Stitch Fix!!

 https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3685046  

Okay so on to the best part of last week and the weekend...my sister got married!!! 5.24.14---what a magical day. My family and I traveled to Portsmouth, New Hampshire (after stopping in Boston to get my sister and her fiance). The weather was perfect (a little chilly so the ceremony was inside...but pictures outside were "picture perfect" ) 

Below I will just have a gallery of photos..I will caption some of them, but there are about 30! yikes..I went a little photo crazy...but I couldn't help myself! So much to capture!

 The pictures above are all from before or after the wedding with family :)

Pictures are now of wedding (in no specific order).

 My cousin Nick and I

 Megan and Will at their "first look"

 All the cousins!

 I now pronounce you husband and wife...you may kiss the bride :) Wooo!

First dance as a couple :)

 The happy couple at their table!

 My dad's speech---made me cry!!

 First dance to "Crazy Love"

 My mom putting my sister into her dress!!! Gorgeous

 Meg and Will's Guestbook..how amazing. Thank you Etsy!

 My twin brother and I. LOVE

Bride and Best Man

 Siblings Picture...let me take a selfie. haha

 The back of the dress....lace for days.

Megan's Mother-in-law Hope, putting the bracelet on her. The bracelet was something blue and old!

 Bridesmaids and the Bride!!!

 Groomsmen and the Bride

 First picture with her dress on! Absolutely stunning.

 Putting on the earrings...captured a natural, happy smile :)

 Dates for the evening...Katie, my brother, me, my friend Matt.

 Father/ Daughter Dance-- "I Loved Her First"

 Program for the ceremony. Classic.

 First Dance

 The Dress!! Future Mrs. Woodward

 Meg getting ready for her big day!!!


What a wonderful weekend with many friends and family to celebrate a happy couple!! They are now off to Italy for two weeks :) Can't even believe it!! I wish them nothing but happiness and life filled with all they could imagine!!

Phew...sorry for the long post but couldn't pass up the opportunity to show off these wonderful pictures! Stay tuned for pictures from the real photographer :0