Things I'm Loving Friday LVI

I'm really glad I picked the last week of (my) summer to start writing again. I'm not sure what has gotten into me, but maybe I'll pop in a time or two over these next couple of months when inspiration hits me. Or when I have a free moment and something I want to share. But let's just focus on the fact that I'm getting a post out today. Another roundup of some Things I'm Loving lately, so without further ado, enjoy!

I Skeptically Tried Practicing Gratitude

If you have been around for awhile, then you know how much of a sucker I am for articles like this. If you start losing yourself on Instagram, you'll see a lot of posts with captions that include the word "grateful". And I totally understand that that word can elicit eye rolls from many. But I totally believe in the gratitude thing. There's a lot of negativity around us. And it's really easy to find things to complain about. But by consciously focusing on just five specific things to be grateful for each day, that's a game changer in my opinion. When I'm having "one of those days", I have to remind myself that every day may not be great, but that there's something great in every day. A little gratitude can go a long, long way, and I'm hoping to pick the habit back up at the start of the new school year.

11/22/63 by Stephen King

And with my 11th book of the summer, I present to you this monster written by Stephen King. This book had been on my list forever, but I was a little intimidated by the sheer length of it. I was an English major in college, and I am an English teacher, but I avoided reading a book because I thought it was too long. So, okay. Anyway, I borrowed this book from a friend and let it sit on my bedside table for a week or so before grabbing it as I was heading out the door for the airport on my way to Chicago. And guys, if you haven't read it yet, do yourself a favor and READ IT! I'm incredibly fascinated by the Kennedy family, and this book ultimately deals with trying to travel back in time to try and stop the JFK assassination. But more than that it deals with the idea of love and the butterfly effect and history and dancing and sappiness and do-overs and what ifs and some truly extraordinary characters. Once I really got into it I absolutely could not put it down, and though it is only my second Stephen King book, I see there being more in my future. 

Off-the-Shoulder/Cold Shoulder Tops

Sometimes I'm super on board with the big summer trend. Other times I'm not. This summer I'm 100% on board and then some. I absolutely love the off the shoulder trend that is taking over the Instagram world. Living in Houston (and honestly anywhere), summer months call for as little clothing as possible. But is still appropriate. Tank tops are always a go-to, but I'll be the first to admit that my arms are not my favorite part of my body. I'll rock shorts in the middle of December, but this off-the-shoulder and/or cold shoulder trend allows me to stay cool while not having to feel self-conscious about my upper body. It's a win-win! My favorite OTS top is this one -- only $35 from Nordstrom and it comes in so many fun summer colors! And I recently purchased a couple of OTS dresses from Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale and I can't wait for them to come in.

Dairy-Free Cupcakes
This really only helps my Chicago readers (do I even have any of you guys?), but this cupcake tasted so good that I think it's worth posting about. While on the Signature Dishes tour through Bobby's Bike Hike (which, if you are ever in Chicago, I highly recommend you do this tour -- we had a blast), we stopped for deep dish pizza, cupcakes, Chicago dogs, and beer. I was thrilled when we walked into this cute little bakery – Swirlz – and saw that there were multiple dairy-free options. For those who have a gluten intolerance, there are also gluten-free options available! I opted for the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and even after telling myself I would only eat half, I ate every last crumb. And I think that's more important than the fact that the cupcake tasted delicious is the fact that I allowed myself to eat it. The entire thing. I honestly couldn't tell you the last time I let myself eat an actual dessert that wasn't a cop-out like one scoop of sorbet or a bowl of fruit or something. And you would think I would understand this by age 25, but as it turns out, I didn't gain five pounds, it didn't affect how I performed during my half marathon, and while it's not something I am going to indulge in every single day, it was a sweet reminder that I can allow myself a treat every now and again.

Bitmoji
I know I'm incredibly behind the times here. But to be fair, I knew about Bitmoji as it was becoming popular, I just never acted on it. And the reason I finally created my Lizzie McGuire voice is because I saw other educators using Bitmoji in various Google forms, and I wanted to do the same. I'm definitely thinking of having my students create theirs so it can be used throughout the school year, but for now I'm enjoying communicating with my friends solely through Bitmoji expressions. 

Maze Dog Bowl

This one was an absolute game changer for Mack. And I actually learned about while on one of my dog-sitting assignments this summer. One of the dogs I stayed with was a Doberman, and they tend to scarf down their food in about four seconds flat. That's typically not very good for a pup's digestion, so his owner showed me her way of slowing the giant down - a Maze Bowl. My beagle is also one to just scarf down his food, cleaning his bowl in less than 30 seconds, but this particular bowl causes him to to take minutes to eat his mere half a cup of food (he's also on a slight diet, so I'm pretty sure he's always hungry). He has to actually work for his food, so I like to think that he's enjoying it a little bit more this way. These bowls come in different sizes depending on the size of your dog, and it is probably the best $9 I've spent in a while.

Have a great Friday, everyone! Make sure and do something fun and summery this weekend -- fingers crossed for sunshine here in Houston so I can get some last-minute work on my summer tan. Priorities!

Things I'm Loving Friday XLVII

Happy Friday! I hope you guys have enjoyed a wonderful week. It has been hot, hot, hot here in Houston, but that hasn't stopped me from running, walking the pup, walking with Sarah around Rice, laying by the pool, and enjoying this last little bit of time off. Actually, volleyball unofficially starts tonight with the first day of our freshman volleyball camp, where we start teaching the incoming freshman the Bellaire Volleyball Way. I always look forward to getting a look at my future players, and I've got my fingers crossed for a good turnout. And a setter!

Dog days of summer

But before I get going on all that I hope to accomplish today before heading up to school, let's take a minute for our regularly scheduled events.

Pikos
Guys, I am obsessed with Pikos. From tops to dresses, I can't seem to get enough of them. They're such a staple in my closet - in any closet - and I just love how versatile they are. You can dress them up by adding a piece of statement jewelry and fun shoes, or you can dress them down by wearing a Piko dress and Keds. They're comfortable, they come in every color imaginable, and I wear something Piko at least once a week. I may or may not have just ordered four new dresses. Judge away.

Spotify Discover Weekly
If you don't have Spotify, you need to get Spotify. $10/month, and all the music your heart desires. I love Spotify because not only does it allow me to easily access my favorite songs, it also lets me discover new music based on the songs that I already love. Discover Weekly is a feature that creates and delivers a two-hour playlist every Monday morning. It's unique in that it combines the kind of music that you typically listen to with what's popular with other listeners, allowing you to discover new music that you might not have discovered otherwise. I absolutely love this feature, as I have added quite a few new songs to my repertoire.

And then sometimes you get great throwbacks like this one

Teacher Bumper Numbers
Do not watch this video if you are in a place where it would be frowned upon for you to burst out laughing. Maybe it made me laugh so hard because I'm both a runner and a teacher, and I can identify with this quick clip on so many levels, but I think this will make even the non-teachers laugh. Gerry Brooks is a principal in Lexington who claims to spread humor in the world of education. And that he does. I'm also very fond of his PLC video. Professional learning community, or places ladies converse? Because we all need a Friday laugh.

That time I convinced my PLC to go bowling

Veggie-Stuffed Sandwiches
I will admit that I have been extra lazy when it has come to cooking this week. Nothing has jumped out at me as something I really want to make, and when I have so many great restaurants within biking distance. Lately, I've been loving sandwiches that are chock full of veggies. And chicken, because a girl needs her protein, but I can't get enough of the Garden Sammie with Chicken from Local Foods and the Roasted Vegetable Sandwich (with added chicken) from La Madeleine. Protein, carbs, and health all stuffed into one delicious, toasted sandwich.

Veggies for days

Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mega Chunks
It's no secret that I love all things chocolate. But I have to be careful that I don't upset my lactose intolerance. Luckily, Enjoy Life products cater specifically to dairy-free people such as myself. These chocolate chunks are said to be great for baking, but I prefer to enjoy them mixed in with my favorite Chobani yogurt. They are free of any additives, and they actually taste like chocolate, so I don't feel like I'm sacrificing the delicious taste for the sake of my digestive system.

I've nixed the granola and go all chocolate chunks

And that's all I've got. I've got quite the to-do list to tackle today, so I'm over and out. Have a great start to your weekend!

Things I'm Loving Friday XXXII

And here we are, on the very first day of May. How we got here, I will never know. After today, there are F O U R school weeks left until I can officially say I have completed my first year of teaching. And it won't be four normal weeks, either. Next week we have a couple of days of STAAR testing, AP testing will be going on for the next three weeks, and the last week of school is, of course, dedicated to finals. So I guess I'll hang on for the ride, because it's sure to go by quick!

Live Lokai Bracelet
I can't take credit for this one. All the credit goes to my friend Amira. And while I'm here, let me take a moment to say that she gets all the credit for the "swimming in wine" portion of my Instagram caption a couple of weeks ago. So, now that I've gotten that out of my system, let me talk about just how cool this bracelet is. The white bead holds water from Mt. Everest, the highest point on Earth. The black bead contains mud from The Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth. We all experience the good times, when we feel on top of world. The white bead reminds us to stay humble. And on the opposite end, there are always going to be difficult moments. But the black bead reminds us to remain hopeful in our lowest moments. I absolutely love that, and have worn my bracelet every day since receiving it in the mail.

Women's Go Dry Racerback Tank
I don't think Old Navy gets nearly enough credit. Sure, sometimes you walk out of there completely empty-handed, but most of the time I walk out of there excited about a great deal I just found. And this past Saturday did not disappoint. I was in a shopping mood, because I headed down the road to Memorial City Mall - a rarity for me, especially on a Saturday. And before going into the actual mall, I stopped in at Old Navy, because I've been extremely successful here in the colored pants department. And though I didn't find any colored pants, I did walk into a huge sale on workout apparel. Because I need more of that. But these flowy racerback tops will be perfect for my hot summer runs, and besides, I got them for only $8 apiece.

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Cyprus Sandals
I had spotted these sandals while shopping at City Centre a month or so ago. But because I already had a nice pair of brown sandals, I passed on them. Even though I really liked them. I found myself at City Centre once again this past weekend, and popped into J. Crew when I saw a sign advertising 30% off the entire store. For whatever reason, their clothes are rarely a hit with me, but maybe they had a flowy skirt or dress that would be fun for summer. I didn't find either of those things, but I did find these same sandals. And this time in white! Which was perfect because I've been in the market for a pair of white sandals, but I've had a hard time purchasing any because white gets so dirty so quickly. But 30% off was calling my name, and though I had to size up one size, I foresee these sandals getting plenty of wear.

Zoe's Kitchen Quinoa Salad
This is one of those restaurants that I absolutely love, but often end up neglecting. Located within Town and Country, it often finds itself in City Centre's shadow. But just last weekend I was catching some rays after a swim at the MAC, and I found myself hungry for something healthy, but my usual weekend meal of Salata just didn't appeal to me. And though Hungry's is right down the street, that wasn't what I wanted, either. Instead, I headed in the opposite direction toward Zoe's Kitchen, and settled in with their new quinoa salad - sans feta, plus salmon. I don't know what their salmon kebabs are seasoned with, but it left me vowing to make Zoe's Kitchen one of my go-to restaurants.

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23 Misconceptions About Teachers
This article. I realized a couple of weeks back that I spend a lot of time talking about my job. About my students. About my co-workers. And I think I talk about it so much because there are so many misconceptions out there about teachers. Granted, there are misconceptions about every job, but some of these ring entirely too true. I do have many hats to put on, I do have to be 'on' at (almost) all hours of the day, I do get frustrated when people say my job is easy, or that I'm only doing it for the time off. Though it's certainly an added perk. Teaching wasn't a backup plan, and I think it's the best profession out there for me. Each day is filled with new challenges, laughs, and facepalm moments, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

One of those facepalm moments

Make it a great start to May - one of the busiest and craziest, but also happiest, months of the year!

Compilation Survey

After an absolutely (and unexpected) beautiful Saturday, I've got a random compilation of questions for you guys this Sunday.

1. How do you like your steak? 

Medium rare. Anything else just isn’t Texan.

2. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? 

I’ve admitted before that I’m pretty bad about going to see movies at the movie theater. So with that being said, I honestly can't remember the last movie I saw in theaters. I have been meaning to see the movie Unfriended, as, one, it was a movie all of my students were talking about prior to its release, and two, it's one that I think would really hit home for some of them. Maybe today I'll venture out and see it.

3. What is your favorite TV show? 

Boy Meets World or Friday Night Lights. Two absolute classics. But you certainly can’t forget about Full House, either.

4. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? 

I’m a Texas girl through and through, but if I had to live somewhere else for say, a couple of years, I would probably choose California, Hawaii, or London. Three of my favorite places.

5. What did you have for breakfast?

Some of my banana-oatmeal-almond butter muffin dough. Can't get enough!

6. What is your favorite cuisine? 

Mexican, or American. But I also love Italian and Greek food. I don’t really discriminate. Though I used to reject anything that wasn't chicken fingers and French fries.

But quite honestly, a sandwich will always hit the spot

7. What foods do you dislike? 

Sushi. Even though I did try raw fish while in San Francisco. And I liked it! But it was probably a one and done type of experience.

8. Favorite Place to Eat? 

Hungry’s. It’s the Stratford America go-to, and one of my forever favorite restaurants. 

9. Favorite dressing? 

Balsamic Vinaigrette. I eat it every day on my salad!

10. What are your favorite clothes? 
Is it bad to say that my favorite clothes are workout clothes? But if we’re going real clothes, maxi dresses are both cute and comfortable, and you can’t get much better than that. 

I loved that most of what we wore in SF was workout clothes

11. Where would you visit if you had the chance? 

Australia, Switzerland, Ireland, and Greece are at the top of my list these days. 

12. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? 

A majority of the time, it’s half full. But we all get bogged down sometimes.

13. Where would you want to retire? 
Sausalito. This is very, very real. 

14. Favorite time of day? 

I’m most productive in the morning and early afternoon. I shut down right around 3:00pm, which makes me realize that teaching is the only job for me!

15. Where were you born? 
Houston, Texas.

16. How many siblings? 

One little brother.

17. Favorite pastime/hobby? 
Running, reading, and baking.

18. Do you have any pets? 

I don’t, but I’ve already vowed to rescue a beagle when I move out of my parent’s house and into my own house or apartment.

19. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? 
On Friday I had my End of Year Conference with my appraiser, and unless something drastic happens, it looks like I'll be returning to Bellaire for a second year! Not that there were really any worries, but you just never know. And I'll raise my glass to that!

20. What did you want to be when you were little? 

I’ve actually wanted to become a teacher since the third grade, but before that I desperately wanted to become an astronaut. I had such a fascination with space.

21. What is your best childhood memory? 

I think playing outside. And biking and razor scootering over to my friends’ houses. There was no distraction of social media or cell phones, and my only cares were how fast I was going to finish that Mad Minute.  

22. Are you a cat or dog person? 

Dog. I took after my Granny in the cat department. 

23. Always wear your seat belt? 

Always. 

24. Been in a car accident? 

I’ve been in a couple. Thankfully, none of them were serious, just enough to shake you up a little bit. 

25. Any pet peeves? 

Tardiness. But I’m sure that’s one you could have answered on your own. And just to switch it up a little bit, I also can't help but roll my eyes at people who mess up your and you're - it's just really not that difficult.

And it happens quite often with my students, unfortunately. Where am I going wrong?

26. Favorite Pizza Toppings? 

Vegetables – zucchini, squash, broccoli, mushrooms – anything, really. Sans cheese, of course!

27. Favorite Flower? 

Tulips or sunflowers, for sure. 

28. How many times did you fail your driver's test? 

I actually didn’t take a driver’s test. I was in that sweet spot where all I had to do was take a written test for my learner’s permit. And though I am actually a very good driver, I’m not sure that I ever would have passed the parallel parking portion. 

29. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? 

Anthropologie, hands down.

That's where this outfit came from

30. Do anything spontaneous lately?

Honestly, the most spontaneous, out-of-the-ordinary thing I've done recently is purchase the orange hat I wore in Napa. I'm a pretty predictable gal, it seems.

31. Like your job? 

I absolutely love it. And for that, I am very, very grateful. 

32. Broccoli? 

Only if it’s cooked! 

33. What was your favorite vacation? 

This is such a tough question. I’m going to go with my most recent trip to San Francisco. It’s fresh in my mind, it was honestly probably the most perfect weekend, and I got to do it all with four of my best friends. Life is G O O D.

And I’ll check back in with y’all sometime this week! Have a great one! 

Things I'm Loving Friday XXXI

I enjoyed three four-day work weeks in a row, and I am on my way to surviving my first five-day work week. Whew! And today is going to be a relatively easy one because my first two classes are quizzing, I'm giving one of my English classes a mini catch-up day, and I'm taking my beloved 7th period to a sneak preview of the Bellaire Belles Spring Show. Because when that's an option on a spring Friday afternoon, you take it. And on that note ...

7 Signs Teachers Know It's Spring
If this isn't THE most accurate representation of what being a teacher has looked like as of late, I don't know what is. Now that the STAAR is over, my stress level has gone down (at least a little bit), and the pressure has lifted. I've found myself telling myself, "Hey, if it takes me a day or two longer than I thought, it takes me a day or two longer than I thought." While I was initially nervous about leaving my kids with a sub for two days, I realized that it really wouldn't be the end of the world if they chose not to do the work that I left for them to complete. Anyway, number two of this article really called my name. Taking attendance means I've had a productive day, and replying to an email? Going above and beyond.

And then you get things like this and have to be a little bit flattered

Shut Up and Dance
Y'all. I'm obsessed with this song by Walk the Moon. Like can't stop listening to it obsessed. I think I played it for maybe 20 minutes straight on my most recent run. I realize the song has been out for a little while, but I heard it on the radio the other day while driving home from school and I couldn't help but rock out to it a little bit (okay, a lot. But I made sure I was far enough away from the school). It's one that you can't help but dance to.

Camp+Out
The founders of this business are huge proponents of YoungLife. YoungLife promises to give you the "best week of your life" when you attend camp, and I can't tell you how many lives have been changed because of YoungLife camp. But camp can be expensive. And that's why Camp+Out gives 10% of each purchase to the featured YoungLife area of the month, so that they can help give every kid the experience of a lifetime. Love and joy and adventure and whimsy. Clothe yourself in some of the most comfortable apparel you'll ever own, and help give middle and high school kids the best week of their lives.

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30 Day Plank + Push-Up Challenge
Okay, I'll admit that I haven't started this one yet. I was waiting to post it so that we could motivate one another to complete it, you feel me? Anyway, I received an email from Active Insider with this in the subject line and it made me do a double-take. I'll also admit that my track record of sticking with challenges like this is not the greatest. But what I like about this one is that it lets you build up from your current level of fitness. There are no set numbers or time that you start at, rather, it's totally based on you, and going from there. Let's make a virtual pact - we'll start this Sunday. Toned arms and abs, here we come!

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Houston Rockets
Red Nation or Clutch City - whatever you want to call us, the Houston Rockets are on F I R E! We are currently 2-0 against the Dallas Mavericks as we head to their part of the state for games three and four. Howard and Harden are rockin' and rollin' (fear the beard, right?), and I am absolutely loving watching them play, even if it does mean staying up past my usual bedtime. Rockets forever!

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Unafraid
Though I don't actually know writer Susie Davis, I feel as though I know her, because she lives in the hills of Austin, I know one of her daughters through YoungLife, and I follow her on Instagram. Her most recent book was released this past Tuesday, and because I happened to be at Barnes and Noble that very night purchasing a book for a student,  I plucked this one off the shelves as well. And holy moly, am I glad that I did. I am nearly finished with the book, and I am absolutely loving it. While my fear may look completely different from your fear, fear is still a burden, and we are all seeking real and true peace.

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Wilton Nonstick 6-Cavity Donut Pan
Though I'm not usually a huge fan of buying single-use pans (actually, as I write this, I realize that I have quite a few single-use pans), but this one was worth every penny of the seven dollar price tag. Frying donuts, from what I read, is extremely tedious and time-consuming. But baking donuts, on the other hand, is a piece of cake. Especially when you have this donut pan. Simply whip up the dough, pour it into the pan, and bake them for 10ish minutes. And adding glaze gives them that extra feel (and taste). I whipped some up this past weekend to leave in the English lounge on Monday morning, and as of Monday afternoon, all but one were gone. I'd call that a success story! Side note - I never know whether to spell it 'donuts,' or 'doughnuts.' Your input on this issue is greatly appreciated.

And that's all I've got. Have a great one! 

Currently

Happy rainy Sunday! And happy Daylight Savings Time! As much as I hate losing an hour of sleep, especially when I need every bit of sleep I can get. As does everyone around me, I realize, but I absolutely love the fact that it will stay lighter later. Especially because I think I will be back to running very, very soon. It's hard for me to accept that we are currently eight days into March and I have yet to log even one mile!

Anyway, I know I've done this survey before, or done some version of this survey before. But because it's about things I'm currently doing or loving, my answers are bound to have changed, right? 

Current Book
I am currently still reading Mindy Kaling's Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me (And Other Concerns?), and next up on the list we have Donald Miller's A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, Judah Smith's Life is ..., and a couple of other books I recently noticed at Barnes and Noble. I'm hoping I'll get in some solid reading time over spring break. Spring Break Countdown - five school days!

Current Music
Really, I'll listen to almost anything. Lately I've been listening to a little bit more Tim McGraw than usual, because he is the first artist I am seeing at the world renowned Houston Rodeo. Yeehaw!

Current Guilty Pleasure
I don't know! You guys know I love my dark chocolate, but that's not really a current thing. Otherwise, I don't know. I guess it would have to be online shopping, because sometimes that can get the best of me (and a little bit out of hand), but again, that's not really a current thing.

Current Drink
As usual, I'll take water any day of the week. You'd be hard-pressed to find me without a water bottle within a 10 foot radius. That being said, if we're talking drink drink, I'll go with wine. Surprising, I know, but I've really come to love it. And I'm not sure I can believe this, but I recently read that a glass of red wine is equivalent to an hour at the gym. And I love a good gym sesh, but I wouldn't hate the added benefits. 

Current Food
I go through phases with hummus, but that is my current obsession. Celery and carrots are my preferred pairings, but there's nothing better than hummus and pita bread from Hungry's or Zoe's Kitchen. And I am willing to bet that Island Grill has a dynamite hummus and pita bread combo. 

Current Favorite Show
I know I've talked about this before, but I am not a big television person. Well, that's not entirely true. I do watch TV, but I don't watch any show with regularity. Boy Meets World has always been a favorite, and if I make it home from school in time, I make sure to tune in.

Current Needs
I guess I don't need anything. Except maybe a little bit more sleep. And for the STAAR test to be O V E R. At this point the kids who are going to pass are going to pass, and the rest, well, I can't say it's because I haven't tried. And I wouldn't hate it if my shin stopped giving me trouble! But I'll try to stop talking about these three things now, because I'm sure you're getting a little tired of reading about them!

Current Outfit
Leggings, a Nike DriFit top, a white vest, and Asics. I love wearing cute clothes and you know, feeling like a girl, but athletic clothes will always be my first choice. I'm trying to figure out how I can wear leggings to school and still keep my job. Kidding, but really.

Current Excitement
San Francisco! More on that very soon. And of course, spring break. And the Zooma half marathon. And the Houston Rodeo. And Cozumel. And many things in between. I've got a good spring ahead of me!

I hope you guys enjoy a relaxing and peaceful Sunday. I tried to get a lot of work done yesterday so that I could take a breather today, and do some of my favorite things. I didn't get quite as much done as I anticipated (when do I ever?), but I'm still planning on taking some time for me. Because this is sure to be another crazy week, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!