I'm still around...

Lurking behind the shadow of graduate school, family obligations, and changing of job requirements... At minimum, still reading my daily reads and hoping to come back to the blog sphere soon. Thank you for your understanding and patience!!!

Lilly Sale... In the Pink!!!

For all those in the Boston area (or perhaps visiting this time of year), In the Pink, a premier signature Lilly Pulitzer store, is having their mid-summer sale! 30-70% off!!!!I'm heading to their Newbury Street location tomorrow for a fun day in town but you can also stop by their Mashpee, Edgartown, Chatham, or Falmouth locations.

Time sensitive...ends tomorrow!!!!

Run, do not walk, to this awesome blog, Fashion Meets Food for an amazing giveaway. Erica is kindly giving away 7 pairs of Fitz and Frannie earrings.

From their website

My fav is the navy/pink and the pink/green earrings.

Good luck to all!!!!

School's out for summer....

Happy First Day of Summer!!!!

Friday was (finally!!!) our last day of school! So strange to say that considering the way this school year went for me both professionally and personally. I am both looking forward to the short summer break but also eager to start my 4th year as a middle school English teacher. Along with a week-long institute on Reading in the Content Area next week and my new part-time job at my local Banana Republic (yay for 50% off!!!), here is a list of the following things I will be filling my time with the next several weeks:

• Lake George, NY for the 4th of July holiday
• Teaching summer school  (I'll find out this week if there is a need for a middle school position this summer)
• Landscaping the front of our home (finally!!!)
• Reading... lots of reading
• Outlet shopping in Tilton, NH while visiting our friend's at their Lake Winnipesaukee "cottage"
• Boston!!!
• Antiquing; a new hobby????
• Drum Corp show in August with my dad
• Old Sturbridge Village reenactment
• Updating the interior by painting my office and adding some details around the house

Any fun plans as you celebrate the first official day of summer???

Heliotrope!!! And other gardening adventures....

A few weeks ago, my mom and went to some of our local farm nurseries and picked up some plants to put around my lamp post in the front yard. I also decided to place some pots of flowers on the front steps. So here is some of our purchases....

Heliotrope... smells so good!

Pink Verbena

Violet Verbena

We also added some white alyssum around the heliotrope to add color and texture.

Next step: redo in front of the house where the old yew bushes used to be...

 I'm thinking English cottage theme!

O.M.G.!!!!

Just got back from seeing this movie....

And I loved it!!!!

Some of the highlights (don't worry, no spoilers!!!)

• I don't know who was cuter in this movie, John K. or Colin E. Both were awesome. I think I'd have to go with the funny guy, to be honest!
• Perfect casting of Rachel and Darcy.... so believable! I love G.G.... she is adorable!
• I'm embarrassed to say this, but I was laughing out loud... a lot. I wasn't the only one. If you need a good laugh, I think you'll love this movie.
• Be sure to stay during the credits... there was something I'm sure you don't want to miss!

Anyone else go opening night? Thoughts?



Things that make my week....

"Something Borrowed" comes to the big screen on Friday!!! Can't wait. I suggest you make a field trip to check it out this weekend!!!

Still looking for two brave readers/bloggers to take part in my "Pass it Forward" giveaway. I already picked up some cute and preppy items and just need happy homes for them. Check out my last post for information.

Teaching the last novel of the school year, The Clay Marble. The kiddies usually enjoy this one, especially since some of my student's family are either from Cambodia or know someone who was affected by the events in the 1980's.

My new Lilly stuff from Joss and Main should be arriving this month!!! I have a special gift for a lucky reader, which means another reader giveaway. More information to follow!

What's making your week?

Pass it forward...

     Today I found a little surprise in my mailbox from Michelle at A Little of This & That. She hosted a "Pass It Forward" giveaway last month and I was one of the three selected!

Michelle sent me a bottle of nail polish in Timbleberry and a cute picture frame that will look smashing on my desk at school (I'd post pictures but Blogger is being a pain with uploading pictures... it took me three days to upload my daffodil pics from my post earlier!!!).

Thanks to Michelle and if you don't read her blog yet, you should stop by! I love her picture collages and humor!

I'm now hosting my own "Pass It Forward"!

Rules are simple:

1. The first three readers to post a comment will receive a little something from me. You must have a blog to participate.

2. Please leave your email as part of your comment so I can get back to you about mailing of gift.

3. Most important, you must pass this gesture forward so please only respond if you are willing to host this type of giveaway.

I'm so excited to be doing this... a little way of saying thank you to those faithful or even new readers!

***

Update: Still looking for two people to join in the Pass It Forward. All you have to do is accept a few little treats from me (yay) and in return, offer the same thing

on your blog... it's that easy!

Spring is sprung!

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed--and gazed--but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

~Wordsworth

Here is another picture of my blooming daffodils, my favorite Spring flower :)

What are your favorite Spring flowers?

Happy Easter!!!

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!

King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!

Wishing all of you a Happy Easter season!!!

Good Friday...

"Lord, by thy Cross and Resurrection thou hast redeemed the world."

***

As you may have noticed, I've been taking a blogging break during Holy Week.

I wish you all a happy, healthy, and blessed rest of Triduum and I will see you all on Easter morning!

Happy Palm Sunday!

I picked up my palms... I hope everyone else had a chance to as well.

Troop Beverly Hills!!!!

I just finished watching an awesome movie from my childhood... Troop Beverly Hills! What a great treat to wake up to! Does anyone else remember this movie? So many favorite parts: I love the cookie fundraising events, the Wilderness Jamboree, and of course, their darling uniforms.

What are your favorite movies from childhood?

Things that make my week... late addition!

Painted pottery last night with one of my oldest and dearest friends.... Of course,

I had to paint it pink and green!

I love reading classics. I'm reading this one (again!) over April vacation, which started officially yesterday!

New bedspread and shams! I wanted something a little more classy so I picked this pattern up and it works so well with the French blue walls.

Of course, my new polo! It is so comfy. I wore it to school yesterday and I had so many compliments :)

What made your week?

Review: Rue LaLa

Yesterday I *finally* got my Rue LaLa! I purchases two items from the Lilly Pulitzer sale, the "Chic" Prep Green Embroidered Polo and the "Lola" Hotty Pink print  dress. Here is what I think....

The polo (xs) fits like a dream. Fits well in chest, waist, and shoulders. Length is perfect... seems like something I could wear casually to school, wear on the golf course, or dress up with a skirt and pearls.

The Lola print dress (pink and orange bicycle pattern) is a different story. Not knowing how Lilly dresses usually fit, I ordered a 2. In retrospect, I think I would go with a 4. I'm a little more "busty" so I need the extra space up top. The length of the 2 is perfect (barely grazes knee) so I would probably would have to do some alteration on the 4.

Speaking of that, how hard is it to take out a LP dress? I want to keep the 2 but see if a seamstress can take out the top just a little bit to make it a little more comfortable. Has anyone else ever done this?

Overall, I'm very happy with my Rue LaLa experience. It got here when the website said it would and the clothing well protected in the shipping box. I will be ordering from Rue LaLa in the future!

Another awesome giveaway!

Let The Tide Pull Your Dreams Ashore is having an awesome giveaway... a Marley Lilly monogrammed hat.

I've been admiring these for some time... I'm sure you have too. One of these babies would look cute with the new Lilly dress I have coming. Stop by and say hello to EAS!

Joss & Main

     This weekend I've become a member of another private sale site which I'm sure most of you have heard of by now... if not, you can sign up easily at the website, Joss & Main.

It's like Rue La La and One King's Lane so if you love those, you should check it out.

I'm looking forward to the following sales:

• Preppy Plates (Monday)
• Nordicware (Tuesday)
• Global Amici (Wednesday)
• Lilly Pulitzer (mid April)



Sums up my day...

Golfed my first 9 holes today for the 2011 season... too cold to do 18. It was interesting.... didn't find my swing until the 9th hole (of course!!!). My chipping was amazing and I could actually putt for once. We were paired up with the sweetest couple, probably in their 60's. They were so considerate and thoughtful! Looking forward to the next round :)

The Kennedys

Boy, am I in luck! When I first heard about this miniseries, I knew I had to watch it. I love history and the time period, and of course, the Kennedys. When the History Channel dropped it, I was bummed out. I never thought I would see it. Then Reelz picked it up, and luckily enough, Comcast has it On Demand. I'm on the 3rd episode as we speak. Anyone else watching "The Kennedys"?

Things that make my week....

The Masters

(Mr. S and I are watching the Par-3 Contest right now)

My new makeup... I actually like it. It's very subtle and gives just a hint of coverage. I especially like the way it covers the dark circles around my eyes!

My friend Cassie got me into this...I'm on week 1. So far, so good. My goal is to run my first 5k in the Fall.

The new teaching book I'm reading. I want to improve my unit planning skills so I'm not doing the same old thing and also not scrambling each morning.

Taking a stroll around Target tonight (after hubby goes to class). They have cute Spring dresses on sale this week... $17!

My new (and first) Lilly item. Got it today from Rue La La.

Of course, my new golf shoes (which I'm using this Friday, weather permitting!)

***

What are some things that make your week?

April showers bring...green golf courses!

Can't wait to hit the links (I'm thinking we'll be going to the Cape or Conn for April vacation with the intentions of trying new courses. That gives Mother Nature a few more weeks to make up her mind :)

Also, sorry for those last two pics...  I'm trying to figure out how to rotate them.

Any other golfers excited for the 2011 season?

A secret!

I have a deep, dark secret I've been dying to share.... I'm a little ashamed, especially since I'm 29 and I'm still obsessed after all these years.

Today I picked up.....

Don't judge.. I couldn't help it! I've grown up with Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield since I was a skinny bookworm reading a Sweet Valley Kids a day (My parents would buy we a few at a time so we wouldn't make so many trips to the bookstore). Then it was on to Sweet Valley Kids, SV High (I still have my complete sets....yikes!), and finally SV University.

When I heard that this book was coming out, I had a flashback and had to buy it. I'm thirty pages in and it's like I never grew up.

After all these years, I'm still Team Elizabeth (duh, fellow goody-two shoes!) and I'm shocked at what Jessica has done this time (I won't spoil it for those fans out there, but it's crazy what she did!).

Are there any fellow Sweet Valley fans out there? If not, what was your guilty pleasure back when you were growing up?

Butter! Part 2

A pretty package was delivered yesterday!

Wow, they really keep my product safe!

Another cute wrapper. It's actually a baggie that has been wrapped around the polish and closed with the classy sticker!

"No More Waity, Katie"

Bad pictures... it looks gray but it's really a shimmery purplie blue.

I think I like it. It's different from what I usually wear but I can see this as a fun alternative.