Pinspiration!

I love Pinterest. I have gotten so many teaching ideas, new recipes, fashion ideas, loads of nail and hair pictures to bring to the salon, and inspirational quotes from it. Now, that said, I think Pinterest, like all other forms of social media, needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Don't have a classroom that looks like it was designed by Joanna Gaines with an unlimited Lakeshore Learning store budget? For shame. You didn't make brownies with zucchini hidden inside to disguise the veggie-averse husband or kids? Loser. You don't have rock hard abs after doing "this one simple exercise?" Lazy. But for real....Pinterest life is meant to inspire, not strike up an unhealthy habit of desiring what is not ours. But the ideas and inspiration sure are fun!

Here are some pins I've been loving lately! Happy pinning!

I love this idea for meal planning ideas. Theme nights for the win!

This end of the year bulletin board is the cutest thing ever. Next time I'm out thrifting, I'll keep my eyes out for a pair of overalls. Love those puns! 

Isn't this wreath so pretty? This etsy shop has tons of cute ones. They are on the pricey side but this picture is great inspiration for a homemade one.

I'm on the hunt for a new chandelier and rustic farmhouse is my vibe these days. I get tons of great ideas from Pinterest. How cute is this one?

We are doing this Beach Ball STEM activity in my class this week. Love when I get fun classroom ideas.

Sometimes I just find pictures to make me laugh. Like this one. And all the elementary teachers said AMEN!

I've gotten some yummy recipe ideas from this blogger's meal prep plans!

I have plans to try this look on my nails this spring/summer. Leopard print fun!

This BBQ salad is definitely on my must make list as the weather gets warmer.

Isn't this such a fun idea for a 4th of July party? These layered drinks are too cute. Just add a cute glass bottle and a festive straw. Adorbs.

I am loving this cute classroom! The chalkboard signs, tent, color palette and rug? Perfection!

This DIY after shower wrap is so fun. I need this for blow drying my hair in the summer. When you're beautifying but not quite ready for real clothes yet? Need this!

Pinspiration for the win! Happy pinning!

Nothing Much....

Truth? I usually have a list of blog posts I want to write about. I keep a notebook in my bag and jot down ideas I have that I want to write about. This week? Nothing. Nada. Zilch. I think it's a mix of being tired/busy/not forcing myself to blog when I don't feel like it. So here I am with a list of a whole lotta nothing for you:

1. I've been reading "Happily Ever After" by Trista Sutter for about a week now. It's cute and light. I have a good novel ready and waiting for when I finish it.

2. I'm still meal prepping on Sundays and I just love it. It makes my weeks so much easier. I wish I started years ago. Today I prepped salads, chopped some veggies, and made this new recipe for banana muffins. I'm making spicy sausage pasta for dinner tonight. I haven't made it in months but it's one of our favorite dinners. 

3. Baby Bow Bash is less than one month away! Ahhhh!! Today I am working on making station signs and this week my goal is to make the tags to put on the "bow to go" bags. Since it's our first year doing it, we aren't completely sure what we're doing, but I know 1) It will be fun and 2) It will provide a service to the NICU community and 3) It'll be a great way to honor Hadley's first birthday.

4. I am organizing and beginning to pack up my classroom because.....I am teaching at a new school next year! I am doing 1st grade in a public school district. I am really excited about it. That said, I have SO. MUCH. STUFF. and try and take down at least one thing each day so it's not totally overwhelming at the end of the month.

5. Anyone watching Married At First Sight this season? I'm loving it! I like all 3 couples and hope they all make it, but if there's #drama, I won't mind much either! Other shows in the DVR lately: American Crime, The Voice, Pretty Little Liars, Teen Mom, Young and Hungry, American Housewife, Little People Big World, Shark Tank.

6. This weekend I helped AJ hand out tests on Saturday as he hosted an AP practice review session. The big test is on Friday and I know AJ will be so relieved when it's over. Bring on summer!

7. Last summer was a blur of hospital life, pain, grief, and tears. This summer? I'm excited for family/friend time, fun in the sun, trips to Portland and the Oregon Coast, and plenty of reading by the pool. 

Here's to a brand new week and some writing inspiration! 

Steeles in Seattle

Hi Everyone! We are back from our fun long weekend in Seattle and looking at oh, around 16 days left this school year! I want to thank you so much for all your kind feedback about my "Princess Baby Lessons" post. It was my most favorite post to write and sharing about Hadley brings me so much joy. I really appreciate all your support and love.

I'll spare you the play by play of this trip, and instead I'll just dump a bunch of pictures and captions. We had such a great time. We: visited with family, attended a good friend's beautiful wedding, went to Pike's Place Market (aaaaand ate our way through it!), had a family dinner, did the big Ferris Wheel on the water, "Wings Over Washington" ride, visited the Starbucks Roastery, saw a movie, did some shopping, relaxed and enjoyed every moment. We've had this trip planned for months so it was so fun to have it finally arrive!

Friday:

View from the "Seattle Wheel" 

AJ's aunt Jan and us on the Seattle Wheel 

airport excitement 

Cousins! AJ's cousin Robbie (and his wife Carmen and daughter Everlee), Dana, Katie (and her daughter Nina), and his Aunt Jan. We went to Pike Place Pub Friday when we arrived

Seattle Gum Wall 

Love those pretty fresh flowers! 

Proof we did have some blue sky! 

Good Luck Pig in Pike Place Market 

On the Wheel 

This is where Starbucks roasts some of its "reserve blends." 

Reserve blends going into bags

#truth 

Definitely not a regular Starbucks: Fancy ($$) drinks and a different pastry selection. I got an iced vanilla cold brew. You can order coffee flights and things for those realllly into coffee. It wasn't as packed with things to do as I thought, but definitely a cool space worth checking out. 

Friday evening we took a stroll around Aunt Jan's pretty neighborhood. 

Saturday:

Site of Ann's pretty wedding! 

Ann and I lived together our sophomore year and have been pals ever since. She is one of the most creative, hilarious, thoughtful people I know. Her wedding day was lovely and she and her new hubby are head over heels over each other and it is just the sweetest thing. 

After the wedding we walked downtown and I was freeeezing (bare legs) so we went into Old Navy and I bought these leggings, a sweatshirt, and flip flops. A girl has gotta be comfy! 

This awning was above some downtown shopping. We saw a late showing of "The Circle" downtown  after my fashion switcheroo. AJ liked it. I thought it was ok 

We stopped at this cute coffee shop before the reception. 

It started pouring so we ducked into the movie theater and decided to go to a show (in my new sweatshirt. Haha. Wedding clothes in a shopping bag!)

Sunday:

AMAZING Beecher's "Famous" Mac & Cheese 

Walking all around Pike's Place (yes, we went back for more) 

At Peroshky, Peroshky We waited in line for a bit, but definitely worth it 

Beef Peroshky 

We also had to try some Asian pork dumplings! 

We walked to the "ride" Wings Over Washington (sort of like California Adventure at Disneyland). We really liked it. We got some  pastries to take home and flowers at the market to bring to AJ's aunts house for dinner that night.

We had an awesome trip to the wonderful Emerald City. It was so great to see all our cousins and second cousins (all 7 of them). Everyone was so welcoming and hospitable. We had chill time, family time, and got to see a friend say "I do." A great weekend getaway!