Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Wish List

Tom Binns Quotation Studs

Quotation Studs | Shopbop

I will admit.  I coveted these earrings the moment I saw them.  An English teacher at the school pointed to her ears and said, "Aren't these the best?"

Oh, they are.  They are the epitome of English-y teacher wear without being dramatic.  If they dangled, even a little, I would consider them corny and toss them aside.  Yet thankfully, Tom Binns realized what a crime that would be.  At $88, I certainly will be looking for a cheaper version.  In fact, I have been looking.  But all of them lack the shine and intergrity of these quotation marks.

Perhaps someone (*cough* Karl *cough*) will find it in them to purchase these for me in the future.  I don't care if the students fail to notice them.  I will proudly point to my ears and say, "Aren't these the best?"


* Neither "Wish List" posts nor "Wish List" photographs have been endorsed by any company. I do not (currently) own any items, and all views expressed are entirely my own.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Headaches Come in Beautiful Packages

 "What is the city but the people?" ~William Shakespeare




Decisions, decisions.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Snapshots

A few snapshots of my week:
 
This haircut...
 
...because the time had come for a big, refreshing chop.  Ten inches gone.
This worn book...
 
...because somebody must have really wanted to polish up.
 This scarf...

...because the blue and gold fit January perfect.  And warmly.
 These candles...
...because they are festive and cheery on Kenz's Bolivian cloth.
 This dinner...

...because I made it on the fly with ingredients that were forgotten (shells, tomatoes, fresh garlic, and pesto). Mmmm.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Wish List

DATED Bills Calendar

DATED Bills Calendar | REDSTAR ink

Perfect for the future home.  As someone who loves cute planner/organizers, I also love when they are completely necessary.  There will come a time when there are more bills than I can account for.  I do not look forward to this day.  Online bill paying is so easy and convenient, but sometimes, the hard, paper bill is necessary for documentation.

I love this planner because it has multiple purposes.  The pockets allow for envelopes and markings.  The calendar allows for planning ahead.  I do love planning ahead- not necessarily for bill-paying, but again, functionality and necessity are musts.

* Neither "Wish List" posts nor "Wish List" photographs have been endorsed by any company. I do not (currently) own any items, and all views expressed are entirely my own.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

"It may be..."

"It may be that when we no longer know what to do,
we have come to our real work
and when we no longer know which way to go,
we have begun our real journey.

The mind that is not baffled is not employed.
The impeded stream is the one that sings."

~Wendell Berry

Some critical decisions are going to be made within the month.  All we can do is pray and realize this journey is only the beginning.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

I Need a Magic 8 Ball

I don't like to make decisions.  I think this may be (one) of the things that drives poor Karl insane. 

Karl: "Where do you want to eat?"
Me: "Somewhere there is food?"

Karl: "Where do you want to go?"
Me: "Doesn't matter to me.  Where do you want to go?"

Karl: "Do you like this?"
Me: "I don't know, what do you think about it?"

This form of communication has led to eating at Burger King on Valentine's Day.  What can I say?  I wanted onion rings.

These situations have various versions.  In fact, I can do it with almost any sort of question.  It is one of my great talents.  However, it is a bit ironic, as most people see me as very demanding.  If you see me with Karl, I'm a bit of a princess; but this is only because Karl fosters my princess-y-ness.  Paradoxically, I'm a people pleaser.  I don't like confrontations, and I don't like people upset with me. 

Thus, planning a wedding can be somewhat of a nightmare. In my mind, I see what I want.  Pinterest has been very good at giving me images to stick in my brain (even if some are fairly fantastical).  But when questions come at me, my standard response is a meek, "I don't care."  In fact, that is not true (in the sense you are thinking of).  I do care a great deal.  I don't mean "I don't care" as in "this is not important to me."  I truly mean, "SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT TO DO!"  When it came to bridesmaid dresses, I didn't care.  Wear what you want, you have to buy it and keep it and wear it.  But they kept saying, "You're the bride."  I know this.  I haven't forgotten.  But I don't want them to be angry.  For a society that thinks ill of a bridezilla, it certainly is not a fan of the meek and humble bride either-you know, the one prone to crying.

Sometimes, when I'm overwhelmed, I think "I should have eloped." And I'm loathe to admit that as of late, I have said I'm getting married in the courthouse in the presence of my two dogs and cat as witnesses.  *shrugs shoulders*

I guess, in the end, as a million people have said: "Everyone goes through this." "You'll be just as married." and "At least you are marrying your best friend." And, compared to some others, I'm lucky to have an involved, caring set of families and future families, so praise God for that.  But if someone wouldn't mind sending me a Magic 8 ball, that's how I'll be making all my future decisions.

Friday, January 11, 2013

Snapshots

A few snapshots of my week:

This scene...

...because candlelit darkness, it is okay to wear sweats and wrap in blankets to watch a movie.
 Kenz holding a hammer...

...because in order to be in total darkness, you have to hammer a blanket in the doorway.
 This book....

...because it completely sucked me in. And I love dystopian literature.
 This child's reflection....

....because was I that on track as a 3rd grader?
These donuts...

....because sometimes bribery is okay in order to accomplish work.


Thursday, January 10, 2013

Wish List

Everything on Anthropologie

I've recently gotten back into my Anthropologie obsession.  Thus, I have decided to post my favorite finds (notice the -s on that) from today.

Homegrown Monogram Mugs

Homegrown Monogram Mugs | Anthropologie

Steeping Thoughts Large Journal

Steeping Thoughts | Anthropologie
 
 

Mr. Boddington's Collection | Anthropologie
 
 
 
The Newlywed Cookbook | Anthropologie
 
* Neither "Wish List" posts nor "Wish List" photographs have been endorsed by any company. I do not (currently) own any items, and all views expressed are entirely my own. 

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

A Small Sort of Despair

Every so often, a wave of perfectionism will sweep over me.  Since college, I have learned to roll with "it" (whatever "it" may be at the time) and ride out the waves in collectedness.  Yet sometimes I find myself reverting to my own ways.  The ways where I think that I control every outcome.  Where I determine whether my life has been successful thus far.  Where I wish to mold myself into some sort of Super Woman with the ability to be ridiculously fantastic/successful.

Shortly after finishing Divergent, I was astounded to learn the author wrote the book when she was 24 years of age.  TWENTY FOUR!  I realize that I am not 24 (yet), nevertheless, a strong feeling of inadequacy overwhelmed me.  What have I done so far?  Better yet, what am I doing?  I assure you that I am not writing the next great dystopian novel.  Playing BINGO with seventh graders is more like it.

But I guess part of being a teacher is remembering the lasting effects you can have on any child at any moment.  Perhaps one of my seventh graders will remember my lesson on literary devices as he/she writes a celebrated novel.  That would be pretty fantastic.

P.S. Please read Divergent.  It's a little on The Hunger Games side, but more mature, and a teensy tiny bit more "cool."  Whatever I mean by that.

Friday, January 4, 2013

Snapshots

A few snapshots of my week during Christmas week:

This table setting...

... because weddings over the holidays are so much fun.
 Chandeliers...

...because chandeliers in a lodge are beautiful.
This view...

...because the snow was endless.
 This tea...

...because it is in my mother's teacup.

This place setting...

...because it looks so fancy in our little ghetto house.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Wish List

Self-Important Mini Sticky Notes

Sticky Notes | Heliotrope


I love home office supplies.  In fact, that department is one of my favorites.  Labels, sticky notes, highlighters, and a good pen are really quite important in determining if I am effectively learning.  Luckily, I still need to use these supplies as a teacher since my college days are somewhat behind me.  These little sticky notes seem to be multi-taskers.  Firstly, they are reminders.  I love a good "to-do" note.  I especially love completing the task.  Secondly, they are assigners.  Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the tasks at hand, and a sticky note that is written as I think of the chore and tells me how important it is directly is always appreciated.  Thirdly, they are fun to look at.  The colors are bright, and the headings are humorous.

The website itself is simple, and there are some products I have seen before from other retailers.  Yet the overall theme of the website seems to be good "fun" products, and there are some fantastic categories for gifts.

* Neither "Wish List" posts nor "Wish List" photographs have been endorsed by any company. I do not (currently) own any items, and all views expressed are entirely my own.