Summer Reading

1.  To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
I haven't read it since 9th grade, and couldn't help but reread it before the sequel is released this summer.  I can't wait!

2. The Springs by Cynthia Leavelle
Mrs. Leavelle is the mother of a high school classmate of mine.  She writes a beautiful retelling of an Old Testament story.

3.  Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Best known for Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald

4.  Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
I purchased this beautiful hardback edition at Square Books in Oxford, which is probably my favorite bookstore I've ever visited.

TPT seller!

To my fellow teachers: Do you have loads of tests, study guides, or worksheets that you've typed up yourself?  Creating a seller account on Teachers Pay Teachers is super easy!  You can upload your files, and other teachers needing your resources can pay to download your files.  There is no complication of shipping!  I've uploaded the study guides I've made to go along with our reading book, and a few grammar tests.  I priced all of my uploads at $1.00, and each purchase brings in $0.30.  I know that isn't much, but when you're making these resources anyway for your classes, it literally takes less than a minute to upload them to the website.  Maybe over time, your profits will add up!  If you decide that you want to make a seller account, follow this link saying you were referred by me!  One of the great things about teaching- we don't mind sharing!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Signup/referral:les032

GradeCam- Making teachers' lives easier!

GradeCam is all the rage at D'Arbonne Woods.  I've just signed up and loaded my classes.  I can't wait to give my kids a test this week to try it out!  

Here's how it works:

1. Add your classes.
2. Add your students with a personal number ID to each class.
3. Add an assignment, and choose how many questions are on the test.
4. Print out your answer sheet straight from the website.
5. Give your kids the test.
6. Hold up each answer document to a camera (your webcam, document camera.. anything that's hooked up to your computer from what I understand!)

GradeCam tells you which answers are incorrect, and then gives you data on most missed questions and average scores.  You just physically write the grade on each student's paper.  Other teachers have told me that it took about 30 seconds to grade a whole class' test.  What a huge time saver!  

The best part... It's free for 60 days!  You can earn credits by inviting other teachers, but after your free trial runs out, it's $15 a month.  I think that's totally worth it!  If you're interested, click the link below.

www.gradecam.com/signup?referrer=acowyk

Grace and Faith Bows

My cousin-in-law (is that a thing?) has started an Etsy page where she makes the most adorable bow headbands and clips for your darling little girl!  Kyndall's own baby girl can seriously rock those big bows!  These would make wonderful gifts for birthdays or showers.  Check out her page!

GraceAndFaithBows

Snacks for the School Teacher!

Tomorrow is the big day! Back to school. I've been watching videos and doing research about healthy recipes and name brands, and I'm determined to incorporate these ideas into my daily life. I wanted to share a few things that I found at WalMart for snack and lunch at school!

Terra Sea Salt Sweet Potato Chips are non GMO and gluten free, as are the KIND Vanilla Blueberry Healthy Grains, which will be my sweet fix.  I also got Emerald Smoked Almonds, which are salty and not as healthy as plain ones, but they will be a good source of protein if I'm running on empty!  My favorite flavor of Chobani is Coconut with Dark Chocolate and Honey Roasted Salted Almonds. Whew! That's a mouthful. This can be a quick snack or breakfast. 

A couple of lunch options are pictured above. Sandwiches, nothing too thrilling. And not the lowest in calories. I'll have to do some improvement on my lunch, but for this week I wanted quick and simple. We've been buying the bakery bread instead of pre-packaged. It's cheap, and I think it's much tastier. This loaf of French bread was a dollar!  The downside is that I have to freeze most of the loaf, because the expiration date is usually just a couple of days after I buy it. 

Coming soon: breakfast ideas and a tour of my classroom!

Summer Reading Part II

My book list has changed a bit since I found out I would be teaching 4th grade language arts and reading this year!  I am so excited about the selection of books these kiddos get to read.  They will be submerged into Native American folklore, get lost in the fantastic stories of mythology, time travel back to the American Revolution, and imagine what it would be like to be ruled by a monarchy centuries ago.  I'm sure you'll hear more about that later on!  I did manage to finish one more book for my personal enjoyment:

(For 1-3, click here.)

4.  Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
I received this book as a part of a wedding gift, and have just now gotten around to reading it.  Anne Lindbergh is the wife of Charles Lindbergh, the famous aviator "Lucky Lindy".  She retreats from her role as a wife and mother for a short period of time to spend time at the ocean, to refresh.  While studying the ways of the sea, especially different types of shells, she compares to them the stages of a woman's life.  Written over 50 years ago, the truths she reflects on still ring true: finding oneself through a creative outlet, being a part of evolving relationships (which aren't necessarily a bad thing), and emptying our lives of unnecessary commitments so our lives can slow down and be more thoroughly enjoyed.  I fell in love with this book because of Lindbergh's love of the sea that I share, the exquisite metaphors she uses, her profound outlook on embracing each stage of life that we enter.  Thank you, Kathy!  I will definitely be rereading this one.

Summer Reading Part I

It's not just for students!  I'm certainly not finished reading for the summer, but I wanted to give y'all some ideas if you're looking for a good read for a long car ride.

1.  Twenty-Nine and a Half Reasons by Denise Grover Swank
A mystery.  Besides Nancy Drew, this is the first mystery I believe I've ever read.  This is the second one of a series, and I'd love to read the rest of the series soon!  My mom recommended these books to me.  We love relating to Rose's Southern sayings and way of life.

2.  I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings By Maya Angelou
A classic.  When I'm shopping in Barnes and Noble, I tend to pick up classics like this one.  Actually, I have quite a few that look really nice on my shelf, but I haven't read them yet.  I picked this one up this summer after I learned of Angelou's death.  What a beautiful human being she was.  This book is autobiographic, which I didn't realize until after I started reading.  She gave me a vivid picture of what life was like for Southern black people in the 1930s.

3.  One Thousand Gifts By Ann Voskamp
A spiritual read.  I haven't finished this one yet because I am reading it with a group of ladies from church.  We will be discussing chapters one through four soon.  It has such a practical concept that absolutely everyone will benefit from.  Voskamp tells about tragedies she endured as a child, and how she changed her cynical point of view by simply counting her blessings.  She takes her readers through a journey of writing down everything she is thankful for until she literally reaches one thousand.  Along with reading this book, we are keeping our own journals of things we are thankful for.  I love this experience so far!

Next on my list...

Ipsy: April Glam Bag

Big Sexy Hair Root Plump volumizing spray mousse
(travel size)
Retail price: $17.95

Anything that claims to add volume, I'm excited to try.  This spray mousse seems to work best when applied to wet hair.  It adds some texture and volume to my roots without making my hair look greasy.  I like it!

Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm
Shade: Apple Pink
Retail price: $19

Lip color is probably the aspect of makeup in which I'm the laziest.  Once I find a product that I like, I wear it every day.  This isn't one of those every day products for me, but I've worn it a few times.  My favorite part is the brush that it comes with- it makes the application very precise!

Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion
Retail price: $78

This is definitely my favorite product from this month.  I've tried different scrubs and microdermabrasion treatments before, but this completely outweighs anything else I've used.  It leaves my skin feeling soft and refreshed for days!

Elizabeth Mott pop! goes the shadow
Shade: Champagne
Retail price: $12.99

The color of this shadow is very nice for spring and summer.  I've been wearing it on my lids without any other additional color, but I think it would also work very nice for a highlighter.  It's slightly shimmery, but not over the top.

Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil
(travel size)
Shade: Black Velvet
Retail price: $20

I very rarely wear eyeliner.  Normally I blend a dark shadow around my eyes instead of using an actual eyeliner.  I get very frustrated applying eyeliner often because it never turns out even.  This liner glides so wonderfully!  It's not something I would wear every day, but on those occasions that I want to look a little more made up, this liner is perfect for me.  No fuss, and easy to apply.

Ipsy: March Glam Bag

March's theme: Destination Beauty

bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick
Shade: Get Ready
yes. Yes. YES.  I have literally worn this lipstick every single day since I received it.  I'd never used any bareMinerals products before this, and I am in love.  This shade is the perfect nude for my skin tone.  It matches the color of my lips wonderfully.  It's an easy-to-wear essential.  The texture is buttery and moisturizing, exactly how I prefer my lipsticks.  And, come on, Marvelous Moxie.  That's an awesome name.
Price of full-size product: $18

Be A Bombshell Eyeshadow Quad
Shade: Bora Bora
I have been loving two of the four colors in this quad.  If you don't already know this about me, I love my neutrals and nudes.  That teal is a wonderful color... for a summery top.  I have no idea how to apply a color that bold, but I know some people that could rock it!  The top left color is my favorite.  You can't tell it from the picture, but it has a purpley tint to it.  I would recommend these shadows to be worn over a primer for extended wear.
Price of full-size product: $16

Nicole by O.P.I. Roughles textured nail lacquer

Shade: On What Grounds?

The color- gorgeous.  It could be interpreted as a springy turquoise or a wintery cool blue.  What you can't tell from the bottle: after applied, this nail polish has a rough, pebbly texture.  (BTW, the name is pronounced like "ruffles".  I was reading it "rough-less" in my head.  It has a much cuter name now that I know how to pronounce it.)  I thought the texture would bother me- it feels almost like sandpaper- but it didn't catch onto my tights or anything.  The texture takes getting used to, but isn't as annoying as you'd think it would be!

Price of full-size product: $9

Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer

I can't decide which is my favorite from this glam bag- the bareMinerals lipstick, or this Pixi primer.  It makes my foundation go on flawlessly!  I have tried a couple of other primers in the past, but this one is definitely my favorite.  It adds a touch of shimmer underneath your foundation as well.  Just the right amount.  The only thing that would make it better would be SPF.  It smells like it has a touch of sunscreen in it to me, but since it doesn't make that claim, I'll have to assume that it doesn't.

Price of full-size product: $9

Click here to subscribe to Ipsy!

Ipsy: February Glam Bag

As I mentioned in my last post, Josie got me interested in Ipsy a couple of months back.  Disclaimer: I haven't tried any other subscription boxes myself.  I can only compare between subscription box services from the information I've read online from other users.  I just think the general idea of subscription boxes is super exciting.  After browsing for hours in Ulta or Sephora, (or even the makeup section of Wal-Mart!) it is very likely that I will leave empty-handed, just because I can't decide what product I need the most.  Okay, okay, it's more likely that I end up buying a whole lot more than intended, in turn, spending a whole lot more money than intended.  Whichever the case may be, a subscription service picks products that you would be interested in for a very reasonable price.  It's so exciting when the package arrives in the mail, too!

This is what I received in my February glam bag:

Eyetini Cordial Cream Shadow + Base
Shade: Spiced Rum
I was skeptical of this product at first.  I've never used an eyeshadow with a doe-foot applicator!
The pros:
- I like the color a lot.  The shimmery bronze color is just the right amount of sparkle for me.  I'm not a glittery person, but I am fond of this metallic color.
- Easy application.  The thin formula makes it easy to apply a small amount and blend for a more casual day look.
Cons:
- Requires primer.  Even the name of this product says that it includes base, but when I applied it directly to my eye, it collected in the crease of my lid throughout the day.  With a nice primer underneath, the shadow stays in place much better.
Price of full-size product: $18

J. Cat Beauty Eyelashes + Eyelash Glue
I'll be honest and tell you that I have never ever worn false lashes.  I bought a pair for a dance recital one time, and they are still sitting in my dresser drawer, eight years later.  I want to hang on to these in case I can give them to someone who has an occasion to wear them.
Price of full-size product: $3.99

POP Beauty Plump Pout Mini

Shade: Fuchsia Freesia 

Pros:
- The color.  This gloss is PINK.  Bright pink.  This shade would normally not attract my attention, but I actually liked it after I applied it.  Valentine's Day was the perfect occasion for a more bold pink lip color
Cons:
- It's a gloss.  This is completely my preference, but I don't like sticky lip glosses.  I prefer the texture of a lip butter.  Ipsy couldn't have known that, though.  If you like lip glosses, I would give this one a try!
Price of full-size product: $16

Zoya Nail Polish
Shade: Odette
Pros:
- The color.  This dusty lavender color is unlike anything I currently owned in my polish collection.  It's very wearable all year long.  I love it!
- The quality.  I had never used this brand before, or even heard of it.  But after trying it, I fell in love.  The color goes on smoothly and lasts a fairly long time.  I will definitely repurchase this brand!
Cons:
- I have none.
Price of full-size product: $9.00

Overall, I was happy with my glam bag.  Ipsy sent me a few products that I would have never purchased on my own, but ended up quite fond of after giving them a whirl.  At only $10 a month, I love that subscribers receive full-sized products.  I tend to use full-size products more than samples.  Sample sizes get pushed aside and forgotten for some reason.  The bags that they send your products in are cute too, and I put them to good use when I travel!

Click here to subscribe to Ipsy!

Home Ec Girl

You may not be able to tell it by my appearance, but I love all things beauty related.  Though I'm not always great at applying it, I love reading about and browsing makeup, skincare, hair, and nail products.  So much fun!

Another thing I love posting about my loved ones' endeavors.  Josie, my sister-in-law has me completely sucked into her blog, Home Ec Girl.  She reviews products/subscription boxes that she has tried, denotes her experiences as a teacher, and shares other hobbies that she is interested in.  As a fellow (almost) teacher and beauty lover, I can relate to a lot that she has to say.  Never mind that she's my sister-in-law as well. ;)  There are several products she has me dying to try.  I'm thinking these labels need to endorse her for her advertisement!

One of my favorite posts is "How to Make People Think You Woke Up Early and Loved It."  Because who doesn't need to know how to do that?!  Take a look around her page and see what you think.

P.S.  Because of Josie's recommendation, I subscribed to Ipsy, a monthly beauty box.  (More about that later.)

Split-Ends Magic

To my fellow long-haired girls, I want to introduce you to a product that you might love as much as I do!  First of all, about my hair.  It may be bipolar.  Near the roots, it gets very oily, very fast.  I definitely can't go more than a day without at least using dry shampoo to remedy the oil.  At the ends, it's very dry and brittle.  I'm sure this is at least partially due to split ends.
When it comes to sacrificing sleep, I would much rather stay up later than wake up earlier.  I always do my showering on school nights since I have to leave by 6:35 a.m.  When I go to sleep with my hair wet, and it's not well moisturized/conditioned, it ends up a frizzy, fried-looking mess in the morning.  And I want really low-maintenence hair in the morning.  (The majority of my time before school is spent on drinking coffee, and I'd like to keep it that way!)

My mother heard my hair complaints, and put these lovely products in my Christmas stocking.

You don't know a good thing until it's gone, right?  I'm almost out, and started using another shampoo and conditioner that I had in my shower, and I remembered what my hair was like before I began using Triple Moisture by Neutrogena.  This shampoo and conditioner combo has made the most noticeable difference in my hair than any other product I remember.  After sleeping on my wet hair, the ends do not appear dry and brittle, but instead are moisturized and shiny.  (Best of both worlds:  my scalp isn't any more oily than normal, either, even with the extra moisture!)  The improvement does not stop with the ends of my hair, though.  (Enjoy my pun?)  It's overall texture is wonderful.  It might be magic; I'm not sure.  Before, my hair would end up in kinky curls after sleeping on it wet, which were in no way attractive.  With this shampoo and conditioner, I wake up with nice, soft waves.  It's pretty incredible.  

If you suffer from split ends, or dry, brittle hair, try this product!  Each are less than $5 at Wal-Mart.  Seriously.  I'm all about the bargain brands.

Now I'm curious about the Fortifying Conditioner from the same line.  Has anyone tried it out?

Music Likes

Lizard Nickel

Today I received my stunning album of wedding pictures that came with my photography package by Lizard Nickel Photography.  It was so exciting to look back at these pictures in album form, though I have looked at them digitally countless times already!  Liz did an exceptional job of capturing the emotions we all felt that day.  I wanted to share some of my favorite pictures, and encourage you to grab Liz for your wedding, maternity photos, engagement photos, family photos, or whatever other exciting occasions may be going on!  She was a joy to work with, putting my mind completely at ease during a hectic and stressful time.  I could never thank you enough, Liz, for capturing one of the most important days of my life!