Welcome Back Rally 2009

By now, everyone and their brother has seen this youtube wedding video.


Love it or hate it...it's become quite the viral video and my school's source of inspiration for setting the tone of this year's larger than life Welcome Back Rally!

The teachers are all dressed in red and dance out to Chris Brown's "Forever." I am truly blessed to work with such amazing students and phenomenal co-workers that make school so fun for the entire staff and school community.

On days like today, teaching is everything I ever dreamt it would be and I get all emotional thinking about the difference we're making and we don't even know it.

It feels GREAT to be a warrior today : )

Enjoy.

xoxo

Countertop Reveal

Not much to say other than I absolutely love our new countertops!! They look fabulous and I find myself strolling by the kitchen to touch and admire them.

Corian really stepped up their game with this private collection. What are your thoughts on our kitchen progression? She's come along way, don't ya think?

Next on the agenda is a subway tiled back splash and new hardwood floors next summer...suffice it to say, I'm already ready for both.

Thanks for reading. : )

xoxo

Pretty In Pink

I've loved this image for so long now. The particular angle of this bedroom is so serene, soft, and lovely. I say this angle only because I'm not in love with the way the lady chose to decorate the rest. However, it's her room-her decisions. But this view is delightful.

Find her space here. And, while you're there, stop on by my spaces. They are in need of some serious updating, though! Enjoy.

P.S. Countertops go in tomorrow! Eeeeeeeek : ) Stay tuned!

xoxo

It's About That Time

I'm pretty sure you can guess what's right around the corner for our kitchen when you see this pic!

Tuesday night/Wednesday morning should be full of updates! : )

xoxo

Spain On The Brain

To say I enjoyed my summer trip to Spain would be the understatement of the year. I can't stop talking about it, reliving it through photos, or planning my next rendezvous in that wonderful country. Not only have thoughts been running through my head, but so have numerous images and things that I want to buy! Would you expect any less from me?

Take this adorable hand made Spanish bracelet available on Etsy. I want it bad. Love it! I've asked David for it, so we'll see if he gets the hint. : )

Then there's the OPI nail polish collection from España. It's absolutely fabulous. With names like Barefoot in Barcelona, Manicurist in Seville, and No Spain-No Gain...how could I not love it?

I did pick myself up a great España polish this weekend, along with a little something along the same lines for a future giveaway {that I promised months ago and will get up and running very soon!}.

And last but not least, I ran across these beauties just last night and want them just as bad as the other items. They are the Cordoba Mirrors from Ballard Designs and they are on sale. If that doesn't mean I should get them then I don't know what does.

Their design is so reminiscent of the "La Mezquita" that we toured while in the lovely city of Cordóba, which I'm sure was the purpose.

I can't wait to return someday!

xoxo

Lamp Love

It's been awhile since I bought new lamps for the bedroom but I remembered to snap a photo tonight to share with everyone.

I found two of these at TJ Maxx and swooped them up for less than $25 a piece. Love a good deal!

xoxo

First Day Fashion

I never have done a "fashion" shot of myself before because I am usually very critical of the way I look in my photos and my sense of style is nowhere near some of the fabulous ladies out in blogville... I'm talking not even in the same universe. Case in point, Ms. Chloe! Her fashion sense and photog skills are out of this world, run over to her blog right now if you never have visited!

However I did, like ever year, take a first day of school clothing shot this week. It's a tradition and it's fun to look back on them every year. And, may you note that I never wear my bangs back, but of course on this morning they weren't cooperating so back they went. Guess there's a first time for everything.

The breakdown {if you are interested}...

Dress: Kohls
Cardigan: Old Navy
Shoes: Isaac Mizrahi for Target {many years ago}
Handbag: My favorite Spain purchase : )

What can I say, I'm a frugal shopper!

xoxo

Pillow Placement

Well, I was so psyched to share with you all my new reupholstered sofa, but it will have to wait just a tad bit longer. The reupholsterer called today and let us know that he needed to redo the cushions to make them perfect. It seems as if he made the fabric too tight, thus decreasing their size, and consequently leaving too big of a gap once placed on the sofa. It'd be easier if there was fabric left, but there's not, so the extra time of ordering and delivering will have to be added in as well. Luckily, and quite fairly, we aren't being charged for the snafu but it'll just take awhile longer. So, I must wait. I heard somewhere that patience is a virtue. ; )

Anyhoo, I can at least show you guys where the trellis pillows went. You will also notice some fresh new pillows from CB2 all cozied up behind the handmade trellis ones.

Also, take a look at the fabric on the chair cushion, because that's what the sofa is being reupholstered in as well. I fell in love with it at first sight! It's from Sunbrella and it is an indoor/outdoor linen-look in the shade of "natural". Super fabulous and let's hope it's super cleanable as advertised.

I am so excited to share the whole room once the sofa makes her way home. Stay tuned...let's hope it won't be much longer!

xoxo

Trellis It Up!

My DP buddies will know what I'm talking about with that blog title! ; ) By now, most everyone knows of the gorgeous Kelly Wearstler trellis fabric and the many knock off/inspired pieces everywhere!

I, at one time had trellis-inspired pillows on our living room chairs, but with the new upholstering and color scheme, they have been sent downstairs...where some say our decor goes to die. However, don't confuse my sending my trellis pillows down with me tiring of the design! That could not be further from the truth! What I wanted was actually this pillow {x2}, from the lovely Nena Von on Etsy.

{nena von image}

They would work perfectly with my new color scheme and the size was just right to sit on our living room chairs! But, like with all things, I procrastinated and did not decide to purchase them. While her prices are very reasonable, I just couldn't bring myself to spend $50 on the two I would need.

As luck would have it, I found the exact inspired fabric at Marshall's in the StL! Now, this "fabric" was nothing more than a twin sheet set...but the wheels got to turning and I just knew my momma could make some pillow covers just as fabulous as those I had coveted!

I scooped that $19 sheet set up, sweet talked my mom, and came home with my ideas ready to go! I had originally bought some pillows to use as bolster ones, but soon realized when I got home that bolster pillows had come with the chairs and I had never used them! So, back went the original pillows and now our little project would cost less than $20!

{The pillows that came with my Overstock chairs and had never been used}

I googled "how to sew a pillow case" and watched these two youtube videos {here and here}for a quick tutorial. I knew my mom knew what she was doing but I wanted to be as specific as possible with how I wanted them to look. When she saw the videos, she had already decided to make them that same way--sweet!

After finding the sheet on Saturday, we met up on Sunday and cranked these babies out in less than a couple of hours! I'd like to say I had a big part in all of it, but I was only in charge of the cutting, ironing, pinning, and minor sewing! I trusted my mom, much more than myself, to do a presentable job and she knocked it out of the park!

My mom modeled the sheet for me before we started cutting!

Once we got them cut down to size another modeling picture was due!

My mom and I got to pinning and sewing which took less than an hour total!

I helped at the end by offering moral support, eating fresh peaches, and taking pictures of my giddy self. I was quite the little helper! Ha!

The finished product ready to be put together!

Mom with her work--she did so well! I told her we should totally sell them! : )

They look so good and were less than 1/2 of what I was thisclose to paying! Besides saving money, my mom and I got to partake in a little DIY project together {♥} and I had a little refresher on how to use a sewing machine. : ) Last time that ever happened was in 7th grade Clothing class!

Please stay tuned for the pillows' new home reveal along with that of my vintage sofa and living room chair cushion's reupholstering job! I am beyond excited to show everything to all of you and will do so asap when everything is delivered and set back up!

xoxo

Woah-Oh, I've Gotta Go, Back To School

Tomorrow is D-day, or as others more commonly refer to it as the first day back to school. Most teachers dread this day, not because we hate our job, but rather we will miss our days of shopping, vacationing, sleeping in, home renovating, laying poolside and the like...all while getting paid for it! Now it's back to planning, grading, getting up early, volunteering our time to billions of extracurriculars {free of charge, mind you}, and being on stage every.single.day!

Now, as in the words of one of my favorite movies of all time, whose actors sing it best, "I've gotta go back to school!"

And inquiring minds want to know, are you a Grease 2 fan? My husband seems to think I'm the only one out there...ha!

xoxo

Más Morocco

Enjoy the rest of my favorites from the Morocco part of my Spain trip! : ) Menos palabras, más fotos...

xoxo

Yo Quiero Esta Almohada

The Spanish teacher in me wants needs this pillow. About to make it mine as we speak!

xoxo

2 Continents In One Day {And Neither Is The One I Live On}!

I hope you don't mind me returning back to my Spain pics after a little break! After we visited Madrid, Córdoba, and Sevilla we headed off to Costa del Sol and then to Morocco! We had no idea just how beautiful Costa del Sol would be. I kept saying it reminded me of my beloved Hawaii; beach on one side and mountains on the other.

On our bus ride to our hotel we caught a couple glimpses of the rock of Gibraltar!

Our hotel was located in the mountains and had the best pool area {and view} ever! The kids and teachers loved it! : )

The day after arriving in Costa del Sol we spent experiencing Morocco! First we boarded a charter a bus and then a ferry and finally we were in Africa!

Before we could enter officially, we had to stand in a line and get our temperatures taken. We were a little worried some of us would be held back, but everyone got the green light! No one wanted to miss out on Africa!

We spent the day touring a couple city markets {my favorite and so unbelievable}, riding camels {I opted out!}, eating a traditional lunch, and watching a carpet demonstration. The day was on a strict schedule, so many of my pics were taken on the fly and/or out a bus window. I hope you get a small feel for what we were able to see that day!

This was easily one of the best days of the trip and one I won't easily forget. I hope you enjoyed some of my favorites from my short time in Africa! {I like saying that...Africa...I still can't believe I was there!}

I didn't realize I took so many pics. I want to share more so be sure to stay tuned! More of Morocco to come!

xoxo