My Very First Stitch Fix!

Hi Bloggers! 

So, when I re-started this blogging journey of mine, I pursued through countless posts titled "Stitch Fix Review" being the crazy shop-a-holic that I am, I decided to try stitch fix out for myself! This afternoon, I received my first box and I was very pleased and definitely hooked. 

Most of the posts I read said that the girls first box was unsuccessful -I would have to say that I got pretty lucky. I loved all of the pieces that were selected for me but here is my full review: 

When I opened the box, everything was neatly wrapped in crisp white tissue paper and mint stickers. There was a mint envelope sitting on top which included the style card-ideas for the pieces and how to style each one- the price list and a return bag. 

These are the four clothing items I received-three tops and one maxi skirt. 

And this bracelet was the fifth item. I tried the bracelet on, I DO like it and the profits benefit women in Uganda however, the price for the item was not in my budget at all. {PASS}

*SWOON* I LOVE this maxi skirt! Black and White Chevron, very stretchy and a nice cool material. I absolutely adore maxi skirts and have been shopping all over for a simple pattern like this. {KEEP}

This top is an aztec-y navy and pink razorback. Again, very comfy and it fits perfectly. However, as much as I love this top, I feel like I can find something comparable at a TJMAXX, Marshalls, Etc. for half the price. {PASS}

I loved this teal 3/4 top before I put it on however, it doesn't have much stretch and it was made out of a chiffon like material and that isn't exactly ideal when working with toddlers.  {PASS}

The last item, this sleeveless navy blue top but again, I love the idea of this top but, it didn't fit perfectly and I have a a few tops similar to this one from New York and Co. that were half the price!  {PASS}

When I filled out the initial form, I put my size down as medium and all of these tops were true mediums but being that I am on the floor all day with toddlers, I like my tops to have a little bit of room in them. Although I am not going to purchase all of the pieces, I feel like the stylist understood my style and picked out pieces that are exactly what I am looking for. 

I chose to try everything on BEFORE looking at the price sheet because I didn't want the price to hinder my true reaction of the item. 

Prices: 

Bracelet $42

Maxi Skirt $48

Pink and Navy Top $54

Turquoise 3/4 $58

Navy Sleeveless $54

Stitch Fix items are definitely a little pricey but, the $20 does go towards your purchase!  

Overall, I am very pleased with my first fix! 

Read All About It!

I am not sure why, but bulletin boards are probably some of my favorite things! I love to find neat quotes for them, fun borders, and the perfect background paper to tie it all together. In my classroom, I have four. 

 

This first board is a mandatory school information and "teacher board". On here, I have a list of all the allergies in the center, our monthly menu, class roster, and proper table washing procedures. I also hang notes that I get from staff members and families, our current class picture, and "Praises for Young Children."

This next board hangs right above the changing table. I have our daily schedule, proper diapering procedures and our daily/weekly cleaning list. 

This is the Parent Board. I hang our monthly calendar, daily schedule, weekly lesson plan, and my "Why I Teach" note here. I encourage parents to bring in interesting articles, questions, etc. to hang here as well. 

And last but not least, our classroom board. I change this board monthly based on the themes. For July, our theme's were Fourth of July, Pets, Jungle Life, Reptiles, and Dinosaurs. I typically make my board correspond with the theme that I have the most decorations for and this month it happened to be the jungle! "Monkey See, Monkey Do. We Love to Learn, How 'Bout You!"

How do you decorate your bulletin boards?

-Sarah

Five for Saturday!

Hello Weekend! This week was wonderfully chaotic! Our 'first day' was Monday the 18th-being that I work at a preschool, we are open year around but on Monday, we welcomed 40 new children to our center! 

On this lovely, Saturday morning, I will be linking up with Kacey from Doodle Bugs Teaching for another Five for Friday. 

During my lunch break on Monday, I sent out my FIRST slant box. For this match up, I am sending to Angela from Fun in Fourth. I can not wait for her to receive her package. 

For my birthday, I received an amazing set of brand new stainless steel pots and pans by my super sweet parents and a Chopped cookbook from my perfect boyfriend. I have always loved cooking and baking so both of these were perfect gifts. I wasted no time breaking out my new toys. The first meal I made was: 

Apple and thyme stuffed pork chops over a bed of sautéed greens and a baked potato.  

On a more casual note, tacos are a big hit in this household. We both appreciate and love quick and easy meals. In this house, "Taco Night" is more commonly referred to as "Kitchen Counter Tacos" This started because one night that we were making tacos, we were both starving and just started eating as soon as food became ready-instead of waiting for everything to be done at once and eating at the table. 

Yes, we he is standing in the kitchen eating...yes, I am sitting on the kitchen counter. Hey, traditions are traditions, right? 

What is a week without these adorable furbabies!? I can't believe little yodaman is 5 now!! We spent last Saturday downtown at the Farmers Market. I love taking them down there because they get to meet a ton of doggy friends and they just love all the sights and smells. 

So, if you have ever read any of my other blog posts, you'll know that family time makes my heart so happy. My sister is in town for summer break so I am making every effort I can to spend a ton of time with her. This past Wednesday, we met for dinner with our parents. My mom is anti cameras but my dad is a selfie master so... 

So, this handsome fellow:

nominated me to the ALS Ice Bucket challenge...yes, a 5 year old nominated me. Obviously, I couldn't let this sweet face down so...

I hope you all have fabulous weekends! 

-Sarah

First Day Jitters

"First Day of School! First Day of School! First Day of School!" This is what runs through my head on the morning of the first official day back. For some, it's excitement and happiness. For others it's dread and moaning which makes me question why they're in this profession. And for a few it's nerves. 

Being that I am a preschool teacher, our center is open year around and only closed on major and bank holidays. However, our summer numbers are pretty low so the classes typically combine, many teachers take various days and weeks for vacations and the students are not where they would be when we are at full enrollment. Although the toddlers are kept on the "toddler side", our summers are much more laid back than our curriculum August- May. 

Come August 18, everything changes around here and goes back to "normal". With this change causes a lot of confusion and transitioning from class to class. Some of the children are not phased at all but others recact as if their world has been turned upside down...and that is okay because it is my job to help them get acclimated. 

I am a very particular person and I like everything in my room to be perfect for that first day. I start preparing all of my bulletin boards, student forms, cubbies, diapers baskets, etc. Well in advance. I like my classroom to feel like a home away from home for these children. I hang pictures of them at their levels, plaster the walls in their art work, have their names written in several places and just try to make them feel like they have a place here.

The first day at a new school, in a new classroom, with a new routine can be scary to some children but teachers aren't classified as superheroes for no reason, right? 

What do you do to make your students feel comfortable in your classroom? 

-Sarah 

Five for Friday!

Hey Y'all! I am linking up with the fabulous Kacey from Doodle Bugs Teaching for another Five for Friday!

So, this week was weird. July 31st, an 18 and a 16 year old arrived at my house. Sadly, on the 12th, they left. These boys are two of the sweetest, most helpful and polite teenagers I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and, they happen to be my boyfriends brothers. I took off from work last Wednesday-Friday to spend some extra time with them because they live in Massachusetts and we don't get to see them as often as we'd like. O, the 18 year old will also be leaving on September 9th to join the United States Air Force. I know that I haven't known him for that long but, I have developed a certain fondness for him. I could not be anymore proud of him but, I am also very sad/worried/excited/nervous/etc. (it's the motherly side of me) BUT anyways, here goes my five for Friday! 

So, I got was gifted a Nikon D5000. I have always loved the art of photography and, I have always wanted to buy a nice camera to take pictures with however, I'm a fan of the $800+ price tag that comes with a DSLR. My sweet, sweet sister is a photography minor and had an extra DSLR "laying around" that she gifted to me! I am IN LOVE! The quality that this camera puts out is incredible! 

My first two pictures with my new tech-baby. Princess Chloe and Mr. Yoda

Naturally, these northern boys that were staying at our house wanted to see the number one beach in America while they were here so, here it is for you folks as well (again, courtesy of the Nikon D5000) Siesta Key Beach-Sarasota,Florida. It's funny how much of a reality check I get every time I go to Siesta. Living here, I try to stay as far away from the beach as possible because of the tourists, traffic and... tourists but, when I do get down there, I realize how lucky I am and that I truly do live in a beautiful city! 

There is nothing that fills my heart like some good ol' family time! I decided that we would have everyone over for dinner since the boys were in town and of course, that called for a photo shoot! Here are a few after dinner shots!

my beautiful momma&I

the brothers and one set of grandparents

 birthday selfie&&birthday kisses from my chlobug

Oh, hey! I am also 23 now! Yep, yep that is right..the big 2-3! 

My birthday actually started on Wednesday night. J told me to pick any restaurant I wanted and he would pick up take out. I ended up picking Chili's because I was craving crispers and I also ended up meeting him there because, they have one of our favorite desserts that is best served hot! But I was still very impressed with the thoughtfulness and sweet gesture.
Margaritas, Chicken Crispers and a Skillet Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie.

The lovely ladies at work surprised me with teaching my kids to sing "Happy Birthday" to me upon my arrival, cupcakes and a sweet card. 

My adorable boyfriend also WAY out did himself and shocked and spoiled me with two cookbooks-one being from Chopped, which is our favorite tv show, Pandora charms and rings, roses delivered to my school, 10 cards, a sweet note, and he says there is more to come!

how perfect is this wrapping paper?!?

We went to dinner with my family at my favorite Thai restaurant in the next city over from us. My parents/sister also way out did themselves with a brand new Stainless Steel pot and pan set, pandora beads, mixing bowls and cookware, a coffee mug, 14 cards, agenda, and the most amazing German Chocolate cake I have ever tasted!

This little guy and I happen to be birthday twins! He turns 5 years old today! 

Are you in love with his birthday bandana as much as I am?!

Yoda will be treated to a Wendy's cheeseburger  and a "Pupcake"-dog friendly cupcake- on Saturday after spending the day with some other furfriends and perusing the downtown Farmers Market. (we may both be a little...a LOT spoiled) 

J and I have decided that starting tomorrow (Saturday) we will try to go vegetarian. We are not necessarily committing to a total lifestyle change but we both want to start eating better and although we don't eat terribly bad now, we want to be a lot more cautious of what we are putting into our bodies. I plan to keep track of how we do via here and my Instagram. I think this will be fun and excited especially since we are doing it together! 

I hope you all have amazing weekends! 

-Sarah

Back to School!

Hi fellow bloggers! I am excited to show you my Back to School forms! 

I have been diligently working on these to get them perfect and I am finally happy with them! 

 This flip book is the first item in my "Welcome" folder to the parents of the children in my class. I found this gem in Lindsey's TPT store after browsing google and Pinterest for HOURS and coming up with nothing. As usual, Lindsey's products are thoughtfully designed and are editable meaning they work with any grade/age! I tailored it to my needs then used astrobright paper to print it on. (I did capitalize the S in Supplies after taking this picture!)

I then included a biography page detailing where I am from and my schooling.  

My director found this darling poem through a series of pins and I added it to cute paper. 

A copy of our daily schedule, of course! 

And finally, another darling poem encouraging parents to read to their children. 

What do you put in your back to school packets?

-Sarah

Meet Miss Sarah!

While doing my nightly blogger stalking creeping researching, I came across another super fun linky hosted by Stephanie at Falling Into First! Here we go:

Hi! My name is Sarah and I am a 23 year old girlfriend, fur momma and teacher. I am in my second year of teaching toddlers at a preschool ten minutes from the beach in sunny Sarasota, FL. I was originally born in Memphis, Tennessee but moved oceanside when I was 6 years old. I have a great passion for children (obviously) but, when I am not in the classroom, you can find me in the kitchen concocting a new pinterest recipes, scouting out new local eateries, lounging with J or shopping!

This is my lovely boyfriend. He definitely brings out the best and silliest side of me. J and I started dating in June of 2013. We have had some interesting times since the first night we met but I truly wouldn't have wanted anyone else by my side during them. He is a die hard Boston sports fan and seeing the passion he has for his teams has made me become an avid cheerleader for the Red Sox and Bruins (we are still working on the Patriots). 

Our first Bruins game together-we are able to take normal pictures but really, what fun is that?

Meet Chloe (6 year old Shiba Inu) and Yoda (4 year old Boston Terrier). These are our precious fur babies. I adopted Chloe from a shelter in 2011 and J raised Yoda from a puppy. These two are best pals and are frequently found running errands and taking car trips with us! We are certainly a dog family. 

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...

Tumblers&Straws~Ink Joy Pens~Binge watching Chopped&Cutthroat Kitchen with J~Seeing the kids in my classroom tackle a new skill~Sushi~Erin Condren Planners~ Coffee...lots of coffee~ Chloe&Yoda~Snow~J's Sweatshirts~Tennessee~Target~Traveling

 IF YOU WEREN'T A TEACHER, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE?

I would love to be a personal shopper/assistant because..well, do you really even need a reason? OR, I'd like to join the Peace Corps and help under privileged children in various countries.

THREE LITTLE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU.

Determined(Stubborn)~Compassionate~Loyal

 

FINISH THE SENTENCE, "________,  SAID NO TEACHER EVER!!"

"I'd really love to bring home assessments and anecdotal notes this weekend, said no teacher ever!"
 

Q: IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY AND YOU CAN INVITE ANYONE {DEAD OR ALIVE} TO THE PARTY. WHO ARE YOU INVITING?

Oprah Winfrey. I mean maybe I would be gifted a new house or something insane!  

Q: IF SOMEONE WROTE A BOOK ABOUT YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD BE THE TITLE?

The Fifty Shades of Sarcasm and Ratchetry

 Q:YOU GET TO PICK ONE SUPERPOWER. WHAT IS IT?

 

 I'd definitely say invisibility!...or time travel..or teleportation-It's hard to pick just one!

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE OR SAYING?

"Always shoot for the moon because even if you miss, you'll land amongst the stars!"
 

Q: IF YOU HAD TO SING ONE SONG ON AMERICAN IDOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE? 

 "Let It Go"-Frozen (don't judge!)

 

 Q: ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT OWL?

I am honestly both. I can stay up all night binge watching shows, making lesson plans, blogging. Crash for a few hours then wake up by 7 (with a hot cup of coffee) and start cleaning, getting ready, playing with the furchildren-it truly is strange. 

 

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE RESOURCE THAT YOU'VE CREATED IN YOUR TPT SHOP?

I have yet to create anything for TPT but, I do create all of my own teacher forms, word wall flash cards and anecdotal note forms. 

Q: SHARE SOMETHING WE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU! 

I moved away to Ohio the day after I graduated high school in Florida (circa 2009) because "I hated Florida. I was so over this state. I was 18 and could do whatever I wanted" Well, that lasted a whopping two years (with many MANY spur of the moment trips home).-I really showed them...

Leaving here taught me a lot of things and forced me to learn a lot of lessons-first being that home definitely is where the heart is and my heart is in Florida, for now! 

Hopefully, you enjoyed reading this! Link up with Stephanie here and meet some other great teachers! 

-Sarah