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Sunday Scoop: Linking Up with Teaching Trio

9/7/2014

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How was your weekend?  Ours was wonderful...but super busy! We had a wedding which was fab (and included late night karaoke... HOLLA & bust-a-move!), but meant that most of my Saturday and Sunday vanished into thin air! #wheredoesthetimego
#payingnowforhavingfun

Tonight I'm linking up for the first time ever with The Teaching Trio for Sunday Scoop!  This linky looks fun & fits right in with my 
never-ending to-do list!

3 things I HAVE to do
2 things I HOPE to do
1 Thing I'm HAPPY to do

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Meet -the- Teacher Blogger {#teacherbloggers}

9/2/2014

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I'm joining the one-and-only, super fab, Stephanie Stewart from Falling into First for the "Meet the Teacher Blogger" linky party! First off, let me tell you how wonderful Stephanie is in person.  Amidst 700 other crazed teachers in Vegas, she was beyond kind, patient, and friendly when I asked if I could take a photo with her (swoon!). Not only that, but she doesn't take herself too seriously....and was even willing to take a goofy photo with me (and the amazingly fabulous Cara Carroll from First Grade Parade....who is also unbelievable in person).  Take a peek below from our meet-up in Vegas! 
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// Cliff's Notes on Lindsey //

I grew up in a small rural town in Southern Illinois, spending my days making mud pies in the back yard and telling my parents "I wanted to sweat" doing work out in the back yard (NOT kidding--What was I thinking?!?!). I loved volleyball, cheerleading, and track and student council was my favorite club in high school. I graduated from the University of Illinois, and got my first teaching job at the school I student taught in, as a full day Kindergarten teacher and high school cheerleading coach. Since then, I've taught EVERY GRADE Kg. through 4th and have loved them all. Sandwiched in between some of those years, I worked as an educational coach and consultant for ETA/Cuisenaire and created custom wedding invitations for two years. Currently, I teach 4th grade at an amazing school in a northern suburb of Chicago. I love my teammates, colleagues, principal, students, and their families and feel very blessed to be here!

// My Best Friend //

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I met my husband, Frank at U of I, and he is my best friend and teacher-husband extraordinaire (meaning, he puts up with my teacher craziness, countless trips to Dollar Tree & Hobby Lobby, and helps out relentlessly!!). We will have our 10 year wedding anniversary, and celebrated with a trip to Mexico this summer (photos above taken there).

// Our Little Munchkin {& Miracle} //

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Meet Grayson! Two and a half years ago we lovingly adopted Gray at birth. We were so blessed to have been chosen by his birthmother and are forever grateful for being given the gift of becoming parents. This sweet little buddy has changed our lives forever for the better and we enjoy every moment (even the crazy ones--haha). Gray is curious, funny, athletic, sweet, and loving. We can't wait to see what the future holds with this little man!

// Q & A Session with Lindsey //

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Take a peek at the things that make me swoon and squeal with delight! The list is too long to show them all to you, but here's a few of my faves:
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// photography // calligraphy // Boden USA // statement necklaces // Pinterest // Flair felt tip pens //
// Starbucks shaken iced green tea - no H20, no sweetener // cupcakes & glitter {'nuf said} //  travel//
// Hobby Lobby // Target // Dollar Tree // bargain hunting // teacher bloggers // yoga & fitness //

// If you weren't a teacher, what would you be? //

1) Headmistress of Hogwarts   2) Graphic Designer  3) Party Planner  4) Photographer

// Three Little Words that Describe You //

creative  //  driven  //  down-to-earth (counts as 1 word...right??)

// What Super Power Would YOU Choose? //

I would choose FLYING, of course!  Who doesn't want to fly? 
Those are THE BEST dreams!!

// Morning Person -or- Night Owl? //

I am TOTALLY and completely a night owl. It's not that I'm grumpy in the morning or anything like that, I just get sudden bursts of energy, creative thoughts, and the need to do a million things when I really should be going to bed! I'm going to call it genius...
...but maybe it's just a bad habit?!?!

// What's Something We Might Not Know About You? //

Hmmmm....That's a tough one, because I'm pretty much WYSIWIG (what you see is what you get).  Close friends & colleagues know this, but others may not:
I have a STANGE aversion to most candy, but ESPECIALLY to ANY candy with some sort of crunchy outer shell. {CRINGE} I don't know what it is...the way the shell sticks in your teeth...the way the crunchiness reminds me of bug shells....who knows!?!?!

//  Said No Teacher Ever  //

I LOVE these from Someecards:
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// Who would you invite to your birthday? //
(Living -or- Dead)

I admit....it's a STRANGE mix, but every party needs a good variety of guests, right?!?! 
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// Favorite Quotes //

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// Designs Coming Soon! //

SMART stationery for TRENDY teachers
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Currently: August {That's right, it's already August!}

8/2/2014

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I'm linking up with Farley over at Oh Boy, 4th Grade for the August edition of "Currently" {my first ever!}.  Yes, you heard me correcty...the AUGUST "Currently." I know as teachers we get a little time-warped, and I'm no exception! My jaw dropped when I realized it was August first.  Where has the time gone? {Blog post coming soon detailing EXACTLY where our time has gone, as I reflect on our amazing summer.} For now, I'm going to savor every last remaining day and soak up the final days/weeks of summer...right after I give you the run-through on my "Currently!"
  • LISTENING: My son, Grayson, loves stories and we recently introduced him to the Netflix cache of Clifford episodes. Being a Scholastic blogger I have brought back stuffed Cliffords on multiple occasions, so he's a house favorite. Gray LOVES the little episodes, as they are recounts of stories we've read together. Today, he burst our chuckling, followed by muttering something to himself during one of the episodes. #priceless
  • LOVING: Saturdays in the summertime mean swimming lessons, followed by family brunch. Today, we were lucky enough for Gray's grandma to come watch him swim & join us for brunch. It's fantastic to see grandparents swooning over their little ones and enjoying every moment with them. We're so lucky that our already special Saturday was made even better with "Grams" there!
  • THINKING: Once August hits, I know I have to shift into school prep mode.  This, coupled with upcoming blog post ideas & new product designs means my to-do list is longer than Santa's naughty/nice roster!
  • WANTING: Have you ever tasted a Culver's Oreo concrete mixer {with copious amounts of fluffy whipped cream, of course!}??  If you haven't, get over to the nearest Culver's & order the largest size they have immediately.  I'm craving that sweet treat for some reason....and a few extra hours in the day {per my growing to-do list above}.
  • NEEDING: I have a special Chicago blogger brunch tomorrow and want to bring printed stationery goodies, but my computer & printer seem to be thwarting my efforts.  #iwillfiguresomethingout  In an effort not to waste any precious time, I'll shift over to finishing new digital designs!
  • FIRST DAY: I still have some time, but I'd better put the "pedal to the metal" for back-to-school prep, starting this week. I'm meeting up with my #teachingtwin, Jenna, to plan for our after school STEM club on Monday, and my team meets on Wednesday {super excited for both} to start planning curriculum. August 20th will be here before I know it!
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Binder Blunder: Help me Choose!

7/30/2014

2 Comments

 
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//   Wordless Wednesday @ Sugar & SPice  //

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I'm linking up with Miss DeCarbo @ Sugar & Spice for my 1st ever Wordless Wednesday! I LOVE photographs, so this seems like a perfect fit for a weekly link-up! Check out the linky rules & other pic posts to join in on the fun!

//  HELP! I can't Choose!  //

There's just something about new school/office supplies that makes me giddy, & this year it seems like my favorite supply shops (Target & Walmart) are loaded with smart style for trendy teachers!  I {might} have gone a little overboard on purchasing new, cool binders for myself and will probably take one back because I most likely will only need 3 of them.  HELP!  Which ones would YOU keep? 

I'm taking a poll below, but also want to hear your reasoning.  You can vote for your top THREE binders below.  Then, leave a comment telling why you love them as much as I do!  Have fun & happy voting!

Tell me WHY you chose the 3 you did in the comments below!

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Let's Do Brunch!

7/28/2014

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Original graphics from RedStamp.com.
Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, & Samantha made weekend brunch infamous...& it's no wonder they loved it so much! Weekend brunch is absolutely delightful. Take the morning to sleep in, get dressed up, and meet family and/or friends out for delectable dishes, specialties, & refreshing beverages. Brunch in Chicago is a staple event for many city folk, with brunch venues abounding with amazing atmosphere & tasty treats around every corner. Even though I'm a suburban lady, I happen to be lucky enough to enjoy brunch in the city TWO weekends in a row! {SQUEAL!} 

This weekend one of my friend & former colleagues was in Chi-town after moving to Texas a year ago....good timing on her part, considering that we had the most horrific winter 
E-V-E-R this year! It was so wonderful seeing her & was a great reason to get together other work friends that I haven't seen since the end of the school year.  Take a peek at some snapshots from our outing to the beautiful Perennial Virant, where we feasted on sweet & savory treats from their locally sourced menu.  My order? PV Omelet: house smoked pork loin, prairie fruits farm chevre, pesto, shaved vegetables, homefries with cheese curds, toast & homemade preserves with Fresh Green Kukicha hot tea.  Words CANNOT describe how delicious every single bite was...and everyone's order looked just as delightful! Y-U-M.
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//  Style & Stationery  //

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Make your own brunch invitation with RedStamp.com!

//  Can't Wait 'Til Next Week!!  //

I'm sure I'll still be on Cloud 9 for the rest of the week after our amazing brunch at Perennial Virant, but guess what? The Chicago blogger meet-up brunch (graciously hosted by @darlingdressedduo & @sequinsaragirlsbestfriend, #sequinsDDDbrunch) is next week at the one-&-only Bellwether! I've never been to Bellwether, but by the looks of the atmosphere & brunch menu, I'm down right giddy about this coming Sunday's event. (I'm thinking about ordering the beet salad (arugula, pistachio, goat cheese, balsamic vinaigrette) with grilled salmon {drooling}. 

Even better...is the excitement bubbling over because I get to meet so many fabulous Chicago area bloggers! If you're attending, give a shout out in the comments so we can connect before & after the event.  More details about a special surprise for those attending to come soon.....SO FUN!
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MEETING HOUSE & EATERY
— 302 East Illinois Street --
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  • // Welcome //
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