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Trendy Teachers: My FIRST #StitchFix !!!

10/7/2015

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We're back for week 2 of #trendyteachers! This week I am DYING from excitement because I'm revealing the pieces I kept...and LOVED...from my VERY FIRST STITCH FIX! After wanting to try Stitch Fix for nearly a YEAR, I finally took the plunge. Boy....am I glad I did.  I counted down the days until my special box's arrival, and squealed with delight when I found it on my front porch! 
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I received 5 pieces in my Stitch Fix box: 1 pair of earrings, 1 pair of jeans, 1 skirt, and 2 blouse-style tops.  I kept the jeans and one of the blouse tops. I would have LOVED to have kept the earrings because they were a beautiful matte gold feather set, but I splurged on the 2 pieces I purchased & didn't want to also fork over the cash for the earrings. Maybe next time (Delivery scheduled for 10/17!) I will keep the piece of jewelry, too! 

The skirt just wasn't a pattern, nor cut, nor style that I would wear. I tried it on, but it just didn't work for me. I LOVED the pattern and details of the shirt I sent back, and the fit was find size-wise, but the cut made the shirt look like a bag on my body. Super cute, just not quite right.

I think the two pieces I kept are AMAZING! I spent more on both pieces (blouse & jeans) than I typically would, but the quality, fit, style, and feel were just SO INCREDIBLE I couldn't resist. I'm a TOTAL CHEAP-O when it comes to clothing...so you can believe it when I say that both pieces were worth the investment. This type of slow investment in higher quality pieces of clothing is a goal for me as I begin to makeover my closet wardrobe and replace some of the older, cheaper, less quality items I own!!

// ANNIVERSARY OUTFIT //

Since this outfit was so special to me in so many ways {1st Stitch Fix, NOT deep discount bargains} I decided to save it for my anniversary night out! It was perfect! Looked great. Felt great. Amazing details on both items. SO glad I took the plunge and 1) Tried Stitch Fix  2) Kept 2 high quality, classic pieces.  
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  • Necklaces - Forever 21
  • Skinny Jeans - Mavi {Alexa} via Stitch Fix
  • Crepe Blouse - Stitch Fix
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  • Jacket - J. CREW FACTORY CINCHED-WAIST FIELD JACKET
  • Skinny Jeans - Mavi {Alexa} via Stitch Fix
  • Crepe Blouse - Stitch Fix
  • Gray Ankle Shoes - Target
  • Tapestry Sandal Heels - Tracy Porter

LEARN MORE ABOUT STITCH FIX.

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GET YOUR STITCH FIX TODAY!

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To link-up with us, simply add your link below! The link-up will stay open starting on Wednesday mornings until the following Tuesday. Any non-fashion related posts will be removed from the link-up. When linking up, please use our Trendy Teachers logo and try to comment on someone else’s post! Thanks for joining us!
An InLinkz Link-up
{This post may contain affiliate links.}
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30 Amazing Teachers Guest Blogger

9/28/2015

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Congrats to the amazing Cassandra for turning 30!  Woo-hoo and welcome to the club, my friend. I have to say, I’m loving my 30s. Enjoy this new turn in your life adventure!!! I had the pleasure of meeting Cassandra at this year’s TPT Conference, and more specifically at the Splash Bash pool party that I co-organized with another dear bloggie friend, Ashlyn from The Creative Classroom.  Immediately I could tell that Mrs. Third Grade was such a gentle, kind, warm soul, and that has certainly proven to be true. I have to admit I’m envious because these two lovely ladies both live close enough to each other to occasionally hang and geek out over teacher topics...wish I lived closer...but I’m more than THRILLED to have been included in this amazing celebration for Cassandra!


// Hop on over to the Mrs. Third Grade Blog to learn more about me! //

{...and to read a few tips I've learned by trial & error over the last 30-something years...LOL!}

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5 Ways to Beat the Back-to-School Blues

9/18/2015

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// Here We Go Again... //

New school supplies, a perfectly clean and organized classroom, a fresh crop of students. Back-to-school is one of the most exciting times of the year for teachers! We talk about plans for our new students, ideas for classes, and eagerness to reconnect with colleagues, but what we don’t speak of are the dreaded back-to-school blues. Don’t deny it. Whether you started school a month ago, last week, or even mid-summer...I think almost everyone feels at least a small twinge of the blues as summer dwindles away and you get back into work mode. Here’s 5 ways I keep my chin up, focus on the excitement of a brand new year, and start off on the right foot when it’s back-to-school-time!

// Featured in SCHOLASTIC INSTRUCTOR Magazine!  //

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Some of these tips were chosen and featured in the back-to-school issue of ScholasticInstructor  magazine! {SQUEAL!} Read about them below, 
and check out more info in the 
magazine article. 


{CLICK each image below to be taken to the full article to read more details, tips, & tricks!}

#1) MANAGE MUNCHIES

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#2) GIVING FEELS GOOD

PS: See my PREVIOUS post from this week for a FULL POST on my favorite colleague teacher gifts!!
{You'll see simple steps and inexpensive items needed to make super cute goodies.}
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#3) GET ORGANIZED!

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#4) LEAN ON YOUR TEAM & BE SILLY

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#5) EXPAND YOUR NETWORK

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Currently AUGUST {{YIKES!}}

8/3/2015

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I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S AUGUST!!!  To help soften the blow of my summer slipping away...I'm linking up with Farley over @ Oh, Boy 4th Grade for August Currently!!

// LISTENING // 

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Grayson is easing back into his school routine so that when I go back it isn't too much of a shock {we've had a pretty care-free summer!}, so today I'm camped out at my favorite...STARBUCKS, getting some work done. They are rockin' some seriously awesome retro tunes in here, & I'm just groovin' right along.  PS: Have you tried the Justin's dark chocolate PB cups @ Starbucks.  O-M-G!!!!!

// THINKING //

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Sometimes you just HAVE to unplug and stop multi-tasking. I'm sure we've ALL been working like crazy to prep for the TPT back to school sale and also for going back to school ourselves. After way too many late nights and over-multi-tasked days.....I stopped myself and did NO WORK this weekend. I just enjoyed my family and the amazingly gorgeous weather. Don't forget to PACE & take time for YOURSELF & your FAMILY!!!

// B2S RAK //

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We often think about RAK (Random Acts of Kindness) around holiday time, but RAK-ing doesn't need to stop there. B2S time is a fab opportunity to make your colleagues & children's teachers feel all warm & fuzzy inside. Let's face it, B2S puts everyone a bit on-edge, and whether it's picking up someone's favorite Starbucks drink, a fun goodie back, or just LOADS OF CHOCOLATE and/or CAFFEINE...we all love a good pick-me-up when we're getting back into the swing of things.  I'll be writing some B2S Blog posts with more ideas and photos for making your teammates and colleagues feel cool just in time for back to school! {{STAY TUNED}}

// LOVING //

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Summer has finally decided to show up here in Chicago-land! Last week, over the weekend, and even throughout this week, we are set for gorgeous weather: sun, perfect heat, & a just-right breeze. At the end of the month...when I'm in a NON-air conditioned room with 20+ sweaty 4th graders, I won't be loving this heat so much, but for now...I'm going to soak up every last drop.

// WANTING //

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I'm torn right now between back-to-school prep, family activities, severely needing to organize my house....and....wanting desperately to start some new creative Marketing Maven products!!  On the docket: 
  • LOGO custom creations
  • NEW photo mock-ups featuring chalkboard backdrops
  • WORDPRESS site/blog designs
  • NEW teacher notecards/prints
  • BRANDING concept kits


// TPT B2S SALE //

Save up to 28% site-wide on TPT for their annual back to sale BLOWOUT! My ENTIRE STORE is on sale, plus you'll get an extra discount if you use code: BTS15 at checkout. Stock up on classroom and TPT seller goodies before Aug. 4th @11:59 pm!
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Viva Las Vegas Ventures! 2015 TPT Conference Link-Up

7/15/2015

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I've just returned {& am trying to recuperate from} the most amazing Teachers Pay Teachers Conference in Las Vegas!  It's honestly hard to know where to begin, and the entire event is a bit of a blur {in the best way possible}. Check out my FLOOD of photos featuring new and old friends, meet-ups, sessions, and learn what my biggest take-aways were from this year's event.  


// Make a Splash Teacher Bash 2015 //
{Watch slideshow below}

What an ABSOLUTELY AMAZING way to kick of #TPTVegas15!!  The "Make a Splash Teacher Bash" was the birth-child of two bloggie-friends, who had never met, lived across the country from each other, and wanted to squeeze in pool time as well as ensure they got together in person at a meet-up while in Vegas.  What it turned into....was something amazing!  Ashlyn @ The Creative Classroom and I teamed up to rally attendees and sponsors to donate goodies for giveaways for this event! We ended up having around 40 teachers and TONS of fabulous prizes.  THANK YOU TO ALL ATTENDEES AND SPONSORS WHO DONATED!

The BEST PART?!?!?   I cannot even express how AWESOME it was to meet and TRULY MINGLE and get to know the ladies and gentle-man at our fun little event! We develop amazing relationships via social media and may have even met in person at last year's mega-meet-up, but I SO COMPLETELY appreciate every.single.interaction with every.single.person who attended our event. Seeing them again at the teacher/blogger meet-up Wednesday night was a WONDERFUL surprise, because the ice was broken, we had legitimate things to chat about, and it made an event of over 1,000 attendees seem more personal. Better yet....those of us who attended the event get to continue collaborating and supporting each other, which we can never get enough of. 

// PLAN AHEAD FOR #MAKEASPLASHVEGAS2016! //
Can't wait for an even better event next year!


// Sessions, Take-Aways, & New Friends //
{WATCH SLIDESHOW BELOW}

I think pretty much everyone attending the TPT Conference agrees this was the BEST.WEEK.EVER.  Exhausting, slightly overwhelming, INSPIRING....and AMAZING. Between meeting blogging besties and celebri-teachers in person, to inspirational and business-focused conference sessions, this experience cannot be summed up in words. There is something MAGICAL about making IN-PERSON connections with people you feel you know so well from digital outlets and social media. It's EMPOWERING to be surrounded by supportive, collaborative, outstanding educators...who also have a mind for business. I'm grateful for this experience, and every session and friend I encountered along the way!!!   XOXOXOXO


My mind is racing, spinning, churning, and EXPLODING with so many TAKE-AWAYS from the conference. Overall, despite a plethora of other tidbits, I think these are the most important take-aways from last week: 
  • WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER.  {{{'NUFF SAID}}}
  • FIND YOUR  NICHE...AND THEN NICHE DOWN   {{{FOCUS}}}
  • MAKE TIME FOR CREATIVITY FIRST. 
  • DON'T LET ANYONE CONTROL YOUR TIME
  • BE TRUE TO YOU.
  • WORK HARD & BE HUMBLE.
  • MAKE MANAGEABLE TO-DO LISTS.
  • MAKE THE MOST OF SOCIAL MEDIA & BE EFFICIENT.

// Colleagues, old Friends, Supporters //
{WATCH SLIDESHOW BELOW}

I DO NOT even know where to begin. I love these two. I have the privilege and pleasure of working with them daily {and am on the same team as Ben}, but this experience was just more amazing than I could have ever imagined...and we ALL needed it. #letmetellyou #thestruggleisreal 

WE HAD A LITTLE FUN, TOO....From rooming with Lisa, listening to 90s and early 2000s jams while we got ready....to celebrating Ben's birthday with 3rd row seats @ the Beatles LOVE, this team experience was PERFECT. THANK YOU BOTH for everything. I value and am grateful for your friendship, collegial support, realism, and inspiration. XOXO

// ARE YOU FEELING LUCKY? //

Let's keep the "good times rolling" and the spirit of Vegas alive with a fun giveaway! As a thank you for reading this post, enter to win EVERY SINGLE STYLISH STATIONERY design in my TPT store!  See a preview below and fill out the Rafflecopter for a Vegas-style chance to win big. THE MORE YOU ENTER.....THE BETTER YOUR ODDS! 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

// CANNOT WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR!! //


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