17/52 2015

If someone is able to explain how time can pass by even faster each week, please let me know. I can't believe that it's already the end of April!! These next few weeks are just going to fly by with everything I've got going on. I have to figure out a way to make it slow down a little bit so that I can enjoy it before it's all gone.

Thursday 23 April // day one hundred thirteen :: new black jeans from StitchFix and brand new Converse!! (: I had to take a picture while they were still bright white.

Friday 24 April // day one hundred fourteen :: a hat because it had been raining a few days before, and a scarf because it was cold again. sometimes it takes me a few days to clean unnecessary things off of my table/desk. {also I finished Scoop and it was wonderful!}

Saturday 25 April // day one hundred fifteen :: polka-dotted bill paying. that notebook is from Target's dollar section years and years ago!

Sunday 26 April // day one hundred sixteen :: morning light stripes.

Monday 27 April // day one hundred seventeen :: my sister's birthday was two weeks ago and I finally baked cookies to send to her. I really need to put this recipe on the blog because they are cute little cookies!

Tuesday 28 April // day one hundred eighteen :: the eleven books that were waiting for me at the library.

{Little Hoot by Amy Krouse Rosenthal // The Boy Who Thought He Was a Teddy Bear: A Fairy Tale by Jeanne Willis // Mom, Mac & Cheese, Please! by Marilyn Olin // More by I. C. Springman // Oh, No! by Candace Fleming // Leopardpox! by Oma Landau // Peanut Butter & Cupcake! by Terry Border // Watch the Cookie! by Nancy Cote // The Monsters' Monster by Patrick McDonnell // Eric, The Boy Who Lost His Gravity by Jenni Desmond // Backstage Cat by Harriet Ziefert}

Wednesday 29 April // day one hundred nineteen :: I don't know when I will ever tire of having an apple with yogurt and granola as a snack. this time it was tangerine yogurt, which tasted just like orange juice!

xoxo.

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around the web 24.4.2015

I was kind of slacking this week, but I still managed to get this post ready and therefore post four days in a row! I'm pretty proud of myself even if I only have a screenshot of Seth Meyers instead of an actual picture.

Here are some fun things I found this week. (:

so I've been watching a lot of SNL lately. Hulu Plus has the first five seasons, and then seasons 30 to present. I started with season 30 (which is 2004-2005) and I just started season 35. I love the cast members so much, most especially Amy, Seth, and Will! I noticed that on this Weekend Update (season 35 episode 3) that Door County is shown as part of Michigan! hahaha.

oh my gosh! what a big secret to keep and a great surprise for their friends and family!

did you take the Earth Day quiz on Google? I got wooly mammoth!

when your eyes need a coffee fix.

another quiz because BuzzFeed - they guessed correctly!

there are some really great one sentence inspirational quotes here!

I have been reading this book this week, and even though it takes place in Hayward, WI, it totally could take place in Door County.

what a sweet little necklace!

does anyone have any suggestions on books about hotels? I've already read Heads in Beds: A Reckless Memoir of Hotels, Hustles, and So-Called Hospitality, and I would really love to read another book about a hotel from the employee's perspective to know that I am not alone in the weirdness.

xoxo.

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16/52 2015

In true Door County fashion, the weather around here has been pretty weird lately. It was semi-warm (we're talking around 55), and the grass turned green. The trees have started to blossom a little bit, but I'm waiting for them to really start blooming before I go out again to get some pictures especially since it was SNOWING yesterday. None of it stuck here since the ground was too warm, but it was still annoying to me. (:

Here's a little glimpse into my week. It wasn't too exciting though.

Thursday 16 April // day one hundred six :: Macintosh apples are my favorite.

Friday 17 April // day one hundred seven :: I must admit that Talenti gelato is one of my favorite things.

Saturday 18 April // day one hundred eight :: I am one of those people who likes to make her bed every morning because it just looks better and I feel like I accomplished something. Saturdays are the best though because I do the laundry so they are fresh sheets. (:

Sunday 19 April // day one hundred nine :: my Tattly order came the day before and I am so excited about it!

Monday 20 April // day one hundred ten :: I was going to plan my lesson for Sunday, but then I ended up getting busy with other errands and such.

Tuesday 21 April // day one hundred eleven :: shooting for a post about my second Stitch Fix!

Wednesday 22 April // day one hundred twelve :: I saw these salt and pepper shakers the last time that I was at Target, and I just fell in love with them, because I love little dogs with wrinkly noses, most especially French bulldogs and Boston terriers. there were two salt shakers left next to a pepper shaker, and I didn't buy any of them because I already have a matryoshka salt and pepper shaker set that I don't use. well, today there was one lone salt shaker, so I bought it for my dresser.

xoxo.

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Stitch Fix :: April 2015

This was actually my second Stitch Fix! I had my first one back in October, but I never posted about it because I didn't like or keep anything that came in it. {There's a picture in this post though.}

I'm sure everyone who reads blogs is familiar with Stitch Fix, but if you're not, I'll try to describe it. When you sign up, you fill out a profile with your measurements, likes/dislikes, price range, and what you're looking for. For example, I told them to never send me jewelry. You can link them to a Pinterest board for more information about your style. Each box costs $20 (styling fee) and that will be used towards anything you decide to keep. You can either schedule your box manually or have it come every month. When your box arrives, you try on your five items and decide what to keep, and then you fill out a survey about the items before you mail back your unwanted items within three days of its arrival. If you keep all five items, you will get 25% off.

For this fix, I knew to be more specific with what I was looking for, so I told my stylist that I am looking to add more black and grey to my closet. I really liked the jeans last time, except that they were distressed, so I mentioned that and also asked for maybe a skirt or dress.

A lot of grey and black, just like I wanted!

{Before I get to the rest of the pictures, I just want to explain that I don't have a tripod, full length mirror, or anyone to take pictures for me, and the options that I had for places to take pictures weren't the best, so they ended up being taken in my guest room and I'm not too proud of these pictures, but I wanted to share what was in the box anyway. No, I am not a fashion blogger.}

Octavia Alden Ikat Infinity Scarf in black | $28 | 100% Polyester

I'm not really into the ikat pattern, but I think it works really well on this scarf! I decided not to keep this one because I already have a scarf in these colors, so I didn't really feel that it was worth the price. The material is a little on the thinner side, and I feel like it could be easily snagged. {I used this as the background for the rest of these photos so that it wasn't so bright like this pink one.}

Market & Spruce Brentwood Tiered Striped Long Sleeve Sheath Dress in black | $78 | 95% Rayon, 5% Spandex

I wanted to like this dress, even though it's a bit out of my price range. I didn't like it though, and here's why. While the fabric is super soft and a very nice stretchy material, it was too clingy on my body. I'm very self conscious of my torso area, and this was not flattering on me at all. I did like the neckline, but the way the fabric criss-crossed across the front was a little weird for me. The dress hit right above my knees, and while they are supposed to be long sleeves, they actually were about halfway between my elbows and wrists, closer to the wrists.

Market & Spruce Corinna Striped Dolman Top in grey | $48 | 60% Rayon, 35% Polyester, 5% Spandex

I thought I might like this shirt, but I didn't. My stylist said that this is one of their most popular items, but it didn't work for me. The stripes on a loose shirt like this one seemed to widen me, and I just wasn't happy with the loose fit. The sleeves kind of bothered me as well. It's super soft though, and maybe I would have liked it better as a solid color.

Pixley Messi Lattice Neckline Knit Top in light grey | $68 | 60% Polyester, 35% Rayon, 5% Spandex

I knew right out of the box that this would be a no because I don't wear tank tops that often. I tried it on anyway, and I was not a fan of the detailing at the top. In the back, it also cut my tattoos weirdly. Once again, I do prefer to wear more fitted tops to show that I have a figure, and I feel like this made me look like a blob.

Just Black Connely Skinny Jean in black | $78 | 98% Cotton, 2% Spandex

These were a little bit out of my price range, but with the $20 off for the styling fee, I knew that they were worth it, and so these jeans were the only thing that I kept. Not only are they super soft and comfortable, but they are classic and filled a gap in my closet. I do own one pair of black skinny pants, but they are dress pants and not too comfortable or practical (we're talking fake pockets), so I've only worn them a few times. I know that I will get some use out of these, and I put them in the wash with the rest of my clothes right after I took this picture so that I can wear them tomorrow!

Have you tried Stitch Fix yet? What was your favorite thing that you've received?

Haven't tried Stitch Fix yet? I would definitely recommend trying it for some new options for your closet! They even send you a little card with the pieces to show a couple ways to wear each item.

xoxo.

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NatureBox :: April 2015

Last month, I had only selected two new snacks, but there are four new snacks this time! (: I never feel like I have a good intro for this, so I'd rather just talk about all of the snacks a little bit but my fingers keep typing, so...

For more information on NatureBox, you can check them out here.

{This is not a sponsored post, but all italicized statements are from the NatureBox website.}

Chocolate Hazelnut Granola :: I was expecting more from this, but I guess I didn't really look too much at the picture on their website. I thought that this would be a chocolate granola with hazelnuts, but it's actually a vanilla granola with chocolate chunks and hazelnut pieces. I do like my granola, though, so of course I still liked this.

"Chocolate pieces and crumbled hazelnuts make for a special treat in this uniquely distinctive granola. Reach for a bag of this chocolatey-nutty deliciousness to satisfy your sweet tooth without the added guilt. The whole grain rolled oats add fiber and a perfect crunch to your morning routine. Who says you can't have chocolate for breakfast?"

Pear Praline Crunch :: I don't think I've ever had praline pecans, so I didn't really know what to expect with this. They're sweet, but I would not guess that that is a pear flavor.

"The busy fall routine is in full swing, and you're probably wondering how you'll ever be able to sneak away that precious "me" time. Reach for this wholesome nut mix anytime you're in need of a sweet treat. Pecans and cashews are made decadent with the delicious addition of caramelized sugar and the sweet fruity flavor of freshly picked pears."

Sweet & Salty Nut Medley :: I just really love peanuts as a snack. I've had some really good salted and honey-roasted nuts from NatureBox, so of course I had to try this mix. I think I even tasted a barbecue one in here!

"Can't decide between sweet and salty? Have the best of both worlds with this NUTastic blend of peanuts, cashews, and almonds. A hint of honey and a pinch of salt create just the right balance to keep you wanting more. Perfect for snacking on-the-go for those between-meal cravings."

Probiotic Power Mix :: Yes, I realized at some point that four out of these five snacks contain nuts. Good thing I'm not allergic! {knock on wood} I love dried fruits, so I really enjoyed this mix. My favorite part is those tiny little cubes, which are apples.

"Escape your mid-afternoon energy slump with a probiotic boost! Cranberries and dried apples provide a tangy twist, which is balanced by sweet probiotic Greek-style yogurt apricots. A blend of nuts and seeds lend the right amount of texture and crunch. Satisfy your palate with this unique treat."

Salt & Pepper Lentil Loops :: These are just as wonderful as when I first had them in August. I had mentioned then that the little kick of spices reminded me of some sort of fast food French fries, but I realized that it's actually McDonald's Chicken Selects. Anyway, I love the light crunch and the perfect spice balance!

"Having a lazy Sunday afternoon? You deserve it. Pour these simply seasoned Lentil Loops into your favorite snack-sized ramekin. Kick up your feet as you savor that easy crunch and wash it down with an ice-cold glass of lemonade. Share this snack if you wish but we think you'll want these loops all to yourself!"

xoxo.

around the web 17.4.2015

I love seeing what other bloggers are loving around the internet, and I've always wanted to do my own posts like that, but it just never happened. here's to hoping that I can keep this up!

{13 April 2015}

this beautiful boat was built right here in Sturgeon Bay! it spent all summer (and I think a few months before and after) next to the steel bridge downtown, and I would always see people taking pictures of it. it certainly is something you've never seen before!

someone should make this pretzel crust pizza for me.

I am so in love with Rifle Paper Co.'s art! these French ones were the first ones I fell in love with, and then I knew that I recognized their flowers! {you know I love this Boston Terrier one too}

I am so excited to read Scoop: Notes from a Small Ice Cream Shop by Jeff Miller!

this is a group of 2nd-5th graders playing Ozzy Osbourne's Crazy Train and it is amazing!

I want this Paris print! {there's a London one too}

some of my friends down in Atlanta are working on some new music. I haven't had the chance to listen to all of it yet, but what I've heard is pretty great! {and one of these songs was partially written in the garage at my old house!}

I was very amused with this article on BuzzFeed about French speakers discussing what those French phrases on your shirts really mean.

xoxo.

15/52 2015

Another week has somehow passed. The grass is turning green, but I'm still waiting for flowers and leaves to blossom. Did I say this last week? I can't remember. The temperature has been warming up too, and the sky has just been beautiful! Pretty soon I should be back to walking to the Y for my classes.

Thursday 9 April // day ninety-nine :: I am loving this new shirt, and I am so glad that there is no uniform where I work and I am encouraged to wear whatever I want. {LC Trendz from Zulily}

Friday 10 April // day one hundred :: new Converse! (: {and my other three pairs}

Saturday 11 April // day one hundred one :: another clothing picture because I just love my new shirt. everyone who really knows me and saw me wearing it says that it really fits my personality. {from Skreened via Zulily}

Sunday 12 April // day one hundred two :: First Eucharist is coming up, and the candidates each passed out a loaf of bread to share with a member of the congregation. this is from one of my favorite little ladies.

Monday 13 April // day one hundred three :: my manager gave me this lamp because she said that it was my color! I just love it! {it's from Target}

Tuesday 14 April // day one hundred four :: Wednesday's books {Not a Box by Antoinette Portis // Good News, Bad News by Jeff Mack // Extra Yarn by Marc Barnett // Boot & Shoe by Marla Frazee}

Wednesday 15 April // day one hundred five :: I just started reading Scoop: Notes from a Small Ice Cream Shop by Jeff Miller and I am really enjoying it! Jeff is a super nice guy and I can't wait to read about the stories from the ice cream shop, especially since I have some experience working a summer at a candy store and scooping ice cream.

xoxo.

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favorite preschool books volume one

I've wanted to write this post for so long, but every time I just start it and then stop. I have a feeling this might be too long for just one post and might turn into a series of posts!

These were the books for an art themed camp last summer.

Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg :: This book is really fun because it shows that art doesn't have to be perfect, and just because you make a mistake, it doesn't mean that you're not going to love what happened. He has another book out called A Little Bit of Oomph! which looks fun too.

The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds :: I love books that are handwritten, because I'm kind of a font snob. This book is so wonderful because it is about how you should never think that you can't do something, you should just try it and see what happens.

Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni :: The kids really loved this book, which is about what happens when you mix colors. It's really cute.

Not a Box by Antoinette Portis :: The rabbit in this book is very imaginative and uses his box to create many things, including a race car. The simplest way for me to describe it is that it's about seeing things in a different way. Another similar book of hers is Not a Stick, which I have not read yet.

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers :: My love affair with Oliver Jeffers' art and handwriting started with this book. I think that I enjoy this book more than the kids because it is written in a very sarcastic tone. The premise is that the boy's crayons each wrote him a note about how unhappy they were about the way that they are used/not used.

{also pictured are Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh and I Am An Artist by Pat Lowery Collins}

A Bad Case Of Stripes by David Shannon :: This is one of my very favorite picture books. It's a little bit on the longer side for the class that I teach, but I think that it's worth it. Be who you are and don't let other people judge you for it. Vegetables are good for you.

Fraidyzoo by Thyra Heder :: I love this one so very much! Little T is scared about going to the zoo, but she can't remember why, so her parents and sister are asking her a ton of questions. My very favorite part about this book is that the animals they pretend to be are in alphabetical order. I had the kids guess what each animal was.

The Bear Who Shared by Catherine Rayner :: This sweet story is of course about a bear sharing, even though he has been waiting so so long for that piece of fruit. I love the illustration style on this one as well.

{also pictured are Disney's Frozen and Elements of Style by Wendy Wasserstein}

Henry's Map by David Elliot :: This is a simple book about a pig drawing a map, and all of the animals at the farm are quite excited about being on it. There is then some confusion about what happens when they compare the map to the actual farm.

{also pictured are Windblown by Édouard Manceau and Mama Built a Little Nest by Jennifer Ward}

xoxo.

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14/52 2015

I nearly forgot to replace the filler text up here this week!

This week was Easter, and I baked some chocolate chip cookies to take to the family gathering at my grandparents' house. I might have to post the recipe on here because they were adorable.

I started watching SNL a few weeks ago, starting with the 2004-2005 season. I've now made it into fall 2008, and Seth Meyers is so adorable! I would love to meet him and Amy Poehler (the cutest pregnant lady ever). Actually, no, I would love to meet the cast for like all of the seasons that I've been watching because they are incredible.

aaaaand no transition into the pictures...

Thursday 2 April // day ninety-two :: April showers hopefully bring May flowers.

Friday 3 April // day ninety-three :: making cookie dough to bake cookies the next day!

Saturday 4 April // day ninety-four :: too cool for a photograph.

Sunday 5 April // day ninety-five :: Easter on the bay.

Monday 6 April // day ninety-six :: preschool books for this week {Marcel the Shell: the Most Surprised I've Ever Been // Where's Walrus? // Little Owl's Night // Up, Tall and High! // Little Owl Lost}

Tuesday 7 April // day ninety-seven :: I'm up in the sky, I should consider myself blessed. {Just a Star by pat mAcdonald}

Wednesday 8 April // day ninety-eight :: I just really like fun socks.

xoxo.

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