Today I am Happy

 

because...

* a new school year is about to start, with new students and new possibilities

* the county fair starts this week.  I'm looking forward to fair food and enjoying my last weekend of summer.

* I found a perfect gift for a close friend, whose birthday we'll be celebrating this weekend.

* I have some of the best coworkers ever!  I feel blessed to have a job I love with people I like.

* my sister and I have been getting along great and have really bonded over the summer.

* the season finale of Make It or Break It is on tonight.

* of the New Jersey Housewives.  Did you watch last night's reunion?!  CrAzY!! 

* my friend Ashlee is about to give birth any day now.  I can't wait to welcome little Gavin into the world. :)

side-note: I've been feeling really down recently.  I'm really missing my Dad.  making this list helped me focus on the little things in my life that are bringing me happiness.  I need to focus and choose happiness right now. 

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What is Your Genius?

"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live it's whole life believing that it is stupid." 

Albert Einstein

I have been reading the book The Rhythm of Life by Matthew Kelly.  It has really helped change my outlook on life.  In our society, we tend to judge ourselves based on others.  She has this, or he's good at that.  Really, the only person we should judge ourselves against is ourselves.  When Kelly shared this above quote by Albert Einstein it made me ask, 'What is my genius?'. 

  

We're all good at something, whether it's being a singer, a scientist, a teacher or a mom, everyone is a genius at something.

So I ask you, what is your genius?  

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This and That

Happy Sunday everyone!  Hope your weekend's been great.  
I've been tagged by the lovely Helen at In Elegance for a "This or That" tag! 

Makeup

blusher or bronzer - bronzer
lip gloss or lip stick - lip gloss
eye liner or mascara - both, but if I had to choose just one, definitely mascara
foundation or concealer - foundation
neutral or colour eye shadow - neutral
pressed or loose eye shadow - pressed
brushes or sponges - brushes

Nails

opi or china glaze - opi
long or short - I like to keep mine short
acrylic or natural - natural

brights or darks - brights for summer, darks for fall and winter

Body

perfume or body splash - perfume
lotion or body butter - lotion
body wash or soap - body wash
lush or other bath company - others {lots of others}

Fashion

jeans or sweat pants - jeans
long sleeve or short - depends on the weather ;-)
dresses or skirts - dresses
stripes or plaid - stripes
flip flops or sandals - both
scarves or hats - I don't really wear much of either
studs or dangly earrings - studs
necklaces or bracelets - necklaces
heels or flats - heels
cowboy boots or riding boots - riding boots {looking forward to fall!}
jacket or hoodie - jacket {but I do love hoodies too}

Hair

curly or straight - straight {even though mine is naturally curly}
bun or ponytail - ponytail
bobby pins or butterfly clips - bobby pins
hair spray or gel - spray
long or short - long
light or dark - dark
side sweep bangs or full bangs - neither {i don't look good with bangs}
up or down - down

Random

rain or shine - sunshine
summer or winter - summer
fall or spring - fall
chocolate or vanilla - vanilla {yum}

 so what about you?  join in on the fun and let me know!

[images via weheartit]

Happy Friday!

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!!

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Happiness

"Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling." 

Margaret B. Runbeck

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Wordless Wednesday {summer romance}

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[images via weheartit]

Moments

It's moments that make up our lives.

Moments from Everynone on Vimeo.

Words to Live By

[via made you blush]

Weekend Wishes

Looking forward to, what I hope is, a relaxing weekend.  Summer's winding down, and with a little over 2 weeks left until school starts, I'll be heading back to set up my classroom this coming week. This weekend I plan on enjoying the sunshine and relaxing as much as I can before the back to school whirlwind begins. I'll also mix in dinner and drinks with some of my closest girlfriends.  How will you be enjoying your weekend?

{Links I ♥}

Inspiring Quote 

I want these shoes!  

 add a little glamour to your lights.

Ooh la la... Gossip Girl in Paris!  Who else is excited for the new season? 

Scrumptious Lemon Treats  

 I hope you all have a very happy weekend!!

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Inspiring Stories

I was watching an old episode of The Bonnie Hunt show today when I heard this beautiful story.  Anyone who has lost someone close to them will be touched.  If you have a few free moments, take some time to watch this inspiring story. 

**Update: YouTube deleted the video, but you can still watch it here

Wordless Wednesday {travel glamour}

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To Do List

 

Today's To Do List:

Say Something Silly

Laugh 'til it Hurts

Take a Risk

Tell a Secret

Sing Out Loud

Rock the Boat

Shake Things Up

Flirt with Disaster

Buy Something Frivolous

Color Outside the Lines

Cause a Scene

Get Carried Away

Have a Great Day!

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Weekend Snapshots

The surprise party on Friday went wonderfully. Not only was my friend extremely surprised, but all us guests were surprised when her boyfriend of almost 8 years proposed to her!! It was such a happy night, and since he choose to have the party at the bowling ally {another place she'd never expect} we got to try on some awesome bowling shoes and give our bowling skills a whirl. I haven't been bowling since high school, and even though we were all so bad it made it even that much more fun!

The baby shower I attended was another spectacular event. My friend's expecting a little girl and I loved the way they decorated using one of my favorite color combinations...pink and green! And then of course for dessert they had my favorite, cupcakes! I couldn't get enough of the pink gerber daisy's on the tops, which just happens to be my favorite flower. :)

I ended the weekend celebrating my aunt's 60th birthday, where she had everyone over for swimming and a cookout. There's nothing like spending quality time with family. I have a large extended family, and it's difficult getting everyone together all the time, so I really savor the moments when it does happen. The kids splashed around in the pool all day into the night, and it wouldn't be a summer celebration without setting off some fireworks.

Over all it was a wonderful weekend! How was all of yours?

Happy Weekend! + {Links I ♥}

  As I read some of the other blogs out there by teachers, I know that most are preparing or are already back to school.  Well, in this part of the world, we don't start back until after Labor Day, so I plan on making the most of the time I have left to try and enjoy my summer {despite everything that has happened recently}.   

Tonight I'm attending a surprise party for a good friend.  Her birthday isn't actually for two weeks, so she will not be expecting this party at all!  I also plan on getting in a lot more pool time, as well as attend a baby shower for another friend at work {seems everyone is getting pregnant} and celebrating my Aunt's 60th birthday! Lots of time with family and friends - my favorite. :)

{Links I ♥}

How does someone from the Jersey Shore really feel about 'The Jersey Shore'

summery and bright 

picnic bliss

any last minute summer trips?  follow these tips for fabulous flight gear  

The secret to success <--- read this! 

and everyone have a wonderful weekend!!

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Happy 1 Year!

When I woke up this morning I realized that my blog has turned 1 year old!

When I first started this blog I wasn't really sure why or what I was doing.  I was inspired by a friend of mine who had started a blog earlier that summer.  I found myself checking her blog almost daily, and then discovered other wonderful and fantastic blogs through hers.  So out of pure boredom, on a stormy afternoon, I decided to start this little blog of mine.  

Looking back over the year I never would have imagined how much happiness I would receive from blogging.  I love reading your blogs and hearing all about what's going on in your lives, I love all of your sweet comments that you leave on my post, and I love how much I am inspired by my blog friends. and even though we've never meet, I really feel as if some of you are my friends {is that weird?}.  I find myself going to tell a story and I'll say "a friend of mine" and then I realize it's someone I know from blogland...that's how much we're all connected in this little online land of ours.    

Here's to another year of sharing what inspires me and being inspired by all of you!  

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥   

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Wordless Wednesday {dedicated to Lisa}

I had originally planed a different Wordless Wednesday post for today, but yesterday I received some shocking news... our dear Lisa passed away after a short and courageous fight with ovarian cancer. So I dedicate today's post to Bumpkin. May she continue to inspire us from her swing in Heaven.

Always in our hearts ♥

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