High Five + Top Five 6.22.12

This week sure did seem to fly by! Maybe its cause i have my eye on the prize... the weekend!!!

So here are my Top 5 and High Five highlights of th week:

 

|one|

So a couple weeks ago I asked my hair stylist (Hi Claire!) what shampoo I should invest in. I was looking for change! I am ashamed to admit it but I was still using cheap Aussie hair care products! What was I thinking?!?! The lovely Claire suggested Redken All Soft. Who knew I was in for such a treat! I love this stuff. I found it at Ulta for about $25 for the big bottle! I'm in love!

|two|

Saturday was filled with back to back events but we capped off the day with trip to see a new band at a bar that I had heard about but never been to! We stopped in to Hennessy's to see the Galway Hooker Band. (FYI they named their band after an Irish fishing boat! Ha!) These guys were pretty lively and we had a good time listening to the Irish rock! So fun! The company wasn't too bad either! (Another good part was that they served diet coke! Very diet friendly!)

|three|

The countdown to Alaska has begun! As of today, we leave in 4 weeks and 5days! Can.not.wait! It's sooooo not too early to count down!

|four|

This weekend Jami and I have what I have dubbed a "blogging sesh" scheduled! I cannot wait to plan with this gal! I am sure we can come up with some great stuff! We even have hopes to plan a meet up for so cal bloggers! Boy, that would be great!

|five|

Wednesday is the day my classroom is assigned to take field trips for the summer. This week we went to Centennial Farms at the Orange County Fairgrounds! It was soooooo fun! We got to see a cow milking demonstration, goats, chicks, a peacock, and roosters along with a bunch of different crops that they grow! We even got to see the pregnant pigs! I am so excited to see their little piggies when they are born just in time for the fair! 

Door Issue: Solved!

Remember how i had a problem? Well that problem is SOLVED! 

I used these wonderful materials to fix the issue! 

+ a straw wreath (not pictured)

Drum roll please.... 

(Insert a whole group of people making drum roll noises!)

Here it is! 

I totally love my wreath! IT turned out great and i have plans to make more as Christmas gifts! It was so easy too! 

Also, i am participating in Coast to Coast through whispering Sweet Nothings

This is a great chance to find other bloggers in your area and mine! Hmmm .... can we say meet up? Click the button to find out more! 

Oh Summer!

So tonight i am linking up with Amber @ Adventures of a Third Grade Teacher for 

&

Michelle @ The Vintage Apple for

 

So here are a few things i am wanting to accomplish this summer

Source: thetwineryblog.com via Simone on Pinterest

Thinking this would make a good gift for the hubby! 

Source: keepersministry.com via Simone on Pinterest

Make this jar to save all our memories in! Instead of the year it will say "Memories of our 3rd Year" 

Source: christineavanti.com via Simone on Pinterest

Totally want to make these Healthy Chicken Enchiladas

Source: 100daysofrealfood.com via Simone on Pinterest

100 days of no processed foods--tons of recipes. This would be good to prepare for the coming school year! 

Source: fitnessmagazine.com via Simone on Pinterest

Some more lunch ideas for work! 

Source: glamour.com via Simone on Pinterest

Would love to rock this a couple times! 

Source: totallyloveit.com via Simone on Pinterest

Hmm... maybe for the cruise? 

Source: thehybridchick.com via Simone on Pinterest

This little trick is using scrapbook paper and rubbing alcohol! Wowie!

Source: clutterfreeclassroom.blogspot.com via Simone on Pinterest

Thinkin i might do a bug theme for my groups and tables next year! This would look good! 

Source: naptimecrafting.blogspot.com via Simone on Pinterest

I better get started on this one soon! Can't wait to hang this! ***Stay tuned tomorrow to check out my finished wreath! ****

Ok that is all... hope i can accomplish these! There's really just so much to do and so little time! 

Add Some Patchwork

I love a Patchwork Festival. Have you even been to one? 

Well, i am guessing, not. This event is a local crafters dream come true. If you sell items that you make (whether its soap, chocolate treats, honey, guitar straps, jewlery, repurposed antiques, etc.) then this would be your paradise! For a gal like me who loves to look at all that is crafty, this event is tops for me. I will admit i buy very little, but LOVE toooooo loooook! It is so much fun to go into each stall and peep at all the fun finds! 

So this time around, my gal pal and I headed out and went to the new location in Santa Ana! Let me just begin by saying that this was the BEST location! Instead of one long strip of narrow road there was a whole intersection and all four roads in each direction FILLED with vendors for us to spy on! Oh wow! I have to say i got very few pictures of items and vendors, but i loved this spot! There was so muc hto see and the event was such a success that i just got caught up in the moment. Hence, not many photos. 

Here are a few vendors I really enjoyed:

Topiary Designs

I LOVED these pieces! The vendors were super kind and the jewelry was all wonderfully crafted! MY only issue was that i could not decide! Thank goodness they are on Etsy! Visit them and check them out! Here are a couple items i have my eye on! 

Soap Tart

This gal sure did have some great smellin soap! Loved stopping here and letting my mind and nose drift off for a little bit! And the packaging was oh.so.cute!

Check out these sweet smelling soaps here!  

Couch Guitar Straps

I thought these guys were ultra hip! Love that they use vintage car interior fabrics, leathers, and vinyl to make straps for cameras. guitars, wallets, etc. They are definitely going to see my money when i have hubs pick out a strap for our new camera! Love that they looked so cool and every one was so original! CHeck out Couch here!

Really liked this one... but it needs hubby's approval first! 

I am not sure what the vendor name was but i ended up leaving with these beauties! I have had my eye on these for quite some time and EVERY TIME i pass them i say "I love those!" This time i took the plunge and bought a set. One says "faith." another says "hope" and lastly one says "love/"  These look great in our potted plant on our shady patio! 

Last but not least check out some of my other shots... again there are not many! 

You can also check out this post from Random Nicole! She took some great shots! 

If you every make your way to CA... consider coming on a PAtchwork weekend! you will not be disappointed! Promise! 

One Bloggers Outlook

This week I have spent time reflecting on what blogging has done for me. My response is definitely a positive one.

Everyday, at least in the recent few weeks, I have felt weary, tired, overworked and desperate for a break. Let's face it finishing out a school year without the hope of a break in between is just making me feel as though I have been kicked while I am already down. (This summer we only get a 2 day break and a weekend before we start summer school. We start summer school today and my two day break is all gone! Ugh.) I don't mean to complain I just wanted to express honestly what I have been feeling. I know I am not alone in feeling this way either.

Regardless of these feelings at the close of one school year, I have felt encouraged to keep going. There are comments that are left that have motivated me to keep on trudging on. I have reached goals as far as followers and posting consistently that I have set for myself. I am completely content with the progress that this little blog of mine has made. I am also excited and thrilled to see where it will take me. I have been blogging now for 6 months and it has been such a neat experience thus far. What does ths future hold? I love the mystery and the anticipation that happens when I think about an answer to that question!

Other side effects of blogging include: being more reflective and also taking time to do things for myself. As I type, I have painted nails (a sign of having treated myself), a blog that I feel proud of, and so much hope for what is to come from blogging! I have learned more about HTML than i ever thought i would learn and feel like more is to come. I have learned from other bloggers and been shaped in these last few months. Its amazing how a GREAT God can lead you even in this technologically advance world. Blogging is such a neat part of my life and I love the potential that it has added to my life and career. I love setting goals and seeing them be achieved as though an answer to prayers i never even knew i prayed. That is terribly rewarding. Does it take up a lot of my time, effort, energy, and sometimes my sleep? Yes, but I feel that it is more than worth it! It is one niche that i feel I am in the complete right place at the right time. 

A quick little side note: to those who have left comments, followed through GFC, encouraged in any way, liked a post on facebook, or even just asked about my blog, THANK YOU! It has added a new dimension to my life and I love it! Thanks bunches! 

Thanks to the lovely Jessica for helping me to stop and smell the roses!