Travel Planning: Lonely Planet

With our exciting trip coming up this summer, Marc and I have begun to scour the internet with ideas for amazing experiences as we travel.  Marc said that hands down, Lonely Planet is the best travel website for ideas and advice when you're traveling.  I wasn't quite sure if he was right, but as I started to search the website, he knew what he was talking about!

When you log onto the site, you can search right away for the location you're looking to travel to.

Once you search where you want to go, the site has amazing opportunities for you to search different aspects of the trip.  If you haven't booked a place to stay, you can find reviews on that.  If you're looking for amazing restaurants, you can find that, too!  Maybe you're looking for an incredible tour.  Whatever the case, you can find it here!

As you scour this site for information, you'll find different flags around the site, indicating a "Top Choice."  This helps travelers know that if they choose that particular recommendation, they're probably going to have a fantastic time!  

One of my most favorite parts of using this site before you travel is the "Need to Know" section.  Prior to a trip abroad, always check this site about what you need to bring with you.  They will also discuss immunizations necessary when traveling to different parts of the world, in addition to crime rates and curfews.  

You'll also be able to read articles and travel tips on Lonely Planet, too!

I hope you can use Lonely Planet sometime soon!  Even if you're just dreaming, head over to this site and check it out! Spring break is coming up! Go find a deal! :)

High Five for Friday: A "HAPPY" sixth grade conga line.

Amanda and I particpate in the link party, High Five for Friday, from Lauren Elizabeth's blog. Head on over to Lauren Elizabeth for more "High Five for Friday." We're taking part in this fun reflection each week and hopefully you will too!

Friday, I'm so happy you're here. A few reflections on my busy week:

1. Sixty degrees on Tuesday. Absolute highlight of my week. It smelled like spring, it felt like spring, and my students were yelling, "It's spring!" It was gorgeous outside! Oh, spring... summer... warm weather... where are you? And when are you gonna stay for good?! Earlier this week, I finally thought my heavy scarf would see its retirement. Nope. Thursday was so windy and freezing.

2. My sixth grade students began each morning presenting in front of a panel of judges. They came running frantically into my classroom at 7:55 as they nervously mumbled their speeches under their breath. Of course, they came dressed to impress too: suit and tie, high-heels, and their best smile. They presented in front of parents, administrators, teachers, guidance counselors and their peers in the gymnasium... it was super intense! They presented their future city models in seven minutes and answered questions from the judges within an eight minute time frame afterwards. What an experience! My students impress me daily, but this week I was truly inspired by them. I was the proud mama bear watching from the sidelines.

3. A "HAPPY" sixth grade conga line. Yup, you heard that right. As presentations ended today, a small group of my students organized a surprise flash mob. It started off with our class clown rapping "Ice, Ice Baby" and then it turned into a "Happy" dance off. Within seconds, all fifty students were in a conga line, smiling, laughing, and squealing with excitement (and relief that this big moment in their lives was finally over!). I wish I took a picture, but this for sure, will forever be ingrained in my memory. It was adorable! "Because I'm happy...come along if you feel like a room without a roof!" 

4. Pink sunrise this morning. The sky was absolutely gorgeous as I drove out of my complex this  morning. Friday, I love you, and thank you for welcoming me in such a beautiful way! Again, I wish I caught a picture of it, but that didn't happen. Here's a similar photo:

5. Peanut M&M's got me through my hectic week. Pretty pastel colors to brighten my day, too?! Enough said.

High Five for Friday: Spring is almost here!!!

1. My parents came back from their long vacation. With my mom newly retired, and my dad retired for a few years now, they picked up and left in January to escape the cold of winter.  They drove down the East Coast, finally landing in Key West, Florida.  They were able to miss all of the crazy winter weather up here in New York....LUCKY! :)  They arrived home this past weekend, and we were finally able to get together and catch up tonight at a local restaurant.  They both have a great tan (especially my dad), and seemed very well rested!!

2. Warm Weather! Earlier in the week, we had a taste of spring!  As I was walking into school, the birds were singing.  I was getting super excited for (what I thought) was a change in the weather.  Then...two days later, we were hit with freezing cold temperatures.  Can winter PLEASE take a hike??

3. Booked a Summer Vacation!!  Over the past few weeks, Marc and I have been contemplating the kind of summer vacation we want to take.  We both decided not to work this summer (for me, that's a first!).  A HUGE bonus with dating another teacher is that we both have the same work schedules.  After researching and discussing, we finally settled on a trip to Spain and Portugal this summer.  We're both super excited, and can't wait to go explore new countries together!

4. Dinner and Bowling with Friends: On Saturday night, Marc cooked a delicious dinner...then we went bowling after.  It's so important to unwind and relax on the weekends.  With state testing coming up, I'm really feeling the stress of it all!  These weekends are getting me through!

5. Origami Owl Conference: With the new line launching on the 17th, the company has had regional meetings all over the country to get the Designers together to discuss the new Spring/Summer Line.  Everything is absolutely amazing!  The conference was held at a local hotel, and it was a lot of fun to see all the other designers there.  I even ran into some old friends! To check out the new line, go to: Origami Owl.

Dawn and I particpate in the link party, High Five for Friday, from Lauren Elizabeth's blog. Head on over to Lauren Elizabeth for more "High Five for Friday." We're taking part in this fun reflection each week and hopefully you will too!

Cupcakes!!!: St. Patrick's Day

Who doesn't love an amazing cupcake?  Each holiday and season brings amazing baked goods with it.  This holiday isn't just for the Irish...it's for the lucky at heart!  In honor of this lucky day, I decided to scour the internet for amazing cupcake recipes for you to celebrate with your loved ones.  Perhaps you have to whip up a batch of cupcakes for your child's school party, or you're getting together with friends and family to celebrate the day of green.  Whatever it is...I hope one of these recipes fulfills your sweet tooth!

Green Velvet Cupcake with Bailey's Irish Buttercream Frosting

Find the recipe at:  Java Cupcake

Cinnamon Espresso Cupcakes

Find the Recipe at: Bakingdom

Guiness Chocolate Cupcakes

Find the recipe at: Cake-Confections

St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes for Two (BEST IDEA EVER)

Find the recipe at: Anyonita-Nibbles

Green Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Find the recipe at: Kids Fun Reviewed

Enjoy!!

Dawn and I are taking part in another link party tonight... THE Pin It Party Pinterest Linkup. We found this link party through the Creative Geekery blog and are excited to take part in this each Thursday.

Obsessed with WASHI TAPE!!

I'm obsessed with WASHI TAPE!

See for yourself...here are the reasons why:

Super cute and easy clothespins

The whole keyboard is a little extreme, but why not on a few keys?!

Greeting cards? Yes, please!

You know I love creative photo displays...

I love this idea, especially for babies or kids.

Love it for dressing up snail mail.

Genius!

For the super Type A teacher gal

The kids would love this and will still continue to snag my pencils, for sure!

Polaroids, clothespins AND washi tape... say what?!

A little time consuming, but I like it...

IN LOVE with the banner!

What a fun way to dress up a table!

I'm in love with the cards!

Super cute!

Add some fun to the dinner party!

This screams, "This is MY charger, not yours!"

Super adorable... girls night, fun party...

This one is my fav!

So in love with this idea!

Spring! Flowers! Washi tape!

Organization in a pretty way!

Obsessed and in love. I smell a super fun DIY project coming on!

Amanda and I are taking part in another link party tonight... THE Pin It Party Pinterest Linkup. We found this link party through the Creative Geekery blog and are excited to take part in this each Thursday.

Wedding Wednesdays: Bridal Shower Fun! Holiday Season Gift Baskets!

I love gift baskets!! Gift baskets are so much fun to make and a hot commodity at any bridal shower! There are so many great ideas out there that I see repeated over and over again with the most adorable poems or cards attached:

-Basket of Firsts: Filled with wine or candles to celebrate "firsts" of marriage
-Honeymoon Necessities 
-House Cleaning Supplies 

If you Pinterest or Google these, tons of ideas will come up!

I created many of these baskets for my sister's bridal shower a few years ago and I also received many gift baskets at my bridal shower, too! Here are a few that my girls made me:

My absolute most favorites were the SEASONAL Gift Baskets! 

Since I was a little girl, my mom always decorated our house with fun decorations for the holidays. Holidays in our home were a big deal! When I moved out of my house, I barely had any holiday decorations. Knowing how important the holidays are to me, my sister decided to make this a focal point at my bridal shower.

She reached out to my bridesmaids and they each signed on to make a  "seasonal gift basket" filled with fun decorations for every holiday in the fall, winter, spring, and summer.

Each seasonal basket was filled to the brim with fun decorations to display around the house: wreaths, signs, door hangers, scented candles, soaps, garland, banners, and picture frames. They even thought of the littlest things from salt and pepper shakers, to wine glass charms, to cheese knives, and fun kitchen towels. Even the actual baskets tied in with the theme... Easter baskets for spring, picnic baskets for summer! My amazing bridesmaids thought of everything! They were decorated so pretty, with cellophane, so that guests at the shower could peek inside. I also resisted the urge to unpack them for a few weeks because they were too beautiful!

I wish I had excellent pictures to display of each basket that the girls made, but I only have pictures from afar that don't do them justice. (I'm so sorry girls!) Here are a few examples of what season baskets might look like:

As a newlywed, I can't express how much these baskets meant to me. Our first holidays together as husband and wife were extra special! When I finally opened the baskets, my heart ached because each one was so unique; my bridesmaids put so much thought into making them. So far, I've decorated for the fall and winter holidays. I will be pulling out my spring stuff soon. It's extra special decorating because each item was carefully selected for me. I can see myself in the future, decorating my house with my children, saying "Aunt Rosie, Michelle, Frances, and Amanda gave these to us!"

My bridesmaids made these baskets over the course of my engagement. This idea is one that any bride would appreciate and also one that any bridal party could manage. If you're on a tight budget, you can always scour the aisles of Target or Home Goods  after each holiday passes and find many items deeply discounted and at a great deal!

What holidays does your bride celebrate? Create baskets based off of those celebrations!

Get creative! My bridesmaids used different kinds of baskets, but also stuffed holiday containers, ice buckets, and a picnic baskets/cooler with their gifts.

Keep it simple with wrapping! Everyone will want to peek inside the baskets at the shower!