Not a Bad Thing: Follow Up

About a week ago, I blogged about the song, Not a Bad Thing.  Have you seen Justin Timberlake's new video for "Not a Bad Thing?"  Well, if you haven't, he's created a documentary video to go along with the song instead of a traditional music video, because he's searching for a couple!  The couple got engaged on a Long Island Railroad train bound for New York City to his song.  He's looking for this couple, and he's doing it through the video.  Take a look!   You have to watch this...and who knows...#haveyouseenthiscouple? :)  I love this video, and I think you will, too!

Dawn and I are taking part in the "Be.YOU.tiful Lifestyle Link Party" this week. Click over to Fry Sauce and Grits to read more!

Mark Manson: 10 Life Lessons to Excel in Your 30's

You have to read this article if you're in your late twenties or thirties.  I read it over the weekend, and I loved what the author, Mark Manson had to say.  He interviewed more than 600 people and said that in each interview, the same similar ideas kept coming up!

Here's his 10 lessons.  Click the link above for more insight into each lesson he writes about!

1. Start saving for retirement now, not later.

2. Start taking care of your health now, not later.

3. Don't spend time with people who don't treat you well.  (*Love this one!)

4.  Be good to the people you care about.

5.  You can't have everything; focus on doing a few things really well.

6. Don't be afraid of taking risks, you can still change.

7.  You must continue to grow and develop yourself.

8. Nobody (still) knows what they're doing.  Get used to it.

9. Invest in your family; it's worth it.

10. Be kind to yourself. Respect yourself.


These ten points can help to push you to be a better person in your 30's.  I think I may print this list out and put it on my fridge to remind me of what's important each day.

DIY: Easter Egg Wreath

Better Homes and Gardens posted about Easter and Spring door decorations…easy ideas for pretty floral wreaths and beautiful hanging arrangements.

I've been trying to find ideas to make a fun pastel color wreath for Easter, and with my egg coloring project tonight, I became inspired to incorporate the two.

These are the directions from Better Homes and Gardens for making their Easter wreath. It involves gluing patterned paper to the eggs and then stringing them on wire. I decided on a variation of this, skipping the patterned paper, using my painted eggs, and stringing them on ribbon.

This easy-to-make Easter wreath adds a pop of pretty pastel color to your front door. Using an awl, poke a small hole in each end of 12 plastic eggs. Cut 1/2x3-inch strips of patterned paper, cutting small slits along the edges to reduce wrinkling.

Brush decoupage medium onto the back of one paper strip and apply to an egg, pressing out the excess glue and air bubbles; repeat until egg is covered. After all of the eggs are covered, brush two thin coats of decoupage medium over the eggs, letting them dry in between coats; let dry. String the eggs onto a 16-gauge wire, allowing an extra inch at each end. Wrap one end around the other to form a wreath shape; cover wire ends with a pretty pastel ribbon and hang.

I'm on a hunt for the right kind of ribbon, so I'll post a photo of my wreath later in the week!

Amanda and I are taking part in the "Be.YOU.tiful Lifestyle Link Party" this week. Click over to Fry Sauce and Grits to read more!

DIY: Easter Egg Decorating with Sharpies & Felt Tip Pens!

I visited with my sister last night and I was in awe of all the cute Easter decorations she had out. It made me want to come home and put all of my decorations out on display too! My sister made me a Spring Season Gift Basket for my bridal shower with tons of Spring and Easter decorations. Each decoration is so adorable! I wasn't able to tackle everything today, but I did start an Easter Egg DIY craft.

I love decorating eggs for Easter. It was one of our most favorite crafts to do growing up and my mom always made it so much fun! As I was preparing dinner tonight, I noticed that I had a carton of eggs that expired a few days ago. (I know...gross!! Sigh. Housewife in training.) I instantly thought that they wouldn't go to waste... I could use them for decorating Easter Eggs!

I haven't purchased any egg dying kits yet, so I had to be creative tonight. I was completely inspired by the Mom.Me blog and their Easter Craft Craziness post where they use Sharpie's pens to decorate.

Instead of boiling the eggs, I decided to poke a hole at the top and bottom of each one with a pin. I blew the insides out, so that I could save the eggs for next year's decorations, too! I used Sharpie markers and also incorporated Paper Mate's Felt Tip Pens. I allowed them to dry and can't wait to display them in a pretty vase, basket, or maybe even create a wreath.

I will post pictures of my Easter Eggs tomorrow! In the  meantime, check out the Easter Craft Craziness post and become inspired!

High Five for Friday: Grateful, Thankful, Blessed

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!

This week seemed like a long one! Actually, the weeks seem to be flying by, but the days seem to be super long. I'm so happy the weekend is here! A few reflections on my week:

1. First Day of Spring! I'm SO happy that we are officially in the season of Spring! I'm really looking forward to green grass, flowers sprouting and opening, and warm weather - the kind where you can walk outside with a t-shirt and not become chilly or cold. Spring, I am SO HAPPY to finally have you arrive.

2. Seeing My Entire Family on Thursday. Unfortunately, we received news earlier in the week that a relative of ours passed away. On the bright side of this, I was able to see my extended family and immediate family Thursday evening. My immediate family, all 10 of us, went out for dinner afterwards and it was exactly what I needed to make my week complete. It's hard to find the words for how I feel when I'm surrounded by my family. They're my most favorite times and they absolutely warm my heart and feed my soul.

3. Hearing from Wedding Vendors. It's crazy how you become so connected to the vendors you work with during the wedding planning process, and then the wedding is over and that's it! I heard from one of our vendors this week through email and it was such a sweet surprise.

4. Sunshine, warm weather, and melting snow! The sun has been staying out so much later than usual (thanks daylight savings time!), we've had some warm days this week and the snow is finally disappearing. I love being able to open the windows to allow the fresh air to come in. The best part about it staying light out until 7pm? Having the extra sunlight pour into my cozy home.

5. I ended my week with a visit to the school musical Friday night. Many of my current students were in the school musical this year and my partner teacher choreographs the whole thing... so it's clearly a favorite weekend of the year for everyone! The excitement is contagious on nights like this one. The musical was adorable! I loved watching my students and former students on stage. I can't wait to see everyone on Monday to tell them how proud I am!

High Five for Friday!!

Dawn and I participate 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!

This week was quite eventful.  I have to say that as always, my family comes through when I need them most, and I am forever grateful for them.  I hope you had a great week, too!  Here's my "High Five for Friday."



1. Successful Wisdom Teeth Removal I can't tell you enough about how good I feel.  I had 4 wisdom teeth extracted on Thursday morning, and I have no swelling, no bruising and barely any pain.  In fact, this whole event gives me a new respect for my third graders when they complain about loose teeth.  Getting these teeth pulled brings back memories of having those strange spaces in your gums when your teeth fell out.  It just feels weird!

2.  Sister came to visit. My sister came to visit and arrived tonight!  It's so nice to be together again and catch up.  My niece is growing by leaps and bounds, and she says the cutest things.  I last saw her in January, and I have to say, she isn't a baby anymore!

3. Two days off from work. Since I had my wisdom teeth removed, I took off Thursday and Friday. I've been soaking up this quiet time and resting a lot.  One of the nicest things was that when I checked my work email yesterday morning, my principal sent me a note to say she was thinking of me.  That was so unexpected, since I know how busy she is with everything else.  It's nice to work in a place where people care.  :)

4. Success with the 4 Hour Body Slow Carb Diet. Even though I couldn't stick with the slow carb diet this weekend, I was able to stick with it for three full days.  I loved doing it, and I'm looking forward to getting back into it on Monday.  It's nice to be in a fitness and healthy eating routine.  I'll continue to keep you updated on how everything is going!

5. New Idea for an Origami Owl Party. Since I've been laying on the couch a lot, I've been searching Pinterest for new party options for my customers.  The latest addition:  a Take Out Party!  I just ordered a new bag from my friend Jen who sells Thirty-One products. Inside this bag will be Take Out Menus, Order Forms, Pens, Sample Lockets, and more!  This gives hostesses more flexibility when planning their party.  You can take the Take Out Party bag for up to two weeks.  During this time, you can take the kit out with you wherever you go (work, to see friends, family, etc.).  You collect orders and then return the kit to me.  You earn free jewelry and you don't even need to have a party at home!  If you're interested in having a Take Out Party, let me know!

Wisdom Teeth Removal Recovery!

Well, after about 30 years, I've finally said "goodbye" to my wisdom teeth.  They were super annoying for a while, and I couldn't wait to get rid of them.  I'd often bite my cheeks, which would leave painful holes in my cheeks, which could take about a week or more to heal.  Talk about annoying.

Luckily enough, my four wisdom teeth were fully erupted, and I had an uneventful procedure.  I was put out under General Anesthesia, and don't remember a single thing.  Although, just as the dentist was giving me the IV, he asked me if I've ever had anesthesia before.  I responded, "well, of course, I've had real surgery before." I then realized that I offended him, and the last thing I remember saying is, "I think that was the wrong thing to say to you right before you're going to operate on my mouth!"  Then I passed out.  

I figured I'd pass along my wisdom to you, since I'm just going through this.  Here's a few things you want to consider before having your procedure.

1.  Pick up ice packs. The dentist gave me a little one, but a larger one works better.  Wrap it in a towel and it's so soothing.  I love to fall asleep with it on.

2. Buy soft foods. I picked up chocolate pudding and vanilla ice cream before the surgery.  I've also been having protein shakes because eating can be tough.  You also need protein to heal.  My mom made me meat loaf last night with mashed potatoes.  That first good meal tastes SO good!

3. Schedule your procedure on a Thursday. Having Thursday and Friday off of work will give you 4 days to heal.  It was the best idea ever.

4. Allow someone to take care of you. I came to my parent's house for the weekend, and having someone check on you when you aren't feeling 100% is nice.  You shouldn't have to be up worrying about anything other than when you're going to nap again.

5. Take the medicine the dentist prescribes for you. My dentist prescribed pain medicine along with an antibiotic.  Make sure you follow his instructions so you stay pain free and healthy.  I only needed the pain meds last night, I'm fine with just extra-strength Tylenol today. 

6. Have your iPad and iPhone handy. I'll admit that I'm catching up on Candy Crush, and I just downloaded Divergent.

7. Rinse your mouth out with salt water after you eat. This keeps your gums clean.

8. NO HOT FOOD! The dentist wants to keep the area cool.  Hot or acidic foods are a no-no until you heal.

Before you know it, you'll be feeling like new!  It does feel weird to have 4 less teeth in my mouth, but I know this was the best decision I could have ever made!!!  

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.