I have a confession.

I've lived in my house for two and half years and up until Friday my beautiful basement built-ins (one of the reasons why I loved this house) looked like this:


Empty! For over two years. Unbelievable.

When it came time to picking items to put there or even thinking about what they should like, I was just overwhelmed. It was too blank of a canvas.

But as Chris and I prepare to host a couple of holiday gatherings we decided that built-ins could be bare no more. So over Thanksgiving break, I did my best to fill those shelves with Christmas cheer.


Taking a tip from Young House Love, I lined the back of the shelves with some burlap looking wrapping paper for a temporary change. And then just started putting things up there and tinkering with them until I liked their placement.

How I wish I already owned most of the items but there was a little cost associated with this decorating adventure. Thankfully Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and Pier 1 all had great sales and coupons. I also shopped Goodwill and tried to get creative with things I already had - like the green "present" on the top left shelf are just my high school yearbooks wrapped in pretty paper.

Now that the basement is decorated we are officially ready for the holidays - at least decorations wise. Shopping is another story!

Well, well, well, it has been awhile! Some great things are happening 'round here, let me share the awesomeness.

1. Cardinals continue their postseason! We are 2 - 0 in the NLCS as we head out to LA to hopefully sweep the Dodgers. Chris and I went to Game 2 on Saturday with my mom and dad.

Something you should know about my parents and sporting events - they only like good seats or seats that come with extras. So we sat in the outfield with a primo view of everything with an all-you-can-eat buffet and free beer through the 8th inning. All inclusive + a Cardinal victory = AWESOME!






Of course I had to get my nails in the Cardinal's spirit.



My youngest sister turned 21. And we had the a seriously amazing Sunday funday birthday party complete with a party bus, a trip to Fast Eddie's, and topped off with Taco Bell.



While school has been keeping me busy, I have found some time to whip up some wreaths for mi familia...

I really can't believe it is mid-October. I worked on swapping out my summer and fall wardrobe today but I fear I won't be wrapped up in any cozy sweaters for a couple more weeks. It was still in the 80s this past week.

Well I'm off to get ready for the work week. Here's hoping it's a quick one!

The first day of fall already? I've had some fall decor up since the beginning of September but finally the temperatures have cooled off and it really has gotten me in the mood for a bonfires and comfy hoodies. I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm kind of excited for 6th grade camp - we are going at the end of October, I'm hoping for perfect, crisp autumn weather.

It's been awhile since I've had a chance to write - it has been pretty busy around here, weekends packed with activities like celebrating birthdays, Cardinal's games, and concerts.

My dad turned 50 two weeks ago. There's nothing my dad loves more than a good fish fry so we cooked up fish and home made potato chips (also, on of my favorite meals).


It has become tradition to post old pictures on FB on a family member's birthday. Doesn't my dad look kinda like Hyde from That 70s Show?

I've always loved that I've got young parents, they were married at 21 and had their 3 girls before 30 - which I can't even begin to fathom these days!  I can remember in elementary school some of my friend's parents turning 50 and I was just dumbfounded because that's was how old my grandma was!

My adorable 2nd cousin, Callie, turned 2 this past week and her mom and dad threw her the most adorable little ice cream party.


What a cutie! I just love being able to hang out and play with her, she is just so sweet and adorable.

This last Friday was the Jason Aldean concert. I was pretty excited to go after hearing how awesome his show was last summer with Luke Bryan. We originally bought lawn tickets but thanks to my awesome mother, we were actually able to seat the 3RD EFFING ROW! It was unbelievable.

It was a hell of a show, one that left my ears ringing and ridiculously amped up after it was over. I really can't believe how close we were...I mean I was so close, Jason Aldean made direct eye contact with me, waved hello in quite possibly the cutest manner ever, and compared our denim shirts! And before you think, "Yeah right, Sara, he wasn't waving at just you." my sister, who was in the pit next to the stage, saw it all happen!

I've been pretty lowkey after such an exciting Friday night. My arthritis has flared up pretty severely so I've just been trying to keep comfortable and rest quite a bit.

How was your weekend? Have you gotten to enjoy any fall-like weather? I see everyone with these pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks and makes me wish I liked coffee but it's just not going to happen.

Gotta love a three day weekend!

We did a little bit of everything this weekend: Friday night in, Saturday at the lake, Sunday dinner at my parents, and Monday spent grocery shopping and enjoying an extra day off.

I even found some time to get my craft on.


This wreath was surprisingly easy to make. I just pulled loops of burlap through the rungs of a wire wreath form and scrunched them together. Side note: When did wreath making become so expensive? If there wouldn't have been some great coups at Micheal's today, this puppy would have cost almost $40, sheesh! Sometimes it might be more economical to buy one off Etsy.

I can't wait to plant some mums which will really make our outdoors look more autumn like. I may have burned my sweet cinnamon pumpkin candle whilst crafting today - definitely wishing for some cooler temperatures and falling leaves. And bonfires. Just everything fall.

And now to look forward to a four day work week, a Friday night Cardinal's game with one of my best gals and her man, and my first ever gender reveal party. Can't wait to see what our friends, Joel and Natalie, are going to have!

Have a wonderful week!

I am particularly fond of Sundays during the school year, especially the ones where there isn't much to do except lounge on the couch, read blogs, watch TV, and do absolutely zero lesson plans.

Those Sundays don't happen too often but today is one of them....and I am enjoying it thoroughly.

Made a Target run, had a delicious lunch, now just waiting for the MTV VMAs to begin at 8pm - yes, I'm watching them. As soon as I heard there could be possible NSYNC reunion, I said bye, bye, bye to any other Sunday night plans. AND the Divergent trailer is playing during the pre-show. I'm beginning to think instead of turning 28 last week I regressed to my 15 year old fan-girl self.

Don't care!

How was your weekend? Mine was top notch.

Friday night win at the Card's game with some fabulous co-workers friends.

Followed by the most glorious cheese pizza all by my lonesome while the man of the house had about 10 others guys over for their fantasy football draft. It was the best midnight pizza. Ever.

We spent Saturday night celebrating a good buddy's 30th birthday.

All in all, can't complain. Already looking forward to the upcoming three day weekend - gotta love the first holiday of the school year!

Four days down of the new school year and so far, it has been GREAT!

Top 5 of my week:

1. I can just tell that this is going to be a great school year...my kids seem awesome!


2. It's my birthday today :)

3. Went to the Cardinal's game with my great friend, Ashley on Wednesday night. We talked so much that I really don't know what happened at the game except that we lost, oh well!

4. TONS of great shopping was had over the weekend. New jeans, shirts, some makeup, and I hope there is just a little more to come this weekend.

5. I got the most wonderful pedicure on Monday before the first day of school. It was the works...hot stones and a 30 minute foot and leg massage. It felt sooooo good.

Not the most flattering picture of my feet, they remind me of Fred Flintstone, yikes!

5. Not to sound like an old person (I am after all turning 28 today) but the weather has been freaking fantastic. 78 degrees in August is practically unheard of and I'm digging it.

Pretty fab week! My day will hopefully be spectacular - ice cream cake is waiting for me at work, a scrumptious dinner is planned at one of my favorite neighborhood restaurants with my fam, and I'm sure I will find some time to squeeze in some celebratory beverages to ease the pain of turning another year older.

Have a great weekend!

Linking up with Lauren Elizabeth

Tired doesn't even begin to describe how I feel.

I contemplated going to bed while it was still light out.

After not standing for longer than 10 minutes all summer, I had to ice my back and feet when I got home


Despite feeling like I've been run over, these kids seem pretty awesome. This is the first where I had students introduce themselves on their own and say thank you while leaving class. Manners tell me quite a bit how a year is going to go and something tells me this crop of kids is going to be great!

My funny student first day story - I was standing in the hall, herding kids into class when one obviously lost child walks past me.

Me: Can I help you find where you're going?
Student: I'm going to Science on the Red Team.
Me: Well that is in the other hallway. Can I check your schedule to help you out?

After examining the student's schedule it appears he is actually an 8th grader - he had all 8th grade teachers listed on his schedule.

Me: Well you're supposed to be in 8th grade, do you know how to get there?
Student: But I'm a 6th grader!

He had picked up his older brother's schedule by accident this morning! The look on that kid's face was sheer terror when I told him he should be over in 8th grade!

To all my teacher friend's going back this week, remember to have fun and wear comfortable shoes!