A luau wouldn't exactly be my choice of birthday party but my cousin found a recipe for a giant fishbowl drink on Pinterest and we needed an occasion to make it so my birthday it was!

My sister and I.

Break out the crazy straws!

This is my cousin's daughter, Callie and she is the most adorable thing. Her momma loves a good theme party so Callie was dressed to match.

We tried to take pictures of us all (11!) getting a sip at the same time. It was a big drink but unfortunately it wasn't that big of a drink.

It was also my aunt's birthday too, so we worked together to blow out them candles!

I was so excited to get this necklace after longing for it for about 6 months, just had to try it on right then and there.

I also got a new bed set. It's real pretty!
How I would love to post a picture of what it looks like on our bed, but when I got it out of its packaging there was a stain on the pillow sham so I am in the process of exchanging it. It was a big bummer!

We finished out the evening with a game of wiffle ball in the yard and finishing off that gigantic drink. It was a great way to start off my 27th year on Earth!

"Taste the rainbow" might as well be the theme for my classroom this year because I was all about incorporating multicolor rainbow designs everywhere.

I blame it on Pinterest.

But even with all the color I think it works and I really like it. I just feel so happy when I walk in. And it is hard to feel happy in a classroom that has a wall covered in carpet. Yes, carpet. I know you're jealous.




My bi-weekly trivia contest - I post 3 clues to a mystery location and students have to research the answer on their own.

Much love to technology rocks. seriously. for the free printable quotes. Shannon doesn't know it but she pretty much decorated our school this year.









So there it is. And so far everything is functioning well, especially my desk area. I used to have only one desk for everything but moving all the tech stuff to its own table has really made things so much more accessible. Having a well organized and colorful room really makes it easy to come to work each day.

Oh and I have to share this amazing bulletin board our Library - Media Specialist created.

Library bulletin board. All the captions above the book covers are call numbers.

So cute right?!

For all my teacher friends out there, how did decorating your classroom go? Got any pictures to share? Leave me a link in your comments and I'll check it out!

Via Apartment Therapy

And since I am constantly blabbering on about what I see on Pinterest to my mom, she went out and found three mirrors from Bed, Bath, and Beyond and wrapped em up for Christmas. We hung them up last week and they look great!


But they were a bear to hang since I have plaster walls. Our first attempts of putting a nail in the wall resulted in a couple of chips and plaster crumbling off the wall. What ended up working was drilling a hole, slipping in a plastic wall anchor, and then using a one inch screw inside the anchor.


It is amazing how just putting the mirrors on the wall instantly adds to the space. Don't you just love junk filled dining table? Unfortunately it becomes a catch all during the week.




In the picture above you can also see my other Christmas gift, a pretty wall clock.


While they are nothing too adventurous they do add something nice to the place. Now I'm on the hunt for a side table, colorful lamp, and some art for the walls. Still contemplating if I am going to change the wall color. Is it ok to paint an entire room after only 8 months? I do keep hearing that it's only paint...

How are you doing with your goals for the new year? Anything to celebrate?

2012! It's here!

How did you celebrate? Chris and I spent a quiet night on the couch, watching the ball drop at midnight and going to bed soon after. We slept in today, ate cinnamon rolls, and now just relaxing. I'm trying to not think about the fact that I have to go back to work in two days. It will definitely take a week or so to get back into the swing of things.

What are you doing today? I am working one of my goals for 2012 and adding some decor to the house...it's something small, but it counts! I love the girls over at Eighteen25 and their awesome seasonal subway art.

Love the yellow and grey color combo...one of my favs. And as luck would have it, Walgreens has a coupon code for 33% photo gifts (which posters are) so I scored a new print for $10.84 with tax. Use code Merry4 for the discount.

I'll post an update after I pick it up later. Hope 2012 is already treating you well!