Show and Tell: Want, Need, Wear, Read

Hey ladies!

It's Show and Tell Tuesday and our first day back to school after Thanksgiving break!

Thanksgiving break seemed super long this year, which is always a nice thing, so I'm ready to get back in the classroom.

Andrea from Momfessionals has a linkup two Tuesday's a month. 

Today's topic is Want, Need, Wear, Read 

If you're interested in linking up later on or what to see what the topics were so far this year, check out the graphic below. 

So I did some major Black Friday shopping for myself, so I'm really not sure that there's anything I want that I haven't already bought. 

That sounds horrible, but I love a good deal and would rather buy it on sale now than wait and hope for it at Christmas. 

With that being said, here are a few things that are still on my list...

Cabinet Doors 

When we redid our living room we took down the built in cabinet doors. 

After we painted them, they no longer fit, so we haven't had top cabinet doors since then. 

I've asked and asked and asked for Alex to get new ones, and he said he was going to, but then the ones we were going to get they stopped making. 

All of the door sizes are custom, so we have to find the right place to make them. 

I'm really hoping Santa makes, paints and hangs these doors before Christmas morning!

I've had my eye on these pj's for a while now. 

I wish they would go on sale, but they are super cute!

via

Belts!

I usually always wear a belt because they just don't make pants that fit like a glove for me. 

These tend to wear out quicker than I think. 

I love leopard/cheetah print belts, a good ole black/brown reversible one and a glitter one that I've found below. 

via

via

I'm posting this because it's super cute even though every time I click on it, it is out of stock. 

via

Love this cozy sweater.

via

Another super soft cardigan.

It comes in three other colors.

via

This asymmetrical fleece sweater is super super cute.
I didn't see it when I made my purchases, but I love the asymmetrical look.

via

I'm going to go ahead and list some books that I've just ordered for my classroom. 

These are young adult books, but they look or are great!

Projekt 1065

This summer I read Prisoner B-3087. 

It's by the same author and loved it. 

We are reading in literature circles right now in my classroom and Prisoner B-3087 was the top book selection. 

I'm very excited to read Projekt 1065.

via

Turtles All the Way Down

If you're a John Green fan or have read Paper Towns or The Fault in our Stars, then you will probably like Turtles All the Way Down. 

Aza is dealing with the death of her father and is trying to find things to take up her time over the summer as her boyfriend is away at camp. 

A former friend's father, who happens to a billionaire goes missing and Aza is determined to find him. 

via

A Dog's Purpose

Some of my students have been suggesting this book for a long time. 

It was on sale this month, so I snagged it in my cart, and am anticipating reading it and maybe watching the movie.  

via

Winter Street Series

I've read about how great the Winter Street series is many times. 

Finally, I decided to read them, and they are so good!

I've read Winter Street and Winter Stroll so far and am awaiting Winter Storms. 

They are Christmasy, cheery, predictable but such a fast read. 

via

So there we have it. 

Some things I want, need, would love to wear and am wanting to/or have read. 

Can't wait to check out what everyone else has listed!

Cyber Monday- Deals!

Happy Cyber Monday and the beginning of deer season!

If you're from rural Ohio, then you know that today is the beginning of deer season. 

We even get the day off; yes, we are that serious about it!

I joked with one of my students last week and told them that those of us who aren't hunting had to go to school, and they were gullible enough to believe me for a second or two!
I won't be hunting deer, but I will enjoy sleeping past my alarm and being home all day long!

 Woohoo!

I did some serious shopping over the last five days, and by the end of today I will be done D.O.N.E. with my Christmas shopping. 

Along the way I've found tons of great gift ideas for not only others but myself as well.

Alex twisted my arm to go Black Friday shopping not only Thursday night after we had both of our Thanksgiving dinners but also Friday mid-morning. 

So today I'm sharing some gift ideas, whether it's for you, a loved one or a dear friend.

Loft

I didn't anticipate going into the Loft, but as we entered the mall, I thought to myself "We are already here, I might as well check out the deals." 

What might have been an hour later we exited the Loft with tons of new clothes and Loft Cash to lure me back into the store in not even a week later.

The Loft is sometimes a hit or miss place for me. 

On Friday it was a "hit" kind of day!

Here are some of the favorites that I snagged.

I was actually in line to checkout when I spotted one of the workers wearing this super cute top. 

She looked adorable in it, and then I turned around and saw a lady holding the exact same top, so I asked where she got it and went to get the last one on the rack. 

via

This sweater is SUPER soft!

In the store, they also had it in blue. 

I was tempted to get that too, but I have Loft cash, so maybe next week I will! ;)

via

Another super soft cardigan.

It comes in three other colors.

via

I grabbed burgundy leggings because I liked the color. 

Once I got in the dressing room I realized I also have them in black from last year. 

I don't really consider them a legging because I wear them as dress pants, but I love hot fitted they are. 

via

This dress was looking super cute on a mannequin outside of another Loft store a month ago. 

via

It caught my eye, but at that time I had just bought a blue dress to wear for Christmas Eve. 

Fast forward a couple of weeks and that blue dress is now on its way back to Banana because I didn't love the neckline. 

For some reason they are now not stitching down the piece of material that's left inside of the collar. 

It actually pops up and looks messy, so even thought I love the look of the dress, it's going back. 

In return I now have the super cute black dress above. 

There are so many other Loft pieces that I would have grabbed; however, my intentions walking into the store wasn't to shop. 

50% off of everything was just too good of a deal to pass up. 

Plus, an added bonus of getting double the Loft Cash with your purchase. So for every $50 you spent, you got $50 Loft Cash.

I will be back very very soon and these are the items I have on my lookout. 

via

via

via

via

So, if you are a Loft kind of girl... head to their site today. 

There's still 50% off, and hopefully you will get double Loft Cash too!

Ulta

I've recently become an Ulta fan. 

We don't have a ton of modern stores in our local mall, but we recently got an Ulta, and it's nice to have a place with hair and cosmetic needs close by. 

A couple week ago I was ordering some hair gel and found it was cheaper on Amazon; however, Ulta can have some great deals. 

Go check out their Cyber Monday deals here

Some of my favorites are 25% off La Roche Posay.

This is my favorite sunscreen for my face.

Sexy Hair hairspray $10.99

Sebastian hairspray $9.99

You can get $10 off any purchase of $50 ore more using the code CYBERMON17

Also, free shipping on orders of $35 or more.

 

Nest

This might be for the guys, but Alex got an email on Black Friday about Nest thermostats. 

I think we previously had one and took it back or maybe we were going to buy one, but anyways we now have one on the way. 

via

Originally $249, it was on sale for $199 with a rebate of up to $100.

Nest lets you control your thermostat from the convenience of your home. 

You better believe I will have it set to 75 for when I get home from work in the winter. 

Nest also offers indoor and outdoor cameras and a fire/CO2 alarm. 

This was Alex's favorite Black Friday deal. 

I will be searching for more Cyber Monday deals today, but I think only one more purchase and my Christmas shopping will be complete!

I'm enjoying the pretty lights, cheery holiday movies, Christmas music and heart warming Christmas novels! 

It's so nice to have the house decorated and all of my shopping done, so now I can really enjoy the season. 

Have a great Monday!

I wish you the best with your Cyber Monday deals and getting a deer!

Tuesday Talk: Hair Treatments

Today is Tuesday Talk!

The third Tuesday of every month Ashley and Erika do a little Tuesday Talk. 

You can blog about whatever you're interested in talking about. 

Today hair treatments are on my mind. 

My hair is au natural!
Back in the day I had a perm, but other than that I've never had highlights or color.

I've always had the mindset of growing my hair out, cutting it, donating it and then repeating the process.

With this I sometimes feel like my hair isn't healthy.
I will got months without getting a haircut.
Usually it's to the point that I can't even comb my hair out when I schedule a haircut.

Since I workout or run daily, I wash my hair daily.
I use shampoo and conditioner every single day, and the water is probably hotter than it should be, but that's my routine.
I seriously could not go a day without washing my hair unless I sat straight up in a chair all day doing nothing.
I'm fine with washing it regularly, but I feel like it could be a little shinier or healthier than it actually is.

My aunt cuts my hair; she's the only person (besides my brother when we were little) to cut my hair.
To be honest, I'm kind of paranoid about someone else ever cutting it, but I think I could venture out and get a hair treatment for shine or something else to help make it healthy and be okay with it.

My aunt's schedule is super busy, and while I could ask for her direction or help, I don't want to bother her, so I'm asking you all.

Have you gotten any hair treatments that really seemed to be worth it?
If so, what did you get?
Hoping for some direction on hair treatments today!

Friday Favorites: a dress, a necklace, some leggings and a tunic

Hey there Friday!

It always so good to see you!

Today I'm sharing my Friday Favorites Recent Clothing Edition!

There have been so many items that have been catching my eye lately, that I decided to dedicate today's post to new items that I'm adding or want to be adding to my closet!

As always, I'm linking up with Erika, Narci and Andrea. 

We're sharing our favorites from the week.

Grab their graphic and linkup with your favorites from the week, too.

This tie-sleeve shift dress caught my eye a couple of weeks ago, but I thought I could get it cheaper, so I waited. 

Ironically enough the next week it was 50% and I used some of my Banana Rewards, so I basically got it for free. 

via

It comes in black and this royal blue. 

I chose the royal blue and plan to wear it Christmas Eve. 

After finding the royal blue dress I've been looking for a gold statement necklace. 

I've seen some that looked okay but weren't exactly what I was looking for until I saw this...

via

It was sold out and then back in stock right before I went to bed earlier in the week. 

I thought I could wait until morning, but nope it was gone!

This is exactly the type of necklace that I'd like to find, so if you see anything similar please share it my way!

Everyone has been posting about this twist front top.
It comes in 14 different colors and is a unique "twist" on a regular plain top. 

via

I haven't been able to pull the trigger yet on checking out with it in my cart because I'd really wish it would go on sale, but it is so cute!

These high-waisted leggings are calling my name. 

I've been looking for tunics to wear with leggings because I feel a lot of them are baggy and oversized and that just doesn't look good on me, but in my search for tunics I found these leggings. 

via

They're currently on sale, and I don't even have a pair of black leggings that aren't workout leggings, so they may be mine by the end of the day!

Speaking of tunics, I found this basic yet cute side-slit tee. 

via

It comes in six different colors, and I think I could wear it with leggings and make it a go.
I really like the striped ones of these (black and white and white and gray), but I basically have the same thing in a regular long sleeve tee, so I'm not sure which one will make it into my cart.
I don't have a gray basic tee, so I'm veering towards this one.

There are so many cute things in the Nordstrom sale that each time I sit down I find even more things that I like.
For that reason I haven't checked out yet...
keep adding and adding to my bag and hopefully by the end of tonight I will narrow my choices and checkout!

Have a great weekend!

Black Bean Salsa

 This is a great dip! 

It's quick and easy!

You make it in the blink of an eye and take it to a weekend football party!

All you need are these items below and some Scoops. 

Drain the black beans.

I like to drain the diced tomatoes and chilies. 

You can get hot ones if you like your food more hot.

Drain the shoepeg corn.

Add each item to a dish.

Here you can see the corn, beans and tomatoes/chilies.

Add 1/2 - full bottle of italian dressing. 

Mix it all up and enjoy with some Fritos Scoops!

This is one of Alex's favorite snacks. 

I think he ate it all before I could even get a picture of it all mixed up.