Favorite Links Friday

Since it's the end of February (and time for the round of "Favorites" posts), I thought I'd post my favorite links from the month. It was a tough crowd to choose from, but I have some great links on teacher printables, blogging tips, a feel good post, some interior decoration inspiration, and of course a fitness and foodie link!

1. Favorite Blogger Tips Link
New Blogger Series | My So-Called Chaos
Want some quick tips and tricks for better blogging? Head over to My So-Called Chaos and check out her New Blogger Series - posts designed to address questions, concerns, and give great tips to make your blog even better!

2. Favorite Feel Good Link
To The Woman Who Feels Insignificant | Simply Clarke
Since it is officially the season of Lent by the Catholic calendar, Marquis' post appropriately called me back to my faith and reminded me that even on my worst days, He is there. If you're not that spiritual, her post is still a great reminder that the world is bigger than just you and I, and to take the bad days as they come, always remembering that your purpose is so much bigger than your day to day plans.

3. Favorite Interior Design Link
15 Simple Storage Solutions | A Little Opulent
Since I'm majorly redecorating my room (goodbye posters from high school, hello MUJI makeup organizers), this post was a great snapshot of some other cute ideas for organizing the junk necessities in my room!

4. Favorite Teacher Link
Instruction Differentiation Tracker Printable | The Cornerstone Blog
Although there's a lot of text on this link, the meat of it is really useful and I've been using the tracker to help with my small group reading and math instruction for the past few weeks! My curriculum coaches love looking at my "Differentiation Logs" and I've gotten the rest of my grade level team on board with trying it out too! Check out the freebie at the end of the post for your own tracker!

5. Favorite Fit Foodie Link
All The Wonderful Ways You Can Enjoy Avocado Toast | FitSugar
Avocado? Yes. Carbs? Duh. So many recipes that you can eat avocado toast basically any way you want for a week? Actually, kind of! If you're still kickin' with that health-related resolution, FitSugar has a ton of great workout, motivations, body love, and food reads that will help you along your way. Feel free to join me in my fitness and health journey on Instagram (@fitfabulousfoodie)!

Happy Friday! You made it!

Blogger's Block (and what to do about it)

Since one of my 2015 resolutions was to blog more often (as in 15 posts a month, let's not get crazy), I've been trying to feel out the direction I want to take this blog in. Yes, I'm a teacher, but I'm a SPED/reading intervention teacher at an inclusion school - meaning I don't have my own set of kiddos to post cute and quirky things about daily or weekly. I know comparison is the thief of joy, but I can't help but feel like I'm not measuring up to the "standards" set by my fellow blogging teachers. That said, I also like to dabble in the occasional favorites, fashion, food, and makeup posts as well. This is turning out to be more of a lifestyle blog, in my opinion, and I'm not sure if that's what I want. Actually, I'm not sure what I want at all.

Since I've been feeling down about my blog lately, I gathered up some awesome reads and resources from a few other noteworthy bloggers about the dreaded Blogger's Blog, and what you can do about it. Hopefully these tips will help bring me out of my slump *cue Pete Wentz singing softly in your ears*. If you didn't catch my Fall Out Boy reference, here's a video for some background music while you browse these inspiring reads:

Feeling Lost With Your Blog? Change Your Perspective! | Jennypurr

Why It's Okay to Quit (Sometimes) | The Nectar Collective

Love Your Blog: You Don't Have to Create Content Every Day | Wonder Forest
6 Motivational Videos to Inspire Your Creativity | The Private Life Of A Girl

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette {Review}

Happy Makeup Monday! When I saw the amazing deal on HSN for the Too Faced Better Than Chocolate Natural Beauty Essentials kit, I couldn't grab my wallet fast enough. In the box set, you get the Too Faced Chocolate Bar, a full sized Better Than Sex Mascara, a full sized La Creme Lip Cream, and a mini Shadow Insurance for $49, which is the price of the Chocolate Bar on it's own! 

I'm a makeup palette addict, and although I didn't really need this one, I've been walking past it every time I go into Sephora to look around. The eyeshadows are extremely pigmented and are made with cocoa powder, so opening the palette to the aroma of chocolate is the best way to wake up in the morning. So far, my favorite eyeshadows are Black Forest Truffle (burgundy-brown with burgundy/bronze sparkles), Champagne Truffle (pinky-white shimmer), Marzipan (peachy shimmer), Cherry Cordial (plum-brown with plum sparkles), and Semi-Sweet (matte medium-dark brown with slightly reddish undertones). 

Even though the Beauty Essentials 4-Piece kit is sold out on HSN.com, I highly recommend picking up a palette for everyday and dressier occasions, especially if you love a more neutral-colored smoky eye look. This palette is so versatile, smells great, and the shadows have such a smooth application. If you're not looking for a new eyeshadow palette right now, definitely get the Better Than Sex Mascara - it's officially my holy grail mascara product. If you wanted to check out the palette (and some great tutorials) to get a better idea of what you're in for, check out some of the links below!

Too Faced The Chocolate Bar Eye Palette Review, Photo, Swatches

Chocolate Bar Palette Eyeshadow Tutorial | Dulce Candy

Brown Smokey Eye Makeup Tutorial | Katerina Beauty Blog

Chocolate Bar Palette Tutorial and Review | MakeupByTiffanyD

Chocolate Bar Everyday Makeup Tutorial | Michellenwin

Slim Down Sunday

Late again, I know, but at least it's not Monday! Here's my weekly check-in, courtesy of the fabulous Gina at Teaching With a Touch of Pixie Dust!

Went back to the gym! Granted, it wasn't the usual 3x a week like I was putting in before, but at least I got back out there, right? This week I really need to work on my water intake and making sure I'm staying hydrated. I'm aiming to get back to 3 workouts a week. Wish me luck!

Favorite Things in February {What I'm Reading}

Linking up with The Teaching Trio for this month's favorites! I love that this is so open-ended, and you can really list anything that you're currently favoring! This month, I have a cohesive category of my favorite reads - professionally, personally, and blog-related. Let's get started…

{PROFESSIONAL READING}

I previously talked about how much I love this book. Teach Like a Champion is a great resource if you're looking for a few strategies and ideas of how to spruce up your teaching and make your practice better for the new generation of learners in our classrooms. I really like that the book comes along with a CD with short clips (under 3 minutes each, usually) that show each strategy in action! You don't have to read the whole thing - each chapter has an outline of where the strategies are located, and what they pertain to. Super easy, very low-lift, and interesting! 

{PERSONAL READING}

Since Valentine's Day is coming up, I thought I'd mention this book. Now, before someone rolls their eyes, I need to put out a disclaimer saying I'm not big on self-help books. However, after reading a lot of amazing reviews on this book, I thought I'd give it a try. For $11 on the App Store (using the iBooks app on my iPad), Hold Me Tight is a great read that gave me some valuable insight on how to strengthen my relationships (not just romantic) and made me take a good look at how I communicate and interact with the loved ones in my life. I highly recommend this book whether or not you're in a committed relationship. 

{BLOG READING}

Essiebutton is a lifestyle blog run by a hilarious, cheeky 24-year old from England who dabbles in beauty reviews, life tips, and the like. She makes the best videos and I just love reading her posts! If you're looking for a little more humor in your life AND some awesome tips for beauty, life, etc., head on over and check out her blog/vlog!

Happy Reading!

New Year's Goals: February Check-in

At the beginning of the year, I linked up with Mrs. D at The Third Wheel to set my initial goals. Thanks to her monthly check-ins, there's a concrete way to make sure I stay on top of things! Here's this month's check-in. 

{HOME}

There's definitely been an improvement in the amount of floor space I can see daily, but I want to be better at having set days to do deep cleaning! B-

{WORK}

I've made schedules, now I have to be better at holding meetings. It's been hard in January with all the mid-year testing going on, but February will hopefully yield better results. B

{HEALTH}

As per my last post, I've lost 2.2 pounds since starting my goals, and I was SO GOOD about going to the gym until I got sick. Boo. But now that I'm feeling better, it's back to the gym I go! B

{BLOG}

Oh yikes. My goal of blogging more needs to be more specific, I see. So I set a goal of 15 times per month. I posted 11 times in January, giving me a score of 73%. Our school doesn't do letter grades anymore but I'm pretty sure the equivalent is a C.

Good luck with conquering those goals this month!

Currently February!

What the heck?! Apparently, I blinked and January was over. Oh well…

{LISTENING}

I love listening to my 2000's Pop Pandora station on the drive to work. That middle school nostalgia really kicks in…

{LOVING}

I also LOVE that the next 3 weeks are only 4 days! Next week friday is our Fun Run (basically nothing gets done), then we have Presidents' Day weekend, then the week after that, we have a professional development day on Monday! Woohoo!

{THINKING}

I think I should've listened to my advisor and only taken ONE graduate school course this semester. Two extremely writing-intensive courses are driving me crazy.

{WANTING}

I really want/need Spring Break to be now. Or next week. I feel like a wimp saying I already need a break, but…

{NEEDING}

I need to go back to the gym! I was so energized in January, and then I got sick from all the vog we had. But it's back to the grind! Have to keep my motivation up with some great inspirational quotes and gym jams!

{MISS RBF!}

If I had a pageant title, it would be to honor my extreme RBF (resting bitch face). I don't even try! It just happens. Oops.

Happy February! Make it a great month!

Slim Down (Saturday) Monday!

How does it go…better late than never, right?! Linking up with Gina at Third Grade Tidbits (albeit a little late) for Slim Down Saturday/Sunday/Monday. Hey, adding punctuality to my goals, alright?

On the plus side, I lost the weight I put back on after my trip to Oregon, and I didn't feel guilty at all for having a small cheat day. This week, I'm putting in more work at the gym, snacking smarter, and remembering this awesome quote:

The 5 Product Face

More than anything, I love to sleep in. Always. Even if it means eating breakfast while I'm driving to work. Or skipping my morning coffee because I'm literally sprinting to my classroom. It's terrible, I'm working on it, and I have a solution: The 5 Product Face (excluding makeup brushes because that would be torture). So for all of you who are looking to save a little more time in the morning with your getting ready rituals, look no further! Here are my 5 go-to products that have consistently helped me to sleep in and still look pulled together at school.

Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller

The cool roller ball helps to wake up my tired eyes in the morning, and the sheer tint is perfect for covering those designer bags under my eyes and doesn't cake or smear off (and that's saying a lot - I run around after Kindergarteners all day). Although on the pricier side ($13) for drug store make-up, this is something I will continue to buy time and time again.

L'Oreal True Match Mineral Powder Foundation SPF 19

Although I swapped using the brush on top for my Real Techniques Powder Brush, I love this foundation to pieces. I have oily skin, but the Hawaii sun and heat makes my natural "blush" on the redder side. I wanted a foundation that would keep me matte all day while lightly covering up my redness and ALSO not being too thick/creamy/fussy. Winner winner, chicken dinner. 

Almay Intense I-Color Liquid Eyeliner in Brown Topaz

With my oily eyelids, pencil eyeliners always smudged. In walked this beauty - a natural brown color that isn't too in your face with the faintest flecks of golden-brown shimmer that's basically undetectable except for when it's on the eyeliner brush. The tip of this eyeliner is rather stiff, but flexible enough so it doesn't poke your eyes, which if you're like me (read: extremely uncoordinated in the morning) is very important.

Rimmel London Lash Accelerator Mascara

I've tried all of the "must-have" mascaras, and have never fallen in love quite like I have with this baby. The wand is thin and has fine bristles which is perfect for giving my lashes some volume without being clumpy and leaving tons of black marks on my eyes from the morning mascara struggle. I especially love this mascara for my lower lashes, which are pretty thin and tiny. This mascara does a great job of separating my lashes but making sure they stand out and are actually visible.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Perfect Brow Pencil in Taupe

Ideally, when I'm not rushed for time, I use the Anastasia Brow Wiz to outline my eyebrows and this puppy to fill 'em in. BUT if I had to choose just one, I'd go with the Perfect Brown Pencil. The spoolie brush is so fluffy and perfect for blending out any harsh lines, while the pencil can be drawn on with a light hand, or built up for more intense shading. Eyebrows are probably the step I never EVER skip when doing my makeup, no matter what's happening. You know the hypothetical question, "if your house was on fire, what's the one thing you would grab?" My answer is this brow pencil. So when I'm on the news, I'll have immaculate eyebrows. #OnFleek

That's all for now! Leave me a comment if there are any products you absolutely can't live without!