Apt. Update: Living Room Shelf

Hey friends!! Just popping in with a little apartment update. Every so often I get the urge to do something big in my apartment. I like the change things up A LOT. I get it from my mom and nana- the women don't stop moving things around in their homes.

I have been tinkering with the idea of a large living room shelf for a few months now. The wall above my TV was so blank and bland. I didn't want another gallery wall, since there's already one in my living room. 

I decided to make a shelf on a whim, literally the whimsiest whim I've ever had. My friend Danner was with me and she was a real trooper. I think I took her into Hobby Lobby 4 times in one day? We were in Home Depot for a good bit too. She helped me hold the shelf up while I screwed it into the wall and made sure everything was level. Thanks, Danner!! Shout out to my bestie Sammy too, she was with me the next day when I took everything back to the stores I didn't use. Let me tell you, real friends go to Home Depot with you.

The shelf was really easy to make! I used one 1in. x 8in. x 6ft piece of common pine board and two iron brackets. Each bracket is 1 foot in from the outer edge. I dry-brushed white acrylic craft paint onto the board to make it coordinate with the other white decor I have throughout the apartment. Each bracket needed 3 screws.

All in all, the shelf took about 30 minutes to put on the wall. The brackets had to be put on the wall first, which was the trickiest part. The top part of the bracket was a tad bit shorter than the thickness of the board, so the brackets couldn't be screwed onto the board first. The most time consuming thing was decorating! Bless my friend Holdren for putting up with me while she sat on my couch and I decorated. It takes a village, ha!

My goal is to use the shelf like a makeshift mantle. I want to switch up the decorations around holidays and seasons. I'm still not done making it Fall-approved, yet.

10 Things My First Year of Teaching Taught Me

By now, we have established that I am not good at consistently blogging. I really do love it, but I am just not good at posting frequently. HOWEVER- I post almost daily on my Instagram, so follow along on Insta to keep in touch! Don't worry, the blog isn't going anywhere. :)

Now, back to the post:

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Hey y'all!!

I am 25 days away from my last day of school as a first year teacher. THIS. IS. BANANAS. *cue Gwen Stafani* This has truly been the fastest school year of my life without a doubt. I was scrolling through my phone the other day and I was looking at pictures from the first day of school- my kiddos have grown SO much!

I have been keeping little notes all year of things I have learned and now I'm excited to share!

1. Take all of the pictures! I have more than 2,000 pictures on my phone and almost half of them are of my kiddos. When they lose a tooth- take a picture. When it's Valentine's Day and they bring in treat bags for their classmates- take a picture. When they draw you a picture and ask you to send it to their mama- take a picture. When they want to show you a new dance they have learned- take a picture. You will thank yourself and their parents will thank you when they don't completely miss out on these moments! You have to think, you are with their kids 8-9 hours out of the day, 5 days a week. That's a lot of time!
2. Tell them you love them. It doesn't matter what age or grade you teach, tell them you love them. Even if they are driving you crazy or you have yelled and yelled, tell them you love them. Before you take them to the bus or send them to the car rider line, tell them. It breaks your heart to think about it, but you might be the only one that day or even week they hear it from. It's so important. 
3. Save ALL of the master copies. You will thank yourself next year when you're not searching the internet for activities to do or constantly asking other teachers what they are doing. Of course, each year you'll want to do something a little different and you want to be on the same page as your co-teachers, but having something to do to get your week started is so helpful. Save them!
4. If you don't know, ASK! There were so many things I had to learn how to do at the beginning of the year and there was absolutely no way I could've figured them out on my own efficiently. Attendance, mClass and Progress Monitoring, setting up my retirement and insurance, how to use the copier, how to clock-in, how to get a substitute, the fire drill and lock-down drill procedures, and where my class sits in the cafeteria are just some of the things I needed to ask about. The list goes on and there is NOTHING wrong with asking for help or guidance.
5. Make a substitute plan outline and save it. You keep the same schedule and times all year, so you never have to rewrite when your lunch or recess time is, when dismissal is, etc. Just plug in your new activities you have left for the sub and make sure your bus/car rider list is updated. It will save you so much time.
6. Don't believe that "don't smile until Christmas" junk. Think about it- would you feel comfortable at school or be excited to learn if someone was constantly showing you no emotion? I can't hide anything I'm feeling ever, it's a blessing and a curse. I smile with my kids, I laugh with them, we have dance party breaks all the time, I give them time to share about themselves, and they are comfortable in my class. That being said, they know when it's time to be serious and work hard and they absolutely know when I'm upset with them. It's unrealistic to expect 6 and 7 year olds to sit on their bottoms all day and work- take small breaks and have fun!
7. Appreciate the feedback. As a beginning teacher in NC, you are observed 4 times throughout the school year. Do your best and don't stumble over the small stuff. Your principal and assistant principal have been in your shoes before and they know there will be hiccups and things may not go as planned. Take it all in stride and focus on how to do better the next day. Just remember, your kiddos still learned something and it's never a total failure like you think it is. Take and appreciate all of the feedback you can get!
8. Keep in contact with your parents/guardians. I use an app called Remind, weekly behavior sheets, and our grade level sends home a newsletter each week, but there are many different ways to communicate with your parents/guardians. Most importantly, don't just talk with them when something has gone wrong. Share with them the good things their child is doing too! Send them a quick message about a little success or that photo you took of their child holding the tooth they just lost with the excitement on their little face!
9. Appreciate every staff member for what they do. The cafeteria staff, the custodians, and the office staff help keep the school running. It is so important to tell them thank you for what they do and make sure you tell your students the same thing. 
10. Plan fun things for your kids. We do a different Bingo for each holiday in class, I had a classroom reindeer before Christmas break (like an Elf on the Shelf) that did funny things around the room, we did a spring egg hunt before Spring break, a Valentine's exchange, and we are currently in the middle of a 23 Days of Celebrating You event! For the 23 Days event, each day (23 for the number of students I have) a student brings in something they love (similar to show-and-tell) to share with the class. This was something I found on Pinterest and tweaked it a little and a student shares for about 5 minutes before snack time. We are using it to close out the school year as a celebration of all our classmates!

These are just a few gems I have written down throughout the year. I can say that I have had the best first year. I have learned so much to take into my second year and I know what I need to improve on and change for next year as well. College prepared me for my teaching career, but your first class really teaches you how to be a teacher. 

A Look at the Bathroom

Hey y'all!

Back again with another apartment update. I am finally in a semi-satisfied state with my bathroom and I wanted to share! There's good news too...most of it was picked up today and is still available if you absolutely have-to-have it like I did! Also, I'm apologizing in advance because there is NO cute way to photograph a toilet.

(click to enlarge)

So, all of the round baskets on the wall are from Goodwill or Habitat. My monogram is from Etsy, I believe. It's about 5 or 6 years old. The precious white shower curtain is from Burkes! I went all over looking for an affordable, white shower curtain and I picked this one up about 2 months ago for $15. My parents made me the mason jar holder. It is beyond useful and it keeps everything off the counter! They had the wood laying around and the mason jars were mine from college. Love!

On to the newbies. The round navy, mandala-looking wall pieces are actually placemats!! Yes, placemats! They are woven with raised beading and absolutely gorgeous. Best of all, I picked them up TODAY from Steinmart! Best best of all...both for $7! YAAAAAS. 

Hobby Lobby came to the rescue today with the shelving. Y'all know I love some Hobby Lobby and some 50% off goodness. These were scooped up for $24! Run, don't walk to your nearest Lobbs if you're in the market for shelves! The little table top clock is from Walmart and it was a whole $8. Go, go, go!

There's still some blank spaces I'm looking to fill, but this is it for now! I'm sure I will grab the next baskets I see when I'm out thrift shopping. There's always room for baskets, y'all!!

What Apartment Life has Taught Me

Hey y'all!

I've been working on this post for 3 weeks, AKA the same amount of time I've lived in my new apartment. I love doing these type of posts to pass on a little knowledge for anyone who is about to take this step as well on their own!

1. Stick with your gut.
My biggest piece of advice y'all! I toured and looked at a few apartments and I had a checklist of what I wanted. My #1 thing was to be able to see all of the walls in my apartment. I know what you're thinking, she's nuts. However, I know how I am as a person and how easily I get freaked out (literally, I don't watch any kind of scary movie and try to avoid all scary commercials at all costs), so I knew it was more of a need than a want.

2. Make it comfortable. 
Most apartments are temporary or gateways to home ownership, but make it feel like "home" while you're there. I know I'm going to be here for a while, plus I have never been one to keep a wall empty, so I immediately started decorating upon move-in.

3. Get you a Messi.
By now, if you're an avid blog reader of mine, you know that Messi is my adorable 3 year old pup. I knew I wanted a dog before I moved out on my own and she really does give me that extra peace-of-mind, plus she's the best kind of company! 

4. Get used to poo bags.
With number 3 being said, it's only natural for me to put in this one. Get used to picking up dog poop. *Insert eye roll emoji here* It's gross and I'm not saying I'll ever be comfortable or "okay" with it, but it has to be done, if you're a considerate human being that lives in an apartment complex.

5. Don't obsess over every little thing.
Y'all, this is where I need a taste of my own medicine. I have been obsessing lately over every light and drop of water, the AC, the washer and dryer, basically all of the energy. Don't make it complicated. You're going to have to pay the power and water bill anyway. I haven't my first water or electric bill yet, so I don't know what to expect. I think that's why I'm stressed out the most. Once you get your first couple of bills, you'll get on a routine. At least that's what I keep telling myself, fingers crossed for my sanity!

6. Get rid of ALL of your moving boxes ASAP.
Today is the day, y'all!! I'm FINALLY getting rid of all of my empty cardboard boxes and it. is. the. best. feeling. I finally feel "moved in" and like I live here. 3 weeks in and it's getting checked off the list. Really though, it's one of those things that lift a weight off of you for whatever reason.

7. Set a routine.
I have a cleaning day and a laundry day, I try to do dishes everyday (LOL) and I try to vacuum as much as possible (again, LOL). Just set a routine that works for you. Again, a clean apartment is one of those things that lifts a weight off of your shoulders.

8. You're adulting!
Don't forget to enjoy this time. This is my first real step into adulthood and I sit on my couch every morning so excited that this is "my" place and "my" couch and I'm drinking coffee out of "my" coffee cup. You see where I'm going with this. 

I think of news things to add to this post everyday, so I'm going to try to keep it updated as much as possible. All-in-all, you're doing it baby! You've got this.

Little Corner

Hey y'all!!

Back again with some apartment updates. I'm steadily getting things on the walls and this little place is feeling more and more like home. I've come across some super cute things I want to share with y'all at some really great prices! Here's a peek at my fav corner of the living room.

           

Y'all might recognize some of these things from previous posts. My Instagram has a little more behind-the-scenes as well! Mom and dad gave me the slip-covered club chair, which perfectly went with the color theme I was going for. Both throw pillows came from previous dorm rooms ('hello' pillow still available at Hobby Lobby) and the striped throw is from Goodwill. My rustic diploma frame is from Hobby Lobby and the beige triangle wall decals are from Etsy ($8!!!). The wicker footstool was picked up at a yardsale for $5. Such a good find. The tobacco stick blanket ladder is from a local thrift store for $18.

My absolute fav thing about this corner is the macrame wall hanging. Y'all are going to die when I tell you the price...$5!!! It's still available too! I have been looking and looking for one of these for less than $20. TJ Maxx has them for $17 and I was debating and debating with myself on whether to scoop one up or not. Bestie Sammy came to the rescue last week when she told me about these $5 macrames and I ran to the computer and ordered immediately! I couldn't believe it. I was skeptical too, but it. is. so. well. made. It's thick and sturdy, plus the best neutral color!

I live for the natural light in this apartment. It's crazy bright all the time and I'm in love. It picks up all of the tans and neutrals I have going on in this space so well!

   

25 (updated) things, plus a few more.

Hello friends! I always love, love, love reading "things about me" posts from other bloggers and friends. The last time I did one of these was over three years ago!! It was during my Freshman year of college and I thoroughly enjoyed going back and reading it today- especially seeing what's different now since then! I wanted to update it a little, so I tweaked the original. Here we go!

1. I collected snow globes when I was little. I used to get them from everywhere.
2. Don't get me wrong, I'm big on Starbucks, but I think drinking coffee at home is special on weekends. I do have a cup here and there though. WOW...I don't know what I was thinking..or maybe my coffee addiction is just that much stronger now? Literally drink coffee every single day.
3. I graduated high school on my 18th birthday. I went to a sandwich place afterwards with my best friend because everything else was closing. I did have a party, don't worry. My 13th birthday fell on Father's Day, that was pretty cool too.
4. My ideal wake-up time is 10 am, but that rarely happens ever. I wish me-then knew how rarely me-now gets to sleep in until 10 am. LOL at adulting.
5. I feel naked without earrings, I always have a pair in!
6. In a perfect world, everyone's handbags and shoes would match. That drives me crazy!
7. In high school, I won the Cheshire Cat award because I smiled all the time. I like to think I still do. More than ever, I truly believe this. Happiness and laughing are so important to me!
8. My parents will be married for 24 years this April, I think that is amazing and rare these days. 27 years now! I love them.
9. My car is named Ferg. Why? When I was a freshman in high school, she played Fergie's The Dutchess CD the best. The bass was so good. Still plays London Bridge like a boss.
10. I like to think my birthday is the exact middle of the year because it's June 15th, but I'm a little off.
11. I have to wear my retainer every night or I get paranoid. Is that weird? The paranoia is still real.
12. I want a Yorkie so bad when I graduate from college! (Mom, I know you're reading this.) Y'all, I wanted a Yorkie for YEARS for a college graduation present. Everyone knows about Messi right?
13. This first concert I went to was Travis Tritt, but I had to leave before he even came on stage.
14. The best (basically first)concert I have been to is Train/Mat Kearney. Train was amazing, Mat Kearney was rained out. Still one of the best concerts ever. 
15. At anytime, I could have up to two monograms on me. Don't judge. A little different nowadays. I still do love a monogram though.
16. Not to sound like such a girl, but Nicholas Sparks' A Walk to Remember will forever be my favorite movie, Nights in Rodanthe was SUCH a good book.Bridesmaids is pretty far up my list, too. Forever my favorite movie.
17. I could eat breakfast at anytime of day. 24/7 - 365.
18. I could rock out to 80's music all the time. I think my mom and dad have really great taste in music - Hall & Oates especially. #Hall&OatesForever
19. I have to charge my phone every night. It's a pet-peeve. Let's be honest. I don't know why this is on here?
20. I have 7 pillows on my bed at the moment, but I usually sleep with my head on the mattress. Still like a good no-pillow sleep. Still have 7 pillows though, which is weird. Maybe it's a standard?
21. I was a cheerleader for 7 years, then I danced for 5.
22. My favorite thing to eat when I go home is Shepard's Pie or spaghetti. Also fried pork chops.
23. My favorite Pandora station is my Christina Aguilera one. I only 'thumbs up' her old music, so I get to hear N*Sync, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, and Destiny's Child all day. Again, don't judge. Currently love my TLC Pandora station.
24. I know all the words to Paul Revere by the Beastie Boys. It's a talent the whole family shares.
25. I hate getting my nails done. I feel like it's torture.

Now for some newbies:

1. I graduated early from UNC Charlotte in December of 2017 with a degree in Elementary Education.
2. I just moved into my very first apartment! So much adulting is happening right now, y'all.
3. I start my first teaching position in two weeks!! I will be a first grade teacher to some sweet, little babies!
4. I am a co-owner of a precious small business with my best friend, Sammy. If you like cute clothes and accessories, check out Fineapple Boutique! Come and hang out with us THIS Saturday for our first birthday pop up shop!! It's going to be a good time. You can find the info on our homepage!
5. As previously mentioned, I'm a new dog mama! Sweet and sassy Messi, no not named after soccer player. Honestly, didn't even know there was a soccer player with that name. Clearly I closely follow sports.

DIY's have started!

Hey y'all!!

I have officially spent my first weekend in my new apartment! *squeal* This is such an exciting time. I moved in this past Saturday with the help of my awesome family and of course Sammy! I may be biased, but I want to say it was record time. I think we had everything moved in about an hour? Maybe two? Then the real fun began!

Mom and Sam stayed to help me unpack and begin decorating, which we all know is my favorite part. We went to the store and picked up some of the essentials (mainly creamer and sugar for my morning cup of joe) and began digging into some of the decoration boxes. I knew I wanted to get things done in my bedroom first. The walls are still a little more bare than I would like, but I couldn't look at white walls for too long without feeling like I was in a jail cell. I'll be sharing the bedroom a little later on. I'm still searching for a couch, so I haven't really touched the living room. I have a big chair that was slip covered and a foot rest in a corner, but that's about all. 

This post is mainly dedicated to a new addition I just put up last night in the kitchen. I'm too excited about it. I wanted something to hang my keys on, but also be an accent piece on the wall. I had this image in my mind from Pinterest:

I knew this was a little too elaborate for the space I had to work with and the book shelf boxes up top were completely out of the question. This was really just a dream space and that's not the kind of space I had to play around with. What I loved the most about this was the layering of pieces on the shelf. A simple shelf on the wall made such a statement! I wanted to put my own spin on it.

I showed the picture to my mom and I scoured the Internet for a shelf like this to buy. I couldn't find anything that I just loved and most of them were overpriced and out of my budget. My wonderful dad came to the rescue and made one for me! I'm in love with the way it turned out and everything came together perfectly.

It's 24 inches long and has a large enough shelf to layer a few pieces, including my beloved letter board. I dry brushed it with white craft paint and added 5 cup hooks to the under side. I'm thinking about getting some fancier hooks, but these will do for now! I found the two prints on Pinterest, here and here. The wreath and gold mirror came from dorm rooms and the 'L' tag came from my bedroom at home. I'm going to get so much use out of this!

Things are coming together slowly, but surely! I'll be updating y'all along the way, of course. Happy Monday, friends!!