26 in 26

Linking up with Living in Yellow, I've decided to make a list of 26 things I will do in my 26th year (and since I just turned 26 I have quite a lot of time :) )

1. Run 5 5ks

I really want to work up to a half marathon before I'm 30 (see the 30 before 30 list) so  This is a good way to do it!

2. Finish painting/ decorating my house.

I've only been in it for 3 months and we've (my dad has been helping a lot!) accomplished quite a bit.

These (above) were both from right when I closed on the house, it looks better now :) 

3. Organize my lesson plan binders by unit for school

I've slowly started this, buying a binder per unit to put all of my master copies in and I've been buying tubs to put larger items in.

4. Start a weekly link up on my blog!

When I get enough followers...and figure out how to make a button...of course!

5. Write a manual for class advisors

I've been kind of thrown into this class advisor thing (class of 2016!) and I'd love to help out other teachers who decide to try it for the first time.  

6. Go to the graduation ceremony for finishing my masters!!

7. Enroll in some kind of weekly fitness class

yoga or Zumba perhaps?

8. Try a new recipe a week

I cannot cook and this needs to change!

9. Stick with this healthier lifestyle change

And hopefully see some results!

10.  Take more pictures!

I've realized I can never take enough pictures and I always have my iPhone so why not?!

11. read a book a month this year.

I've already far surpassed that this summer but I seem to let myself get caught up in the school year and never read.  I'm sure I can fit in a book a month.

I just FINALLY finished the Hunger Games (it took me a year to get around to reading them and only two days to finish the series!) and I now need a good series to read....

suggestions?

12. Start an Etsy shop

I already have two eBay shops and occasionally find great vintage things on Etsy.  I've also started to make wreaths and have been dabbling with dye.

Almost done with this wreath (don't have an updated pic) but I will post the tutorial when I'm done :)

Dye and blue elmers glue (tutorial coming)

Recognize the quote?

13. Start a tutorial section on the blog

I've seen so many great ideas on how to set up tutorial sections and I have so many projects I'd love to add.  Maybe 1-2 a month.

14. Start donating free items to animal shelters (again)

There are so many great pet coupons that result in free items, I need to continue doing it and find a new shelter to donate to (since I moved).  Shelters always need newspaper too (to line cages).

15. Go to the Toledo Zoo 

16. Go shopping less

17. Buy and install a new front door.  

You can see the ugly broken screen door (^) and I want to add a teal front door and cute wooden decorative screen 

18. Write more letters

I really want to buy some Erin Condren stationary....and that means I'll need to write to justify it.  

 Ok and some address labels...

19. Folding my laundry. 

It usually just sits in the dryer, for awhile...sometimes until I wear it...

20. Try to keep plants alive.

My hydrangeas are by far not doing great.  Any ideas?

21. Get dressed/ do may hair at least a few times a week in the summer.

22. Pay off debt.  And stay debt free

23. Go to a concert

24.  Finish my 30 in 30 List and maybe make a 101 in 1001 list??

25. Start a vacation fund.

Italy 2014 maybe??

for trip #3 (I really love Italy!)

26. Embrace being 26

I think I've been in denial since 24...

Have a fabulous Tuesday!

Heather

Erin Condren Life Planner

Its finally here!!

My Erin Condren Life Planner!!

And I LOVE it!

I was on the fence about whether to get it for a year or so now but after joining up at erincondren.com on Facebook and Pinterest and seeing all the great pictures I had to have one!

I was so excited to see this box on my porch this morning (don't mind the pink rectangle blocking out my address!).

Even her packaging is adorable!

They throw in lots of extra goodies too!

Gift labels, calling cards and personalized labels.  They have tons of personalized items.

This is the inside cover and a place to write either your contact information or a cute quote (I've seen people do both!)

There are great inspirational quotes throughout!

Different quotes running across the tops of each month at a glance (two pages!)

Blank lined pages to write notes in

Extra blank pages as well

Lots and lots of stickers!!

A folder in the back for cards, notes, bills, etc.

Zippered envelope and more freebie labels!

Just as cute, back cover.

And one last shot of the front!  I love it!

Overall the Erin Condren Life Planner has great two page month at a glance pages (this is the 18 month version!) laminated cover and tabs, inspirational quotes throughout, stickers (blank and labeled) and lots of other extras.  

I've already ordered my teacher planner!

Hope you love yours!

Heather

Sometimes and Always

Linking up with the adorable Megan from Mackey Madness for Sometimes and Always.

Sometimes: I procrastinate until the last minute on my grad school assignments

Always: It still seems to work for me because I work well under a deadline!

Sometimes: I come up with every excuse not to go the gym

Always: I never regret going afterwards.  (Giving myself weekly rewards helps too!)

Sometimes: Grocery shopping at Target never saves me money.

Always: Target has the cutest clothes, so that makes up for it!

(Random Photo dump)

(Sunday's Tigers game.  They won of course)

(Ollie taking a cat nap :) )

Heather

What I'm Loving Wednesday

This is one of my favorite link ups, with Jamie!

(1)

This is my last week with one of my two summer grad classes!  Which means more time to be here

(my parents pool)

(2)

I am going to my second Tigers game of the summer!  I love going to games and I got the tickets for free (even better).

(from the July 4th game)

(3)

I've ordered my Erin Condren planner and I REALLY am hoping it comes this week.

I'm getting the multicolor 

(not mine but you get the idea)

I can't wait to do a review!

I'm back to writing my 20 page exploration project (due at midnight) wish me luck!

Heather

Dear Monday

Dear Grad School classes.... I am so excited to finish one and be back to one class.  Two classes worth of reading, paper writing and portfolio projects is starting to make my summer vacay seem like being back at work.  I'm a little scared to find out what two grad classes plus school will be like in the fall...


Dear Summer.... I LOVE being off of work for the summer...but it is really hard to work up the motivation to mow the lawn when it is 100+ degrees, this is Michigan, we aren't used to this... Also I desperately need to get AC, also hard to clean the house when it is 88 inside, eek.


Dear Target.... I love to do my grocery shopping here but the tempting number of sales/ clothing means I spend more money on non food items than not.  I think it's back to Kroger for a few weeks!


Dear Erin Condren.... I am soooo excited to get my life planner.  I really wish it would update to Printing on my order status because I am stalking it 5 times a day.  I can't wait to put an update when I get it.  So EXCITED!!!


Back to project proposal writing I go!





Heather

Couponing 101

I started couponing about a year ago and have saved hundreds of dollars!  I'll go through some of my basics of how to start and some awesome websites that helped me get started.  

How to start:

1) Either buy a newspaper on Sunday or get it delivered weekly.  You may need to start buying multiple papers if you want to stockpile as some of the coupling shows demonstrate.   Groupon and other discount sites often have local newspaper subscriptions much cheaper.

2) Find a method of coupon storage.

I started out with a binder.  I used baseball card holders (found locally at Meijer) to put coupons in.  

Pro: allows you to easily see all coupons

Con: really awkward and time consuming to organize

I have since switched to a index card holder.  It is more easily stored in my car and I feel less awkward/burdened carrying it around the store.   It can be hard to balance the binder, find the coupon and hold on to them even with a shopping cart.

(excuse the internet photo, mine is MIA at the moment)

Pro: small and easily portable

Con: harder to see coupons, requires more prior planning

3) Consult websites that give previews to prices and sales.

The BEST site I like for this is the Krazy Coupon Lady site.  Her site is great.  You can browse by store or look for freebies, she tells you which coupons to use and tells you if it is at a rock bottom price.  I highly recommend this site for any level of couponer.

This site Hot Coupon World is also very helpful but it is more of a discussion forum format.  For the occasional couponer and someone that doesn't like to do a lot of research it may not be as helpful.  But it does have forums where you can discuss great deals, trade coupons and does have some articles on beginning to coupon.

4)  Not all coupons are for grocery stores.

I LOVE to shop but I rarely buy items without some type of coupon or promotion any more.  Especially if you like to shop online.  A quick google search for 'Ann Taylor Loft coupon' or 'Vera Bradley coupon' will often come up with free shipping codes and percentages off.  Do note that often you will find expired or invalid codes, it does take an extra 10-20 minutes to sort through them but it is worth it!  (I bought 2 pairs of shorts and two tank tops for less than $30 and FREE SHIPPING from Ann Taylor Loft last month).

If you find yourself shopping and you don't have a coupon (like my recent Joann's trip) often a search in your smartphone will turn up a code you can use at the register.  Or ask the clerk, the worst they can say is no.

5) Print a copy of the stores coupon policy.

I most often shop at Target, Kroger and Hiller's here in good old Michigan.  If for some reason (especially at Target!) you should run into a salesperson that does not know the policy you can use it to make sure you can use your coupons.  It helps to be familiar with it yourself. :)

Take some time and set up your system.  I will do a follow up post about how to stockpile and match sales soon!

Heather

DIY and Reviews to come!

I FINALLY ordered my Birchbox, I've read so many good reviews of them that hopefully I'll have mine in a couple weeks and I plan to do a detailed review!


This week was my birthday and two of my friends took me to get a stress relieving treatment at Douglas J (Aveda training salon) in Royal Oak, MI.  It was great and really affordable.  I highly recommend it if you live in the area!


After the amazing massage/mini facial, we went to Joann fabrics and bought supplies to make a wreath (full details to come!), an apron (see elephant print lower down), and an awesome turquoise flannel blanket.  

(Note: coupons to Joanns, they aren't mine but often other couponers leave them in aisles on fixtures.  I always seize the opportunity to use them)


Since we decided to do a 'craft night' kind of spur of the moment, we didn't have coupons printed for Joann's.  All it took was a quick phone search for coupons (and this lovely flier) for a 50% off one item plus 20% off total purchase AND I found out Joann's does a 10% card for students and 15% card for teachers (both of which apply to me!).  

crafting on my friend's floor

(excuse the poor photo I was trying to take a picture of a picture in the store )

While trying to decide whether to make the 4th of July wreath I saw on Pinterest, I stumbled upon this idea on the package of felt.  I decided this was more multi-season (less colors) and an easy first try.  I'll update with detail instructions and pics when I finish it this week.

(in progress!)

Lots of tracing and cutting!

Today we went to the Plymouth Art Fair, I'll leave you with some cute signs we found.

Heather

I'm back!

Well it's been about a year and I decided that as much as I love reading all of your blogs, that I really wanted to rekindle mine!


Some upcoming posts will be about travel, shopping, crafting and the occasional teaching post.  


Here's some of the things I've been up to recently (in no particular order):

Grand Prix in Detroit (June 2012)

Tigers game on the 4th of July (minus the 2.5 hour rain delay) They won!

A trip to Traverse City (Traverse Bay)

And my fur baby Ollie, Up North.

 <3 Heather