Outfit 8.24.12

I realize this is a bit belated, but I didn't get it off my camera until the other day.  Here's what I wore for "date night" (aka - going approximately two miles to have a beer and then going immediately home to watch netflix).

I'm Wearing:

Shirt - Ann Taylor Loft

Dress - Target

Sandals - Target

Bag - Steve Madden via TJMaxx

In my 27 years I've learned I can't do the following things without opening my mouth:

• apply eye make-up
• make stink faces
• jump

Whatever, nobody's perfect.

Weekend Highlights I

On Saturday we had some friends over to enjoy my last real "free" weekend before my professional development and back to school routine begins.  It was a pretty low key get together.  I made these amazing vegan chocolate cupcakes with mocha frosting from this cookbook.  I highly recommend going to get this book if only for this cupcake frosting recipe.  It took all my will power to dump the leftover frosting and not shovel spoonfuls of it in my mouth.

On Sunday Andy and I decided to go geocaching at a park near us.  We brought Thor with us, so we didn't really get to do much geocaching, but it was still a nice day out.

We're working with Thor on not freaking out when he sees other dogs.  I think we're slowly making progress.  We saw lots of dogs in the park, and he did kind of freak out, but he didn't bark.  Success!

Technically school doesn't start until next Tuesday, but we have two days of professional development and a lot of family plans for this upcoming weekend, so this really felt like my last summer weekend.  It was a good one, so no complaints here.

Sunlight Shawl

A few months ago my grandmother gave me all the yarn she'd been hoarding since her arthritis made it too difficult for her to knit.  While I was excited to be on the receiving end (especially since she gave me some seriously amazing material), I felt bad for her that she could no longer enjoy one of her favorite hobbies.  I wanted to make a little something for her to show my appreciation for her generosity.

I knew I wanted to use this beautiful variegated fingering wool, but I wasn't quite sure what to make.  After some ravelry searching I found this pattern and knew it was perfect.

I love how simple this pattern is, and it shows off the yarn.  Although I made this in fingering weight with small needles it could be done with any weight yarn/needle size.  In retrospect I probably should have blocked it to get the picot edging to lay flat.  I guess I'll just have to do that when I make one for myself.

Back to School Shopping

There are many great reasons to be a teacher, but definitely in the top five is an excuse every year to do back to school shopping.  Of course I purchase things for my classroom and students, but I can't neglect myself.  How can I adequately teach the children if I am not appropriately dressed?  I have to be a positive role model right?

I've been really trying hard to build a wardrobe of quality items I love and will have for a long time instead of cheap impulsive buys that I just like.  I tried to keep this in mind when shopping for new shoes.  Although these were a clearance bargain (75% off), and not what I went shopping for in particular, they're classic and comfy so I know I won't have any buyer's remorse.

I went shopping with the intention of purchasing a pair of neutral colored medium height heels.  I found these.

Wedges are a teacher's best friend.  I feel so much more prepared to go back to school now.  Maybe tomorrow I'll shop for some stuff for my bulletin board . . .

East of the West

East of the West by Miroslav Penkov
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

After just completing an incredibly long, dense read this was the perfect book - a collection of short stories. My rating of three stars reflects my average for all the stories in this book. There were some that I loved and would read over and over again and some then I felt "meh" about. It's definitely worth reading and the short story format makes this book fly. Prior to reading this book I knew nothing about Bulgaria's culture, this was definitely an intriguing introduction to the country. Although I know the stories are fiction I felt like I got a peek into life and customs. I'd definitely be interested in reading something else of Penkov's and would recommend this read to others.

View all my reviews

The Story of the Giant Zucchini

Once upon a time there was an absolutely monstrous zucchini that Andy brought home to Lisa from his uncle's garden.  She was amazed at it's size, and was determined to utilize all of the zucchini to make delicious treats before Thor decided to take a bite out of it.

Recently she had found this awesome sounding zucchini muffin recipe from Oh She Glows, and decided to make them.  The muffins were delicious.

However, a ton of zucchini remained.

Lisa hates being wasteful, so she decided to make some zucchini bread from her mom's amazing recipe.  Two loaves of zucchini bread later at least half of the zucchini remained.

Still not willing to concede Lisa made more zucchini bread.  Now out of loaf pans she made it in a cake pan, because lets face it, this tastes more like cake anyways.

Yet the zucchini abides.

Noticing that she did still have some chocolate chips remaining and noting how delicious the zucchini muffins were Lisa decides at this point, why not make one more batch of zucchini muffins (they'll freeze well, right??).  At this point she decides the zucchini has been diminished enough that she feels it is acceptable to toss the remains.

After the zucchini has been used up and a bunch of delicious treats made, Lisa decides she can now waste her afternoon watching shows on netflix knowing that she and Andy will live happily ever after with enough zucchini treats to last them until next summer.

So my friends, if you come over to visit anytime in the near future, I hope you like zucchini.

Last Trip of the Summer

I've been fortunate to be able to travel a lot this summer.  Over the weekend I took my last trip of the summer to go visit my family and to attend a baby shower for my cousin and his girlfriend.

Clearly there was plenty of food.

They got lots of awesome gifts, including this amazing crocheted blanket . . . not bragging or anything.

As tradition dictates, ribbon hats were made.

I also got to see my little cousins, who are rapidly becoming not so little.

I did have an encounter with the tiniest dog in existence.  He growled and tried to bite me . . . seriously little guy, you are the least intimidating thing I've ever seen.

It was a good way to wrap up the summer, now I feel ready to slowly ease myself back into my school routine.  I went into my classroom for the first time today, and was pleasantly surprised to see I received a new computer!  Clearly a sign it's going to be a good school year.

Infinite Jest Book Review

Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Definitely worth reading for the writing, not the plot. On my first try I quit around page 200, but the second time around I was able to persevere. The little vignettes and character development are excellent, but there are times when it becomes frustrating at the number of characters/plots introduced that don't always seem connected and don't necessarily conclude. The wit and sarcasm were what kept me going through. I'll definitely read something else of his, especially a collection of short stories which I think would be a great format for his style of writing.

View all my reviews

Anniversary Outfit

To celebrate our second anniversary Andy and I went to Sonsie on Newbury Street.  It was a beautiful night, we loved the atmosphere of the restaurant and the food was amazing.  I decided to get dressed up for the occasion.

I'm Wearing:

Top - Express

Skirt - Loft (gift from MIL)

Earrings - gift from a very thoughtful student

Shoes - really old

Purse - also really old (gift from mom)

These pictures are not the greatest, since they were taken hastily before booking it to catch our train home.  For my birthday my mother in-law took me shopping to get me back to school clothes, and this skirt was one of the purchases.  I couldn't wait for school to start to wear it.  As much as I love those shoes they totally destroyed my feet walking from our T stop the the restaurant, then to Sweet for dessert.  It was worth a few blisters for these cupcakes though.

Pina colada and peach cobbler - seriously amazing.  I didn't let Andy smash cake in my face on our wedding day, and I certainly wouldn't let him smash this in my face, way too delicious to waste.

I'll be wearing flats for a while and avoiding sweets until my blood sugar levels return to normal (do you see all that frosting?  I ate all of that), but all totally worth it.

2nd Anniversary!

Today Andy and I are celebrating our second wedding anniversary!  It's weird to look at the pictures and realize it's been two years since this day (and it reminds me that I still haven't made a wedding album . . .).

 

 Clearly the black and whites are my favorite.  Part of the reason I haven't put together a wedding album yet is that I'm lazy struggling to decide which pictures will make the cut.  Our friends and photographers were awesome and we have so many great images from that day.  If you'd like to see them all you can do so here.

Family Visit

Just wanted to share a picture from this weekend, my parents, brother, and uncle came to visit and hang out with Thor.

   

 It's a rare moment when Thor sits still for a picture, and everyone looks at the camera and smiles at the same time.  Thor got spoiled rotten with attention, treats, and toys.  He's been moping around since everyone left.