Mother's Day: DIY Flower Canvas

We had a fun-filled weekend.  My older brother flew in from Texas for my mom's special weekend: graduation & Mother's Day!
My mom received her second masters degree on Friday, this time a Master of Science in Educational Leadership.  She's the bomb dot com.

For her graduation/Mother's Day gift, I gave her a flower themed gift.  Four different flowers for our garden, some gardening supplies (gloves, spade, planter) and a painting that I did on a small canvas.

I followed Evelyn Henson's DIY tutorial but changed a few things around.
I used a 8x10 canvas since I couldn't find a 5x7.  I also added leaves since it looked a little "spacey" when I was finished. Here are the steps of my project:
Paint colors are from Michael's: White, Deep Midnight Blue, Foliage Green, Pink Blossom, Pink, Citron Green, Lavender, Ocean Breeze

Check out her tutorial for a more detailed version. It was so fun & easy to make! I might make another for myself since the canvases at Michael's were BOGO free :)

I'm enjoying my last week of "break" before my summer classes start up next Monday! Happy Tuesday!

How to Not Spend Money

The contentment challenge has been just that -- a challenge.  But as I sit and delete every amazingly tempting LOFT sale email I receive, I am learning a lot about myself.  I never thought I could go this long (almost one month) without going on a total splurge trip to Target or TJMaxx.  Can't even tell you the last time I was in Michael's. Although, I will say, it helps that I live in a town with limited shopping ;)
I have learned that I can be even more creative than I think I am when I stay in my house and look around.  I can entertain myself with things that I already have - some of which need entertaining, ahem my bookshelves. I've rearranged my room and closet set up several times and just recently rearranged my desk.  I have found some fun ways to spend my time (when I'm not doing homework/working) that don't include buying something.
enroll in grad school // okay, this one is kind of a joke. But really, being in grad school brings everything into perspective.  I have TWO MORE CLASSES to complete, and student teaching, after these four I am taking this semester.  Then it's time for the real world, which by the way means real world stuff like apartments and cars and computers and phones and all of that junk.  My mom and I were discussing the purchases I will be looking forward to once I land a teaching job.  Let's just say the purchases aren't cheap, but they are somewhat necessary, so starting a savings plan now is probably a stellar idea.
washi tape // I have found some neat things to use my washi tape collection for.  For example, I covered a clear desktop organizer that I have so you can't see what's inside! Not that I'm trying to hide anything, but it looks pretty.
netflix // I have rekindled my love of Netflix.  Did y'all know how many episodes of Say Yes to the Dress are on there? Plenty.  Also my other secret obsession show: Undercover Boss. Four seasons.  That's what I'm talking about.  Almost nothing beats curling up under a blanket to watch Netflix on my iPad.
getting fancy // I'm somewhat of an overachiever when it comes to my assignments.  The units/portfolios/lessons that I am asked to create are many and I just love finding and sometimes making cute covers for them!  There is so much freeeee and CUTE stuff on my favorite teaching blogs! And since I'm a perfectionist, this task can take days.
calligraphy // I shared that I have started calligraphy and it has definitely helped me pass the time.  Here is a recent one I posted on Instagram :)  follow me @sarah_ryan3 !

 
Now, all of this doesn't mean I'm never purchasing anything ever again, but until I get a little more grounded in my finances, I am playing it smart.   One last free note, head over to Elle & Company to download a beautiful verse for your iPhone background :)

I'm a GRADUATE!

Today is the day.

I am an official graduate!

Don't ask me where the time went...because I have NO IDEA!

 

I was born and raised a Hokie and I wish I could stay at Virginia Tech forever (seriously) but I am excited for where my future will take me.

I am so excited to get to work in grad school and then look forward to having my own classroom shortly thereafter, which I'm sure will have it's fair share of maroon & orange.

I am so thankful for what these past four years have provided me with & I will look back on them with many smiles.

To everyone who helped me along the way -- thank you <3

 

my cap!

Feeling incredibly blessed!

Time to celebrate!   To follow along with the fun, follow me on instagram:: @sarah_ryan3

My Valentines & Other Fun Ideas

This past weekend I spent some time putting together my valentines to hand out to the kids at my school! I made 20 for my precious kindergarteners & about 50 for the kids who come to E2 which is the program I work with! I got my inspiration from Pinterest (didn't see that one coming, did ya) but made the labels myself just using Microsoft Word - print, fold, staple.  

They say, "Will you o"fish"ally be my Valentine?" with Sweedish Fish & "I'm "bursting" with happiness that you're my friend!" with Starburst (Fave Reds, of course)
I got the bags from Target in the gift wrap aisle -- all in all it was easy to do & I think they turned out cute! Although I'm sure the kids will blow by the labels & gobble up the candy ;)

Here are some other cute ideas via Pinterest:

It's times like these I just adore working in an elementary school :)
Happy Tuesday, y'all!

My Apartment, the 401 Palace

Before it's too late, aka I move out of this ghetto joint, I thought I'd show you my room!
I feel like I should have a disclaimer, but at the same time, I'm not ashamed.  I have too much furniture and not a big enough space.  Sometimes my room feels cramped, but it was my decision to bring everything in! I also get stressed that not everything matches, but it was my decision to buy everything so I just have to deal with it.   I live on Green Street - some fellow/former Hokies may be familiar with it - and it's a pretty old building, but the rent is cheap - I can walk to class - I'm a hop, skip and a jump away from Lane Stadium - and I can walk downtown in about ten minutes. It's mostly a win situation!   Walking into my room:

My bed is a double, but I love it and it's comfy, so it's staying.

The large bulge under my cuddly brown blanket is just a body pillow - not a real body. Don't freak out.

My bedding is from Target. The Lilly monogram pillow is from My Pink and Green Garden and the shift pillow is from the ESS sale last August! One of my favorite prints. Couldn't say no - especially to $14.

I have no shame in saying I sleep with a "stuffed animal", in this case, Stitch. Steven bought him for me from Disney World. I take him everywhere I go to sleep.

He is the perfect plush to cuddle up with.

 I actually have so many other stuffed animals, but they were taking up so much room! I had to send the others home :(

Desk:

I found my desk at Office Depot. It doesn't really "match" but I loved the set up. The simplicity and the hutch was exactly what I wanted.
The chair is a family chair. Not a comfy chair, but that's good because it keeps me awake!

My printer is underneath my desk -- sort of awkward, but there is no room on the desk!

The four cups on the wall are from IKEA. I love them! They hold pencils, pens, highlighters, Sharpies, etc. It was only $4 I think.

I try and keep my desk clean, but that gets tough!

I have sooooo many notepads and such - they're mostly kept in the top desk drawer. I just can't help picking up cute ones!

The green bins (minis of my favorite organization piece) hold random cords, CDs, flash drives, koozies, etc. Very random. The basket on top has other random items in it -- keeps my desk clutter-free!

The Lilly "S" is from My Pink and Green Garden on Etsy :)

On The Wall:

This memo board is next to my desk. It holds random things of importance to me, including a Save The Date & a postcard Steven sent me sophomore year of high school from Hawaii.

{also some fun stuff like Lilly tags & a Paula Deen comic}

 Bedside:

 This is my bedside bookshelf, as opposed to a table. I looked for a long time for the perfect bedside table but realized I need more storage space for books & happened to find this awesome bookshelf at -- you'll never guess where...Walmart!

It's great quality actually and is part of a Better Homes and Gardens line (only remember that because you get a free subscription if you buy it) and has lasted me moving apartments.

I keep novels, my Bible, lotion and tissues on the top,

My ticket stub jar, Steven's picture, 2 baseballs and a full box of mementos on the middle,

 and textbooks and my second box of mementos on the bottom.

I made this to put on top. It's one of my favorite Audrey Hepburn quotes!

Just used some scrapbook paper to jazz it up and then framed it.

The Other Side:

Steven took my closet door off for me when I moved in so I would have room for my dresser.

Again, kind of big - but I love it! Found it at a tent sale at Grand.

I put one of the Closetmaid 6 Cube Organizers from Target on the floor of my closet laying horizontally.

**I LOVE THOSE ORGANIZERS!**

On the top shelf of my closet I have some shoe boxes from IKEA, a Lilly storage bin full of scarves and sweatshirts.

I'm not so keen on having my "messy" closet always being seen but I'm basically the only one who has to look at it so it's not that bad!

TV Area:

My TV sits on another Closetmaid Organizer from Target. I seriously love them! I wish I had a 9 cube one. I have pink and brown fabric drawers for both of the organizers (brown is in the other one) and I love them for stashing random things away!

The Lilly prints above my TV are painted by my awesome brother. I wrote the quotes on the other canvas, "Let your faith be bigger than your fear," and "Enjoy the little things."

The fabric bins hold:

1. Stationary

2. Recycled plastic bags to use for my trash can

3. Random items!

I also have my movie collection and a Lilly box of random items & a small basket holding nail care items.

Dresser:

On top of my dresser is my nail polish stand (made by my other awesome brother!), my jewelry box from Target, a Vera Bradley heart jewelry box and a basket of ball caps I wear on comfy/lazy hair days.

The Lilly art above is a DIY that I think I have shared before...? Just cutouts from agenda pages!

Not seen:

I have a file box to hold worksheets and such I get from kindergarten, paychecks, bank statements and other important papers, as well as a storage box from the ITSO brand at Target with a bin in it I keep papers as well.

I have a green ottoman to the left of my desk that I keep my socks in and I stack extra blankets on top.

I also use underneath my bed for storage and, of course, none of my toiletries are in my room!

It's a small space and I've had to learn to be creative -- and learn how to throw things out when they're wasting space!

Well, there's my room! Nothing too special, but you can only get so fancy when you live in a rented space!

Hopefully I'll have a new, refreshed, more coordinated room next year :)

  Let me know if you have any questions! Happy Thursday!

Recently...

I realized I haven't done a "catch up on life" post recently and, although nothing major has happened, I still want to document some fun things!

Recently...I finished my first cross stitch that I gave to my mom for her birthday:

 Not the best picture, but after I was finished with it I ironed it and framed it.  I also added the quote and heart on my own to make it more unique. I think I did pretty good for my first one ever!  Definitely some mistakes, but thankfully no one but me can tell where they are :)
Recently...I rang in the New Year on one of the best NYE I've ever had!

I wish this picture wasn't blurry :(

I honestly couldn't have asked for better people to spend it with -- although I was sad my roommate Lindsay wasn't able to come back for the night!   Recently...the weather (last weekend) has been gorgeous!

 I got to pleasantly run outside down in the valley.

Then I went for a run at Pandapas Pond!
Recently...Steven got me a new Vera Bradley wallet for an early Valentine's gift/happy spring semester of senior year gift :)

I love VB wallets.  In the past I've used their basic Euro Wallet, the All-in-One Wristlet {as a wallet}, the Clutch wallet and I've been happy with all of them. However, I hadn't found the perfect style quite yet -- either they were too small, didn't have enough card slots, the change pocket was too tiny or they just didn't work well with carrying them around campus. This is the Turn Lock Wallet in Plum Petals - one of my favorite prints. I wanted this style because it's easier to access your IDs than it is in the clutch wallet (what I've been using up until now) and there's plenty of card slots! So far I love it and I love that Steven remembered the style that I wanted! He picked out the print on his own though :) (Although, I did tell him some of the prints that I do not like...)
Recently...my brother built me a nail polish stand for Christmas!

Wouldn't ya know...it's already filled. I actually even had to eliminate some! I guess I'll have to ask for another one to match for Easter or something... :)

Like I said, not too much going on, but still I've been keeping busy! This is my last week before classes start and I'm working every day & going in to kindergarten on MWF. I'm starting to organize my room, car and purse TODAY! Wish me luck and send any tips :)

Lilly here, Lilly there, Lilly, Lilly everywhere!

I'm back from my vacay! So many wonderful stories and pictures to share.   Until then, this is my life...

But really, I feel like dying because the site crashed one trillion times. After I got up at 7:30 to be ready for it! I did manage to get an order in, though...I think. Hoping it goes through! Personally I think LP should have sales like this periodically...not just 1-2 times a year. Then maybe the lay-days wouldn't go so cray-cray. Myself included. Just a thought. I also shared some DIY Lilly crafts on instagram that I will share here, too!   Shift Dress Wall Piece

For this, I bought the wood piece at Michael's and painted it white. Then, I used a Sharpie paint pen (pink) to write the words. For the dresses, I drew a shift pattern, traced it onto old agenda pages and cut them out! Allie, of Creativity and Cardigans, inspired this craft with this post! She has so many awesome DIY projects with wonderful directions! DIY Frame

I bought the wood frame at Michael's (at the time 2/$1) - can be any shape/size! Again, I used old agenda sheets and used Mod Podge to apply! I put a layer of Mod Podge down, put down the paper, and then applied a layer on top. I left a space at the top blank to paint white and I added the Lilly quote! I've seen this project floating around...it seems to be a favorite! These are both super easy to make and super cute! I also must give my little brother credit for doing this amazing You Gotta Regatta inspired canvas for me!

He's the bomb. Enough Lilly talk for today.