What I'm Loving Wednesday

Hey y'all!   Here's what I'm loving on this last Wednesday of March :)   I'm loving...more substituting experience! Today I'm subbing in 3rd grade at my school for the afternoon. I've never been in 3rd grade so this will be exciting! I definitely think I'm partial to K-2 (love first grade) but I would love more classroom experience in 3-5. As of today, I have about 7 other sub days already planned! So far I am loving the experience - it can get a little nerve wracking, especially if I get confused about something or am in a new classroom, but overall I think this will really pay off when I am looking for a job! Note to teachers: simple, clear, concise sub plans that out in plain view ready to go = SO NICE :) I always return the favor with a friendly note about how the day went.
I'm loving...this self-tanning how-to from The Kinch Life!

A bronze body is a happy body - for me at least. This late March snow has me DYINGGGG for a summer glow. I've never been to a tanning bed and probably won't ever but I may try this Fake Bake that worked so well for Aubrey! I'll at least try it before graduation so I have a little color.
I'm loving...The Croods (previews)! I cannot see this movie soon enough! I am hoping to go to PA this weekend to see Steven and if I do, hopefully we can go see this. I absolutely love animated movies & this one looks SO cute! Anyone seen it yet?
I'm loving...books about allergies.

 This book, The Princess and the Peanut Allergy, looks too precious. These days it isn't rare at all to have children with food allergies (especially nut) in your classroom & I think this book would make them feel special! Do y'all know of any other cute food allergy books?
I'm loving...that I'm on my second Spring Break! Yes, that's right. The public schools' spring break has FINALLY rolled around which means I'm off from kindergarten & work duties until Tuesday! Yippee! This makes it possible for me to (hopefully) go to PA this weekend for Easter :)
I'm loving...these dresses I got from francesca's!

I may wear the one on the left - seersucker - for Easter -- if it's warm enough! :/ The one on the right is for a wedding I'm going to on April 13th!
I'm loving...the Carrie Underwood concert!

AH! It was AMAZING! I've only been to a handful of concerts but it was by far the best one I've been to. She sounds perfect live, puts on a great show (floating stage! confetti! giant beach balls!), has great outfit changes, sang ALL of her great songs - fit so much into just 2 hours. The last picture is her singing with Hunter Hayes who was the opening act and ALSO AMAZING. Swoon. I love him. If you ever get the chance to see her in concert - you definitely should!

I'm lovin' lots today. I think I could keep on going and going :) Instead - tell me something YOU are loving today!

Spring Break!

To my fellow college gals - HAPPY SPRING BREAK! I know not everyone is on spring break right now, but many colleges and universities are. I'm home for the week, working and spending time in my kindergarten classroom, but am going to get out of town for a few days!
This past week was really crazy - besides my midterm, I also got to sub for the first time! I was called in on Wednesday to sub for a second grade teacher who was stuck at home from the {miniature and quite depressing} "snow storm" we had. It was a 2-hour delay and there was a full-time student teacher so I didn't have to do much, but that was a relief! I was actually way more nervous than I thought I would be so it was nice to have someone else there to be in charge ;)
I am thankful to have this week off from school and am SO excited about my half-marathon next Sunday!! I am planning out my green outfit as we speak :)
On Tuesday I am headed to Greensboro for my first baseball games of the season! Lehigh will be playing two games at UNCG on Tues and Wed. Yes, I'm excited to see the games but I am more excited to see Steven who I haven't seen since February 2nd! Oh, LDR probs. Expect lots of pictures from that mini trip!
Anyway, I am back to blogging this week and excited about it :) I have two awesome reviews coming up & showing y'all my new haircut! Shortest it's been since the 8th grade...yikes!
Hope y'all have a blessed Sunday -- it is GORGEOUS here in Virginia :)

Friday Five: Fun in March!

Happy March! Boy am I ready for some spring weather, green beer and March FUN! To me, March has me thinking spring spring spring...I am sick of this winter business. Unfortunately, I think Mother Nature doesn't agree. We shall see!
At least I have these 5 things to look forward to!
1. Spring Break

This spring break isn't too out of the ordinary like my last two were, but nonetheless I am SO excited for  a week off from school.  Yes I would love to be heading to the beach, but at the same time I have a lot here to take care of and prepare for! I have two big tests to knock out before break begins which is nice because I won't have to do any studying! I'm going to spend the majority of it at home, but will spend two days in Greensboro where Steven's team will be playing! I'll finish off Spring Break by celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Norfolk with my family after the race! So pumped!
2. Shamrock 1/2 Marathon

I've been training for this race for a while and I am so excited to get it done! I have a personal goal set in my mind that I hope to reach. I will let y'all know afterwards if I do :) My older brother is running the race as well, but I doubt we'll run together. I like to run with music in & am bad at talking! Can't wait to come barreling down the boardwalk and drink some green beer later with my fam!
3. Carrie Underwood

On March 23, Momma and I are headed to see CARRIE! I haven't been to a real concert since probably sophomore year when I saw Zac Brown Band...I am SO pumped to see her in concert! Anyone else seen her? What did you think?
4. Substituting

I'm now an official substitute! I've already arranged a half-day sub job with my cooperating teacher in kindergarten for the end of March. I'm so excited for this new opportunity! I'm also hoping to get in some days subbing for my mom in the library :) I think the kids will think it's funny they don't have to learn a new name -- going from Ms. Ryan #1 to Ms. Ryan #2! Ha!
5. Easter

I love Easter! It's such a fun, relaxing, beautiful holiday. I love going to mass and seeing everyone in their Easter dresses and suits. I love the springtime flowers that sit in the middle of the table. I love having an Easter meal with my family. And, of course, I love the Easter chocolates!
Happy March, y'all! Have a wonderful weekend!

Spring Break Recap via Instagram!

Wow, changing time zones + daylight savings + an 8 am this morning makes for one very tired me.

However, I'm so excited to share with you about my spring break! I had such a wonderful time and wish it hadn't gone by so fast!

I want to thank Steph (The Sweet Life) and Jess (Just Rainbows and Butterflies) for their California advice before my trip! Y'all gave me some great ideas as far as where to go and what to do! I wish my trip had been longer so I could get in everything I wanted to do - and so we could have met up! I swear it flew by!

That's the first thing I learned: there is plenty to do in San Francisco!

If you ever make the trip, make sure you have several days to spend out there!

If you follow me on instagram some of these are repeats, but lots are new!

Leaving VA

Flying from Dallas to San Fran was gorgeous.

The first night we were there - awoken at 5:30 am by an earthquake! Seriously, that was not how I wanted to be welcomed to California. For Californians it was probably nothing but for this east coast girl it was scary!

First thing's first...baseball!

The weather on the first day was such a tease...the rest of the time I was BUNDLED up!

Me and my boy after the double header

Sea lions at Pier 39

Freakin' scary seagulls - and Alcatraz in the background.

This is from our boat tour of the bay.

Of course it was foggy! The Golden Gate Bridge was still beautiful!

We went underneath the bridge on the boat and then back to Pier 39.

Lunch at Hard Rock

Yummy drinks - we are on vacation, after all!

The Wharf was so fun to walk around!

YUM! Crab and corn bisque in a sourdough breadbowl...holy smokes.

Love this place & the sourdough animal loaves!

We visited here at least three times, once for sundaes!

Cable Car Ride

Got off at Lombard Street

Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge

Took an awesome walk through Muir Woods!

Standing in a tree, no biggie.

Stopped at Muir Beach Overlook - amazing!

First time at the Pacific

The west coast is just beautiful!

Steven had games all the way until Saturday but we flew back to Dulles on Thursday and headed to Norfolk on Friday.

I stopped at the Premium Outlets in Williamsburg and got a pair of norts for $5 (no joke) and some adorable chino crops at J. Crew in a periwinkle color. I can't wait to wear them :)

I searched for Ocean Palm to celebrate Lunch with Lilly!

They ran out of the free frog rings, but I did get lip gloss!

I bought an organizational bin to hold scarves, another market tote and the reusable sandwich/snack bag for the summer :)

We had dinner at one of our favorite restaurants - Dockside - for James' last hoorah before he left on Sunday. Drinks and laughs all around!

Our Nan (Dad's mom) came with us.

The ice cream cake we got at Harris Teeter & I somewhat struggled to write on...and yes, that is supposed to be a boat.

I don't think cake decorator is in my future.

I'll stick with cupcakes!

I was sad to come home, but thankfully this sweet face was waiting for us when we got back!

We've never left her for more than a weekend...it was weird!

I took a lot of pictures on my other camera but I feel like this is a sufficient sampling :)

Overall, it was a great trip but had a bittersweet ending. James (my brother) left on Sunday for a seven month deployment. He is aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise (CVN 65) and this is the ship's final deployment before it gets retired! So while it is a significant thing to be a part of, we are certainly going to miss him.

Please keep all of them in your prayers!

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

xoxo,

Guest Post: Katie from His Diamond and Mine

Hi there everyone! My name is Katie and I blog over at His Diamond and Mine! I am so excited to be guest blogging for Sarah today. Her and I actually met last summer when our boys played summer ball together, and then I ran across her blog! Small world, right? 

{that's me and my man!}

Today I am hear to talk about Spring Break, but unfortunately, not the kind where you sit on the beach soaking up the sun...I am here to talk about the kind where you don't go anywhere. Womp, womp, womp.

This year is the first time in college I have gone on a Spring Break trip, so I am all too familiar with staying at home. At times, I wanted to pull my hair out, but never fear...I have found ways of making Spring Break both entertaining and productive, even when you are at home. 

1. Read, read, read. I know during school, I always wish I had time for leisure reading! Why not read those books over Spring Break that you have been eyeing? For me, I plan on attacking the Hunger Games series that everyone is raving about! 

2. Hang out with your family & your pets too! Don't lock yourself in your room and stay on your computer all day {I am very guilty of this!} Go out to lunch with your parents, take your dog for a walk, or make dinner for the fam! They love having you home, so enjoy the time with them too!

{I love seeing my puppies when I go home, excuse their devil eyes from the flash!}

3. Make something! We all love "pinning," so why not bring some of our favorites to life?! Here are a few things I have been dying to make/bake via Pinterest:

4. Whatever your heart desires! I tend to forget that Spring Break is ME time. I can do whatever I want! If that means sleeping in until 12 pm, so be it! This is the week to avoid the stress of school, work and whatever else you have on your plate. 

Live it up, no matter where you spend it!

Guest Post: Whitney from The Observant Turtle

Hi everyone! I am so happy that I'm able to guest blog for Sarah while she's away.

Just a little info about me before we get started, my name is Whitney and I recently moved to Houston, TX with my hubby and fur-baby. I just started blogging a few months ago and I love it so far!

All of the warm weather here in Houston is making me think about one of the things I love (and dread) most... swimsuit season.

There are so many cute swimsuits out now and I wanted to share with y'all some of my favorites.
**I love patterned tops and plain bottom, so that's why most of these are tops.**

Target: $14.99

How adorable is this color? With the golden embellishment, this is the perfect bandeau top.



Target: $19.99

I have to admit something to you: I got a push-up bathing suit last summer and it's one of my favorite things ever! This top comes in like a million different colors, but I love this turquoise.




J. Crew: $125

Can you tell I love stripes? I'm not usually a fan of a one piece but it's too cute!



J. Crew: $50

I'm not a fan of bathing suits that you constantly have to adjust and keep from riding up. These briefs are just right for cannon balls!


J. Crew: $150

How sexy is this one piece?! It look more like the top of an evening gown than a bathing suit.



Victoria's Secret: $42 top, $32 bottom

Animals prints never go out of style. This suit comes in multiple prints/colors and is a great deal!


What are your favorite bathing suit styles?

Thanks to Sarah for letting me guest blog for her!
I had so much fun doing this post; I want to lay out now!