Holiday Season 2014

I am well aware that I am a bit behind schedule, but I wanted to share some of my favorite moments from this holiday season with my family and friends! 

I hope yours was just as wonderful!

Halloween 2014

my two ninja turtles and a baby ruth! 

Thanksgiving 2014

              syd                                                                                                daddy and me 

just a few of the hazlegrove clan 

Black Friday Fun

Decorating my House/Christmas Parade

Decorating my Pop-pop's train tree 

that is now at my house.

Work Christmas Party

Christmas with the Family

Ready to go see the lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.

I was my own date... :) 

Christmas eve service at church

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the family that puts the "fun" in dysfunctional!

xoxo

Books on Queue

Since I am teaching full time now and still working on my masters degree there has been zero time for pleasure reading in my life. Which is terribly sad because I love to read! I have quite a few books piling up on my bookshelf just waiting to be cracked. Here are just a few of the suggestions that have been made to me that I thought I would pass on to you. 

If you like Harry Potter/Divergent/Twilight go ahead and pick this series up! 

This is the book I am currently working on. I absolutely adore this series and can't believe I am half way through the last one. I am SO SAD!

Here are a few of the lonely books just watching me from my shelf, hoping they will get read soon.

I got this one for my nook so I can save a little room in my purse! 

Do you have any other suggestions for me/what have you read lately?

xoxo

Old Navy Winter Haul

Remember how I said I should be a sales rep for Old Navy? I wasn't kidding y'all! 

here is my Cyber Monday (Sunday) 40% off winter haul...

-V cutout shift dress in Bluetiful- $36.94

-fair isle sweater in Red- $30.00

-3/4 sleeved ponte dress in Blackjack- $22.97

-Ponte knit circle skirt in Gray Heather- $19.00

-Fold over jersey skirt in Black- $10.00

-Quilted jacket in Into the Deep- $39.97

-Rollover waist jersey lounge pants in Into the Deep- $19.94

Is there anything else that you have had your eye on at Old Navy?

My first week of Teaching

Alright y'all, it's over... my first week of teaching is in the books and it couldn't have gone any better! I love my students and all of their differences. I am so excited to take you on this journey with me and my kids. 

First, I thought I would share a few of the outfits from my first week of school.

p.s. I'm an Old Navy freak... it's practically the only thing I teach in. oops. 

maroon sweater- old navy

kahki boyfriend crop uniform pants- old navy

nude flats- forever 21

bracelets- alex and ani, the other was a gift 

pink oxford- ralph lauren

cream vest- old navy

navy chinos- american eagle outfitters

sperrys-sperry

navy and red striped tunic- old navy

kahki uniform pants- old navy 

navy toms- TOMS

scarf- monogrammed pashmina 

Black boat neck top- old navy

necklace- a gift

jeans (JEAN DAY!)- flirt cut from old navy

aviators- vera bradley (discontinued)

Stay tuned for pictures of my classroom after my momma and "school mom" helped me decorate and set up!

xoxo

Yoobi

Hey y'all! It's been a while... I've just been so busy with my big news.

I GOT MY FIRST PERMANENT TEACHING JOB!

I have taken a position as a Multiple Disabilities Special Education Middle School Teacher and will be starting November 17th. (so soon!)

So on that note I have been stocking up on my favorite thing in the world, school supplies! It's fun being a teacher because the joy of new school/office supplies never ends. As I was in target the other day making my list and checking it twice I came across a new brand of supplies. 

Time to listen up: Yoobi is the name and philanthropy is their game! As a teacher I am always looking for new ways to serve my community and give back to the babies that I teach. This brand is a one for you, one for them brand, it doesn't get much cooler than that folks. The colors of the supplies are adorable and gender neutral. To make things even better, everything is super duper cheap! Great supplies at great prices, oh holla!

Here is the site: Yoobi

They have started to sell this brand at Target!

xoxo

go shopping and get ready to give back a bit 

fall capris

As a teacher I have a pretty large obsession with chinos. They are so practical and modest for my work environment. This year I decided that I would need some fall colors to make sure I transition seasons seamlessly. Here are the colors I decided on. I can't wait to start posting some outfits for y'all.  

pictured:

Old Navy Boyfriend Skinny Khakis in Knight Time, Go Pinot Go, and Teal next Time. 

What is your favorite fall staple?

uh oh, empty!

I have a love-hate relationship with running out of things. On one hand I get to try new products since the old ones are gone, on the other some of these things are my favorites! Here are three things I just ran out of and wanted to share with you. 

1. Bath and Body Works 3-wick candle: Honeysuckle- Y'all... this candle is serious to die for. It is the perfect amount of scent for a room in the spring time. There is nothing like the smell of taking a walk and finding a patch of honeysuckle, and this candle makes you feel that way every time you enter the room! 

2. Biotin supplement- I'm sure a lot of you ladies have jumped on the bandwagon with me in Biotin use, but if you haven't run, skip, fly (however you want) to the store and pick yourself up a bottle. This stuff has been a life saver lately. Bad hair cut and need it to grow out? no problem... biotin helps. Need stronger nails? no big thing... biotin helps. Your skin looking extra tired lately? we've all been there... biotin helps. Okay, rant over. 

3. Bath and Body Works Foaming Soap: blushing mimosa- mmm, this stuff smelled incredible. Although, I saved this bottle for a long time before using it so I'm not even sure it is a scent they carry anymore. But boy, did it smell fantastic. 

What products have you just run out of?

good morning playlist

Ever have those mornings where you just know that getting ready is going to be close to the worst thing to happen to you. (a bit dramatic I know) But really, we have all had those mornings. I thought I would give you a few of my favorite songs to get me up and groovin' in the morning. P.S. always start with "Good Morning" by the beautiful Mandisa... it's the perfect way to look yourself in the mirror and say, "yepp, gonna kick this day's butt!"

What are your morning pump-up songs?
xoxo

fall outfit ideas

According to this gorgeous weather we are having, fall is approaching faster than we thought! Why not be prepared with a few easy outfit ideas. Put these outfits on hangers and tuck them away in your closet for those mornings when you wake up late. You'll look put together, even though we all know you are just lucky to be functioning without your PSL (pumpkin spice latte) in hand. 

what are some of your fall outfit go-to's?

xoxo

new food: Buger Bach

New Food: Burger Bach, RVA

As some of you may know by now I am working through my first 101 in 1001 list and one of my challenges is to eat at 10 new restaurants. This is proving to be a lot of fun, because who doesn't love food and new adventures?  Last week I got to experience a place my sister and her husband have been raving about for about a year now; Burger Bach in Richmond, Virginia. If you like trying new things on your burger and out of this world fries... this is the place for you! 

I have to say, I love a good beer! They have a great beer list, everything from local to pretty far away! I decided to go with the Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro from Longmont, Colorado... wow, if you like a good stout please go in search of this bad boy.

\Well folks, they were right... this place is phenomenal. Probably the best burger I've ever had. I got the "Original" and added a fried egg, because I love a good fried egg on my burger. 

Tips to the wise: 

1. fries come in a pretty big bowl, share one with a friend if you aren't too hungry.

2. They waitress/waiter will ask "pink or no pink" for the way you want your burger cooked, say pink! (so yummy) 

easy sides: potatoes

This is a pretty random post on my part, but I thought I would share my love of yummy sides. Lately, I have been on a potato kick. Its been fun to play around with the different ways to make them. Here are three of the ways I've made potatoes as a side in the past month: Baked potato with cheese and butter, rosemary garlic potatoes, parsley and butter potatoes. 

Rosemary Garlic Potatoes

Gather: sea salt, rosemary, evoo, black pepper, and garlic powder

Wash and cut up a large potato, put a sheet of tin foil on a baking sheet, in a bowl mix together a couple tablespoons of evoo and a couple shakes of each of the spices. put the potatoes into the bowl and mix with your hands, then spread them out on the baking sheet. 

Baked Potato with Butter and Cheese

So my roommate has one of these babies, and it is no joke! I love this thing... wash a potato, stick it in the bag, stick the bag in the microwave for four minutes and viola! Baked potato... add lots of butter and cheese! :)

Parsley and Butter potatoes

This is a side my mother use to make for a lot of our meals growing up... I love these things. They are so simple. Wash a bunch of red potatoes and cut them in half, boil them for about 10-15 minutes, drain them, add half a stick of butter and chopped parsley... done! 

adult slumber party

This weekend I was able to spend some much needed time with my best friend. We had tons of fun breaking in her new apartment with a good old fashion sleepover! As always, she spoiled me rotten. She stopped by LUSH before our night together and grabbed up some of the best dessert I've ever tasted from Shindigs. Here are a few pictures from our time together, and I will make sure to review both of the LUSH products soon. 

The soap sample and face mask she lovingly picked up for me at LUSH

Painting nails and stuffing our faces with peanut butter pie

Face Mask: Feeling Beautiful Avocado & Oatmeal

You may remember my past post about picking up two new face masks over the summer. Well, I've been loving both of them and wanted to follow through with my promise to review the second mask. This bad boy is a clay mask made with avocado and oatmeal... yes, it smells like you should eat it! Oh, and one more thing about this mask, it's super cheap (can't beat that).

I love the smell and the texture of this clay mask. It is made for deep cleaning and purifying pores, and boy does it do the trick! My face has had significantly less acne attacks since I began using this mask. 

Silly mud mask faces always make things a bit more fun. 

I even used this mask twice at the beach to make sure none of the sand and grime was setting up shop in my pores. It made my face look great for the entire week. 

What mud/clay mask is your go to?

xoxo

Summer Favorites

Wow! Summer is over and I have already been back at school for a week... Since September begins tomorrow I suppose this is a better time than ever to fill you in on my summer favorites.

Beauty

1. Feeling Beautiful Face Mask (Avocado & Oatmeal) & (Charcoal & Black Sugar): I have been switching it up between these two killer face masks all summer long to make sure my face stays deep down clean and smooth. The Avocado & Oatmeal is the perfect mud mask for revitalizing a tired face, while the Charcoal scrub/mask is excellent for reaching deep down and sweeping out your pores. 

2. Australian Gold Sunscreen: I do need to fill you in on a secret... I have never been much of a sunscreen user, oops! I know, I know. Until I was 18 I can truly say I never got a sunburn (I have a lot of native american blood in me). But fun fact for all you ladies, if you use birth control [it makes you more susceptible to sun] you better be slathering on the sunscreen! I now have to reapply every two hours and make sure I don't miss any spots so this great lotion was my best friend this summer. Oh, and it smells great!

Fashion & Jewelry

3. Black Bikini: I am a firm believer in the classics, especially when it comes to my bathing suit selection. Black bottoms are my staple. If I am feeling fun and crazy i'll add a bright colored top. This summer I went with a black push up top and black basic cut bottoms from target! I can't tell you how great this bathing suit looks on most every body type.

4. Alex and Ani Autism Bracelet: Even though I picked my bracelet up a little late in the summer I still think it qualifies. I am obsessed y'all. As you already know, I am a future special educator and have autism in my family. Any chance I get to deepen my obsession for my passion, I jump on it. This bracelet is classic and beautiful and I fell in love the first time I saw it.

Snacks

5. Donut House Chocolate Glazed Donut K-cup: How self-explanatory is that... Who doesn't want their morning coffee to smell like you just got to Dunkin Donuts while they are still baking the next batch!?
(I added in a bit of Irish Cream creamer as to not add any other flavors)

6. Snapeas Crisps (lightly salted): You caught me, I couldn't keep my hand out of the bag! Good thing they are low in calories and a pretty darn healthy snack choice. These were great to munch on while laying out on the beach.

Technology & Instagram

7. #30daysofhappy instagram challange: You may have already read my post about this challenge, but seriously ladies you should join in! It really makes you think about the little things that make you happy every day. 

8. G-Pop Speaker: When it comes to my family most people would describe us as music obsessed. My younger sister got this little gadget for Christmas last year, and it hasn't gone a day without serious use. It was perfect for playing family favorites out on the beach this summer. Though it may be little, it puts out some quality sound. 

Top Song

9. Chandelier (covered by-Allyson Ryan & Tye James): As if this song wasn't already brilliant done by Sia, it was hit out of the ball park by these two YouTube artists. I am always looking for fun and unique takes on my favorite songs and I now want to marry Tye James' voice! Check it out here: Chandelier

Place

10. Charleston, South Carolina: My family and I really enjoy going to Edisto Island in South Carolina for our family vacations. Edisto is about 45 minutes outside of Charleston, so of course we make a day trip each year. I can't express how much love I have for this fabulous place. Mark my words, I will live on rainbow row someday.