It’s Monday but who cares? Ha! Just kidding! It’s my first Monday of summer if you don’t count Memorial Day. To those still in school, I am deeply sorry. I am linking up today with Sarah and Holly to share my weekend.
I’m going to start with Thursday evening and a spontaneous happy hour with Mason at Noche. I had plans that fell through and Mason had later plans so at around 6:00 we enjoyed chips and queso with chorizo in the cool restaurant that is a renovated church…
And, we both tried the hibiscus paloma and it was really good!
And, Friday was my first pool day at Erica’s country club…
The clouds were really something and there was a rainbow kind of thing but it hadn’t rained…can you see it?
We had lunch there and had a salad with grilled chicken and shared some truffle fries…
Remember how I said I really liked the High Noon tequila? Well, Truly has jumped on board with tequila seltzers, too. I haven’t seen them in stores, but her club had them.
Ok, now it felt like summer! I went home around 5:00 and actually cooked dinner that I had partially prepped in the morning.
Saturday I had to run some errands. I want to try to do most of them on weekdays in the summer, but my timing hadn’t worked out this week. Dollar Tree has great cards at 50 cents each. How can you pay $5 a card? They had lots of graduation and Father’s Day cards.
Did you know they also have gift cards now?
I also went to Aldi for the first time in a long time.
We had a grad party and a housewarming party to attend and I took cards and gift cards to the grad party and this Mason jar with hydrangeas to the housewarming. I didn’t take any photos at either party, so this hydrangea is the only proof that we went.
It was rainy and cool most of the weekend and I read a lot of my current book:
Proof of our weather:
We had friends joining us on the boat Sunday, but the weather wasn’t great and they decided to come another time. Tom, Eddie Otis, and I still went out and it drizzled a bit but it turned out to be pretty nice the whole time we were out!
We usually get the spinach salad with salmon when we eat on the boat.
Right after we ate, the weather looked like it was going to turn so we high tailed it in and missed the rain.
For dinner, I made BLTs, loaded baked potatoes, and corn on the cob.
It’s Friday and I am coming down off of the school year adrenaline. My devotional yesterday was about rest. “God commanded rest for mankind”. Sometimes when I hear my friends talk about feeling guilty for not being productive I respond that maybe they need to rest. I know I need to! So, for my first two days off I didn’t do a whole lot.
I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika for Friday Favorites today.
Here we go…
We took the boat out again on Monday and it was gorgeous. Eddie Otis was the perfect boat dog again! Boating is always a favorite!
On Tuesday, I returned to work and it was ok.
I packed up and cleaned my classroom, but my room is being used for summer school so I didn’t go too crazy. I wanted the teacher to have what she needs.
Before that, though, we had a department breakfast and then went to our last faculty meeting.
Even though it’s sad, it’s always a favorite to wrap up a school year and feel that sense of accomplishment.
After my work day, Eddie Otis and I chilled on the patio and then one kid did the Kroger pick up for the family and put everything away and one kid came to help me at the vet with EO. It was really nice because Tom is really busy at work and it wasn’t the best time for him to leave early to do the vet. I could have handled it alone, but it’s really easier to have someone help. We go back in three weeks for the last of the puppy shots! Yay!
Having kids this age is really a favorite.
I love seltzers in the summer. I found a new favorite at Kroger. Truly has a pack (should have taken a photo of the box) with cherry lime, peach tangerine, lemon blueberry, and pineapple cranberry.
Mason loves French toast and I made him some with Trader Joe’s challah. It’s so good!
And, the TJ’s peonies have made me happy all week. They’ve opened up so beautifully! Yes to fresh flowers in the house!
I’ve also loved the body wash and body butter. Someone asked what it smells like and I just think it smells summery and pleasant. I guess it smells like bum bum cream but I don’t have any right now to compare.
I found this at Kroger and took a chance. It’s so good!
I found this set of press ons a long time ago at TJ Maxx and used half of the set. These were the leftovers that I combined with a plain white set. I really like this for summer.
I placed a fun Old Navy order. I got t-shirts that say East Coast and West Coast that were on sale for $7.49. I’m really into graphic tees right now.
And, I got two pairs of linen shorts that were $14. 99. I got the blue and white stripe below and the floral print in the next photo below.
I hadn’t bought nicer shorts (not cut offs or lounge/athletic) in a long time so I thought these would be nice for dressing up a bit. I would say they run true to size.
I saw this come up on Facebook. There is a new term “sharenting”. It’s so hard to share my life without talking about my kids because they are such a big part of it. I do think some parents need to take a pause before sharing too much. At the very least, it’s a conversation to have with your kids at a certain age – both about what you share and about what they share. Maybe have a waiting period to see if you still think you should share it? I can see that some of my students like their parents to share on social media because that shows their pride and love, but some are sharing really personal stuff.
I found myself watching a House Hunters (love!) with a real estate agent who also takes her ventriloquist dummy along and has him help in sharing the homes’ details. I thought I got a photo when I screenshotted, but I guess not. Look what they titled it! Anyone looking for a home in Montgomery, AL? Would you use a real estate agent with a dummy? Ha! I think I would be scared off! Those dolls creep me out!
And, a definite favorite is seeing Tom so happy to have a pup in his life. This is them playing after dinner:
And, captaining the boat together last weekend.
As much as I am a dog person, Tom is really a dog person. But, this summer I think Eddie Otis is going to be my little shadow. True story – he got in the shower with me yesterday. I just let him stay since it was a quick no-shampoo shower. No boundaries!
What were your favorites this week? I hope you had many!
It’s Thursday and time to share what I have been wearing along with Kellyann and Jill.
Let’s go back to last Wednesday for my first ‘fit. I wanted to dress up a bit for senior walk. My goal since Spring Break had been to wear all my dresses and as many spring and summer pieces as I could without repeating. This also would tell me what really DID need to go from my closet after my initial clean out. I think I did pretty well with my outfits and maybe I will go back and do one big post, but maybe I won’t because that sounds like a lot of work.
I love, love, love this Walmart Scoop dress and I am kicking myself for not getting it in the plain black, too. I think that would have come in really handy. I like this shape for me. Anyway, I love the colors and pattern and it has pockets! Don’t worry – I did bring a flat sandal to change into after the walk.
The next day I wore my ON strawberry t-shirt with my J.Crew Factory green skirt from the clearance rack last year. I’m not big on clearance racks because I think you can end up just buying because it’s cheap, but the J.Crew Factory rack is worth checking out when I am in that shopping center.
And Friday was kind of cool and rainy so I wore my Spanish “Vive Feliz” (“Live Happy”) shirt with an old Target cardi and my black gauzy pants for the last day of school.
Can you believe Old Navy had that t-shirt for $5 last year? Gracias, Navy Viejo! Jajaja – that’s Spanish laughter.
And, of course some of my department members and I did what has become our traditional first and last day photos. The two men that are my classroom neighbors even did it – I told them they could send their photo to their wives. I’m always trying to help, you know?
Saturday I got to try out my new cover up. You all NEED this! The fabric is magic! I love it so much. I believe Jennifer found it first? She got it in two colors. You know how I did my cover up post but then really didn’t like any of them anymore or at least for this season? They all felt dated. I am so happy now! I went with white and it really isn’t see through if that matters to you. I have on my new Walmart navy suit underneath.
And, on Tuesday after Memorial Day for my last work day, I wore this new set! I finally, finally, finally (I think I wanted it last year) pulled the trigger on the Aerie Pool to Party gauzy shorts and button up. Y’all know how I have been into all things gauzy! Pretty soon people will call me “Gauzy Amy”! I sized down in the shorts and I sized up in the shirt. To be honest, they didn’t have the size I probably would have picked in the shirt so I hope it doesn’t look too big. They show it worn very oversized on the model. Look at my little photo bomber.
The fabric on this set feels dreamy! I have been wanting a set of some sort and I decided this was my gift to me. I really have not shopped much since March and I’m pretty proud of myself for that.
I know I’m not Aerie’s demographic, but I have said it before and I will say it again. All of my Aerie pieces – maybe 5 items? – are such good quality and wash really well. I reach for my Sunday shorts and my Shell Yeah t-shirt all the time. I also love my Aerie swim suits. So, yes, I guess you could say I’m a fan.
Do you have any thoughts on this week’s collection of ‘fits? What have you been reaching for?
I thought I would do a chatty post today as if you and I are having coffee together. What do you think? I will wait. Go pour that fresh cup and even better if you froth up your creamer. I approve.
Yesterday was the last faculty meeting of the 23-24 school year and I took an emo selfie. Yes, two other Spanish teachers are sitting on either side of me, even though it looks like I am all alone. I’m debating writing a wrap up post on my 30th year but I really feel like I said too many words about this school year already. It was all the things. I loved the kids but the schedule was hard. Lots of things were hard this year, but lots of things were wonderful. See why I am not sure if I should wrap it up or not?
My kids got me this basket for Mother’s Day. They thought I could use it to take things out to the patio – my book, my phone, my candle, and whatever else.
My hydrangea never bloomed last year and I was sad. It’s already blooming this year and it makes me happy. It’s my favorite color of all hydrangeas – a periwinkle blue color. This is really special to me because it came from my childhood home. I think my parents moved from that house when I was 35 so this hydrangea would be 17 years old in my yard at least. My Dad dug it up and then planted it in my yard for me. It didn’t mean that much to me at the time but I thought it was a nice gesture. It has come to be very meaningful to me.
My friend Heather dropped off a piece of cake for me one day last week. It made me so happy. I need to do more of things like this! It was a good reminder that gestures don’t have to be crazy big and that the small things are really, really nice.
My kids made dinner for us last week, too. They did it all – the recipe finding, the Kroger shopping, and the cooking. It was a stir fry. It was really sweet in my last full week of school. They plan to do it again soon.
I’ve been drinking green tea and I really like it. I
If you are a tea drinker and don’t have an electric kettle, you need one!
This Facebook memory popped up of my kids in our hammock. I love this picture.
As you are reading this I am making an egg casserole for my department for our last teacher work day. We are having a catered Mexican lunch with the whole school, but we decided to do a potluck breakfast, too, just for our department. There are eight people in my department – six Spanish teachers, one French teacher, and one Japanese teacher. We have 3 men and 5 women. Why am I giving you all these details? I really don’t know! Maybe because I like details!
Let’s talk about my boat bag, specifically today. I will also tell you how I adjust when I go to the pool.
I have had my Bogg bag for many years and I got it when they were so popular and I couldn’t really choose my color. I ended up with orange which was fine. It is quite heavy. I like it for the boat because it remains upright and it’s really sturdy. We can wedge it next to the cooler and it stays put.
I usually don’t need to bring towels on the boat because we keep a Rubbermaid container of towels under a seat, but of course I have to take them home and wash them and bring them back.
The Bogg back in the back of my car:
I love this Igloo bag I found at Target last year. It holds several seltzers and then I put it down into the Bogg bag. Also, you can see the two boxes of seltzers. I like to buy it room temperature and then put in the cooler or the fridge as needed.
Pro Tip:
Keep your phone in the pocket so it doesn’t get overheated.
I keep my sunscreens in this cute palm leaf bag. But, I always apply my first coat of sunscreen at home while looking in the mirror. And, I always use lotion and not spray for this application. I save the spray type for re-application once I’m out. I hate getting burned with a passion so I am very serious about this. I don’t want to spray in the house and I also don’t think you get as good of coverage.
You know what I also really hate – burned lips. I don’t want lip injections that badly! I need to buy a new one, but I really love the tinted balms with sunscreen, like this on one the right.
Did you know that Trader Joe’s has a dupe for the Super Goop product? It goes on so smoothly. But, I also got this e.l.f. product in my Ipsy bag (I no longer have a subscription) and it gives you a really nice glow! Sometimes I put minimal makeup over the face sunscreen and sometimes I don’t.
My sister in law taught me this trick. Never leave home without a spray bottle for when you get hot and don’t want to/can’t get in. It’s very effective.
Other things that are always in my boat bag:
paper plates, napkins, and plastic utensils that I save from take out
a book
baby wipes (they come in really handy)
my purse pouches (one contains bandaids (we also keep a first aid kit on the boat), ibuprofen, hand sanitizer, eye drops, anything I carry in my purse usually – I throw in my little pouches)
my keys and wallet
extra sunglasses – I can’t read with my prescription sunglasses on because I am near sighted
extra cover up – this has come in handy when my first cover up has gotten too wet
snacks
phone chargers stay on the boat so we always have them
If I am going to the pool, I choose my L.L. Bean bag or another lighter weight bag. I like to bring two towels for the lounge chair. Both of the pools I go to let you use a float and I am in the market for a new one. Let me know if you have a good suggestion! But, other than that, I keep most of the other items just in case. I am very much a “girl scout” or a worst case scenario person and I like to be prepared.
I always start off a little rusty – forgetting what I need to include!
What did I forget? What do you always have in your boat/pool bag? Any bag recommendations for my readers?
Let us not forget why we are off work today. We use today as the unofficial start of summer, but it’s also a holiday for a reason – to honor and remember those who served.
I thought I would go ahead and share some weekend highlights and then anything else I do I will share on Friday for Friday Favorites. I am linking up with Sarah and Holly if they host their link up today.
I’m going to start with Friday morning before school…
I love sitting on my covered patio on a workday or an off day. I think getting outside early in the day really affects my mood.
Friday was the last school day with students of my 30th year! How is that even possible? I’m not that old! Of course I had to take the traditional photo. It was kind of a sad day saying bye to my students. Some asked to take pics with me which was so sweet. I think some kids are truly sad to see the year come to an end.
Happy Hour! Erica and I went to Boombozz and our old French teacher friend Elizabeth came, too. She is now in another field of work.
Friday night, Tom and I made sure the boat battery was charged up and we let this little guy go for a swim…
Labs and water! It’s so natural to them. It’s still pretty amazing to see a little guy swim so well, though. Tom pretty much has Eddie Otis on the old Ernie program as far as routines go. We miss Ernie, of course. This weekend made us nostalgic for all the good memories we made with him.
Saturday was our first boat outing of the season and Eddie Otis got to experience it for his first time.
He was so good! He wasn’t crazy and tolerated his lifejacket really well. He had to wear it the whole time. We stayed out for about 4 hours, too!
We took some friends and stopped at Captain’s Quarters for lunch.
Sunday I finally made it to Trader Joe’s for the body wash, body butter, and peonies!
I had lots of reading time this weekend and I’m thoroughly enjoying my new Sarah Adams book.
Lots of puppy snuggles this weekend happened, too. Sometimes I think he is such a baby and other times he just seems like a miniature big dog. That made no sense, probably!
And, I finally got to take the photos I wanted to take. Since my kids didn’t graduate at their college but at a big arena, we didn’t get the photos on campus.
We went to eat at Waldo’s Chicken and Beer after that and we had Eddie Otis with us and he hung out under the table while we ate.
And, those are the highlights! We didn’t have the best weather this weekend. Friday and Saturday we had some rain and yesterday we had some storms with crazy strong winds. We were spared, but we saw lots of damage when we went out late in the afternoon. I hope you all were safe and spared from the storms, too.
It’s Friday! I am linking up with Andrea and Erika for the fabulous Friday Favorites link up!
Screenshot
Today is the last day of the 2023-2024 school year! I still have to work a full day on Tuesday, but I shouldn’t have much to do by then. We will have a meeting and a program to say farewell to retiring teachers and a lunch donated by the alumni association. I can’t believe we’re here and I also can’t believe it took so long to get here. Ha! That’s how it always goes, I think.
Here are some favorites from my week. Did you have a good week? I hope you also had many favorites.
Wednesday was “senior walk” where the seniors are led by a drumline and can give notes, flowers, and candy to their teachers and the underclassmen. I taught about 60 seniors this year and got some really sweet notes (my fave!). The notes are what I save and what mean so much to me at the end of the day. I also got a really cool Swig cup that looks very Mexican art-inspired and a cute little vase of flowers, and a pouch with beauty products. So cute!
I was glad the walk happened during my planning period. I got to sit and read all of my notes and think back on the memories made with this group.
It was a weird week, too. We had school on Monday (without seniors), then Tuesday was a teacher day because it was primary election day. I went home for lunch and went to the library and to Target before I had to be back. I got a Starbuck’s passion tea lemonade and hadn’t had one in years.
At the end of the work day, I went home and got Eddie Otis because several staff had wanted to meet him. He was a total ham and then got to see where the magic happens. He sat in Paco’s desk because Paco has been making fun of his long tongue and telling me that my puppy was abnormal.
The students were made that he came in on a non-student day.
Aunt Molly (my sis) sent a funny toy that EO loves!
On the food front this week – I did my last two meal prep lunches Monday and Wednesday! So.tired.of.packing.lunch! Ha! Erica requested sub in a tub and pizza bowls – easy. The pizza bowl was also a dinner. By the way, I am going to make a lunch list for summer of easy go to meals.
One night for dinner we had Greek bowls with Greek potatoes.
My breakfast has been some variation of eggs and Amylu chicken breakfast sausage links from Costco. This day I added spinach and cottage cheese. By the way, Good Culture is the most delicious cottage cheese. Have you tried it?
I am happy to report that my beloved Donna Karan Cashmere Mist deodorant is working as the temps heat up. I was in Ulta last weekend and I wanted to share that they have an aluminum free. This stick smells divine and lasts forever, in my opinion. Also, do you know about Ulta’s incredible return policy? I returned three items that I didn’t like and got my money back. You just have to have your phone number on file with them. I know some love Sephora, but Ulta is easier for me. It’s located in my favorite outdoor mall and easier to get to and less overwhelming than Sephora in my opinion.
Ok, my reading life has improved. I’m usually able to read for a bit after school after I play with my puppy. He sits and stares at the backyard happenings or falls asleep and I read a bit before starting dinner.
This is so cute! It would be a great summer read!
And, look what was ready for me at the library!
Sarah Adams would be a great summer reading author if you have yet to discover her.
I personally don’t like super scary books, science fiction, fantasy, dystopian novels, and I had my fill of historical fiction for awhile with all the books I read about WWII. I did love The Hunger Games and I love Sally Hepworth, but I wouldn’t call her books super scary. I like good stories, romance, funny dialogue, and good chick lit. If you are like me, the above books will probably fit the bill for you. I also love non-fiction books about finance, self-help, life hacks, and stuff like that.
Eddie Otis helped me do the Kroger pick up one day this week.
Hi Mom!
He doesn’t really “swim” in his baby pool. He walks in circles and drinks.
Cute boy:
Yes, my camera roll is now mostly my puppy!
I really need to get to Trader Joe’s this weekend! I want to get some of these:
And, some of these products! Did you know these are supposed to be a dupe for Bum Bum cream?
I hear it sells out quickly!
I have hardly shopped at all in 2024! For me! Seriously!
I ordered some things that I hope work out:
I finally ordered the Aerie set of gauzy shorts and button up called the Pool-to-Party short and the Pool-to-Party coverup shirt. I wasn’t sure about sizing and one size I considered was sold out. I picked this fun melony pink color.
After my cover up post, I realized I don’t really like/aren’t really my style anymore the cover ups I have. I plan to do another closet clean out as school as I have time. I have been wearing all my spring and summer and now it’s time to weed out again, you know? I may just be getting this in another color!
I have also been unhappy with my sandals selection and Jen did a great post that led me to ordering 3 pairs of sandals! I may not keep them all.
Anyway, I am sure I will do a recent purchases post when I see what works out!
It’s Thursday and that means Fashion Files with Kellyann and Jill!
One day last week I tried blue ON Malibu tee on blue Umgee gauzy pants with my ON cardigan and my last year Target slides:
My helper:
The next day I did my other ON graphic tee with my other pair of Umgee gauzy pants and a green cardigan and my colorful scarf headband that you can’t see very well:
The next day I wore an old LulaRoe pencil skirt with a Target black cotton blouse and my Madewell sneaks:
Again, someone is trying to steal my spotlight!
Friday night for dinner I put this on:
Sunday I wore this because it was so hot:
Monday – one of my gauze tops with old palazzo pants:
And Tuesday was just a teacher day so the gauze came out again but with my “Shell Yeah” t-shirt.
The flip flops are Amazon Essentials and flat as a pancake. I do really like them, but not for a long day of standing on your feet. They were fine for a teacher day.
I’m going into the season with two new suits. I ordered the first on at the end of the summer on major clearance from Aerie for $30.
And, the second is from Walmart for about the same price. I wanted it to be a deeper navy and it is a bit more royal blue. I guess it’s in between the two shades of blue.
For me, it’s all about the cover up that I wear over the suit on the boat or to the pool.
One of my most worn is this black Target gauzy lightweight dress. Did you see my gauze post yesterday? I left this out because it’s in my cover up category of clothing.
This also looks nice enough to wear in a restaurant or a store.
And, I also wear this white Target cover up.
The following I’ve had for years:
I got the above at Target or Kohl’s and I’m talking 10 years old or so.
I have two long coverups. This one is a couple of years old from Amazon:
This is from World Market last year:
After seeing my collection, I must be honest. I still like the first two, but I feel like the rest are dated. I placed an order for this one on Amazon. I plan to keep my eyes open when I get to the brick and mortar stores. I also am considering throwing on one of my oversized button ups. I really like that look for the season.
Don’t settle and make sure you love your cover up. You really only need one, but it will make you feel fabulous when you have to put on that swimsuit.
You are my people if you just sang that title to the tune of song that shall not be named on this blog!
I fell in love with this gauzy fabric a couple of summers ago and want to share my gauze collection. Now, I don’t have links for you, but I want to sing its praises and I know you will see it in each and every retailer!
This first blouse is a consignment find – new with tags. It’s Old Navy and I really like it – especially in the transitional time in late spring and early summer.
This is also a consignment find – J.Crew. I often like to repeat a look in long and short sleeve form. I love a white blouse and think it looks so good with cut offs. You can dress these blouses up or down.
I have three Target Universal Thread dresses from three seasons ago? These have been work horses in my closet. I got the white one in a size larger because white.
I wear the black the most and most recently wore it to graduation.
I love this yellow Walmart Scoop dress! I have worn this a bunch.
I love my two pairs of Umgee pants. I got one at a local boutique and one off of Amazon.
The blue ones can give you the look of jeans but in a cooler fabric, too, I think.
Here is a recent school outfit I put together:
And another:
This Chico’s skirt was $5 on the clearance rack a few winters ago.
Will I buy more gauze? I can assure you I will! Do you have any gauze?
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 