Lists

Let’s go with a bulleted list today, shall we?  I just don’t have it in me to write paragraphs.

1.  My CT (cooperating teacher) was absent today – no big deal – so I did all of her lessons.  The teaching part of the day went really well.  Would you believe that on the first day she isn’t there we have a fire drill, a nose bleed, and two kids that threw up?!  Wow.  Tomorrow is Friday.
2.  I must have some comfortable shoes.
3.  Della’s birthday party is this weekend!  I cannot wait!
4.  The end of the year is way too close.  When I break it down by weekends (which is how I always schedule), I feel like it will be here tomorrow.
5.  I saved my one Coke of the day for after school.  *sigh*  Combine that with some popcorn and wedding shows and Friends reruns…perfect.  Also, tomorrow is Friday.
6.  I have got wedding fever so bad right now!  I want to do everything…right now!
7.  I may have an actual fever before I get out of student teaching…did I mention that we had two throw up just today?  That makes three in two days!  I’m going to buy Airborne…soon.
8.  I’ve been hungry all week.  I’m sure it has something to do with the fact that I’m actually working and thus working up an appetite, but it’s no bueno.
9.  Tomorrow is Friday.
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Who says pictures have to be related to the post?

Talking

     I made it.  Yesterday was my first day of student teaching, and I am so excited about it!  If the other day was any hint, I was extremely nervous about all of this.  After being in the school all day (and talking to my field placement coordinator and my supervisor), I’m leaning toward okay now.

As excited as I am, I can’t think too much about how I’m almost done, because it’s kind of sad for me!  That’s kind of a huge deal…this time two years ago, I would have run across the stage, snatched my diploma, and kept going.  I’ve been in such a great place for the past few semesters, and it’s really starting to sink in that I’m not coming back after Christmas.  I am so ready for the next stage in life, and I’m surprised that this is hard for me…but what can you do, right?

I know this isn’t the most literary thing you've ever read, and I don’t have a single picture to make it cute, but some days you just have to talk for a minute.  Today was one of those days.

Look at You

     Maybe you don’t know this about me, but I wear glasses…sometimes.  My vision is pretty good, but when I started squinting at everything my senior year of high school, I knew something had to be done.

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     I made my trip to the eye doctor, looked in those giant machines, and made up a few answers to the standard vision test (seriously…who can read all of those letters?).  A few weeks later, I have my new eyeglasses, and am still in total shock as to how much glasses cost.  Let’s be honest, it’s almost four years later, and I’m still in shock.
     If you are on the hunt for a new pair of glasses, stay tuned because I am about to rock your world!  The next time you’re at the eye doctor’s office and they try to direct you to their little glass cases after the appointment, you feel free to just tell them politely, “No, thank you,” and take your eyeglasses prescription to GlassesUSA.com.
     Over at GlassesUSA.com, they know how to take care of you!  They offer an incredible variety of high quality frames and lenses, and a 110% lowest price guarantee.  Need prescription sunglasses?  No problem.  They have those as well.  As if all of that isn’t enough, they also offer a shareable virtual mirror feature so that you can see which glasses work best for you.

 

     Since I’ve been blogging, I have loved learning about new products and companies, and this one is no exception!  The next time I need glasses (which may be pretty soon!), I will definitely be looking at GlassesUSA.com.  With cheap glasses staring you right in the face, how could you even consider the alternative?  

But wait, there’s more!

     GlassesUSA is offering some incredible discounts to all you cuties!
For 15% off your entire order amount and free shipping use the code FS15
For 10% off any order of prescription glasses use the code Blog10
     Now march…or type your little selves right over and check out GlassesUSA.com.  If you’re interested, you can also follow along with them on Facebook and Twitter (@GlassesUSA).

Disclaimer:  This post is sponsored by GlassesUSA.com.  All opinions are 100% mine.

Hello, Semester

Here and There

     Have I told you sweeties how much I love you lately?  Well I do!  I am so excited about all of the new faces around here, and it’s been awhile since I’ve introduced myself.  Sooo…that’s what’s on the agenda for today.

I’m Allyson 
in case you haven’t noticed, this is my little slice of the blogosphere.

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This fella is my slice of the manosphere.
We’re getting married on June 22!
How exciting is that?!

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These people are my family.
They’re pretty great.

If you’ve seen any of my past few posts then these pictures probably look familiar.
It’s because I’m terrible at remembering to take pictures…so I reuse.
Sue me.

I’m graduating from college in about three and a half months.
I’m not sure I’m old enough for that…oh well.
On that note, I’m 21.
I still feel like I’m about 16.

I’m sort of an almost blogger.
almost married
almost teacher
almost blogger
almost crafty.

That’s right…I pretend to craft.
I sew…sort of.
I cook…with help.
I bake…never alone.

Mostly, I just hang out and then talk about it for all of you!

If you’ve made it this far, I’m going to assume you’re interested in sticking around.
You can hang out with me here
or here
or here
or here
or here
or here
I hope to see you there!

Heart Sing

     I feel like I’m always telling you about these things I love and never actually showing you.  Well no more.  Things that make my heart sing today (and most days).

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From top left:
(1)  Neon orange flip flops.  Thank you, TJ Maxx clearance!  $8 for shoes that can be seen from space.
(2)  My dorm fridge stocked with Cokes.  I have other things of course, but these little soldiers get me through the day.
(3)  Dry erase boards!  I found these for $0.50 apiece at Walmart!  I got six – definitely going to be using these for a center when I start teaching.
(4)  My shell jar filled!  At the bottom you can see a few of my giant shells – love.
(5)  I love this shirt.  It’s linen and has so many orangey pinky shades!
(6)  Sentence strip (also $o.50 at Walmart) and my pointer…can you tell I’m excited to start teaching?
(7)  This little bucket that housing left in my room.  It’s supposed to be for recycling, but I think I’ll use it to do something cute for school…I could store books in it or make it a center that can be moved around.  The possibilities are endless.

     That’s about it for today, folks.  I’m probably at orientation right about now, so I’ll be sure to let you know how that goes.  In the meantime, we’re at the end of the month again.  You know what that means…sponsor call!  I have several different options available, and I would love to work with you in September.  Shoot me an email for more information!

This Post is More Exciting Than the Title

     Instead of the blasé, gratuitous post vacation photo dump, I thought I would take you sweeties on a little timeline recap.  Let me start by saying that I love the beach probably more than anyone else in the whole world…I’m a vocabulary person, and I don’t even have enough words to tell you what a great time I had. 

Day 1
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Mostly driving.  Eating some incredible peach cobbler on the way at Burris Farm Market.  Learning that Della loves sand…a lot. 

Day 2
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Pictures (in sunglasses because it was way too bright for anything else).  Dinner at King Neptune…so eating way more than I care to admit here.  Just a little glimpse of what it was like – I had bacon-wrapped-crabmeat-stuffed-shrimp.  Yum.  Also, that shirt I’m wearing in the last picture is my new favorite thing!

Day 3
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Snacks on the beach.  Let’s be honest, this was every day.  It was also the end of the snap pea crisps…

Day 4
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Low. Country. Boil.  That’s really all that needs to be said.  (P.S. That’s alligator sausage…just learned that this year.)

Day 5
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The day Della and I went “boating.”  The day my brother-in-law flipped over the boat (with me in it) and we all laughed.

Day 6
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This is by far my favorite restaurant.  They have live music (who play us “Rocky Top” every year) every weekend.  Della was obsessed with the girl playing the bass fiddle…I kind of was too.  How cool is that?

Day 7
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With the exception of the last one, these pictures are too sad to enlarge.  After a week of beautiful weather, a freak storm blew through and totally destroyed our canopies (tent city).  We left them in a mangled heap at the end of the driveway.  On the plus side, Della is clearly a future blogger, and we had great weather for the rest of the day to make up for not having shade.

     Sorry if it took thirty minutes for this page to load!  I couldn’t pare it down anymore, and I love all of these pictures.  Other notes about the week:
          - We saw so many dolphins!  I even saw a cute, little baby one jump all the way out of the water!
          - This was the year of the sand bar.  Every afternoon there were these huge sand bars all up and down the beach that went out really far with water barely up to our ankles.  It was beautiful.
          - It was also the year of the seashell.  I filled up the rest of my shell jar and got seven giant shells!
          - I finally had a chance to wear my neon orange flip flops!  I’m going to have to show them to you very, very soon.
     Now that summer is officially over, I have got to get into school mode quick.  I start student teaching orientation tomorrow!  I’m definitely going to miss summer, but I am so ready for fall (and everything that follows).  Student teaching > graduation > job (hopefully) > wedding planning > WEDDING! 

Pre-Cap

     I’m baaaaaack!  I hope y’all enjoyed my sweet guest posters from last week – so fun.  I more than enjoyed the beach, and will definitely be recapping this week.  Before I do that, I just wanted to say a big fat thank you to all you sweeties! 
     I went totally unplugged for vacation (…is there any other way?), and I was surprised to see so many new faces around here when I got back.  Talk about encouragement!  I have got about a million things going on right now, and I can’t wait to share with all my new friends.  I’m starting my last semester of college this week…and I can’t believe it!  In a few months I’m going to be looking for a real live grown up job, and I still feel like I’m 15.  Wow.  I’m pretty excited though.
     How about a pre-cap?

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*sigh*

Meet Aunie

To round out one of my favorite blogging weeks (and I wasn't even a part of it!), I've got Annelise here.  She has been so kind to share her Just Because Friday with us - I know you'll love it!
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Hello lovely ladies! 
My name is Annelise and I blog over at the little blog called Aunie Sauce.
I'm the girl who is "not." 
NOT a mom. NOT a graphic designer. NOT a gourmet cook. 
So, what am I? 
A 20-something swanky Idahoan who blogs about
faith, personal style, what's on my heart and little daily stories.
I also have a Friday link-up called Just Because Friday.
Let's just say, Aunie Sauce is NOT your average blog.
Even though I've got a whole bunch of not's going on, I did mention I have a link-up on Fridays called "Just Because", right? 
Just Because Fridays began as a way for me to share a photo and a memory from the past, just because
It has since evolved into a "whatever" kind of post... so today we're bringing that whateverness right over here while Allyson is away on vacation.

SPEAKING OF VACATIONS...
I love them.
Love love love them.

In 2006, I had to opportunity to go with a friend and her family to Hawai'i.
They were so generous and treated me to everything.
It was an incredible vacation.


We went to the Big Island and stayed in a beautiful house right on the beach, which was part of the five-star Four Seasons Hualalai.
I was up at 6am going for runs each and every day.
I was spoiled with delicious food.
I went sailing, snorkeling, and swam with a dolphin.

I also got incredibly sunburned and never, ever wanted to go back home to Idaho.
It was then that I knew Hawai'i was my favorite place. Ever.
I've since been back 3 more times.
Oahu with the Boise State cheerleading and football team in '07.
Maui with the family in '08.
And Kauai for fun in '10.

My next trip? 
It'll probably be my honeymoon.
Which will probably be ... this year.
Maybe.
You know why my hair is so big?
It's full of secrets.

So, now that you've seen my favorite vacation,
you should march yourself right on over to my blog
and LINK up for this week's Just Because Friday.

The cool part?
You don't have to be a part of Just Because Friday to link up.
Just enter your name, pick a photo, and link up.
No button grabbing, following, or any of that jazz.
Just come say hi and meet some new ladies!

See you there!

Just Because Friday

Meet Susan

Talk about talent!  Not only is Susan an incredible blogger, but she takes amazing pictures and has such a sweet spirit.  Happy Thursday with Susan!
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Hey guys! I’m so excited to be blogging over here at Cupcakes & Candy Canes today! Love me some Allyson :)

I’m also jealous that she is on vacation this week, and since I don’t get to be on one…I might as well blog about one. If you can’t beat them, join them! Not sure if I used that phrase properly right there-but you get the point.

Many of you don’t know me. But here is a little about me- I’m a master packer. I actually strongly despise it, but since I am ALWAYS on the road I have found that the only way to make packing tolerable is to become really good at it. I pack like I am trying to win a gold medal.

First thing is first...
*Put on some Kesha while you pack. Trust me on this…she’ll get you going.

*This is probably the most important and helpful thing I could tell you-Pack outfits, not clothes. But aren’t those the same thing? Yes. And no. For a while I would throw in a bunch of my favorite jeans, favorite tops, some jewelry, and shoes. Then I would get on vacation and have a bunch of really cute clothes, but wayyy to much…and a lot of times nothing really went together. I started to pick my favorite outfits rather than just my favorite clothes.

Here is a fancy little layout of what I would pack. 

Packing Tips

1. Start from the bottom up. Depending on how many days you are away, you can probably get away with 1-3 pairs of jeans for a week’s worth of outfits. Depending on where you are going (tropical beach our mountains?) you can switch these up between shorts and pants.

2. Next gather some basics. For me, this is usually tanks tops, basic blouses, and some casual tees.

3. Next gather a couple of tops that will bring the outfits together. Cardigans are my go-to and you can wear multiple times with different under shirts to change up the look.

4. Lastly, pick out one or two necklaces or scarves that go with everything. I usually get away with 1- but I’m not a huge jewelry wearer. I also can get away with 3 pairs of shoes (some flip-flops, flats, and maybe a nicer pair of shoes).

Okay…now that you have picked all that out. Lay them out on your bed nicely and do a quick scan. Make sure you can make an outfit for each day with what you have. I showed some possible combinations that you can make with only a few tops. I'm sure I could make a handful more...but I ran out of space, so this is all you get :)

 I usually put socks and underwear all in a zip lock back (and bring an empty to put the dirty ones in after). All of my toiletries go on the outer pocket. That way, IF they leak, you’re not getting eye liner all of your white shirts…and they are easy to access if you need to!

Hope this helps! If not...you have a picture of some pretty clothes to look at until Allyson gets back. Come visit me at Suzels Says!

Meet Megan

Unless you've been living under a rock, you probably know this cutie!  I feel so blessed to have "met" this sweet friend, and I am so excited to have her here.
Meet Megan!

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Hi there friends! My name is Megan and I blog over at Mackey Madness


That's me...and yes, I'm pregnant. That's not just a food gut. : )

Today I'm sharing about my favorite vacation...which just so happens to be our honeymoon trip to Sandals in Jamaica. It was absolutely breathtaking and so fun to be spoiled and pampered a little bit. We had a little house with a pool all to ourselves and a butler for room service. We ate way too much at every single meal and enjoyed massages, bubble baths and picnics together. It was definitely an amazing way to start our life together. 









Now when can we go back??

Thanks for having me, Allyson!!

Meet Daisy

Today I have one of the sweetest ladies here to share some of her fave vacation things.
I know y'all are all going to love Daisy just as much as I do!

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hello Cupcakes & Candy Canes readers, my name is daisy and i blog over at daisy girl. i'm going to be guest posting today while allyson is on vacation. oddly enough i'm on vacation as well. So today i thought i would talk about vacation must haves. here are some of the things that i have to have when i go on vacation....

purse/sun glasses/ shorts/ map/ camera/ fun braid/ bathing suit/ floppy hat

what are some of your vacation must-haves?

Meet Erin

Hello lovies!  As you well know, I am on vacation this week.  While I'm soaking up the sun and sand, I hope you'll hang out with some of my blogging besties.  Seriously...love these ladies.
Take it away, Erin!

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Hello you pretty things.
First things first--my name is Erin and I blog over at Living In Yellow.
A blog that is dedicated to anything that I feel like talking about on that particular day.
Which usually involves some random/awkward/entertaining/meaningless thing.
Yeah. Most definitely meaningless.

Before I begin lets talk about Allyson for a minute.
Oh how happy I am that I met her in this blogging land.
The girl is like the sweetest thing to ever walk the land.
Which may be why her blog is titled "Cupcakes and Candycanes"...I get it.
So thank you Allyson for allowing me to take over your blog for a day.
Your readers however don't thank you.

So now that I confessed how I have a crush on a girl, it would be an appopriate time to tell you that I am married. To a man shockingly enough. He looks like this--which I consider to be a pretty good look.
While we may look normal up above, don't worry-- we aren't.
We have no children because I am 99% sure I would drop those poor babies on their head every other day. Not because I don't like the things, but because of my habit of drinking wine daily. Once I get that habit under control {never} I will consider the whole baby thing. But until then...cheers.


I am not really sure where I am going with all of this. Oh right, I am supossed to be enticing you over to my blog. Which is exactly why I am about to post a nude picture....
And to think you perverts stuck around to see that catastrophe.
I guess you will just have to come over to my blog for that kind of excitement.
Or something like that.
PS. While the majority of my blog is a pile of nonsense, I do write some pretty mean Blogging 101 advice. All of which can be found here. I also have now joined the Vlogging movement. Which happens to be one of the odder movements I've ever joined. I just said odder. Either my spell check is broken or it thinks I am talking about cows right now. Regardless. Come join me.
I'd love to have you little lovers.

Peace out.
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Isn't she fabulous?!  Ever since I discovered her cute, little self, Erin has been one of my go to reads.  I am so glad I got to work with her this month!  If you haven't "met" her yet, get out from under your rock and go check out her blog...right now!
 
P.S. If you're interested in the advertising star treatment like Erin got, feel free to shoot me an email!