Flash

*Images & flash cards by Knock Knock

I currently have the first version of slang flashcards laminated and ready to put up in my classroom.  I find it perfect that this new set of big words has concrete literary references.  With pregnant friends popping up all over someone is bound to be gifted something awesome like this.  Can you tell I have school on the brain?

Crayon decor

*Image via greylikesweddings

If you're going to encourage people to color place mats you've got to provide them with art supplies right?  I'm not sure that there are enough crayons for the entire table, but what a fun way to display them.  I'm in a coloring mood lately, can you tell?

Place mats

*Image & place mats by Cake Vintage Table & Home

When I saw these place mats with color-in, punch-out disguises I felt like a little kid.  I love restaurants that provide paper, crayons and a blank canvas.  I also thought of my friend & cousin who decorated their rehearsal dinner with action figures and whimsy.  They will be celebrating their union again in October and these place mats also reminded me of them.  Disguises and pearls and crayons would be enough to liven up any celebration and would make for memorable photos. Are you a fan of coloring?

Deflated

*Image by Tamie Oldridge

A few years ago when I moved into my classroom I found an old globe in the hallway.  It was on the axis upside-down and was so old that it still had the USSR on the map.  I was glad to flip it and put it in my classroom.  For some reason that globe got some good use, showing kids where Shakespeare was from, where the Greek and Roman myths originated.  I was actually considering making it a part of my office decor at home this summer.  When I packed up my car on the last work day on Friday I thought nothing of it and left my books and my glob and grabbed a late lunch with my co-workers.  The Texas heat amplified by my car combined to cause that cool old globe to burst at the seam.  It looked like it had started to melt and that it was deflating like a balloon.  Poor old globe.  At least it had a good home for two years.  Now I'm wondering if I can find another... Where could I get my hands on a cool classroom staple like this? 

Relax

*Image & card by Two Guitars

Now that we have two furnished patios, I have no excuse not to sit outside and relax.  Yesterday I got to grade papers and read on the front patio while my husband worked away on yet another project.  Hopefully, he'll do more relaxing with me on the week nights.  I love having an outdoor space and right now it's the perfect weather.  Our summer isn't scorching us yet.  Only 8 more days of school and I'll be able to kick it out on the patio that much longer.  How do you relax in the evenings?

Terrarium

*Image & terrarium by Teresa's Plants & More Store

I'm pleased by how our new little garden is growing.  Now I'd like to bring more green inside.  The cat likes to nibble on plant leaves so some of our greenery needs to be out of the way.  This terrarium would be perfect.  I love the vibrant color and textures of the moss.  Growing up my mom had a terrarium and I was always fascinated by it.  This might be my next small house project.  Now I've just got to find a good spot to hang something like this.  Where would you hang a terrarium in your home?

Oh brother!

*Image & print by Fit To Print Designs

Right behind my desk at school I keep a bunch of items and pictures that inspire me while I sit and crunch away at the computer. One is a sticker from my brother that says EARTH, but with the ART featured in red letters flanked by a white E and H.  I heard that this was even the slogan for the California Council of the Arts on Sunday.  Not too bad.  How are you inspired at work?

Surf

*Image by nikon nutt1

Today the big state test comes and scares all of the kids into submission and fear for their future.  Not really.  In order to make my classroom test ready I had to take down or cover every word posted on the walls of my classroom.  This even included the labels on my calendar.  This no-word policy is so staunch that custodians lined the hallways after school covering bulletin boards and even the posted school rules in the corridors.  No words.  Not even the label on the counseling office was safe.  The only poster I have left is of a surfer, that is where I will be casting my far-off glimpses when I am board of pacing the rows of testing students.  I will imagine I am in the ocean of no words.  Where will your boredom take you today?

Display

 

*Image by Ohhh... Mhhh... via Creature Comforts

I'm not planning on hanging magazines on the wall in my house, but now I have a new use for my dry cleaning hangers in my classroom.  I have magazines, but struggle to display them in a way that will entice students to read them.  They flop over on shelves, they get torn and tossed aside when they're not displayed properly.  I think that this will be a hit.  Now I just have to get a few fun new magazines to catch the eyes of my reluctant readers.  Which magazines are your favorites?

Wisdom

*Image & calendar by Messy Bed Studio

I looked my classroom wall the other day and realized that my calendar is still on December and I don't have anything yet to replace it.  Last year a co-worker bought me an awesome calendar for Christmas and this year I totally forgot.  I think that something like this fortune cookie calendar would inspire a few kids.  I try to keep my wall art interesting, any recommendations?

Lit

*Image by my husband

What you can't see in the picture is how close the top of the tree is to the ceiling.  When we saw it on the tree lot I was skeptical that it could actually fit in our house, but after we trimmed it a bit the pointy top no longer bent in contact with the ceiling, and now the star fits much better.  I can't believe that Christmas is only a few days away.  It feels like it crept up on me this year.  Today will be full of baking for me and a few errands to make sure we have everything we need before we settle in.  Are you ready for the holiday?  

Ornament

*Image & ornament by Paloma's Nest

I think that I might just have to buy this.  I'm not really into Christmas ornaments, I'm not sentimental when it comes to my tree, I like it real and simply decorated.  I got a good chuckle out of this, especially because Paloma's Nest just opened a studio/shop in Austin this summer.  Clean, crisp and a little bit witty.  I like it.  This could be a memorable addition to our tree.  Do you have a tree decorating style?

Wrap

*Image by perfectbound

Somehow my husband has this Christmas under wraps.  The other day I went to get my Christmas shopping list checked off and arrived home to stacked, beautifully wrapped gifts.  All that was missing were ribbons & a tree.  We took care of the tree yesterday and when I thought I'd be walking off of the lot with a 5 foot Douglas fir, we ended up strapping a 10 foot Noble fir to the roof of the car.  Needless to say, I still have to finish stringing lights because I ran out.  I'm starting to get that Christmas feeling.  Now I need to get some gifts wrapped to catch up.  Are you ready for Sunday?

Bows

*Image by Trev Stair

My mother used to decorate the front of our home with boughs and bows.  I'm not sure where I'd go to find boughs, but I know that I can find bows.  I think that it has been decided.  Now, I just need to get home at a decent hour so that I can think about more than just eating dinner and relaxing before I start the day again.  The temperatures are supposed to dip here and I can't wait because while I dream of Christmas, we turned on the air conditioning in the house last night because it was 73 degrees inside and 70 outside.  Isn't it supposed to be December?

Wreath

*Image & wreath via The Thrifty Abode

We don't have the only unlit house on the block, but I still feel guilty that we have nothing holiday related up inside or out.  We have gotten our first cards in the mail and last year I came up with a fun velvet ribbon to display them off of the breakfast bar in the kitchen.  I think I'll do that again.  I really want to make a wreath or something festive for the door.  When I was little, my mom hung bright red ribbons from the house lights, that might be an easy festive touch to add to the house.  How do you decorate for the holidays?

Outfited

*Image & calendar by ImpressedDesign

This calendar is simple and perfectly amusing.  Each month features an outfit in a simple line drawing letterpressed in its own color.  If not for me, this calendar is perfect for my favorite clothes horse.  Being the letterpress junkie that I am, finding new printers with tantalizing calendars fills my fall.  Do you hang a calendar or do you rely on your technology to stay organized?

Halloween

*Image & card by inkadinkadoodle

Happy Halloween to you all.  Are you dressing up today?  I'm not allowed to dress up for work, neither are the kids.  I am excited to finally have trick or treaters at our house.  I think that if anyone dresses up, it will be Odin for sure.  He is pretty cute on Halloween (not as cute as this duo, though).  Eat plenty of your favorite candy today and be sure to enjoy yourself.  What is your favorite Halloween treat?

Display

*Image by The Selby via sfgirlbybay

I love the idea of the antique china cabinet for a shoe display.  The ornate gold details make the shoes art, and make the hutch at home in a bedroom.  I don't know what it is about women and their shoes, but this is a brilliant way to put them on display.  I have a friend who would totally appreciate this and could possibly replicate it in her boudoir.  I'm inspired, but my shoes are not display worthy.  Are yours?

Aftermath

The balloons died, but for some reason they are still hanging around on the dining room table.  I like a little birthday aftermath to hang around for a while and we can still be festive because our fat, wrinkled bull turned 3 today.  I cannot believe this 52 lb. lap dog has been around that long.  I also know that in these three short years he has changed my life.  I honestly don't know what I would do without this dog around.  I am so lucky to have such a sweet bulldog in my life.  When we are gone for a weekend or longer we miss him and we even brought Odin a toy from Portland.  Getting home to this wiggly dog makes my day, and his snoring has become my white noise at night.  Are you this attached to your pets?

Truck

*Image & print by Quail Lane Press

I do admit it, if I could have an ice cream truck I would probably consider hiring one for the driveway amusement.  Not one of the newly converted creepy ice cream vans - but a real old fashioned truck.  I think I was overwhelmed by all of the food trucks in Portland. Now I want one of my own.  I will not try to make my house look too much like an ice cream parlor - but I am considering streamers & balloons at a minimum.  What else could give it that festive feel?