Teaching on Tuesdays

Here's week two's projects

Teacher Drop Box 

I made this out of a cereal box I cut down and Mod Podged with scrapbook paper. I reinforced the bottom with clear tape before and the thickened the outside with a thin extra layer of cardboard. My big plan is to put it either right inside the classroom door or attach it to my desk.  I'm leaning towards near my desk because that will help with a.m. traffic flow. Anyway, its purpose is for students to put any notes, $$$, forms, whatever in that box that way they don't pester me about it. :o)

Box Tops Box

 I had this clear box in my classroom already but it was BORING! So, again with the Mod Podge. I attacked that puppy. Yep. Now it's cute and my kids will know to put their Box Tops in there because there's already a big ol' honkin' one on top! Yay-yah!

If you know me well at all, you know themes drive me nuts. Make me feel restricted. Trapped. They're worse than school uniforms. Can't stand it. So - - - my "theme" is black, white, and red. Yep. I'm an "early childhood" teacher who doesn't do themes. Go figure! Easiest thing I've learned about coordinating my room this year - buy a pack of scrapbook paper with different prints but the same color scheme and you can Mod Podge the crap out of stuff. Plus, everyone will think you're clever. ;o) So, buy some Mod Podge and scrapbook paper and GO NUTS! Let me know what you think. I LOVE your feedback.

<3 Get your fashion on <3

(in life AND in your classroom)

Topknot - maybe

I've seen topknots everywhere. Runways. Pinterest. Magazines. 

Source: cheapchicas.com via Jana on Pinterest

Source: thebeautydepartment.com via Miss on Pinterest

Biggest girl crush ever on:

Source: stylingwithmaro.blogspot.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Here's my version:

Things that should be noted:

1. I have fat hair.

2. My hair is heavy.
3. Photo taken on my craptastic webcam - because I can.
4. I'm lacking in makeup. 

5. This hair-do hurts. 

6. I can only get this topknot to look right when I don't care. 

7. I think it's supposed to be higher but that's not gonna happen because then I look like I have a donut on my head. 

Have you tried a topknot? Do you think topknots are cute? Do want me to show you step by step how I did this?  Did you read this blog today?

:o) Love you all!

<3 Get your fashion on <3

Sunday Social

1. What is your dream job? 

I actually think I'm lucky enough to have it... teaching first grade is a culmination of all the things I wanted to do when I was growing up.

- Country Singer

- Pediatrician

-Children's book author

- Interior designer

-Ballerina

Teaching is great because I still get to sing, take care of boo-boos, read and enjoy tons of children's books, design/decorate my classroom, and dance. I've always loved children and reading. Perfect job for me. I especially am thankful for the schedule. ;o) 

Source: someecards.com via Ronda on Pinterest

2. If you had just won the lottery and didn't need to work for money, what would you do with your time? 

Craft, blog, sit around, watch tv, thrift. Nothing too eventful really... kinda like summer minus professional development days. 

3. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Looks like I already covered that in question one - ;o) 

Source: Uploaded by user via Jana on Pinterest

4. What piece career advice would you give to someone just starting out in your field? 

Stick it out after that first year. Teaching can be brutal but SO worth it! Make a file of "warm fuzzies" for yourself because there are going to be days you need it. Find positive friends to hang out with because it's easy to become negative. 

Some days - it feels like this

Source: someecards.com via Jana on Pinterest

But then there's the stuff like this and the "Teacher, you're a light in our school" -(Seriously, had a kid say that at the end of the year - brought tears to my eyes) - that make teaching all worth it. The moment when a kid starts to "get it". Keep teaching.

Source: heygirlteacher.tumblr.com via Jana on Pinterest

 

5. Biggest Pet Peeves either in life or in blogging or at work:

Life:

- Leaving the sticker on the side of your flip flops

- no turn signal

-improper grammar/usage

blogging:

-My lack of knowledge when it comes to how to do this stuff!

work:

- parents who don't talk to their children, as in have an actual conversation

-kids forgetting to write their names on their papers

6. Biggest Fears: 

I'm pretty easily frightened/startled. My fears include but are not limited to:

- the dark

- scary movies - I no longer watch them

- my husband getting hurt badly or dying
- my parents dying (I try to pretend it's never going to happen...)

Get your fashion on

It's okay Thursdays

What is up with me and the song lyrics going with everything????

It's okay....

- that I just posted an old song that I sang obsessively... and learned from watching the Disney channel.

-  that my classroom isn't put together yet for this year.

- that we have a sink full of gross dishes.

- that I'd rather post on my blog than do dishes.

- I cried while watching So You Think You Can Dance tonight.

- if you don't answer texts back immediately. Some people aren't attached to their phone. 

- that I make weird bullet necklaces, even if I'm uncertain other people will like/wear them.

- if none of my other friends wear vintage clothes. 

-to think water is not delicious. 

- to think the two protesters that were at our teacher training today were slightly funny, even if they were standing up for what they believe in. 

Stop and Smell the Roses

I am linking up with Mandy for this week's Stop & Smell the Roses vlog.




 We get to take a minute to notice things that make us happy and share with our friends.  It's so important to pause in life and be thankful. It seems like everything is always hussle and bustle and go go go! "Too little time to answer my phone, let me shoot you a text. Too much going on to visit my family... no time to catch up with friends."

So..

  (try to ignore the super awkward facial expression at the beginning.... what is that?!)

 If you're interested in the OERB stuff I mentioned for teachers in Oklahoma check it out here. 

I actually found out about Mandy's blog through Ashley. And I found out about Ashley through the Sunday Social link-ups that she and Neely sponsor. Whoa! Isn't it cool how bloggers all know about other cool blogs that you can follow too? Love it! 

Get your fashion on!

Teaching on Tuesdays

Most of you know, outside the blog world, I'm a first grade teacher. 

Today is my first tip - and I'm proud to say, this is my own original idea. I've not seen anyone else use this. Also, you're about to learn a little about my personal life. Ha!

I've been saving these little sleeves for months now. If they look familiar, it's because they're birth control packaging. I know, it's a bit 'hoarder-ish' of me to still have them (and also a bit awkward of me to show them to the whole wide world!) My idea is to use them as portable sight word practice folders. Plus, if you use dry-erase markers on the shiny, see-through portion they can trace over the word or LOTS of other ideas. For now, I have half a class set or enough for students to practice in pairs. Or I could even use these little things during small group instruction. 

Do you have some ideas? Please share... Do tell, do tell !  And.... I know, I know, it's a little weird but it's also quite practical. :o) I have more tips to come....

Get your fashion on

Cleanin' Out My Closet

When I see closet do-overs - I always feel like my closet is never gonna match up.  So, here's a closet purge of a real life, non organized person. 

1. Take everything out of the closet.

 

 

 

2. If I hadn't worn it in the last 6-12 months, it went in the "get rid of" pile.

3. I tried everything on I thought might not fit. If it didn't fit or was tricky to put on, in "the pile". 

With this method, I got rid of 12 items.

 

I still need to go through my other closet. 

As far as space conservation goes, I'm slowly acquiring  Huggable Hangers. 

Source: target.com via Jana on Pinterest

They look nice and are available in a variety of colors. You can also buy "generic" ones that work equally as well at places like Ross and Marshall's.  I've seen hangers that are similar at Dollar Tree, but at fifty cents per hanger, I just don't think it's worth the $1 for two "bargain."

Here's the "After" shot...

Top row

- Shirts, blazers, and dresses

Bottom back row

- Jeans, pants, skirts

Get your fashion on

 

Whatchu got in that bag?

Seriously, this song is what I think of when I think, "what you got in that bag?" I know it's not a completely 'savory' song but I graduated in 2001 - can ya blame me? ;o)

Favorite handbag you've ever owned
Honestly, it's a toss up between my clock purse and a pink purse I had back in high school. I carried that pink purse until it fell apart. It was hot pink and I unfortunately have no pictures of it.   


Lucky for you... I DO have a picture of the clock purse!

Dream handbag you lust over
???? Beats the crap outta me. I like buying weird quirky stuff at thrift stores, especially since I tend to be pretty hard on them. I guess if I were going to have to pick a high end something, I'd like to have a Coach purse that would match a lot of things, probably black.


 

Daily essentials in your purse or work bag
 -Wallet
-Cell phone
-Chapstick
-Camera

What's in your purse(with pictures)

 
1) Check book - personalized with a Hello Kitty sticker
2) Post-it notes - A note from Jana
3) Chapstick/lipstick pouch - I'm a Bonne Bell girl
4) Bath & Body Sweet Pea shimmer lotion
5) My overstuffed with receipts wallet
6) Tissues for an allergy sufferer
7) 4 quarters, Teacher id with my maiden name, and a purple pen

Get your fashion on!

It's Okay Thursdays

It's okay to be happy with "just a bachelor's" degree.

It's okay to be uncertain about if you ever want a master's.

It's okay to not be ready for children at 29.

Source: someecards.com via Sarah on Pinterest

It's okay to think my husband is cute.

It's okay to be sad sometimes.

It's okay to LOVE thrifting.

It's okay to like everything "old-lady floral".

Source: flickr.com via Jana on Pinterest

 It's okay to have the same best friends you had in third grade.

It's okay to not drink alcohol (and it's okay if someone else does).

It's okay to not curse (and it's okay if someone else does).

It's okay to stay in your pajamas all day in the summer.

It's okay to miss your students even if you're not quite ready to go back...

Edit: Addition: 10:08 p.m.
It's OK that first grade teachers request 3 boxes of crayons and 48 pencils because our students USE them! What's not okay is to read about how parents abhor school supply lists and the teachers that write them.

Bullet Necklace Tutorial

I've been playing with the idea of a bullet necklace for a while. My brother in law had some really pretty bullets. (what a weird word contrast: pretty & bullets) I told him about my idea and he humored me pretty well and even offered to give me a few of his bullets for my project. I refused because I knew he intended to refill them to use again. Or something like that. Anyway, a couple weeks later my husband brought home a plastic bag full of this....

First I washed these

Then I used some beading wire to make little strands of beads. I used my needle nose pliers and my wire cutters to do this section.

I used my trusty glue gun to fill the bullet casing with hot glue.

 

Then I screwed this into the center of the hot glued bullet.

The finished product was strung onto a necklace.
 

I put the beads with the bullet to keep it from looking too masculine. 

 This is my trusty, girly tool kit. It was a great investment at $10.

 

You can buy something similar here.

Let me know what you think!

Get your fashion on

Newlywed lesson

Seriously.... there is a reason I'm untidy. When I clean, bad. things. happen. Want proof?

It all started when I decided to clean the bathroom... I cleaned the sink and decided to change the shower curtain out. We still had three brand new ones in the cabinet from when we got married, but that would have to wait until after hanging out with my friend this evening. (When it comes to cleaning, I have the attention span of a gnat.)

So, after I come home, I start changing out the shower curtain, liner, and rings. Come to find out, the new rings require you to take down the shower curtain rod. Okay, easy. I take down the shower curtain rod and there's a little place where the paint is peeling. That's okay, I'll just peel a little bit off. Noooooot so much..... there is now a spot about 1' tall and 6" wide of missing paint. Aw, crap! My husband is at work and is coming home in an hour and a half. Crapcrapcrapcrap! Okay, quick fix: we've got Kilz and "Glass Bead" paint in the cabinet under the sink. If I hurry there's time.

Part way through, I realized it wasn't going to work and I'd have to come clean when he got home. Oh praise the Lord for blessing me with a kind, forgiving, understanding husband. That precious man of mine laughed when I took him to the bathroom and showed him what I'd done. He said with a smile, "Jana, don't ever try to hide stuff like that from me. It's not like it's unfixable and we'd been talking about repainting anyway. Silly lady."

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her [...]" Ephesians 5:25
I am often reminded of Christ's unfailing love through my husband's actions and the way he treats me. It's funny how we try to 'hide' stuff from our Heavenly Father. He knows us so well he even knows the hairs on our head! Just like my husband told me not to hide stuff from him, God wants us to be transparent in our relationship with Him.

Either way - - - I learned, DON'T PICK AT THE PAINT ON THE WALL! And I got to see another precious parallel of Christ's love and grace.

Get your fashion on

Day Tripper - Sunday Social

Linking up with Neely and Ashley -Hey, ladies!

Best Trip You've Ever Been On

I'm going to say our roadtrip honeymoon to Nashville. We took our time, sight saw along the way, and made memories. We stayed where we wanted and bought things we wouldn't normally buy. Laughed. Listened to music. Talked. Enjoyed one another's company and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Best Idea for a Girls Weekend Trip

Funny how life works. I went to a bed and breakfast with my former best friend and we had so much fun together. Even though we're no longer friends, I still remember that trip fondly.

Also, nothing like driving a few hours to see a friend who lives in another state. Slumber party!

Best Idea for a Couples Trip

With each other...anywhere. Neither my husband nor I are beachy,watery folk. We tend to prefer dry land. Any time there's good music... a road trip is fun! One of the things I look forward to doing with my husband is staying in a bed and breakfast. I really enjoy his company and spending quality time with that guy.

Best Vacation on the Cheap

Something touristy in your own state is always a hoot. Seems hokey, but it's not too expensive but you still get to "get away" from home. For our anniversary this year we went to a town about two hours away. We stayed the night in the town, then got up the next morning and went antique-ing like an old married couple. We didn't spend much but since we both appreciate vintage it was awesome!

Place You Most Want to Visit
I'd love to visit England. The United Kingdom. The Queen's land. My husband is obsessed with all things British. Accents, Monty Python, Dr. Who, The Beatles, even the cut of mens' suits. Plus, I don't mind the Union Jack motif.

Vacation/Travel Necessities

For the plane -- Motion sickness and anti-anxiety meds as well as comfortable clothing

For the Hotel -- Your own pillow and maybe snacks if you're a munchy type person

On a Road Trip -- Snacks, drinks, and an ipod full of great music!

Every day is your runway, folks. So....

Get your fashion on 

Jana Faith

Fearless Faith Vintage - an Etsy adventure

If you've been reading long, you know I've been mulling over the idea of an Etsy store. I got so many encouraging comments and feedback (Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!) that I decided to press on....

Fearless Faith Vintage is my personal adventure in Faith. My sweet friend, Michele at Pearl 13.1 reminded me of my middle name, "Faith". My mom and dad blessed me with a beautiful middle name, a constant reminder that I am wanted (my parents prayed in faith to have a healthy child) and God is always faithful.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7 is the verse that inspired/confirmed this dream in my heart.  I know myself and I know I tend to be scatter-brained and sometimes, I lack self-discipline but time and time again, God's been faithful. I know if I trust my Heavenly Father, he will help me in the areas where I am weak. I know I can't just assume by 'divine magic' things will get done. I know I will have to do my part to be a success in anything. I was/am still struggling with fear of the unknown. Any time I've been afraid of the "what ifs" and "maybes" ...turns out they didn't happen. The times I've been the most worried but chose to work through the fear have been some of the biggest blessings. 

This is just the picture... if wanna visit the store, you'll have to click this link.

This summer I've learned how to make a blog header, make a blog button, a tad about HTML code, how to open an Etsy store, and how to make an Etsy store banner.


Mercy! It's been eventful.

I'm excited to begin this adventure! It's a small start and a hobby. Teaching is where my heart feels at home so I will continue to love my first grade darlings and teach them the best I know how. Blogging, fashion, and an Etsy store are fun hobbies.... Currently, there is only one item listed in the store but it will grow. Go check it out and let me know what you think!



Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Get your fashion on
<3 Jana Faith <3

HTML Code

I swear, it makes me want to spit! I've learned more this summer about using html code than I even knew was possible. Just about every time I've gone to post, there's been something wrong with the photo size, there's been something wrong with the layout, there's been something wrong with size, etc. My sweet husband hears me huffing and puffing in the other room. He always checks on me but it's usually no big deal but I just get so frustrated! Thankfully, there are incredible tutorials to teach you anything you want to know!

A special thanks goes to Just For Daisy for her amazing Blog Button with a Grab Box tutorial. If you didn't notice, I now have a blog button with a grab box.

<center><a href="http://everydayisyourrunwayownit.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/bananachica1/Button-1.jpg"/></a></center>

Feel free to share!

Get your fashion on!

<3 Jana Faith <3