Pick 3 October!

Happy Fall Ya'll!  It's time to link up with Pawsitively Teaching and Inspired Owl's Corner for PICK 3!

Click for Original Pin

First up this AWESOME idea!  Book Character Pumpkins.  I really think this could be a fun family project for little ones or an individual project for older kids!  I wonder if you could even get pumpkins donated or at a discounted price?!

Click for Original Pin

Now this is a fall favorite!  Marbled fall leaves!  I've always just used a leaf stencil, a box and marbles to get this look but this pin has a fun new way to do it.  These leaves were made using shaving cream and paint!  You can click the photo above to see the original pin and read more about how to make these leaves. 

Click for Original Pin

And since we're talking about leaves why not head outdoors and go on a leaf hunt!  Then use the leaves in a graphing lesson like the one above!  Fall fun at its finest. 

What are your favorite October pins?  Link up below and check out more great ideas below.

An InLinkz Link-up

BOLO: Be on the Look Out for...

Happy Monday All!  

This past weekend I was browsing the seller's forums when I came across a post from Stephanie of Principal Principles sharing info about a fun new monthly linky called BOLO!  This link up is all about "being on the look out" for some brand new products that will be in your favorite TPT stores soon!

With my LO keeping me very busy, I've been trying to work on a few products from my "to make list" that I know can easily be worked on here and there when I just have a few spare minutes.  Last week I started on my Alphabet Flip Books and I'm excited to give you all a sneak peek at how they are turning out!

**Now in store HALF OFF 10/1-10/3!!!**

Here's a look at the current cover.  I've played with the colors a bit and I think this one is the winner!  What do you think of it?  Any suggestions?

 This set of flip books will include 36 flip books. One for each consonant and three for each vowel sound (short, long, and combination).  Each flip book is made from one printable page making for easy prep!  This is what the "short Aa" page looks like and for stopping by you can grab it for FREE by clicking the image below.

I've also included a student direction sheet just in case someone would like their kiddos to make these in a center.  Do you think this is helpful?  Would you change anything about it?

Well, I hope you enjoyed this product glimpse and I'd love to know what you think so leave me some feedback below.  And be on the look out because I promise to have this product in my store by Friday and it will be 50% off for the first 24hours.  

Now if you'd like to get a sneak peek at more great products be sure to head to the blogs below.  Just click and go!

XOXOXO

Weekly Summer Linky: Best Trip of my Life

Living abroad has given me the opportunity to travel way more than I could have ever imagined possible.  In the 2 years that my husband and I have lived in the UK we have traveled to over 19 different countries!  Each trip has been filled with great memories and I'm not sure I could just pick one place we've visited to call "the best trip of my life."  We still have 9 more months before heading back to California and although our travels have slowed because our little girl is due any day now, I'm sure that when I'm old I'll look back and see THIS experience as the "best trip of my life."  

So with that, the best trip of my life has been living here in the UK and the many travel opportunities I've had because of it.  Here are just a few photos of some of the places my husband and I have been during our time here. 

Sitting and enjoying the view of our local town high street.  A high street is like the primary business spot of a town.  Ours is actually a pretty good size and we go here just about every week.  It has grocery stores, clothes shops, a bakery, coffee and tea rooms, pubs etc.

London!  We live about 2 hours North of London and take the train in to just walk around every few months.  Just about every time we go we visit something new and it always makes for a nice day out.

Here we are in Munich, Germany for the REAL Oktoberfest.  This seriously was such an AMAZING experience.  Upon arrival we purchased outfits to wear to the big festival and could not believe how massive this event is!  The people were fantastic and we had so much fun singing along and making friends. 

Taking a photo break on our hike through the 5 towns of Cinque Terre, a beautiful place along the coast of the Italian Riveria. 

Uh... take me back to Rome!  Seriously this city is so beautiful and has so much to see.  It really is nicknamed "The Eternal City" for a reason.

And don't even get me talking about the clear, sandy beaches of Ibiza!  We had a lot of fun scootering from beach to beach in this city on a relaxing getaway.

Living here can get a little quiet during the holiday season so we hopped on a plane and headed to the Christmas Markets in Vienna, Austria.  While there we enjoyed a cup of mulled wine, music and holiday goodies.

Here I am looking out over the city of Bergen, Norway.  So pretty but so expensive!

In Amsterdam we enjoyed looking at and taking a boat tour through the canals which cover the whole city.  I liked this photo because it shows the canals but also shows a bike which I think is a perfect representation of the city.

Here we are standing in front of the ancient city of Ephesus.  For this trip we went on a 7 day cruise through the Eastern Mediterranean.  We were able to visit Venice, Dubrovnik, Olympia, Ephesus, and Istanbul. 

Although I am having so much fun looking back through our trip photos, I think that is enough for this post.   I can't believe I didn't even touch on all the places we've been and things we've seen!  

Seriously, I am so blessed to have this opportunity and truly believe that this will be the best trip of my life!  With that CHEERS to the memories that will last a lifetime and to all the many "best trips"  out there!

Now head on over to visit Monica from I Heart Grade 3 to check out where other bloggers have been.

TPT Seller Challenge: Follower Frenzy

I can't believe that this is the last week of the TPT Seller Challenge!  I have had so much fun participating in this challenge and love how it pushed me to improve in terms of my TPT business.  I have really enjoyed reading others challenge posts and seeing ALL the hard work that everyone who has participated has put in.  WOW!  

For this final challenge we have been asked to think about how this challenge has helped us to better our business and make new friendships along the way and for me I definitely think it has helped me improve in both arenas.  

First off I want to give a shout out to the lovely ladies who organized this entire TPT Seller Challenge!  Thank you so much for not only making this challenge fun but also meaningful.  I have enjoyed participating and can't believe how motivated it got me!  I have loved following you all on this adventure.  So a BIG thank you to....

 

Amber from Peppy Zesty Teacherista
Jen from Sparkling in Second
Emily from Third in Hollywood
Ashley from Teach Create Motivate

Secondly, I want to thank ANYONE and EVERYONE who has started following Lattes and Lunchrooms in some way!  I truly am so happy to see new followers and hope you all are enjoying following along.  The TPT Seller Challenge pushed me to start an Instagram and just in these last 4 weeks I have gained 104 followers!  Ahhhhh!  This is unreal to me!  I know I have a long way to go in terms of  being part of the "big leagues" but I am very motivated to continue to interact and connect with both old and new followers.   One of the biggest things about this challenge is that it pushed me to go out and interact more on the various social media platforms.  So this was awesome!

And lastly I want to give a shout out to a few new and old blogger buddies that I have been able to interact with in the last few weeks.  Now, I can't say for sure that the TPT Seller Challenge brought these ladies into my radar, but what I do know is that my interaction on social media may have had some impact on people following me, me following them and thus sparking follower frenzy! :)

Do you know Laura from Luv My Kinders?  If you don't, you should because she is the sweetest person EVER!  Laura is not a new blogging buddy of mine, but I have to thank her because I don't think she realizes how happy her comments, likes and messages make me.  She has commented on blog posts from when I first started this little blog, purchased and used products from my TPT store and provided great feedback, and continues to follow me on other social media platforms!  She just recently became a follower of mine on Instagram and I always smile when I see a like or comment from her.  I so wish I was in Vegas so that I could meet her in person.  Thank you Laura for pushing me forward and being so kind!

And as I was pushing myself to be more involved on social media platforms I came across these lovely ladies!  We have started talking through e-mails and I hope our friendships continue and I wish them all great success on their journeys.

I was lucky enough to meet Kristen from Design Infusions after browsing more in the seller's forums and coming across the chance to win a custom blog design by her!  I was picked and now have a fancy new blog and social media icons that I am proud of!  Her and I have still been in contact over the last few weeks and she is a great person to work with.  She just started her store but I'm sure it will soon fill with all kinds of awesomeness so you should probably check it out!

Then I met the lovely Ashley from 1 Step Closer Teaching!  She actually contacted me through my TPT store and we have been chatting through e-mail over the last couple of weeks!  We actually have a lot in common and both agree that we hope to see our friendship grow as we continue on our TPT/Blogging journeys.  Thank you for reaching out and saying Hello!  Her blog just got a makeover by Design Infusions too!  Check it out here!

And after my blog re-design I hosted a giveaway and promoted it on all my social media platforms.  I was so excited because I ACTUALLY had entries, one of which was Sasha from Sasha's Creations & Things!  Sasha won the giveaway and has been just the sweetest.  She even knew I was having a little baby girl and offered to make a sweet bow for her!  I can't wait to see it and show all of you.  Thanks Sasha for being so nice.  I look forward to connecting with you more. 

Well, I truly have found some wonderful new blogs to follow, gained many new followers and enjoyed making new friends all thanks to the TPT Seller Challenge.  I am excited to continue building my business and I look forward to making friends with many more along the way.

July Pick 3!

July is here and I am super excited because that means I am officially on the 1 month baby countdown!  I can't wait for our little girl to arrive and I am starting to get VERY anxious!  It's a good thing I have TPT and the blogging world to keep me busy otherwise I may go crazy.  

I'm linking up with Inspired Owl's Corner and Pawsitively Teaching for my favorite super easy and super fun linky PICK 3.  This month I'm sharing a few of my favorite random finds that would be perfect for this fine summer month!

Click to see Original Pin

With baby girl on my mind I can't help browsing Pinterest for the cutest holiday outfits!  Although she won't be here for the 4th this year you, better believe I'll be buying something like this for her to wear next year.  I. JUST. CAN'T. HANDLE. THE. CUTENESS!

Click to see Original Pin

Ummmm I'm not sure if I've mentioned, but I absolutely hate little flying bugs!  I saw this pin and thought I want to make that!  It looks super cute and has a purpose.  

Awesome!

Click to see Original Pin

And lastly, I have to share this recipe with you all!  One Pot Chicken Burrito Bowl!  It is super delicious and really only takes one pot.  Go grab this recipe now.  Yum!

Head to Pawsitively Teaching and Inspired Owl's Corner for more!

An InLinkz Link-up

Weekly Summer Linky: One item that means the world to me...

I'm back to link up with Monica of I Heart Grade 3 for this weeks summer topic: "One item that means the world to me."

There are so many things that mean the world to me... my husband, family, friends, the little one growing inside me but if I were to pick one possession, I'd have to say it would be my computer.  The reason being is not actually my computer itself but instead the memories it holds in the photo albums stored on my computer.

I have always loved looking at photos.  My parents have boxes of photos, photo albums and numerous pictures all about the house.  It is always fun to browse through the memories and talk about times of the past.  I enjoy seeing photos of my parents as children and of my great grandparents.  The memories and joy that these photos bring is priceless.

Today photo sharing and storing is a little different.  Instead of taking a roll of film to the local drug store, we pop a sim card into our computers and quickly upload and create an album of photos.  Instead of pulling out a stack of developed photos about our recent travels, we open the computer and share our photos through a slideshow.  I like this way of saving and sharing photos but because most of my photos are now digital I always worry about losing them.  I just think about the many photos I have already collected and how I'd be so sad to lose the numerous pictures I have come to love.

Now don't worry, I do back up my computer and I have plans to create some actual hard copy photo books, but until then my computer is "home" to my pictures and they are one thing that mean the world to me.

What item means the world to you?  Head over to I Heart Grade 3 to link up and read what others have to say.

Why I Started Blogging

Linking up today with Monica of I Heart Grade 3 to share my story on why I started blogging.

Ok, so here's some honesty for you.  I started blogging last August because I was beginning to feel lazy, unproductive, and unsuccessful.  Never in my life have I EVER felt this way and I cringe at using those words, but it's true I seemed to be lacking motivation and was starting to really lose my groove in regards to the education world.

Here's a little back story to help clear things up...

Almost 2 years ago now (GAH!), my husband and I moved to the UK for the opportunity of a lifetime.  You see, he was offered a position to live and work in the UK for a 3 year period and then is guaranteed his position back in San Diego at the end.  Without much thought we signed on and it has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life.  I mean really, we have traveled to 21 different countries in the last 2 years and it has been A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!  Now while all this is glorious and I am beyond thankful, I have now been out of the classroom for 2 years.  Well, this isn't entirely true, I did work at a British school as a full time aide for part of last year, but it wasn't the same as having my own classroom.  Anyway, long story short I really started to miss being in the classroom and although we were traveling a lot, I felt like my days at home were so long and unproductive and just BLAH!  It began making me feel down!

So, last August after my husband left for work and I mopped the floors for the 5th day in a row it dawned on me... why not blog and create products for TPT?  When I was teaching I never felt like I had the time to really start up a blog or TPT store and living here has given me the perfect opportunity to do so.  I mean, I now have a blog, a TPT store, and Facebook page and really feel like these things are not only keeping me somewhat sane, but helping me to fill my creative need and at the same time keeping me up to date with school things.  And although I have my up and down months, I am happy knowing that I have learned so much about blogging/TPTing and feel confident that I can keep this going especially once I get back in the classroom.  I definitely fall in the "hooked" category now. 

Well, that's my story and I'm happy to have this little blog to share it on.  May it continue to grow and be a happy place for me and hopefully for you too. :)

My Summer Goals!

Bring on Summer...longer days, sunshine, smoothies, flip flops, and maxi dresses!  I am ready for summer to be here and what better way to kick off its start then linking up with Monica from I Heart Grade 3 for her *BRAND NEW* weekly summer linky party!  This week it's all about those summer goals, so here are a few that I hope to tackle over the next few months. 

Eeeeek!  Our little one will be here before we know it with an expected due date of August 2nd, so it's time to finish preparing (as much as we can ha-ha) for her arrival.  I actually feel pretty good about where we're at, but here's a list of what still needs to be done.

1. Nursery!  It's almost complete and I am so excited!  Just finishing up the details!

2. Hospital Bag?!  Right now I have a mess of a pile of things and need to go through and decide what I REALLY need.

3. Reading... I'm ready to start reading about the first year with baby.  Here's the book I ordered to get me started.  Any other suggestions?

Find HERE on Amazon

4. ParentCraft Classes: Next month the hubs and I will be attending weekly childbirth classes.  Although I know I've probably read/heard everything, I have really looked forward to attending these classes and can't wait to go!

This summer I'd like to spend time creating new products, updating old products, and brainstorming ideas for my TPT store.  I started as a TPT seller last August and have enjoyed every minute.  To be honest I've been in kind of a creating rut...  Does this happen to anyone else?!  Don't know if it's the baby excitement or what, but I really hope to get back to it in the next couple of weeks.  Here are some products that I've started, but have yet to finish.  Blah! 

Once our little girl is here life is going to change in the MOST AMAZING way, but before her arrival I'd like to spend extra time with my hunny as just the two of us.  Plus, if I'm being completely honest, I'm already starting to get anxious, so day-trips and dates will definitely help the time pass. 

Alright... Ready, Set, GO!  I'm off to start on these goals.