Fashion Fever.

As usual, I'm linking up with the lovely Michelle at The Vintage Apple

Savannah at Rolled Up Pretty

and Jamie at This Kind of Love

So you know those days when you go into clothing stores and you just don't find anything, or nothing looks good? Well, I almost wish that was my experience, but it wasn't. I went and got my hair trimmed at the mall and then decided to stop into my two fav stores, Gap and Express. I have an intense love for each. Today was one of those days that everything I laid my eyes on  I FELL IN LOVE WITH. And almost everything looked just as great on. I was so excited about this! It's usually a very rare occasion.

I think this has something to do with not shopping, let alone even paroosing in ages! I definitely took my shopping angst out on the Gap clearance section today. I found some amazing steals, and I couldn't help myself. 

I have now officially broken goal #9 in my 12 in 2012 goal list {don't buy any clothes until August 2012}.

OOOPSIES!

Here are my buys from the Gap!

This sweater. It was $15!! :)

This adorable yellow button up....$20!!

And the most amazing deal of them all....these pants, $4!!! I almost died when I saw the price tag. How could I not take these home with me?

Due to my "fashion fever" here are some fantastic fashion pins for you lovely ladies :)

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Love rose gold!

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On a music note...

I'm loving these two songs lately::

Paradise {Coldplay}

Mexico {The Staves}

Happy Wednesday loves :)

Sometimes and Always

Sometimes: I wake up early in the morning when I could sleep in.

Always: I lay on the couch and end up taking a two hour morning nap!

Sometimes: I watch Gilmore Girls on TV at 10 in the morning; even though I own every single season and have season every single episode

Always: Lorelai makes me laugh and I dream of living in Stars Hollow and being friends with Rory. 

Via

Sometimes: I tell myself, "you don't need coffee this morning."

Always: I end up making some anyways. {love my coffee}

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Sometimes: I'm scared about the future and having to become more independent and take care of myself.

Always: I remember that God tells me that if he takes care of the flowers in the field and the birds in the sky; surely he will take care of me and all my needs. He loves me that much!

Via

Sometimes: I get caught up in checking how many followers I have, or how many comments or page views I've gotten on my blog.

Always: I realize that my reasons truly aren't to gain followers, but to use blogging as my outlet and read awesome and inspiring posts from other bloggers. 

Sometimes: When I come home for a break or a weekend I tend to overcrowd my schedule trying to see everyone.

Always: I end up not seeing the people I said I would, or not spending enough time with my family. 

I love my mom and dad. I really need to spend some more time with them!

Sometimes: I try to think nice thoughts about Courtney Robertson {from "The Bachelor"}

Always: I can't help but to think bad things about someone who is so cold and evil! Come on, who doesn't believe in forgiving people?! She's just a bad person. Have fun with her Ben!! :)

Link-up Love.

I LOVE LINK-UPS!

I love being able to link-up to different blogs, different days of the week. Sometimes, in a week that is rather un-inspirational, it's convenient to link-up with another blogger and use what fabulous theme or idea they have! Linking-up is a fantastic way to get your blog out there, and find others blogs that are fantastic! I love link-up parties, and I hope you enjoy some of my favorites too :)

Mondays:

This is definitely one of my favorite Monday link-ups! Heather, over at "Finding Beauty in the Ordinary", is such a lovely and inspiring woman! Her posts are very uplifting, and since she has a few years on me, I feel like I learn a lot from her! I usually do a post about my faith, positive and inspiring thoughts, something I believe in, or something that is just on my heart that day. I am so inspired by the other posts that are linked up. It's a great way to start the blog week :)

Another wonderful blogger, and link-up party. Carissa, over at "lowercase letters" I love this link-up because of what it is..."MISCELLANY!" Anything and everything goes ladies :)

It's what it says. The blog:: "Bits of Splendor" is awesome; and this link-up allows you to put on display all the little bits of splendor in your life. A craft you made? Pictures of the beautiful people in your life? A recipe you cooked? What inspires you? You name it; if it's splendor to you, you should go link it up! :)

Tuesdays:

I usually stay independent and "link-up free" on Tuesdays...but I just came across this link up from "Call Me Blessed" It's all about posts full of encouragement, positivity, and inspiration in your life. I'll definitely be linking up with this one soon!

Wednesdays:

I cannot RAVE enough about this link-up! Of course, it's all about displaying some of your favorite pins of the week! Like every other woman in the world, I am in love with Pinterest and I love showing of my pins with Michelle over at "The Vintage Apple" Wednesdays are definitely my fav blog days due to this link-up :)

I use this link-up because most of my pins are all over the place! Sometimes I'll make a post with pins that are the same, but sometimes they're "whatever, whenever! "Rolled up Pretty" is an awesome blog, go check it out :)

I LOVE Pinterest, therefore I have to link up with "This Kind of Love". I love being able to show off anything else that has captured my heart during the week as well :)

Thursdays:

It's always nice to tell yourself, "It's okay." Especially towards the end of the week, you're about to give up on everything and "check-out" early. Hop on over to Amber's blog, "Brunch With Amber" and share with everyone what's okay that you did or didn't do during the week :)

Have a thought you want to get off your chest? Link-up with Manda at "Elf House Chronicles" and be a part of "Thought for Thursdays" :)

Challenge.365:: a challenge or pledge to read the entire bible in a year. This is one of my top 12 goals for 2012, so what better way to keep up with it than to join the link-up party?! You can find out more about this challenge HERE. This link-up happens the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month!

Fridays:

Oh man, do I love this link-up!! If you have a Polyvore account, then this link-up is for you! Often "Long Distance Loving" has themes for each "Friday Fancy." It's so fun making outfits, and seeing the other fabulous outfits other bloggers come up with!

Life is all about the "little things." And I am a firm believer in it. I love sharing all of the little things that made my life so very blessed and beautiful throughout the week. Linking up with Hello Hue for it's the little things" is a fabulous idea :)
I hope you enjoyed my favorite link-ups. I hope to see you on one of them soon!! :)

A week of teaching...the little things.

I've been mentioning all week how I have been observing in a 1st and 2nd grade classroom. It is a part of my education, and a step in becoming a teacher in 2 short years! I was so excited to be in the classroom, and my experience far exceeded my expectations. God blessed my time teaching his little lambs. It was definitely the little things that made my experience so fabulous :)

It truly is the little things...

A sweet letter, and prayer I received from a student on my very first day. This little girl gave me the simplest, misspelled, but all together lovely and "made my day" kind of letter.

I inspire to have child like faith. A simple reminder; we are all a "child of God."

 I'm from Wisconsin. They're from Illinois. They obviously new I would love this sticker!

The 24 letters and drawings I received from the students :)

Some of my favorite letters :)

This little girl is 8...she can draw wayyyy better than I ever will!

I guess I ROCK! ;)

Like I said...the little things.

March Photo Challenge!

I am following sooo many blogs that had taken part in the February Photo Challenge, so I had to join in for the month of March. I just couldn't resist :)

The photo challenge is such a great way to learn a little more about your favorite bloggers; who they are, and their daily happenings! 

Okayyy, that might have sounded creepy...but some of the women behind the blogs I read are truly amazing, and I have formed this opinion without even knowing them! These women are so creative, have amazing talents, write beautiful and inspiring words, and give some of the best advice! I love the blogging community, being a part of it, and getting to know the ladies I follow through posts such as the monthly Photo Challenges!

Day 1: Up

{I'm at Josh's house watching his beloved Michigan basketball game. This is my view when I looked up from my chair; his adorable baby picture next to his geeky...just kidding! ...Very handsome Senior picture!}

On a different note...

My last day observing in a 1st and 2nd grade classroom is tomorrow. I am going to miss being in this classroom so much! It's been such an awesome experience and I have been greatly encouraged by these wonderful kids. Here's a little preview of the little things that made my week so unbelievably special and impacting:

One of 24 handwritten notes that the whole class gave to me today :)

Just in case this is un-readable, haha, here's the translation,

(This is from Luke, he is precious, the picture is of some flowers!)

"To Ms. Rachel, these flowers are for you. PS they are not real."

I laughed so hard when I saw this one! It melts my heart. I can't wait to be a teacher!! :)