New NAILED IT Adventure

Hi, friends! It looks like interview questions are by far my most read post in the Nailed It series. I've also gotten a shockingly large number of e-mails regarding my "golden weakness"...

...so, I'm ready to potentially try something new:

 Practice Interviews

If you are still looking for a job, I AM LOOKING FOR YOU. Contact me ASAP by clicking on the email link at the top of the blog. 

I'll only have time for a few before the craziness of back-to-school starts, and it will likely be a first-come-first-served kind of set up, but I'd love to try this out with a few of you sweet thangs, fo free. I'm not super intimidating (just ask the people who I've been e-mailing back and forth with for months!) and I reallyreally like to be a helper! Let me KINDLY help you hone your people skills, learn to speak your brilliant thoughts out loud, adjust your answers if need be, and practice answering tough questions with a random stranger in a situation where you won't lose a job opportunity! ;)

Monday Made It: 2

Am I the only one who is amused by the fact that my second Monday Made It link up is a TWO?!

Anywho... I was pinspired by this pin and then had craft night with some of my darling teacher friends from college. 

I haven't decided if it is a "Nailed It" (click on the link... This is not to be confused with my surprisingly popular* series) version of the project or not.

But it was {SUPER} easy and maybe will look cute on my classroom door? What should I hang it with?

*ok, so I'm no Cara Carroll or anything... but if you still need a job, check it out!

Five for Friday: July 18

ONE

This time last week I was on a plane to see some of the sweetest, most hilarious ladies I know. We had a BLAST doing the Warner Brothers tour, going to the beach, cruising around the bay, and seriously just soaking up time with each other. It had been far too long since we'd had a W(h)ine Night!

TWO

For the rest of the week, I spent way too much money enjoyed civilization. Ikea, Target, JCrew, Gap, and Hobby Lobby were just some of the places that viciously stole my money. I did some back to school shopping for my classroom and myself and caught some fabulous sales.

THREE

I also had a classroom craft/catch up on life night with another sweet college friend and her precious dog. Check out my Monday Made It on Monday (um, duh) to see some of our projects!

FOUR

I didn't pay real close attention to what I was eating/drinking on my lil trip, so I gained a teensy bit on weight... Even though it was just a little, I found this to be super frustrating because 1) I just paid to do a "challenge" to help me lose weight and 2) I had all the power and resources to NOT have that happen. However, because I thoroughly enjoyed the after effects of my Advocare adventure (and couldn't find anyone less that an hour and a half away to buy from), I decided to become a distributor. I'm hopping back on product here pretty soon and have also started a Three Weeks, No Cheats. My goals were: no sweets, drinking only water, and exercise 30 minutes a day. So far I've definitely exercised, but I've only been able to check off NO 100% successful days of no sweets (margaritas one day, GF cookies the next). It is soooo hard on not being at home but I am determined!

the bikes = exercise... not true winner days ):

FIVE

I am mission tripping next week and then going on a road trip to round out my summer. And suggestions for audio books? Driving by myself can be pretty lonely and I'll have LOTS of time to listen!

Happy weekend, friends!

Monday Made It: Class Synergy Board

Class Synergy Board:

Pinspired by: this, but the link didn't take me to the printable ):

Hundreds Chart from here

Cutie Frame on the bottom right from here

{Check back in August to see how I'm really using this bad boy in my classroom!}

#healthyteacher

My official 24-Day Challenge is over! (well- actually my last day was on the 3rd... but I was not about to write up a lil post on the FOURTH of JULY! Or the weekend following... Ain't nobody got time for that.)

Here are my final quantitative stats:

L-Bs Lost: 8.8

Total Inches Lost: 16.5

Inches lost around my gut (because "belly" is waaaay too cute a word to describe what I was previously rocking): SEVEN INCHES

Though the weight loss aspect was nice, I was much more excited about the inches coming off. Those numbers are really what directly relate to how well my clothes fit and on day 24, I was squeezing back into my student teaching pants!

I followed the rules of the challenge fairly closely. I would say that I ate dairy products maybe 4x total during the program, and had something off of the complex carbs list an average of 1x day. I ate TONS of veggies (carrots, broccoli, peppers, corn, asparagus, green beans, snap peas, etc.), fresh fruit (mostly apples, bananas, oranges, peaches, pears, blackberries, and raspberries), almond and peanut butter, chicken, ground turkey, shrimp, egg whites, and almonds. A couple of times when I was starving and knew I might cheat, I had veggie sushi (brown rice, avocado, carrots, and cucumber) for lunch from good ol' HEB. When I was craving something sweet (which was actually pretty rare), I usually had an apple or banana with peanut butter, OR a no-sugar added fruit cup.

I honest and truly thought that it was easy to stick with this challenge, even when we ate out a few times... But I also honest and truly know that a huge part of the reason I found it so easy is because I was home most of the time and I could plan my snacks and meals ahead or spend the time to cook whatever I found in the fridge. Planning ahead is definitely something I will take into next year.

Now, back from my weekend of indulgence and Independence celebrating, I am back on the wagon. I gained about two pounds back over the course of my long weekend of fun, but I know it will not be difficult to shake off. I am not currently on Advocare products (but really only because I ran out and didn't have anyone to order from!), but I am sticking pretty closely to the Max Phase eating plan (because when you break it down, it is just a plan to help you make healthy choices- nothing ridiculous) and intend to do so throughout the rest of the summer.

...speaking of, my next challenge is going to be eating healthy while I am traveling. I will be flying, mission-tripping AND road-tripping over the course of the next few weeks. Maybe sticking to an 80-20 rule? Here's to hoping!

currently: july

it is a summer miracle! i actually have this month's currently up ON THE FIRST! thanks again to sweet farley for this always fun link-up!

what are you currently doing? share it here!

Ok so that first bit was a little fib- I am not rightatthismoment listening to The One and Only. BUT I have been doing so while I run! It is my motivation. I like walking/running with others but I haven't quite found the right buddy for that yet... And I am loving the book and I've told myself that I can only listen to it while I am actually running. As soon as I slow down to walk I pause it. Don't be toooo impressed though, I am only about 20 minutes into the book so far... (:

I am super jazzed that our backyard plans are in full swing! We've had tons of people come out to do quotes and measure and make estimates and we're hopefully going to start having this beauty overhauled next week! Can't wait to grill on the patio instead of the driveway for the rest of the summer!

This summer I am definitely visiting Los Angeles to see some of my favorites from college, doing a pitstop in Austin to see my bestie, and then coming back for a mission trip in a nearby town with my sweet sister. Following that, I'm planning on spending some quality time in Florida with the fam...

...but I'm waiting to find out when I'll be able to get into my new classroom! I don't want to wait around this super entertaining place all summer if I can't get in until right before school starts BUT I also don't want to spend a whole extra week away when I could be soothing my stress by easing into setting up my new second home. 

This new healthy lifestyle business plus having to go back to a job where I wear real teacher clothes (as opposed to the jeans and tee combo of my PPCD/Sped days) means that I need to add a few more basic pieces to my wardrobe. However, there are verrrry slim pickings I the way of shopping in my little city. Think JCP, Marshall's, and Ross as the PRIMARY options within 2 and a half hours. Not bad stores in a pickle, but not awesome if you have some definite pieces in mind. I also just ordered some black linen pants for work. Thoughts on that? I tried them on in the store but needed a "short" size so I had to wait. They are incredibly comfy and look mildly professional... What would dress them up enough for school? So far I've only thought of a tank and cardi combo.

I am pumped for the 4th! We are planning on floating down the river and then hopping out for a nap (and probably some much needed hydration) before we head over to see the Eli Young Band at an awesome outdoor venue! In keeping with my healthy-ish choices: any suggestions for yummy and low-cal river drinks?

Happy July!