Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Travel Tuesday: Stanford Mall

This week I am taking you to Palo Alto, California 
to Stanford Mall.
(I promise I do more than just shop, people!)



I love Stanford Mall.
I graduated from high school a semester early and took a 
job a JCrew to start saving money for college and build up my wardrobe. Win, win :]

Needless to say, I've spent a lot of time here.

The mall is adjacent from the Stanford University campus and is all outdoors.
It makes for a really nice afternoon.




Stop 1:   La Baguette
I frequented this spot at least once a week while I worked there.
Now, I just look forward to a baguette with each visit home!

We get the Parisian Sandwich, which is simply a ham and
cheese sandwich with a spread on a baguette.


I am sure I could easily recreate it,
but I know it wouldn't be as good :]

Grab a table under one of the umbrellas and enjoy lunch.
Don't forget your Diet Coke!




Stop 2:  Shopping
This mall is packed with stores.
Do some serious shopping!

Some of the stores include:
Macys
Nordstroms
Coach
Macy's Mens
Banana Republic
BCBG
Bloomingdales
Kate Spade
JCrew
Louis Vitton
Sephora
Gap
Burberry
etc, etc, etc




It really has a little bit of everything for basically
any shopper with any sort of budget.

I sometimes find high end stores to be intimidating....
.... but I don't find that at Stanford.

It's a very classy, yet relaxed atmosphere!
Women walk around in their workout gear and sweats.
I find that oddly comforting :]



Stop 3:   Stop and smell the roses.


But seriously...do it :)

Stanford Mall always has beautiful planter boxes.
Since the climate stays pretty consistant year-round, something is always in bloom.
It's gorgeous.





Whether you are wanting a shopping day
or just somewhere to grab a bite and enjoy the outdoors,
Stanford Mall is wonderful.






Monday, July 30, 2012

Cake Mix Cookies

I wanted to make a quick treat this week to give to a friend.

I wanted something tasty, yet easy.

I remembered this recipe I had written in my cookbook a few years ago
that matched my criteria.



I really wish I could give credit to it's author, but I snatched this from an old roommate.
You can find similar recipes herehere, and here .



You'll need:
1 box Yellow Cake Mix
2 eggs
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1/4 cup brown sugar (not packed)
1/2 cup butter (softened)
2 cups chocolate chips




Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

While the oven is preheating, mix the cake mix, eggs, vanilla, 
brown sugar, and butter together in large mixing bowl.

Once mixed well, add chocolate chips (about 2 cups).

Place dough on greased cookie sheet.

Cook for 9-12 minutes. 
(or until golden brown)



Seriously super easy and a pretty darn good cookie :)
Give it a try and let me know what you think!


Friday, July 27, 2012

High Five for Friday

Can you believe it is already Friday??
The school year will be here before I know it!!


Linking up with Lauren over at From My Grey Desk
for another H54F link-up!



Here are my top 5:


1. Received a box I shipped to myself from my brother's house 
in D.C., only to open it to find a present they snuck in!
It was wrapped up really cute with a sweet note :]


I love it :]

I also put in a box my sister-in-law bought for me! She had it waiting for me in their
guest room stuffed full with Diet Coke, M&Ms, and 
Goldfish crackers when I arrived !
They know me well!





2. While I was home, my mom gave me two little owls she saw while
she and my Pops were in Canada. They are for my classroom :]
Best and most thoughtful family ever, right??


Cutest part is what is on one of their feet!





3. Saw The Dark Knight Rises. 
I really enjoyed it.....and my large Diet Coke!




4. Went to the Days of 47 Rodeo on the 24th of July
with some of my girlfriends!






4.5  (Yes I just did that) I saw Nie Nie (from NieNie dialogues) at Target yesterday.
I didn't want to be a creep and take a picture of her.

So I took a picture of her baby in the cart instead.....
because that's not creepy......




5. The Olympics start today!!
I was on a study abroad in London during the 2008 Summer Olympics in China.
 I remember sitting and watching when they announced the 2012 Summer Olympics would be in London. It was pretty special :]


Go USA!




Hope some exciting things made your top 5 this week!



Thursday, July 26, 2012

July Birchbox

My July Birchbox came while I was in D.C.
I almost forgot to tell you about it!






1 - Earbuds
Fun color, but not great in quality.

2- Boscia
Green Tea Blotting Linens

3- Jouer
Luminizing Moisture

4- Larabar
Bananas Fosters

5- Oscar de la Renta
Live in Love

6- Eyeko
Skinny Liquid Eyeliner (purple)



The only thing I have yet to try was the Eyeko liquid liner.
I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised.

I already used a liquid based liner, but I might have to give this product a try!

I was given the purple liner in the box, but I would probably
purchase it in black.

The purple, however, wasn't as vibrant as I assumed.




I just quickly did it on my top lid.
Real simple.

The liner went on quickly and easily.
Very user friendly, especially if you are not familiar with liquid liner. 


Like I said, I will probably try the black liner for my everyday use,
but the purple is fun and different; a nice pop for a dramatic look.

You can purchase them at Sephora :]



Want to find out more about Birchbox and flirting 
with the idea of getting your own??
Click here

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Updates!

So I have a few updates!


First, I hope you noticed the new blog design. 
Thanks to my sister-in-law, I am learning how to make my blog my own!
She made my header. Don't you love it??




Second, I spent a solid five hours in my classroom today.
I stopped at Walmart and got my kids' journals and Writer's Workshop folders.

I got over 64 notebooks and 32 folders for $10 and some change.
Nearly 17 cents a piece people!



I had fun laying the materials on each desk.
I can't wait to get the finalized list so I can start labeling everything :]




I then made some small changes to the class layout.
For example, I moved this huge shelving unit of math tools that was near our small group center 
to behind my small group area. I think I like it better there :]



Then I played around with some new wall decor by the door. 
Not sure if I love it, but it was fun to try out.
The letters aren't straight...
Definitely a work in progress



Do you like the pom poms on the wall?
I used the same tutorial I used to make the Caterpillar, but just didn't "fluff" one side.
I then used a push pin to secure it to the wall.




And lastly, I found a place to live this fall. 
That takes a lot of stress off!





Excited for all things to come :]




Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Travel Tuesday

This is week two and I am already loving this tradition!
Check out last week's here



This week I am taking you to one of my all time
 favorite spots back home in the Bay Area,  Burlingame Avenue


Burlingame Ave. is located a few minutes South of the San Francisco Airport
off of the 101 and about 15 from my house.


My mom and I make a point to visit these streets
at least once while I am home.


Today we started with a Chicken Caesar Salad from Copenhagen Bakery.
This is seriously THE best salad I have ever had.






Copenhagen serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, with options ranging from 
pastries to salads to sandwiches to more specialized European dishes in the evenings. 


Next we crossed the street to hit Sephora. 
We love to go up and down each row of cosmetics, trying new colors, 
or getting tips on some new techniques. 


Now your shopping can really begin! 
Burlingame Ave has a wide variety of stores.




To name a few:
Pottery Barn
JCrew
Anthropologie
Gap
Banana Republic
The Loft
Jigsaw
Apple
etc, etc, etc


Mixed amongst the name brand shops are wonderful boutiques, book stores, and flower shops.
A little bit of everything :]


The weather is almost always perfect (it's the Bay Area, what else would you expect!!).
Not a bad way to spend your afternoon!!
Or a few :]




Here are my faves about Burlingame Ave:

+ selection of places to eat (wide variety of restaurants and types of food)
+ relaxed shopping atmosphere
+ Outside setting
+ Charm of store front shops along a street in residential area
+ Selection of stores 
+ Copenhagen Bakery
+ Play structures for kids
+ Opportunity to enjoy fresh air and get some exercise in from shop to shop
+ Most of the shops listed above give me a teacher discount of 15% off  (love that)


- Parking...it can be difficult to come by and bring your quarters!! (meters)
- Restaurants can get a little pricey $$




I love Burlingame Ave. for many reasons and I 
guarantee you'd quickly find more than enough 
reasons of your own to return to it's streets
 time and time again :]





Monday, July 23, 2012

Weekend Wrap-Up

Hello all.
Sorry if I have been a little M.I.A. lately. 

I'm a jet-setter, remember?
(Please infer sarcasm!)




I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Bay Area.
Nothing like a little time at home to get recharged and ready for the school year.

Here's how my weekend went down:

Friday
Remember how I had some doctors appointments? Well, my doctor had me go and
 get some blood taken. This is basically my greatest fear.

Yes I am 24 and yes I had my mother sit by me the entire time.

So, naturally, after such a traumatic experience, you go shopping, right?
(still sensing the sarcasm?)



My mom and I headed to Burlingame Avenue for a salad at 
my favorite place, some intense shopping, and fresh air.

Found some potential teaching essentials along the way :]

We later got some chinese from my favorite place around the corner 
and waited for my Pops to get home.




Saturday
Pops took my mom and I to Jack's Prime in San Mateo for lunch. 
We then stopped by Morrison School Supply.
It is my favorite. 



My mom and I went to Costco to look into some new glasses.
We were successful!


We then stopped at Stanford Mall.
Yes, we really do enjoy shopping.



Sunday
We enjoyed a nice day at church.
It was fun to see church members here at home who I haven't seen in quite some time. 
I love how the gospel of Jesus Christ is the same wherever I go :]






Hoping your weekend was wonderful, too!





Friday, July 20, 2012

High Five for Friday

Linking up with Lauren over at From My Grey Desk
for another H54F post :]


My, what a week it has been!


Here are my top 5 from this week:


1. The sis-in-law and I hit up the Leesburg shopping outlets.
Love these! From JCrew to Puma to Pottery Barn to Vera Bradley....they've got it.
The best part was when we walked into Vera Bradley to find a Buy 1 Get 1 Free deal.

Yes, you read that correctly. Buy 1 Vera Bradley bag and get another for equal or lesser value for FREE. 






2. I am in San Francisco.
After a wonderful week with my brothers, I get to spend a few days at home with Mom and Dad.
Yes, I am well aware I am very spoiled :]





3. Really excited about my Travel Tuesdays each week!
Miss out? Check it out here!




4. Got a whole row to myself on my way to SFO from ATL.

And watched The Hunger Games.....
for the third time   
 #yolo





5. While out shopping yesterday, I found a really cute sweater....  
I might have a slight problem :]





What made your top 5 this week??


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