to bang or not to bang...

THAT is the question of the day! HAIR, people, I'm talking about the hair. ;)

Hmm...what are we thinking on this issue (if it even counts as an "issue")? I have been growing out my bangs, but recently, I have felt frustrated and bored with them. I am missing my short, side-swept style. What's in? What's out? Who makes the rules anyway? I have seen tons of fashion ad campaigns favoring the middle part with flowy, long bangs, but then BAM, suddenly, I have seen short bangs coming back into play, making a beautiful, stylish come back! What's a girl to do!?

 Keep on growing?

 Hello, side sweep?

A New Addition...

Welcome to our home baby blue butcher block island!  I have been searching and wishing for you for what seems like forever. So happy Mum and I decided to walk into HomeGoods last Saturday morning. Can't wait to entertain, eat, and drink with you. Good times to come...a cocktail party plan is in the works ;)

Chicken Fajita Nachos

The hubs is working late tonight so I planned a simple dinner that was going to be quick, easy, and satisfying. These nachos were just what I was in the mood for. I posted them on Facebook and many of my lovely friends asked for the recipe. Your wish is my command! I can't take all the credit...You can find it here! Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

2 large cloves garlic, minced

1 small red bell pepper, cut into small strips

1 small green bell pepper, cut into small strips

1/2 sweet onion, sliced

1 large cooked chicken breast, shredded (approximately 1 1/2 cups)

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Assorted tortilla chips (You can use blue corn, chili lime, and/or plain white corn)

6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded

2 ounces pepper jack cheese, shredded

2 plum tomatoes, diced and/or medium salsa

Handful cilantro leaves

Directions:
Preheat the broiler. Prepare a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and spray with cooking spray. Heat the olive oil and garlic in a skillet over medium heat. Add the bell peppers and onion, and saute for 5-6 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Add the shredded chicken, spices, salt, and pepper. Saute for an additional 2 minutes. Spread the tortilla chips in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Top with the bell pepper, onion, and chicken mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Broil for 5 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Transfer to a platter, and top with the diced tomatoes/salsa and cilantro.

Hot Pants

Looking for some new skinnies for Spring? Check out Gap's Legging Jean. I recently purchased three pairs (black, ink, vintage loren). I am loving the fit, look, and stretch (low rise, skinny in the hip and thigh, skinny leg opening). The cropped style is perfect with some super high pumps or rolled up for a more laid back style with some cute flats. They have some pretty pastel/bold colors, as well.

How are we feeling about colorful denim by the way? I'm all for it. My only hesitation at times is the material. Some of the bold pants I've tried are way too thin and well, way too revealing. Gap's Legging Jean is the perfect texture and thickness for work or play. 

Oh wait, what's that I hear... I think Miss Lilac Skinny is calling my name... ;)

Grade 1 LOVES to read!

My school has been studying the author Kate DiCamillo as part of our author study/reading incentive program for the month of March. My grade 1 class was assigned the book Bink & Gollie. Saying that they have greatly enjoyed it is an understatement...they have LOVED each and every minute spent with this charming story. I highly recommend it to any teacher out there ranging from grades K-2. I used it along with my Inferring Unit in Readers Workshop and it worked out perfectly.

We have celebrated this author with many fun events around our school...a kick off pep rally, advisory meetings with different grade levels, a movie night, dress like your favorite character day, a door/bulletin board decorating contest (still waiting for the results...cross your fingers and toes for us) AND get this...we even danced and sang "Gotta Keep Reading" AKA The Black Eyed Peas...I Gotta Feeling ;) Guess who was in charge of teaching the entire school and staff the moves...uh huh, this girl right here! So so fun and also a great opportunity for me to share my love of theater and dance with my teacher friends! Being new to the school this year, I am happy to have the chance to share a bit of myself with them. We will be video taping our school jammin' out at some point this week! Hopefully I'll be able to share it on here with all of you!

Above are a couple of the pictures of our decorated door and bulletin board. The board is divided up by each chapter in the book. Each child researched pictures in magazines, old books, and/or the internet to make one GIANT Bink & Gollie picture research collage! I am still blown away by the amazing images they found and the personal connections they have made along the way. 

I am so pleased with the hard work and effort that the students have put in! Proud of them BIG time!

Hullooo luvvaaa

I snatched up these bad girls yesterday. I have to say...best purchase in a long time! While we've only been acquainted for a little over a day, I'm so in love! I've been in search for a comfy Spring shoe for a while now. I've tried ballet flats, flat sandals, and flip flops (flops...not quite appropriate for a business casual work environment) but have found that they do not have enough support for boppin' around all day with my littles' in grade one! Comfort and cuteness? Come on now, you can't have it all, right? Wrong! YOU CAN! Sperry Top-Sider Boat Shoes! Bingo.

Sport these cuties with a pair of skinny cropped jeans/pants, a collared shirt, trench coat, and a pair of stylish sunnies and you are good to go! Your feet will thank you. 

Go ahead...check them out here!

Here are some of the others I took for a test drive around the mall...(may go back and purchase...I mean...)

Style Spotlight...

Sienna Miller. Wow. What a style icon. I love her carefree, confident attitude...not to mention her gorgeous hair, body, and smile! What a babe, seriously. I will be channeling my inner Sienna this week with some laid back waves, neutrals, braids, and some skinnies.
I hope everyone had a fantastic & restful weekend! Best wishes for a great week. xo