Winterize Your Nails - Julep

I was contacted by Julep about sharing how I "winterize" my nails. I thought this was a unique idea and something fun to participate in in the blogging community, since I have an obsession with nail polishes.

For one, I have been getting my nails done for 5 years. My mom took me one day as she was getting hers done and I have been going every since. I find that my "me time" and enjoy the hour or so I am there.

So, how do I winterize my nails?

I always tend to keep my nails as short as possible. My nails are not my "actual" nails but rather tips. I like keeping them as short as possible since I work with my hands a lot in the restaurant on the weekends and every once in awhile I am bound to stub my hand and one will scratch. I like getting them done at least every two weeks so if I keep them super short, it allows me to go sometimes a week longer and prevents them from breaking (this wasn't the case this time with my thumb nail to be honest).

Plus in the winter in New York, I am bound to be shoveling snow at some point so I do not want one to break while shoveling! :)

Since I don't actually do my nails myself (I have tried...the painting experience looks like a kindergarten was finger painting on my nails), I don't push back my cuticles. However to me, small (or no) cuticles are better because it lasts longer and looks nicer! Having the cuticles pushed back when I get my nails done at the salon also makes me feel like my paint job lasts longer (and looks nicer!).

Then I have them buff my nails. To make them look as natural as possible.

After that, I use some sort of moisturizing lotion to make sure my nails are super soft. I try to keep my hands looking soft all winter so my nails look super nice!


Now, how do I choose my color in an array of the world where there are enough nail polishes I could paint each nail (and toe) a different color?!


Well, Julep had sent me this color pallet as an inspiration.

Personally, I always choose my color first (sometimes even based on the name of the polish) before I get my nails done. I went with the color "Joanne" for inspiration as it was a more deep red color. I would wear the lighter shades in the summer. I like wearing something a little darker in the winter. It pops against the dreary weather! However, being that it is the holiday season, I wanted something red but not super dark (however, in the family of a dark red if you catch my vibe). Next time I get my nails done, I might go with "Joanne" again or Sawyer. Ilsa is too dark of a black color polish for me and I stick with deep plums, deep/dark reds, dark grays for the winter.

What does the end result look like?

I personally think it is a great color. Hands don't look like they have been through the ringer and I got compliments on it at school/work after I had them done. The red makes everything pop in a dreary, cold winter.

I plan on exploring all the polishes Julep has to offer and maybe finding a hidden new favorite I had no idea about.

So, how do you winterize your nails and make them pop in a winter? A light color? A dark color? French? A design? Share with me!

The one time I went to Brooklyn

Yesterday was our Superintendent's conference day at school. The last two years at the school where I previously worked, we went in and did work on our finals or worked on websites. At my new school, I assumed I would be doing the same thing. Nope, totally different.

My chairperson wanted us to attend the AP college board conference for either Spanish or Italian (the only ones the kids take in my school even though we also offer French). I took a look at the link he sent us and laughed because I figured there was no way the district would approve it at $185 a PERSON. Well, sure enough they did. We had to lay the money out at first but they reimburse us for it.

Let's just say I was super happy to get home yesterday. I woke up at 4:30 because I was afraid I would oversleep for my train at 6:39. I took the train by myself and met up with everyone around the corner from the school. It was about a 15 minute walk from the Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn to the school.

The conference was definitely different than I expected. It was 6 hours of STRAIGHT LECTURE....all in Spanish. A lot of the other teachers teach or have taught it from other schools but only one teacher in my district teaches it. It was definitely interesting as someone who TOOK the test 10 years ago to be able to see how they make up the curriculum that is on the test. And how they score the tests. I liked seeing the different levels of writing. However, my attention span was weaning by the end of the day. You know its bad when even your chair looked like he was losing focus.

It was a long day for all of us but it was definitely interesting. However, I came home to plan and get ready for today. I feel like I NEVER stop working. I guess that is suppose to be how I feel my first year of teaching,. A lot of creating materials and then the power points. Next year it will be easy!

I need to make sure all my lessons are well planned because I have a feeling my chair will be popping in soon to do an observation. He has been trying since the beginning of October and when he did it two weeks ago, I was giving a test. Whoops.

One of these days I hope to have a more interesting life other than school. However, I bought this last week at Target and I am OBSESSED. Now my only complaint is WHY WHY WHY is she not doing a show in New York?! Especially with a song Welcome to NY! My friend Shannon and I plan on going to Pittsburgh because that is the closest (other than Philadelphia but we want to try a new city)! Maybe she will add a new one like she did last time.

That one time I had a blog...

It has been awhile since I last blogged and that was not intentional. I have just been super busy that blogging got put on the back burner for awhile.

The first quarter is almost done and over with. Wow! In some ways it is hard to believe that it is already November and it feels like we just started school. I honestly have to say, I do love where I work. If you can find the combination of that plus good people you work with, it is priceless. Don't get me wrong, I terribly miss my other co-workers from the last school I worked in. But to be working in a school district on Long Island when I NEVER thought that would happen is just icing on the cake!! 

I teach a total of 3 classes but only two a day. I teach 6th grade French, 6th grade Spanish and 7th grade Spanish. My 7th grade class is every day and my 6th grade ones are every other day. I don't remember taking my language in 6th grade every other day but I guess I did. When I am not teaching, they either have me in the testing room (which is great because I get to do a lot of my planning!) or the academic center. 

However, my principal came to find me the other morning. I thought I was in trouble when he asked if he could talk to me...ha ha! He asked me if I would like to teach a 9th grade Spanish class over at the high school. The teacher is going out on maternity leave and the rest of her classes conveniently fit into all the other language teacher's classes except for one period. He said he would arrange coverage for the testing room for me during period 3 because that is when I would be teaching over at the HS. I said absolutely yes!! I met with the high school principal on Thursday and the teacher. Next week I am shadowing her to meet the kids, see how she runs her class and then hopefully get the materials. She already gave me her class contract and curriculum outline. She said she wants to make a Google folder to share with everyone who is covering her classes. I am really excited because I have never taught high school before and I am also getting paid more!! HOLLER!

When I was in school, I used to be excited about having election day off. As a teacher, not anymore because we have to go to school for a conference day. Boo! Except my department is going to an AP College Board conference in Brooklyn. Its $185 to go to the conference but we get reimbursed. I am just not looking forward to that long day. I have to drive all the way to work to take the train in with everyone, to take the subway to meet at the conference. I gotta ask what we're doing because as of right now, we haven't discussed it as a department. Might wanna since its on Tuesday! 

And on another note, I feel like God cursed me when I got my dog. I know so many people who have gotten a dog...or even two..around the time I got my Lily. They have not had issues like I am having training. I cannot understand what provokes her to bite! Seriously, I am on my third trainer and just ready to LOSE my mind. I am hoping this works (we are using a 'shock' collar and my mom swears that it is making her worse). Say a prayer for me...I feel like I am always asking about that but I desperately need it. 

6 weeks in!

How is it almost halfway through October and we already have had progress reports for the first quarter?! In some ways, this school year feels like it is FLYING by and in others, it is dragging. Needless to say, it has been an interesting school year so far and certainly has kept me busy!

Keeping busy is definitely my life's mantra/theme right now. I honestly feel like collapsing and not doing ANYTHING once I get home from school. I usually leave my house by 6:45/6:50 to help with traffic. My commute is about 30 minutes give or take...sometimes 45 if it is really bad with traffic. A week ago it was pouring and it took me an HOUR. So there's something I miss about my old school with the commute being only 20 minutes and I was driving against traffic and not with it! 

Everyone has said the first year is always the worst. You're a hot mess trying to get assimilated to everything and you're planning day by day. Second year it gets better because you're tweaking everything from year one. By third year, you've got it down. Is this really the truth? Because I feel like I am doggy paddling to keep my head above water with planning!!!

My problem was I didn't get access to my curriculum/topics until the day before school started and the first week of school. The other ladies in my department have been super helpful though! The french teacher (she teaches 7-12 and I teach the 6th graders) gave me a binder of all the topics/vocabulary she wants me to teach and said I can use that/do whatever I want. That helps because I am really on my own in that department. But at least it's the same textbook I used at my last school so no worries there. For 6th and 7th grade Spanish, we do packets and its usually a packet a week/week and a half then a quiz. They gave me the packets that they did over the summer (that they got paid to create) and then I have been using them in conjunction with things I find online or make up myself. 

What I am finding is over planning can be good. I hate when you think you planned enough and then you still have 10 minutes left. My favorite is when I over plan and then I don't have enough time to do everything I wanted because they're stuck on something. It is hard when the textbooks/workbooks are on back order until October 27th!!!!! I feel like once I have a grip on everything, it won't be that bad. A new friend at work, who is also the new FACS teacher, told me that she felt this way her first year teaching (she taught for 5 years in another district) and kind of feels it again this year so it's nice to have some company in feeling like you're paddling to stay afloat! 

I know it will get easier! I am really happy though. I have to say that I NEVER thought I would get a job teaching in a Long Island school district. It's a great district I work in and I hopefully get to become a full time teacher and not teach just a total of 3 classes. But don't get me wrong, I love it! (I do miss my other coworkers terribly!!)

Keeping in with that, I already had my first formal observation!! I chose my biggest class, my French class of 30 kids, to be observed in. Our new AP observed me and it went so well! I would rather constructive criticism then just being told there was nothing wrong. I like being able to improve because then it makes instruction smoother. He submitted his evaluation online and I got 6 highly effectives on the rubric! I was shocked! There's 15 categories and I had a lot of effectives and one developing (which is something so minor to fix) that I was so happy. That just proves to me that I am in the right profession, I know what I am doing and they're happy with me. At our new teacher meeting last Wednesday with the principal, he said they're so happy with the group they have of us new teachers (2 TAs, myself, the FACS teacher and the new speech pathologist).

The only thing I wish was I had more time to sleep! Ha ha! I am so tired and coffee is not helping right now. I had to get up early because I had a third dog trainer come meet my wild beast Lily to help me. This dog is costing me an arm & a leg with training but it'll be worth it! Right now I am off to go get my nails done and go to Kohl's. A little retail never hurt anyone! 

The last Sunday Social

Today is apparently the last Sunday social link up with Ashley & Neely. What?!  Where was I when that announcement was made? However, Ashley did say a new one is coming about in November so I am excited to see what that is all about. I just love finding new blogs and meeting new people!

So this week's theme is going back to the first round of Sunday Social questions!

{1} How did you come up with your blog name?
I remember being at home after having surgery and was reading adoption blogs. I just kept stumbling upon blogs and then decided to start one myself. I wanted something that meant something to me and there came "Live Laugh Love." It's my life motto. You gotta live and enjoy every minute of every day. You need to laugh at yourself and the little things in life, otherwise it's torture. And most importantly, love.

{2} What is your favorite thing about blogging?
Meeting new people and connecting about things you have in common! I love finding other teachers and I have found many great tips/techniques to use in my classroom. 

{3} What is one thing you discovered because of blogging and now cannot live without?
Hmm...probably RueLaLa or HauteLook! 

{4} Facebook or Twitter...why?
Facebook! I love adding pictures.

{5} If one celeb read your blog, who would you want it to be?
Jennifer Aniston! Hands down, my favorite actress!!

{6} What is something you want someone to know about your blog? 
I am not trying to be fake and impress people. I don't care about sponsorship and how many followers I have. it's not a numbers game to me. I just want a place to look back on memories and connect with others!

{Sunday Social}

I have been so busy trying to keep my head above water with school & planning that I have barely had time to blog! There'll be a catch up post soon (after my observation this week) but here's another go-around at Sunday Social with Ashley & Neely.


{1} What is your favorite magazine to read?
Honestly, I think the only one I buy regularly is Cosmopolitan (I really should just get a subscription). People is a guilty pleasure as well as US Weekly and Star.


{2} What is the best thing you have seen online lately?
http://time.com/3430491/taylor-swift-internet-meme-no-its-becky-tshirt/

I don't know why but I found that awesome because it shows Taylor's sense of humor. 

{3} Who is your favorite celebrity to follow on Instagram or Twitter?
Kourtney Kardashian on Instagram. Seriously, she looks amazing when she is pregnant. 

{4} Is there one article of clothing no matter what the season you can't help but love?
Probably sweat pants. I will come home and put them on to be a lazy bum after a long day of work any day of the year!

{5} Do you prefer email or snail mail?
Considering usually all I get in snail mail is my bills, email! Ha! I do love when I get a random "Hi I miss you card!" from one of my friends. 

Now back to my regular scheduled day of lesson planning before working tonight. I am one tired teacher!  

Back to School!

Does anyone else feel like summer FLEW by and it's a shame we're back in school? HA! I was in school with finals/proctoring/grading until June 27th and then went to AC. Granted, I had my fun this summer but with working, it didn't feel like it was long enough.

Last Tuesday was Superintendent's Conference day at my new district. I got to meet all the language teachers and everyone was super nice. There's only one French teacher and she teaches 7-12. I teach the 6th grade class. She gave me an ENTIRE BINDER of basically every lesson and said I could use whatever I wanted. I was super happy.

Wednesday was the first day of school! It was SO different than being with my coworkers from the last two years. First off, my old school had air conditioning therefore I was spoiled. This one...not so much. But hey, it's okay. I think I was so burnt by the end of the first day I went to bed at 9:30! I can't remember the last time that I did that. 

Pretty much how I felt Friday afternoon.

Overall, my classes are not that bad. My Spanish 6 has 20 kids, my Spanish 7 has 26 kids and my French 6 has 30 KIDS!!!!! The principal told me that there were originally 37 kids enrolled but they had to tell kids no. I am SHOCKED!! We had 3 sections of it last year where I was working. I only see the 6th graders every other day so it is dragged out a bit. Today was my second day of seeing the French kids. 

If I am not teaching, I am in the testing center or the academic center when I don't have my lunch/prep/professional periods. The testing center is air conditioned but three periods in a row in there will FREEZE you!! If there are no tests/quizzes being given, the bright side is that I can plan!!

Overall, I am happy I got this job. I definitely would not be doing what I did the last two years this year if I was still there (they kept TAs in all classes BUT language classes) and I would have been a one-on-one. I miss my old chair and coworkers terribly but everyone in the department has made me feel welcome. 

Time to go plan for the rest of the week!