Last Year's America's Got Talent Winner!

I had never heard of this guy until today when I came across this video. Amazing!! (one of my all time favourite songs)

In my mailbox

The first part of my new school tour was a stop at my mailbox. There is something so satisfying about seeing your own mailbox labelled next to all the others. What is even better is that I had a little surprise waiting for me inside. Someone had sent me a copy of the book (pictured above). Being a total book nerd, I was very excited to receive this. It's funny because last night after finishing another fiction novel I was thinking that I would like to read a "teacher" book. I guess my wish was granted.

It's that time of the year again!

How did summer fly by so quickly? I was busy for most of the summer and barely noticed the time go by. It is now back to school time! Is it strange that I feel the same way I used to when I was a kid going back to school? I am excited but super nervous. I feel like the new kid at school not knowing anyone. I went in to visit my new school today and the nerves kicked in big time! I'm excited to meet my students but am also hoping I make a good impression. I guess no matter how old you get, those first-day-of-school nerves never disappear 100%.

Quote of the day

I love this!

Sorting time.

What is contained in the boxes pictured below is my life as a French teacher from last year. Unfortunately, when I packed up my office my goal was to get it done quickly and I didn't think too much about organization. I was even carrying all my books home in laundry baskets because I was not sure how many boxes I would need to pack away everything. So now I am left with the task of going through each and every box. Let the fun begin!

Tea Time

Loving this mug. You can find it here.

Some home decor ideas

A simple and cheap headboard. It's beautiful and easy to make.




A neat idea for storing all those socks that are missing their other half.




Keeping cords organized with binder clips.




A closet organizer used to hold paper.




A cute towel hanger for the bathroom.

Cute Jewlery

A little magic for your room

I find that since I am moving out soon I have been looking for home decor inspiration. Isn't this headboard beautiful and a little magical?

A little Audrey inspiration

Some books I would like to read

Downsiders by Neil Shusterman
Synopsis:
Meticulous 14-year-old Lindsay isn't exactly thrilled about moving to the chaos that she believes is New York City. Her flighty "career college student" mom, now divorced, has dumped her on her city engineer dad, "a man who lived his life twenty minutes behind schedule and in a perpetual state of apology." Lindsay is certain that nothing better awaits her than prep school boredom and constant battles with her evil stepbrother Todd. But she is wrong. Quite by accident, Lindsay discovers an unusual boy named Talon who resides in a secret city beneath New York--a kind of underground Oz called the Downside. Talon and Lindsey are fascinated by the differences in their dual worlds and soon grow equally fascinated with each other. But when Lindsay's dad's construction project hits a snag that reveals the Downside, it is not only the blooming relationship that hangs in the balance, but the entire future of the Downside as well.




Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Synopsis:
“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Times bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.

NYC breakfast in Soho

A little bit of NYC

My NYC Pandora bracelet.












The best cupcakes in New York!

Off to NYC!

Sometimes I wish I had continued my ballet lessons

My new chauffeur

My dog has decided that she wants to be the one to drive when we go out.

Super chain lock!

A new guilty pleasure

I have recently discovered Etsy and am loving some of the shops on there. Here are some of the lovely items I found and links to their shops.



A "follow your dreams" bookmark.
Can be found at: www.etsy.com/shop/lmgdesign




I love this pendant because one of my favourite songs is "Dream a Little Dream of Me"
Can be found at: www.etsy.com/shop/ThePendantGallery




These tags are adorable. Each one says: "Dreams are a wish your heart makes." on the back
Can be found at:www.etsy.com/shop/KidsAtHeartDesigns




This ring comes from one of my favourite shops on Etsy. All these rings are made from silver wire. There are tons of gorgeous rings at this shop.
Can be found at: www.etsy.com/shop/holmescraft

Aren't all these items gorgeous? I will post more unique items as I find them.

I finally did it!

...I read the first Harry Potter book!



Actually, I read it a few years ago for a Children's Lit class in university. I was so focused on gathering topics for my essays that I did not enjoy the book. After having many friends tell me that I need to read the books, I decided to give them a shot. Yesterday I finished the first book and, surprisingly, I liked it. I think I avoided Harry Potter for years because of the overwhelming hype it received. I often find that when things are hyped up too much, I lose interest. So I avoided it. And the more I saw people dressed up like wizards at Chapters waiting for the release of a new book the more I avoided it. But now that the final movie has been released and the frenzy seems to be winding down, I am looking forward to seeing what this series that captured millions of hearts is all about.

What are your favourite books?

NYC in 12 days!

Beautiful Niagara Falls