use it: nail polish

Though I'm not a huge beauty product person, my interest has increased over the past couple years and I'm always on the lookout for useful, bang-for-your-buck goods. I'm especially a sucker for nail polish. My favorite colors as of late are:

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in All Fired Up

There's no need for any base or top coats, and it lasts without chipping for at least a week (maybe more if you are better at maintaining polish than I am!). I love the shade All Fired Up - it's the perfect, classic "Matchbook Mag" red.

Essie in Peach Daiqiuri + Essie Luxe Effects in As Gold As It Gets

I love Essie nail polish for its adorable bottles, cute names, and gorgeous shades. This fun pairing was just what I needed to brighten up the gray days of February in Cleveland. I fell in love with the Luxe Effects and want to collect all of them. Next time, though, I will use a clear top coat in addition to the top coating of Luxe Effects in order to make the job last longer.

Butter London in No More Waity, Katie

One of my best friends, Elizabeth, got me this polish for Christmas this past year. We are both big "royal watchers" and adore everything to do with the Middleton sisters and 2011's wedding of the year. I was excited to get this shade not only due to fact it was created in honor of the royal nuptials, but also because it is truly a beautiful shade. A glittery polish, I applied two-three coats until the shade appeared solid on my fingers and added a clear top coat. It holds up well for basic day-to-day functions, but not so much for tasks that require a great deal of handwork, like big cleaning projects or something of that nature.

In addition to wanting to try more of the Essie Luxe Effects line, I really want to try out Zoya nail polish, as I've heard a lot of good things about it in the blogging world the past few months. And of course, I've been wanting to try Deborah Lippmann polish for quite awhile now. Have you tried either line? What do you think? What are your favorite brands and shades?

my life: recent happenings via instagram

First three photos: My friend Elizabeth's cute papillon puppy, Rosie (she's 2.5 pounds!); Madison in a basket of blankets; cuddling with my family's dog Sasha while watching Wheel of Fortune with my parents. Middle three photos: fantastic Melt Quesadilla appetizer Dan & I shared on our first trip to Melt Bar & Grilled; my delicious BBQ chicken grilled cheese from Melt; yummy cake from Resch's Bakery, courtesy of my future-in-laws, to celebrate Dan & I's engagement (and in our wedding colors!). Last three photos: Dan & I before his indoor soccer game; Dan knocking down an opponent player while playing; booty from my weekend trip to Target.

Sorry I've been a bit absent lately. (I also apologize if there are formatting issues while viewing this post - some browsers aren't displaying it correctly) The end of the swim season accompanied with subbing and traveling often has taken some toll on my spare time, which has been spent with family and friends with little leftover time for blogging. What have you all been up to lately?

*If for some reason you are having trouble leaving a comment, please e-mail me at beagleandbear@yahoo.com or leave me a comment on Beagle and Bear's Facebook page. Thanks for your help with this issue!

things that are making me happy

Source: cdn.lulztruck.com via Kelly on Pinterest

• The screenshot above - it cracks me up every time I read it!
• Watching wild animal segments on my favorite morning shows (like Good Morning America and Live with Kelly)
• Nights spent simply chatting with hilarious and supportive friends
• Curling up with my Kindle and a big cup of tea
• Going to pick up my wedding dress, trying it on, and having to order the next size down instead : )
• Delicious meals at my favorite local restaurants (like here and here)
• Awesome performances by my swimmers at an invitational meet this past Saturday
• A new pair of gray boots and a gray and white jacket from my fiancé
• Hearing favorite songs on the radio
• Breaks in the crazy winter weather that make it easier to walk the dogs

What's been making you happy lately?

*If for some reason you are having trouble leaving a comment, please e-mail me at beagleandbear@yahoo.com or leave me a comment on Beagle and Bear's Facebook page. Thanks for your help with this issue!

new year's all year challenge (new and improved 2012 edition)

Hello, everyone! I hope you had a great holiday season - I sure did! I spent plenty of time with family and friends, decorated my heart out, watched plenty of Christmas movies and specials, and constantly sang and danced to my favorite holiday music.

Source: imgfave.com via Kelly on Pinterest

If you are a longtime reader of this blog, you may remember last year I began a challenge called New Year's, All Year. You may also remember, after a crazy first half of the year, I ended up scaling back my challenge.

I'm the type of person who is always making goals. This year I also want to the be person who is always achieving them. I'm not making a ton of super specific goals in a year-long format and then pulling them back throughout the year due to unexpected challenges. Instead, I'm approaching this year step by step.

First, I recognized the major areas of my life: health, finances, relationships, career, wedding planning, and self-enrichment. Second, I made "endpoint" goals for each of these areas - basically, how I would like to end the year in regards to each area. From there, at the beginning of every month, I will make one or two goals in each area that, when reached, will bring me closer to my endpoint goals. Since I am making these monthly goals throughout the year, I will be able to take into account any new obstacles and then set realistic, measurable objectives (while I will always write out my objectives in a detailed manner, I may not always share all the specifics on this blog, for privacy reasons). The one aspect of last year's New Year's, All Year Challenge that I would like to keep is sharing my journey with YOU!

Source: marcypenner.tumblr.com via Kelly on Pinterest

My 2012 endpoint goals are:

• Health: live an overall healthier lifestyle
• Finances: be more organized, balanced, and responsible
• Relationships: maintain mutually supportive relationships that are in balance with one another
• Wedding: have location and date set and all major vendors booked
• Career: aggressively pursue full-time teaching position; develop my coaching skills and knowledge while also developing the school's swimming program further
• Self-enrichment: allow "me" time without overindulging; actively participate in passions, hobbies, interests, etc. further
  

My January goals are:

• Health: track food daily; workout three times a week
• Finances: save specific percentage of all paychecks
• Relationships: e-mail out-of-town friends; prepare for Dan and I's three year anniversary
• Wedding: research vendors in the two locations where Dan and I are interested in holding our wedding
• Career: prepare for the end of swim season and substitute frequently
• Self-enrichment: blog much more often
  

I feel like in 2011, among all the fun, love, and laughter, and despite the stress, self-doubt, and hardships, I learned a great deal about living life in a balanced and positive way. I am very excited to put those lessons to use this year, and to share my experiences with you. If any of you would like to join me in the new and improved New Year's, All Year Challenge, leave a comment and let me know! 2012 is definitely going to be a wonderful year : )

Source: capecodcollegiate.tumblr.com via Kelly on Pinterest

weekly gems

Source: capecodcollegiate.tumblr.com via Kelly on Pinterest

• Tips for better sleep.
• This slideshow of what men love about women is both hilarious and heartwarming.
• Recipes I want to try: cinnamon roles, cranberry pear salsa, mashed fall potatoes with bacon and thyme, and hot vanilla cider.
• Like Harry Potter? Then you'll LOVE this tumblr.
• Get your George Clooney fix here.
• Adore this video of a police officer helping ducks cross the road!
• While browsing Pinterest this week, I came across the wonderful tumblr Cape Cod Collegiate. I'm inspired by pretty much everything posted on it!
• Favorite Hello Giggles posts of the week: one, two, three.
• This Health with Intention post on MML intrigued me - what a simple but effective idea!
• In case you missed it, here is a synopsis and quick video clip of Regis Philbin's farewell show. (I'm going to miss him!)
• If you're an Instagram addict like me, be sure to check out Glitter Guide's follow recommendations.
• Favorite weddings of the week: one, two, three. Also, check out the photos of my friend Kelly's gorgeous wedding from a few weeks ago! Just beautiful : )

thing i've been meaning to blog about, use it edition: amazon kindle

After I started a job in Columbus, life got very hectic and I took an unplanned break from this blog. Since leaving that job and moving again, I've returned and recommitted to regularly blogging at Beagle & Bear. Part of that returns includes a blog series called "Things I've Been Meaning to Blog About," which is made up of posts I intended to publish in summer or early fall but haven't yet. This post is part of that series.

Source: instagr.am via Kelly on Pinterest

This past summer, at the recommendations of my fiancé Daniel, my friend Elizabeth, and my 88-year-old grandmother, I purchased an Amazon Kindle. I stalled on getting an e-reader for awhile for a few reasons: I like to read in the bathtub, I didn't want to continuously have to buy books in order to read them, I didn't want to contribute to the world of books dying out, etc., etc. However, after really thinking about it, I knocked out those excuses pretty quickly - I mostly read magazines in the bathtub. Public libraries are starting to lend e-books, books can be borrowed from other Kindle users, and Amazon has its own lending library. I could still buy new hard copy books by favorite authors or other interesting books from used bookstores. Etc., etc.

So after meticulously Googling information about Nooks vs. Kindles, I went to Target and got myself a Kindle (specifically, a Kindle Keyboard with Special Offers). I absolutely adore it!

• It can hold SO MANY BOOKS.
• It uses e-ink technology, so there is no sleep-interfering blue light like there is on a computer, phone, iPad, etc.
• It's super light to hold. Not the biggest benefit for younger people (unless you have weaker wrists), but huge for older people like my grandma or people who read often and for long periods of time.
• You can make the words bigger or smaller (this was big for me, as I technically need glasses to read).
• Amazon has "Kindle Daily Deals" of the day, in which you can get a book for around $1.99 (give or take a dollar, depending on the book). I enjoy discovering new books and authors this way, and don't feel guilty about purchasing one every now and then!
• I was really interested and excited by the concept of Kindle Singles
• I have an account with Amazon that I use often. Connecting my e-reader to an already existing account rather than having yet another account at another website was appealing and is helpful.
• I can lay on my side in bed reading without having to move at all except for the side of my thumb that presses the forward page button. So useful in fighting my insomnia and helping me relax/fall asleep easier!
• There are tons of super cute Kindle cases you can buy and use! I love the Vera Bradley one that Dan got for me! (it's pictured above along with my Kindle)

If you are a book lover, I would highly recommend a Kindle (especially the keyboard edition!). It's not going to replace hard copy books in your life or make you go broke. It's just going to make your packing for trips lighter and your reading-before-bed routine sweeter.

Do you have a Kindle or another type of e-reader? What do you think?

weekend wrap-up

Friday: Dan came up to Cleveland for a visit. We went to Crocker Park, where we ate at The Cheesecake Factory and went shopping at The Gap. That evening we grabbed some Starbucks and watched reruns of Saturday Night Live via Netflix.

Saturday: Dan and I picked up donuts from our favorite local shop and pretend house-hunted around my city before he had to leave for Columbus. That afternoon I attended my dear friend Ashley's baby shower (she's expecting a little girl!). In the evening, I saw my sister Jackie star in the lead role of a new play named Pray for the Missing Girls, which was showing at Cuyahoga Community College's west campus.

Sunday: After my mom and I went to church together, I spent the rest of the day at home, doing various chores and relaxing. The relaxing portion of the day included reading Mindy Kaling's new book, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The weekend finished up with a cute Skype and ice cream date with Dan.

(Okay, full disclosure: that photo of the cheesecake is actually a pumpkin pie cheesecake from Olive Garden when I went to lunch with my sister a couple weeks ago. I forgot to take a photo of the cheesecake Dan and I shared at The Cheesecake Factory, which was chocolate chip cookie dough. Can you tell I really like cheesecake?)

All photos taken via my Instagram

history lesson: veterans' day

Source: google.com via Stefanie on Pinterest

I love that Veterans' Day in the U.S. is on November 11th for a couple reasons: (1) it makes November even more full of conscious reflections of gratitude and (2) it marks the anniversary of the end of WWI (also known as Armistice Day). I know there's a lot of buzz about making a wish at 11:11 on 11/11/11, which I do think is pretty neat and fun, but whenever I hear "11:11 on 11/11," I can't help but think of how WWI formally ended on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918. I challenge you at that moment, in addition to any personal wish you may be making, to also pause and think of veterans you know or veterans in general. If not at that moment, sometime throughout today. Veterans I know are in my thoughts and prayers more than usual today - my cousin and her husband, another dear cousin of mine, my best friend's sister, the man who was the best man to my maid of honor in a wedding, the man who spoke to my government students last spring, the man who spoke to one of my history classes in college, a man who grew up in Boy Scouts with my brother, two former math teachers, my grandfathers, my great-uncles, and so many others I have interacted with or heard about throughout my lifetime. To all the veterans, I thank you for all you do, have done, and will do for America and its people. You are always in my thoughts and prayers. I hope you have a beautiful day today, and every day.

things i've been meaning to blog about, use it edition: babycakes cupcake maker

After I started a job in Columbus, life got very hectic and I took an unplanned break from this blog. Since leaving that job and moving again, I've returned and recommitted to regularly blogging at Beagle & Bear. Part of that returns includes a blog series called "Things I've Been Meaning to Blog About," which is made up of posts I intended to publish in summer or early fall but haven't yet. This post is part of that series.

In June, my wonderful friend Elizabeth got me a Babycakes cupcake maker for my birthday. It is an awesome tool for people like myself who love baking, love cupcakes, and/or love cool kitchen appliances.

The Babycakes cupcake maker bakes sweet treats in 5-8 minutes. The longer the cupcake maker is on, the faster the batter bakes (which is when your sense of smell comes in!). While the cupcake maker has non-stick coating, which makes any clean-up rather simple, it is necessary to use cupcake liners while baking. The cupcake maker can make mini-cupcakes (obviously!), mini-muffins, brownie bites, or mini-pies (additional pieces are included with and needed for the appliance in order to make mini-pies).

The first sweet treat I made with my cupcake make were simple but delicious strawberry cupcakes with pink vanilla frosting. Those cupcakes (and all the others I have made with the cupcake maker, for that matter!) taste just like cupcakes baked in a traditional manner. Plus, using the cupcake maker is really fun! I am definitely interested in other Babycakes products.

I haven't yet used my Babycakes cupcake maker to bake any mini-pies, but I certainly intend to do so this fall and winter. While I enjoy pies at any time of the year, they seem especially tasty and special throughout the holiday season. Any suggestions on what type of mini-pies I should make first (after pumpkin, of course)?

Have you ever used a cupcake maker or a Babycakes product? What do you think?

(twenty-two) things that are making me happy

Hello everyone! Today is my 22nd birthday! : ) My 21st year was filled with wonderful times with the people I love, lots of hard work, plenty of reflection, and tons of the "little things" that brighten life. I hope my 22nd year is just as blessed and adventuresome! To start it off right, here are 22 things that are making me happy as of late:

1. Iced black coffee
2. Comic book movies
3. Presto Pink nail polish
4. Quality time with family
5. Starting my summer job as a lifeguard
6. Visits with Dan and his family
7. Long walks with the dogs
8. Going to Indians games
9. Apple slices dipped in peanut butter
10. Reading favorite books
11. Naps on the porch swing
12. Trips to Bowling Green to see friends and visit favorite places
13. Cheers marathons via Netflix Instant
14. Pub trivia with friends
15. Morning workouts
16. Days filled with sunshine
17. The treats I can make with my birthday present (thanks, Elizabeth!)
18. Catching up on favorite magazines
19. Striped sundresses
20. Chocolate-covered bananas
21. Picking out picture books for little kids
22. The flowers my dad picked for me for my birthday, pictured above : )

What things are making you happy as of late?

memorial day

Lake Erie, 2009

Hello, everyone! I hope you're having a great three-day weekend. So far I am! I spent time with Dan and his family, my family, and today I'm going to the beach with two of my very best friends. Right now, however, I'm going to indulge myself in a social studies teacher moment.

A lot of people don't understand the difference between Veterans' Day and Memorial Day. Quite simply, Veterans' Day is meant to honor those who served/serve in the military, while Memorial Day began to honor those who died in the line of duty. Memorial Day still serves that purpose today, but has also become a time of year that many family and friends take to honor their deceased loved ones.

So while you are relaxing on this day off, take a moment to remember why it was declared a federal holiday in the first place. If you are able to, try to share with a child what this day means. It is never to early to learn "gone, but never forgotten."

watch it: bridesmaids

Source: imdb.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Movie: Bridesmaids, 2011

Viewed: in theaters (twice!), May 2011

Notable Cast Members: Kristin Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Ellie Kemper, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Jon Hamm, Chris O'Dowd

Overall Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (rating rational)

Plot Summary: Annie (Kristin Wiig) is having a tough time. Her dream business, a bakery, went bust and she's basically broke, she lives with a weird brother and sister pair, she lets her emotions feed into her job at a jeweler's, and she allows herself to be duped over by the same jerk again and again. Then - BAM! She finds out her best friend, Lillian (Maya Rudolph), is getting married. Equally happy and horrified for her, Annie agrees to be Lillian's maid of honor. Annie soon finds herself at odds with fellow bridesmaid Helen (Rose Byrne) over who cares for Lillian more, as well as the skyrocketing cost of being involved in the wedding (which doesn't seem to concern anyone else, except Lillian's father). Along the way, a distance seems to develop between Annie and Lillian, right when Annie could use some advice and love from her best friend the most. Bridesmaids is an excellent film - a hilarious portrayal of female friendships, the insanity of planning weddings, how being an adult sometimes just plain sucks, and how you always have it in you to turn your life around.

Personal Thoughts: My top ten favorite things from the film (no spoilers, & in no particular order):

1. The scene on the plane.
2. Annie's roommate and his sister.
3. Officer Rhodes (played by Chris O'Dowd).
4. The scene in the bridal gown shop.
5. John Hamm's jerk-of-a-man Ted.
6. The scene with Annie and Helen in the car.
7. The scenes with Annie in the jewelry shop.
8. Wilson Phillips.
9. Melissa McCarthy as Megan - comic gold!
10. Annie's mom (played by Lynne Marie Stewart).

I highly recommend this film. Don't worry, guys will definitely enjoy it, too (just ask this one)! Can't wait for the DVD!!!

Have you seen Bridesmaids? What did you think?

Want more Kristin Wiig? Check out this collection of some great SNL skits.

weekly gems

Hello, everyone! How was your week? Mine has been great! I spent it visiting Dan and his family in Columbus. We drank coffee and ate ice cream from our favorite places, made chocolate covered bananas, played catch, kicked around a soccer ball, ate out at an awesome fish and chips place, went for walks, and just generally relaxed around the house. One of the highlights of the week was when Dan got me an early birthday present - Martin the Monkey, featured up above. We made him together at Build-A-Bear Workshop before seeing a movie (the review of which will be posted next week). Please note Martin's Indians uniform in honor of my favorite Cleveland sports team (who are doing AWESOME this season - knock on wood!).

Do you have big plans for this weekend? I'll be getting certified in CPR and moving more things from my apartment to my parents' home. I hope your weekend is not as busy and a bit more entertainment-oriented! Or that you at least have time to browse some of the awesome links below. See you next week! : )

• NBC has announced its fall schedule for the 2011-2012 TV season. ABC has announced its fall schedule as well.
• I would totally live-in this L.A. condo - seriously love everything about it!
• Excellent news for coffee drinkers! And even more reasons to love & cherish your friends.
• Check out this slideshow of the best movie love triangles.
• Great tips for constant worriers.
• This video of Gwyneth Paltrow rapping is too funny!
• How-to thrift effectively!
• Movie casting news: Armie Hammer in The Lone Ranger and Michelle Williams in the Oz prequel.
• Where to find the love in photographs.
• Can't wait to try pomegranate-champagne punch, chopped broccoli salad, and chocolate lava cake.
• Love this beautiful, yellow and gray wedding and this elaborate, pink and gray proposal

things that are making me happy

Source: imgfave.com via Kelly on Pinterest

1. The adorable photo above
2. The Indians' win over Kansas City Monday night
3. Reading awesome new books
4. Visiting Dan in Columbus and having fun at our favorite places
5. Pinterest's iPhone app
6. Yummy pasta dishes made by my sister
7. Watching Cheers on Netflix
8. Meeting new people who are friendly and have a great sense of humor
9. People's issue that's all about Pippa Middleton
10. Summer fun with friends

What things are making you happy as of late?

my life: 21 things I learned in college

1. You are much stronger than you think you are.
2. It is possible to be young and have fun while also making healthy choices.
3. The best way to re-energize during study sessions is to drink a cup of coffee and then take a 20-minute nap.
4. My parents are smarter and more generous than I ever realized (and I really did think they were smart and generous before!), and my grandma is my biggest inspiration.
5. What you learn from your educational experience cannot always be measured in a grade.
6. Binders, Post-It notes, a planner, highlighters, and file folders are all essential organizational tools.
7. The ability to truly forgive is rare and important.
8. Eating decently, getting enough sleep, exercise, going to church, having a pet, calling home often, drinking plenty of tea, practicing gratitude, and having a fully loaded and charged iPod are all key to staying emotionally balanced.
9. Downtown Bowling Green is west of campus, not north of it.
10. Nothing is more important than family.
11. Most people are doing the best that they can, and if they aren't, they need your faith in them more than ever.
12. Do not wear flip flops on a rainy day.
13. I have amazing friends who are truly incredible people.
14. Living with integrity means treating others the way you want to be treated.
15. Whoever invented pizza is a genius.
16. Love should not be the sole basis of a relationship.
17. The Greater Cleveland area is an awesome place to grow up and live.
18. Breakfast food is an acceptable meal choice at any time of the day.
19. Things will only go as you planned about 50% of the time, and the other 50% of the time, will work out okay in the end anyway.
20. You never know how much of an impact you have had on someone's life or how much someone will come to mean to you.
21. I was meant to be a teacher.

rube goldberg would be jealous

My junior year of high school I took physics, and one of our huge assessments was a Rube Goldberg project (the end result opening a pop can). I think my partner Katie and I did a pretty decent job with our project - as I remember, it involved an "easy button" and a lot of sand - but imagine if we had created something like the video above! Just AWESOME!

LOL: when i grow up...

The photo above is of a journal I had in elementary school, in which I said my favorite subject was citizenship (social studies) and that I wanted to be teacher. I also wanted to be, at some point in my K-12 years: a ballerina, ice skater, author, independent coffeeshop owner, psychologist, lawyer, filmmaker, and journalist. Teaching was the career I kept returning to. As a result...I am currently finishing up my bachelor's degree in education : )

I think a person's career/career goals say a lot about what they enjoy and what they care about, which is probably why teachers often ask students what they want to do when they grow up. If you haven't guessed it yet, I have another set of elementary kids' opinions for you today! The following answers were responses to the question what do you think you would like to do for a living when you grow up?

Student responses...

• "When I grow up I want to be a psychologist and report the weather so I can warn people when bad weather is coming."
• "When I grow up I want to be a police officer because they can speed and they have cars with hidden sirens for the undercover police officers."
• ‎"I think I would like to be a professional athlete when I grow up because I would be able to raise money to donate to charity."
• "What I will do for a living is I will make the world a better place."
• "When I grow up I will be a lawyer because I like to help people and you get a lot of money."
• "When I grow up I want to be a teacher because I want kids to be extra smart."
• "I think what I will be doing for a living is I will be a teacher because I love to teach. (That is why I always grade myself. I am getting ready to be a teacher.)"
• "When I grow up I want to become a history teacher because I love history."
• "When I grow up I would like to be a nurse. I would like to be a nurse because I like to help people when they get sick or hurt."
• ‎"When I grow up I want to be in the NFL because it is fun and I can learn more about football."
• "What I would like to do for a living when I grow up is to become a policeman because I can be helpful, solve problems, and help people figure things out."

Aren't the students' responses inspiring? They just fuel my desire to be teacher and help students reach their goals.

What did you want to do as a career when you were in elementary school? How does it compare to your career goals now?

things that are making me happy

Source: flickr.com via Kelly on Pinterest

• The photo above
• Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure nail polish (especially in Commander in Chic)
• Watching The Golden Girls
• Yummy ice cream treats
• Seeing and now quoting the movie Your Highness this past weekend
• Long walks with the dog
• Reading articles on Reese Witherspoon's wedding
• Making delicious chicken and pasta dinners with the boyfriend
• Weather getting warmer
• Listening to all the Glee volumes on shuffle
• Visiting with family and friends this past weekend

What is making you happy this week?

weekly gems

Today is my mom's birthday. My mom is wonderful and an inspiration to me. I have no idea what I would do without her, even though we don't always get along (probably because we are so much alike...right down to our looks!) My mom has always put family before everything else, but has still managed to earn a bachelor's degree, an associate degree, and a masters degree. She is compassionate, motivated, funny, and creative. I love you, Mom! Happy Birthday!

• Love this spring/summer outfit! And these Reese Witherspoon photos.
• The drawings of these gargoyles totally portray how I feel when I'm grumpy!
• Ways to get toned without formal workouts and ways to exercise outside.
• Movie news: a Monsters, Inc. prequel, a first look at Pixar's Brave, details on the new Muppets movie, and 2011 being the year of the mermaids?
• This bread looks so good.
• I want to move into this Lake Michigan cottage. A gorgeous cottage one of the Great Lakes? Seriously can't get any better.
• Love advice from 9 year olds and 99 year olds...so sweet and wise!
• Definitely want this special issue of Better Homes and Gardens! It would go well with any of the gadgets in this cupcake-making slideshow.
• The friends everyone should have.

my life: spring break to-do list

Source: eyeonlifemag.com via Kelly on Pinterest

1. Catch up with friends over coffee.
2. Bake some sweets.
3. Cook a new meal.
4. Talk, laugh, watch movies, eat dinner, and play cards with family.
5. Walk the dogs.
6. Chat and watch TV shows with the boyfriend via Skype.
7. Grade papers and plan lessons.
8. Work out.
9. Apply for jobs.
10. Read a few magazines and a book or two.
11. Daydream.

What would be on your spring break to-do list?