O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...

We got our very first real Christmas tree together for our new home! We bought it yesterday and finished decorating it today :)

House in Progress

I recently bought a house closer to my place of work, yay! I had hoped to have thanksgiving break to get moved and settled in, but unfortunately that didn't happen. So my awesome boyfriend, family, and I have been very busy this week making some great progress!

Potential Jewelry Organization

I like this idea a lot for necklace display! Since I will have my own closet in my next home, perhaps I can display them like this in my closet.... Plus, I have a lot of necklaces!

This is a pretty stand for the little things! Rings, pins, and my pretty flowery hair clips/ pins!  But I may create my own pretty version....

.... Using Dollar Tree finds! :)

 

I'd like to spray paint wine bottles and/ or a paper towel holder all in one color (probably gold, as it's my favorite) and use them for bracelets and headbands.

Autumn wardrobe

Autumn is my absolute favorite time of year. I've worked on creating a closetful of fall-inspired clothing that I absolutely love, and this year I think I have it. Once the weather turned cold, I've been enjoying my mornings as I get ready and pick my outfit for the day.

I find that a cranberry colored thermal and a cranberry colored scarf can nearly carry you through the season when paired with blacks or browns.

Slightly oversized sweaters balance with skinny jeans and comfy boots that go with nearly everything.

Little lace details save me from looking drab in a lot of dark colors.

Black stripes sort of rule this season in my closet, whether it's tank tops, sweaters or dresses with leggings. :)

Monterey Weekend

I really cannot believe how fast my summer is going by! I have one month until I go back to teaching, and I want to try to savor as much of it as possible! I have several performances coming up, one of which is a hilarious play called "The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon." In it, I get to play some twisted versions of Snow White and Cinderella. I have also been directing a vocal ensemble called Village Voices, and we have our concert the week after Grimm ends. Ben and I took a lovely trip to Monterey last weekend, and with the temperatures in the 100's all this week, I'm so wanting to get back out of the valley.
Here are a few photos from our getaway.

 Jelly Fish at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

We stopped for some wine tasting at Ventana Tasting Room

After tasting at Ventana, we ate nearby at Tarpy's Roadhouse, which was some of the best food I've ever had! 

Wedding season: Done

Since January, I have been to numerous showers, bachelorette parties and weddings, and I have hardly shared about any of them! Here are a few of my absolute favorite pictures from these occasions. I really should make a post completely separate for Chandra and Britton's wedding, since it was literally the most beautiful wedding I've ever been to!

Going bald.

Teaching sometimes makes me want to pull my hair out, especially with a concert coming up. At least I can rest assured, knowing there are beautiful women out there who don't always have hair.

On Teaching Junior High:

We finished STAR testing this week at the junior high where I teach. Needless to say, it has been a crazy week, and it's not even over. I've developed a knack for some teaching faces, mostly in the "what the hell are you thinking" category. I also had one of the best moments ever today. Yesterday I gave a girl detention to serve tomorrow. Giving detentions is truly is rare for me, even though it probably shouldn't me. So of course when I step out of my classroom and find her detention slip crumpled up on the ground basically as a big EFF YOU MISS NUNEZ, I'M NOT GOING TO DETENTION.....
I wasn't too thrilled.
That changed, however, when I returned said detention slip to this girl during her 7th period class today, with a big grin on my face as I handed it to her and said, "here baby girl, I think you dropped this; I wouldn't want you to forget to go tomorrow."
Junior high girl: 0
Miss Nunez: 1

TGTIF (thank God tomorrow is Friday.)

Recipe for an instant "I Feel Better"

1 Starbucks mocha cookie crunch frappucino, extra caramel +

2 upbeat musical artists (my go tos: Lady Gaga and Michael Jackson) +

2 friends you can demand to tell you something funny or good
=
You'll probably feel better :)

Palm Springs Purchases

Here are just a few of my favorite things that I bought in Palm Springs. Not included are the major deals I landed at the White House Black Market outlet store, because they need to be worn and photographed to do them proper justice.

Spring Break Vacation

Our vacation to Palm Springs was such a nice getaway! Lots of shopping, hiking (not my favorite thing in the world, but it was still fun!), and shopping.