One thing that no teacher can have to much of are tote bags! (Although some people might disagree...)
is hosting a teacher tote linky!
Now, if you want to see what is in my teacher tote-go here.
This is my usual, day to day (when I need it) teacher tote.
It's a Boat and Tote. I got it freshman year of college(11 years ago!), and it's held up well!
Now, when I have a PD day, I like to use this:
It's big enough for my PD notebook, a water bottle and various other things. Plus, it's always good for some compliments!
If it is a heavy-duty day when I need to bring laptop, I bring this bag!
It's the perfect size for my laptop (and any notebooks/papers). I've made this one as well....probably around 20 years ago (give or take a few years-I can't remember!)! I don't know why I chose cats...I'm SO not a cat lover-it may have been the only stencil I liked!
And if it is a really heavy-duty day (like I need to bring presents home at Christmas :), I bring this baby.
This is a size up from my daily bag, and it can fit a lot! This one isn't as old as my daily bag-only 5 years old!
So, those are my various teacher bags, for various days and things. What do you use?
Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Monday, July 28, 2014
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Monday Made It |
Another Monday rolling around-School starts for us in one month!
This week, I made a lot of home changes (with lots of pictures)!
My first new addition-a dining room table!
I finally found a table that I like and would work for me. I got it at the Mill Stores (which is an unfinished wood furniture store here in New England), and had them stain it for me (for a price!)
Having never stained anything, I thought it would be better to pay the fee so it would turn out well!
They finally finished it so I could pick it up.
They even included little tools for me to put it together!
Adding the legs:
Finally finished!
Isn't it beautiful?! I love the color-and it it the perfect size for me-30" by 30".
Now, any good dining table needs chairs...
I found the chairs at a local consignment store-but they needed a little work!
Now, they aren't exactly the same, but the were close enough that witha little a lot of work I thought they would look fine.
First step-take the seats out!
Then I washed them-man, were they dirty! After cleaning, and a little sanding, they were ready for primer.
They look so much better just painted with primer!
Now, I did this inside. I tarped off my bathroom and thought it would be okay (since it had a fan and was small enough cover everything). NOT! The spray paint particles went EVERYWHERE! Learn from my mistake-do this outside!
Then, it was time to do the seats while the primer was drying.
These chairs were so old, that the cushions were straw! (That was fun to clean-although not nearly as fun as trying to clean the carpet after spray painting!)
Color time!
So pretty! Add the cushions back on and...
Voila!
From drab to fab!
and with the table-it looks beautiful!
I also got a VIP delivery-
My new chair!
It goes perfectly with my couch, and the blanket I finished in early May looks awesome on the back!
I also did another painting.
I love the way it turned out-and I put it on the wall with a friend!
Now, all of my paintings are up, and none of them are lying on the floor anymore! Having the on the walls makes a big difference in how my apartment looks!
And now, the moment you've all been waiting for- and last, but certainly not least-the winner to my giveaway!
Thank you for all the birthday wishes and entries!
Congrats Tobi!
I'll email you later today to find out your choice!
And to some of my new followers-I hope you stay and take a look around-there is some fun stuff in some of my old posts!
Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn
This week, I made a lot of home changes (with lots of pictures)!
My first new addition-a dining room table!
I finally found a table that I like and would work for me. I got it at the Mill Stores (which is an unfinished wood furniture store here in New England), and had them stain it for me (for a price!)
Having never stained anything, I thought it would be better to pay the fee so it would turn out well!
They finally finished it so I could pick it up.
They even included little tools for me to put it together!
Adding the legs:
Finally finished!
Isn't it beautiful?! I love the color-and it it the perfect size for me-30" by 30".
Now, any good dining table needs chairs...
I found the chairs at a local consignment store-but they needed a little work!
Now, they aren't exactly the same, but the were close enough that with
First step-take the seats out!
Then I washed them-man, were they dirty! After cleaning, and a little sanding, they were ready for primer.
They look so much better just painted with primer!
Now, I did this inside. I tarped off my bathroom and thought it would be okay (since it had a fan and was small enough cover everything). NOT! The spray paint particles went EVERYWHERE! Learn from my mistake-do this outside!
Then, it was time to do the seats while the primer was drying.
These chairs were so old, that the cushions were straw! (That was fun to clean-although not nearly as fun as trying to clean the carpet after spray painting!)
Color time!
So pretty! Add the cushions back on and...
Voila!
From drab to fab!
and with the table-it looks beautiful!
| Flowers are from my parents for my birthday! :) |
My new chair!
It goes perfectly with my couch, and the blanket I finished in early May looks awesome on the back!
I also did another painting.
I love the way it turned out-and I put it on the wall with a friend!
| This is the wall opposite the dining table and the cherry trees! |
And now, the moment you've all been waiting for- and last, but certainly not least-the winner to my giveaway!
Thank you for all the birthday wishes and entries!
Congrats Tobi!
I'll email you later today to find out your choice!
And to some of my new followers-I hope you stay and take a look around-there is some fun stuff in some of my old posts!
Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn
Thursday, July 24, 2014
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Wild Planning |
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
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What I'm Wearing Wednesday and Target Fun |
Happy Wednesday!
Time for What I'm Wearing Wednesday!

Here's what I wore today:
It was HOT today!
I also stopped by Target to pick up some things for school-which will live in my car for the next two weeks until I can get back into my classroom!
I picked up 3 wire shelves (one large, two small), sterlite containers for the Science NECAP Inquiry Task, some shoeboxes for my library, two cute little pocket charts ($1 each) and two of the dry erase pockets ($1 each)!
I'm planning on reorganizing my room a little bit, so I bought more stuff than I normally would. Stay tuned for pictures closer to the end of August!
Have you entered my giveaway yet? There is a few days left!
Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn
Time for What I'm Wearing Wednesday!

I also stopped by Target to pick up some things for school-which will live in my car for the next two weeks until I can get back into my classroom!
I picked up 3 wire shelves (one large, two small), sterlite containers for the Science NECAP Inquiry Task, some shoeboxes for my library, two cute little pocket charts ($1 each) and two of the dry erase pockets ($1 each)!
I'm planning on reorganizing my room a little bit, so I bought more stuff than I normally would. Stay tuned for pictures closer to the end of August!
Have you entered my giveaway yet? There is a few days left!
Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn
Monday, July 21, 2014
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Monday Made It-Giveaway! |
Monday Made It time!
It's a Giveaway!
I'm having a BIG birthday (age is classified and has been redacted! :) and Smiles and Sunshine is 2! (plus 2 months!)
I've made it to my birthday, a 2.2 year blogging anniversary and I made the very pretty sign! :)
Enter here:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good Luck!!
Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn
It's a Giveaway!
![]() |
| Paper from Collaboration Cuties; Frame and Ribbon by Lovin' Lit; Kimberly Geswin Fonts; Melonheadz Clipart |
I've made it to my birthday, a 2.2 year blogging anniversary and I made the very pretty sign! :)
Enter here:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good Luck!!
Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn
Thursday, July 17, 2014
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Wild Sharing |
Ready for some Wild Reading?

Brought to you by:

Some wild thoughts:
I love the idea of reading graffiti-and as I thought about it, I thought about how cool it would be to have the kids use only one line to recommend a book to their friends! I think it would be very interesting!
I do talk to kids about the books they're reading, although it's casual, in passing conversation-nothing deliberate (except in Guided Reading!) Something to think about for next year.
Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn
Brought to you by:
I love the idea of reading graffiti-and as I thought about it, I thought about how cool it would be to have the kids use only one line to recommend a book to their friends! I think it would be very interesting!
I do talk to kids about the books they're reading, although it's casual, in passing conversation-nothing deliberate (except in Guided Reading!) Something to think about for next year.
Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
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What I'm Wearing Wednesday |
Happy Wednesday!
I haven't done any outfit pictures in a while, but I thought I would link up with Jivey for What I'm Wearing Wednesday!

Here's what I wore today:
I also ordered some dresses from eShakti-which is a really cool online store. They sell mostly dresses, but they sell tops, skirts and jackets as well.
I have a big birthday coming up next week-so I thought I'd treat myself! It is a little more expensive than I would normally pay (around $60-$90/dress), but they were having a buy 2 get 1 sale (now it's 35% off Summer stuff) (plus it's a BIG birthday!)
The neat thing about eShakti is that:
~Most of their dresses have pockets! (I know!!)
~You can customize your sleeve length and hem length for a small ($7.50) fee
~It's based off your height!! (a plus for shorties like me!)
~If their 'standard' sizes don't fit you, you can use your own measurements-again starting at $7.50!
~A lot of their stuff has a fun, unique twist-cool embroidery
My stuff?
I did have a hard time just picking three! I had my eyes on some others, but I want to see how this order goes-and how I like them!
I'm can't wait until they get here! (Estimated ETA: first week of August!)
*eShakti does not know that I am writing this-in fact, if not for my order, they wouldn't know I exist-I just think it is an awesome site.
Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn
I haven't done any outfit pictures in a while, but I thought I would link up with Jivey for What I'm Wearing Wednesday!

I also ordered some dresses from eShakti-which is a really cool online store. They sell mostly dresses, but they sell tops, skirts and jackets as well.
I have a big birthday coming up next week-so I thought I'd treat myself! It is a little more expensive than I would normally pay (around $60-$90/dress), but they were having a buy 2 get 1 sale (now it's 35% off Summer stuff) (plus it's a BIG birthday!)
The neat thing about eShakti is that:
~Most of their dresses have pockets! (I know!!)
~You can customize your sleeve length and hem length for a small ($7.50) fee
~It's based off your height!! (a plus for shorties like me!)
~If their 'standard' sizes don't fit you, you can use your own measurements-again starting at $7.50!
~A lot of their stuff has a fun, unique twist-cool embroidery
My stuff?
| As is |
| Sleeve: Changed to Elbow length Hem to knee length |
| Sleeve: Changed to short length Hem to knee length |
I'm can't wait until they get here! (Estimated ETA: first week of August!)
*eShakti does not know that I am writing this-in fact, if not for my order, they wouldn't know I exist-I just think it is an awesome site.
Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn
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