Beyond the Blackboard

I was flipping through the channel guide earlier tonight when I came across this Hallmark movie on CBS. I took one glance at the plot and turned it on right away.

Beyond the Blackboard was an inspirational, moving true story about Stacey Bess, a young teacher right out of college, who placed her prejudices and fears aside to establish a classroom at a homeless shelter in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Through the trials and tribulations of caring for her family, her students, and herself simultaneously, Stacey Bess defied the odds of being an unexperienced, brand-new teacher and guided these once helpless children down the right path to a positive future.

As much as I wanted to be a teacher when I was deciding what I wanted to study in college, my head and heart led me elsewhere. Regardless, I strongly believe that there is a "teacher" in me that wants to come out from time to time and after watching this movie, I definitely felt that "teacher" in me start to emerge to the surface. To see how much of an impact that Stacey Bess made on these children only strengthened my desire to have the same impression on others in my future.

Water for Elephants

A couple of weeks ago, I went to the Newport Public Library and found out that they had a "bookstore" in the basement of the library. I had never even seen a bookstore in a library before, but what amazed me even more was that the books were all donated by either the library or frequent readers. I could tell that many of the books were barely read so I decided to take full advantage of this. I was able to snag all of the following books for only $7! What a bargain!

1. Prep :: Curtis Sittenfield
2. The Last Lecture :: Randy Pausch
3. For One More Day :: Mitch Albom
4. Bitter is the New Black :: Jen Lancaster
5. Water for Elephants :: Sara Gruen

I've been wanting to read Water for Elephants for quite some time and have heard great reviews so I was very excited when I found it for $1!

Not to mention, the movie will be coming out on April 21 and I can't wait to see it! I simply cannot turn down a Reese movie. This role seems very different than any other role she has played before so I am looking forward to seeing her performance in this movie.

Have you read Water for Elephants?
Are you going to see the movie?

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I've seen many of my daily reads participate in WILW with Jamie, so I decided to hop on the train and play along!

1. "I'm His Coral Friend" polish from OPI.
(This color is more pink than orange, fyi) It may be spring but the snow that arrived today says otherwise. However, I just have to look down at my nails and I'm reminded that warm weather will be here soon!

2. This adorable floral eyelet dress from F21.
I recently purchased it and I already cannot wait to wear it!

3. Trader Joe's mini milk chocolate peanut butter cups
For Lent, I gave up all sweets again (bye bye cakes, cookies, ice cream, desserts, breakfast pastries, candy, etc.). However, the priest at my school's chapel said that we could "rest" from Lent on Sundays. His exact words: "If you're giving up chocolate for Lent, feel free to eat it on Sunday!" I have never heard this before, but you better believe I am taking full advantage of my "sweet Sundays". I do feel like a cheater, but once that first PB cup hits my tongue, I just close my eyes and smile.

4. My new Sauconys
I bought these at TJMaxx's for only $25 last month and I'm only beginning to wear them now because I didn't want to dirty them up due to the snow. There's nothing like new running shoes to get me motivated to run!

What are YOU loving on this Wednesday?

Springtime Staples

Spring fever is in the air! It's supposed to reach up to a high of 65 degrees in  Boston this Friday, the perfect temperature to venture around the city and go shopping on Newbury Street! Oh, the joys of living in Massachusetts...

With sunshine on the brain, here are some of my "springtime staples" for this season.

1) 3" chino shorts. I always say, the brighter, the better! The appropriately named "shocking pink" shorts from J.Crew are a perfect addition to any springtime wardrobe. If that fluorescent hue doesn't put a smile on your face, I don't know what will!

2) A simple striped boatneck tee. This nautical navy blue boatneck from Vineyard Vines tee is a fantastic match with the bright lemon twill shorts as pictured above.

3) A great pair of sunglasses. These Ray-Ban new wayfarer sunglasses are a classic piece to any outfit. I would love to own a colorful pair, such as a yellow or magenta pair, but you cannot go wrong with the timeless black or tortoise pair.

4) A simple sundress to dress down and up. You can wear this dress to class on a nice, sunny day or pair it with a blazer to be more "business cas".

5) Cardigans, especially the Jackie cardigan from J.Crew. I cannot say enough about these cardigans! I am always looking for a color that I don't already have to add to my collection. The radiant orchid is one of my favorites and I have a headband adorned with flowers that matches perfectly with it. Pastel colors are great for the springtime and can easily be worn over a flowy tank top or over a shift dress during this transition season.

6) Espadrilles. I'm loving this cute navy pair from AE with the paisley straps. Too cute!

What are some of your springtime staples?

No Strings Attached

... the movie, not the *NSYNC reunion tour if there ever was one.

My friends and I went to see the matinee showing of No Strings Attached last Friday when it came out. I was expecting a lot of intimate scenes and sex-related jokes, which did happen a lot. However, it was such an adorable and funny movie. Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher have excellent chemistry. It was very weird to see Natalie in a different light, compared to her character in Black Swan, but I really enjoyed seeing the light, playful, flirty side of her.

One may automatically assume that No Strings Attached is a chick flick, but I believe it's targeting to both men and women. The subject matter -- friends with benefits -- is something that everyone can experience and both genders are able to see the two separate perspectives in the movie.

So run, don't walk, to the nearest theater and catch this movie while you can! I can guarantee you that Natalie and Ashton (and Ludacris... yes, I said Ludacris) will: 1) make you laugh 2) make you cry 3) make you wish you had a significant other (if you don't already, you lucky girls!).