Monday, August 1, 2011

My Vintage Find is Here

So last week I was finally placed for my internship at Barrington Middle school here in Riverview. I am really excited to finally teach and gain my degree that I have worked so hard for. I am a huge vintage hunter, I love going to different vintage stores and searching ETSY for the latest dress and decor from another decade.  Iwass searching the ESTY shops and came across this store called Zwzzy and fell in love with this dress!


So what does my amazing mother do when she finds out my secret love affair with this particular 1970s dress, she buys it for me as a congrats on my placement and future career! So today it came in the mail and fits like a dream. I cant wait to wear it on my first official day as an intern!


Friday, July 29, 2011

New Ink

Let me start out this post by stating how much I love tattoos. I feel they are a great way to express yourself and allow you to put out your creativity in a different format. I currently have 5 tattoos and the 5th one is a new addition. As I have stated I am a nerd for Harry Potter and so I nerd-raged and got my Harry Potter tattoo. The following photos are the stencil, then on my back, and the finished product. This tattoo was done by Zac Bowden at the Atomic Tattoo on Kings in Brandon, Florida




So I wanna know does anyone out there have a nerd tattoo or are thinking about getting one?

Monday, July 25, 2011

Harry Potter The End Of An Era

For those of you who reading for the first time or do not know me I am a huge Harry Potter fan. This story has enthralled me since I was 11 years old. A boy wizard with the odds stacked against him in a world he doesn't quite understand spoke to me as a kid. Growing up and trying to understand how the world works and trying to fit in was something I knew well. These books taught me how to love and become a great friend. My generation is the Potter Generation and two weeks ago the last film came out marking the end of Harry's journey. So i wanted to share with you all of my favorite scenes from all 8 movies.

From Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone
"The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter. It's not always clear why. But I think it is clear that we can expect great things from you. "

From Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
"Eat Slugs"

From Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
"First thing you wanna know about hippogriffs, is that they're very proud creatures, very easily offended. You do not want to insult a hippogriff."

From Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (My Favorite Book)
 Voldemort: "Don't you turn your back on me, Harry Potter! I want you to look at me when I kill you! I want to see the light leave your eyes!"
Harry: [facing Voldemort] "Have it your way!"

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Neville Longbottom: Dumbledore's Army's supposed to be about doing something real.

From Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
"Weasley can save anything,
He never leaves a single ring,
That's why Gryffindors all sing:
Weasley is our King."

From Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 1
Dobby the House Elf: "Dobby has no master. Dobby is a free elf, and Dobby has come to save Harry Potter and his friends!"

From Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2
"There are no more horcruxes. It's just you and me. Neither can live while the other survives, and one of us is about to leave for good."

These are my favorite scenes and various quotes that fit the photos. For all of the Harry Potter fans out there, those that were there from the beginning to the new fans just finding out how magical this story is, remember that even though the era is over and there are no more movies or books that Harry, Ron, and Hermione will always be there when you need them all you have to do is read or relive your favorite movie moments. 


Now I end this post with my three favorite quotes of all the books/movies

Dumbledore- "It does not do well to dwell in dreams and forget to live"

Dumbledore- "Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and, above all, those who live without love
Dumbledore- :"Even in the darkest of times one must remember to turn on the light"

I wanna know what are your favorite parts of the movies/ books or your favorite quotes?

Friday, July 1, 2011

Disney the Happiest Place on Earth

So I have been a little silent lately with the blog. I have been super busy getting ready for graduation and working. I realized that within a couple of months I have been to Disney World at least 3 times and I cannot get enough! I have always been a Disney nut since I was a little kid. I love their movies and their parks. When I see the mouse ears as i enter the exit for the parks I feel like I am 10 again. So i decided to dedicate this post to all the things that make me smile about Disney World in Orlando Florida. All photos from We Heart It, except the last two.

#1- This Power line
Its before you reach the exit for Disney. It never ceases to amaze me that this simple bending of metal brings me so much joy because I know I'm getting closer to the parks.

#2 Cinderellas Castle
Some of my best memories are at this castle, its where my husband purposed to me 3 years ago

#3 The Dumbo Ride
Ever since I was a kid this has been my all time favorite ride next to the Haunted Mansion!

#4 Haunted Mansion
its mine and my dads favorite ride, some of my favorite memories are with him and the hitchhiking ghosts.

#5 Fireworks
Nothing is better than seeing the fireworks display after such a magical day

#6 The Princesses
Every little girl wants to be one and has their favorite
Mine is Sleeping Beauty

#7 Dole Whips
If you haven't had these yet, then you need to head to adventure land and hit this up! Its ice creme blended with Dole stuff that changes soft serve into amazingness!

#8 Pirates of The Caribbean
I love this ride, nothing is better than getting up to the ride, smelling the chlorinated water and that drop still gets me!



#9 Winnie the Pooh
I don't know what it is about that silly ol bear but I love him. His ride is amazing especially with the heffalumps and woozles room!

                                                                    #10 This Wishing Well
I saved the best for last. This well is special to me because my husband purposed to me in front of it. Every time I go to Disney I have to stop by it and throw change in it like I did 3 years ago. There is just something magical about that spot


So thats my top ten! Hope you enjoyed it now its off to the couch for some much needed relaxation!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Gallery of Teaching Ideas

Hey there internet! I am taking a small break from my copious amounts of school work to bring you a blog post on my Gallery of Teaching lesson plan that I am going to present to my honors program (SCATT)  and honor society (KDP). Its called Social Networking with the Founding Fathers. Its a way for kids to connect technology to today. Below is the overview of the project and the student handout. Pictures soon to follow! I know its going to be long but let me know your thoughts!

Social Networking with the Founders
Gallery of Teaching Ideas 2011

Learning Objective: Students will learn about how the founding fathers contributed to the cultivation of America by researching in groups and creating a presentation.
Description of the lesson plan: In groups of four to five, students will research a founding father assigned to them by the teacher. Using this information, the groups will create a science board modeling the design of a popular social networking site. Each board will contain a profile and profile picture of the founding father the group is assigned, a wall for comments left by other groups. The students will be shown an example and receive a diagram for them to follow. Each group will give a brief presentation on their founding father that is 10-15 min long. After each group has gone, the students will list each board for a one- three minute period and leave comments for their fellow founding fathers. By doing this, the students are able to connect to the topic and learn more about the founding fathers of our nation.
Examples of Founders to Use
  1. Benjamin Franklin
  2. George Washington
  3. John Adams
  4. Thomas Jefferson
  5. John Jay
  6. James Madison
  7.  Alexander Hamilton
Materials Needed
1.      Handout with directions on the project
2.      Rubric for grading
3.      Science Boards for the projects
4.      Materials to decorate the science boards
5.      Sticky notes or scraps of paper with tape


 
Social Networking With the Founding Fathers

     The world that we live in today is becoming increasingly connected with the internet and various social networking sites. Now imagine what it would be like if the people that shaped this nation were alive in this time? How would they connect and share themselves with others in the colonies and could this technology have changed the way they shaped America? In this assignment you are to create social networking profile for a founding father that I assign to your group. After constructing your poster following the guidelines on this sheet projects will be presented to the class. Following the presentations each group will add comments to other groups’ projects as your assigned person.

On Poster Include:
  1. Biography Section (middle of the science board)
    1. Profile Portrait.
    2. Name
    3. Date of birth
    4. Where they were born
    5. Occupation
    6. Short biography up to the ratification of the Constitution on June 21, 1788
    7. Famous quotes by your specific founding father
  2. Further Information/ Photo Section (right side of the poster board)
    1. Include your founding fathers philosophy- what did he believe in for America? Was is small or large government influence, freedom for all or freedom for some, did they dislike taxes or welcomed them etc.
    2. Activities and interest- Did your founding father love to write or travel? What did he like to do in his spare time?
    3. Photos- include 2 more portraits of your founding father that are different from the profile portrait.
3.      Wall (left side of board)
a.       Leave this section blank, it is where your fellow fathers will place their comments.



Presentation Guidelines

Time Limit and Parameters:
a.       You will have 10-15 minutes to go over your founding father.
b.      Each member of your group has to speak 
c.       After all of the presentations each group will have a chance to go to each presentation with post it notes to make a comment on their fellow founders wall. The comments that are left on the wall must be relevant to the time and be historically accurate.
Rubric for the projects
a.       Attached is the rubric that I will use to assess your project, presentation, and comments left on each board.
b.      If there is any questions on the project or the rubric do not hesitate to ask, I am always available to answer questions regarding any part of this project.

Friday, March 18, 2011

And Out Come The CupCakes

Hey remember how I said id post some photos of recent cupcakes that I have made. Although I have made a lot recently (or felt like it) I only have a few to share. Which reminds me that I should take more photos of my  cooking escapades and post them since I am starting to bake more. Without further ado out come the cupcakes.

These are bacon maple cupcakes with maple frosting made for Sam's Lumberjack Birthday party


Pardon the leaning cupcake tower


The leaves are made with green fondant


Good for plastic animals as well


The Butterbeer Cupcakes for Sara's Birthday Suprise


With these photos I began during the baking process
well kind of I just a photo of the batter 

 The end result a butterbeer cupcake with butterscotch genache and butterscotch frosting

With yellow lighting bolt fondant pieces

There you have it two cupcakes I have made, hopefully I will have more in the future with better quality photography.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Round the Cupcake bend

So I know I have been MIA from this place of mind dumpage but I still have been up to baking crazily. Its been recently that I have developed an unnatural love for the art of cupcakes. Now I have know for a little while now that my dream attainable job besides teaching (which is my first love..well history is but teaching is awesome) would be to open a cupcake shop. Id call it Bre's Sweet Cakes and I would want to open it with my two best friends Diana and Leanna. I digress these wonderful cakes of tastey are so fun to make and to eat. Recently I figured out how to flavor batter, create fondant shapes, and perfected my own signature swirl lol.

So far in the past couple of months I have made a strawberry banana cupcake, finally did the butter-beer cupcake recipe I found and made bacon maple cupcakes. Ill have photos of bacon maple and butter-beer in a later post. My next venture is creating a root beer float cupcake with a fondant straws or making my own candy ones. I just love making them and my friends enjoy eating them so who knows you may see me on Cupcake wars soon enough. I leave you with photos of cupcakes I found on We Heart It

I love love love these I cannot wait till I can do this!

Exterminate! My other obsession is Doctor Who right now, like Sara says you have a lot of obsessions don't you?

Look how pretty this is! Perfect for a girls night!

Love the swirl

Id want my store front to look like this but bigger! The color scheme would be teals and browns so cute!


Whats you attainable goal that you would do instead of your job now?