Random Acts of Kindess

As you may have read, yesterday I started my twenty-eight random acts of kindness in 28 days to celebrate my 28th birthday.

Did ya get that?

I don't have a list of what I plan on doing each day but I do have a "to-do" list of ideas that I would like to accomplish. Will I get to all of them? Probably not. Will I think of others on the way? Definitely! I also hope that I am put in to situations where I am needed.

I asked all of you in my post yesterday to participate in at least one day if you could. At the end of the 28 days, on October 24th, I will post a link up where you can share with me what you did. I'm already so excited to see everything! If you can't join in the link up, then you're welcome to just shoot me an email or leave a message and I can add it in my post.

I also shared this "event" (what would you call it?) with my students at school. Their reaction was nothing that I expected. They have decided to use a class notebook to record their acts of kindness. All of the students in the class can write down what they did in this journal. They can also go back and read other entries. At the end of the 28 days, they said that I can keep it (wahoo!). For 5th graders, I was very impressed with their journal idea and at the fact they really wanted to participate.

With that, I will leave you with my list of ideas. If you have any to add, feel free to leave a comment below. I'm always trying to think of other ideas and those that require little to no money are great too!

• Pay for someone's {coffee} order in the line behind me
• Leave an extra tip for your waitress
• Write/Send a Thinking of You card to a friend
• Invite a friend over for dinner
• Take your neighbor's trashcans up to the garage
• Make a special treat for your coworkers
• Let the person in line behind of you at the store go in front of you
• Renew an old friendship by sending them a letter
• Leave a small token of appreciation for the mailman
• Help out a family member or friend
• Write notes of appreciation
• Say something nice to everyone you see that day
• Donate clothing
• Put quarters into the grocery carts at Aldi
• Write anonymous, loving post it notes for strangers to find them
• Pre-pay vending machines
• Ask others what you can do to help them
• Leave the nice parking spots for other people
• Clean up a school's playground
• Take a friend out for coffee (your treat)
• If you see an older person or soldier eating alone, pay for their meal
• Send a dessert to another table

There are so many wonderful things that you could do to make someone smile. I can't wait to hear what you have done and other ideas that you have!

Thanks for participating!!

In 28 days... (you're going to want to read this)

In 28 day I will be 28 years old.

While this may not be a big mile stone, I feel like so much has changed in the past year. We made so many changes in our home. I graduated with my masters in administration. I moved up to teach 5th grade. I finally feel {somewhat} organized at home. I feel like life is coming together. *knock on wood*

I'm pretty sure 28 is going to be a good year for me, which is why I want to start it off with a bang and I need your help!

Every year when my birthday roles around and my parents ask me what I want and I can never think of anything. I feel truly blessed to have everything that we do have. I really have to think about what I really want because I don't really need anything. It actually makes me feel bad. There are so many bad and dramatic things going on in the world, that I want to do something good. I want to make someone else happy or surprised because it just makes you feel amazing!

So starting today I want to give back for my birthday. I want to take the next 28 days to do twenty-eight random acts of kindness and I want you to join in too! You don't have to do one every day, but I would love for you to participate in one day out of the twenty-eight. I'm not going to post specific things you have to do on certain days. It's all up to you. I will share my list of ideas I have tomorrow. I'm not even sure what order I will go in, but I think I'll just know that day.

The only thing I ask is that you share what you did with me. I would love to hear all of the wonderful acts of kindness going on. You can comment daily or I will have a link up on my birthday, October 24th. I think that would be the best birthday gift of all!

So get out there and do something today to help someone else!

Don't forget to grab my button on the side and share it with your friends and readers!

Fall Fashion

Even though we've been in school for a while now, I always struggle with my back to school style. I feel like when school starts I'm just trying to survive the newness of everything and the warm weather. But once fall kicks in, it's a whole new world. I can actually think about the new trends without worrying about being so hot. {Note: I'm always cold but when it's still hot outside and I'm at school I get super warm.}

Here are some great fall outfits that I hope to incorporate into my teaching wardrobe! 

Teaching-orange by buckeyebritt featuring cotton knit tops

LOFT cotton knit top / LOFT boot cut pants / LOFT high heel pumps / LOFT boho jewelry

Teaching-Green by buckeyebritt featuring clip earrings

Worthington / Jones New York / Ballet shoes / Kate Spade clip earrings

Teacher-pink by buckeyebritt featuring tory burch

LOFT blouse / LOFT plaid pants / Tory Burch ballet flat / Tory Burch

Teacher-polkadot by buckeyebritt featuring h&m jackets

H&M polka dot chiffon blouse, $41 / H&M jacket, $49 / H&M , $41 / H&M bow flat, $13 / Stella & Dot studded jewelry

Teacher-Red by buckeyebritt featuring gold filled earrings

Ruffle top / Black top / Ann Taylor tall pants / Rocket Dog shoes / Gold filled earrings

What are you wearing this fall??

Must Love Cats

I met Emily a few years back through Kelly's blog {although we were destined to meet--we know the same people and I grew up down the street from her aunt and uncle}, so I thought how fitting that I post her on Show Us Your Singles!!

Meet Emily. She is 27 years old and works at a local university. Emily studied agricultural communications in Columbus and is always teaching this city girl something new. 

{Girlfriend can jump!}

Emily is one of the sweetest people I know. She comes from a small town in southern Ohio and is just a doll! Whether we're shopping in Chicago or at our local Target, it is always a fun time!

Emily is very family oriented and spends a lot of time with her brother, sisters, and nieces. She also has the cutest cat, Bowie. If you love Bowie, then I'm sure you can win over Emily.

{Bowie and Lady Gaga}

Emily is a huge Ohio State Buckeye fan and enjoys tailgating and going to games. She also enjoys other local sports teams such as the Columbus Clippers (baseball) and Columbus Crew (soccer). She also loves the Arkansas Razorbacks. PIG SOOIE!!

Emily is not only such a kind person, but she is such a great friend. She will make a wonderful wife one day when she finds Mr. Right!

"Good things come to those who wait but better things come to those who do"

Interested in knowing more about Emily?

Email me at BuckeyeCoupleBlog@gmail.com

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

It's been a while since I linked up with the fabulous Jamie for What I'm Loving Wednesday! It seemed like such a good time to do so!

I'm loving my fall mantel 

I'm not loving how my furbabies own our home. 

Did you notice?

I'm loving these cute monogrammed pumpkins!

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I'm loving how delicious this pumpkin bread looks

{not saying that I'd like it...not a big pumpkin fan}

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This adorable owl pumpkin.

It works with my love for owls and fall

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I love adore this weather!

I'm loving that I'm going to the OSU game with my love!

And loving these outfits perfect for football season!

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Don't forget to link up with Jamie!

Help stop it

***WARNING: ANIMAL PICTURES AHEAD THAT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO LOOK AT. I promise if I am posting they're not terrible, but here is your warning.***

Do you know what I'll never ever understand??

Animal Cruelty.

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I know this is not a topic everyone wants to discuss or read about but it's the truth and it's real.

I read a story on facebook about someone taking their pit bull mix puppy, starving it, then throwing it down a 19 story trash shoot in a trash bag. The picture was gruesome and disgusting. I just sobbed {also why would anyone post that without a warning??}. The dog could not move and was stiff. I really thought it was dead when I first looked at the picture. But I continued to read the story and clicked "next" to see pictures of how the puppy progressed. Slowly and surely the puppy began to grow and put on wait. Thank the Lord!

Now the puppy is older and a chunk. Without the help of a maintenance man this dog would have never survived. A few days after he was taken to the hospital, he was named Patrick and was given meds and fluids. Days progressed and Patrick was able to sit up again. He was surrounded by gifts, pictures, and letters. Four months after he came to the hospital he made his first bowl movement. Why would I tell you this? Well because that was the first major sign of recovery. After that it was smooth sailing. He began putting on weight and found a home with a sister. He was a completely different dog.

God was watching over sweet Patrick that day. There was a reason for him to live. He fought until he was strong again. Patrick is a lucky one.

There are so many animals in the world who are abuse and neglected every day. I just don't understand why. It breaks my heart just to think about how many don't have families out there let alone are being beaten, starved, and (yes) even burned alive. I know this is a lot and I know it's sad but it has to stop. How can people get away with this?? {I'll save my other comments about these people for myself because they are not nice}

Sometimes I feel like I can't do anything about it. There's only one of me and a lot of people out there. But when I look at the story about Patrick on facebook and see how many people responded and sent gifts to Patrick, I know there are millions out there who care.

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I also know that I can teach my students the right way to care for animals and how bad animal cruelty is. Animals have feelings like humans. You may think I'm crazy but they really do. Oliver and Wembley light up when we come home and if they (okay, really just Oliver) get in trouble, as in we look at him the wrong way, he is heartbroken.

What can you do to prevent animal cruelty? Stop buying from Pet Stores (such as Pet*Land), do not buy a dog from a puppy mill or a pet story, educate others, and so much more. Have you done something to help stop animal cruelty?

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I don't recommend clicking on the link

Not so shabby...

I'm pretty sure if I could live in any time period it would be the 1950s-1960s. I just adore the clothing during this time period. I love the fitted dress with the flared skirt. I love the buttons and the bows. I love it all! With the fashion trends we have now, you can bring almost any decade back and tie it into something more up-to-date. That's why I love Shabby Apple.

When I first found Shabby Apple a lot of their clothes reminded me of the 1950s and 1960s but with a more modern feel. They even through some other decades in there with the neck bow ties, ruffles, and color blocking. It's such a good mixture of everything!

Here are a few of my favorite Shabby Apple Dresses, jewelry, and shoes (which was hard to choose because they have so many options)

Nantucket

The perfect little black dress

Jub Jub Bird Skirt

Ohmygosh, I love this skirt!

Black Oak

Upper East Side

Wildberry Pie

Because who wouldn't want to cook dinner in this?

Aphrodite

Adorable maternity clothes too!

Dazzling Day 

 Heart Strings

You definitely need to check out the Dresses from Shabby Apple if you have not already done so. They are amazing!!

*I was not compensated in any way to write this post. This is my own true opinion.

Classroom Library Organizer

I started a separate blog for education a while back and now that Pinterest is super popular, I'm so glad I did. I've said before that I share this blog with family and friends, however I'd like to keep it off Pinterest because of my coworkers. If a few coworkers start to find out about it then it could get around the district {as I act like anyone would really care that much}. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

So today I posted on my education blog about an awesome website that allows you to organize your classroom library electronically. The best part about it is that it is FREE!!

If you are interested in know more, check on my education blog From the Desk Of...

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Note: I'm trying to get a "pin it" button on that site but I'm having a difficult time!

Sunday Social: Week 14

It's been a while since I linked up for Sunday Social, but I thought I'd end the day with a little blogging.

1. What is the name of your blog and how did you come up with it?

This blog is called {Not So} Newlyweds. I'm not really sure how I came up with it. I honestly thought about it for a long time! I kept thinking of The Newlyweds, but we've been married almost four years, so really we aren't technically "newlyweds" any more. So I decided to add the "not so" to the front. I'm not sure why I put the "not so" in parentheses, but I like how it looks!

 2. What do you love most about blogging?

I love all the advice, ideas, and friendships I have made. Sometimes the ideas I come up or want to try with after reading other blogs get pretty crazy, but it's good to a lot of ideas from other people. It is wonderful to keep a "diary" of our life so we can go back and read about everything that has happened (when I keep it up). It's also been wonderful to meet new friends!

3. What are your two three favorite posts you've written

If you really knew me 

{great post to know me}

Graduation party pictures 

{I was so proud of the party!}

Full of exciting updates

4. What is something you would want to tell someone starting out in the blog world?

Be yourself. 

I'm boring, have no kids, work like a crazy person, and am obsessed with my pets. But I can still blog. I still have things going on in my life. I may not be the most interesting person, but I'm me and I'm happy to have this journal to remember what has been going on in our life.

5. Biggest blogging learning experience you've had?

Not to much... I guess just getting to know the person for who they really are and also know that people are not always who they seem. But you have that in the real world too.

6. Give us three blogs that we need to be following:

This is so hard! There are so many I love...here are a few (more than 3)

In No Simple Language

Our Oklahoma Nest

Our Happily Ever After

Life in the Green House

Lamberts Lately

The Glamorous Life of a Housewife

Our Love Nest

Brittany's Blessings

Ohio Favorites

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

Life After "I Dew"

Enamored and Elegant

German Village Mom

Life, Love, and Marathons

Running in Stilettos

Hart to Heart

From Nanny to Family

From Newlywed to Mama

Growing Up Goomba

Heart Like Mine

If I Could Only Find the Words

Karen at Home

Michmash

Playground Duty

The Barkers

The Haney Life

To Columbus and Beyond

The Juice is Worth the Squeeze {always an Ohio girl!}

Friday Letters

Say what? Two posts in one week? What is going on?? I may or may not be putting off grading some papers.

Dear Oliver,

Must you chase Wembley around the house every night? What is the deal? As soon as I get home it starts. You're running all around the house chasing each other and acting like you have no manners. I know we taught you better than that! You also seriously have to stop getting stuck the cat house. What happens if you get stuck and I'm not home? Figure that one out!

Dear 5th grade,

I still feel like I'm living Groundhog Day. Some days are worse than others. My students are also getting to know me too well. Yesterday one of them figured out the enrollment key to my new website. Yes, it was 'oliver' but seriously? I also have another student who routinely calls me "mom". Yes, he did this a few times last year, but now we're on a daily basis. It definitely makes me laugh because he turns bright red! I do love looping with them and knowing them so well.


Dear J,

I am so excited that you will be graduating in May from grad school! I'm so proud of all the work that you have been doing in school, at home, and at work. I don't know how you are ready to start your doctorate degree but I know you will be amazing!


Dear JCPenny,

I never was a huge fan of yours but recently you have been my bff. I love your new prices and everything I try on seems to fit perfectly. I even managed to find jeans that fit my legs, behind, and were not huge in the waste. That is what I call a miracle! Keep up the great work!

Happy Friday! I'm super thankful that it's finally the weekend!!

Slacking...

I've totally been slacking in the blog world not just with posting but with reading too {enter major sad face here}. I have about 8473809475 things on my plate and by the time I get home, pick things up, finish school work (at home), make dinner, I'm ready to crash.

I don't have a lot of updates but here a few things that I'm excited to share!

1) We got new carpet!! I've never been so excited! I will be sure to post pics of it as well has the hundreds of other pictures I've been meaning to post. I love it and it just makes our house feel so much cleaner (J thinks I'm crazy).

2) We got a new dishwasher!! We are just in full force around here! It's so nice to have a new dishwasher that works properly...and is black. Now we just have to replace the fridge to match (it's still white and we want stainless) but we're not in a huge hurry.

3) IT'S SEPTEMBER!!! This is amazing! Now if the weather could take the hint, we'd be all set! I adore the fall and am even more excited for October!

4) My sister is officially a college student and is going to rushing! I'm super shocked (I never saw her joining a sorority--never) but I'm very excited for her! I wish my sorority was at her college, but unfortunately it is not. There are other great ones for her to join.

5) This past weekend was the best long weekend ever. It seriously felt like 5 days rather than 3. We got so much done! We cleaned out the basement, cleaned the house really well, put up fall decorations, and worked in my classroom for a bit. I wish every weekend was a long weekend!

Goals for this weekend: update blog and post pics! Let's see if I can do it!