Katie's Closet ~ April Edition

Here's a recap of my April outfits! Click on fashion to see more outfit ideas!

Summer Bucket List

This warm California weather has me so excited for summer! As always, we have an extremely busy summer! All wonderful things though! Here's my summer bucket list...so far!

  

What's on your summer bucket list? 

Summer Lovin'

How great is this look for summer? Love the fun bright colors! 

Summer Lovin' by allthingskatiemarie featuring a collar necklace

Katie's Closet

 

Jacket: Macys

Shirt: Target

Pants: Forever21

Shoes: Target

Thanks a Latte!

A friend of my recently helped me out so much with some painting in my house and I wanted to give her a gift card to her favorite place, Starbucks! I found this cute little printable card and glued on a coffee sleeve for a fun way to present it!

Katie's Closet

 

Shirt: LC Lauren Conrad for Kohls

Sweater: Target

Belt: H & M

Pants: Express

Shoes: Calvin Klein

Packing for Vacation

I'm heading to the Bahamas soon (YYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAYYYYYY!!!!!) and have decided that I most definitely need to pack everything in just one carry-on bag. With the crazy amount of planes we have to hop on, I'm so paranoid that my luggage might get lost. Being that we're going to somewhere tropical, small bathing suits and light weight clothes are all I really need. Here's what I've decided to bring:
-3 swim suits
-1 swim cover up
-2 dresses
-1 pair of shorts
-4 shirts
-1 pair of flip flops
-1 pair of wedges
-accessories: beach bag, Kindle, sun screen, big floppy hat, sunglasses

beach vacation by allthingskatiemarie featuring a bikini swimwear

Every other beach vacation I've gone on, I've packed so many different outfits for each day. By the end of the trip, I lived in my swim suits and wore no makeup the entire time. This time around, I'm going to be practical (hopefully!) Cheers to some sunshine and drinks with umbrellas!

Katie's Closet

Dress: Old Navy
Belt: Target
Boots: Cathy Jean

 

M & M Bark

Who doesn't love some salty/sweet deliciousness in their life? I sure do! This no bake M & M bark is a perfect way to satisfy that craving!

 

Ingredients:

enough pretzel sticks to just cover the bottom of an 8 X 8 pan

1 cup butterscotch chips

1 Tbsp cream

1 1/4 cup chocolate chips

1 - 2 cups mini M & M's

Directions:

Line an 8 X 8 inch pan with parchment paper. Spray lightly with cooking spray. Spread out a layer of pretzel sticks, enough to cover the bottom of the prepared pan.

In a small, microwave safe bowl, stir butterscotch with the cream and heat, in 15 - 20 second intervals in the microwave, stirring until smooth.

Carefully spread the butterscotch on top of the pretzels.

In a small, microwave safe bowl, heat chocolate chips in microwave, stirring after every 10 - 15 seconds or so until smooth. (Be careful not to overheat or chocolate will seize.)

Spread over first layer.

Sprinkle with mini M & M's. 

Chill in fridge until solid, about an hour or two. 

Cut with hot knife OR cover with parchment paper and break apart with hammer. 

Katie's Closet

Top: Forever21
Pants: Old Navy
Shoes: TJ Maxx
    

Having a Ball in Math!

A few months ago I started doing five minute timed math tests. Every student started with a subtraction worksheet with 100 problems on it. In order to pass and move onto the next level, they have to get 100%! Each day, the students are given an opportunity to make it to the next level. Overall, there are 10 subtraction, 10 addition, and 10 multiplication worksheets-30 levels in all! My class is very competitive, so I knew I had to come up with a fun way to display their awards!

Using a gumball machine I found in clipart, students colored their machine and glued it to a piece of construction paper. After they pass each level, they are given a gumball to place in their machine. The students love seeing how full their machines are getting!

Katie's Closet

 

Top: H & M

Pants: Express

Shoes: Tory Burch

Monogram Cell Phone Case

I've been getting a lot of comments and e-mails asking where my cell phone case is from. It's from www.threehipchicks.com, which is an amazing site!

Not only do they have cell phone cases, but they also have jewelry, home decor, laptop cases...the list goes on and on! Everything they have is simply adorable! I wish I could have it all!

Here are 10 of my favorite cell phone cases from www.threehipchicks.com

Go check out the site and find something fabulous for yourself!

Mother's Day Gifts & Crafts

Last year I posted some of my favorite Mother's Day crafts and gifts. Here are some more fun ideas to do in your home or classroom this year!

 

http://family.go.com/crafts/craft-641451-cupcake-magnet-card-t/

http://family.go.com/disney/disney-mothers-day-crafts-recipes-photo-gallery-pg/#Teacup%20Tidings;10

http://www.daniellesplace.com/html/mothersday.html

http://foodloveandlifeblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/mothers-day-kids-craft.html

http://mrswilliamsonskinders.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-05-04T10:17:00-07:00&max-results=7

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSCCuKhY0otnW1FhXLjb9OcbRWqtUbuOUmcWhwDE0Eu21SELlIZ7Z18w54AOUQGFK7lQAeikYAzP6QFU-B9aAnsMYZ1KjGcoszfWNT_1i4d1Hn06MPVl0W0Ntb2YmJcFbb0hznrOVB0E/s1600/DSCF1180.JPG

http://applesandabcs.blogspot.com/2012/04/mothers-day-craft-for-sweetest-moms.html

http://lessonplans.craftgossip.com/upcycling-the-humble-toilet-paper-roll/2010/06/26

http://diyremodelingpins.com/2013/01/17/mothers-day-craft-ideas-2/

http://www.marthastewart.com/341027/mothers-day-newspaper?center=326420&gallery=350369&slide=341027

http://squishideasforpreschool.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/mothers-day-crafts.html

http://blissfullydomestic.com/life-bliss/mothers-day-crafts-with-the-kids/42997/

http://ourdailyobsessions.blogspot.com/2012/05/mothers-day-crafts.html

http://laurenconrad.com/blog/post/diy-gift-guide-mothers-day-crafts

http://www.flickr.com/photos/justcharlaine/500294545/

http://www.mrsliretteslearningdetectives.com/2012/05/mothers-day-crafts.html

http://shareandremember.blogspot.com/search/label/Mother%27s%20Day

Katie's Closet

 

Blazer: LC Lauren Conrad for Kohls

Shirt: H & M

Necklace: Ily couture

Pants: Express

Wedges: Target

Watch: Marc Jacobs

Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup

This savory soup is great all year around. It's so filling but also low-calorie! 

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

1 onion (chopped)

1 bell pepper (chopped)

3 cloves garlic (minced)

32 ounce chicken broth (add more for soupier consistency)

3 Tbs Parmesan cheese

2 Tbs basil

2 Tbs oregano

2 Tbs crushed red pepper

1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes

2 cups whole wheat pasta

Directions

1.  Add all ingredients to the Crock-Pot (except pasta) and cook for 6 hours on low or 3 hours on high.

2.  Thirty minutes before you are ready to serve the soup, add pasta. 

3.  Serve in bowl when ready!  Top with mozzarella cheese and enjoy this delicious, healthy meal!!

Recipe adapted from www.guide4moms.com