It has been a WHILE since I did a “Current Addictions” feature; and there is a lot to get caught up on; so I have broken with my traditional format (I’ll return to it next month).
1. Through Thick & Thin Necklace Set from Bryan Anthonys
This set is stunning. It is simple yet beautiful. It captures the essence of friendship; being there for the other person through all of life’s highs and low. This set comes in 14K gold or silver and retails for $60 USD. The jewellery from this shop is designed and crafted in the USA. Check them out on Instagram.
2. The Happiness Planner
This planner caught my eye when I was perusing the agendas/notebooks in Chapters with my bestie. I had just finished telling her about the daily three list I was doing about gratitude following a professional development session. This planner is “designed to help you not only plan and manage your schedules & to-do lists, but also live a truly happy and fulfilled life by embracing the power of positive thinking, mindfulness, gratitude, and self-development.”
3. Love and Lore Jewellery Travel Roll
I was supposed to head off to Texas in January for a trade show with my husband; but it was cancelled due to the pandemic. I found this super cute and feminine travel roll for my jewelry. The last girl’s trip to San Fran that I went on with my bestie I found that I definitely needed one. This roll is made of “ soft velvet [with a] beautiful floral print and rolls up easily into a compact carrying case. [And] features five zippered compartments of various sizes for bracelets, necklaces, rings, hair ties and more [with] a leather strip [to] secure earrings.”
4. Pampa Steakhouse
On on adventure into Edmonton; I noticed a new location of Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse. After hearing rave reviews from family and friends about the downtown location; I am eager to try the food at this new location (which is MUCH closer to home). The 17th century tradition of tradition of Brazilian BBQ (or churrasco) features “succulent grilled meats and feijoada.” Pampa offers everything from brunch to cocktails.
5. Muskot Plant Pot & Fejka Potted Plant
I found this adorable set at Ikea on the weekend. I picked it up to add a little bit of pep/life to my desk at work; it also doubles well as pen holder and I don’t have to worry about watering it over midterm, Christmas or spring breaks.
6.Teacher Tote Bag from Groove Bags
You don’t have to be a teacher to find something great from Groove Bags. They have a WIDE range of products from bedding sets and blankets to pillows and leggings and more. These come in an equally WIDE variety of patterns and colours. I have my eye on this tote because it’s not only perfect for ferrying marking back and forth from school to home, but it is also a great bag to take on field trips. It is water resistant, has durable, long lasting carrying straps and multiple interior compartments (for pens, keys, flash drives; you know all the teacher essentials). Size: 16” L, 5” W 10” H.
Bonus: You can also buy comfortable teacher shoes to match!
7. Rustic Jewellery Rack
There are a plethora of talented local vendors in Alberta that would be able to custom make this pretty piece for me. However, making it myself following the steps outlined on the Visibly Moved blog will prove to be a fun project on a girl’s weekend.
8. Nike Akamai Golf Shoes
I am really new to the golf scene. I go a few times during the summer with my husband to a beautiful local course. I got a set of clubs from a co-worker last year and a few more golf accoutrements last Christmas. The only thing missing are a pair of proper golf shoes; that and some semblance of golf skills, but I digress. Apart from being lightweight and durable these shoes are a perfect hue of funky.
9. Flower Puzzles
These Smithsonian Seed Catalogue puzzles are made by Sure-Lox and you can purchase them at Wal-Mart. I already have one of these puzzles and I am keen to get the rest of the collection. I have begun to enjoy doing them at the kitchen table in the evenings. I plan on framing the completed puzzles and hanging them up around our house; they are also a great gift idea for friends who like to garden.
10.Disrupting Thinking: Why How We Read Matters by Kylene Beers and Robert E. Probst
As a senior high school English teacher, I sometimes hear in the hallway that, “reading is boring.” This really takes me aback because I LOVE reading; I have been an avid reader all my life. I have heard great things about this book and the authors themselves. I look forward to finding out why the disengagement with reading is occurring and what I can do to approach reading in a new/different way with the students in my classroom.