#instateachinginspiration: A new link up!

Hands down, my favorite form of social media is Instagram. I LOVE using this app and finding inspiration from it. Whenever I'm stuck on something or not in a school mood, I turn to Instagram and find my favorite teaching "instagrammers" to see what they are up to in their classrooms. I decided to start a weekly series on the blog called "Insta Inspiration". In this weekly series, I'll share a teaching Instagram account that I've been loving during the week. I'll post on Monday each week. Join in! This way we can find new teaching accounts to keep us motivated in our own classrooms!

To participate, simply head over to my Instagram and take a screenshot of this image:

Use a photo editing app (such as A Beautiful Mess) to write in the white space your teaching inspiration for the week. Post the picture using the hashtag #instateachinginspiration 

You can link up on Instagram only or create a blog post as well. Here's my weekly inspiration:

If y'all aren't following Catherine on Instagram, you are missing out! She's a former fifth grade teacher who is now teaching first...the exact opposite of me! While a lot of her ideas are for lower elementary, I still gain a ton of ideas from her account. My favorite? Her tips for getting the most out of your Scholastic book order! You can follow her account here. 

What are you waiting for?! Come join in on the fun over on Instagram and find your new favorite Instagrammer! :)

Currently Reading

I'm currently making my way through the award winning YA Fiction genre and I've reviewed my latest read, I'll Give You the Sun, over at my life+style blog Southern Belle Inspired. Come read my thoughts on this book here. :)

                                                                  

Currently

Today I'm kicking off 2015 by linking up with Farley over at Oh Boy 4th Grade for the very first time! I love reading everyone's Currently and thought it was time I join in the fun! 

I'm currently listening to the Into the Woods soundtrack. Yes, I'm one of those people who loves listening to broadway and musical soundtracks. I actually didn't realize that this movie was a musical until we were in the theaters and it started. Such a happy surprise! I *LOVED* this movie and the songs! 

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I'm loving my Emily Ley planner. I bought it back in September and it's been patiently sitting on my desk just waiting for January 1st to arrive. I've always used Lilly Pulitzer planners in the past but I've heard such wonderful things about this one so I decided to try it out. The gorgeous cover, complete with a pineapple (!), doesn't hurt. :)

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I'm thinking about continuing my picture a day hashtag on Instagram. I did #laeveryday2014 all last year and it was such fun to look back throughout the photos but it was a bit of a headache at times. I can't decide if I want to keep it up in 2015. 

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I'm wanting the University of Alabama to win the Sugar Bowl tonight against Ohio State in order to play for the National Championship. Roll Tide!

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I'm needing to find inspiration to finish my newest creation for TpT. I've been sitting at my computer for over an hour hoping I'll find the motivation to get it done.

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Yes to making this year MY year! The year I eat better, finally exercise, and learn to not get so wrapped up in my job! 

Maybe I'll tackle deep cleaning the classroom. Y'all, it certainly needs it! We need a fresh start when we go back next week so I definitely need to make this happen!

I wish I could become a stay at home blogger. I love teaching, but my dream job has always involved working from home. I love my house and am a major homebody so having the opportunity to work from it would be amazing!

It's a New Year's SALE!

To celebrate the new year, everything in my TpT shop is 20% off! Click here to shop :)

Favs

I'm linking up with Erica to share my favs over on Southern Belle Inspired. Come check it out and follow my life+style blog here. 

Silhouette Portrait GIVEAWAY!!!

Hi friends! Today I am SO excited to share with y'all an amazing giveaway that is happening on my Instagram. I'm partnering with Silhouette to giveaway one Silhouette Portrait Cutting Machine! Say what?!? If you don't know exactly what a portrait is, it's essentially the same as a Cameo, except smaller. This means it's more portable. Perfect to use an home and then bring to school when need be! I have a cameo and LOVE it! Seriously, it is the best for crafting and creating things for my classroom. I had a Circut and hated it. You could only use cartridges and they were expensive! The cameo and portrait both connect to your computer, so you have the ability to cut any font or image you have on your computer. You also have access to the fabulous Silhouette Design Store which sells a ton of images that you can download and cut out. Most are 99 cents! 

I've used my cameo for both home and school. I made my Dip Tray Centers with them.

I made labels for my task card storage system

I saw this cute idea for a student shoutout box on Pinterest and I made my own with the Cameo.

We call independent work iWork in my classroom and I made these letters with the Cameo. They are actually magnets! I used the Silhouette Magnet Paper (obsessed) and cut out scrapbook paper to stick onto them. How easy and fun is that!

I've also started using it on home creations like these pillows and labels for the bins in my pantry.

*************GIVEAWAY TIME**************

 The only way to enter is through Instagram. If you aren't on Instagram yet, you are missing out! I'm not a huge social media person, except when it comes to Instagram! It's the easiest way to get ideas and keep up with your favorite bloggers! Here's how to enter.

*Head over to Instagram and follow me (@msleslieann01) and Silhouette (@silhouetteamerica)

*Like this photo below on Instagram

*Comment on the picture about what you would love to use your Portrait for!

*For bonus entries, repost the picture and/or tag friends. 

Now it's time to enter! Giveaway ends Monday (12/22) and I will post the winner on Instagram, Facebook, and here (of course!) GOOD LUCK!!!

Be Here Tomorrow!

HUGE Giveaway coming your way tomorrow! Be sure and check back around 5pm! I'll leave you with a little picture hint! :)