Back to School: What's in my Backpack?

It's hard to believe, but my senior year of high school begins in just over two weeks! I know so many of you are also about to go back, or have just started, so I figured I'd better get my butt in gear and get started with some back to school videos. My plan is to start with this general overview of what I take to school with me, then go into specifics, so here is part 1 of my back to school series, all about

What's in my Backpack!

Correction: It's the Deluxe backpack, not the Super Deluxe. Sorry about that!

In the video, I mentioned my "How-To: Preppy Monogrammed Binder Cover" post- definitely go check that out if you're looking to spice up your binders a little bit this school year!

Lunchtime Love: Pita Crisps!

Back to school time is quickly approaching, and one thing that's one my mind? Lunch. I hate school food. Like, would not touch it with a 39-and-one-half foot pole hate. Therefore, I'm always looking for tasty, healthy new options to brown bag take in my tres adorable VB lunchbox to school. 

While perusing this months issue of Seventeen, I came across an idea that looked both tasty AND super do-able for school: toasted pita!

I decided to put my own spin on their idea, so here's my recipe for homemade, healthy pita crisps!

1. Cut one whole pita (I used whole wheat) in half. Put one half away.

2. Cut the other half in half, and then in half again, to make 4 triangles.

3. Since pita is inherently doubled on itself, each of the 4 traingles can be cut on their crease to make 8 single crisps.

4. Heat a small frying pan over medium-high heat. If it isn't Teflon coated, spray it lightly with olive oil.

5. Spray one side of each crisp lightly with olive oil.

6. Lightly sprinkle with salt and garlic powder.

7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 on the other side of each crisp, leaving out the garlic.

8. Place the crisps four at a time onto the hot frying pan, flipping midway through, until they are golden brown.

9. Serve with a side of salsa and lots of fresh veggies!

Here's one way I ate mine this week:

The great thing about homemade is that you can tailor this recipe to what you like- don't be afraid to mix it up and try all different seasonings and sauces for your crisps!

Happy Lunching!

Excuse My Absence/ Weekly Happenings

Hey Everyone!

Sorry for my little absence this past week. It's almost the end of the schol year (THREE weeks left!) and so many things are going on right now. Here's a little peek at what my week has been like:

• Tuesday night, my dance studio's senior ballet company got together with one of our teachers to have a photo shoot! We did some pictures of us individually, and some that will be used in a group picture that we will the woman who is the leader of our company as well as the owner of the studio. She gives up so much time and energy for us, and we really wanted to do something to show our appreciation. The last company picture we took hangs inside the studio's front door, and was taken over 4 years ago, so it's time for an update! We had to wait until the last class of the day was over to use the studio to take the pictures, so we didn't end up getting started until about 9:30. When all was said and done, I didn't end up getting home until about 11:00, after which I had to shower and finish some homework. Not so great when you have class the next day, but a great time nonetheless!

• On Wednesday, an American dynasty came to an end as ABC aired the final episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show. At 4 o'clock sharp, Mom and I sat down and tuned in to watch this momumental event. As Oprah reminisced on the shows past, I found myself getting strangely emotional. Oprah has been on TV all of my life, always airing at the exact same time. Whether watching it with my mom after elementary school or catching it on my own, the show has never failed to entertain, inform, and excite women (and men!) all across America and worldwide. Oprah's final episode proved to be a heartfelt testimony by Oprah of what the show has done for her, as well as for all of the viewers she reached. It was an excellent way to end a show that will most surely be missed!

• Thursday night, I had my last audition ever for my dance studio's ballet company. I wasn't nervous about it since I've already reached my studio's highest level, but it was a little sad to get a glimpse of how it will be next year when this year's seniors are no longer there. I've danced with these girls for the past seven years, and it will be sad to see them go! Also, it was the first of the many "lasts" I will experience as I enter my senior year. I'm excited for it all to happen, but I won't be surprised if at times I find myself wishing it would go just a little bit slower!

• For the past three weeks, I counted down the days until May 26th, when College Board would post scores from the May 7th SAT. Finally, Wednesday night came, and I could hardly contain how anxious I was. Before climbing into bed, I pulled up the College Board's website so that it'd be all ready to go check my scores in the morning, only to find that the release day for scores had been pushed back two days. Looking back, it was not a huge deal, but no doubt extremely frustrating. Because of the scores being delayed once, I of course wanted to check Friday night to make sure that the scores would indeed be available on Saturday morning, and that they had not been delayed again. Much to my surprise, the scores were already up! I quickly added up my 680 critical reading, 610 math, and 680 writing for a total score of 1970! My goal was to score a 1950, and I am proud to say that I exceeded that goal! I'm taking SATs again next weekend, and with more studying and review, I am hoping to break 2000!

I hope you all are having a fabulous Memorial day weekend!

Spring Break is Over

Tomorrow, I'll go from waking up to this:

Back to waking up to this:

From writing here:

To writing here:

But, each day means I'm one day closer to this:

Have a fabulous week!

How-To: Preppy Monogrammed Binder Cover

Whenever I buy binders, I like to get the kind with the little plastic pouch on the front- they tend to last longer for me. Also, I'm always looking for ways to make my school supplies prettier, so what better way than to make a personalized cover for each binder!?

These are examples of two covers that I've made.

I'm going to show you how I made the pink and green one.

You'll need 3 sheets of cardstock, 2 coordinating sheets of

scrapbooking paper, a pencil, scissors, glue, and a permanent marker.

First, glue the long sides of 2 sheets of cardstock together.

(You only need about 1/2 inch of overlap.)

Then, lay the cardstock on top of the binder and mark off where it will be cut.

Make the marks a little further in than the absolute edges,

because the pouch is slightly smaller than the actual binder.

Glue the paper that you want to be the background onto the cardstock.

(To be sure it's the right size, glue the whole sheet of paper and then cut off the extra.)

Use any software that allows you to edit text (Word, Photoshop, etc.) to type out your intials.

Make sure the letter that will be in the center (your last initial) is larger than the other two.

The font I used it called "Cutie Pop" and can be downloaded here.

If you're using photoshop or any other image editing software,

make sure your canvas size is proportional to a standard sheet of paper (8.5x11 inches),

so your letters print true to size.

Cut out the letters, and go over them with a permamnent marker,

to cover any edges or marks from cutting them.

Turn each of the letters over on the back of the second sheet of scrapbooking paper,

and free hand an expanded outline of each letter.

They can be round or squared off, depending on the font you are using.

The outlines should look something like this when they are cut out.

Glue the printed letters onto their outlines.

Finally, glue the letters onto the background, then slip in your binder and enjoy!