Origami Owl New Products.. So Excited!! Go Get Them NOW!

Here Is a Special Sneak Peak at what is going on in the Origami Owl World…

http://www.bemyowl.origamiowl.com

Check out our new Mix and Max Wraps…

We Now have a core collection, Who would not love this?

15 Adult Uses for Johnson’s Baby Powder….

I have found 15 Adult Uses for Johnson’s Baby Powder – and if you really tried…I bet you could come up with more.  Have you ever thought about using Johnson’s Baby Products for YOURSELF? It’s an inexpensive way to do a myriad of things. Recently, I took the Not Your Baby’s Powder Challenge and found that there are SEVERAL adult uses for Johnson’s Baby Powder!

• Can be used a dry shampoo in-between hair washes. The powder helps absorbs excess oil. (This works the best for lighter colored hair)
• Can be applied between your bed sheets to obtain fresh linens. (the lavender one made them smell really good)
• Removes unwanted sand from fingers, legs and toes.
• Apply as a guide under brows to help apply eyebrow pencil and create the perfect arch; removes oil to help pencil glide easier and color stay longer.
• Great to freshen up – apply to feet or underarms.
• Sprinkle in sneakers to remove odors. (I sprinkled it in my son’s shoes!!)
• Use in lieu of deodorant. (feels fresh and clean..)
• Dab or dust powder under eyes to prevent eye shadow fallout and keep makeup fresh and flawless; great for creating the perfect smoky eye.
• Dab onto clothing to remove stains.
• Dust on top of makeup to hold in place all day.
• Dust on face to help control oil.
• Brush on skin to remove stray hairs after a haircut or brushing hair.
• Rub some baby powder on to your hands and then rub them over a pair of pantyhose to take away static electricity. This will also help make it easier to put pantyhose on.
• Apply on skin to easily slip into tight garments or tight shoes.
• Use a heavy layer to create fake skin for the perfect ghoulish Halloween costume.

How do YOU use Johnson’s Baby products in your everyday life?  Take the challenge yourself and share your experiences with me in the comments.  If you tag me using #TMGBaby on any of your social channels, I’ll be giving away some product (Woooooo!!)

Haven’t tried it yet?  

Stay Pretty!!

UNESCO definition for ‘knowledge society’

Information society is the building block for knowledge societies. Whereas I see the concept of ‘information society’ as linked to the idea of ‘technological innovation’, the concept of ‘knowledge societies’ includes a dimension of social, cultural, economical, political and institutional transformation, and a more pluralistic and developmental perspective. In my view, the concept of ‘knowledge societies’ is preferable to that of the ‘information society’ because it better captures the complexity and dynamism of the changes taking place. (…) the knowledge in question is important not only for economic growth but also for empowering and developing all sectors of society.

PINK SHIRTS AND MINI SKIRTS...

TUESDAY, 11 NOVEMBER 2013

PINK SHIRTS AND MINI SKIRTS...

Just a quick one tonight guys but wanted to get this look up on the blog featuring some of my current fave items.

Top: Missguided

Skirt: Missguided

Coat: Missguided

Boots: Schuh

Also that insane Missguided co-ord from their recent campaign is now online...ahh!

 

Missguided

  

Missguided

How Do YOU Define Success?

The past few days I have been attending various professional development sessions that have validated my choice to be a teacher. However, it has also reminded me of the huge burden I take on to educate over-scheduled, burnt out children who, it seems, are not allowed to be just that- children.

Often times I have students in my classes who know they are great students because they are high performing. And yet, it’s those very students who I often have to teach how to THINK. Students have become so good at memorizing facts, passing tests, and completing tasks that when they are asked to think- they have no idea how to. And then I have those students who come to class and I couldn’t get them to care if I juggled balls of fire with a clown nose on. They are tired and don’t want to sit in yet another classroom. And I also have those students that are barely making it in school and this is just another venue where they need to fly beneath the radar to get by because they are having a hard time. Do ANY of these sound appealing to you?

As a teacher, I often grapple with teaching content, teaching skills, teaching meta-learning, completing assessments and trying to get it all done in a  2.5 hour class once a week. Sometimes I feel the stress when a discussion has gone on for too long because already in my mind I am adjusting the lesson.

And I thought I was different.

At the GISA conference I attended yesterday, I was incredibly impressed with Chrysalis Experiential School (http://www.chrysalisexp.org/) where the curriculum is so open that students get to drive their own learning based on their interests. It is actually an amazing concept where students enjoy going to school because their voice is heard and they learn in a manner that is relevant and worthy in their opinion. This model is so empowering for the student but in my eyes can sometimes be difficult due to the lack of control a teacher might have over the planning process and also the amount of work required to set these students up for success. Something so deviant from what I have known education to be- something so promising and impressive- and yet, something that makes me uncomfortable and anxious…The much desired dissonance is on loud and clear here.

I was then introduced to the philosophy of an amazing educator, Ron Clark (http://www.ronclarkacademy.com/), who has changed the way anyone he meets has ever understood education. He teaches through acting, singing, and gets to class on a two story slide with no fear. Today, I attended a movie screening of Race to Nowhere (http://www.racetonowhere.com/) and it was really a depressing reality check of where our students’ futures lie if we keep going the way we are going.

At an early age, we define success for our students in such rigid terms. Good grades, extra-curricular activities, being in the top ranking, getting into a good school, doing things that enhance a resume, making lots of money.

None of these criteria directly correlate to happiness, passion, LEARNING, being an active citizen to society, moral grounding, or the importance of relationships in life. And yet, our kids are running this rat race to do those very things and some are miserable. No child’s self-esteem should be affected by good or bad grades- because these are so temporary and lead to such a roller coaster understanding of one’s Being.

All of this got me to think, how much am I perpetuating this unhappiness in my classroom? I know in many ways my teaching philosophy is completely different than the how education is perceived in secular schools. Because I am not bound by ridiculous mandates regarding test scores, I also know that I am able to implement most of my ideas reflecting my education philosophy into the classroom. Still, I think these few days was a good reminder on how much I fit into this mold because it is such a culture that is exuded within our society.

The one thing that I noticed in all three sessions was the importance of community and support to really make a difference in the education system. Instead of giving a student 5 hours of homework, what if that child had true quality time to spend with positive people who supported the redefinition of success? Who validated the things the child CAN do and stop focusing so much on what he can’t? What if the child had some time to play the old fashioned way? Outside in the sun rather than stealing one out of every ten minutes to facebook because it’s the only outlet? What if the child had some time to be bored? Some of the most amazing ideas come out of moments of silence, boredom, freedom of the mind.

Today I was reminded of the burden I carry and I felt the weight. I have re-committed to making what little difference I can to my 53 students this year. I will continue to challenge the notion of ‘success’ from what is socially acceptable to what is desired by the student. And most of all, I will make it be known that my students are cared for and respected and that I believe in them. Hopefully, one day the Race to Nowhere can become the Leisurely Strut to Somewhere Fabulous. And the requirement is to STOP and smell the roses.