Sylvia

5 Pinterest Worthy Classroom Themes for 2025

Sylvia — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 15:48:10 +0000

Hey teacher friend!

Ready to give your classroom a glow-up this year?

Whether you’re a first-year teacher or a seasoned pro looking to spice things up, these 5 oh-so-trendy classroom themes are taking over Pinterest, Instagram, and teacher TikTok — and for good reason! Let’s dive into the most fabulous ways to make your classroom the place to be this year

Welcome to Elementary Cafe!
Think calm, cozy, and caffeine-inspired. This theme is all about bringing the comforting vibes of your favorite coffee shop into your learning space. We’re talking neutral tones, pastel accents, soft lighting, plush reading nooks, and maybe even a pretend little barista corner.
Items you’ll love:
–neutral storage baskets
-soft boucle chairs and neutral rugs
-Pastel Bulletin board that says “Learning is a latte fun”
-“Daily Specials” board with affirmation goals

Groovy Retro 70’s

Say hello to flower power and disco balls! The ‘70s are BACK in the cutest way possible. This theme is colorful, fun, and totally vibin’. Students LOVE the happy faces, neon flowers, and funky fonts.

Items you’ll love:

–Retro Storage Bin rolling cart and storage bins

–Retro Rug

-Pastel Bulletin board that says “Back to school era”

–Retro Flowers to hang

Muted Rainbow & Boho Geometrics

If Target’s Hearth & Hand section were a classroom… THIS is it. This is the dreamy middle ground between colorful and calming. Muted tones in rainbow order, abstract shapes, minimalist posters… it’s chic, modern, and still feels welcoming for littles!

Items you’ll love:

-Rainbow Art Prints

-Woven Baskets

-Rainbow Supply Caddy

-Fake Green Plants

-Rainbow Rug

Calm Coastal & Botanical
It’s giving…”teach by the beach” energy.
This soothing nature-inspired classroom theme brings all the coastal grandmother, biophilic design magic to your space. Think ocean blues, greenery, and gentle vibes perfect for calm and focus.

You’ll Love:
-Real or Faux plants EVERYWHERE!
-Nautical/Sea-life rug
-Tropical themed bulletin board
-Shell & leaf accents
-Rattan mirror and ocean themed affirmations

Sparkly Retro Cowgirl

Gitty up, glitter!

This new Western Glam theme is bold, girly, and full of personality. It’s part cowgirl, part disco queen, and 100% fabulous. Your classroom will be a rhinestone rodeo — and the kids won’t want to leave!

You’ll love:
-Pink cowboy hats + boots backdrop
-Sparkle fringe borders
-Cowgirl prints
-Cactus cutouts with disco flair

Which theme are you loving?

Tell me in the comments — are you feeling that cozy café vibe or leaning into the groovy glow of disco days? Whatever your style, these trends make your space not only cute but comfy and inspiring for your students. Let your classroom reflect YOU — and don’t forget to pin your faves!

Classroom Must Haves

Sylvia — Mon, 26 May 2025 14:36:12 +0000

PENCIL SHARPENER

This pencil sharpener is a GAME CHANGER!! Students waste SO much time standing at the pencil sharpener, grinding their pencil for as long as possible, only to grab another pencil to waste. This automatic pencil sharpener only requires you to put the pencil in, it sharpens to precision, and then releases the pencil for removal when it is finished. GET IT!! YOU WON’T REGRET IT!!

PENs

You could NEVER have enough pens. I’m not sure how, but these things ALWAYS grow feet, and runaway.

These Pilot pens are hands down my favorite. They last a long time, don’t smear, and roll on smooth. I prefer either the FINE or EXTRA FINE.

I also keep on hand a box of the Red Pens to grade papers. Some people do not like to grade in Red, but I do.

Post-its

Post-Its!! You must have an UNLIMITED SUPPLY of them! They probably disappear faster than the pencils in my classroom. I even have a secret stash in my desk, because I use the ones on my desk as my backup stash for students. Just watch out, they do like to use these for that Squid Game and waste them, or paper airplanes, or passing notes…

I prefer the pastel colored Post-Its because they are easier to read when students write lightly.

EXPO Markers

You will need MULTIPLE packs of Expo Markers. These things disappear fast too.

I prefer this colored pack over the pastel colors. These are bold and seem to last longer, plus students see these colors better on the front board of the classroom.

YES, EXPO markers really are the best to use. Other brands either fade faster, or they smear and are a pain to clean off the white board.

highlighters

YES, Sharpie Highlighters really are the best to use. Other brands either fade faster or they smear.

Multiple colors come in handy for students when we highlight different subjects, such as Social Studies and Science.

These also help students when we review the CUBES strategy for solving Word Problems in Math.

kickbands

These can be a bit noisy, but hear me out. Some students need to move around a bit to focus. I place these around the front legs of their chairs, and they are able to move while staying in their seats.

Warning: they do move around on the legs, so be sure to use the adhesive dots that come in the package to hold them in place. Students may also trip on them if their feet are behind the band when they try to stand up and walk.

trimmer

Warning: Keep these away from student access. They are VERY sharp.

Rather than needing to cut everything out by hand, this Swingline Trimmer helps quickly for cutting paper WITHOUT requiring you to walk all the way to the workroom.

Clipboards

These are not just any clipboards though, these double as Dry Erase boards AND clipboards. Save yourself an extra storage bin.

We use these all throughout the year. Students can either keep them in their desks, or store them away for certain activities.

This class set of 30 even comes with erasers.

Teacher Must Haves

Sylvia — Sun, 18 May 2025 03:47:44 +0000

Stop carrying so much to school!! You have your purse, your computer bag, your lunchbox, your stanley with water in it, your coffee cup, AND your protein shake. Enough is enough! Keep it simple with this all in one tote. It holds your computer, your lunch, and comes with a cute purse to hold necessities while you’re at the office.

Summer Must Haves

Sylvia — Sun, 18 May 2025 03:34:28 +0000

Pack their favorite snacks in this unique snackle box. Fruit, crackers, chips, or cookies. The perfect addition to a picnic basket.

This picnic outdoor blanket is perfect for a mess free snack in any location. Cleaning off beach sand is quick and easy. It is waterproof and machine washable, lightweight, with a carry handle.

Stay in the shade with this lightweight, easy to set up, beach tent sun shade. The kids actually love helping set this up. They get to fill the sandbag pouches that hold the tent down and keep it from blowing over.

This tactical backpack cooler is much better than the Yeti Cooler we use to bring to the beach. Not only can it be carried on your back easily, but the ice was still frozen after 3 hours at the beach. The large pocket made access to the food in the cooler much easier than our Yeti, and the large cup holders on the side were perfect for our large water bottle. This backpack does not just have to be used for picnics at the beach, He can use it to pack his lunches too for long days in the heat.

This beach wagon was a complete game changer for us. We were using a sports red wagon we had purchased from Academy. However, the sand was just too difficult for the wheels to move in. We placed this on a wishlist for Christmas last year, and thankfully a relative purchased it for us. All of our equipment easily fit inside, it was much easier to pull in the sand, and the pockets helped us store our keys so we didn’t lose them after the day at the beach. Highly Reccommend.

Obviously you can’t have a day at the beach without a few beach chairs. We love our low back mesh chairs. They are lightweight, low to the sand, easy to fold up, and easy to clean.

25 Valentine’s Day Gifts for Him

Sylvia — Sun, 26 Jan 2025 13:40:22 +0000

Money Saving Tips for the New Year

Sylvia — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 04:42:08 +0000

Saving money is typically at the top of most goal lists for the new year. We tend to start out strong, but then old habits that are difficult to break seem to veer us off track. Follow these simple 20 steps to help you save money this year and make it your most PRODUCTIVE year yet.

#1-Create a Budget: Keep track of your income, fixed expenses, and flexible expenses.

Fixed expenses are bills that stay the same each month, like your car payment or mortgage payment.

Flexible expenses are expenses such as gas and grocery bills.

Identify spending patterns and areas for improvement or savings opportunities. One way to help you analyze your spending habits and locate areas for potential savings is to download apps like MINT or ROCKET MONEY.

#2- Set Financial Goals: Define short-term and long-term savings goals to keep yourself motivated.

One short term goal you should focus on includes saving at least $1,000. Once you have achieved that goal, focus on setting up an Emergency fund with 3 months’ worth of income in the event something happens to you or your family.

#3—Start Paying off Debt: Once you have saved enough, start paying off your debts.

Make a list of all your debts and their interest rates. Start with the debt with the highest interest rate and pay it off first. Then, work your way down the list. This will save you the most money in the long run.

#4—Cut out the fluff: Locate unnecessary expenditures like subscriptions or gym memberships you haven’t used all year and cancel them.

#5- Limit Eating Out: Cook meals at home and reserve dining out for special occasions.

#6- Embrace DIY: Take on small home repairs, grooming, or crafting projects to save on services.

#7- Use Cashback and Rewards: Take advantage of credit card rewards, cashback apps, and store loyalty programs.

#8- Buy in Bulk: For non-perishable items, bulk purchases can often save money in the long run. Memberships to Costco or Sam’s Club can be analyzed for savings depending on the size of your family.

#9- Shop Sales and Clearance: Plan purchases around sales events and use price comparison tools.

#10- Create a Shopping List: Before making your shopping list, check the pantry and freezer to see what you have FIRST. Stick to a list to avoid impulse purchases. Until you get the finances under control, try to stick to a routine menu. This will also keep you from impulse purchases at the store AND keep you healthier.

#11- Lower Energy Usage: Use energy-efficient appliances, switch off unused lights, and adjust the thermostat during work hours when no one is home.

#12- Unplug Electronics: Avoid phantom energy use by unplugging devices not in use.

#13- Cut Cable: Opt for streaming services or free online entertainment. Look for those New Year deals and promos on certain streaming options.

#14- Carpool or Use Public Transport: Share rides or take buses and trains to cut fuel costs if able.

#15- Maintain Your Vehicle: Regular maintenance can prevent costly repairs and improve fuel efficiency.

*We purchased our Yukon when they offered the lifetime power train warranty. We regularly serviced the vehicle and kept documentation for our records. Last year our transmission went out and almost all of the cost for replacement was covered under the warranty. A savings of about $12,000.

#16- Automate Savings: Set up automatic transfers to your savings account each payday.

#17- Start Investing: Put a portion of your savings into low-risk investments or retirement accounts.

#18- Negotiate Bills: Contact service providers for discounts or better deals on utilities, insurance, and phone plans.

#19- Increase Deductibles: Opt for higher deductibles on insurance to reduce premiums, if feasible.

#20- Adopt a Minimalist Mindset: Last but NOT LEAST, probably the most important: Focus on needs over wants and prioritize experiences over material possessions. Try your best to maintain this mindset during the Holiday Season as well.

Bonus Tip:

Track your progress monthly to celebrate milestones and adjust strategies as needed. This habit keeps you motivated and on track for long-term savings.

How to create a Vision Board for 2025

Sylvia — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 03:38:09 +0000

#1: What are your goals?

Reflect on what you want to achieve in various areas of your life, such as:

- Career
- Health
- Relationships
- Finances
- Personal growth
- Hobbies or travel

Be specific about your goals and focus on what truly excites and motivates you.

#2: Gather Your Supplies

A base for your vision board:

-Corkboard, poster board, or even a digital app if you prefer a virtual version.

Visual materials:

- Magazines
- Printed photos
- Stickers
- Inspirational quotes

Adhesives: Glue sticks, pins, or tape.

Optional tools:

- Scissors
- Markers or pens
- Decorative items like glitter or ribbons.

If you would prefer to use a Digital Vision Board, a great tool would be to use this template from Canva.

Make edits to your vision board and save as a JPG or PNG
Set it as your computer background so you see it every day
Print out a photo of your board, frame it, and keep it on your desk

#3: Collect Inspirational Content

Look for images, words, and symbols that represent your goals and dreams.
Cut out pictures from magazines or print items from online sources.
Include affirmations, mantras, or power words that resonate with you.

#4: Design and Arrange Your Board

Organize your materials by theme or category if desired.
Lay out the pieces on your board without attaching them yet. Experiment with different layouts.
Place the most important or central goals in the middle and others around it.

#5: Assemble Your Vision Board

Attach your images and items to the board with glue, tape, or pins.
Add handwritten notes or doodles for a personal touch.

#5: Display Your Vision Board

Place your vision board somewhere you’ll see it regularly:
- Your bedroom
- Home office
- Digital wallpaper (if using a digital version)
The goal is to keep your aspirations top of mind.

#7: Reflect and Update

Spend a few minutes daily or weekly visualizing your goals while looking at your vision board.
Update it as your goals evolve or once you’ve achieved milestones.

Different people learn in different ways. Try to taylor your Vision Board to the type of learner you are, or make yours a combination of the different types.

–Visual Learners: Prefer to see information in pictures, diagrams, charts, and written text.

This learner would benefit most from a paper collage on a poster or corkboard

–Auditory Learner: Learn best by hearing and speaking. They enjoy discussions, lectures, and audio recordings.

This learner should talk out their vision board as they assemble it or share their vision board with someone and discuss their goals

–Kinesthetic (tactile) Learner: Learn by doing, moving, or physically interacting with materials.

This learner would benefit most from using magazines and paper products to assemble their Vision Board

–Reading/Writing: Prefer working with written words, such as reading textbooks or writing notes.

This learner would benefit most by journaling about their Vision Board or writing out their goals on paper and attaching them to their board.

–Logical/Analytical: Excel at reasoning, problem-solving, and working with patterns or numbers.

This learner benefits most from the collage aspect of the Vision Board and creating a pattern that appeals to their desires.

–Social: Thrive in group settings and enjoy collaboration and interaction with others.

This learner would benefit most from hosting a Vision Board Party where they all come together to assemble their Vision Boards or share their goals.

–Solitary: Prefer to learn independently and reflect on their thoughts.

This type of learner would benefit most from journaling about their goals and having a quite space to reflect on their goals and aspirations.

Back to school deals

Sylvia — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 11:22:33 +0000

It’s here! It’s here! BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING!! WOHOO! It’s time to bid farewell to those nice and lazy summer days to embrace the hustle and bustle of school days and extracurricular activities. We’ve done the research for you to make the transition a breeze and find the hottest and trending deals on back-to-school supplies.

Deal #1: Backpacks!

These themed backpack and lunchbox sets are a great deal! You get both products with a matching theme and these are very similar in design and feel to more expensive, branded backpacks. The lunchbox even clips to the outside of the backpack so no more worrying about them forgetting their lunchbox or needing to make room in the backpack to fit it. This backpack is specifically designed for Elementary School Aged Children.

Details:

main compartment with laptop sleeve
large front pocket
internal organizer and 2 side water bottle pockets
Made of heavy 600D ripstop polyester
School bookbag measures 16 x 13 x 6 inches

Deal #2: Electronics

Say goodbye to the summer slump and hello to high-tech excitement! Back-to-school deals aren’t just limited to pencils and paper anymore. Unleash your inner bargain hunter and score amazing discounts on laptops, tablets, and other electronic essentials. These cutting-edge devices will keep your kiddos connected, organized, engaged, and up-to-date on advancing technologies.

Amazon Fire 7 Tablet

Details:

16 GB or 32 GB
10-hour battery life
2 GB RAM and quad-core processor
Built for the whole family to enjoy – Amazon Kids offers easy-to-use parental controls on Fire tablets. Subscribe to Amazon Kids+ for access to thousands of books, popular apps and games, videos, songs, Audible books, and more.

Reusable Notebook

No more wasting paper and lugging around tons of notebooks.

Details:

36 pages
Dot grid
Comes with pilot pen and microfiber cloth

Deal #3: Clothes

I have NO idea why, but CROCS are the hottest trend these days. Kids pull down the back strap and say, “Look, I’m in SPEED mode”…? anyway. Get them a pair of Crocs with these little accessory Croc Charms that kids these days LOVE. Jean Jackets are back baby! Keep them warm in the chilly classroom with a light denim jacket they’ll be sure to use and love.

Deal # 4: Stationary

There are some amazing finds for school supplies. They’ve started making these Back to School Kits with exactly what you need off their supply list, minus the walking around the store to find everything. WIN! However, you need to order early as the supplies go FAST.

Details:

(1) plastic pencil box
(1) 10pk of Crayola Markers
(1) 24pk of Crayola Crayons
(1) 12pk of colored pencils
(3) Elmer’s glue sticks
(10) #2 pencils
(5) pencil top erasers
(1) rubber eraser
(1) pencil sharpener
(1) pair of blunt tip scissors
(2) pencil grips
(1) standard 12 inch ruler
(1) wide-rule spiral notebook
(1) wide ruled composition book
(2) 2-pocket folder with metal prongs.

Primary Story Journals

These Primary Journals are great for children grades K-2 to practice their writing skills and their creative drawing talent. Personalize their Notebook this year to make learning more exciting as these come in many different themes.

Deal#5: Snacks

As a family of 6, Snacks go FAST in our house. You can NEVER have too many snacks on hand for kids to take to school. Even Astronauts need fuel to explore the galaxies, and your kids need nutritious snacks to power through their school day.

Check out these back-to-school bulk deals on wholesome snacks that will keep their minds sharp and their energy levels high. These fiber-filled, peanut allergy friendly gra nola bars are our go-to snack. If you prefer differenct ingredients, these Kid Kind bars are a great alternative. Rather than a box of potato chips, these delicious and satisfying Veggie Straws, are delicious and flavorful.

Preparing for the back to school season should be enjoyable, not stressful. With a headstart, and these amazing deals, you can equip your kiddos for an exciting journey through the upcoming school year. From matching backpack and lunchbox sets, to the latest fashion trends, the savings and smiles are worth it.

Happy shopping! and may your little ones’ dreams soar higher than the stars!

*This post contains compensated links. Please see our disclosure for more information. *

Mini Donut Recipe

Sylvia — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 02:09:44 +0000

What better way to celebrate National Donut Day, then to make some delicious and adorable mini donuts! Check the recipe below.

For this recipe, you will need a Mini Donut Maker or a Donut Pan to cook the batter into the donut shape.

Once your donuts have cooled, decorate as you wish. These are perfect for-

Birthday Parties, Family Gatherings, Block Parties, Baby Showers, etc. The options are endless.

Recommended Products

4 Pack Acrylic Donut Stand

Donut Wall Party Display

*This post contains compensated links. Check our disclosure for more information. *

Father’s day gift ideas

Sylvia — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 04:29:47 +0000

Back and Neck Massager

Sometimes when Dads aren’t toting the littles on their shoulders, they carry the weight of the world too. Ease his aches and pains with this Deep Tissue Muscle Massager.

A New Grill

THIS ONE IS FOR EVERYONE! The BEST investment I made was in our Green Egg. It had him making dinner more, and less mess in the kitchen for me! BUT, they are super expensive. Check out our post here for more info.

No worries though, the Kamado Joe Grill is a great alternative if you like smoked foods or pizzas. OR, if you like a quick breakfast for dinner or Taco Tuesdays, BLACKSTONE grills are a complete LIFESTYLE! We absolutely LOVE ours. Check out our post ALL about Blackstone here.

Wireless Meat Thermometer

This Meater Thermometer is unlike any other on the market. You can monitor the temperature of the grill from your phone without lifting the lid and losing the temperature of the grill. Kyle has been going on and on about this thermometer since he got his Green Egg last Father’s Day. TRUST ME, He’ll LOVE IT!

Customized Phone Docking Station

This was a Christmas gift for Kyle last year and has been SUCH a game changer. No more looking all over the house for their glasses, keys, wallet, etc. With his name on the front, no more wondering whose items belong there. Gift him this Phone Docking Station and he will thank you -and you’ll thank yourself

A comfy pair of Shoes

These Clark Wallabees are super soft and comfortable. Kyle has owned at least 3 pairs of them in the 13 years we’ve been together. They can be worn outside or just around the house.

A nice pair of stylish Hey Dudes would be a great alternative as well.

Custom Toiletry Bag

Guys always need a place to store their shaving supplies and toiletries -besides asking to stash them in YOUR toiletry bag. These Customized Toiletry Bags are not only thoughtful (for everyone) but useful, which can be the perfect gift. In our personal experience, leather has always been best fabric to go with.

Bonsai Tree Garden

Help him channel his inner Mr. Miyagi and achieve zen with this Bonsai Starter Kit. These gardens can be kept indoors or outdoors and no green thumb is required. Just follow the care instructions, and you’re good to go! -and it’s a new hobbie that doesn’t involve more car parts in the garage. WIN-WIN!

EarBuds or Headphones

Sometimes guys just want to disconnect and get away for a bit. With these Bose Noise Cancellation Headphones he can do just that.

If he’s not a fan of the tight squeeze around his head or the bulkiness of the headphones, these Earbuds are just as effective and even more compact. These are cheaper than Airpods, and waterproof! (yay washing machine!)

Adjustable Weight Set

Is he looking to bulk up for the New Year but not much space or time for a gym? Easy fix. Checkout these Adjustable Dumbbells. This set is unique as it has 4 styles of weights with 7 different combinations. You get dumbbells, kettlebells, barbells, and a push up stand.

Movie Night!

What’s better than a movie night at home with popcorn in your Pajamas? With this delicious Popcorn Set and Microwave Popper, you can choose which flavor popcorn you want, sit back & enjoy the show.

Umm…FOOD!

They DO say, “the best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”. Try out this delicious Jerky Gift Basket and keep him from getting hangry.

Hickory Farms

It’s nearly impossible to go wrong when gifting someone a Hickory Farms Sausage, Cheese & Crackers set. I gift one to my Dad EVERY Christmas, and I try to my best to keep one extra for me. Make sure you get the one that has the crackers and at least one sweet hot mustard. TRUST ME. Also, pay close attention to the type of cheese. If they don’t do spicy, make sure you don’t pick a box with pepperjack.

BISCOTTI

Always end on a sweet note. That’s what I try to say anyway. Another go-to gift is a yummy Biscotti Gift Set to satisfy that sweet tooth. These are great for breakfast too with my morning coffee.

Custom Bracelet

Add the kids’ names to this Personalized Leather Braid Bracelet that can hold up to 5 links. You could use children’s names, important dates, his favorite quote..There are lots of different options with this one.

ICE MACHINE

Ice Ice Baby! I know my husband could visit Sonic at least 3 days a week, just for the ice. You have nugget ice, shaved ice, ball ice..it’s ridiculous. However, this Nugget Ice Countertop Maker is HOT right now and has great reviews if he’s an ice connoisseur.

Custom Frame Print

These Custom Frame Prints would make the perfect gift for Dad to hang in his office or at home. Personalize with photos and names for an extra special and unique gift.

Collage Socks

Got Jokes? If Dad is super into socks, he will definitely get a kick out of these Custom Collage Socks. Make it funny with photos of silly faces, or elegant with nice family photos. Your choice.

Gift Cards

Let’s be real. All of these are great gift ideas, but he’s probably just going to buy what he wants anyway..so just give him a gift card so it’ll ACTUALLY be something YOU can take the credit for. Win Win! Obviously, Amazon has everything and delivers super fast, so an Amazon Gift Card would be perfect. Other great options include a Lowe’s/Home Depot cards for DIY-ers, or a Cabela’s/Bass Pro Shops card for the Outdoorsman. Another great option for the book-lover like Kyle, is a BAM or Barnes & Noble gift card. We use to take date nights to bookstores before the kids and we try to take the older 2 as often as possible.