NumberNineteen

Caught My Fancy -- September

It's been such a long time since I've done a Caught My Fancy post -- I'd say it's about time for another, don't you?  Let's get started....

 

Quaintly & Co - "The British Lifestyle Subscription Box".  Ummm, you had me at hello!  British Lifestyle?  In a box that shows up at my door? Yes & yes!  Last month's box was themed "Love From London", this month's is "Tea Time.

16 Library Bars in London - While we are on the British theme...let's talk about two of my favorite things: reading and drinking wine.  If they were to happen at the same time IN LONDON, wouldn't that be the trifecta of perfection???  So, I'll be keeping this list handy for our next trip to the UK.

 

Babies Dressed as Skunks - It's a little early to be talking about costumes, but I have to share this video.  If these babies dressed in skunk costumes don't make you smile, I don't know what will.

Cover Girl Outlast Lipcolor - I started using this lipstick about a month ago and I love it.  I put it on in the morning before work and it lasts ALL DAY.  The topcoat keeps my lips from being dry but it's not too sticky like the topcoats that I've used with other long wearing lipcolors.  It comes in about a million colors and runs about $8.  

Frances Valentine - I recently learned that the amazing Kate Spade is back in the fashion industry with a new brand, Frances Valentine.  She left Kate Spade New York in 2007 after it was sold and spent 8 years focusing on her family.  Her new brand has the same Kate Spade classic but sophisticated style that we know but has just a smidge more of a modern edge.  A few favorites from her fall line are the Lucy Wool Crossbody , the Margaret Suede Tote , and the Mini Ann Leather Bucket Bag. 

There you have it -- five fun things for the beginning of fall.  Has anything caught your eye recently?

Back to School, Back to Books

Hi there!  I've been gone from the blog for approximately 3 1/2 weeks, the timing of which is not a coincidence.  Back to school I went in mid August and I finally have this lovely breather that is Labor Day weekend.  I don't normally post much about my life in the library here because I like to keep this as my get-away space.  However, I'm really excited about the work that I've put into our library this year.  There was sort of a magical moment this year when my work brain and my crafty/creative brain merged together.

We put these canvasses on top of the longest bookcases on either side of the library.  The smaller ones are images of popular book covers that were blown up on a poster machine and then Mod Podged onto canvases from Michaels.  On the larger ones, I stenciled quotes about libraries using my Cricut machine, vinyl and spray paint on a large canvas.

We have large display cases in the main hallway, just outside of the library. I try to change them out every month or so, to align with either a project going on in the library or a seasonal theme.  This month, the theme is "Back to School, Back to Books":

I don't know if you can see all of the details, but I went crazy with school supplies -- piles of erasers, jars of pencils and rulers, garlands made from paper clips, paper airplanes from notebook paper, a globe, a backpack and more.  And, of course, favorite books.

I have a new co-librarian this year and we are really excited to move forward with a year focused entirely on books and getting kids to read (you laugh -- "isn't that what libraries are always supposed to do?" -- believe it or not, modern school libraries get pulled in a lot of directions these days...!).  Keeping that in mind, we are all about creating eye-catching, book centered displays that make kids want to pick up books and start reading. I usually get my ideas for displays from a piece of something I see on Pinterest or in a store, but I try to adapt it to something that works in our space and for our purposes.  

I got the idea for this display from an Emoji bullentin board that I spied on Pinterest.  I expanded on the theme by identifying books with appropriate emoji.  Kids can just grab the book from the display and check it out. Super bright and taps into the language that kids "speak". In the first week of school, we've already had to refill the display several times!

Here is another one that taps into a popular theme -- comic book superheroes.  I found the "POW!" and "WOW!" bubbles through a Google search, printed & laminated them and stuck them on paint stirrers (for those non-school librarian types --- paint stirrers are a cheap library supply staple!).  We are running out of superhero books for this display!

I'm really proud of what we have done so far and I have loads of ideas for the coming months.  If you are here for family and decorating updates, I'll be back to those soon ;)  If you are a librarian or educator, I hope that you may have found a few ideas that inspire you!