Lust List

I wanted to share items I am currently loving.  Some of these are old items, some are new.  Some of them are old items that I just discovered too!  

First in the background is a faux fur blanket.  I am obsessed with these comfortable blankets.  They are so soft and warm.  

Next are my Lululemon pants.  They are long yoga Skinny Groove Pant.  They are a matte color.  I wear them everyday.  

I beginning to like face serums, especially in the winter.  I wash my face and put on before bed in place of a moisturizer.  It is a greasy feeling before bed, but my skin is so soft in the morning.  I love the La Mer serum best, but it's pricey.  Sephora makes a cheaper version and will give you a sample to try.  

I love shellac nails but I'm busy and don't always have time to sit through a manicure.  I have used the Sally Hansen, Gel polish and I love it.  It isn't as durable as shellac but harder than polish.  I have also used regular nail polish, let my nails fully dry, then applied the gel top coat.  This works also.  

I recently discovered Bath and Body Works Lemon Vanilla body wash and lotion.  This is a limited edition scent.  It smells so good and very light.  

I LOVE Lush products.  I recently tried the Angels on Bare Skin and loved it.  It's a face wash for combination skin.  It really tones, and scrubs my face.  It has lavender seeds and crushed walnuts and their products are all natural! 

The bangle bracelets are from Princess P Jewelry.  They look like Cartier bracelets right?  Except, they are not 5,000 dollars.  They are $20.  Princesspjewelry.com 

I love the Maybeline Master Duo liquid eyeliner.  It has two sized brushes.  It makes a great winged eyeliner.  

Y'all (sorry I live 5 minutes from Ky) know I love Benefit High Beam.  I use it as a highlighter, primer, blush, lipstick, etc.  I even line my collarbone with it for a little evening gown sparkle.  

Two Faced "Better Than Sex" Mascara is my favorite mascara still.  I wanted to share that I haven't found anything to replace it.  

Lastly, Moroccan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner.  Again this is a great product for the winter because its an oil based shampoo.  I also wouldn't use it everyday.  It's very heavy but the smell is amazing.  I wish they made a perfume.  

A couple other things.. 

I'm obsessing over Tory Burch purses right now.  I love simplicity and durable leather.  I needed something cheaper than Louis Vuitton.  I am also loving large felt hats.  They make a great statement piece with a comfortable outfit.  Also short boots.  I love a brown, short, boot with a crew boot sock.  And.. Furry Toms! I love Toms because they stand for such a great cause, but the shoes are so comfortable.  The winter styles have fur and are very comfortable.  

Okay!  Have a great New Years.  Start your year off right!
God Bless everyone!  

Snagging A Sassy Teaching Job

Two million people graduated from college this year and everyone is trying to snag a perfect job.  With having to work part time jobs, study, take exams, commute to school.. it's hard to prepare for a job search.  This article is about landing a teaching position but can be used for any upcoming job interview.  

A little background... I have a bachelor's degree in communication.  I have always wanted to be a teacher, but when I was 17 and standing in line at college to register I went the business route.  I thought teachers don't make any money and sit in a classroom with children all day.  Man! If I would have done more research I could have saved a lot of money!  I worked a desk job for 4 years and hated my life.  I can't say it any nicer.  I went back to school for my masters and completed a masters in early childhood education. 

Here comes the struggle... I interviewed for maybe 50 teaching positions.  I wish I had a video of what I actually said on those interviews because I'm sure it was comical. It took me 3 years to find the perfect teaching position.  Here are some tips I've learned along the way to speed up the process.  

1.  Be persistent

•  Check online sources everyday. Check your state education websites and hiring websites.  I used Effronandassociates.com too.  
• Set a goal for yourself: "Today I will apply for 10 jobs".  Save your data in a word document so you can copy and paste.  This will save time.  
• Teaching job interviews are more common in March-April and July-August. This is when teachers plan or decide on retiring.   

2.  Make a portfolio -  This is expensive to do but I can guarantee you will get positive feedback about it.   A portfolio shows you can be creative and organized. Here are the steps.

• Make a colorful cover.  Put your picture on the front, they'll remember you.  
• Add a general cover letter: "To Human Resource Department"
• Add your resume 
• Then a list of respectful resources 
• A copy of your teaching license
• A sample of lesson plans 
• Any copies of your strengths (letters from cooperating teacher, student data scores, student achievement, your RTI plan, sample newsletters, etc.) 
• Color copy, Add a leather back and frosted clear cover, and black spiraling.  Print off 20-50 to start.
• Send these out everyday in the mail. I would send them to HR offices, principals, teachers I knew.  I would even visit schools and drop them off.  When there is a stack of 1,000 resumes... Your portfolio will stand out and they will pull it to give you an interview.  

  3.  Get a suit-  A nice black, navy, or gray suit that's neatly pressed, lint free, and ready to go.  I can't stress... READY TO GO!  I have been called and interviewed in the same day.  I got my job in a week.  Principals have so much going on, they don't want to spend days interviewing.  If they find the perfect candidate they will give you the job! 

• Black, navy, or gray suit- pants or skirt. 
• Try to wear the school colors in a blouse, tie, or jewelry.  
• Light jewelry and light makeup- but try to do both! This will make you look lively and glamorous
• Wear short heels.  Not flats, not 6 inch.  Fight through the pain 
• Wear your suit jacket in, but feel free to take it off during the interview if you get warm.  
• Get your nails done!  Wear a light pink or nude lip gloss and pop in a mint.  Where do you think they'll be looking?? At your mouth and hands. 
• Smile-  They are hiring a teacher!  

 

4.  Practice, Practice, Practice...

• Have a leather portfolio with a master copy of your portfolio.  Also those printable portfolios.. Have 10 prepared for all attending the interview.  Most of the time they will give them back but be sure everyone has something to look at.  The worst is when multiple teachers are interviewing you and have no resume to look at to ask you questions.  
• Walk in, introduce yourself, shake hands, and look people in the eyes. Pass out those portfolios and remember everyone's name.  When I get called for an interview I ask who will be sitting in the interview and I have the Thank You's made prior to the interview.  I will mail them after.  
• Practice with a friend.. your friends are more nerve wrecking than people you don't know.  

Popular Teacher interview questions

• Describe yourself.    "My name is Alyson Schweinfest.  I have a bachelor's degree in communication and a masters degree in education.  My background in communication has progressed me to become a strong educator by working with children, teaching literacy components, and discussing data with parents. I am creative and enjoy incorporating creativity into my lessons.  In my spare time I love to read.  The last book I read was.. "   Have notes on your lap to help you if you get stuck.  Also have notes on points you want to get across.  There is nothing against this. 
• What are your strengths?  What are your weaknesses? 
  Pick a great strength, pick a pointless weakness. "My weakness is trying to incorporate music into my lessons."  SEE!  You're not the music teacher so that's not a bad weakness.  
• What's your classroom management plan?  What's your RTI plan?  You should have these in mind already.  If you don't.. you might be a refresher course.  
• What learning styles will you address?  Verbal, Whole group, hands-on (tactile-kinesthetic), technology, poems, songs, dance, cooperative learning
• Why should we pick you?  You need a really good reason because you need to stand out above the pack.  

I hope these tips help.  Comment if you need any help.  I'd be happy to help because I know the job search is hard.  Happy interviewing and Good Luck!  

My Starting Line Up

We all have our go-to makeup products.  I love to read blogs and watch YouTube videos on the newest and best products.  I wanted to start my blog off with my everyday, go-to products.  These are the make-up items I can't live without.  I will apologize for most of these products being "high end".  I have tried alternatives and they don't work as well.  Here we go..

1.  MAC Prep and Prime- This product is a thin, lotion primer that goes in your pores to really show your makeup off.  The best part about this product, is it has GLITTER in it! Not a lot, just a hint of shimmer.  This is a little oily, so make sure you use a toner before.  ($30.00)
2.  MAC Studio Fix Foundation-  This is a medium-heavy foundation.  I love foundation and I love having my skin look as flawless as possible.  Studio Fix is my go to foundation for going out and taking selfies.  I will say the Studio Fix foundation adds a rich color to your face to make you look brighter in iPhone photos.  No filter needed with this foundation.  ($27.00)
3.  Makeup Forever HD Foundation-  Now why do I have 2 foundations?  I love this foundation.  This foundation will make my face look flawless in professional photos with great lighting.  This is my go to foundation for game days and professional photography.  However, this foundation is very thick (even though it's stated minimum coverage).  It has pigments to catch lights in HD photos.  It creates a more washed out look for cellphone photos.  But your skin will look flawless.  ($42.00)
4.  Ben Nye Luxury Powder-  I use this powder in Banana because I have more yellow tint to my skin.  They do make this powder in other colors.  This is the Kim Kardashian powder that she uses to add glow and set her highlighting.  I also use this as a finishing powder.  ($14.00)
5.  MAC Studio Fix Concealer- I love, love, love this product.  I could go to a "Highlighters Anonymous" group because I love highlighting.  Now I use more of a pinkish tint concealer because again I have yellowish skin tones.  So you can go as light or as dark with this concealer as you'd like.  I also use a small concealer brush.  ($18.00)
6. Benefit High Beam-  Another great highlighting product.  I even use this as a base for my eye makeup or makeup for work.  I have been using this product for 8 years.  Its light pink with shimmer.  ($26.00)
7.  Benefit Hoola Bronzer-  I love this bronzer.  I use many bronzers to mix up my routine.  This is my favorite because it provides a great brown tone and a hint of SPARKLE.  It's also very thin so you can apply more as needed. ($28.00)
8.  MAC Sunbasque Blush-  This is a blush, but can also be used as a bronzer.  I use this for contouring for photos or game days.  It adds a great brown, redish color and really can be seen from far away.  I don't use this product for everyday wear, just nights out and performing.  ($21.00)
9.  Beauty Blender-  I am on the "Beauty Blender train".  I love this tool.  It really helps evenly apply my foundation, concealer, and highlighter.  I recently found out you can use this tool wet or dry!  They also make a special cleaner for the Beauty Blender.  ($20.00)
10.  Cover Girl Lip Perfection- I use this color in Blush Twist.  Here is a drug store product. I love this because it's a mix of lip stick and lip gloss.  It's very thin and workable.  I like the nude-pink shade for an everyday color.  ($7.99)
11.  MAC Lipstick in "Red"-  If you don't own this color or something similar you're not a real woman!  Every girl should own red lipstick.  I love wearing it out on the town.  It's a matte finish and lasts the whole evening!  ($ 16.00)
12.  Loreal Voluminous Mascara-  This is my go-to mascara.  I have tried 100 mascaras.  I love many of them.  I will say I use a lot of mascara, and I don't like clumpy eyelashes.  #1 pet peeve of Alyson... spider eyelashes.  So this mascara is cheap, easy to work with, and doesn't clump.  I'm still open for opinions.  I would love to try some 3D fiber mascara also. (Send me some, hint hint).   ($ 7.99)
13.  NARS Orgasm Blush-  I have shown the powder and stick form.  I love them both.  I know this is cliche because everyone loves this blush.  This is just my go-to blush.  I'm a huge fan.  I love the pink tint and shimmer.  ($ 30.00)
14.  Urban Decay Finishing Spray-  Ahhh.  This is my lifesaver.  I've sweated and been drenched in a rainstorm  and my makeup has made it through with this spray.  It's a setting spray to lock your makeup in.  It's sticky at first but you can't tell it's on after it dries.  ($ 30.00)