Summer got in the way...

I cannot believe the last time I posted was back in MAY!! I blame summer for getting in the way of me blogging. I blame my children for being so adorable and wanting to play with me. I blame Jamberry, for allowing me to join them and become a consultant. I blame KVCreates for staying consistent all summer long. I blame warm days and cool nights with my hubby. I blame wanting to catch every single instant of my kids' childhoods through the lens of my iPhone. I blame doing professional reading to become a better teacher. I blame reading My Truck is Stuck 5,000 times to be a better mother. I blame house buying! I blame life. Yep. Life just got in the way this summer, and I am okay with that...I mean it has been pretty wonderful.

<3 Kari
Not sorry summer got in the way :)

Need something? There's a Feb Mama for that!

When I was first pregnant with Landyn I experienced many emotions. A lot of them centered around who in the world I was going to talk to about this pregnancy when my mom wasn't there. I won't go into the sad, emotional stuff about that, but you get the picture. So one day, I stumbled upon this website - www.thebump.com. I found a message board full of women who were also do in February 2012! That forum eventually found its way to Facebook where we have been ever since. If you know me in real life, you know I often refer to my Feb moms in conversation. I talk about them as if they are my true life friends, well, because they are. I talk to them about everything and vice versa. We have experienced highs, lows, deaths, miscarriages, marriages, divorces, teething, first foods, first words, first steps, toddler hood and so much more together. I truly wish that everyone, especially every new, first time mom, or even second or third or fourth time mom, could experience the bond that I share with these ladies. No, I will not share them in that aspect, but I will share their amazing talents with you, which is the point of this post!!

So many of us are working in the direct sales field. We can literally just jump on facebook and ask, hey who sells.... and someone does! I wanted to share the feb love with all of you and let you know that these ladies are AMAZING at what they do. I have personally experienced many of their products and can vouch for their expertise for what they sell. So you need something...well here ya go. The JACKPOT:

Jamberry:

Edit to add me!! 
Kari Vaclavik: Team Manager
www.jamminteacher.jamberry.com 
https://www.facebook.com/jamminteacherwraps
 
Steph Cowart: Team Manager now Lead Executive!
www.wrapandgo.com
 www.facebook.com/areyoujamin

I have talked about Jamberry before. See my previous post on my Jamberry nails (which are still going strong!)

If Steph happens to be busy, there are some other feb mamas who also sell Jamberry and are on her team. You can contact Steph and she will put you in touch with them if need be (they are Jessica & Amanda).

Pampered Chef:
Elise Smith
www.facebook.com/elisesmithpamperedchef
http://new.pamperedchef.com/pws/elisecsmith

We all know, and LOVE Pampered Chef products. Elise sells all these goodies and is amazing to chat with. Check her out!

Jessica Mackaro - Two Little Birds Design (banners, party decor and invites)
www.etsy.com/shop/jmackaro
www.facebook.com/twolittlebirdsdesign

Jessica sells personalized goods. She is a true inspiration to me and has been doing it much longer than I have! I have gotten amazing invitations and banners made by her. We used her recently for my sister in laws baby shower and everyone adored her invites and place cards.

Rodan + Fields:
Laurie Adams, Level 1 Executive Consultant
www.ladams05.myrandf.com

So what is Rodan + Fields? They are the dermatologists who brought us Proactive and now have so so so much more! I just got their sunless tanner foam and it is amazing! I mean look at my legs! Before and after (overnight). I messed up on my ankles, but I will do better next time. Slight learning curve :)

Katy Hawalka, Lead Consultant (Scentsy & Velata)
 www.katyhawalka.scentsy.us
www.katyhawalka.velata.us

I recently bought a warmer from Katy and am in LOVE. It is proudly sitting in my classroom. Fifth graders tend to get a bit stinky (and I say that in the most loving way possible), this time of year, so it was a blessing when she posted that she had a teacher warmer available. And I mean, seriously, how cute was she with the box :)

Stefanie Broughton, Scentsy Family Director (Scentsy, Velata and Grace Adele)
https://www.facebook.com/StefanieBroughtonIndependentScentsyFamilyDirector
https://stefaniebroughton.scentsy.us/Scentsy/

This is Katy's team leader. She also sells Velata and Grace Adele. Totally worth checking this amazing mama out!

Younique:
Jamie Menier: Newbie (signed 3/31/14)
https://www.youniqueproducts.com/JamieMenier

Jamie recently jumped into the world of cosmetics with Younique products. I own their 3d mascara and LOVE it! It really makes my eyes pop. Look at the pics below for proof! (top is nothing, middle is my regular deal, and bottom is with the 3-d fibers mascara)

 We also have mamas that sell Isagenix which is a way of healthy living. Once I get their info I will surely post it.

Now for me!

I craft
https://www.facebook.com/karicreatesforyou?ref=hl
https://www.etsy.com/shop/KVCreates

I sell Origami Owl
www.kvaclavik.origamiowl.com

I also represent Plexus (healthy living products)
http://karivaclavik.myplexusopportunity.com/

Oh, and I am mom to two adorable kiddos (I take any and every opportunity to post cutie pie pics of them - here are a couple from today, when we went to the aquarium)

 He is in a nose picking stage. He is two. Go with it :)

 At the Titanic exhibit.

I truly hope that this post helps you out whenever you need something! Oh, and if what you are looking for isn't listed, shoot me a message. I am POSITIVE I can find someone to help you out.

I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day. I want to take this moment to thank all that have served, especially my amazing hubby Sean.

I leave you with this shirt that L sported today.

<3 Kari

What in the world is Jamberry?

When one of my friends said that she was going to start selling Jamberry, I was like ummmm, what is that? I was then introduced to the wonderful world of Jamberry and will never look back!

So what exactly is Jamberry? They are nail wraps that you apply to your nails with a little bit of heat. It is SO incredibly easy to apply and then enjoy. Because let's be honest...I have no time to sit around and do my nails. Nor do I have the money to go out and get a manicure every few weeks, just to have it start to chip in a couple of days. So why do I LOVE Jamberry?

1) each wrap is only $15. And oh ya, each "wrap" sheet will get you 2 manicures and even a couple of pedicures. They look like this:

 2) they have an AMAZING deal, that is going on at all times. Buy 3 get one free! So you spend $45 and get 4 sheets of wraps. They are great to mix and match and coordinate with your mood, outfit, the season, an event, you name it!

3) they are incredibly easy to apply. I will go through the steps that I did today.

FIRST: Choose which jams you want to use.

Yes, I have a lot. Know how I got that many? I hosted an online facebook party with my dear friend Steph at wrapandgonails.jamberrynails.net l! She did all the work. I sat back and earned free wraps. Win win.

SECOND: Measure your nail to decide which wrap you are going to use.

THIRD: Life the wrap up by the edge with tweezers and cut the wrap in half. Each of those ovaly looking things are good for TWO nails!

FOURTH: Apply your wrap to your nail and press down.

FIFTH: Add in your heat! Steph was nice enough to send me a rice bag. They are super easy to make, or you can purchase one from her. I have also used my heater at home, some use a blow dryer as well. Apply your heat to the wrap one way or another. Then you will want to smooth it out with an orange stick, or your finger, or a pencil eraser. Anything works really in my experience. You also trim it down after doing this! (I forgot to take a picture of that.)

You then have a lovely, jamified, nail!

Redo this process for each nail and you are done.

It hardly takes any time at all! From start to finish, if I hadn't been interrupted by sweet Savannah (I mean really - how can you get anything done when all she wants to do is cuddle with you??)

Where was I? Oh yes, if I hadn't been interrupted, the whole process would have taken less than 20 minutes. Easy PEASY!

How much of those sheets did I use?

The supplies you need are simple: jams (get those from Mrs Steph Cowart at wrapandgonails.com. You can find her on instagram @wrapandgonails as well!), a file (just realized I forgot that step! file your nail tips after to remove excess wrappage), a heat source, something to push the wrap down, scissors, tweezers and nail clippers.

Interested? Want to learn more? Contact Steph!! She is also has a fb page (wrapandgo), an instagram (@wrapandgonails), and her jamberry website (wrapandgo.jamberrynails.net)

I promise, you won't be disappointed! She is looking for some hostesses....

And tell her I sent you, wouldya??

- Kari










         

Hello....and goodbye.

These days I am quite a busy lady! I work full time teaching my lovely fifth graders. I work full time as a mommy to two beautiful children. I work full time as a wife to my hubby. And I work part time as a crafter now!

Due to all of this juggling, something had to go, and that something has been something that I have been doing for the past 6 years - coaching cheerleading. I have coached cheer at my school for 6 years. I have seen girls come in as little sixth graders and leave as mature (sort of!) eighth graders. These girls have been there during my mom dying, me getting married, having both L and S, and many other life events. Yesterday, we had our end of the season banquet (a little late). The girls came down to my classroom and decorated cups with vinyl I had cut. We chatted and enjoyed our last day together.

Yesterday, we also said hello to the opera! My students have been learning about the opera in music class, and the culminating activity is viewing an opera performance. This year, we saw "Gianni schicchi". My students seems to enjoy it.

Last night, my good friend Rachelle came over. She recently got a Silhouette Cameo!! (welcome to the dark side!!), and I showed her some tricks that I have learned since getting mine for Christmas. We worked on creating her very first HTV shirt, one that says "Beach Babe" for her daughter, S. You can check out her blog also! (mycreativechaos107.blogspot.com).

I also made L a new shirt for the summer :) It will be available in my etsy shop soon! If you would like one before then, please just message me.

And last, but certainly not least...here is your daily dose of cuteness from the Vaclavik kiddos :)

Have a great day!
- Kari

Overcast does not equal safe skin!

Today was our DARE graduation for our fifth graders. We sat in the auditorium, all proudly adorning out lime green DARE shirts and listened as 8 brave fifth graders, with immense talent in writing shared their winning essays. Miss Abby from my class delivered an amazing essay, which she made rhyme throughout the entire thing. I am so proud to have taught her this year, along with my other little loves.

Following the essays, poster winners were announced (Mr. Nick from my room), and the students all said their DARE pledge. They said "I will" to different ways to turn down drugs and alcohol and pledged to live a drug and alcohol free life. I was very proud of them, as was the audience (full of moms, dads, grandparents and siblings).

Then it was off to the game!

We went to Dodd Stadium in Norwich to watch the UCONN Huskies battle URI. My students and I, of course, had to take a selfie.

The day was perfect. It was overcast and cool, with a nice breeze. Never once did I think about my poor, pasty skin that hadn't seen any sort of sunlight in months thanks to this eternal winter we have been living in. Which, on a sidenote, as much as I adore the movie "Frozen", I think Mother Nature saw it a few too many times and was inspired! So back to the skin. We enjoyed the game, got back to school and one of my students mentioned I got a little red. No big deal...until I got home and saw my face.

Yes, it hurts as much as it looks like it does. And you can see where my side bang goes. Lots of aloe on my face tonight and hopefully it won't look too bad tomorrow, because guess what?! We have another field trip.

To the opera.

You know you're jealous ;-p

Night all,

Kari

A Day of Random Thoughts

Today in my fifth grade classroom, we worked on making Mother's Day cards. My students carefully chose colors and supplies to make their mom the perfect card. I even let them use, GASP, glitter!!

Any students who wanted to use glitter had to use it in the "glitter zone", as I didn't want to end up with glitter everywhere. It worked...I mean as much as it can work for 10 year olds.

It is always hard for me when this time of year comes around. I find myself thinking back about my mom and wishing she were here to enjoy this time with me and my babies. I know she is always with us, and watching over us, and I feel her daily. But, it just isn't the same. I never thought that I would be a mother without my mom here. I always pictured her at my side and as a confidant as I figured out this whole motherhood thing. I think I am doing an okay job, just not the way I had always thought it would go.

Landyn is such a silly goober these days. He loves to run around and talk about cars, trains, airplanes, and truly just enjoys being around his sister (which I love!). Savannah is sitting up, babbling, rolling over and trying to scoot. She doesn't quite get that she needs to go forward, but she will learn that eventually :)

We recently had a mommy and me photoshoot where I was reminded about how much my kids really do love me :)

While Landyn was a terror during the shoot, Michelle from Sweet Perspectives Photography was able to capture this moment of the two of us, standing on a rock in the lake, and I LOVE it!! Savannah, of course, loves to be cuddled, so this shot of the two of us truly shows our bond.

This week is also Teacher Appreciation Week! My school has done some awesome things for us. We received frames that had been signed by our students, with words they had written about us included. It truly made me remember why I teach. We also have had some breakfast and lunch treats, and today received our third installment of the "Teachers Rock" cds. My students have been spoiling me as well, with lots of handmade goodies!

Lastly, I feel so blessed that I have found an outlet for my creativity. I love creating things for my Etsy and Teachers Pay Teachers shop. This is my latest item on sale, and my students have done a great job with it reviewing all of the math we have learned this year.

I think that is it for now :)

- Kari

A Crafty Catch Up!

I am feeling so incredibly blessed these days! Not only do I have two amazingly gorgeous children (I mean they really are...look at the evidence below)

But my crafting business, KVCreates, has been taking off as well! I have been contacted almost everyday to create something for someone, and I am loving it! I don't know what I would do without my Cameo. If you are interested in buying one, check it out here.

So now it's time to play catch up and share what I have been making!

I LOVE these tshirts and onesies. I took the beloved song, "Toes" by Zac Brown Band and just changed up the lyrics a little bit. This shirt headed off to a super cute two year old boy.

This past weekend we had a birthday party for a bubble loving two year old little lady. I personalized a bucket with her first initial and filled it with bubble wands and bubbles of all kinds! She loved it :)

 Also this past weekend, I had a baby shower for my dear friend Barbara. She is expecting her second child, a girl who they are naming Trinity. The theme of her nursery is owls! I made her a darling little bucket, a onesie with an owl, a onesie with a T on it, as well as one that says "I drink straight from the tap". I stalked her pinterest and saw some items she pinned, and tried to recreate them! I also made her a "Mommy's Sippy Cup". I hope once T arrives she is able to relax a little and try it out. Even if it is only with cider for a little while :)

 I was lucky enough to win a Burts Bees House Party! However, it is the time of parties, so I have ben having a party on the go! I personalized these canvas totes that the Burts Bees people sent me for some amazing mamas. In each tote they each got two trial size tubes of Burts Bees diaper cream, along with some coupons.

 Do you watch Game of Thrones? Well you should!! I made two Khaleesi shirts. One for Savannah and one for another November baby. They came out super cute!

 I was asked to make a set of sibling shirts for the upcoming birth of baby #3 for my friend M! This is the baby's onesie :)

 This is the owl bucket for B's baby shower :)

Last, but certainly not least...have you ever had people in your lives who are enablers, but in the best way possible? Well that is what my Feb mamas and November mamas are. Enablers. And wallet hurters haha! A fellow November mama showed us a picture of this chair.

Super cute, right? So of course I had to buy one...okay two. Then, we had the great idea to add some vinyl! So I made some monograms for some other November mamas who bought them as well.

WHEW! And that is it! For now :)

- Kari