diy mama

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Top 14 Teacher Discount Locations

Teachers get a large break over summer for a reason. Their jobs are hard! They have to be engaging, patient, resilient, empathetic, relentless and energetic with other people’s children all day long! Because of their hard work, they deserve a break AND a discount. There are numerous companies that offer discounts to educators ranging from insurance to theme parks but today I’ve highlighted some of the top businesses that offer great discounts to teachers. The next time you need a teacher appreciation gift, give them a gift card to one of the companies below so your teacher can combine the current store sale with their teacher discount and your gift card!

teacher discounts

Teacher Discounts

Adobe
Shop direct from the Adobe Education Store and receive discounts on select software, including bundles and suites. Adobe requires proof of employment as an educator before applying the discount.

Ann Taylor Loft
Ann Taylor Loft Loves Teachers offers teachers 15 percent off full-price purchases every day. They also host teacher-appreciation nights for educators and offer Loft Best in Class Grants. There are other major perks to the Loft Loves Teachers Program. Check it out.

Anthropologie
Anthropologie is offering teachers 15 percent off full-price purchases July 15- September 12th in stores and online with a valid school or teacher ID. They run a few of these sales throughout the year so check with them if you’ve missed this current sale.

The Apple Store
The Apple Store offers special pricing on Apple products including computers, software and select third-party products. This special pricing is available to college students, parents buying for a college student, or teachers, homeschool teachers, administrators and staff of all grade levels.

Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble has a Barnes & Noble Educator Program that offers teachers 20 percent off the list price on all purchases for classroom use. Plus you will receive up to 25 percent off during Educator Appreciation Days.

The Container Store
The Container Store offers educators special discounts throughout the year to help organize your classroom The Organized Teacher Discount Program offers 10 percent off every day.

FedEx Office
Thanks to the FedEx Office Academic Edge program you’ll receive 15-percent off nearly all products, including brochures, posters and photos. This discount is available both online and in-store.

J.Crew
J.Crew also offers teachers a 15 percent discount every day. This discount may be used on sale and clearance items as well as at J.Crew factory stores. You must present a school ID at the time of purchase to redeem the discount.

Lakeshore Learning
Lakeshore Learning features a Teacher’s Club with 15 percent off hundreds of classroom items. Plus, there are monthly specials just for educators!

Marriott Hotels
Marriott grants teachers a discount at a slew of hotels across the nation. When booking online or in-person, show your school ID at check-in to receive the special rate. Rules on this discount are a bit vague — they mention government employees, which would imply only public school employees — but most hotel employees don’t bite. Feel free to ask.

Michaels
Michaels Craft Stores gives teachers 15 percent off all regular priced merchandise everyday. Before you go, be sure to check their website for additional coupons. They often have a 40 percent off one item coupon. Use the 15% off all remaining items.

Teacher’s Treasures
Only full-time, certified, pre-k-12 teachers (including art, gym, music), principals/directors, vice principals, media specialists, social workers, nurses, Parent Involvement Educators, and guidance counselors from eligible schools may shop. For more detailed information about eligibility guidelines, please visit the Teacher Handbook.

United Art & Education
Serving Artists, Teachers and Parents Since 1960. United Art & Education has several Indiana locations and gives free shipping for orders over $99.

West Elm
Take 10% off your online order or in-store purchase from West Elm, and enjoy modern, sophisticated furniture and home decor for less. Sign up for the “study circle” here, using your .edu address.

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Get Out of Your Own Way

There is no one holding you back but yourself when it comes to your health goals. I can throw out excuses with the best of them as to why I don’t look or feel how I want, but I know it is a direct result of my own actions. I’m keeping this quote ‘get out of your own way’ in mind as I work towards the healthy person I want to be. Today I signed up for our second 5k (in May) and am motivated to do my first half marathon in Disney World in 2018. I want a healthier body for a lot of reasons. Top 3: 1.) More energy. 2.) A healthy vessel for our second child. 3.) To feel confident and beautiful in the clothes that are my style. I’m currently limited because of my size. My goal is to be able to shop at any store and find stylish pieces that make me feel empowered. I’ve printed out a training plan from the RunDisney site and am excited to begin this new journey of healthy living.
Get out of your own way

Get Out of Your Own Way

 

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Valentines Date Outfits

I’m a sucker for Valentine’s Day. I don’t think people should spend lots of money, or necessarily spend any money, but I do think you should show your partner why they’re special. Yes, it’s pretty much like having two anniversaries a year but why not?? I love any excuse to celebrate love, especially my love for my husband. I was thinking of what we could do this year to celebrate. We’re back to doing date night out once per month and I’m thinking Valentine’s Day is the perfect date for February. I’ve listed a few of my favorite Valentine’s date ideas for staying in or going out. I’ve paired the dates with a few Valentine’s date outfits for inspiration if you’re stuck on what to wear.

As a Mom, I rarely wear outfits that make me feel beautiful. I wear outfits that I won’t get upset if I get snot wiped on the shoulder or watercolor splattered on my blouse. I want to be able to get down on my knees to crawl in a fort and lots of layers in case there’s a spontaneous dance party. My ‘uniform’ is maroon cords with a graphic T and a long cardigan. Not as bad as it could be but no where near what I’d choose to wear everyday. I know that it makes me feel good to dress up for the right occasion though, so I’m going to make it a point to dress up for all of our date nights this year!

Valentines Date OutfitsValentine's Date Outfit

Valentines Date Outfit

Night-Out Ideas: make reservations ahead for a local eatery you’ve been dying to try, see a rom-com at the dine-and-watch theater, find discounted tickets to the symphony, theater or local music concert, go to the mall and pick out each other’s outfit before heading to dinner, stargaze at the planetarium, revisit your early dating years by playing pool, bowling or mini-golf, schedule a couples massage, book a room at a local hotel and have room service delivered, do your own photo shoot around the city, or have a few martinis before dancing the night away.

Valentine's Date Outfit

Valentine Date Outfit

Night-In Ideas: Play a favorite board game, make a chocolate fondue dessert, listen to a book on tape fireside snuggled under a blanket, make popcorn and watch the first movie you saw as a couple, plan a special anniversary vacation, buy a lotto ticket and write down how you’d spend the money, read old love notes or look through photo albums.

What are your thoughts on Valentines Day? Is it a Hallmark holiday or are you into showering your love in conversation hearts? Any plans this year?

Swoon worthy photo credits: Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3,  Photo 4

DIY Valentine’s Day Cards

Valentine Cards

 

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January Goals

Sound the trumpets, I’m back! Happiest of new years to you all. I am hoping you had a magical 2015 but fingers crossed that your 2016 is even better. I’ve been absent from this lovely blog and most of my social media for a few weeks because I needed to decompress from the internets and focus on my family, home and a bit of relaxation. It’s amazing how much I can accomplish (or not accomplish) if my nose isn’t in a laptop. While I’ve been away I’ve gotten mostly caught up on Game of Thrones, painted two rooms downstairs, had cousin sleepovers and family hot tub parties. Life has been good and I’m ready to see what changes 2016 brings.

January Goals 2016

A little recap of my December goals before I head into my January goals and 2016 goals. We did a great job on slowing down our speed on house projects as well as not watching as much TV during the week. I’ve also gotten much more patient with Sophie’s new found ‘nos’ and toddler independence. The things she gets upset about are so cute, unless we’re trying to get to school or leave the Conner Prairie that’s closing. We’ve learned to let her first try something by herself and wait for her to ask us for help, otherwise there will be tears when opening a door or string cheese. In the way of meeting people in our community, I joined a group called theCityMoms and met some new friends at their holiday party where we were pampered with manicures and crepes. I think I will get along just fine here in Indy with those kind of ‘girls nights’. We more than ‘partook’ in a few Christmas activities. There were few holiday-esque events we did not partake in. My favorite, by far, was experiencing the magic of  Christmas Lights at The Indianapolis Zoo. I was diligent about going to the gym three times per week and finished up my last PT meeting for my shoulder. I’m happy to announce that I’m able to lift my arm above my head now with minimal pain! I have faith I’ll get it back to a normal shoulder this year. Big goals people!

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Although I completed all of my blog goals, I was a bad Blog Mama. I had five posts total on this site (two of which were blurbs for features on other sites, so they don’t really count). Although I’ve not done my content calendar for this month, *slaps hand, I am out of my blog slump and ready to create some awesome content. One of my Christmas gifts was a new tripod which will be a huge advantage over my previous tripod that I’d borrowed, and broke, from my Dad. Sorry Dad. I completely accomplished my biggest goal for December, which was to live in the moment with my family, and I cherished every second of it.

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January Goals

Family

  • Set up Sophie’s easel and create a Mommy/Daughter masterpiece
  • Re-start up Monthly Date Night
  • Get caught up on GoT

Life

  • Host first neighborhood Girls Night In
  • Visit gym 4x/week and do shoulder exercises daily
  • Get office organized

Blog

  • Schedule content a month out
  • Plan at least one ‘power post’ a month for the year
  • Complete another PIN70 and 550 pins/week

Disney with a toddler

2016 Goals

My January goals are not extravagant but can be easily measured, which is exactly what my plan is for 2016. Having measurable small goals to achieve my overall larger goals. My fitness goal for 2016 is one pant size. I ultimately want to decrease by two pant sizes but know that I’m comfortable in a size 10 but will feel stunning in an 8. I want my body to be stronger so I’m able to last longer on fun adventures with my family. I want to work towards a strong body for our next child (whenever that may be). I want to be excited to buy clothes again because I enjoy fashion and the confidence I have when I’m loving my outfit. I haven’t LOVED an outfit in at least two years and that makes me really sad.

My career goal is to get a steady job. A job that has normal hours and people that I can talk to about my weekend. A job that I like but may not be obsessed with like I have been in the past. A job that will pay for Sophie’s school. A job that will hopefully allow me to have enough energy to continue writing about my DIY projects, Disney tips and our home improvements. A job that will allow us to not feel guilty to have a babysitter come once a month for date night. Fingers crossed that such a wonderful job exists and that we find each other soon!

I’m only making two big goals for 2016 but will continue to make small goals each month to assist in achieving those larger goals.  Will you be making a resolution this year or perhaps have a focus word for this year? Remember, that goals are just that. Goals. They can be changed or modified with what’s going on in your life, so never beat yourself up for not living up to your initial standards. You’ve probably over achieved in other areas of your life that you’re not even giving yourself credit for. Remember to pat yourself on the back this year and take care of yourself before others.

Follow along with my 2016 goals on Insta. If you comment on a photo to let me know you’re there, I’ll hop over to your feed. Let’s be friends! @shellybergman

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December Goals

It’s the last month of the year 2015 and I’ve had a wonderful year. I love doing these monthly goals because it’s sort of like a time capsule for how my year went. Not surprisingly, November shot by and left me spinning. I’m sure December will be no different. I’m trying to not plan a ton for the calendar because I know that I’ll hear or read about an event and have to go last minute. I’m currently torn between three places to take Sophie after school!

december

Before we look at how I did in November, I want to look back at my New Years Inspirational Word for 2015: Learn. I did a poor job at learning the specific things I mentioned in January’s post but I kept ‘Learn’ close to my heart though out the year and truly learned a lot. I learned about blogging, monetizing, montessori (not having Sophie at home with me), moving to a new state, taking a Disney trip with a toddler, organizing and much more. I have a month to decide my word for 2016 but I’m leaning towards ‘Embrace’, meaning ‘Embrace life’. I’m in an uneasy spot that I’ve been in before, not knowing what to do with my life. Do I pursue this blog, try writing for another publication, focus on marketing my organizing business, get a desk job…? It makes me a little exhausted thinking about it all. When I get anxious with too many choices, I tend to shut down and be unmotivated for work or play. That’s how my past month has gone, not fully committed to any one of those ventures but trying them all which results in being pulled too many directions. Time for some soul searching.

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I did fairly well on my November goals. We’ve gotten Sophie’s bedtime routine down better. She had been so sleepy/crabby in the mornings before school that we knew she needed a better routine at night. We now do bath every other night and bedtime got moved up a half hour to 8p. She started swim lessons and is loving it. I love watching Jeffrey be able to do the lessons with her since I am usually the one to do these kind of activities with her. I did not join a mom’s group, as planned, but I have applied to be a member of theCityMoms and will start writing for IndysChild next month!

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The personal organizing session I had scheduled fell through due to illness on my client’s behalf. I’m disappointed but learned a few things on how to handle my next client. I did not read 4 nights/week but did read much more than before. We decided to not build the shed because it was too big of a project before the ground froze. We replaced that project with a garage organizing job so we could still fit my car in the garage this winter. My blog goals were (as always) my lowest priority. I posted 3 times/week up until this past week and used hashtags more efficiently on Instagram but I have nothing on my content calendar (which was supposed to be scheduled a month out.) I feel like I’m being a slacker by making my goals more simple for certain months but I also realize that they need to be attainable goals. December is full of holiday dinners, Christmas light hunting, Christmas movies, family gatherings, playing in the snow and Christmas crafts. I want to take the month off from heavy goals and focus on the holiday season and my family.

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December Goals

Family

  • Practice patience with Sophie’s ‘nos’ and ‘baby cries’
  • Insist on a slower ‘house projects’ speed
  • Continue family time at night with no TV until the weekend

Life

  • Meet people in the community
  • Partake in a few Christmas events
  • Continue PT for my shoulder and workouts 3x/week

Blog

  • Complete sponsored post
  • Hit my Pinterest goal (at least 550 pins/week)
  • Stop comparing

This post was a bit heavier than my usual monthly goal posts. I wanted to be honest in what’s going on in my life and why my goals aren’t being reached. Hopefully at the end of December I can look back and be proud of the goals I accomplished and excited for the new year ahead. What does your December look like? Any specific tradition you’re looking forward to most?

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