Hive Honey Pie

Celebrating the end of 2022 and the start of 2023 with my favorite people in Dollywood!

🎃Happy Halloween!🎃

📚Book Charater Day📚

When your son ONLY wants to be a “spooky skeleton” for Halloween, but he needs a costume for “book character” day… you then search the internet, find a skeleton book, and then make a hat for the “book” costume, so he can still fit the requirements 😂 Thankfully, Funnybones is actually a great book and I can get it delivered the day before Book Character Day!

⛰Mountain Drive 🌄

📚CGHS Meets TRHS🍎

In the first few weeks of teaching at TRHS, I met one of our science teachers named Lisa. She has been at the school for a number of years, and was even awarded teacher of the year, this year!

After I had shared with the campus that I was originally from the Chicagoland area, she asked me more specifically which town I was from. I said near Crystal Lake and she was stunned. We soon found out that we both went to together, and I graduated two years ahead of her! We never knew each other during that time, but we knew of others in our grade levels.

It’s crazy to think that of all the high schools we could be teaching at, we are now working together in a small town in SC, down the hall from each other, and we come from neighboring small towns in IL. 🤯

What a small world!

🏠Update #3: ✅ Mailbox Secured 📪 - We’ll always have a piece of Texas with us 🐂⭐️🇺🇸

🦸‍♂️My favorite superhero! 🐶Feeding pets, 🚲riding bikes, and 🚨saving lives- all in a day’s work! 💪

🇺🇸Happy 4th Fireworks!🧨

Our amazing view driving home from Mills River 🤯

✨Moving to SC: Flight to Grandparent’s House✨

Yesterday, Elliot and I flew out from Houston to Asheville, NC. We will stay with David’s parents until our home is ready in Travelers Rest, SC. It was an exciting trip, especially with no nap in our system 😅 Overall, it was an easy flight and Elliot was extremely excited to finally be here!

✨Moving to SC: The Pod Gets Picked Up✨
It took several weeks and some extra help from friends on our last day, but we finally go all our stuff loaded and shipped out! It will be in long term storage until our home is ready in SC. Next, we will rent a Uhaul to move any remaining furniture and personal items we want in short-term storage. Our packing is not done, but it’s great to have this hurdle behind us!

🐾YES Prep Northside: 2014-2022🐾

It’s the end of an era. I began at my school in 2014, after making our cross-country move from IL. I now say goodbye to our Learning Lab, after 8 years of instruction, as we prepare for our last cross-country move to SC!

I am grateful for the time I’ve had a Northside. I began as an art teacher and ended as a SpEd Manager! My experience at YES was transformative and it has greatly prepared me for my professional future ahead!

✨Upgraded Work Bags✨
At my current (and soon-to-be former) school, they’ve provided me a very sturdy work bag and f***y pack that have been very useful the past several years.

I did not want to get rid of them, but I also wanted to have a fresh start using them in SC at my new school, without having my former school’s logos on them.

With a little bit of painting, gluing, sewing, and pinning, I’ve repurposed these bags, so I can keep using them for years to come! I hope this inspires you to reinvent your own items, rather than getting rid of them and buying new. 😀

✨Moving to SC: The Pod Arrives✨
On Friday, we began our move! David and Elliot made a great team loading boxes into our moving pod. Elliot wanted to help every opportunity he go- it’s awesome to see his hard work and excitement for our move! We now have a few weeks to keep boxing and storing our stuff in the pod. Our scheduled leave date is 6/17!

✨Frida Kahlo DIY Artwork✨

This art piece began a few years ago when I saw a pixelated image of Frida Kahlo on Pinterest—a company produces a nearly $300 artwork that you can purchase and display on your wall. I was inspired and decided I would try to make it for less.

Little did I know that this artwork would have been worth the $300 in labor versus trying to make it by hand. 😂🤯 Irregardless, this project has been a labor of love (and has tested my patience for the last few months!).

To create this DIY version of the original artwork, I got to work identifying color swatches that match the original pixels in the art image. Then with multiple hours of help from my parents, we acquired the paint chips from our local hardware store to match the colors I identified. From there, after endless cutting, labeling, taping, and aligning of all of the squares I finished the one wall-size artwork for my living room.

Now that we are preparing to move I could not fathom cleanly storing and moving this artwork in one piece and then putting it back in its original form in our new house in South Carolina. Therefore, I thought if I could dismantle and create smaller versions of this artwork, I could still preserve its beauty while also sharing it with others.

I’ve determined that I can create two medium-sized Frida images and eight mini-size Frida images from the original paint chips without sacrificing any of the material. While it is incredibly beautiful, this project has ultimately taken months upon months to create.

At this phase of completion, I have just completed one of the medium sized Fridas which will be framed and featured in our South Carolina home. I am now starting work on the second medium sized image for my parents, followed by the mini-sized Fridas that will become gifts for my coworkers and friends in Houston. My goal is to complete these projects before I leave for South Carolina! Wish me luck!

⭐️Big Life Update: We Are Moving!⭐️

David and I have lived in Houston, TX since 2014, after taking new jobs and moving from my home city of Chicago, IL.

This summer, we are making our second (and last) big move to South Carolina!

Our plans to move East began in 2018 (and even earlier) when we bought our 4 arce property in Travelers Rest, SC. We knew it would be the perfect spot for us to raise our future child, since it is closer to family and at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. We just needed to find work and a home for our property, before we could make the move.

Fast forward to 2022. We now have both work and housing finalized for our move (finding jobs out that way was the hardest part!). David will continue working remotely with his newish job at Compt-u-dopt, and I’ve recently accepted a Special Ed teaching position at the town’s local high school (where Elliot would attend when he is much older!).

We are excited for our big move ahead. This big change will also bring change to Hive Honey Pie! My goal for HHP is to document our projects that “cultivate a home sweet home.” Therefore, I will start including our life updates on our new property, or rather homestead. We hope to take advantage of our four acres and have more outdoor projects, including MORE animals, gardening, and anything that builds our self-sufficiency.

I’m excited for this new changer for our family and I’m looking forward to sharing more about our move and life in SC in the coming weeks!

✨Workspace Makeover: Wrapping Paper DIY✨
The office transformation continues with more thrifted and upgraded decor pieces.

I found a few frames and a lamp at my local Goodwill. With my coworker’s request for a “rainbow” inspired workspace theme, I found some wrapping paper on Amazon that I used to cover the lamp shade and insert into the picture frame. It’s a easy change that ties the style of the two items together for her space!

✨Workspace Makeover: DIY Office Decor✨

This week I began creating some custom wall hangings for my coworker’s mini-office space.

After thrifting a few basic frames, a letter board, and a wall hook, I got to work spray painting them a muted blue tone. My coworker also loves rainbow hues and traveling, so I collected some paint chips and map scraps to create a custom calendar for her desk.

Once the makeover is complete, I’ll share all the items installed in her space in a final reveal. Until then, enjoy a sneak peek each week of the mini projects leading up to the end transformation.

I hope you enjoyed these pieces and stay tuned for next week’s projects too!

✨Coming Soon: Workspace Makeover!✨

Now that my office space is complete, many of my coworkers have complimented my space. Additionally, my office mate, Nancy, is new to our department and is an incredible asset to our compliance team. To complete our office transformation, I will be also making over her workspace!

As our school’s Compliance Specialist, Nancy’s work is mainly stationed at her desk throughout the day preparing and completing SpEd paperwork throughout her day. After consulting with her, Nancy would like her space to be inspiring and colorful, yet organized. I’ve included some inspiration photos for her workspace transformation.

In the coming weeks, I will keep you posted on different pieces I thrift flip and organize in her space. I will also share the final outcome of our entire office once her makeover is complete. Stay tuned!

I’m very excited to use my love of design and organization to benefit someone who is so essential to our school. We love you Nancy!

✨NEW Video: Baby Items That Last 2+ Years Later✨

Happy Saturday, y’all! This weekend I’m sharing a new video on my YouTube channel (click the link in my bio to view!), specific to baby/toddler items I have found most useful as a new parent. Most of these items I requested/received at my baby shower and I continue to use them 2.5 years later with my son.

If you’re a soon-to-be parent (or know someone who will be), check out my video for a variety of purposeful, long-lasting items that can be helpful to you and your child!

These are my top picks as a mom. What are yours? Are there any items you’d recommend in addition to these? Share by commenting here on my Instagram post or in the comments of my YouTube video 😀 I hope you enjoy these ideas!

✨NEW Blog Post: Take Time to Make Time✨
A coworker asked me how I was able to juggle my work at school, with projects on HHP, on top of parenting… instead of giving her the short answer, I used it as inspiration for today’s blog post on hivehoneypie.com 😆

I haven’t always been thoughtful with my time, but that all changed once I found a new goal and a purpose for making time for what I love.

Click on the link in my bio to read and reflect on your own use of time. I also share helpful tools and tips I’ve created to help you in this process!

I hope this blog helps you “take time to make time” so you can start doing more of what you love, with people in a place you love. 🥰

✨NEW Blog Post: Document Your Family Memories✨

Hey y’all! Happy Saturday! I’m back this week with another blog post centered on capturing and saving your family memories. 😍

Head over to hivehoneypie.com OR click the link in my bio to learn 33(+) ways you can document your time with the people you love.

After, share in the comments here, or on my blog post, your favorite ways to document your family memories! Maybe they are ones I share in my post or ones unique to your family. I’d love to know either way!

✨NEW Blog Post: Relocating Family Interview✨

Hey y’all! I hope the start of your weekend has been well! I’m back this Saturday with a special blog post, I collaborated on with my sister, Rachel.

Recently, she and her family relocated oversees, and I had a chance to interview her about the experience. 🤩 If you’re interested in learning more, or want to gain some inspiration for an upcoming move with your family, check out the link in my bio to access our interview on my website!

We hope you enjoy learning more about her moving experience! If you have any follow-up questions, feel free to comment below on this post, or in the comment section of the blog post. I know would be happy to share more 😀

✨NEW Video: DIY Map Upcycles✨

Happy Saturday! Last summer, I shared a number of DIY map projects here on Instagram. Today, you can head to my YouTube channel to check out how I made each of those upcycles. Click on the link in my bio to view the vide. Hope you enjoy and try out some of the projects yourself!

🤩 NEW Blog Post: 13 Tips to Grow a Positive Relationship with a Preschooler 💕✨

Last week I posted that I will be expanding my content on Instagram and hivehoneypie.com to include a wider focus of topics related to family, parenting, home decor, and DIY.

Today, I’m sharing my most recent blog post focused on building up your relationship with a child in your life. Click on the link in my bio to access the blog post in full!

I hope the tips I share are a helpful read for you and your kiddo(s). 😀

✨⭐️ Happy 2022! ⭐️✨

I hope your new year has begun with joy and excitement like it has for me.

In light of this new beginning, I wanted to update you on the direction Hive Honey Pie will be growing.

I began this Instagram page, website, and (occasional) YouTube video last spring, to document the furniture and home décor projects I flipped after-school and on weekends.

Once August began, and I returned to my special education department amid-COVID, my ability to produce and document regular DIY projects has become less and less.

Crafting and handmade décor continue as my creative passion. I don't plan to eliminate them from HHP all together. Instead, beginning 2022, I'm expanding my purpose for Hive Honey Pie and the content I create here.

Hive Honey Pie, moving forward, exists to help you "cultivate your home sweet home," as a family lifestyle blog and YouTube channel, with a dash of DIY, still sprinkled in.

What does this mean?

I will continue posting updates here on my Instagram specific to blog posts or videos I produce. My projects will include content related to family, parenting, home, DIY, and their intertwining with each other. My goal is to document ways you can grow your relationships with the people you love, in a place you love. I will share my personal experiences and projects with you, so you can gain new ideas and further cultivate your home sweet home. If nothing else, you can simply enjoy my updates on how our life and family are in Houston.

I am eager to start this creative journey ahead at Hive Honey Pie, and I hope you stick around! Stay tuned for some new posts and content coming soon!

✈️ 2016-2017 Classroom Theme: Wanderlust 😎

In light of yesterday’s post about upcycling paper maps, I wanted to share more context on how they were originally used in my classroom.

Several years ago, I decorated our Special Ed classroom in a “travel” theme. Not only did this include the bookcases, but all parts of the classroom! 🙌 Have a look at several items I personalized with this theme using the maps as my inspiration. 🗺

Let me know if you want more details on what I had created! 🥰