The Teacher Diva

Search Results for: The Holiday List

Top-Rated Black Bike Shorts

If you can't tell from my rotating bike shorts outfits, I'm very much into the trend. It's basically the summer legging and at this point, I'm more than happy to grab a pair of bike shorts, an oversized t-shirt, and call it a day. Since I know the trend can be intimidating and a bit tricky to navigate, I wanted to find the absolute best options. Depending on if you're pregnant and want something comfy, aren't looking to spend much, or want a top-rated flattering pick, there should be a good option here. ...

Read More


Sugar-Free Spicy Margarita Recipe

Austin and I love a good margarita moment. And if it's spicy, that's even better in our book. This spicy marg recipe has been a nice treat during these summer months. I actually made these for our friends and they couldn't believe they were sugar-free. Usually, I am not a fan of mixers. I find them overly sweet and typically they taste really "artificial". But a TTD reader told me about Swoon mixers (zero sugar zero cals) and encouraged me to order the Margarita mixer. For a low-carb and zero sugar drink, we were impressed. It's made from Monk Fruit (a melon native to Southeast Asia that has natural sweetness) and has zero calories and carbs. We've been cooking with Monk Fruit for a while since starting F Factor, and it's the closest thing to sugar that we've tasted (unlike Splenda or Stevia). It took Austin a minute to get used to it, but I liked it right away. I've already bought a few bottles to share with the family over 4th of July weekend. ...

Read More


Chic Face Masks

If we are going to wear a face mask, might as well make it chic. Rounding up some of my favorite non-medical options below! From repurposed designer dust bags to tie-dye (a crowd favorite), there's something for everyone. These sell out fast, so if you see one you like, you may want to grab it.  ...

Read More


3 Ways to Style Black Denim Shorts

If you guys can't tell, I'm still on the longer-hem denim shorts kick. They're seriously the shorts I've been waiting for my entire life (dramatic, but you know what I mean) and they're versatile which I love. I ordered these black Paige shorts (budget style here and here) when researching for this post and I've been obsessed. They are definitely longer than my usual shorts but again, I love the style and that they provide more coverage while still feeling on-trend. I've thrown them on for walks with George, for coffee runs with Austin, and even for a couple of work meetings where I needed to look pulled together. ...

Read More


Resources and Children’s Books for Discussing Systemic Racism and Diversity at Home

One of the most important things I've learned in the last week is how important it is to talk to our children about race, and not just diversity but what racism means and looks like. Specifically what it means to be anti-racist, privileged and what implicit biases are. Those might seem like adult concepts, but as studies have shown, it's never too early to start talking to your kids about them. For anyone looking to get started doing this along with Austin and I, I've compiled some amazing resources and books. From black voices and leaders on Instagram to children's books and helpful articles, everything below should help you start having these necessary conversations in your home. ...

Read More


Tie-Dye Trend: Y/N?

As you probably have noticed, tie-dye is a trend we are seeing everywhere. It has completely taken over my Instagram feed and honestly, I'm loving it. I typically stick to a neutral color palette in my wardrobe but lately, I've been loving the pastel colors. It all started with me buying this nude lounge set at the beginning of COVID and now I'm afraid to admit my collection has grown. From oversized hoodies to lounge sets, I've listed my top picks for tie-dye below. ...

Read More


Should I Be Using Retinol?

There's one question I see and hear women asking beauty bloggers, estheticians, dermatologists and the like over and over again: should I be using retinol? I honestly get this question so frequently that I thought I'd finally put down some thoughts about it because, in my experience, the answer usually isn't one size fits all. ...

Read More


3 Iced Coffee Recipes

If you're like me, iced coffee is a must this time of year. I could honestly drink it year-round, but during the summer it's truly the best treat. I have 3 recipes that I have been rotating each week. Whether you like to go to Starbucks or make something at home, I have a recipe below that is ideal for iced coffee lovers. ...

Read More


Summer-at-Home Survival Kit For You & the Kids

Depending on where you live and your situation, you might be heading out this summer, but I think it's safe to say we'll all be spending more time at home than usual. We're so grateful to have our patio and small yard space to be able to enjoy time outside while still safe at home. It's just all about finding ways to make it feel vacation-like...and keeping a very active one-year-old busy. If you're trying to survive a summer at home, here are some of our essentials. From fun activities for the adults and kids to this extra-large beach towel that we've been loving, I hope this list makes your summer even better. And if you have a little one, I can't recommend this play sink enough - it's George's absolute favorite and buys me at least 30 minutes! Also, if you're in the market for Swimwear for yourself, I'm sharing several flattering picks + my tips on body confidence in tomorrow's newsletter. You can sign up for the list right here. xx Ashley ...

Read More


10 Low-Carb Snack Options We Keep In The House

If you follow me on Instagram Stories or are in my private Facebook Group (request to join and I'll accept you!), you know I've been pretty open about our F-Factor journey and what Austin and I have done to lose weight and make healthier choices. Our goal this year was to shed a few extra pounds and actually stick with this as a lifestyle. A lot of you have requested "grab and go" snacks that would support a low-carb/high fiber diet, so I wanted to share what we keep on hand.  ...

Read More