An apple a day

We have been working on an apple unit for science and social studies at school and today was our culminating activity day. We tasted red, yellow, and green apples, graphed our favorites, made apple headbands, and made apple sauce from scratch in the crock pot. The smell was heavenly and the kids were so excited. They were adorable. It's days like today that make me love being a Kindergarten teacher. 

I suppose I should have worn a combination of red, yellow, green, but I wound up in orange stripes instead. It was actually much warmer than I expected and I felt warm outside with the cardigan on, but thankfully my classroom AC is working again. I can't believe tomorrow is October 1st. I made it through the 1st month of school! I am feeling much more into my routine and my class is starting to settle down also. I'm  looking forward to crisper weather, leaves changing colors, pumpkin picking (and pumpkin coffee and muffins from Dunkin' Donuts) and all that good fall stuff! 

Cardigan: LOFT

Tank: Old Navy

Pants: Gap 

Repeat Offender

My red eye removal is making my eyes look super dark.
So from demonic red I switched to gothic black! 

Ever since I started reading fashion blogs and have seen how people are so great at remixing their wardrobes, I've tried to become better at it myself. If I buy something new I will try to imagine many options of how and what I will wear it with instead of just 1 or 2 outfits.  I have to admit though, I still have a tendency to repeat outfits that I love. If it works it works and I have no problem with working it again and again! This was an outfit I wore to work a few weeks ago and never photographed and here I am wearing it again! During cold weather (that it is if it ever actually GETS colder, we're stuck in the 80's here in NJ) I will pair it with a cardigan, tights, and boots.  Does that count as a remix? :) 

I am trudging along at work.. OMG.. I really have my work cut out for me this year. That's all I'm going to say about THAT for now, don't want this to turn into a vent fest. But there will be venting in future posts, be ware! 


Shirt: LOFT (fall 2011)
Skirt: Old Navy (pretty old)
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction (hand me down from my sister)
Bag: Coach new madison leather Lindsey satchel in persimmon find it  here

Birthday Goodies

Yesterday my husband had a college football game so Robert and I headed down to my parent's house to spend the afternoon. My parents gave me a very generous coach gift card for my birthday and since I had another gift card given to me by my friend AND a $100 off a purchase of $300 or more coupon that was about to expire, I decided to head to the Coach store! I used to be very big on Coach signature bags, but as I've gotten older I have gravitated to their lovely leather items. Here is the bag I picked up yesterday:

Madison Leather Lindsey Satchel
in Persimmon

As soon I saw this persimmon color I knew I had to have it. It's a very nice orange hue, not too loud though, almost a neutral. This is a larger bag than I would normally get, and definitely the most I've ever spent on a bag, but the quality of the leather and the style drew me in. Plus I had the gift cards and coupon so I figured this was the best time to splurge! I can't wait to use it!

I also found a gift from my sister:

Pandora Blue Eye Dangle Charm

It's been a running joke (but not that funny to me!) that I've had some pretty awful luck this past year and I guess my sister thinks I have some bad karma to ward off! I think this is adorable and she also got me a gray leather braided bracelet to put it on.  All kidding aside I am actually very lucky to have such a great family who supports me through the good and bad.

It's My Party

Birthdays are always a great excuse for pretty
dresses with pink flowers on them! 

Yesterday was my birthday. I turned the big 3-5. I cannot believe I'm 35, in my mind I feel like I haven't aged past 25. Not the case! Anyway I guess I'm OK with getting older. I feel like I'm gaining that wisdom thing everyone talks about :)

My birthday was actually pretty great. My friends at work gave me very generous gifts and a cake. My teacher aide bought me flowers, presented me with cards that the kids made, and even BAKED me a cake. Some of my parents even gave me gifts! I felt so loved. Seriously.

When I picked little R up from school he had made me a card too. My hubby sent me flowers and bought me a gift that is back ordered so I don't have it yet, but it will be a nice little belated surprise when it arrives. Then we went to dinner, just the 3 of us. It was such a great day!
Plus I still have celebrating to do! I'm going shopping with my mom this weekend to pick out my new Coach bag (my mom's gift to me, plus I have gift cards and a coupon to put towards it) and since my sister is out of town on business they want to have a cake/dinner for me next weekend when she's back from her trip. Yay, I love extended birthdays!

As you can tell from this post, I am 35 but still very much a child, especially when it comes to birthdays!! LOL
Dress: Gap Outlet (fall of 2010)
Shoes: Coach (summer of 2010)

I stalked these Coach shoes all through the summer
of '10 until they finally went on sale enough for me to
justify buying them.  Love them! Oh and the toe imprints
are from getting water spilled on my foot during lunch duty
last year. I nearly had a heart attack. The good news is you
obviously can't see the marks when I'm wearing the shoes :)

A Chill in the Air

I type this to you from my computer wearing my coziest sweats and slippers. This past weekend the temps turned cooler here in the northeast and my body is obviously not ready for it and did not react well because I have come down with my first cold of the school year. Today was just a rough one to get through but I made it! Now it's time for some chicken soup and tea and (hopefully) an early bed time.

Oh the dilemma of the pencil skirt for me as a teacher. I love the way they look, but they are not practical for getting down on the carpet during small group reading time. I haven't started small group reading time yet so it's OK to wear now. Once I start the only "safe" day for wearing pencil skirts and other more restrictive outfits will be Wednesday. I have an extra prep that day and no time for small groups. I like the way this belt looks with this outfit, but I have to admit I played and adjusted all day. Oh well, trial and error!

Shirt: Banana Republic outlet  (a while ago)
Skirt: LOFT (summer 2011)
Belt: Taken from a LOFT dress
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction

I love these shoes and they kind of hurt but I still..
love them! 

A little appreciation goes a long way...

As I mentioned in the last post, it's been a long week. Kindergarten in September is tough.. the kids are babies and just want to play all day long, but I have an actual (challenging) curriculum that needs to be taught and to break them of that "play" mentality takes a lot of time, patience, and constant repetition and reinforcment. I have repeated phrase such as "don't forget to raise your hand" and "please don't get out of your seat" and "please push your chairs in" so often that I no longer have a voice. I think I mentioned in yesterday's post that I have a little girl who has cried all week long and doesn't speak a word of English. I have tried to help her by speaking comforting words in my fa-cocked version of Spanish/Italian. I speak a little Italian and since Spanish and Italian are so similar I have invented a new language.. Spatalian anyone? Well it's been working for me this week! The little girl's mom decided to gift me with some jewelry to thank me for being so kind and patient with her daughter. I have to say it felt very nice to hear her sweet words and get the gift. Teaching is an often thankless job and a little appreciation goes a long way, at least for me!

Jacket: LOFT (recent purchase)
Shirt: Old Navy (last year)
Pants: LOFT outlet (last year)
Shoes: Bandolino (many years ago)
Ring: gift from a parent

I am not a huge animal print person but decided to throw
these on to "spice" up my outfit. 

Part of my "bling" gift. It hilariously matched my shirt and
necklace almost perfectly!

Wake Me Up When September Ends!

This week has been nuts! First full week of school, open house, loads of paperwork, a little girl who cries every single day and doesn't speak a word of English.  Plus I still have my little boy and household to look after. Wow, is that really my life right now? I'm exhausted just reading it!

I've been tired and not kept up with this blog. It is pretty typical of me to start something and not follow through. I don't want this blog to become another example of that. The problem is I get down on myself over stupid things, like I see my traffic has gone up, but not my comments or followers. This makes me think that I have crappy content! Oh that pesky self confidence thing.. I just keep reminding myself that I'm doing this for me and no one else.

Anyway, enough of the pity party and on to an actual outfit. Not really thrilled with this one, but in my defense the AC in my classroom is broken and it's been pretty hot here in NJ so I've just been grabbing easy dresses to wear all week. I did love my open house outfit but was way too sweaty and tired to take a picture! Here is my favorite part of this outfit:

The accessories of course! 

Dress: LOFT outlet
Cropped Sweater: Old Navy
Shoes: Blowfish (via Macy's)
Necklace: Sunshine Daydreams Accessory Shop

Moments We Never Forget

A photograph of me and my then boyfriend, now husband, taken at Liberty State Park about a year before tragic 9/11. We still have this picture framed in our house with a little American Flag attached to it.  I worked (and still do) in NJ, but only about 7 miles away from the World Trade Center. The images of that day are still so fresh in my mind.. Today I remember all of the people who died, the heroes who fought to save lives, and the families who were affected by this horrible event in our history. God Bless America.

Long week OVER!

Yay! Is all I have to say. I made it to Friday. Here is to having some relaxation this weekend. I think I've earned it!

Today was red, white, and blue day at work in honor of 9/11. I did not wear the white sweater all day, it got way too hot and the AC in my classroom is broken. Other than that I liked this little outfit. I always feel like twirling when I wear this dress because of the ruffle on the bottom :)

This weekend I plan on eating a  big juicy burger. I am starving! I feel like I barely had time to eat all week. Hopefully I can sneak some shopping in as well. Anyone else have exciting plans?
Happy weekend everyone!!


Dress: LOFT outlet (last year)
Cardigan: Old Navy (last spring)
Red ballet flats: Gap Outlet (last year)

Chaotic

Yes my feet were on FIRE wearing these wedges. Thank goodness for my back
up flats!

Ugh, OK I'm done with this week! I'm exhausted and short on words. 1st few weeks of school are always nuts and hopefully things will calm down soon!

Tomorrow is red, white, and blue day in honor of 9/11. No jeans allowed so I'm trying to come up with something professional/creative!

Top: LOFT
Cardi: LOFT
Pants: NY&Company
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction
Necklace and Earrings: Lia Sophia
Bracelet: Sunshine Daydreams

1st Day Jitters

After 12 years of teaching I still get a case of the nerves every first day. Will I have a ton of criers? Will the kids be well behaved? How will the day flow? etc., etc.  The 1st day in Kindergarten is never perfect, always a little chaotic, but I somehow get through it every year. Today we made cute little 1st day of school necklaces and the kids loved them! I had 2 criers (not bad considering) and 2 pretty rambunctious boys who will hopefully settle down as we get more into the routine of our year. I am exhausted and already losing my voice from having to repeat things so often. Hopefully these next couple of days go by fast because I can really use the weekend break!!

It was a gloomy 1st day so I tried to cheer it up with the sunny colors on the top of my dress :)

Dress: NY&Company (spring 2011)
Cropped Cardigan: Old Navy (spring 2011)
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Unlisted Via Marshalls
Bracelet & Earrings: Lia Sophia

I wore these earrings, but not this bracelet. I was
too lazy to take a new picture! 

Back to School Blues..

... Literally, as in my navy blue trousers, and figuratively as well, because who wants to go back to school on a gloomy, rainy day after being home for a glorious 2 months? This will take some getting used to, as it does every year. The good news is, I will get used to it, just as I do every year.

Today was the first day back, with no kids, just meetings all day so I decided to keep it casual.  Here's to September, lots of caffein to get me through my days and lots of wine to help me de-stress at night!

Shawl: LOFT recent purchase

Trousers: Gap (several years ago) 

Tank: Old Navy

Silver Belt: LOFT Outlet (last spring)

Necklace: LOFT Outlet (last spring) 

Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction (last year) 

I did not wear these shoes today.. it was way too rainy, but they are much cuter than
the shoes I actually wore, and since I PLANNED on wearing them, I thought I
should include them :) 

With my house in disarray I've had to
find creative places to take pictures,
like my son's bedroom!