hearts and dots

 Hurley tee and escio cardigan, Ross

      Surf tees are a common sight here, but I thought the pattern mix was a fun spin on what can be a cliche item.
       My students made me proud last week. The deadlines for our data collection for math and writing kind of crept up on us, and we needed the data posthaste. My students spent the majority of Thursday filling out a graphic organizer to help them plan their essay, then writing the essay itself. I was pleased that I didn't hear any complaints - I'm sure their brains were tired by the end of the day! So I stayed up late Thursday night, making a double batch of energy bars that I passed out as a treat on Friday.
     Something else I'm proud of is that I scored proficient in all areas on my latest teacher evaluation! I know I have a lot more growing to do but it's always nice to pause and recognize the progress I've made.

not falling for it

shirt, TeeFury

Halogen skirt, Nordstrom Rack

scarf, Groopdealz

      Blogs and Instagram have been awash recently with chatter about pumpkin-flavored-sweater-wearing-boot-donning everything. It's been hot, steamy, and a bit stormy around here, so it's not something I can relate to.
      Something about October that I can relate to is that Halloween is around the corner. I've decided on a Halloween costume, but it will entail sewing an aviator cap and thrifting a pair of overalls. I suppose I could take the easy way out and buy an aviator cap, but I don't like the idea of spending money on something that wouldn't be used later. (Although you could turn that around and say I'd be wasting valuable time sewing something for one-time use.) I'll probably make the cap out of cotton vs. pleather -- breathable fabrics are a must in this climate! 
      Last week was Spirit Week at work, so I wore my best PJs to work on Monday and this loud outfit on Tuesday. It was Mix and Match Day, and some kids went all out - wearing two different shoes, having a pigtail on one side of their heads and a bun on the other, etc. I'm a little shy about pattern mixing at work, but I did get a compliment that this was "chic." I ditched the scarf on my desk about an hour into the day, because it was just too humid and warm.
  

  
     Today kicks off my first official day of a long-awaited fall break! I plan on going in to work a day or two, because my room is in dire need of reorganizing and I'm meeting with colleagues. The weekend was pretty blissful - it was so freeing to enjoy Saturday and Sunday without having to prep for Monday. For this week I hope to do some reading, finish up a few crafts projects, catch an early-morning aikido class, do some work stuff and run errands, and get my Halloween costume ready.

red stripes = a new neutral?

     It was an out-and-out gloomy day on Tuesday -- rainy and overcast. The night before, we had some of the loudest thunder I had ever heard in my life. I spent the day wearing socks and drinking hot tea while I did class work. Then, I went to work, and it was quite a day. On Tuesdays we have the biggest group of students staying for the afterschool program: about 60 first graders. Add in the fact that we were down a teacher and had to rejigger the schedule at the last minute; that the kids were bouncing off the walls from the rain and from indoor recess; and that I managed to lock myself out of the classroom and had to squeeze my last set of students into my friend's class. Good times, right?? :)

Striped boatneck top, Ann Taylor (previously loved by mom)

Joseph A. cardigan (Macys)

      So even though I didn't have the most cheerful of days, I was dressed cheerfully, and that counts for something. I get excited about chilly weather because it lets me double up on the long-sleeved tops. I've always wanted to pair the crazy scribbles on this cardigan with some straight-edge stripes. On a warmer, drier day I plan to pair the cardigan with my black-and-white striped skirt for more pattern-mixing fun.

Try-it-out Tuesday: texture + monochrome (almost)

   Today's Try-it-out Tuesday features two rarely worn items: an embellished linen tunic and a boldly printed dress (this dress takes my love of big prints to new heights). I thought this would be a fun, subtle way to double up on the florals, and I liked the texture of the linen embellishment contrasted with the skirt.

Charter Club embellished linen tunic: passed down from mom (Macy's)

     Style & Co. petite dress: Macy's

6-strand red lucite necklace: eBay

     I've always thought this dress would look cute with a red necklace. Due to its size, this necklace is out of my comfort zone, but I like how it looks peeping out of a black shirt.
     I feel like this outfit is my first step out of a style rut. I felt good wearing it and I got to play with texture and prints! :)

 

   It doesn't really show up in the photos, but the big flower print on the skirt has splashes of a very light gray/tan. That gives me some ideas on how to wear it the next time around.

     Something else that, thankfully, doesn't show up in the photos: a fresh bruise the size of a half-dollar on my right shin. Just a souvenir from early morning aikido practice, and another merit badge for the Klutz Scouts. What, you mean you aren't a member??