Currently Loving: Ice Days && Yoga Pants

This blog post brought to you by....Icepocalypse 2014 && a cup of delicious coffee! Honestly there are few things greater than days off of work to lounge in yoga pants and hoodies. I know that there will more than likely be make up days involved (crossing my fingers for them to be excused), but this doesn't happen often in South Carolina so I'm enjoying everything about the icy hot mess Charleston has become. {{No sense in being mad at something you can't control...so keep calm && lounge on.}} 

Our 2.5 day break from reality has given me time to make a dent in my forever expanding to do list (think: tame the chaos that erupted in my closet, lesson plans, grading papers, junk TV). It's also been a recovery period from the madness that the 100th day of school brought into my life. The kids were AMPED...I'm talking jacked up like sugar was being pumped into their veins via an IV, but hyper kids I can do. The computer blowing up...that I can't do. A clogged up toilet with its disgusting contents floating much too close to the top of the bowl threatening to find its way on the floor...CAN'T DO {{barf}}. After a lot of deep breathing I composed the panicked/frazzled/about to snap teacher trying to explode, put my 100th day tiara on && went into crisis management mode. I unplugged my printer from the now completely dead computer and set up shop in the back of the room at a student computer. I have no Smartboard, but I at least have access to email & printing capabilities. Added bonus: my kids think I'm a genius & the strongest teacher alive for moving & hooking up the printer.  HOT mess, but I'm attempting to make lemonade out of the sour puss mess one lemon at a time. 

After the Y2K14 beast was tamed our day of celebration began. For math each friend presented the 100th day project that they made at home and then we hung them up in our school's gallery. Talk about pumped? Our walk through the 100th day gallery turned my typical power walking maniacs into turtles trudging through peanut butter. The 100 pennies approach was definitely the most popular (I definitely made a few of them when I was responsible for making a project), but my favorites were the ones that showed off the personalities of their creators. It doesn't get much cuter than "I made 100 deers because I like deers." Love LOVE the projects that you can tell the kids helped to make.

For our writing block we wrote about life as a 100 year old. Let's just say that I have a lot of future grumpy old men and women in the works... "I will whack people with my cane", "I won't let anybody help me across the street." Despite their grumpy antics as old people, I was impressed with their writing. Opening sentences and closing sentences actually included without me wanting to poke my eyeballs out?? What!?! Our zen like writing block made a turn into the land of belly laughing and rolling on the floor when the "Aging Booth" app made its grand entrance. It might be the best 99 cents that I've ever spent. The app takes a picture of you and turns you into a member of the 100's club in a matter of seconds. Hilariously scary...mine has me saving pennies for the plastic surgery I'll need if I end up looking anything like my before and after. Eeeks!

Lunch, special area, and literacy centers sped by and before I could call the custodians AGAIN for the clogged toilet it was the end of the day. To end our celebration we took these sweet treats out to recess...for once they preferred "made from scratch" over the boxed stuff. Super simple recipe && absolutely delicious chocolate chip cupcakes that were kid tested and kid approved...yep this is reality. I whipped up the cupcake toppers using Publisher, my Slice machine, and chevron paper straws. Easy enough && the perfect treat for making it through 100 days of school.




Before they left each of my energetic loves got a picture underneath our door banner (major sparkle swag alert) && I propped my feet up on my desk and ate bon bons....wait...not right...I grabbed my binder and headed to PLC...barely awake.

Snap to last night and I finally had the motivation to get their "thank you for doing a project" reward pieced together. I found sparkly pencils at Wal-Mart that I intended to be sharpened and waiting to be used on Monday morning. Well traffic jams happened and my plan to get there early didn't happen. The pencils didn't make it onto their desks and I'm so thankful they didn't because how cute did this reward turn out?!?! The cupcake toppers and the reward tags will be up and available in my TPT store later today as a flash freebie.

Until next time, live, love & sparkle on!

What the Teacher Wore {{Week 21}}

Alright y'all, here's the deal, it's freezing outside and I've lost all desire to get anything on my mile long to do list done that requires leaving the house. Even if I wanted to leave, I couldn't...I'm being held captive on the couch by one of my mutt babies. I've been debating brewing my second cup of coffee of the day, but my velcro dog is strongly in opposition of me getting off the couch && I'm pretty sure it would send me into caffeine addict territory...so here I sit piecing together the fabulosity of Week 21's edition of What the Teacher Wore.

Someone in charge forgot to turn the South's heater on this week && that made for 4 not so awesome wake up calls. Not that waking up at 5:30 has ever been an easy task for me, but the cold mornings kill my motivation. Cold weather has the ability to zap the stylish fashionista out of you and replace her with a sweat pant loving couch potato faster than you can pop a K-Cup into your Keurig. I'm pushing for perfect attendance for the entire year (unrealistic... I realize this) so I had to pump the brakes on the sweat pant party and put my big girl clothes on.

 Tuesday was the closest to typical Charleston temperature we had all week which explains the presence of flats (and absence of boots). It had been a while since I last let the animal print out of the closet so for day 96 the wild rumpus began.

Cardigan: Target

Scarf: Express

Shirt: Wet Seal

Skinnies: GAP

Flats: TOMS Ballet Flats

The cold weather rolled in on Wednesday && out came the scarves and boots...the only 2 things I enjoy about cold weather. The chambray and black combo spoke to me when I came across the Pin-spiration version. I added the boots and the scarf for warmth and a pop of color.

Cardigan: Target

Shirt: Belk

Skinnies: Jessica Simpson (Belk)

Boots: Rampage

Scarf: Knitted by my Granny

 While I was digging through my closet on Wednesday night I found another shirt that hadn't ventured off the hanger in a really long time (I'm talking a year or longer). Technically it's a tunic so it's a tricky thing to wear with regular pants. I had an idea of what I wanted to pair it with, but I decided to sleep on it. Before I went to bed I hit up Pinterest, found a pin that validated the fashion duo I thought of earlier, and made a mental note to make it happen in the morning. Cut to Thursday morning and hello leggings. Before I go any further I need to add a disclaimer: leggings ARE NOT pants and shouldn't be worn as such. Your crotch should always, always be covered and in my world my butt will be covered too (definitely at work). This is why I wore my leggings with a tunic style oxford shirt and not just a normal length oxford shirt like the one shown in my Pin-spiration version. Cover up the personal areas ladies.

Shirt: H&M

Cardigan: GAP

Leggings: Express

Boots: Belk (Designer???)

 By Friday I was running on energy fumes that only a huge cup of coffee could conjure up && it was absolutely freezing outside. Freezing & tired is not a good look. BUT a vest, flannel and boots...now THAT is a look to write home about. Before I list the specifics of the outfit && get eye rolling over the vest let me just say a few things...1. I believe in splurging on certain items. 2. I believe that quality sometimes costs more, but lasts longer. 3. I'm not a label snob, but when you run across something of good quality sometimes you get it despite the price tag attached to it. 4.  A teacher budget doesn't allow for constant splurges so save them up for when it counts.

Shirt: American Eagle

Vest: Ralph Lauren (Belk)

Layering T: Wet Seal

Skinnies: GAP

Boots: Rampage

Scarf: Knitted by my Granny

Week 22 is going to be a whirlwind of cold wind, possible snow (!?!?!), and the 100th day. I have tons, tons, TONS of baking, printing, and planning to do to make it all happen. So for now I'm getting off the couch, fueling my caffeine addiction (people are addicted to way worse), and checking some things off my list that don't require leaving the house. Until next time, live, love and stay warm and cozy...like this little guy!

What the Teacher Wore {{Weeks 19 && 20}}

After a 2 week hiatus... I'm back. Sometimes you just need to take a time out to center yourself (or wrap your mind around being in the real world again) && that's the reason behind my absence from the keyboard. Having 2 weeks off from school was glorious...entering back into the land of 5:30 wake up calls and throwing on that teacher cape again...not so glorious. My body was shocked...my mind was shocked...and my brain had nothing nice to formulate into a blog post. Now that things have started to slow down, the full moon has passed, and the intense feelings of assessment anger have slowed to a simmer I'm ready to share Weeks 19 & 20 of What the Teacher Wore. Hang out to your coffee cups ladies (and maybe gentlemen) in blogger land...it's going to be a long one!

Week 19 was our first week back. It was a four day week for the kids && a short pin-spiration week for me because:
1.  Monday was a work day so you best believe I was in jeans and a long sleeve Charlestoned t-shirt (nothing fashion fab about that one).
2. Friday was a tired teacher t-shirt day grade level wide so again, the fashion gods would not be pleased with any posting of that ensemble.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not slobbing it up && rolling into work like I rolled out of the bed and hit the door on days like these. However, they don't exactly fit the bill for "making an outfit your own without buying the exact same pieces in the picture"...therefore, I don't include them in the line up. With that said...here's the extremely short version of Week 19's Pin-spiration line up. {{Day 90 not included}}

Day 87 was the day of freezing temperatures. Down in the south we don't operate well with the cold so school was delayed for 3 hours. I know, I know, 'twas a silly thing for all the Northerners transplanted in the area (I know you walked to school in the snow), but it's how we roll down here and if you saw how many of my babies don't have freeze appropriate clothes, you would be on board with delaying it too. While everyone else in the Charleston area took to social media to complain about the delay, I was busy screaming, yelling and dancing down the hallway with my teacher friends like we were teenage girls at a One Direction concert. Jack Frost, you don't know you're beautiful! So with my extra time I was able to curl my hair and not have bags under my eyes. Thankfully I did all of the electricity required tasks first thing because the power went out all over West Ashley. Getting dressed without light is a funny thing...sitting in a crazy amount of traffic because traffic lights run off of electricity too is also a funny thing. Even funnier, apparently 9:00 is the normal hour for people to go to work. Sheesh, who know??

Cardigan: Target

Shirt: Target

Skinnies: GAP

Boots: Madden Girl (Belk)

Scarf: Hand Made by my Granny

 Day 88 wasn't much warmer, but school started on time (I guess from all the complaining the morning before). We didn't go out to recess as turning into a Popsicle isn't exactly this southern chick's dream come true. Being able to rock one of my warmest/softest scarves and some boots is pretty dreamy though.  Side note to all of the fellow scarf lovers out there...end of season sales are the BEST time to stock up on scarves. My collection is overflowing, but you just can't pass up on a 50% off scarf sale.

Sweater: Express

Scarf: Steve Madden (Dillards)

Skinnies: Ralph Lauren (Belk)

Boots: Belk (??? Designer)

 

 

For Day 89 I put my new leggings to the test. I quickly learned that leggings are WAY more comfortable than tights && much warmer. My pin-spiration version has a lack of leggings, but when it's cold outside my bare legs don't come out to play. I added a cardigan for more layering (warmth) and for a pop of color.

Cardigan: GAP

Dress: American Eagle

Leggings: Express

Boots: Belk (??? Designer)

 

Week 20 was a full week...5 full days with kids AND A FULL MOON. Only fellow teachers can fully understand the craziness that a full moon will bring. Everyone survived, but lawd did I have to fly in on my broom stick to make it happen??

With slightly warmer temps my boots took some time off and my flats got some quality time with my feet. I don't know what I would do without  my colored skinnies. I was a skinny jean skeptic this time last year. I'm not that stick skinny model that they always show rockin' skinnies (hello butt and thighs) so I was freaked out by them. With a lot of pushing && "try it babe"s from the hubs, I gave them a try. Now I'm obsessed and they're heavily stocked in my closet. With that said cranberry is a color that I'm currently in love with. Cranberry with grey makes so much sense...throwing in a pop of leopard/cheetah (seriously which one is it?) made even more sense. && that's how Day 91 was born.

Cardigan: Target

Shirt: Old Navy

Skinnies: Jessica Simpson (Belk)

Shoes: Target

Scarf: TJ Maxx find

I warned you...I'm diggin' the cranberry color. Day 92 it popped into my life with a scarf. All black washed me out (it's been a while since I've bathed in the sun) so I threw in my trusty denim jacket to lighten up the black out.

Jacket: GAP

Scarf: Big Buddha (Christmas gift)

Shirt: Wet Seal (awesome layering tees)

Pants: The Limited

Shoes: Target

I realized today that I've used this Pin-spiration before...something in me really likes the combo?!? The original plan was to replicate the outfit exactly. However, in a crazed moment of "oh crap I'm going to be late and not have a parking spot" I grabbed my black boots and out the door I went.

Cardigan: Target

Shirt: American Eagle

Pants: Jessica Simpson (Belk)

Boots: Madden Girl (Belk)

This poor sweater dress has been sitting in my closet for a long time without getting any love. I dragged it out of the dark corner of despair that it had been shoved in (unintentionally), paired it with leggings and boots && that was all she wrote.

Cardigan: Target

Dress: Jessica Simpson (Belk)

Scarf: TJ Maxx find

Leggings: Express

Boots: Rampage (Belk)

 

 

Day 95 was another Jeans Day. It was also Awards Ceremony Day (the day with no planning) so a t-shirt wasn't an option. I'm not a huge fan of my winter wardrobe...I have tons of sweaters and they all look the same. Scarves are my go to life saver. For Christmas one of my sweet littles got me a scarf. This kid will be a future fashionista because she is always ALWAYS peeping my outfits and commenting on my scarves. I've seen her eyeballing my scarves since we've been back in school so when I was planning out Day 95 I started with her scarf and built an outfit around it. Of course she wasn't there on Friday to see it so it will be making another appearance in the days to come. This isn't an exact replica of the Pin-spiration version largely because it incorporated fur and I'm not a fur fanatic (no to fake fur and definitely no to real fur). Of course the heels were a no go too (ain't nobody got time to stomp around in those bad boys). I stuck with the overall color scheme and that's what this "What the Teacher Wore" journey is all about..making an outfit your own. You don't have to own the exact pieces in an outfit pin to make it happen in your life.

Sweater: Express

Layering Shirt: Wet Seal

Skinnies: GAP

Boots: Rampage (Belk)

Scarf: Christmas Gift

 

You can put your coffee cups down now, the whirl wind of teacher fashion is over for this week. With a 3 day weekend in full effect my plan is to at some point blog about what we've been up to in B-104 because getting dressed is only 1/4 of the battle. Howevever, a sushi lunch date with my main squeeze is screaming my name. Until next time, live, love & teach like your kids are more important than their scores.