In a perfect world

Nail polish would never chip.

My students would know all their multiplication facts.

Papers would grade themselves.

The butler would bring me breakfast in bed (2 eggs, fried hard, with toast, please!).

This french inspired outfit would be photographed in France.

But, alas.

I don’t live in Perfectville.

So, my nail polish chips when I look at it.

And my students aren’t perfect (but they’re perfectly amazing).

Papers seem to pile up faster than I actually assign them.

And I’ve yet to find a butler that works for free.

So even though this outfit may not physically transport me to France, I will eat crepes until I burst, sing in French amongst the streets, and grow a wee little stache, a la this.

Details:: striped shirt {thrifted; $2}; cotton skirt {Urban Outfitters $7}; gold flats {Target; $6}; red patent belt {Gap; $3}; earrings {vintage; gift}

She’s an Animal!

I credit my love for all things animal print to two people in my life:

#1)  Andrea, of Blonde Beadhead

#2)  My ma

Growing up, my mom was a single parent, who always put her kids’ wants and needs far above her own.  She never needed fancy things, never took trips with her girlfriends, and never went shopping for herself.

Ever!  Obviously, my ma is a far better woman than I’ll ever be 🙂

In the last few years, however, my brother and I have started to blaze our own trails.  It’s been fascinating to see my ma reestablish her social network, take more time to do what she wants, and even start to shop for her very own accoutrements.

Don’t get me wrong, my mom has always been beautiful and has taken care of herself, but now she’s finally stopped worrying about her kids long enough to reestablish who she is as a woman.

Along this process, she’s also developed a secret obsession for all things animal print.

It’s bizarre!  My mother and I couldn’t be more opposite about our tastes in fashion, but somehow, we have both grown a bit addicted to the leopards, zebras, cheetahs, and cougars of fashion.

Not these cougars, though.

So, when I found this tank that can be worn FOUR different ways, I shed a single tear of joy.  I would not only be satisfying the cheapskate within, but I knew a small part of me was becoming more like my mother.

And you know what?  I’m quite alright with that.

Details::  four-print tank {thrifted; $4}; cotton skirt {JCrew $50}; teal tights {American Apparel; $13}; denim cork wedges {Payless; $20}; shell earrings {Forever21; $5}

But, I’m Beautiful!

 

One lesson I’ve learning in my first year of teaching is that children freely give brutally honest commentary about any and everything.

They will let you know when you look pregnant or remind you you’re having a wretched hair day.

And they’ll never miss an opportunity to mock your mint green boots and let you know in math class that you’re most definitely wrong about 8 x 8.

Apparently it’s 64.  Who knew!

 

It’s not always bad, though.

 

Yesterday, I was  conversing with one of my most entertaining and vivacious students.

Student:  What did so-and-so do to get in trouble?

Me:  Mind your business!  You’re nosy!

And then he turned his head, lowered his voice, and sighed, “Ms. B, I’m not nosy…I’m beautiful.”

 

It must be like when your kid cusses for the first time: you can’t get mad, because you’re trying to not laugh.

 

So this week, if anyone dares confront me about anything, I’ll just respond with, “I’m not rude…I’m beautiful.”

If it works for my 10 year old student, surely it will work for a 24 year old professional.

Right?  Right.

 

Details::  cotton striped dress {TJ Maxx; $10}; crochet vest {JC Penny; $25}; yellow wedges {Target; $6}; patterned grey tights {Vera Wang for Kohl’s; $5}; vintage scarf {Gran’s closet; $gift}; 

Halloween inspiration

Happy Autumn!  Can we spend today sleeping in, eating cider doughnuts, and wearing pajama pants?  Ignore responsibilities, friends!  Let’s just embrace the autumnus upon us!

Okay, back to reality.

While we’re on the subject of this season, could someone please tell me why Halloween is an excuse to be as undressed as possible?

I’ve never understood this philosophy, and have tried to buck the trend in year’s past, by going more silly than scandalous, more obnoxious than sleazy.

But I’m running out of ideas, people.

Raphael from TMNT?  Been there.

Sarah Palin of “you betcha!” fame?  Done that.

Even last year I was at a loss.

Lady Gaga, the natural choice, was too overdone.

As I perused the aisles of Walmart and Halloween Express, I couldn’t find anything but the classic nurses and beer wenches.

I quizzed all my friends and made a list of the ginger celebrities we knew, and a light bulb exploded in my brain!

Joan Holloway of Mad Men fame was my fashion muse at the moment, despite her exceptionally loose morals.  She must be my Halloween inspiration!

In one hour’s time, I had ripped through my wardrobe and pulled together a classically beautiful costume rivaling any sketchy nurse.

I marched into my Halloween party with my head held high.  No longer Kayla, but now, Joan.  She embodied my being.

Until I greeted my hostess, who just so happened to be dressed as Princess Peach.

And her whole family followed, dressed as the rest of the Mario family.

And I lost big time.

It’s okay.  I’m over it.  Obviously.

Details::  tweed wool skirt {thrifted; $3}; silk tank {thrifted; $2}; red patent belt {Gap; $4}; red patent heels {Target; $20}; watch {Kohl’s; $50}

One month in

Teaching seriously never, EVER, has a dull moment.  My first month of adulthood has been simultaneously challenging, exhausting, and exhilarating.  Here’s a lil’ glimpse into what one month of teaching brings:

 

Times I’ve said something really awkward and blushed:  3

Apples I’ve been given: 1

Number of “that’s what she said” withheld:  73

Times the worm has been done in class: 2

Tears shed over my job: 3

Papers graded: 9 million

Late nighters: 10

Trips to the Dollar Store: 89

Cups of coffee: 60+

 

Here’s to month two!

Details::  striped navy dress {Francesca’s; $34}; cardigan {Old Navy; $10} stupid high wooden heels {Forever21; $27}; belt {Forever21; came with dress}, tights {Kohl’s; $3}

She’s gone country

 

Stepping off the train, breathing deeply the musky, polluted air, I felt my shoulders melt down with contentment and peace.

Maneuvering my way up and down Michigan Avenue to Chicago Ave.  Weaving and winding through the hustle of traffic, cyclists, businessmen and runners.  Adrenaline pulsed through my veins as I felt buzzed from soaking in the boundless energy oozing off the streets.

So alive and diverse and awake and endless!  I traversed until blisters forced me to do otherwise, and then I explored some more.

My heart was set.  Mind made up.  I’d unexpectedly found my future home, fallen for a city far from all I’d known to grow and love.

I was a bona fide city slicker.

So can someone, anyone, explain to me this sudden paradigm shift?

My housing hunt has switched from high-rise, midtown lofts, to log cabins with horse stables.

And my iPod?  It’s been overtaken by country’s finest.

Not to mention my closet.  Mercy!  In between all my sky-high heels and backless satin shirts, I’ve tucked away plaids  and mint green cowboy boots that would make any cowgirl weep with envy.

I’m one step away from Carhartt, people*!

I need an intervention.

Send help, by means of one-way ticket to Chicago.

 

Details::  checkered button up {Old Navy; $6}; skirt {Urban Outfitters, $8}; yellow wedges {Target; $7}; belt {Forever21; came with dress}, earrings {Forever21; $3}

 

(Not really, heaven help me the day I step food in a Carhartt store)

Family Jewels

Growing up, I had the most bizarre fashion choices.

Neon zip-up jacket from the 1980s, on school picture day?  Check.

Metal t-shirts with photographed mutilated bunnies heads?  Check check.

Poodle skirt to homecoming, instead of a homecoming dress?  Check check check.

As a kid, other people’s thoughts about my fashion didn’t really occur to me!  It wasn’t until someone in high school laughed at my poodle skirt that I realized it was kind of a strange choice for a suburban school’s dance.

Uh, oops!

Thank goodness my fashion has evolved and matured over the years, despite my never-ending love for all things bizarre.  As I’ve grown, I’ve become surprisingly sentimental about collecting and holding on to my family’s heirloom jewelry.

In the last few years, I’ve managed to be given almost all my great-grandmothers’  wedding rings!  I always wear my size 3 (right?!) great-grandmother’s ring on my pinkie, and a ring my father gave my mother.  I feel incredibly proud to be wearing the jewelry of such great women.

The butterfly clip in the photo is a vintage heirloom from my great-grandmother, and I remember her giving it to me when I was a kid.  Her bedroom had a table full of perfumes with atomizers attached to each.  I would escape from family dinner and spritz myself until my nostrils were overloaded with memories of great-grandma.

When she passed, my family gifted me her wedding rings, which I plan to use someday.  That is, if I ever take the plunge myself.

It’s humbling and a little overwhelming to carry a piece of your family with you wherever you go.  It’s not hard to remember where you come from, when you have evidence all over your hands, hair, ears, and wrists.

Thank goodness my fashion evolved, and my jewelry evolved right along with it.

Details::  tree wrap dress {Rachel by Rachel Roy, gift}; tank {Target, $4}; golden heels {Aldo; $40}; jewelry {vintage, gifts}; belt {thrifted, $3}

Teaching, acting, and Michael Jackson

My desire to be a performer runs deep.

I mean, hello, remember this?  True story.  

I’d should probably thank the Spice Girls (Ginger, holla!), and even Mariah, too, for rooting this dream deep within my being.

Even in college, during my deepest soul-searching days, I would peruse Craigslist for local (legit!) acting gigs.  But, my lingering insecurity and self-doubt stifled the fire within me to pursue my desires.

And then I found teaching.  My classroom has become my (and my students!) stage. I can sing (awfully), dance (flail), and perform ridiculously horrid accents, to the most raucous, adoring crowd in the Midwest.

They prefer if my voice is off-key.  And actually appreciate bad hair days.

They may not fully understand the Michael Jackson shoulders of my Target Special t-shirt.  But they know I can make math exciting, not snooze worthy, and writing relevant, not girly.

I’ll may never win an Academy Award for my acting skills.

But I’ll always have the support of my number one fans.

And some Michael Jackson shoulders, for good measure.

Details::  striped shirt {Target, $18}; indigo skirt {J. Crew, $60}; earrings {Forever21, $3}; wedges {Target; $7}; watch {Kohls, $50}; bracelets {from all over the globe}

What you missed this week: embracing dirty hair, cool weather, and jeggings.

Student:  Miss B.  It’s going to be a great day.

Me:  Why do you say that?  You have fun plans tonight?

Student:  Nope.

Me: Oh. Did you have a great morning or something?

Student:  Nope.

Me:  Well.  Why is it going to be a great day?

Student:  You know those days, when you just KNOW it’s going to be a great day?!  Yeah.  It’s like that.

Cue heart melt here.

 

Did you miss out on some Chic Teach shenanigans this week?  Don’t worry!  I woke up bright and early just to fill you in on the highlights (kind of a white lie.  I’m really going to an all day teacher training).

We discussed how to be incredibly lazy and still look incredibly good.

And then the weather in Missouri made a mad shift to sub freezing (hyperbole)!!

Finally, I wore jeans to work TWO DAYS IN A ROW and relished the small delights of teacherhood.

 

Have the most lovely of weekends, and thank you for spending a chunk of your morning with me.

 

And if you’re feeling generous? Please send more coffee.

It’s the little things: jeans day

At my former job, I didn’t understand why so much excitement surrounded the weekends.  My friends and I living the college dream, and every night was a Saturday. Besides, I had to work the weekends, anyway.

By the time Friday rolled around at the shop, there was a tangible buzz in the air.  Even the crochety folks began to grin a bit! And suddenly, the tip jar was ressurected and  given new-found life.

It was magical.

The mute would share about their upcoming excursions, binges, and anniversaries, as I would hang my head in sorrow for my lack of a weekend.

Who was I kidding?!  I was overindulging and sleeping in every chance I got, too!  Which was nearly every day.  Hello, summer?

What a little brat I was!

Since I’ve joined the adult world, now I get it.  Fridays are really the best day of the week, no matter how much you love and adore your job.

Admit it.

To sweeten the deal just a wee little bit more, my school rewards us with a little something that brings the Friday Party full circle.

Jeans day.

Details::  button-up {Forever21, $8}; jeggings {Target, $30}; earrings {Forever21, $3}; wedges {Target; $7}; vintage scarf {thrifted, gift}

Despite the fact that it’s picture day at school and apparently I forgot how to smile, at least I get to wear jeans to work.  Right?

That’s what I’m telling myself, anyway.