The early bird

Don’t let the smile fool you, folks.

Yesterday morning was a day I won’t soon forget.

The craziness started when I spilled my coffee all over the kitchen 45 before my work day began.  And then, I had too many bags to carry out to my car, so I set my phone on top of said vehicle “for just a sec”.

I think you know where this is going.

So, I was halfway on my 4 minute commute when I reached for my phone, and it wasn’t in its special pocket.

GAH!  I whipped the car onto the side of the highway, threw open the door, and saw it sitting precariously perched atop the roof of my lil’ Hyundai.  Hallelujah!

The only problem was, the 2 rent checks that were nestled below my Blackberry were mysteriously gone.

Flying back home, I chased the rent checks through an open field, whilst wearing wedges.  I imagine I looked a bit like Auntie Em trying to round up the chickens during the Wizard of Oz tornado.   Next thing I know, I’m flying over to the rental office to pass off the runaway checks, and they were most definitely C-L-O-S-E-D.

I flew out of the parking lot, my face blazing with frustration, tears choked up at the back of my mouth, crazily hollering,  “This day SERIOUSLY cannot get any worse.  SERIOUSLY.”

15 minutes until school time.

I tore around the corner, completely clueless of where I was in my brand new town.

And then the lights started flashing.

I think I uttered a scream, a cry for a help; I might have even banged my head on the steering wheel in disbelief!  It was really a blur for the next 20 minutes.

Officer Joe made small talk, asking me about my morning, my job, why I was speeding through a school zone, while I blubbered on like a little kid about to get a whooping.  He handed over my $95 icing on the cake, and wished me a nice day.

I tried to hold back the tears just enough to not snot on him.

I think there’s a moral in all of this.  Maybe it’s “Don’t try to squeeze 100 things in 45 minutes.”  Or perhaps it’s “The early bird’s worm sucks sometimes”.  But it’s most likely, “Don’t put important things on top of your car, speed, and then ugly cry off all your makeup.”

The end.  Thank God.

{salmon ruffled tank: Old Navy} {purple suede pencil skirt: vintage} {white legs: Old Man Winter} {grey shrug: Kohl’s}{multi-colored woven belt: thrifted} {rose gold watch: Michael Kors} {golden heels: Aldo} 

See these pieces restyled here (click photo to see more photos):

    

Pajama party

Let’s be honest, this is essentially a dressed up version of pajamas.  I might look put together on the outside, but on the inside all I wanted to do was crawl back into bed and continue reading this.

I wore this comfy get-up to the brand new grocery store (my favorite chain) right by my brand-new-to-me townhome.  Since grocery shopping is near and dear to my heart, only second to clothing, I threw on a pair of heels to accompany my Sunday get-up.

As I was perusing the glistening aisles of organic produce, wondering at the selection of beautiful cauliflower, I suddenly felt a bump from the end of my shopping cart.  Looking up, I found Cranky Pants McGee throwing daggers at me with her sunken in eyes.

I stuttered, muttered, and managed to whisper, utterly horrified, “Oh, oh my gosh!   Did I, did I accidentally hit you?!  So-so-sorry!!”  Dagger eyes kept her wild eyes blazing at me while I sweated, blushed, and stumbled my cart past the cooler full of criminis and portabellas.

Needless to say, my meandering Sunday saunter turned into an anxiously quickened speed walk.

I’m sure we’ll meet again, Dagger Eyeing Cranky Pants McGee.  And next time, I promise to let you pick out your pesticide-free produce in peace.

{striped sweater top: TJ Maxx} {black riding leggings: Kohl’s} {golden heels: Aldo} {owl necklace: F21} {rose gold watch: Michael Kors} {glasses: F21} {navy trench coat: F21}

Kids know best

At the end of my read-aloud today, a student looked up at me and whispered, “Miss B, I think you need to take a walk outside, take a deep breath, then come back.  You seem irritable.”

My only response was to give her a hug, and praise the gods that tomorrow is Friday.

{striped sheer top: TJ Maxx} {mint green ankle pants: TJ Maxx} {cobalt kitten heels: thrifted} {silver skinny waist belt: thrifted} {rose gold watch: Michael Kors}

You feelin’ lucky, punk?

I’ve never been much of a lucky person.

{pink and grey racer-back tank: Delia’s} {purple ankle pants: TJ Maxx} {golden cardigan: Target} {golden skinny waist belt: thrifted} {rose gold watch: Michael Kors} {cobalt kitten heels: thrifted}

I didn’t win raffles in school, scratchers tickets leave me empty handed every Christmas, and countless radio phone calls have awarded me with only a pair of Gavin DeGraw tickets, which I promptly gave away.

Lucky pennies are regularly tucked inside my waistband, and my bathroom floor is riddled with pennies that met their terrible fate, crashing to the floor, landing heads down.

My grandmother, on the other hand, has seen countless mega performers, enjoyed multiple gratis meals, and constantly gives away her piling, free goods.

Obviously I didn’t get THAT gene.

 

So with that being said, I thought I’d give YOU a chance to test your luck, and help me out in the process!  Thank you all SO MUCH for your priceless closet organizing advice.  I was completely clueless, and my closet looks like a masterpiece, thanks solely to you all.

We can’t all be lucky though, so the winner of the $15 Target giftcard is… Julianne! Woohoo!  Email me at thechicteach (at) gmail (dot) com, and I’ll get your goody shipped right out to you, sister!

 

Never before seen footage

The inspiration for the entire space.

The last 48 hours have been a complete blur.  From what feels like a million Wal-Mart trips, to completely decorating my utterly blank canvas, I need a long, long nap.

Thank God for President’s Day.

Since I ended up being super pleased with how my mish mash of a boudoir turned out, I thought I’d share it with the interwebs.  Enjoy 🙂

I might have a small obsession.

Excuse the box of records

The crowing glory of the room.

This puppy was my great grandma's, who obviously had impeccable taste.

My gifted bedside table...thanks Gran!

Old school jewelry display case, handcrafted by my step dad.

Green with envy

Yesterday, as I was having the type of morning dreams are made of,  I decided to finally attempt to don this skirt.  Now, if I was having the type of morning dreams are made of, then this skirt was the natural garment for the day: fabulous length, not-too-tight shape, and gloriously pucker green in color.

During a “Life sucks, let’s shop” mood last week, I saw it hanging on the racks at the local thrift, and I passed it by.  One glance told me it was far too large, even for my hips of glory, which is seriously saying something.  I continued to browse, but try as I might, I couldn’t forget the piercing pea green color.

So, naturally, I circled back around and snagged it.

As soon as I zipped it up, I felt like I was channeling this girl, and knew that a well-placed waist belt would save me from swimming in yards of fabric.  $5 later and I had both the Grinch green pencil skirt and cobalt blue waist belt.

And thank God I decided to wear this skirt yesterday, of all days.  Because after a morning studded with projectile vomiting from a student IN my classroom and multiple technical difficulties, this green skirt was just about the only thing that kept me sane.

And lots, and lots of chocolate.  Natch.

Oh, and P.S.  This is the last day to enter my giveaway!  I’m moving tomorrow, so I need your advice ASAP 🙂 

{plaid ruffled shirt: Old Navy} {green pencil skirt: thrifted} {grey tights: Target} {cobalt blue waist belt: thrifted} {rose gold watch: Michael Kors} {brown short boots: thrifted} {ribbon ring: Icing}  {glasses: F21}

See these pieces restyled here (click photo to see more photos):

  

Let’s pretend

Let’s pretend for a sec that…

…my left ankle isn’t twisted from the above snow, which was really an ice rink

…the blur in the following photo isn’t because I was racing over the ice rink to take said photos

…that’s not a work badge peeking through on every.single.photo

…my box of fancy Valentine’s chocolates aren’t on their last leg

…I had hot plans last night, that didn’t involve exhausted shopping arms and my DVR

Yesterday, instead of dressing in all things Valentines-y, cutesy, romantic, lovey, and pink, I decided to dress in some of my most beloved garments.  And also eat loads of chocolate (see point #4 above).  I hope you had the happiest of Valentine’s Days!

Pssst…don’t forget about my giveaway!  You still have until Friday to enter!

{striped dress: F21} {rust sweater: Old Navy} {chocolate brown tights: Target} {tall beige vintage riding boots: eBay} {rose gold watch: Michael Kors} {green boot socks: Kohl’s} {leather beaded belt: thrifted}  {fish necklace: F21}

See these pieces restyled here (click photo to see more photos):

   

My legitimate question (and a giveaway)

First things first, this is not an outfit post.  

Currently, my town is covered in a light blanket of flurries, and school got cancelled. Snowy days equal snugging up on my frame-less bed with my laptop and Eggnogg’n tea.  If you expect me to get dressed and primped on a snow day, then clearly you don’t know who you’re dealing with here. 

Why is my bed frame-less, you ask?  Well, what an eggcellent question (please laugh at that)!  

As of this Saturday, I am relocating to a new home that’s a mere 4 minutes from my work.  And instead of using my snow day to do things like lesson plan and e-mail write, I’ve spent it dismembering my room from all un-necessities.  

So currently, my abode is sans nail polishes, less one clock, and my bed is on the floor, à la college student.  It’s kind of streamlined and chic, but mostly eerily empty and echo-y. 

Everything has been purged and polished, except one small nook.

You see, the closet I currently have looks a little like a bomb went off.  I’ll blame it on the move, but we all know that’s just a straight up lie.  Since it’s overall small and cramped, the growing wardrobe I’ve accumulated since starting The Chic Teach is literally busting out the seams of my bucking closet door.  

Here’s where you come in.  In the comments, tell me…  

How do YOU organize your wardrobe?  Seriously.  By color?  Type?  Season?  Occasion?  Or do you employ my strategy of throwing it wherever it fits?    

The randomly selected contributor will receive a $15 gift card to Target (hey, I’m poor, and it’s supplied by yours truly), and eternal gratefulness.  Because really, I need all the help I can get.  This contest runs from now until Friday, February 17th at midnight.  

I really do need your help.  Because in 5 days, I’ll be tripling my closet space, and refuse to let my childlike organization continue any longer.  

Surprise, surprise

For a few years now, I’ve had a serious girl-crush on Ingrid Michaelson.    Her voice and lyrics are so natural and unadulterated, unlike many of the musicians I tend to indulge in.

I’m looking at you, Katy, Nicki, and Taylor.

So, when she released her tour dates a few weeks back, I frantically combed the list, looking for any shows within a 200-mile radius.  Surprise, surprise, there were zero shows anywhere even remotely close (but definitely 70,000 shows in California).

And the show in Chicago, one of my very favorite American cities, was definitely on my brother’s wedding day.  Argh!

So, I did what any true devotee would do, and whipped out my year-long planner.  Combing through every possible show, date after date got the axe.

But low and behold, the skies parted and stars aligned, and I snagged 2 tickets to her Mid-April show in Madison, Wisconsin.   I might not have anyone to go with, and her show might be in a completely unfamiliar town.  I mean, are they known for cheese?  Or is that Minnesota?  And is there a difference between those two states?  I’m not sure.

All I know is I get to cross one more item off my infinitely long bucket list, and spend an evening like a giddy teenager all over again.

(Psst:  This faux bob is totally inspired by this lil’ lady!)

{patterned blouse: Pac Sun} {twill blue mini: J. Crew}  {rust cardigan: Old Navy} {ivory herringbone tights: Target} {shirt brown leather boots: thrifted} {rose gold watch: Michael Kors} {paisley purple and green scarf: vintage}

 

See these pieces restyled here (click photo to see more photos):

  

  

Inspiration: Hogwarts

In college, I had a professor of literature who was a bonafide character.

Every Tuesday and Thursday, for hours on end, Mr. Professor waxed poetic about the inner workings of  complex 20th century literature.  He simultaneously weaved in his own meticulously worded definitions for arbitrary vocabulary words, thoroughly overwhelming half the class.

Myself included.

He came across so incredibly condescending, pretentious, and egotistical, and fancied himself to be as esteemed as Hemingway, if not moreso.

Needless to say, his class single-handedly turned me off to literature of any kind.  Whether is was the greats or the new smuck that was running rampant, his beat-a-dead-horse analysis of literature drove me positively bonkers!

Years passed, and I hardly read anything outside of a fluff-filled blog, until I picked up a little, well-known book at the constant urging of a friend.

And here I am today, gleaning fashion inspiration from one of the most nerd-centric books of all times.

Boy, how things change.

{baby blue ruffled button-up: vintage} {scalloped suede mini: F21}  {tweed blazer: F21} {chocolate tights: Target} {tan lace up flats: thrifted} {rose gold watch: Michael Kors}  

See these pieces restyled here (click photo to see more photos):