Who's Ready for Christmas Break?

I'm having one of those days where forming a complete thought is a herculean effort, let alone forming sentences that make sense to 5th graders. It's one of those days where I sit at my desk, stuffing Hershey's kisses in my mouth as I pray for Christmas break to get here already.

Actual conversations that could be overheard in my classroom:
Student: I'm so tired...can I just sit here? (from under table)
Me: Well, if you're going to sit under the table, at least read a book.

Students: Can we play the next game now?
Me (not wanting to explain the rules of the next game): Wouldn't you rather have a rematch of the game you just played?
Students: ...

Me: OK, who's got the answer to #1?
Students: ... (sounds of silence)
Me (tapping invisible microphone): Hello? Is this thing on?

Teacher of the Year material over here, guys.

Just remember...

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Have a happy weekend! I am so excited to be in one of my best friend's wedding tomorrow!!

xoxo,

E

Field Trips = Sleepy Teachers

Yesterday and today, 5th grade has been on day trips to a local state park to do group initiatives and some activities that tie in to one of their summer reading books, My Side of the Mountain. Overall, the kids are doing great, but field trips definitely make for some tired adults at the end of the day. So far, the kids have mostly fallen along gender lines into these too categories when it comes to the great outdoors:

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At least at first, the girls seemed to think getting dirty was basically the same thing as enduring bodily injury.

 

 

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The boys are not only embracing the outdoors, but seem perfectly happy to live there. During an activity in which the kids had 25 minutes to build a debris shelter, I'm pretty sure the boys' group would've had a multiple-room cottage with running water if we had given them another hour.

 

 

I'm looking forward to a fun weekend of Clemson football with friends! Have a great weekend!

 

xoxo,

 

E

Shake Off the Black Pants Blahs

During the week, I tend to fall into a rut of black or grey pants for school. As a 5th grade teacher, I usually move around a lot during class and sometimes have to squat down to get on a kid's level, so this uniform of sorts fits the bill nicely. However, sometimes you just get the black pants blahs and need a little refresher. Teaching is a weird job for clothing, though. I want to be able to move around and have to stand most of the day, so comfort is key; but, then again, I often interact with parents, administrators, and (most days) have enough self-respect to want to make myself somewhat presentable. Outfits have to walk this line or else I run the risk of looking inappropriate at some point in the day.

Skirts and dresses are perfect for shaking off the black pants blahs, but hemline is important! A 5th grade classroom is no place for a mini skirt and a tight-fitting sheath does not allow for the kind of movement that 10 year olds often require. Anthropologie and JCrew to the rescue!!

Sunblaze Lace Skirt, $148

Allie Dress, $178

Colorblocked Shirtdress, $128

Twice Tied Shift, $148

Striped Mesh Skirt, $68

Nothing gets me through a hump day quite like a little fashion eye candy. Happy Wednesday!

xoxo,

E

Buying Happiness

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Can I get an amen? After being at school for 13 hours yesterday for school/Back to School night, ice cream was the only thing that could make me and my exhausted self feel like I could take on today. Hey, whatever works, right?

Back to School Night Outfit

I Pick Pretty is having a What to Wear link-up party today with a "Back to School" theme. As a teacher, I have seen some awesome and some truly unfortunate back to school outfits. Since my own back to school night is fast approaching, I thought it'd be fun to participate and come up with what I would love to wear as a teacher...

Cardigan, $32

Tank Top, $7

Skirt, $60 

Flats, $150

Bangle, $58

Locket, $360

Sorry for the not-so-awesome Polyvore template; I'm a Polyvore newbie, so I'm still discovering how to make all those way cool templates. Anyways, for a back to school outfit, I don't think it's really a time to make a fashion statement, but you shouldn't be afraid to inject a little personality into what you wear. Because of this, I chose to keep things pretty simple and classic. I think the coral skirt is the main statement piece, but the cables on the cardigan, chain on the flats, and engravings on the bangle also keep classic pieces from being boring.

These pieces are just understated enough to not detract from what you need to say to the parents--you want them to hear you, not stare at your outfit all night! I think these are also all pieces that could be mixed and matched with other things to make lots of other outfits.

Happy back-to-school everyone! I know I'm excited to meet all my incoming scholars :)

(note on the skirt: After seeing it on a model, I think the skirt is a little short for back to school night, so I maybe wouldn't choose this exact one, but you get the idea)

xoxo,

E

Teacher Fashion

And no, that's not an oxymoron! Or at least it doesn't have to be. I'm about to enter my fourth year as a teacher, and I can definitely say that of all the things I've gotten better at as a teacher during that time, a very important one would be choosing appropriate footwear. During my second year, I had a co-worker that wore heels (and I'm talking heels) almost everyday and smiled all the time. All I can guess is that she was an alien and was not to be trusted. As for me, I don't want to go into detail about the day I decided to wear heels to school and the out-of-control blisters that resulted. It's too gross. Just learn from my mistakes; wear flats if you want to be happy.

But just because most teachers choose to wear flats doesn't mean that most teachers need to end up looking like they have orthopedic problems. Here are some fun choices that are just as arch-supporting as they are cute.

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Toms are my go-to shoe. They are seriously the only shoe I've ever worn that I can wear all day without my feet even being a little sore. And how awesome is this pattern?!

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Antonio Melani flats are AMAZING. They have a memory foam in them that makes it feel like you are walking on happy clouds. Plus, I love this classic caramel color.

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Another fabulous option from Antonio Melani. Classic shape, classic colors, but with a fun pattern-y twist. Love!

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Some days you just need a little bling. These BP flats are way fun, from their shiny, snakeish pattern to the rock star jewel-encrusted toe.

This is my kind of back to school shopping!

xoxo,

E