Counting Down

Top: Gap / Cardigan: from a local boutique / Jeans: Gap 1969 Always Skinny sz 00 / Shoes: Target / Bag: Vintage Coach, via eBay / Sunglasses: Target / Belt: Target / Bracelets: DIY (how to, here!)

 

So the good news is I "inherited" this belt from my mom. Hooray for free stuff! The bad news is is broke all of two hours after taking this picture. :-/ It was a cheap-y belt from Target, so I suppose the fact that it lived for a few years is quite good.

I'm trying to be mindful of what I buy on the (super) cheap and what I spend my money on. Colorful skinny belts that will last a few years? $20, max. But, classic bags or workhorse shoes that will last forever? I'm trying to work up the courage to spend more on those sorts of things. Thus, my decision to buy that beautiful Cambridge Satchel as soon as I move to, fittingly, Cambridge, MA.

Speaking of which, I have only 3 days left working in the elementary school I've been in for the past year, 5 days left at this job, 10 days until I move, 11 until I start school, and 12 until my birthday! Whoah, there. I'm a serious combination of excited and nervous for what the next few weeks has in store. Wish me luck!

Hope you are all having a lovely week!

Simple Stripes & Gold Collar Necklace

 Top: Anthropologie / Jeans: Gap 1969 Always Skinny / Wedges: Target (similar) / Necklace: Asos ($20.87, buy here) / Glasses: Coach

 

One of my goals for beginning this blog was to get out of my jeans and a solid-colored t-shirt rut. I'm trying to wear more skirts, dresses, and patterns, and (hopefully) succeeding. This outfit, I think, is a pretty good example of how jeans and a t-shirt can still be a successful (and not always boring!) look. Note to self: wedges, an interesting piece of jewelry, and a patterned top can go a long way to elevating my wardrobe staples.

The main credit has to go to my favorite statement necklace, this gold collar from Asos. I love how it mimics the lines of a dress shirt's collar, and dresses us an otherwise simple look.

Going on a field trip with the class today, to the California Science Center. 80+ 5th graders and six chaperones...wish us luck!

Green and Navy (pt 2)

 

Dress: Modcloth / Cardigan: H&M / Belt: Madewell / Sandals: Gap / Necklace: bought in Italy 

 

I am in love with this color combination right now. I'm not the biggest fan of the pale pastels of spring, but I will always get behind this bright kelly green, which feels so perfect for this season to me. See my other navy-and-green combo here.

* * * * * *

 On a personal note:

I love working with the kids at my school; they are, on the whole, charming, curious, intelligent, and absolutely hillarious children. It is not, however, always (or even often) perfect. Two weeks ago was particularly trying. The kids were testing, and had been for days (the amount of tests in LAUSD is staggering), so they were bored and annoyed and restless.

On Monday, the boys' bathroom was graced with the graffiti "Lauren is a b****" (well, they didn't use the stars, but you get the idea). On Wednesday, I intercepted a note, elaborating upon the sentiment, "Lauren is a b**** and a h** (points for proper spelling?).

I'm pretty sure both of the sentiments were in reaction to something I've tried to stick to: holding the kids to high expectations. Even if they don't have their homework 90% of the time, I will still ask them for it every single day, will still express my dissapointment that they don't have it, and will still follow through on the reprocussions that should follow.

The other week, by doing this, I definitely pissed off a few 10 year-olds. Maybe it had been bothering them for a while and was exacerbated by the days upon days of testing; maybe it had nothing to do with this at all. Maybe some of them just don't like me. But I realized then that holding the kids to high expectations--keeping them accountable, paying attention, following through, and making sure they know that I know they can do it--is infinitely more important than 100% of my classroom liking me, 100% of the time.

Or, as our Principal put it, "If they're not calling you names, you ain't doing your job!" :)

Happy weekend!

LOFT 30% Off Spring Arrivals

I have a LOFT gift card burning a hole in my wallet from the holidays, so I did a bit of window shopping to see if anything in the new Spring line struck my fancy. (LOFT is currently having a 30% off promotion on all new Spring arrivals.) My window shopping confirmed what I had long suspected; I don't like spring clothes that much. Too ruffly, too florary, too girly for me, and I'm not so keen on pastel colors. Give me the dark earth and jewel tones of Fall (along with cozy scarves and warm jackets) any day, but the light and floraly hues of Spring? Not my favorite, personally.

A few things from LOFT did interest me a bit, though probably not enough to buy right now. (All prices listed are before the 30% off promotion.)

 

Hook-and-Eye Mandarin Collar Jacket ($79.50) / Grosgrain Stripe Full Skirt ($69.50)

 

3/4 Sleeve V-Neck Cardigan ($49.50) / Lace Overlay Ponte Mini Skirt ($69.50)

Stripe Dolman Sleeve Blouse ($54.50) / Isabella Canvas Heels ($89.50)