Meet the Teacher Link Party!

    I'm excited to participate in the "Meet the Teacher" link party through Mrs. Carroll's blog!  I can't wait to meet all the other teachers with blogs out there!  Here goes....

    My history with teaching began in 2003.  I had already graduated from The University of Houston with a marketing degree, but I had no clue as to what I wanted to do.  I tinkered with the thought of pursuing a post-grad degree in psychology...but I just wasn't ready to commit that much time to school again.  After several considerations, I decided to pursue a career in education, and after receiving an alternative certification, I got a job teaching 6th grade Social Studies in 2004.  To make a long story short, I taught for three years, got married/quit teaching/bought a house/had a baby (not in that order!), and then returned to education in 2009 at the same middle school and same grade level.  This time around, I'm teaching Reading and Language Arts, which I love!
    I have a husband and a four-year old look-alike son named Preston (well, when it's just the two of us, people say P looks JUST like me...but then when they see my husband, they say P looks JUST like him and not really me...go figure).  I also have a stepson and daughter (who are 11 and 12 respectively), a cat (although I really want a dog), a small collection of shoes, and a small shopping habit!


Q: What would you be doing if you weren’t a teacher?                                             
A:  I actually did it!  After my third year of teaching, I took a leap of faith and obtained a 100% commission only sales position with a home builder.  That job was to be a potential stepping stone into the world of real estate, but unfortunately, I made the transition right as the market was spiraling down.  I was with the builder for a little over a year, and although it was a lot of hard work and long hours (not unlike teaching), I loved every minute of it (and secretly still miss it)! 

Q: What are your hobbies?                                                                                    
A:  My hobby used to be reading books...now I've scaled down to magazines!  Aaaaand...can I say that shopping is a hobby???

Q: When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?                     
A:  When I was little, I wanted to be....a teacher, an ice-skater, a dancer, a lawyer, and...there were a few more things, but I've forgotten!  At least I've fulfilled one of those!
   
Q: What are your guilty pleasures?                                                                 
 A:   Multiple and prolonged shopping expeditions.

Q: What is your biggest fear?!                                                                      
 A: Cockroaches!  I've had a couple of run-ins with them, with one of those occasions being potentially dangerous.  Even the thought of them disturbs me!  By the way, if you're a teacher and you're afraid of cockroaches...don't tell your students.  Trust. Me.

Q: When you’re on vacation, where do you like to go?                                  
 A:  I would like to go back to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands.  I was born there and my family is from there.  Out of six children, I was the last and only one who did not grow up there.  =(
                                                         
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?                                                   
A:  I honestly can't think of the best piece of advice that I've received.  Over the years, I've been well-advised by many people. 

Q: What do you value most in others?                                                                   
A:  Their level of respect for others.

Q: If you could choose one of your personality traits to pass down to your kids, what would it be?                                                                                                        
A: I would like for my son to be an independant thinker. 

Q: If you could have lunch with anyone in the world….living or dead…who would it be?                                                                                                              
A:  I never met any of my grandparents, so I would choose one of them.

F is for Freezing

Snow and Houston aren't really synonymous...

     ...but I was SO excited to get dressed today, even though our city would be facing a miraculous downfall of snow!  I'm sure everyone's eyes in Houston (and, of course, in many other parts of the country) were glued to their televisions this morning awaiting news/updates of the inclement weather conditions.  I, like countless of other teachers (okay, and maybe students) were drunk with hope that our respective school districts would cancel school for the day in preparation for the snow.

    My excitement began when HusbandM announced that he saw my district's name on television as having only a half day.  Well, let me tell you, that was all I needed to hear in order to bound out of bed and get the (half) day going.  Considering that a (half) day for me meant only three classes, I dressed for a relaxing (half) day of library visits and SSR...

   I wonder if M knows what district I work for?

   'Cuz when I arrived to school this morning, my visions for my (half) day were ruined.

   As disappointed as I was that my half day never really existed (seriously, I do not understand how M got that wrong), I still didn't leave school until nearly an hour after the 3:55 p.m. dismissal.  Regardless, there were a few good things to come out of today, though...

(1) It was a relaxing day
(2) I was ridiculously comfortable in my tunic, tights, and boots and
(3) School is cancelled for Friday!!!!!!!!!!! 

And now, I'm off to "play trucks" and relax (some more)!

The blue infinity scarf provided for a colorpop!
against a neutral "background".

Can't see it, but my socks
actually have various shades of blue on them.

the pieces:

Tunic - Theory (purchased from TJ Maxx, Winter '09)

Scarf - The Limited (Winter '09)

Tights - Kohl's (Summer/Fall '10)

Wool Socks - TJ Maxx (Winter '09)

Boots - Target (Winter '10)

BUT WAIT!

THERE'S MORE!

I DIDN'T GET TO DO A POST YESTERDAY,

BUT I DID TAKE A FEW PICS...

the pieces:

Cardigan - Gap

Long-sleeved Tee - Gap

Jeans - Express Zelda

Boots - Marc by Marc Jacobs (purchased from DSW.com)

Belt - The Limited

There was a monster outside of my house this morning.

     I was awakened by its high-pitched howls and its invisible talons scratching alongside the house.  In its rage of fury, it began throwing stones.  Then, before I could get out of bed, it sounded as if the monster swallowed us.  Engulfed in its belly, the contents and bile of its stomach sloshed around outside of our little safe haven.  I was hoping that this monster would not break the barriers of our walls, but I knew that we would have to go out and face it eventually. 

     The weatherman did not predict all of this for today, did he?

     Dressing for today's tumultuous weather was centered around two concepts: comfort and dryness.  I triple layered-up (does that make sense?) with a tank, a tee, and another long-sleeved tee.  Then I topped it off with a scarf.  Again, jeans are on the agenda this week (although I forgot to wear my pin in support of the Go Red for Women campaign), and because of the torrential pourdown going on outside, the rain boots were pulled out (or, actually, on).  I was ready in record time and excited for an early day at the j-o-b.  All I needed was my coat, and I would have no fear of the weather.

     However.

     There was one other monster that I had to go toe-to-toe with: the four-year old kind.  Do you have, or know of, a kid who can do limitless circles around the living room (whether on foot, scooter, or while pushing a laundry basket) and never runs out of steam?  But in the morning, when you're ready to get out of the house, he/she moves slower than a turtle?  Well, I have one of those! 

     After begging P to brush his teeth, then begging him to brush his teeth with toothpaste on his toothbrush, then asking him dozens of times to put his clothes on, then tyring to fnd a matchnig pair of socks... I was actually late to work. 

     Stay warm everyone!

the pieces:

Scarf - Gap (Winter '09)

Long Sleeved Tee - Gap (Winter '10)

White Tee - TJ Maxx (old)

Blue Tank - Target (Winter '10)

Jeans - Mavi (?)

Rain Boots - Banana Republic (Fall/Winter '10)

A Warm Winter's Day

Ever heard the joke about the weather in Texas?

   ...if you wait around for fifteen minutes, it'll change. 
  
    Well, the weather hasn't been that tempermental lately, but we have been spoiled with fairly nice weather over the past few days.  But all of that will end...tomorrow.  I guess I really shouldn't complain as some of my new blogging friends are currently enduring snowstorms and what not (funny, though, just the semblance of a snow flurry here in Houston would excite the likes of children and adults).  Snow, much less freezing cold temperatures, are a rarity in Houston, but for the next few days we will be facing temps in the 20s and 30s....whooooo....
 
    I was deluded into thinking that spring really was around the corner, so I couldn't help but to pull out a fun pattern and bright color mix this morning.  In support of the "Go Red for Women" campaign against heart disease and stroke, we are able to wear jeans to work this week.  I'm not sure if the outfit as a whole was successful, but it put me in a light-hearted mood this morning.  I do have summer plans for this top, though, that involve short shorts (!) and tall wedges...(sigh).  I can't wait for the warm weather! 

     Well, while I'm hunkerin' down here in the south...I hope all of you facing the "real" cold weather stay warm and safe!

the pieces:

• Sweater - Jeanne Pierre, purchased on clearance ($10) from T.J. Maxx
• Blouse - Petticoat Alley, purchased on clearance ($10) from T. J. Maxx
• Jeans - Gap Low Rise Straight Leg
• Boots - Bandolino
• Orange Beaded Necklace - Express
• Double-chain Necklace - The Limited

Anyone Need Garlic?

Out of sight...

     ...out of mind.  It's funny how it's easy for me to sometimes forget about the items that I have in my closet, even if they're sitting right in front of me.  This sweater has been folded on an eye-level shelf for who knows how long, yet it wasn't until last night while I snuggled under the covers and surfed the "blogger-net" that I was reminded of it.  I came across Coastal Chicster's blog, saw her outfit from 1/21/11, and fell in love with it.  Rather than getting out of bed, I scanned the closet annals of my mind and thought about this sweater as the starter piece and put the rest of the outfit together (the blue top has almost gone to the giveaway pile several times, and I love pockets on skirts and dresses!) with a pair of brown boots.  In the end, I didn't do the boots, but I liked the combo of the navy tights with the black peep-toe slingbacks.

   
     Although I felt rejuvenated with my "new" outfit, it was met with mixed reviews:

     First: "Black and navy?"

     Next: "Did you mean to wear that color of tights?"

     Later: "Hmmm....I think I would have worn a brown skirt instead...but it's okay. " (This came from a 7th period student who stood in front of me, leaning to one side, with her hand cupped around her chin and a pensive expression on her face).

     And then there was a "stranger danger" experience in the grocery store.  The first time he walked past me, he looked at me in such a way that I had to reach back and smooth my skirt just to make sure that it wasn't hiked up.  After the third time he walked by, he approached me and used the line, "Do you know where I can find crushed garlic?" as a lame attempt of a pick-up. Seriously? The worst part was when he (after walking away and coming back again) asked if I was married.  When I confirmed, he had the nerve to say, "Me, too." 

     After he walked away (for the last time, thankfully), I checked the contents of my purse just to make sure that his hand wasn''t quicker than my eye.  And then I added this to my list of reasons why I Hate Grocery Shopping. 

    I'm thinking it's time for bed.

    Nighty-night.   

the pieces:

• Sweater - DKNY (purchased from Macy's many moons ago)
• Blouse - BCBG (old purchase from Marshall's)
• Skirt - Express (Summer '10)
• Navy Blue Tights - Apt. 9 (purchased from Kohl's, Winter '10)
• Shoes - Jessica Simpson (recent purchase from TJ Maxx...only $20!)
• Necklace (recent purchase from TJ Maxx)

Is Your Sweater Upside Down?

Is there a color to symbolize hypocrisy?

     Yesterday, I stated that when it comes to jewelry and accessories, I'm pretty much a minimalist.

     Today I put together an outfit where I hang three different necklaces around my neck at one time. 

     Go figure.  

     Maybe I need to check my online dictionary for the definition of "minimalism".      

     I'm also thinking that I need to check (or double check) my mirror.  Just last night, husbandM decided to humor himself with the observation that I have 1) a short torso, 2) thick thighs, but 3) long legs for such a short person.  And then he proceeds to ask me how tall I am...as if my height of five feet, three inches had changed in the last ten years!  Hmmmm....if only we'd had an outdoor dog....

     Getting dressed this morning, I was attracted to these green military pants that I got for a GREAT deal of $10 from the Gap.  When I picked them up off of the rack, I had already mentally purchased them simply because they were my size and had an extra 40% off the sale price.  Had I taken my head out of the clouds, I would have realized that the waist was a little too big, almost as if they had been stretched out.  But "Final Sale" means...it's final.  So, this blouse (previously worn here) came in handy to create a billowy effect away from the bulky waistline created by the pants.  To top off the blouse (and keep warm), I contemplated several sweaters that would contrast with the green...yellow?...blue/grey stripes?...navy blue?...red?  I finally decided to go with this purple one because the cut-away in the front allowed for a nice overall shape that all three pieces created.  As far as shoes go, I slipped into some really cute ballet flats, but haunting words from last night robbed me of the pleasure of being closer to the ground...so I added some (apparently much needed) height with wedges, and strutted out the door. Who has short legs now?

      

           This pic makes me think that I won't be wearing this outfit again...

 

   ...or maybe just without the sweater.     

the pieces:

              



• Purple Sweater - Willi Smith (purchased from TJ Maxx, c. '09)
• Blouse - Gap
• Military Cargo Pants - Gap (Fall/Winter '10)
• Shoes - Volatile (purchased from DSW, Summer/Fall '09)
• Short Mixed Chain necklace - purchased from TJ Maxx
• Oval Pendant necklace - (don't remember)
• Long Beaded necklace - The Limited (Summer '10)
• Earrings - (don't remember)

Cheery With a Chance of Stripes

The sun did not come out and play today...

     ...and yet these stripes and print definitely made me feel cheery!  This long-sleeved tee was on the verge of going onto my "night clothes" (i.e. pajamas) shelf in the closet since I've only worn it about a handful of times, but never successfully.  The most creative I've been with this has been pairing it with a white tank underneath and a pair of jeans.  (That was boring just typing it...) 

     Putting the tee together with the scarf actually occured last night, and not during my usual morning "ritual".  Here's how it went down:  The scarf had been eyeing me from the top of my closet for a while now, so I finally decided to give him a chance as my starter piece.  I scanned my closet several times not wanting to wear a solid color top (as I have worn with this scarf before), so I kept scanning until I realized that the blue in the tee was very close to the blue in the scarf...it was like an "aha" moment...  Knowing that I was still a novice at mixing patterns, it was best to make a final decision after trying them on.  Once I did, I was sold.  The blues complemented each other and the ikat  print (that's the best description I have for it) contrasted with the stripes in an interesting way (in my opinion). 
    Because there was enough going on with just those two pieces together, I went for a solid neutral (which black is) on the bottom.  After trying several pairs, I decided on these trousers because the look of the wide legs seemed to "mimic" the length of the stripes.  Okay, okay...it totally sounds like I'm making this stuff up, and I know I don't teach math and all, but really, can't an outfit have symmetry and balance?  (Laugh if you must!) Anyway, I went with the brown belt because I felt that it created another contrast against the black (and acted as another "stripe" of sorts) and coordinated with the brown tones in my bracelet.  I'm pretty much a minimalist when it comes to accessories/jewelry, so my trusty silver hoops (which have been a signature look for me since the seventh grade and I don't know if I should consider that to be good or bad) and silver bangles finished off the look.
    So that's it! I don't have any interesting stories from school today, but I do have a cute one invloving P from over the weekend:

    Since Friday, P was begging me to make him some macaroni and cheese (after he saw a box of it on the counter).  Because husbandM was going to pick up something on his way home, I tried to distract P from the mac n' cheese, which worked upon arrival of the chicken nuggets.

    Saturday morning, his brain was back on the "mac".  Whild husbandM was at the grocery store, I laid in bed reading a magazine,waiting until he returned to fix breakfast.  P was watching cartoons in the living room, but kept coming back and forth asking for mac n cheese.  Again, I tried to distract him until husbandM returned.  (1. I wasn't going to make that for breakfast, and  2. It was the boxed size, so he wasn't going to eat it all by himself which would mean that I would end up having to trash the rest).  P kept insisting but finally resorted to turn his attention back to cartoons.  After a while, he climbed into the bed with me, and the brief conversation that ensued went like this:

P: "Mom?"

Me: "Yes?"

P: "Knock, knock?"

Me: "Who's there?"

P: "Macaroni and cheese."

I laughed out loud,
took the hint,
and went into the kitchen to fix his mac n cheese.

Sitting here, typing, and wearing stripes and "ikat"...I'm still laughing! 
Yes, it's been a "cheery" day.

the pieces:

         

     

   

 

• Scarf -  The Limited (Winter '09)
• Tee - Gap
• Trousers - INC (about four years old)
• Belt - Forever21 (about four years old)
• Booties - Steve Madden (purchased from Dillard's for $14!, Fall '09)

Tall, Grey, and Awesome

They're here!

     Last week, I found a great deal online at DSW.com.  I wasn't looking to really buy anything, but while surfing through the Clearance selection, I came across these boots.  Marc by Marc Jacobs.  Retailing between $499 and $649.  In my Shopping Bag. 

     I've been waiting eagerly all week, and after a fairly facile Friday, I arrived home to the Big Brown Box.  Inside was the sleek black box.  And inside of that....(sigh)...

    Today, I really didn't have any intention of taking an outfit pic, as it was nothing spectacular:  jeans, boots, school spirit tee, and a sweater jacket.  But after trying on my new loves, I couldn't resist.  So, with a nip (of a few snaps on my sweater) and a tuck (of my tourquoise school spirit tee), I decided to take some pics to capture the memory of The Day We Met.

 

 

Did I mention that I got them for only $99?!!!  (squeal!)

Have a great weekend all!

(P.S. I know that I don't have the latest and greatest

of cameras, so my apologies for the variety of shades of grey in the boot.)

• Sweater Jacket - Banana Republic (Fall/Winter '10)
• Jeans - Gap Low Rise Straight Leg
• Boots - Marc by Marc Jacobs (purchased on DSW.com)

Don't Judge a Book by Its Color

Can too many colors spoil an outfit?

     Sooo...the forecast for today was a thirty percent chance of rain, as well as the appearance of a cold front.  My first thought for today's outfit: Rain Boots!!!  I had previously worn these rain boots with black tights and this black dress (with an oatmeal colored sweater and wide black belt).  I liked the pieces together (especially being able to take a summer dress and transition it into winter) and decided to wear both again today.  The blue/yellow plaid scarf that was mentioned in yesterday's post was still on my brain, so I pulled that out, too.  At this point, the colors that I had put together thus far were:  black. brown. blue. yellow.
     Creating a contrast between colors is something that I've been experimenting with lately, so I continued on my coloring streak by deciding to add a red belt.  The first red belt that I tried was dark, too wide, and did not accentuate my waistline very well with the dress.  When I dug this red Express belt out of my belt box, I immediately fell in love with the combination of blue, yellow, and (patent) red...primary colors that you would find in your standard Crayola box, right?  The last step was to find the top that I would wear underneath the dress.  I started with white...but it was too harsh of a contrast.  Then I tried a long-sleeved eggplant-colored tee...I liked it, but was unsure.  I tried a grey one...but no go.  There was, however, something about the eggplant color (or in P's terms: purple) that I liked and toyed around with until I forced myself to make a decision.  I went with it.  I went all the way to school with it...
   
     ...And apparently I was the only one who could envision my..."creative"?...color palette.  The responses that I received ranged from:  "Mrs. Channette, that doesn't go together," to "I'm not sure I can do this, " to "Can you explain your outfit to me?" (I love that one, Mrs. L.)  My final color tally was:  black. brown. blue. yellow. red. and eggplant (aka dark purple).  

     I can't say that I regret putting this together, but if nothing good comes from it, at least I can use this outfit to help P practice his colors.



the pieces:


         

 

  

 

• Dress - Pink Rose (purchased from Ross, Summer '09)
• Scarf - Gap (Winter, '09)
• Belt - Express
• Boots - Banana Republic (Fall '10)
• Long-Sleeved Tee - Gap (Winter '10 for only $9!)
• Bracelet (gift from a friend, made in Brazil)
• Watch - Anne Klein (my first purchase on my Macy's card in 1999!)

Redemption?

  

When the Bow-ing Gets Tough

"Mom, what's this?"

    This was the first of two questions on the "pop quiz" that four-year old P gave to me after I arrived home this afternoon.  He was pointing at my blouse, so, thinking that the answer to his question was fairly easy, I said, "They're polka dots."  Apparently, I was wrong. Head lowered, eyebrows raised, index finger wagging, he reprimanded me:  "Nooooo. Thass a circle, mom.  A circle." 

Oops.  My bad.

   

     I've always had a slight aversion to polka dots (but not so much with circles).  I don't know why, but I've always felt as though other people could pull them off...just not me.  Around the time I turned thirty (two years ago), I began developing a new attitude about my style.  I wanted to step out of my little box and try things that I normally wouldn't.  (The Michael Kors shoes on one of the previous posts was another result of this attitude.)  So while surfing Macys.com, I came across this Tommy Hilfiger polka number (on sale!) and decided to try it out.  Although I bought it two years ago, I've only worn it the same number of times. 

     My mood this morning was mellow (very befitting for polka dots and a big blue bow, right?), and I started with the pants.  I wanted to do a yellow/blue plaid scarf, but sans the white shirt or yellow cardigan that I would typically wear with it.  Without finding success, I scrapped the idea of the scarf and decided to just try the polka dots on and see what happened.  It was too cold to wear as is, so some kind of sweater/jacket was definitely needed.  My thoughts landed on the four-pocket cardigan (although you really can't see all the pockets) that I scored for really cheap ($19) at the Gap but had never worn.  Thus, everything else fell into place...except the belt.  I've always imagined wearing this top with a yellow belt, but husbandM advised me not to, and I actually listened!  (So I went with a yellow bracelet instead).

    

Back to my pop quiz: 

I obviously failed the first question miserably, so I was lucky that there was the second.  After learning the difference between a polka dot and a circle (ha!), the next question that P posed to me was, "Mom, what cowor (color) is this?"  Since he was touching my bow, I knew I couldn't get that one wrong.  "Blue!" I said.  His response was enough to not only reaffirm my decision to wear this top, but it also confirmed my knowledge of basic colors:

"Good job, Mom!" 

the pieces:

   

  

  

• Top- Tommy Hilfiger (from Macy's, Winter '09)
• Sweater - Gap four pocket cardigan (Winter '10)  They still have it!
• Pants - The Limited Drew pant (Winter '08)
• Pumps - gifted from a friend
• Grey belt - no brand name, from TJ Maxx
• Yellow bracelet - The Limited?
• Silver bangles - Jessica Simpson jewelry from Macy's
• White bangle - ?
• Silver Leaf Earrings - ?
• Yellow belt - Via Spiga

One last look....should I have worn the yellow belt?