Fall Obsessions

Hey fellow shoppers!

So, I really shouldn't be shopping, not via window, daydreams, Pinterest, and definitely not in real life.  However, once a shopaholic, always a shopaholic!  Here are a few items I'd love to get my hands on.

Nine West Gillyan pumps 

I never got into the giant platform, weird color, studded shoe craze...and thank goodness, because according to Stacy London, regular pumps are back in so I won't have to look at those shoes anymore!  Call me crazy, but if I'm paying a substantial amount of money for something, I plan to be able to wear it for several seasons.  These Gillyan pumps are gorgeous, with a wider heel (maybe wide enough for me to wear while standing on my feet teaching all day?) and rounded toe.  I've been stalking them for a couple months, so it's just a matter of time.  I think they'll look amazing with wide-leg trousers.

Victoria's Secret After Hours Pajamas 

Ladies, I am a firm believer in sleeping in pjs.  Not sweats or t-shirts...whether you're married or not, because we deserve to feel special sometimes.  Vickie's After Hours Pajamas are supple satin and will help you to channel your inner diva.  I somehow convinced H to order a pair for me for Sweetest Day, so I'm anxiously awaiting their arrival.  I'm certain this will not be my only pair!

Burberry trench coat

I know, I know.  I'm a teacher, so it's ridiculous for me to own a $700 raincoat.  Let me explain.  I take very good care of my clothes and will keep them forever, as long as they are 1) classic pieces (which are almost all I buy), and 2) good quality, well-made items.  A trench coat is the type of item a woman will need her entire life.  Doesn't it make more sense to spend money on one quality item rather than buying a cheaper one, only to have to replace it year after year?  Well, it does to me!  

Hunter Welly Socks 

Finally found the boots, now I would like the socks.  I especially like the cable knit socks to wear my Hunters with jeans tucked inside or with tights and skirts.  The socks are not only cute, but definitely functional since rubber boots are not known for their warmth. SN - Target carries VERY cute boot socks for just $5.  I bought a pair of cable-knit, charcoal socks and they are amazing.  I might forego the Hunter socks for a few pair of the Target socks!

Navy ballet flats - I wear a lot of navy, almost daily, so navy shoes would be a perfect addition to my wardrobe.  I've been making due with nude or tan, but sometimes, you just need navy.  I'm not married to a specific brand (although I do like Tory Burch!), I just need a nice pair.

Tory Burch Chelsea flats

Rocketdog Navy flats...much less expensive than the TB flats

Sparkly Wristlet

I just ran across this while shopping today and didn't even know I needed it, but I do.  As one of my kids pointed out, glitter is my favorite color.  'Nuf said!

What are your shopping obsessions this season?

keisha

Birthday Dinner + Date Night

Happy Friday, ya'll!

Friday is our regular date night, heavily guarded, and highly protected.  However, this Friday also happened to be Che'Aunna's birthday dinner...so of course, we opted for celebrating her birthday!  A little background, Che'Aunna is the younger sister of my mini me, ShayLynn.  I had ShayLynn as a student 4 years ago (!) when she was in 8th grade and now I have Che'Aunna.  They have become a fixture in our home (and us in theirs!) over the past 4 years, and will no doubt continue as the years pass.  

At DECA, it really isn't unusual for teachers to grow close to students and families...in fact, it's one of the things that makes our school successful.  We host advisory parties at our homes, pick students up for school, and are affectionately called, "Mom" by many students.  I don't know if I could survive or even fit in at any other school!  

People ask when Hashim and I are planning to have children.  A few years ago, I would have said, "We're trying!"  Today, we aren't "trying" because we know God has blessed us not only with Essence, but with loads of other kids who look to us for advice, support, and love.  We feel their successes and failures and care for them as though they were our own.  Che'Aunna is one of those kids and she has worked her way into our hearts and we were so glad to be able to celebrate with her.

So tonight was Che'Aunna's night.  Happy 13th birthday, CA!

Che'Aunna & Reese's Cup

WIWT

Sweater - The Limited
Jeans - Levi's Mid-Rise Skinny (seriously, if I'm wearing jeans, it will probably be these.  I own several pair, they really are amazing.)
Boots - Bandolino (I mentioned this earlier, but I have 16in calves, making it very difficult to find boots that zip all the way up.  These Bandolino boots come in wide-calf and they work over jeans, tights, and on bare legs.  They also seem to be retaining their shape and structure.  I highly recommend!)

Enjoy the weekend!

keisha

Fall Break!

Hey ya'll!

The end of the quarter was Tuesday, so I'm officially on Fall Break.  We didn't have Fall Break when I was in school, so to whoever came up with this...you're a genius.  This is the perfect time to take a step back, breathe, and rejuvenate for the second quarter.  I have next to nothing planned because I take my breaks very seriously.  I just want to plant myself on the couch with my fuzzy wrap sweater and quilted throw, a never-ending supply of white chocolate mocha coffee, cable and Netflix, and a couple of books.  I'm pretty sure it's just what the doctor ordered.  I'd like to catch up with my Esther bible study and switch the house over to fall (LOVE IT!), and knock out a few Pinterest projects.  Here's hoping!

Oh, and in other news, I finally broke out my Hunter's yesterday when I headed out to the dentist and then lunch with Hashim.  Thank you, rain! :)  Happy Fall Break to me!  I haven't updated for a few days, so I'm including a picture of my outfit from last week's date night.

Last Friday

Sweater - H&M (similar, similar)
Jeans - Levi's Mid Rise Skinny
Shoes - Rocketdog (same style...mine are purple, similar)

WIWT

Sweater - Victoria's Secret catalog
Jeans - The Limited
Boots - Hunter's Huntress Boots in Merlot (for us gals without skinny calves!) I got a great deal on the Hunter USA website a couple months back...so do your research!

Enjoy your week!

keisha

Today was a good day!

Heyyyy!

This week is going pretty well, even though I stayed at school late both days.  I have felt very productive and seriously, I feel so blessed to be part of such an awesome group of women on the 8th grade team.  We stayed late together making phone calls and helping kids, and I think it shows the kids that we're all in this together (yes, I am singing the High School Musical song in my head as I type this).  It makes even the most stressful of days less so.  So shout out to the dream team!

WIWT

Sweater - Limited (This one is also from The Limited, but mine has ruching down the side)
Pants - Marshall's (similar, similar)

Enjoy your evening!

keisha

Saturday = work day!

Good morning!

Saturdays are an awesome day for me to catch up on my life.  I like to get up early, make a cup of coffee and pile in on the couch with my teacher bag and MacBook -- usually for several hours.  Today, I have far less to do because I was very productive this week (that rarely happens!).  But honestly, planning is one of the things I love about teaching.  Hunting for innovative ideas or pulling together an engaging lesson is challenging, but so rewarding when the kids finally "get it".  

Last night was date night and we saw Gravity...I really enjoyed it, although it is sticking with me.  I'm a little turned off from space travel (please stop calling me, NASA!).  When we got home, although I was totally worn out, I couldn't go to sleep yet because...well, let me just say, the LAST thing I want to do at midnight is clean poop out of Reese's crate AND give her a bath!  I'll just leave it at that.  ;)

Anyway, here are a few shots from yesterday, please excuse the Michigan colors!  We took these outside of my classroom...look at all the awesome student work in the background.  :) Enjoy your Saturday!

WIWT - Friday 

Lightweight sweater - Lacoste (similar, similar)
Jeans - Levi's Mid Rise Skinny (night storm wash)
Scarf - Forever 21 (similar)
Shoes - BCBG Max Azaria (similar)
Bag - Longchamp le Pliage medium

My mini me making a guest appearance.  She was the director of my "photo shoot".  She was in my class 3 years ago and since then,  I've become close to her family...and she reminds me of myself.  Her younger sister is my other director. 

Wardrobe change!  I wanted to try out a different scarf, because the MI colors were burning my retina.  Unfortunately, this one didn't pop as much.
Scarf - Walmart, $6.97! (similar)

Back to the first scarf!

Thursday feels like Friday!

Hey ya'll!

So, the lesson I was talking about yesterday actually happened today and it was AMAZING.  I print up this official looking letter (on letterhead!) from the school board and read it very solemnly to the kids, explaining that because of budget shortfalls, I am being forced to charge students $.10 for each piece of paper I give them.  The students are always outraged and want to call their parents to complain, sit in on school board meetings and start petitions!  I carry on the charade until the last 15 minutes or so of the period when I finally tell students it's not true and I allow students to share their thoughts.  Well, today, my first period was so awesome, instead of being concerned about themselves, they immediately started to brainstorm ways to raise money for the entire 8th grade so no one would have to pay!  I almost hated to tell them it wasn't really happening, I was so proud of them!

The rest of the classes went very well...until last period.  Of course by that time, someone always runs their mouth...8th graders!  I accomplished what I wanted to accomplish, however, so I'm satisfied.  They will totally be able to empathize with the colonists. #winning!

In other news...we had a torrential downpour today and I STILL didn't wear my Hunters!  I was about halfway to school, with my wipers on blast, seriously considering driving back home to get them.  Ridiculous, I know.  Fashionista-teacher problems.

Okay, so the meaning behind the title of this post.  For some reason, even though we have school on Fridays (duh), Thursdays always feel like Fridays.  I stayed at school tonight until 7:30 and it was okay, because I intend to stay up as late as possible tonight.  The funny thing is, I always wake up before the alarm on Fridays, even after "kickin' it" (read: watching TV with Hashim and Reese's) the night before.   Gotta love it.

Alright, the real reason you're here (I kid, I kid!)

WIWT

Blouse - Macy's INC (similar)
Cami - Express (I paid $5 at a Discount Fashion Warehouse pop up sale! - similar)
Jeans - you already know...Levi's Mid Rise Skinny

My Reese Cup!

Shoes - Tory Burch Caroline flats

Has anyone worn their rainboots yet???  How soon is too soon?  #feellikeimgoingtojumpthegun  :)

Enjoy your evening!

keisha

Exhaustion

Today was pretty awesome.  It was my first day back after PD on Monday and Tuesday and 1) the kids missed me, and 2) the teachers missed me because with 2 teachers out, things were a little crazy.  Having both of us back restored calm to the junior high, definitely an awesome feeling.  I am, however,  super exhausted getting back into the swing of things.

This will be a short post, I need to get back to work!

WIWT

Sweater - The Limited (VERY OLD...I actually have on the matching cable-knit tube top underneath! - similar)
Skirt - Forever 21 (It's actually navy/ecru...hard to tell in this pic - similar)
Scarf - Forever 21 (similar, similar)
Shoes (in next pic) - Tory Burch Caroline flats

So, this was almost 3 hours after school was out...I was waiting on my copies and a student who had stayed late for her meeting caught me forcing my assistant principal to take pics of me.  She was laughing so hard, she couldn't even pose for the pic! #lovemykids

Okay, I think I've avoided working long enough.  Enjoy your evening!

keisha

PD!

Hey ya'll!

Wow, I feel like I've missed a lot of school recently.  I had professional development for mentors Monday and Tuesday this week, and honestly think it could have been condensed into 1 day.  Having said that, I actually did get something out of it.  Helpful forms to use with my Resident Educator and maybe with my student teacher, too. Hey, I'll take anything I can!

So, I'm back to school tomorrow, just in time to give my kiddies their unit assessment...oh I'm nervous for them!  We'll see how it goes.  I'm really looking forward to our "taxation without representation" experiential exercise tomorrow, though.  My textbook has this awesome activity where I tell the kids the school is forcing me to charge them $.10 for every piece of paper I give them (homework, tests, any handouts).  Historically, the kids are outraged and we have great discussions following...then I tell them it's all a joke.  It's supposed to help them empathize with the colonists who were taxed by Britain following the French and and Indian War.  Exciting stuff!  The coolest part is hearing their arguments about why it's unfair and then having students offer to cover the cost for their classmates.  I'll have to post the results.

I didn't hold a photo shoot yesterday, but my awesome co-worker (holla, Watty!) was willing to be my photographer today.

Sweater - Ralph Lauren Factory Outlet (similar, similar)
Jeans - Levi's Mid Rise Skinny (my favorite cut, I own several pair!)
Scarf - Victoria's Secret (I nabbed this at a Discount Fashion Warehouse pop-up sale, it was only $1 and is actually a coverup! similar, similar)
Shoes - Tory Burch Caroline flats
Bag - Longchamp le Pliage medium

Hard at work!

Have a good one!