I'm back to teaching today after days off for my mom's services and then a short fall break for the school. It was so good to go back!
The temps today were in the mid 60's; my kind of weather!
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| Cowl Neck sweater, Dress Barn; Gap knit skirt, thrifted; scarf, $9.00 at a little gift shop, discounted price on summer weight scarfs; Naturalizer Glassy boots, purchased in March (past season) for $35.00 (regular price, $149). |
I was perfectly comfortable all day in boots, tights, a knit skirt, cowl neck sweater and scarf.
Several of my students complimented me on my outfit today and commented that they wanted to teach because "a teacher's salary must be pretty good based on your wardrobe". Imaging their surprise when I told them that 80% of my wardrobe is thrifted. I hope that I will inspire some of them to consider the wisdom of thrifting. Its very feasible to own a beautiful and professional wardrobe without having to spend outrageous amounts of money.
As you have read in previous posts; I've purchased some high end pieces for next to nothing. I'm happy to have the opportunity to share my thrifting philosophy with them.
I fell in love with these boots at a local shoe store back in March. They weren't on sale there...but I found them at Carson's deeply discounted. Love the stud detail on the back.
The discounted summer scarf.
After I picked Peyton up from school, it was time for silliness. We went to downtown Crown Point and meandered a bit.......
and played with the camera in one of the little cute little lunch nooks.
so of course I had to reprise my 'pole dance'..Autumn style...
and then the camera maestro asked me to do some really silly poses...
so I started out timidly....
and then I cut loose!
Peyton was cracking up......sorry for such a dumb pose; but once I saw it I had to post it...its just way too silly!
...and Peyton's ready for takeoff!
when I show him these actions shots of himself he just laughs so hard. I love his genuine, heartfelt laughter....
I want to savor these days with him. If he wants me to get silly for the camera I will...as long as he is still willing to have fun with me. Right now, I'm still his favorite person. I want to keep it that way for awhile.
On the dance front.....
I will be performing in a showcase on December 1st. These local dinner-dance showcases are attended by 100 + people and they're fun. I'm torn between two potential dances.
Tell me what you think...
-A sassy Foxtrot like this, to this Lyle Lovett song, inspired by Kristen here, or a sensual and driving Tango like this. I want to go for high impact!
I have to be honest...Tango is my favorite-and best-dance, but I do love Foxtrot and I've never danced it in a showcase. The minute I hear this Lovett song on Kristen's post though, I loved it and envisioned showcasing a flirty and sassy Foxtrot.
Want to help me decide? I wish I could do both. Tango tends to be my default dance since its my best one...but I would really love to step outside of my comfort zone. Plus, not too many students attempt to dance Foxtrot in showcases...its just too challenging...its the classic Mercedes Benz of Ballroom dance. It might be too much considering we only have 6 weeks to put it together.
I have so many showcase ideas and Marcel gets quite annoyed by my plethora of dance desires. He says its like I'm standing a huge buffet with too many choices and I want to have them all...my eyes are bigger than my stomach.
I will be talking with Marcel on Friday at my lesson and deciding on my dance then. No turning back after that...so I better make the right choice.
I am awaiting the arrival of some digital photos of the last competition. I can't wait to receive and post them. In the meantime....I'll show you my competition eyes......for the stuffy International Standard style...oh did I mention that I did dance both styles after all? :)
Other than the false eyelashes..nothing too dramatic. In the American Smooth style and Latin and Rhythm styles, makeup is very dramatic, very bold.
Its fun for me to play with ballroom makeup. I lover every element of ballroom dance; from head to toe.
I have a busy weekend of catching up on my reading and grading research papers...so...
until my next post.....lots of hugs to you.
Be safe out there!!
It's always good to be told you look expensive! and i love your leopard scarf!
ReplyDeleteChic on the Cheap
Thanks, Lyddie! I've gotten lots of compliments on that scarf that I almost didn't buy!
DeleteYour little man looks like he is having so much fun!! Xx
ReplyDeleteHe's all about fun!
DeleteYay for silliness! And how great that you're teaching your thrifting wisdom to the next generation!
ReplyDeleteI feel fortunate to have the opportunity. I think many people are surprised to lean that a thrifted wardrobe can be really nice.
DeleteEnjoy your little one. I had never heard any Lyle Lovett unti I looked at the video. Great choice.
ReplyDeleteAnd you must be flattered by those comments from your students. Having said that, you always look great.
Thank you! I had never hear the song either...but its so much fun.
DeleteI love seeing your silliness and your son's as well! Hear, hear, for teaching the kids at school about thrifting. I want to teach my nieces, who've been fed a steady diet of cheap, disposable clothing.
ReplyDeleteI love Lyle Lovett (I saw him live this past summer), so you know where my vote is!
I cringe when I see full wardrobes of disposable clothing. I follows along with our pop culture now I suppose. I've been reading many books about the French Philosophy of purchasing enduring, classic, high quality clothing. It can even be done at the thrift store!
DeleteYour silly photos are beautiful! It's so fun to be able to spend time with your children and enjoy each other's company. That's why Kayla and I blog together, and typically silliness ensues during our photo shoots. Love them! Love your outfit above and the foxtrot sounds like it would be a fun one to do. Heather
ReplyDeleteWow...the majority is for Foxtrot right now!
DeleteIts a good practice to engage our children in mutual activities. Although Peyton is not into the 'fashion shoots', he is into going to fun places and having his picture taken doing silly things.
I enjoy your idea of a mother/daughter blog.
I adore your eye for putting together superb colour combos - and the fact that like me, you don't shy away from wearing hue. The pairing of fox brown boots with a heather grey skirt is both elegant and beautiful at the same time.
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
I agree with your students, your outfits always look stylish and expensive, and this one is no exception. In high school we had a teacher that had new clothes every single day during three years, the only item we did see her wear more than once was a leather skirt. We always used to speculate what kind of work her husband had (we did know that teachers salaries are not amazing), or if she bought the clothes and then returned them (but we never saw any tags). We never considered thrifting, as it was almost shameful then. Luckily the opinion has changed, although it means that it is very hard to score any good items in Sweden in second hand or consignment stores, as I have told you before.
ReplyDeleteThe boots are fantastic! In honor of this outfit, I might wear my knit skirt tomorrow! It has not seen the day light since last winter, and has never been shown on the blog either, which is a problem as I don't remember which cardigans/sweaters paired well with it. I might just try to replicate yours, as it is so lovely. I wished that scarf and boots lived in my wardrobe!
I'm looking forward to seeing your outfit! I hope you will find similar accessories to add to your wardrobe.
DeletePerhaps that you don't have many thrift options in Sweden is a testament to a more practical and less disposable attitude toward clothing. In the last several years there has been a frantic acceleration of the disposable wardrobe philosophy.
I prefer things that last and I don't mind if they come from thrift stores. Our thrift store are FILLED with clothing that people just toss away when they don't like it anymore. One thrift store shop owner told me that they can barely keep up with all of the clothing they receive in donations!
Can't wait to see your outfit!!
Loving the "Bust a Pose Moves" Made me smile.
ReplyDeleteHahaha....having some fun!
DeleteGood luck with all the grading! Many of my students are already thrifters, but that never stops us from giving compliments on one another's looks. I'd go for the Foxtrot...
ReplyDeleteAnd I may need to try convincing my grandson to do action shots and see what kind of style photos I get.
So far the Foxtrot is the popular choice. Its my worst dance! But I may try it.
DeleteStretch yourself- I vote for the foxtrot!
ReplyDeleteI'm super-jealous of the boots… gorg!
Thank you. They were such a deal.
DeleteLove that you are enjoying these moments with your son. My little man is only 4 and the time is so precious! Love your boots!
ReplyDeleteAlice
www.happinesatmidlfie.com
Alice...it is precious; and they grow up so fast...I just want them to last.
DeleteSuch fab photos of you both :D
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to finally pull on all my winter boots. I was blogging the other day about how most people think I have more money than sense when actually I never pay full price for any of my designer stuff so I thought I should share my tips. I hope you students do get into thrifting it was a revelation to me when I found out I could get amazing things really cheaply and Ive never looked back xx
It was a revelation to me too, Pearl.
Deletelove that you paired brown boots with a black outfit
ReplyDeletealways looks so chic to me
these boots are pretty amazing
brett
Thanks, Brett.....I'm feeling very happy that I can finally wear these boots I bought off season last spring....
DeleteI love the "silly" action shots :) You are right about thrifting, it is the way to shop!
ReplyDeleteAdrienne
What Lola Wants
Peyton enjoys doing the action shots..so why not? :)
DeleteI love thrifting.....my wardrobe is better than ever!
Gosh, I just love how teens don't have any concept of money. I have a teen brother and I know for a fact that he thinks that my money falls right out of my ass. I am glad that you are sharing your thrifting philosophy with them to help them understand that adults have to take care of adult responsibilities first. I miss the days when I had enough time to throw down some silliness with my photographer, but now it's like hurry up and take the picture all ready. )-: What a great way to get some quality time in with your son though. Love the outfit, REALLY love those boots.
ReplyDeleteHahaha...your forthright comment cracks me up...the comment about where your teen brother thinks your money comes from! So funny!!!
DeleteI do have a good time with Peyton. I figure as long as he's cooperative and takes my pictures, I should accommodate his craving for fun.
Its great to see you smile... we can't take ourselves too seriously! We need to be silly sometimes :)
ReplyDeleteYou look amazing in that outfit, the boots are spectacular.
I enjoy my silly moments with my son....I know they will soon be replaced but the trying times of the teen years.
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