Snow Day, Snow Day

This is not at all fashion related, but I think fun nonetheless. My sister and I are both teachers and we had a snow day today because we got about 8 inches of snow last night. We took the opportunity to trudge through the snow to the dog park nearby where our puppies were able to play for a good two hours.
Then, we came home and showered them. Because my puppy has hair like humans and not fur, he get snowballs like the ones seen above that will not melt on their own.
After a nice hot, rejuvenating shower we made homemade nachos and cheese fries and watched movies. It was a pretty lovely day, in the end.





Matt Pond PA- Snow Day

Just Thinking

So, I've been thinking about my absence on the blog and I've realized it can be attributed to a rather complex, but general feeling of blah.
I began running about two months ago on a pair of really old shoes. Needless to say, injury occured and I was struggling to walk on my left foot and ankle. I was forced to wear flats for about two weeks straight, icing my foot and ankle in the evening and avoiding exercise. I gained weight. Not a ton, but certainly enough to make me feel unattractive.
Furthermore, the last two times I've gone to get my hair done, my hair has dealt with some serious breakage up near the roots for the very first time. I have all these short hairs at the base of my neck, around my forehead, and on my part.
This has made me feel completely yucky.
I really battled with posting this on the blog, as I am all about the empowerment of women in general and plus sized women in particular.
However, I also think that it is important that we as a fashion blogging community are honest with ourselves-- our whole selves.
I don't know how long this will last (especially since I have been sick since Sunday), but I think that being open about my frustrations will air out some of my issues and allow me to move on and enjoy blogging again.
I will continue to post when I feel up for it and, by the way, I appreciate those of you who are continuing to check my blog.

A White Christmas Indeed

Just a few images for us all to devour this holiday season.









images via The Cherry Blossomgirl and Johanna's Blog

Sadness

This is how I feel, right now.
So, my camera is being very funky right now and it has me quite depressed. For whatever reason, the computer has stopped recognizing my memory card. I can take pictures and view pictures on the camera, but the drive doesn't pop up in My Computer so I can't upload them. I'm really struggling with it, as I love blogging and I'm missing it desperately. I am heading into a camera store tomorrow and I will update you all as soon as possible. Just know that I have not abandoned you and I will be back as soon as I am able.

I have Joined Bloglovin'

Follow my blog with bloglovin

Writer's Blog (not block, my friends)

So, I mentioned previously that I was working on a project and here it is:
Writer's Blog is my new blog.
It has zero to do with fashion, so fashionistas beware.
My love of writing has been ignited by my recent experience at the demonstration classroom I am in.
This blog is my attempt to play with my writing and to exorcise some of my troubles. Right now, it is mostly nonfiction and there is a lot of fleshing out various parts of my life. My hope is that this writing exercise will lead to more refined art, such as poetry and fiction pieces.
If you enjoy reading, then, by all means, travel over to my new blog and explore. There's not much there and there won't be the frequent updates that this blog has, but it's another facet of my life.

No Rhyme or Reason (or any logic whatsoever)

So, my plan to play with all my crazy outfits during fall break is rapidly crumbling. I moved my sister into her new house on Monday and Tuesday, and today we are getting about a billion feet of snow (or thereabouts-- it's an estimate).
So, this post is just random.
There are pictures of my dog bounding through the snow (he is obsessed with it).


My latest purchase, mostly inspired by the weather.

And finally, I was surprised by this lovely award from Jane over at Little Violet Dress.

It's always so delightful to get these awards.
Now, here are the rules:

1. thank the person who nominated you (duh).
2. copy the award & put it in your blog.
3. link to the person who nominated you.
4. list 7 interesting things about yourself. (you don't have to include photos, but feel free to if you want!)
5. nominate 7 bloggers for the award.
6. link to each of the nominees.

Thank you, Jane for the awesome shout-out!
And now for seven interesting things about me.
1. I have a really low voice for a female. (I include this because no one who reads this blog has heard my voice, and it's kind of shocking, really.)
2. I am a Zumba instructor.
3. September by Earth, Wind and Fire and Tiny Dancer by Elton John are my two favorite songs in the world.
4. I'm a self-proclaimed "Parakeethead" (My parents are huge Jimmy Buffet fans and I was practically breastfed his music)
5. I was a radical cheerleader in college, which basically means that I protested in a short skirt, armed with sassy political cheers.
6. I have feed several buffalo out of my hand.
7. I'm afraid of mice, being dead, rubberbands, and ferris wheels.

Ok, so I would like to pass this award along to the following people.
1. The Fashion Therapist
2. Fashion, Love, and Martinis
3.Bright Side Dweller
4. Stylesmith
5. Johanna Ost
6. Alice Point
7. Fashion Jazz

Heard It's Modern to Be Stupid, You Don't Need a Thought to Look Good

So, I am in a demonstration classroom for the next month, which means that I am out of my classroom and learning how to teach Readers-Writers Workshop better in the context of another classroom. I was so hesitant about it because I would be leaving my classroom and being a first year teacher is nutty enough without leaving for a month. However, the Demonstration classroom teacher is amazing. She is actively healing my and four other teachers' souls.
She talks about how many principals send there "Broken" teachers to her classroom and how most teachers aren't actually broken; they're just bruised-- usually as a consequence of lumbering oaf administrators who abuse teachers with their caustic criticisms. She calls all of us who have been through the residency "her teachers" and she has completely rejuvenated me.
I guess I share this simply because I'm slowly remembering that I actually am a good teacher. The relief at this revelation and the frustration that I will always battle administration in defense of my teaching are almost overwhelming.
Cari is right. All teachers are bruised.




Shoes, Hat, and bracelet: Forever 21
Dress: Simply Vera Wang for Kohl's
Tights: We Love Colours
Cardigan: Kohl's
Necklace: Madame Bijoux

What I Feel Today

I want to stifle the romantic in me so that I never feel this way again. Do you ever think that you are too smart to be so damn stupid?
image via le love

Is it the Dog Days of Summer?

Please pardon the absence. I had all these fun outfits lined up for the weekend, and then this happened (see below).

I got a puppy. I've been contemplating one for quite sometime, but this was still a bit of a surprise to walk into a store and find the perfect fellow. Needless to say, I've been spending my entire weekend doing very un-Carly things like potty training and working on chewing habits.

Oh! His name is Loki and he is named after the Nordic trickster god. My sister's dog is named Soren, after the Nordic god of war and I always liked Loki (I helped her with her dog's name). Then, Loki was just perfect for my new puppy, which is sweet.

Panic Room

Today has been a less than perfect day. I report for my new teaching job a week from today and I suffering some pretty severe anxiety over it. I couldn't sleep last night, and when I finally fell asleep, my dreams were convoluted and eery. Sometimes, I catch myself not breathing because I'm too busy freaking out about the unknown. Teaching is scarier than any other job out there, as far as I'm concerned. What other entry level job gives you nearly boundless freedoms and responsibilities on the first day? I'm obsessing about everything from how to arrange my classroom to every possible scenario for my first day.
Anyway, I didn't feel up for getting dressed today, so I went shopping instead. Shoes are notorious for making me feel better than any other purchase in the world. Hence, my trip to Nordstrom Rack and these lovelies. I love the putrid green color. So spectacular!
I am also stuffing my nose in a young adult literature series. The book I am reading is called Knocked Out by My Nunga-Nungas. Sometimes I get so consumed with reading all the classics that I forget how fun and sweet young adult literature can be. This one is particularly great because, while the author feigns commiserating with her angst-filled teen heroine, she also is blatantly making fun of her.

Also, a quick reminder about the contest with chic downtown.

Pride

No outfit photo today as my sister and I were corraled into attending Denver's Pridefest by a friend of hers. We only stayed for an hour and then we went for pizza at the awesomest hole-in-the-wall establishment in Denver. Finally, we ended up sampling tea (my favorite beverage besides wine and beer) at a swanky tea shop. All in all a good day despite the impromptu quality of it.

Pinnacle

I accepted a job offer today to teach seventh grade language arts. I think my summer just officially hit its peak. Nothing could feel better than the culmination of the last four years of my life.

Le Love de Le Week

Since I'm evidentally all about love this week (like in every single post), I decided I must be love crazy. So, here's a yummy sampling from Le Love. I always miss this blog when I'm MIA.

Something to Celebrate

Today I officially got my first class as a Zumba instructor. Though this is not fashion related at all, I am so excited and I had to shout it out to the rooftops.

I Just Don't Have It

The spotty posting on the blog may or may not have gone unnoticed. The fact is, I'm planning on taking a two week break from blogging to recoup and energize again. Last week was extremely difficult and I'm still recovering. In addition, the fickle winter/summer juxtaposition and my constant push-pull with being fashion forward while still being middle school appropriate is starting to wear on me. Although this disenchantment with the staleness of March's winter is typical, I feel like this year is painfully acute. Then again, I probably say that every year. Anyway, I might be around with some inspiration posts or shopping finds, but the outfit posts will be miniscule at best.
I long for the days when I feel inspired again, but until then, I will gaze at photos of the timeless Jane Mansfield.



P.S. I'm also not shopping right now to save money for my trip to San Fransisco, which happens in 18 days! Shopping opportunities abound. How divine!

Whoops!

So, I've been a bit out of touch with the blogging world the past couple of days, mostly because I've been wrapped up in my little teacher microcosm. That is why I missed that Fashion Therapist had nominated me for this lovely award, which I am all to happy to pass on. One of the most miraculous things about blogging is the connectivity you experience with fellow bloggers. That would also be one of the stranger things about blogging because you "meet" people from all around the globe. The strangeness and the connectivity are what makes it so fun!

The Rules:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which you think are fabulous.
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.
Every Little Counts
dear diary manuel navarro
Le Love
The Minx
Blame It On The Day Job
Flying a Kite
Daisy Chain Dreams
Sequin Magazine
Q's Daydream
Fashion, Love, Martinis

10 Things I Simply Love

1. Riding my bike around town and looking through windows into other people's houses.

2. Haribo Gummi Bears

3. Doing my laundry in my underwear and a pair of heels.

4. Smooth Jazz
5. Spicy food of any kind (Thai, Indian, Mexican.. Bring it on!)

6. Libraries

7. Etsy
8. Riding the city train

9. Coca-Cola

(I want her shoes and she's not even a real person!)
10. Churches

All images courtesy of Google images