Fashion Friday: Jury Duty

Happy Friday!  Another fun week at camp except this week I couldn't go on Wednesday because I had jury duty... It did give me an opportunity to dress up and pretend to be a fancy business employee working downtown ;-) I've got to be honest with you, what I wear to camp is not blog worthy.  I brought my larger black bag to bring my computer with me to start writing some marching band drill and also to catch up on Netflicks.  My new "How I met your Mother" addiction is running it's course.  

Shoes - Target

Skirt - Target

Top - Loft

Cardigan - J.Crew

Bag - Target

Necklace - Nordstrom Rack

I love a good pencil skirt.  This skirt has a weird fit though and it too big in my waist and looks strange when I tuck shirts into it.  I'd love to have a white button up tucked into the waist if only the skirt fit me there.  Fortunately my professional attire, and general look of business plus my name being called last gave me an advantage and I wasn't called to be a juror on a case.  After a day playing "dress up in the city" I decided I much prefer the unexpected kid filled days that being a music teacher allows.  Sure I'd like to imagine being a business women who takes the metro to work everyday and has a desk job working for any non-profit but after a glimpse into a day full of adults I'll take my kids any day.  Just after writing this post a kindergarten group came in for their class and I had a few run up to me and tell me how much they missed me when I wasn't there on Wednesday.  It's moments like that which make me so happy to be a teacher.

Thanks for reading,

Fashion Friday: Farmer's Market Find

Happy Friday!  I realized when I was talking to my roommate last night as I took a photo for the blog that this is more a "Fashion" Blog with some music education articles.  That is definitely not my original intention and I'm hoping to write some articles about the songs and games I'm doing with summer camp but I just haven't yet for some reason.  I have a couple started but finishing them up hasn't been very high on the to do list.  My goal is to have a couple for you next week!

Here's an outfit that could work for a warm day at school.  The shirt I found at a Eastern Market and thought it was a fun, not my usual solid color, but still neutral design.  Plus it has pretty silver beading at the top.

Silver Sandals - Nine West

Black Capris - Marshall's

Top - Eastern Market

I tend to have a difficult time finding outfits for really warm days at school.  Especially next year when I'll be teaching pre-school to third grade music and will probably be sitting "criss cross apple sauce" on the floor most days.  This outfit would fit the bill for those days!  

Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for reading,

Fashion Friday: Red White and Something Blue

Happy Fourth of July!  Here’s an outfit inspired by the National Holiday!

Shoes: Sperry

Shorts: J. Crew

Shirt: Lucky Brand

Necklace: Unknown

Ribbon: Off a gift box

Hope you’re all celebrating with friends, fireworks and grilled food!  I’m excited to have some new friends over to watch the DC fireworks on my roof.  I’m sure it will be a great show!  

Thanks for reading,

Fashion Friday: Black and Olive Shorts!

Happy Friday!  I found these shorts recently on a trip to Marshall’s, where I’m finding most of my more recent clothes have come from.  I bought them to wear for summer camp since I’m getting a bit too old for my usual athletic shorts and the camp T-shirt ensemble (or maybe I’m not).  Once I got home I realized that I had no idea how to style them so I went onto pinterest for some inspiration.  Here’s the look and it’s inspiration!

 

Sandals: Bought in a shop in London

Shorts: Express Brand from Marshall’s

Top: Nordstrom Rack

Necklace: David’s Bridal

Watch: Fossil

Inspiration photo

The necklace was bought when I went to try on wedding dresses and realized I didn’t bring something fancy to wear with the dresses I tried on.  I ended up liking it so much I bought it.  I really like the look!  The shorts are a bit more brown than olive but it still pairs well with the black.  Also, those shoes in my inspiration picture are beautiful but I tend to shy away from heels, because I’m practical, and 5’11”.  I wish I had a tolerance for heels but sadly that will have to be for my next lifetime.  

Thanks for reading!

Fashion Friday: Preparing for Rain... no, Snow

To say that the weather has been crazy is a bit of an understatement.  Last weekend was beautiful, sunny and perfect for an outdoor barbecue, throwing a football around and celebrating birthdays.  Then monday I decided to wear shorts and a t-shirt and wash my car.  Then came Tuesday and rain / sleet / snow and our flag football game.  Our game started right when it started to snow and ended when it stopped.  One of those “are you kidding me?” moments in life.  Can’t complain too much, I did score a touchdown and we won the game!  

This outfit is the perfect combatant for rain or snow, you know, whichever decides to show up in April.

 Rain Boots: Kamik from DSW

Socks: Purchased in Switzerland somewhere

Black Skinny Jeans: Urban Outfitters

Lace Cami: Abercrombie

T-shirt sweater: American Eagle

Scarf: Knit by me 

Trench: Coach

Umbrella: Target

I’m looking forward to this weekend!  We’ve been on spring break all week and I’ve been pretty busy with crafts.  I finished a cowl I knit (different from the one pictured above) and sewed a skirt with a 1941 sewing machine my mom gave me.  It will definitely be featured on the blog once I wear it.  Tonight I’m going to a drive in movie at Union Market in DC and then the boyfriend and I will be celebrating another birthday on Saturday.  Today’s goal is to find a new knitting project!

Happy Easter!

Fashion Friday: Saturday Brunch

Happy Friday readers and happy spring break for anyone else who has spring break all next week!!  Very excited to do basically nothing though I’ll probably learn some new ukulele songs!  I wore this outfit out to brunch with a good friend the other weekend when it was just starting to feel warm again! It was 80 today!  I’m so excited for the warm weather.  The Cherry Blossoms here in DC are beautiful. I’m going to have to find a lounge chair so I can relax on my roof all next week.  

 Boots: DSW

Dress: Francesca’s 

Jacket: Uniqlo

Necklace: Online, I don’t remember

This dress is definitely pushing it for my usual style.  I’m not really a print person but for some reason last fall I found it and decided it would be a fun addition to the wardrobe.  Sometimes it’s nice to throw on something unexpected.

Have a great weekend!

Fashion Friday: Faux-Infinity and Beyond

Happy Friday!  It was Thursday morning when I woke up angry at whoever was calling so early on a “Saturday” when I realized that this was a long week.  Not only is Solo and Ensemble Festival tomorrow but we also have a “Cluster Concert” (concert with the elementary schools, middle schools and high school students) next Wednesday, Spring Break in 1 week, Spring Concerts in May, Six Flags trip, 3rd grade recruiting events in June, and finally 6th grade promotion.  The time is flying by and I’m starting to wonder how much longer I’ll actually have my kids this year!  I guess it’s time to go into operation end of year!  

I’m sure I’m not the only one who, with the long awaited arrival of spring, feels like the concert season has caught up with us and so quick!  I also realize that the past few weeks this has seemed more like a fashion blog and not so much about education however I do have some fun posts planned for next week.  I’ve recently purchased a ukulele and I’ve been pretty sidetracked with that.  

So here’s today’s Fashion Friday!  I wore this to church on a recent warm day.  I’m beyond excited to start ditching the tights and wearing skirts again!

Boots: DSW

Dress: Piperlime

Belt: Target

Jacket: Gap

Scarf: Target? American Eagle? 

By now you’re probably wondering why I called this “Faux-Inifinity and Beyond”.  Well, the scarf is actually not an infinity scarf!  I tied it in a knot and put the knot in the back.  Ta Da!  Infinity scarf.  I’d probably iron it next time so that it doesn’t look as bunched up.  

Have a great weekend!

Fashion Friday: Olive You

Happy Friday!  Today is an at home grading and planning day for me, which is one of the best things that my school district has to offer.  I'm glad to say that I'm already done with my grades!  4th Quarter here I come!  Lots of things to look forward to this quarter with spring concerts, cluster concerts, Six Flags Trip, Solo and Ensemble Festival, Instrument Circus!  I'm very excited and energized to go into it!  Here's a fun "Is it spring yet?" outfit?

 Boots: DSW

Skirt: Target

Sparkly Belt: Target

Olive Top: Target

Tan Cardigan: J. Crew

Necklace: Forever 21

Watch: Fossil

Hope you all have a great weekend!  I don't have too much planned for this weekend, which is a welcome change.  Anyone else excited to start wrapping up the school year?

Fashion Friday: Southern Sparkle

Finally it’s Friday.  I don’t know about you but this week seemed to be so long even with a snow day on Monday.  I’m really starting to get excited about some of the music I’m playing with my students!  Progress, finally!  This week I moved three of my beginners to my advanced band at one of my schools and the difference it’s making has been really wonderful!  I’m happy to see how the change for students who were just miles ahead of their peers has motivated them to play more challenging music.  It’s also putting some pressure on my older students who haven’t been practicing or playing well to step up their game.  

My goal is to have three different level groups at all of my schools but right now I have 3 levels at one school and 2 at the other.  Just for reference I teach 4th - 6th grade.  Though next year some of my schools will lose their 6th grade so I’m not really sure how that will effect me yet.  

Well, onto fashion friday!  Here’s an outfit I wore to see Green River Ordinance.  They are a great band and have a country / rock sound.  I obviously love to break out the cowboy boots for concerts :-) 

 Boots: Country Store in PA

Jeans: American Eagle

Sequin Shirt: J.Crew

Cardigan: Target

Necklace: Nordstrom Rack

Watch: Fossil

Hair Tie: CVS ;-) 

Have a great weekend!  I’m hoping to start an orchestra (both my advanced band and orchestras will perform together) arrangement of “Happy” if I can find the motivation.  In other news I am learning to play the ukulele to use with my summer camp program!  It’s going pretty well so far.  Over the summer I do general music type activities with children ages 3 - 13 in Alexandria, VA.  It’s a blast.  I’ll definitely be posting about some of what I have planned for that.

Fashion Friday: In like a lion and out like a lamb

Happy Friday!  Here’s a quick fashion friday post for you all before I start the weekend!  This week was pretty uneventful due to state testing.  Very glad to have that behind us now.  I had an observation today by my vice principal, which I think went really well.  She was even trying to help my bass player out.  Good thing that kid has it together and didn’t need much help.  I’m also really glad that all of my students had their instrument and my one student who has a cast on her arm (and plays violin) was able to figure out the metallophone I gave her to use instead.  

I’m looking forward to next week when (hopefully) my students won’t be so confused about the testing schedule.  Anyone else in a similar boat?  

Boots - DSW

Black Jeans - Urban Outfitters

Plaid Shirt - Old Navy

Green Vest - Old Navy

Jean Jacket - Gap

Scarf - Flee Markey

Bag - Michael Kohrs (via Marshalls)

Have a great weekend everyone!  

Fashion Friday: Black, Blue and Red all over

Happy Friday dear readers!  I have a quick post for you today as I’m getting ready to go teach a couple piano lessons before going to see Green River Ordinance tonight!  If you haven’t heard their music it’s great!  Then we’re going to karaoke to test out our own vocals :-)  I should start thinking of some good tunes to do.  

So here’s my outfit (though not what I’m wearing tonight, I’ll post that another time).  I wore this to church a few weeks ago.  It’s not something I would wear to work, the skirt is a little too short, but it was a different style I don’t usually try out.  Definitely my first time rockin’ the socks on top of the boots look.  Thoughts?  

Shoes: Indigo by Clarks

Tights: Urban Outfitters FLEECE LINED

Dress: Forever 21

Necklace: Target

Cardigan: Abercrombie 

Belt: Target

Hope you have a great weekend!

Fashion Friday: Fushia Fiesta!

Happy Friday!!  Decided to class things up a bit this week with a pencil skirt and a pop of royal colors! Perhaps inspired by Kate Middleton being pregnant again, perhaps not.  I bought this shirt a while ago from piperlime and LOVE the color but it’s really big and so the only way I’ve found to wear it is by tucking it into a skirt with a high waist.  Still not sure I like it all that much since it’s still a bit bulky but I added a bulky scarf just to keep things interesting.  

Boots - Macy’s - Bandolino

Tights - Fleece lined from Urban Outfitters

Skirt - Target

Blouse - Piperlime

Necklace - Nordstrom Rack

Watch - Fossil

Scarf - Flee market 

Stay warm on this chilly day!  I’m throwing together a post about practice logs for next week so be sure to check back in!  I’d love to get thoughts on what people do about those dreaded charts of doom.

Fashion Friday: Cowboy Boots and Capitol Hill

Happy Friday Everyone!  This week has been super busy!  One exciting music adventure I’ve started is playing in the Category Five Wind Ensemble!  We have a program coming up on March 8th at Northeast High School, Pasadena, MD if anyone would be interested in attending.  We have a pretty exciting program:

Vientos y Tangos - Michael Gandolfi (Argentina/ Uruguay)

Vesuvius - Frank Ticheli (Italy)

Arabesque - Samuel Hazo (Middle East)

Suite Francais - Darius Milhaud (France)

Rocky Point Holiday - Ron Nelson (Rhode Island)

Africa: Ceremony, Song, and Ritual - Robert W. Smith (Africa)

Very excited for it.  As for today, it’s been a pretty great day so far.  I went to the Maryland Music Educators Association Conference today and heard a very talented high school orchestra as well as some inspiring clinicians.  It was also nice to see some colleagues in the music field.

As for the blog, I’ve been putting together a rather large project which I’m hoping to share soon.  Here’s my outfit for today (though honestly it’s not what I wore to the conference today).  I wore this to a Bronze Radio Return concert downtown!

Boots - Trading Post shop in my hometown

Jeans - American Eagle

Button Up - Lucky Brand

Cardigan - Juicy Couture (from Marshall’s)

Fashion Friday: Packing for a weekend in Florida!

Happy Snow Day(s) East Coast!  Although I’m not particularly happy about it we have had about 15” or more of the fluffy then icy stuff and I am flying to Florida today.  Praying that my flight will leave on time and we’ll be in the sun by 3:30.  Fingers Crossed!!

This post will be about how I packed for 70 - 80 degree weather (compared to the 30 degrees here).  I’ll be down there (God willing) Friday - Monday to visit family with my boyfriend.  The challenge is that between my boyfriend and I we had to have only one carry on (because I didn’t want to pay for 2) and we each get one personal item.  So we’ll be splitting a carry on for a 4 day trip.  Here’s what I have planned to wear.

 The first day I’ll be wearing my outfit and it will have to go from 30 degree weather to 70 degree!  Layers...

 Shoes - Toms

Jeans - American Eagle

Plaid Shirt - Old Navy 

Sweater - Old Navy

Vest - Old Navy 

Scarf - Flee Market

I think that this will be a good outfit to start in.  I also plan on wearing the leather jacket below once we get to the airport but then a large down jacket for the car ride there.  I plan to leave the jacket in the car.  I might do the same with my shoes and wear Ugg boots until we get to the airport.  I am a little concerned about not having socks through security as I normally like to plan for however I’m sure it will be easier to slip these on and off without them.  

Jacket - Uniqlo

Here is my outfit for Saturday:

Shoes - Toms

Jeans - American Eagle

Jean Shirt - Marshall’s

Sweater - Uniqlo

White pants in February, why not?  I love the look of these jeans with my favorite chambray shirt!  I have the sweater in case it’s a little chilly in the morning.  In case we go out to dinner at all I am also bringing this dress.

Dress - Target

Belt - Target

Shoes - Nine West

Sunday we will be heading to my Aunt and Uncles.  I thought incase it is really very warm I would bring a pair of shorts however if it’s in the 60s I will wear this same outfit with my jeans from Friday.

Shorts - Lucky Brand

Top - Loft

Cardigan - Juicy Couture from Marshall’s

Shoes - Tom’s

Our last day, Monday we will only be hoping in the car to go back to the airport in the morning.  I plan to wear the same jeans from Friday as well as either the grey or tan sweater once we return to the freezing weather in the DMV.  

Shoes - Tom’s

Jeans - American Eagle

Shirt - Uniqlo

Here’s to hoping our plane gets off the ground and we have a safe trip!  Stay warm up here in the north pole Washington DC and have a happy President’s Day weekend!

Fashion Sunday: Classy Tan

Sorry I’m a couple days late on my Fashion “Friday” post!  I realize this has probably left you feeling a bit off all weekend and so hopefully I can make it up to you by posting a really fun outfit ;-)

Boots - DSW

Jeans - American Eagle

Plaid Shirt - Old Navy

Cardigan - Juicy Couture (On sale at Michael’s) 

Bag - Michael Kohrs (Also Michel’s)

I must say I’m a little in love with this look.  My sister likes to tell me that I wear button ups and sweaters too often so I promise that my next couple outfits will be different!  However, I’m really liking the combination of this bag and the cardigan.  I saw them at Michael’s and it was love.  

I’m hoping that everyone has a great week!  I’ll be posting about “Karate for Band” later on this week and I’m excited to share that process with you!  Then for Fashion Friday I’ll be posting about how I’m planning to pack for my short vacation to Florida next weekend!  Have a terrific week!

Fashion Friday: Blingin’ the Plaid

Happy Friday everyone!  Hoping everyone’s week went well as it was again freezing cold.  It’s definitely been difficult getting my students to be focused and back on track with all of the delays, testing and snow days.  What I wouldn’t do for a day of uninterrupted normal lessons with no tests, assemblies or noisy lunches (include all of my students having their instruments and I’d be in heaven).  I’m planning a post next week on my classroom situation which should be a fun one if I can find some before photos.

On another note, one way I’ve come to terms with the chilly weather is that I can layer as much as I want without getting too hot at work.  Here’s one of my favorite layered looks:

Boots: Target

Jeans: American Eagle

Plaid Button Up: Old Navy

Sweater: Zara

Vest: Old Navy

Necklace: J. Crew

Watch: Fossil 

I have also done this look with a gray sweater and probably like that better however chances are that is dirty.  Hope you enjoy the somewhat warmer weekend here on the East Coast.  Super excited for the Superbowl on Sunday!  Who is everyone rooting for?  As someone who bases my team preference solely on team colors and the city they represent I’m struggling to pick a team because I have watched more Seattle games than Denver and am starting to like the navy lime green color combo.  However, I have actually been to Denver and it’s a beautiful city.  Guess I’ll wait till the game to choose.