I Moustache You a Question....

Skirt: H&M / Tee: Red Bubble / Cardi: Maurices / Shoes: Gabes / Sunnies: Urban / Earrings: DC Street Market / Necklace: Grandmother's

Have you ever...

...worn a shirt with both French and a moustache on it?
...while making cupcakes, also with moustaches on them?
...and totally disgracing your old art teacher by trying to mix in yellow with red to make purple { hello, gray icing...}?
...and then handing out said moustachio-ed cupcakes to seniors on their last day of class?
...and afterwards dancing to no music, like a fool, behind them whilst they participate in a fake interview, in a total, shameless copy-cat attempt to recreate this?

I have.

And it was fun.

I must say, I do quite the mean Macarena. It drew a few whoops and whistles at Senior night :)

A lot of blue...

Top: Thrifted (BR) / Pants: Consigned at Periwinkle (Gap) / Coat: Sound & Matter via DownEast / Shoes: Gabes / Bracelets, Belt: J Crew final sale

I love the surprise on someone's face when, after they compliment my outfit, I tell them it's all second-hand or purchased from a shop like Gabes or DownEast, which sells damaged, irregular, or overstocked items from other brands for super cheap. I get some kind of narcissistic, yeah-thats-right-I'm-the-bargain-shopping-queen kind of high.

Then I check out my less than desirable photo results { twilight shots are sooo difficult, but I had to work late that day...} and my pride is yet again humbled. Kind of like when I stride confidently up to a door, push insistently for several moments, then turn to the Husband and say, "this door is jammed," as he pulls it right open.

Somehow that seems to happen quite a lot.

Speaking of a lot, I recently introduced my students to the Alot. I just love him. And they've practically been begging for an intro. He's my most favorite hyperbolic creature ever. I'm pretty sure some of my students didn't get him. It's okay. Alots are known for being better at grammar than many high school students. They're better at everything.

For the record, I titled this post "A lot of blue" because I'm wearing two shades of blue...if you count my coat. Cold snap courtesy of the Cascades. Anyhow, two shades isn't really a lot, I know, but I'm going to humor myself that it is. My point, however lost it may now be, is that I'm wearing a lot of blue. I don't have a blue Alot. That would be weird.

Three's Company

 Dress: Thrifted vintage / Tights: ModCloth / Shoes: Sears / Belt: Ruche / Blazer: Urban / Earrings: Gabes /Necklaces: Grandmother's crystals, silent auction-won pearls, and Betsey Johnson Valentine's gift

The X chromosome dominates in the S household, and with this dress on, I can't help but feel like I'm living in the Three's Company world. Without the sunny beaches and California flowers, of course.

I was hoping to break out my newly thrifted pastel dress amidst springy flowers and blue skies, but I settled for a gray Easter. It's been overcast for days now, and though it's April, we still haven't a single sign of Spring. No buds, no flowers, no warm love from the sky. But I complained about that for virtually the entire last Spring, so this year I'll spare you the diatribe against Mother N and move on with my life this year.

Clears throat.

So, did you notice those pearls around my neck?

They're real.

That's right. My very first set of real pearls.

Which I purchased for myself. Keeping it ever so classy over here.

It was difficult to resist. My school's robotics team is going to worlds! I got to see them at regionals in Portland, and it was the coolest nerd-fest ever. More exciting than a basketball game, I tell you. Who knew that robots shooting baskets, playing defense, and balancing on see-saws to blaring hip-hop could be so much fun?

Anyhow, there was a fundraiser and silent auction to help them attend the world competition in St. Louis, so I put down the minimum bid on this set of pearls and won.

To the Husband, this all sounds like "yada, yada, yada..." So if Jack...I mean the Husband...wants to know where my share of the rent money is this month, I'd better come up with some wonky scheme, fast. And since Slurpee's about as bright as Chrissy with those sorts of ideas { also like Chrissy, she survives on being cute }, I'm all own my own.

P.S. On a completely unrelated note...in addition to the pearls, did you notice my nails, too?

Now you have no excuse-- here they are, pearls and nails.

I'm making certain you did, because it took work to do them. I did them with my darling niece over over spring break. I think it was the first time I've painted them since before I met the Husband--about 6 yeas ago. I did have them done once in that time, for my reunion back in August.  I dislike caring for nails so much that I got gloves to wear for my wedding. But when I saw the new trend in nails, I couldn't resist.

Now I remember why I quit painting them in the first place. It takes a massive amount of work and lasts about one whole grand day before chips begin to appear. Is it always this bad?

Check out all the other pastel ideas below for Everybody, Everywear's pastel day!

Also linked up to a new party for thrifty thrifters! Click below :)

 

Grading Schmading

Dress: Old Navy clearance / Shrug: Limited via Gabes / Shoes: Thrifted / Belt: Ruche / Necklace: Downeast / Earrings: Gabes

Holy manoly crocadoly, do I despise the end of the grading term. I was up till past midnight every night this week grading late work and late revisions. It's ridiculous, the excuse these kids come up with. I had students in my room till past 6pm on the last day.  6pm people! Then I stayed till 9pm. Then I came home to grade till 2am. Then I vented by beginning this blog post. When I should've been headed straight to Sleepytown. And I can't help but notice that when I write for my blog, I use all sorts of un-conventions { har, har } that I mark up all over their papers. Yet another reason to pray none of them never find this blog...  And then I prepare my excuse in the name of style. Once you've mastered conventions, and can demonstrate thus in academic work, you are free to take liberties as you please!

But seriously, when did I become the late-work accepting teacher I never wanted to be? I've turned into some sort of scrunch-eyebrowed, snappy-mouthed, red-pen wielding grade-bot, all because I can't really fail half of my students, now can I?

Can I ?!?!

Okay, I'm done, promise.  

In more exciting news, we had a fabulous spring break at the coast last week with my husband's family. Complete with a Goonies tour in Astoria. I've just not had time yet to blog anything. I still haven't blogged all the pictures from the coast trip before that...or the Portland trip from a few weeks ago...Yes, I think I must cede conventionality and completely forgo any sense of chronology on this poor blog. I still have my Europe trip and summer 30x30 to finish from last year...

Also, this outfit seems boring now.  I think it's because it's spring { supposedly...}, and I'm dying to be out of long-sleeves and tights.

Here's to a grading-free, sleeping-in kind of weekend, sans cauchemars* of dodging angry parents and a ginormous red pen...

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*sans cauchemars = without nightmares

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Victorian Tea

Dress: Vintage French / Shoes, Hat, Gloves: Thrifted / Necklaces: Grandmother's, J. Crew final sale / Earrings: Vintage

After a month of studying Victorian and modern etiquette, including the etiquette of wooing, writing illustrated love or advice on love letters, reading two novels, holding an etiquette debate, and preparing etiquette presentations, I got to play Queen for the day and host a British Etiquette Tea for my seniors. It was wicked fun, even if I was up till 3 a.m. making 200 scones the night before. After preparing and dressing for the event, I completely understand why Queens have so many servants...

Our community coordinator found / made costumes for my students. She even found some Steam-punk attire, and she reserved this gorgeous vintage French gown for me. She dressed me up like a doll, made the hat to go with the dress, and even did my hair the morning of the event.

During the tea, she snapped several photos of the gorgeous get-up she created for me from various angles:

 Then she insisted upon posing me for photos afterwards. I didn't complain... 

See that? My very own Prince Albert even cleared his schedule to attend the grand event. Unfortunately, the presentations went a tad bit long, and he had to leave before the end, so this is the only photo I've got with my Prince.

Our math teacher made lemon curd and gingerbread, brought loads of dishes and linens, and, while helping set up, decided we needed fresh flowers for the tables and was off to get them.  Our health/gym teacher also brought loads of fancy dishes, linens, and gold silverware, she made dessert, and she helped set up. The principal, who created this event when she was the English teacher, made tiny sandwiches and also brought in sparkling glassware, delicate china, and darling teapots. Our parent coordinator made tiny sandwiches, got all the food out onto the tables, and did loads, and loads, and loads of dishes.

I know I complain a lot about my job. Being the only English teacher at a 180-student charter school, teaching all grades 9-12, hasn't been easy. But being at a small charter school has been fabulous. I can't imagine a better, more dedicated, and helpful staff. So many of them sacrificed their own precious time for my little tea party. Merci mille fois à toutes!

P.S. I'm hesitant to post photos of others on a public blog, especially students, so go here to see more photos from the event!

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*Merci mille fois à toutes! = Thanks a million to all!

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Today I Was Pi-ed.

 Dress: Asos clearance / Sweater: Gabes / Shoes: 6pm / Belts: H&M / Necklace: Bluefly clearance / Watch: Fossil

Happy Pi Day.

I had my students write Piakus and Pi Limericks.

Then I was chosen to have a pie thrown in my face. A real pie, not a pi, unfortunately.

I thought for sure I was in the clear. The students bought raffle tickets and put their name and the name of the teacher they wanted to pie on it. Three were to be drawn. All day students were telling me that I had the most tickets, so I knew my chances weren't looking good.

#1 wasn't me. I gleefully high-fived the teacher who had the 2nd most number of tickets.

Then she got drawn for #2. I may have snickered a bit.

The kids noticed. When teacher #1 got drawn again to be teacher #3, suddenly everyone was chanting to make me teacher #3 instead.

I put on my very best sad face.

 Me? Surely you don't mean me!

When that didn't work, I threatened, "essays for everyone!"

Are you sure about this? You really wanna mess with me? *wags finger*

They weren't buying it. Before I knew it, I had a trash bag over my head, and a pie in my face. Then a bunch of students shouting, "look here!" with their phones. And then the lady from the paper came over to get the correct spelling of my name. Apparently, my pie-face turned out the best photo.

This is what my hair and face looks like after wiping off a bunch of whipped cream and letting it get all sticky for a good few hours.

Clearly, this is what happens when you dedicate an entire day to math. Now, whose idea was that, and when will we have a day to celebrate spoonerisms? A spoons tournament would be fun, no? Though I don't know that spooning ought to be encouraged...no, not for drama-thriving, PDA-loving teenagers. Perhaps puns, instead. Yes, puns with buns. We could make sticky buns. Or hot cross buns! Who wants to start it?

{ Pardon the geeking out, SVP* ...and excuse the lack of pie-face photos. I'm sure I'll be getting some soon. }

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*SVP = s'il vous plaît = please

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Courtesy of the Husband: Cassi with a pie in her face
{ Gotta love the fluorescent lighting. Also, I'm pretty sure every kid in the school has my picture on their phone now...Lovely.}

What to Wear to an Oscar Party...I Don't Really Know

 Skirt: ModCloth / Top: Ross / Shoes: DownEast (J Crew) / Belt, Headband: J Crew final sale / Necklace: Bluefly / Bracelets: Gift, J Crew final sale

ModCloth is one of my favorite online shops, but they can be pricey. So when I found this skirt in their sale section for $13, my socks were knocked waaaaaay off. Seriously, sock knocked offageness. It's a big deal. I was so excited that I got not one, but two maxi skirts and a sweater. They've got a mad-crazy sale going on right now.

When asked what I'd wear to this year's Oscars if I were going, I replied with sparkly mint. Minutes later, Bérénice appeared on the red carpet, and home-girl backed me up. { I can always count on the Frenchies... though I was picturing more of a minty version of this. } As I have no mint in my closet yet-- a travesty for spring, I know-- what you see above is what I planned to wear to my friend's Oscar-watching party on Sunday. {At least my color scheme got some red-carpet love...see here and here and here and here, too.}

It felt a bit fancy, so for church, I added a blazer, ditched the necklace, and changed to black shoes.

 Skirt: ModCloth / Top, Shoes: Ross / Blazer: Thrifted Ann Taylor / Belt, Headband: J Crew final sale

Then, after church and dinner, I changed back to the original outfit.

Then, when it was time to go, I realized I would be the most over-dressed. I knew this all along, actually. I tried to deny it.

So, I chickened out.

And I modified it to this more casual outfit:

 Skirt: ModCloth / Cardigan: Banana Republic sale / Shoes: Thrifted Sofft

Everyone else was in pajamas.

I know.

At least I had a fun, swirly skirt to wear, which I hesitantly purchased for $13 but am quite please with, considering its versatility. And it was every bit as comfy as pjs. And my French favorite swept the show, so I was trés contente*.

P.S. I'm playing Queen Victoria and hosting a Victorian Tea this Friday for my seniors, their parents, and the board. Complete with presentations on etiquette, Victorian costumes for my ladies, steam-punk attire and top hats for the gents, Victorian treats { scones, jam, lemon curd, gingerbread, tiny sandwiches, tea-punch, lemonade, etc.} and vintage tea sets. Can I tell you how many times I've been to Goodwill this week? No. I cannot. Because I'm too tired to count that high right now. But our community coordinator even found a vintage French lace dress and hat for yours truly. AND she offered to do my hair.  In case you haven't noticed, the fashion police would be all over my lackluster locks if I really had walked the red carpet. I have no patience for my hair. So it might just all be worth it.

If I survive, I'll have some fun photos to share!

P.P.S. Happy Leap Day! One of my best students happily told everyone he was 4 today, and we got our first real blizzard of the winter.

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 *trés contente = very content

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Pre-Gaming for Cupid

Dress:  B. Moss / Blouse: Old Navy / Shoes: Ross / Earrings: Gabes (1928) / Silk Scarf: Consigned at Periwinkle / Tights, Bracelets: J Crew final sale / Watch: Fossil / Flowers: Bunco prize!

Valentine's is one of those holidays for which I like to sufficiently pre-game. The entire week leading up to the big day, I wear nothing but red and pink and make all of my food into the shape of hearts. I even make heart shaped Hound-treats. I dress our bed with pink sheets and a red quilt and leave candy hearts on the pillow. I "heart attack" all of my friends { including the ones out East-- impressive, huh? } and I make the Husband watch every Valentine's movie known to man with me. We listen to nothing but love songs in the car and at home.

Just kidding.I don't really do any of those things. I realize I did write an ode to herbal tea in my last post, but I promise I'm not really crazy :)

HOWEVER, I did get sucked into wearing red and pink a few times this year. I planned to go all rebellious with my new tangerine tango blazer over red, but that didn't quite work out as I planned. In classic Cassi style, I sabotaged myself right outta that one.

It all began during our staff meeting last week, when we found out that the meeting we have scheduled for after school tomorrow, the day before V-day, would be recorded. My principal eyed me warily and said I should spill what I intended to wear so I wouldn't show everyone up { I have this thing with dressing fancy, in case you haven't noticed...} I feigned astonishment and cheekily replied that I wear red and pink every day leading up to Valentines, of course. Before I knew it, it was agreed that we'd all wear red and pink.

Then we had our church's Valentine's party this weekend, so I decided to try out the outfit you see above, which I plan to wear to school tomorrow. I mostly wanted to test drive that head-scarf, to see if I can pull off what Kristine makes look so brilliantly effortless.

What do you think? Sorry about the random flowers. They were so pretty and matched so perfectly I couldn't resist...

Then Everybody, Everywear voted on the red and pink combo for their February edition, which happens to fall on Valentine's { I was pushing for faux fur...I just consigned a new coat for $4! } so I'll be decked out in yet another red and pink outfit on Tuesday. 

Looks like my tangerine blazer will just have to attend avec impatience*!

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*attend avec impatience = wait patiently

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Editor's Note: Evidence that red and pink is still going strong!

An Ode to Tea, à la Victorienne

Skirt: Consigned / Blazer: Thrifted / Shoes: Miz Mooz / Tights: TJ Maxx over We Love Colors / Belt: J Crew final sale / Necklace: Gabes (1928) / Bracelets: Gabes, J Crew final sale / Hat: Consigned Vintage at Periwinkle

Chère Tisane,

I think I love you. After a long, hard day, you provide comfort and warmth. You're almost as good as the Husband and the Hound in that department.

My crush began the first time I lived in France. Right around twilight, I sometimes enjoyed a tilleul at a café. And my host mom often had a nice infusion beautifully prepared in a glass teapot after dinner. In the states, where you're hard to come by in tilleul form, I turned to chamomile. Twinnings's Pure Chamomile = pure heaven. Occasionally I enjoy a one of your berry teas from Tazo or Stash. This past summer, I brought home a whole tin of your delightful flavors from Provence.

I was recently introduced your Celestial Seasoning's holiday line: Sugar Cookie {ever drink in a freshly baked confection?}, Gingerbread Spice, and Sugar Plum. I also met Stash's Christmas Eve {cinnamon, orange, and spearmint...aah.} I was starstruck, I admit it.

And just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I found Aveda's Comforting Tea, a delectable blend of licorice root and peppermint that somehow has this amazingly sweet, ever-so-addictive after-taste, even without sugar, that leaves me yearning for more. Addictive, I tell you, but oh so good.

So I thank you. Merci for coming in many delightful flavors. Thank you for coming in a one that doesn't require sugar. Thank you for being there when I'm down. Here's your ode {all good English teachers provide odes, do they not?}:

You are marv'lous and splendid.

You are fabulously great.

My tears and frustration,

you promptly abate.

While delicat'ly sipping you,

I don't feel as o'erwhelmed and sad.

While quaffing your goodness,

I foresee good times to be had.

Don't judge. I may be an English teacher now, but I did that in like .02 seconds, k? And that was in iambic pentameter. 

Kinda. 

Ok, not so much, actually...maybe if you read it with a British accent. But hey, at least I didn't "count the ways"...

P.S. Also, no, you haven't Rip Van Winkled through two seasons. It's not Halloween again already. I'm dressed like this because I was introducing a Victorian etiquette project to my seniors. We're planning a Victorian Tea. For real. Good excuse to throw on a vintage hat and newly thrifted blazer and call it a modern take on Victorian couture? I think so. And Victoria was known for her affinity to black, the poor thing.

Ta ta for now, lovelies. 

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 *tisane = herbal tea / tilleul = tea from a linden tree

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Vivez la langue!

Paris 2009. Orange hair and red skin c/o living on the beach in Les Sables d'Olonne.

I came 'cross this video today at Dear Edna and couldn't resist sharing. This week my lovely Canadian principal, who shares my French passion, gave me a sparkly new lanyard { it sparkles-- literally } and told me they'd try to let me teach French next year to entice me to stay. { It's currently not in our budget. } Also, this semester she arranged the schedule so that I now teach 8 classes, rather than 7, but none of them are larger than 37 students! It's much better. Here's to fabulous supervisors and hoping for more time to blog and less stress this semester { and French in the future! }

Hourra!

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Vivez la langue = Live the language. Study abroad, people! / Hourra = Hooray!

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I Wish...

Dress: Ruche / Sweater, Bracelet: F21 / Shoes: Endless.com (C. Label) / Belt: Consigned at Periwinkle / Watch: Gift (Fossil) / Tights: We Love Colors / Earrings, Purse: Gabes (Monet)

I wish I could wake up early and feel energized enough to go running. I wish I could come home right after work, flop on the bed with the Husband and Hound, enjoy a quick nap with the breeze floating in, wake up refreshed and ready to make a healthy meal, dine out on the deck, then spend the evening reading, relaxing with the Husband, and crafting { ha, like I know how to craft...but I do have hobbies, you know...or I used to, at least } until time for a candlelit bath and then bed.

But I can't. Because it's cold outside and running, warm breezes, and dining outside don't work too well in the cold. And because since I'm utterly exhausted from school and always stay late, we're more likely to have something frozen or quick to eat anyway. And instead of having fun or relaxing in the evenings, I spend them grading papers and planning lessons. Because I'm a first year teacher for the 3rd time. And I teach 5 different classes, 180 different students, and all levels.

Also, I'm not some pampered elf like Liv Tyler's pre-Aragorn { the Husband made me add that part } character from Lord of the Rings. Why didn't anyone tell me I couldn't be her when I grew up, living in the land of waterfalls and bliss?

P.S. In case any magical genies are out there reading this, I also wish that Hounds didn't shed. Just sayin'.

P.P.S.  Sorry for the gripe-fest. Sometimes I get overwhelmed. But then I wake up to scenes like this, with golden light illuminating the fog-shrouded mountain across the lake, and remember how lucky I really am. 

Don't mind our Hound cover on the sofa, with the pile of pillows underneath so she can prop up and enjoy the view.  

Sometimes I just need to step back and enjoy the view myself. Profite du jour*!

Linked up to G-Rated's Sunday Best again and The Pleated Poppy's What I Wore!

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*Profite du jour = Seize the day 

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Thanks to Ruche for featuring this outfit on Ruche's Style File!

Pièce de Résistance

Scottish Skirt  & Silk Blouse: Consigned at Periwinkle / Shoes: Gabes / Socks: Ross / Belt & Pearls: J Crew Final Sale

  

I've finally found it. My teacher's pièce de résistance*. It only took 2.5 years of teaching, and voilà, there it was. Like magic, a tartan skirt and the perfect silk blouse both appeared simultaneously in my favorite local consignment shop. For a very reasonable price. $10 for a new, hand-made skirt from Scotland? Yes, please!

Finally, gone are the days when I'm asked for my hall pass during prep or upon entering the office.  Gone are the days when students ignore me because they think I'm one of them. With this baby, I'm a real teacher now. And I managed to achieve this all whilst avoiding the proverbial calf-length denim jumper with pompons and bright buttons sewn into my cardigan. 

I'm celebrating with my current it-snack of blueberries with shavings of Dubliner cheese. Grown up me is a party animal.

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*pièce de résistance: masterpiece, highlight

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Color Me Crazy

Coral Capris: Gap ($8!) / Top: B Moss / Shoes: Asos / Belt, Necklace: J Crew final sale / Earrings, Bracelet: Gabes (Monet, Kissaka)

My brain is far too frazzed to create a proper post. {Remember? I'm teaching 4 different courses this year. All of which I've never before taught. Yes, that's 4 preps for 4 new courses. And because class sizes are so lovely and large, I have over 180 students. There are 44 freshmen in just my first period. I must be mental.}

Thus, you get a list:

1. Gap is having an amazing sale right now. Extra 40% off sale items = $8 colored capris.

2.  Refer to the introduction { yes, teaching is always on my brain these days...if my conclusion / final paragraphs summarizes this list, please disregard it...} for one reason I've still yet to finish my Europe and 30x30 posts, which I began in June.

3. A second reason is this:  I found I've already used over half my allotted free space for my blog because my photos are evidently gi-flipping-normous. Half, and I've only been blogging since March. April, really. When I tried to make them smaller with Picnik, they got all weird. Not sure why. I don't know anything about photos, actually.

4. I've ordered Photoshop with my fab-dab-abulous teacher discount! Now I just have to find time to learn to use it...any recommendations for a fab reference guide?

5 Till I do so, I'm a bit afraid to continue posting. Will I have to go back and re-do all the photos in prior posts in smaller sizes? Probably. Do I have time for that? No, certainly not right now. All this is despite the fact that I've got half a 30x30 to finish and an entire summer to blog... I guess for now I'll just learn to cut the photo size, tweak it a bit, and start posting again with that. Once my school schedule slows down, that is. Till then, we'll continue with this glacial snail of a posting pace and it's very possible I'll still be posting summer outfits when it begins to snow.  Thrilling.

6. Since my posts have few and far between, I figured I'd better go all out for this one. So I combined coral, color blocking, and colored pants into one outfit. Three trends with one outfit. Then I threw in an apple tree for good measure. I'm a teacher, yo. And apples are in right now.  Wham. BAM. 

Fin.*

P.S. Do you remember The Odyssey? That wretched, confusing tale we all had to read back in the day? Check out here what brilliant things students are doing with it today. Ah, thank heavens for silver linings :)

P.P.S. I've been consigning at my fav little local shop. And it's super fun. Last week, I got an uber cute little plaid wool blazer from Ralph Lauren, two wool jumpers from Ann Taylor, and a darling Banana Republic dress, all for only $12 after my credit and the current sale were processed. Can't wait to show you!

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*Fin = End { The Frenchies don't add the "The."}

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The Pirate and the Equestrian

Blouse, Belt, Bracelet: J Crew final sale / Cardi: TJ Maxx / Pants: F21 / Shoes: Piperlime (BC Footwear)

I wore this to school last month. Yes, this post is that old. I forgot about it, evidently... My students said I looked like a pirate. One even asked if I'd hook my finger and say "Aaarrr" when I began class. I wanted to retort that I'd worked at Pirates of the Caribbean, thank you very much, so I think I'd know how a pirate would dress. I suppose in the eyes of teenagers, this outfit was a fail. I hope it wasn't an epic fail.

I vowed never to wear it again. But then that evening at Bunco I received several compliments, then nods of disapproval after I told my lady friends that my students quite disagreed with their consensus. It was a confusing day. Then I won Bunco. Which was also confusing as it makes the 5th time since I began playing. Which was only 10 months ago. Those are 50% odds. I'm good at math like that. I thought for sure my luck had run out. Remember this bag? Bunco grand prize. I've gotten all sorts of loot.

Aaaaand the pirate theme has found its way back to haunt me. Nom d'une pipe!*

P.S. Just in case you were wondering, below is the costume a pirate wears. According to Disney, anyhow. I was deployed to the Pirates of the Caribbean shop for a few weeks from my usual post at the Emporium on Main Street, back in the days when I worked for the Mouse in Florida. Best job ever. I can officially say that now that I'm no longer required to tell crabby vacationers to "have a magical day."

P.P.S. This isn't the first outfit my students have categorized / criticized. Earlier this year, while wearing the outfit below, they told me I looked like "one of those people that rides horses."  Perhaps I should work on more original outfits. Perhaps they should work on more vocabulary. I told them I was headed to a polo match with my other equestrian friends { ha! I wish...} and they had no clue what I was talking about.

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*Nom d'une pipe = Good grief! / What the heck? It's a rather dated expression, but I like it :)

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Double Dots

Skirt: F21 ($12) / Top: H&M / Cardi: Gabes (NY & Co, $5!) / Tights: Kohls clearance / Heels: Sears clearance / Headband: Fred Meyer

It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring...

Meanwhile, I'm wearing a double dose of dots. Remember back at the very beginning, when I was scouring my closet for something to wear on Dot Day, desperately wishing for more dots? Well, these days there's no shortage of dots in my life, that's for sure. Yesterday I confiscated three of them. My students have begun using Dots as weapons between classes. They're hard as rocks, from what they tell me. One kid even wanted ice for his Dot-affected hand, claiming he couldn't write. They always want ice. It's the new thing, evidently. Dots and ice. Whatever happened to Junior Mints and Ace bandages? That's what I remember from my bell ringer days. Sneaking Junior Mints in class and wrapping an Ace bandage around any lightly bumped limb.

Times may change, but the intent is still the same: Get a sugar high, seek attention, and elicit sympathy. With hopes of avoiding some work, too, of course. At least Junior Mints couldn't leave bruises and Ace bandages didn't drip water everywhere.

P.S. Don't let la dot fool you in French. It's a faux ami* and means dowry, not polka dot. Best be careful with that one; you could end up with a goat rather than a polka dotted blouse :)

P.P.S Linked up here at my friend Tiff's cute party {dots are cute, are they not?} and here at the Pleated Poppy!

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*faux ami = false friend { It looks like a nice, easy, friendly cognate. But it's trickery, because it isn't at all! }

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