In The Fashionista's Closet: Lessons Learned

Thing I've learned this week....

1. I was talking to a guy friend and found out that guys have lists of what they want in a woman and some of their "requirements" are stupid. It's not like "Must be emotionally mature" (that's on my list) but like "Gotta know how to weld." That's not on the person's list but what WAS on the list was equally as absurd. I'm thinking "THAT'S what you're taking a stand on?" I'm re-evaluating my list to add "Not date stupid guys." (That should have BEEN on the list, might have saved me some trouble.)

2. I have been making my new job my life. I wake up in the morning and I'm thinking, "Didn't I just do this??? What day is it? Didn't I just leave school???" Gotta get some "Me Time" in this weekend.

3. Attraction does not equal respect. Let me repeat that, more for myself than anyone else:

Attraction 

 

Respect

Top: Zara

Skirt: Zara

Shoes: Steve Madden Luxe

4. Kids see what you show them. One of my students asked me today if I ever cry. I told him yes and he said he cannot imagine me crying because I am always smiling. I liked that.

In The Fashionista's Closet: Let No Man Tear Asunder

I didn't consider my outfit to be particularly earthshattering but I did enjoy my hair today. It was supposed to be a twistout but it wasn't quite dry yet so I put on a headband and pulled it up in the back and pulled the front pieces down like a bang.

Top: Thrifted

Earrings: Forever 21

Skirt: Thrifted

Cuff: H&M

Shoes: Michael Kors

Bag: Kooba

What is the craziest thing that you have ever done to meet or date a guy? Take cooking classes? Perm/dye your hair? Learn to play Xbox 360? Take up an activity that would normally never do?

It was such a beautiful day yesterday, I'm so glad that the temps are coming down so now I can go on a leisurely birdwatching tour......

*.....crickets....*

Shut up. It could happen. Yall don't know everything about me....I might want to do that one day....just because...okay?

I know one thing I will never EVER under NO circumstances do and that is give up Jay-Z. Nuh unh, no sir, not for no man....unless it's my husband. Then that changes things, lol.

In The Fashionista's Closet: Sir Mix-A-Lot

I sent Reiko a pic of me in this outfit and she texted me back to stop playing in my closet and put on what I was really going to wear. I told her I was wearing it and had in fact already left the house. I went to a friend's surprise birthday party and my friend was surprised...to see me in something form fitting. I'm trying to change it up a little...

Tank: Forever 21

Necklaces: Chain belts, vintage pendant necklace

Skirt: Forever 21 (It was six bucks!)

Bangles: H&M

Clutch: DSW

Shoes: Steve Madden Luxe 

I attended a pool party on Saturday night and there was a drunk guy who kept trying to get my number.

Every other sentence was peppered with "Know what I'm saying?" but came out sounding like "Naah im sayen?" and no, I really didn't know what he was saying.

We had the following exchange:

Him: Yeah, you look real classy. Like superstar status. I think we on the same level, naah im sayen?

Me: Ummmm kaaaayyy....

Him: I ain't trying to brag or nuthin but this hat cost a hunnad fitty dollars. It's called a buck fitty.

Me: Does it DO something? (There was a big face watch on the hat with rhinestones around it.) Does the watch WORK?

Him: Naw, it's a Chi-town thang, naah im sayen?
*awkward silence*

*And an extra side eye to the people who always want to point out that "they ain't from here."

Me: "Ok, well we're about to go..."

Him: You go to church?

Me: Yes.

Him: I KNEW there was a glow around you, naah im sayen?

*Insert another awkward silence*

WHO KNEW that there was a glow around you when you attended church??? Did yall know that? Maybe it's common knowledge and you get the glow with Communion. I told my friend that I should have told him that I was glowing because I was pregnant....

I added this pic because I was dared to...

In The Fashionista's Closet: The Color of Gratitude

So....school has started. And I am exhausted. I feel as though I've been in a fight. AND I lost. 

(I know that's hard to believe but bear with me.)

But I am so grateful.

This past week I have made sure to take a moment out of my day and say a prayer of gratitude for all that I have gone through to get me here.

 

I have had to learn (and use) patience, endurance, and rely on strength I didn't know I had over this past year and a half. To be still and listen to that voice in my head. And to be grateful....

Even in the midst of things.
 

Dress: Thrifted and gifted by Reiko

Earrings: Forever 21

Shoes: Guess

I want to thank everyone who has been there for me, encouraged me and been a listening ear when I have needed it.

And in other news:

I had to go over some parts of the student handbook with my students and in the electronic devices section it said no pagers were allowed. I read it and had to explain what pagers were to the kids and one of them said they saw one on a movie that they watched, lol. Then someone asked, "Well how did you know people's phone numbers?" I laughed really hard at having to explain that yes there was a time when people actually MEMORIZED phone numbers and people didn't have cell phones. They were stunned...

In The Fashionista's Closet: Classroom Cutup

I debated about doing a post, nothing too inspiring going on with my outfit and location but I figured something was better than nothing.

Trying to get everything ready for school has left me time for little else but decorating my room and lesson plans.

I never thought about how much work goes into decorating to create an inviting learning environment but I'll never look at a classroom the same way again. My co-workers laugh as they see me put up something and stand back an inspect my work. I must admit that I am anal in my execution but I approach this in the same way that I decorate my home.

I have been watching the first two seasons of Mad Men in between cutting out items for my room. I started watching last season and fell in love with the fashions as well as the storylines. Who knew that they were doing so much back in the 60's and that scoundrel Don Draper is SO dashing!

Now I have to go. I've been dreaming of butcher paper, wall border and stenciled letters all night....

Shirt: Zara

Nceklace: Aldo

Jeans: 7 For All Mankind

Bag: Marshalls

Shoes: Michael Kors

In The Fashionista's Closet: Friends With Benefits

I am finally able to enjoy my weekends since I've quit my part time job and it has been such a blessing at the right time. I want to be able to concentrate on getting ready for the school year and this is just what I need, TIME! I have to say that this has been a wonderful weekend filled with lots of laughs, sangria and late nights.

I have been able to hang out with lots of my friends lately and I have a hearty laugh when I think about the types of friends that I have...

The Hype Man - Your "hype man" is the friend that no matter the situation they are gonna hype you up and get your adrenaline pumping. "Girl, YES you look hot in that dress!" even when you've gained a few pounds. But be wary of the hype man, because sometimes they are so busy hyping you up, they aren't telling you the truth. "You SHOULD wear those leggings as pants with a short top, everybody's doing it!" I know one girl whose hype man goaded her into getting into a fight while at a club and when she turned around, the hype man was nowhere to be found. Ummm hmmmm.....

The Cheerleader -The cheerleader is different from the hype man because they really want what's in your best interest. They will show up to cheer you on as you run the marathon and hold you up when you get a cramp and have to stop.They will pick you up from the airport with flowers in hand after a failed attempt to join the circus or pick you up when your car's been towed (that really happened) and never say "I told you so."

The Angel - The angel is the friend who holds you accountable. They will tell you when you are wrong in no uncertain terms and you can't seem to be able to keep "the dirt" from them because you forgot you didn't tell them the whole story of your weekend ratchetness. The Angel will normally tell you to pray for the person who is giving you the biggest headache because they are damaged and you do and you feel better. Angels are definitely good to keep around to keep you in check. 

 The Comedian - The comedian might not be able to bail you out of jail but will make you laugh when you call them collect and then you'll chuckle afterward as they remind you about the episode of The Boondocks when Tom was afraid of going to jail. (I was going to link it but I just can't, you'll have to look it up on your own but I wwwwaaarrrrnnneeeeddd you.) Comedians remind us not to take life too seriously and will usually do anything for a laugh.

Sunglasses: Forever 21

Dress: Gifted by Reiko

Belt: Thrifted

Bangles: Assorted

Sandals: Target

The Loyalist - The Loyalist is your friend since 3rd grade, your road dog you met in college, or your Sister From Another Mister who will swear on a stack of Bibles that you were together when the robbery took place and that is NOT you on the surveillance tape, it's just someone who looks like you who got into a car that looks just like yours with your specific license plate. Loyalists are truly your ride or die friends, who will sneak out of bed to hear your latest escapade instead of waiting til morning for the whole story. Please get a Loyalist if you don't already have one.

Which friend are you?

Babies and Weddings *Not necessarily in that order!*

Just a quick update from the weekend and week so far....

Reiko's wedding was so...her. Non-traditional, ultra-chic, and lots of fun!

 I did not take not one single outfit pic but was told that I looked stunning (his word not mine) so I'm hoping to snag and post a couple of pics with me and Reiko once they're ready. In the meantime, here are a couple of candid shots:

The bride and groom. He in custom Chuck Taylors and her in leopard print of course!

I swooned over this custom made artwork by Shanda Ferguson, isn't it gorgeous? She is SOOOO talented, her work has also been seen on the show "Single Ladies" on VH1.  

Reiko and I getting our dance on, unsure why I was laughing so hard but there were many moments like this.

I drove in from Houston on Monday morning, came in to work and then drove to my mom's that night (a two hour drive) to get ready for my sister's delivery. I am exhausted but it was all worth it!

Meet my niece Aiyana, she made her appearance yesterday and has melted all hearts that have laid eyes on her (kinda lke her aunt.)

I'm hoping to do a quick outfit post tomorrow but I'm not making any promises!

Check out a couple of fabulous ladies blogs that I met at Reiko's wedding, they gave me a shoutout so I wanted to return the favor.  They are both super funny and we're planning a girl's nite on my next trip to H-Town! *Hear that Reiko??*

Ro Gets Fit

Ah...Me So Hongry - I photobombed her pic with Reiko!