First Week's Fashion

Several people have found my blog by searching "Young Teachers Wardrobe" in the past few weeks. So I figured I should do a post about my young teacher's wardrobe...

Here are a couple of pics from my first few weeks of teaching. (Please forgive the very poor quality of these pics. It's hard to take pictures of myself...)

I'm pretty pleased with this outfit :)


The blue top is from Kohl's. I love it; it's so fun! I wore it over a plain brown tank from Kohl's. The blue/brown/white tweed skirt is thrifted (i.e. I got it at Goodwill) The brown wedges are from Payless.

This is another outfit I wore last week.


The gray skirt is from Target. I wore it with a blue, short-sleeved button up over a magenta tank top, also from target. The silver bow headband was a gift from LH and I wore some dark gray peep toe shoes with it.

I wore this outfit yesterday.



I love, love, love this dress. It is very cute, plus I love the pockets! The dress is from Target. I wore some black Mary Jane's from Payless and silver hoop earrings. With this fun patterned dress you don't need many accessories!

:)

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Please check out Busy Bee Lauren's beautiful Valentine's Day post. The pic of Lil Sis and I that I submitted is about halfway down the post. It's a pic from the Backstreet Boys concert this summer :) Good times.

L-O-V-E

Busy Bee Lauren is doing a post today featuring many of her followers and people they love. It inspired me to do a post about the many different people that I love.

I love my sisters so much!!!!! They are the best friends a girl could ask for!!!



I love my parents more than words can say. They are absolutely the best parents in the world; I am soooooooo blessed to have them in my life.




I love my girlfriends so very much! They are such great friends and have brought so much joy and laughs and support to my life!



I love my beautiful niece Lil E!!! I'm so grateful for her!




I love my Tigers!! Maggs and Inge are my top two Tiger loves :)




I love my big ol' extended family, including my wonderful cousins!



I love all of these wonderful books and the book boyfriends they contain :)

I hope that you can spend the day with those that you love!!!!!!

Feminism 101

The lovely and thoughtful Busy Bee Lauren wrote an interesting blog recently about being what she called old-fashioned and wanting to take care of her husband and make him dinner, etc. Here's a link to the post. I thought that her post was written very intelligently and thoughtfully. She says that she chooses to cook her husband dinner and it isn't expected of her, it's what she wants to do.

However several people in the comments said that they agreed with her and they certainly weren't feminists, they liked to care for their husbands/family. That's the problem I had. Just because someone is a feminist doesn't mean they can't choose (or don't want to choose) to cook dinner every night.

A feminist is someone who supports equal rights and opportunities for men and women. Just because someone is a feminist does not mean they are a lesbian. Being a feminist doesn't mean that you burn bras and don't shave. Being a feminist doesn't mean you support abortions (I consider myself a feminist and a pro-lifer) Being a feminist doesn't mean you can't cook dinner, clean your house, stay at home and enjoy doing all of these things. It means that you believe that a woman (just like a man) should have choices as to how she lives her life (and I'm not talking being pro-choice here...) that a man has and should have equal rights (pay, voting, property ownership, etc.) and that men and women should be treated equally/fairly. This doesn't mean that they have to be treated exactly the same, just that they have the same chanced and opportunities.

One poster said that the feminist movement has made women believe they don't need men, as if that's a bad thing. She continued to say that she'd never felt happier and more secure than when she was with her husband. That's great for her and I'm glad that she has found happiness. But the feminist movement has given women the rights they deserve and need to NEED a man for financial and social reasons.

I don't think that I need a man in my life right now, I am happy being single. Would I love to have a boyfriend/husband? Sure, but I know that I am not less of a person or a woman if I don't have a husband. I can feel fulfilled through my work, my family, my friends, my faith, without being in a relationship. While some people may not feel satisfied until they are in a relationship (which is totally fine for them), being with a man is no longer a legitimate necessity as it was in the past when women didn't work, go to college, couldn't own land, etc.

I love that Lauren says she chooses to care for her husband and make him dinner every night. She wrote that it wasn't expected of her, she does it because she likes to take care for her husband. In return, he chooses to wash the dishes, fill her car with gas, etc because he wants to. I think that is wonderful! Because it is her choice. Lots of women still can't make that choice. It is expected that they will make dinner every night, clean the house, take care of the kids. I'm not saying it is bad if women do these things, just that husbands and society should't expect them to do these things.

Even though Momma hates it, she still cooks every night because if she didn't we wouldn't eat, would eat out, or would have hot dogs every night (because that's all my dad would cook). Momma's out of town for the week. Before she left she made us two nights worth of dinners and we ate out the other night. And I know Daddy loves and respects Momma, but the expectation is that she'll cook and clean every weekend. Momma doesn't do this because she chooses to take care of her husband, she does it because someone has to.

I definitely appreciate those who want to do these things and respect the choices that they've made, but they should be thankful and grateful that they had the choice and help make sure that everyone is able to make those choices.

Top Ten Outfits

My Top Ten Outfits (inspired by Busy Bee Lauren)

10)
An outfit I wore to school; flowered top from Forever 21, fab puple shoes from Payless, lavendar hair tie taken from a sweater.

9)
Just a cas outfit; plain brown tee, teal sweater and fun jewelry!

8)
Another school ensem; Steve and Barry's dress pants, long sleeved tee, cute white clearance hacket form Kohl's

7)
I wore this outfit to a Christmas party a couple of years ago; dark puple tights under a brown dress from Kohl's that would be just a bit too short without tights, a long sleeved purple tee, my long strand of gold pearls from Prom.

6)
My first time wearing my bright purple tights- I got a compliment from a random guy on campus; bright purple tights from Target, bright blue sweater, gray corduroy skirt.

5)
A cute outfit for college classes; my fav. jeans, black velvet jacket, long gray tank top, cute hat from GAP, berry colored scarf.

4)
I wore this for my fancy Student Scholarship Day presentation; new teal top from Target, brown corduroy skirt, bright purple tights, brown heels from Payless, Busy Bee Lauren headband!!

3)
I love this outfit! I wore to teach in, I was a little nervous at first because of the different patterns, but I love it; gray and white striped GAP skirt I got at Goodwill, gray and white polka dot cardigan from Target, light blue cami from Kohl's, tights, gray heels from Payless

2)
I bought this before I started teaching in January and I love it, especially the pockets; yellow flowered dress from Target, gray tights from Target, black/silver/whtie heels from Payless

1)
I've had this dress for forever (it's from Kohl's) and I still love it! It's classy and cute; polka dot dress, purple tights, Prom pearls, black lace bow headband from Target, homemade button earrings.

I love me some headbands

If you've never checked out Busy Bee Lauren's headbands before, you definitely should! Her headbands are amazingspice!!!! I currently own four and have bought an adorable one for my future niece :)

I recently received two very wonderful headbands in the mail...

I love how Lauren packages the headbands, they're always in such cute tissue paper!

Then you unwrap the tissue paper to find two of my favorite headbands ever- Peeta and Troy named after two of my favorite (and Lauren's favorite) fictional heroes.

Here's Peeta!!! I love me some Peeta and I love the headband Lauren created with him as inspiration.

Here it is on, from the front:
and from the top:

I also ordered the Troy Bolton, inspired by Zac Efron's character in High School Musical- Love him! Again, Lauren captured him perfectly.

Front angle:

Top angle:

I can't wait to see what Lauren creates next!!

The Most Fabulous Headbands in the World

When Busy Bee Lauren published the pics of her new headband line I almost died. They are soooooooooooo beautiful!!!! http://busybeeshoppe.bigcartel.com/ This girl is going to make me go broke with all of her amazingspice headbands.

Her current line is based on fictional characters from books and movies. When you click on each headband it will explain how the headband design was inspired by the character. One of my favorite parts was reading how she interpreted each character into a headband.

The characters are from a wide range of books, movies and TV, including- Edward, Peeta, Jace, Mr. Darcy, Legolas, Harry Potter, etc. My favs are Peeta and Troy Bolton, doesn't hurt that I love the characters too :) Although I also love Legolas and I've never read or see LotR.

Lauren is a fabulous designer with so much talent! Check out her headbands and support this lovely young lady :)

I Heart YA Books!!!

Ummm can I just say that I love young adult novels, they are amazing!! I also often love YA Sci-Fi novels, even though I usually say that I don't like Sci-Fi. I have decided that I like Sci-Fi when the story is mostly about the people and their stories with the Sci-Fi-ness just being in the background. Like Twilight, I would consider them mostly about the story of Bella and Edward, who just happen to be vampires. I have recently found two such fabulous series!!!

The Mortal Instruments Series (City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass, coming soon- City of Fallen Angels and The Clockword Angel) by Cassandra Clare

For me, these border on being too Sci-Fy-y for me, but I still greatly enjoyed them. They focus on Clary a teenager who lives in the "real world" until her life intersects with the world of Shadow-hunters, vampires, werewolves, Fairies, etc. The stories are really well told with lots of twists and turns. Although I must admit I kind of predicted the final big twist and even when I saw it coming I wasn't happy with it, but I still loved the books.

My first struggle with these books was that there was a lot of Sci-Fi info coming at me in the beginning of the first book and I had a hard time keeping track of it, but towards the middle of the book that tapered off and I was able to get my mind around all of it and I really enjoyed them!

My other point of contention was that I was cheering for the wrong boy. (Spoilers ahead!!!)

I love me some Simon and sadly Clary doesn't. Simon's her hilarious best friend who has always loved Clary, but she doesn't know it. Then she meets the rude, sullen Jace and falls for him :( While reading I felt a lot of empathy for those on Team Jacob, but I can't wait for City of Fallen Angels because Simon will be a more main character! Yay!!

The second series- The Hunger Games!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Hunger Games, Catching Fire and coming soon Mockingjay) by Suzanne Collins

OMG fabulous!!! These stories are sooooooo good, so compelling, you don't want to put them down. While I passed of the Mortal Instruments series to my Sci-Fi buddy as soon as I finished them, I told her I couldn't give her the Hunger Games until I reread them :) I cannot wait for August 24 when the third book comes out!!

These novels are about a future North American society- Panem, which is divided into 12 districts and the Capital. Previously, the 13 districts took part in a rebellion against the Capital, which led to District 13's destruction. As a result, each district must now send one teenager of each gender to compete in the Hunger Games each year. The Hunger Games is a fight to the death. It sounds crazy, but they are fabulous.

Of course there are fabulous young men and lots of romance!!! I <3 Peeta with my whole heart, but there are definitely those who are Team Gale, but whatevs... Busy Bee Lauren http://busybeelauren.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-strange-celebrity-crushes.html thinks she has found the best Peeta.... check him out.

Check out both book series' they are awesomespice!!

Umm I love her!

Of course I'm talking about Busy Bee Lauren!! Have you read her blog, cause you should, she's fabulous! Check it out --> http://busybeelauren.blogspot.com/

She's doing another wonderful giveaway. She is giving away a super cute dress from Shabby Apple. The dress is an adorable navy blue number. Check it out on her blog. To enter, just leave a comment on her blog. If you follow her blog you get an extra entry. If you tweet about the giveaway- that's another entry. And if you're as awesome as me and blog about her giveaway, you get another entry!

Good luck! Except I am saving all of the luck for me :) Sorry.

Busy Bee Lauren

I only read a couple of blogs, but my absolute favorite is Busy Bee Lauren. I first found out about Lauren's now defunct Lauren's Bite, her Twilight blog. Lauren is such a fabulous woman. Her style is amazing and I wish I could dress like her everyday!! She has an awesome husband and a fantastic, sarcastic sense of humor. She is awesomespice and you should all read her blog. http://busybeelauren.blogspot.com

She has a shoppe and she sells the most gorgeous headbands. They are handmade and beautiful. She is currently giving away one of her headbands. If you got to her blog and comment you are entered into the contest. If you follow her blog you can enter again. The headbands are amazing. I hope I win one! They're a bit expensive for my budget, but the money is going to a fabulous young couple. Stop by, read her blog, enter the contest.

-Jillibean

Follow me on Twitter- jillibean1530