Cold Teacher & Mom Coffee Solved: The Ember Mug

Every year around the holidays, I get a TON of Starbucks gift cards from students. They add up; if I stick with my usual grande iced coffee in a Venti cup, unsweetened with almond milk, I usually could go to Starbucks for about a week or two.

This school year, it meant I could go everyday, including weekends, for about two MONTHS. I save the cards and usually get myself a nice travel mug, but this year, I wanted to try something different: the Ember Mug.

A Simply Ripe Alternative to Banana Bread

One of my favorite TV shows to watch (and rewatch, and play in the background) is the Great British Baking Show. It is so pleasant and peaceful and inspiring, and totally makes me want to bake all the things.

Julian likes to watch it too - he loves it when the hosts say "Bake!" and he imitates them. He definitely knows that the KitchenAid in our kitchen does the "mix-a mix-a" a la Daniel Tiger.

Whenever I can, I try and bake with Julian - even better if it is something that is easy and straightforward to do. He loves to push his learning tower that he got for Christmas from Mel's parents over to the counter and say "My turn!"

Chasing the Elusive Balance

Today with Sarah over at Cozy Little Joys, we are talking about how we try and attain a work life balance, especially since we are both teachers!

Sarah is an elementary teacher, and I am a middle school teacher with a specific content area, so we definitely have different takes on it. Check out her blog post for her three strategies on how to set boundaries between work and home here.

Being a mom - be it stay at home, work from home, work part time, work full time - is no joke. There are so many different perspectives and strategies out there, it can get overwhelming.

When someone asked me how I tried to maintain that work and life balance, it made me step back and think, "How do I keep from going insane? How do I keep on top of it?" 

This is pretty much me on afternoons after school when I do have to get things for work done - I am on the couch working, and Julian will be playing here or in his room - I can still be nearby and get things done. 

Tote: Crab & Cleek (I had mine customized to say DEN on the other side! Perfect teacher bag) • Fleece: Dudley Stephens via Tuckernuck • Leggings: Nordstrom • Slippers: LL Bean. 

A Valentine to My Wardrobe Essentials

A few weeks ago, I came across a post on closet essentials, and it just irked me the wrong way a bit. It listed a v neck tshirt and a motorcycle jacket as one of the must haves a wardrobe should have, and I thought to myself, "Not me." 

Yes, it is meant be a guide, but at the same time, I worry that those kinds of posts promote this particular idea that these essentials that the post listed out are the be all to end all, and continues to promote this fast fashion culture. 

So I figured I would ignore that post, and figure out what my own essentials are. Will they be an inspiration to others? Maybe not. But it's more about the thought process and thinking about why something becomes an essential, not just because of the type of item, but more about the quality, construction and the fit.

Talbots is quickly becoming a staple brand in my closet, and I love how it is slowly creeping into my wardrobe. They are really rocking it these pst few seasons, making good quality clothes that work for a wide demographic. The quality is great too, which makes the pieces worth the investment, and becoming such an essential part of my wardrobe. 

A Stripey Valentine's Day

It's Valentine's Week, everyone! I am saying week because while I did not have enough time to do things like decorate my house, I was thinking about other ways to subtly celebrate and have fun, while doing my best to stick with No Shop February.

Valentine's Week is extra special for me because it is also the week of my dating anniversary with Mel - it will be twenty years on February 12!

Once January was over, I sat down to evaluate why it sucked. Like I said before, it can be sad coming down from the haze and sparkle and excitement of the holidays, and there is nothing on that level to look forward to in January. But February? Valentine's day.

This year, I am actually making Valentine's for Julian's class at playschool, Galentine's for a party I am attending on Saturday, date lunch with Mel on Valentine's Day, and then after mentally going through my closet, realized that I have Valentine's related outfits for the whole week!

Reflections on No Shop January

No Shop January is over and while I didn't quite go cold turkey, it definitely forced me to pause and think back on what I purchase, why I purchase it and what influences me to purchase things.

Wore this sweater to work, weekend and out with my sister to Death & Co. Long term style win, 

even though the purchase happened in January. Earrings are vintage (my mom's from the '80s!)

I am committing to a No Buy February along with some others to help continue developing the habit of not running to a store every time something goes on sale, and definitely trying to take stock of what I have already and coming up with new combinations.

A Sweater for Julian

When I initially titled this post, Julian's sweater was still a work in progress - since then it is finished! 

Specifications are at the bottom of this post if anyone is so inclined to know about the yarn, pattern and modifications, and that is how I am going to structure my knitting posts in the future. 

Hello February

Everyone is right about January feeling like a year; one comes down from that post-holidays high (or haze), and right into the gray of the month.

I actually call the months between January and March the "dark months" - I come back to work all energized, only to succumb to the gray and the slog. It affects me work wise (the grading just piles up) and home wise (I just end up on the couch not doing much).

Image via Rifle Paper Co.

Maybe it is SAD, but I know myself now, and try to prevent that from happening because when it comes to work, I have to admit, I would be doing the bare minimum and enter survival mode.

The same thing happened home wise as well: I started strong with using the Peloton app for my workouts (and LOVE it), make a list of things to blog about, get all excited about the new year and then...things happened.

These past two weeks in particular were pretty rough - I won't go into much detail, other than there were a few things that happened that were affecting me personally, and contributed to being in more of a funk. Thankfully, things are on the up for the most part.

That Colorado Life: Patagonia Jackets

By the end of my first winter in Colorado, I was sprinting across the parking lot at my school in the early mornings without a jacket when it was going to be in the 60s, but my first winter was a fluke. Subsequent winters have proved to be more "typical." It's why I traded in my Subaru Impreza for a Nissan Rogue - with all the snow especially in my neck of the woods, I needed more clearance.

I also needed a good jacket - one that can keep me warm, look stylish, and work with the crazy Colorado temperature swings. And work for outdoor activities as well.

J.Crew January 2020 Sale Picks

J.Crew is having a big weekend sale, and some of the things I've had my eye on along with classic staples like the tissue turtlenecks and investment pieces like the Regent and sweater blazers are on sale!

These are the things I have my eye on for the future, since I am still committing to No Shop January (and window shopping is always fun, as well as styling new outfits):

(one) • (two) • (three) • (four) • (five) • (six)

One: Hooded Sweatshirt - this color just makes me so happy, I love the combination. One of my color weaknesses is definitely an orangey-red coral and this pop against the stripes is fun and classic at the same time (and while it is also in navy, I am drawn to the marine stripe). 

Two: Bell Sleeve top - I love me a good bell sleeve with a textured top and this hits all the checkboxes for me (though I would have to try it on and see how the length works). 

Three: Striped Boyfriend Sweater - I have figured out that for me, anything that is labeled as "Boyfriend" is falls into the "loose but tailored" category for me and isn't so form fitting, which is what I like. 

Four: Leopard print leggings! This would be so fun with a Dudley Stephens Park Slope or Cobble Hill Fleece. I also really like the camo too. It's a fresh change from black leggings - I'm curious to see how they are fit wise. I am glad they are high-rise! 

Five and Six: These slim-wide legs look awesome because they are a welcome departure and change from skinny jeans all the time. I am trying to diversify my pants selection, and definitely plan to try these on. They would go great with Tippi sweaters. 

With these out, it makes me definitely look forward to J.Crew in the Spring!