First Day of School Outfits 2017 Style

I am back with a special first day of school addition with my mini-me's!  Halie (Gr. 5) and Anya (Gr.2) are ready for another school year tomorrow, well as ready as they can be.  I on the other hand officially started last week, but have been going into the office for a couple of weeks now.  I love the excitement of a first day of school/work outfits.  You are ready to see all the people you haven't had a chance to meet up with all summer, to exchange summer stories and to start fresh with new goals.   It's still fairly warm here so we choose outfits that can be layered.  Youngest to oldest, lets take a look. 

Disclaimer:  I let them choose their own clothes, gone seem the days when I could dress them myself.

Anya (Gr.2)
Anya is going into grade 2 with a positive attitude and is very hopeful to get Halie's old teacher that we all loved.  She is a spitfire, quick talker, sweet manipulator, ready for action and still loves to cuddle.  She recently purchased this Mal (Decendents) jacket from the Disney Store as her back to school gift from us.   It's an adorable, faux-leather, moto jacket and worth every penny.  Everything else she already had in her closet, skirt (Gap), polka-dot top (Joe Fresh) and these sweet little tie-up flats are a Walmart special. 

Halie (Gr.5)
I have been so thankful this summer for the time I had to spend with Halie.  She is in a time of change and I was so grateful that we had so much time to connect this summer as I know she is entering an age that is generally out of my comfort zone.  She is really into MAKE-UP and clothing.  At first I wasn't sure how I felt about it but I realized this isn't something I wanted to fight her on, so instead I embraced it and taught her to put on make-up so it's neutral rather than LOOK-AT-ME. Her favorite clothing lines are Jessica Simpson and Material Girl. My sister took her shopping at the Bay and she put two outfits together depending on the weather on the first day of school. 

 

Me
I purchased this dress on the internet while on a road trip (I was the passenger).  This beauty was a steal of a deal  for $17.99  from the Bay (sorry sold out).  I had so many complements on it, and several people said I looked Greek, bonus!  I think it's the way the stark white of the dress really pops against my tanned skin color.  And who doesn't just want to gush over these oversized bell sleeves. 

Dress:  Moonrise (sold out); similar top

I am also playing along with the ladies of The Blended Blog to answer some Back-To-School questions.

1.  Did you love school or hate it?
LOVE!  I am social so it was a great place to meet people.  I also had my ups and downs, but overall it was a positive experience for me.

2.  Start school before or after Labor Day?
I start before as a teacher/consultant and the kids start after.

3.  Wake up: eager beaver or slow poke?
EAGER BEAVER!  I love morning and often annoy my family with my morning energy. 

4.  Favorite breakfast?
I eat the same thing everyday.  Peanut butter, jam (sometimes I switch it up with honey), toast. 

5.  Favorite cereal?
Before celiac diagnosis, cream of wheat covered in chocolate chips. 

6.  School uniform or no uniform? 
Thankfully I can dress the way I want to. :)

7.  New outfit for the first day or no?
Totally depends.  We usually have some new things but I didn't grow up with a 'back-to-school' shopping trip and so my kids really don't either.  We might just buy one thing or create an outfit from what we already have.  Totally different every year.

8.  Walk to school or bus> 
Drive to work.  Kids walk.

9.  Backpack, tote, or messenger bag?
Lots of bags.  LOL.  When you are a teacher you always seem to be carrying endless bags.

10.  Eat school lunch or packed lunch?
Packed.  Leftovers preferable.

11. White or chocolate milk?
Neither.  Hate milk.  Unless you consider ice cream a milk group in which case I will take any color and almost any flavor. 

12.  Paper bag or lunch box?
Lunch bag.

13.  Favorite thing to o at recess?
4 Square!!!!

14.  Favorite back to school supply item?
Colored pens and a organizer all the way.

15.  Chalkboard or dry erase board? 
Chart paper.

16.  Regular pencil or mechanical?
Mechanical is so much more fun.

17. Homework as soon as you get home or after dinner?
Right before class. 

18.  Favorite after school snack?
hmmm......

19.  Favorite after school show?
Saved By The Bell

20. Favorite subject in school?
Math.  I loved worksheets and right answers.

21.  Least favorite subject in school?
Gym. I was very uncomfortable with myself in high school.

22.  Name of your best friend in high school?
Amber and Ashely were among them.  There were others but those two are still my closest friends.

23.  High school mascot type?
No idea.

24.  SAT or ACT?
Neither thankfully.

25.  Favorite year in school? 
Gr. 5-7 spent in Kenaston. 

26.  Class ring or no class ring?
NOPE.  I do remember them having the class jackets which were not my thing and honestly my family just didn't have the $ for that.

27.  Attend or not attend high school reunion? 
If we had them I would totally attend.  I'd love to see people and hear their stories.  Many of the people I went to school with are on FB so I can see them off/on.  More than that I would love to meet the people that I went to school in Bosnia with.  I would be fascinated to find out if they are still alive, who they became and just be in their presence.


That's all for today!  Happy 2017-18 school year all!

Throwback Thursday to Fall 2016 (Fashion Friday on Thursday)

Hello all!  I didn't get photos done for this week and so I dug through  my archives to see what outfits were my favorites last fall.  I am currently heading to Edmonton, a five hour drive, to run in a half marathon with a chest and sinus infection, I swear I am cursed.  ARGH.   On a more positive note, I hope to get a few hours of shopping in with the family, god help me, for my first day of school outfit and we are visiting with our sweet friend Karli and Shaun. 

For now I leave you with these three favorites from fall 2016.

#1 Lacy Top and Jeans

I adore this cropped top and I don't know why it doesn't get more attention from me.   It's actually packed in my suitcase so it will be making a reappearance this weekend! 

 

#2  First Day of School

Yipee!  These pants saw no action over the summer because I was at the lake, but I still totally adore them.  They are high-waisted, cropped and totally different from anything else I own, which makes them a winner.  Don't you just love the rich, copper color?

 

 

 

3.  Pleather Pants, Fur & OTKB

This whole outfit was on my wish list last fall and I am so happy to have them all return for another season.  None of these pieces are leaving my closet this fall, in/out of fashion, I love them all still.

 

One more thing, I think I want my dark locks back.  :) 

What are you excited to wear again this fall? 

Have a great weekend everyone! 

xoxo Bo

What It's Like Being Lake People: A New Chapter in our Life

A year ago, Logan and I spend hours, days, and weeks agonizing over the decision to buy/not to buy this cabin that stole our hearts at 'hello'.  It was a huge decision, two mortgages!  Could we do it?  What things would we have to give up?  Were we okay with the changes this would bring, the positive/negative?  We went over our finances with a fine tooth comb, several times.  Had panic dreams.  In the end we finally just took the leap because this was what we dreamt of, talked about since we had gotten married, what we hoped to provide our kids with but never actually felt it was going to be conceivable in our lifetime. 

 

We took the leap and this year we were the LAKE PEOPLE and as I write this, there are tears threating to slip out and there is a heaviness, the gratitude kind, in my chest.  Every morning as I drank my coffee on OUR deck, at OUR lake, I thought to myself, "wow! this is my life."   It would truly take my breath away at times. 

 

Let's take a peak of our highlights!

#1 Boating and Water

We spent a lot of time on the boat this year.  We wakeboarded and wakeboarded, mostly in the early mornings while the water was like glass. 

Anya killed it on the kneeboard and graduated from a beginner board to an adult/trick board.  She finally figured out how to turn and got herself out of the wake!!!!  She also took her first big spill in the lake and took it like a champ.

Halie is much more reserved on the water but did get up on the kneeboard and rocked, in exchange for blue hair.  She is a dynamite fisherwoman and enjoyed catching several fish to feed us this summer!

#2 Family and Friends

The lake is more beautiful when you can share it with the people you love.  We had several people visit and so many more that we hope will come throughout the year. 

 

Both sets of grandparents came to out to spend time with us this summer and the girls were thrilled to show them around.

 

 

My sister and her family spent a few days at the lake soaking up the sun, tubing, fishing, enjoying the campfire.  Our 13 year old nephew stayed on with us for another week and he was a blast.  Halie and Alen have a relationship and love for each other like siblings who don't really fight.  They just click and fostering family relations is extremely important to our family.

 

Speaking of cousins, baby Cooper and aunty Jenna made it out for a day.  Cooper was not a fan of the water not only for himself but for any of our group.  Each time Anya ventured out for a swim, he would cry and cry. Poor little monkey.  What did he love?!?  Ice cream!!!

 

Friends and friends.  Lots of friends around the campfire, on the beach and in our life.  Blog post to come about having my best friend and her family out for 4 days in the near future.

 

#3 Sand Castles and Burials

No matter how old or young you are, sand is magical.

 

 

 

#4 Nature

Fox.  Deer.  Birds chirping.  Wind whistling.  Bugs.  Hiking.  Restores your soul.

#5 Me Time, Our Time  & Family Time

I ran and trained, loosely, for a half-marathon this summer.  I feel good about it for the first time in a long time.  I read.  I paddled.  I sat on my deck and drank coffee.

Logan and I reconnected away from the daily demands of life.  We had coffee.  We sat around the fire.  We talked.  We held hands. We kissed  We laughed.  We fished.  We golfed.  We made friends.

  

 

Halie is growing up and this summer came at a perfect time.  The girls didn't drive me crazy, instead I was able to get to know them individually and together.  I actually coveted our "girl only weeks".  We talked.  We beached.  We read all over the place.  We watched Gilmour Girls.  We made suppers together. 

 

 

Needless to say we had an amazing summer and the memories created will last a lifetime.  I feel stronger as a person and a family unit as we return to our 'real' lives and begin another year of school, work, business as usual. It's different because I know that our little piece of heaven is just a skip and a hop away and we plan to utilize it anytime we just need a little family downtime. 

Fashion Friday: Romper Deals & Steals

It's no secret that I love rompers and jumpsuits as I've featured them multiple times on my blog here, here and here.  I adore an outfit that you can literally grab and go with a few accessories to dress it up or down. 

 

 

The truth is that I've spent 80% of my summer at the lake, and as much as I love to get dressed up and play with clothes, that is not required at the lake.  I mostly live in the same few outfits and this little romper that I purchased last summer is just one that I gravitate towards all the time.  It's perfect for the beach (cover-up), going into town or taking a stroll at the beautiful golf course/marina. 

I am sharing some awesome deals on rompers for both summer days and cooler nights here today.  There is still a three weeks of summer left and with some heels, accessories, and a clutch many of these can be transition to early September, depending on where you live.

1.  Romwe Aztec Print Romper just screams BEACH!  It's lightweight, flowy, has pom poms, and the print is my favorite, it just makes me think of the lake.  It also comes in two different prints and it's 60% off.

 

2.  ASOS Embroidery Romper.  To me this is just very cute and yet sexy without being over the top.  I think it's the perfect summer date night outfit.  I love the combination of this summers hottest trends, ruffles, cold shoulders and embroidery. 

 

3.  Charlotte Russe Floral Romper is the perfect day to evening piece.  To me it says summer days around the town, markets, coffee, brunch and then add some strappy heels and off you go to patio drinks with friends.  Best part is $20!!!!!

 

4.  Chickwish Crochet Romper. This is as classy as a romper can get in my opinion.  It's delicate crochet detail, the long bell sleeves and black color make it easy to wear to a summer wedding reception or possibly even to work, depending on the length. 

 

5. Shopbop Free People Romper.  Oh I love Free People but it's usually so $$$ that I can't justify it, but this little number is only $49!  I think this is the romper to take your from summer to early fall.  The floral print is sticking around for fall and the darker shades definitely make it work, as well as the long sleeves.  Pair up with some cute little booties and you've got a perfect transition piece. 

Hope you enjoyed the suggestions!

Fashion Friday: In Full Blossom (Wedding Wear)

Last weekend we went to Mr.K’s cousins wedding.  It was lovely to see two young, high school, sweethearts, take the vows and move into a new chapter of their life.  I might be partially biased, Mr.K and I took the leap at the age of 21, but I love watching young love grow into lifetime commitment.  I feel like Mr. K and I have literally grown up together, and have had to make changes and adjustments as a couple every step of the way, since we were 17.  (Of course I know it doesn't always work out that way but so far so good). 

The wedding was outdoors on a farm and Anya took the opportunity to pose and explore the beautiful garden there.  We had one extra child, our nephew, who stays with us for a couple of weeks each summer.  Didn’t they all clean up nice? 

 

We have been at the lake more or less the whole summer and so I didn’t buy anything new for the wedding.  Instead I posted on INSTAGRAM and had my friends help me choose an outfit and so this is what I wore. 

 

I love how full this skirt is from Chickwish, but I don’t get to wear it nearly often enough as we don’t go to fancy events much.  I paired it up with a pink RW & Co. top from last year, some H & B rose gold jewellery and nude heels.  Nude heels are a MUST for every girl.  Seriously I wear mine all the time, and they are my go to for most of spring/summer, much more so then my black heels.  The ones I am wearing are 424 Fifth and I love the strappy detail, but my ultimate favorites are the Nine West mid-heel. 

Between the weeding and the dinner we explored the little town and we found this abandoned old, one room school house.  Being a teacher I just couldn’t resist the history and snapping some shots. 

 

Have a great weekend all!