Currently: September Edition & Some Outfits

Hi everyone!  I am back!!!!!  Thanks to everyone that has supported me and wished me well as I took a little break from blogging to focus on school start up and getting myself into the groove.  I've missed everyone and am happy to be back.  Let's do a quick round of CURRENTLY.

Currently LOVING:   My new job and school!!!!  It's been a wonderful start to the school year and I've enjoyed getting to know all my co-workers, students and the families.  I am at an elementary school of just over 800 students and they have all been wonderful and welcomed me with open arms.  

This is a project I began with the Grade threes for National Truth and Reconciliation Day.  After reading Phyllis' Orange Shirt we began a 'wishing tree' for Phyllis and asked for students to add to it their wishes for all children in schools and commitments to reconciliation.  Our learning, conversations and act of wearing orange shirts was in hounor of all the children that attended residential schools, the children that never came home, and the families that continue to be affected by this horrific historical event.

Currently READING:  Finished The Maid by Nita Prose and really enjoyed it.  It's light, funny and has a lovable, although naïve, main character.  It reminded me a lot of The Rosie Project and maybe a bit like Anxious People.  

Currently EATING: Tons of tomatoes from my friends garden!  We've had them raw, in salads, cooked, and we all absolutely love and can't get enough of this Bruschetta and Baked
Tomato recipe (we used cream cheese instead of the creamed mozzarella).

Currently CELEBRATING:  I did my first half marathon in 6 years.  I crossed the finish line with a smile on my face, with my best friend, and proud of our time, 2:05:21.   My husband also ran a 10km and absolutely crushed it with a time of 49:51 minutes.  In a few days, I am off to visit my sister and I'll be doing another half but by myself this time.  Wish me luck.

Currently OBSSESSED: I am loving this Roasted Expresso candle from a local maker here in our city, Moledro Candle Co.  Currently enjoyed the smell as I work on this blog post.  There is just something so cozy about sweet smells as the days grow shorter and the air cooler.  

Currently WEARING:   September brought us days of sunshine, warmth and the turning of leaves. Since the weather was so lovely, I wore all my favorite summer work clothes one more time!   Sadly Oct. 1st brought the gloominess and rain, so I'll be trading my light layers for cozy sweaters, leggings, long dresses and pants.  

Your turn, tell me what's been happening in your world?  Let's catch up!

P.S.  It's Canadian Thanksgiving weekend and I want to wish all my Canadian friends a wonderful time sharing and celebrating with their loved ones.

Ageless Style: Summer to Fall Denim

Welcome to the Ageless Style Link-Up!  Today's prompt, summer denim is brought to you by Jodie of Jodie's Touch of Style.  The denim skirt is continuing to be a popular trend into fall and winter 2023.  I am so excited to add this denim maxi from Garage to my closet for the summer season but I am already thinking about how I can transition into fall.  The length is perfect for a casual work place environment, as well as my casual lifestyle outside of work, making it the perfect addition to my wardrobe.  My favorite part is the slid of course, it's fun and flirty, while staying professional.  This skirt is a heavier denim but doesn't feel heavy on and I am loving the shape.  Although I keep reading that low-rise is coming back, I sure hope not, I am happy to report this sits nicely on my waist, thank you very much.    For reference I am wearing a size small.  

Summer Vibes:

For summer I kept it simple with a white knitted tank top, slides (these are not Birkenstocks, rather knock off from Sketcher), and gold jewelry because I am obsessed with gold at the moment.

Fall Vibes:

Transition into fall means layering up to stay warm, so I played with different textures by adding this vegan leather schaket into the mix.  Although schakets are on their way out, I do like this one for a little variation in my closet and so I'll be holding on to it for the time being.  I also absolutely adore the color.  I adding my favorite pair of boots and I love how they peek-a-boo out of the slit.

Before I send you off to check out all the other ladies styles and to link up, I just wanted to let everyone know that I am starting a new job next week and it's going to be amazing but busy school opening for me.  I will be learning a LOT and am also continuing to train for a couple of half-marathons coming up at the end of September.  I will be taking a break from blogging until for sure mid-September and possibly end of September.  I WILL BE BACK, but I just need to focus on my professional learning and growth for the moment.  I will be still popping on and off IG but my presence will be reduced over the next three weeks.  Love you all.  

Shop This Post:

Denim Skirt

Vegan Leather Shacket (on sale)

Knitted White Tank Top (old, similar at Dynamite)

Leslie ~ Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After

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Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle
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Bo ~ Bo's Bodacious Blog

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Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
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Joanna ~ My Slice of Life

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Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom

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Rosemary ~ Distinctly Southern Style

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Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style

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Bright and Bold All Summer Long

 

Summer is NOT over yet, especially not when this dress needs a bit more play time.  This dress was made for summer, don't you agree?  Remember last year when I was in Rome without any luggage?  Well this cute dress was a great find from the Mango store at the Rome train terminal.  It's lightweight, flowy, fun rose pattern and the sleeves are just adorable.  It's a great length too, not to short, so I wear it to work a lot.   Unfortunately  I can't find this exact dress anymore but I did find a very similar one from Mango here.  My favorite accessory pieces have been this cute white purse which goes with everything, and gold accented jewelry like my hoops and watch.  

Tell me, are you over summer or are you still holding on like me?

Shop This Post:

Dress (similar from Mango)

White Purse (similar from Adrene)

Hillberg and Berk Gold Hoops

Guess Watch

Remember to come back on Thursday for the Ageless Style link up and to see our takes on summer, and maybe fall,  denim.

Pure Pink Perfection

I just love pink and this outfit is just another example of pure pink perfection.  I am still fully entrenched in summer mode, at least for a couple of more weeks, and this is the prefect outfit if you are attending a dinner, a summer wedding, or a garden party.  I wore this outfit in DisneyWorld the night we went back to watch the fireworks show at Magic Kingdom and needless to say I felt very much like a 40 year old princess.  My skirt is an oldy but worthy of closet space.  Some pieces I just can't justify donating or getting rid off even though I don't wear them all the time because they always make a statement and are so easy to dress up or down when needed; that's this pleated pink skirt!  However the white bodysuit is new and fits like a glove, I am wearing a medium for reference.  Add a cute little purse and some gold jewelry and you are all ready to head out without really needing a whole lot.  I had my jean jacket in tow just in case it got cool, but a little white blazer or a lovely scarf would do the trick just as well.  

What's a piece of clothing in you closet that you've had for years but it's too good to get rid of?

Shop This Post:

Pink Pleated Skirt (similar Simons)

White Body Suit Dynamite

White Purse (similar Aredens)

Five Barbie Looks

Hello, hello!  Who went to the see the Barbie movie over the past few weeks?  I am going to be honest, I was skeptical to say the least.  I just couldn't see how this could be done in a good and intelligent way.  From the previews I just saw a lot of cheese and I had a difficult time believing it could not only be funny let alone thought provoking.  Well, I am happy to say that I was 1000% wrong.  It was soooooooo good.  It was sassy, smart, empowering, and shone a light on not only the issues of gender inequality but also left me pondering a lot of other issues.  I loved playing with Barbie's as a little girl, , and as someone who has struggled with body issues and an eating disorder, I can honestly say that I never felt that Barbie was a root cause or even really a major influence on me in that department.  (STOP!!!!  This is just my experience and mine alone; it does not reflect anyone else's experience with Barbie or the influence it had on them. I value other experiences and am only sharing my feelings here.)  That being said I know the "real" world had me desiring and striving for  a body that was unattainable and unhealthy for me.  Those influences and ideologies came from a number or places, also potentially from Barbie and how she was perfect, but we as humans made her be idolized, the doll is just a piece of plastic.  Maybe?  I don't know.  What I do know is that this movie left me feeling good in my own skin.  It made me feel confident in the message it sent to my teenage daughters and the conversations that followed our viewing were thoughtful and critical.   What were your thoughts?

Now, lets check out some PINK and Barbie inspired outfits that are my favorites.

Comfort Barbie

I wore my new Smash and Tess Barbie inspired jumpsuit to the movie!  This is going to be on repeat for me this summer and into the fall.  I love all S & T jumpsuits that I've purchased, see here and here. I love that this one is plain black with just subtle touches of pink, like stipe down the sides and the small Barbie symbol.  Also, it has a hood and pockets!

Beach Barbie

Disney Barbie

Office Barbie

Posh Barbie

Barbie Nails

Happy Monday friends!

Ageless Style: One and Done

Today's Ageless Style prompt, One and Done, is brought to you by Joanna from Slices of Life.  Agless Style link-up is every third Thursday of the month, so remember to join us for inspiration and to link up your own posts, in Aug. we will be styling summer denim!  

 As full-time working mom of two, with a side hustle, and someone who loves to pack my life with as much goodness, people and adventure as possible, I like dressing quickly and simply.  One and done outfits are my favorites and why I have so many dresses, jumpsuits and rompers in my closet for every season.  Today, I am sharing this beautifully simple and neutral dress that I picked up at Winners, I'll link a few similar options below.  This summer I am especially drawn to neutrals and simple ensembles.  I finally get to slow down as an educator, and I spend most of my time at our cabin by a lake.  Although I can't say it's quite or relaxing, it is equally busy and loud due to the revolving door of company we host, but it's the kind that  of busy that fills your heart and makes memories with people you treasure the most.  That being said, throwing on a simple dress for the beach or the odd dinner out, is the way to go.  Add a few cute  accessories such a the classic straw bag, my got to layered necklaces, these light weight rattan statement earrings, maybe a coat of mascara and lip-gloss, and you are ready in 5 minutes!  

 Shop This Post:

Dress (Winners; similar styles at Shein; Amazon & RW&Co)

Straw Bag (old; similar)

Rattan Earrings (old; similar - steal of a deal on Amazon!)

Now go check out the rest of the ladies of ageless style and what they came up with! 

Leslie ~ Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After

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Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle
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Bo ~ Bo's Bodacious Blog

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Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
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Joanna ~ My Slice of Life

Blog

Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom

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Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style

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This is 41: Random Thoughts

 

This is 41. A week after I turning 41, these are some of things that I am thinking and accepting about myself right now.

*Dressed down or dressed up, both suite me perfectly
*Other than my children, I am most proud of the relationships that I have invested in over time, my marriage, my family and my closest friends (many I have had for 10-25 years)
*I love my career but its not the only thing that defines me, nor is being a mother
*I don't feel like I have to do/experience everything right now, I know that I have years left to do all things I want to (🤞for good health)
*I am more patient with others and myself
*I am more confident in my skills, my mind and what my body is capable of
*I accept that I seem to know less things with 100% certainty, rather I am more open to rethinking or hearing; other sides of the debate
*I am okay going without makeup, although I still prefer to wear some coverage most days, also I love to get dressed up 😉
*I love with my dog
*I value experiences over things
*I love to laugh big, dance wild, run free
*Coffee is my preferred bevvie, I don't care for water but I drink it because I am supposed to
*I have discovered I am creative in my own ways, check out A&H Snapshots 

I kept my celebrations low key this year, surrounding myself with family a few days beforehand.  My sweet 92 year old grandma made my birthday cake once again, my parents, aunt and uncle came for over for cake and bevvies.  On my actual birthday, we were at the lake. Logan joined me for a before work run, and then I enjoyed coffee and a book on the beach by myself.  In the evening, the three of us, Halie was in the city, went out for wing night at the local golf course and I was surprised with a glass of red wine purchased by my sweet neighbors at the lake.  It was a perfectly low key affair and exactly what my heart and mind needed.  

What are some random thoughts you are having lately?