A Cultural, Foodie Adventure

What a beautiful weekend!  On Saturday O and I had a cultural/foodie adventure.  Seriously. In the span of a few hours, through sunshine and an intense downpour, we ate, pondered over art, ate some more, and thoroughly enjoyed our day and each other.  For our date afternoon, I reached deep into my closet and put together a funky outfit reminiscent of my most truest, stylish self.  An outfit that got me thinking: I should go thrifting and vintage shopping in Brooklyn ASAP.  It's been too long!

My main piece was this Harriet's Alter Ego dress from at least six years ago, worn here as a skirt.  The tied striped top was inspired by a girl I saw on my way home from the gy.  Tie, my top?  Why not!  I liked the pattern mixing, very fun.  The cardigan was a way to go from cooler to warmer temperatures seamlessly.  The clutch was a polished touched to this funky look.  Initially I had my purple cross over, but that was a bit much.  In the end, my purple lip was just the right touch.

J.Crew cardigan, tank, Harriet's Alter Ego African print dress, sandals from DSW, coach clutch, Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses, Heroine lipstick by M.A.C.

Pattern against pattern against pattern.  Yes!  This mural on a random block in Williamsburg gave me life.  I love when I find beautiful patterns where ever they might be.

 I love the asymmetrical nature of this skirt.  Very fun, and definitely flirty without being too much.

Another mural in Williamsburg.  I appreciate art in many forms in and many places.  Art against art.

 This skirt inspires me to do two things: one, take the African cloth my grandmother gave me in Congo years ago and get some pieces made and two, shorten the long skirts I had made into something more wearable.  I'm envisioning midi skirts, or just below the knee.  As for my cloth, I've been flirting between a structured dress and shorts, or some skirts made.  Will see.

Here I am inside the Domino Sugar Factory after viewing Kara Walker's Subtlety exhibit.

One of the many sugar babies at the exhibit, each made of molasses and dusted with white and brown sugars.

After view the Kara Walker exhibit, I happened across a wedding at the waterfront.  The most beautiful part to me was the openness of the nuptials.  There were people who happened by, who simply stopped to listen to the sermon and bare witness.  Definitely a beautiful, Brooklyn moment. 

Here's the best thing I ate that day.  Fried anchovies, Jersey style AKA with the head on, with a tasty dipping sauce.   I finally made it to Smorgasburg, where I hit up the Bonchovie stand and sampled some other eats.

Here's my best Yelp elite, total foodie photo.  Finally a decent one of me chowing down.  If this day is any indicator of the staycation I'm gearing up for after the school year ends, I can't wait!  Summer in Brooklyn is truly the best.  Even in summer nine, I still know that to be true.

Until next time.

Love,
M

Pink & Orange

I realize if I were ever-so-motivated, I could inventory my closet by color and have multiple hues of pinks, oranges, yellows, greens and other bright colors.  On a recent sunny day, I wore one of my favorite color combinations: orange and pink. 

J.Crew Jackie cardigan, J.Crew Factory dress, Fyre pumps

What I love about this dress is that it has pockets, and this dress has a flattering cut-- wide up top and bottom with a simple gathered waist.

These brown Fyre flats are definitely my nude!  I will be purchasing another pair before next school year.  I'm thinking navy would be perfect.

Pearl studs from Express, White chunky ring from express, J.Crew Factory giraffe necklace, assorted arm candy including giraffe bangle from Bauble Bar.

Until next time,
Miss M

Mustard Orange + Peachy Pink

I usually think of mustard orange as a fall color, but paired with this peachy pink, this outfit was perfect for a warm spring day.  Work has been crazy busy, but things are calm finally, or rather the calm before the storm of June that is.  There is nothing like ending the school year in a junior high where students think the end of the year happens after the last state test.

To keep my sixth graders engaged, I've been implementing a high-interest literature circle unit with books largely of choice and am getting ready to start the students on various, hands-on, creative final projects.  To keep myself engaged, I've been rocking my skirts in new ways, pulling out all my spring dresses and resisting the tempting how-many-days-to-the-last-day countdown.
 

J.Crew Jackie cardigan and blouse; ASOS midi skirt; Seychelles heels

This full, midi skirt is especially flattering when balanced by a reasonable heel.

 This silhouette makes me feel so Mad Men!

Forever 21 necklace, gold nameplate

 I love layering necklaces, especially with my nameplate. 

Forever 21 midi ring, rose ring and Guess gold watch

 

 These colors truly gave me life!  Seriously my bright color choices cheer me up often.  It's the small things that matter sometimes.

Until next time,
Miss M

Doing My Spiritual Work

There's nothing that makes a teacher run home humbled grateful for life in general faster than a day at work teaching sixth graders-- sixth graders in Brooklyn, sixth graders any where. Teachers work! Whatever a teacher thought was upsetting or an unconscious grudge to hold becomes futile. Seriously. I can attest to this.

I woke up on the wrong side of the bed earlier this week, not accepting the day, literally dragging my feet (thankfully, in my eighth year I can mask this well-- in thoughtfully-accessorized outfits, preparedness, even with a hint of blush). I had to step out of myself to do my job and do it well. I had to put on my smile, rather I chose to put on a pleasant face and genuinely greet the students who greeted me as I walked up the steps to the school building.  Sometimes walking through a crowd of students waiting to enter the building feels like I'm a celebrity on a red carpet. Performance, performance performance. That day, I let the children speak first, because I needed to see the lessons I had already shown by greeting daily, even when a response wasn't given.

That day, I stepped further outside of myself as I  walked up the steps to my third floor classroom and pushed deep breathes out with intention-- today is a good day. I am.. I am... I am. -- the former intention from my core work in therapy and the later from last week's Super Soul Sunday with Eckhart Tolle & Oprah.

By the time I sat down to write the initial draft of this and reflect on that day, I was over whatever had made me upset, and grateful for my life. I am blessed. And I just wanted to hug everyone I love after teaching that day and everyday.

Teaching continues to teach me daily. Teaching re teaches me lessons that I forget or need to improve upon.  And finally, teaching requires that I do my spiritual work; learn my core lessons so that I don't go to work and act out subconsciously. What I see daily is a reflection of what I know about life:  everyone has a collection of experiences that guide their behaviors one way or another.  Either way, people do the best they can, and when they know better, I can only hope that they do better.

For now I'll continue doing my work of monitoring my energy, keeping my voice level, and most importantly, breathing.

Love,
Miss M

Packing Efficiently: Another Trip to San Juan

I've had this blog post in mind for some time now, and my latest trip to San Juan was the perfect opportunity to give it life.  Ever since I went on my first international trip (not that Puerto Rico is international, but stay with me here!) to Kenya at 19 years old, and had to unzip my huge, Samsonite suitcase in the Dulles airport because it was over 70lbs and stuff things into Cooper's suitcase, I have learned to pack efficiently.

That same purple suitcase from my Jamaica trip last August (chronicled here), I traveled for two weeks throughout Mexico with (see my four-part series here), and one week in Spain with.  Just that suitcase and a tote bag.

As a fashionista, I like to be prepared for everything with the right kind of outfit.  I'd rather be over dressed than under, and I love my accessories.  I feel this one week trip was perfectly packed, and I had everything I needed for a beach vacation with some sightseeing and a night or two on the town.

My jewelry, most of it packed in my clutch during travel except for my bracelets which I wore most of my trip.  I had a lot of fun picking out what earrings and rings to take, even making some re-discoveries of old favorites.  I bought a long a few perfume samples-- perfect excuse to wear a new scent and still be able to carry-on my luggage.

My two purse options, J.Crew clutch from last summer and Coach bag, as well as my leopard makeup bag filled with bronzers and bright lipsticks.  I didn't wear much makeup on my trip, most days I didn't want to alter my freshly, sunkissed look.

My crop tops!  My look was definitely crop tops, pencil skirts, short shorts and big earrings.  I bought all the printed ones at the last minute from Marshall's. 

My houndstooth skirt and white high waist pencil skirts from ASOS, and floral romper from Express.

My striped mini dress, nowadays only worn as a beach coverup, from Target, super high-waisted black shorts and high-waist denim shorts from Express, lightweight cardigan from Express.

My bathing suits on the left: black J.Crew top, houndstooth and striped highwaist bottoms from American Apparel and red floral bottom from Victoria's Secret, neon one piece from American Apparel.  Tribal romper from Forever 21.

My three pairs of shoes: each from DSW, including the Croc jellies which double as beach shoes.

My boo and I waiting for our flight at JFK.  Another trip to remember.  Life is good!  These are the moments I return to during especially hard teaching moments.

Up next, what I wore and what I ate in San Juan and around.

<3