Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Back to the grind



For my first day at work in a week, I wore

Top: Old Navy
Shoes: Naturalizer
Watch: Swatch
Earrings: Joe Fresh
Skirt: Martin and Osa - This was waiting for me when I arrived back home. Basically this outfit compromised me having a new skirt and wanting to wear it and picking the easiest shirt to match with it. The skirt probably won't be a regular school skirt. It's a bit too narrow and short for running down hallways and stairs all day.

Family

Thank you everyone for the kind words about my grandfather. It's been a rough week. I went back home for a few days to be with my family. It was sad, dramatic (my family is CRAZY), but most of all, the days were filled with love. We took comfort in our memories of Grampie and the fact that he is no longer suffering. He was diagnosed last Christmas with a rare disease called amyloidosis, for which there is no cure. His last days were filled with pain and suffering.

The events of the last week make me marvel at the strength of the women in my family. My aunts, mother and grandmother were with him at the end and sang his favorite songs to him as he left this world. My mother in an unwavering voice put together the best of our memories in his eulogy. And my little Nan, all five feet of her, was so strong. The night after his funeral, she was tending to a pregnant cow in her farm's fields. She noticed that coyotes were circling the cow. She took a crowbar with her to deliver the calf - no coyotes were getting that cow!

Today was my first day back at school. It was so touching to hear the concern voiced from fellow teachers and students. The kids were so happy to see me back - that was really surprising. They weren't too bad when I was gone, which was also surprising. Staff members who had noticed that I wasn't around, not knowing what had happened, came to make sure I was alright. That concern, along with the kind words left on my blog and the love shown in my family, are so comforting right now. Thank you for that.

April 1 - Edited to add a couple of great pictures that were emailed to me.


Grampie is so handsome here. However, the black and white photos don't do justice to his bright blue eyes.


A rare shot of my grandparents being affectionate with each other. They look so much in love.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Home For a Rest

This is so hard to type.

I've been really quiet on the blogging front this week as my mind has been occupied in other places.

My grandfather has been sick in the hospital for a few weeks and things just kept getting worse and worse. Last night my Grampie passed away.

It's so hard to think that he is gone. He was so strong and young (in grandparent age) and it happened so quickly. I come from a line of hardy, country farmers. It's strange to think that I will no longer taste any of Grampie's maple syrup that he made himself or admire any Christmas trees that he groomed and harvested or help him make hay in the summer. He was doing all this and more until just a couple of months ago.

I'm heading home for a few days to be with my family and am dreading watching everyone (and there are a lot of us!) experience this sadness. As I said to RDog last night and for lack of better words, this sucks.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

March 24, 2010



Sweater: J Crew
Sweater Shell: J Crew
Skirt: Thrifted - I found this with the tags still on. I love when that happens.
Shoes: Naturalizer
Necklace: J Crew

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Dumdeedum



I just realized that I have the same color scheme going on as yesterday. Oh well, it's all good.

Dress: JC Penney
Sweater: Reitmans
Shoes: Naturalizer
Earrings: Joe Fresh

Monday, March 22, 2010

All business with a bit of flower power



Dress: Martin and Osa
Blazer: Reitmans
Shoes: Naturalizer
Necklace: Forever 21 - This outfit was all business so it needed a few girly flowers.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Hipifying

March 19, 2010


March 19, 2010

Cardigan: J Crew
T-shirt: Old Nayy
Skirt: Cassis
Belt: Mexx
Shoes: Naturalizer
Watch: Swatch - I bought this at the airport in Cabo. I'm a big fan of the Swatch. They're different and funky. They're not found easily around here so whenever I wear one of my swatches, I always get positive comments. Swatches are definitely for more casual outfits but with the t-shirt already "hipifying" my look, the swatch seemed to fit in nicely.

Yes, I made up that word. Yes, I am an English teacher.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Here are a few of my favorite things



Cardigan: J Crew
Skirt: J Crew
Tank: Martin & Osa
Shoes: Naturalizer
Pearl earrings and necklace: Gift from RDog

This outfit is full of some of my favorite things.Of course I love my pearls because RDog picked them out. I'm in love with these shoes and have been wearing them everyday. I'm also really into the Jackie cardi lately. I had three but convinced myself I needed two more. So this was my first post-ban purchase. Canada Post caught me for duty again. Arg! No wonder my J crew orders are few and far between. I had an $80 order and paid $17.50 in shipping and $31 in duty. Blurg!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Happy St. Patrick's Day



Dress: Sears
Tank: Reitmans
Flower: Forever 21
Shoes: Naturalizer

I have this great dress that I never wear because it is a little too much for everyday life. Today was the perfect day to bring it out of the closet. I decided to go totally over the top and stuck the flower on too.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Oh dear, what is wrong with me . . .

I want to buy a romper.

After months of going, "Ewww, that is one trend I'm not down with," I've changed my mind and decided I NEED to have a romper for this summer. There's so many cute ones out there.

Here is a grown-up version of a romper (much more stylish than my pink and white flowered version that I wore in grade 6).


This can be found at Forever 21 here. Forever 21 also has a silk version here and a terrycloth romper perfect for pool time.

Unfortunately for me, I have a long torso and buying a romper online is not the option (unless I want to end up with a perma-wedgie similar to one I had when I wore my fantastic pink and white version in grade 6). I checked out Old Navy on the weekend, but not a romper I did find. It may take a bit of a hunt to find a romper for a long torso-ed gal in small town Atlantic Canada. Wish me luck!

Look at my crooked floors!



Top: JC Penney - I found this in the juniors section many years ago for $2 (great cost per wear). It's held up pretty well.
Skirt: Cassis
Shoes: Naturalizer
Bracelet: Ricki's

My plan with this outfit was to start mixing patterns. I don't think I've quite hit the mark yet but I'll keep trying.

I really need to straighten my tripod. My house is old but the floors are not THAT crooked.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Tired of Tights



I keep on thinking how much better this outfit would be without tights but I've got two months left before that time of year. :-(

Dress: Martin and Osa
Cardigan: Nygard
Shoes: Naturalizer
Necklace: Reitmans
Earrings: Joe Fresh

Friday, March 12, 2010

Life



Blouse: Forever 21
Cardigan: J Crew
Skirt: The Bay
Shoes: Naturalizer
Earrings: Joe Fresh

I know yesterday I said I wanted to wear some spring colors but life got in the way and black is an easy color to grab in the morning. I am facing a house that is a disaster zone! We have a very old house with one very small old bathroom. We are renovating said bathroom and right now it looks like this.


Gross, eh. I just keep thinking about the end result and how all the problem will be worthwhile.

Speaking of life and disasters, there was bad news at school today. One of our students unexpectedly passed away last night. I did not know her but it still is very sad to think of someone so young passing away so needlessly. I know many of her friends and it was heartbreaking to see them experience such a tragic event when they are only 15 years old. Sometimes I forget about the problems some of my students face in their lives outside school; it seems as if some have so many things working against them.

It's been a long and tiring day. . .

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Fall Colors in Spring



Cardigan: Martin and Osa
Tank: Martin and Osa
Skirt: Joe Fresh
Shoes: Naturalizer
Cat: Ruby

This is a great fall outfit but I think for tomorrow, I need spring colors. We've been having sunny, warm weather and I need some light and bright clothes to match! It

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Like my Grandmother's Tub



Dress: Martin and Osa
Cardigan: J Crew
Shoes: Naturalizer
Belt: J Crew - I bought this belt last year but had not worn it before today. It's a tough color to play with (it reminds me of my grandmother's 50's style bathroom). Today, I was looking for a belt to go with this dress and thought I'd give this one a whirl. I don't know if it goes or not but I dig it.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

No More Martin and Osa

I'm so upset because I've just found out that soon there will be no more Martin and Osa.

From Reuters:
American Eagle Outfitters Inc (AEO.N) said on Tuesday it will close all 28 stores in its Martin + Osa clothing chain and the chain's online business.

The 3-year-old chain, which started out aiming for customers in their mid-30s, racked up an after-tax loss of $33 million in 2009, excluding impairment charges, American Eagle said in a statement.

As many of you know, I am a big fan of Martin and Osa. It's one of the few places that has high quality clothing at affordable prices and easily ships to Canada. I don't know where I am going to be shopping at after it is gone. So sad . . .

Best Husband Ever

RDog and I had a little bet going on for the past two months. He bet I couldn't make it two months without online shopping. If I could do it, a present would be mine. I did it and here is my present.

Good things come in gold boxes.








The best husband award goes to RDog because I LOVE my new watch. It was totally worth it because not only do I have a a pretty watch but also a lighter credit card bill. I'm going to try my best away from the online shopping. Not a ban altogether but just a lighter online shopping regimen. I shouldn't be buying things online every couple of days like I was in December. That was BAD!

Vacation Wear

Most of my vacation wear consisted of bathing suits and flip flops but there were a few time I got gussied up.

We went out to a fancy restaurant one night. I wore this dress which showcases my fine tan lines. Even with SPF 60 sunscreen, I still have a little tan.



Dress: Martin and Osa
Shoes: The Bay

We went exploring in town and I got all nautical.


Shorts: Martin and Osa
Shirt: Ricki's
Necklace: Forever 21
Shoes: Clark's
Sunglasses: Burberry
Bracelet used to cover up the darn plastic band we had to wear: Suzy Shier

Another dinner and another dress.


Dress: Walmart
Shoes: Gap
Necklace: Joe Fresh

This is my cheapie outfit. The outfit total comes to under $50!

Monday, March 8, 2010

Back to Reality



I'm back home after a wonderful, warm week in Los Cabos, Mexico. I will get back to the blogging after my recovery process is complete (too many margaritas and other assorted goodness were consumed). I just want to share the best picture I took in the week; sunrise over the Sea of Cortez.