teacher life

blazer: Super old from Urban Outfitters (shop this similar style from J.Crew Factory)

tee: Teach For America x J.Crew

pants: J.Crew (shop a similar style from J.Crew Factory below)

shoes: Sole Society (similar wedge style, also love the kitten heel on this tan suede pump)

All Photos | Kate Davis Photography

We officially have the 1st quarter of the school year in the books & while I am also afraid to say this for fear of jinxing myself, I'm feeling pretty great about this year!

Last year was my first year of teaching & it was terrible. I didn't sleep & barely had enough time to feed myself most days. I had SO much to learn about teaching & wanted to figure it ALL out so that I could be an effective instructor for my students. I knew my students deserved the best me, but what I didn't realize was that when I showed up to school sleep deprived, frustrated, & frazzled to my last nerve, I was actually doing a disservice to everyone. I somehow made it through, & was even crazy enough to sign up for another year.

Now in my second year, I am starting to settle in to my teaching groove. The lesson plans that I made from scratch last year are absolutely awful, but I at least have a place to spring board off. Instead of spending 6 hours a night planning the next day's lesson into the wee hours of the morning, I can spend 6 hours on a weekend planning the entire next week - it feels so good. I have found tips & tricks for maintaining the balance of rigorous instruction, building relationship with my students, pleasing the administration & finding time to be an actual human. And most of all, I am thankful for my students from last year that I get to see everyday. 1 or 2 come back to my class to visit each week, reminiscing about the good times they had in my Science class - one even asked to come back! That little brown-noser!

Teaching truly takes a village & I couldn't do it without my support team - my husband, parents, fellow teachers, school administration, & my 105 7th graders who have a dazzling future before them!

Help J.Crew support teachers by purchasing this fun pencil tee designed in partnership with Teach For America. We sadly do not have enough high quality teachers where we need them the most - areas of high poverty, rural counties, inner cities that serve a large population of minorities and/or recent immigrants - but TFA is working to end the disparity in education, one passionate teacher at a time. 

Cupid's Arrow

Monday was my date-night V-day style, but this is my "I'm-somewhat-of-a-professional-but-still-like-to-celebrate-holidays" look

{ What I Wore: J.Crew tippi sweater & cropped wool trousers // BaubleBar necklace // Kate Spade bracelet // ShoeMint Carol heels }
(*confession: I actually wore my black ballet flats with this outfit to work, as I didn't think my boss would appreciate these heels, but I had just gotten them in & knew that you would!)

{ Get the Look }

pink sweater {$39.50, exact} + red cropped pants {on sale for $39.99} + leopard heels {$39.99, exact} + black baubles {$42.00}

Happy February 15th, aka the day after Valentine's when my Facebook newsfeed is blowing up with engagements!

Ty & I had a wonderful evening at the Nashville Predators hockey game: 2-for-1 beers & grown men chasing a tiny puck are my kind of romantic! (oh, and the Preds won!)

Are you a big holiday celebrator?

With 2 holidays in one week, this I'll-pop-champagne-for-a-random-Thursday holiday lover was on cloud nine! (did you see my Fat Tuesday beads on Instagram?)

What did your Valentine's festivities include?

Is it bad that I love the date nights where you have the best laid plans, but the poorest executions?

Those sometimes epic fails can make for the best stories later!

P.S. I am linking up with Long Distance Loving for Friday's Fancies. See all the pink + red goodies over {here}

ain't got nothing on me

{ What I Wore: Forever21 striped tee // J.Crew leopard belt (currently on sale) & cropped wool trousers // Nine West black pumps // Urban Outfitters "attitude" glasses // Michael Kors gold watch }

{ Get the Look }

striped tee {$14.80} + leopard belt {$10.55} + cropped red wool trousers {$34.50, exact ones, now on sale} + black pumps {$41.99} + "attitude" glasses {$9.50} + gold watch {$43.98, love this one!}

I think this is my first official "I saw it on Pinterest, found the perfect shirt/missing puzzle piece, & re-created it" outfit... boom

Oh and guess who's the top hit when you Google "attitude glasses".... take that sassy J.Crew girl! 

(go ahead, you know you want to test it out now...)

Have you been re-creating any Pinterest looks lately?

P.S. I am linking up with Marionberry Style's Trend Challenge: Stripes 

Check out the rest of the stripe-tastic looks { here }

Day 27: primary

So apparently three-color-dressing is a thing, but what about four?

Well, who cares because dressing like a pack of crayons makes this girl smile!

{ What I Wore: J.Crew cashmere sweater, silk blouse & cropped wool trousers (all currently 30% off with code "XOFACTORY") // Kate Spade armadillo belt (turned around backwards) // ShoeMint Mona loafers }

{ Get the Look }

navy sweater {$34.99} + silk blouse {on sale for $29.99} + cropped trousers {$49.00} + gold belt {$21.00} + gold loafers {$34.99}

Day 6: Americana

{ What I Wore: J.Crew wool cropped trousers // Everlane tee // ShoeDazzle cap toe flats // Hobo purse // Michael Kors watch }

{ Get the look }

v-neck tee {$7.50} + red trousers {$49.95} + cap toe flats {$79.00} + patent leather lady purse {$69.00} + gold watch {$19.99} + pearl strand {$75.00 long enough to wrap}

Happy voting day! 

Whether you are more excited to have a say in who is the next president, or are you just looking forward to no more political ads... today is the day!