In Which Chelle Is a GROWN-UP

Seriously! I am an ADULT! I know I don't always act like it* and I know that my recent book purchases** CERTAINLY don't make me look like an adult, but I PROMISE that looking 27 in the face makes it apparent that I am, indeed, an adult! The fact that I spend the majority of my time with my eight year old, eleven year old, and two thirteen year old cousins, who all wear larger shoes than me isn't generally an issue. However, it is an issue at my new job. And by new job I mean same job, new school. Basically, seventh graders are HUGE! Like seriously huge. They tower over me ALL DAY LONG! The problem? Well, in seven days I have been mistaken for a seventh grade student on five of them. My boss thinks this is hilarious, my aunt (who works at the school) enjoys my stories with quiet disbelief, and the aforementioned cousins LOVE hearing the stories.

So it comes down to this. HOW do I look like an adult without turning to Teacher Jumpers? You all know what I'm talking about...those "dresses" that are hand sewn and are made of material that has building blocks and farm scenes on them. Because let me tell you. I will be mistaken for a middle schooler EVERY SINGLE DAY before I wear one of those things as anything other than a Halloween costume.*** I wear skirts, dresses, and dress pants with nice shirts or polos. I don't particularly look like the kids, but I also don't like the teachers. SUPER nice dress clothes aren't really and option either at my school, because then I would stick out like a sore thumb. So that is my dilemma. Any suggestions? We would LOVE to hear them!


*Example: Participating in water balloon fights, blowing bubbles, dancing in the rain...
**Linger, Mockingjay, The Iron Daughter, To Kill a Mockingbird, Demon's Lexicon, etc
***Seriously, mere words cannot express my hatred of these jumpers. Even worse? The matching Mother-Daughter ones! Do people hate their kids these days?

In Which We Attempt To Dress For Work

Hello!!! So as you probably already figured out. I have been a huge slacker lately.  I got really busy with the beginning of the school year and working on paper work, files, etc, and neglected by duties of blogging everyday in August. (maybe we’ll do better in April) We have also sort of been slacking on our beauty and fashion stuff. Although, I think any good blog has a little bit of everything! One thing that I look forward to when school starts is getting new fall clothes for work. This year one of my New Year’s resolutions was to dress in a way that looks more grown up and put together, but still quirky and fun. So I have been looking through a ton of magazines and fashion blogs to find things that are me but also work appropriate. The first trend I noticing is that menswear is coming back. I have seen so many cute blazers in the ads for Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger. I really want a blazer to wear to work. In the newest issue of Glamour magazine, they show several blazers. Some are plaid, black, brown, even yellow…but the one thing they all have in common is they all have broaches on them. Most of the broaches have some kind of jewel element to them, but some just look like they were pulled out of Grandma’s jewelry box. I feel that it is a very cool way to add a feminine element to something otherwise a little manly. I also really love all the men’s vest I am seeing. I think they look great over tank tops and with button up shirts. I have also seen pictures where girls are wearing neckties with them. At first, they reminded me of the waitresses at Olive Garden, but now I am really enjoying them. I went and grabbed a bunch of my grandpa’s to try. Another trend I am liking is the revival of military jackets. Everything from soldier jackets, to Nutcracker type shorter jackets to Michael Jackson are coming back. I plan to try all three. I also love all the new fall lines at Target and Wal-mart. Gotta love cheap!!!! What are some trends you are excited about trying? What the heck do you wear to work? 

High Times at the Pretend Orthodontist

So today didn’t exactly go the way I had planned. I was going to go to the orthodontist out of state (long story) and go to the mall to buy some new fall clothes and accessories for work. First, I was up all night sick with my allergies. Then, my bosses decided to have a Staff Appreciation day, and we were afraid if we didn’t show up we would have to use sick time. So we went and they had us playing games and had hired a massage therapist for us. So that part was really cool and very thoughtful of them. While we were there the delivered some news about our job, including staff changes, work place changes, and the fact Rochelle will be in a totally new place, with new people she doesn’t know. FUN. So I left early and we headed to NC. On the way we stopped at Burger King and I got my usual kids meal. I was trying to put the toy in the backseat (it was a large plastic satellite from the movie “Planet 51”) and I whacked Rochelle so hard in the head with it that I left a mark. After leaving Burger King, we were on the interstate when I large piece of flying cardboard hit the windshield. We called the orthodontist to confirm my appointment and they told me it was NEXT Wednesday. So we just went to the mall. Upon arriving my favorite Toy Store had been turned into a Halloween store. We found the actual toy store somewhere else. We did however find a pet store that sold “quality ferrets.” Then I got really sick from allergies (so did Rochelle) and so I bought generic Sudafed which made me super high and semi incoherent. On top of that there was no affordable or cute fall stuff out yet. So back to school Fall Fun shopping day…was a massive allergy ridden fail.