AND YOU KEEP LAUGHING AND LAUGHING AND LAUGHING

Shirt: Gap, Ring: Kate Spade

Being around kids for my job always makes me realize that the key to life is finding joy in the little things. Like ice skating and home-made Christmas cards and discovering a great new song. This one, for sure, reminds me of my students - M83: Raconte-Moi Une Histoire

 

AND WE BECAME THE STORIES

Jeans: Gap, Shirt: Tommy Hilfiger, Blazer: Talula, Ring: Kate Spade

Cookie-Decorating Day, we treated it like an art project and that prevented a lot of kids from

just eating their icing.

THE BIGGEST GROUP OF FRIENDS THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN

On me - Sweater & Skirt: Joe Fresh, Slip: Club Monaco, Shoes: Aldo

Holiday Sweater Day at school today. And my brother volunteered in my class to help with Christmas crafts. And my mom and I made ninety-six cookies to decorate with my students tomorrow. Pretty much the cutest day all around.

STEALING MY HEART AND BRAIN

Shoes: Mango, Pants & Shirt: H&M, Ring: Kate Spade

Finally. Leather pants. Finding they go with everything in my wardrobe. I wonder if my students will notice if I wear them every day this week...

Sometimes I dream up art projects and they don't always turn out how I imagined them. At first looking a bit like that freaky symbol from The Blair Witch Project. But eventually, snowflakes made from sticks, painted and glittered, strung up near the winter doilies and Christmas lights, glistening in the late afternoon sun, can't believe how patient and detail-specific my kids were, taking the utmost care in arranging each tiny sequin onto each delicate little branch.

GAVE US BLACK DREAMS

Shoes: Mango, Skirt: Wilfred, Shirt: Club Monaco, Necklace: American Eagle, Ring: Kate Spade

One long family brunch followed by an even longer trip to Ikea to help my brother find a dresser for his closet. Spent four hours organizing his wardrobe. And I thought I had a lot of clothes.

I DREW A LINE FOR YOU

Shirt & Sweater: Gap, Pants: American Eagle, Ring: Kate Spade

Had each of my students come up one at a time to put sequins on their ornaments with me, took the whole day. Not often I get to spend individual time with every kid, so important. Why can't we have art every day...

YOUR MIND IS RACING LIKE A PRO NOW

After a few days off from school, came back to cheery faces and lots of questions. Always amazed by my students that they are so compassionate and understanding, more patient than I am sometimes. Spent twenty-five minutes of my lunch hour calming down a student who refused to put his jacket on to go outside, then going through the same ordeal at the end of the day as well. Sometimes I wonder about the benefit of a child who is forced into an environment that honestly cannot accommodate him, wonder this every time at least three times a day where the simple act of putting on a coat instigates a screaming and crying match that I cannot settle, nor can the other number of adults who come to help. Realize I have to keep my cool and carry on with twenty-one other students, explaining art-project directions with a smile on my face. And thank goodness for art, all we did for the whole rest of the afternoon, where small moments of peace and kindness resonated between six- and seven-year-olds who painted Christmas ornaments for their parents, helping each other and gazing up at decorations in awe.

RED LIGHTS, GRAY MORNING

Coat: North Face, Scarf: Mount Cashmere, Shirt: Gap, Dress: Urban Outfitters, Tights: Hue, Ring: Kate Spade

Feels appropriate to wear this colour of tights now. And wearing this ring every day in December,

my most prized winter accessory.

LOOK AT YOU, SUCH A GLOWING EXAMPLE

Pants: Espirt, Shirt: TNA, Coat & Scarf: Club Monaco, Bag: American Eagle, Ring: Kate Spade

Guilty as charged, I often use outfit reruns if I find one I really like. Thought this might be a good outfit for meeting the bf's mom tomorrow night. Asked my parents today what they thought as we got coffee and walked along Robson St, dad said it looked professional and mom gave me heck for wearing black socks with blue pants.

I GUESS THE WINTER MAKES YOU LAUGH A LITTLE SLOWER

Vest: Zara, Shirt: Gap, Ring: Kate Spade

Felt like the longest week in history. Complicated by a day where a student in my class cried all morning because her foot was broken (actually), a day where I found out one of my most adorable and sweetest students is moving schools after December, and a day where I helped clean out my grandpa's house with my family. Saving graces include being able to wear fur on a regular basis and my holiday ring every day for the next month, and my students' winter artwork I smile at each day I walk into my classroom.