The Day Before Finals

The day before finals is a special kind of beast.

You've got the one set of kids who are overly concerned...if they don't make an A, then they're not going to college, you've ruined their lives, their parents will kill them.  And so on and so forth.

You've got another set of kids whose study guides are empty.  They're playing Trivia Crack.  They're snapchatting friends.  You ask them how their study guides are coming and if they're ready for your final (which is nothing to stress over), and they give you the ever-standard, "uh-huh."

But you still bring in candy canes.  The Jolly Rancher and Lifesaver kinds, of course.  With one box of Peppermint for the purists.  And you'll spend the rest of the day cleaning up wrappers left by eleventh graders who know better.

And you'll still say you'll miss them.  That may or may not be debatable.  But you're lucky the day is almost done.  Tomorrow is another day.

November Favorites

It has been almost a month since I posted last; it is a testament to busy season.  I attended my first indoor track meet.  We met on Saturday at 6:00 am, and I returned home at 10:00 pm. Then there was lesson-planning to do, and even that is not finished two weeks before final exams.  I doubt that December will be my busiest month, so trekking through November was crucial.  On a happier note, Karl and I finally took that long-awaited trip to Arizona.  If there had to be a favorite November Favorite, it would be sitting around a card table, eating a Thanksgiving meal.  But I don't have a picture of that because I was too busy stuffing my face with corn souffle and the perfect turkey...

Fair Isle Embellished Sweatshirt from The Loft | I'm not sure what struck me when I saw this sweater. I definitely wasn't thinking that it would be comfortable or easy to care for.  I think that I thought, "Hm, this would do for the holidays coming up." I wore it to dinner the other night, and wonderfully enough, it was comfortable, too.

Navy Dot Daily Edition of The Simplified Planner by Emily Ley | After doing some intense research, I finally settled on this gorgeous version of Emily Ley's Simplified Planner. I was/am a huge Erin Condren fan, but I decided to go in another direction this year.  I also highly suggest Emily's blog, as she is a beautiful writer, detailing her pregnancy struggles, her growing business, and her absolute faith in God's plan for her life. I don't mind supporting a small business such as this.

Rosebud Salve | This can be purchased on Amazon, Sephora, or even Anthropologie. I use it to prevent dry lips, but since it is a salve in a beautiful tin pot, this can also be used for cracked skin, dry elbows, or anywhere else that needs a little more care for the winter months.  The smell of roses is an extra bonus.

Nike Flyknits | I wish I had these during cross country, but they are serving me well for track practices.  They are a lightweight, comfortable shoe, and I own them in this particular coloring which means they match.  The kids are all into bright, like extremely bright, shoes that rarely match their clothes and while sometimes I envy their "fun," I simply can't stand the idea of being mismatched.

Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream | Another winter care item that can be purchased almost anywhere.  I received a full-size glass container in my subscription box, and while I haven't had to purchase it on my own yet, I'm loving how it is lightweight and does not make my skin break out.  This also has a rose fragrance which is pretty uplifting when it is so gray and cold outside.

**This post is not sponsored in any way- these are simply products I enjoy using. These photos are not my own.

Weekend Collection

Karl's father and grandfather came down for the weekend.  As per usual, I was busy running around at first.  Indoor track has officially started, and with a new sport comes new paperwork.  But really, the reason for their visit was football.  Karl bought tickets for the Alabama vs. Mississippi State game a LONG time ago, thinking it would be some throwaway game no one would care about.  Well, with Mississippi State going on to become ranked #1, the game was anything but a throwaway.  Personally, I said let's sell the tickets and become rich.  My idea was met with silence.

But I'm glad we did not sell those tickets.  I had a wonderful time, and it was not nearly as cold as I had feared it was going to be.  The sun was shining, and the Alabama crowd was as mighty as ever.  Coming from a tiny college (in the grand scheme of things), Alabama was overwhelming and impressive.  Greek Row looked just like any Greek Row does in the movies.  Enormous brick houses full of tradition, pearls, bow ties, and alcohol.

On the field, a sea of CRIMSON (not red).  And as much fun as I had, NO WONDER FOOTBALL PLAYERS HAVE GOD COMPLEXES.  It was crazy to watch people younger than me step onto the field and be greeted by shouts and waves and screaming.  The game was exciting and everything a SEC football game should be.  Karl, his dad, and his grandfather (three generations of Karls) were glowing.  I sat eating my cotton candy with a smile.  And then we enjoyed an even more Southern tradition- Cracker Barrel.  Breakfast for dinner.  Roll Tide, indeed.

October Favorites

It's crazy to think that October was here and is gone.  Alabama has gone from warm to cold, and people are already worried about what this winter will look like.

Cross Country season has officially ended, and Indoor Track/Field is about to begin.  As such, I am buckling down and preparing for the cold in the best ways I know how.

"Z" | A fictitious account of Zelda Fitzgerald's life.  This novel had been on my Wishlist for quite some time, and I found the hardback in a thrift store, of course.  I've been quite obsessed with the Fitzgeralds this past year, and this was a perfect novel to curl under a blanket with.

New Jacket | Another purchase from TJ Maxx.  This oatmeal-colored jacket is lightweight enough to avoid being so bulky yet warm and neutral enough to wear with anything.  Score, once again.

ASOS Scarves | ASOS anything takes a long time arrive but with free shipping and free returns, who can resist?  I bought a lovely herringbone scarf and an overly large plaid scarf/blanket which will be perfect for impending cold.

STASH Tea | Cinnamon Apple sounded so autumnal that I had to purchase it (at TJ Maxx, again), and throw some chamomile with it, and the result is an entirely relaxing time before bed.

Purell Hand Sanitizer | Because cold season is about us once more.  And high school students are just as germy as little children.  One must protect one's self.

Fridays

Fridays are for wearing jeans to school.

Fridays are for donuts brought by students.

Fridays are for short cross country practices.

Fridays are for unruly high school kids who play "trashketball" with rolled up paper at the end of class but you just shake your head.

Fridays are for football playoff games in Birmingham on a cold night.

Fridays are for knowing you have to get up early the next morning but staying out late anyway.

Fridays are for closing the door, playing Taylor Swift's new album loudly, and drinking another cup of coffee during planning period.

And Fridays are for changing the template of the blog, just because.

Fridays.  Praise God.

Football

I've never been a huge football fan.  Even when I lived with my family, football time was actually nap time.  Last year, Football Sundays were Barnes & Noble Sundays.  But this year I find myself watching a little more (and who wants Barnes & Noble Sundays when you can buy a billion times the amount of books at the consignment shoppe).

No one down here gives a hoot about the NFL.  Not as much as the North anyway.  It's all about college football.  And so, our Football Sundays have slowly evolved into Football Weekends.  Because husband still cares about the NFL, of course (and by NFL, I mean Peyton Manning).

But sometimes, these Football Weekends have not been so terrible.  I still nap quite a bit.  But it's a small reprieve from running around high school kids all week and just running around in general.  And so I will take Football Weekends.  In all its napping, comfy blanket, head massage glory.

Autumn Trends

Summer and Fall are the easiest seasons for me to get up and find something to wear.  At least on a casual day.  However, I'm finding that my school clothes wardrobe is rather limited, which has me scouring Pinterest, Keep, and all my favorite fashion blogs.  Unfortunately, I'm still finding some rather (great) casual outfits that intrigue me.  My usual go-to in this autumn weather is an outfit of skinny jeans, riding boots, a cardigan, and a scarf. And believe me, comfortable and trendy.  But I'm finding I need to branch out a little, especially if I don't want to wear the same "stuff" to school every day.

Trends I would like to invest in:
1.  A dressy plaid- I keep seeing plaid shirts with pencil skirts and the like.  At first, I was skeptical.  And now, I'm intrigued.
2.  Colorful fall blazers- I've always loved a good black, blue, or red blazer.  It seems to tie an outfit all together.  Why haven't I invested in another color, such as a deep wine color or khaki with brown elbow patches? I don't know.
3.  Loafers- First thought= old people. Now= comfortable.
4.  Heeled boots- I love all my flat boots.  My riding boots and my ankle boots have served me well.  But slowly I'm starting to stare a little longer at the riding boots with a solid heel (solid, not stiletto).  And I'm thinking of possibilities.
5.  Winter dresses- I've invested in my fair share of spring/summer dresses made with a thin material that float as I walk.  And that's all fine and dandy.  But now I need some sturdy, structured dresses that will keep me warm and be appropriate for school.
6.  More scarves- Because everyone can always use a scarf (or two, or three, or four, or more).

Trends that I would not wear to school:
1.  Those over-the-knee socks- I don't know what's so great about that.  I'm not even sure of the exact purpose of them.  But I keep seeing them and I am oh so tempted to buy.  All I keep thinking is the fact that I could wear those with my pajama shorts.  It's fall, Kaetlyn!
2.  Track tights- Last year I did not participate in indoor track.  I find myself in the weird part of the season where we will be practicing outside and inside and then participating in the events in an indoor facility.  I've only ever bought shorts and capris, which will not be warm enough.  I keep seeing tights, and I'm sure I need to buy some.  But then I need to buy shirts long enough to go over them because my inner-self just can't seem to want to wear those alone.  And I guess technically I would have to wear them to school.
3.  Patterned tights- Not track tights.  But like black polka tights or those herringbone pattern tights I keep seeing that are worn with boots and skirts.  I wouldn't be brave enough to wear them to work, but out and about would be fun.

And the scariest trend...
4.  Those gorgeous tulle skirts- I don't think I could ever...but I get all moony-eyed whenever I see them paired with the perfect heels, the perfect top, and the perfect jacket.

Any trends you would like to try this fall?