Nine days left of the 2018-2019 school year – I wonder what I will wear?
The classroom will be messy until next Friday. We are still painting.
Final Countdown
Tag Archives: Rachel Zoe
Prints + Texture = Artsy
I have been playing with mixing patterns and textures in my #ootd. And layering. Putting sweaters under dresses and finding unexpected matches, like my amber necklace (I actually designed it myself!) is the same color as the Marc Jacobs patent leather booties in rust (pictured above).
And a new cardigan pairs nicely with a four-year-old dress (above).
It is now spring. I have started to slowly reintroduce sandals. The weather in Syracuse/Chittenango will just have to catch up.
In other news, students are glazing textured clay projects, finishing up patterned paintings and some fashion drawings. The quarter ends on April 5th, I believe. Then we will be gearing into the homestretch with sculptures, more paintings and artsy mayhem (the good kind – there is no fartsy in the art room).
2018 Fashion Finale
Here are my #ootd pics from December 2018. A few new pieces are in the mix, like the lace tights and my first Milly top. OMG, I love stretch silk, which is a silk blend with a bit of spandex in it. You can tell that I am a huge fan of silk, cashmere and leather.
I wear two smocks while painting and using Mod Podge, which is my new go-to instead of using Plaster of Paris for sculpture. I’m doing a form of papier mache instead and it is amazing. Can’t wait to share my donut project!
The other big project is…Artist Books! My Studio in Art students are creating these very cool books using sports equipment, lunch boxes, ceramic bowls and musical instruments. They will be done by the end of the semester. Then we will start watercolor!
I will eventually clean off the back counter and prepare for new students in February. Art – 8 only meets every other day for one semester. I am able to do about three or four projects in that time – a drawing, a painting, a sculpture and a clay project or some combination of those things. Right now we are finishing up sculptures in the five classes and drawing in the other two.
I did not get any clothes for Christmas, lol. Or did I? Santa was good to me. I know him! (I really do!) <3
In Class
My Marc Jacobs boots have gotten a lot of air play so far this year. I am crazy about them, especially the rust colored booties that at first I didn’t think would actually go with anything. Love them! Patent leather rocks.
The past two months really flew by at work. The annual peace poster contest is in full swing. The Lions Club will send three judges to select a winner from the eighteen entries on November 1, 2018 and my Studio in Art students have really nailed the theme. It is “Kindness Matters”. They are an amazing group of people. Kind, without a doubt and so, so talented. Cannot wait to share what they are doing. I gave them each a brand new tin of 72 colored pencils to use and they are taking such good care of them. So responsible! I just love them all.
All of the Art-8 students have finished their clay projects. We are glazing them as well as working on finishing up some paintings. I double up on smocks during that activity but I still manage to keep DeWitt Cleaners in business. Most of my clothes are dry clean only because they are all pretty much silk and cashmere.
I don’t always take my #ootd pic. Sometimes I am in a re-run. I try to style myself so that I am not wearing the same shoes with a dress or the same pants with a top but sometimes I just feel like repeating a great outfit. I admit I have a lot of clothes. I just love fashion. There is always a new designer to discover or something new from the ones I already know. New – new – new. I love new. Getting dressed to go to work is just fun. It is easy – effortless. And anything that makes you feel this good is a good thing. <3
Summer Fashion
Summer 2018 has been amazing so far. So many fun things to do during my staycation. The weather’s great. Syracuse, New York was blessed with Florida style weather – so wonderfully crazy! Me-likey!
Since I cannot wear them to work, shorts and off-shoulder tops are in heavy rotation right about now. I have been frequenting live band venues – a lot of dancing’s been added to my exercise regimen of yoga, hiking and pilates.
As for art, the Happy Little Treehouse exhibit is moving to another location with a reception sometime next week, I think. My paintings are still available and the proceeds from sales will be donated to Golisano Children’s Hospital. More to come on that front. Stay tuned!
No Air/No Problemo in Oz
There is no air-conditioning in school. We take my #ootd pics early in the morning and by the end of the day I am sometimes somewhat of a hot and sticky mess. I am grateful to have two fans mounted on the walls in my classroom and I have been drinking tons of iced coffee, water and a Gatorade every day.
No complaints though, as Syracuse, New York weather feels like Florida right now and we are on the verge of summer vacation!
Here are my most recent outfits. My Rachel Zoe dress needs the dry-cleaner stat, as Friday was a particularly muggy day. It is currently a silk version of what my hair looked like later that day – that frazzled ’80s rock star effect that we all discarded with the invention of flat irons. Seriously cringe worthy, lol. I wore boots that day because I was sure it was going to rain mid-day, but that rain did not appear until I was driving home from work. It lasted all of fifteen minutes leaving us with perfect outdoor festivals weather for the weekend – Ozstravaganza in Chittenango and Taste of Syracuse downtown.
Retail Girl
While I was off work, I did a lot of on-line shopping. I found these Marc Jacobs boots for a ridiculously low price. They are beyond fabulous. I love them – worked them into several outfits in the past two weeks. The Calvin Klein booties and the Joie velvet sandal booties are new as well. The Joie shoes are phenomenal. They are velvet with a pink leather lining.
Of course, it didn’t begin and end there. I am on-line shopping every day. I guess constantly is not an understatement! I put stuff into my virtual carts and go back to visit it all, watching for sales or special deals. It is fun! Like instant manifestations. I desire something and somehow after a short time, I can afford to have it. Lately, I cannot get enough silk. The Cinq à Sept dresses and tops are all silk. This is a hard brand to buy on-line because the sizing is not consistent. The black dress is an XS. It fits fine when I am wearing it, but I practically have to dislocate two shoulders to get it on and off, lol. I purchased it on a final sale. I bought three tops in a size small; one had to go back because it was tight and had a snag, so I thought that was weird. It is a new company – I am not sure what is going on there.
I am still not quite myself physically. Up five pounds, which should get blasted this vacation week with any luck. I go to Syracuse Yoga every morning. It is my sister’s studio. She has a special two-week unlimited package for $30 for new practitioners and an unlimited package for $105 if you use auto pay. If you are local, you should totally check it out! The instructors are amazing!
I am also hiking five miles a day and doing pilates when I can fit it in. And no, I don’t wear heels when I take those walks. I wear these awesome Brooks waterproof sneakers that I bought at Fleet Feet. The service there is magical. You tell the salesperson what you do – run, walk, other sports, etc. and they go in the back room and bring you exactly the shoe you need. They are the best!
And while I am on the subject of plugging businesses, Amanda Losecco is my hairstylist at Miracles. I am there every two weeks. I LOVE her! <3 She has, seriously, single-handedly (she and her mad colorist and blow-drying skills) changed my life for the better.
I was talking to someone the other day about my fashion obsession. It was the salesgirl at the BCBGMaxAzria shop within Lord & Taylor at the Destiny Mall in Syracuse. We decided that it was my hobby. I have a passion for fashion. I just love when I find something new that I consider to be so “me”. I love the fabrics and colors, love when I buy something that works with something else in my closet. It makes me sooo happy. OMG, I love my life.
She’s Baaaaaaack!
One of the best parts of getting back to work has been reuniting with my favorite photographer/bestie/colleague/art teacher/partner-in-goofiness, Katy C. We have resumed the #ootd. Here are my latest outfits coupled with some from before my two month hiatus.
I have fallen in love with a new-to-me brand: Cinq à Sept (5 to 7). I love every piece and am finding room in my closet for these silk confections – three dresses, two tops and counting!
I am also such a fan of Marc Jacobs boots. He and I are the same age. Lol, he really gets me. I feel like the lasts for these shoes were made from molds of my feet. Cray-cray awesomeness!
I love having somewhere to go every day. People often tell me that they never had a teacher like me, alluding to my work fashion. When I was growing up the teachers always made an effort – they wore mini shift dresses with high heels. Had their hair done in the beehive coifs of the day. Were prim and proper, and so, so smart. Beautiful. Miss Emerson, Miss Clancy, Miss Daniels, Miss Adsitt…. I loved going to school back then too. Thank you, Tecumseh Elementary for a dream. I guess I always aspired to be just like these amazing women. Didn’t actually realize it until now – wow!
I love fashion. Love to get dressed every morning for work. Love feeling good about myself, happy, relaxed, confident and this feeling contributes to the dynamic of each day.
We have so much fun. Art is about imagination – imagining your dreams via learning how to draw, how to visualize solutions. I am currently working on four or five different things with the students – clay sculptures and bas-reliefs in a couple classes, horse paintings in a couple…. The Studio in Art students are painting barn landscapes using Wolf Kahn’s color palette and my 5th graders are doing double duty – first an additive wood sculpture then an invention à la Da Vinci. More to come in regards to that one. I will tell you the story of my invention soon. It’s hilarious, I promise. <3
Fashion Magic
Here is my new favorite outfit! I love this Rachel Zoe top so much – I bought it in white too! And adding spandex to jeans is the most brilliant concept the fashion world has ever known. These 7 For All Mankind cropped ankle jeans are so spectacular. They totally move with me like a second skin. My most recent purchase. Lately, every time I buy something, I say to myself – okay, after this you don’t really need anything else. LOL! Needless to say, that thought is fleeting.
I also recently acquired these BCBGMaxAzria silk velvet cargo pants in teal – one of the major colors this season. They are amazing in every way! Soft, elastic waist, cropped so that they did not need hemming… OMG! Love!!! <3
And the Sloan fit pant from Banana Republic – I bought them in both garnet and charcoal. The red ones were on some ridiculous sale because they were the last pair and happened to be in my size. I think they ended up being only $20!
Here are the rest of my #ootd pics since school resumed. Some are weekend shots. I really love all my Rachel Zoe tops. The fabrication is top notch. I buy them on-line as no stores in Syracuse, New York carry her. Same goes for Trina Turk. Actually, shopping on-line is the way I prefer acquiring my wardrobe. Sometimes I try on BCBG and other stuff while at Lord & Taylor. I spent a couple hours in there trying on jeans last week so that I could ascertain my size and the best fit. Turns out I am a standard size 2 across the board in Hudson, Joe’s Jeans and 7 For All Mankind (0 in Banana and XS or XXS in BCBG depending on the cut). Yes!!!!! And…I love it when something comes in the mail and it is a perfect fit. It is just like magic! Because, of course, fashion is magical.
Summer #ootd
