You're Either With Me... Or The Terrorists Win (just kidding)

I can't even talk about how I thought this outfit was all teal and tangerine cute all day long until I saw these photos when I realized I look like some sort of sister-wife cult member.

Friends, this is the post wherein I reveal my profession.  I am a teacher.  I teach fourth grade in a very low income school and neighborhood.  I normally love it.  Why am I telling you this?  So the following story will make sense:

I came back to work today after being sick yesterday.  I checked my email and found a message from my principal forwarded by the District Headquarters.  Apparently they are very very suspicious of me being sick right after a three day weekend.  They think it is quite likely that I have just had myself a luxurious extended four day vacation.  They are requiring that I bring in a doctor's note to the office.

I am livid!!!

I can't believe some pencil pusher who has never met me and never seen me teach is questioning my integrity in taking a sick day that I am fully entitled to!  I wrote a very civilized and only slightly snarky email to the District Headquarters in response but was asked by my school office to NOT send it because it would only cause more trouble for myself and for the people I care about, such as my office manager and principal.

ARGH!

Seriously???  My job isn't the kind of job when a person calls in sick and then climbs back in to bed. Noooooooo!!!  After I called in for a sub, I got dressed, drove to work, prepared books, papers, materials, fire drill instructions, and very detailed plans for a substitute to follow so my children could still get their full day's worth of learning.  This took almost two hours!  And what if I hadn't been able to get a doctor's appointment?  What should I have done to prove that I was sick?  Should I have gone into District Headquarters so they could take my temperature?  Do they have a lab that processes rapid strep tests?  This is ridiculous!

Dear District Headquarters,
We're supposed to be on the same side.  Your current actions suggest the contrary.  I invite you to spend any amount of time you have on your apparently idle hands to watch me teach.  Until then, you may not question my dedication to these children nor my profession.
Sincerely,
A-Grossly-Underpaid-Master's-Degree-Holding-Magna-Cum-Laude-Graduate-National-Merit-Scholar-Phi-Beta-Kappa-Member-Who-Turned-Down-Several-Much-Easier-Positions-In-Safe-Neighborhoods-To-Work-With-Kids-Who-Need-My-Skills-The-Most-Kind-Of-Teacher-Who-Normally-Says-Nothing-About-Being-Paid-For-35-Hour-Weeks-While-Working-More-Like-45-Hours-Because-I'm-Not-Doing-It-For-Money-I-Do-This-Job-Because-It-Matters!

Thank you for letting me get that off my embroidered chest.

I hope you are valued and appreciated in whatever line of work you are in. 

Iris Echoes Windscorpion's Feverish Ramblings

Things I learned from the nurse:

• I'm running a fever. 
• My blood pressure is "nice and low."

Things I learned from the doctor:

• I do NOT have strep throat. 
• I SHOULD drink half a gallon of liquid today. 

Things I learned from the little girls' magazine in the lobby:

• To figure out your Spy Name, add a haunted house item with a beloved teacher's last name:

Knife Anderson!

Arsenic Sawyer!

Echoes Pounder!

 Cobwebs Newhall!

• To figure out your fairy name, add a flower and a circular object in the sky+fire:

Poppy Jupiterfire!

Iris Orbitfire!

• To figure out your superhero name, add your birthstone and an insect that scares you:  

Peridot Windscorpion!

I think I'm going to combine three of these and that'll be my new alias:

Iris Echoes Windscorpion, at your service .
What's your spy/fairy/superhero/combo name?

ps  This is not what I looked like today. This is Iris Echoes Windscorpion and she always looks this good. I looked this good once with the help of a make-up artist, hairstylist, soft lighting, and a professional photographer on my friend's wedding day.




This is what I looked like today:

And I ran into fellow Seattle fashion blogger Joni at my favorite consignment store!
(I figured if I was well enough to drive myself to the doctor I was well enough to drop off some clothes...)

The good news is that I'm feeling a bit better and definitely have more energy than yesterday!
 I made myself this tasty salad for lunch and have had many mugs full of tea.
Thank you for all your positive health sentiments. You guys are awesome.

My Photo Is Having A Wonderful Time

Hello Friends,
I'm actually sick in bed, but my photo is attending a fun picnic in a park with Julia of Cup of Tea Style.  Click to attend, listen to music, and have some tasty tea! Tea sounds lovely right about now... talk to you later!


Daily Details:
- weather, very nice
- beaded t-shirt, altered, accpw $10
- skirt, accpw $10
- studded sandals, accpw $17
- bag, thrifted, accpw $0.32

Allergic to International Travel?

It's possible I'm allergic to international travel.  Or three day weekends.  It's the only plausible explanation.  In February, we had a three day weekend so my Handsome Husband and I planned to drive up for a day trip to Canada.  It didn't happen.  This morning, I woke up with an unpleasant cough.  But I was determined!  I channelled Halle Berry, gathered energy from granola, and made the drive.  It was totally worth it, despite the puzzled looks of border police both ways- did I really come all this way for dim sum?  Yes!  The officer on the way up warned us that, "Restaurants in Richmond come and go all the time," and wanted to know if we were sure it was still there since we hadn't been up in over a year.   I had absolutely no doubt.  The officer on our way home said, "Don't they have dim sum in Seattle?"

Ok, people, consider this a public service announcement and keep in mind it is also a personal sacrifice since this will most likely result in longer wait times the next time I make up north:

Let me tell you a little bit about Sun Sui Wah.  First of all, they have delicious food.  Second, they have expanded and opened a second location in Vancouver, so that's a good sign.  Third, they keep improving their service- via technology.  When you are seated, you are given a SCAN TRON SHEET. You mark your selections with a #2 pencil and someone picks it up. Approximately one minute later, you get a bilingual receipt of your ordered items. Approximately two minutes later, your food begins to arrive.

This may have been today's favorite: baked barbeque pork pastry.

If you've never crossed the international boundary between the United States and Canada through Blaine, here are two photos to show you how nice it is.

But now I'm exhausted, my throat hurts when I cough, and I don't think there will be any adventuring tomorrow. Which is ok, the last two days have been more than I hoped for. Tomorrow's agenda will consist of napping with these two:

Seattle Splendor

It was a gorgeous, sunny, beautiful, warm day in Seattle. 

 I had been craving banana pancakes since last week and they were every bit as good as I remembered.

Maybe even better because last week's didn't have blueberries...

 My Handsome Husband and I decided to go rent a kayak and paddle around Lake Union.

 We passed by Gasworks Park.

 Look at this beautiful city! I'm so happy I live here!

 Happy Girl!

 I was famished after kayaking and we had agedashi tofu...

and katsu donburi. What a perfect day!

What does your perfect day look like?

Daily Details:

- sandals, sooo old, approximate current cost per wear $0.10

- yellow shorts, accpw $10

- t-shirt, accpw $5

- necklace, thrifted months ago, $1 worn today for the first time, $1 cost per wear

- sunglasses, accpw $0.50

Bread, Butter, and Books

I found myself with a spare two hours so I decided to brave horrible traffic both ways to visit my beloved Elliot Bay Book Company.  It was lovely.  I'm so glad I did it.  If you don't know, EBB is an independent, local, family owned bookstore in Capitol Hill.   They are also online- see sidebar.  I walked in to high ceilings, cedar shelves, and books everywhere I turned.  I meandered over to the Food section and found the book I've been wanting to read.  Then I got hungry so I wandered over to their cafe and perused the menu. Sandwiches, cookies, muffins... and then I saw it: "Bread and Butter $2" !!!  How awesome is that?!  I ordered it, they heated up a third of a French baguette, sliced it up, and served it on a plate with room temperature butter.  It. Hit. The. Spot.  It was a several moments of zen.  I'm kicking myself for not having brought my camera.  I can't wait to spend a LOT more time there. Books. Bread. Butter. Sometimes the simplest things in life are really the best.  I hope you have a lovely weekend, especially if it's a long one.  What are you doing?  What are you reading right now?

Daily Details:
- weather: sunny and perfect
- shirt, thrifted, cost $1, divided by the 1 time I've worn it = $1 cost per wear
- skirt, local, approximate current cost per wear $5
- studded sandals, accpw $19
- bag, local, accpw $1.50
- pin, accpw $8
- belt, from pink bridesmaid dress, I have no idea how to calculate this

Too Nice

This dress was close to the chopping block until I figured a button-up shirt worked fine with it.  I haven't worn either of these items in more than six months, so they qualify for my personal 100% challenge.  I bought this dress last fall when I started to become interested in supporting local businesses for my clothing needs.  I did a lot of online searching for small local affordable shops.  The first two adjectives were easy enough, the third was the challenge.  So many small shops were beyond my price range- I just can't shell out $50 for a t-shirt and $200 for a dress!  No! Then I read a few reviews about a shop that seemed very promising.  It took about 20 minutes to drive there, another 20 minutes to find parking, and ten minutes to walk from my parking spot to the shop.  And yes, the proprietor was nice and the shop was cute... but the clothes didn't seem to be well made... many undesirable fabrics.  But I had made such an effort to be there that I was determined to come out with at least one thing!  I found this dress on the sale rack and it seemed cute enough.  I took it home feeling good about having supported a local shop, but deciding I wasn't coming back there.  And then I wore the dress to work and got a few nice comments and then one that left me feeling weird.  I believe the comment was meant to be nice, but it was a bit too appreciative...  So today I decided to shake off the weirdsies and give this dress another try.  No one said anything off putting, and most importantly, I felt comfortable.  I guess it's a keeper after all! 


Daily Details:
- weather: cloudy early and sunnier later
- dress, $30 divided by the 2 times I've worn it = approximate current cost per wear = $15
- button up shirt, accpw $10
- bag, accpw $0.33
- flats, accpw $2
- necklace, accpw $2

The 80-20 Principle

My lovely friend/mother-in-law introduced me to the 80-20 Principle which, applied to one's wardrobe, says that 80% of the time, people wear only 20% of their clothes.  I haven't calculated the percentages in my own closet, but I'm definitely making an effort this week to improve the ratios.  Yesterday's red and white blouse is an example.  Today's outfit is also part of this effort.  I'm not sure I can wear 100% of my clothes 100% of the time, but maybe I can wear 100% of my clothes at some point this year.  This is likely to be a challenge for me, especially since all I want to wear lately is my newly thrifted red plaid shirt.  And all I want to do is eat banana pancakes.  But that's a different story.

Do you think the 80/20 principle holds true for you?

Daily Details:

- weather: cool with a few rain showers

- dress, cost about $60, divided by the 3 times I've worn it = approximate current cost per wear = $20

- booties, accpw $20

- cardigan, accpw $5

- necklace, accpw $10 

Like Mother Like Dogger

It was rainy and gloomy outside ergo I attempted to take photos inside.   

But Lucy wanted to spend some quality time.  

Here is her back. 

We had a good heart to heart.

 I had to include this photo because it looks like we're making the same expression.  

Like mother like dogger!

I can't even remember what I wanted to say about this blouse. 

Happy Tuesday!

Daily Details:

- weather: cold and wet

- blouse, approximate cost per wear $15

- jeans, accpw $9

Style Imitating Art: Time Flies by Frida Kahlo

Welcome to Style Imitating Art! I'm so excited to share these photos inspired by Frida Kahlo!

Our first participant is Rebekah of From the Mixed Up Files... looking stunning in her beaded necklace and peplum lace top!

Our second entry is the amazingly creative artist Pao of Project Minima.

Our third submission is from the lovely and demure Salazar of 14 Shades of Gray.

Our fourth participant is the cool and creative Teddi of Honeybee Lane.

Here is Jess of Animated Cardigan in her stunning necklace.

Here's my rendition. 

Photo credit goes to HH who insisted I clench my jaw, think about back pain, and not smile.

I feel like this one looks like me, though. That girl in the photo above looks like a stranger. Right?

To read more, please click on the links! More great posts to read! Thanks, everyone!

Which Came First- Inspiration, Outfit, or Meal?

Did I wake up craving oat cakes with blueberries and put on a blueberry inspired top? Or did I order blueberry oatcakes because I was wearing a blue top?

image via Two Birds

Did I put on an outfit inspired by Gwyneth Paltrow and then want a hamburger? Or was I craving classic American food with a sweet potato fries twist and then put on the classic American staples of t-shirt and denim with a floral twist?

Did I order banana pancakes with bacon because I was wearing yellow and red? Yes. And I regret nothing. How gorgeous is this dish? Yes, those are mango chunks and macadamia nut pieces.

How was your weekend? Mine was delicious!

Daily Details:

- weather: cool with rain showers

- blueberry oatcakes top, thrifted, approximate current cost per wear $5

- blueberry oatcakes jeans, thrifted, accpw $1

- hamburger denim shirt, accpw $20

- hamburger skirt, thrifted, accpw $3

- pancakes raincoat, gifted

- pancakes plaid shirt, thrifted, accpw $1

- pancakes mary jane crocs, accpw $1

Thank you, Two Birds, for the inspiration!