Outfit #105 - From Jeannie

You may have noticed, many of my clothes come from Jeannie.  Today, they're all from Jeannie.

Dress: Backstage.  Shoes: Zoe & Zac.  Earrings: ?

The shoes do hurt a little though, so I have to pick my days carefully - today I only had junior quartet, and some parts to photocopy in the office, taking me out of my teaching room.  Which was a good thing, too, considering the rain.  Not from Jeannie (or even photographed) were the rain coat and umbrella.  They weren't used all that much.

One girl came in and said right away, "Ooh I like your dress... and your shoes!  Very cute.  But - oh - did you hurt your feet?"  when she saw the (preemptive) Bandaids.

Outfit #71 - Group Photos

Outfit details:

Skirt: Spicy Sugar (from Jeannie).  Blouse: Jacqui E (op shop).  Shoes: Zoe & Zac (from Jeannie).  Earrings: also from Jeannie.  Tank (not visible): Jeanswest.  Flat shoes (not shown...): Hot Options.

Yesterday, I mentioned I'd forgotten today was group photos.  Today's outfit was originally intended for yesterday, but I thought it would look better in photos than today's original plan.  I'm not sure if that's actually the case, but the girls all liked it.

This is the closest I've come to a 100% recycled outfit for school, too.  All the visible bits are either from Jeannie (really, my biggest clothes source - thanks Jeannie!) and an op shop.  In fact, the visible content cost a whole $9.50 (bought in January).  I must admit, though, that the shoes were just too much.  I have a blister on a toe so after walking down to strings, then up to one courtyard then staffroom then other courtyard then back to my teaching room then down to strings and back, I gave up.  I put them back on for the second photo, and then reverted to my black flower flats. 

I chose this earring photo (although not the greatest shot of the actual earrings) because of the background.  I hadn't noticed it until I was looking through photos.  A couple of weeks ago, I had to take a little one back to class and the next child was already there.  She had some theory questions, so I asked her to write them on the board.  I came back while she was writing the first question: 'How come when we use' and I can't remember the rest, but we worked out a few answers that day.

Today's photo:

I had a dental appointment this evening, and this was the sunset that greeted me as I headed in.  Very smoky.

Outfit #38 - The Swapped Skirt

Outfit details:
Skirt: Sinerji (swap).  Singlet: Dotti.  Tshirt: Ambra organic cotton.  Shoes: Hot Options.  Earrings: Mombasa.

When asked what was my favourite item of recycled clothing earlier this year, this skirt was it.  I love it.  Nearly every time I wear it, there is a positive comment from someone - the embroidery on the front is so peaceful.  I scored it at a swap day - because I was considered a tall person (win!!).  It is quite loose and comfy.  And as its label claims it's sustainable and ethical I get warm fuzzies whenever I even look at it.  Considering the number of wearings last year I was shocked that I waited until now to wear it to school this year. 

Last Wednesday a student asked for a photo of my earrings.  The same student was admiring this skirt and then saw the owl earrings - and asked for a photo of these earrings too.  I don't think there was a particular reason this time, just that she likes that they are owls.  Yet another 10-yr-old told me they were, like, almost like 3D...sooo cool...

Outfit #27 - I've Got the Blues

Outfit details:
Shirt: Lily White (op shop).  Dress: Cue (op shop).  Shoes: Lipstick Design (op shop).  Earrings: made by me.  Scarf (below): gift from Judy.  Jacket (below): Sportsgirl (from Jeannie).  I think this is the first entirely recycled school outfit.

Cons of this outfit: the straps on the dress kept slipping down.
Pros of this outfit: where do I begin?!  Well, a good start would be that this dress is from Cue.  It used to be that I would not even bother entering a Cue store - I was just the wrong shape.  But this fits!  And in my normal size too.  I actually had this outfit planned for the end of last term, but the zip is really stiff - the thought of struggling to do the zip and then wearing a very restrictive outfit all day did not really appeal in that weather.  But the dress is even looser now, and I finished breakfast 6 minutes faster than normal this morning so I could get to work on the zip.

When I was thinking about what to wear today, I must admit I had the blues.  I won't go into that here, but my mood and the desire to wear these shoes again resulted in an all-blue ensemble.  It worked so well!  As soon as I was in the heels I felt better.  Add to that the compliments I received on shoes and general elegance and this was one much happier teacher.


 I made a bracelet from these same stone chips (dyed agate), which I love.  The clasp tore off in a mega-clothes-trying-on experience and I just haven't replaced it yet - maybe this weekend. 


After the last time I wore this shirt, I was on the phone with my mum.  "Now...about these outfits...", she starts.  Immediately I'm wary.  "That shirt with the stripes.  It looks a bit tired.  I think maybe you should retire it..."  I asked if it would be ok if it was under something else (the problem was with the bottom hem), but the suggestion was not met with excitement.  I wonder if this result is acceptable.  It certainly met with approval at school.


Can you tell I'm wearing stockings?  Again, possibly the first time I've worn stockings with peep toe shoes.  Without reinforced toes I hope it was ok.  Thankfully it didn't result in my feet slipping around in the shoes.

Obviously the weather has really changed, so for the earlier and later hours I also sported the scarf and jacket.  The jacket has the backing of a badge - I have several ideas for a covering for it but I'm thinking of asking some kids for ideas.  They're always entertaining.  As a bonus, I now have a maroon jacket for when State of Origin rolls around.

The scarf is so beautiful to wear.  And possibly my most versatile scarf.  It's light enough that I can wear it when the weather is only moderately cold, but there's enough of it that it suits for much colder weather also. 

Can you tell I'm ridiculously tired?  A few of these scarf shots were horrendously eye-baggy.  This one is not amazing, but it does show the colours of the scarf and jacket best (although the jacket is actually a bit brighter).

The Card Materials

A couple of years ago, I started making my own cards.  An 11-yr-old had given me a Christmas card that she'd made herself and I thought, I can do that.  Of course I then had a slightly card-obsessed phase...  Then I started looking at items that could be worked into cards.  All that lovely paper is lovely, but expensive and environmentally suspect.  So I have a collection of things that could be used in cards.  It's a bit like having an attic of shoe boxes filled with things like buttons, string, and nails.  (The shoe boxes in my attic have things like Christmas decorations).  On Friday was a friend's birthday, and I actually used one of these leftover bits for her card.

This friend is a home economics teacher but can also (and does, depending on the year) teach Japanese.  Her home has lovely Japanese items around and, when looking for inspiration, I thought this bit of cardboard with its Japanese-style print would be just right.  It's actually from the box of a mug I was given for Christmas (the mug is just as pretty as the box).

It was easy enough to cut a square out of a box, but it was just that little bit too big for the card.  I kept trimming and trimming, then eventually realised that I could take the top sheet off the corrugated part and it would sit so much better.  I was hoping for a bit more dark blue in the background of the card, or even some gold, but it looks like I'm all out.  I think the light pink works nicely though.

Triple Whammy

 Friday had 3 - 3! - new things.

1.  I went to Nocturnes at St John's Cathedral.  For the last couple of years, on Friday evenings during Lent they hold Nocturnes, a quiet musical ending to the week.  I used to have students starting at 8am on Saturdays, so I wasn't super keen to be out til 10pm the night before.  But that student is now during the week, and my first one isn't til 9am (a huge, wonderful difference), so I feel more able to attend a late evening concert.  Last night was the Camerata of St John's, a small string group a bit like the ACO.  Instead of performing in the main part of the cathedral, they used the north aisle which made it a very intimate setting.  One of my favourite pieces was performed - Spiegel im Spiegel by Arvo Part.  I first heard that in the cathedral years ago, when it was used by the Queensland Ballet for their Francis of Assissi production.  Beautiful.  Last night there were some group pieces as well as solos by members of the group who were not the leaders of each section, which I found really refreshing.  Sitting in a darkened cathedral and listening to music at once intimate and filling the whole, huge space, was a very special end to the week.  This photo I took at the end - I had not known before that the huge window at the West End has a fire effect going late at night.  Pretty spectacular, and this photo doesn't really do it justice, but that's just a glimpse.

2.  My outfit was 100% recycled.  Dress, necklace and shoes from op shops (dress I bought last January and have been waiting to wear it that long!), jacket and earrings from friends.  Yes, this photo is a bit blurry - but it was night.  And the shoes didn't quite make it in fully (it's hard to get good help these days...).  I did have people walking past, and other friends trying to make me laugh, so this is the least blurred and ridiculous shot there was.

3.  I made a decision for a group.  This was met with amazement, and then much teasing.  Good thing they're my best friends!  After the Nocturnes 4 of us were going for coffee.  2 people decided not to make the decision as to where we went.  I said, not Three Monkeys because I've been there recently.  Much dithering ensued, so I then said, Let's go to the Three Monkeys.  Gasp.

Outfit #6

This is a very short skirt, for me.  If it only just reaches my knees when I'm standing, then there are a few more inches of leg visible when I'm seated.

1 - This outfit is almost entirely recycled.  I think I'm yet to wear an actual 100% recycled outfit (there have been plans, but the weather sometimes gets in the way of good plans).

2 - I'm wearing a belt.  Possibly for the first time in more than... ummm... 6 years?  A long while, anyway.

Shirt: Miss Shop (from Jeannie).  Skirt:  Temt (Lifeline West End).  Belt: gift.  Shoes:  Pulp.  Earrings: Mombasa - the owl earrings from a couple of weeks ago.  My current favourites, I think.