Back-To-School Life Update

Dress:Topshop (on sale for 50% off making it $44) // Bag: c/o Vera Bradley // Shoes: Nine west (literally had them since I was 19 years old!)

On Athena: Jelly sandals // Eyelet Romper

Everyone keeps asking me how it's going being back to work so here it is, a little life update on how we are doing and how we are making it work.

Short answer, It's great. I love being back in a routine. I don't know how it's possible but getting up at 5 before the baby and working out before school is actually easier than waking up with her at like 7:30 like I used to. How is that even possible?? I think some people just do better with a routine and I am definitely one of them.

Speaking of working out, guys, you know I love taking classes, but I'm full-on obsessed with my new Pilates studio, Core Body Pilates. I seriously have gone every day except 3 since I started going there over a month ago. I'm hooked. I love reformer pilates classes because no two classes are ever the same. Honestly, it feels like no two moves even are ever the same either! There are literally hundreds of exercises you can do on a reformer and I am loving all the variety. The instructors are fun and motivating and the location, for me, can't be beat. It's just down the street and there is a Starbucks right next door! It's like the perfect combination to start my morning. I've been mixing my protein shake in my iced black grande (in a venti cup) and it's the perfect solution to getting both in! I'm also sticking with the 6AM classes because I just don't think I'd have the time or energy to do them after Athena goes to sleep and it's nice knowing my workout is done before my day even really begins. It's like I'm sneaking in a little me time before the day starts.

As for teaching, everything is pretty great. No complaints here. I've only had students for 7 days but so far, so good. Classroom is all set up and I'm still trying to remember where I put everything. Soon enough it will be organized perfection, just the way I like it!

The hardest part so far has been not seeing Athena as much. Some mornings she sleeps past when I leave for work and I don't get to see her at all in the morning. Although it's good for her dad because he can sleep in a little, I still wish I could see her. Andrew is training for a race so he runs her in the jogging stroller to school and I pick her up and the stroller as soon as I'm done with work. I was so used to waking up with her every day and getting her ready. Athena is such a good sleeper at night (usually between 12-13 hours) that she is still sleeping after I get home from my workout and STILL after I shower and get ready! I hate not getting to see her before I leave, but I'd rather her be rested for her day because when she is at daycare she is little Miss social and only sleeps for 30-45 mins tops, so she needs her night sleep to prep! When I go pick her up she is a happy little zombie and falls asleep in the car before I can get 3 blocks away! She likes to party all day and sleep all night.

It is pretty darn nice to have a paycheck again too. I have been more careful with how I was spending the last year and a half without a consistent steady income but now that I saw cash in my account, I finally treated myself to a few little things I've wanted for awhile. Some for me and some for Athena, of course.

I picked up this top I have in blue, but wanted in white as well, this super soft thermal, this cleansing oil from Primally Pure because my friend Blair has been using it and her skin is looking gorgeous. Maybe it's just her pregnancy glow but if it's sold in a bottle, I'm down to try! Especially when it's a super natural product. I had my eye on this BURU dress for months and it went on sale for 60% off so I finally scooped it up. I ordered Athena some super cute winter stuff from Zara and 2 pairs of Freshly Picked shoes (on sale all this week!) since she's WALKING now!! Also, I have been in love with my friend Ashley's Victoria Beckham  highlighter in Modern Mercury for months now and it finally got rereleased last week so I jumped on that as soon as she told me it was out! I also picked up two cute teacher dresses from one of my favorite online boutiques, Something Sunny. That sounds like alot when I put it all down but man, I deserved it!

I'm back, everyone! I feel pumped and ready to meal prep, pack lunches, consistently work out and go to bed EARLY! I'm so happy I'm done with school at 3:30 and I can still have a few hours with Athena. Now all I need is for it to not be in the 90's so I can show you the outfits I'm wearing to work without being a sweaty mess after school. Hopefully the Fall temps will kick in soon here in SLC.

Ski Jumps

Top: Nordstrom (on major sale!)  // Shorts: Madewell // Shoes Topshop (old) // Watch: c/o Armitron

Weekends are now a little different with me back to work and athena in daycare. We like to spend them together as much as we can so last weekend we went on a little adventure to Park City to see the ski jump Show at the Olympic training park.

We accidentally happened to stumble upon the after-show practice last summer and wanted to come back for the real thing this year. It's pretty cool to watch the younger jumpers (who were 12 and up) but terrified my mama heart! Their moms must be very chill or very stressed!

Athena loved all the action too. Any time there are tons of people around and an activity outside, she's into it. Bonus points if she can move around.

Coming soon, I'll have an update on life back to work and back to school and how the transition is going.

I hope all of you enjoyed your long weekend!

Blue Floral Maxi for Back to Work

Dress: Forever 21 // Bag: Dagne Dover "Charlie"

Today is the first day back to work so I thought I'd get a little head start on blogging the back-to-work looks. I know if you have been a long time follower, my style has changed a bit for the last year, but I'M BACK! 

I'm a little bit worried that my work style will be a little weird at my new job. My style can be a little quirky at times and SLC is way more athleisure than my capes and bright colors. We shall see, maybe my style will evolve a little more now. After all, I'm still a mom and will have to go get Athena after work. Lets just hope I get really good at bending over in pencil skirts asap! Wish me luck at my first day back into the real world!

The Biggest Comeback of my Life

Dress: Asos Tall // Sneakers: Adidas // Scarf: Vintage (similar) // Bag: Rebecca Minkoff // Hair: c/o Dreamdry NYC

Photos by my amazing friend Ashley

Summer is coming to an end. A big end. Every summer as a teacher is so bittersweet but this time around it's way different. 

So as most of you know, I was teaching in Chicago in 2015 but had to leave 3 months into the school year to move here to SLC. NOTHING I've experienced in teaching is heartbreaking then leaving a group of kids you absolutely adore. I seriously cried the entire last day as current students and former students came to visit, drop off cards and come wish me well. It was all so bitter sweet and certainly a different dynamic than leaving the last day of school in the summer. Then, the kids are just as ready to go as you are, but mid November is a different story.

So you've heard about the end, but what about the beginning?  It's such an exciting time for both the teachers and students. I know so many teachers who have trouble sleeping the night before a new school year begins, and even more who have dreams about school as the summer comes to a close.

Now here I am, two school years later, going back after the biggest career break of my life! I'll be at a brand new school, well kind of. I was subbing there before I was pregnant and at the beginning of my pregnancy until I was too sick to continue. I'll be going back to a classroom that I had subbed in many times and loved, so the comfort level is already pretty great.  I seriously can't wait to get back to it. To have a routine, and structure to my day is something I thrive on so I'm looking forward to having that back in my life. I love packing lunches and meal planning for the week. It's even more fun now that I get to pack Athena's tiny breakfasts and lunches too!

So while all of you are sending your kids back to school thinking how nervous you are for them, just know on the other side there is a teacher who is just as anxious to meet them, teach them and start their little happy classroom community! I'm ready to fall hard for my new 4th graders!

The Smart Tote Bag

Skirt: Ann Taylor // Scarf: Banana Republic (first non-vintage scarf I've bought in a long time!) // Bag: Dagne Dover "Charlie" // Top: Banana Republic (similar) // Shoes: Zara (sold out)

Well, hey there!

Yep, it's been a while but I'm back. So much has gone on. I got my hair cut (about 5 inches of it to be exact), we have had a month-long stream of family in town that is continuing this weekend, and Athena is apparently all grown up and going to daycare now! I've also been spending lots of my extra time on two interior design projects for two clients for Jill of All Trades! BUSY!

But before I get you up-to-date on life lately, let's talk about this Dagne Dover bag.

It seems to have a personality of its own because everywhere I bring it, people constantly ask about it and then the floodgates of praise open up. The smart features that put this bag above every other tote I have ever owned are what make it such a game-changer!

• It has a key leash so you don't have to dig when trying to open a door with something like, I don't know.... a 20 pound thrashy little human in your arms. 
• There is a Neoprene cup holder so that your water bottle or thermos stay upright and don't spill all over in your bag. 
• There are so many pockets, and guess what? They all have purposes! For example there are two side pockets but one is up high for your phone (i have a 7Plus and it fits!) so it doesn't sink into the abyss of all my stuff. 
• There is a sturdy and padded zipper pocket that holds my big Macbook Pro and tucks it away. 

Somehow even with all my crap in there it manages to remain upright! It's seriously magic. And have you seen how gorgeous it is? The leather is so yummy and the rose gold hardware is unlike anything I own! So much attention to detail in this bag! You all need one, so click over here to Dagne Dover! It's going to be the best teacher bag for the upcoming school year!

Ok, so the hair cut. Seriously I was just sick of Athena pulling it, and the longer it was, the more fun it was to pull for her! So in an effort to balance out my regrowth that looks like tiny bangs on my hairline and in an effort to make the pain less prolonged, I cut it off! Well not me but my favorite redhead Kate at Lunatic Fringe on 11th!

The Lob has always been a favorite of mine but the fronts of my hair would never grow out long enough to achieve the long angle. My post-pregnancy hair was long but lackluster so the length was finally where I wanted it to make the lob actually work. I'm loving it! I forgot though, how short hair seems to grow faster and you need to get it cut more frequently so I'm already headed back next Thursday for my next trim!

On to my favorite topic, Athena!

Guys! I was so sad and worried that she would hate daycare and cry and scream. Andrew and I both took her the first day to prepare for a meltdown (her or me) but she just went straight for the "bar" as we like to call it, the toy and activity table where all the babies kind of congregate, and she never looked back. We were strangely disappointed but overall really proud of her. The first day they said she would have moments of freak-outs where she realized that she didn't know anyone, but then the next few days she was getting better and better. She hasn't cried at all when I drop her off and when I pick her up she gives her little signature wave to her teachers and she's cool to go. It's a million times easier than I thought it would be and I'm so glad. Right now she has been going for between 3-5 hours a day and thats working really well. She is all tuckered out when she gets home every day. I have been taking advantage of having much more time to dedicate to my clients and myself and can get some big things taken care of before I go back to teaching!

One of the most important things I'm doing is working out earlier in the day. It was getting really hard waking up with Athena at 6AM and then trying to find the energy to go work out at 7PM after she went to sleep. Now I get my workout in as soon as I drop her off and then I feel energized and productive with the rest of my day. I swear I'm not running home and napping, but maybe I should try that before school starts!

I'm LOVING my new Reformer Pilates studio, Core Body Pilates. It opened 6 months ago near my house and I had been wanting to try it, and now that I have, I'm sad I waited so long. Reformer Pilates is one of my absolute favorite workouts ever. Those things look like medieval torture devices but I think that once you get used to them they fun and the possibilities are endless with the moves you can do on them. Every class and teacher is different so my body doesn't get used to it! I am for sure going to do the unlimited month pass next and my goal is to take 6 am classes every day before school in the Fall.

My father-in-law and brother-in-law will be in this weekend so I'm looking forward to spending time with Athena and family all together.

Have a great weekend everyone!