Polka Dot Stroll

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Dress: Ross | Shoes: Thrifted | Purse: Ross | Hat: Forever 21 | Scarf: Vintage 
*photos taken by my brother*


Nothing like a good polka dot dress and an afternoon strolling by old houses! A couple of weeks ago I took a day trip to the beach with my mom and brother, and you know me, I always plan for the occasion and the opportunity to take pictures:) With that I knew I wanted to stop along some of my favorite streets in Galveston to take pictures in front of the old houses. This happened to be a new street we found and I absolutely LOVE the houses!
Visiting the old historic parts of Galveston is as close as I get to visiting Charleston in Texas:) I have always loved old houses because they hold so much history and so many stories. I think just looking at and strolling by old houses takes me back in time and I start imagining who lived in the house 100 years ago, what they did, what kind of functions they had, what was their story? From landscaped yards, green lawns and quaint picket fences what isn't there to love!
Since I knew I would be going straight from the beach to downtown I tried to put together a simple, yet classic ensemble and this old brown and white polka dot shirtwaist dress was perfect. I wanted something simple, but also classic and southern so what is more classic than polka dots and more southern than a hat and a straw bag? For the record this is probably the quickest change I have made for a photo shoot as I threw this dress on over my swimsuit, put on a sparse amount of makeup (hence why I look slightly pale) and topped off my beach head hair with a hat! Honestly though, with old historic houses like these you can wear the simplest of outfits and still look classic!

Do you like historic houses?
Have you ever seen the historic homes in Galveston?

-Madison

Life Update & Bursts of Yellow

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Skirt: Forever 21 | Shirt: Thrifted (H&M) | Shoes: Forever 21 | Purse: Everly Oak | Earrings: XXI
Photography by Jana Kay Photography 


First....can we talk about how amazing the color YELLOW is! I seriously can't get enough of yellow this spring, and this skirt and pair of heels from Forever 21 are to die for:) This look has such colorful spring vibes and I love the setting that I got to shoot this look in.

Okay, but you are probably really wondering....."what is your big life update?" Well.....I GOT A JOB!!! Like a real job....like an adult job....the biggest job I have ever had in my life.....IT'S CRAZY AND ALSO SO EXCITING!

I have shared a LOT about my teaching journey on the blog, but up until now it has just been building, without any knowledge of what the future might hold for me. Honestly this past spring has been the most challenging time of my life since college! Like, student teaching was challenging, but at that time all I was thinking about was teaching lessons every day, I wasn't even thinking about the future. Then came spring when OH MY GOSH I have to pass 2 tests to get certified and attend job fairs and do interviews......talk about MAJOR anxiety and stress.....I felt like I was living in a haze for 3 months (it didn't help that I failed one of my tests two times). However, with every storm comes a rainbow at the end, and that glimmer is the budding green valley I am standing in right now....which honestly still seems like a dream.

I think this crazy journey over these past few months is what I needed to refocus my life and refocus my "focus" on God and his plan for my life. Honestly, I knew that even if I didn't get a teaching job I had lots of other options, but teaching was something I wanted to try and pursue. However, with that comes looking for openings, making connections, attending job fairs, talking to schools, going through interviews, and then hitting submit and crossing your fingers that something works out.

Truthfully, the whole job search/job fair/interview process was crazy and hard at times, but I also learned so much through it and grew so much in my confidence (I can totally sell myself as a teacher). All in all, I was blessed to make some amazing contacts while student teaching and come to know some "high power" people in the school district that I not only student taught in, but also wanted to teach in one day.....which brings us to now.

After attending a big job fair, I scored an interview with my TOP school (like a brand new High School I have been wanting to teach at since last fall) and the interview process was so amazing, not to mention that I had a good feeling about it. However, in the midst of that I was still trying to pass my last certification test, so no school could technically consider me for the position until I passed my test....talk about PRESSURE! THANKFULLY I passed my test this last time I went to take it (3rd times the charm) and things could finally start to fall into place. During this whole time however, I also was contacted by the high school I student taught at (and LOVED) and was told that my mentor teacher got a new job and her position would be opening up (a position in which I had already taught all the classes and was familiar with). You can imagine how torn I was in this month long process of having two amazing job opportunities, but also having the unknown of still needing to pass my test.

Nevertheless, I think the trying times refine who we are and teach us a LOT! After passing my test I notified the two schools that had positions I was interested in (and that I had interviewed for) letting them know I was "official". Within a week I received a phone call from my TOP school (the new High School) and was offered a Family and Consumer Science position. Talk about excitement! While I loved the idea of getting my mentor teachers job at the High School I had come to love, I also felt strongly that I was meant to go to this new High School (it has only been open a year) and be a part of building up the Family and Consumer Science program, entering onto a new adventure in which I get to pave my own way instead of walk in the footprints of someone else who has gone before me....so with that I accepted and now have a job (starting in August)!!!

So what does that job entail exactly? Well if you are not familiar with Family and Consumer Science (not sure I have talked about it much on the blog), it is basically your "home economics" classes so basically all my hobbies as classes! It is also super broad, so technically there are over 10 classes I am certified to teach. With that, FACS teachers typically have 2-5 preps when it comes to the classes they teach, so for my job starting in August I will have 4ish classes I will be teaching which are:

Principals of Education
Interpersonal Studies
Principals of Human Services (PHS)
&
Interior Design I / Interior Design II

So my schedule for the fall is going to be packed, and this summer is going to be filled with lesson planning and working out all the details for my classes.....its both daunting and exciting! I am honestly super lucky to get to teach the classes above, because three of them are classes I taught during student teaching (and fell in love with) so I am beyond excited to share my passion for those subject with my students. I get to teach them about education, what it means to be a teacher, relationships, personalities, communication, nutrition, life skills, family relationships, principals of design, floor plans, housing styles, and the list goes on and on!

I hope to share more with you all about what I learned during my Interview processes, what my school year will look like, more about the classes I teach, and when Fall hits, snippets into my life as a REAL LIFE TEACHER!!! IT STILL DOESN'T SEEM REAL!!! I have legit started having dreams about teaching.....so apparently my mind knows it's real:)

It's crazy to think the past 3.5 years of college, student teaching, and subbing have lead up to this point and that all of the details fell into place so seamlessly, but then again it isn't crazy because once again it just goes to show God's divine plan in my life and his faithfulness through the highs and lows!

-Madison

Fit For a Royal Wedding

Saturday, May 19, 2018

Dress: c/o StyleWe | Shoes: Target | Hat(Fascinator): Gift | Clutch: Thrifted | Earrings: Target

With the excitement and coverage surrounding the Royal Wedding I decided to get into the spirit of the occasion and put together a fun post inspired by "royal wedding" style. I remember when I watched William and Kate's wedding and I couldn't get over all of the pretty dresses and all the incredible fascinators.....since then I have definitely become more obsessed with the royal family (and Britain in general). I don't follow them quite as religiously as some people, but I am known by many to be a royal fan. 

I am not quite sure where my Royal obsession first started? Probably with all the BBC shows I watch, which naturally lead to my interest in the country and watching tons of period dramas, especially those about key members of the Royal family like Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth herself (The Young Victoria is one of my favorite movies and the TV shows Victoria and The Crown are definitely high on my list). I'm known to drink lots of tea, possess a decent British accent, follow royal family fan accounts on twitter and catch any major news that happens with them. Thus, the Royal Wedding is quite exciting for me, especially considering how historical it is on so many accounts! 

Some people could care less about the big day of the Royal Wedding (or the Royal Family in general) but I have always loved a good love story, especially one having to do with a Prince (I'm the total cliche) so this day was quite anticipated. It's not surprise then that some of my favorite Hallmark movies are the royal ones, that I have seen all the movies about William and Kate's love story (multiple time), and even managed to see the new Lifetime movie about Harry and Megan (call me obsessed). I guess I have checked all the boxes of being a Royal fan, well that is once I have woken up early to watch the wedding and pop a batch of scones in the oven while my tea is steeping. 

In the spirit of British fashion and Royal Wedding style I put together this look that is fit for the Royal Wedding itself. I received this lovely dress from StyleWe a few months ago and never found the right occasion to wear it until now, which worked out perfectly considering my friend in Canada sent me this lovely fascinator. The details on this dress are absolutely stunning and give off an almost 1940's vibe while still being very classic. Sometimes I tend to be a matchy, matchy person, and looking back on the wedding looks from the last Royal Wedding I know this combination would fit in with the guest list:) 

Are you planning to watch the Royal Wedding?
Are you a Royal Fan?

-Madison 

The Sisterhood

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

| Top: Forever 21 | Pants: Alexandra Vanderbilt (me) Hollister (sister) |
 | Shoes: Limelight (me) Dr. Scholls (sister) | 


If you have a sister you know what it is like, you know how special that relationship is (or can be). My sister and I are complete and polar opposites! For starters I am the pale blonde ghost and she is the tan brown goddess. I am also super old fashioned and have a quirky style while she thinks I am weird and would rather wear sport shorts and a tshirt every day. I like fancy details while she could care less about them. She likes to spend time with her friends almost every chance she gets, while I like to have alone time.
However, despite our many differences we are also psychically linked (like most sisters). If one of us starts laughing the other is bound to join in as the room erupts in a chorus of dying walruses (our laughs are weird....just take my word for it). We often times finish each others sentences or say the same thing at the same time. Jamming to High School Musical and Camp Rock is our favorite thing to do in the car and we love to watch cheesy movies. Give us to much coffee and sugar and things are bound to get crazy :)
Having a sister is so special, because you have a built in best friend. I didn't always appreciate our relationship until I moved away to college. With the distance we actually got closer and I am forever thankful she is always there to hear my rants, make fun of me, suggest we go shopping, and be my go to dance partner at weddings.
If you are looking at the pictures and wondering if we dress matching often the answer would be NO. Apart from the fact that we have completely different styles, Taylor isn't a big fan of us wearing the same thing (she once got mad at me for buying white converse when she bought hers). However, a month ago we were shopping at Forever 21 and found these cute "Sisterhood" shirts, without a second thought we both decided we NEEDED to get them to wear and take pictures in (if nothing else). This was such a fun photo shoot to do and even more fun having my sister by by side!

Do you have a special relationship with your sister?

-Madison

Teacher Style: Redefining Business Dress

Monday, May 14, 2018


Top: Forever 21 | Pants: Shein | Shoes: Shoe Carnival | Bag: Target | Earrings: Forever 21 

Who likes business dress? When it comes to dressing "professional" it can be one of the most challenging things to figure out, especially when you have a style of your own! I remember hearing in all of the business/professional classes I took in college that business dress needed to stay simple and professional......this usually meant black, white, and grey.....boring right? I always hated the idea of only 2-3 drab colors, ugly business pants, and unflattering blazers, so when it came time to attend job fairs and go to interviews I decided that the typical "business dress" wasn't for me. With that, I decided to put together a post to share how you can embrace business dress without loosing personality and style.
I have included some of my favorite styles and pieces below, but when it comes to professional "business dress" there are six rules I like to stick to:


  1. Utilize A Print: I always try to go with polka dots or a floral. I have worn a floral dress over a button up to an interview and a polka dot skirt and sweater to another. Patterns feel more fun. 
  2. Pick A Color: I am not saying wear pink head to toe, but instead of a boring neutral color pick a shade that describes you! I wore a sunshine yellow dress to one of my interviews and I loved it:)
  3. Novelty Accessory: If I stick with a more simple outfit I like to add an accessory or piece of jewelry that still have personality, like a fun broach or statement necklace. 
  4. Fun But Comfortable Shoes: Shoes are vital to overall comfort, but they also can pull an outfit together. I like to pick something comfortable but also stylish and full of personality. I have worn yellow sandal block heels and a pair of nude block pumps to another. 
  5. All In The Details: Sometimes the basics are good, but I like to take a unique approach to basic staples by finding pieces that have unique details (like this white ruffle button up in this post).
  6. When in Doubt LAYER: I love to take a printed sundress and layer it over a button up shirt or tie front blouse or even top off a printed dress with a colored sweater. 
At the end of the day be yourself. Fashion is my favorite way of self expression and when it comes to professional dress, what better way to be yourself than with your style! 







How do you feel about business dress?

-Madison