Hey friends, happy Sunday!
It’s been a busy couple of weeks over here! We had family in town (my niece stayed with us for almost 3 weeks and my sister in law came the last week to visit), plus my daughter had swim practice each morning + swim meets, and my son had football camp. I feel like I spent most of my mornings dropping off and picking up kids in a staggered way lol. Then I was working on getting my substitute teacher certification done, which was lots of online trainings and paperwork.
I’ve been feeling a pull to work outside the home for the past year or so. For the past 13 years I have worked at home, on my blog and various online businesses, and I have loved the flexibility. I have SO ENJOYED it. With my husband’s job (he’s in the military) and our frequent moves, it just made sense to have me home and be the stable force in our home. I have also loved doing my online work, creating content that inspires and sharing my life with all of you. It is truly a joy (and not ending!) I subbed a bit when when we lived in Traverse City and really enjoyed being back in a school setting, and I am feeling called back to that. I taught for 3 years before my kids were born and have a Master’s in teaching, I love kids! It is something I have always known and been called to do, to work with kids and be a guide on their lives.
So, my plan right now is to be a substitute teacher at my kids’ middle school. I love working where they go to school, and focusing on one school. I have never done middle school, and I think that will be a fun change! I am also open to a full time teaching position, if the right opportunity presents itself. There are some steps involved as I am not certified to teach in this state, but I have the education and past teaching certification and qualifications, so we shall see. I am really excited to see what the next year or two brings to our family. My husband is retiring after 20 years in the military next June and our kids are both going to be in middle school this year. Time flies!
On that note, I have no work clothes to speak of. Working from home means I have lived a very casual lifestyle for a long time and I honestly don’t have anything that would work for this next step in my life. So, I did a little shopping spree at Old Navy as they had a huge sale (they always have sales, yes?) I forgot how good ON was for work stuff and I bought a bunch of things to see how they fit and goo together. The key with teacher workwear is to be professional AND comfortable, something I have not forgotten! I ordered things in silhouettes I love…tunics over skinnier pants, tees tucked into cropped flares, and a couple cardigan sweaters to wear when/if I get chilly. Let’s go into what I bought below!
Things I bought to go back to work!
First off, pants! I own only jeans right now, or leggings. I remember wearing these Pixie pants when I subbed before and I loved them, so I bought them in black in a size 8. If they fit well I will most likely buy other colors.
I also loved these cropped flares, and bought two pairs. I ordered them in the rust color and the olive color. I will wear these with a tee and a cardigan. a half tucked tunic, sweaters, basically everything.
This tunic looked so cute! I will wear this will all 3 pairs of pants above, either half tucked or loose.
*Note: I don’t do this as much in my regular wardrobe, but when it comes to work clothes I tend to do a Capsule Wardrobe type thing. I buy clothing in a few colors that mix and match, and then jazz it up with jewelry! Everything I bought can be worn multiple ways and I want to make sure it mixed and matched to make a bunch of outfits.
I love this leopard tunic! I use leopard pattern as a neutral, to be honest. It kinda goes with everything and is a great pattern to add in.
This loose tee will look go with everything tucked in or loose, or layered under a blazer it cardigan.
The same goes for this button up top!
I bought this long cardigan in two colors, rust and olive. Add a tee underneath and cute boots with pants and the outfit is made!
Okay, so I am not a blazer person, but on a recommendation I ordered this one in black! It looked so cute in all the pics in the reviews.
I didn’t buy any shoes (yet;), I do have a few pairs that will work for now. I have a similar pair of slip on shoes like these, plus some neutral and flat booties that will pair well with everything.
That’s it for now! When it all arrives I will be sharing it via my Instagram stories and on my blog, too. I hope you all have had a great week and are having a wonderful Summer (so far.)
