About a week ago, I received one of the absolute sweetest surprises in my entire teaching career…
THE STORY
…I arrived at work one morning and sitting on my desk in front of my computer was the prettiest mixed plant arrangement. No note, no card, no explanation. Upon closer inspection, it was more like a mini fairy garden complete with a sweet little fairy and a succulent, which I happen to be currently obsessed with.
Two of my three bestie/roommates were already there and initially I accused them of being behind the mysterious gift. But alas, they were cleared of any shifty plant behavior. Next we thought maybe it was a gift in memory of my dad. After discussion though, we determined that didn’t make sense because there was no card or note.
I called the office and asked our secretary if anyone had asked her for my room key since my classroom is always locked. She told me no and asked why. I said, “It’s so weird…there was this cute little…” and she cut me off with, “Plant? In a little black rectangular planter?” She then proceeded to tell me she had found one on her desk as well. Now I was puzzled…what was the common thread that we both got a mystery plant?
She suggested the kids in the after school program. That made sense in her case since she often lends them her keys and helps out with whatever they need. I on the other hand had no involvement with the program. I told her that it was now her mission to solve the mystery. Shortly thereafter my kids arrived and we got involved in our morning stuff so the mystery would have to wait.
One of my autistic students who has absolutely blossomed this year into a funny, smart, hardworking boy with plenty of friends (a year or so ago he was highly non-compliant, refused to do work, had angry outbursts and was prone to running off) looked at my desk and said, “Oh look, there’s a plant.” I proceeded to tell him the whole story and he responded with “That’s weird.” and continued doing what he was doing.
The teacher who runs the after school program stopped in shortly after that and proceeded to tell me that the aforementioned student (whom I did not know participated in the program) had made it for me the night before and left it as a surprise. He was allowed to choose absolutely anyone to give it to; he could have given it to his mom or his grandma, but he wanted to give it to me. I swear to god my heart exploded! He was grinning from ear to ear and gave me a great big hug.
Teaching is a career that will from time to time provide you with a moment that you will remember for your entire life. This was definitely one of those moments. The joy on his face, the hug, and the fact that all of it represented how far he had come this year is something that will hold a special place in my heart forever. That my friends, is why I teach.
THE OUTFIT
It seems that I just can’t resist anything that comes in some shade of blush, rose gold, mauve…any shade of pink really. I used to be a purple girl; purple was my favorite color for as long as I can remember. At some point over the course of the last few years, pink has taken over the top spot.
When I laid eyes on this top it was all over. It’s a perfect shade of mauve/berry/rose, not to mention the cute ruffly boho details and ruched front. The ruched front offers up the added bonus of cinching it up a bit higher thus making it a sort of modified crop top. Since I wore this to work I obviously didn’t go that route, but it will be super adorable cinched up and paired with denim shorts this Summer.
Since a traumatic childhood experience I’ve had a deep-seated aversion to gaucho pants…but call ’em cropped wide leg pants and I’m good to go. Rebranding at its finest my friends. As luck would have it, this cute pair that I scored at Target last year had the exact shade of the top in the print of the pants so they were perfect paired together. Although you’re probably sick of my ever-present nude block heeled sandals, as per usual, they were the exact right finishing touch.
THE TIP
I love color and I’m an equal opportunity color wearer. While this may be true, I think that I gravitate towards shades of pink because they work with my skin tone and hair. And besides, I feel pretty in pink (see what I did there?). Life is for living and fashion is for having fun so try all the colors, but when you hit upon that just right shade for you stock up on pieces in that color family. Wearing a color you love all but guarantees a good outfit day. Nine times out of ten, the colors that call your name are also the colors that flatter you.
THE LINK UPS
Check out the weekly link ups I participate in for even more fashion and style ideas…
Top: JCPenney; Pants: Target (Similar); Sandals: JCPenney
