Life Lately

Life has been pretty busy lately, and my Instagram has been actively catching all the little details.

Words to live by in Sherman Alexie's Flight.

I always stock the fridge with healthy snacks while traveling.

We went to Hershey Park with the school choir. They took second place in our division and then we played in the park.

Today I reunited with James and our housemate, Jackie. We relaxed with a delicious homemade thai feast and now we're cuddled in watching North America!

How was your weekend?

That's A Great Dress! eShakti Review

This post has been a long time coming, but now that winter has finally given way to spring, I finally had a chance to show off a newly acquired frock c/o eShakti!

This isn't the first time I've partnered up to do a review for eShakti. The company first found me about two years ago, and since then I have received three lovely dresses from them (my first and second) are two of my all time favorite dresses in my closet. This time around I wanted to go for something completely different and try a much more retro style wiggle dress. Since eShakti does such a good job with customization I wasn't the least bit nervous about ordering a form fitting frock online!

 While this poplin polka-dot sheath doesn't look to be available anymore, there are a number of other little retro sheath styles available that would be equally lovely. As always, the quality of the fabric, the construction, and the fit is amazing! 

The best part about this company is that every item is customizable. For just a little bit extra, you get to choose the sleeve style, length and other features along with giving all of your measurements to ensure a perfect fit.  eShakti also does a great job with the little details. This dress included little hidden snap tabs to eliminate bra strap exposure. It's like this company knows exactly what every stylish woman wants!  I can not say enough amazing things about this company. If I could I would probably stock my entire closet with their products. 

This time I kept it simple with some bright flats and simple earrings, but I can't wait to rock this dress with some high heels to really show off its shape.

Thanks eShakti for the chance to review and wear this gorgeous dress! 

What I've Been Reading

I've been wanting to expand the content here at Schoolmarm Style for a while, and sharing my reading life seems like an obvious way to branch out. I am a true life-long reader, as many of the women in my family have been. Reading is a huge part of who I am both as a teacher and as a human. I can't imagine not being a reader, it is that essential to me.

Lately, I've been trying to up my game and read slightly more adult books. Typically during the school year I steep myself in YA novels so that I can connect with my students. This has been a big year for dystopian fiction for me, so a change was in order. Finishing The Great Gatsby got me inspired to read a few more realistic books geared towards an older readership.

Last night I finished Reservation Road by John Burnham Schwartz.

On a late summer evening in New England, five lives are changed irreparably on the side of a country road. One child is killed, his family left to deal with their grief and guilt. While one man and his son drive away, taking their own grief and guilt with them.  

This novel is a non-traditional mystery, in that while we as the readers know intimate details of the story the characters work to uncover those details themselves. The plot plods at times, taking its time to come to a suspenseful but only somewhat satisfying resolution. This is truly a character study of a book with narration that switches chapter by chapter. In fact, with one of the characters Schwartz even chose to switch narration from 1st person to 3rd person narration as the character fell deeper into depression and further distanced from the rest of her world. This is a novelists novel, one that writers will appreciate for craft. 

What have you been reading lately? Anything you'd like to recommend?

Bike To Work Day!

Yesterday was Bike to Work day, and for the very first time I actually made the 8.5 mile ride! 

Taking a cue from Gracey I decided to abandon the plan of changing out of workout gear and into work gear when I got to school. Instead, I threw on some cotton layers, and rode at a commuter pace.  

I'm Wearing:

Dress, hoodie shoes- Target

flower pin- thrifted

Usually along my route I see maybe three or four bikers a day. They're almost always men, dressed in spandex, and riding racing bikes. I imagine I probably confused and amused a whole bunch of motorists peddling along on my basket filled bike, polka dots flying in the breeze!

Have you ever biked to work or school? What do you wear?  

In Love!

This morning when I threw together this outfit I had a bit of a wild card feeling. I was doubting the proportions of this long tunic and short skirt. But by the end of the day it was official,

I am IN LOVE with this outfit.

 I'm Wearing:

dress- thrifted

tunic- Old Navy

scarf- T.J. Maxx

wedges and belt- Target

 The mixed prints, pops of color, and comfy wedges gave this outfit just the right amount of sass for today.