scholastic achievement

{skirt, sweater, ring -jcrew; polish -sally hansen plum luck; bag -banana republic; sunnies -rayban}

How about this fine Athens scenery? It's pretty sweet, huh?

The Hubs and I went out earlier this week celebrating the return of his first paper (an A, he got an A!) I'm so proud. We had such a nice night and I'm just so blown away by my amazing guy. What a friggin' smarty pants.

stay smart ya'll,

-mc

training day

please cue Rocky theme music now...

{black scarf -nyc street vendor; yoga pants -target; grey deep vee tee -american apparel; sweatshirt -forever 21; jean jacket -rodarthe for target; tote bag -ll bean; sneakers -new balance}

Hey, hey! This girl worked her little tail off this weekend, ya'll! I'm telling you, Saturday I worked 9-5 training at the new j.o.b -then high tailed it over to the restaurant and worked 5:30 till 11!

I'm exhausted just thinking about it. Luckily, I wore extra comfy clothes while training. It was absolutely freezing inside -hence my bundledness. I love the look of a hoodie underneath a jean jacket -especially this specific hoodie, which says let them eat cake on the hem. Isn't that just the cutest?

Also please note the over sized tote bag filled with a change of clothes for my next shift. I love this thing, I call it my married lady bag since almost every married lady I know owns some variation of it. Mine's LL Bean and I'm looking forward to it getting really beat up, that's how you know I'm doing some serious livin'...

Tomorrow I'm substitute teaching pre-school, I'm planning on taking before and after pictures to document the destruction those little boogers pull. We'll see I suppose.

Cheers for now.

xoxo's

mc

orange you glad?

{skirt -jcrew via closet mentor; tights -walmart; ballet flats & silver watch -target; peter pan collard shirt -target; sweater -norstroms rack; cat eye sunnies & bow ring -forever 21}

I wore this last night to work. As of next week I will have three j.o.b.'s. Remember that boring old 9-5? It is lookin' real good these days.

Last night I worked at the restaurant which has been the source of some serious manic-ness (is that a word?). My colleagues are either super nice or horribly rude. I know I'm the new kid, but geez cut me some slack. Luckily, there is a liquor store in the same shopping plaza. Hello drowning my sorrows! Hopefully my next shift will be a little sunnier.

Like these tights. I bought them for my Halloween costume and I decided to wear them early. I reasoned that I probably won't be wearing orange tights in January. Although, check back, I could be singing a different song.

On the brightest note, the Hubs and I have family coming into town tonight! I'm super excited, plus I'll have a chance to test my kid skills before I teach next week... Although, I'm a little jealous I won't be headed North, sounds like there's going to be some serious Voyack partying this weekend -just please, no beer bottles.

cheers,

mc

love story

{boots -Return Passage; skirt -gap; trench -target; sweater -jcrew; necklace -forever 21; beret -american apparel}

There were so many possible post names for this outfit, they ranged from:

1. the outfit I wore getting my criminal background check

2. my audition outfit for rugby bar's newest bartender
3. I don't know what the third one was, but lists always sound better in threes.

I settled on Love Story because it's my favorite movie ever and I think Ali McGraw is about as pretty as they come. Also, doesn't everyone want to dress more like an Ivy Leaguer from 1970? Seems pretty obvious to me...

Anyway, I do really love this outfit. By the end of the day I was little too hot, but there was no sweltering, so overall a win.

what I learned at preschool

(our ringbearer, also the youngest kiddo I know)
photo by Courtney Aliah

As previously mentioned, I am rocking orange and black hardcore, just lovin' that Halloween vibe. As also mentioned, I have a funny story for you, well I thought it was funny. It all began with an orange and black outfit.....

My sweet resume is still floating around town and I received a call from a Montessori preschool for an interview as a substitute teacher. My inner monologue went something like this, "hmmm, preschoolers. I could handle that."

So I got dressed and headed out the door. Yelling back to the Hubs that I'd like to take pictures upon my return. My outfit screamed sweet, fun-loving, adorable preschool teacher -without having any embroidered pumpkins. I was pretty jazzed.

I arrived to my interview and the very friendly girl told me it was more of a "working interview." They would like to see how I interact with the kids.
"Ok, I've got this. Let's do this thing." I thought to myself. Always one for a pep talk.

She directed me to the playground.

This is when things began to spiral downhill fast. I'm not exactly sure what I was expecting, but I went from cool, calm, and collected to omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg.
See, there were maybe fifteen little kids running around said playground. Little little little kids! Obviously, it wasn't just me watching them, but still I was freaking out. Freaking out, panicking, sweating profusely.
They were climbing all over things and playing with sticks and rubber bands and all sorts of dangerous stuff. At least, I thought it was dangerous, I mean right?
No. Wrong. I was overreacting. Apparently this is how children learn. Trial and error. They fall, they poke themselves, they hit each other, and they learn. That's how it goes. I guess I haven't had as much experience with little kids as I thought -or maybe I've become a nervous Nelly in my old age. Whatever the case I sure was glad that no one choked or needed to be rushed to the emergency room.

The other weird thing I learned about little little kids is how different they are from adults -or maybe not.
1. There were some definite jerks, straight up. There were some little kids that are just going to suck their entire lives.
2. They're definitely not as innocent as I thought or hoped. Biting, hitting, kicking -what is this professional cage fighting?! Stop that!!
3. Their emotions are fleeting. Not unlike many of my friends, these kiddos are hot one minute and cold the next. About every fifteen minutes I was princess popularity on the playground -literally swarms of kids were fascinated by me! Who would have thought, right? But then just as fast as I was hot, I was cold and the crowd dispersed. Which is a real ego check, btw.

All in all, it was quite the experience. I never did take the outfit pictures because I was literally covered in dirt. The last time I was that filthy I was scrapping the popcorn off our ceilings. Furthermore, as I surveyed the situation -specifically the small but very runny noses- I knew immediately that a cold was emanate. Sure enough, guess who's nose is running today??

So, no outfit, but I've got a few fun links that should get your weekend going....

if wes anderson did a wakeboard video, it would go something like this

a seated bridal party, this couple seems super cool

feeling girly? go ahead, indulge.

the Hubs made walnut pate, it was delicious and easy, try it!

oh Olivia, I love you/I hate you.

I thought this was cool years ago

our friend shot a hole-in-one this week, isn't that amazing? no link, just sharing..

cute shoes, bg

What is wrong with this girl? Cheer up would you?

all for now,

mc

jane-o-lantern

{shorts -old navy: gingham top -KLou's; orange cardigan -banana republic; belt -forever 21; flats -target; sunnies -forever 21; bag -banana}

I think the only acceptable month to wear a combination of orange/black is October. Agree or not, I plan on doing it this as much as possible until the 31st. I have some funny stories to tell soon, but right now I'm off to my very glamorous job.

I should have put glamorous in quotations...

xo

mc

the uniform

I do believe in my heart-of-hearts that this is the perfect outfit. Fashion meets function and has the most beautiful baby ever. Maybe I'm being a little too general, but I could wear this and versions of this most days of my life.

{oxford shirt -ralph lauren; linen shorts -banana republic; fishing belt -leatherman via Reddix; topsiders -Sperry; tan hat -www.imagemonster.com; watch -target; aviators -Ray Ban}Yesterday I took my bike up to campus to visit the Hubs and return/renew a few library books. As a wifey I have my very own UGA i.d. card which gives me access to the library, gym, and I imagine a few other perks -so far I've only explored the library.

Venturing to campus inspired me to pull together a functional look that was also undeniably "collage" -and no, I wasn't about to wear my p.j.'s, I never could understand folks doing that. I stuck to the basics. I was comfortable enough to ride my bike (five miles! uphill!) but still classy enough not to sport my sleepwear. All in all, I was pleased.

Oh, oh, oh. I almost forgot to tell you about that squirrel! See that guy? He just scampered right over while we were taking pictures and wouldn't leave!! The Hubs honestly thought he was the cutest thing alive, I was scared. I automatically assumed it was rabid -why else would he march right over? The whole thing must have been pretty funny to watch because I was admittedly freaking out and the Hubs just kept saying things along the line of, "aww, he's so small" "babe, he's cute." It's moments like that I swear I'm being filmed for candid camera.
Did I overreact? What would you have done? What will PETA say?

nervously yours,

mc

pizza, pizza

no outfit today -sorry!

My weekend was so busy and I just didn't have a chance to take a proper picture. I worked Friday and Saturday night -then Sunday brunch. It is so weird and awkward and awkward to be the new kid. Gah! (no, that's not a typo, it was that awkward)

Sunday night we invited a few friends over -and everyone declined- which turned out swell, because we stuffed our faces with the best pizza I've ever had.

and I'd like to think I've had some pretty good pizza. {white pizza with basil and thyme}

{pepperoni and arugula pizza}

My sweet hubs has such a crush on J. Kenji Lopez-Alt of Cooks Illustrated/Serious Eats fame. Usually, he limits his lust to whichever burger Kenji is conquering, but last night it was Neapolitan Pizza, and it was insanely good.

Full Disclosure -Kenji's recipes are always good -they're also almost always very time consuming- plan your day accordingly.

I promise to have an outfit tomorrow, so until then!

xo,

mc

inspiration board

Do you have an inspiration board?

If you don't I highly recommend you get one, fewer things make me happier in the morning. We could make this a diy project if you'd like.

Step one: go to an office supply store -buy a corkboard and some push pins
Step two: pull out all those magazines and catalogues you're hoarding. grab a pair of scissors too!

Step three: cut out what you like; tack it to your board; hang your board

Step four: be inspired

Here are a few things from the world-wide-web that have inspired me this week:

~Wouldn't you love a pink room, I would!

~Don't you wish you were invited to this party? What would you wear?

~nautical+preppy+wedding = things I'm into

~K Lou hates Martha, but her Halloween parties sound irresistable

~oh, you

~the hubs and I did the 1/2 marathon in March, I can't imagine a full. AP, you're insane

~as if I wasn't already lusting for frye boots

~doesn't this sound fun and tasty?

what's inspired you lately? Please share!

biker babe

{vintage Schwinn bike- gifted; army shorts -JCrew, via Plato's Closet; black cardigan -Hallelu; Victorian blouse -Marshalls; sunnies & braided black belt -Forever 21; cheetah flats -Old Navy}

one of the few times function trumps fashion -wear a helmet ya'll!!

Yesterday was so nice I took my bike up to the video store to return some DVD's I had checked out -and to pick up a few more. I love taking my bike out and every time I do, I wonder why I don't do it more. It was a birthday gift from the Hubs a few years ago and I absolutely love it. Bikes seem to be the hottest thing going now, even my dad is getting on board, although his version is hardley a Schwinn. Mine is a real live vintage Schwinn -it weighs about a thousand pounds- but I think it's so cute and it looks just like my Momma's old Schwinn. Isn't she just the hottest biker babe? I guess short-shorts are in my D.N.A.I made cornmeal crusted fried flounder last night with corn and mashed sweet potatoes. It turned out really tasty. If you're interested my version of the recipe is below: Step One: Get everything ready.

Ingredient Wise you'll need: 1/2 c. flour, 1/2 c. cornmeal, 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp. salt, about a cup of veg. oil for frying, chopped parsley. If you want to make a tarter sauce you'll also need: 1/3 c. mayo, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 chopped mini-pickles with about a tbsp of pickle juice, and 1 tsp chopped capers.

Dish Wise you'll need: a whisk and a bowl for your tarter sauce, a plate with a paper towel for draining fried fish, a shallow dish for your flour/cornmeal mix, your biggest fry pan, your biggest spatula, a fire extinguisher -in case of emergencies.

1. mix your salt and cayenne -sprinkle it onto the fish

2. put your oil in the pan, mix your cornmeal and flour together, mix your tarter sauce

3. turn on your pan -it's really hot, don't burn yourself.

4. press your salty/spicy fish into the flour/cornmeal -both sides

5. put your tarter sauce into the fridge

6. if (and only if) your oil is glimmering put your fish in. If your oil is smoking -turn it down. My crappy election stove top took about a 7.

7. fry both sides until golden/delicious

8. put on plate with paper towel, take your tarter sauce out of the fridge

9. crack a PBR and enjoy.

I hope everyone has a terrific weekend.

much love and cheers,

mc

my favorite things

{bow skirt -forever 21; white tee & trench -target; bracelets & earrings -JCrew; cityscape heels -Camper; sunnies & scarf -nyc street vendor; clutch -vintage}

Yesterday I busted out all my favorite items. Why you ask? Where do I start....

I spoke to K Lou early yesterday morning, so when the phone rang downstairs, I knew it couldn't be her again -and who else would be calling?

I thought, "holy mackeral... this is it." I grabbed my phone, and sure enough, it was an unrecognizable number.

I answered with a very enthusiastic "hello!!"

the voice on the line said, "is this Molly, how are you?"

It depends, I thought.

"Well, this is Chris. We'd like to offer you a position with our company...."

I actually didn't hear the rest. I thanked Chris about a thousand times, called K Lou and the Hubs, and got dressed in all my favorites.

The Hubs took me to a delicious lunch at the national, then rallied all our new friends for a happy hour celebration. It was a pretty awesome day. I'm pretty darn stoked. This whole Athens thing is really getting good.

cheerfully,

mc