What the Art Teacher Wore #108 Whilst Vacationin', Book Clubbin' and Art Room Preppin'

Hiking Mount Baldy, Walking the Devil's Backbone: I'm never a fashionable hiker. For me, it's all about comfort. But it did crack me up that when I posted a couple of landscape photos from the hike on Facebook, several peeps asked "What dress where you wearing?!" and my first thought was, "I NEED A HIKING DRESS!" Um, no. I don't. t-shirt: Urban Outfitters; hiking pants: sale rack, some hiking store

Well, howdy, friends! I hope your week was a wonderful one. Mine was all kinds of crazy, thanks for asking. We'd been in Southern Cali since last Friday doin' the Disney circuit while squeezing in some serious dining and vintage shopping in between (possible vacay post to come because everyone loves countless photos of someone else's vacation, amirite?!). When we're in California, we love to hike and this hike to the summit of Mount Baldy was our most fun and challenging one to date. I took One Million photos and hubs made a groovy video of the view which I've posted below. It was such an exhaustingly awesome experience.

We returned back to Tennessee at the lovely hour of 2am Wednesday morning which was FANTASTIC as my first day of school was at 8am the very next day. To say I've been a mess every since is an understatement. Speaking of mess, my art room totes qualifies. Normally at this stage of the back-to-school game, I've got my room decked out, lessons practiced, prepped and written and my entire first couple of days scripted (yeah, I know. Dork much?). This go-round, not so much. I'm fired up about the school year (Teach Like a Pirate has me so inspired!) but my feet are still firmly rooted in summer. C'mon, feets. Party over.

Speaking of Teach Like a Pirate, how are my Artsy Book Clubbin' friends doing? I've decided to include our book club chats with my weekly What I Wore because if I try to do more than three blog posts a week I find that I stop washing my hair and cleaning the house (ha, who am I kidding, I gave that up a long time ago!). I also thought it might be fun to literally "chat" with you about the books so you'll find me jibber-jabbering away in a coupla vid clips below. I tried to keep 'em short as I know the sound of my voice is akin to yodeling-cats-in-heat.

Last but not least, I've been LOVING seeing the fabric choices y'all are posting on the Apron Sew-Along Facebook page! After hours of online trolling (yes, hours. Gah, I love me some fabric shopping), I purchased my apron fabric along with some new dress-making prints. I can't wait to share with you what I picked up! For more Apron Sew-Along deets, visit here, kids. 

Until next time, have a super duper week, dudes!

If it's one thing I learned on this hike, it's that I don't love heights. The walk entailed walking along something called the Devil's Backbone which was a ridge with steep drop offs on either side. I tried to keep my eyes firmly on the ground but I could see the crazy cliffs outta my peripheral view. Kinda spooky.

But the views were killer.

My 1970's Album Cover: In my lame attempts to blur out innocent bystanders, I created a rather fuzzy edge to this photo. By the way, my album includes such covers as Come Sail Away by Styx, Sailing by Christopher Cross and every Captain and Tennille masterpiece. dress: Forever 21, old; sandals: Chacos; hat: tourist trap, Charleston 

Hubs and I spent a lil time strolling the beach and the boardwalk at Venice Beach. It wasn't my fave place ever but it was an experience and I do love sand in my toes.

Back to School Thursday: By the way, I didn't always remember to snap daily outfit photos in Cali, hence the week mix up. My eyes are closed in this photo because I'm actually asleep. Whilst standing. It's a practiced and perfected skill. Now if I could only paint eyes on my eyelids, I'd be in business. color wheel dress: SALE! Modcloth; belt: Pin Up Girl Clothing; shoes: Crocs

Let's chat Teach like a Pirate! I can't wait to share with you how this book has reshaped my first coupla days back to school.

Freaky Friday: Reality has started to set in. Hence the freaky face. Workin' on revamping how I present my rules and routines to the kids. top: Banana Republic, garage sale; wrap skirt: Funky People, so old I don't remember where I got it; shoes: Frye, Marshall's; necklaces and bangles: thrifted and gifts 

Printmaking Unleashed.

Here's that stitched piece of foam I mentioned in the clip. Kinda digging this idea.

More experimenting on muslin using Printmaking Unleashed techniques.

Saturday School: So I popped in for a couple of hours on Saturday just to get at least one area to a decent state. I'm still working on writing up my rules so for now I've just got them jotted on the board. Proper signs to come...along with a million other things on that To Do list. dress: vintage, thrifted

I found this sign in the sale area at Urban Outfitters and I thought it'd be the perfect addition to the art room. I don't always feel this way...but, like Dave Burgess says in Teach Like a Pirate, sometimes you gotta fake it till you make it. It fits in perfectly in the art room...I'm planning a room tour soon so you'll be able to see where this guy is hung.