What the Art Teacher Wore #23

Beautiful Bamberg Monday: That is, once we found the place. Our GPS was giving us fits (switching from German to English to mute when important decisions like "Do I take the autobahn now?!" needed to be made) and our gas station attendant friend could only point down the road and say "go straight on". But we made it! sweater: vintage, thrifted; dress: vintage, The Hip Zipper; belt: Pinky Otto; sandals: Chacos

 Well, we're back! What a fun week and a half we spent in Germany and the Netherlands. I think I may be cured of my jet lag (a bedtime of 7:30pm last night and a 10 hour sleep just may have done the trick) and I'm now ready to tackle unpacking.

 But first things first, what I wore around town and country. This week I decided to include some photos of the towns we visited as well. If you live in these cities or have visited them, I'd love to hear your stories about these incredible places...especially shopping recommendations! Thanks for stopping by.

This town celebrated it's 1000th birthday back in '73, can you imagine? There were witch trials here back during the 17th century. It's full of so many rolling hills and beautiful churches it's reminiscent of Rome, which the locals refer to as the "Italian Bamberg." They so silly.

An Amsterdam Evening: Hubs drove a caravan of us from Bavaria to the Netherlands. It was a beautiful day for a drive...until we hit Frankfurt and sat in traffic for a bit. But we made it! sweater: Mini-Boden, thrifted; dress: Ann Taylor, thrifted; belt and flower: H & M; sandals: Chacos...again. My only preferred footwear during this trip

Such a fun city to walk around and explore...given you don't get run over by the one bah-jillion people on bicycles.

Gettin' Cheesy: We decided to take a day trip to the sweet town of Alkmaar. It's most famous for it's incredibly amazing, mouth-watering cheese. And adorable kalliopes, like this biggin'. At least we think that's what this large music box thing was. sweater and dress: vintage, thrifted; scarf: picked up at some little shop in Germany; belt and flower: made by me

Alkmaar is also home to a Beatles museum. Apparently John Lennon's first guitar was made there.

We decked in and out of several cheese shops but this one was the best. They had samples of every cheese in the shop which we helped ourselves to. My favorites were the blue cheese (which was so strong I literally pounded the counter a couple of times as if I was downing tequila) and the wasabi and pesto infused cheeses. I tried to ask if they had any Cheese Whiz but I guess they just aren't that advanced yet.

Hubs and I took an evening trip to the town of Haarlem which is the historical center of the tulip bulb-growing district and has the nickname 'Bloemenstad' (flower city), for this reason. We didn't spot a single tulip though as they are now out of season.

Nowhere like Amsterdam: Seriously, it's amazing. I now want to buy myself a salmon pink Schwinn with a basket on the front and a bell on the handlebars and cruise everywhere. dress: Viva, picked up in Germany

I hadn't been to Amsterdam since I was there in college. I did some student teaching in Ireland and made my way over to the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium afterwords. It was so fun to walk through the train station and find the hostel and little Italian place I once ate at again.

A rare photo of hubs. He's was so nice to take all of my outfit photos. Usually it's just me and my tripod. This background is amazing as it looks totally phony baloney.

Leaving on a Jet Plane Friday: Time to head home. We were missing our kitty. Little did we know it would be one million degrees when we got home, ugh! dress: Mango, picked up in Alkmaar; tights: Target; scarf: Germany

Hubs and I had separate seats on the plane. No worries, I had Jes to hang out with. The poor guy sitting next to me immediately caught on to my crazy ways and pretended to sleep all eight hours. I got some great photos of Jes resting with him! (gah, just kidding, silly man kept waking up)

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What the Art Teacher Wore #16

Monday, Seriously??: The last time I wore this dress one of my students asked, "Are you dressed like the Cleaning Lady today?" So this time I decided to jazz it up with a too-big flower and too-many necklaces. flower hair pin: flower from Joann's, hair pin made by me; necklaces: dunno, Target?; dress: Paul and Joe purchased for cheap a million years ago at Urban Outfitters; shoes: Blowfish picked up at TJMaxx

Hello there! Just a little peak at what I decided was appropriate to wear this week. And by "appropriate" I mean "what's clean and not on the floor of my closet". While scooting around on the internet (okay, let's just say it, there is no more "surfing the net" for us ladies, it's just pinteresting. Am I right?), I came upon these amazing works of art. And because I've been shoveling sugary sweets all week in an attempt to stay upright and perky, I thought I'd share with you some drool-worthy delectables that I have decided would complete me. Hope you enjoy!

Isn't this stunning? I love it. Frida Kalho by Alexey Kurbatov.

Flowery sugar cookies? Can I wear them in my hair and grab -n- eat when the mood strikes? Me thinks yes. Bakin' ideas found here.

Too Pink Tuesday: I am in love with this dress. Mostly because a dear friend who used to wear it gifted it to me. I think the color combination is divine. dress: gift from a friend; sweater: Ann Taylor, thrifted; flowers: H & M; shoes: Anthro couple years ago

Is that a key lime pie I spy? Mmmm, my favorite. Cakes and Pies by Wayne Thiebaud

Vintage wedding cakes, so cute! My fave is mini on the jadeite cake stand.

Wild Hair Wednesday: I swear the ends of my hair isn't really that bad. All my photos this week were taken at the end of some very long days at which point my hair was the least of my worries. sweater: thrifted: dress: vintage, thrifted; belt: made by me; shoes: BC

No where near the wonder of this woman, but I thought her color scheme kinda-sorta worked with mine. Wonder Woman by Nicole Charbonnet You should really check out her stuff, it's awesome.

Wait, what? Is this the grown-up version of candy necklaces? Why am I just now hearing about this?!

Thursday, I'd like you better if you had an FRI at the beginning of your name: Don't ask me what I am doing with my mouth in this picture. Possibly talking to myself. That's what too much sugar will do to ya. sweater: ebay; dress: vintage, thrifted; belt: Pinky Otto; necklace: vintage, thrifted; flowers: H & M; amazing owl sandals: Anthro, last year

I thought this wild -n- wacky Hollywood painting completed my look. A giant hovering In -n- Out Burger cup? With frolicking elephant underneath? Sure, why not? Found here.

The only thing that would make this better would be a wig of cotton candiness.

Friday, I've been waiting for you since Wednesday: Seriously, this week was a long one. That way for anyone else? dress: vintage, picked up for 25 pennies at the by-the-pound Goodwill; belt and flower hair clips: made by me; shoes: Frye picked up at Marti and Liz

The dress had the worlds smallest waist. Seriously, it was 10" wide. And I was determined to wear it. So I added this panel of lace in the back which not only extended the too-small waist but also the too-small bust.

The bold colors at the top of this painting reminded me of the bold flower at the top of my head. Bloom by Meredith Pardue.

Mmmm, nothing says delish like jell-o mold desserts, my favorite! (Ha, I kid, I have a fear of all things jell-o-y). Thanks for stopping by!

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What the Art Teacher Wore #14

Floral, Gingham and Dots Monday: This photo was taken as the UPS man drove by, honking and waving at silly me and my tripod. sweater: vintage and thrifted; skirt: Anthropologie, last summer; tights: Target; shoes: Dolls by Nina

Kids, you'll have to forgive me, but I've gone a bit berzerk. Not only did I find some super groovy masterpieces that kinda-sorta coordinate with my ensemble...but I've also found The Missing Link. I'm not talking about some neanderthal-looking dude (though I'm pretty sure that guy was standing behind me in Goodwill yesterday telling his kid to, "Git over hair, nay-ow!"). I mean, The Missing Link to completing my look. I'm adding each to my Christmas, birthday and Arbor Day wishlists (what, you don't get prezzies on Arbor Day?). Thanks for indulging my silliness. Enjoy!

Red, White and Blue Cherries created by the husband and wife team at Just Plain Pix.Cherries are my absolute fave fruit. You?

I really really want a bike. Not to ride or anything. Just to look at. I promise I would look at it every single day. Can I have this one, pretty please?

Surprise! Evaluation Tuesday: Erm, yeah. My dear principal came about 30 seconds before my kids did for my surprise evaluation. No word on how it went. But there was no rolling around on the floor, crying or fit throwing, so that's good. I was on my best behavior. dress, jacket and belt: vintage, thrifted; tights: Target; shoes: Lucky, purchased on the cheap at Marti and Liz

The browns and golds in my outfit reminded me of this painting. Do you recognize it? It's kinda famous. But it's a little difficult for me to see...

Oh, that's better. I just needed my fancy smancy brown and gold cat eye glasses that coordinate with my outfit to help me see. Now I recognize her, it's Mona Lisa by "Vincent da Vinci" (a direct quote from one of my students this week).

Seeing Spots Wednesday: On this day, I just happened to be wearing an apron...which was good because I managed to pour a ton of paint all over it without even noticing. Afterward, one of my kids told me that my name should be "Mrs. Messy". dress: vintage, thrifted; sweater: thrifted; shoes: thrifted and altered by me...I had to add the blue fabric just to keep the shoes on.

Explosion, Roy Lichtenstein ... this is pretty much what my apron looked like after the paint attacked it.

Wonder what the UPS man would say if he saw me in my polka dotted ensemble on the steps of this  red spotted house with the teal blue steps?

Thursday: sweater: Paris Market Vintage for $4! ; dress: Talbots, thrifted; belt and flower: H&M; fishnets: Target; shoes: Indigo by Clarks; kid sunglasses: ebay

Love Angie Lewin's work. She's got a book out of her prints as well.

You see, I won't be riding the bike because I'll be driving this! I really want a vintage car. But hubs has had his share of old cars: a Bronco and a couple of Mustangs and says his days with the oldies are over. Sigh.

Friday, My Love: sweater: Ann Taylor, thrifted; dress: vintage, thrifted; belt: made by me; shoes: BC Shoes

My outfit reminded me of ketchup and mustard. So did this painting by Henri Matisse.

And what better way to handle one's ketchup and mustard than with these incredible gloves. I went through a phase in high school wear I wore sweet lace gloves until my giant man-hands busted out of them. Oh well. One can dream.

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What the Art Teacher Wore #12

Welcome Back, Monday: sweater: ancient thrifted find; dress: anthopologie; belt: made by me; tights: Target: shoes: Urban Outfitters flats made into Mary Janes  with leopard print fabric by me...they didn't want to stay on my feets otherwise.

Well, hello! Long time, no weekly outfit post. I dunno if you noticed but I kinda went on a weekly-outfit-post hiatus during my Spring Break. Mostly cuz I didn't really think you'd be interested in the jammies-and-house-slippers-til-well-past-noon look. And if you were, well, you could simply drop by the local Walmarts (oh, too harsh?).

Can you believe these shoes? I went in search of flats and found these bad boys on the Urban Outfitters website. I was asked several time is they were some of my DIY shoes!

But this week, we returned. And I'm so glad because I missed those kids so much. Even if this happened...

Kid: Mrs. Stephens, what is that smell?

Me: I had beans for lunch.

Chorus of Kids: Eeeewwww.

(five minutes later)

Kid: Mrs. Stephens, can I have some more green paint?

Me: Sure. (half empty bottle of paint makes farty noise).

Kid Across the Room: (whispering) Ew, did you hear that? Must have been those beans. I feel sorry for the kids at that table.

I get no respect, I tell ya.

Tinga Tinga painting from Tanzania.   Don't you love this? Tinga Tinga is the name of artwork made in something called the Tinga Tinga Cooperative in Tanzania. The co-op was created by the family of a man named Edward Tingatinga who painted in this style back in the 1960's. Artists in the co-op today are strongly influenced by his style.

 

In other less gassy news, I really enjoyed matching my outfits with masterpieces as I did in this post, so I thought I'd give it another go. It's been a lot of fun as I would have never stumbled upon the artwork above otherwise. I do hope you enjoy...

 

And might I make a polite recommendation....

 

The next time you decide to enjoy some lovely beans for lunch, have it with a side of Bean-o. Just sayin.

Turquoise Tuesday: sweater: ebay; dress: vintage, thrifted; belt: made by me; sandals: Sseko sandals with straps made my me

Ordering Spring, Janet Fish, 1996

Flamenco Wednesday: sweater and fishnets: Target; dress: vintage, found in San Francisco; shoes: Indigo by Clarks; belt and flower clip: H&M

Erhem, don't ask.

I adore this painting...by the contemporary artist Daniel R. Gerhartz.

Chlorine Blue Thursday: dress: found for a couple of bucks at an antique store, eep! belt and flower: H&M; shoes: Indigo by Clarks

David Hockney, John St. Clair Swimming (from Twenty Photographic Pictures), 1972

Greetings, Friday! 'Bout time: dress and sweater: vintage, thrifted; belt: gift from a sweet friend; shoes: Frye, found at the discounted shoe shop Martie and Liz

Just realized this is another Daniel Gerhartz painting.

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