(All ready for his first day of kindergarten.)
James started kindergarten this week and is loving every minute of it! Rhys goes back to preschool next week, and this school year has been a huge transition for all of us. The boys, who are usually as thick as thieves, are separated for the first time and no longer have the same daily activities. Rhys is having a bit of a hard time with the adjustment, and we’re spending lots of quality time together this week before he returns to school.
We definitely got used to starting preschool at 9 A.M., and now that James is in a public elementary school, things start much, much earlier. My alarm goes off at 5 A.M., which was my normal wakeup time for many years as a student and then as a teacher. But once the boys were born, I got used to sleeping later, since our mornings were slow and relaxed. I’m adjusting to this switch, too, and I’m feeling extremely tired this week.
James’ new school is wonderful, but the last time I entered a public school was as a teacher. Now, I’m experiencing it again as a parent, and it’s definitely eye-opening. We are learning to follow the school’s rules for things like morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up, as well as navigating the traffic that goes along with it. I’m a nervous driver by nature, so I’m still trying to find the best parking spot and the path of least resistance that works for me.
The good news is that the boys will spend their elementary years here, so I’ll have plenty of time to adapt and find a rhythm. I thought I was the only parent who found the start of a new school year stressful, but, as it turns out, I’m in the majority. Ryan found this post on going back to school, and while it’s filled with satire, it’s also incredibly true. I recognized so much of myself in that description, and I thought it was hilarious.
If you’re a teacher, student, or parent heading back to school soon, I wish you a wonderful year!
In my searches for more minimal style, I ran across Objects Without Meaning, a line of American-made clothing with a refreshing take on fashion. As its interesting name implies, this clothing line views its pieces as blank slates ready to be filled by the people who wear them. The lines are clean and simple, and the entire collection is refined and modern. Most of the items are well above $100, so they definitely fall into the category of investment pieces. But the classic tailoring and style makes each piece worthy of investing, I think.
The Francie Woven Tee shown above features the brightest fabric in the collection (the blouse also comes in black), and is a very feminine silhouette. I love it paired with the striped pants, and it would work just as well with a skirt or jeans, too. Objects Without Meaning also uses the pretty fabric in a dress and skirt this season.
The Sidney Dress epitomizes the aesthetic of the line, and I love its simple style and shape. This is definitely a classic piece that will work throughout the seasons.
I’ve yet to purchase anything from Objects Without Meaning, but their site is a source of inspiration for me. I hope you’ll check it out, too.
(My lovely thank you gift from the Cart Blanche Kickstarter arrived this week.)
This week literally flew by and we are all set for the start of school next week! James will begin kindergarten and I still can’t fully wrap my head around that. We’re planning to relax and enjoy the last days of summer this weekend. Here are a few things that caught my attention this week.
A first look at the movie version of The Giver. I used to teach the book to eighth-graders and I’m interested to see how the movie compares.
A horrifying story from Ireland. Some journalists call this torture.
“This America is not my mother’s America.”
The San Antonio Police Department has found a better way to deal with mental health issues in the city. Austin needs to follow their example.
Poor Governor Perry loses his concealed weapon. All kidding aside, Perry’s indictment is a serious issue and should be a revelation for all Texans. If you live here, I urge you to read and understand as much as possible about this case, because it will shed light on his role as our governor.
Passion Lilie and Everlane released their new fall lines this week and they are both filled with pretty pieces.
Have a wonderful weekend!
