Thrift Store Finds

I love and have always loved shopping at thrift stores.  I actually got made fun of it during my student teaching. After going to Krohn Conservatory and Tom + Chee Mallorie and I went to a few thrift stores. I went here with Ally, the queen of thrifting, back in August, but I hadn't been to them since and I really needed to get my retail therapy on without spending a lot of dough.

We first went to the Goodwill Boutique at 2234 Beechmont Avenue. We went on a great day because the clothing was an additional 50% off! Both the items I bought are from Target, which is also great because I absolutely love Target's clothes. The first shirt is a large, but I bought it because sometimes you just need that cute loose fitting shirt in the summer.

Jason Wu for Target shirt: $6.00

+ 50% off = $3.00

Retail: $20-$30

Converse One Star for Target: $10.00

+50% off: $5.00

Retail: $29.99

Good thrifty finds make for a great day! We also visited St. Vincent de Paul at 2300 Beechmont Avenue (literally a few buildings away from the Goodwill. This store also usually has some great finds, but neither Mallorie or I bought anything. I had a few things in my hands, but I talked myself out of it because do I really need it? 

What is your favorite thrift store?

Thrift Store Friday

On Friday it was a beautiful day and I really wanted to spend some time outside. Unfortunately I was at a loss for what to do. I always feel awkward going to parks by myself (one reason I need a dog) and it was too chilly just to sit. Then Hannah called me and asked me if I wanted to go to New 2 You on Taft! She also said she wanted to walk there and I was very happy to say I'd join. The walk was so nice, but it was a little cold and by a little cold I mean it was very cold and windy. We stuck it out though.

I absolutely love thrifting and going to vintage stores. I wish I had an unlimited supply of money so I could spend hours there.

Above are some of the things I saw but that I didn't purchase. I loved those yellow jars! Below is what I did buy! Hannah said she saw a copper tea pot that she thought I would like and something I could put plants in. She was right! When I saw it I fell in love. It has a whole in the bottom anyways so it can't be used for anything but decorations. I'm going to buy some more succulents because to put inside. FYI I collect tea pots. This is number 4 in my collection. I also bought the Brunches and Breakfasts cook book. I love breakfast and brunch  foods so I thought it was fitting.

On our way back we were going to walk past Urban Outfitters so of course we had to stop by! I cannot go into that store without buying something. I ended up buying earrings (which I needed because I keep losing earrings, a book on how to make drinks, a 3D map of London, and the skirt in the picture below.

Also, I leave for North Carolina on Friday. That means 4 more days! However, I have a feeling this is going to be a very slow week! Let's hope not!

Bullying

During advisory on Tuesdays and Thursdays we've been working on a seminar about bullying. The students have really gotten into it which is really cool to see. The school gave us the folders in the picture and a book mark. Can we just talk about the pictures on the folder. I started cracking up because they are so ridiculous. It's been interesting too because one girl in our advisory just got suspended for 5 days for bullying people in the hall way. It's not the traditional bullying where she has it out for people but she's a bigger girl and she tends to just plow through people and not think anything of it (even teachers!).

The student I keep talking about who said I had the key to his heart I'm going to call Diante from now on so it's easier on me. Anyways, this conversation happened:
Diante: You teachers set a bad example for us.
Me: How is that?
Diante: You drink during class.
Me: This is not a democracy. It's a dictatorship. I can do whatever I want.
Then he said something about a cell phone which I didn't quite get.
Me: I don't use my cell phone in here!
Diante: No, you can play with mine.

That boy is ridiculous. He also said:
Diante: Miss Albert, that shirt brings out your eyes.
Me: Diante, that shirt brings out your eyes.
Diante: Thank you. I may just start wearing this color more often.
The funny part about this is that they wear uniforms and black shirts every day.

Today we had a grandparent come in with the student and it was found out that the student had been or had someone forge signatures on her progress reports. I felt bad for her (she started crying), but then I had to remind myself that she lied to her grandma and her teachers. She is a mess. It appears that she has been hiding her grades and going to her house around 6. Even if she stayed for study tables they end at 4:20, so she'd be home way before 6. That girl just dug herself a hole.

Today one student told me that I look like someone off street fighter. I don't know what street fighter is, but if it's anything like this picture we're in trouble.

So, like I said the students are making World War II wikis. Some of the students have gotten to the point where they can finally get their username and start building it. Before they start though my MT told them to listen to a tutorial video. During the last class my MT came up to me and told me that the students thought it was me talking in the video! Haha! That's hilarious!

Finally, I bought this skirt yesterday at where else? Urban Outfitters. It was college id night, though. I obviously had to buy something. Anyway it was about $7! I got a lot of compliments on my outfit. My roommate and I decided that one way to build rapport with the students is to dress good. I really think it does work.

Thrifting is Embarrassing

Yesterday I forgot to mention a funny story that happened. Well, it's probably funny to all the people who make fun of my height. One of my students came up to me and asked me where the paper towels were. I walked him over to the cabinet and they were on the top shelf but pushed back a little bit. I tried to reach them but knew I would eventually make a fool out of myself, so I had the student get it for me because he was easily 7 inches taller than me, probably more. When he goes to get it he bends his knees a bit and imitates me trying to reach them. Then he said he was just kidding and that he wished he was short like me. I don't know why he would say that because I think taller people have much more advantages.

Yesterday we FINALLY got the planners in so my MT had my label and pass them out today. He printed off labels with each students' name so that we could put them on and know which one belonged to each student and so it would cut down on people trying to steal them. The labels had the students middle names on them, and you would think that would be no big deal, right? Wrong! I have never heard so many people complain about their middle names being shown. I was actually in utter shock that so many people were legitimately upset. Note to self: Don't ever put middle names on public items.

I already have one student who I know I'm going to be beating heads with. She was working on her work book while my mentor teacher was explaining things today. I walked over to her and told her she needed to close the book and pay attention. She gave me an attitude and said "I am listening. I can do this and listen." I told her that wasn't really the point and she needed to stop. She closed the book and I walked away. A little bit later she had it opened again and I told her I would write her a detention if she didn't close it. She gave me an attitude again, but I just walked away. She gets on my nerves, but I'm not going to let her get the best of me.

After school on Tuesdays and Thursdays we have help nights. I usually do the history one now while my MT teaches a class for UC. Today, we went over to the English room and so the other teacher was in there. My 3 students were very chatty and everything so I walked over to stand by them to keep them on task. The one student told me she pay me $10 a paragraph to do her homework then this situation unraveled:
Girl 1: That's $120!
Me: But I don't need to do it. I already passed the OGT.
Boy: You could like buy a nice pair of Jordan's with that money.
Me: Do I look like the kind of girl that would wear Jordan's.
Girl 2: I WEAR JORDANS. They have nice ones for girls.
Me: No, I'm not saying girls can't wear them! But can you really see ME wearing them.
Boy: You could work them.
(pause)
Boy: (looking at the skirt I was wearing) You could buy like 2 skirts.
Me: (considering how my thrifting wouldn't even come close to $120) I buy my clothes from thrift stores.
(All 3 of them start cracking up)
Girl 2: I can't believe that you admitted that. You were so proud when you said that. Your head was held high.
Me: Well, you must not have many white friends then.
(All 3 burst out laughing again)
Girl 2: If you ask anyone if they shop at thrift stores they wouldn't admit it.
Me: White people love thrifting.
Boy: Miss _______, do you buy stuff at the thrift store?
Teacher: Oh yeah! I love the thrift store.
Girl 2: Ew. That stuff is so gross.
Me: Well, I don't buy all my stuff from thrift stores. A lot of it comes from Urban Outfitters and Target.
Girl 2: I love Target. Don't hate on Target.
Girl 1: Target is great.
Girl 2: You guys dress nice though. I like your style.


This is pretty much my life motto. I found it here.

So, the skirt I'm wearing was a thrift store find in Michigan when I worked there last summer. The shirt is from my awesome roommate/bff, Hannah, who gave it to me when she was downsizing her closet. Appropriate thrifted items for today. Am I right? And the belt is from Urban Outfitters.