A TEACHER'S BLOG / Meet The Thrifty School Marm !

I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO ONE OF MY BBBB'S!

( Bestest Beginning Blog Buddies ;)

Kathryn, aka, The Thrifty School Marm, has been with me since the beginning. I met her on Weardrobe ( it started with her shoes ;) She is a terrific thrifter, re-mixer, and a super smart middle-school teacher who isn't afraid to try new things and is always up for a challenge! She lives and functions in the real world, and still has time for blogging, directing plays for her kids, home-making and actually cracking a book!

THOUGH OUR STYLES ARE A BIT DIFFERENT FROM EACH OTHER, 

( SHE'S A TEACHER, I'M A SLEEP TIL NOON HIPPIE ;)

SHE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE FOR ME, CHEERING ME ON,

AND I'D LIKE FOR YOU GUYS TO GET TO KNOW HER, TOO !

SO, IF YOU DON'T KNOW HER ALREADY, MEET

KATHRYN OF SCHOOLMARMSTYLE !

( Her Halloween costume, Yes, she can do it ! )

Bio:
 Ithaca, New York, United States

I'm a middle school teacher, part time poet, and personal thrift stylist. 

1. WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO START A FASHION BLOG?

      I had been reading blogs for a while before starting mine. A lot of the blogs I was following gave me great inspiration but weren't real enough for me. I live in a small college town, work a fairly conservative (in terms of style) job, and have a tiny clothing budget. I wanted to start documenting my style evolution for people like me. I remember when I first started teaching it was so hard to move from "college style" to "teacher style", and my image of what that looked like was very limited. I guess I was hoping to show other young teachers that you can still have a young, fresh look without spending a ton of money and while still looking professional.

2.  HAS BLOGGING CHANGED THE WAY YOU DRESS, AND IF SO HOW?

      Absolutely! The best part of blogging is that it has given me so much confidence in the way I dress. I'm so much more willing to take risks and try trends. I definitely have some days where I am out of my usual style element, but those have just become my "style blogger" days.

3. HAS THE BLOG AFFECTED YOUR KIDS AT SCHOOL AND DO THEY GIVE YOU TIPS?

       I don't advertise my blog at school, but I don't hide it either. I do have a classroom/homework blog on the same account so it's not that hard to find. My kids don't really give me tips, but they do notice and talk about my clothes, shoes, and nails a lot. In fact, I once had a student write an entire vignette about my nail polish obsession. I also see a question about the number of pairs of shoes I have every year in the yearbook.  I do have a lot of moms who secretly follow my blog, and one kid once confirmed his class attendance by referencing my daily outfit to his mom!

4. WHAT WOULD YOU TELL A NEW BLOGGER TO DO OR NOT TO DO IN YOUR EXPERIENCE?

     My biggest piece of advice would be to be true to yourself. Style blogging can often feel really competitive. I've had a few moments of doubt about number for followers and my lack on sponsors over the last two and a half years. Those are the times when I usually take a break, because for me that's never been what this is about. You have to decide if you're having fun if you choose this as a hobby. If you want to start blogging to make money (a very lofty and not a very practical goal) be prepared to treat it like a job because that's what it will take.

5. WHO, IN THE BLOGGING COMMUNITY, HAS IMPACTED YOUR STYLE MOST?

    Besides you, Reva my BBBB?! I've taken a ton of influence from Kyla at Blue Collar Catwalk, Kendi at Kendi Everyday, Jen from JenlovesKev and Kasmira at What I Wore Today.

(AWW, THANKS ;)

6. ANY STYLE ICONS, AS IN CELEBRITIES, ETC...?

I am absolutely currently head over heels girl crushing 

on Zooey Deschanel and Michelle Williams. 

7. WORDS OF WISDOM ?
BE WISE, BE KIND, BE TRUE

TYPE OF CAMERA YOU USE, TIME OF DAY YOU TAKE YOUR PHOTOS, TIPS OR TRICKS YOU'VE LEARNED ALONG THE WAY.

( I ADDED THIS ONE IN, AS IT IS SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE WONDER, BUT DON'T ASK :)

      I use a very basic glorified point and shoot Pentax Optio with a timer setting. Occasionally J will take my shots, but I usually just find a ledge, desk, railing, or window frame and DIY. Someday I will switch to a fancy camera, but I like the simplicity I have. I take most of my shots in the morning when the weather is nice or during my prep period if I'm in my classroom. I guess the biggest trick I've learned is to just be confident and actually make eye contact. I used to do the beginning blogger trick of looking down or away to avoid bad pics, but now I feel a bit more secure in my posing and more willing to take bad shots to get to the good ones.  

*FIVE IN FIVE SECONDS*

1. SHAVE OR WAX? eyebrows: wax, everything else: shave

2. BEER OR WINE? usually beer

3. HEELS OR UGGS? neither- how about some wedges?

4. MANICURE OR MASSAGE? In a dream world- both

5. WASHCLOTH OR SPONGE? washcloth, sponges are so gross!

A BIG THANKS TO THE THRIFTY SCHOOL MARM, FOR THIS PEEK INTO HER BLOG, STYLE, AND FOR BEING THE BEST BLOG BUDDY EVER !!!

HER BLOG IS SCHOOLMARMSTYLE.

She also is on twitter, (schoolmarmstyle), and has a great book-club blog, the ThriftySchoolMarm, where she discusses books, writing and food !
If you're looking for a happy, real-world girl with the fashion passion,
CHECK HER OUT !
(Tell her Reva sent ya ;)