Pretty Purple Pieces

Purple is a hot color this fall. So get your purple staple pieces like these:
(click on the item descriptions for a direct link to the website)

Paul & Joe Purple Partage Double Breasted Jacket


Dagmar Purple Sweater Blazer with Belt


Ralph Lauren Fargo Cotton Cardigan with Crest


BCBG Purple Rib Sleeve Cardiwrap


Walter Plum Satin Crepe Dress


BCBG Purple One Shoulder Corsage Dress


Chloe Purple Zebra Strapless Sash Dress


Tibi Weave Bow Skirt


Searle Multi Tier Skirt


Fifteen Twenty Eva Top


Old Navy Button-Shoulder Sweater


Scholl Purple Cord Wellington Buckle Boot


Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti Plum High Suede Lace Up Brogue


Michael Kors Purple Astor Gromett Plaited Handle Shopper


Kenneth Cole Gold Link and Purple Stone Necklace


Farhi Necklace


Yochi Purple Marble Ring


Banana Republic Cocktail Ring


Blu Bijoux Amethyst Cocktail Ring


ABS Pave Crystal Purple Teardrop Earrings


Forever21 Circle Filigree Metal Earrings


Fossil Purple-Dial Dress Watch


Zodiac "Sea Dragon" Purple-Strap Watch

Layer It Up!

It's all about layering for fall. Multi-layers are so in right now. Layer sweaters, cardigans, tank tops, leggings, blazers, jackets, even accessories like necklaces and scarves! You can take layers off and put some on as you please, how fab is that?!

Here are some layered looks:

Have fun layering your favorite pieces this fall and look hot while at the same time keep warm!

P.S. Thanks for all of your input on the coats on my previous post. I decided to get the Arctic Parka!! I'm liking the fur too just like you ladies! =)

{images via sweetfuzz and thefashiontime}

Fall for Plaid

Tomorrow is the first official day of fall, which means summer is officially over (WAHHH!!).

In honor of fall, I've decided to do a fall fashion post on PLAID. I currently have a few button down plaid shirts, and I've worn them a few times this summer, but now that fall is here, plaid is in full swing. Check out these fall plaid fashion pieces (click on the descriptions for a direct link to the sites):

Ruby Rox Plaid 2-Fer Dress


I.N. San Francisco Plaid 2-Fer Dress


Magazine Plaid Tunic


BCBGMAXAZARIA 'Monica' Ponte Knit Pencil Skirt


Lauren by Ralph Lauren Plaid Shirt


Via Spiga Plaid Wool Blend Trench Topper


Classiques Entier 'Heathrow' Plaid Dress


Forever 21 Plaid Chiffon Top


Forever 21 H81 Blanket Plaid Tunic w/ Sash


Forever 21 H81 Chiffon Plaid Ruffle Dress


Anthropologie Private School Flats

Gion Odori 2006: Maneki

Masayo and Miharu.

The theme of this year's Gion Odori, the fall dance performed by the maiko and geiko of Gion Higashi, was "Seasonal Glories of the Maiko's Hanakanzashi," or flowered hair ornaments.

Masayo and Fumiki.

In December, maiko wear the maneki hanakanzashi. This dance depicted the maiko attending the year-end debut of Kabuki actors at the Minamiza theater. A young maiko overcomes her shyness to ask her favorite actor for his signature "with her big courage".

Masayo, the highest ranking maiko in Gion Higashi, dancing during the opening act of this year's Gion Odori: Maneki. This years theme was hanakanzashi, the flowered hair ornaments worn by the maiko. Each dance reflected the meaning and seasons in which each hanakanzashi is worn.

During Kaomise (from about Nov.30- Dec. 26) , the names of the performing Kabuki actors are written on long, wooden boards called maneki kanban, and hung outside the theater. Maiko attend the Kaomise (face showing) Kabuki performances, wearing these Maneki hanakanzashi. Two small, blank tags are attatched, and maiko ask their favorite Kabuki actors to sign them afterwards.


Fukimi and Miharu strike a Maneki Neko, or beckoning cat, pose.


Fumiki and Umeha.

Ena Update: Fall has Arrived!

Beautiful! Lovery!

Dusk in the mountain top town of Akechi, a newly acquired tributary of Empire Ena.

I am much more than a geisha chaser. I am an Assistant English teacher. Behold, the fruits of my labor!

Kana is a third year junior high school student, which is the equivalent of 9th grade in the US. If you can't read it, click on the image and a larger version will pop up. (^-^)

KAWAII! How cute is this? Written by a second year (8th grade) student who does not like a lovery boy named Kazunori (^_<)

These are just a few of the smile-inducing journal letters my Beautiful Mountain School students write me every week. Although it is optional, most of them try to write at least once a week, and many even write three times a week. I'm always excited to see a huge stack of letters waiting in my mailbox when I visit, and spend more time writing back then I do preparing for class (>o<). I've learned so much about my kids through these little letters, and they've learned a lot about writing! The improvement we've seen is incredible, both in their vocabulary and sentence structure (although is obviously still far from perfect). Having the opportunity to write about anything they want, without the pressure of being graded, keeps the students motivated and keeps me up to date on everything about them, especially since I don't get to visit as much as I used to. This connection to my students, and the relationships that it has fostered, is what makes being an ALT worth all the hours of absolute, brain-numbing boredom.