Erika S. outfits, trips

ramen love

Coming to Los Angeles means two things: hanging out with family and eating noodles.

LA to me = San Gabriel, Alhambra, Rosemead, Monterey Park.  LA, the asian part.  I’m ok with that though because this part of LA has the best noodles ever, all kinds.  The best Pho, the best fun and mein ever, the best ramen ever.  I would happily eat only noodles while I’m here in asian LA.

For lunch today we went to a ramen place in Rosemead called Shin Sen Gumi.  So yummy, even yummier than Katana-ya in SF which is my favorite in the city.

Gyoza, char siu tacos and spam misubi.  Om nom nom.

our ramen: Kris’s (sister’s) with roe and egg, Eddie’s (my cousin) with extra char siu and mine with extra char siu and spicy miso.  Holy crap it was yum.

I swear this is the first time ever I’ve been able to eat noodles without geting splashes all over my top. Kris and Eddie helped me snap photos.  Kris was sure to remind me to give her photo credit, so here it is.  Photo credit to my sister, Kris.  and Eddie.

The ultimate LA background…the parking lot of a strip mall.  

There’s my new bag!!!  I was super excited to find this at Nordie’s Rack last week.  It’s the perfect size, color and it has a cross-body strap.  Not to mention it was a steal.

sunglasses and glasses: bonlook – coat: gap (hella old) – top and jeans: f21 – belt: gap (hella old) – flats: frye – bag: pour la victoire

Family photo time.  My mom, sister, Popo and me.  Popo doesn’t remember who I am anymore. Popo needs round the clock care now and she talks to herself a lot.  But she still mentions how tall I am every time she sees me.  “Wah.  hou gouw ahhh.”  some things never change.

Erika S. fun stuffs, outfits

happy in plaid

One of my TAs (I have one this year!) helped me out yesterday and snapped these photos.  She kept laughing at me, and when I told her I kept a blog, she shrugged and was all, “I know.”   …  huh.

Physiology 5th period: the usual class commenter said, “Ms. Schenck you look like a picnic today.”  awesome

I saw this dress a while ago on refinery29.  I liked it and made a mental note.  At the time even on sale, it was more than I was willing to shell out.  A few weeks later, lo and behold, I came across is in the sale dungeon of Urban Outfitters with and extra 50% off the sale price.  woot woot!  I grabbed it, debated keeping it for a few days, and ended up wearing it.  It’s a good day/work dress (with leggings, as it is super short on me).  quirky colors means teenager eyes are more attracted.

the

end

of

a

long

day

dress: APC Madras, similar here – long sleeve: Old Navy – leggings and necklace: f21 – boots: frye via nordies rack – watch: marc by marc via nordies rack – rx sunglasses: bonlook – on the wrist: paracord from B and gold bracelet from my popo (grandma) from when I was a kid

Erika S. fun stuffs

Madewell Love/Drool/Lust

I’m obsessed with Madewell.  Our San Francisco Madewell just opened this past July, but I’ve been stalking Madwell ever since their online retail debut.  It’s my favorite store.  It’s the  cooler, hipster J.Crew.

The new spring collection looks came out recently and I’m feeling giddy.  Super cute stuff…and my new dress is part of it!  Perfect teacher outfits! I die.  I lust. I drool.   I wait….for sales.I constantly have to remind myself that I am on a teacher’s budget.  Madewell sadly, is more often than not well outside of that budget.  It’s a process, but sometimes I end up with great deals.  I wait and wait for things to go on sale.  Then I wait and wait for the extra 30% off sales campaigns.  Then I go to the store to see if they have it in stock to save on  shipping.  Only then do I splurge on Madewell.  The spring dress I just bought, from look #1 above, was brand new to the store, but there was a 30% off all dresses promotion going on which brought the cost down to about $90.  There was a lot of internal money guilt back and forth, but in the end I knew I had to have it. It was just too cute to pass up. Now I will wait for Look 4 and 7 to go on sale!

Erika S. outfits

sail away, it’s girls’ night!

It was girls’ night out.  All respective significant others are out of town and/or didn’t feel like hanging with the chickies.  B is in Hawaii on a work trip…. I am sooo jelly.

We went to Luna Park for a late supper and drinks.  I wore my new favorite dress from Madewell which garnered more than a few complements both from the girl friends and from rando girls whist waiting in the restroom line.  All together, this means that this dress was not only a great buy, it is now going to be a closet staple for the weekends.

Next test that could possibly raise the dress up to a weekday and weekend closet staple: how the kids respond.  Granted, for the classroom, something as short as this dress would never fly.  So some layering magic will have to happen.  FSM forbid I actually show too much skin at school.  I feel dirty just contemplating it.  *shudder*



glasses: warby parker – jacket: urban outfitters (old) – hoodie: american apparel – dress: madewell (not online but currently in stores) – socks: asos – booties: boutique9 via endless – clutch: f21 –  watch: marc by marc via nordstrom rack – bracelets: DIY and gift from B

I’m all about the nautical look.  I love it.  I’m obsessed with it.  I was a sailor, after all.  I did at one time fancy becoming a coastie (coast guard) or a merchant mariner.  I just wanted to be on the ocean forever….I ❤ sailors.

BTW, all pics by Aimee.  thanks girl!

Erika S. outfits

electric feel

“Hey Ms. Schenck, did you borrow your pants from Rainbow Bright?”

har har.  yes I did.  I’ve been having a love affair with brightly colored pants for the past 6 months. like here and here and most definitely here.

glasses: bonlook – necklace: dunno, gift from somewhere on etsy – blazer: madewell – t.shirt: threads for thoughts from Nordies Rack – pants:f21 – shoes: DV Dolce Vita
Erika S. outfits, parties

Tree Trimmers

A few weeks ago, I went to a tree trimming party at my gorgeous friend Aimee’s house. Aimee teaches at the same high school as me (right above me actually on the infamous 3rd floor!) as do (or did) all the other lovely ladies.  We had a blast of course, and managed to keep the teacher talk to a minimum.

Aimee has fab taste and decorates her tree with a bird theme.  I stole one of those birds and made myself a new fascinator. But then maybe pirate look was better?




We are all teachers, and we all have super interesting things to say.  some of the things said that night would probably scandalize a good percentage of americans.  especially when said teachers play scandalous games.  Cards Against Humanity.  I highly recommend it.  B bought the set off of kickstarter.com a while ago and it’s been the go to game for every party.  It helps us old fogey teachers stay on top of all the popular disgusting things out there.

 My friends are just a sampling of how dedicated and talented teachers can be.  They work long hours and invest themselves physically, and even more so, emotionally in their classrooms.  They are all amazing educators who strive to make a difference every day.  Day to day we are faced with daunting, discouraging, bureaucratic and social problems that are too immense to tackle by ourselves.  We combat these soul crushing adversities through support, hugs, and a bit of alcohol.  =)  My ex-parter-in-bio-teaching Ann calls it trauma bonding and I’ve yet to hear a better descriptor.

bottom row: nicole (ELD formerly known as ESL), Alexis (SpED), Anne (English)  top row: me (Bio/health/Physiology), Aimee (ELD/English), Jen (English).  Missing from the photo was Ann, aka Zhaoweezy (bio/physiology).  ❤

The boys are not teachers, but they are teacher lovers.  I know this because they love us.  They are the ones who clean up the emotional messes we bring home with us.  They are also the ones who bask in our glow when we have success.  They give us encouragement, affirmations, and they tell us constantly that they are proud of us and our work.  Everyone needs that kind of support regardless of what the day job is, and I’m thankful that we have these dudes to help fill that role (among other roles).

On to some pictures of what we wore!  fashion helps make us happy.  There is no better time than a holiday party to bust out the new dresses!

earrings made by me – cardigan and necklace: f21 (not-so-secret-santa gift from Alexis) – dress, lipstick and belt: j.crew – over the knee socks: urban outfitters – booties: nine west

P.S. check out Aimee’s blog Past the Mission.  Its fantastic!

Erika S. outfits

The “you must have a date tonight!” outfit

Teenagers notice everything.  Nothing will slip past them, especially not when they spend an hour (sometimes 2) staring at you as you teach.  Coincidentally, teenagers are also trying to figure out their mental–>verbal filters. Random/inappropriate/funny/embarrassing/ghastly things come flying out of mouths daily. Case in point: “Ms. S, you look really nice today…..OMG YOU MUST HAVE A DATE TONIGHT!!!!”

No, I don’t have a date tonight.  Can’t I wear a skirt every once in a while?  Especially when said skirt is new and super cute?  Never mind that I still have the usual teacher hairdo (more like the non-do).

My health class says hello BTW.  They left me a message that I just found this morning.

Glasses : bonlook – necklace/bracelet : my mom’s from when she was 12 – tee/belt/skirt : j.crew – cardi : super old from Therapy – shoes : nine west (also seen here) – watch : Marc by Marc Jacobs via Nordies Rack

Erika S. outfits

caustic parents

It’s a monday.  I have a 4pm parent-teacher meeting.  So I dress accordingly, which in the teaching profession translates as a button up shirt.  Don’t I look so serious and intellectual? Never mind that in Physiology class today we spent some time talking about pelvises, coccyxes and how big the inlet and outlet is in women compared to men.  I am totally serious, even when my hand is simulating a baby’s head going through a woman’s pelvis. No giggling allowed.  This is my serious we-are-going-to-learn-anatomy face.

The awesomeness starts when I call to confirm scheduled parent-teacher meeting.  Phone number is disconnected!  Teenager of parent comes to 6th period with her attitude fully adjusted to normal levels.  She calls mom on her cell phone (magical special phone number), mom confirms meeting time (4pm), with a few crass words thrown in for effect.  Fantastic.  4:30pm…no mom.  So much for the seriousness!!

This means I get to go home and eat cranberry pumpkin bread!  Bambi is happy, she gets to vacuum crumbs. Woot woot!  Even better: a Pho date with the besterest dean of students ever, Mr. Emmi for later in the evening.  Teachers have lives too, you know.

Glasses: bonlook – shirt and tank: j.crew – pants: f21 – watch: marc by marc jacobs – shoes: nine west (on sale!)