Ruffle Tuesday: Track out and travel style

I realize you may have read about track out on my other posts and have no idea what it is, so let me explain. I teach at a year round school which is pretty common here in NC. We start our school year around mid July, we go for 9 weeks, our first quarter and then we are off for 3 weeks. We go back for another 9 weeks, our second quarter and we are off for 3 weeks for the holidays during part of December/January We have another 3 week break around March/April and then when we finish the school year in June, we have 5 weeks off and when the kids come back, they advance to the next grade. I went to a traditional school when I was younger so I can sort of compare it but I have only ever taught with the year round schedule. I personally love it. I think that just when the kids and teachers are ready for a break, everyone gets 3 weeks off and we all come back refreshed. Usually by the end of the 2nd week off I am ready to go back. I enjoy being at home and staying in yoga pants all day but I also love routine.

During this particular track out I did a lot of traveling. I went to see my parents who live part of the year in Cape Cod, MA. It is always nice to visit with them since they still spoil me rotten. An added bonus this time was that my brother came up for a few days. It is rare that just the 4 of us are together, might be the first time in 7 years. Of course we missed Jorge and Charlotte (our significant others) but it was a special time. Plus, I think September is the nicest time to visit New England anyway.

shirt: Target

jeans: Target

necklace: Very Jane

shoes: Tory Burch

watch: Target

purse: Zara

jeans: Target

top: Kohl's

sweater: Old Navy (old)

shoes: Tory Burch

shirt: Old Navy (old)

jeans: Target

watch: Target

shoes: Tory Burch

necklace: Our World Boutique

I also traveled with some fellow teachers to Boone/Asheville. I might be biased because I live in NC but I think that the NC mountains need to be a bucket list item for everyone. They are just gorgeous, pictures can't do them justice. We drove to Boone and went out to dinner. The next day we got up and went hiking in Blowing Rock then drove to Asheville. We went out to dinner that night downtown. The next day we went to the Biltmore Estate and toured the house. Then we headed back to Raleigh. A quick trip but so much fun. We were in our pjs, eating dessert and watching TV in bed every night by 7pm. It was like heaven on earth. I apologize for the poor cell phone quality, I brought my camera but with 4 girls sharing a mirror in a hotel, I didn't want to hog it.

shirt: TJ Maxx

vest: Target (old)

jeans: Target

watch: Target

boots: Frye

shirt: Banana Republic (old)

vest: Target (old)

jeans: Target

necklace: Bella of Cape Cod

watch: Target

boots: Frye

shirt: Groopdealz

necklace: Very Jane

watch: Target

leggings: Target

boots: Frye

When I got back from the mountains I went to my sweet friend Tricia's 31 party. She was the art teacher at school when I first started teaching. She stays at home now but we have kept in touch. She and her hubby have a sweet boy, Landon and they are in the process of adopting another. The party was a fundraiser for her adoption. I also took it as a chance to wear my ankle boots for the first time. I have been wanting a pair for a few years but I kept doubting that I could pull them off. I decided to just go for it. Also, if you follow me on Instagram (@ruffletuesday) You know that I am obsessed with these Old Navy leggings. If you haven't already checked them out, run don't walk to your nearest Old Navy.

shirt: Old Navy

leggings: Old Navy

necklace: Groopdealz

watch: Jewelry Nut (Facebook auction)

shoes: Old Navy

purse: Coach

(This was a gift and there is a chance that it is fake, as tacky as that may sound. I still love it though)

The last week of track out was spent working in my classroom and finishing up projects at home. We also have our mandatory teacher workdays the last 2 days of track out.