Black Suede Ankle Boots & Utility Jacket: This One Time At Soccer Camp…

Last Winter I shared a story about a multi-school district sports program my students have the opportunity to participate in…

THE STORY

…It is truly something to see. It involves both special needs students as well as regular education students who play together as a team against teams from neighboring districts. They get the opportunity to meet new people, make new friends and participate in sports and activities that they might otherwise be unable to do. The joy and self-confidence that I saw in my kids was almost palpable. There were times that I was honestly brought to tears.

This past Saturday I, along with two of my closest friends, took a group of kids on a little road trip to a one day soccer camp sponsored by the program. We added a few new kids, both special needs and not, who hadn’t participated last year to the pack (including my daughter) and set off on our little adventure. They spent the morning learning and practicing soccer skills and then they had the opportunity to play a game.

Since the groups from individual schools weren’t huge, we teamed up with another school to form a team. Watching them play together, not only with kids they knew, but also with kids whom they were unfamiliar was amazing. Some of our kids aren’t what one might consider outgoing or friendly due to a lack of self-confidence or in some cases a deficit in social skills. But during that game you would have never known it; they worked together, cheered one another on, and provided moral support even to kids they didn’t know. Watching that game would have brought a smile to the face of even the most hardened soul.

And the best part? They won the game! They got to bring home the game ball, and you would have thought they won the lottery. This morning the high school portion of our team showed up with the ball for my students to sign. The ruckus that erupted in my classroom was off the hook; a whole lotta cheering, fist bumping and applause commenced. Word on the street is the game ball is going in the high school trophy case…how cool is that? Some days I love what I do more than other days and today was definitely one of those days.

THE OUTFIT

Today’s outfit has a double focus: the fabulous black suede ankle boots and the utility jacket. Let’s start with these stellar boots shall we? Buttery soft suede, a comfortable heel and fringe…what’s not to love? I have been looking for a quality made comfortable pair of black suede ankle boots since the end of last Winter. I came to the conclusion about a year ago, that when I’m looking to purchase an item that I will wear over and over again, it just makes sense to go for better quality.

Enter Marmi Shoes…it was like serendipity that they approached me to choose a pair of boots from their Fall 2016 collection. And you know that when I saw the fringe on these beauties it was a done deal. They will be on heavy rotation all Winter long and well into next Spring. I wore them all day at work without first breaking them in, and they were as comfortable as an old friend. This is especially important because of the problems I have with my right foot. These boots are truly perfection.

Now on to the utility jacket. It’s time for October’s installment of the Ageless Style Link Up and this month’s theme is “Utility/Military Jackets”. Although it is our theme, it really was no effort at all to style the utility jacket. It is pretty much on repeat until the chillier temperatures hit and then my faux fur lined utility jacket takes over. They truly are a workhorse; styled with a dress or skirt or a more casual look, a utility jacket just works; much like it’s shorter denim counterpart. Think of your utility jacket much as you do your denim jacket. Pretty much anything you’d pair the denim with, you can sub in the utility jacket in it’s place.

THE TIP

Although paying a bit more might be painful (initially it was for me too), it just makes good sense to go for the highest quality that’s within your budget when shopping for closet staples. I won’t presume to provide you with a list of closet staples as they are different for everyone. For me, both black and brown ankle boots with a lower heel are on the staples list. Hence these are both items that it makes sense for me to invest in. That way they last, as opposed to having to spend more in the long run because of the need to replace more cheaply made pairs each season.

THE LINK UPS

Check out the weekly link ups I participate in for even more fashion and style ideas…

BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN AND LINK UP WITH MYSELF AND MY LOVELY CO-HOSTS FOR THIS MONTHS AGELESS STYLE LINK UP!!

Boots: c/o Marmi Shoes; Jacket: JCPenney (Similar); Jeans: Old Navy; Sweater: Walmart (Similar)

**This post was sponsored by Marmi Shoes, but as always, all opinions are my own.

Before you link up…don’t forget to enter for your chance to score $75 towards a gorgeous wood watch of your own!

Would you like a JORD Wood Watch of your own? Well you’re in luck! I, along with JORD are giving you the chance to win a $75 gift code to use towards the watch of your choice. And guess what? You get a $20 gift code automatically just for entering! How cool is that?! Simply click the link to enter for your chance to win!! Contest closes 10/16/16 at 11:59 p.m.

LINK UP GUIDELINES

• Have fun and make some new friends! Please visit at least 2 other links.
• Please link to your actual post and not your blog’s homepage.
• Please link back to the Ageless Style Link Up in your linked post.
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• Please follow each of your hosts on at least one social media channel via the links below.

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