motivation – Petite Teacher

How to hide those Xmas extras…

11th January 2019 8 Comments

Dress: Only, Boots: The Little Shoe Shop, Hat: H&M, Top: Tally Weijl, Necklace and Bag: ? (gifts from my mum)

“Walking Your Talk Is A Great Way To Motivate Yourself. No One Likes To Live A Lie. Be Honest With Yourself, And You Will Find The Motivation To Do What You Advise Others To Do.”

– Vince Poscente

I am a blogger who “walks her talks”. That means that I have enjoyed lots of yummy meals and cakes during the holidays and…tada…being 40+, this has had some effect on my beautiful belly! I can imagine that some of you may recognise this and that’s why I show you several stylish dresses and skirts that have this extra bonus of hiding your belly pretty well.

Lieske's Looks, Life Lessons

New Year: a new sweater & new year’s resolutions

4th January 2019 6 Comments

Coat: Yes or No, Skirt: Esprit: Boots: Stravers Shoes, Sweater: H&M (new)

“What the New Year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the New Year.”

– Vern McLellan

In my case it is this new sweater to start with…I use it in this week’s blogpost as a way to explain why you should stick to only one New Year’s Resolution. The one that matters to you. The one that makes a difference. The one that will determine what the New Year brings to you.

I will also show you three different ways to style it, since all good things come in threes!

Lieske's Looks, Life Lessons

Looking back and looking forward with a thankful heart

28th December 2018 8 Comments

Cardigan: Street One, Top: Yes or No, Jeans: H&M, Boots: Chigo, Sunnies: Cerjo, Necklace: ? (but very nice!)

My Christmas holidays are the perfect moment to relax and to reflect. This year I am in Switzerland during my holidays, enjoying the beauty this country has got to offer in winter. Lots of winter walks and skiing, followed by cosy evenings with my family or friends (see this previous blogpost).

Life Lessons, Teacher's Travels

The reward of resilience: 3 impressive and inspiring stories of 3 wonderful women

9th November 2018 4 Comments

Skirt: H&M, Top: Yes or No, Shoes: Vans, Sunglasses (new): Cerjo

On the 11th of the 11ht at 11 hours it will be a century ago that WWI ended. This summer we visited Verdun, one of the most notorious battlefields. We walked through a beautiful and peaceful forest, which once was a terrible battlefield full of mud, explosives and hungry, wounded and dead soldiers. It was an eery feeling, knowing that in the grounds of this fairy-tale forest lay the remains of 80.000 soldiers…

I got the feeling that in this horrible war, few soldiers had the chance to decide whether they were going to be a victim or a winning warrior. They just had to fight.

In our daily lives we fortunately often have the choice: to fight or to give in, to give up. Two months ago a friend of mine posted an article on linkedin about the reward of resilience. It is so impressive and inspiring that I want to share her story here, along with a few others, to show you the power of persistence, the reward of resilience and that we, fortunately, have a choice: do we want to be a victim or a winning warrior?!

Captivating Communication, Life Lessons

Fresh & Foul, Stone & Sand, Music & Maths: 3 inspirational stories for you!

12th October 2018 4 Comments

After reading my own blogpost about the awesome autumn cakes I couldn’t resist baking one (again). Having lots of apples at home, I chose to bake the apple fudge cake. You only need two apples for the recipe, so I picked 2 good looking apples and started cutting them into pieces for my cake. The first one was absolutely fine, juicy and fresh. The second one however, one that was just as good looking as the first one, was bruised and mushy inside. That reminded me of a powerful metaphor. Since it has been a while that I have posted a story on my blog, I decided to do so this week. And because it has been so long, I have selected not 1, but 3 inspirational stories for you. Enjoy them!

Lieske's Looks, Life Lessons

Black & white for the 4th & 5th of May

4th May 2018 6 Comments

Dress: H&M, Sunglasses: Cerjo

After last week’s King’s Day it’s another special day in The Netherlands today, Remembrance Day, hence the little black dress on my blog this week. As you can see I have chosen a beautiful white background for my photos. That is because tomorrow is Liberation Day in The Netherlands. Since blossoming trees are associated with new beginnings, I thought this black and white combination very apt to illustrate this week’s blog post…

Lieske's Looks, Life Lessons

A smart start

23rd March 2018 5 Comments

Dress & Top: H&M, Shoes: Moda di Fausto (all previous seasons)

Forget all your New Year’s Resolutions: spring is the perfect time for new beginnings. Trees are starting to blossom, you can hear the birds singing, yummy chocolate eggs can be bought again and and the sun is rising earlier every morning. So, time for a fresh beginning indeed. I have chosen to look very smart at the start of spring. It’s a dress I like best with a pair of high heels, so I only wear it outside the classroom. It would also be too much of a challenge to cycle to school in this one…

I have combined it with a warm white top. It’s warm in two ways: a warm colour white and some pretty warm material, so perfect for the lower temperatures we are having just now. I love wearing jumpers and tops that protect my throat, since my voice is what I need to do my job. Classy and chic as the dress is, it has got a hidden casual detail: pockets!

Captivating Communication, Life Lessons

To say not or not to say not, that’s the question

2nd February 2018 8 Comments

In two of my previous blog posts I have written about the power of some 3-letter words. The word “but“ in a sentence has got the power to undo what came before. The word “yet“ has got the power to add possibilities and options when put at the end of a negative sentence. Today, I’d like to discuss the power of the word “not“ and how to make the best use of it.

Captivating Communication, Lieske's Looks, Life Lessons

Wild and full of passion

12th January 2018 5 Comments

Hat and Jumper: H&M, Bag: Tally Weijl, sunglasses: Cerjo, Trousers: Jacqueline de Yong (previous seasons)

Saying ‘Hi’ to the next semester of this school year. I am in the middle of the theme ‘wild animals’ with some of my classes, so I have chosen to wear this jumper to school this week (without the hat of course). Pupils really pick up this kind of subtle details, like with my halloween dress for example.

Lieske's Looks, Life Lessons

Black and white Christmas dress

22nd December 2017 6 Comments

Dress: Sha & Sha, Top: Street One (both previous seasons)

In my last blogpost for 2017 I would like to show you one of my most versatile dresses for special occasions. I have worn this dress at (dinner) parties, at a wedding, to a funeral and I will probably wear it to one or more of the many Christmas events we will attend next week. It is chique and playful at the same time, totally wrinkle-friendly, very comfortable, full of special details and both practical boots and high heels combine well with it. Of all the special details, I like the frill collar most. It reminds me of the dress worn by Snow White’s stepmother. Story lover that I am, this is an additional bonus for me.