I'm trying out a new format of pictures using a couple of programs on my phone. I'm not sure if I like this necessarily. I prefer looking at collages instead of multiple uploads when I'm combing my instagram feed, but I think the single images might work better for this medium. I' guess I'd love your feedback either way.
Another day, another set of plans. By God's grace I've finished up one unit and I'm on my way to starting another unit. After a long day of professional development I somehow managed to squeeze in a workout and a quick run. Ok, I have to mention this, if only because I know it's going to keep me accountable. For the last few weeks I've been running with a weighted vest, deliberately slowing my pace at times as I packed on 21lbs of grit. Today I decided to run without the vest for the first time in three weeks and I shed about five minutes from my time. I ran 2.5 miles in 20 min flat. Certainly, that's nothing to write home about, but it's a marked improvement and with that I am motivated to move forward with my training. Hey, I have an Urbanathlon to train for!
Why so serious? I overslept/forgot about having to move the car. Since we live in NYC and aren't home owners we have the lovely challenge of alternate side parking rules to deal with on a daily basis. Sometimes when we get home late I decide to park on a metered street because I'm too tired to drive around the neighborhood looking for a place to park. I usually wake up early enough to exercise so I figured I'd just roll out of bed, move the car and then go on my merry way like I normally do. Unfortunately I forgot and my lack of remembrance cost us not one, but two parking tickets. Way to go, Jeff.
I got to spend most of the day getting some gear together for my upcoming Spartan Race in PA on Saturday and playing lots of Batman Arkham City to the joy of my boys who take great pleasure in watching their Papi beat up on the bad guys.
Today's bow was gifted by the gracious folks over at Forage who have a wonderful collection of bows. Check out their stuff here. Yes, that's a polo shirt again.
I've worn this xoelle tie before so I opted not to take a close-up. I trust that's ok with you. Instead I took a candid of my favorite donuts of all time. Yup - Krispy Kreme beats any other donut out there. It's so light yet rich in flavor - I could eat three dozen at a time. Not really. After the boys and I picked up Mama Bear from a spa appointment we just had to visit the only remaining Krispy Kreme establishment in the city state. What? It's in Penn Station? Even better. The side mission took us two hours out of our way because of NYC traffic, but like wearing bow ties with polo shirts - it was so worth it.
Today's bow tie was acquired at a vintage retailer many years ago. It's the first diamond point bow I owned and what inspired me to hunt down more diamond points. If a fine bow tie is very hard to find, imagine how hard it is to find a fine diamond point. I'm thankful to have started to learn the craft that will have me making my own diamond points for years to come. Have a great Tuesday, peeps.
Today's bow was created by yours truly and features a cool floral print that originally started out as part of a bundle of fat quarters at an arts and crafts store. I'd like to there's a bit of progress to this diamond point, but I suppose it's because I used a new stencil I created. Perhaps I'm getting more familiar with the process of constructing bow ties, too. Whatever the case, I think it came out pretty cool, no?
It's such a lovely Saturday in NYC, although it didn't look to start that way. In fact, when I went out for a morning jog after a WOD I thought it would rain. Instead, the sun came out to play and I took to my sewing machine to clear my head a bit while the little ones got themselves into, out of, and back into trouble. Oh, dear.
Today's bow came via the good folks at Forage and features a combination of orange, brown, blue and white on this awesome plaid cotton. It's totally my kind of bow. Check out the bows that joined the family today. I made a clip-on animal print for the boys and I decided to make another Superman bow after my previous one sold. It's been bittersweet to actually start selling off some of my bow tie creations. I really don't know how folks do this for a living. I get too attached to things I have a hand in constructing, I guess. Happy Saturday, friends.
Here's a throwback bow from early March, with a totally different haircut. I'm not one of those chaps that likes to stay committed to a particular style of hair. I don't know why, necessarily. I've had my head completely shaven, colored, braided, spiked, shaped into a mohawk and many styles in between. Perhaps this one will stick for a while.
Today's bow comes via Monica Maria. If you haven't yet, please check out her shop on ebay. She's got a HUGE selection of cool bow ties. If you're looking for something unique in a bow, you'll find it there.
Holidays like this one make me happy to be a parent. Regardless of what we may think we want for ourselves, it's the time spent with family that really matters. We didn't stray too far from home with Lucas still not 100% but I managed to get a workout and a run in and that was just dandy. Have I mentioned how much I've been watching Game of Thrones lately? It makes me grateful to be part of the family I've been blessed with. My Lady truly loves me and we're fortunate to have three little lords running around, trying to emulate their King. Case in point - we all wore the same soccer outfits during a walk today. I may not have had the opportunity to travel, to relax under the sun, to shop the holiday sales, but I got to spend the quality time I needed with my family by my side. What else could I ask for?
Today's bow was a gift from my friend over at Knot Now. It's simple, yet sufficient - just like another holiday in the house of Vasquez.
It's a snowy Saturday afternoon and I'm feeling awfully blessed. We're not the most financially fortunate, but I feel incredibly wealthy with loved ones around me and complete strangers supporting this cause. In less than 24 hours we've received 32 brand new bow ties from four different donors.
Before I get to today's tie, let me pause and share a little about my sons. I woke up this morning to find our two older boys sprawled out on their bedroom floor amidst their toys. When I asked what they were up to, Luis - the eldest - says "We're looking through the toys so we could donate them to the Buckeye Corner." (Side note: The Buckeye Corner is a classroom store that his 2nd grade teachers set up as part of an incentive/ classroom economy system. Essentially students earn classroom dollars for desired behavior and get to spend that money on new or used toys, books, or school supplies.) I replied, "Did Mami ask you to donate toys?" When he said no, I follow up with "then why are you doing this?" His next line left me speechless. "Because we have too much." His decision making about his toys inspires me to get rid of some of my own. I may not have a collection of action figures that I still play with, but there are a closet full of sneakers that I don't need. OK, so maybe I'll hit up eBay instead of the Salvation Army. Either way, Luis is right. We have more than enough and we ought to be more than ok with letting go of our material things for the sake of others. <insert warm fuzzy feeling>
Today's tie comes by way of ties.com and feature a combination of two of my favorite colors. As part of their package they were kind enough to include a matching kid's tie so one of my son's could coordinate with me at church tomorrow. I'm looking forward to that.
What you have below is a short video of how I like to tie my bow ties - just for you, Christian G. It's a bit unorthodox because during Step 4 most gents usually make the second loop by pushing through the back of the first loop. I find it much easier to use the front door. Of all the videos I've seen posted on how to tie a bow tie I've never seen folks use this one. I suggest watching the 1-minute clip a few times while you're tying your own. Here are the steps I posted along with the video. Enjoy!
Step 1. Tie a regular knot.
Step 2. Make the first loop with the under layer. This is half of your bow.
Step 3. Center your loop in the proper bow tie position.
Step 4. Wrap the over layer down and around the bow's middle and make the other loop by pushing the loop in front of the first one and through to the other side.
Step 5. Adjust the loops by pulling the double ends.
It's Friday B, kids! One Friday a month, or thereabouts, our school provides a day off from instruction for content teachers to engage in some professional development. I think it's a great idea to have some face time with my colleagues, share ideas and continue to find ways to strenthen my areas of professional growth, but I personally prefer to stay in the classroom with my scholars - hence my looking toward the weekend face up above. We're actually taking a look at some Japanese methods of teaching math today so I'm actually looking forward for ways to step my game up.
Today's bow tie comes by way of Elle (XOELLE) who took another pair of unloved pants (seriously, they had been hanging in closet for years and never made it to the tailors to get hemmed) and reconstructed them into this lovely bow tie (and a matching clip-on for my son) for a fair cost. If you haven't checked out her work, do yourself a favor and check out what this former teacher's done. It's pretty fabulous and I look forward to sending her more projects throughout my campaign.
Today is not just another day off, my fellow comrades in education. Today we get to reflect on Martin Luther King, Jr. and the result of one man driven by a resolve to make the world a better place to inhabit.
He once said "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."
This blog has been somewhat of a step of faith for me. I started this challenge to wear a bow tie for 1,000 days straight with a personal collection of maybe a few dozen bow ties with the idea that if anyone wanted to join me or support me they could do so by either donating a tie for me to wear (so that perhaps I might eventually wear 1,000 different ties) or donate to one of the Achievement First schools I represent. In the last 16 days I've field dozens of e-mails noticed my page views continue to grow into the thousands and I'm more inspired than ever to continue the same dialogue that Dr. King so passionately delivered with more consistency than my wardrobe.
The bow ties are awesome - please don't get me wrong. But today, of all days, let's not forget that this mission has a greater purpose than to keep me looking dapper. Let's continue to raise awareness that Dr. King's dream has not yet been fully realized. I too have a dream that one day our three sons will not be judged by the color of their skin, but for the content of their character.
Today's bow tie was generously donated by my new friend Carlos Aguilera. He's got a couple of collections - this one is from Knot Now. I suggest you also check out his Necks Tuesday line. Great stuff! Did I mention he skateboarded to our apartment to hand deliver this gem? I love the fact that though it's a freestyle handcrafted lightly textured wool tie it's also joined together by a small clasp so if you just want to tie it once and then take it off without undoing your bow you most certainly can.
I decided to sport another new tie for the first day back to work. This one was part of a set of two lovelies donated to me by my new friends at Forage. Most weekday mornings I'll also rock a cinnamon chewing stick because I won't have time to eat breakfast and the feel of chewing on something helps me take my mind off of wanting to eat!
On the day before the kids go back to school I chose to bring back an old favorite. I picked up this vintage tie at Andy's Cheepees over ten years ago when I first got into the bow tie game. I was initially inspired by the style of the musicians featured in Ken Burns' Jazz documentary that ran on PBS during my first year of teaching. Ever since then I've enjoyed the challenge of incorporating my personal taste with a love for the classic, timeless look of the bow tie. If you get a chance to visit their shop, you've got to ask the clerk behind the counter for their clear plastic containers full of bow ties. They'll ask you whether you want the clip-on or the self-tie. You won't be disappointed by their selection of vintage treasures.
