What were your finest teenage fashion moments?

On my break this morning I was flicking though the news and came across this: http://goo.gl/ip2qB and it got me thinking about how I used to dress at school. Personally I absolutely love it when people express their taste in an attention grabbing way through clothing and hair styles, I think it's fabulously entertaining to see just how creative some people are. As with the girls in the article, it always amazes me how much effort people will put into their look.

                                   
                               What's your bet? How long did this look take to create?

When I was of secondary school age my look was interesting (read: a mess) but I don't care, I'm proud of the fact that I took the opportunity to go nuts with style(?). One picture that never fails to make me smile was taken on my 16th birthday. My previously candy floss pink hair had turned bright orange and I was never friendly with straighteners so my naturally curly hair had turned to frizz. I was also wearing a kilt, dms and a faux football top. It screamed 'clown gone wrong'. However much of a mess I looked I still absolutely loved it.

Another classic for me was at my prom. I wore a short pink tutu, pink corset, white tights and the biggest, fluffiest, most fluorescent fun fur coat you've ever seen. I just didn't feel like myself in the prom dresses the other girls had, it would have been fake and I'd have felt uncomfortable. In my eye wateringly bright ensemble, however, I felt on top of the world.

With all that in mind I love the kawaii trend. Go for it I say, it's all too soon that these kids may end up working in an industry that doesn't encourage personal expression. I was very lucky in that the school I went to wasn't that strict with the dress code but I'm aware that the vast majority of schools do now. I completely see the point about having a school uniform but what about hair art? I'm not sure I really agree with any of the arguments about it causing disruptions. I think exploring self expression is an important part of growing up. It's hardly as if one child getting pink hair will encourage the rest of the school is it?

What were your finest (or most horrific) fashion statements as a teenager? If possible I'd love you to send me a photo at info@workshopfactory.co.uk. Please keep in mind that I'd like to post some of them so do let me know if you don't want that. I'll also dig out some of my pictures so you won't be alone.

Tiff

www.workshopfactory.co.uk

All praise to Jay and his primary school circus workshops!

I know I always tell you how amazing my instructors are but here is a bit of proof for you. Today I have received not one but two fabulous reviews for primary school circus workshops run by the lovely and talented Jay

Have a little peek for yourself:

We had a wonderful day with Jay - he was fabulous.

This behaviour management was excellent and his sessions were highly active and fun. All of the children were engaged throughout and they learned new skills.

Circus workshop at The Ferncumbe Primary School, Warwickshire

and…

We all had a great time because there was a good selection of equipment and activities for the children to try.

Jay was really good with the children, he had a very clear and commanding voice and kept the children 

focused.

He explained activities carefully and demonstrated how to complete each act.  Jay noticed when children grasped an idea and gave them something else to try so it kept them challenged.  The time went very quickly and the children tried many new skills.

Circus workshop at Overdale Infant School,  Leicestershire

Well done Jay, fantastic work!

Tiff

www.workshopfactory.co.uk 

A fair Selection process!

They do say a picture speaks a thousand words. By my calculation that means this picture is worth 1,041 words if you include the additional text.

Welcome to the Workshop Factory!

Welcome to the Workshop Factory!

My name is Tiff Howard and my team of instructors and I represent the Workshop Factory. We know that being a teacher is getting tougher by the year. The time you’d rather spend with the children is increasingly being filled up with paperwork and endless bureaucracy. I’m sure this wouldn’t be such a bitter pill to swallow if you didn’t also have to prepare lesson plans down to the tiniest detail showing exactly how every single thing you do in each and every second will benefit your class.  It must be exhausting and we’d like to help you.

You see, the Workshop Factory is a group of individuals all completely dedicated to individual subjects. As we do not work for the department of education we are able to put all of our focus, time, money and energy into creating one lesson, one day even, that is everything you’d want it to be.

We know that you are tireless in bringing your lessons alive for your pupils, so are we. We can complement your work because each of my instructors is an expert in their field. We want to help you so if you do not find the workshop that you are looking for in your area, let me know, I am always here to help. 

I look forward to hearing from you, 

Tiff