Graduated........ - YouLookFab Forum

Graduation Day

Tuesday night our youngest graduated from 8th grade. My has graduations changed. My sister and I raised my niece Ashay jointly. You know that whole it takes a village. Well I've been a co-parent for 20+ years. It has be such a mountain top & valley journey. Teens are a unique creatures. Pray for me ya'll. lol

So the dinner/graduation was this big fancy thing. I was amazed. The teens graduated and sang song and were awarded for there achievements. Then we had a beautiful buffet dinner at this huge convention center in Tinley Park. It was pretty amazing. Lasted and celebrated well into the night. As the kids left the stage. They played Ain't no Stopping us Now by Cool-N-The Gang. It was a really great night.

Of course I took a maximal amount of pictures because I'm the proud auntie. And I enjoy pictures. Maybe it's a new hobby. Ashay had all of her aunties mom and family there. I forgot to get a picture of her fit but I did get the cap and gown. When did 8th graders start wearing heels? IJS. Wow. My baby had on flats and still stood tall at 5'7. She looked age appropriate.

I hope you enjoy the pictures. As for me per usual my whole outfit was thrifted or op shopped. A few things I've learned. My summer shoes consists of boots and gym shoes. I need sandles. I have 2 pr of gladiators sandals in the same style this black pair and a tan pair. Next I learned that I really love thrifting and my closet is cohesive. Took about 15 minutes to pull this look together another 20 for shoes.

My nephew took my pictures and we had a chance to talk and bond he just graduated from college 2 weeks ago. So now all three of the children have graduated. Last 2 pics are of the 3 after graduation. Brianne oldest Masters degree, Charles Bachelors degree, Ashay Elementary school 8th grade.

Sorry I've been so short. My work week has been......challenging.

Per usual thanks for reading lurking commenting or just looking at the pics.

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7 years ago

jenanded

Veteran

What a fantastic achievement... takes a village but what a great result. Beautiful x

Anonymous

Wow, I can't believe it only took you a couple of minutes to pull together that outfit. It's stunning--gorgeous colours, balance and proportion. You have such natural talent Ledonna. A true artist.

Love that all your kids are so accomplished. These days middle school can be the epicenter of drama and every kid who makes it through really earns that graduation. Well done Ashay, and I hope you find success in high school and beyond.

Ledonna N.

Jenanded thank you your right. Beautiful!

Aliona the pieces are seperates op shopped at different times. Middle school was a difficult journey you are correct. But we'll done with a caring community it can work. I'll tell her of your congratulations.

pil

Congratulations to Ashay, as well as Brianne and Charles!

Suz

(website)

Ledonna, congratulations! Both to the graduate and to you! (As the mother of a teen, I know what you are talking about. Whew!!)

You couldn't be more right about the changes since we were kids now they wear heels, makeup, skimpy dresses...glad your Ashay was age appropriate. She is lovely!

As for your outfit, it is amazing! I love the way you look in the dramatic colour blocking and the pleats. The head scarf and shawl add a unique flair and wow, I am in envy of that gorgeous silver cuff.

Your thrifting is superb -- it's like a 6th sense for you now. What a gift you give others in teaching them they can dress so well for only a little money. You have great personal style.

Beth Ann

Firstly, hats of to you and your family for this educational milestone year! And how wonderful you all look at your celebration! You are rocking the green and loving the flow!

My DS just graduated 8th grade in Indy -- no graduation or ceremony at all. I guess it depends on your school tradition.

Chris987

Congrats! it's so important to celebrate achievements, especially ones that took hard work. Middle school has always been a tough time of childhood, just about everything is changing all at the same time.

You are so right that celebrations have gotten more elaborate and girls are much younger when they start the heels/makeup/manipedi stuff....I swear some HS girls are more into that than I have ever been and I'm actually into it

Your outfit is stunning as usual and putting it together so quickly is rather unbelievable !!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Congrats to your wonderful teen, and of course to you too, Ledonna. Bless your hearts and carry on celebrating.

Sara L.

Lovely pictures of your family. I especially like the one of the three kids together. I love your outfit! Is it a dress or did you layer different pieces together? It looks so cohesive. The sandals look perfect for the occasion and I love the shawl and headscarf for a bit of pattern.

RobinF

Looks and sounds like a perfect evening. Your outfit is fabulous. I can't believe you get such fun stuff at op shops. And the shoes are the perfect finishing touch.

These really are pictures that tell a thousand words. Congratulations to the graduates and admiration for their loving family and friends for their support.

rachylou

Oh wow. Sporty luxe graphic fabness. I can't believe how you have all the right auxiliary pieces to go with the main dress!

That's pretty fancy - cap and gown and a dinner for eighth grade. In my day, all you got was the promise you'd be the smallest peeps in high school next year! Lol.

JAileen

Congratulations to the graduate!

I love your green outfit. It's a great color and very flattering on you.

kkards

Congratulations to the graduate! and nice going village!

Hey Family. These are separates op shopped at different times. The skirt last year and my top when I was going throug my Green phase after watching the WIZ live on NBC. lol

Beth Ann congratulations to your son and you Mission partially accomplished.

Awe man it has been an awesome day. Work is flowing much better. I was stuck and had to get unstuck.

Still busy but reading it all.

Oh I also decide to do reviews of stuff in the local Chi area because I love music food thrifty finds and "stuff-n-thangs". I wonder if anyone will get that from the Walking Dead "Lori I do stuff-n-thangs" may do I love me some Rick

I saw The Wiz on NBC. It was fabulous! I had low expectations because The Sound of Music and Peter Pan were kind of mediocre.

Aida

Congrats to the grad! Cute photos, thanks for sharing. Love you in that bold kelly green -- especially nice with equally bold black and white. I really like the scarf/shawl over your shoulder when it's wide as in #24. Is your head piece made of the same fabric or is that happy coincidental match?

Jaime

Congratulations! Love the green and white too!

MsGreer

Active Member

Congratulations, wonderful achievement! You all look fab!

SandyG

I love graduations and this looks like such a happy celebration. Congratulations on her big milestone in life! Love the bold green

Jaileen I know right. I love both PP & TSM I was like please don't mess this one up. Harney Firesteen was the producer and then the line up was great. Did you see grease? What did you think?

Aida I recycled a stretch maxi skirt cut it up used.it as a head wrap and and shawl.

Shevia Ms.Greer, Sandy we are all so proud I'll tell her thank you.

I saw Grease too. It didn't leave much of an impression on me. I did like how they staged it. You could see the audience sitting on what looked like gym bleachers. I was interested in that aspect, but the rest was unmemorable I'm sorry to say. What did you think?

JAileen I thought it was okay. They did not bring the energy to me by My 14 year old niece loved it. lol I kept saying they took this our that out but Ashay. That was back in your day Auntie Donna. lol

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