BAM! Blue Shoes

Orange Top - Ann Taylor
Green Pants - Gap
Cobalt Blue Shoes - Rock & Republic (Kohl's)

 

I stalked these shoes at Kohl's for several weeks...maybe nearly two months. And then they went on sale. And I had a coupon! 

Even through the horrible graininess of this photo, I love the pop of color that can still be seen with these shoes. I just love this shoe! Not only is the color gorgeous, but so is its shape. The toe is rounded with a slight point...kind of dainty-like. But when you view the shoe from its profile, then it's like BAM!

 

 

Sorry to gush over a pair of shoes, but they are just so beautiful.  They are from the collection that Rock and Republic is doing for Kohl's.  Good job, Kohl's.  You can rock my republic anytime.

Lucky Sack of...Potatoes (Dress)

Blazer - Target
Dress - Loft
Shoes - BCBG (DSW)

Normally, I would walk away from shift dresses because they are just too "potato sack-y" on me.  You know...no shape whatsoever and totally unflattering (especially from a side view).

With this dress, though, it was just my luck that it was on sale (with an additional percentage off), otherwise, I probably wouldn't have tried it on. Plus, it was the only one left, and it happened to be a wearable size.

So, since I just so happened to be going into the dressing room with several other items, I figured, why not try it on???

Well, what a surprise it was to me that this dress actually looked okay on me (even from the side)! I was so skeptical about shift dresses that I tried to convince myself that this didn't look good.  I really wasn't sure about buying it and decided to make a decision as I made my way to the register with the other items I was purchasing.

Luckily, though, after the additional markdown, the price was actually less than I thought it would be:  $17!  Okay, so, at that point, there really wasn't any need to continue second-guessing myself.

Can we say....SOLD!!???

AND, as if I couldn't get any luckier, once I got home, I realized that this blazer was the perfect topping for my new sack of potatoes!

Love Dogs? Wear Dalmation.

Top - Calvin Klein
Pants - Loft
Shoes - Nine West

When I first saw these pants, they called out to me. 

But when I saw the $70 price tag, my credit card called me back. 

I cannot bring myself to spend $70 on a pair of really cute pants.

But I can spend $35 on them after they've gone on sale!

Sigh.  I love these Dalmation print pants. 

Coincidentally, I love dogs, too.

In a Blaze(r) of Orange

Blazer - Target
Tank - ?
Jeans - Express
Shoes - Circa Joan & David (DSW)

 

 

 

Coming through in a blaze!

 

Actually, in an blazer!  And a vibrant orange one at that!

 

Here's what happened:

 

After staying away from Target for a while, I went in for the sole purpose of doing some grocery shopping.

 

And I did make my way to the grocery section...just via the women's clothing section.

 

And that's where this blazer, in all of its orange-ness, practically jumped off of the rack and into my basket.

 

It was a perfect fit, and it was on sale.  

 

So what if I was only supposed to be grocery shopping?

 

Technically, you could say that I all I did was just add orange(s) to the grocery list.  ;)

Welcome Back

Striped Sweater - French Connection
Blue Collared Top - BCBG
Navy/Red Skirt - Gap
Shoes - Ralph Lauren

Welcome back...
Where your dreams were your ticket out.
Welcome back...
To that same old place that you laughed about...
I played this song last week on the first day back to school as my new sixth graders entered my classroom.

And so, I figured, how apropos to "play" it right now as I find my way back to Blogger!

Sadly, it's been so long that I actually forgot my login...and then I stumbled around trying to remember how to upload a photo.  yeesh!

Anyway, I hope everyone has been doing well!  Although it may be a little late for some, welcome back to school for all you teachers out there...and welcome back to "freedom" for all you moms!  ;)

Lunch at the Beach

Dress - Ross
Hat - Forever 21
Sandals - Ralph Lauren (Dillard's)

I had lunch with another great group of ladies yesterday.

Under the sponsorship of our school librarian (and brain child behind the group), the five of us were organized to develop a program that would work toward increasing the reading interest level among the male population at our middle school.  This was our second annual summer meeting, and rather than having it at school or a local restaurant, we took a little jaunt to Galveston beach.

 

Since it was a casual occasion, I wasn't trying to get all dressed up.  A simple black summer dress with a few accessories and oh-so-necessary sandals seemed to fit the bill.

We found a nice stretch of beach that was lightly populated where we walked, talked, and shared ideas about our goals for the next school year.
Afterwards, we continued working through our agenda while having lunch at a seaside restaurant and then delicious confections from the sweet shop across the street from the restaurant.  In our four-hour long sojourn, we had some fun-in-the-sun and took care of business!

Wouldn't it be nice to have all school/company meetings at the beach?  ;)

A Maxi & a Fedora on a Hot Summer's Day

Green maxi - Bourdeaux Los Angeles (TJ Maxx)
White Tank - The Limited
Fedora - Target

I was just about to begin my hair-washing routine today, when my husband suggested we go to lunch.  Ugh. 

Agreeing to go, I was faced with the dilemma of quickly having to go from really-not-feeling-it to being date-ready-on-a-triple-digit-temperature-summer-afternoon-while-having-a-bad-hair-day.   So, how does one do that?  Here was my solution...

First, throw on a cute summer dress or maxi, and anyone can go from zero to cute in a matter of minutes.

Then, add a fedora, and you can go from cute to cool in a matter of seconds.

Lastly, step outside into the Houston heat and humidity, nice and ready for your date, and you'll go from cool to hot-as-hell (literally) in less than a fraction of a second (again, literally).  Then, enjoy your lunch while recuperating from your dissolution into a liquid state of matter.

And that's how it's done.

Hope y'all are staying cool!  ;)

In the Tropics!

 

Cardigan - from my sister
Tee - from my closet
Jeans - Gap
Scarf - Target
Shoes - Zara

Ok. Not true.

Obviously, I'm not in the Tropics since I'm still taking pics from my bedroom.  :/ 

However, this scarf makes me feel like I could be on a tropical island somewhere.

In reality, though, I've been in a Dyslexia training class all week.  Although I've learned lots of new, interesting, and valuable information about Dyslexia and how to provide instruction to dyslexic students, my brain is on a serious overload and could certainly use a vacation.

So, I guess I'll just keep staring at my scarf.

Aloha!

2 Shades of White w/ 50 Shades of Gray

Salmon Pink Racerback Tank - Cynthia Rowley (TJ Maxx)
White Linen Shorts - Loft
Shoes - Elle (Kohl's)

 

I had a great lunch with some co-workers/friends yesterday.

Shades of white:

Scorching temps here in Hades Houston led me to wear this racerback tank and linen shorts.

And, although I was in the company of familiar faces, there was a new introduction made:

 

White Shorts, meet Soda. 

Soda, meet White Shorts.

What's even worse is that I didn't even notice this until much later, which meant that the salacious Mr. Soda had ample time to permanently taint my innocent White Shorts.  (The last statement is my attempt to humorously segue into the next part of this post...)

Shades of gray:

So, during our lunch, I shared my recent, erm, adventure? into the dark world of Christian Grey and whats-her-name-who-he-f**ks-all-over-the-place.

I won't share with you what happens (although I kinda just did), but I will say this about the 50 Shades trilogy:

1.  I purposely took breaks while reading these books.

2.  I found myself skipping over lines...then paragraphs...and even a few pages.

3.  It was a feat to even finish book two.

4.  I didn't even bother to read book three.

5.  I politely asked the customer service rep at Target if they allowed returns on books...then I quickly dumped books two and three onto the return desk when he confirmed.  (Book one's fate was saved because I loaned it to my sister.)

So, can you guess what my review of the series would be?

(Tiffany said it best in her comment to my previous post.)

Ok...'til next time...

p.s. Sorry if my use of asterisks was kind of "vulgar"...just telling it like it is.
p.s.s.  And if that is too vulgar, um... you may not want to read the book.

Sparkle Sparkle, Dot Dot

Top - Gap
Shorts - LC Lauren Conrad (Kohl's)
Shoes - Zara

It's been four days of my summer vacation, and I've already begun to languish in the mundane routine of not having to get dressed (up) everyday.

So, today, I tried my best to be cute enough for my husband's birthday lunch at PF Chang's, cool enough for the hot weather, and relaxed enough to not have to shock my system into being stressed out to "get dressed".

The third goal didn't work out so well. Lol!

I had decided that I wanted to wear jeans, a white tee, and the animal print Halston scarf that I bought from a consignment shop yesterday, but after ten frustrating minutes of trying to find "the right" white tee, I came across these shorts and changed my game plan. 

I bought these navy/white polka dot shorts back in the Fall, and although I'm a little very particular when it comes to shorts b/c of my "drumsticks" (larger thighs, tiny ankles), with a clearance markdown to four bucks, I couldn't pass these up.  SN: This happens a lot. 

After deciding on the shorts, I surprised myself by reaching for this sparkly top... yet, again.  After owning it for nearly a year and wearing it only once in the first six months of owning it, this is the third time in one month that I've worn it.  (And, yes, it has been washed!)   SN: Lately, this seems to be happening quite often.

Finally, after going through at least a dozen pair of shoes, I settled on these Zara sandals.  Actually, I let my husband choose from several options, and I shocked the hell out of him and myself by wearing the pair that he picked.  SN: This has been happening way too much!  What's really going on?!!

On another note, earlier in the week, I was watching tv and pondering over a good novel or two to read for the summer.  Almost simultaneously, there was a news special about the hype surrounding a trilogy of novels that, I guess, were recently published.  I decided to step out of my "comfort zone" of what I normally read (teenage nonfiction...I teach sixth graders, remember...) and try something new.  Totally new.  So, I bought the first of the novels today:  Fifty Shades of Grey.

Have you heard of it?

Not sure what I'm getting in to, but wish me luck...



A Weekend of Pinks, Reds, & Greens

Friday's outfit

Saturday's outfit

Three members of my family graduated from high school this weekend!  Congratulations to my niece, Haley, and my nephews Devon and Eric!!!

To Haley's graduation, I wore a pink NY&Co dress that I found at TJ Maxx.  I have been vacillating for a long time as to whether I should return it or not because it came with a skinny matching belt that, when paired with the dress, created all kinds of wrong.  After trying several styles of my own belts with this dress, I was on the verge of tossing it back into its bag so that I could return it until my husband said that the dress looked fine without the belt.  (I don't know why, but he has a thing against belts....always wants to know why I have to belt everything....maybe it's just cuz he's a man...). 

Anyway, this time, he was actually right.  I paired the dress with a blue/teal/gold color-blocked shoe that I had passed up many times at Target because it wasn't really my style....
...But $8.98 is definitely my style, so I snatched those suckers up after I saw them on clearance!

Dressing for my nephews' graduation on Saturday presented itself with a whole new set of challenges.  First of all, it was ridiculously hot, and knowing that we would be standing outside in the heat, I knew that I would have to wear something that wouldn't cause me to wither away into a puddle because...
...melting in my clothes is not my idea of looking hot.  (pun intended)

My second obstacle was finding something to wear with the second pair of Zara sandal's that I got from the Fed-Ex guy last weekend.  I bought these shoes because I don't have a lot of red or fuschia in my closet.  Funny how the reality of that hit me when (surprise, surprise) I couldn't find anything red or fuscia in my closet!  (The dress that I wore in the link above matched perfectly with the shoes, but it was way too hot this weekend to wear that again.)

Again, I considered throwing the damn shoes back in their box and shipping them back to Zara in exchange for the blue/green ones that I could coordinate with more outfits (like this one!).  But rather than doing that, I decided to challenge myself to "match outside the box".  The seafoam green of this Loft ruffled top has nothing to do with the red/fuschia going on in the shoe, but I figured that separating them with the black Express skirt might just make it work.  I hiked the skirt up and belted it to add a little more, oh, should I say, flirtiness?  I liked the outfit at that point, but it was still missing something to draw at least one color from the shoe.  I decided to coordinate with accessories...again, a frustrating reality check!

I lucked up and found these hoop earrings with red dangly things that I haven't worn (or seen) in ages.  The bracelet is, like, the only red bracelet that I have (I think).  And the purse?  I had forgotten that I had it until I was rushing out of the door and realized that I couldn't take my big, black, everyday purse. 

So, in all, this Saturday outfit was a stretch for me, but I liked the way it turned out.

And now that all is said and done, I still find myself with another problem:

Now, I want need want need the blue/green Zara Basic Sandals!

Red (But Not Apple Red) Pants

Tank - Marshall's
Navy Cardigan - Loft
Red Cords - Gap
Shoes - Jessica Simpson (Dillards)

Earlier this week, I shared my woes about wearing a blazer in blazing hot weather.
Today, I decided to again test my sanity by wearing a pair of red cords.
Yeah, I live on the edge like that.  Surprisingly, though, it wasn't that bad. 

On another note, was it wrong of me to be jealous of my five-year old son this morning?  His last day of school was yesterday, and at 6:20 this morning, when I normally wake him up, he was still sound asleep.  I turned the TV on to Nick Jr.and watched "Go, Diego, Go" anyway.  (Why break old habits?)

Speaking of habits, do any of you teachers out there receive apples from students?  (okay, that's more like a tradition than a habit, but I needed a segway...)  Or do any of you parents give an apple to your kid's teacher(s)?

Well, today, I had a group of young ladies decide to give me a fruit as an end of year gift. But it wasn't an apple.  They had decided during lunch on the previous day that apples are too typical.  So instead, they decided to give me.....

a coconut!!!

How original was that?  I have to admit, though, I've never opened a coconut, so (according to one of the girls) I should refer to Google in order to find out how to crack it open.  It's cool, though.  I can't wait to try it.

However, if I don't like it, I received a gift from another group of girls today that will be sure to please:

chocolate!!! 

In case you didn't know, chocolate is a sure-fire way to a teacher's heart (and her a**...but on most days, who cares?!).

Has any other teacher (or anyone else) ever recieved a non-traditional fruit or gift from a student (or from someone)?

Jeans and a Half-Tuck



Navy Glittery Top - Gap
Navy/White Animal Print Scarf - Loft
Jeans- Old Navy
Sandals - Ann Marino (DSW)

So, these jeans.

I've had them for several years and hardly get any use out of them.

I love the length and the overall fit.  I love that Ican wear something fitted over it and not have to worry about lumps and bumps (because of the flat front).  And I love that they are unlike most of my other jeans.

The problem, however, is that because of the combination of the rise, flat front, and placement of the pockets, I am left with little choice but to wear a top either partially or totally untucked.

Otherwise, I will look like a block.  Or a brick. 

So, whenever I'm wearing something that doesn't accentuate my waistline, I find that (although seemingly counterintuitive) doing a semi-tuck actually does help to create some definition of my waistline. 

Maybe it doesn't really work, but it makes sense (and looks better) to me.

I mean, which would you choose?

Slimming silhouette or boxy brick?

Thought so.



Blazin' Hot

Blazer - Forever 21
Dress as a Tee - Libertine for Target
Jeans - Gap
Shoes - MIA (DSW)

Well, we're down to the stretch.  Just a few more days and summer freedom will be ours!!!!

But dang!  I shouldn't be so excited because it was so hot this weekend that I know the summer temps are going to be unbearable!  Even at 7:30 this morning, it was hot!  But let's just disregard the fact that I was wearing jeans and a blazer.

We've had a "Jeans Week" fundraiser for the last two weeks, and I'm trying not to completely slip into summer mode by wearing jeans and slipper sandals.  So, to avoid that, I took this cute, summer mini-dress and tucked it into my jeans (not a new invention)... and gave this white blazer another try.  Although I knew that it was going to be hot, I was adamant about wearing this blazer again.  (I did give up on the leopard heels, though.)

When my husband saw me this morning, he asked, "What's going on at school today?"

I replied with a sarcastic, "School is going on at school today."

Rather than laughing with me, he laughed at me and remarked, "Okay, then.  But it's hot as hell outside."

Don't you hate it when your man makes a good, common-sense point about your outfit that makes you feel ridiculous?

However, not allowing him to win this battle of common-sense dressing, I retorted,

"Well, then...I'll fit right in."  ;)

And although it REALLY WAS hot as hell in my white-hot blazer...I refused to let him see me sweat!  Literally and figuratively!

Flowers on a Dress; A Gift from Fed-Ex

Tunic worn as a Dress- Alfani (Macy's)
Shoes - Zara
Clutch - Hobo International (TJ Maxx)

Went to a friend's birthday celebration today at The Cheesecake Factory...
Good friends...
Good food...
Good fun...

...and even gooder better was that, although today wasn't my birthday, when I returned home, there was a gift for me from the Fed-Ex guy...

Zara Basic Sandal #2

tee-hee-hee...

Ruffled

Blouse - Forever 21
Jeans - Gap
Shoes - Steve Madden Luxe (DSW)

A couple of years ago, I gutted my our closet to rid it of the standard builder's shelves and rods, and I personally (i.e. by myself!!) installed a modular closet system.

And let me just tell you... it was life-changing!

It made a HUGE difference because, not only was I able to multiply the space across the length of my our closet, but I was also able to make better use of over twelve inches of space vertically!  (I now have to use a step-stool to reach anything from the top shelf.)

Everything, for the most part, has a place.  For example, I keep my larger belts hanging on the back of the closet door and the smaller ones rolled in baskets placed in one section of the shelf system.  For my sashes and material belts, I do, however, store them in a large, wicker hat-basket (since I don't use them that often), but because the basket is too large for the shelves, I put it away in a special place.

Well, last night when I pulled this top out of the depths of my closet, the purple sash that came with it was not attached.  I naturally went to my hat-basket to retrieve it, but I couldn't find the basket anywhere!  When I say that I tore my closet up looking for that doggone basket of sashes...I had to tell my husband to take caution upon entering or else he was going to hurt himself!  Anyway, I went to bed without success, but I was determined (that may be an understatement) that I would find the basket and the purple sash in the morning.

So.... this morning, I began my search again.  I took fifteen precious "morning minutes" to look for that danged sash, yet it was to no avail.  I was really getting pissed off, and just as I was crossing the threshold of defeat, I gave an exasperated exhale with my hands on my hips and my eyes rolled up to the ceiling.

And there...at the top of the highest shelf of my life-changing closet modular system...there was the d**n wicker hat-basket containing the purple sash.

Seriously?

That Blue Shirt Again

Shirt - Calvin Klein (TJ Maxx)
Jeans - Gap
Belt - Gap
Shoes - Elle (Kohl's)

Is there an item of clothing that you just love so much that you unexpectedly find yourself wearing it more than once, even in between washes?

Even one of my co-workers commented today on the number of times that I've worn this button-down.

I don't think I've ever worn any item this many times (four?  five? six?) in a matter of a couple of months as I have with this shirt.

And this probably won't be the last time that you see it this week.   =)

Zara Basic, Animal (Print) Lover

Jacket - Express
Tank - Gap
Skirt - Talbots Outlet
Shoes - Zara Basic Sandals

Lately, I have been seeing these shoes in their variety of colors on many blogs.

And guess what?

I got them for Mother's Day!

All I had to do was drop several hints to my husband about what I wanted (and get online, add to the cart, and process the order), and I was surprised with a package containing these shoes on Sunday.  I was too excited....how in the world did he know?!

The only problem is that now, I really want the red/fuscia pair.

Hmm.  Father's Day is coming up.....

Coral Me Crazy

Striped Tank - Loft
Coral Cardigan - from my sister
Cobalt Blue pants - Loft
Shoes - Nine West

I really can't think of anything to write.

sigh.

I guess it's becuase the last couple of weeks of school are usually the toughest.

You're either trying to hold onto your sanity or you go nuts.


Nuts for me, please.

Blue Shirt. Black Skirt. Big Hair.

Linen Shirt - Calvin Klein (TJ Maxx)
Skirt - Express
Cheetah Pumps - Circa Joan and David (DSW)

It was my second attempt to do pin curls last night.

So, today I got:

"Mrs. C...what'd you do to your hair?"

"What's wrong with  your hair?"

"Did you have a rough Mother's Day, Mrs. C?"

"Something's different about you today.  I can't figure it out.  You're just...different."

And the best one....

"You look older, Mrs. C."

!!!!!!!!!

Older, huh?

Well, maybe it's because I was looking at 80's high school pics of my sisters yesterday...

and this is a retro look.

Or maybe it's because I was looking at 80's high school pics of my sisters yesterday...

...and laughing my a** off...

and this is just karma.

Stripe One, Two, & Three

Navy/White Contrasting Striped Scarf - Target
Navy/White Striped Dress - F21
Sandals - who knows.

1.  This was NOT what I wore to school today.  (I would like to remain employed, thankyouverymuch.)  Instead, I wore this out and about last weekend.  I was really lucky when I found this last scarf at Target.  I love navy blue.  I love stripes.  And two have two contrasting combinations of navy/white stripes in one item is...sigh.  But why stop at two?  So, I added the scarf onto this striped dress and called it a day.  I wish I had cuter flats or sandals though.

2.  I did wear this dress today (underneath a cardigan).  Today was special because my son's PK class had a Mother's Day Tea Party.  He gave me a tissue-paper corsage, held my chair out for me to sit, sang songs, and served me breakfast.  I'm definitely a lucky mom.

3.  Since I didn't take pics of today's look, I wanted to do a post anyway so that I could link up with Tara's Teachers Have Class and Style link up.  Go. Check. Her. Out.

Have a great weekend!

Yellow Flowers on a Dress

Dress - INC
Jacket - Gap
Shoes - Jessica Simpson (Dillards)

Finally!

After nearly five years of owning this dress, I am wearing it beyond the walls of my closet!

I fell in love with it not long after I had my son.  It's nearly impossible to see, but the yellow flowers stand out against thin black stripes.  Plus it has a criss-cross halter back, which makes it perfect for summer.  The only problem is that, because the empire waist is set so high, the skirt flares out practically from right underneath my chest...which is not a good look when you're no longer pregnant but you still look like you are.

Anyway, belts...cardigans...belts and cardigans...nothing ever seemed to be able to combat the faux-pregnancy look.  I can't recall if I've tried this denim jacket with it before, but when I put the two together this morning, it seemed to work...

...Finally!



Sparkly Navy Top & Coral Color Block

Sparkle Navy Top - Gap
Beige Pants - Express
Grey/Coral shoes - Madden Girl (Ross)

Yesterday was girly.

Today was low-key.

There really isn't anything special about this outfit other than the sparkliness of the top (which I'm sure is hard to see), the little slit in the back, and the little bit of coral color-blocking at the bottom of my shoe.

Even several of my students made comments such as,

"Mrs. C...I'm disappointed.  Why are you so casual today?"  (Yes, she actually shook her head and said that she was disappointed in me.)

and

"What happened to your Rainbow-Brite colors?"

Gosh.  I can't get my students to pay attention to parts of speech, synthesis essays, and expository analyses (can you believe it?!!)...but they can pay attention to the colors that I wear.

Maybe I should be an art teacher instead?

Pink + Blue

I felt like being whirly-twirly-girly today.

Unfortunately, you don't get to see the whirly and the twirly. 

But you do get the girl(y).

Round Trip



Cardigan - from my sister
Top - Norma Kamali (Goodwill)
Pants - Gap
Shoes - Ralph Lauren (DSW)

In one of my last posts, I mentioned that I was going to be taking a trip to Chicago for a reading convention.  Well, yesterday afternoon, I returned with a new outlook on teaching and on the city of Chicago.

Here is what I saw/did:

• met the author (Christopher Paul Curtis) of the novel that my students are going to begin reading next week (The Watsons go to Birmingham - 1963)...he also took a picture with me and signed a poster dedicated to my students
• saw some of the great architecture of the city while on a boat tour
• took a few crazy cab rides
• heard and met some incredibly motivating teachers/speakers/authors
• walked by "Booker T" (a WWE wrestler) on the plane and at the airport
• ate authentic Chicago-style pizza from the award-winning restaurant Lou Malnati's
• shopped for the first time at H&M
• received a lot of free stuff!

I had a great time...but I'm glad to be home!

 

Truths

Blouse - Express
Sexy Boot Jeans- Gap
Wedges - Michael Kors (Macy's)

So, I've come to the realization that my mirror must lie to me every morning.

My mirror will say to me:
"Ooh, yeah, these "sexy boot" jeans will make your legs look really lean."

But then the pictures say:
"Guurl, what's not sexy are those baggy knees."

The mirror will say:
"Ooh, yeah, these wedges with the jeans will make your legs look reeeaaally loooong....".

But the pictures say:
"Guurl, those shoes don't fool me.  You just look like a short person...with baggy knees...walking on blocks."

And the mirror will also say to me:
"Ooh, yeah, I like how the loose, untucked blouse has a cool vibe."

But the pictures say:
"Guurl, tuck that shirt in.  You want to add extra pounds to your waistline?!!"

Okay, so now that I am enlightened,
I think it's time for a new mirror.

And camera.

Have a Coke & a Smile

Cardigan - Talbots
Scarf - Ross
White Tee - Loft
Jeans - Express
Sandals - Ralph Lauren (Dillards)

Whaaat a looonngg daaayyy!

Today was Day 2 of our state standardized assessment, and I firmly believe that our district needs to amend our calendar to allow for half-day schedules.  After four hours of testing each day, the kids teachers are done for!  Imagine doing nothing for four hours straight but watching kids take a test!

I mean, I promise, yesterday morning (during the first test) when I looked at my watch and it read 9:24 a.m., I thought to myself,

"Ohmygosh! That's it?!?  I'm not going to make it through these next few hours!" 

(By the way, we started the test at 9:00 a.m........)

I've pretty much eliminated my intake of sodas over the past few months, but today, however, I was able to make it past 9:24 am. thanks to a good ol' 12oz can of Coke.

On a final note, for the first time in my educational career, I cussed.

A couple of days ago, I was explaining to one class about the play that they were going to be doing.  Actually, the term that I kept using was skit.

Except for that one slip of the tongue...

Seriously, it was like an out-of-body experience, but I can honestly say that after that moment, my students were seriously engaged with the lesson.  Go figure.



Details Possibly Unnoticed by My Old Camera:
Green & Black Striped Maxi - Target
Flyaway Mesh Cardigan - Express
Black & Gold Grommet Belt - Target
Zebra Striped Earrings - Target
Purse - swapped with a friend

Happy Saturday!

This dress was a "love at first sight" item, although it took me a couple of stores to track down my size. 
The best thing about this dress is that it is striped!
The worst thing about this dress is that the material is so slinky/heavy, it literally hangs off of me.  For example, what you don't see is the large safety pin tightening the racerback straps so that my chest isn't completely exposed.  And the belt, along with some strategic tucking, is a necessity, otherwise I would be wading in a pool of striped material.

After attempting to wear this dress a couple of times before here and here, I've realized that a skinny, non-contrasting belt is definitely better than a wide or contrasting belt when you combine wide stripes on a person with a short waist.  Hmmm...I think this teacher just taught herself something new.  ;)

Anyway, after a rainy day yesterday, the weather is a little cool, so this thin cardi comes in handy.  It actually used to be some kind of wrap around thing, but I cut off the belt part so now I have a flyaway cardi!

Next week I'll be taking a trip to Chicago for a Reading Convention...so exciting!  By the way, if anyone lives in Chicago, or close to it, would you mind sharing what the weather is like right now...or give some tips on how to dress?  Since the week is usually really busy, I'll be spending today out and about getting the necessities that one needs on a 3-day professional trip.  You know: new shoes, clothes, accessories, purses....

....Just kidding (kind of).

Have a good weekend!

Collarbones

Cardigan - Gap
Striped Tank - Loft
Black Skirt - Loft
Shoes - Payless
Belt - from another outfit

Weird question:

Do you like your collarbones?

I've always liked mine for some reason.  So much so that I will forgo wearing a necklace because I think my collarbones are a good enough accessory. 

But when I look at pics, like the ones above, I can see adding pretty, blue, bejeweled baubles around my neck.  So then I think, "Maybe I should have worn a necklace?".  I don't know...

I did, however, add a second pic today just to show off the little "jewel" in that one.  ;)

Lesson Learned: Dated Shoes



 Dress - Loft
Cardigan - Loft
Green Belt - Express
Orange/Green Shoes - oldies

Hello!

The shoes that I'm wearing today haven't been worn in soooo many years.  Actually, these shoes are a little older than the sixth graders that I teach.  Which, I guess, is obvious because I actually had one student ask me,

"Mrs. C...how long have you had those shoes?"

Before I could even answer, I busted out laughing.  Huh.  I personally don't think that these shoes look that dated.  But, apparently, they look older than they are.  Wait.  I take that back.  Apparently, they look older than I am:

Me (responding to "inquisitive" student):  "Well...how long do you think I've had them?"

Inquisitive Student:  "I don't know...since, like, 1970."



Gotta love the kids.

Wearing the White Blazer

Blazer - Forever 21
Double-Layered Tank - Banana Republic Factory
Cobalt Blue Pants - Express
Hot Pink Shoes - Calvin Klein (DSW)

When I shop at Forever 21, I try to be careful with my purchases because it's very easy to lose one's mind (and money) in such a trendy store with ridiculously cheap prices (and quality to match sometimes, but that's another story).

But when I saw this blazer last October or November, I fell so in love with the tucking details in the shoulder and the tuxedo style of the lapels that there was no question that I had to have it.  I have to admit, though, that I was a little nervous about it.  Even while standing in line, I vacillated between making a purchase that would possibly be sentenced to a life of hanging, unworn, in my closet because I wouldn't really know who to wear or style it OR saving myself the money and trouble from another non-refundable F21 piece.  (Yeah, I could always exchange within 14 days, but that, for me, just creates more rigmarole.  Am I the only one who feels this way??)

Well, I obviously made the purchase, but I also cursed the hell out of F21's return/exchange policy well after the 14 day sanction.  I was so scared to wear this blazer!  I was scared of not styling it well enough...I was scared of it wearing me... I was scared that it was "too much" to wear to work...And, of course, I was scared of getting dirty.   

Anyway, I finally realized that I was just putting way too much thought into "wearing the white blazer" and should just wear the d**n thing. 

So today, I did.

And the funny thing (at least to me) is that I was so caught up in finally wearing the white blazer this morning, that I totally forgot about trying to complete my look with some extra accessories.

Huh. Maybe next time.

Turquoise-ish Blouse - Banana Republic Factory
Navy Cardigan - Loft
Red/Blue Skirt - Gap
Hard-to-see Turquoise/Navy Snakeprint Belt - Express
Shoes - Target

Hello, there!

Shockingly, I don't really have much to say today.

Except...

...don't you hate it when errant items, like flip flops and Spider Man tennis shoes, end up being in the background of your pictures, and you don't realize it until after you've published your post?

And, don't you hate it when you take a bunch of pictures only to find that none of them are really that decent of quality?

I have obviously taken note of both these details prior to publishing this post, however, this was the best pic of the batch.  My camera, I tell you, seems to believe in taking good pics only when there is natural light present... 

...As if my natural radiance is not enough.  (Ha!  Just kidding!)

Anyway, as one of my students always says to me...

Happy Friday Eve!