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.



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.

Sweater - Gap
Button Down - Express
Khakis - Gap
Shoes - Steve Madden (DSW)
Owl Pendant - Hobby Lobby

What have you learned about yourself since you've started blogging?

In looking at my posts for the past couple of weeks, I've learned that I wear:

1.  A variety of shades of blue

2.  A lot of stripes

3.  Hoop earrings with just about every outfit...even though I have a lot of earrings to choose from, hoops have been my "staple" since the 7th grade.

It's all good, though.  Hopefully, it ain't broke, cuz I sure don't want to fix it.

Happy Wednesday!

Red Ruffles & Rawwrr!

I'm a sucker.  Are you?

RED RUFFLES:

Jacket - Cynthia Rowley (TJ Maxx)
Striped Tank - TJ Maxx
Jeans - Gap
"Cut-off" Shoes - Mia (DSW)
Bracelet - Loft

About a month ago, I was successfully leaving TJ Maxx empty-handed when I "ran into" this jacket and instantly fell in love.  I love the color, and the three ruffles were the icing on the cake.  The only bad thing is that it doesn't have pockets.  Oh, well...for $29.99, I couldn't pass it up!

RAWWRR!:

And so, today, I had professional development off-campus (which was why I was clad in jeans).  During my lunch break, I went into Famous Footwear while I waited for my to-go order from the restaurant next door.  I usually never purchase anything from Famous Footwear...in fact, I've never purchased anything from there, so, again, I was successfully about to leave empty-handed when my eye caught this pair of shoes on the back wall.  I wouldn't say that they are totally my style, but...when I saw that the price was marked down from $175 (vs the regular price of $139 that I found on the web elsewhere) to $24.99...I was pretty much sold.  What's even better was the extra discount that I received at the register, bringing my total to $21 and some change!

Maybe being a sucker for some things isn't so bad after all.  ;)

A Big Deal (Part 2 of 3)

Navy striped dress-disguised-as-a-tee - Forever 21
Emerald Green Silk Skirt - Talbots (TJ Maxx)
Shoes- Calvin Klein (DSW)
Belt - Goodwill
Necklace - Talbots

So...last week, I posted about this Talbots skirt that I coveted last summer and was fated to meet again a few weeks ago.  And I teased y'all with another great Talbots a la TJ Maxx find....

and here it is!

This green silk skirt was one that I also tried, twirled, and tempted myself with at the end of last summer.  Even when it was on sale, it was still too much for my debit card.

But Enter TJ Maxx Here.

And a price tag of $14.99.

And another great big deal for me!

(by the way, another great find for me was this striped mini dress from F21 for only $10!  I would have flashed a peek of the dress underneath my skirt, but I'm not like that...)

(...okay, actually, I am like that...I just really forgot to take the picture.)  ;)

Triple Digits

Tank - Loft
Cardigan - Express
Flare-leg Jeans - Gap
Unseen Shoes - Mia (DSW)
Necklace - mom

Well, lookee here.

I logged on to Blogger today expecting to do a quick post, but the first thing that caught my attention was the number 100.

As in 100 followers!

Woohooooooo!!!!!!  (that's called excitement)  Now, I can't even remember what I was going to write about.

Thanks to those of you who deem my blog followorthy (that's called making words up)!  It's been a little over a year...I've had my comings and goings...but I'm still here, right now!

So, does that mean it's time for my first-ever giveaway?!  Hmmmm....what can I give that is special and meaningful enough to show my appreciation for all of you guys...????

I guess you'll have to stay tuned...(that's called a tease)......

Thanks you guys!!!

Observe This

Dress - Dillard's
Cardigan - Loft
Belt - Gap
Shoes - BCBG (DSW)

1.  A student who outright refuses to do work...and almost becomes confrontational.
2.  A story that we read aloud and that has several errors that require me to actually stop several times and "jigsaw puzzle" the parts of the story just to get through it.
3.  Another student who decides to make some kind of loud, unrecognizable noise while I'm speaking.
4.  Not much air conditioning.

What a great class period...
especially when there is an important guest present to observe your classroom...right?

You've Reached...



Linen Button-down - Calvin Klein (TJ Maxx)
Shorts - Loft
Shoes - Mia (DSW)
Purse - Target

Me, Myself, & Style blog.
I haven't been in for a while,
but if you'd like,
please leave a message
at the sound of the beep
at the end of this post.

Beeeeeep.

Hey, bloggers!
Today may be the last day of Spring Break for many of you as it is for me, and oh,
how bittersweet it is.

Anyway, I bought a few items from TJ Maxx this weekend that I'm hoping to get a chance to share with y'all soon...!  (notice that I'm not committing to any specific dates here)

Until then, have a great week!

Leaving a Little to the Imagination



Navy/Grey Cardigan - Gap

Grey/White Gingham Button-down - Target

Red Tank - Loft

Green Cargos - Gap

Shoes - DSW

M'kay.  I know the pic is a little "off-looking", but there was a lot of extra, er, stuff going on in the background that just wasn't necessary to include on a blog. 

I know, in the past, that I've shared things about my life on here, but I'm not into airing my dirty laundry.

Literally.

Good night!  =)

Boo!

Thought you saw a ghost?

Tunic - Banana Republic
Skirt - Loft
Tights - Target
Shoes - DSW

It's just me stopping in to say Happy Halloween!

And since I teach reading/language arts, my "costume" today was "Little Reading Riding Hood".

Hopefully, this won't be the last you'll see of me this week....  ;)

Jeans Week, Day 1



Button- down - Gap
Tee - Gap
Jeans - Gap
Belt - Thrifted, from Goodwill
Shoes - BCBG, from DSW

Every so often, we get an opportunity to support a fundraiser at school by paying to wear jeans for a week.  I'm not all big on wearing jeans to work because sometimes it just seems harder for me to make jeans work for...work.

Like today.  I had something specific in mind, but it just did not come to fruition.  This isn't a totally horrible outfit, but it just wasn't what I had in mind. The shirt on top is loosey-goosey and drapey.  The button-down underneath is big and boxy (and required a couple of safety pins to minimize the bulk).  And as much as I love this belt, I could have used something else.  Aaaannnnd I originally wanted to wear a different pair of shoes.  So, I guess I should have just started over from scratch.

Oh, well.

You take the good with the bad, and you move on.

Sooo....moving on to tomorrow!

Good night!
(By the way, if you have suggestions on how to try this outfit again...but better... please let me know!)