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...



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.



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?

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.  ;)

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!

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 Good Friday

Hat - Target
Linen Shirt - Calvin Klein (TJ Maxx)
Tank - Gap
Shorts - Forever 21
Flops - Havainas (Gap)
Handbag - Linea Pelle for Target

 

Spring has sprung.

Time for some fun...

A picnic at the park

With my two hons!

Happy Good Friday

&

Happy (Early) Easter!

The One That Got Away

Ruffled Tank - Cynthia Rowley (TJ Maxx)
Cardigan - Gap
Pants - Loft
Shoes - Nine West
Necklaces - Target
Earrings - F21
Bad Hair Day courtesy of moi

Whenever students ask me, "Mrs. C...what do you want me to get you for Christmas?", I always say:

"A pair of Christian Louboutins."  Of course, they look at me as though I've said something in an alien language. 

Anyway, the most money I've ever spent on a pair of shoes was about $120 (and they were actually boots).  But what I reallyreallyreallyreallyreally want is a pair of Louboutins. 

So....

A teacher across the hall mentioned to me a few weeks ago that her daughter has a pair of cobalt blue suede Louboutins that she would like to get rid of (I won't divulge the reason why).  I immediatley lit up and said that I would be more than happy to take them off of her hands...("Ask the size and price first, Kish"..."Ask the size and price first..."). 

And so, without any further conversation, today, she brought them for me and said that her daughter would sell them for a hundred bucks.  A hundred bucks.  For Christian Louboutin shoes. In great condition.

Of course, they were beautiful.

And, of course, they were a size 6.5, and...

...of course, I wear a 7.5.

In my mind, I was already living the dream of Cinderella and rockin' a crazy, hot pair of shoes.  But when I went to put my foot in one shoe, I became one of Cinderella's horrid stepsisters. To my chagrin, though, I was actually able to squeeze fit my feet all the way into the shoes. And as quickly as I was falling in love, I was also losing circulation in my toes. 

And so, after a very difficult and heated argument between me, myself, and my other self about whether or not I should buy a pair of Louboutins for a hundred bucks that I'll never be able to walk in...I walked away without them.


Now, I'll just have to hold onto my dreams...or hope that one day, one of my classes will collect money and take pity on their hard-working teacher....


(Speaking of students and school...Thanks to those of you who responded to yesterday's post.  Your comments are sincerely and greatly appreciated.)

Public Servant Announcement



Jacket - Gap
Dress - Forever 21
Belt - Thrifted
Shoes - Jessica Simpson (Dillards)



Do you like hats?

I wear a hat everyday...even when I'm not wearing a hat...

Moderator...

...Referee...

...Guardian...

...Mentor...

...Psychologist...

...Therapist...

...Babysitter...

...Tour Guide...

...Confidante...

...Disciplinarian...

...Manager...

...Moderator...

...Soothsayer...

...Analyst...

...Public Servant...

TEACHER.

Sigh. Today was one of those days.

If you are a teacher...you know what I mean.

And if you are a parent of a school-aged child (particularly upper-grade level age)...please consider all of the things that a teacher has to go through during an 8-plus hour day.  And please ensure that you are doing your part at home (not saying that you aren't) to bridge the gap between home and school.  It's not just about teaching anymore.  The men and women who are entrusted to educate our children have a lot of hats to wear.

And if you don't understand this,

 please refer to the list above.

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?

A Big Deal, Part 1 of 3

 

Navy Tee - Gap
Navy Striped Skirt - Talbots (TJ Maxx)
Shoes - Michael Kors (Dillards)

Okay, so last summer, I actually purchased this skirt.
And then I returned it...
but only because the size that I purchased was a little too tight and not really because it cost over $60.

Now, fast forward to this past weekend.  I was at the TJ Maxx near my house, and was surprised at the number of items from Talbots that I saw from the last couple of seasons (well, surprised and excited!).  But you'll have to wait for those little pieces.

Yesterday, on my way home from visiting my mom, I was dealing with a devil on my shoulder.  He kept telling me that I should stop in at the TJ Maxx I recently discovered that is en route from there.  He kept saying that there could be more items from Talbots that didn't make it to my local store.  He kept saying that I could be missing that one item.  He kept saying that it was only fair that I check out what they have.

So I gave in.

And as soon as I walked into the petite's section, there was this skirt.

And it was $14.99.

And I realized that that l'il devil was really an angel in disguise.

Operation: Back on Blogger

 Day 2 of the Operation:

Sweater - TJ Maxx
Cords - Gap
Shoes - Vince Camuto
Necklace - Express

I think I may be getting my groove back for blogging.  Even though it has been a few months, it feels like it was just yesterday.

Yup...

Rushing home to take pics...

Sorting through them to find the "right one"...

Hurriedly logging onto Blogger to upload the photo...

Poising fingers over the keyboard, preparing to whip up a quick and witty post...

Pausing over the keyboard, attempting to think about a quick and witty post...

Falling asleep on the keyboard, dreaming of a quick and witty post...

Waking up 20-30 minutes later, giving up on that quick and witty post...

Yup.

It's been a few months, but it feels like it was just yesterday today.

Comfy Cozy

Sweater - Gap
Scarf - Target
Pants - Gap
Black knee-high socks - Macy's
Brown Anlke Lace-up Booties- F21

For one of the coldest days of the season so far:

Comfy sweater.

Cozy scarf.

Cheap booties with warm, thick socks. ($6 summer deal from F21)

Bring on the "cold" weather, Houston...

...that is, until it changes back to summer-like temperatures.

(In actuality, I wore this on Thursday.  And sure enough, as of today, the temps have gone back up again.)

Have a great weekend!

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!  =)

Back to Basics

Top - The Limited (old)
Jeans - Gap
Shoes - Michael Kors (old)
Scarf - Target


Today, as I was leaving school, I thought to myself, "I miss my blog."  My one-week absence sure has felt a lot longer!  And I can't promise how much it will get better.  With losing one whole planning period this year, it is essentially impossible to get work done...at work. (Go figure.)

So, I'm dropping in to say, "Hello" to all of you.

And Good Night!  Miss y'all!

(By the way, we have another Jeans Week at school, so I went basic with a white tee and jeans.  Oh, and then there's one of my favorite pair of shoes to top (or bottom?) it all off!)

Long Time No See

Top - BCBG via TJ Maxx
Skirt - Gap
Shoes - Jessica Simpson via Dillards
Belt - Via Spiga via TJ Maxx (very old)

Well, Hey!

Hopefully, I haven't become a stranger to y'all yet! 

But you know how the saying goes:   _ _ _ _ happens.

Please feel free to insert any applicable four letter word into those spaces.  I'll start:

l-i-f-e happens...

k-i-d-s happen...

w-o-r-k happens...

Oh, yeah.  And s-i-c-k happens.

Yep, that's one of the highlights of being a teacher.  (Other than not being able to go to the restroom when you want to.)

And after I was sick, my son got sick.  And then my husband got sick.  And then I got sick again.  So, yeah.  We are a family that likes to recycle.

Anyway, it's good to be back (for now).

Just Short

Navy Blazer - Loft
Purple Striped Tee - Gap Outlet
Belt - Gap
Pants - Express (old)
Sandals - Steve Madden

Hey, y'all.
Long night, so short post with three points:

1.  I'm wearing pants that have a short hem and are hard to wear with just about any shoe.  (Flooding is not an intentional style option for me.)

2.  I look short, as my students like to point out.  Constantly.  (Never mind the fact that I am 5'3"...and many of them are taller than I am.)

3.  And I just spent a long time putting together an interesting, engaging, and active activity to help my kiddos write a short story.  Short attention spans they have, let me tell ya.

Anyway, that's the long and short of it all.

Have a great night!
I'll be catching up on my reading at the end of the week...can't wait!

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!)