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 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.)

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.)  ;)

Doublue

Linen Button-down - Calvin Klein (TJ Maxx)
Pants - The Limited
Belt - Forever 21
Shoes - from some store years ago

 

Yes...I do know how to spell correctly. (I mean, I am an English teacher...geez! But I guess I should just stick to my day job and quit trying to be cute and funny.)

Anyway, the point of the title "Doublue" was to express my love for this linen, blue button-down!  I love it so much so that I had to wear it again...two days after the first time that I wore it.  (see Sunday's post)

Unless it's, like, a pair of jeans on the weekend, rarely do I wear the same piece twice in a very short time span...not even two weeks after, much less two days!

But this time...

I don't give a shi(r)t.



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!

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.

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).

Jeans Week, Day 2

Top - Banana Republic
Silver Belt - TJ Maxx
Jeans - Old Navy (old)
Shoes - Bandolino, from DSW (old) 

 Bonjour, bloggers!

Today was day two

of jeans week at school,

and I went with basic ease

in a button-down (bib front) and flared jeans.

Cool with me.

Now, it's outside time with P!

Endings and Beginnings

Dress - New York & Co via Ross
Tie - M's (little) side of the closet
Shoes - Target (very cheap at $5.00...but blister-inducing!)

Sooo....I've mentioned before that my summer was quickly coming to an end. 
Well, it's not officially over, but.....it's officially over.  Here's why:

Last week, I taught an AP Bridging class for 7th and 8th graders...it was only for four days, but I was worn out after day one.  Hence, this is why you only get a picture of day one's outfit....I just couldn't muster the energy to take pics after that.  Isn't that sad?

Today, I got the keys to my classroom and arranged my room and my desk. (That's my workout for the rest of the yea! Just kidding...kind of...)

Tomorrow, I'll be helping out with the sixth grade registration. (Should I take a Tylenol now or later?)

Wednesday, is my anniversary.  And an all-day workshop. (Great timing....)

Thursday is my son's pre-K Open House...and also my school's Open House for sixth graders.  (Can we say "great timing" again?)

And then Friday will be P's first day of school ever!  I'm so excited about it!  I'm glad that it's my last day of summer 'cuz I'll get to experience it with him.  It will be my first time taking him to school! 

Aaaaaand it will probably be my last time, too.  Boooo! His school and mine are on two different schedules which will make it difficult for me to drop him off every morning and impossible for me to pick him up in the afternoon.  I've always imagined that I would be sitting in the carpool lane waiting for him, but I guess that will have to be daddy-son time.
 
On another note, while P will be starting school for the first time this coming Friday, my husband finished his two-year program for respiratory therapy this past Friday!  Yea for M!

There was a little celebration in his honor on Saturday.  Some of his family from Louisiana traveled here to celebrate, which made him extra happy. It was really a fun time. 

And I did manage to get a pic of what I wore (by the way...that is NOT armpit hair that you see....promise!):

Dress - Target
Tank - Gap
Belt - Forever 21
Sandals - Ralph Lauren, Dillards 

I've worn this dress before here (I hate how some of the stripes never stay fully horizontal!),  and, interestingly enough, it was to celebrate M's birthday!  Anyway, this time, I was able to put into practice my cool knotting skills:  the belt-knot which I acquired from Designgirl (Thanks, dear!) and my maxi-knot (which kept un-knotting if that's a real action word).  And, I practiced some new eye-makeup tricks of layering two different eyeliner shades (navy on top of black)...which you can't really tell, but I did! 

So, as my lazy days of summer continue winding down, there is one good thing to look forward to:

Fall Fashions!

But then again,  I probably won't really begin wearing anyway until, like, November, when there is any semblance of less-than-hot weather here.....

Sigh....Oh, well.

Red, White, and Booooo!!!!

Dress - TJ Maxx
Cardigan - Loft
Shoes - Jessica Simpson, Dillards (recent purchase)

Booooo!!!  After my third meeting this week, and more to come in the next couple of weeks, my summer vacation is pretty much over. 

I wore this today to two meetings.  (I actually wore my staple summer shoewear of flat sandals.) Regardless, with the style of the dress and my hair in a french braid...I felt a little pin-up-y. 

So, maybe yea for that!

The Fish, the Jaguar, and the Leopard

The Fish

  

To say that yesterday was simply "hot" would be an understatement.  I was lucky to get some pictures taken before I went out and melted, and in order to combat the heat, this was what I wore.  I found this "dress" at Ross on the clearance rack for $4.99.  On the hanger, it was so huge and shapeless that I wasn't sure what it was and passed it up.  But then it reminded me of this dress from I Take Photos in the Bathroom*, and although this Ross piece is not as lovely as Kate's Lilly Pulitzer dress, curiosity got the best of me and I brought it home.  I've had it for a couple of weeks and attempted to wear it a few times, but chickened out...I mean, I'm still not sure what it is...a beach cover-up?  a muu muu?  a really large, sized-small shirt?  But for five bucks, I'll just do what Tim Gunn always says on Project Runway:  "Make it work."  So, for the summer, I'll make it work as a little dress, and for the fall, maybe I'll wear it as a tunic over leggings.  And to add a bit more color interest to the blue, I finally decided to wear my yellow thong sandals from Gap...they're still being sold online, but I got them a couple of weeks ago for about $10.

Anyway, yesterday, I took P to visit his Grammy.  One of my brothers, one of my sisters, and each of their (older) sons stopped by to visit also.  My sister and my nephew brought their huge Retriever/Chow mix dog named Joey that is three times the size of P, but equally as playful.  We were all curious to see who would get tired first...P or the dog?
Poor Joey.

I actually wish we had a dog of our own.  But, as you can see from the first pic, we have a cat. Coco.  I really don't like cats, but Coco is special....he doesn't act like a normal cat.   He's actually kind of like a dog.  Truthfully, we call him our cat-dog.
Poor Coco.

The Jaguar
(sorry for the sucky picture)                 

Dress - Forever 21, Shoes - Ralph Lauren (TJ Maxx, '10)
Cuff Bracelet - my sister (but she got it from F21)
Bangle - The Limited
Jaguar Pendant - F21

After my battle with the excessive heat, I came home, showered, refreshed, and attempted to, ahem, transform  into a decent looking human being for a night out at the movies...Guess which movie we saw??

The Leopard

Tank - Forever 21, Jeans - Gap ('10)
Shoes - Steve Madden (TJ Maxx, '10)
Belt - Liz Claiborne (old)

Today, I went to my in-laws and filled up my belly with some great barbecue!
Although this really was the best picture out of the few that I took (trust me, I didn't choose it just so I could expose my freakish shoulder to you all...or my pink bra strap), it's kinda hard to see the little leopard print belt (with red buckle) that I threw in to add a little fun to my stripes and boyfriend blue jeans.


So, that's it!
3 (outfits) + 1 (post) = 4(th of July)

I hope everyone is having, or has had, a good one. 
Happy Independence Day!

*for some reason, the links that I embed aren't showing up on the published versions of my posts (is anyone else having this problem???), so for added reference, the link is http://itakephotosinthebathroom.blogspot.com/2011/06/love-letters.html