Peter Pan?

Moving might just be the world's best way to convince yourself that there's shit you don't need, and there's a lot of shit I just don't need. 72 electric tea lights? Go away. 

Of course, then you realize how much shit you really have. And, quite often, you have many of one particular item...in every color. 392 blankets in a basket puked on by rainbows and ponies? 

WHY NOT 397? 

And I'm dropping the s bomb on you. A lot. 

I think there is something in the blood of high school teachers that makes us potty mouths. Or, I just hang out with equally sailor mouthed individuals. Or, I'm a terrible influence. Or, both. Furthermore, my Mom Mom always told us that "shit, damn, and hell" are fair game. 

Thanks for the validation, Mom Mom. 

The Outfit:

Scarf: Handmade by Momma dukes

Top: Old Navy (recent)

Cardigan: Target

Skirt: Clearance rack at Target

Boots: Macy's

(I think the belt came with a dress?)

The Details:

Occasion: Teaching

Notes: If this skirt hangs on the clearance rack at your Target, BUY IT. It's the perfect length, the material is comfortable, and I found it for $15. Do I look like Peter Pan? Why do I feel like I look like Peter Pan? 

Linking up with Style Sessions.

Shine Bright Like a Diamond? (A simile that doesn't really make sense...)

Does ANY teacher enjoy the end of the quarter?

I vehemently answer...NO. 

The end of the quarter means that students in all walks of grade lives come pouring in during every spare moment (and the not-so-spare moments) to grub for grades that they clearly did not earn.

Typically, my response is a hand in the face accompanied by a "be gone" or "skadoosh." Sometimes, I keep sputtering out gibberish every time they try to speak. Eventually, they grow so annoyed that they walk away. Now, some of you might be thinking I'm a wicked witch whose heart blood runs cold. 

On the contrary, like most teachers, I spent all quarter offering every ever-living opportunity for success. I give up planning periods to meet with students about essays. I post homework online, on the back board, and I always go over it verbally before class ends. I spend hours making graphic organizers and I scaffold like a boss. Yet, despite my efforts, some rapscallions still act like rapscallions and presume quite ridiculously that I will, through no effort of their own, promote them from rapscallion to royalty. 

No dice.

This quarter, here is what I think in my head when they approach me, or I see that I'm-thinking-about-harassing-you-about-my-grade twinkle in their adolescent eyes:

Oh, I'm sorry, student. You want to raise your grade at the very last minute? Let's talk about wants for a moment. I DON'T want to move all of my shit from a house to an apartment, close on my house on Halloween (and take a "sick day" in order to do so), find time to sign the apartment lease, continue my hour commute, get all of my letters of recommendation in by Friday (to an online system that is making all of us teachers want to flick someone in the eyeball), go to the market because one more day of bagged rice is unacceptable, put up with your end-of-the-quarter-I-should've-done-it-when-you-assigned-it jackassery, or deal with these very angry, grudge-wielding lady parts of mine. In summary, we do not always get what we want. Sometimes, we get everything we don't want. In one week. Don't say you never learned anything in English class.

Since I've packed up all of my clothes but the ones I picked out for this week, I'm crossing my fingers that the weather doesn't go all hormonal on us and sprint back to 80 degrees. Otherwise, I might be forced to buy new clothes instead of digging mine out of boxes. Liiiike I need another excuse...

The Outfit:

Cardigan: Old Navy (current--I lurrrve the pink one.)

Top: Old Navy ($10 on the clearance rack. Boom.)

Black Jeans: NY & Co.

Boots: Madden Girl

Scarf: No idea...I own too many. I mean, not enough.

The Details:

Occasion: What'd Cher from Clueless call it? "Riding the crimson waves?" Does anyone remember that part of the movie? Anyway, I was in the same boat (look at this water imagery go), so dark bottoms all week it is. Okay, that's not the "occasion." Teaching is the occasion, but whatever.

Comments: You can sort of tell in the second photo that this cardigan has sparkly elbows. How delicious. I think the detailing on the boots is tubular. My scarf has some sparkle in it, too, but I don't think you can tell in pictures. I was comfortable and felt pulled together. Need I say more? 

Linking up with Molly. 

Pinterest Tells Me I Look Pretty In...

Awhile ago, I learned from the interwebs that you can be all creepy and check out who pins images from your blog, which surely comes as no surprise to many of you bloggers. However, if you were otherwise in the dark, allow me to enlighten you. It's so simple. 

Type the following into your web browser: 

pinterest.com/source/URL OF YOUR BLOG GOES HERE

For example, to find pinned images from my blog, I would go to:

pinterest.com/source/littlebitofwowe.blogspot.com

I think it's not just creepy but also quite interesting to see which outfits get the most press. 

Here are some of my best fall/winter outfits according to Pinterest:

(This one just so happens to be one of my best looks. Find the original post here.)

I never rewear outfits (except for pajamas), but I am making an exception with this look. I remember how comfortable and chic I felt in this outfit! Find the original post here. 

Sadly, I had to retire this blazer because of my gorilla arms, and hugging myself no longer felt fun. It felt...constricting. Self hugs should always feel lovely. 

Can someone please help me find a navy blazer replacement?

I've looked for so long. I'm growing weary because of this fruitless quest. 

Find the original post here.

The wrinkles on these pants birth baby wrinkles. As such, they needed to go the way of the navy blazer. Either way, everyone loves the mustard pants inspiration. Who can blame them? Mustard pants, minus wrinkles, are hand-clapping awesome. 

Feel free to check out the original post here. 

Speaking of mustard, those pinners can't get enough of it.

I can't find this skirt. I think I donated it. Oops. 

Find the original here

The last one makes me very happy because it features my favorite blazer: the cobalt blue beauty. (In case you're new around here, I have upwards of 40 blazers. A problem? Only for my husband who searches for closet space in vain.) 

She's pretty. I know. (Not me, silly pants. The BLAZER.)

Find the original wonderment here. 

Ultimately, I think my cognac Franco Sarto boots captivate people. Why wouldn't they? They're glorious, and, with the trouble this stupid toenail is giving me, they're the only footwear I can wear without discomfort. I'd also like to draw your attention to the fact that my hair is different in every single photograph. 

Favorites? Wondering why on God's green earth people even pinned one/some/all of these images?

I love my brown boots.

Welcome to another shameless dressing room selfie. I'm not entirely sure what selfie isn't somehow linked to shame, but that's a story for another day. Before I got mah hur did tonight, I stopped into LOFT to return a dress. 

I exchanged it for this skirt. I love it. I've been looking for a red skirt, and this one fits like a dream. Plus, it was on the clearance rack. Double win for me. 

And why do I love my brown boots?

They go with all the things (in my closet)! 

I walked into LOFT wearing the following outfit:

I'd like to call this my Robin Hood color scheme. Where are my bow and arrow? 

(The pants are hunter green.)

The Outfit & Details:

Cardigan: Old Navy (need more colorrrrs)

Pants: Gap (by far my FAVORITE skinny jeans. I want more. and more. and more.)

Belt: Francesca's

Top: Old Navy

Boots: Franco Sarto (favorite shoe designer) via Marshall's

Necklace: Target

Comments: I really love the colors in this outfit, and people stopped me to throw down some comments at my beautiful booted feet. I originally planned to wear a black silk top with black boots, but I changed my mind this morning. (Yes, I pick out my clothes the night before.) Good change? I think so.

Teacher Wardrobe Series: Striped Peplum & Blazers

This post includes two of my very favorite things: stripes and blazers. 

Now, my fellow teachers and lady professionals, if your blazer collection is not as obscene as mine is, cardigans will substitute quite nicely. 

I hope that, no matter your dress code, these looks work for your work. Oh, look at that play on words. How very clever. 

LOOK 1

Shirt (in all four looks): Elle via Kohl's

Blazer: ModCloth (yes, that blazer is gold. No, you may not judge me.)

Belt: The Limited

Necklace: I can't remember. Forgive me.

LOOK 2

Blazer: Vince Camuto via Nordstrom 

Necklace: NY & Co.

Belt: Came with a dress

Pants: Celebrity Pink via Boscov's

(Do I look like a bumble bee? Do I care?)

LOOK 3

Blazer: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

Necklace: Forever 21

Pants: Celebrity Pink 

(I think I'd like to try the look with khakis/winter white pants.)

LOOK 4

Blazer, Necklace, and Pants: NY & Co.

(These are the pants I turned into skinny pants.)

I think this look is my favorite. Something about gray and pink just soothes the soul. 

 In case you like the color schemes and want to see them all together, I made a collage for you. 

Oh, yes, you are quite welcome.

Which look is your favorite?

If you want to see a different striped peplum I styled two ways, go here.

If you want to see the gold blazer styled four ways, go here. 

Wearing Halloween without Looking Halloween (maybe)

In honor of October, I decided to style one orange shirt several ways. Okay, okay, to be honest, I styled it in four ways to see if it was worth saving. Congratulations, shirt, orange you lucky to have earned your keep? (I couldn't help myself.)

Since we will be moving into an apartment and out of our house on Halloween, dressing up and handing out candy isn't really an option. Wearing orange is the best I've got. 

As the move inches closer and closer, I realize how much I will miss our neighbors. Why can't we plant them in the neighborhood of our next home? When we moved in several years ago, the Snowmageddon hit. Welcome to home ownership! I brought you Mount Everest! Our neighbors brought out some bourbon and helped shovel our driveway. (They also watched from their windows as my ridiculous husband climbed onto the porch roof in his no-traction sneakers and used a piece of molding to golf swing snow off the roof. Luckily, if he were to fall, an eight-foot mound of snow would've caught him.) Granted, we live so far from work and find ourselves so exhausted from the drive that we cannot hang out with our neighbors as much as we'd like. I hope our next home has neighbors who are just as lovely and come bearing rum (specifically the Cruzan mango kind) instead of bourbon. One of my colleagues said this winter, according to the Farmers' Almanac, will be a doozy. I am trying to determine whether that's a better or worse thing in an apartment? I cannot be sure. 

Anyway, enough about me, more about the clothes. I know I know. 

LOOK 1

Shirt: Gap

Sweater: The Limited

Pants: Express

Necklace: Kohl's

(I think the ensemble would look even better with a gold belt. Agreed?)

LOOK 2

Same Shirt (obviously)

Blazer: NY & Co.

Skirt: Merona via Target

Necklace: Target

(I think the creepy dog really contributes something special to this look.)

LOOK 3

Chambray: Old Navy

Belt: American Eagle (dude's section...bought it in MIDDLE SCHOOL!)

Pants (they're winter white cords): Forever 21

Scarf: Francesca's

LOOK 4

Cardigan: gift from my sister-in-law :) (it's from Target)

Belt: Target (years ago)

I know this look is quite Halloweenie, but I wholly approve. Why must orange and black always mean Halloween, yellow and black always mean bumble bee, red/white/blue always mean July 4th, and red/green always mean Christmas? WHY?! If my outfits make me look like an insect or a holiday, then so be it. 

Just in case you want some pinteresting orange looks, I compiled all of them into one image for your pinning (or not) pleasure. 

I hope everyone is having a (pumpkin) smashing weekend. 

Friday Teacher Favorites

One of you asked me to post about cute things I love/my favorites, so hooray for me and my A+ in this week's Friday Favorites and High Five for Friday. I'm telling you five of my favorite things that all deal with teaching. Now, you're probably wondering what in the name of Hades dry shampoo and food have to do with teaching. Well, fear not, dear reader, I shall answer all of your questions because that's the kind of teacher I am.

(By the way, if you want to know how to make a collage easily for your blog, use one of my favorite programs for teaching: PowerPoint. Just drag and drop images onto the PowerPoint slide. Instead of clicking "Save As," click the option under it, "Save as Pictures." All of the slides save as different pictures in one folder. If you're linking to items, include the links in the note section of your slide. If you include links in the notes section that you want to save, just be sure to save the PPT as a PPT in addition to saving it as a picture. I have one folder on my desktop labeled "Blog Pictures." Easy peasy lemon squeezy as my co-teacher would say.)

The Favorites:

Maroon Exact Stretch Straight Work Pants: I love The Limited. One, they give a teacher discount (even on sale items), and I can actually find pants that fit. (Apparently, being short-crotched but with thicker thighs and an actual behind makes finding pants rather troublesome.) I probably wear these pants at least once every other week. For fall, the color goes with everything: lace and gingham for a start. The pants are actually work pants, but they don't flare at the bottom, a quality I've come to realize makes it difficult to find the right shoes. The straight or skinny cut is great for flats, heels, or booties. I know these pants will be workhorses for me this fall.

Black Skinny Work Pants: Express is the other store that always provides me with pants that fit. They do not provide a teacher discount, but their clothes are quality and have lasted me for years and years. If you consider cost per wear, they pay for themselves. Oh, and these pants feel like pajamas. They are so soft and comfortable. God bless you, 2% spandex.

Cognac/Camel Cardigan: I wanted a cardigan this color for awhile, and Old Navy did not disappoint. PLUS, they have matching flats (should've included them in the collage...maybe next week.) Old Navy has been killing it recently. I walk in and want to buy ALL OF THE THINGS. This cardigan, especially because its color goes with my boots and flats, is my current favorite. Plus, it's soft and just the right length. I like it a bit baggier, so I sized up.

Redken Dry Shampoo: I wake up at 5 dark thirty. I do not want to style my hair every morning particularly if I'm surrounded by teenagers who clearly own nothing other than booty shorts, leggings, and sweatpants. In a future post, I will show you how I make it three-four days without washing my hair. For now, I will tell you that this little bottle is my not-so-secret-anymore weapon. Previously, I used the Suave dry shampoo (got it at Target.) That worked okay, but not nearly as well as the Redken has. This stuff rockets grease out of my hair. Sorcery, I tell you. Disclaimer: my stylist said that it works well on blondes, but it might make brunettes look like they have dandruff. Since I'm a blonde, I can speak only to the fact that it works beautifully for me.

SunButter Crunch : Why a snack, you ask? We teachers are conditioned to think that 9:30-10:30 a.m. is lunch time while the rest of the working world is waiting at least two more hours. Every other day, I can't eat until noon, and I will wither away to nothing squared if I wait that long. As such, I need to wolf down a snack between 2nd and 3rd periods. Enter these delicious snack bars. I have tried the mixed berry, caramel apple, and sunbutter crunch. I love them all, but I love SunButter best. I can't try the chocolate one because I'm allergic to chocolate. (Horrors of horrors, I know.) All of the bars are dairy free, nut free, and soy free. If you have loads of food allergies like I do, then you might want to try out the Enjoy Life brand. I find them at the local Martin's, Giant, and natural foods stores. (The link takes you to the company's website where you can buy them. Plus, they put the nutrition facts right there for you to see. I love the transparency.)


Any of these things on your list of favorites? Do tell if you decide to try them at my suggestion and actually like them as much as I do!

Blushing Gold

Okay, this pink isn't really blush, but I liked the title too much to pass it up. I have my moments of intelligence. 

You know what? I've never tried this particular color combination before. Typically, I pair pink with gray/silver, but I'm a recent fan of this pink and gold loveliness. 

When I wore this yesterday, the assistant principal who shares the Dapper Dan/Danielle award with me said, "I really like the gold, especially the shoes. It's like Dorothy, just gold instead of red." I can appreciate a dude with fashion sense. If only I could click my heels and be home. Instead, I am sitting in the school parking lot writing a blog post on my Blogger app. before I embark on my hour long commute (which I must endure for only two more weeks!) I have reached a new level of wonderment. 

The Outfit:

Gold Cardigan: Old Navy

Pink blouse that I slopped breakfast on: NY&Co. 

Pants: Celebrity Pink via Boscov's 

Gold flats: Audrey Brooke via DSW

Necklace: my girl LC via Kohl's, of course (Momma bought it for me. I'm so the favorite.) 

The Details:

Occasion: Teaching (namely proctoring the PSAT)

Comments: Does anyone else own pants that suffer from crotch clicking syndrome? Are we speaking the same language? Do your pants, especially when it's so quiet you could hear a brain fart, sometimes make a clicking sound that comes from the ever convenient crotch? Tell me I'm not the only one with this problem. And it IS a problem, first world or not, especially during PSAT proctoring. Regardless, this outfit is comfortable despite its being loud sometimes. 

I'll understand if you stop reading this blog. It's not easy visiting Crazy Town. 

Pop o' Green

Thanks to a student from last year, I feel like a leprechaun every time I wear emerald green. 

I wish I had something clever to share with you, but I'm running on empty. 

Enjoy my pretty outfit and the bags under my eyes. 

The Outfit:

Jean Jacket: Old Navy

Skirt: Marshalls

Shoes: ModCloth

Scarf: Street vendor in NYC

The Details:

Occasion: Teaching

Comments: Previously, I wore the skirt like this. I went with a straight black and white look. This time, I needed a pop of color. Why not green? My only issue with this skirt is that the lining is shorter than the skirt. If I sit for too long, it bunches up. Not comfortable. Not lady like to readjust. 

Gingham? Isn't that plaid?

I wore this outfit yesterday in preparation for the gingham and plaid link up. One of my juniors raised his hand to ask a question. When I looked at him, I exclaimed, "What!? Gingham twins?" Yes, yes, he was donning a similar blue and white gingham shirt. Obviously, he's an awesome kid. Of course, I then had to explain to several students that this print is, in fact, gingham, which is not, in fact, the same thing as plaid. Sheesh.

If you would be at all interested in a post about how I make it three-four days rocking hair like this, please let me know. I've finally whittled the process down to a fine science, and I'm even impressed with myself. However, I don't want to spend the time writing such a post if very few people will read it. Disclaimer: I am not a hair stylist, but, along the way, I have picked up several tips from the multiple stylists who have worked with my mane. I can show you my methods of hair washing (okay, not really "show" you...yikes), blow drying, and everyday styling (which saves me quite a bit of sleep time.)

The Outfit:

Cardigan: Target

Shirt: Marshalls

Pants: The Limited

Flats: Old Navy 

Belt: NY & Co.

The Details:

Occasion: Teaching all the live long day

Comments: LOVE these pants from The Limited; they're exact stretch straight leg. Perfect amount of spandex, perfect amount of awesomeness. I also love these flats. I've been searching for a pair this color, and Old Navy did not disappoint. Is anyone else noticing how out of the park Old Navy is knocking it lately? I can barely control myself in there. Good thing I have $40 in Old Navy cash. Woot!  I'm chomping at the bit for it to finally be valid. I am eyeing a pair of black flats like these and those cute sweaters with the sparkly elbow patches are lovely. Oh, and I need a new gingham shirt. This one sucks at tucking into pants. Good thing the cardigan covered it up. 

Jeff and I watched This Means War last night. Can I just tell you how much I love everything Reese Witherspoon wears in that movie? I am in love with every.single.outfit. I even died over the gray sweatshirt she was rocking out in. It's a cute movie, but you could watch it just to drool over her wardrobe. Not kidding. 

Linking up with Style Elixir and The Trend Spin Linkup. 

Momma, Oooo ooo ooo ooo *cue Queen instrumentals*

One of my juniors had never heard "Bohemian Rhapsody," so I had to rectify that little situation for a whole six minutes. Total teachable moment, no?

So, one of the many reasons I love fall and winter? I have a pretty awesome boot collection. 

Today's pair of boots is compliments of my Momma. 

As you can see, her taste in footwear kicks ass. 

She buys shoes (usually boots) that she really likes but finds out they disagree with her ankle, so I adopt a new pair of shoes. Considering I love her taste in shoes (especially boots), I will never pass up an opportunity to take on another pair of hand-me-down shoes.

People kept stopping me to compliment my boots, and I obviously told them that Momma gave them to me, to which one person responded, "Your MOM picked those out? She has good taste in shoes. Those are sexy."

Thanks, Momma! 

The Outfit:

Boots: From Momma :)

Cardigan: LOFT

Blouse: Old Navy

Pants: Simply Vera via Kohl's

Necklace: Can't remember

P.S. Third-day hair? WHAT IS UP? I am killing it with the third day hair.

Meet Blue. He barks at all things. Including leaves. And rocks. And perhaps his own shadow.

This shot is for Momma, who took these photos, by the way :)

The Details:

Occasion: Casual day teaching

Comments: I love this color combination. I love this outfit. I felt a little edgy. And I'm down with edgy. Maybe I could have belted something or whatever, but I thought loose up top was better with skinny jeans. Right? 

What article of clothing makes you most excited for fall/winter? Do tell! 

I'm so smart I scare myself.

So, I wore this open cardigan this way last December. This time around, creativity tipped its hat to me, so I [brilliantly] decided to wrap it around me and belt it. My Uncle David always said this line to me: "I'm so smart I scare myself." Obviously, I scared him sometimes, too. He also refers to things as being "beautimous." Not sure if anyone else ever says this word, but good ol' Uncle David does. Look at that: my beautimous outfit is so smart I scare me. I kindly thank you, fashion blogs, for inspiring me to rethink my wardrobe. 

I need you to know that these boots are the most comfortable boots to ever grace my feet. Holy cannoli. They're b.o.c. brand, and I bought them on SUPER sale at DSW. Sometimes, that store just blows me giant, sloppy kisses with its awesome finds like this one and these awesome gold flats. I was going to wear these really cute black booties from my mom (she always gives me shoes she realizes she can't wear--hooray for being the same size!), but they looked weird with the jeans. I already turned out all of the lights upstairs; I wasn't about to rethink my pant situation.  

The Outfit:

Cardigan: Urban Outfitters

Belt: Pac Sun

Jeans: The Limited

Boots: b.o.c. via DSW

Earrings: Target

The Details:

Occasion: Forty of the students and a handful of the teachers participated in what's called Safe School Ambassador program. It was an all-day, informal setting in our school's media center. (Such an enriching experience. Truly.) The media center is usually one of the cooler parts of the building, so I dressed for the venue. I could move around comfortably, and I wasn't too hot. 

Comments: The students loved this sweater, and I especially loved it styled this way. When I snuck into the hallway for a bathroom break, one of my previous students informed me that I was going to take her shopping. I agreed that I will take her shopping when she graduates next year; she seemed quite satisfied, and I am a woman of my word. Let it be known that I felt a *smidge* like a high schooler because I was sporting clothing from both UO and Pac Sun. 

Participating in the boots & booties link-up here and here.