Rethink

If you dress up jeans on a Monday, is your outfit really casual? I love to fancify my jeans with heels and jewels, and I argue that jeans are not just for casual Fridays. I think a dark-wash trouser jean makes for a happier Monday, and who can disagree with anything that makes Monday more manageable? (No one.) I realize that my crummy photo quality leads you to believe that these pants are black, but I assure you that they are, indeed, a dark-wash jean. Could I wear black pants with this outfit? Absolutely. Sometimes, however, I envision certain items playing well with each other, and these jeans completed the look I conjured up in my cranium. 

As I finally bid a teary farewell to some of my summer tops and dresses, to which I fiercely clung for far too long, I decided that I could repurpose quite a few items for the colder months. Take this sleeveless peplum top, for example. Yes, it has no sleeves. Haha! Did I trick you with my layering prowess? I considered a button up, but the peplum is too form fitting, which means the buttons would leave a weird little shape poking through the fabric. No bueno.

I actually chose all of my outfits for the week. My morning brain will thank me for my preparation. My "why did you pick out outfits instead of doing your grad work?" brain will scold me. Such is life. Instead of reprimanding myself, I think I will eat another cupcake and watch more HGTV. Everyone needs a break, right?   

The Look:

Peplum: New York & Co. (old) // almost identical from H&M // one with sleeves from Macy's

Trouser jeans: LOFT ("Santa" bought them for me last Christmas) // LOFT  corduroy trousers

Black Tee: Marshall's (I think I shall buy more from Target) // similar from F21

Heels: Jones New York via Marshall's // similar from DSW

Necklace (new): The Limited, got it for $8 

I also wore the peplum these ways:

(I decided to wear it with the same accessories and different bottoms. Not incredibly creative, but still an effective remixing of looks. I think.)

Pinned that ish and did that ish

So, I pinned this image that features two of my favorite fashionistas, Kendi and Audrey. I decided that I really liked the black/white, rust, and camel color combination. I probably should have gone for a darker wash black jean, but I cannot say it overly concerns me. Also, I tried on wide leg jeans at first, but I needed skinny jeans so that I could wear boots in the mucky weather this morning, which, as you can see, turned to 64 degree bliss this afternoon. Maryland, I don't understand you, but I love you anyway. Because of the weather conditions, I combined the exact colors of Kendi's outfit with the silhouette of Audrey's outfit. Plus, in true Danielle form, I added a belt. I do love my tucked in shirts and belts. 

In tenth grade today, students read an article from 1964 about Kitty Genovese entitled "Thirty Eight Saw Murder and Didn't Call Police." The kids were appalled that good people did nothing while this woman cried out for help as an attacker murdered her, coming back for her several times. Tomorrow, after watching this clip from the beginning of Boondock Saints, students are going to debate the following topic: Is the indifference of good men the greatest of all evils? At the end of the day, one of my more rambunctious students said, "That's a really good topic. I like it a lot." He also loves Boondock Saints. Win. 

In eleventh grade today, my students read an essay by Amy Tan called "Mother Tongue." Several students said how much they enjoyed the essay. One student remarked, "I can really identify with this essay." 

Guys, moments like these just define a day in the best of ways. 

The sun didn't come out tomorrow because IT CAME OUT TODAY. 

Hallelujah. 

Anyway, tomorrow is Rock and Roll themed for Trendy Tuesday. Are you in?

The Look: 

Scarf: Made by Momma, of course! (here is a brighter orange infinity scarf from Target.)

Shirt: New York & Co. last year (It's not really lace but a lace print. Cool, huh? )

Belt: new from The Limited (I was looking for a belt just like this, and I bought it half off!)

Cardigan: Old Navy (recent--exact)

Boots: b.o.c. via DSW

Sunglasses: LOFT (Mrs. Claus bought them for me for Christmas.)

I like allowing wildlife to photobomb. I didn't think you'd mind.

Meet Jeff's shadow and Squirt's noggin'. 

Linking up with

* Molly (http://www.themollybuckley.com) 

* The Style Record (http://www.thestylerecord.com) 

* Mix it Mondays (http://www.fizzandfrosting.com/) 

I also wore the scarf this way...

The longer, boyfriend version of the cardigan this way...

The top this way...

And the top this way...

My fleece tights died, and don't forget about Trendy Tuesday.

I wore my fleece tights ONCE (a glorious day it was). After one round in the washer's gentle cycle, the crotch birthed a hole. (How do you like that imagery?) Boo to you, $6 fleece tights. I waffle between patching up the hole, conveniently located on a seam, and buying a brand new pair. Decisions decisions. 

Anyway, these opaque tights from The Limited sufficed, but gracious me, I was not wearing enough layers on top to combat the arctic that my classroom has become. Polar Bear City, all aboard. 

Also, rhetorical question: why is it that my legs can take a Jack Frost beating, but my upper body needs about fifteen layers to prevent the shiver me timbers? 

Anyone else suffer from this problem? (not rhetorical)

Tomorrow's theme for Trendy Tuesday is red and white. 

Don't forget to don your best red and white look. Post that beauty on Facebook, Instagram, your blog, or send a carrier pigeon with a polaroid. Mosey over to the sidebar and follow me on Instagram.

Octothorpe (real name for the hashtag-pound sign-number sign thing) that lovely look of yours with #trendytuesday.

If you're new around here, my co-teacher started this "let's pick a theme for getting dressed one day a week" trend. Another teacher and I settled on Tuesdays, which we alliteratively named Trendy Tuesday.  Every week, we come up with a theme and try to coax more teachers and students [and online friends!] to join us in our sartorial adventure. Safety in numbers and all that jazz. 

The Outfit:

Sweater: AB Byer (so old...does anyone even know that brand anymore?)

Scarf: a new creation from Momma who finally agreed to let me sell her scarves! Who wants in?

Tights: The Limited

Skirt: LOFT (it's chiffon and pleated in case your eyes and my terrible photos deceive you.)

Boots: Etienne Aigner 

Belt: Came with a dress

Hair: on its third day...that's what's up.

Trendy Tuesday...A Date Late (Again)

Eventually, Trendy Tuesday will happen and post ON TRENDY TUESDAY. You can thank the inclement weather for this week's delay. Don't worry; she also peed all over the plans I took four hours to write for my AP students this month. It's cool, Mother Nature. It's cool.

Anyway, a few weeks ago, my co-teacher thought up the idea of a themed day once a week. A bunch of us got in on the action and decided to pick a day and name it. We landed on Trendy Tuesdays. Here was last week's if you're curious. 

This week's theme was flannel and scarves. The rules are relaxed, so interpret the theme as you wish. (My co-teacher settled on a scarf that was flannel, a double threat kind of wardrobe piece.)

Who wants to join us next week? 

Next Tuesday's theme is Red and White (read: candy cane).  

We post on Instagram and tag with #trendytuesday. 

I don't know how to do those fancy link ups (feel free to tutor me if you wish), but my colleagues and I would love your participation. Feel free to write up a post on Tuesday (or a day late), tag me on Instagram, send a picture via carrier pigeon, whatever strikes our fancy, and label it Trendy Tuesday. It's a revolution, people. I don't know what we're revolting against exactly, but it might have something to do with Uggs and leggings worn without something to cover one's bum. 

Let's carry on with our looks of the day. 

First up: my look.

The Outfit:

Flannel shirt: Old Navy (it's current, folks.) Get yours here. 

The Dress: Target (best dress I've ever bought. If they made it in 50 colors, I'd buy them all. I already bought the blue floral/whatever it is pattern and the coral and black striped one.) 

The Boots: Etienne Aigner via Macy's (does anyone know how to pronounce that brand's name?)

Tights: The Limited (they have the BEST opaque tights. They're on sale for $10. Go get ya some.)

Scarf: Calvin Klein via DSW 

Belt: Target clearance last year or something 

And here are all of our outfits! I told students today, and they are already so excited to jump on the Trendy Tuesday train. I hope the next picture is of a LOT more people! 

Will you join us next Trendy Tuesday for our red and white theme? 

Linking up for WIWW.

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. 

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. 

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 couldn't help myself.

Today was the only day during spirit week that you could find me looking presentable for anyone outside of my high school. Of course, on Monday (pajama day), my sweet mother dearest asked me to visit her at the eye doctor to pick out glasses. I agreed only when she told me she'd bring me a snack and water. (At least I didn't ask for a juice box, but don't think that's below me. It's not. I love a good apple juice juice box as much as the next five-year-old.)

Okay, I usually buy nothing full price, but I could not help myself with this shirt. I just couldn't. Squeezing out $38 for it seemed preposterous, but my friend Megan was not at all helpful in preventing me from putting it on the counter. Plus, it called to me. I neeeded it. Just as much as I neeeded to buy a pair of turtle earrings for my turtle-loving sister-in-law. For-no-reason-at-all gifts are the best gifts, right?

I hope Fran hasn't given up on me and reads this post because I do believe she'll appreciate the artsy fartsy lighting in these photos.

This shirt will match so many things, but I went all minimalist because it speaks for itself. No?

The Outfit:

Shirt: Francesca's

Cardigan: Merona via Target

Pants: Celebrity Pink via Boscov's

Gold Flats: Audrey Brooke via DSW (for $19!!)

Please tell me the shirt was worth it. I need you to pet my ego for a moment.

The Details:

Occasion: Teaching (I needed to dress normally since I had a meeting at another school after the school day ended. Pajamas at the eye doctor was bad enough.)

Comfort Rating: 10 

Comments: I finally broke in these flats, so they don't dig into my heels when I wear them. These pants fit much better when accompanied by a belt, which you cannot see in these photos. This shirt is fifty shades of lovely.

Fun Fact: One of my students was late to class because s/he got his/her (anonymity is important here) knee stuck in the railings. Hysterical. Because everything worked out. And because why isn't it funny? 

Fake lace.

The amount of tragedy that inundates our country (and all countries), at a disturbingly quicker rate, forces so many of us to reevaluate our humanity and the humanity of our compatriots. Maybe the rate has not increased but rather our awareness of it? Social media outlets allow us instant access to all of this information, so we are never without constant reminders of tragedy. It pains me every time I read about another shooting and it pains me every time I listen to people debate the gun issue (versus the "how to make humans better humans" discussion.) For those of you still in the dark, a gunman killed thirteen people and injured at least three others at D.C.'s Navy Yard. Too much sadness for our collective heart to hold. 

As a result, I must remind myself of the beauty within the darkness. Today, one of my students graciously offered to make online flashcards for his classmates to use. He and several classmates brimmed with excitement, chattering about all of the ways I could use Quizlet in my classroom. They created an account for me and showed me how to use it. 

These teenagers illuminate the darkness. There is hope. There really is.  

Today's outfit is quite beautiful, too. In a vain, "everybody come see how good I look" kind of way. 

Go get ya some.

My shirt has a lace print, but it's not actually lace. Tricky tricky.

The Outfit:

Shirt: New York & Co. (couldn't find it online)

Skirt: American Eagle Outlet (similar)

Shoes: Marc Fischer via Macy's

Belt: Came with a dress

Necklace: New York & Co.

The Details:

Occasion: Classroom (teaching, obviously)

Comfort Rating: 10

Comments: I love this shirt; I wish I could've found it for you online! (It's not very old at all. Not even a month old, so maybe you can find it in the store?) I am so happy I bought this skirt in gray and wine. By far two of my favorite sartorial purchases of the year. I especially love the pleats because they disguise/resist wrinkles. Plus, they keep the skirt from hugging too tightly. I really am in love with the color of this skirt. It's not right to be such a lovely color; it's making all of the other colors jealous. 

I previously wore the skirt this way. I wore its charcoal gray counterpart this way and this way. 

How might you style it? I'd love to hear (er, read?) the ways. 

Paint.all.the.things. And look cute.

I love to paint.

No, I'm not referring to the slap-some-goo-on-a-canvas-and-call-myself-Picasso-yet-create-something-akin-to-a-toddler's-diaper-contents kind of painting though I do love some oil on canvas. I mean, I love to paint walls, and floors, and (soon) decks. My next job might entail spiffing up vehicles with a new coat of paint. Is that a worthy bucket list item? 

PAINT ALL THE THINGS! 

With this whole staging-the-house-to-sell business, I might be reaching my love of painting limit. Why? Well, I'm painting all of these things to look beautiful, but I don't get to enjoy their beauty. Some random stranger benefits from my ninja-like painting skills. What a colossal waste. 

(I am, however, looking forward to helping my sister-in-law paint their dining room. I actually like her, and I'll get to see my contribution every time I visit.)

My next project? Paint the entire basement because husband said so.

Husband might be sleeping in the grass tonight. 

UNLESS. Unless, said husband actually helps me paint.

I've painted nearly every room in our house twice. He has helped me with one room...the first time I painted it. He better help me with this one because it's AN ENTIRE LEVEL. 

(So many capital letters in this post.)

All I can tell you is that if he nixes the next house based on paint colors, I will dunk his head in a paint-filled toilet until he screams "uncle!" or "Danielle is queen master painter of the universe." Whichever. 

Anyway, I'm wearing paint-covered shorts (it's dried, no worries), which can mean only one thing: my husband is sleeping in the grass tonight. Okay, it means I'm stalling. He just arrived, and I'm about to drop the "you're helping me paint or wearing the paint" bomb. 

Before I leave you, I have yet another comfortable outfit to show you.

(you can see a little pop of color peeking out--my shoes are turquoise.)

The Look:

Shirt: Target (their t-shirts are my favorite t-shirts)

Skirt: Marshall's 

Shoes: Report via DSW? (got 'em maybe two years ago)

Camera necklace: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

Sunglasses: Relic via Boscov's ($10!)

The Details:

Occasion: Long car ride and visiting friends 

Where: Car, friends' apartment, and casual lunch/dinner

When: wake up to fall asleep times 

Comfort Rating: 10 (I could easily fall asleep in this outfit because I did. Jeff's driving makes me nervous, so if I don't willingly put myself to sleep, I'll pass out or throw up.)

Restyling Option: Because I'm incredibly unique and creative, I've also tried this skirt with a bright shirt. Like so:

It's a black and white skirt, so it will pair nicely with a button up, a cardigan, a jean jacket, or a blazer (especially for work).

Pinspiration:

I like this color combination and the jean jacket. 

(source)

Linking up with WIWW.