Seeing Spots

Typically, Jeff remains cautious about commenting on something that I'm wearing (smart man), so if he actually says something, then I know he's being honest. After Mom took pictures of this outfit, Jeff declared, "I really like those pants." Any man who encourages crazy prints and bright colors as much as I do is clearly meant to be married to me. 

When Sarah promoted the April Challenge, I immediately thought of these pants for both the cropped and geometrics themes. THEN, when Marissa and Heidi posted their Pantone Challenge, I realized these shoes would be the perfect pop of dazzling blue color for this outfit. Ah, I love it when things just fall into place. 

Thank you to all of you who have sent me get well wishes. I am so glad I chose to get surgery over my spring break because it gives me ample time to recover. However, one can watch only so much TV before wanting to run around furiously in circles. I am going STIR CRAZY. I am about to make friends with the spiders or actually begin conversing with Ellie, my elephant-shaped humidifier. Luckily, two of my colleagues are coming to visit me today. 

Talking to humans is preferable. 

The Look:

Top: LOFT (gift from Momma)

Pants: New York & Co. 

Necklace: Poshmark shop

Shoes: via Kohl's (I really do love these shoes.)

Cute little Rudy (a.k.a. Rooster)

After looking at the front of his head, can you see why we nicknamed him Rooster? So much fluff on the top of his head. 

I also wore the top this way...

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The pants this way...

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And the shoes this way...

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Also linking up with 

* Shanna (http://becauseshannasaidso.blogspot.com) 

* Pleated Poppy (www.thepleatedpoppy.com/blog) 

Blue Blazer & Polka Dots

This week, my co-teacher and I decided that wearing jeans every day this week is perfectly acceptable. Luckily, our dress code is not super strict. 

I've realized that my go-to outfit consists of a blazer, nice top/t-shirt, jeans, and flats. 

One of my students said that she will pick out a nice outfit to wear but feel too lazy to put it on. I told her I'm the same way, which is why I come up with two outfits. 

I come up with:

Outfit A: I feel like looking cute and actually getting dressed today, so I'll wear this.

Outfit B: I'm too bloated/tired/hangry to put on anything that's not forgiving, but I still want to look cute, so I'll wear this.

Today's outfit is Outfit B.

Outfit Deets:

Blazer: Express (similar)

Top: White House Black Market (similar)

Jeans: The Limited 

Flats: Jessica Simpson via Marshall's (similar)

Linking up here and here. 

Pink & Cobalt & Mouse Poop.

Since we're tiling the kitchen, I have to play Frogger every morning in order to make my breakfast. On an ordinary day, I'm a troll in the morning, and that's a generous estimation of my attitude. I assure you that my troglodytic behavior does not improve when I must dodge everything in my path in order to fix my beloved oatmeal (with brown sugar, blueberries, and walnuts, of course). When said oatmeal explodes in the microwave that I can reach only by leaning precariously over the uncured tiles, my mood plummets even further into the depths of crapdom. HOW do hoarders do it? I can barely function for three days let alone half of a lifetime. 

At the end of the work day, I left my computer for maybe thirty minutes and what do I see upon my return? Mouse droppings...on.my.keyboard. With 26 students and another teacher in the room, how did Fivel go unnoticed? Today didn't like me so much. Exploding oatmeal and pooping mice. 

However, I fancy this outfit. I decided that I can wear white pants if my thermometer reads a whopping 92 degrees. A blazer when it's blazing hot? Not terribly smart, but I'm committed to my blazer collection. I added this beauty recently. Ain't she purdy?  

I really love this outfit. I guess I like variations of this color combination. After all, I wore coral and navy yesterday. 

Outfit Deets:

Blazer: New York & Co. (new--exact on sale)

Blouse: New York & Co. (not new--similar)

White pants: Express via Gabriel Brothers (I'm almost positive I bought them in 8th grade. similar from Express)

Belt: New York & Co. (not new--similar)

Shoes: Jessica Simpson via DSW (love these) 

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy and Shanna. 

Coral & Navy & Craaaazy.

Today, it happened.

One of my students informed me that I was wearing pants that she owns. Exact color. Exact store. Exact brand. Not the exact pair. That'd be creepy. Of course, I probably paid less since Momma dukes poops 30% off coupons for Kohls. 

Riddle me this: if my student owns these pants, then why is she always wearing sweatpants to school? Furthermore, why ARE people always wearing sweats, yoga pants, or leggings in public? I mean, if you just finished an intense Bikram session (I still contend that yoga is cruel and unusual punishment for an overactive sphincter), super. Get down with your spandex or sweatsuit self. Are you running a 118 degree fever and need some sludge from CVS in order to reenter humanity? Okay, I'll let you slide. 

How.ev.er, If you just finished learning at a desk in a climate-controlled classroom, why do you need to wear these items of clothing every day? And don't give me the "but they're comfortable" excuse. I'm not buying what you're selling. I own plenty of jeans that are as comfortable as sweats. In fact, I own many dresses and skirts that rival all sweats, leggings, and yoga pants. Sloppy on occasion is acceptable. Sloppy by nature? Not cool. Unless it's your rap name. And then it's really not cool. 

If I look like crap on a stick, then I feel like crap on a stick. I can kiss all productivity goodbye. However, if I feel like a hot tamale, then I'll be on fire all day. I speak the truth. 

Dress for success and stay classy, San Diego. 

(If only I didn't hate Will Ferrell so much...)

You probably don't care about my redundant rant, and that's okay with me. I do hope you like my outfit; however, I'll still wear it even if you don't dig it. If I avoided wearing what people made fun of me for, then I never would have rocked those bell bottom leggings in elementary school. (Seriously, if you're going to wear leggings, at least be cool like mini me and wear bell bottom leggings.) I miss those pants. And all of my flannel shirts. Oh, wait, I've already accrued a healthy collection of adult-sized flannel shirts. Giggity.  

Outfit Deets:

Pants: Elle via Kohl's (exact--I seriously want them in orchid, too.)

Blazer: Marshall's (similar)

Shirt: Target 

Belt: NY & Co.

Earrings: Target 

Scarf: Made by Momma dukes, of course ;) 

Shoes: I think they're Mia. I know they're from DSW. 

Linking up with Molly, the Pleated Poppy, Style Elixir, Tori, and Shanna

Orange & Blue Plaid

Guys, I bought a fur vest, but the husband nixed it. I was really leery about whether or not I could pull off the trend. I bought this one at Marshall's for $39. I thought it might be too much for my small frame (it was a lot of fur),  so I tried it on in front of Jeff. He didn't even take a breath before telling me, "No. It's not you. It's that thing. It's so big. Like a wooly mammoth." Back to the store it will go. That's fine because I can use that money toward something that we'll both like better :)

However, another purchase went much better for me. I love me some flannel, especially when it comes in such lovely, bright colors! I wore this little ensemble to a friend's baby shower this weekend. It was between this outfit and another one; I let Jeff choose which one. He said, "That one. It's bright. I like it." Ah, a man after my own heart. He loves bright stuff as much as I do. (Our shoes matched today. Not kidding.)

I thought a leather jacket completed the look. No?

I stole his glasses again.

My necklace is a little bicycle and so are my earrings :)

It's so good to be blonde again.

What's up, wind and weird octopus hair? 

Outfit Deets:

Blazer: J.Lo via Kohl's (exact for $24)

Shirt: Old Navy (exact for $25)

Jeans: Uniqlo (like a year or two old)

Blue flats: Jessica Simpson via Marshall's (these are cute!)

Jacket: Wilson's Leather (similar)

Sunglasses: Nordstrom (pretty sure these are the exact ones)

Oh, and I also wore the blazer this way, too.

Today, I'm linking up with Molly and some other lovely ladies. 

Gold Blazer

Yes, I bought a gold blazer from ModCloth for $20. I had been wanting one for awhile, but I refused to pay the exorbitant prices that stores wanted to charge me. Enter ModCloth. It looked gorgeous, and I bought it despite the fact that it was final sale. It arrived in the mail, and I loved it...until I realized something: I had no idea what I planned to do with it. Haha. Instead of caving in to buyer's remorse, I set off on a quest to style it FOUR ways. I tried something date-night fancy, something work appropriate x 2, and something errand-running casual.

Look #1: Casual Friday at Work

I would wear this look on a casual Friday. Heck, I'd probably wear this bad boy on a Wednesday. I'm a rebel like that. My best friend said that she and her coworkers have to pay for their casual Fridays! (Yes, she works in the public school system.) Have you ever heard of such a thing? I think the teachers at my school would absolutely revolt if that were to happen. 

Blazer: ModCloth

Navy Blouse & Necklace: Forever 21 (blouse also worn here)

Belt: NY & Co.

Jeans: Express

Leopard heels: Aerosoles via Marshall's

 Look #2: Any Work Day of the Week

Oh.my.goodness. I actually mixed prints. I have never mixed prints before. (I'm not counting my ill-advised youth.) Anyway, I liked the black and white with the tan, but I felt there needed to be a little color. I thought red would be predictable, so I went with this pink stone.

Blazer: ModCloth

Striped Top: French Connection via Marshall's 

Leopard Heels: Aerosoles via Marshall's

Jeans: JBrand via TJMaxx

Belt: NY & Co.

Necklace: Francesca's

 Look #3: Something Date-Night Fancy

Obviously, in the winter time, I would wear tights with this look. I was just too lazy to put them on for this little photo shoot. Also, please do not zoom in on this image. I'm sure you can spy the little grizzlies living on my legs. I might even swap out the heels for cobalt or fuchsia flats.

Dress: Target (stupid thing shrunk)

Blue heels (wedding shoes!): Michael Kors via Macy's (almost two years ago)

Necklace: Francesca's (also worn here)

Belt: NY & Co.

Look #4: Running-Errands Casual

This look is probably my favorite because it's so comfortable, and I prefer comfort above all other factors in my wardrobe. If I could dress in flannel every day, I probably would. Am I the only one who says "I'm running errands," and it's really code for "I'm going shopping?" It makes me feel a little bit better about myself. 

White shirt: Mudd via Kohl's

Flats: Target

Jeans: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

Scarf: Made by Momma! :)

Since I love you guys, I made one image that compiled all of the looks.

How would you style my gold blazer? I'd love to hear your suggestions.

(If you hate it, I understand, but I obviously won't stop wearing it!)

"Why do you look all bling-y?"

Yep, that's what one of my male students asked me today. You see, we need to work with him on appropriate ways to ask girls questions; otherwise, he will forever be alone. Or, his girlfriend will be a robot like those women in Stepford Wives. Or, she will abuse him for his stupidity. Whichever comes first. Also, he wears mismatched athletic shorts and t-shirts every day, not exactly a fashion maven that one. Oh, and some of my most fashionably savvy girls told me how much they loved my outfit. Eat that, blingmeister flex.

Anyway, today was a long one because I had grad class until 7:00 (got out twenty minutes early, what what?!) after having woken up at 5 whatever o'clock this morning. Why am I telling you this? Because I need you to know why I look so haggard. My outfit is cute, if I do say so myself, but my face has seen better days.