Replacements: A Coat Review

I decided that I know exactly what I like to wear, so shopping has become a lot easier for me. Since I know which items I always reach for, I have been making a list of the items I wish to replace with something that will last me longer than a year. This coat is replacing one I bought for $20 last year at Forever 21. Unfortunately, despite that coat's warmth, it is a dirt magnet, and it's too short to wear with boyfriend cardigans. I know full well that coat will make it two seconds into dry cleaning before it disintegrates, becoming nothing but a pile of fibers.

I considered another Forever 21 replacement, but I didn't like the options for one of many reasons: cheetah-print fur inside, elastic sleeves, strings hanging all about (I have another coat from there, and all of the strings hanging around annoy me to no end), too short, more expensive than the one I got from AE, or sold out. They have a LOT of options, but none of them surpassed this coat for me.

I love any coat I can spend less than $100 on. Luckily, American Eagle had a Black Friday promotion for 40% off, so I decided to make this coat mine. I toyed with the rust version of this coat and decided it would not go with as many items in my closet. I also considered the black version of this coat, but then I wouldn't want to wear it with brown because I'm weird like that. I decided that the green would be versatile. If you are considering a coat like this one, I will tell you my pros and cons:

Pros:
* It covers below the butt, which means it works well with boyfriend cardigans, and I love wearing boyfriend cardigans.
* It sits a little higher in the front, which I like because it prevents me from feeling like a sausage.
* It's cinched in the waist, so it actually gives me a shape other than rectangle. (The one I'm replacing makes me feel like one shape.)
* From the chest upward, it is lined with some pseudo fur, making it much warmer. (I am always cold in the chest because I lack insulated flesh in that area.)
* The lining in the hood can be removed.
* I love the gold zipper and buttons.

Cons:
* The lining is only chest high, which might bother some people. However, it's lined in the same spot I am always coldest, so I am not sure how much it will bother me that it's not lined in a place I don't feel as cold.
* There are no side pockets. However, you can tuck the pockets' flaps inside of the pockets and stuff your hands into the pockets very easily.
* The sleeve length is a little short. I always wear gloves and my sweaters usually peek out of jacket sleeves, so I'm not sure how much of a problem this con will be.
* Sometimes, the lining pokes out of the sleeves, but I have this problem with pretty much EVERY coat ever.

For the record, I am allergic to both down and wool. (Some wool coats are okay, however.) So, coat shopping is not easy for me. Thankfully, this coat contains no allergens. Woo. Add it to the pro list.

The Look:

Tee: Target 

Cardigan: Old Navy // exact?

Scarf: Francesca's 

Pants: J.Brand via thredUP 

Boots: b.o.c. via DSW 

Babies & Puppies

When I reach the end of a weekend that involves hanging out with babies and puppies, I feel better. (After an accidental gluten ingestion, I absolutely needed to feel better.) Allow me to clarify: hanging out with babies and puppies in my family makes me feel better. Standing next to the wailing eight-year-old in Target while his mother strokes his head and says, "he's sad" (no shit, Sherlock) does not make me feel better. It makes me feel...well, the opposite of better. I hang out with teenagers all day long, so I grimace for that parent whose only remaining coping mechanism is petting her child's head and saying "he's sad." It's not an easy job when you can't hand 'em back. 

On Saturday, Jeff and I attended a baby cousin's baptism in Philly. The drive sucker punched me in the kidneys, but hanging out with family on either side makes just about anything worth it. 

Tonight, I instantly relaxed as I sprawled out on the enormous bean bag--a mainstay I'd like to join my living room in the near future--with Tater Tot (my niece) and fed her a bottle. She's at that age where she wants to pull everyone around by the finger, and I like walks. Not typically walking in circles, but I'll take it. What she does not enjoy is diaper changing time. (Dude, soak that up while you've got it. Someone is going to wipe your behind for you. It's a blessed thing. Bask in it.) My solution? While my sister-in-law changed her, I poked her in the nose with a marker and made farting noises. It worked. Toddlers aren't so different from teenagers. Or is it the other way around? 

Without further ado, what better outfit to show you than one that involves animal print and puppies? 

The dare devil on the left is Rudy. The cutie on my lap is Sammy. 

The Look:

Cardigan: Old Navy

Tank: White House Black Market

Necklace: Old Navy

Pants: Express via thredUP

Shoes: Jones New York via Marshall's (old)

Belt: The Limited (recent)

How could I not include this glamour shot!?

I know it's not exciting, but I really liked this combination of colors. I feel like I combined black and yellow without looking like a bumble bee, which is a pretty big feat. 

I also wore the pants this way...

(I guess this color combination isn't too far from today's...oops?)

Linking up with

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

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

* Mix it Mondays (http://www.fizzandfrosting.com/2013/12/mix-it-mondays/) 

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...

I pinned that ish and I did that ish.

Okay, I'd say I'm a total weirdo for having a Color Combinations board on Pinterest, but I guess my 275 followers would have to disagree. It is no secret that I love color, and it inspires me. When I browse blogs I like, I pay close attention to the colors of outfits. What do I have that works within the palette that so immediately caught my eye? This pin in particular made me realize two things: one, my favorite color is blue, which I will probably change next week; two, I would like a shorter camel-colored cardigan.

When I went into Banana Republic to return an online order recently, the very well-dressed salesman and I had a nice little chat about how much we love the color blue. He exclaimed, "I know! I love blue. I especially love blue and brown together. One day, I wore black instead of brown, and it just didn't feel right." I think I made a best friend for life. It's a good thing his place of employment is a quick jaunt down the street. (Okay, a quick jaunt in a car, but that's no matter.)

I hope you're in love with this color combination as much as I am. YES, I am obsessed with cobalt blue. Since my Mom takes my pictures, I usually go to her house for the pictures. When I walked upstairs in this outfit, Dad's first response was, "I really like the color of that dress." Good taste, Daddy dearest, good taste.

The Look:

Dress: via Kohl's

Belt & Scarf: Francesca's

Cardigan: Old Navy

Tights: The Limited

Booties: Nine West via Piperlime

Can we talk about these boots for a hot second? I loved them at first internet site. (I kill myself with the pun there.) I found them on Piperlime, but they're no longer there. However, here they are for FORTY-ONE DOLLARS. Go get you a pair. (Of boots...not the other thing.)

Aaaaand because I like to make you smile, please enjoy my large, cheesy smile.

And disappearing eyes.

Funny student moment of the day:

Me: He so kindly offered to bequeath you two pages of the messenger's character so that you can read.

Student: Bequeef? 

Me: Oh my, no, not bequeef. That's a different beast entirely.

...aaaaand then we all proceeded to wet our pants laughing.

Let's end this post the right way with some other inspiration for your camel-colored cardigan.

1. With a maxi skirt

2. In a neutral outfit

3. Over a plaid shirt

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Linking up with

Danielle for Many Days, Many Ways

Shanna for Random Wednesdays

Pleated Poppy for What I Wore Wednesdays

Awkward Hands, Please Stop Being Awkward.

How am I nearing 30 and still struggling with where to put my hands when someone takes a photograph of me? Throw someone into a photo with me, and, sure, I got ya covered. Stand me in the frame alone, and I have jazz hands that move all willy-nilly. Mom scolded me for looking like I had clenched fists in some of the photos she took for this week's posts. Mom, where do I put my hands? Don't you know it's really hard to contain all of this awkward brimming at the surface when I pose for a photo?

She told me to look natural with my hands in my hair. If my hand is in my hair, and I'm being "natural,"  it's probably accompanied by a gruff grumble and an unflattering wink because those damn flyways won't stop creeping into my eyeball. That pose does not a cute photo make. I could put my hands on my hips, but sometimes that feels too sassy despite my being quite the sassy broad. I could put them in my pockets, but then I look handless in some photos. I could let them dangle, but then I run the risk of looking like a primate because I have pretty long arms.

Clearly, I need to do some research on this matter.

Out of all of this week's looks, I think this one was Mom's favorite. These pants feel like pajamas, and she must have known that. Because if Mom values anything sartorially, it's comfort. I am most definitely my mother's daughter.

Note: I couldn't pick a favorite from this week if I tried because I love every single outfit, and I don't usually say that about what I've picked out for the week. I have lots of layers, outfit formulas, and prints coming your way.

The Look:

Shirt: Express (here's a polka dot shirt from Forever 21)

Cardigan: Old Navy (exact--I like how Brynn and Inge have worn the same one!)

Pants: Express (exact--absolutely worth the money)

Boots: b.o.c. via DSW (best boots EVER)

Necklace: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's (another cute elephant necklace by Lauren Conrad)

I bought them last year, so they're not online. Sorry :(

Ignore my hands.

I cut out my "clenched" hands in this photo. You're welcome. 

(I tried belting the pants, but it looked weird. I preferred the untucked shirt here.)

This "formula" (boyfriend cardigan + untucked shirt + skinny pants + boots) has worked for me before:

Tomorrow, I'm wearing an outfit that Danielle over at Goodwillista picked out for me based on clothes she knew were in my closet. I'm going to be honest: it might be one of my very favorite looks ever! Will you link up for Style Swap with Ginny and Jenn this week? (You absolutely should.)

OH OH! Tomorrow's Trendy Tuesday theme is Blazers and Button Ups. 

I do hope you'll join my colleagues and me in this trendy event :)

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Linking up with
Molly
The Style Record
and
Mix It Mondays