Navy & Lavender

First of all, Jim Parsons (Sheldon of Big Bang Theory) turned 42 yesterday. HOW? I feel utterly befuddled. Remove Cindy Crawford from all of those youth commercials and replace her with Jim.

Second of all, my students amuse me. Sometimes, they do and say things that would be shocking, inappropriate, and unsettling if an adult were to do or say the same thing. For example, one of my juniors fist bumped (gently, fear not) my baby bump yesterday. I laughed hysterically because I am weird, awkward, and easily amused. If a four-star general from Jeff's work were to fist bump my baby bump, I might not laugh so easily. (I would probably do so nervously and walk away quickly.) About ten minutes later, another student crouched down and began talking to my belly and excitedly exclaimed, "It's SO CUTE. There's a THING in there!" Seriously, teenagers make me laugh every single day. Once this baby comes out, can't it just help me teach my classes? Let's all hang out and appreciate the English language together.

Third of all, I love these pants. Guess who picked them out all on his own? Yeah, Jeff. I'm still shocked, too. The first item of clothing he surprised me with was a pair of lavender maternity jeans. Remember that he would wear a "You Got a Purdy Mouth" shirt ever day had I not thrown it away on the sly. However, he managed to buy me a pair of pants I totally love. Good job, Jefferino. You've made your wife proud.

 

Let's just say she is singing to the baby, not screaming at Jeff for preventing her from jumping on me with her dirty paws. 

The Look:

Shirt: Target

Tee: Gap (Maternity)

Scarf: Handmade by Momma

Pants (gift): Motherhood Maternity

Heels: Aerosoles (also have them in burgundy--love 'em)

 Forgive Squirt as she nibbles her leg.

And now she's nibbling a stick. Oh, these dogs.

Trendy Tuesday: Gingham and Cords

Just call me an accidental American. I seem to like this whole shades of blue, red, and gray/white color palette. Hey, when it works, it works. Even if I'm the only one who thinks it works.

I just have some random thoughts today, and I like lists, so I shall list these random thoughts in no particular order. What's a random list if it's not randomly generated?

1. Since when did "matchy matchy" become a frowned-upon-fashion thing? Yes, my belt pulls in the white of the gingham and the necklace. Yes, my nude pumps match my nude belt. And, why not? From some people, I get the impression that things should now "go" instead of "match." (Granted, I think that line is so fine I could erase it with my foot.) Although I appreciate how much this blog has broadened my sartorial horizons, I am who I am. Though things that "go" now make my closet seem like a much more creative place, I still like things to match. In fact, as I have probably said before, I cannot go to sleep unless my pajamas match. I tried pattern mixing once, and I kind of liked it. Some people, like Ginny, are pattern-mixing bosses. So, if I match, just go with it. Hey, I don't flag down every girl stuffing her sweatpants into her Uggs, so I can rock a "matchy matchy" outfit.

P.S. What exactly qualifies as matchy matchy anyway? As long as I don't do this, no matter how much I love houndstooth, am I okay? I looked up "matchy matchy." This scared the yoga pants off of me. This made me rock my head back in laughter. You're welcome.

2. Lesson learned (not for the first time): do not attempt to pull on pants after slathering Gold Bond on your legs. You will tear off one of your belt loops and have to sew it back on after rebuking yourself for making such a rookie mistake.

3. After yet another day off, I am beginning to wonder two things: one, what am I teaching anymore? Two, what do my feet look like without boots?

I have nothing else for you except what I wanted to wear to school for Trendy Tuesday and what I would have worn if school weren't cancelled on Trendy Tuesday. I considered showing you what I'm really wearing, but I've gotta cut you off somewhere.

First up: what I would have worn if the temperature did not necessitate tights on my legs and boots on my feet. Can I tell you how excited I am to wear this outfit in warm weather?

 

The Look:

Shirt: Target! (I love it much more than the one I returned to J.Crew Factory.)

Skirt: LOFT (it was an online return, only one in the store...my size...fate?)

Heels: Nine West via Marshall's

 Belt: Target

Necklace: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

Close up of both my DIRTY mirror and clothing.

 

Next up: what I planned to wear for Trendy Tuesday at work. Now, I originally planned for my white cords, but their pant loop is still waiting on me to fix it. I realized, however, that I really like how these cords fit me. Happy accident.

 

The Look:

Shirt: Target (I found it in the store.)

Cardigan: Croft & Barrow via Kohl's (it's a little thick, which I like.)

Pants: old from LOFT

Booties: Old Navy

Necklace: New York and Co.

At first, I wasn't going to show you my make-up-less face, but I decided to join in with Agi and other ladies for the I Am Beautiful link-up.  This is my 7a.m. face. Enjoy. 

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Linking up with

Agi

Lauren

Trend Spin 

Style Sessions 

and

Lauren

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If you participated in Trendy Tuesday, feel free to tag me on Instagram (@likewo) with #trendytuesday or e-mail me that it's up on your blog. I like showing my co-teacher that 

our fun Trendy Tuesdays make it past our school! :)

My dog stalks me, and how trendy is this Tuesday?

Every morning, both of my dogs visit me while I primp (read: spray the hell out of my fourth day hair with dry shampoo because, once again, I valued sleep more than my mane) in the bathroom. One of my dogs, Roxy, is what can best be described as dumpy. She's got a bubble booty waddle and can hear the faintest crinkle of a bag that might be nourishment. Her demeanor is equally as lackadaisical, so she strolls (okay, she cannot stroll; she usually barrels into her destination) into the bathroom with zero qualms.

My other dog, however, is what I must label a princess, Princess Squirty to be exact. She crosses her paws when she is lying on the floor. She sits ramrod straight when she's boring into your soul with her semi-frightened (even when she's not frightened) pupils and her pouty bottom lip. She won't poop where she sleeps, something I wish she'd teach her sister how to avoid. Anyway, unsurprisingly, Squirt storms into nowhere. She daintily prances or even scurries, but barreling is not for this princess. As such, for awhile every morning, she sat tentatively outside of the open bathroom door until I doted on her adorable face. Eventually, she tip toed ever so slightly into the bathroom for her morning peck on the snout. This morning, she made great progress, and it looks like this.

In other news, I think Trendy Tuesday was even more successful this week than last week. Our principal said that he'd start announcing the themes in his weekly bulletins. Another teacher is going to post the themes in the copy room. Other teachers are posting about it on class websites/Facebook. And, on the school's Twitter account, our principal will tweet the theme every week. Can I tell you how awesome my colleagues are? So awesome.

Our next Trendy Tuesday will run on January 7th, and one of our male teachers is choosing the next theme. I'll keep you informed. Fear not. This same male teacher told me at lunch today, "I had a burgundy sweater on today, but I thought, 'no, this won't do. Wojcik [that's me] will give me crap. This isn't up to her standards. I have to do better.'" Hysterical. He wore an awesome red, white, and black vest. I loved it! I know fashion/style/whatever you'd like to call it seems so silly to many people, but look at how it can bring people together in a positive way.  I say cheers to that, folks.

The Outfit:
Pants: Forever 21 (size 26 in case you're wondering...and they're corduroy)
Boots: Franco Sarto via Marshall's (bought 'em last year)
Belt: American Eagle (would you judge me if I said I bought it in middle school?)
Shirt: Old Navy (current)
Cardigan: Ann Taylor (very old but not as ancient as the belt)
Scarf: Another Momma Wo creation (definitely my favorite and SO WARM)

 

Here is a small group of us. The larger picture gives away too many heads, so I am posting the one that was easy to crop. The guy in the picture? His red suspenders have Santa's face on them. His socks you can't see? They're red and white striped. Again, my colleagues are awesome.

Previously, I wore the black and white version of this shirt this way.

Linking up with Lauren and The Trend Spin Linkup. 

Life's a Picnic.

And my shirt just so happens to be the table cloth lying on that picnic table. 

Try not to feel jealous. 

I may or may not be planning an upcoming outfit inspired by what my niece wore to Thanksgiving dinner. She may or may not be a one year old. 

I am thankful for...

* heated seats

* a fridge full of Mom's leftovers

* outfits that look as good on camera as they do in my head

* a husband who never minds driving

* gluten-free apple crisp

* a funny brother who married a great conversationalist

* a niece who keeps us all entertained

* five days off work. 

Amen.

The Outfit:

Tan Sweater: Mossimo via Target

Flannel Shirt: Old Navy

Coat: Michael Kors (I bought it about six years ago.)

Necklace & Hat: Target

Booties: BCBG 

Purse: Kenneth Cole Reaction via Boscov's (definitely bought it for $30 down from $100)

(It looks like I'm thankful for Target, eh?)

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. 

5 Days, 5 Ways: Mustard Skinny Pants

Today's 5 Days, 5 Ways is pants. I didn't want to recreate 5 looks. I was hoping I could pull from my archives. Luckily, I have three outfits with one pair of pants, my trusty ol' mustard skinny pants from Target, the same pants a previous student has a serious objection to (for no good reason whatsoever.) Oh, and what do you know? Yesterday's outfits featured a yellow blazer. Do you think I like yellow at all?

I also pulled together two more looks on my Go Chic or Go Home account because I'm cool like that. 

Look #1: Floral blouse + mustard skinnies + red wedges + maroon blazer 

Look #2: Chambray + mustard skinnies + brown boots + bright scarf

Look #3: Lace shirt + jean blazer + mustard skinnies + plaid scarf + brown boots & belt

Now for my Go Chic or Go Home collections:

Look #4: flannel shirt + mustard skinnies + teal cardigan + brown flats 

Look #5: jean jacket + blue gingham + mustard skinnies + navy flats

I guess I don't love dressing up these pants, but I know I could. It appears I've type casted them. 

Oh well. 

So, which look is your favorite? How would you dress them up? (I guess the first look is technically dressed up, right?)

Also linking up with:

Gingham, Pleats, and Tassels. Oh my!

I can't stop wearing yellow. I think I need spring. When we were driving home today, it was sunny with these weird, mutant flurries. Seriously, weather, get your crap together. 

I know I told you yesterday that I love yellow and black together, but I might love yellow and blue together more. Conveniently, blue and yellow are the school colors for the place at which I teach. I'm school spirited without even trying. 

Meet my second day curls. Elizabeth, my fun colleague, knows what I'm sayin'! She was rocking even better second day hair. I chose sleep over shampoo. Sleep usually wins. 

These shoes are really comfortable and set me back a whopping $18 at DSW. I'm awesome. 

This blazer is old. YEARS old. I decided it fit well and deserved to be unearthed. Welcome to the world again, lovely, brown blazer. (I like how the gingham pops out at the cuffs.)

My legs are reflective. Wearing tights or pantyhose would have been a great idea, but here is what I thought:

1. I am too tired and lazy to fight with tights again today.

2. I already have to make sure the shirt stays tucked in. What happens when I need to pee, which is always? Too much effort. As a result, my pasty legs greeted the public today. 

Comfortable shoes with fun little tassels. 

We look so haggard after work, but my happy little starfish is waving hello to you. 

Outfit Deets:

Gingham Shirt: Marshall's (I dig these colors.)

Skirt: Banana Republic (similar for $48)

Starfish Necklace & Earrings: Local boutique 

Shoes: Bandolino via DSW (similar wedges)

Blazer: Ann Taylor 

Sunglasses: NY & Co.

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Shanna, Sarah, and Alisa.

Sweater over Dress

Excuse the craptastic lighting in these photos. 

So, I lied to you. I can wear a button down under a sweater. This look worked for me for two reasons. One, the dress had short sleeves (no lumpy arms). Two, the sweater was chunky, so I couldn't see buttons showing through it. 

Since I was driving three hours to visit my bride-to-be best friend, I wanted to be comfortable during the drive. However, I also had to leave from work, which meant I needed comfortable + work appropriate. 

LADIES, leggings are only appropriate when you cover your butt. 

So, my husband is sequestered to the couch with popsicles, water, and blankets. For the first time in our 8.5 years of being together, he has the flu. Since I have to have a procedure done tomorrow, I can't eat for nearly two days, and I haven't been able to take vitamins for a week. I am really hoping my immune system can stay strong. Please let the fact that I've been working in a petri dish for seven years be enough to ward off the sickness. 

I guess we'll see.

Outfit Deets:

Dress: Kohl's (similar)

Sweater: Forever21 (similar)

Boots: Macy's (similar, similar)

Leggings & Necklace: Gifts

Piggy bank failure. 

Who knows what's wrong with this picture?

Mustard Gingham Style

I think I need to dye my hair, not because I can't rock ombre hair, but because I found my first silver hair. Well, an army of them. Let me tell you what: those magnification mirrors are the work of the devil. I use them to pluck my eyebrows, and that's when I found a silver hair. Since it looked all shimmery (versus a dull gray), I figured I could pretend to be half unicorn. That way, I won't cry. If I do cry, it will be magical. 

Since Jeff has four white "spots" on his head, he told me to let it happen because it's "cool!" He said, later on, I'd be the "hot mom with silver streaks." I'm not feeling it, guys. Thanks for being supportive, honey. 

Anyway, please enjoy today's Thanksgiving outfit. I didn't actually gorge myself this Thanksgiving. Our house was so hot from the oven going all day that I didn't even want to eat. I just wanted to pound five bottles of water. 

Also, I would like for you to know that I think the "no white after Labor Day" rule is stupid and has always been stupid...in my humble opinion. Consider this: every season, we pull the colors that we wear from our natural surroundings. This fall, we see leaves changing and beautiful colors like mustard, dark green, and maroon (three of the season's hot colors). If this statement is true, and I believe it is, then why can't you wear white in a season THAT BRINGS SNOW? Snow is white. (Snow White, duh.) Unless it's on the ground and a dog or a drunk frat boy peed on it. Therefore, we can wear white in the winter, too. If we can wear white in summer and winter, then we can wear it whenever the crap we want.

If you would like to read about the history of this fashion "rule," see this article from Time magazine. You're welcome. 

Button down (or is it up?): Old Navy (this summer)

Cardigan: Target (current) - $15

Pants: Forever 21 (current) - $19.80

Red wedges: DSW (current) - $35

Red belt: was my mom's back in the day :)

Necklace (which you can see in the pictures below): Stella & Dot

Now, please enjoy my husband's and my iPhone self portrait session. His faces are hysterical.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! :)