Whoa, there I am.

Brief recap: I talked about participating in the Neiman Marcus beauty campaign (too many times, I do believe) here (making friends), here (the itinerary), and here (some things I learned). Anyway, my point of contact e-mailed me a few days ago to let me know that Neiman Marcus announced the campaign and the winners on Facebook and their blog, so I thought you might want to know more about the other winners and go read their brief bios.

Note: they say I'm from the D.C. area, but I do not actually live in D.C. I hail from Maryland, but D.C. is less than an hour from me. It might be the capitol of our nation and all, but it's pretty much a part of Maryland, right? Haha. (I'm better at geography than that; I can assure you. Sort of.) My face might be plastered all over this little corner of the internet, but it is still bizarre to see my face elsewhere in cyberspace.

Moving on, I kind of changed my system for getting pictures for the blog. I used to pick out my outfits on the weekend to prepare for the next week, but our weather (and my classroom) has been so unpredictable that I ended up changing outfits in real life. I want this blog to reflect what I actually wear, so I now have Mom take photos of most outfits after I wear them instead of before. Sure, they might be a tad wrinklier that way, but I also know before I have the pictures taken whether or not the outfit was practical for a full day of teaching/doing whatever I was doing when I wore it.

This outfit was really comfortable, and I just love the color combination. I also wore lime and cobalt last summer. I think that dress inspired my love of lime and cobalt together. Of course, we already know I love cobalt with pretty much anything. Can I now draw your attention to the cut of these pants? They're not skinny pants. Would you like to know how old they are? I will tell you: sixteen years old. My pants are as old as the students I teach. WHEN DID I GET HERE?

At least they haven't disintegrated like one of my dad's shirts. Honest to goodness, my Dad put on a shirt from high school, and half of the sleeve disappeared in a plume of smoke when he tried to put his arm in the armhole. The craziest magic trick I ever did see. If my dad is in his 60s and can still fit into clothes from high school, then I don't see why I can't be almost 30 and still fit into clothes from 8th grade. Combat boots and scrunchy socks aside, some of my adolescent style was classic. (Hey overalls, leggings, and crop tops made a comeback, and those were my wardrobe staples in the days of yore. I was so ahead of the times.)

I smirk at you.

The Look:

Shirt: Target

Cardigan: Target 

Belt: Target (whaaaat? I didn't even realize how Target-themed I was!)

Pants: Express via Gabriel Brothers (my favorite place to shop when I visited my grandparents' in Cumberland, MD)

Shoes: Sylvia wedges via J.Crew Factory (seriously, they are so comfortable.)

Earrings: local boutique

I wanted to show you my little earrings. They're so cute and tiny.

What I Did with Neiman Marcus

Should I call this post Hanging out with Neiman Marcus in Dallas, part two? Today, let's talk about the itinerary.

Day 1:
* Wake up at 3:45 in the morning, stumble around the apartment in a sleepy delirium, feel thankful that husband makes delicious breakfast every day, and leave the apartment by 5a.m.

* Arrive at airport, feel thankful husband is a veteran at flying and happily prints out boarding passes for Mom and me, stand in security long enough to realize that bottle of water is creeping up on my bladder and glare at Mom for managing to get through the "quick" line, fight with buckles on shoes and curse myself for wearing said shoes, and make it onto flight.

* Give Mom oil to put behind her ears in an attempt to prevent motion sickness, find out Mom is allergic to eucalyptus which is in said oil, furiously wipe behind Mom's ear with a wet one in order to remove eucalyptus oil, and make it to Dallas. (Mom white knuckled the arm rests for the entire flight.)

* Wait for baggage at baggage claim, watch as an old woman in a wheelchair tossed her cat in a glorified duffle bag onto the floor and lint rolled the cat while it was in the bag, wait around for the driver who finally got a hold of me, make it to the hotel.

* After exiting the car, photographers and videographers filmed me as I entered the hotel, the Joule. I wondered why they'd want proof of how haggard I looked after waking up early and sleeping on a plane. Thankfully, I had the foresight to put on lipstick before exiting the car. I entered and exited the building several times so that they could get multiple shots.

* After I met the coordinators and checked in, I face timed two of my colleagues so that I could show them our sweet hotel room.

* I met another one of the winners, and we hit it off immediately. We had a chance to check out the Neiman Marcus store a few blocks down from the hotel. They asked us to enter and exit the store several times (I was beginning to feel like Bill Murray in Groundhog's Day) as they videotaped and photographed. At one point, a grody guy leaned out of the passenger side of a Honda Civic and yelled, "How much, ladies?" Right away, I felt a little slice of Baltimore was right there in the heart of Dallas.

* At the store, two of us had our fitting. (The first girl I met.) SO MANY pretty and expensive clothes. I ended up picking a navy Kate Spade sweater dress and a white Theory blazer. Another blazer to add to my collection? I don't mind if I do. I got to keep the outfit! The stylist had awesome, curly, gray hair and glasses like Edna from The Incredibles.

* After our fittings, we decided to get something to eat because we were hangry. My friend who now lives in Texas and my cousin met up with Mom, my new friend, and me. We ate at a nice little restaurant on the corner of St. Paul and Main Street called Wild Salsa.

* We had a little more down time and then met up with everyone for dinner at the hotel. The chicken was the most delicious chicken I have ever tasted. I know it's weird to rave about chicken, but the chicken was scrumptious.

Note: Every winner was paired up with a Beauty Department Manager, who was our point of contact before the event and during the event. Mine was Claudio, and I don't think they could've paired me up with a better person!

* My new friend, Mom, and I all sat at the bar after dinner and chatted before bed.

* Bed time.

Day 2:

* Wake up at buttcrack of dawn. Play in coolest shower ever for 45 minutes. Spend 15 of those minutes trying not to scald the crap out of myself.

* The same girl they paired me up with for the fitting was the same girl I went in for make up and hair with. Make up and hair at 7 a.m. with the funniest make-up artist whom I told to do whatever it took to prevent me from looking haggard.

* At this point, things get a little hazy for awhile because things were so jam packed that it took me three hours to finish my breakfast of a muffin and fruit. It consisted of four things:
      -- Video interview of just me on camera
      -- Photoshoot with Claudio, the manager paired up with me (they wanted to pictures of the
        manager showing us how to do something)
      -- Group shot of all the managers and winners
      -- Video shoot with Claudio (same as the photoshoot but moving pictures)

* After all of the pictures and videos, I had to return to reality.

The campaign launches in August because it's for the fall. (I realize a white blazer doesn't scream fall, but their wardrobe choices weren't really very fall-like. Of course, I didn't have much of a problem with that. I think navy and white work all year round, no?)

In the future, I'll be telling you more about some of the products I received. (I am SO excited to try Neulash!)

Since I wanted to look more "fall" like, I wore this outfit with booties instead of these shoes. However, I really like this look. 

The Look:

Shirt: LOFT (new--exact in light lobster)

Skirt: Francesca's (also worn here and here)

Shoes: Me Too via DSW (also worn here)

Belt: Target

Seriously, who knew this $15 skirt would get so much mileage? 

What an all star. 

Let the Interviews Commence

Today, my juniors finally take part in mock interviews, a graduation requirement where I teach. I prepared for the occasion by bringing two black blazers, a black pencil skirt, a lint roller, thread/needles, straight pins, and some wrinkle releaser. If we have a mishap or someone needs a wardrobe change, I should be able to help in some way, shape, or form. I'll MacGyver that ish. 

What I'm wearing in today's post is definitely interview appropriate. It has personality without being distracting. A sartorially savvy interviewer might even ask me where I found such a lovely colored blazer. In fact, another junior teacher (who knows about this here blog) told his students, "If Ms. Wo would wear it to school, then you're okay to wear it for an interview." HAHA. Yesterday, I told my female students, "I'm going to be like your dad before your first date: if I don't like what you're wearing, I'm sending you back upstairs to change. Don't think I won't." 

They giggled. Nervously.

I have been looking for months and months for a leopard print shirt that did not assault my eyes. I found this beauty on the Banana Republic sale rack for $25, which excited me because of the price and the fact that I saw it online a month or two ago, wanted it badly, but refused to pay the higher price at the time. Good things come to those who wait. Yes, indeedy. 

Also, this week must be unintentionally mustard/yellow themed. I've worn mustard several days in a row. I think someone is ready for spring. Spring weather, to be exact.

The Look:

Blazer: Vince Camuto via Nordstrom 

Sleeveless Leopard Print Blouse: Banana Republic

Pants: Slim leg Columnist Pant from Express

Belt: Target

Patent nude wedges: J.Crew Factory

Necklace: Sale rack at Francesca's 

Linking up with

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

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

Why do you build me up, buttercup...

Just to let me down (let me down) with your unpretty pictures? I'll tell you why, sugar pie. I like this outfit so much that, poorly taken pictures and all, I wanted to share it with you. Sure, the outfit might not be amazing, but doesn't that pale yellow just make you smile? Add to that the polka dots and you've got a winning combination.

Yes, I had to have Jeff help me put on my cardigan, but I wore just enough layers to remain comfortable at work. Rewind a moment. Does anyone else suffer from sleeves-too-tight syndrome? Let's get real here, people. I have spindly little arms of which I am fully aware. However, you would think I was trying to squeeze a leg into some of my cardigans. I mean, for whom are they making these sleeves anyway? If even I struggle to stuff my toothpick arms into the armholes, we have a problem, Houston. So, I have to buy cardigans in a size small if I want to wear anything other than just my arms under those sleeves. Of course, the small sleeves fit better, but then my 12-year-old-boy-sized chest just floats under the rest of it. I am not talented enough to make my own cardigans, so suffer I must. Oh, these first world problems of mine.

 

The Look:

Cardigan: New York & Co.

Oxford: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

Black Jeans: American Eagle (technically "jeggings," but who likes that word anyway?)

Belt: Target (love me some Target belts)

Boots: b.o.c. via DSW  

 

This look was loosely inspired by this pin.

Obviously, it's still too cold to copy the pin exactly, but I liked the idea

of a yellow cardigan with my polka dot oxford.

 

I also wore the jeans this way,

and the cardigan this way,

and the oxford this way.

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Linking up with

What I Wore to Work

All Things Thursday

Look What I Got

Pinned it and Did It

Three-fer Thursdays

and

Tres-Chic Fashion Thursday

(You'd think I would've linked up better pictures for all of those links. Well, I hope the words make it worth it.)

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Lime, Gray, and Gold

The Outfit:
Dress: Target (on the $8 rack, of course)

Cardigan: Target

Boots: Steve Madden via DSW

Belt: Came with another dress

Scarf: Made by Momma (who's making me some more colors! YAY!)

Comments: 

Put on these tights this morning and realized they were control top. Holy squeeze. 

DUDES at work commented on my outfit. One said, in all seriousness, "I'm really liking this color combination. Picking up on the lime in the dress with the lime cardigan. And those boots? My wife is a lover of boots. She'd love those." When a dude compliments your outfit, YOU BLOG IT. 

I thought there was some hummus trapped in my scarf, but I can't find it. New name for scarves? Crumb catchers. 

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy and The Trend Spin Link Up. 

Backstreet's Back, Alright.

I bet you missed me, right? 

As you should because I'M.SO.FUN.

and humble.

(And even better in real life.)

So, my best friend got married. 

I wore this:

IT HAD POCKETS. WHAAAAAAT?! 

One of which held a tissue covered in both the bride's and groom's snot.

If that's not love, then I don't know what is.

(I'll tell you more about it all another day...preferably one that involves more pictures!)

I also finished my monster paper for grad class. Whew, what a relief. 

I can officially reenter society.

Since a lot of people complimented today's outfit, I thought I'd share it with ya.

One of my students asked me what was with my hair lately.

I responded, "This is my I-value-sleep-more-than-hair look." 

Anyone else have those 'dos? This one has withstood the test of time.

It was my trusty 'do in high school, too. 

Gosh, I'm cool.

Aaaaand, you're welcome.

Outfit Details:

Shirt: Express (similar)

Cardigan: NY & Co. (similar)

Pants: NY & Co. (similar)

Shoes: Aerosoles via Marshall's (similar)

Belt: Target

Linkin' this piece up with WIWW and Shanna.

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. 

Red, Red Wiiiiiiine

I would like to announce that "Red, Red Wine" was the first song I ever learned to "freak dance" to. One of my brother's girl friends (just a friend, not romantic) taught me in elementary school. Good times. Anyway, the title is completely relevant because my pants are wine colored. Woot woot.

I make an effort to pick out my outfits the night before. Otherwise, bleary eyed, confused, and uninspired, I stand in the middle of my closet looking for an outfit the morning of. I then spend ten precious minutes finding an outfit when I could have been hitting the snooze button two more times. When I stood in the middle of my closet this morning, I looked around for a neglected item of clothing. I found this pair of corduroys from last year.

First of all, they are wine colored, and "oxblood" is the IT color this season. Win. Second of all, I love corduroys. That sound they make when you walk too quickly amuses me more than it should. Probably not a good wardrobe choice on a day I was proctoring the PSAT and had to walk around students' desks as they silently tested. I'm laughing just thinking about how I tried to spread my legs apart as I walked so that I didn't distract them. John Wayne would have been proud.

Also, this blazer is awesomesauce. It's JEAN material. I love the fluff on this blouse, too. Indeed, I love every bit of this outfit. I noticed later in the day that I am channeling the fourth of July. Understated, yes?

Awkward feet. 

Everyone loves these shoes. That's what's up.

Crazy face.

Blazer: Old Navy

Blouse: NY & Co.

Belt: Target (current)

Pants: LOFT (last year, I think)

Flats: Target

So, the story goes like this: four of my boys in sixth period harass the ever living crap out of each other every day. Typically, this tomfoolery involves kicking each other under the table, throwing binders on the floor, or snapping each other's pencils in half. Amazingly, they're still super productive in class. Yesterday, one of these boys forgot his pencil, so I gave him my coveted Scooby Doo pencil. Later that class period, one of the boys at his table straight up snapped Scooby Doo in half. I yelped, "DID YOU JUST BREAK MY PENCIL IN HALF?!" Absolutely terrified, he looked at me and said, "I didn't know it was yours!" I repeated, "DID YOU JUST BREAK MY PENCIL IN HALF!? What is WRONG with you!?" 

Today, this note was waiting for me on my desk:

I love my job.