Black Dress & Green Accessories

Not long ago, this dress fit me better, so I feel a little sad that the top looks and feels looser than it has in the past. Since I began a pretty restrictive diet as a countermeasure to two solid months of antibiotics and steroids, I have lost probably 8 pounds that I didn't need or want to lose. (Honestly, I just want to feel better, and I'd rather change my diet than take more pills. After all, medication is what landed me here in the first place.) I am even trying to eat more often. Luckily, my doctor approves of the diet and even gave me a blog to visit for tips on gaining back some weight while cutting out foods that could cause me harm right now. In fact, he printed out the main page from the blog and handed it to me. The solution? Eat more fat (coconut oil, olive oil, avocados, eggs, etc.) to replace the lack of sugar and carbs.

Quick recap of what I'm not eating in an attempt to kill an overgrowth of yeast in my body: sugar of all kinds (even fruit, except for lemons and limes, for a short while), processed foods, peanuts, most dairy (except yogurt), rice, corn, pork, potatoes, beans, fermented foods, and pretty much anything starchy/high in sugar. (Essentially, all "trigger" foods are out of my diet.)

Quick recap of what I am eating: almonds, walnuts, buckwheat, quinoa, vegetables (and lots of them), fish, chicken, eggs, turkey, beef, coconut oil, avocados, lots of spices on foods, lemons, limes, plain yogurt high in live cultures, olives (in water, not vinegar), and oat bran. (It's amazing how many recipes I've found to match up with these ingredients.)

By the end of August, I will reintroduce some foods in small doses like some vegetables that are more starchy (ex: sweet potatoes), low-sugar fruits (ex: blueberries, strawberries, and green apples), and beans.

The diet has been manageable for the past month until Mother Nature and all of her cravings hit me today. I think I hallucinated pizza at one point. Know that this cute outfit and I hung out on Monday. Today, it was all about the sweatpants, ugly hair, and an HGTV marathon when I wasn't napping. At least I know I possess a willpower something fierce. I need to channel that same willpower when I'm shopping.

A big shout out goes to my husband who has tirelessly researched foods to eat and ways to help me through this journey. In fact, he's eating all of the same meals with me and offered no complaints when I asked him to go grocery shopping today and buy feminine products for me. (He even knows exactly which kind to get.) What a man, what a man, what a mighty good man. Yes, he is.

 

The Look:

Dress: Target (similar, inexpensive option)

Sandals: Franco Sarto via TJ Maxx (exact)

Belt: Target (similar)

Necklace (with a little cut out shaped like Maryland): Lou Lou in Georgetown (lots of options at this Etsy shop)

What I Wore & Did: Hanging Out in Georgetown

So, as you might already know, I met up with Whitney last week in Georgetown (Washington, D.C. for those of you who aren't familiar with the East Coast). Since I'm a native Marylander, it was not my first time in DC, but my first time in Georgetown. I'm in love. As I drove into the city, I ogled the beautiful homes lining the streets--none of them the same, all of them exquisite. I told myself that getting lost wouldn't be such a bad thing because of such a great view.

As for Main Street Georgetown, HELLO, CUTENESS. When you look up Georgetown "shoppes" online, it will appear they offer about ten stores. Oh, no. They have everything, and the stores are all so deep. It's like entering hundreds of Narnias. Before shopping, however, we stopped for lunch at Pinstripes, which also boasts locations in Illinois, Kansas, and Minnesota. Seriously, this place is the best place I have ever ordered food, and most of you know how many food allergies I have. I ate the maple glazed salmon with avocado salad and quinoa; they let me do butter instead of a maple glaze. On top of the great food, it also offers bowling and bocci! Indoor bocci pits? Whaaaaat? I loved the restaurant so much that when our friends from New York visited, we took them there for lunch on Saturday. These friends are serious foodies, and they raved about the food and atmosphere. Win. We all high fived at the end of the meal.

Meeting up with a fellow blogger for the first time is sort of like preparing for a first date. When Whitney said the same thing to me at lunch, I knew we'd be forever friends. We both changed outfits about five times before settling on what we'd wear for our outing in Georgetown. SO MUCH PRESSURE. I opted for this skirt with a black shirt and my giraffe necklace. When Whitney and I went into Aldo, the sales girl said she had the same skirt that Whitney also has in another color. I remarked that I would love it more if it had pockets. She said, "that's weird. Mine has pockets." I decided to investigate that very moment. And what do you know? IT HAS POCKETS. I have owned this skirt for an embarrassing amount of time not to notice that the pockets were so well-sewn shut that they existed at all. Clearly, Whitney is good luck.

Here's what I wore on my two trips to Georgetown in one week. 

She exists in real life! And she is even more adorable and sweet in real life. I loved her denim vest and midi-length dress!

 

Our favorite New Yorkers. (I opted for my Converse this day.)

Thank you to the random dude who took our picture after looking at me in the most dead pan of ways and saying, "No" after I asked him to take a group shot. You got me, dude, you got me. 

Oh, we did not mean to dress up as if we were getting professional pictures our coordinated outfits in the park. We're just that good. Naturally.

 

Theme Week: Same Accessories, Different Outfit (Part 4)

 Forgive the onslaught of pictures, but I really like how this outfit turned out. You forgive me, right? I decided to wear these shorts with this top a looooong time ago when I saw this pin, but it did not come to fruition until now. Isn't that how it always happens? I don't know if orange and green are a typical pair, but I really like them as you can see here.

Seriously, if you bought a pair of orange sandals, would you have expected to pair it with SO MANY things? I can still think of many, many more. Way to go, orange sandals. Way to be team players.

In other news, Mom and I went to Babies R Us to buy my friend a gift for her shower this weekend. Somehow, I managed to leave the store with a little Mickey Mouse pull out couch (and swim shoes...and crab pajamas) for my niece. I mean, really, who expected me to say no?

And then Mom and I went to Nordstrom Rack. Mom bought me a dress for my birthday in August since Jeff and I are headed to Vegas to celebrate. I got myself the prettiest aqua dress that I imagine will be perfect for chaperoning homecoming. (Seriously, it's summer time, and I keep thinking about school!) And I finally found a black and white striped maxi skirt. I wanted to buy about 319 more lovelies, but self control (and not blowing a budget) are important (and sucky) things. 

 

The Look:

Top: New York & Co. 

Shorts: Old Navy 

Sandals: Franco Sarto (similar by Nine West)

Necklace: Old Navy (similar on Etsy, and another)

 

I'm glad I have a pretty good shot of the back of this shirt. Exposed zippers aren't everyone's taste, but I love them. 

Linking up with Summer Style

I won't talk about my nose today.

I gave my little social media and blog buttons a face lift over there on the right. I know. They look so much prettier. However, dear reader, do not be fooled by my apparent awesomeness. It's just procrastination in disguise. By procrastination, I mean, "I'm finally feeling well enough to grade papers during spring break, but PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME." I am sure the guilt will ensue soon enough because isn't that the life of a teacher? Well, it's the life of this teacher. 

Anyway, I know I can't "cheat" the Looking Lucky challenge and double up any of the themes, so I bring you yet another look inspired by the theme "geometrics." I must confess, however, that Geometry was the only class in which I landed a C. Ever. Proofs befuddled me no matter how many times the teacher explained it. Though I think I should add that this particular teacher previously "taught" my rapscallion of an older brother. In truth, she had him in only homeroom, but he terrorized her quite effectively. For fear of narcs, I will not divulge the tomfoolery in which he engaged that may or may not have led to her eventual admittance to an institution. As such, when she taught me, I think she took one look at me and thought, "oh, damn," which may be why she seated me so close to the door that one forceful sneeze would have shot me into the hallway. 

It's very hard to pay attention in the back of the class. I should know.

So, how are we feeling about white pants? And wide-leg white pants no less? 

The Look:

Shirt: Old Navy (similar from Target)

Scarf: Banana Republic Outlet from Momma (I like this green and white floral one.)

Necklace: The Limited (really inexpensive at Body Central)

Shoes: via DSW (splurge, spend, save)

Pants: New York & Co. (similar, bootcut, skinny)

I look so much sassier in this picture than I really am.

Linking up with

* Favorite Fashion Friday http://pennilesssocialite.blogspot.com/

* Style Elixir's Fab Friday http://stylelixir.com

* Charming Fridays http://www.charminglucy.com

Spots and Fur

This past weekend, I joked with someone that the reason I teach high school is because my students can control their own bodily functions. Yesterday, a kid puked in my room (second time of my career). Well played, fate or irony or karma or whatever is responsible for that turn of events. 

Today, you get to meet Rudy, my parents' other Parti Yorkie. He's not as much of a ham like his brother Sammy. Just like Sammy's ears perk up really high, Rudy's hair stands up pretty straight, which is why Dad and I have taken to calling him Rooster. 

I am so excited for this coming weekend for two reasons. One, Jeff and I actually have a party to attend. Two, Mom is coming over to our apartment so that we can both watch Frozen for the first time. Woo!

By the way, I watched this video and cried. I recommend it. 

The Look:

Cardigan: LOFT (old)

Shirt: Old Navy

Jeans: American Eagle

Boots: Eitenne Aigner via Macy's

Necklace: J.Crew Factory 

HIS HAIR. Bahahaha. His side-eyed stare? Too funny.

Linking up with

* All Things Thursday 

* Look What I Got (for cheap)

* Green Week  

* Three-fer Thursdays 

* Tres-Chic Fashion Thursday

Foliage Inspired?

What if every one of my post titles just includes a random vocabulary word? Yesterday's was "profundity." (Aside: say that word aloud. You cannot help but smile because the word FUN is inside of it.) How do you like today's? Foliage. I like that word. It starts with an F, just like fun. 

Speaking of the letter F, can I just tell all of you how fantastic you are for your kind comments on yesterday's post? I particularly like what Andi said: "Just because something isn't super deep doesn't mean it's not valuable." Right on, Andi. Right on. We often say how trivial certain things are, but isn't it the small things that often make the greatest difference?

Also, my co-teacher is just tickled that multiple people outside of our building are participating in Trendy Tuesday. I showed her my Instagram feed, and she declared, "We're going GLOBAL!" Gosh, I adore that woman. We're still dreaming up ideas for next week's theme. Feel free to throw your suggestions at us! Just remember that it must be a theme in which both guys and gals can participate. Our most avid male participant was so sad that he couldn't participate in person today. As a result, he e-mailed this video to me: Rapping Irish Craziness (I gave it that name. Surprised? Probably not.)

The Look:

Cardigan: The Limited (same)

Pants: Columnist Pant in Slim Cut (same)

Boots: b.o.c. via DSW

Scarf: Gift from a student (ummm...sort of close?)

Lace shirt: The Limited 

I'm not on drugs though my squinty eyes might suggest otherwise. 

I guess I really needed those shades. 

Of course, this picture might have you believing otherwise.

Yes, I am naturally that sexy.

Yeah, you're welcome.

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Linking up with

Shanna

and

WIWW

St. Patrick's Day Style

I went nowhere other than the grocery store and my living room couch yesterday, but I still sported green...in all sorts of shades. After years of getting pinched, I've been trained to wear green on St. Paddy's (proper spelling) Day. I didn't want some random shopper at Giant to smurf bite me. My brother's given me enough of those over the years. 

I feel like I need to provide you with something witty today, but I have nothing. Nothing, I tell you. However, I do have this...

Apparently, my hair tries to escape when I hop on the elliptical. 

And this...

She wanted to work out, too. I'm not sure that would have went too well. 

And look what came in the mail today...

Hellooooo, beautiful yellow blazer.

Fear not: I will be coming up with an outfit for it this week. 

And finally, this...

Are you a fan of my SEVEN DOLLAR Calvin Klein jeans from Marshall's? 

You should be. Why wouldn't you be?

Only gold shoes seemed appropriate for the occasion. 

A tad grainy, but I'd like to call it impressionistic. Yeah, that sounds fancy.

(Truly, I just wanted you to have a closer glimpse of my $7 earrings from Target.

Hmm...my pants and earrings cost the same amount. Weeeird.)

Outfit Deets:

Jacket: Forever 21

Sweater: Target

Earrings: Target

Scarf: Target

(we have a winner, folks.)

Gold heels: Jessica Simpson via I have no idea

Brown belt: NY & Co (love their belts)

Jeans: Calvin Klein via Marshall's

I'm hanging out over at Molly's today.