Teacher Style: Maroon Pants Inspiration

If you want to wear a colored pant to work but are feeling a teensy bit of hesitation, may I suggest maroon? It's not terribly bold, but it's something different while still being extremely versatile.

A reader asked me what I wear in rainy weather. Looks 2 and 5 would be my rainy weather gear for two reasons: one, they include a cardigan which I can put over my head if I am too lazy for an umbrella; two, they include patent leather shoes that clean off easily. If it's really bad, I wear boots into the building and change out of them once I'm in the classroom, much like people who wear sneakers on their way to work before changing into heels.

Another reader asked me how I take summer favorites into fall. Looks 2 and 3 feature shirts I wear during the summer (sleeveless button up in #1 and tee shirt in #2). To dress up a summer shirt or take it into fall, I add a cardigan or blazer, which might sound lame, but if it works it works.  

Pants: Exact Stretch from The Limited (find all of their exact stretch options here)

Options: NY&Co. (cropped and skinny), love these cobalt ones from Express

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Look 1: neutral cardigan + colored top + neutral belt + leopard heels

I thought the leopard heels added something special to the look. Also, I really love this color combination of fuchsia and maroon. I think I might have found it on Pinterest a long time ago, but I have zero desire to hunt it down right now. Plus, I added the camel and leopard, so it's my look now. Dagnabit.

 

(Shirt: The Limited / Cardigan: Old Navy / Belt: The Limited / Heels: via Marshall's)

 

A close up in case you wanted to see it. 

Look 2: neutral cardigan + printed top

Honest to Pete, this floral shirt goes with every single thing in my closet. I need to buy more pieces that feature every color of the rainbow. Talk about versatility. Mom actually picked out this pairing because I showed her all of the tops and pants I wanted to work with for this week's posts. She did a good job, right? Of course she did. She always does.

 

(Cardigan: The Limited / Top: The Limited / Belt: The Limited / Shoes: J.Crew Factory, not The Limited)

 Look 3: Are you judging me for showing you two looks with floral shirts? I hope not. I picked a tee so that I could make the look a little more casual. One of you lovely readers asked for how to take your summer basics (like a floral tee) into the fall. Throw a cardigan or blazer over this bad boy, and you have yourself a winner of a fall outfit for teaching. Also, please note that I mastered the half tuck with this one shirt. There's hope for me yet, folks. (Typically, I fully tuck the heck out of everything.)

 Look 4: button up + cardigan + flats

Why does my hair look so lovely here, and it hates me these days? When I go back to the stylist, I think I shall ask her to make my hair this color blonde. It's honey colored or something. And now I want honey because I said the word honey. Anyway, I also love this color palette of tan, blue, and maroon. Subtle patriotism at its finest. 

 

(Cardigan: Target / Button up: via Marshall's / Flats: Old Navy [replacing them for something more comfortable--I really don't like the way these feel on my feet])

Look 5: polka dots + neutral cardigan + neutral shoes

Love these new shoes from J.Crew Factory. Seriously, they make great shoes there! I'm becoming a serious convert. Fear not, dear reader. I never, ever pay full price :)

As for another pair of colored yet still tame pants, I think navy makes for a good option. If you're feeling more bold, go for the cobalt ones I linked to under the collage image! (Express has great dress pants, too. I typically find my dress pants at either Express or The Limited; their dress pants last forever. I actually have a pair of Express pants that still look new after wearing them since middle school. Yeah, that was over 15 years ago.)

My Outfit is Boring, but(t) My Words are Not.

Essentially, the only non-boring things about this outfit are the "statement" necklace (which isn't even full of color, just plain ol' clear, fake crystal or whatever) and my butt. In fact, I think my butt makes more of a statement than my necklace does. Of course, I feel that my butt tries to steal the show every day. Why must a skirt on a girl who's my height look significantly shorter on me? Oh, that's right. I have a behind that robs my thighs of extra material. No matter what pants I pull on, whomp (rump?), there it is. Oh well, I guess some butt is better than eroding butt syndrome, from which most men suffer. You know very well what I mean. Those dudes whose knees look like they're trying to reach the ground because they provide the stability a non-existent butt cannot. It's like the behind is just sliding away on a slippery slope, which is a terrible comparison considering the content. Anyway, I don't know why I'm comparing rumps with men in the first place, but here we are. 

What other blog can you visit and find outfit pictures commingled with awkward paragraphs about poop, butts, or something equally unsettling? If you know of such a blog, I would like to make friends with its author, so send them my way. 

P.S. Did you see what I did with the title there? Of course you did, smart reader. 

The Look:

Sweater: Elle via Kohl's (it has little nubbins on it)

Necklace: The Limited

Pants: Banana Republic via thredUP (they're the sloan fit pant)

Heels: OLD and from Marshall's

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/) 

All You Need is a Change of Shoes.

These stacks of writing assignments do not grade themselves (THE NERVE), so this post will remain word-light and picture-heavy. 

The Look:

Sweater: Jennifer Lopez via Kohl's (gift from Momma Santa)

Pants: Exact Stretch skinny from The Limited

Heels: Old Aerosoles via Marshall's

Necklace: Sonoma via Kohl's (clearance section...obviously)

Leather Jacket: via Wilson's leather outlet on Black Friday two years ago (it was like 80% off. BOOM.)

(The boots in the pictures at the bottom are Steve Madden.)

Mom told me to act naturally and hold my hair. Sorry, Mom. 

I excel at giving directions but not so much at taking them.

(I'm not really showing off my heels. I just want you to know how pale I am.)

In case you need some comic relief. Here I am, folks. 

And if you won't laugh at me, I will laugh at myself. 

Not sure what's happening with my toes or fists, but my face?

If your pale feet leave you feeling ashamed or too much white fluff covers the ground, opt for boots.

Do your hands hang low? Do they wobble to and fro? 

Do they get confused and not know where to go?

So, which outfit are you feeling? The leopard heels or the boots?

Also, my brain must not be entirely creative because I wore a very similar outfit not long ago...

Hey, when it works, it works. 

Oh, and prepare yourself for the furry cuteness coming your way tomorrow! :)

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Linking up with

What I Wore to Work

All Things Thursday

Look What I Got

and

Pinned It and Did It

(I'm including that last one because I pinned my own outfit and inadvertently inspired a future outfit. That counts, right?)

Luna Lovegood

Apparently, I need to catch up on my Harry Potter books/movies. 

A student I've never taught told me I look like Luna Lovegood, and you can imagine my joy upon finding that she's a good character and kinda cute. 

Anyway, meet my third-day hair because I set my alarm clock to some weird static sound, which did not wake me up but rather induced loopy dreams. There may or may not have been some yet-to-exist animal frolicking in sparkly fields. Husband decided not to wake me up until 30 minutes later. 

Gee. Thanks. 

The Outfit:

Cardigan: Target

Pants: The Limited (in exact stretch straight leg)

Heels: Aerosoles via Marshall's

Top: The Limited 

Belt: NY & Co.

The Details:

Wore to: work

Comfort Rating: 9 (heels started to tug juuust a smidge at the very end of the day)

Comments: These pants are so comfortable, and they hit at the perfect length (and height...no plumber's crack for me.) I decided to try this color combination on for size. I've already done the cognac, white, and black thing, and I loved it. I threw some maroon/wine/burgundy/whatever color it's called now into the mix, along with some leopard, and I'm a fan. 

The skinny on my skinnies

I own a lot of work pants. The problem with about ten pairs is that they don't look good with flats and heels. In fact, I struggle to find any shoes that go well with them. (I bought most of them years ago, and I bought them solely because I liked the color and the price.)

I decided to keep the pants because I thought I might have an epiphany about how to wear them. And an epiphany I had. I realized that the only part of these pants that annoyed me was the cut. Plus, every time I hunted for the same colors in a fit that I liked, I came up empty. Enter my epiphany. I did a little search on Pinterest for "making skinny pants." (Feel free to peruse my DIY Fashion board here.) Note: I could have taken these pants to a tailor, but that was money I did not want to spend. I also like learning new things :)

For these pants, I read this tutorial and this one. However, after my troubles, I viewed this video, which comes from this blog. I like her method much better. Plus, she explains how to avoid some of the same problems I ran into while on my adventure of pant fixing.

I'm not going to provide you a tutorial because these work just fine, but I'll tell you some tips (from a novice) and materials.

Necessary materials: seam ripper, sewing scissors, pins, chalk/fabric marker, and sewing machine.

Tips:

• Do NOT cut your pants until you've tried them on with the new stitching. For the first leg I did, I couldn't squeeze my calf into the pants. I needed my handy seam ripper to fix that mistake. 
• If you don't have a fabric marker, chalk works just fine. You moms out there probably have sidewalk chalk just chilling in your house. (One tutorial recommends a Sharpie. If you use the first two tutorials, I do not recommend Sharpie because it can get on the pants you're using as a pattern, which is another reason I suggest the video.) 
• Read both tutorials and watch the video before you begin. 
• I completely finished one leg before the other, which I thought was good because I could measure the unfinished leg against the finished one. I sort of used the finished leg as a pattern for the other one. It helped me keep them identical. 
• If you don't want to sew and have a good tailor, they can do this for you :) 

pant leg comparison in my seemingly yellow hallway...

My pseudo emo look 

Originally, I had "charcoal straight/skinny work pants (must have belt loops)" on my closet holes list. I now can cross that item off the list without having spent any money. Win! 

The shirt is recent and from Old Navy. The heels are NOT recent and are Aerosoles from Marshall's. 

Once we sell this house and I don't have to worry constantly about not making messes, I will move on to my pair of brown work pants. I think I'll go for more of a straight leg with those. 

I hope this post prevents you from donating/selling a pair of pants just because you dislike the bottom half of your bottoms :)

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!)

Grr, Baby, Grr.

Or should I say, "Brr, Baby, Brr?" I do suppose either statement would work. Baby, it's cold outside, but my leopard heels are on fiah! (My computer just autocorrected that word to "fish." Come on, computer, don't correct the English teacher. I meant what I typed.)

Momma dukes took my photographs today. I did not include the picture of me laughing hysterically because my mom said, "I hope that's not poop." She's a funny one, I tell ya, so is my dad who taunted the dog by farting on him and squealed when the dog actually bit his butt. It serves you right, Dad.  

I need you to know that this outfit did not work for me until I put on the necklace. I had also planned to wear a pair of nude pumps. I'm so glad my brain was firing on all cylinders this morning and chose the leopard print heels. Thank yoooou, two hour delay. 

Additionally, I felt like my work slacks felt neglected because skinny jeans are my favorite clothing children.  As a result, I revived those plaid pants yesterday and these maroon (?) pants today. My calves thank me. Every now and then, they like to take a little breather. 

Any clothes you're unearthing lately and giving a fighting chance against another article of clothing you clearly love better? 

That dog is the definition of a creeper. Not kidding.

This picture has not been edited. My eyes are that color. 

Obviously, if the picture had been edited, I would have smudged out the octopus hair flying about my head.

Mom wanted a detail shot. Isn't she cute? 

Outfit Deets:

Pants: The Limited (here are some in velvet)

Sweater: Target (LOFT, Loehmann's)

Belt: Target (cute alternative)

Blazer: Express (so dang old)--(Target is always a safe bet.)

Necklace: NY & Co. (similar)

P.S. With all of these crazy names for colors, it takes me twice as long to find similar items. I have to not only type in maroon, but also burgundy, oxblood, and red. I can't just type in yellow. I need to type in mustard. Craziness, people! Words are important.

Linking up with Mix & Match Fashion.

Gold Cardigan

Disclaimer: These pictures are terrible. However, I liked this outfit too much not to document it for you. Unfortunately, I was at the doctor's office until 4, then CVS, then Office Depot, then Michael's. No more natural light for me when I arrived home. Oh well. You are lucky enough to see little Squirty do. 

So, as some of you may or may not know, I drive approximately one hour to work every morning. 

I hate driving, but I decided to find the silver lining and create a list of "long commute advantages."

And here you have it:

1. If you spill apple juice, tea, Gatorade, or pickle juice all over yourself, you have ample time to dry out. (I can't say much for the leftover stickiness or smelliness though.)

2. You have time to do everything but shower (unless you consider a wipe down with Wet Ones a shower). Not that you curl your eyelashes or apply your concealer in the car. Absolutely not, Mr. Officer.

3. You can listen to an entire CD. (Do people still listen to those?) You might even be able to listen to an entire Stephen King novel on CD.

4. Who needs to charge his or her phone at night when it can fully charge during the morning car ride? 

5. You have ample time to ponder the meaning of life...and sneaker wedges. I'm still pondering that one.

6. You can mentally plan all of your outfits for the week...and your meals...and your life. If you're a teacher who didn't have enough time to pull together the day's materials, you have an hour to mentally plan your lessons for the day. 

7. If you're lucky, you can gaze at the pretty scenery.

8. If you collect roadkill, you have a long time to find some. 

9. You can practice multiple ways to flip someone off without actually flipping him or her off. 

10. You can scout all of the places you'd like to live if you had enough money to actually live near work. (Okay, this one isn't an advantage. It just makes me sad.)

And there you have my list. Feel free to leave a comment with some of your own.

As for today's outfit, my most fashionable male student (whose shirt was the color of my pants) told me that I should have paired my leopard print belt with this outfit. Now that I think about it, I do believe he was onto something there. 

I think this outfit is one that looks better in person than in pictures. 

You can kind of tell in this picture that this cardigan is metallic. 

I couldn't find a gold blazer, so I settled for this stand in.

I love this dog. She's so stinking cute.

Outfit Deets:

Top & Necklace: NY & Co (similar top, similar top #2, love this pale blush one)

Cardigan: Old Navy (exact--it doesn't look metallic on their site unless you zoom in)

Pants: H&M (similar pair from Target)

Heels: Aerosoles via Marshall's  (these are $130 but a smaller heel, cute Target pair for less)

Watch: Timex 

That's all, folks. 

Happily linked up with The Pleated Poppy today :)