Dress it Up & Dress it Down

I think I made it pretty clear on Monday that it takes tiny tweaks to bring an outfit from casual wear to work wear by keeping the look in the same color family. Look at how lucky you are. Today, we're taking a look at how hats and shoes make a big difference in an outfit's overall vibe. I make things simple. Flats for day, something with a bit of a heel for night. Hats for day, no hat at night. But maybe you wear your sunglasses at night. (If you started singing that song, I love you. If you don't know the song, educate yourself.) If it gets stuck in your head, you're welcome.

Every now and then, I take a look at what images from my blog get the most pins. Everyone's favorites seem to come from my Teacher Wardrobe Series, and this pin has received a bit of love. Anyway, that's not my point, which I am taking too long to reach. The point is that I just realized the skirt in the top right of the picture in this pin is one I recently bought on thredUP! HAHA. What a fun coincidence. I don't know why I told you this information, but do with it what you will.

(P.S. If you want to search the images people pin from your blog, type the following into the URL box:  pinterest.com/source/YOUR BLOG URL minus the http business. For example, searching pins pinned from my blog would be the following URL: pinterest.com/source/littlebitofwowe.blogspot.com)

You're welcome.  

Today, I learned a fun bit of information from one of the science teachers. He told me that they're doing studies right now which show how zig zag black and white patterns confuse sharks, so they avoid them. Apparently, sharks will just swallow up someone wearing a black wet suit (I assume it makes you look like a seal); however, they see the black and white zig zag pattern as "unnatural" and won't attack it. Additionally, poisonous water snakes have the same kind of coloring, which is further reasoning for them to avoid that pattern. Moral of the story? 

BUY A CHEVRON PRINTED BATHING SUIT THIS YEAR, LADIES. 

You're welcome. Again.

You have so much to be thankful for after reading this post. 

Look #1: Ready for Play

The Look:

Shirt: Mudd via Kohl's 

Blazer: via Marshall's (love this Target option)

Skirt: J.Crew Factory 

Flats: Steve Madden via DSW (similar)

Necklace: The Limited (love this one from Francesca's)

Hat: Target...I think (love this men's version)

Belt: Old Navy

Look 2: Ready for Work

Shoes: J. Crew Factory

(I love how comfortable these shoes are, so I'm waiting on them in black. I wait until they have a 50% off sale, and they seem to have one once a month.)

Disclaimer: I wore neither of these outfits to work because a cold front blew through town. As a result, I had to opt for black tights and black boots, a look I still loved. 

I also wore the skirt this way:

The wedges this way:

The blazer this way:

Linking up with

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

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

For the record, my inspiration for this combination came from Tara over at Mix and Match Fashion :)

What's in a name?

Yesterday, I snuck it in that my middle name is Danielle. You see, my first name is Heather, but only my flamboyant music teacher in second grade and one of my brother's creepy friends in high school ever called me by the name. Mom and Dad knew from day one that they'd call me Danielle. Mom, however, believes that Heather Danielle has a certain ring to it that Danielle Heather just does not. Dad picked Heather, and Mom picked Danielle in an attempt to name me after Dad whose name is Danny. She argued that she would never name her son "Danny Ray Jr.," so here I am. A Danielle who thinks poop stories and fart jokes are funny.

I guess I should be grateful that Dad prevented Mom from making her first choice: Sammy Jo. I'm from a county affectionately dubbed "Cow" County, so I cannot imagine the overall covered life I could have led as Sammy Jo. (Granted, overalls are making a huge fashion splash these days.) Thankfully for Mom, she can rest easily now that she has a puppy named Sammy.

When I finally change my last name--I realize we are on year three of marriage, but it took him seven to pop the question, which means I can take my sweet time changing names--my maiden name will become my new middle name.

There you have it.

Come back tomorrow, and I will share with you some BIG news. News that makes me look way cooler than I am in real life.

The Look:

Blazer: Express (SO VERY OLD--I had to cut off the "straps" that came with it. So weird.)

Shirt: The Limited (similar) 

Skirt: LOFT (exact)

Shoes: J.Crew Factory (really comfortable...I want them in black.)

Necklace: The Limited 

Once again, I am participating in Sarah's April Challenge and today's theme is lace. 

Also linking up with 

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

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

Coral & Navy & Craaaazy.

Today, it happened.

One of my students informed me that I was wearing pants that she owns. Exact color. Exact store. Exact brand. Not the exact pair. That'd be creepy. Of course, I probably paid less since Momma dukes poops 30% off coupons for Kohls. 

Riddle me this: if my student owns these pants, then why is she always wearing sweatpants to school? Furthermore, why ARE people always wearing sweats, yoga pants, or leggings in public? I mean, if you just finished an intense Bikram session (I still contend that yoga is cruel and unusual punishment for an overactive sphincter), super. Get down with your spandex or sweatsuit self. Are you running a 118 degree fever and need some sludge from CVS in order to reenter humanity? Okay, I'll let you slide. 

How.ev.er, If you just finished learning at a desk in a climate-controlled classroom, why do you need to wear these items of clothing every day? And don't give me the "but they're comfortable" excuse. I'm not buying what you're selling. I own plenty of jeans that are as comfortable as sweats. In fact, I own many dresses and skirts that rival all sweats, leggings, and yoga pants. Sloppy on occasion is acceptable. Sloppy by nature? Not cool. Unless it's your rap name. And then it's really not cool. 

If I look like crap on a stick, then I feel like crap on a stick. I can kiss all productivity goodbye. However, if I feel like a hot tamale, then I'll be on fire all day. I speak the truth. 

Dress for success and stay classy, San Diego. 

(If only I didn't hate Will Ferrell so much...)

You probably don't care about my redundant rant, and that's okay with me. I do hope you like my outfit; however, I'll still wear it even if you don't dig it. If I avoided wearing what people made fun of me for, then I never would have rocked those bell bottom leggings in elementary school. (Seriously, if you're going to wear leggings, at least be cool like mini me and wear bell bottom leggings.) I miss those pants. And all of my flannel shirts. Oh, wait, I've already accrued a healthy collection of adult-sized flannel shirts. Giggity.  

Outfit Deets:

Pants: Elle via Kohl's (exact--I seriously want them in orchid, too.)

Blazer: Marshall's (similar)

Shirt: Target 

Belt: NY & Co.

Earrings: Target 

Scarf: Made by Momma dukes, of course ;) 

Shoes: I think they're Mia. I know they're from DSW. 

Linking up with Molly, the Pleated Poppy, Style Elixir, Tori, and Shanna

Thanks, wind.

It was a beautiful, warmer day today, but all good things come at a price. Today's price involved the wind. When Jeff picked me up from work and we walked outside, the wind whipped my skirt around, and I yelped, "BAH! Why is it that EVERY time I wear a skirt the wind blows it up!?!?" A mom of one of the kids I teach was sitting in her van...with the windows down. She laughed pretty hysterically. She heard me cry out and probably saw my lady business. Fantastic. 

The inspiration for this outfit came from here. 

One of my students, granted it was a student who wears athletic gear every day, claimed that this outfit didn't "match." The stylish girls around her disagreed, but now I wonder: is she right? Does this outfit not match? I argued that the colors complement each other, and I didn't want to wear all blue. I wasn't going for the blueberry look. Who's right: the fifteen-year-old or me?

We took 19 pictures; only one turned out, but I couldn't stop laughing when I saw this one in iPhoto. I hope it brings a smile to your face. 

And look at this nonsense: 

Good grief. 

I need to wear lipstick. Or get a tan.

Outfit Deets: 

Blazer: Marshall's (similar) 

Skirt: Old Navy (old)--(similar #1, similar #2, similar #3)

Boots: Franco Sarto via Marshall's (cute ones)

Necklace: Charlotte Russe (exact for $12.99)

Oh, and just for kicks...would you like to see where my love of stripes originated?

Yep, that's me in the patriotic ensemble. Oh, and my big brother? He's the one rocking a mullet, purple turtleneck, and acid wash jeans. Gotta love the early 90s. 

Navy and Mint (Work Appropriate)

I can wait no longer to wear the mint pants that my Momma bought for me for Christmas. I keep seeing all of these images crop up on Pinterest that tell me, "Wear mint with naaaavy. Wear mint with naaaaavy." How can I resist? I can't. 

Feel free to laugh about the fact that my pillow matches my pants. Or, feel free to envy me for my astute matching abilities. 

Also, I would really appreciate it if stores started stocking up on more wide leg pants (in different colors). I do love my skinny jeans and pants, but I equally love wide leg pants. They make me feel instantly polished. 

Yo, retailers, get on that, okay? Am I the only one who makes this request?

 Outfit Deets:

Blazer: Marshall's

Pants: Madewell

Shoes: Naturalizer

Belt: NY & Co.

Necklace: J.Crew Factory


P.S. I'm linking up with The Pleated Poppy. Check out some other ladies and their Wednesday looks!