Trendy Tuesday: Blazers and Button Ups

My name twin, Danielle, over at Goodwillista picked out my outfit for me today. We decided that we would look through each other's closets (a.k.a blog stalk) and give the other an outfit to wear with items from her closet. Danielle suggested my black and white striped blouse, flare jeans, skinny belt, and one of my many colored blazers. Her suggestion just so happened to coincide with this week's Trendy Tuesday, blazers and button ups, at my work. (Yes, we teachers pick a theme for getting dressed every Tuesday and grab a group shot at the end of the day.) 

When I informed my fourth period about today's theme, a five-minute debate ensued. Is it a button-up or a button-down shirt? I argued that the words were interchangeable because some people button from the bottom up and others bottom from the top down. I guess you could settle for the word oxford, yes? I don't know. Does it matter which name you give to it? 

Also, I plan to link up with Ginny and Jenn for Style Swap on Friday. (Click the link to learn more about it and join in on the fun!) After all, Danielle and I were pretty much swapping styles, right? Plus, I realized this outfit must have been channeling its inner Kendi. 

The Look:

Jeans: J Brand via TJ Maxx (similar from Gap)

Blouse: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's (similar from Gap)

Tank (under blouse): White House Black Market (exact--so worth every penny...it's the best tank I have EVER bought. It's comfortable, the right amount of spandex, and the perfect length)

Boots: b.o.c. via DSW 

Blazer: LOFT via thredUP (similar from Target) 

Necklace: Cannot remember...at all...

Linking up with

Style Sessions

The Pleated Poppy

Shanna

and 

Style Swap (on Friday)

Previously, I wore the pink blazer this way:

Far Out Friday

After I finished getting ready this morning, I walked into the living room and asked my husband, "Do I look like I belong in the 70s? Should we call it Disco Friday?" A few moments later he responded with, "Far Out Friday." He had me at alliteration. One of the many reasons I married that guy.

Also, I would like to rename this hairstyle, "So Easy a Danielle Could Do It." The sock bun? Horrible mess that ended in the sacrifice of far too many socks. The modified sock bun that involves a pre made mesh thing, which does not include the maiming of innocent socks? Better...as long as my hair is wet. Otherwise, with dry hair, I end up with uncovered sections of the pseudo sock thing. And alfalfa sprouts. So uncomely. FINALLY, I found a bun that I can do when I wake up late with curly hair frizzing out farther than I can extend my arms. It's perfect for women without really thick hair.

Yesterday, while perusing our good friend, Bloglovin', I saw a post by  Kate (who's going to be a mommy soon!), and I just love Kate. I have never met her in real life, but she seems sincerely sweet, and girlfriend knows how to do hair. The specific hairstyle I chose (of the three she demonstrates) is The Fancy Bun. I didn't pull out the two pieces of hair because, well, I felt that part made it fancy, and I didn't feel fancy this morning. I did, however, feel "far out." (My hair also felt far out. Thankfully, Kate's little tutorial fixed me right up.)

Pardon the awful quality. It's raining cats and dogs out there.

The Outfit:

Shirt: Old Navy

Sleeveless Cardigan: Gap Outlet

Necklace: The Limited

Bag: Kenneth Cole Reaction via Boscov's

Pants: J Brand via Marshall's

P.S. The hairstyle involves only a hair elastic and bobby pins. No need for socks or mesh or other complicated things. 

And it was all...yellow.

Note to self: the entryway light in our apartment gives off an eerie, yellow glow. As a result, it distorts the entire color scheme of an outfit. I feel like I'm sporting sepia tones, but those pants and that scarf are actually navy, not black. Do not be deceived. Should I have even posted this outfit? I don't know. But, damnit, I loved it so much in real life that I couldn't help but subject you to the terrible picture quality. 

When I was little and my mom picked me up at friends' houses, I always heard her before I saw her. Did she call for me in the typical, "Danielle, get your butt ready to go" sort of way? No. Without fail, someone always said something funny just as she entered the house, and she laughed boisterously and infectiously, serving as a pleasant alarm that it was time to wrap up playtime. 

Now that I'm older, my laugh might rival hers in loudness. Teachers whose classrooms are in the same wing as mine frequently comment on my laugh that carries. One teacher said her favorite part about my move to her neck of the woods is my laugh. The teacher next door? She's taken to saying, "Ohhh, that Ms. Wo, she's laughing again." I made a pact with myself in my first few years of teaching that I would laugh every day. Something that would ordinarily frustrate me? Laugh at it. The mantra stuck, and I haven't stopped laughing (sometimes maniacally). Teenagers are witty, and ridiculous, and vibrant, and how can anyone expect me to bottle up the laughter? 

After all, it's laughter that makes the world go 'round. Laughter and farts. Farts definitely make the world go 'round. I think, one day, methane will be the hottest renewable energy. (After all, it already classifies as one. People will just respect the toot a whole lot more.) Those tuner cars that sound like farts in a can? Soon enough, there will actually be farts in their cans that'll make 'em putt putt down the road. And, if you're not at least chuckling at this point in your reading, then I have no idea why you visit me here. You should know by now that I'm a self-proclaimed weirdo and have no shame. 

The Outfit:

Cardigan: Old Navy (sparkly sleeves? yes, please.)

Blouse: New York & Company

Pants: The Limited (exact stretch straight leg)

Shoes: Nine West (old)

Scarf: Crocheted by my Momma! (You want one, don't you?)

Navy, Maroon, and Gray Coordination

On Saturday, I accompanied my best friend, her mom, her future mother in law, and her grammy to look for her wedding dress. She looked beautiful in everything that she put on, and I'm not just making that comment because I'm biased. It's true! 

Note: I did not realize that I would be trying on dresses as well; otherwise, I might have nixed the whole tights plan. Never wear tights to go clothes shopping unless you love peeling off tights only to pull them on again...and again. Or, if you don't try on clothes, but who doesn't do that?

Anyway, I love seeing my best friend *duh*. It makes me so sad that she lives three hours away. We always have a great time when we're together. I sort of hijacked the consultant's job because I started to help Julie try on dresses. I would stick my arms through the top of the dress, and she would stick her head through the bottom of the dress. We started pretending to be Mrs. Doubtfire and saying, "Hellooooo!" when we met in the middle, haha. Sandy, the consultant, seemed none too pleased about my taking her job, but she totally warmed up to our crew. At one point, I was sitting down on a seat that looked like a side table (and felt like a tree stump), trying not to steal Sandy's job, when Sandy reprimanded me for sleeping on the job! I scurried over to continue helping out. She liked us after all :)

Eventually, Julie said it was time for me to try on dresses. Honestly, I'd wear a paper sack if she told me to do so. I happily obliged. We realized that I am most definitely a 2, not a 4 because well, as I told the ladies in the adjoining dressing room, "I do not have 'big ladies;' I have twelve-year-old boys."Amusing, sad, and true. When I put on the dress that we ended up choosing, I swear angels were singing. Would you like to know why? THERE WERE POCKETS! What a sweet treat for my hands. Pockets? Oh my gosh, deliciousness. 

Although it is overwhelmingly exhausting, there is just something about the wedding planning process that makes it magical. Am I right? 

I'm too cheap to get my hair done right now, so I'm going to see if I can rock the ombre look. 

In case I wanted to feel a bit like I was driving Miss Daisy. 

Blazer: Old Navy (not jean, but this navy one would do the job)

Blouse: The Limited (same one)

Skirt: Old Navy (same one here)

Tights: Simply Vera for Kohl's ($6.50 for these)

Wedges: Marshalls 

Necklace: NY & Co. 

(So many women were amazed by how coordinated my outfit was. Ah, awesome.)