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) 

Style Swap with Lauren (and Trendy Tuesday Announcement)

This style swap might technically be cheating because I picked out Lauren's outfit based on clothes I knew she had. (Blogging is a fancy word for "legalized stalking.") Anyway, Lauren wanted me to wear my mustard blazer. She suggested a cute outfit, but it was a horrific failure on my part. I couldn't make it work. I am purple + mustard deficient (Kate thinks I'm crazy), and I can not pattern mix like Ginny. Since I knew Lauren liked my mustard blazer, and I loved how the outfit I picked for her looked, I snagged it for myself. Who knew a blue and white striped shirt could be so versatile? 

Okay, everyone knew it. Whatever.

My issue is that I'm not wearing a necklace, and it bothers me. Don't worry. I remedied the problem after I saw the pictures. 

I plan to recreate this outfit with white skinny jeans. I just realized that Lauren wanted me to wear my white skinny pants, but it was too cold for heels. I totally could have worn these boots with my white jeans. Where is my brain?

One of my favorite friends who shares my passion for fashion is turning 30 today. I love you, Amy! In middle school, Amy and I bought matching olive green velvet blazers. We both wish they still existed because we would totally rock them. For the past two Thanksgivings, when she came down from Boston, we went out for normal Black Friday shopping. This year, we're thinking about visiting a cute, fun, downtown shopping area. I'm pretty fond of this tradition we've got going for us.

Tomorrow is Momma duke's birthday, so feel free to send her some love in the comments. She reads my blog :) Oh, and I'm taking her for a massage tomorrow because I know she won't buy them for herself, and I know she won't go unless I'm getting one, too. Thank you for being such a beautiful person. Thanks in large part to you, I am comfortable in my own skin. I love you, Momma. 

The Look:

Blazer: Vince Camuto via Nordstrom

Jeans: The Limited

Boots: Steve Madden

Belt: New York & Co.

Shirt: H&M

I also wore my mustard blazer this way...and other ways that never

made it to the blog. Oops.

-------------------------------------

Linking up with

Favorite Fashion Friday

Style Elixir

and

Style Swap!

-------------------------------------

TRENDY TUESDAY (2/25): Boots

In honor of one of our male colleagues who wears his cowboy boots quite often, we chose this theme for him because he always wants to participate in Trendy Tuesday but doesn't think he "can." 

Here's to you, my favorite math teacher. 

Teacher Wardrobe Series: Striped Peplum & Blazers

This post includes two of my very favorite things: stripes and blazers. 

Now, my fellow teachers and lady professionals, if your blazer collection is not as obscene as mine is, cardigans will substitute quite nicely. 

I hope that, no matter your dress code, these looks work for your work. Oh, look at that play on words. How very clever. 

LOOK 1

Shirt (in all four looks): Elle via Kohl's

Blazer: ModCloth (yes, that blazer is gold. No, you may not judge me.)

Belt: The Limited

Necklace: I can't remember. Forgive me.

LOOK 2

Blazer: Vince Camuto via Nordstrom 

Necklace: NY & Co.

Belt: Came with a dress

Pants: Celebrity Pink via Boscov's

(Do I look like a bumble bee? Do I care?)

LOOK 3

Blazer: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

Necklace: Forever 21

Pants: Celebrity Pink 

(I think I'd like to try the look with khakis/winter white pants.)

LOOK 4

Blazer, Necklace, and Pants: NY & Co.

(These are the pants I turned into skinny pants.)

I think this look is my favorite. Something about gray and pink just soothes the soul. 

 In case you like the color schemes and want to see them all together, I made a collage for you. 

Oh, yes, you are quite welcome.

Which look is your favorite?

If you want to see a different striped peplum I styled two ways, go here.

If you want to see the gold blazer styled four ways, go here. 

Optical Illusion

I love wearing crazy pants. 

I don't know if my crazy pants are conducive to a placid learning environment, but they serve as a suitable conversation piece. 

Best compliment? 

Colleague: That is the prettiest blouse I've ever seen. Seriously.

Me: Thank you.

Colleague: You're always so cute. In fact, just yesterday I was telling someone that none of us would know how to dress if you didn't work here. 

Day made. 

And I hope these pants make yours.

P.S. These are the pants I split up the crotch by bending down the day after I bought them. It appears my seamstress skills exceeded my expectations. No wardrobe malfunctions today, and you wouldn't know that I sewed up the crotch had I not confessed.

Outfit Deets:

Blazer: Vince Camuto via Nordstrom (thanks to a gift card from a former student)--this one might be the same one

Crazy Pants: New York & Co. (they sold out pretty quickly.)--these might satisfy you

Shoes: BCBG via Boscov's (I know, right?)

Blouse: The Limited (last year)

Necklace: Target clearance

Linking up with Marionberry because she's featuring yellow, a color I happen to love and wear (often.)

Yellow Blazer: Five Ways

This weekend was my best friend's bachelorette party. Friday night, we went out to dinner at my favorite place (P.F. Changs). The restaurant was Julie's choice, but I benefited for sure! We then took a trip to a huuuuuuge Target, went back to the hotel, watched What to Expect When You're Expecting (hilarious...love Elizabeth Banks), and played Quelf (which looks like another, more inappropriate word if your eyesight isn't fantastic.) On Saturday, we spent the day shopping, and everyone lovingly referred to me as P.S. (personal shopper). Seriously, guys, that would be a fun side job. 

I was in my zone.

The weather must have known I needed another day to recuperate because I got a snow day today! 

Anyway, the snow day also provided me the opportunity to join Fran's 5 Days, 5 Ways challenge this week. 

The run-down looks like this:

I decided to style my new yellow blazer five ways. After all, I wore it this weekend and loved it. 

I wanted to inspire myself to wear it other ways.

Here's how I wore it this weekend:

Paired with: tan sweater, white jeans, leopard shoes, and polka dot scarf

(By the way, the look did not look pulled together until I put on a belt.)

I MATCHED THE TARGET OTTOMANS! I neeeeeed one. 

Anyway, check out the other ways I styled it this morning.

(I chopped off my head because putting on make up or brushing my hair for these pictures was not a priority of mine.)

Since I wanted to prevent this post from becoming too enormous, I put all of the outfits into one image. Feel free to pin it. (Hover over the top right of the image, and a Pin it button will appear.)

I think the image speaks for itself, but let me tell you how much I LOVE this blazer. I'll be honest: I love all of my blazers, all 40 or so of them. Yeah, I said it. I have approximately 40 blazers, and I wear every single one of them, so, no, you may not take some off of my hands. 

I found this bright, yellow beauty at Nordstrom (online) for 55% off, and I used a gift card. Woo hoo :) It's my first "semi-designer" purchase, Vince Camuto. I understand now why people pay a pretty penny for some articles of clothing. This thing fits like a dream. For the record, my favorite look is probably the one NOT in this collage: the sweater, white jeans, and leopard heels look. 

Which one is your favorite? 

Okay, time for some more grading. I hope you enjoy my blazer in all of its versatile glory.