Pajamas in Disguise

I wore this outfit two weekends ago to visit Mom and Dad. Boy, is this dress comfortable. It's made out of sweatshirt material. Unless you try to wear it in the dead of summer, how could you go wrong?  I think we can all agree that any item of clothing that feels like pajamas without being pajamas is the best item of clothing. 

Today, I am still recovering from sinus surgery. Since Jeff had to go back to work, HGTV is keeping me company. Mom is coming over soon, too. Hopefully, she can braid my hair for me because mustering up the energy to "do" my hair just to sit on the couch seems like a large waste of time (though I have plenty of it right now). 

For now, I am going to sit here in my robe and see how deeply I can imprint my butt into the couch. 

The Look:

Dress: Old Navy (last year)

Booties: Old Navy

Scarf: Christopher A. Banks

Necklace: Francesca's (I really do love their jewelry.)

Today, I'm linking up with some lovely ladies:

The Modern Austen & Literate and Stylish's Pantone Challenge

(Today's color is Paloma, which is a cool gray.)

and

Style Sessions

Bumblebees Got it Right

Black and yellow. They just go if you ask me. I like making sunshine and darkness befriend one another. Granted, I do try avoiding that whole black and yellow stripes combination because I suppose only bumblebees can pull off that look. However, black and white stripes with a pop of yellow makes for a lovely combination, right?

I considered pairing today's dress with a military vest, but I decided that look was too casual for a Tuesday at work. Plus, I keep telling myself to give more love to unloved (yet wonderful) items in my closet. Meet my sleeveless cardigan.

This necklace. OH, this necklace. It's large and in charge like my hair, which means I dig it. Plus, it's an obnoxiously bright yellow, which gives me another reason to dig it. It also cost $13 at Charlotte Russe. Triiiiifecta of awesomeness.

As for these boots, HOLY CRAP ON A STICK. Not only am I wearing sunshine, but I'm walking on clouds. These boots might honestly be the most comfortable shoes I own, and I got them for $50 (down from $140) at DSW. Because of them, I scored a free striped bag. I'm winning like Charlie Sheen over here. But, seriously, these boots are "gushy" as my Momma would say. Since she might read this post, I'll tell you a funny story about the purchase of these boots.

You see, I was in DSW with my Momma because she's my favorite person to shop with, of course. I put on the right boot and thought, "ooo, I like these." I decided to try on the left boot, but it felt funny and made this horrible squishing sound. I said, "I don't think these boots will work. They squish and feel really funny on the left foot." I took off the boots, and what did I find? That weird little plastic shoe horn was still inside of the left boot. Even my mom wonders how I got the boot on while that thing was in there. All I know is that taking it out made the boot much more comfortable, and they came home with me. They go with skirts, dresses, skinny pants, and they'll look good under pants (an important piece of criteria for this purchase.)

 P.S. I was talking to Jeff while he took these photos, which is why it looks like I'm not smiling. I really am happy. I swear.

Outfit Deets:

Dress: Old Navy (similar from Old Navy--only $20)

Belt: NY & Co (similar for $15)

Necklace: Charlotte Russe (similar from Etsy shop)

Boots: b.o.c via DSW (exact for $60)

Cardigan: Old and don't know! (similar for $7.90)

Linking up for the first time with Style Elixir.

Chambray, Stripes, and Plaid. OH MY!

Thoughtful Thursday

Well, last night, all ready to post a cute outfit for you, I pulled out my computer, and promptly fell asleep. My apologies. However, today's outfit was far cuter. Since I'm dubbing it thoughtful Thursday, I shall show you both outfits.

One of my students helps me file things and just brightens my day after school. Today, she introduced me to wanelo.com. DANGER, WILL ROBINSON! For me, this site is worse (and by worse, I mean more addictive) than Pinterest. It links to things you can buy and shows you what's trending for the day. You can save that item on a wishlist, a gift list, or another list of your creation. You can link right to the retailer's site and buy that item. How.freaking.awesome. And dangerous. Very, very dangerous. Since I'm being thoughtful, I've given the link to you so that your productivity may also come to a screeching halt. Don't say I didn't warn you. (Note: most of the items are extremely well priced!) Dangit, I just showed you that site and lost myself in it for twenty minutes. Good grief.

Today, my thoughtful husband stopped by my work on his way home, chatted with two of my students, and walked me out to my car :) I love it when he does that. I'm sure those kids will brag tomorrow about how they met him.

Meet yesterday's duds:

My face in this picture makes me laugh. It's my, "I'm trying to be mad at you for taking pictures so quickly that they're blurry" face.

My arms are a little awkward, but what are ya going to do?

Allow me to tell you that I would have worn flats with this outfit; however, my legs were tragically hairy, and sleep was more important than shaving. Come on, 5 a.m. is tough. Cut me some slack. Yeah, I could have worn pants, but that would have taken even longer to pick out.

Top: Marshalls

Sleeveless cardigan: So old that I can't remember

Skirt: Target (this summer)

Boots: Macy's (last winter)

Here is today's outfit:

We wanted a picture with the creepers in the background. 

I created a neologism. It goes like this: Hindsight (n): the realization your butt looks really good or the too-late realization that your pants/skirt/dress is too tight, sometimes both definitions are appropriate at one time. Today's is neologism brought to you by my hindsight.

Since I passed out on the couch last night, I did not pick out my outfit in advance. Here's what happens when I pick out my outfit in the morning: I stand, like a grunting troll, shoulders all slumped over, in the middle of my closet and grumble, "What do I wearrrrrr?" I spend ten minutes staring into the abyss. 

This morning, I said, "Self, snap out of it. Put on the chambray and khaki. Figure out the rest as you blow dry your hair." Genius moment in my sleepy stupor. I realized that I hated the chambray and khaki combination I put together, and the khaki pants just wouldn't go with the yellow sweater I was thinking about pairing with the shirt. I decided on these black pants. Unfortunately, I was running too late to change into a different pair of black pants. These pants hug my behind, but dangit, I've been working out, and my behind looks fine. Now you know the etymology of my neologism. (How do you like those fifty dollar words?) Also, my co-teacher informed me that I didn't look like I had a wedgie, so my pants were not too tight. Had I been drinking something, I would have spit it out at that moment. She's so funny. 

Where I found the pieces to my ensemble:

My pants and cardigan are OLD. Like really old. They're from our friend Express. 

(I almost donated this cardigan. Crazy, right?)

This chambray top from Old Navy is too short for my liking. Does anyone have a suggestion for one that fits well and is of an appropriate length? 

My plaid pants are Rock and Republic for Kohl's. 

My necklace was on clearance at Francesca's. 

Maybe I'll allow myself to pick out my clothes in the morning more often. Maybe.