Trendy Tuesday: Winter Whites and Lights

Thank you, snow, for arriving in a small enough amount that we have only a two-hour delay this morning. I would have resented you for thwarting my Trendy Tuesday plans had you caused a cancellation. Also, I really enjoyed that extra hour of sleep :)

What is it about khaki and white that feels so crisp and fresh? Though I'm a girl who loves her color, I think khaki and white might rank as one of my favorite combinations. I think the cognac adds just the right amount of contrast, no?

I would also like to advocate taking all of the week's pictures on the weekend. You need only one good hair day, you get to spend the day with your mom if she's the one who takes your pictures, and your outfits are already picked out for the week. Man, it makes every morning so much easier.

The Look:

Sweater: LOFT (exact in 4 colors and 30% off today only)

Necklace: borrowed from Mom (it's Lauren Conrad...surprise surprise)

Boots: Franco Sarto via Marshall's

Pants: Express (they're the ones I skinnified)

Belt: OLD American Eagle

So, Groopdealz hosted a giveaway on their Instagram, and I won a J.Crew gift card, which I naturally used at the less expensive J.Crew Factory...online.

Clearly, I do not know my size in fancy stores because three items were huge hits, and three were huge misses. If you follow me (@likewo) on Instagram, you saw these last night.

Let's start with the hits:

Positano blue (absolutely chose it for its name because of Under the Tuscan Sun) sweater

Striped cardigan (SO SOFT)

Coral (which I'd thought was red, but I like better as coral) sweater

I purchased all of these in a size small, and they were the perfect fit, which is why you'd think the next three things would have fit better.

Retailers confuse me. I can range anywhere from a 0 to a 6 depending on the store (only 6 I've bought was a pair of Old Navy Rockstars; those pants are weird sizes because I bought another pair in size 4.) I thought J.Crew and its factory might be cut smaller, so I opted for a 2 instead of a 0. Seriously, J.Crew Factory? I can pull off the shorts without unbuttoning them. Though I'm sure my husband enjoyed that demonstration in the living room, I did not. Now, I have to visit the craphole that is the local outlet center in order to exchange the items. When I told Mom, she said to "bring an armed guard" if that tells you anything about that particular establishment. But HEY, Danielle, beggars can't be choosers, you ungrateful butthole. 

White shorts (I wanted them to work SO badly.)

Navy gingham shirt (will this shrink enough that a small is the right fit? Or, should I opt for extra small?)

Rolled-cuff jean shorts (oh my gosh, the jean material is so comfortable, buuuuut they're a smidge too big. 

Squirt's face illustrates the situation. 

Suggestions for shopping at J.Crew? I probably should have gone to the regular store (not factory) near me to try on sizes first. That would have been the smart, less impatient, thing to do....

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Linking up with 

Trend Spin Link Up

and

Style Sessions

If you participated in this week's Trendy Tuesday, throw a little #trendytuesday on Instagram and add me (@likewo)! I'd love to see your looks! Feel free to comment that you posted your look on your blog today, too.

Trendy Tuesday Theme & Cobalt is Everyone's Friend

No, really, if cobalt were just a kid in a neighborhood and not a color on the spectrum, then he'd be friends with everyone. He gets along with everyone and he makes people look good just by being next to him. I don't know why I made blue a boy, but I guess I'm being sexist...colorist? Are you still following? Anyway, I originally tried on this outfit with hunter green pants, but I changed things up at the last minute. Boy, am I glad. Cobalt skinnies for the win!

Also, I hope you will join my colleagues and me tomorrow by participating in Trendy Tuesday. Seeing as how snowstorms have slammed half of our country recently, our very fitting theme is winter whites and lights. Per usual, the theme is loose, so interpret it as you see fit! If you post on Instagram, tag me (@likewo) and throw in a little #trendytuesday action.

Note: I was wearing a white scarf with this outfit, but I GOT SO HOT in the mall that my neck glared at me and said, "you put that scarf back on, and you'll be sorry." I take heed of what my neck says.

The Look:

Boots: Madden Girl

Pants: Celebrity Pink via Boscov's

Striped Top: LOFT (gift from Momma)

Cardigan & Belt: Old Navy

Stiiiill working on those awkward hands of mine...

That one hair taunts me.

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The many faces of my cobalt bottoms...

with black, gold, and pink

with gray and purple

with orange and lace...

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Linking up with

Molly

The Style Record

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Mix It Mondays

How to Make Skinny Pants

Before you delve into this post hoping for miracles, allow me to clarify that I am not a master seamstress. This "tutorial" comes to you from someone who is an advanced beginner at best (jumbo shrimp? Oxymoron?). It probably would have worked better if I made a video for you. If you are still terribly, terribly confused and need a video, please let me know. If you live in Maryland, I might be able to help out in person...unless you're creepy. In that case, no.

Because I like images and think they're easier to understand--even if it's just a bunch of words in the form of an image--the entirety of this tutorial is comprised in "images."

If you have suggestions for other readers, please leave them in the comments. If you have crummy rebukes to toss my direction, keep your fingers silent. I'll delete your crankiness because I don't need anyone raining on my parade. Hey, my pants made it through an entire day without falling off of me or ripping at the newly-sewn seams, so I did something right.

(Look at me making you a pinnable image in case you want it.)

Straight pins ($2.74)

Seam ripper ($1.99)

Sewing scissors options

Measuring tape ($2.24)

Fabric Markers ($2.99)

(All images and links from JoAnn Fabrics)

(When I say increasingly larger, I'm referring to larger at the bottom, by the cuff, and less fabric to pin closer to your crotch.) Note: there's an extra "in" in step two side note #2. Darnit. I'm sorry.

(When I say even, I mean that you're skinnifying both pant legs the same amount at every section of the leg. Otherwise, you'll look lopsided, which might not be the look you're trying to achieve.) 

The hardest part for me was the very last stitches closest to my crotch. I found that I had to fight with this portion the most. What was most helpful was gradually tapering off and making sure the fabric was very taught. If you sew over the slightest wrinkle, it will create bubbling.

(Keep in mind that extra fabric, which you will eventually cut, is stuck inside the pant leg with you.)

EDIT: I meant to include a link to a helpful little "how to hem without sewing" tutorial, but I forgot. Must be because it's from Wal Mart and not Target. Either way, Wal Mart does a good job explaining how to hem using fusible webbing: here's the pin which will obviously take you to the tutorial.

Again, if you need a video because the pictures and explanations really didn't help, please let me know.

Remember that whatever you do is absolutely salvageable as long as you do not cut ANYTHING until you're satisfied with the result. Anything you sew can be undone with a seam ripper, so do not be afraid to try this project! I was terrified I'd ruin a pair of pants and then decided to just bite the bullet. I'm glad I did because I realized that, regardless of how terrible I sewed it the first time, I had several more chances to get it right. (Note: seam ripping sucks, so put on a good show to watch while you have at it.) 

If you're not sure how to rip seams, just watch this less-than-two-minute video. 

Lizzie B's tutorial (it's a video!) was most helpful, but she uses a marker to mark off the pants no pins. That did not work for me because I couldn't tell if it would be the right fit the entire way down the pant leg, which is why I opted for pinning. 

Good luck!

:)

My Sexy Pants (and my "self-sewn" skinny pants!)

I hunted for these pants online, but they never had my size. I walked into the store one day, and these beauties were on super clearance. I like to think that's fashion fate. Yeah, it's a thing.

In honor of this day of love, here is one of Jeff's and my conversations last night:

Jeff: "Do you love me?"

Me: "Sure, I do...when you're not annoying me."

Jeff: "No no no...you still love me when I annoy you; you just don't like me very much."

God help me if we can have children and I end up with a mini Jeff. 

The Look:

Coat: Guess via Wilson's Leather Outlet

Blouse: The Limited

Coated Skinny Pants: The Limited

Heels: I keep saying they're Aerosoles, but they're Jones New York. Oops.

Earrings: The Limited

When I began planning my outfits for the red & pink themed week, I tried to vary the red items I chose from my closet. Admittedly, I could go at least another week or two with red items. I've got a red scarf, red necklaces, red wedges, red flats, red heels, a red turtleneck. And those are just some of my red items; don't get me started on other shades of red and its pale-skinned friend, pink. 

Monday, I went with red pants with flannel, boots, and a blazer (is there anything better!?)

Tuesday, I opted for a red blazer, black pants, and a leopard print scarf.

Wednesday, for parent-teacher conferences, I chose my red blouse, striped skirt, and black blazer.

Yesterday, had school not been canceled, I would have worn my red skirt. 

Today, I went low key and put on some red earrings. Now, if the snow would abate long enough for me to share a special Valentine's meal with my husband, that'd be super. 

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Also, if you follow me on Instagram, you noticed that I spent the better part of my morning skinnifying two pairs of my pants. In fact, the first pair (the khakis) is the pair I complained about in this post. I made 'em skinny. If you want a tutorial (from someone who is NOT a sewing guru), let me know! I don't want to spend the time writing the post if no one finds it useful. Seriously though, if I can do it, so can you. 

(This picture on the left gives you a good glimpse of the before and after at the very same time. I always work one pant leg at a time so that I can use the first pant leg as a model for the other pant leg.)

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Linking up with 

Favorite Fashion Friday

Fab Friday

and, of course, our last day of red and pink themed week

Parent-Teacher Conferences (Part 2)

Well, if 10"+ of snow weren't staring at me from below my apartment window, this outfit is what I would be wearing for conferences tonight. Instead, I'm wearing 15-year-old pajama pants, a thermal shirt, and a North Face zipper up. (Hey, it all matches.)

So, we had conferences last night. The snow had started to fall and stick on the roads when I finally left the building after conferences. When I stepped into the parking lot, who was there? My husband. He had cleaned off my car, started it, pushed the heated seat button, and drove behind me so as to keep people off my butt. Seriously, I hit the husband jackpot. Currently, he is driving his truck to his parents' house 15-20 minutes away so that he can shovel their driveway for them. On Saturday, I have a massage appointment that's "not for Valentine's Day because we're not getting each other anything." That man's kindness never ceases to amaze me.

Okay, I'll bypass the sappiness and continue with what would have been today's outfit.

The Look:

Blazer: LOFT (on SUPER sale but very few sizes left--I got it for $32, which is quite a score for a gorgeous LOFT blazer like this one!)

Skirt: LOFT (close option from Target)

Shirt: New York and Company (really cute $9 options at Kohl's)

Tights: The Limited (can't find them online anymore)

Boots: b.o.c. via DSW (bought them almost two years ago)

I wanted to make you laugh today, so I included the following two pictures.

I'm not entirely sure what I was doing, but it wasn't bringing sexy back.

I laugh so hard. She snapped a picture of me as I disgustedly asked, "IS THAT A DEAD BIRD CARCASS IN THE TREE!?" Mom assured me it was not, but I'm still speculating.

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Linking up with

What I Wore to Work

All Things Thursday

and

Look What I Got

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Join our red and white link up :)

Parent-Teacher Conferences Outfit

This Friday, Ginny and Jenn will run another Style Swap link up (learn more here). This week, several ladies and I are hosting a red & pink themed link up (join any day you wish!) 

Both link ups helped find inspiration for this look. 

You see, today and tomorrow (weather permitting), I have parent-teacher conferences, so I wanted to be especially dressy. Sometimes, I wear pants for conferences and, more often, I wear skirts. To find inspiration, I sought out Kate's blog because girlfriend knows how to dress for work. Plus, I'm always a fan of her color combinations. She rocks a pencil skirt like no one I've ever met, but I'm more of a circle or a-line skirt kind of gal myself. 

Kate also loves blazers, bright colors, and stripes, three of my very favorite things. I decided on this look because I recently bought this skirt after a very long hunt. Perk? I found it for half off, a mere $25 for this beauty who will see a whole lot of the world outside of my closet. I like Kate's flats in her look, but I'm boot girl, especially during the winter months. I love the ruffles on her shirt, but my red option had no ruffles. The necklace is a fine substitute, yes?

Note: my eyes disappear in many of these photos because my Mom was being ridiculous. My eyes sort of run away when I laugh. 

The Look:

Blazer: Express (so old)

Blouse: LOFT (not a bright red, but the colors for this tie blouse are quite lovely.)

Skirt: New York & Co. (exact)

Necklace: Target 

Belt: Came with another dress 

Tights: The Limited (I love their opaque tights, but I can't find them online. BOO.)

Boots: b.o.c. via DSW (please never let these boots die)

Not sure what my hair is doing over there on the left, but let's just go with it.

(We are perfect together because of his goony smile and my spastic octopus hairs.)

Tomorrow, I'll show you my other parent-teacher conference look. I can't stop laughing at some of the photos for that one. (I will show you these looks even if snow cancels the conferences.)

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WIWW

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Trendy Tuesday: Animal Print (and link up your red & pink!)

For those of you who are new to these parts, my co-teacher inspired what we've dubbed Trendy Tuesdays at the high school where I teach. Every week, a different staff member chooses the theme for the following week. Throughout the day, people snap small group shots of them wearing their themed outfits. At the end of the day, we gather in or around the front office for a bigger group shot. (We tag it on Instagram and Facebook!)

Every Monday, I send an e-mail to all of the staff members announcing the following day's theme. My favorite part? Guys are participating! Students are participating! Guy students are participating! People are walking up to me and asking, "So, what's the next theme?" A colleague stopped me in the copy room today to say, "I have been participating every week, but I just can't get to the front office in time for the group picture. I love that I have one day of the week where I don't have to think as hard about what I'm going to wear." Note: I also taught a math teacher what the word sartorial means. Proud English teacher moment right there.

You guys, I love it. See, fashion isn't so silly or vain. It's helping to unify more people in my building. What can be wrong with that? On a somewhat related note, a lot of my colleagues (and even students) know about this here blog. I know many bloggers hide their blogs from people they know in real life, for good reasons, but not this girl. Before I really started my blog, people at work commented on my clothes frequently, so an English teacher who loves fashion writing a blog about what she wears? Not entirely surprising. I actually sat down with one of my juniors the other day to give her the basics of starting a blog, specifically a fashion blog, which was one of the highlights of my year! I hope one day to be introducing you to her on here.

This week, my co-teacher picked animal print. (Sidebar: My co-teacher started the "trend," but I've adopted the responsibility of getting out the word and nominating people to choose the theme.) I really need to get better about telling you all the themes in case you'd like to join us.

In fact, would anyone be interested in knowing the themes in advance (probably Friday of the previous week) and participating in a weekly link up? Let a girl know. Okay, not any girl. Preferably this girl.

The Look:

Blazer: Old Navy (this one is $32.99 at Charlotte Russe)

Scarf: Target ($6.95 at H&M...seriously?)

Booties: BCBG (these are quite cute with some gold straps and cost $40)

Belt: Old Navy (exact for $16.94)

Sweater: Mossimo via Target (very similar for $25 at Old Navy)

Jeans: J.Brand via TJMaxx 

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Linking up with

Trend Spin Linkup

and

Style Elixir

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