Dresses and More Dresses

I would like to thank spring for swooping in to save the day. No need to fight with tights anymore when I want to wear dresses and skirts, and do we not all think that makes spring so glorious that we can overlook allergies? I think so.  I would also like to thank Old Navy for bringing its consistent A game this year with the cute dresses and skirts at affordable prices.

This chambray received little play time in the past, but it has officially become a frontrunner in my maternity wardrobe. Hey, guess where I bought it? Oh, that's right: OLD NAVY. They should pay me for these unsolicited advertisements.

The Look:

Dress: Old Navy (exact in solid colors)

Chambray: Old Navy

Boots: Franco Sarto

Necklace: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's (couldn't find it online, but it's in stores)

Anchors Away, it's Trendy Tuesday: Nautical or Knot

Welcome to this week's installment of Trendy Tuesday: Nautical or Knot, Stripes will Suffice.

If you visited these parts yesterday, you saw my pink blazer paired with a green skirt, which I planned to wear with today's outfit. This cardigan was slated for yesterday's look. At the last moment, I realized I wanted to make a switch.

I am listening to iTunes radio for the first time. I've been missing out! Move over, Pandora. 

Stacks of essays call my name, so I leave you with these few words.

The Look:

Cardigan: New York and Co. (old--similar from Target)

Scarf: Francesca's (similar from Old Navy)

Shirt: Express (old--similar from LL Bean for $25)

Belt: Men's section of Target (similar from American Eagle)

Jeans: Gap Outlet (same shade from Eddie Bauer for $20)

Boots: Ralph Lauren via DSW (similar by Franco Sarto)

Pardon my tag. Also, my hand feels naked when I forget my rings. Jeffery scolds me for it all of the time. It's just that they annoyingly swing around on my finger when it's cold outside.

Let's call this picture "demonic spirit hands" or "COME HUG ME, BLOGLAND," which is actually what I was screaming. Are you running away yet?

 

I have worn these jeans a lot, but here they are on the blog:

 

 

This shirt is part of one of my favorite looks EVER.

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Linking up with

Green Week 

Trend Spin Linkup 

and

Style Sessions 

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Lily Pad(dy)'s Day

Indulge me and tell me how witty I am for thinking of such a brilliant title for this post. For those of you who do not know, I live in Maryland. If you don't know anything about Annapolis, the capital of our lovely state, then let me tell you how much Lily Pulitzer everyone who's "so Annapolis" wears. A lot. One of their favorite color combinations? Pink and green, a combination I wore on the blog just last week. (Of course, I chose blush and olive versus the bright pink and kelly green of this week's look, but the idea is the same.)

In January, Kimmie wore this outfit, and it inspired me to wear my green skirt with pink. Of course, I envisioned my green skirt that's the same shade as hers, but I realized I wanted this brighter color pairing because it makes me happy when snow and cold weather make me sad. I originally planned for a navy cardigan, but I wanted more warmth, which required a blazer.

One of my friends hosts a pretty popular podcast about Lost Girl. (If you've never watched the series, you are missing out!) Today, he asked me if I wanted to partake in what he calls "Take Fives," which he refers to as "mini rants to fill in the gaps" when he hasn't recorded in awhile. He wants me to discuss the fashion of Lost Girl in five minute segments. Now, THAT is my kind of contribution! How fun, right? 

In fact, I think that would be a fun little installment here on the blog. We can call it, "Let's talk about ______" and fill in the blank with an actress or character, like Daenerys from Game of Thrones (that platinum blonde hair and those braids could make anything hot. And dragons? Hello? Double hotness.) Or Claire Dunphy from Modern Family (shout out to flannels and well-fitting jeans). Or Bernadette from Big Bang Theory (love her signature look, cardigan + dress + tights).  Maybe I can even sport outfits inspired by the character/actress of the hour. What do we think? About whom should we speak? Any favorite characters or actresses?

Also, tomorrow's Trendy Tuesday theme is NAUTICAL OR KNOT. (The cleverness is all my colleague's, not mine.) The tagline, however, is mine: stripes will suffice.

 

The Look:

Shirt: Forever 21 (OLD) (similar)

Belt: Dude's section at Target! (similar)

Skirt: J.Crew Factory (exact)

Blazer: LOFT via thredUP (similar)

Boots: Ralph Lauren via DSW (similar)

Elephant necklace (my favorite animal!): Lauren Conrad but Momma got it for me :)

Sunglasses: gift from Momma (she got 'em at LOFT)

 

I decided to include two outtakes for your viewing pleasure.

The first features me looking as if the F word will escape my lips at any moment.

 

My lips are so pretty.

And so are my hands.

And so are my awkwardly positioned feet.

 (I might look like a goon, but no one will be pinching me today!)

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Linking up with

Molly

The Style Record

Mix It Mondays

Green Week 

and

Style Swap

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Casual Friday

I found a silver lining in the blistering cold of today. Since the whipping wind forced me to put on thick gloves and several layers, I had some protection for the epic fall I took on the pavement outside of Target. It's no secret that I possess very little grace. I trip over everything, and I choke on air. Today, as I scurried to escape the cold, much like Piglet of Winnie the Pooh tries to avoid the blustery day, I tripped over a bump in the sidewalk and went flying into the pavement. Thanks to Mom and Dad, I knew to put my hands out (instead of my face) to break my fall. I hit the ground and slid ever so not gracefully. I hit so forcefully that I broke the box of the shoes I was returning, destroyed my left shoe, ended up with rocks embedded in my jacket, and tore a hole in my glove. A kind man driving by (it was surprisingly and thankfully not busy) STOPPED his car and was all ready to get out and help me when I popped up, declaring, "I'm okay." (My ego, on the other hand, was a different story. And so was my knee. And the shoe box. And my shoe.) So, the silver lining is that all of the layers I had piled on reduced the damage. As my Dad said, "Good thing you weren't wearing a skirt. And now you can get a new pair of shoes like the boots you just got." Dad knows me all too well.

As a heating pad soothes my back and a bag of corn reduces the swelling in my knee, all I can do is laugh at myself. I mean, really, does my ridiculousness ever end? Nope. I did, however, get a new pair of flats out of the ordeal. I like them better than the ones I was wearing, so there's that...

(And my husband just texted me to say that he's helping at the scene of an accident. Good to know he's a kind Samaritan like the man who stopped to help me at Target.)

 

The Look:

 Cardigan: Target (HA.) Here is the exact one.

Shirt: Old Navy--similar for $6.40

Belt: Francesca's--similar

Jeans: The Limited--similar from The Limited

Boots: Ralph Lauren via DSW (got them for $100 down from $250!)--similar

Scarf: gift from my 11-year-old niece...girl's got style :) --  similar

 

I went into DSW for sneakers and walked out with boots. My priorities are in line, folks.

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Linking up with

Favorite Fashion Friday

and

Fab Friday

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I pinned that ish and I did that ish.

Okay, I'd say I'm a total weirdo for having a Color Combinations board on Pinterest, but I guess my 275 followers would have to disagree. It is no secret that I love color, and it inspires me. When I browse blogs I like, I pay close attention to the colors of outfits. What do I have that works within the palette that so immediately caught my eye? This pin in particular made me realize two things: one, my favorite color is blue, which I will probably change next week; two, I would like a shorter camel-colored cardigan.

When I went into Banana Republic to return an online order recently, the very well-dressed salesman and I had a nice little chat about how much we love the color blue. He exclaimed, "I know! I love blue. I especially love blue and brown together. One day, I wore black instead of brown, and it just didn't feel right." I think I made a best friend for life. It's a good thing his place of employment is a quick jaunt down the street. (Okay, a quick jaunt in a car, but that's no matter.)

I hope you're in love with this color combination as much as I am. YES, I am obsessed with cobalt blue. Since my Mom takes my pictures, I usually go to her house for the pictures. When I walked upstairs in this outfit, Dad's first response was, "I really like the color of that dress." Good taste, Daddy dearest, good taste.

The Look:

Dress: via Kohl's

Belt & Scarf: Francesca's

Cardigan: Old Navy

Tights: The Limited

Booties: Nine West via Piperlime

Can we talk about these boots for a hot second? I loved them at first internet site. (I kill myself with the pun there.) I found them on Piperlime, but they're no longer there. However, here they are for FORTY-ONE DOLLARS. Go get you a pair. (Of boots...not the other thing.)

Aaaaand because I like to make you smile, please enjoy my large, cheesy smile.

And disappearing eyes.

Funny student moment of the day:

Me: He so kindly offered to bequeath you two pages of the messenger's character so that you can read.

Student: Bequeef? 

Me: Oh my, no, not bequeef. That's a different beast entirely.

...aaaaand then we all proceeded to wet our pants laughing.

Let's end this post the right way with some other inspiration for your camel-colored cardigan.

1. With a maxi skirt

2. In a neutral outfit

3. Over a plaid shirt

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Linking up with

Danielle for Many Days, Many Ways

Shanna for Random Wednesdays

Pleated Poppy for What I Wore Wednesdays

Red, White, and Plaid (and hooray for a link up!)

Some pretty ladies and I are hosting a themed link up this week. Gather your red and your pink for a week of Valentine's Day celebrations. Link up your delicious cuisines, your snazzy sartorial creations, or your home decor (which I will drool over as I sit within my crappily-painted apartment walls). I do hope you'll join us for one day (OR ALL!). Look, I'm even starting off the week in my red pants.

This navy blazer is perfect, the knees of these pants are too wrinkly, this belt is almost 15 years old (vintage?), these boots are my favorite pair, and this flannel is just the right length. 

The Look:

Blazer: The Gap (a gift from Mom)

Pants: Candie's via Kohl's

Boots: Franco Sarto via Marshall's

Flannel: Old Navy

Belt: OLD American Eagle 

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I'm also linking up with

Molly

The Style Record

and

Mix It Mondays

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Reverse 30x30: Summertime Skirt in the Wintertime

MOM, why didn't you tell me that my scarf was cattywampus!? That little sliver of misplaced scarf is just taunting me now. 

One of my friends posted this link, and I cannot stop laughing. I would like to befriend every single person who came up with these new words. The premise is this: "The Washington Post's Mensa Invitational once again invited readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition." I am SO doing this activity with my students. They will love it. I think "ignoranus," a person who's both stupid and an asshole, might rank as my favorite word on the list. Do I want to share that word with my juniors? Yes. Will I? Probably no. Probably.

My brain so desperately wants to create some words of my own, but all I have for you is this one:

insteaducation

1. what an individual (specifically of the teenage population) does in order to avoid learning

2. the state in which teachers find themselves required to do more paperwork than teaching

and this one:

pineptitude (n)

the inability to accomplish anything competently because of Pinterest

and this one:

twitticism (n)

 a statement of particular insight that exits a mouth that typically spews stupidity

I wish these were better. Throw some of your words my way. Inspire me.

I'll be honest. I don't know if I love this look. I think a white shirt with a brown scarf might be better? 

However, I do like the idea of brown tights in order to winterize this skirt. 

I tried.

The Look:

Skirt: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's (it was a gift from Momma.)

Boots: diba via DSW

Shirt: The Limited

Belt: New York & Co.

Jean Jacket: Old Navy

Scarf: Handmade by Momma

(Note: I changed to darker brown tights for more warmth.)

I realize the scarf doesn't perfectly match the skirt in pictures, and I'm okay with that. 

Close enough, right?

Linking up with

What I Wore to Work

All Things Thursday

and

Look What I Got

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What's left of my 30x30?

(Original Post in case you want pictures and a run down of this challenge)
Click on the link after each item to view the post that features it. 

1. coral and khaki skirt 

2. gray and yellow skirt 

3. white pencil skirt (officially waiting for spring--too cold for the outfits I have planned for it)

4. teal velvet pants (officially reversed)

5. polka dot tights (I planned to reverse them, but I found an enormous run in them at the end of the day. It was a good run, tights. Pun intended.) 

6. khaki pants (officially returned)

7. brown boots (officially reversed)

8. black wedge booties (officially reversed)

9. red heels

10. tri-color wedges (officially reversed)

11. aztec scarf 

12. teal necklace

13. striped dress (officially reversed)

14. tan dress (officially rejected)

15. navy dress (probationally reversed)

16. polka dot shirt (officially reversed)

17. polka dot cardi 

18. polka dot blouse (officially reversed) 

19. printed blazer (on probation, might be leaving the closet, LEAVING the closet)

20. chambray (officially reversed)

21. paisley blouse (officially rejected)

22. gray shirt (officially rejected)  

23. paisley blouse 2 (officially reversed)

24. emerald sleeveless sweater (too cold for it just yet)

25. navy sweater (officially reversed)

26. blush sweater with silver polka dots 

27. silver sweater (officially rejected)

28. black sweater 

29. white lace sweater (officially reversed)

30. orange sweater (officially reversed)

31. long-sleeve purple shirt (next week)

32. gray skinnies (these have REALLY been reversed)

33. light khakis 

34. gold blazer (officially reversed)

Reverse 30x30: I don't chop trees. I just breathe, and they fall over.

Oh, HEY, look: it's the return of a cute outfit wrapped up in a crappy quality picture!

Mom said that she'd start taking some pictures of me with her gorgeous camera and kick-ass photography skills, so you might be seeing some of my images take a step in the right direction. Since she housed fetal me in her womb and partook in that whole raising me thing, I don't feel all awkward posing for her, which is good because random drug-dealing neighbors creeping on my photo shoots makes for enough awkwardness. Plus, I want to spend more time with Mom.

Typically, we always go shopping, and I'd like to do less of that this year and more adventuring! Mom loves to take pictures and adventures, so this little arrangement means she can practice her craft while I work on bringing this blog into the land of the pretty and home of the well-written. Plus, we'll get some fun adventures out of the deal. I do believe that's what they call a win-win-win. (A win for me, a win for her, and a win for you)

Until then, allow the following picture to serve as the antithesis of what's to come.

How could I not share this warm outfit with you? Plus, I reversed the heck out of those brown boots.

I will continue my Atypical Love Story telling when Jeff's not blaring a video game in the living room and periodically sneaking into the office just to stare at me. Though I find him wildly charming and comical, his presence is not exactly conducive to my authorial creativity.

Reversed 30x30 Update:

(Original Post in case you want pictures and a run down of this challenge)

1. coral and khaki skirt (might have to wait for spring...looks STUPID with tights)

2. gray and yellow skirt 

3. white pencil skirt (officially waiting for spring--too cold for the outfits I have planned for it)

4. teal velvet pants (officially reversed)

5. polka dot tights

6. khaki pants (officially returned)

7. brown boots (officially reversed)

8. black wedge booties (officially reversed)

9. red heels

10. tri-color wedges (officially reversed--I've added so much gray/navy/burgundy to my wardrobe that these are perfect)

11. aztec scarf

12. teal necklace

13. striped dress (officially reversed)

14. tan dress (officially rejected)

15. navy dress (probationally reversed)

16. polka dot shirt (officially reversed)

17. polka dot cardi

18. polka dot blouse (officially reversed) 

19. printed blazer (on probation, might be leaving the closet, LEAVING the closet)

20. chambray (officially reversed)

21. paisley blouse (officially rejected)

22. gray shirt (officially rejected)  

23. paisley blouse 2 (reversed for today's look)

24. emerald sleeveless sweater

25. navy sweater (pulling one of my favorites: sweater over a dress look!)

26. blush sweater with silver polka dots (outfit planned but might be too cold)

27. silver sweater (officially rejected)

28. black sweater (might be replaced by a crew neck)

29. white lace sweater (officially reversed)

30. orange sweater (might wait for spring--not feeling the brights quite yet)

31. long-sleeve purple shirt (got a plan for this one)

32. gray skinnies (I've already worn them three times, none of which you've seen...oops!)

33. light khakis (got a plan for these)

34. gold blazer (If I could no longer be sick and actually make it into work wearing something other than boots, I'd really like to wear one of the outfits I dreamed up for this blazer) 

My dog stalks me, and how trendy is this Tuesday?

Every morning, both of my dogs visit me while I primp (read: spray the hell out of my fourth day hair with dry shampoo because, once again, I valued sleep more than my mane) in the bathroom. One of my dogs, Roxy, is what can best be described as dumpy. She's got a bubble booty waddle and can hear the faintest crinkle of a bag that might be nourishment. Her demeanor is equally as lackadaisical, so she strolls (okay, she cannot stroll; she usually barrels into her destination) into the bathroom with zero qualms.

My other dog, however, is what I must label a princess, Princess Squirty to be exact. She crosses her paws when she is lying on the floor. She sits ramrod straight when she's boring into your soul with her semi-frightened (even when she's not frightened) pupils and her pouty bottom lip. She won't poop where she sleeps, something I wish she'd teach her sister how to avoid. Anyway, unsurprisingly, Squirt storms into nowhere. She daintily prances or even scurries, but barreling is not for this princess. As such, for awhile every morning, she sat tentatively outside of the open bathroom door until I doted on her adorable face. Eventually, she tip toed ever so slightly into the bathroom for her morning peck on the snout. This morning, she made great progress, and it looks like this.

In other news, I think Trendy Tuesday was even more successful this week than last week. Our principal said that he'd start announcing the themes in his weekly bulletins. Another teacher is going to post the themes in the copy room. Other teachers are posting about it on class websites/Facebook. And, on the school's Twitter account, our principal will tweet the theme every week. Can I tell you how awesome my colleagues are? So awesome.

Our next Trendy Tuesday will run on January 7th, and one of our male teachers is choosing the next theme. I'll keep you informed. Fear not. This same male teacher told me at lunch today, "I had a burgundy sweater on today, but I thought, 'no, this won't do. Wojcik [that's me] will give me crap. This isn't up to her standards. I have to do better.'" Hysterical. He wore an awesome red, white, and black vest. I loved it! I know fashion/style/whatever you'd like to call it seems so silly to many people, but look at how it can bring people together in a positive way.  I say cheers to that, folks.

The Outfit:
Pants: Forever 21 (size 26 in case you're wondering...and they're corduroy)
Boots: Franco Sarto via Marshall's (bought 'em last year)
Belt: American Eagle (would you judge me if I said I bought it in middle school?)
Shirt: Old Navy (current)
Cardigan: Ann Taylor (very old but not as ancient as the belt)
Scarf: Another Momma Wo creation (definitely my favorite and SO WARM)

 

Here is a small group of us. The larger picture gives away too many heads, so I am posting the one that was easy to crop. The guy in the picture? His red suspenders have Santa's face on them. His socks you can't see? They're red and white striped. Again, my colleagues are awesome.

Previously, I wore the black and white version of this shirt this way.

Linking up with Lauren and The Trend Spin Linkup. 

You look like a sunflower...or a buttercup.

Yes, that is what a student told me today. 

I guess I needed to wear sunshine today because it was a tough day at work.

No education class can prepare you for the days tragedy hits your school. 

One of our freshmen passed away yesterday, and we are not the same.

When I started teaching, I didn't know that these adults I call my colleagues and these teenagers I call my students would become people I call family.  

I don't have the right words for the occasion, so allow my outfit to distract you from the more serious matter at hand.  

The Outfit:

Skirt: Banana Republic (last year)

Sweater: Target

Boots: Steve Madden

Scarf: Made by Momma 

I explored yet another color scheme. I think I pulled it off. Yeah?

Jeff actually helped pick it out. I gave him a choice between a white sweater and this one. He chose this one. Good choice, Jefferino. 

Last time, I wore the skirt like this. 

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy.

I love my brown boots.

Welcome to another shameless dressing room selfie. I'm not entirely sure what selfie isn't somehow linked to shame, but that's a story for another day. Before I got mah hur did tonight, I stopped into LOFT to return a dress. 

I exchanged it for this skirt. I love it. I've been looking for a red skirt, and this one fits like a dream. Plus, it was on the clearance rack. Double win for me. 

And why do I love my brown boots?

They go with all the things (in my closet)! 

I walked into LOFT wearing the following outfit:

I'd like to call this my Robin Hood color scheme. Where are my bow and arrow? 

(The pants are hunter green.)

The Outfit & Details:

Cardigan: Old Navy (need more colorrrrs)

Pants: Gap (by far my FAVORITE skinny jeans. I want more. and more. and more.)

Belt: Francesca's

Top: Old Navy

Boots: Franco Sarto (favorite shoe designer) via Marshall's

Necklace: Target

Comments: I really love the colors in this outfit, and people stopped me to throw down some comments at my beautiful booted feet. I originally planned to wear a black silk top with black boots, but I changed my mind this morning. (Yes, I pick out my clothes the night before.) Good change? I think so.

Polka Dots and Lace

This morning, I assumed today would be craptastic because my visor broke and I had to fix my ingrown toe nail (TMI? It hurt.) 

However, today was awesome. The windows rolled down to the perfect height so as to create a breeze but not mess up your hair kind of awesome. 

My second period did not want to review for tomorrow's test because they love the book that we're reading so much they asked to keep reading! You probably have no idea how big this request is for the population that I teach. They gave the characters personality, read with inflection, and happily discussed what was happening. If you've never read it, you should. It's called Monster by Walter Dean Myers. It's written from the perspective of a 16-year-old boy who's on trial for felony trial. He alternates between diary entries from prison and a screen play of what happens in the courtroom. 

Check out Walter Dean Myers here. 

Later in the day, a student handed me a copy of a book that he really loves (Rumble Fish by S.E. Hinton) because he wants me to read it and discuss it with him. I cried a little. 

Great day in the classroom, guys. 

I give all of the credit to the dress that Momma bought for me. How could my day suck if I was wearing a cute, lace dress that Momma dukes picked out? 

FYI: Taking pictures in a busy parking lot qualifies as awkward.

fashionbloggerproblems.

Outfit Deets: 

Cardigan: Old Navy (SO old...like 10 years old)--(similar)

Dress: Gift from Momma (she got it at Kohl's, of course)--(similar options from Kohl's)

Belt: Francesca's (LOVE this belt so much)--(similar from Gap)

Boots: White Mountain? I bought them a year or two ago. (similar from Boot Barn)

Necklace: Kohl's 

Linking up with WIWW.