Teacher Style: Chambray

Today's shirt is everyone's new best friend: the chambray. I scoured the archives and found a lot of teacher looks featuring chambray, but actually not as many as I had anticipated, which I guess is good. I can fit only so many in my collage.

I recently bought a short-sleeve chambray, and I love it. I think it'll become more of a favorite than the current long-sleeve chambray I have from Old Navy. (I did not, however, include it in the collage, but you can find a look featuring it here.)

Chambray: Old Navy

  

(Obviously, you won't wear the hat for teaching, but I love the rest of the silhouette.) 

Dress down a fancy skirt with your chambray for work. (I'd wear different shoes, however. A pop of color, perhaps.)

Wear it with one of your printed skirts. Tuck it in or knot it in front of your skirt.

Layer it under or over one of your dresses. To tuck it under like I did here, knot it and then tuck the knot under.

Here is a cute fall/winter look for a casual Friday. If you're lucky, your mom is as awesome at crocheting as mine is.

Leave it untucked with a pair of colored skinnies and tall boots. Again, this look works well for a casual Friday or even an in-service day.

If you're not into skinny pants because they feel too informal, try a bootcut pant like these with your chambray. I like this look as well for a casual Friday or in-service day.

Okay, this look is fine for a day that's not casual. You can tuck yours in, but I liked the visual interest of the knotted shirt. Choose your own adventure. I added heels for more sophistication. 

As you can see, chambray does not have to serve just your casual Fridays. Tuck it into a skirt or button it over/under a dress, and you have yourself a dressier look. 

Which one would you actually wear to work? 

What I learned from Neiman Marcus

If you want to know where I was last week, I explained the situation here. The short story is that my mom nominated me to be a part of Neiman Marcus' Faces of Beauty campaign that will launch this fall. They picked me and five other women out of what one of the stylists said was 80,000 entries. Quite honestly, the whole experience was surreal. Though the experience lasted only Monday and Tuesday, I was recovering from so little sleep the rest of the week. I think I'm getting old. My lack of sleep early in the week resulted in an end of the week that went as follows: I ran into a doorknob, almost fell down the stairs, and saw stars for half of the day. I wrote the bulk of this post in a fog of fatigue. Of course, I didn't get around to posting it until now.

Anyway, I figured I'd start telling you about the experience by providing you a list of some things I learned. The whole experience overloaded my brain with nuggets of wisdom. However, several of the nuggets slipped through the holes of my Swiss cheese brain.

1. You lightly tap lotion under your eyes using your ring finger because, out of all of your fingers, it creates the least amount of pressure. (News to me!)

2. The Beauty Department Manager, Claudio, who was paired up with me, used the following analogy to describe your skin. The skin on your neck is thicker, like cardboard. The skin on your chin, cheeks, and forehead is a little less thick like printer paper. The skin around your eyes is like tissue paper because it's only two layers of skin; whereas, the other skin on your face is three layers thick. This is why we have to be especially careful about putting on eye cream and removing eye make up.

3. If, like me, your face looks like it's melting by the end of the day, you need to apply a mattifying primer under your make up. One of the Beauty Department Managers, Alyson, recommended Laura Mercier's oil-free primer. (I'll try it out and let you know how it goes.)

4. One of the other winners who is a doctor said that I needed to see a medical doctor to do the following for my acne scarring: microdermabrasion first, glycol acid at 30% second, and finally liquid nitrogen. She said it does not peel the skin on your face. (Last time I got a face treatment, it made me look like a snake shedding its skin.)

5. You should not apply perfume to your wrists and then rub them together because that friction creates heat, which changes the chemical make up of the perfume, thereby altering its smell. You should apply perfume to your sternum and behind your knees/on your calf because those are the heat zones of your body. The heat will make the smell waft off of you. If you put it behind your legs, the smell will travel upward and create a forcefield of smell around you. Now that I've had sinus surgery and can smell teenage funk like a bloodhound, I think I might need to practice this perfume applying method.

Tomorrow, I plan to tell you more about my trip. Is there anything in particular that you'd like to know?

I feel like a total turd because I was supposed to post on Monday to let you all know about the birthday dress look I suggested for Ada's birthday celebration, and she so kindly posted it on her blog. I actually DID write a post on my phone, which I thought published. I later found out that the dang post never actually posted. In fact, it disappeared somewhere into cyberspace. Forgive me, Ada!

Today, I'll show you the look that I planned for Ada. I told her that this look is perfect for a festival downtown or a little bit more of a relaxed birthday. Of course, for night, I could ditch the chambray/hat/flats and add some fun heels!

The Look:

Dress: Casual Corner Annex (it's actually a petite even though I'm not usually "petite" because of my height)--I bought this thing SO many years ago and wore it to my students' high school graduation last year. Here's a similar one from Macy's, a really cute navy/white option from Nordstrom, and a dress with bigger polka dots from Ruche (this option is less than $50!)

Chambray: Old Navy (find it here--mine is the "light" chambray.)

Flats: Sole Society (it's still available and called the "Enji" flat--find it here)

Hat: It has no tag, but I'm pretty sure it's from Target a year or two ago. (I love this men's version from Target, and it's less than $20. Don't mind if you do.)

Mom loves this picture, so I'm posting it for her :)

My Niece My Twin

I find inspiration in the oddest and sometimes most embarrassing of places. Okay, for me? Not really embarrassing. My Dad spent the better part of my childhood conditioning me against embarrassment. On several occasions, he drove away from me every time I tried to open the truck door when he picked me up from high school. He also farted in front of every one of the boys I brought home. Thanks for thickening my skin, Dad. Anyway, tangents aside, I found inspiration from my niece's outfit on Thanksgiving. Mom tells me she bought Tater Tot's shirt, so the fact that I ended up matching her makes perfect sense. After all, my Mom picks out half of my clothes. (And I am not ashamed.)

I chopped off her head in the picture because it is a very cute head. Cute heads entice internet creepers, and we can't have that.

First, we'll start with my head. You're allowed to see it because I was having an awesome hair day. My husband even asked me if I went to the salon. I'll take that as a hair styling win!

The Outfit:

Cardigan: Old Navy (it has sparkly elbow patches! I also wore it this way.)

Chambray: Old Navy 

Booties: Old Navy (uh oh...I see a trend emerging. By the way, the booties are actually gray. I also wore them this way.)

Pants: Celebrity Pink via Boscov's (I need a new, higher rise pair. I'm considering these.)

Scarf: You guessed it. Mom made it. 

And there's my adorable Tater Tot. Leggings were not a socially acceptable option for me, which is why I opted for black pants. She was wearing an adoooorable gray cardigan, but her running around creates a whole mess of heat. She was not wearing a black scarf, but I got a little creative. Woo hoo.

I guess I really should write that hair post, 'eh?

Wearing Halloween without Looking Halloween (maybe)

In honor of October, I decided to style one orange shirt several ways. Okay, okay, to be honest, I styled it in four ways to see if it was worth saving. Congratulations, shirt, orange you lucky to have earned your keep? (I couldn't help myself.)

Since we will be moving into an apartment and out of our house on Halloween, dressing up and handing out candy isn't really an option. Wearing orange is the best I've got. 

As the move inches closer and closer, I realize how much I will miss our neighbors. Why can't we plant them in the neighborhood of our next home? When we moved in several years ago, the Snowmageddon hit. Welcome to home ownership! I brought you Mount Everest! Our neighbors brought out some bourbon and helped shovel our driveway. (They also watched from their windows as my ridiculous husband climbed onto the porch roof in his no-traction sneakers and used a piece of molding to golf swing snow off the roof. Luckily, if he were to fall, an eight-foot mound of snow would've caught him.) Granted, we live so far from work and find ourselves so exhausted from the drive that we cannot hang out with our neighbors as much as we'd like. I hope our next home has neighbors who are just as lovely and come bearing rum (specifically the Cruzan mango kind) instead of bourbon. One of my colleagues said this winter, according to the Farmers' Almanac, will be a doozy. I am trying to determine whether that's a better or worse thing in an apartment? I cannot be sure. 

Anyway, enough about me, more about the clothes. I know I know. 

LOOK 1

Shirt: Gap

Sweater: The Limited

Pants: Express

Necklace: Kohl's

(I think the ensemble would look even better with a gold belt. Agreed?)

LOOK 2

Same Shirt (obviously)

Blazer: NY & Co.

Skirt: Merona via Target

Necklace: Target

(I think the creepy dog really contributes something special to this look.)

LOOK 3

Chambray: Old Navy

Belt: American Eagle (dude's section...bought it in MIDDLE SCHOOL!)

Pants (they're winter white cords): Forever 21

Scarf: Francesca's

LOOK 4

Cardigan: gift from my sister-in-law :) (it's from Target)

Belt: Target (years ago)

I know this look is quite Halloweenie, but I wholly approve. Why must orange and black always mean Halloween, yellow and black always mean bumble bee, red/white/blue always mean July 4th, and red/green always mean Christmas? WHY?! If my outfits make me look like an insect or a holiday, then so be it. 

Just in case you want some pinteresting orange looks, I compiled all of them into one image for your pinning (or not) pleasure. 

I hope everyone is having a (pumpkin) smashing weekend. 

Teacher Wardrobe Series: One Dress Six Ways

It's Tuesday, so let's call it Teacher Tuesday. I'm bringing back the Teacher Wardrobe Series with this striped dress (actually featured in the series). Sure, you will run into a plethora of striped dress inspiration on Pinterest, but I'm giving you six looks with one dress...in one place. You can use the same formulas for a dress shell that you own. It doesn't necessarily have to be striped, but I told you before that a striped dress is a great staple to own in your teacher (or any career, really) wardrobe.

I bought this striped shell at the Banana Republic Outlet for like $25. I love it, but I have yet to wear it. Of course, I am entering only week two of the school year, so I think I can forgive myself. Anyway, I created looks that span all seasons because, if your classroom is anything like mine, you never know what the temperature will be.

Look #1:

The Formula = Belted cardigan + statement necklace (or a scarf)

(I wore gold wedges to make it feel more like summer. I could wear it with boots for a cooler day or heels for the snazzy factor.)

Seasons: The short-sleeve cardigan works well for warmer weather. Swap it out for a long-sleeve cardigan in the cooler months. Try swapping out the necklace for a scarf with this look. You can even belt the scarf with the cardigan (like this). 

Look #2:

The Formula = Neutral blazer + statement necklace

(I chose gold flats for this look since the blazer dresses up the outfit enough.)

Seasons: Please wear this blazer when it's cooler or the AC actually works. I was sweltering in this thing because my bedroom is toasty. I would not swap the necklace for a scarf with this look. I think a statement necklace works better with the blazer. 

Look #3:

The Formula = Colored belt + (daintier) statement necklace + cardigan

(For this look, I would choose heels or dressier flats.)

Seasons: Just like with look #1, you can swap a short-sleeve cardigan for one with long sleeves. You could also swap the cardigan for a blazer. To take this dress to the park after school, substitute the cardigan for a jean jacket and be sure to wear flats. (Obviously.)

Look #4:

The Formula = Colored blazer + chain necklace + chambray (rolled sleeves)

(For shoes, I would choose boots, flats, or wedges.)

Seasons: If you want to be warm, wear this look. Holy hotness alive. I love this color scheme, but I was dying a little. I couldn't peel the dress off quickly enough. I think this look would be perfect with boots in the winter. 

Look #5:

The Formula = chambray (or a white shirt) under the dress + draping necklace

(To make the look dressier, I would wear heels, or maybe some cute oxfords.)

Seasons: You're wearing a shirt with long sleeves under a dress. Do it during the cooler months. Unless you like sweat marks in your pits. Or you don't sweat.

Also, as I'm looking at this photo, I would trade out this necklace for something with color. I was so hot at this point that I couldn't think clearly.

Look #6:

The Formula = T-shirt (under dress) + statement necklace + neutral belt

(For shoes, I would wear booties or flats. This look seems best suited for a Friday.)

Seasons: If it's warm and you don't want to bare arms (bah ha ha), then put a t-shirt on underneath of your dress. Or, if you prefer not to show your shoulders for other reasons, then this look works well for warmer weather. If you like to wear layers in the winter, try a blazer/cardigan over top. Since this look seems the most casual of all, I think it'd be fun with some booties. 

I merged all of the looks into two collages in case you want to see them side by side. 

If you want to e-mail me some of your best teacher looks (one-three pictures) with links to your blog posts about those looks, I'll start featuring some readers' outfits next week. It does not have to be a striped dress, and you don't have to be a teacher. 

It just needs to be workwear for the sensible, everyday gal.  

E-mail your pictures to

teamwebchick@gmail.com

Linking up with 

5 Days, 5 Ways: Casual Friday

This outfit never made it onto the blog, but it's so sinfully comfortable that it belongs with today's Casual Friday post. Seriously, I felt like I was wearing pajamas all day. Oh, and I didn't adopt a carpenter; that's my Dad. He rocked chambray before chambray was cool on anyone other than a cowboy. Yee haw.

Look #1: A blazer pulls everything together, especially if it's a gold blazer.

Blazer: Mod Cloth

Jeans: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

Flats: Target

Scarf: Handmade by Momma, of course

Look #2: Chambray and colored pants

Chambray: Rock & Republic via Kohl's

Pants: Candie's via Kohl's (noticing a trend?)

Boots: Franco Sarto via Marshall's

Studded Necklace: Forever 21

Look #3: Peplum, Dark Skinny Jeans, Flats, and a Military Jacket

Top: LOFT

Pants: NY & Co.

Flats: Urban Outfitters

Jacket: Forever 21

Necklace: The Limited

Look #4: Wide Leg Jeans & Blazer

(I swear you could wear this on a Monday.)

Blazer: Jennifer Lopez via Kohl's

Top: Express

Pants: J Brand via Marshall's

Brown Wedges (can't see 'em): Aersoles via Marshall's

Look #5: belted cardigan with skinny jeans

I remember only where I got the cardigan: Express.

All of the looks in one place. 

Which look is your favorite? Mine is, without a doubt, the orange blazer and wide-leg jeans outfit. 

No contest. However, the red pants outfit is soooo comfortable. 

Joining Fran & Whitney for the last day of 5 Days, 5 Ways:

Chambray

"Trends" I Wish Would Die a Fiery Death:

1. Low pants: My mom claimed that this trend has died off, but my students are still wearing their pants too low. They've evolved from just showing boxers to wearing sometimes three layers under their pants, all of which peek out in varying degrees. Bottom layer = pants, next layer = athletic pants/sweatpants, next layer = athletic shorts, and final layer = underwear. 

Die, low pants, die. 

Oh, and girls who still let their thong straps peek out above their pants? STOP. Just stop. 

2. If my friends ever referred to me as their "bitch," I would smack a bitch up. Why do ladies call each other their "bitches?" It's not cute. It's not endearing. It's not funny. It's dumb.  Why has this trend not died? Sure, I can rest easy that "I heart you" has waned, but this "my bitches" thing still rages on. I don't know if I can call this one a trend, but I needed to acknowledge it somehow. 

3. High socks: Unless your socks are the bomb diggity because they're argyle print, striped, or something fun like polka dots, please do not wear them with your athletic shorts and Sperry shoes. If you wear them with sandals, someone needs to beat you with your footwear. You see, it started with my male students. They wore t-shirts and athletic shorts to school; they topped it all off with tall Nike socks and either Sperrys or sandals.  They said it was cool. I reminded them that it was sloppy. Then the girls started doing it! Ladies, ladies, ladies, expose your socks under two conditions: one, your socks are wicked cool; two, the rest of your outfit coordinates with your sweet socks. 

Otherwise, I will be forced to follow you as I sing my self-made parody of "Shots." 

(Instead of singing "shots," sing "socks.") 

Are there any trends you wish would die? 

It's okay if you say skinny pants, chambray, or colored pants.

I won't stop wearing mine, but I won't be offended either.

Outfit Deets:

Chambray top: Rock and Republic via Kohl's--it's soooo soft, the perfect length, and has some fun on the collar. (can't find it online, but it was in the store--here is a similar one)

Pants: I wish I could remember (similar pair here)

Boots: Franco Sarto via Marshall's (cute from Target, love these, and these)

Necklace: Forever21 (exact for $6.80)

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Because Shanna Said So, and Tucker Up & All Things Alisa :)

I bought a boy's shirt.

Before I show you today's outfit, allow me to show you today's purchase, a boy's shirt. Yes, I plan to wear it. Since my top half is built like a twelve-year-old boy, this shirt fits quite perfectly. I am not letting you see the bottom of it because I'm not wearing pants. I'm sorry that you know that information now, but I felt it was important to let you know. Rest assured that the hemline reaches past my behind. AWESOME. I find a lot of women's shirts are too short. I really am built like a twelve-year-old boy. 

Also, this top was $12.99 at Target. (It's a size "large.")

               

I originally wanted this shirt from J.Crew, but they didn't really have my perfect size, and it was  $34.50 (even if I got 30% off, it'd still be more than I'd want to spend). As a result, I said no.

Tell me you're proud. I need to hear it (er, read it?). My mom said, "that's my savvy little shopper!" Mommy loves me.

Without further ado, here is today's outfit, which was mighty comfortable. Don't ask me why I forgot to remove my sunglasses. Just start singing, "I wear my suuuunglasses at night" in your head, and all will be well. Unless you kill cats when you sing. In that case, all will not be well.

 I love this coat because the liner is thick and so soft. Can you believe I found it for $20 at Forever 21? Woot woot.

Top: Old Navy (size small)

Scarf: Friend brought it to me from India! I love it. 

Mustard-colored pants: Target (size 5)

Boots: Steve Madden (last year)

Do you find clothes in unexpected places? Do tell.

Oh, and Happy Early Turkey Day! :)