Monkeys Love Me

This nature-inspired outfit was ever so appropriate for the vocabulary PowerPoint I reviewed with my sophomores today. I like to spruce things up by telling periodic stories. Today's story was about how the monkeys at the zoo always try to attack me or throw disgusting substances my way. They were delighted to learn that a very large primate came barreling at me from his corner of the habitat, slammed into the glass, and then got up, doing what I can only describe as a laugh. Yes, a LAUGH. My husband caught the big oaf's charge and my squeal on video. Where are you, dignity? I appear to have lost you somewhere along age twenty-something.

Speaking of nature, why is there a leaf stuck to my shoe in the first photo? I even made sure to kick the twigs away before Jeff snapped the pictures. What matter is that when the leaves try to befriend my shoes? However, in their defense, these shoes are pretty snazzy. My co-teacher declared that she would like to rip these shoes off my feet...if my feet were not "boats" compared to hers. She referred to them as her "favorite shoes...ever." 

Because overshare is my middle name, I'm going to tell you I felt so full after lunch today that I had to unzip my side zipper just a smidge. Truth? I never zipped it up again. My shirt and cardigan covered it, and I felt much less constricted. I thought you should know. 

If you stop reading now, I won't judge you. 

The Outfit:

Cardigan: Old Navy (I just loved the color.)

Top: SO via Kohl's

Skirt: The Limited

Tights: The Limited

Shoes: Rock & Candy by ZiGi via DSW (got 'em Friday)

Scarf: Francesca's (yes, it's an infinity scarf by nature)

Linking up with Style Elixir. 

Pinterest Tells Me I Look Pretty In...

Awhile ago, I learned from the interwebs that you can be all creepy and check out who pins images from your blog, which surely comes as no surprise to many of you bloggers. However, if you were otherwise in the dark, allow me to enlighten you. It's so simple. 

Type the following into your web browser: 

pinterest.com/source/URL OF YOUR BLOG GOES HERE

For example, to find pinned images from my blog, I would go to:

pinterest.com/source/littlebitofwowe.blogspot.com

I think it's not just creepy but also quite interesting to see which outfits get the most press. 

Here are some of my best fall/winter outfits according to Pinterest:

(This one just so happens to be one of my best looks. Find the original post here.)

I never rewear outfits (except for pajamas), but I am making an exception with this look. I remember how comfortable and chic I felt in this outfit! Find the original post here. 

Sadly, I had to retire this blazer because of my gorilla arms, and hugging myself no longer felt fun. It felt...constricting. Self hugs should always feel lovely. 

Can someone please help me find a navy blazer replacement?

I've looked for so long. I'm growing weary because of this fruitless quest. 

Find the original post here.

The wrinkles on these pants birth baby wrinkles. As such, they needed to go the way of the navy blazer. Either way, everyone loves the mustard pants inspiration. Who can blame them? Mustard pants, minus wrinkles, are hand-clapping awesome. 

Feel free to check out the original post here. 

Speaking of mustard, those pinners can't get enough of it.

I can't find this skirt. I think I donated it. Oops. 

Find the original here

The last one makes me very happy because it features my favorite blazer: the cobalt blue beauty. (In case you're new around here, I have upwards of 40 blazers. A problem? Only for my husband who searches for closet space in vain.) 

She's pretty. I know. (Not me, silly pants. The BLAZER.)

Find the original wonderment here. 

Ultimately, I think my cognac Franco Sarto boots captivate people. Why wouldn't they? They're glorious, and, with the trouble this stupid toenail is giving me, they're the only footwear I can wear without discomfort. I'd also like to draw your attention to the fact that my hair is different in every single photograph. 

Favorites? Wondering why on God's green earth people even pinned one/some/all of these images?

Aged Awesomeness & One Shirt Three Ways

I will be back with Part 3 of the Teacher Wardrobe Staples series (Part 1 and Part 2) tomorrow. Why, you ask? Well, first of all, today is my 29th birthday. Second of all, today, Momma dukes is actually taking pictures of me for Part 3! With a real camera, not my iPhone. Hot jeebus. I.have.arrived.

Instead of the series today, I do have one shirt worn three ways for you. Because my awesomeness just added another year to itself.

Every time I buy an item I'm a smidge unsure of, I physically try it on with at least three outfits in order to determine its lifespan in my closet. Sometimes, I'm on fire and can't stop trying it on with things. Aaaand, sometimes, it's a big, fat flop that I have to return. Luckily, this shirt is a winner.

I bought an army green shirt at Kohl's the other day, hoping it would work well in my closet. I'd say it does. I came up with these three looks:

It's not much, and the pictures are, um, awful. HOWEVER, you might find inspiration from them. If nothing else, you'll take your iPhone photos in a full-length mirror in better lighting. 

(The color is "true" in the middle picture.) 

I'd love to know how you would style this shirt. Tell me in the comments! :)

I had every intent of writing you a list of "29 Things of Awesomeness," but I lost steam after #7. 

I need a shower because I do not smell awesome.

So, I will leave you with this thought: I am not 29-years-old; I am 29 years of awesome. 

 Aged awesomeness, if you will.

That is all.

P.S. Be sure to enter the Target giveaway over at Sam's hilarious blog. 

She's one of those makes-you-pee-a-little-she's-so-funny kind of girls. 

Starfish and Stripes

I love my new starfish necklace. I love this top. I love this skirt (my favorite one, in fact). I love these shoes. I love ALL blazers. (Seriously, I have a problem and have since probably the seventh grade.)

As a result, I figured, "How can I go wrong?" Plus, all of these loves coordinate with one another. 

Ah, Monday perfection. 

Jeff is fixing fish stuffed with shrimp tossed over gluten-free pasta. Ladies, I found me a winner. 

Anywho, I need to grade some essays before graduate class tonight. We'll be discussing our reading of Frankenstein. I like Frankenstein WAY better than Descartes. Way better. 

Of course, I like naps best of all. 

Happy Monday, folks. 

I couldn't explain my feet to you in this picture if I tried. Seriously. 

Outfit Deets:

Blazer: Monteau via Marshall's (similar)

Top: Old Navy (exact)

Skirt: The Limited (similar)

Tights: NO idea (I think Momma bought them for me.)

Shoes: Aerosoles via Marshall's (similar)

Linking up with YOLO Mondays (even though I hate the term YOLO because there are actually other things besides living that you do only once). 

Kicking it in Khaki

On Mondays and Wednesdays, I take a pilates class near work, so there's no way I'm putting my outfit back on once my t-shirt and yoga pants have become my second skin. Sorry, folks.

To make matters worse, I'm still not comfortable asking a coworker to take my picture, so you get these grainy Photo Booth pictures...and the craziness happening with the hairs on the right side of my head. 

However, you get to see my classroom in all of its equally crazy glory. 

Also, please excuse my pedometer. I'm so fit.

Top: Marshall's 

Skirt: The Limited (last year)

Shoes: Aerosoles from Marshall's 

Can I tell you that I should have been born on a boat? I cannot stop buying striped clothing. I have a serious problem. 

I love this skirt, and these shoes. I stand all day long, and my feet still felt great by the end of the day. Yay! Here's a close up of these bad boys.

Since you can't really tell in these pictures, I'll tell you that they're suede, brown wedges. How awesome. 

Want to see my outfit from this weekend? I know you doooo. It's pretty spectacular.

You know how everyone is wearing these green adirondack coats and how they cost a lot of money? Not mine. I found it at F21 for maybe $25. I'm amazing, I know. 

Anyway, here are the deets:

Top: The Limited

Coat: F21

Stretchy pants: Marshall's (too lazy to go find the brand for you)

Boots: I bought them from Steve Madden online. I think I might buy them in gray, too.

Are you digging my duds? 

Short and Striped

So, if I have time, I sometimes put on outfits and just walk around the house in them. I like to give them a mini test run. This is not the test-run outfit; that one bombed. I then thought of this gem in five seconds. Grace under pressure, I tell you. 

So, my dog is not throwing up because she hates the outfit. Maybe she is stalking the leopard print heels? I would, too. 

Anyway, the outfit breaks down like this:

Shirt & skirt: The Limited 

(quite possibly my favorite store; they also give discounts to teachers!)

Heels: Jones New York via Marshalls

Belt: I think it's from NY & Co., but I'm too comfortable to run upstairs and check.

Scarf: A gift from three students :) Sweetest siblings. 

I taught the older brother and sister last year, and I teach their younger sister this year. 

 I love thoughtful and functional gifts. 

(I also love thoughtful and functional teenagers. They're a rarity.)

So, I put on this outfit after I painted our half bath. An hour later, I noticed something funny....

I was wearing the same color scheme that I dressed my half bath in. I tell you that I just love my stripes.

Do you ever notice that your house decor matches the colors/patterns that you wear?