Colors and an Unlikely Superhero

One day in the coming months, those walls behind me will not be the color of banana's rejected turd of a brother. (People tell me to call it "manila," but I love manila folders way more than bananas, so there you have it.) Instead, they will be a calming gray, just like our bedroom walls. Provided this wicked winter weather does not thwart my plans tomorrow, I shall have a new paint job on my hair as well. Thankfully, the doctor and my stylist, who has two boys of her own, say that highlights are safe for me. I fear I would crumble under the weight of this hair shituation if I could not fix it until September.

Also, I have a random thought for you today, which makes this thought no different from any other thought I share with you. I think that if asparagus were a superhero, then its tagline would read: Defender of Short Term Memory. We all know full well that it saves us from using the line, "I can't even remember what I had for dinner last night." Fear not, asparagus will not allow you to forget. Now, what would we name this superhero? Hit me with your best ideas.

 

The Look:

Tunic: PinkBlush Maternity  (same in light pink/black, similar)

Leggings: Target? Old Navy? I cannot remember.

Scarf: Momma

Boots: so old from Macy's

Conference Wear

This past Thursday and Friday, we had round two of parent-teacher conferences for the school year. 

Since I have tried desperately to avoid showing that I'm "showing," I have had to rethink my  whole wardrobe situation. In the first trimester, I gained only two-four pounds, so that really isn't much. However, on someone as thin as I am, extra weight gain in a particular area is pretty darn obvious, and those extra pounds went nowhere other than my midsection. When I wear leggings and tees around the house, Jeff points at me and yells, "BUMP!" One of my male coworkers actually picked up on the pregnancy because I stopped dressing the way I used to dress, shirts tucked in and pants belted. It's all about looser, untucked tops now. Since I am a terrible liar, if someone sniffed it out like a shark with blood in the water, I answered honestly and sheepishly. 

Anyway, I worked with a black and white base by just adding some color. A lot of people complimented the look, which is half-comprised of gifts from other people.

The Look:

Blazer: Mossimo via Target 

Flats: Merona via Target

Earrings: New York & Co. (recent--got these bad boys for $6)

Pants: ummm...they're from Motherhood Maternity, and my mom bought them because the pant situation has become awkward, and belly bands do nothing other than ride up on me. I miss my pants already, but I do not enjoy buttons stabbing me in the abdomen.

Shirt: gift from my co-teacher :) It's from Old Navy--I love it!

Necklace: gift from Momma while she was on an RV trip with Dad

This dog is lucky she's cute because she covered my sleeves in mud when she jumped on me.

I have also worn the blazer like this:

Pure Comfort

This past weekend on Instagram, I asked for feedback on this sweater. Ginny wasn't a fan. Ashley was. I decided to try it on again when my mom was at the mall with me. She loved it and told me that she wasn't so sure about it when I first texted a picture of it to her. Once she saw it in person, she absolutely approved. Anything that earns Mom's approval is worth the cost. Right? 

Guys, it's the softest sweater, and I am in love with it. Plus! It has not a stitch of wool in it. I call it my unicorn of sweaters. The Limited's new Olivia Pope line is so very lovely (and expensive). Thankfully, I scored this sweater 50% off. I figure I will wear it on long car rides, plane rides, on the weekend, and even to work. It will earn its keep in my closet. Once I realized that I put it on wrong (don't even ask), I liked it five times more. 

The Look:

Sweater: The Limited (exact)

Shirt: The Limited (not current)

Necklace: J.Crew Factory

Leggings: Target

Booties: hand-me-down from Momma

Pandora's Box

In order to fix the shoddy wiring in our den, Jeff took down part of one of our walls. What did he find behind it? Extensive termite damage. Damage so severe that he poked one of the vertical supports, and his finger went all the way through it. In case you were otherwise unaware, wood is supposed to be solid. As a result, the termite inspector who inspected our house before we bought it came to see the damage on Monday.  Additionally, a contractor had to come on Tuesday in order to fix the issue. Homeownership is a bar, and we keep buying everyone rounds! Hoo to the ray. Just add it to our tab, man.

I warned Jeff that he would open the wall and find Pandora's box, but what does a wife know? Nothing other than mythological allusions. Clearly. I assure you this is one time I did not enjoy being right.  

Anyway, on to happy things like this dress. Once again, I layered a sweater under a sleeveless dress. My creativity knows no bounds.

The Look:

Dress: Old Navy

Sweater: Old Navy

Belt: NY & Co.

Shoes: via DSW

Scarf: my momma crocheted it

Replacements: A Coat Review

I decided that I know exactly what I like to wear, so shopping has become a lot easier for me. Since I know which items I always reach for, I have been making a list of the items I wish to replace with something that will last me longer than a year. This coat is replacing one I bought for $20 last year at Forever 21. Unfortunately, despite that coat's warmth, it is a dirt magnet, and it's too short to wear with boyfriend cardigans. I know full well that coat will make it two seconds into dry cleaning before it disintegrates, becoming nothing but a pile of fibers.

I considered another Forever 21 replacement, but I didn't like the options for one of many reasons: cheetah-print fur inside, elastic sleeves, strings hanging all about (I have another coat from there, and all of the strings hanging around annoy me to no end), too short, more expensive than the one I got from AE, or sold out. They have a LOT of options, but none of them surpassed this coat for me.

I love any coat I can spend less than $100 on. Luckily, American Eagle had a Black Friday promotion for 40% off, so I decided to make this coat mine. I toyed with the rust version of this coat and decided it would not go with as many items in my closet. I also considered the black version of this coat, but then I wouldn't want to wear it with brown because I'm weird like that. I decided that the green would be versatile. If you are considering a coat like this one, I will tell you my pros and cons:

Pros:
* It covers below the butt, which means it works well with boyfriend cardigans, and I love wearing boyfriend cardigans.
* It sits a little higher in the front, which I like because it prevents me from feeling like a sausage.
* It's cinched in the waist, so it actually gives me a shape other than rectangle. (The one I'm replacing makes me feel like one shape.)
* From the chest upward, it is lined with some pseudo fur, making it much warmer. (I am always cold in the chest because I lack insulated flesh in that area.)
* The lining in the hood can be removed.
* I love the gold zipper and buttons.

Cons:
* The lining is only chest high, which might bother some people. However, it's lined in the same spot I am always coldest, so I am not sure how much it will bother me that it's not lined in a place I don't feel as cold.
* There are no side pockets. However, you can tuck the pockets' flaps inside of the pockets and stuff your hands into the pockets very easily.
* The sleeve length is a little short. I always wear gloves and my sweaters usually peek out of jacket sleeves, so I'm not sure how much of a problem this con will be.
* Sometimes, the lining pokes out of the sleeves, but I have this problem with pretty much EVERY coat ever.

For the record, I am allergic to both down and wool. (Some wool coats are okay, however.) So, coat shopping is not easy for me. Thankfully, this coat contains no allergens. Woo. Add it to the pro list.

The Look:

Tee: Target 

Cardigan: Old Navy // exact?

Scarf: Francesca's 

Pants: J.Brand via thredUP 

Boots: b.o.c. via DSW 

Repurposed or Reclalimed

Yesterday, I told you that I had to rethink some of my summer clothes so that I could repurpose them for colder weather. In fact, I dubbed today's Trendy Tuesday "Repurposed or Reclaimed" in honor of my decision to go all MacGyver on my wardrobe. This dress is one of my repurposed summer items. The other day, I felt angry about stores selling so many sleeveless dresses in the winter. I can feel less angry now that I know how to circumvent this frustration. Look at me being all resourceful.

Does anyone else have an exorbitant amount of "thin" sweaters that really function very little in the winter? Essentially, they are long-sleeved tees made of sweater material. I decided to force function out of this sweater by layering it under this dress. Since the dress is too short for work, I paired it with leggings, which turned it into a tunic. Now THAT is how you wear leggings. As long as your bum is covered, you can wear leggings in public. You may not, however, enter society wearing sweatpants tucked into Uggs. In no way can you remedy that situation. It's like the ugly, unfortunate, dyspeptic sister of MC Hammer's parachute pants.

Anyway, now that I am done insulting sweatpants tucked into Uggs, allow me to show you yesterday's outfit today (spoiler: I showed you today's outfit yesterday...oops?), which you can see so clearly in these photos of the most beautiful quality.

The Look:

Dress: via thredUP // similar from F21

Sweater: Mossimo via Target // F21 options

Scarf: Francesca's 

Leggings (which are very dark jean material): New York & Co.

Booties: Crown Vintage via DSW // exact

Earrings: Target

I wore the dress this way in the summer:

The same dress this way:

The same scarf and sweater (of a different color) this way:

The sweater (and similar booties) this way:

The same sweater and booties this way:

I guess I really do love this sweater? I feel a bit terrible about calling it a tee made of sweater material. 

Rethink

If you dress up jeans on a Monday, is your outfit really casual? I love to fancify my jeans with heels and jewels, and I argue that jeans are not just for casual Fridays. I think a dark-wash trouser jean makes for a happier Monday, and who can disagree with anything that makes Monday more manageable? (No one.) I realize that my crummy photo quality leads you to believe that these pants are black, but I assure you that they are, indeed, a dark-wash jean. Could I wear black pants with this outfit? Absolutely. Sometimes, however, I envision certain items playing well with each other, and these jeans completed the look I conjured up in my cranium. 

As I finally bid a teary farewell to some of my summer tops and dresses, to which I fiercely clung for far too long, I decided that I could repurpose quite a few items for the colder months. Take this sleeveless peplum top, for example. Yes, it has no sleeves. Haha! Did I trick you with my layering prowess? I considered a button up, but the peplum is too form fitting, which means the buttons would leave a weird little shape poking through the fabric. No bueno.

I actually chose all of my outfits for the week. My morning brain will thank me for my preparation. My "why did you pick out outfits instead of doing your grad work?" brain will scold me. Such is life. Instead of reprimanding myself, I think I will eat another cupcake and watch more HGTV. Everyone needs a break, right?   

The Look:

Peplum: New York & Co. (old) // almost identical from H&M // one with sleeves from Macy's

Trouser jeans: LOFT ("Santa" bought them for me last Christmas) // LOFT  corduroy trousers

Black Tee: Marshall's (I think I shall buy more from Target) // similar from F21

Heels: Jones New York via Marshall's // similar from DSW

Necklace (new): The Limited, got it for $8 

I also wore the peplum these ways:

(I decided to wear it with the same accessories and different bottoms. Not incredibly creative, but still an effective remixing of looks. I think.)

White, Gray, and Black

Someone in the universe needs to explain something to me. Why is it that when I think I have worn enough layers to work, my classroom is freezing, proving me horribly wrong, but when I wear more layers, thinking my classroom will be freezing, my classroom feels like a sauna? Honestly, if my room had a gender, it would certainly check the "menopausal woman" box. This morning, I pulled together this outfit and loved the combination of neutrals. Could I wear my blazer past the late bell for first period? Nope. I sweat my way out of the blazer before I even gave my first set of students a warm-up (pun unintended). 

I cannot believe my hair still looked presentable even though the patch testing on my back prevented me from showering since Monday morning. Oh, the things I admit to the internets. 

(Forgive the painter's tape. This stupid blue bedroom is going to be the end of me.)

The Look:

Blazer: Kenar via Marshall's (very similar at Target)

Sweater: LOFT (similar 1, similar 2)

Pants: Express (the Columnist, slim fit)

Flats: Merona via Target (exact)

Opinions?

I'm on a mission to fill my closet with clothes I love and not crap I bought just because it was on sale. As a result, I've made quiiiiite a bit of money on thredUP. This money pays for the clothes I love that replace the ones I don't even like all that much.

You saw my thredUp order on Wednesday. I kept only two things from it, a scarf and a dress. First, let's take a look at my Old Navy order. I think I will keep only two things, but I'd love to hear your thoughts. (In truth, I only bought what I did in order to get free shipping! Don't we all?)

I'll start with what I plan to return unless you convince me otherwise.

(P.S. Old Navy is having a 30% off sale right now in case you want any of these items for yourself.)

The Sweater

I know it looks cute, but, good gosh, I do NOT need another striped anything, especially black and white stripes. Plus, it ended up being $20, and that's just too much for something I don't need. It fits really well and looks cute with these pants. However, instead of keeping it, I will just use this picture as inspiration for another outfit with my black and white striped top.

You can find it here. (It looks gray in the picture, but it's definitely black.)

The Dress

It's a very cute dress, and it's not hoochie short. It wasn't a steep price, but I need another black dress like I need a hole in the head. In case you're wondering, I'm 5'6" with a booty, so it's still long enough despite those factors. It's soft and remixable. I just don't need it. Find it here.

By the way, I just bought the burgundy wedges from Aerosoles, and they are so comfortable. I wore them all day to teach and even to a doctor's appointment. And Ulta. And my feet didn't hurt! They give a 15% discount to teachers. (No, I didn't realize Aerosoles made cute shoes and not just old lady shoes.) Want 'em? Get 'em here.

The Leopard Cardigan

Don't even try to dissuade me from keeping this cardigan. First of all, I've been looking for a printed cardigan because most of mine are solid-colored. I also wanted a leopard cardigan; I just didn't want it to be cheesy looking. Maybe you hate it, but I love it. No way is it going back. Just look at the next outfit.

I even created another look for you; it comes to you with a dog butt, too. The cardigan isn't in stores as far as I know, but it's here online. 

The Pink Cardigan

At first, I thought it was too long, and then I remembered my favorite black, thick cardigan and how much I wear that thing. I realized I actually love the length, and I can't stop wearing blush. I might have a problem, quite honestly. Once I styled it a few ways, it sold me. Am I wearing rose-colored glasses, and I should return it? 

Here's another look with it. I think I'll wear it for casual Friday tomorrow. 

Want one for yourself? Find it here.

Nailed it.

Do you ever start off on your trip down Pinterest lane and think, "I shall wear that"? However, when the time actually arrives to wear that, you botch it something terrible and hope the original pinner never sees the monstrosity that you have created in their name? Or, conversely, you take a pin and nail that sucker to the wall and say, "haha! In Style would say I totally wore it better"? Yesterday, I think I created the latter of the two outfits (the masterpiece, not the monstrosity).

I began with this pin. (I wish I was not allergic to wool so that I could own this beautifully colored blazer that Jessica has on, but I must settle for the cotton cardigan version instead.) I thought I would wear my striped skirt (not dress) with my camel-colored cardigan (not blazer) and brown boots. However, I somehow landed on this new burgundy-colored cardigan from Target (thanks to one of those alluring Cartwheel coupons--curse you, Cartwheel). Based on how many students and teachers complimented today's outfit, I decided to pat myself on the back and say, "job well done, self."

I considered calling myself a narcissist just now, but you know what? No. I told one of my former students who needed a pep talk to repeat the following self-affirmation every day while looking in the mirror: "I am beautiful, and I write well." Perhaps, I should take my own advice and remind myself, "I do not always botch my pinspirations. In fact, I am beautiful, and I dress well." Ladies, affirm yourselves today. (I considered deleting that last sentence because of its seemingly perverted undertones. Instead, I decided to point out its weirdness and leave it be.)

If you follow me on Instagram, you already saw the outfit, but it kind of deserves a blog post. (Here I am, tooting my horn.) And something other than a shameless mirror selfie. However, I can only do so much.

The Look:

Cardigan: Target (exact on sale for $15!)

Top: Target

Belt and Skirt: NY & Co. (skirt: 1 / 2 / 3)

Boots: Ralph Lauren via DSW (brown and cognac option for $70)

I also wore the skirt these ways:

Trendy Tuesday: Something someone gave to you

Welcome to a new school year and a new set of Trendy Tuesday themes. If you didn't already know, I work in a school where a lot of us, even the fashionistos, get dressed based on a different theme each week. Today, I decided on my elephant jewelry from Momma dukes, a polka dot cardigan from my sister-in-law, and a dress and a pair of sandals that I bought with money from Momma, which technically means those are from her, right?

Please forgive my mirror pictures these days. Juggling an intense grad program, moving, class sponsorship, grading, planning, and life has become a bit more challenging than I anticipated. I'll figure it out soon enough. Finally moving out of this apartment by next month will surely help. I hope.

Fun fact of the day: these sandals didn't fit perfectly until I used my new leather punch from Michael's to punch another hole in the strap. I've already punched holes in some belts that needed tightening, and Jeff plans to use it on one of his belts, too. What an awesome $10 investment that was. I highly recommend it! I bought this one and also used my teacher discount at the register, so it was less than $10. 

Anyway, I hope you enjoy today's outfit. Catch me on Instagram, too (@likewo).

 

The Look:

Dress: Apt. 9 via Kohl's

Sandals: Apt. 9 via Kohl's

Cardigan: Target (gift from sister-in-law)

Belt: New York & Co.

Necklace & Earrings: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

 

(I thought you might want to see the dress by itself. So, here it is. By itself.)

Perfect for dressing rooms

Today, I think I figured out the perfect clothing to wear as I'm shopping: a tank, a swingy skirt, easy-to-remove sandals, and non-dangly jewelry. Typically, I find myself fighting with a top I have to keep pulling over my head, which results in a look akin to unsexy bedhead, so this tank worked perfectly to avoid such a situation. One, I can pull it off like a pair of pants. (Why pull a shirt over your head when you can avoid the whole "my hair now has tentacles" debacle?) Two, when I'm trying on sheer tops, I can wear it under them. Three, when it's sweltering outside, my top does not make me even warmer.

I texted Mom dressing room pictures, and she said, "that belt sure has made its rounds, hasn't it?" Yes, Mom, it has. Thanks for reminding me that I have no idea what I'll do the day this belt dies. And, thanks, Mom, for telling me we'll go on a "mad hunt" for a new one the day that this belt needs replacing. You're the best.

Trendy Tuesday has started up again this school year, so every week, all of the fashionistas and fashionistos in my school will be dressing based on a different theme each week. We'd love for you to join us! We Instagram our cuteness with the hashtag #trendytuesday. Tomorrow's theme is "Something someone gave to you." I plan to wear my elephant necklace and earrings from Momma because elephants make me happy and so does my Momma. (Yes, I realize how awesome my school is for participating in such awesomeness.)

The Look:

Vest: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

Tank: Target

Skirt: LOFT 

Belt: New York & Co.

Sandals: Pink & Pepper via Marshall's

(I did not wearing this outfit to teach; we were off for Labor Day, so I wore it to shop. Of course.)

I sent this dressing room picture to Mom. We decided that this dress should come home with me. However, I realized I would get a better deal by buying it online through Ebates, so I came home and ordered it.  I feel like dresses with sleeves are hard to come by. Am I right?

Teacher Style: Black Chiffon Dress (and my anniversary)

Today marks Jeff's and my third year of marriage and tenth year together. I am a firm believer that I should be able to count the years prior to our marriage because I think the people who got married after ten seconds of knowing each other aren't allowed to say they've been together longer than Jeff and I have been just because it took him six years to pull the trigger. That's all I'll say on that part of the matter.

Anyway, I won't get sappy on you about how much I love him, but let's just say I even had a dream about him last night that he defended our house from attackers. Clearly, even my subconscious feels safe with him. He's truly an amazing man, and it's no wonder why everyone who meets him loves him. 

Moving on to my black chiffon dress. I thought it was too dressy and that I'd need to send it packing. Nope, it proved its worth today. You are granted permission to stay in my closet, dress.

(The dress is from LOFT several years ago.)

Look 1: colored cardigan + belt + neutral shoes

I thought about wearing my yellow cardigan, but I decided to give it a break. Plus, I didn't want to look like a bumble bee. Also, I really love the color of this cardigan.

Look 2: colored cardigan + printed belt + statement earrings + dressy wedges

The leopard belt felt unexpected to me. And I realized how much I love the collar of this dress. This look happens to be my favorite of the four.

Look 3: printed cardigan + belt + neutral shoes

This cardigan made me wish I had more printed cardigans. In colors. Granted, I think my closet might just give me the middle finger if I add another cardigan to it. (There may or may not be one in my online shopping cart right now.)

Look 4: okay, this look is much like number 2; it just switches up the colors and prints. I almost didn't show it to you, but I thought I'd make it very clear how small tweaks can change the look.