Scarf it up!

Quick video of today's casual Friday outfit.

Here to BLUE you away...

Jeff was at work, and I suck at self portraits, so today's outfit is brought to you by Photo Booth. I hope you enjoy it.

Did you leave your manners at home?

Rockin' the plaid

I don't know about you, but I never know whether I'll be walking into a classroom, a sauna, or an ice box every day. Some days, the temperature shifts by the hour; I'm freezing in second period, and I'm sweating by fifth. Anyway, what does that mean? Since it feels a bit odd to wear my coat all day (which I've certainly done), I need to strategically layer so that I can quickly adapt.

The black jacket was on sale at White House Black Market (Momma and I love that store.)

The plaid ensemble is actually a sleeveless dress. It's Candie's brand from Kohl's; my momma bought it for me over a year ago, but I couldn't figure out how to wear it. Last night, as I planned my outfit for today, I had a brainchild. The off-white sheer shirt (also Candie's brand from Kohl's) came with a tank top sewn into it. I cut out the tank and slipped the sheer shirt over top of the dress. I then took the dress' belt and hooked it over top of the shirt. Ta da.

You can't see it so well, but my hair is back in this pseudo bun. I woke up late and needed a shower, but I had only two minutes to make something of my hair. (Food is way more important to me in the morning.) I threw it up in this styled pseudo bun that I constantly sported in high school. I received more compliments on that hair style than almost any other. So weird.

My boots, accented by the wonderful black dog toy, are from Macy's. They're meant for smaller calves like mine, yay. I find that many boots look funky on my legs because they balloon out. These books like my feet.

I need to get Jeff to take some more close-up pictures so that you can see jewelry, hair, and what not.

Gina said I look like an '80s child

Cardigan is from Target. I always need an Eskimo number of layers at work. I never know if I'm going to feel prematurely menopausal or if I should dub myself the Ice Queen.

Black tank and gray suede wedges are also from Target. I did not realize until just now that I'm a walking Target ad. I just need some pants from there to seal the deal.

I was laughing at the dogs, and I'm now laughing at the huge lips to the right.

Pants from from Ann Taylor LOFT. I started working out on the elliptical and now they're loose. They're size zero. Feel free to hate me all you wish. I got some good genes (or corduroys). 

The silver belt, which you can't see too well, is from NY&Co. They have the coolest belts that are adjustable. I'm annoyed by belts with too much flapping at the end that still isn't long enough to tuck into a belt loop. These belts eradicate the problem. Genius.

I think you can understand why I posted this picture (for various reasons). In case you're unaware, allow me to enlighten you:
1. Look at the diva on the TV screen.
2. Roxy is beginning to love these daily photo shoots.
3. Look at my little antenna hairs sticking up in the back. I'm still 5 years old.


By the way, I'm not a huge fan of this outfit. I won't have a problem not wearing it again. Feel free to tell me how you'd make it better or if you're a weirdo and actually like it.

New year, new teacher?

 This picture is fantastic because the dogs decided to pose, too. Squirt's seductively looking over her shoulder, and Roxy lost one of her ears. Ever wonder what dogs would be like if they were people? I do. 


Anyway, the coat was on clearance at Marshall's. $56. I win. Jeff can attest to the fact that I covet all coats. Some girls fancy purses. I fancy clothing that keeps me warm. 


The tights have probably three runs in them, but I patched them up with clear nail polish. They're just on my butt (testament to how large my 'donk is?), so who cares?

The shoes are Jessica Simpson. I tell ya what. It's no big deal that she fell out of singing stardom because her true claim to fame is making wonderfully beautimous shoes on the cheap (without looking cheap).

Roxy loves her limelight. 

I look a bit like a deer in headlights, but no matter. The shirt was $20 at Express. Ohhh yeah. Who rocks the clearance rack? You bet I do.


I believe Roxy is growing a bit bored with all of these pictures.

The black bracelet is from NY&Co, the only reputable store in the pathetic excuse of a "mall" near me.

The necklace? Kohl's.

Roxy is so pooped that she decided to lay down. Such a hard life.

Oh, the skirt is from The Limited. They have the best pencil skirts.

Pencil skirts are perfect for tucking shirts (tucked-in shirts always sneak out of my pants, but they stay put in high-waisted skirts.)

TIP: The Limited gives a 15% discount to all teachers with an ID.

Other clothing stores that I frequent who also provide a teacher discount? Ann Taylor LOFT, J.Crew, NY&Co.

Honestly, just ask a place when you go to the counter. You might luck out.

New Year's Day Outfit

Let's be honest: I cannot make a "resolution" for the new year. If I resolve to stop spending money, I'll spend more just to spite myself. Emotional terrorism is always a good idea.

So, how do I go about making 2012 better than 2011? I trick myself. Here's my plan to curb my spending: shop smarter (and just buying everything on sale is not smarter). I am going to turn outfit creation into a game. My closet houses a lot of clothes, but I never seem to have anything to wear. Typical problem for women, yeah?

Well, let's call this game my new year's challenge. I challenge myself to stop buying the same things in several colors (I only ever wear one of the colors), forgetting what's in my closet (too many things get shoved to the back), buying multiple versions of the same dang thing (who really needs five black cardigans?), and being too lazy to take back clothes I clearly won't wear (if it still wears the tags after a month, then it needs to go back to the store).

 So, how else can I curtail my spending habits?

1. Buy only what I love. I need to stop buying "meh" items just because they're on sale. They just collect dust in my closet and eventually end up in Goodwill bags or a friend's closet.

2. Buy with outfits in mind. If I can think of at least three things that shirt will compliment, then I'm making a smart choice.
 
3. Take notes (mental or written down) on what I "need." If I try to put together an outfit, but I know it would benefit from a gold belt, then I should go on a hunt for a gold belt. (It's good to maintain focus.)  

4. If I'm really not sure about something, I must think on it. If it's still around in a few weeks-month and I'm still thinking about it, then it's a wise purchase. For example, see the white coat in the following picture? I waited TWO months for that coat. It was $148, and I refused to pay that much. I took some items back to The Limited yesterday, and I decided to take a gander at the clearance rack. Low and behold, what did I find? Only one of those coats was left, it was in my size, and it was marked down to $69.99. Fate? I think so. I took the coat to the register and asked if I could tack my teacher's discount (15%) to this clearance item. She said yes, so I bought the coat for $60. Patience is a virtue, folks.

 This necklace was already in my collection. I'm pretty sure it came from Kohl's, and I'm certain that my mom allowed me to use one of the million 30% off coupons she poops out.

The pink sweater is also from Kohl's.

The gray skinny corduroys are from American Eagle. I think my mom bought them for me last Christmas. You'll find that my mom picked out a lot of my clothes. I put new meaning to the song "I get it from my momma."

I found these lacy black flats on the clearance rack at DSW. I wanted black flats, and I narrowed my choices down to two. I took a picture of both shoes on my feet and texted the picture to my mom. She liked these better than the others, which I was hoping she'd say.

(Side note: I'm glad I could exercise self control and buy only one pair. See, I'm already making progress!)

Wish me luck on my new year's clothes challenge!