Monday, September 30

I woke up early to work out.  I decided my emotional well-being needed it.  Also, my physical well-being needed it.  I'd like to pretend the extra weight I've been holding on to is just my hair.  :P

Green Top: Express
Skirt: JcPenney
Necklace: LOFT
Tights: Walmart
Kitten Heels: Union Bay

Right now, I'm feeling crispy around the edges.  I am really needing some good inspiration.  ...and maybe a mental health day!

Sunday, September 29

Sorry I've been posting later and later.  This whole grading thing is a total time-suck.  Also, it just kinda sucks.

Black V-neck: NY&Co
Jeans: Se7en from Lane Bryant
Cardigan: Altar'd State
Necklace: LOFT
Shoes: Target

Saturday, September 28

It was rainy and a little chilly today.  I had a hard time picking out an outfit to wear, but decided I wanted navy and mustard as my colors.  From there, I picked out the dress and cardigan.  Sometimes it's hard to dress myself because I have so many options swirling through my head.

Dress: Altar'd State
Mustard Cardigan: Charlotte Russe
Flats: TOMS

Friday, September 27

I was so busy Friday after school that I didn't even get to post until now.  Where does the time go??

I wasn't crazy about wearing this dress with these boots, but it was too warm to wear tall boots and when I put on flats, the outfit looked blah.  I used to make fun of people who wore their UGG boots with everything, and I still don't own a pair of UGGs, but I was flirting with that style so I guess I need to start keeping my mouth shut about it.

Dress: Kohl's
Cardigan: Maurice's
Boots: Kohl's

                                            

Monogram Necklace: gift from a friend

Bracelet: Target

        

There is a story that goes with the boots: my mom gave them to me for Christmas. When I opened them up, she told me that I needed some "Indian" boots to represent my heritage (I'm Native American--Choctaw to be exact).  Anyway, I had to laugh because she bought them at Kohl's.  Not exactly what I would have in mind for representing my heritage!

Thursday, September 26

Today was an awesome day.  I'm thinking my week is an up-and-down roller-coaster.  Tonight I didn't take any work home and I plan to sit in front of the TV and watch some of my favorite shows' new episodes.  It's the small, first-world things, people.

Striped 3/4 Tee: Gap
Chartreuse cardigan: Banana Republic
Black Pencil Skirt: Kohl's
Necklace: Francesca's
Bracelet: Kohl's
Flats: TOMS

So the necklace is much shorter, but a smarter person than me once talked about making a short necklace longer by connecting a bracelet to the back.  It was one of those DOH moments for me.  That's why I like reading others' blogs and seeing the photos and comments on GCOGH.  I need smarter people to help me dress myself!

Wednesday, September 25

I was just done with today.  And I think today was done with me!

Top: LOFT or Ann Taylor (can't remember)
Pants: Marshall's
Cardigan: Gap
Necklace: Wet Seal
Bracelet: Victoria's Secret
Loafers: Aerosoles from Marshall's

I had a vertical team meeting for the morning and then after school I had a PBIS meeting.  Also I had to calm down a crying co-worker, listen to another co-worker gripe for a while, and I came home feeling like crap.  Not in the "I'm feeling ill" kind of way but in a "when can I ever catch a break, why does everyone seem to think I am their dumping grounds" kind of way.  I'm going to take a nice, long bath and hopefully soak away the frustration.

Tuesday, September 24

I had a great day today!

Gray Dot Blazer: Kohl's
Blue Top: Kohl's
Teal Pants: Kohl's
Necklace: J.Crew Factory
Greige Loafers: Aerosoles from Marshall's

I absolutely love these shoes (never mind that my feet are apparently super-wide).  They are absolutely cloud-comfortable.  I am beyond happy that I got these for $20!

Monday, September 23

I had a bad day today.  I had to work until nearly 5:30 this evening.  That's over ten hours.  Totally done--brain is mush!

As soon as I came home, off came this outfit and on came the sweats!  LOL

Jacket: Guess from Marshall's
Dress: Old Navy
Belt: Target
Tights: Walmart
Boots: Ariat from Ebay
Necklace: Dustee's

Sunday, September 22

Still grading...will this pile of papers never end?!?!

I'm hoping to be done with the grading by 4pm.  That is my goal.  I did stop the madness this morning by going to church.  And the weather is perfect fall weather, so I could finally pull out my jean jacket and my tights and my new booties.

At first I tried it on without a belt, but it looked like something was missing...

 With the belt, I feel it looked much better and more pulled together.  Amazing how a little piece of a leather can make a difference!

Dress: JcPenney
Belt: off of another dress, but can't remember what
Navy Tights: Target
Jean Jacket: Old Navy
Black Booties: Ariat (from Ebay)
Necklace: from a flea market in FL

The navy and the black actually went pretty well together.  The picture doesn't really show the difference in color.  I was worried it would look like I couldn't tell the difference between navy and black, but in reality, the colors just complement the colors in the dress.

Saturday, September 21

It finally feels (kind of) like fall!  Too bad I was stuck inside all day...grading...

I did get dressed later in the afternoon so I could go grocery shopping.  This is what I threw on.

Chevron Top: Walmart
Dotted Denim Top: Kohl's
Jeans: Old Navy
Shoes: Target

In the past, I would have refused to wear this outfit.  The denim doesn't match!  The shoes don't go with anything!  A print on a print!  Thank goodness I don't really follow those fashion rules so strictly anymore.

Friday, September 20

Today was the last day of Spirit Week for Homecoming.

I blurred out my school name across the sweater

I found this old cheer sweater when I was a cheer coach and, since the school was going to throw it away, I appropriated it for spirit days.  I made the tutu using one of the no-sew tutorials from Pinterest.  I wore it with cobalt jeans and my Sperry's.  Yay for the end of Homecoming!  I am in charge of the candidates and crowning, so this last week was super-busy for me.

Thursday, September 19

WARNING: This week is Homecoming Spirit Week, so each day I will be dressed for the appropriate dress-up theme.

Today's Theme: Throwback Thursday;  I chose the '80s.  Like I even needed to say that after you see the picture!

Yep, that's a fanny pack.

You can't see my face, but I had a scrunchy in my hair to do a cool side-pony that I had crimped by leaving braids in my hair overnight.  Also, I had on blue eyeshadow.  LOTS of it!

On a side note, I had to tell my students that yes, in fact, people wore fanny packs in the eighties and we thought it was cool.  They didn't believe me, so I had to pull up pictures from the internet to prove it.  So sad that the eighties were so long ago that the students don't know about that kind of stuff.

Wednesday, September 18

WARNING: This week is Homecoming Spirit Week.  We have dress up days.  It is awesome.


Today was Superhero day.

That's right; I was a teacher for Superhero Day.  Appropriate, no?  :)  In case you can't read the shirt, it says "I teach....What's your superpower?"  And yes, those are rainbow striped socks.  And a Superman cape.  

Tuesday, September 17

TODAY'S SPIRIT THEME: Disney Day

For Homecoming, I always dress up for the spirit days.  For four years, I was the cheer coach, so it was kind of mandatory.  If I wanted my cheerleaders to participate, then I surely needed to so that I could model what I wanted from them.  But now, I do it for fun.  The kids really like it.  A lot of my students have complimented me on my outfits so far :)

Minnie Ears: Disney World
T-Shirt: Disney World
Blazer: JcPenney
Skirt: Kohl's
Tights: Hanes from Walmart
Red Flats: Kohl's

Monday, September 16

WARNING: This week is Homecoming Spirit Week, so each day I will be dressed for the appropriate dress-up theme.

Today's theme was "Twin Day" so the entire English department wore white button downs and black pants.  I opted to add the neon yellow flats to add some color back in!

Boy, did I need some brightness in my day today too!  I worked for 13 hours straight today.  Our data person screwed up our intervention groups and didn't organize the kids into the correct groups according to the protocols we had set out, so I spent about five hours after school working on that.  THEN, I was scheduled to supervise the float-building for the Homecoming parade.  I.  am.  exhausted.

White Top: Kohl's
Black Pants: Marshall's
Neon Flats: Kohl's
Silver bracelet: Target

Sunday, September 15

Okay, so it's nearly 9pm and I'm finally getting the time to post.  That means no commentary from me today.  Not like it's ever witty or interesting.   :)

Navy Dress: Kohl's (like five years ago!)
Scarf: The Mustard Seed (from India)
Shoes: TOMS ballet flats

It was finally cool enough to wear my scarf today.  Also, this dress is navy even though it looks purple in the picture.

Saturday, September 14

I have so much I still need to do today but it's already 4pm!  GAH.  Where does the time go?

Today, much of it went to going to town.  This morning I met with my writing group for breakfast and writing time.  Our breakfast took an hour and a half to come out.  I'm not exaggerating here; the wait staff had to come out and tell us the cook was having a panic attack and it would be a while.  So strange.

Here's what I wore today.  It made me think of Katniss from the Hunger Games, so I put my hair in a braid.  :)

Tank: Old Navy
Jacket: Maurice's
Jeans: Se7en from Lane Bryant
Necklace: LOFT
Shoes: Target

Seriously, why can't I have Jennifer Lawrence's looks?  :P

Friday, September 13

I could tell it was Friday the 13th.  My students were awesome today though.  It was an issue with my student teacher I was having.  But things are better now.

Anyone had a student teacher before?  Any suggestions you may have for me?

I had a completely different outfit planned for today, but it was a little military-esque and since I had to have a confrontation/discussion with my student teacher this morning, I didn't want what I had to say to be affected by my strict-looking, military-looking outfit.

Anyone else ever dressed to soften their look when they knew they were going to have to confront someone?  Am I the only one who thinks about how my clothes might affect what I say? (Or more importantly, how others interpret what I say?)

Maxi Dress: gift from my mother; I think she got it from Avon
White Tee: Target
Long Necklace: Kohl's
Shoes: TOMS ballet flats

Thursday, September 12

Ugghhh, I hate miscommunications.  And apparently that has been what my week has been all about.  People apparently cannot say what they really mean!  And some people have no problems lying to cover their tracks when they are rude.  I don't get that.  I guess it's my week.  Next week will have to be better!

I didn't like the way my outfit looked from the front; I am too poochy right now.  I need to get back into working out.  But my stress levels and lack of sleep are preventing me from getting a whole lot done.

Top: Marshall's
Cardigan: Gap
Skirt: Kohl's
Shoes: TOMS
Necklace: LOFT

How do you deal with a lack of communication from people or with poor communication from others?  I tend to take a lack of couth (I just looked it up; it can in fact be used as a noun) very personally.  Also, when I get really really angry, I shake and cry.  That always looks so mature...but don't worry, I don't do it in front of others.

Wednesday, September 11

My school now has a JROTC program and the students in that program (ahem, I should say cadets) had a wonderful, touching flag ceremony before school today.  It brought tears to my eyes.

It's amazing how so many of the young people I work with see the value in understanding what happened and care about their country.  Many dressed up in honor of and remembrance of the victims.

T-Shirt: Target
Skirt: Kohl's
Rust Tights: Target
Kitten Heels: Union Bay
Necklace: Kohl's

Tuesday, September 10

I had a bad day.  My student teacher had subbed for me yesterday since I had to go to a training and I came back to find out she had 'tried something new' and that meant I had to re-teach the entire thing--I say "I" but really that meant she was supposed to.  I also had a colleague be very disrespectful and rude to me about a program I'm not in charge of nor did I create.  I finally had to say "You don't need to yell at me; I was trying to help you.  I'm not even in charge of this!"

I hate confrontations.  I'm known as "smiley," "nice," and "happy."  I was definitely feeling like none of those things today.  Thus I am physically and emotionally drained.  Thankfully I have an awesome group of students so they weren't even the problem!  It's crazy to me that I'm having more problems today with adults than I had with students.

Sorry to be Debby Downer today.  I really needed to vent though.

Here's today's outfit.  I liked it.  It was comfy and the colors were fun.  I would have worn the top without the cardigan (like in the first picture), but I was worried it would technically be considered sleeveless and we can't wear sleeveless tops at work.  I still got a few compliments on it today though.

Periwinkle Top: Ann Taylor
Lace Skirt: Kohl's
Necklace: J.Crew Outlet
Monogram Bracelet: Altar'd State
Gold Belt: Came off a pair of Dana Buchman pants (Kohl's)
Flats: Vince Camuto (Dillard's)
Cardigan: Dana Buchman (Kohl's)

Monday, September 9

I had a full-day training I attended today with my building principal.  It was informative and my brain is now dead.

Beige Sweater: Ann Taylor
Black Capris: JcPenney
Necklace: Wet Seal
Bracelet: Target
Leopard Flats: Target

It was nearly 100 degrees outside today, but inside the training room it was quite chilly.  Thus the short-sleeved sweater--perfect for both extremes because it is light but it still has some substance.

Sunday, September 8

I wore bright colors today in an attempt to cheer myself up.  My husband left on yet another business trip and this time he's going to be gone six months.  This is going to be one LONG school year.  One good thing is that he will get to come home one weekend a month.

Dress: JcPenney
Flyaway Cardigan: Altar'd State
Necklace: Francesca's
Bracelet: Target
Wedges: Nine West Outlet

I bought the dress last year for my birthday and I really haven't worn it since then.  I like the cut of it and find it very flattering, though, so I figured I'd try it with my cardigan today and I like how it turned out.  I may also try it later with my tan blazer.  Since the colors in the dress are so bright, I tried to tone it down with my necklace.  The shoes are more of a fuschia than a bright pink, but they really look like they match the dress when paired with it.  I guess that goes to show you how you don't have to match everything exactly for it to look good.

Also, I was very impressed with my hair this morning.  I finger-combed it and that was it.  Second-day romantic waves.  Good job, hair!

Saturday, September 7

Today is my husband's last day at home.  It's going to be hard to have him gone again; this time he'll be gone for six months!

We went to town to run some errands this afternoon and I bought myself some goodies at Marshall's.  On the way into the store, a very kind woman stopped me to tell me how much she loved my outfit.  :)  It made my day!!

Purple Dress: JcPenney
Black Tank: Banana Republic
Grey Cardigan: Target
Purple Necklace: Francesca's
Black Sandals: Target
Silver Flower Hair Barette: Vanity

Here's what I got at Marshall's.  I'm so so so excited for fall to finally get here. I can't wait until the weather catches up with the calendar and it starts to cool off.

 

I really love the shoes by Aeropostale and hope to wear them all fall!  The green slacks are from Express and are supposed to be "ankle pants" but  I'm short so they fit me like regular pants.  As for the jacket, I've been wanting a moto jacket for SOOO long now and this one by Guess is so soft AND it looks really expensive.  Plus I love the cognac color.  My husband HATED this jacket because it's not real leather.  Also he said he didn't like the quilted part.  I ignored him though and got it for ME. :)

Friday, September 6

I got home late and I'm really tired.  So all I can think to say is that I really really like this outfit.  It evolved as I was getting ready as I changed some of the accessories to figure out what looked best.

It started out like this:

Eyelet Peplum Top: Ann Taylor
Blue Pencil Skirt: Kohl's
Necklace: LOFT
Sandals: Charlotte Russe

Then I tried this:

I took away the necklace and added the gray shrug from The Limited

Then I traded out the sandals for flats:

Flats: TOMS

The necklace clashed with the cardigan (it had sparkles but you can't tell in the pictures).  The sandals, while cute, didn't fit the vibe of the rest of the outfit, so I opted for the gray flats instead.  It was serendipitous that the flats matched my shrug.  I had to wear the shrug to work as I am not allowed to wear sleeveless.  I really do love the outfit itself so much though!

Thursday, September 5

Thank goodness it's Friday Eve.  Seriously.

You know you're a teacher when...you get cursed at by a student who then refuses to leave the classroom when you ask that student to go to the office and the rest of the class keeps right on going without even really knowing what happened.  :)  Yep, that was my last class today.  My student teacher didn't even realize what was going on.

Ahhhh, teenagers.

Here's today's outfit.  It's kinda boring.  But at least you can see the formula for a really easy outfit:  plain dress + colored belt + matching colored shoes.  I have really cute red wedges I wanted to wear with this outfit, but I couldn't handle the thought of standing all day in them.

Black Dress: Kohl's
Red Belt: Target
Red Flats: Kohl's

No jewelry today.  You can't tell in the picture, but the neckline of the dress has black jewels sewn in for added interest.  No need for a necklace!

Wednesday, September 4

I really just wore one of my outfits that I posted yesterday.  Sorry for repeating it, but I DID add a cardigan to it, so at least I changed it a little.

I have a bunch to do to prepare for my students' peer review sessions in class tomorrow, so I'm going to leave you with this outfit photo.  Hopefully I'll have more to say tomorrow.

Top: LOFT
Skirt: LOFT
Belt: LOFT
Cardigan: Charlotte Russe
Necklace: Francesca's
Flats: Target

This outfit really isn't "me" but I liked the colors :P

Tuesday, September 3

Sorry for being MIA.  I had a family member I needed to visit at the hospital and it was quite a ways out of town.

I was planning to post the outfits I wore while out of town, but to be honest they were repeat outfits and the pictures turned out cruddy, so instead I put together a quick post to add to Audrey's link up at Putting Me Together.

I wanted to make it a little difficult for myself, so I picked what seemed to be my least versatile skirt and figured out some fun ways to wear it.

THE YELLOW SKIRT

(LOFT)

                   Rocker Chic

Black T-Shirt: NY and Co
Necklace: Dustee's
Tights: Hanes from Walmart
Black Booties: Ariat

         This outfit could be paired so many different ways: taller boots, brown accents, daintier necklace...

Country Chic

Plaid Shirt: Old Navy
Necklace: Target

The only change to this outfit was the top and the necklace.  I could have worn my black moccasin booties instead of my Ariat boots or I could have worn tall black boots (I have been DROOLING over a pair of Hunters).

Office Chic

White Button Down: Old Navy
Blazer: JcPenney
Kitten Heels: Union Bay 

Here I traded out button up tops, added a blazer, and exchanged the boots for heels.  I could have added a structured belt and I didn't put on a necklace since you wouldn't have been able to see it in this picture anyway.  

Preppy Chic

Striped Tank: Gap
Red Belt: Target
Red Flats: Kohl's

If you aren't crazy about the red, you could try green or black or blue or purple...you get the idea.  

Summer/Spring Chic

This shirt is really more of a teal color but it came out looking blue in this photo: LOFT
Necklace: Francesca's
Leopard Belt: LOFT
Leopard Flats: Target

The formula for this outfit is the same as the one above, but the colors and patterns make it look much different. 

I feel like my photos aren't revolutionary or anything--they are probably the same thing you see on all the other sartorial blogs that are everywhere.  Hopefully someone will get an idea from seeing these photos though.  I know it helped me see how a seemingly not-very-versatile piece really can fit into my wardrobe!