summer sweater

I picked up this very lightweight sweater on my hooray-I-have-a-paycheck-again shopping spree, thinking that it would be a nice polished option for teaching on the cooler days of summer.

Now that I see the pictures, I'm not sold. It looks...cheap. And lumpy. Anyone know any tricks for smoothing out a sweater over a button-down? Maybe I should ditch the belt?

At least my skirt is twirly.

Sweater: GAP outlet

Blouse: Banana Republic outlet

Belt: thrifted

Skirt: j.crew outlet (okay I am sensing a theme here)

Boots: Steve Madden Girl via DSW

Bracelet: gift

Monday monday

I've really been enjoying this group of students. Our theme this week is food, so today we talked about their expectations for American food and how American food is different from Asian food. Food is an awesome topic for an ESL class - it is so deeply intertwined with culture, and everyone has strong opinions about what they like to eat!

I love this floaty white dress. I love the shaping in the bodice. I also love the deep v of the neckline, but I do a lot of bending over when I'm teaching, so I put a tank under it for modesty.

Dress: street vendor in New York, shortened by my mom

Cardigan: hand-me-down from C

Tank top: GAP body

Belt: thrifted at Goodwill

Shoes: Payless

a little behind

So this is actually what I wore last Wednesday. I love this shirtdress because it basically is an outfit on its own, making getting dressed super easy.

I brightened up the dark color with my absolute favorite scarf, and threw on my new favorite wedges for height.

Fashion blogging got shoved to the side the rest of last week as I had some serious decisions to make. I am proud to announce that next year I will be living in part of the former Yugoslavia, teaching English as part of a U.S. governmental program. Though it will be hard to leave, I think this is a great opportunity and I am excited for new adventures!

Dress: Mossimo via Target
Scarf: hand-me-down
Shoes: Bandalino via TJMaxx
Earrings: ancient

cropped

I like my cropped pants a lot better with heels. I felt tall and posh!

This outfit features pretty much all the things I like about myself - blue for my eyes, a boat neck for my clavicle, skinny pants for my legs, and strappy shoes for my feet. This outfit, I think I can say, was inspired by Dress Your Best! :)

Shirt: thrifted, Banana Republic
Pants: GAP, shortened by me
Shoes: Bandolino via TJMaxx
Earrings: gift
Ring: Alaska state fair

Happy Memorial Day!

For Tina, who loves a good casual post:

Easy and a little bit fifties. A perfect outfit for hanging laundry on the clothesline, no?

Shirt: TJMaxx
Shorts: GAP outlet
Sandals: Chinese Laundry via TJMaxx
Scarf: hand-me-down

mixed greens

I found this super comfortable jersey dress at TJMaxx last week on a marathon shopping trip with my mom and sister. I am pretty much in love with it. I wore it under my cap and gown with black heels, and I teachered it up yesterday with a button-down.

However, I'm worried that with the puffed-sleeve blouse and the scarf-sash, the whole thing comes off a bit too kindergarten playdate. What do you all think?

Dress: Spense via TJMaxx

Blouse: TJMaxx

Scarf: hand-me-down

Flats: Rocket Dogs

Ring: gift from mom

summer teachin'

I'm really starting to like my summer session students - 4 guys from China and one from Korea. In my experience teaching ESL, men from East Asia are often the most reticent to participate in class. A lot to do with the Asian conception of education, I think. But these dudes are quite lively, even funny. Hooray for students who surprise you. :)

The weather finally came down out of the stratosphere today, so I took advantage of the opportunity to wear a long-sleeved button-down.

A dress with pockets - can't beat that! And I'm in love with this necklace my sister beqeathed to me.

Dress: j.crew outlet

Shirt: TJMaxx

Shoes: Payless

Necklace: hand-me-down
Earrings: thrifted