the end

As I think you all can tell by the long radio silence, I am now gearing up for my job overseas and have been letting this blog slide. Honestly, between the end of my class, an orientation in Washington DC, and trying to get rid of or store everything I own in the next two weeks, documenting what I wear just hasn't been a priority. I think that indicates that I've gotten what I wanted to get out of this particular blogging experience. So here's a look back at why I started this blog and what I feel I've learned from it.

Reason #1: I wanted to push myself to be more creative with my clothing.

Result: I think this happened. I've played around with some trends and pushed myself to wear forgotten purchases. I also acquired a LOT of belts. I think more importantly, keeping a (somewhat) regular record of what I wore for a year has helped me to define my own style; I feel like I have a better sense of what I like and what I don't. I still have hesitations and wardrobe freak-outs, of course, but overall I think I feel better about how I look on a daily basis.

Reason #2: I was inspired by reading fashion blogs, particularly those belonging to other graduate students and young professionals. In these blogs I found a community of smart, funny, compassionate women with real bodies and real budgets who manage to dress well every day. I wanted to be part of that community in some small way.

Result: I have been so grateful for the kind comments and general support of other bloggers who have checked in here, and I have definitely enjoyed my time as part of this community (the challenges were especially fun!). But I've realized that my favorite bloggers simply put a lot more time and effort into their blogs: posting daily, keeping track of their pictures, hosting giveaways, linking, creating challenges, etc. I'm just not that dedicated.

Reason #3: I wanted to keep up a friendship with C, who was moving away, by using the blog to continue chatting about clothes and style the way we did regularly when she lived here.

Result: I think this worked at first. When C had to drop out of the blog, I missed the collaboration with her, and I think posting got a lot more erratic. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that even without checking in on each other's outfits regularly, we've still got a lot to talk about.

Overall conclusion? This was a good year-long experiment for me, but it's time to move on. I'll be going back to the sort of travel/life blogging I've done on previous trips. When I've got the new blog set up, I'll post the link here.

Thank you so much to everyone who read and commented on this blog. You've been wonderful!

teacherly, summer edition

I'm always a bit hesitant to wear this jersey t-shirt dress teaching because it's so casual, so it hasn't been getting much love lately. Then I remember this outfit and decided to try a summery version.

Add a short-sleeved white button-down and ta-da! Teacherly! For summer!

I felt cute.

Have a great weekend, everyone!


Dress: Old Navy
Button-down: BR outlet
Belt: thrifted
Shoes: Payless

such great heights

I bought these shoes on a DSW trip with C, when I raved about how sexy and yet comfortable they were. I think since then I have worn them...once. For about two hours. Why? The truth is, I do not know how to walk in this high of heels. I thought that owning these shoes I adore would force me to practice. Nope. They languished on the floor of my closet day after day as I headed off to teach in my sensible flats or low-heeled boots.

My general philosophy of clothing ownership is that if I haven't worn something in more than a year I don't need it (exceptions sometimes granted for fancy dress clothes), which means that as a person who has been moving every September for the past few years I've been good about getting rid of unworn stuff. And as I know prepare to either pack or sell or give away everything I own, I have to decide: should they stay or go?

After wearing this outfit, I'm leaning towards stay.

I cannot even describe how tall and glamorous and posh I felt in this outfit. I felt like a model. Seriously. Look, I even did my best Tyra Banks broken-down-doll pose.

On the other hand, I had to trade these shoes for flipflops just to walk to and from my car, so these shoes are definitely not coming overseas where I will be taking public transportation everywhere. I just don't think I can give them up. They make me so happy!

Do any of you have clothes you feel this way about?

Tank top: TJMaxx

Skirt: TJMaxx

Belt: hand-me-down

Shoes: ciao bella via DSW

Bracelet: gift from my sis

DIY capris, the white version

I've had these white pants forever - I got them in St. Petersberg and they always made me feel impossibly European and glamorous. Sadly, the hems were tattered and gray. So last week, out came the scissors, needle, and thread, and ta-dah! White capris!

I think they might need to be a hair shorter. What do you all think?

Shirt: Forever XXI

Pants: boutique in St. Pete, shortened by me

Sandals: Nine West outlet
Earrings: gifted

blue on blue?

I put this outfit on yesterday morning, and stood in front of the mirror waiting to hate it. I mean, bright blue with navy? What, did I get dressed in the dark?

But the longer I stood there, the more I thought...my waist looks small. I feel pretty. I am really comfortable. And I bet Chelsea from bright side dweller would wear this. So I kept it on.


Now I need you to tell me, honestly, does the blue on blue work for you? Would you wear a bright color with its neutral equivalent?

Shirt: Banana Republic, thrifted

Skirt: Banana Republic, ages ago

Belt: thrifted

Shoes: Rocket Dogs

Necklace: hand-me-down from sis

Earrings: hand-me-down from mom

white collar?

Yesterday in class, I was trying to explain the term "pink collar" to my students. I told them (correctly, as it turns out) that pink collar jobs were jobs in industries dominated by women, such as retail, secretarial work, and nursing. I said that this also included elementary school teachers. One of my students then asked, "So, are you pink collar?" That made me pause. True, ESL teaching is largely done by women (in fact, all four teachers currently working in my program are women). But damnit, I have an advanced degree. Then again, I suppose a lot of elementary school teachers do as well...

Anyway, I am asserting my white-collar-ness in this outfit.

Sans belt, even!



Button-down: TJMaxx
Purple tank top: Costco
Skirt: street vendor in Bangkok
Sandals: Nine West outlet
Earrings: ingerited from my grandmother

conservative...with a twist

Yesterday was the first day of a new class session. I have got a great group of students, very lively and fun, and the freedom to play around with the curriculum. One of the students asked why there were so many ping pong tables on campus, and I ended up explaining beer pong to them, complete with diagrams - on the first day! Don't say I never taught you anything, kids.

I usually go conservative on the first day (in my clothes, anyway...)

I think I shall dub this "the mullet belt". Business up front...

Party in the back.

Aw, yeah.

Also, check out these gorgeous earrings my lovely friend S. gave me as a birthday gift!

Love.

Shirt: hand-me-down

Skirt: Merona, thrifted

Belt: Target

Shoes: Bandolino via TJMaxx

Earrings: gift