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

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

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

Audrey?

Last Thursday I was feeling a bit fifties. Capris and flats always remind me of Audrey Hepburn movies.


I wanted the silhouette of a skinny belt, but I'm still not brave enough to mix brown and black, so I ended up with my black belt lower on my hips. Time to go hunting for a skinny black belt!

Capris: GAP, shortened by me
Top: TJMaxx
Belt: TJMaxx
Flats: Payless

maximal summeriness

I loved this outfit - I felt so crisp and cool and polished, even in the nasty humidity. Yay for rediscovering silver accessories!

Eyelet + blue and white stripes + silver = very summery.

These sandals are pretty but they keep giving me blisters, even after several wears. Sad.

Only a few more days with this group of students, then back to my usual ESL group. I enjoyed these students but I dislike teaching test prep, so I'm looking forward to the switch.

Blouse: TJMaxx
Skirt: TJMaxx
Belt: thrifted
Sandals: Chinese Laundry via TJMaxx (yes I see the theme here)
Bracelet: street vendor in Hong Kong

dragged down by a heat wave

Apologies for the lack of posting - it's been unbelievably hot and humid here, and while I would like to be one of those posh ladies who thrive on hot weather with cute sundresses and nary a frizz, the truth is that by the time I get home every day I am hot and sticky and my hair is a tumbleweed and I am not inclined to photograph myself in that condition. There have also been many vacation days of shorts and tank tops which are not worth blogging. So! I am hoping that the weather will cool down soon. Really really hoping.

As a sample, here's last Friday's teaching outfit:

Yup. Sticky and sweaty and about to kill the camera. I only took three shots before I went and took a cold shower.

Come on, pressure fronts! Do your thing!

Shirt: kersh essentials via Costco

Belt: thrifted

Skirt: street vendor in Bangkok

Sandals: Nine West outlet

Earrings: my grandmother's

clever, clever students

My students were clever enough today to start asking me questions about Alaska in the middle of the lesson - they got me off track for almost 20 minutes! Teachers do love to talk about themselves. Well played, you guys.

I was glad to find this button-down in the back of my closet. It was perfect for a blessedly cool, windy day of teaching.

Shirt: The Limited via TJMaxx Tank: ancient
Belt: thrifted
Skirt: Banana Republic
Flats: Payless

mmm, cinnamon

I made granola tonight and my house smells AWESOME. I think baking granola is one of the homey-est smells.

A light breezy outfit for a sunny day. I love my eyelet skirt in the summertime.

Shirt: H & M

Belt: thrifted

Skirt: TJMaxx

Sandals: Nine West outlet

Earrings: ancient

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

Proudest outfit ever

This is what I wore for teaching in the 90+ degree weather. A simple tee and flowy skirt, jazzed up with a braidy 'do and some gold accessories.

Shirt: Costco
Skirt: TJMaxx
Belt: thrifted
Sandals: Nine West outlet
Earrings: gift

I was happy with it - I felt pretty and I was very comfortable - but this is not my proudest outfit.

This is:


I GRADUATED!! I'm a MASTER now!

It's been a long road and a lot of work, and last Saturday morning I put on a (what I might otherwise consider dopey) cap and gown with a great sense of accomplishment. It's not flattering - kind of shapeless sack, actually - but it made me feel just as confident as my most put-together work ensemble.

This was mostly due to my sweet-ass hood:

Being a master is awesome.

Thanks everyone for bearing with me during my absence, and thank you to my mom and sis for whisking me away for wonderful graduation travels!

Dress your best, day 3/4

The weather did not cooperate yesterday, so I featured my triceps...under a sweater and a coat. Oh well.

Today, I am featuring my calves. I've always done leg-intensive sports (ice skating, running, dancing, more running) so I've always been grateful for my legs and the hard work they do.

My legs are strong and healthy. They carry me across the ice, up hills, and across dance floors with style and aplomb. As I've been training for a 10K these past few weeks, I've been especially glad to feel my legs powering me through the miles.

Plus, they look hot in knee-length skirts.

So legs, I salute you (and knees, please hang in there!).



Tank top: Costco
Cardigan: kersch essentials, also Costco
Skirt: Levi's
Belt: hand-me-down
Sandals: Nine West
Earrings: JCPenny's
Ring: Burlington

dress your best day 2

For the second day of "Dress Your Best" week, I'm featuring my collarbones. I have to say that no matter what I'm feeling about the rest of my body, I always think my neck and the top of my chest are graceful and pretty. I usually feel my best in v-neck tops or boatneck tops like this one.

I stole this belt-over-jersey-skirt look from, who else, Academichic. It was soft and cozy, perfect for a day of reading and working on my final paper.

This is my attempt to take an arty picture of my collarbones...

Magically appearing kitty!

Haha, it looks like I could eat him in one bite.*

Top: street vendor in Bangkok

Skirt: j.crew outlet

Belt: TJMaxx

Shoes: Payless
Earring (worn as necklace): Burlington

Ring: gift from mom

*I didn't, I promise.

last day of class!

Today was my last ever class as a master's student. I can hardly believe it. It feels so strange to be cut free (well...almost free. Two more papers due Monday and THEN I'll be free!).

Here's what I wore for my last ever presentation as a master's student.


I've seen the button down + floaty white skirt look on other fashion bloggers and decided to give it a shot. I was happy with the result.

Dude. LAST CLASS. This calls for a cocktail.

Shirt: hand-me-down

Belt: Target

Skirt: TJMaxx

Shoes: Payless

Earrings: Fred Meyer's

Almost there!

Hi everyone! In the past week, I have:

-had a major freak-out about my lit review and then finished it anyway;

-turned in one draft of my completed master's paper to my advisor and another to my second reader;

-gotten comments and revised accordingly;

-had a couple epiphanies about the nature of research;

-thought A LOT about going on to a PhD program...

-started training for a 10k race in June!

Now that the master's paper is under control, I am feeling a lot more relaxed about school. When I turn in my last seminar paper next MondayI'll be completely done with my master's program. How crazy is that?

While I've been doing all of the above, the weather has finally gotten warm around here - it's been in the 70's the past few days and muggy, with constant dire threats of impending thunderstorms...those might be coming true as I'm typing this.

And the outfit:

I was going for a sort of white-tunic-with-gold-accessories-Greek-thing-ish? Maybe? I was definitely comfortable in the heat (yay for floaty wrap skirt weather!) but felt appropriate for tutoring and a meeting with my advisor. So that's a win.

I had help with the pictures again today. That's him in the corner by the door.

Hope you all are enjoying the spring!

Shirt: CKJeans via Costco

Camisole: ancient

Belt: thrifted

Skirt: street vendor in Thailand

Sandals: Nine West outlet

rainy and gray

A reworking of one of my favorite outfits from last fall for a rainy spring day.


Full draft due on Friday - think brilliant-writing thoughts for me!

Dress: TJMaxx, altered by me

Sweater: kersch essentials

Camisole: Costco

Belt: Hand-me-down
Boots: Steve Madden Girl

spring conference wear

On Tuesday I had to give one more presentation on my master's paper at a mini-conference at my university. The awesome part? My dad and sister (and good friend S!) got to hear me present! I rocked the PowerPoint pretty hard, I must say.

After the conference my sister and I went to visit my aunt and uncle in MA. Their flowers are gorgeous!

And my sister helped me put together this outfit, which I was very happy with. She picked the high-waisted skirt, and she was totally right (pardon the dopey pose).

PS: Happy birthday, Ursula!! :)

White blouse: TJMaxx

Cardigan: gift from mom

Belt: thrifted

Skirt: Merona, thrifted

Boots: GNW
Socks: TJMaxx

Earrings: Burlington