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

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

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

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

bleah

On Friday, I was trying to work my new white button-down into an outfit, and pulled this together:

I love the detailing at the top of this blouse but the cut is really boxy, so I tried belting with a scarf. Eh. Not amazing. At least I like the scarf and shoes together.

And THEN I realized it's basically just this outfit over again. Same skirt, same shoes, same scarf, white short-sleeved blouse. Lame.

I feel like I'm in a rut. I think it's partially the heat, which restricts layering, and partially that most of my clothes, including all of my skirts, are neutral colors. All of my color is in my tops, scarves, and shoes. Bah. I don't want to spend any more money on clothes - I want to get creative with the stuff I own. Ok, that's the project for next week.

Blouse: Banana Republic outlet

Scarf: TJMaxx, ancient

Skirt: Banana Republic

Shoes: JCPenny's

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

the Monday after

I spent the weekend in Pennsylvania with my family, taking part in a memorial service for my grandmother. It was a good experience, an opportunity to spend time reminiscing with people who loved my grandmother, and sharing a lot of wonderful memories. There was some travel drama (delayed flights, messed up car rentals) and I also squeezed in a 5K race. I'm glad I went, but man, it was exhausting. I need a weekend after my weekend.

For me, denim skirt + bright cotton top + neutral sweater + neutral shoes is a go-to when I'm rushed or sleepy. It's nothing especially creative but at least I felt pretty and presentable enough for teaching and meetings.

I think the kitty approves.

Top: TJMaxx

Cardigan: kersh essentials

Skirt: Levi's via Sears

Shoes: Payless

Bracelet: gifted

Earrings: hand-me-down

stripey mcgee

A haiku for my Friday outfit:



Navy and stripes need
a pop of mustard or I
look like a sailor.



Button-down: via TJMaxx
Cardigan: kersch essentials via Costco
Skirt: Banana Republic, ancient
Shoes: Target

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

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

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.

Dress your best!

Today I turned in the last big paper of the year (sadly I had to ask for an extension for the two page book review. But after that I will be DONE!).

So this is what I wore for what should have been my last day as a master's student:

Appropriately grad student-y, no?

It is also the first day of Academichic's "Dress Your Best" week, in which we dress to accentuate the parts of our bodies we like. Side note: I am SO SO SO excited that this blog is mentioned on Academichic, even if it's only as part of a long list. You guys know how I feel about Academichic. Eee!

To begin "Dress Your Best", we are supposed to make a list of five things we like about our bodies. Here's mine:

1. My eyes. One's a little greener than the other, which I get from my grandmother.

2. My collarbones/upper back. I just think clavicles are pretty.

3. My triceps. They've always been well-defined - softball? Skating? Yoga? Who knows?

4. My calves. That's definitely from running.

5. My feet. I have cute feet.

Today I wore shades of blue/green and purple, to bring out the green in my eyes.

What are your top five? I'd love to know! :)

Cardigan: gift from mom
Blouse: TJMaxx
Scarf: street vendor on Cape Cod
Jeans: BR outlet
Flats: Rocket Dogs
Earrings: Burlington

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