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

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