field trip!

Today we took all the ESL students to a museum called the Strawbery Banke, a place where several houses have been preserved from different periods in New Hampshire's history, and furnished in historical style. It was pretty entertaining to watch my students try to tactiralk to the people wandering around in period dress, in character as people from history, and even more entertaining to watch the actors try to stay in character when dealing with my students! It was great to get out of the classroom and wander around in the sunshine chatting with my students - I feel like I got to know them as people.

When I'm going to see students but am not actually going to be teaching, I always want to dress down a little, to signal that this is a time when I'm not "on" and we can interact as equals.

Wearing shorts is always a bit iffy for me, as they often make me feel self-conscious. But taking inspiration from academichic and What Would A Nerd Wear, I added an embellished white top and a belt.

I felt polished but still casual - and I was super comfortable walking around in the heat. So...yaya shorts!

Top: Calvin Klein Jeans via Costco

Tank top: ancient

Shorts: GAP outlet

Belt: L.L. Bean outlet

Sandals: Nine West

Earrings: inherited from my grandmother

ode to a skirt

I enjoy wearing this skirt. I love the bright colors, I love the slight floatiness of it, and I love that people often ask me if I a) embroidered it myself (ha!) or b) bought it in Russia (Forever 21, ages ago). It's light and comfortable and the waistband never pinches. I've had it for several years - it's been to Russia twice and all over Southeast Asia - and is still in pretty good shape.

So here's to you, floral skirt! Thanks for all the good times.

Shirt: Banana Republic, thrifted
Skirt: Forever 21
Shoes: Bandolino via TJMaxx
Earrings: hand-me-down

self-imposed challenge

This week I'm going to try to pull myself out of this rut by wearing old pieces of clothing that haven't yet been seen on the blog. I think this jersey top fits the bill.

It's one of my favorites - I love the neckline and the curvey silhouette.

Even better, it's sleeveless AND teaching-appropriate! This humidity is making me nuts. I am sweating all over the place. It is gross. 'Nuff said.

Had help with my pictures again today. Thanks, little dude.


Top: Sears, ancient

Tank top: Costco

Pants: GAP, hemmed by me

Shoes: Bandolino via TJMaxx

Necklace: hand-me-down

perfect Saturday

Yesterday was the most perfect Saturday morning: a long run before it got too hot, banana pancakes cooked by the boyfriend, and a trip to the farmer's market resulting in an all-local-produce lunch. Yay!

And look, I'm wearing something different than I always do!

I inherited this awesome top from my sister. It is super soft and a pretty teal, and the loose, flowy cut is perfect on hot days. Plus it has sexy cut-out shoulders. Thanks Kiddo!

Top: hand-me-down

Shorts: Calvin Klein via TJMaxx

Flipflops: GAP, ancient

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

And I'm back

Whew! After a slight mix-up with the plane tickets, J. and I ended up in Wisconsin until late Monday night...which made preparing for my Tuesday morning class a huge scramble! I was relying on tried-and-true repeat outfits while I was trying to catch up from being gone.

Here's what I wore to the wedding:

Dress: Banana Republic outlet

Shoes: TJMaxx

Corsage: gift from the bride

Earrings: JCPenny's

Afterwards I swapped my heels for flats so J. and I could walk around downtown Madison - a fun place to spend a weekend, I must say.

It was beyond hot and humid (the Midwest in June, natch) so I was living in shorts and tank-tops. Humidity zaps the creativity right out of me.

Tank top: TJMaxx

Shorts: Columbia, ancient

Sandals: Nine West outlet

Hope everyone else had a good weekend/week!

copycat

This post from Tina totally inspired me to pull out my own green jersey dress.

This is a terrible picture because my usual picture-taking spot was filled with neighbors and I was way too self-conscious to take more than one. Oh well. The outfit was cuter in person, I promise!

Off to a wedding in the Midwest this weekend. The boyfriend and I will be attempting to fit all our clothes for three days into one little rolling suitcase, plus a garment bag for his suit. I am a terrible packer, but I am looking forward to the challenge. Bring it, little roll-y suitcase!

Dress: TJMaxx

Tank top: 2 pack from Costco

Cardigan: kersh essentials

Flats: Rocket Dogs

Scarf: ancient, TJMaxx