missing syllables

top, Calvin Klein Outlet

Calvin Klein petite jeans, Ross (birthday present to myself)

Banana Republic cardigan, from mom

    I bought myself a new pair of jeans as a birthday present, and I'm still figuring out whether I like them. I wish the waist was a bit smaller, since the legs are so fitted and stretchy that they tend to slide down a bit. (Does that make sense? I don't quite know how to explain it, but that's what it feels like when I'm wearing them). Anyhow, hitching up my pants in front of 25 fourth-graders is not going to happen, so for this outfit I settled for pairing it with a longer top. I did like these pants better the second time I wore them, compared to the first. I also have to admit, I really like the way they look in the above photo. They make me look long and lean, which is a feat when you are about 5 feet tall.

     On Tuesday afternoon, my colleague and I decided to combine our classes for a showing of a Magic School Bus video on cells, then have some guided discussion.
    During the discussion, I asked the students, "What is the scientific name for living things?" One of my students had her hand up, so I called on her, and she proudly announced .... well, let's say that she didn't say organisms. But if take out the "ni" in that word, you'll know what she said. ; ) All I could say was, "Well, I think your word is missing a syllable. Anyone else know the scientific word?"
     Keeping up with 25 fourth-graders is a lot of work, but they can be extremely entertaining at times!

Try-it-out Tuesday: layering with a dress

dress, Gap

buttondown, from Mom

Cutie bracelet, won in giveaway

Amrita Singh earrings, HauteLook

suede belt, Old Navy

     I decided to kick off last week's four-day work week and my triumphant, healthy return to work with a little pattern mixing. This buttondown was in my donations pile for a bit, mostly because it is short, boxy, and the buttons start so low down that I need to wear a camisole. All of which are non-problems when using it as a layering piece! At first I wasn't sure about layering with a boatneck dress but after looking at the pictures it doesn't bother me so much. My climate means the opportunities for layering are limited, so I'm pleased that I found a new way to wear this knit dress.

       The belt was a fortuitous, $5.99 find at Old Navy when I popped in to make a return over the weekend. It was an impulse purchase, I admit, but I do like that it is a nice deep red as well as genuine suede. I also picked up this dress for a very reasonable $12.94. I took home both the cream and navy, but am planning to only keep one. The cream one is particularly nice because it is fully lined (with cotton!) and I think that makes it a great value. I also don't own any light-colored dresses, so it would really add some versatility to my wardrobe.

   My one gripe with most women's buttondowns: this shirt fits me overall, but the sleeves are so fitted that it is a tight squeeze to roll them up. I don't think that my arms are disproportionate to my size, but I'm tired of feeling like the Hulk when I just want to breezily cuff my sleeves!

cozy chic?

Caslon knit blazer, Nordstrom Rack

Talbots silk top, thrifted

same ol' jeans, Ross

necklace, Forever 21

     Some days, you just need a blanket masquerading as a respectable gray blazer. This blazer has been sitting in my closet for a while - not sure why - but extremely blustery weather meant it was just what I needed. I felt cozy yet still pulled together.
    This was also my first time wearing this shirt. Talbots is a brand I haven't tried before, but I like the easy fit and rich color of this top. It's lined and the silk has a lovely sheen to it. It also has an interesting hem.

      Is it too early to think/talk about Valentine's Day? These adorable earrings are on their way to me, and I'm planning to make my students valentines that look something like this. I'll probably add a pencil as well, since my students seem to eat them -- whenever I put out a few extra pencils, they promptly disappear, never to be seen again! For my grade level colleagues, I found fun mini stamps that can be used for signing off on the kids' planners at the end of the day. I couldn't believe that I found the stamps for $1 each at a mall sidewalk sale.  It amuses me that I'm going with non-food valentines this year, since in my own diet, chocolate is its own food group and a regular indulgence.

approximations

BLACK Saks Fifth Avenue top, Off Fifth

same ol' jeans, Ross

Fossil key necklace, Nordstrom Rack

bubble necklace, InPINK

      Life is all about approximation. For instance, take the "it" color for 2014, Radiant Orchid. When I pull up the Pantone page, I see one hue - a dreamy, misty purple. On Ally's post, however, it has more vibrancy and zest. So I'm not sure which one is really the "right" color. Factor in that everyone's computer screen probably shows colors a little bit differently, and you wonder what you're seeing. (And it could be said that life on the Internet is all about approximations, anyhow.) So I'm not sure exactly what color this shirt is -- radiant orchid? mauve? -- but it's a new addition to my wardrobe. And in the interest of simplicity, I'm just tagging it as "purple cowlneck top."
       Teaching is all about approximations, as well. Whether you're teaching a martial art or a 9-year-old how to correctly solve a 2-digit by 1-digit multiplication problem, you teach. You model the process. You get the students engaged in helping you work through the process. Then you let them loose to do some guided practice, and you stand back and wonder. Wonder why that kid who is always doodling in a notebook and fidgeting is drawing individual tally marks when you JUST.WENT.OVER how to draw an area model as an efficient way to solve. Wonder why that extremely bright, creative kid who loves books is happily blasting his way through 45 x 6 when in actuality the problem is 28 x 8 (&*#$???! The numbers are not even close!) After all that wonder, you take a deep breath, try not to sigh too audibly, and reassess. Have that fidgety kid work with you in the back for a few moments and guide him through one problem. Look over your bright kid's shoulder and engage him in a discussion to look back at his work and make corrections.

       I guess being sick with sinus evils and laryngitis makes me philosophical, huh? There have been 8 instructional days since we came back from winter break, and I have had to call in sick for half of them. Thankfully, getting to rest my voice over the long weekend seems to be just what I needed. It's been frustrating to be out so much - it's rough starting the year feeling behind! - but I'm looking forward to resuming work life as normal on Tuesday morning.

upgrading: long navy cardigan

   

     I picked up this rayon cardigan at Forever 21 a few years back, thinking it would pair perfectly with the chain and chiffon trim tank featured in this outfit. (Funny thing is, I don't think I've ever worn the two pieces together!) However, as you can see from the collage, I've managed to pair this cardigan with just about everything else in my closet, from various shades of blue to brights like orange.
   For about $15, the cardigan has served its purpose. However, it's starting to pill and show its age, so I picked up this Bobeau cardigan during my personal triple points day at Nordstrom Rack. I was planning to upgrade to a cotton vs. rayon cardigan, but the cotton cardigan they had seemed poorer quality. All I have is an iPhone photo, but I did like the mix of colors in my new cardigan's inaugural outfit:

 dress, Old Navy

Bobeau cardigan, Nordstrom Rack

belt, from a different dress

enamel necklace, eBay

 

       One thing I did realize is that while my old cardigan had very fitted sleeves, this one's sleeves are a lot looser. I tend to wear my sleeves scrunched up most of the time, and throughout the day I found myself absentmindedly pushing my sleeves up my arms ... only to have them slide right back down. I also miss the pockets on my old cardi - it's not that I used them to hold things, they were just cute. Otherwise, my upgrade cardigan is very comfortable, and I'm looking forward to wearing it often before it turns blazing hot again.

      What's the last item in your wardrobe that you've upgraded? And how did you decide it was worthy of upgrading?

Try-it-out Tuesday: being Olivia

dress, Forever 21

belt, from dress

ears, DIY

     For the last day of school before winter break, my class celebrated "Bringing Books to Life" by dressing up. This is my take on Olivia, the very stylish and assertive piglet who stars in Ian Falconer's picture books. (And yes, this is my second consecutive post in January with Christmas earrings. Don't ask whether my Christmas tree is still up ...)

    While assembling my costume, I had big hopes for this Old Navy dress, as it seemed to be very similar in cut to the iconic red dress Olivia wears on the cover of her first book. However, those hopes were dashed when the dress (in both petite and regular sizing) arrived and turned out to be very, very clingy. As in, even-when-I-sucked-in-my-stomach-I-still-had-an-unsightly-bulge clingy. And life is too short to wear things that require me to suck in my stomach. Luckily, I had this striped dress hanging in my closet, so I went with that. I also decided to forgo the striped stockings/tights because we had an outdoor evacuation drill that morning, which entailed a pretty good walk. So overall, this outfit is more inspired by instead of a faithful replica of Olivia's outfit, but that's OK. Next Halloween I'll keep my eyes open for some horizontally striped black-and-white tights.

    I was a bit baffled by people's response to the ears - one teacher asked whether I was some kind of "Christmas bunny" (uh, no). I know that conventional pig ears would be smaller and more triangular vs. elongated, but I was trying to be faithful to the illustrations. So I hooked my mini Olivia to my lanyard and had her at hand whenever people wondered about my costume.

      It's one thing to wear a costume when everyone else is, such as Halloween; it's another thing to wear a costume on a regular day. I did have a moment of self-consciousness before donning my ears in the morning, but overcame that. And you know what? I had fun being dressed up. At 36 (finally!), I think I've learned to care a little less about what others think and have fun standing out. 

classic dots and bumpy starts

dress, Target

fun Christmas earrings, Claire's

   This outfit has been sitting on my camera card for weeks, as evidenced by the silver Christmas ornament earrings. I actually bought this dress before the school year started, but it's gone unworn until recently due to the hot weather. I appreciate that the modest neckline and length make it work-appropriate, while the ruching adds some interest and figure flattery.
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     2014 has been off to an *interesting* start. I went to the dentist a week ago and while my overall dental health is good, he's recommending I get Invisalign to prevent increased wear to my teeth due to shifting. I have to say, I feel let down by my teeth. They've been cavity-free and straight for as long as I can remember, and now they decide to start moving around? While insurance will cover about 20% of the cost, it will still be about $4,000 out of pocket.Yikes.  Having returned in August to full-time work after 2 years of unpaid leave, I'm trying to focus on paying down debts and don't want to take on further debt for this. Guess I'll have to start saving my pennies ...
     Last week was my first week back with my students after winter break, and I had to call in sick two days due to laryngitis. I'm also out today, but my doctor has kindly squeezed me in for a quick visit.
    All grumbling aside, I'm thankful for many things, such as entertaining books (I blasted through "Shadow of a Bull" and "Running with Scissors" on my sick days), my ever-helpful colleagues, and hand-written notes in the mail. The latter amused the husband to no end -- he doesn't quite understand that an e-mail does not possess the same charm as a personal note.
   What are you thankful for today? 

necessary illusions

Rebecca Taylor silk top, thrifted

Coldwater Creek scarf, gift

Beau jeggings, Ross

    

    Whenever I wear one of these long, loose-fitting tops paired with a slim bottom, I float through the day, feeling long, lean and elegant. Then I look at the photos and realize ... I still look like a five-foot-tall person wearing a looong shirt and loong scarf. But that's OK. I felt good wearing it, and that's what counts right? And on the first day back in the classroom with the students, feeling good matters.

    The little details of this shirt delight me, such as the ruffle-like tiered placket and pintucking at the shoulder. There are even tiny gold buttons at the cuffs!

     I am having an odd fascination with pastels lately, which is intriguing, as I've always believed that vivid, saturated shades work best with my coloring. But first I picked up this shirt at Goodwill (I have to admit that I bought it partly because the hue reminded me of Eeyore), and then I picked up an interestingly draped blush pink top at Saks Off Fifth on my annual pilgrimage to the outlet mall, and then I had a "oooh ... pretty!" moment when I spotted Aya wearing soft pink with her amazing navy coat. 

  

  Fossil key necklace, Nordstrom Rack

bubble necklace, InPink

     I've been wearing these necklaces a lot lately, as I've realized that they layer gorgeously together. Of course, I only realized this after owning (and passing over) these pieces for a good amount of time. 

   What colors are catching your eye lately?   

Blue Nile giveaway winner and playing catch-up

     Thank you to everyone who took a moment to enter my Blue Nile giveaway. The winner of the infinity chain bracelet is: Patricia Alexandra! I'll be sending an e-mail your way shortly so you can get your bracelet. :)

     After much anticipation (the week before break seemed to drag on forever!), winter break has whizzed by. It was a wonderful two weeks, full of feasting, family time, reading, shopping, and relaxing. I had grand plans to do some grading and lesson planning, but to be honest, not much of that happened.
     It's a teacher work day for me today, and the kids will be back tomorrow. Here's a look at what's been happening lately, clockwise from top left:
Deer: my sister and I made the trek into Waikiki to see the gingerbread extravaganza displayed by a hotel each winter. These deer were posed outside a gingerbread Japanese temple. The gingerbread creations also included the Eiffel Tower, the Sydney Opera House, and local landmark Aloha Tower.
Carnations: A sweet gift from a student.
Goofy: I picked up a silly ornament to commemorate our first Christmas as an ol' married couple.  
Olivia: I took some style inspiration from Olivia for my Bringing Books to Life dress-up day.
Dots: This Target dress drew raves from both co-workers and the husband.