counting down

BeBop chambray dress, Ross

Cable and Gauge cardigan, from Mom

leggings, Macys

necklace, Haitian Beads

belt, Old Navy

        I've been reveling in the cooler weather and happily wearing all of the things in my closet that can't be worn to work most of the year! This dress is shorter than I prefer for work, but with leggings layered underneath it was work-appropriate as well as cozy. I initially had on my gray knit blazer and a scarf, but something looked wrong - so I swapped the scarf for a colorful necklace and the blazer for a cardigan.

    
     School ends on Friday, so we're entering the jam-packed homestretch. The kids' minds are already on break - at Morning Meeting, the sharing often involves discussion of setting up Christmas trees and anticipating spending time with family. I'll admit that that my mind is on break, too - I'm excited about having time to read, rest, craft and sew, and spend time with family.

neon green animal print and a belt triumph

BeBop dress and Julie's Closet cardigan, Ross

belt, from dress

      SPRING BREAK IS COMING. SPRING BREAK IS COMING. SPRING BREAK IS COMING. (Insert excited squeal here - and if you met me in person, you'd realize I'm not even the squealy type). Yeah, don't tell my students, but I think I'm much more excited than they are about the prospect of one glorious week away from school! Well, I'm equal parts excited and equal parts tired.  Based on experience, the exhaustion will hit about noon Saturday and I'll spend a good part of the day napping.
     I didn't realize it at the time, but this outfit is an inadvertent walking advertisement for Ross. It may also be a fashion don't - when you're 36, is it a bad idea to wear two items from the juniors department together? Admittedly, this dress is a bit on the short side for work -- I feel more comfortable when my hemline is closer to my knee vs. mid-thigh -- but I put my trusty bike shorts underneath.
     I've always liked this cardigan but been unsure how to style it, and this is my favorite way to wear it so far. I've struggled with figuring out how to wear a belt over a cardigan without looking stumpy and thick-waisted, but on a whim I tried it while taking pictures and I rather like the look.

    How would you style this cardigan? I'd love to wear it more often!

swayed by solids

BeBop dress, Ross

necklace, GroopDealz

        This is the latest addition to my (small) collection of cotton dresses appropriate for work. The solid color and simple cut has me excited about accessorizing creatively -- I think it will be fun to switch up the belts and jewelry. I chose a neutral belt this time to keep the focus on my new necklace. I'm still excessively drawn to patterns, but I am starting to see the practicality of solids.
       The only problem with this dress is that it has no pockets - and I'm the kind of person who has to keep my classroom keys on my person. I almost locked myself out of this room this morning when I dashed out of the room and realized the door had locked behind me. (Luckily, the other door was unlocked.) We have a week-long break coming up in October, so if I get the sewing bug I'll open up the side seams and add pockets.