purple and gray

cowlneck top, Saks Off Fifth

maxi skirt, Macy's

Fossil necklace, Nordstrom Rack

bubble necklace, InPink

earrings, etsy

     I bought this maxi skirt thinking it would become a closet essential, but sadly it hasn't been worn as much as I'd like. I do like the proportions of the top with this skirt, though. Being short-waisted, I find that many shirts are awkwardly long and I end up knotting them so they hit a more flattering spot.

    23 school days left! I'd like to say I'm excited, but I'm in reality filled with more trepidation than giddiness. There is a dizzying amount of data collection and analysis to complete, our last round of state math testing, and a May Day performance to practice, perfect, and coordinate.
    May Day is a special Hawaii tradition. It's a unique part of the childhood of just about anyone who grew up in Hawaii. In elementary schools, May Day is an enormous event that includes performances by each grade level and sometimes even the presentation of a May Day Court, with a couple representing each of the Hawaiian Islands. While I was growing up, performances were of Hawaiian dance or music. So I was surprised that my school does not do the same - we're actually planning to have the students perform a "Grease" medley. I'll admit, though, that I'm looking forward to dressing in an outfit that evokes the movie! With that in mind, I gave in and picked up this dress at Ross (mine is black with white polka dots). I've seen it there from time to time, but would talk myself out of buying because the tulle poufs at the bottom of the skirt lining seemed impractical. But I thought the retro/vintage vibe would make it perfect as a May Day outfit. I'm even thinking about curling my hair, which is HUGE, because if you know me, I do my hair maybe twice a year ...

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.

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?   

skipping the French fries and hitting the books

INC Beach linen shorts, Macy's

top and long necklace, Forever 21

Fossil key necklace, Nordstrom Rack clearance

       A recent weekend involved a visit to a Chinese buffet to celebrate a family member's birthday. The buffet included a lot of fried things, including oddly, French fries and deep-fried maki sushi. The fry-lovers in the family actually tried the fries and reported that McDonald's doesn't have to worry about the competition. ;)  For such outings, elastic-waist shorts and a flowy top are in order. My only regret about that day is that I didn't notice they had a soft-serve machine until the very end, when I was too full to enjoy it!

       One of the best parts of the semester being over is time to read. And read. And read. I blasted through Rae Carson's "The Crown of Embers," and will be diving into either the classic "The Stranger" by Camus,  "Chime" by Billingsley or "Unwind" by Shusterman next. :) Also need to tackle my pile of alterations and some neglected crafts projects, but for  this week at least I'm reveling in lots of reading time.

crinkled coral: preparing for warm weather

Old Navy cotton top, Goodwill, $4.99

DKNY Soho jeans and blue topaz ring, Macy's

Fossil key necklace, Nordstrom Rack clearance

       I usually try to focus on higher-quality items and steer clear of brands like Old Navy and Forever 21 when shopping at Goodwill, but this seemed like the perfect top for warm weather.  A bonus is that it's crinkle cotton - any fabric that doesn't need ironing is a winner to me. It's got a drawstring at the bottom (which I've tucked in), but this top is long enough to tuck into my denim pencil skirt, which will make it more versatile. Although now I'm seeing how well it might pair with a khaki, white or even light blue skirt. Too bad I don't own any skirts in these colors!

     I think I've gotten over my fear of dirtying these white pants. The day I wore this to work, I ended up sitting on the floor in two classrooms and I didn't sweat it. 
 

         Happy weekend, all! My big plans for the weekend are to get started on the wedding thank-you cards, do some furniture hunting, and work on my final project. The latter is particularly important because just about all I've done this week is download articles that I haven't read yet, watch some YouTube videos (my project focuses on YouTube, so that counted as work!) and think about what I need to be doing, but not do it. Erin, if you have any time management tips to share, pass 'em along, would you? ;)

black and brown

Blue Plate dress, Ross

chambray top, passed down from mom

belt, ?

Dansko sandals, 6pm.com

bracelets, gifted and DIY

Fossil key necklace, Nordstrom Rack clearance

     I've never felt comfortable mixing black and brown, but I think this is a good first attempt. I'm trying to wear these sandals more, so going with the brown belt made the shoe choice appear less random.

    With great surprise, I've realized my exam is in a week. Yikes!  I'm daydreaming already about walking out of there in triumph late Friday morning, and about how great it will feel to successfully wrap up almost 4 years of rigorous study. But to make that daydream come true, a little more study is required ... which totally explains why I already made plans to go out on Saturday night. Throw in the fact that I'm planning to go out and enjoy some high-calorie appetizers during a week when I'm avoiding all physical activity thanks to the sprained ankle and the whole thing makes perfect sense, right?  Good thing I'm not someone who obsesses over calories ... I do strive to eat a balanced diet, but there always is some wiggle room for something decadent. :)
     I hope your weekend includes a little decadence!

inspiration Monday: Alexa Chung

The inspiration:

My take: 

Vivienne Vivienne Tam cut and sew dress, Ross, $25 

Christian Dior tie as belt, thrifted

Fossil key necklace, Nordstrom Rack, on clearance for $7

long necklace, Forever 21

Dansko "Sakura" sandals, Nordstrom Rack

    This isn't quite the perfect everyday black dress I've been looking for, but it does come close. I'll wear this a few times before I decide whether to lop the long sleeves off because short sleeve works so much better for this climate. I do like the seaming detail - it adds a little interest and a lot of flare. Now I need to find a pair of bike shorts or something similar to layer underneath so I won't have to clutch at my skirt in a panic every time there's a breeze ... 
 

Linking up with inspiration monday at two birds! See other bloggers' lovely looks here!