a scarf in the summer

Kahala silk-linen top, Macy's

Capelli scarf, zulily

same ol' jeans

cardigan, Gap

necklace, New Zealand

      I ordered a teaching resource off zulily recently, and to ease the sting of the $9.95 shipping fee, I decided to pick up something else. This scarf was the right price, even prettier in person, and will match so many things that I already own.
    It's amazing what a lightweight scarf can do to make air-conditioning more comfortable. I started off the second morning of training with it strategically draped to cover my shoulders, arms and back, and it kept me comfortable for the first few hours.

   
        The training I attended was pretty well-paced, with the sessions including short videos on various topics.  This was one of my absolute favorites because it's a reminder that school should be about so much more than math, reading, and test scores.

   

      Just one more from these amazing kids - can you believe that voice?? And I haven't heard this Amy Winehouse song before, but I think it's a beautiful riff on the jazz standard "Lullaby in Birdland."

inspiration Monday: floral silhouettes

The inspiration: Emmy Rossum

My take:

     

Kahala silk-linen top, Macy's

necklace, Forever 21

camisole, Nordstrom Rack

cardigan, Gap Outlet

      I don't own anything similar to either the top or skirt Emmy's wearing,but her skirt's print reminded me of one of my favorite shirts. I've just realized that while I've worn this shirt quite often, I've never worn it with a skirt before! Adding that to my outfits-to-wear list. :)

       It's with great surprise that I start my last week of work as a math tutor. I really enjoy working with kids one-to-one, so I'm sad to see it end. 

       I have a job interview for the upcoming school year set for Saturday, bright and early at 8 a.m. This particular position has so many applicants that they actually asked us to staple a photo to our resume(!) As a teacher with a mere two years of classroom experience (a.k.a. total newbie), I know it's not likely that I'll be chosen, but I'm going to give it my best shot anyhow. I'm still determinedly hoping to find my dream job as an elementary school librarian, but nothing's materialized yet.

        I'm linking up with two birds' Inspiration Monday - see the other creative looks here. :)

Try-it-out (Wednesday): brighter than the sun

      Kahala silk and linen top, Macy's

cardigan in "Sunspot," Gap Factory Store

necklace, Forever 21

     My mom calls Asian people "Orientals." This is standard practice in Hawaii, particularly among folks of certain generations, but in other parts of the United States, Oriental is reserved as a descriptor for rugs and chicken. ; ) I've tried to break her of the habit, but no luck yet. Anyhow, no matter what name we go by, I've always heard that Asians should avoid yellow because we've already got yellow/sallow undertones. (Click here for an amazingly encyclopedic post on determining your undertone and skin tone. I will admit that after giving this post a quick read and examining the photos ... I still can't name my undertone and skin tone. Does it suffice that I'm confident that bright and jewel tones suit me best?). 
      After becoming interested in style and fashion blogs, I changed my mind on the yellow question after seeing so many Asian bloggers rocking various hues of yellow. When my sis and I checked out the Gap Factory Store, I couldn't bypass this yellow cardigan. I thought it would be a great way to add a little sunshine to an outfit and would play well with all of the blue items in my closet.

     Random news: I hope you had a less eventful New Year's Day then we had! The first day of 2013 included one visit to the ER, two trips to the Chinese restaurant (they forgot part of our takeout order the first time), and the realization that the water heater may have gone kaput. Whew. I figure things can only go up from here.
      But back to the clothes: What colors do you suggest I pair with my new yellow cardigan? 

*pop*

 From just OK ...

... to pulled together!

Kahala silk-linen top and petite trouser jeans, Macy's
JJ Basics cardigan, passed down from E.I.
bracelets: Iolani Palace door hinge; DIY

      Did you ever notice how many good things have names that start with pop? Popcorn, Pop-Tarts, Pop Rocks ... and pop of color. (OK, I just thought of one that isn't so fun - pop quiz - but you get my drift.)
     It was so much fun to take an old favorite (this top) and add a transformative pop of color. I don't know why it never occurred to me to wear it with a red cardigan, but it takes this look from blah to fantastic. The blue and red together make me happy; this hardly-any-ironed-clothes situation is resulting in some great outfits. 
   The idea of limitations being freeing reminds me of "A Wrinkle in Time," and the discussion at the end of how life is like a sonnet -- within a strictly bound form, freedom blooms. I just finished the audiotape, and loved revisiting a childhood favorite. Returning to it so many years later made me realize that the book is a beautiful reflection on growing up and the duty and pleasures of responsibility. I've just started listening to Susan Cooper's "The Dark is Rising." This was another book that I read and reread as a child, and it's hard to believe, but Cooper's prose is even more gorgeous when read aloud.  

     P.S. - These pictures really don't do this outfit justice - guess I'll just have to wear this outfit again sometime soon, right? :)