February Freeze: peacock feathers, cloud 9

Matthew Williamson for H&M top (2009)

Michael Michael Kors zipper detail sweater, Macy's

White House Black Market blazer, thrifted

necklace, Forever 21

Sarah Coventry ring, random little kiosk

Beau jeggings, Ross

     This is what I wore to drop off the payment for the wedding officiant. The office does lunchtime weddings on site, and as I paid for the officiant, a wedding was going on behind the wooden partition. As  I listened to the judge lead a couple through the ceremony, I realized that I'm going to be doing the same thing in just about a month. It was an amazing moment for me - while I've been planning the wedding for a bit, it didn't seem real until right then. 

    This top is a February Freeze item, but I do like the colors (yes, I probably have said this about every February Freeze item so far). The ring is also another February Freeze item - the stone (it might be a watermelon rhinestone) is gorgeous, but the ring is so heavy duty that it's not quite adjustable, and tends to slide around on my finger. I used to refer to it as my cocktail ring, but I just don't get out for cocktails much, so I've decided to wear it anytime I feel like it.
    I think I'll be adding to my wardrobe wish list a pair of black skinny or straight leg jeans. Looking at the photos, I realized that a black pair of skinnies would have really pulled this look together. Honestly can't remember the last time I owned a pair of black jeans ... 

     

     Have a wonderful and relaxing weekend! :)

echoes

 Blue Plate dress, Ross, old

Michael Michael Kors sweater and Style & Co. studded sandals, Macy's

earrings, Thai market in Seattle, gift

     The elastic in the sleeves and neckline of this dress has let go over the years, which means it can't be worn as is, but I like the print so much that  I'm hanging onto it for now as a layering piece. I love black, white and red, and now I'm starting to appreciate its cousin hot pink, black, and white - it's feminine but not fussy, cute but not saccharine. 
    These sandals also need replacing - I like that they're studded and have a small wedge, but unfortunately, they lack any kind of support (how do so many people wear shoes without a padded footbed?). Also, I never use the back zip closure since it cuts into my left ankle (but not the right, oddly enough). Now the sole is starting to fall apart, which means I need to save my pennies to get an equally cute, more comfortable replacement (I'd be happy to add these or these to my closet.) 
 

      Random news: I was texting a friend the other day to see what she wanted me to bake for our get-together, and she suggested "your brownies with choco chip cookies." Hmm. They sounded vaguely familiar ... I checked the Pinterest board I use to document recipes I've tried. Not there. This must have been baked before I started using Pinterest. At this moment, I'm kind of impressed that she remembers them years later, and anxious to find the recipe. If you type "brownie with chocolate chip cookie" into Google, you get, oh, a mere 3.15 million results, so I'll have to look through my paper recipe file to see if I kept a copy. My mom swears she had the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe years and years ago, and then she lost it ... I hope my brownie-chocolate chip cookie has not met the same fate!
      p.s.:There are two types of echoes in this outfit: first,  the earrings are similar to the dress pattern, and second, I was inspired by Jen of Librarian for Life and Style, who paired black with her gorgeous pink dress.

Try-it-out Tuesday: hot pink + plaid

    Michael Michael Kors sweater, Macy's

buttondown, passed down from Mom

necklace, Forever 21

       It was drizzly and dreary the day I wore this, but a hot pink sweater and lots of hot tea go a long way to combating the dismal weather.
      I'm adding a black-and-white plaid or gingham buttondown to my thrift wish list. This one is serviceable, but I'd like something with a curved hem, longer length, and full-length sleeves. It's hard to layer a sweater with full-length sleeves over a three-quarter-sleeved blouse. First, I tried simply scrunching up the sweater sleeves, but I ended up with what I dubbed "marshmallow arms." I ended up doing some strategic folding to combat the puff. 
    

     I got a last-minute substitute teaching job yesterday, and by last minute, I mean the school called me at 8:15 a.m. to ask whether I was available. Due to family obligations, I usually can't take last-minute jobs, but I had someone else to cover at home yesterday.  I hustled down there and ended up having a great time with the first-graders. I've realized that subbing is a wonderful way to get a sneak peek at how other teachers organize their room and structure what they do so students can work on their own - two areas I need to work on. I got a lot of great ideas because this teacher is obviously experienced - the room was cheerful (with a Dr. Seuss theme to boot!), neat as a pin, and the students worked well on their own. I was a little concerned at first that there would be no sub plan, but everything was neatly placed in a container, labeled, and there were clear directions for the day. I'm a long way off from having that kind of room and having things run like clockwork, so it's always inspiring to see another exemplar.

Want to see other ways I've styled this bright sweater? Follow the links below. :)

 

                                           preppy artist                          bright and floral