dabbling in dapper ... and Disney

chambray shirt, thrifted

vest, thrifted

trousers, Banana Republic Factory Store

bowtie, handmade using this tutorial

   This is my favorite Spirit Week outfit to date - dressing as the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland. I'm not much of a Disney fan, but putting together - then wearing - this look was so much fun! The camera didn't capture it well, but I am also wearing rabbit ears, made out of white pipe cleaners.  

    I decided to forgo the suit jacket due to the heat, which meant I needed a vest. I headed to my favorite Goodwill and found this lovely one. Based on the way it's finished inside, I think it's handmade. 

   This was a fun way to dabble in the dapper/boyish look that appeals to me so much, but isn't well-represented in my wardrobe.

   A number of folks weren't sure what character I was dressed as, but I was pleased to be recognized several times. Campus was awash with people wearing mouse ears, and it felt good to stand out.

sweet spot

BCBG Max Azria silk top, thrifted

trousers, Banana Republic

pendant, gift

earrings, from sis

    A few weeks ago, I went on two interviews. For the first, I wore my black and white polka dot dress and no jewelry. For the second, I wore this. Is it coincidence that I felt more comfortable and confident in this outfit than I did in the first? I'm still figuring out my interview-outfit formula, and this is the closest I've come so far. Since my jewelry tends to be inexpensive and fun, I usually hesitate to add it to an interview outfit. However, I liked the splash of yellow with the blue silk and the earrings added a little subtle interest.

the shoe that got away

top, Macys

pants, Banana Republic Factory Store

       Nothing like having to get dressed for an interview to make you realize that you own exactly one pair of interview-appropriate pants. And let's not even talk about my lack of appropriate footwear ...  luckily, I live in a casual place where dress shoes are not a requirement, but I think a decent heel would be nice to have for unavoidable formal occasions.
     I tried on the shoes pictured below (in black) at the Clarks Outlet a few months ago, but didn't get them. I wasn't sure whether they'd be all-day comfortable, so I only bought a pair of sandals that I knew I could wear to work. Now I realize that they would have been a good option for dressier occasions.

  

We're back from Spring Break! While I agree that the week flew by, it was mightily appreciated, considering that many professions don't include such perks. I slept in, read books, did a little cooking, and baked almost-vegan cupcakes for the first time (it was a vegan recipe, but at the end I decided to clear out the cupboard and toss in a handful of milk chocolate chips). I also devoted a few hours on two separate days to cleaning, purging and organizing my classroom. It's a task that I start off dreading, but at the end I have to admit that it's nice to have reined in the growing piles of paper that seem to sprout on every flat space. The trick will be maintaining it ...

ivory and berry

Talbots top, thrifted

trousers, Banana Republic Factory Store

scarf, Ross

       Am I the only one who feels like a genius when I figure out a new-to-me way to tie a scarf? I've dubbed it the lariat because it reminds me of a lariat-style necklace.

     Gray has been my favorite neutral for a while, but I think this ivory color is becoming a new favorite. 

    I went shopping over the weekend, eager to spend some of my March budget ... and couldn't find any clothing that I liked enough to purchase. I had seen several cute tops on Forever 21's web site, but couldn't find them in store. I did, however, find a layered necklace that I'm excited about adding to my collection. I tried on a variety of things at Ross and Macy's, but no luck there, either. I'll take that as a sign that I should enjoy the abundance of pretty things that I already own.

dressing up chambray

New York and Company chambray shirt, thrifted

enamel necklace, eBay

petite trousers, Banana Republic Factory Store

        I wore this for a substitute-teaching assignment a few weeks ago. It's always interesting to sub during the last week of school ... the students are SO not interested in anything academic and have sent their brains on vacation! Thus, we did some simple stuff. After the kids worked on their end-of-year writing assignment and some math review work, I taught the first class I worked with how to draw a very simple bird. They got very creative in accessorizing their birds - they sprouted hats, speech bubbles, clothing, and more.

turquoise and gold bracelet, Urban Sand

yellow cardigan, Gap Outlet 

  
    

     I am still excited about having thrifted this chambray shirt. I've paired it with black bottoms so far, but I've realized that it will work great with my skimpy-on-top maxi dresses, my houndstooth skirt, white jeans, and on and on ...