dressy comfy

top, Calvin Klein Outlet

Caslon blazer, Nordstom Rack

Calvin Klein straight leg jeans, Ross

necklace, Forever 21

     I usually try to dress up a little more when I have visitors in the room, but my observation happened to fall on a day when I wasn't feeling 100%. So I went with stretchy pants, a nice top, and a snuggly blazer, then added a necklace for a little polish. I love a good blazer, and this one is like wearing a dressy sweatshirt! Surprisingly, I haven't worn it much, but I plan to wear it a few more times before the weather warms up.

       It was another weekend full of aikido. This involved setting up, practicing, then breaking down everything and putting it away neatly. Fingers crossed that my body isn't too sore today - last night, my knees were already protesting when I went up the stairs!

cozy chic?

Caslon knit blazer, Nordstrom Rack

Talbots silk top, thrifted

same ol' jeans, Ross

necklace, Forever 21

     Some days, you just need a blanket masquerading as a respectable gray blazer. This blazer has been sitting in my closet for a while - not sure why - but extremely blustery weather meant it was just what I needed. I felt cozy yet still pulled together.
    This was also my first time wearing this shirt. Talbots is a brand I haven't tried before, but I like the easy fit and rich color of this top. It's lined and the silk has a lovely sheen to it. It also has an interesting hem.

      Is it too early to think/talk about Valentine's Day? These adorable earrings are on their way to me, and I'm planning to make my students valentines that look something like this. I'll probably add a pencil as well, since my students seem to eat them -- whenever I put out a few extra pencils, they promptly disappear, never to be seen again! For my grade level colleagues, I found fun mini stamps that can be used for signing off on the kids' planners at the end of the day. I couldn't believe that I found the stamps for $1 each at a mall sidewalk sale.  It amuses me that I'm going with non-food valentines this year, since in my own diet, chocolate is its own food group and a regular indulgence.