all ears and animal print

dress, Old Navy

cardigan, Gap Outlet

Cara graduated crystal earrings, Saks Off Fifth

D&Y scarf, Ross

     This outfit was inspired by Kate's styling of the same dress at A Journey in Style. I  initially thought about wearing it with my cobalt cardigan, but decided that yellow and an animal-print medley were more fun for the homestretch - Thursday of the week before Spring Break!
     While my students are beyond excited and already dreaming about a week off, to their credit they worked really hard yesterday on their opinion writing. It was a lot of work to guide them to fill out their graphic organizers correctly - I sent many students back to their article many times to reread and locate text evidence. To recognize their hard work, I did dole out a Life Saver candy to each student who finished his or her graphic organizer.
     I usually can't pull off belting over a cardigan; it makes me feel lumpy. But it's not so bad with the scarf. Admittedly, the outfit may have looked better minus leggings, but we've been enjoying a spate of cool, windy weather, and it makes me smile to be able to wear leggings, scarves and sweaters to work!

    I bought these ear pins back in December, but haven't worn them until now. Like the online reviews say, they do need occasional adjusting, but are otherwise comfortable and a nice twist on earrings. I'm still on the hunt for a comfortable ear cuff. I did buy a cute one at Forever 21, but pinches so much that I can only wear it for an hour or two. I've settled for wearing it like a brooch or threaded through the buttonhole on a cardigan.

animal-print overload

Xhilaration top, Target

D&Y scarf, Ross

bone necklace, Seattle craft fair

linen shorts, Macy's

 
        Just a quick iPhone photo because I thought this was pretty cute for a weekend outfit ... who knew that flamingos and animal print mixed so well?
       This top was included in my July budget, but not pictured. When I looked it up on the Target site, I was amused to see that it described as a crop top. It is definitely not a crop top on me! I suppose being short-waisted has its (few) benefits?
       My sis is in town for a little more than a week, which means we spent part of Sunday ambling around the mall. I found a cute pair of pants and a lightweight cotton shirt that I'm excited about wearing. I'm a little bummed that our summer schedules didn't coincide, but as my colleague pointed out, having family in town just gives me more incentive to leave work on time so I can enjoy some quality time at home.
    ** Hurricane update: I am so thankful that my island was spared. Hurricane Iselle did knock down some very large trees and cause flooding and power outages on other islands, so we were lucky to get off so easily - Friday was cloudy and humid, but that was it. The second storm, Julio, has veered far off and should result in larger surf but nothing else.

the new normal

embellished linen tunic, hand-me-down from Mom

D&Y animal-print scarf and Beau skinnies, Ross 

         We had a spate of windy, rainy and cool weather last week, which meant this scarf was in heavy rotation. I really like this scarf with a slim-fitting bottom, and the contrast with the tunic's embellishment is fun but not over the top. 

          I feel like I've been out of the blogging loop for a while, what with school and wedding stuff eating up much of my time in March. Now I'm making the (lovely) adjustment to living with the husband full-time, which means we spent the day after our wedding shopping for some necessary furnishings, like a desk for my laptop, a chair to go with the desk, and some shelving.

          I think people are a little puzzled (or taken aback) by the fact that I am not changing my name. (They are too polite to say so, but they've made previous snarky comments in the past about women who don't change their names, so I figure the snark applies to me, too.) Just about everyone I know has taken their husband's name. There are a variety of ways to go about this. Some people drop their original middle name and make their maiden name their new middle name. But I like my middle name, so that was not an option. Some people simply take on a second last name, with or without the hyphen, but either way, there's a lot of paperwork involved. Not to mention that a two-part first name, a middle name, and a two-part last name is a lot of moniker for someone who's just a little taller than 5 feet. ; )

             I do like the husband's last name - it's unique and people like the way it sounds. I figure that if later on I'd really like to add his name, I'll pay the fee to do so, but for now, I'm happy to keep my name. :) 

procrastinator through and through

striped knit shift, Gap

petite leggings with zipper detail, Macy's

D&Y scarf, Ross

Dr. Scholls Allycats boots, HauteLook

     Are Hawaii bloggers allowed to talk about the weather? Or do bloggers dealing with freezing temps and snow right now throw virtual rocks at them when they do? Well, here goes ... the weather for the last few days has been odd. At times, it's sunny with a friendly breeze, blue skies, and cotton-puff clouds. Five minutes later, the wind is whipping rain at you under a gray sky. When I was getting ready to leave the house, it was whipping rain, so I dressed accordingly.

      Buckles and zippers make me feel just a little like a rockstar ...

     
     Random news: Obviously, my subconscious is on a time delay, because for two nights straight this week I had very unpleasant dreams about frantically trying to finish final projects for school and missing the deadline. Either that, or my subconscious is a procrastinator like me ...
    One last reminder: my giveaway for a Haitian Beads necklace or bracelet ends tomorrow! As of Wednesday night, I've got four entries and three prizes ... so chances are pretty good that you'll win something pretty! Please check out the post and enter if you like what you see. :)
     

Try-it-out Tuesday: animal and patchwork

D&Y scarf and Salt Works jeans, Ross

Ann Taylor tie-neck top, passed down by E.I.

Fossil "Kenya patchwork" belt, Goodwill, $2.99 (retail: $46)

     I continue my pattern-mixing experiments by seeing whether my belt and scarf will play nicely with each other. I think this looked better in my head - while I like the contrast from the belt, I also wonder whether it cuts me in half to have something light in the middle. 

     It's amusing to think that just about a year ago, I was just starting to understand the wonder that is a belt. A year ago, I also didn't own any scarves, much less one with several different animal prints. Katie of Hems for Her owns the same scarf, and I was inspired to take it out for a spin after seeing her style it here. (Thanks, Katie!) I'd also like to try styling this scarf with a necklace, as she did, but I decided to try out the scarf and belt business first.

Try-it-out Tuesday: style redemption

     Sunday marked four years since the Mr. and I went on our first date. We decided on a whim to go out for dinner. The Mr. is not particularly sentimental, so I was surprised that he wanted to go back to the same spot where we ate dinner four years ago. However, they were closed (which shows how often we venture out on Sunday nights).
     We ended up at a open-air bar in Waikiki, eating overpriced tacos, beans, rice, and chips out of styrofoam containers and drinking overpriced wine and beer. We watched the tourists strolling by below toting their shopping bags and snapping photos of each other. Then we went home but were too tired to open the bottle of pink sparkling wine I had got for the occasion, so we went to bed. Not quite the romantic night most folks dream of, but you know what? It was just right. :)
     I remember what I wore on that first date: a black V-neck top with a white camisole under it, jeans, wedge sandals, and not even a bit of makeup.
      I figured Sunday was time to redeem myself sartorially from that rather simple start. I knew this look was a hit with the Mr. when he grabbed my camera and started taking photos.

     

dress, Old Navy

D&Y scarf worn as belt, Ross

sandals, Target

22K gold ring, worn as necklace, India (gift)

green bangles, India

silver bangles, Amrita Singh on HauteLook

    P.S.: the scarf as obi belt is what qualifies this as a Try-it-out Tuesday post. Oh, and the fact that I straightened my hair, put on foundation and eye makeup, and tinted lip balm -- which all together made me feel pretty glamorous. :)
   Happy Tuesday!