just sitting

BCBG Max Azria silk top, thrifted

DKNY jeans, Macy's

necklace, Forever 21

       Another simple outfit to deal with the heat while looking somewhat put-together ...
      A month into the new school year, I'm feeling pretty settled into my routine, although as usual, I would like to work on getting to bed earlier. Waking up at 5 a.m. is always challenging when you're a night owl! My main motivation for getting to bed earlier is that I'd like a little more meditation time. I find that my thoughts slow down and I get really settled after about 8 minutes of sitting, and guess how long I can afford to sit in the morning? 8 minutes. You see the problem ...  
    After a great deal of thought, I decided to share my personal practice with my students. At first I was reading this book to get some ideas, but it made me feel overwhelmed and doubtful that I knew enough to even get started. So I returned the book to the library, added it to my Amazon wish list for future reading, and forged on with what (little) I know. 
     Most days we do "breathing exercise" after our morning meeting. I deliberately chose to not call it "meditation" because I worried that I would get complaints about my teaching religion. I found a singing bowl for a great price (unfortunately, the price was so good because the store is closing this month, but it was a lucky find for a teacher on a budget), and we ring it to start and end our breathing. The students expressed interest in ringing the bowl, so I've started choosing one person each day to do so. Most of my students do it with me, some don't, but I don't force anyone to participate. I was heartened, however, when I forgot to do it on Friday and one of my students reminded me! I truly hope that this is a life skill my students can take with them that will help them be more focused, resilient, and peaceful. 
      p.s.: My classroom's Donors Choose project is alive! If you feel inspired to help, your donation will be doubled ($100 limit) if you enter the code INSPIRE and donate by Sept. 14. I won't make a regular habit out of touting my classroom fund-raising projects in this space, but this is my first time using Donors Choose and I thought I'd put it out there just this once ...

the 1980s called ...

dress, Goodwill

necklace, Forever 21

and they want their babydoll dress back. Don't forget the Velcro-attached shoulder pads, too. It was a surprise to try this dress on and find the shoulder pads - I can't remember the last time I bought something with them!
       Some things I like about this dress - the fit; the abstract floral-ish print; and the colors. Green is the dominant color, but there's enough red, pink, blue and dashes of yellow and orange that it can be accessorized in different ways. Yes for versatility! Another yes for being able to wash and wear it - a light ironing actually wouldn't hurt, but the print makes wrinkles unnoticeable in my opinion. ;)

       Grammar nerd confession: I waffled on whether the 1980s would be referred to as "they" or "it." I settled on "they" because I figure each year would be considered an individual item, and the 1980s a collection of individual years - hence, "they." Whew. I'm sure that this is the kind of riveting inspirational content that draws thousands of blog followers ... ;)

inspiration Monday: coral and light blue

The inspiration: Alessandra Ambrosio

My take:

Old Navy top, thrifted

Ann Taylor petite skirt, rescued from mom's donation pile

necklace, Forever 21

brooches, gifted and eBay

        Gracey of Fashion for Giants remembered that I was looking for a bee brooch and sent this one to me! It's perfect, and for its inaugural wearing I decided to add it to one of my favorite necklaces. 
       Coral and light blue is a great combination, so I decided to go for it. I usually try to stick to pattern mixing in the same color family, but I think this came out pretty well.   
       I'm linking up to two birds' inspiration Monday! Go here to see the other creative interpretations. :)

hip*

tee, Banana Republic Factory

skirt, made by me

necklaces, Forever 21 and Banana Republic

brooch, eBay

     I love wrap skirts, and I love being able to wear something I made. The one thing I don't like about wrap skirts is what happens when the wind comes along - I end up clutching at my skirt. I dislike having to worry about that kind of thing, so I haven't worn my wrap skirts as much as I'd like. But I think I've figured out a solution - a pretty brooch at the hip helps me stop worrying about my skirt flapping up, and doesn't need to be hidden like a safety pin, either. Now that I've found a solution, I'm looking forward to wearing my lightweight, cool and comfortable cotton wrap skirts all summer long. :)

 

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. :)

fast fashion and essentials

 

top, cardigan, necklace, Forever 21

same ol' jeans, Ross

turquoise and wood bead bracelet, InPink

     Fran of Franish recently wrote a thought-provoking post on "investment" purchases and the struggle to wisely allocate shopping funds. The comments were just as fascinating as the post, as everyone seemed to have a different viewpoint and strategies.

     I was thinking about this issue last weekend, when I picked out a silk tee for my sis. At 35, I'm starting to realize that I'd like a better-quality wardrobe. Better quality doesn't mean prohibitively expensive, but it does mean clothing that meet the following criteria: 1) made out of practical fabrics (breathable, washable);  2) flattering in fit; and 3) mixes well with other items. 

    At the same time, I don't feel quite ready to upgrade my wardrobe. I'm still figuring out my style, and it's hit or miss which purchases will go on to be closet essentials and which ones are cute, but should stay in the store. For example, this cardigan and necklace have proven more versatile than I imagined, and when they wear out I'm willing to spend a little more for higher-quality replacements.

      

       Buying these items at Forever 21 meant that I got to experiment with different styles and see how I liked them for a reasonable price. I'd like to shift the focus to thrifting, but for now Old Navy and Forever 21 are still places I like to browse from time to time. 

      Happy Friday and weekend, all! I'll be getting my wedding makeup trial done on Saturday, and I'll make sure to take a few photos to share. :)
     What are some of your unexpected closet essentials? And how do you find a balance between buying trendy, inexpensive items and items that will be staples for years?

February Freeze: flare jeans

     iris silk top, thrifted

navy cardigan and necklace, Forever 21

Carole disk and quartz necklace, Nordstrom Rack clearance

Dansko "Sakura" sandals, Nordstrom Rack

     These flare jeans are my next February Freeze item. I've only worn them a few times since buying them a year ago; I love the fit and different silhouette, I'm just not sure how to style them for different situations. I think I'd have an easier time styling them if they were a dark wash, too.

     This is really what I wanted to wear, but I decided to save the quirky color combination for the weekend vs. a day when I needed to pop in at work: 

  Julie's Closet burnout animal print cardigan, Ross

February Freeze: orange

  Splendid top and Carole quartz necklace, Nordstrom Rack

Beau skinnies, Ross

cardigan and necklace, Forever 21

     My second February Freeze item is this orange top. It's cute, but like my first February Freeze  choice, the strange neckline means it hardly gets worn. It appears that the lesson for me when shopping is to not buy it if it has a strange neckline ... 

     Using Susannah Conway's Unravelling the Year Ahead planner, I picked a theme for each month. January's was "laying the foundation," when I focused on getting on track with healthy habits. So, basically, I  ate a lot of oatmeal (which I love) and resumed my regular schedule for physical activity.

     The theme for February is "acts of love, big and small." The focus is on taking care of myself and others better. To that end, I attended my first meditation class on Saturday,  because I've realized that establishing this as a daily practice is something I need to move forward in my life. Also, any $5 bill that comes my way is corralled in an envelope and headed to the bank to build up my savings.
      In terms of taking care of others, I'm trying to look more carefully to see what small things might need doing, and doing them without being asked. I think one of the things I love about having a little extra money is spending it on others, whether it's mochi ice cream for the Mr., pastries for the family, or little care packages mailed to friends or family. But since I'm not working regularly (I've been playing an economical grad student for the last two years), I've had to shift my mindset. What can I give? My full attention, careful listening, and thinking ahead about what needs to be done, and just doing it. I also enjoy cooking for my family because it makes me happy to see them enjoying a home-cooked meal.
     What do you like to do to show others you care?

Try-it-out Tuesday: lace {at last}

JJ Basics cardigan, hand-me-down

Hollister "Pacific" lace tee, $15.90  (here)

denim pencil skirt, Old Navy

necklace, Forever 21

      Let it be officially noted that I usually dread entering stores like Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch. The overwhelming miasma of perfume/cologne, the dim lighting, the weird store layout so there's dead ends everywhere you go, the masses of tourists dropping $200 at a time on piles of logo tees ... ugh. 

     But, I did brave the store to get the Mr. two buttondowns, one of which I gave him for Christmas. They were too small, so I headed back into the store to return them. Since I had to squeeze past the tourists anyways, I decided to take a look at the sale section. And lo and behold, there were two cute tops in the sale section. I've been wanting something with lace for a long time, so I was excited to find this.

 

Deep thoughts? Or wondering how much candy I ate today?

     While I love both denim and pencil skirts, I have hardly worn this skirt. When I bought it, I was concerned that it was too fitted in the back for work (because who wants a bunch of fourth-graders ogling their rear? Not me.) But I decided to take a few side shots to see how it looked, and I think that while you can see my shape, it's not distracting (ha!) or inappropriate.

 

  One thing I don't like about this top is that it has a ruffle at the front hem. But I do like that its cut accommodates layering a very light cap-sleeve tee underneath (below).

 Stem turquoise tee, Nordstrom Rack

Beach by INC linen shorts, Macy's

 

That dratted ruffle in the front

     Do you have a lot of lace in your closet? (I'll confess that I've always found lace itchy and thus avoided it, but this top is comfy).  And how would you style this top? 

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? 

Try-it-out Tuesday: sparkly tomboy

  short necklace and Love Fire olive skinnies, Nordstrom Rack

long necklace, Forever 21

Ralph Lauren buttondown, Ross

      I love a good boy's buttondown, but sometimes their boxy shape and loose fit can be a little hard to style. Tucking them into a high-waisted pencil skirt can be a quick fix, but a little more formal than I like on a weekend. Doubling up on the necklaces and adding a slim-fitting pant is a more weekend-friendly option.This was perfect for a Sunday excursion to the outlet mall and some serious time in the fitting rooms.
      I picked up some great wardrobe staples at amazing prices during a trip to the Gap Factory Store: two bright cardigans (cobalt and yellow), one white buttondown, and a striped tee, all for a grand total of $53. I visited other stores and tried on things at each one, but exercised restraint and passed on things that didn't quite fit or I didn't love. It's easy to get carried away at the outlet mall in regards to impulse purchases, but I think I did really well this time. I did love a square-neck black dress in a very structured cotton at Banana Republic Factory Store, but the dry-clean-only care tag and $60-plus price deterred me.
       And not to be annoying, but ... you can win a Haitian Bead necklace or bracelet in my very first giveaway! As of Monday night, only two folks have entered -- so if you like what you see, please enter! It's beautiful jewelry for a beautiful cause. Giveaway closes Fri., 12/21.

Try-it-out (Wednesday): texture + sparkle

     I wore this on Thursday and felt pretty and put-together all day. :)  The funny thing is, I just threw this together without the pondering and thought that's gone into other outfits. Does this mean I'm improving at this getting-dressed business, or just got lucky?

Collective Concepts top, previously loved by stylish cousin K

Banana Republic cardigan, previously loved by mom

petite pencil skirt, Calvin Klein outlet store

necklace, Forever 21

Jeffrey Campbell Tab-2 shoes, Nordstrom Rack

    Either way, cozy cardigan + top with pretty colors and a dainty floral pattern woven into the fabric + sparkly necklace = happy.

     While the photos show this outfit with a pencil skirt and heels, I actually wore this with jeans.  I didn't get to take photos the day I wore this outfit, so for the photos I thought I'd see how it looks with a pencil skirt and shoes.
    I think I prefer wearing this top untucked and with pants, because tucking makes it poof out and makes the cardigan poof out, too. Although I did experiment with a different, leaner tuck which I have dubbed the origami tuck because it results in some interesting pleats.

Origami tuck = less poof

        I don't play with texture enough when I get dressed (although every time I do, I love the results), so that's what qualifies this for Try-it-out Wednesday. Also, I have to confess to being excited about how easily this outfit came together and how much it feels like "me" -- it's visually interesting without being over the top, it features a print and pretty little details, and a pencil skirt. And I'm even wearing shoes in these photos! (Major bonus points.) :)
    Happy Wednesday!