last week in photos {and some thoughts}

 Living Doll asymmetric hem tee ($4.20 from Nordstrom Rack's clearance section).

       My love for slouchy tees is growing to dangerous proportions. An added draw is that the print somehow reminds me of O'Keeffe's paintings. This photo doesn't do the top justice, so I guess I'll have to wear it again soon and take proper photos. :D

Calvin Klein Jeans ruffle top (CK Outlet) and short-sleeve cropped cardigan (Ross). 

Mornings have been cooler here, so I've been gleefully topping off my outfits with a light layer.

 Thrifted Banana Republic dress, Forever 21 cardigan and camisole, Ross belt. 

      After at least four years of regular wear, this camisole has given up its hold on life - I just took it out of the wash and noticed that the strap has fallen apart. I can't complain, though - I definitely got my money's worth out of this $2.80 underpinning. I liked that it was lightweight and shorter, which meant no awkward bunching and bulging for short-waisted folks like me.

     We had a local comedian visit our school on Friday. One of the things he talked about was how the choices we make today influence who we become. On Friday afternoon, I had the students respond to that idea and identify 3 choices they made this week that will affect their future. Here's my student's response:

   "My first choice was to eat better. I want to grow up strong and healthy to be a better person. My second choice was to stay fit. I don't want to be a old wimpy fat guy when I'm 20 years old. My third choice was to stay cheerful because if I'm grouchy I won't get a good wife."
    HA. I know LOL is so overused as to be meaningless, but seriously, this made me crack up. Who knew that 9-year-olds put so much thought into their future? 
    On a more serious note, I thought the idea that today's choices shape our future was a thought-provoking one. While I've been faithfully attending a weekly meditation class since the start of the year, I've realized that to really understand and experience the value of meditation, I need to get back to the practice of sitting every day. I've also realized recently that I need more of a work-life balance and that I want to start attending one weeknight aikido practice in addition to my Friday class. I'll have to think about how to use my time more wisely and streamline my prep time. The latter choice won't happen right away, but it will be my goal for 2014.
    What choices have you made recently that will affect your future?  

olive and navy

Calvin Klein Jeans tee, Macy's

cardigan, Forever 21

bracelet, 'Iolani Palace

    I like this shirt and its glittery front, but olive has always been a slightly puzzling neutral. Like gray, I admire it on other folks, but am still figuring out how to style it to my liking.  I had a sartorial "duh" moment when I paired it with my favorite, navy blue. This is my favorite way to wear this top so far.

     
Favorite moments of this week 

•  chatting with one of my students about her experiences reading "The Little House on the Prairie" series. This was a series I reread continuously through childhood, so I was thrilled to hear that today's kids can still connect with the series. And talking about books with kids is on my list of Ultimate Favorite Things in general.
• learning a lot through two fantastic days of training (in air-conditioned comfort, no less). 
• finishing Abraham Verghese's novel "Cutting for Stone," which was beautifully written.

Happy weekend! :)

unlikely summer revelations

top, Calvin Klein Outlet

Coldwater Creek scarf, gift

Beau jeggings, Ross

cardigan, Forever 21

     Up to this point I've treated this top as workwear, which means it's always been paired with trousers or a pencil skirt. It was fun to style it more casually with jeggings, a scarf, and light slouchy
cardigan.
    It may sound strange, but it wasn't until last week that I've realized how perfect a scarf is for layering. It's lightweight and can be folded away into a bag, doesn't add bulk when worn with a cardigan or blazer, and adds color, pattern and warmth.

   It's been years since I wore a watch regularly, but last year I decided that since I was turning 35, a classic watch would be a good accessory. I'm retraining myself to wear a watch everyday and use it to check the time. One motivating factor is that it's fun to mix and match with bracelets! I'm really glad I chose a two-tone watch - it's so easy to wear with all kinds of jewelry.

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?