spurning proportion

top and pants, Old Navy

necklace, Forever 21

   This is probably not the most proportion-savvy outfit (loose top + loose pants), but I figured the necklace would have a lengthening effect and pull things together.  I haven't worn this necklace much lately, and was actually considering adding it to my donation pile, so it was great to wear it again.

   I borrowed a book on art journaling from the library recently (darn those eye-catching displays librarians make! It's a trap, I tell you). It's gotten me interested in starting an art journal, although my main thought when I look at the beautiful works featured in the book is,"Wow, I don't think my journal would look anything like that."
   However, I like the idea of an art journal as a dedicated place to be creative, record life experiences, and to try out new art techniques. The one thing holding me back is the required purchases. I'll be making a big move in a few months, and I've been trying to whittle down my belongings. I might just stick to my daily zendoodle drawing time and put off the art journaling until I get settled in my new home.

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!

starting a collection

Soprano crochet-trim crop top, Nordstrom Rack

trouser jeans, Macys

Banana Republic cardigan, from Mom

necklace, Forever 21

     The crochet detail on this top is so pretty, but it doesn't stand out against denim. I'm looking forward to wearing this shirt with white jeans the next time so the trim really pops. 

     I wasn't sure whether I could make this top look professional enough for work, so I chose to wear it on a professional development day when the students were at home. I think adding a cardigan made it look a little less playful.  

     This week, my class will be getting wet and muddy on our field trip to a lo'i (taro patch). On Monday, I went over the guidelines. As a health precaution, students with cuts on their legs and feet will not be able to enter the lo'i. The pronouncement of this guideline led to everyone intently examining their feet and legs, and then questions such as - "If my cut is scabbed over, can I go in?" and even requests for me to examine said cuts. Ah, the glamorous life of a teacher ...

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.

literary stylings link party: "The Ugly Duckling"

Calvin Klein Jeans tee, Macy's

skirt, India

necklace, Forever 21

feather brooch, eBay

          I've been reading a lot of books lately, but when Gracey's post about her literary stylings link party popped up, the first thing that came to mind was Hans Christian Andersen's story "The Ugly Duckling." Probably because I feel a little guilty for memorizing it for storytelling class about a year ago, then forgetting it. In my defense, it runs more than 20 minutes long.

      
        I put together my gray top (rescued from the donation pile recently) and white skirt because the ugly duckling is gray when he's born, then turns white as he (unknowingly) transforms into a swan. This brooch didn't make it into my wedding bouquet (I ended up going with gold-tone brooches/earrings instead), but that's a good thing, because it made the perfect addition for my necklace.

          Clarissa Pinkola Estes (who's on my to-read list), in her book "Women Who Run with the Wolves," calls this classic tale a "root story, or "one that contains a truth so fundamental to human development that without integration of this fact further progression is shaky, and one cannot entirely prosper psychologically until this point is realized." (quote taken from here)

      
         This is definitely not a typical outfit for me, but it was so much fun to wear, particularly the floaty, twirly skirt. :)
         Check out the literary stylings link party here!

Try-it-out Tuesday: slightly Goth

Zara silk buttondown, thrifted

Style and Co. petite dress, Macy's

necklace (shortened with a bracelet), Forever 21

         This outfit has a bit of a Goth feel to it - I think it's because of the sheen of the silk and the puffed sleeve. I like the simplicity of black and white but I'm not sure this is 100% my style. Still, it was a fun outfit to wear to take my friend out for drinks and dinner. Somehow I end up being the friend who drives ... and gets to drink an ounce of wine as a result. I usually don't mind, since I'm much more interested in the food! 
         I found this buttondown at Goodwill and decided to take it home, despite it being an XL. It's obviously too big worn as is, but can be knotted, or layered under something.

          Whenever I look at my photos lately, all I notice is my massively overgrown haircut. I enjoy having long hair, but in reality I keep it in a messy bun all day to keep it off my neck. I need a haircut soon because it's getting so heavy that it's uncomfortable. The crazy curls and waves in the first photo are what happens when I first take my hair out of the bun. And then it gets scraped into a ponytail for going out ... I know, it doesn't make any sense.

the endangered joys of snail mail

New York and Company chambray shirt, thrifted

Halogen skirt, Nordstrom Rack

necklace and rings, Forever 21

        You are probably tired of seeing this skirt and shirt, but I'm not tired of them yet ... so here they are again. :) Looking at the photos, one thing I would change next time is to knot the necklace to make it a little shorter - I think a shorter length would be more flattering.
        Recently, I sent a small gift and a letter to a friend for her birthday. She e-mailed me yesterday to thank me, nothing that "you are my only friend who writes letters anymore, and it's such a blessing." Truth be told, I think I enjoyed writing the letter as much as she (hopefully) enjoyed reading it. There's something wonderful about sitting down with a pretty card or good stationery, a reliable pen, and ordering my thoughts, feelings, and experiences for sharing. E-mail is fast and cheap, but it doesn't compare to the joy of sending and receiving snail mail. There's nothing like taking a moment to trace the familiar lines of a good friend's writing and find out how they're doing.
        Many years ago, extensive written communication was a given - if you read novels set in certain time periods and places, the characters often exchange notes and letters daily. People also kept detailed, daily journals - it's been such a treat to get a glimpse of some of my favorite writers' day-to-day experiences. I wonder what we will use to get a similar glimpse into the lives of today's greatest artists and thinkers - Facebook statuses? e-mails? tweets? blog posts?
        Thinking back to my intermediate-school days, I marvel at how many letters my sister and I exchanged with friends. I can't remember what we wrote about, but I remember that they were written on folder paper, often meticulously penned in a glittery rainbow of ink, then carefully folded for in-person delivery. Do today's middle-schoolers still do this? Or have Facebook messages and texts supplanted the allure of glittery pens and secret folding techniques?

     
      When was the last time you wrote or received a "snail-mail" letter?

February Freeze: peacock feathers, cloud 9

Matthew Williamson for H&M top (2009)

Michael Michael Kors zipper detail sweater, Macy's

White House Black Market blazer, thrifted

necklace, Forever 21

Sarah Coventry ring, random little kiosk

Beau jeggings, Ross

     This is what I wore to drop off the payment for the wedding officiant. The office does lunchtime weddings on site, and as I paid for the officiant, a wedding was going on behind the wooden partition. As  I listened to the judge lead a couple through the ceremony, I realized that I'm going to be doing the same thing in just about a month. It was an amazing moment for me - while I've been planning the wedding for a bit, it didn't seem real until right then. 

    This top is a February Freeze item, but I do like the colors (yes, I probably have said this about every February Freeze item so far). The ring is also another February Freeze item - the stone (it might be a watermelon rhinestone) is gorgeous, but the ring is so heavy duty that it's not quite adjustable, and tends to slide around on my finger. I used to refer to it as my cocktail ring, but I just don't get out for cocktails much, so I've decided to wear it anytime I feel like it.
    I think I'll be adding to my wardrobe wish list a pair of black skinny or straight leg jeans. Looking at the photos, I realized that a black pair of skinnies would have really pulled this look together. Honestly can't remember the last time I owned a pair of black jeans ... 

     

     Have a wonderful and relaxing weekend! :)

February Freeze: life's little mysteries and a big bow

Zinc top, gift

camisole and pearl and chain necklace, Forever 21

JJ Basics cardigan, hand-me-down

trouser jeans, Macy's

Seiko watch, gifted 
 

        Welcome, February! I'm kicking off February Freeze 2013 with this outfit. Last year's February Freeze (roundup here) gave me the opportunity to: a) save money by not shopping, and b) wear many of my closet orphans. I'm looking forward to getting creative with my closet as well as participating in Sarah's Real Life Take One, Pass It On Outfit Remix for a week.
       My first February Freeze pick is this top. I don't wear it much, just because the neckline is ridiculously large, but I do like the bow detail. 
       I wore this (plus sensible black sneakers) to chaperone a field trip to the symphony. The students enjoyed it and it amused me to see many of them start waving their arms in imitation of the conductor! What I particularly appreciated was that the program featured the youth symphony. I think it makes a huge difference to have kids who could be the audience members' big brothers, sisters or older cousins up on stage as musicians - I think it helps the kids in the audience realize that they can pursue their interest in music. Sadly, with the testing craze, music is not a regular offering at school, but more kids need the opportunity to create, not just listen to, music ....

Put a big ol' bow on it!

Life's little mysteries (a.k.a., things I just don't get):

• Why is it that elementary students, if left to their own devices, will hurtle down the hall when the recess bell rings ... yet, on a walking field trip, will dawdle through the crosswalk. I lost track of how many times I said, "Walk faster!" or "Keep up.
•  Why do clothing manufacturers use the most itchy, uncomfortable plastic thread to sew their labels into clothes?  
• Why do clothing manufacturers seem to love making tops with crazily low necklines and/or semi-sheer fabric? I am not a prude by any means, and I do acknowledge that being smaller than average means most things are not cut to fit me, but given the warm weather here, I don't want to layer a camisole under every shirt I own. 

Do you have a little mystery to share? Leave it in the comments!  :)

Try-it-out Tuesday: hot pink + plaid

    Michael Michael Kors sweater, Macy's

buttondown, passed down from Mom

necklace, Forever 21

       It was drizzly and dreary the day I wore this, but a hot pink sweater and lots of hot tea go a long way to combating the dismal weather.
      I'm adding a black-and-white plaid or gingham buttondown to my thrift wish list. This one is serviceable, but I'd like something with a curved hem, longer length, and full-length sleeves. It's hard to layer a sweater with full-length sleeves over a three-quarter-sleeved blouse. First, I tried simply scrunching up the sweater sleeves, but I ended up with what I dubbed "marshmallow arms." I ended up doing some strategic folding to combat the puff. 
    

     I got a last-minute substitute teaching job yesterday, and by last minute, I mean the school called me at 8:15 a.m. to ask whether I was available. Due to family obligations, I usually can't take last-minute jobs, but I had someone else to cover at home yesterday.  I hustled down there and ended up having a great time with the first-graders. I've realized that subbing is a wonderful way to get a sneak peek at how other teachers organize their room and structure what they do so students can work on their own - two areas I need to work on. I got a lot of great ideas because this teacher is obviously experienced - the room was cheerful (with a Dr. Seuss theme to boot!), neat as a pin, and the students worked well on their own. I was a little concerned at first that there would be no sub plan, but everything was neatly placed in a container, labeled, and there were clear directions for the day. I'm a long way off from having that kind of room and having things run like clockwork, so it's always inspiring to see another exemplar.

Want to see other ways I've styled this bright sweater? Follow the links below. :)

 

                                           preppy artist                          bright and floral