one more way to wear a striped tee

     I think that I went a little overboard on accessorizing, although the photo was taken midway through the accessorizing process. Here's a tally of what I ended up wearing: 

• one pair of earrings
• two necklaces
• three bracelets
• three small silver rings

 Supersoft striped tee, Gap Factory Store, $2.97

Paper Crane sweater, Ross

 scrabble tile floral pendant and friendship necklace, gifted

    Yes, this is same striped shirt I featured yesterday. I promise that it has regular dates with the washing machine. ;) This sweater is another new favorite item. I have wanted an open-knit lightweight sweater for a while, but every one I saw was either too flimsy-looking (a.k.a. Snag City) or just not right. I've gotten a lot of use out of it this month, layering it over everything from a brightly patterned maxi dress to a plain black tank. 
    Does anyone else feel like we skidded through Christmas and are headed for 2013 at breakneck speed? I'm looking forward to 2013 - it's the Year of the Snake (my year!) according to the Chinese zodiac and I'll be graduating (and landing a job in my field - fingers crossed). 2013, I'm looking forward to your arrival but I wish I could have an extra day or two to recover from the whirlwind that was Christmas.  

coffee, my dear friend

   I have never been a morning person. It still amazes me that for several years I dragged myself out of bed before 6 a.m. to make the 45-minute drive to the school where I taught. I overslept a time or two, and got stuck in traffic jams a few other times, but overall I was prompt.

Classiques Entier silk blouse (Nordstrom Rack)

BR Factory petite trousers

       The funny thing is, now that I'm away from the classroom for a year, I've committed myself to waking up at 5 a.m. twice a week to get to the university for 6 a.m. aikido class. I was studying there once a week last year, and not consistently, but I want to make sure I'm prepared for my February test. However, saying goodbye to my pillow on Thursday morning was harder than it was on Tuesday.
      An hour of practice is a great way to start the day. I feel a glow of accomplishment at 7 a.m. as I'm driving home to shower, enjoy a cup of coffee and eat breakfast. That glow of accomplishment slowly morphs into ... exhaustion. I found my eyes sliding shut at about noon as I read my textbook about teaching kids to solve information problems.

Friends necklace: gift from CN

Pearl necklace: previously loved by Mom

     To finish off Thursdays, I have a class from 5 to 7:40 p.m. I'm hoping the mandatory discussion component will keep me awake (and hopefully, learning) on those days that I'm ready for a nap.
     Yesterday's weather was delightful -- sunny with bright blue skies, yet not blazing hot --  what I call long-sleeve weather! To celebrate I wore my long-sleeve silk blouse that just doesn't get enough outfit love. I figured that I could at least look put-together while I dozed --  er, I mean participated -- in yesterday's class.

   

Silver bangles: Amrita Singh via HauteLook

Gray pearl and circle bracelet: gift from TM

tan bead bracelet: old, gifted

rhodium filigree bracelet