Current Obsession #1: Calvin Klein Dresses

Well well, it's been over 10 months since I posted. My apologies. The first year of grad school got the best of me. Between writing papers, presenting at conferences, teaching, and trying to be semi-fashionable after major shoulder surgery, this blog slipped my mind. But alas, I am back, with a series of my current obsessions.

Right now, I am am obsessed, read my lips, obsessed, with Calvin Klein dresses. They are simple, professional, and cute, and when I manage to find one on sale for less than $50, it is mine!

I got this adorable dress on sale for $29.99 at Dillard

's today!

 

 

It's true. I am obsessed. 

9/25/10: Finally Fall

I'm on this gym kick. While it never lasts long, I take advantage of it while it lasts. So yesterday, I woke up at 8-something, was at the gym before 9 am, and started my day off with a "hardcore abs" class. I don't know what I was thinking, but I swear my stomach already looks better.

Anyways, after the gym, I put on some comfortable clothes to sit outside and study. Had I known that I would spend the rest of the day gallivanting around town with Fit for a Femme's clone, I would have dressed way cuter.

Tank: Old Navy, "two for $15"
Hoodie: via Pacsun Outlet, $4.99 in Spring 2010
Jeans: Bullhead via Pac Sun Outlet
Belt: ??, hand-me-down from friend
Boots: "Jestes" by Aldo, available on Amazon in some sizes for $39.99-$49.99

Note: I realize I am missing a September Shoe Challenge post for Thursday 9/23. I failed to get pictures, though I spent the day wearing skinny jeans, black puma sneakers with pink and green trim, a white belt, and a black tank.

9/24/10: In Front of The Class

As with graduate orientation, teaching orientation, and the first day of classes, my first day of teaching brought "what to wear" panic. I decided it was better to over-dress than under-dress, at least when it comes to convincing a bunch of undergraduate who might be the same age as me that I am their authority figure.

Top: Express, forever ago
Skirt: The Limited, $33.99 (after 15% educator discount) in Sept 2010
Bag: H&M, purchased in Austria in 2005, with fresh dye job
Shoes: "Kiren" by XAPPEAL at Rack Room Shoes, $14.99 in July 2010
Necklace: handmade by Page Rozelle, gift
Lips: Cover Girl "Outlast" lipstain color 440 covered with gloss
Nails: ??

I always thought "The Limited" was for old women. Then I went in there, and fell in love. Then I found out that with student ID or teaching ID, you save 15% on everything, including sale and clearance items. I'm now obsessed. I love this blue pencil skirt. It isn't quite denim, though the denim-esque fabric makes it a little more casual. Paired with a tee and flats, I didn't quite look like an undergrad, though the emerald nail polish kept it a little funky.

Seriously though, I'm obsessed with this skirt and this outfit. It was comfortable. I felt cute. And I felt like me. What more could I ask for?

As for the lip color, I am on a mission for the perfect lip product. I generally find lip sticks too heavy. Glosses tend to drive my dates crazy. I feel like I'm on the right track with this lipstain, though it seems to wear off quickly and the color doesn't sink in evenly. Question for you: What is your favorite lip product? How do you add subtle color? What about when you want dramatic color?

9/22/10: Finally the First Day

You know the phrase, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life." Well, in yesterday's case, it was true. No longer was I an undergraduate. No longer was I was a 20-something without a plan. Oh no, I was officially a graduate student on her way to a career in acadamia.

As you can imagine, I struggled over what to wear. On that first day, I sat in on the large lecture for which I will be leading a discussion section. I also met with a professor and the rest of my cohort for our teaching practicum, aka "how to survive Friday when you find yourself in front of a classroom full of inquiring undergraduate minds." I wanted to look cute, but not too young. Professional, but not too dressy.

I spent all of Tueday night trying on clothes, making outfits, and then starting all over. Finally, I settled on something. Then I woke up Wednesday morning, realized it was ninty-something degrees, and had to start all over.

Dress: Tommy Hilfiger via outlet
Shoes: Mudd
Bracelet: Handmade by me

As you can see, I settled on a wrap dress and low heels. I think I made a good decision. The students listened to me when I told them to move forward from the back of the lecture hall, I only got one blister, and I managed to stay relatively cool as I trekked across campus.

9/21/10: Coffee Shop

While my course load is still pretty light, I decided to get ahead. I walked to my neighborhood coffee shop, ordered an iced coffee, and worked by way through the first week's readings.

Top: ExpressBelt: No idea
Bag: H&M, purchased in Austria in 2005
Jeans: Bullhead via Pac Sun Outlet
Shoes: Converse via Ross, $19.99

My favorite part of this outfit, believe it or not, is the bag. I bought it five years ago when I was an exchange student in Austria, and used it for school. As you can tell by the picture, it's seen some wear (as well as some leaky highlighters). I'm going to dump it in the wash with a bottle of black dye to see if I can revitalize its greatness.

9/20/10: Don't Sleep With Your Students

Yesterday was TA training for all new teaching assistants. Yesterday was also my first panic of "OMG! What do I wear?" You see, clearly I wanted to look cute. I was going to be meeting other graduate student (Friends? People to hang out with?). On the other hand, I also wanted to at least feign professionalism. 

Sweater: Future Paradise, hand-me-down from Aunt
Dress: Carole Little via Marshalls, $24.99 in July 2010
Purse: XOXO via Burlington Coat Factory, forever ago
Sandals: "Women's Arbor Sandal by Privo, $24.47 on Amazon in most sizes

Now, I realize this dress is a little short. Indeed, I went back and forth on it until I finally decided, "It's 80-something degrees and I have to leave the house now." It would have passed the middle school "fingertip rule," and paired with a cardigan, it's not like I was showing a ton of skin. I'm glad I brought the cardigan too, because it was quite chilly in the classrooms. It certainly wasn't the Wild Wednesday look I've created before.

Would I wear this the first day of classes? Probably not. Was the Professor lecturing to us on teaching practices wearing a shorter skirt? Without a doubt. What about you? How short of a skirt is too short?

9/19/10: Old Man Shoes

Sunday was a shopping day. A gift card from my birthday was burning a hole in my pocket, so I hit the mall in total comfort.

Necklace: Gift from Mom

Tee: One Step Up via Sears, forever ago

Belt: O'neill via Clothing Swap

Jeans: Calvin Klein Jeans via Costco, $19.99 in July 2010

Shoes: BC Footwear via now-defunct Polka Dot Shoes

I confess. I resisted on the "skinny jeans" trend for the longest time. Then I bought a pair. Then I bought another, and another. They look great on almost everyone. Note the almost. Even with just a tee and sneakers, I feel taller, thinner, and more confident in a pair of skinny jeans. Sometimes there is good in the fashion trends.

My other favorite part of this outfit is the "old man sneakers." I bought these at a now-defunct locally owned shoe store in my hometown. Like most shoes by BC Footwear, they comfortably mold to your feet. As you may be able to tell by the picture, however, they've reached the end of their lifespan. It's going to be sad to see them go.