24 Days of Summer Teaching: 2 Days of New Shoes

The last two days were busy teaching days, and I was excited to wear my new shoes. My feet, however, were not so happy to be wearing the new shoes. Check out the mega blister!

Tank: LOFT
Shorts: LOFT
Flats: Jessica Simpson, $29.99 at T.J.Maxx
Necklace: Gift, supposedly the beads are made out of recycled paper by African women and all the money goes to support them and their children. Or perhaps, it goes to support the further colonization of women of color. 

Blouse: The Limited
Skirt: The Limited
Flats: Ann Taylor, $39.99 at T.J.Maxx
Nails: Essie "Fall in Line" with topcoat of Sinful colors "Cinderella"
Necklace: Handmade by my mother

24 Days of Summer Teaching: Pearls and Dots

Tee: New York and Company
Skirt: Cato
Sandals: Clarks
Pearls: Vintage, gift from grandmother
Earrings: Gorilla Glass

24 Days of Summer Teaching: 108°

Tank: Old Glory
Skirt: Pinky (I think I have had this skirts since high school. I wish I remembered where I bought it).
Shoes: Mad Love, from Target
Necklace: Homemade, made from copper and vintage cloisonné beads 

24 Days of Summer Teaching: Beach Chic

Tank: Old Navy
Skirt: matty m, $15.99 at Costco
Sandals: Privo by Clarks
Necklace: ??
Earrings: Diablo Organics

It was 108° today. For some reason, I thought I would stay cool in this outfit. That of course, was a lie. There was no staying cool.

24 Days of Summer Teaching: Navy and White

Tee: Cynthia Rowley, $9.99 at T.J. Maxx
Skirt: Max Studio, $19.99 at T.J.Maxx
Shoes: Target
Necklace: ??, might have actually been from Italy 

One of my students complimented my style today. I'll take it.

We had lots of fun in class today: poster making!

24 Days of Summer Teaching: Coral and Navy

Tank: Ann Taylor LOFT, on sale for $24.31
Short: Ann Taylor LOFT, on sale for $8.91
Shoes: Target 

I never used to wear coral, but I like it these days. Unlike those other LOFT shorts, these aren't splitting at the seams.

24 Days of Summer Teaching: Teal and Khaki

Tank: Ann Taylor LOFT, $29.50
Shorts: Ann Taylor LOFT, $24.31 on sale
Sandals: Privo by Clarks

I chose this photo location because the "shade area" sign was just so bizarre. Anyways, today was about comfort and I love this printed tank and the length of these shorts. Unfortunately, a hole developed in the seam of these shorts today - the first time I've ever worn them. I emailed customer service and am waiting to hear back. I sure hope they replace them without making me pay return shipping. If not, they are going to have an angry customer, and I usually buy a lot of Loft products.

Summer Teaching: Blue and Stripy

Today was one of those overly productive days thanks to a randy goat and iced coffee. Before 9 am, I biked to campus, swam, scanned documents, made copies, and met with a student.

Dress: Max Studio, $29.99 at T.J.Maxx
Shoes: White Mountain, $29.99 at T.J.Maxx

This outfit is a T.J.Maxx special. I wasn't sure about mixing stripes with stripes, but then I did it anyways.

24 Days of Summer Teaching: Black and White

Oh wow! Where to even begin?

It's been nearly four years since my last post. In those four years, I earned one Master's degree and then another. I moved across the country for a PhD program. I ended one relationship and started another. Now we have been together for almost four years. I gained and lost close to 30 lbs. I retired from acrobatic endeavors. I feel in love with triathlon. 

The current pressing fashion issue is this: I am teaching a summer class. We meet four days a week for six weeks. That means I need to look semi-professional on 24 occasions. The added challenge is that I have to bike to campus and it's hot in this part of the world. 

What better occasion to start blogging again?

Dress: Ann Taylor LOFT, borrowed
Shoes: Privo by Clarks
Earrings: Tawapa

Confession: I totally wore this dress yesterday to the celebration of my grandfather's life. I borrowed it from my Mom when I realized that everyone else was wearing black and white prints. Then I asked to keep it, telling her that since it fit me "so well," it must be too big for her. She's a slender thing. She didn't agree to me keeping it, but she did agree to let me borrow it for a few weeks. 

I've had the shoes forever and they are whatever. I hate my toes, but I sort of like the green polish. 

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.

9/18/10: Oktoberfest

Yesterday I made the short trip to North America's largest Oktoberfest celebration. To be honest, it was too many people. The food and beer, while decent, simply didn't compare to real German food and beer. But alas, it was a good time with some of my cohortians. (Yes, we have made that word up. It's much easier than saying "with some members of my cohort.")

Tank: Old Navy, "two for $15" always
Skirt: Larry Levine, stolen from Mom
Bracelet: via World Market, gift
Sneakers: "Lori" by XAPPEAL via Rack Room Shoes, $14.99 ($7.50 if you consider the BOGO 1/2 off promotion) in July 2010

I've discussed before how I feel like I'm running out of time on sneakers and skirts. However, for a day like yesterday, it was the perfect solution. I needed shoes I could walk in all day. I also needed to stay cool. Except for one unfortunate incident involving some sort of grate in the sidewalk, I was ridiculously comfortable. I even matched the mysterious man dressed as some sort of German dog.

9/17/10: Getting Oriented

Friday was orientation day and thankfully, I feel much oriented. I now know what to expect from both the classes I am taking and the class I am teaching.

Though my department is incredibly casual, I wanted to dress up just a little. And when I say just a little, I really mean just a little. I could undoubtedly get away with wearing flip-flops and jeans, but what fun is that? To make it even better, Friday morning felt like the first day of fall. It was apparently a trick, as it was back in the mid-80s today, but the crisp weather certainly put me in the back to school mode.

Necklace: Gift from Mom
Burgandy tee: Old Navy
Green shirt: Old Navy
Slacks: Gap
Shoes: Aldo
Purse: ?? via friend's clothing sale

I absolutely love these slacks. Indeed, I have them in both black and the light grey/blue pictured. They are lightweight, comfortable, and cool, while still being a step up from jeans. The other fantastic thing about this outfit is the purse. It doesn't look especially large, but I easily fit inside a full size notebook, a two-pocket folder, my agenda, wallet, camera, makeup, keys, and a novel. Now that is what I call a perfect purse.

9/16/10: Lazy

Tee: Self Esteem via Goody's, forever ago
Khakis: Gap, forever ago
Shoes: BC Footwear via now-defunct Polka Dot Shoes

And the September Shoe Challenge continues. Not much to say on this outfit. It was a lazy day. I needed to throw on some clothes to run errands. This is what I grabbed. I like the subtle shine of the sneakers. I like the subtle shine of the shirt too, though I think this shirt will become a purse very soon.

9/15/10: Neon Green

Today's plans revolved around getting internet hooked up so I could have a reliable connection and walking to the farmer's market for some fresh produce. It is about 0.8 mile walk each way and today was surprisingly hot for September up here. Shorts and a tank top was the only way to go, and these "stolen" shoes are quite comfortable. Like yesterday, they aren't the epitome of style, but they work quite well for trekking around time. Note to self: dig through the back of the closet more.

Tank: Old Navy, "two for $15"
Shorts: Calvin Klein via outlet
Sneakers: Rocket Dog, stolen from ex