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. 

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.

9/20/10: 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?

8/29/30: Going Away and a Birthday

While it may seem that I had disappeared off the face of the Earth, I would like to assure you that I am very much alive. I have, however, disappeared from Florida. I am now happily settling into life in the Midwest.

Over the next few days, I am going to try to post some things I never quite got around to posting.

This year, I combined by 22nd birthday party with my going away party. I wanted something festive and fun, and I settled on the adorable dress I found at JCPenny (of all places).

I found the shoes on Amazon. While I am usually reluctant to buy shoes without trying them, I took a gamble. It paid off. Initially, they were very comfortable, but after wearing them all afternoon, I decided I could have used a half size larger (which, of course, doesn't exist). However, like most shoes by BC Footwear, these are leather. I think they will stretch.

Dress with Belt: East 5th via JCPenney, on sale for $27.99 in August 2010
Shoes: "Women's Escalator Flat" by BC Footwear, via amazon, on sale for $19.99 in August 2010

Dangerous Curves Ahead

Warning: Dangerous Curves Ahead

As my moving date rapidly approaches, my mom wants more and more time with me. That's okay though, because I want time with her too.

After helping her pick out glasses and stopping by a party, we decided to hit the mall. Mom needed athletic tops for yoga and tennis. I don't need anything, but I am currently obsessed with dresses. Needless to say, I found more than I bargined for (or perhaps I should say, more than I budgeted for.)

As I mentioned, I am obsessed with dresses lately. You put one on. You add a pair of sandals. You are ready to go. I found two dresses that fit like they were made for me.

Worthington® Zipper Detail Sheath via JCPenney, on sale for $27.99 in August 2010

  East 5th Pleated Sundress with Belt via JCPenney, on sale for $27.99 in August 2010

This however, is not what I am excited about. Today, it was all about the skirt.

Worthington Button Detail High Waist Skirt via JCPenney, $24.99 in August 2010

I've always worn my skirts and jeans slung low around my hips. I bought my first high waist skirt earlier this summer, and have fallen in love with the professional, polished look it offers. To top it off, this skirt is sexy as hell. I put it on, walked out of the dressing room, and asked my mother, "Where did these curves come from?" Now, don't get me wrong. I love it and can't wait to wear it, but I'm in shock over how good my ass looks.

7/21/10: Wild Wednesday

I never go out. At least that is what my friends would tell you. Between work, preparing to move, and more work, I just don't have the energy. Last night, however, I got lured in by the promise of free entry and free drinks. Honestly, I just wanted an excuse to wear my new dress.

 Dress: Carole Little via Marshalls, $24.99 in July 2010

Bracelet: Gift

Heels: Y-not? via Burlington Coat Factory(?), many years ago

I fucking love this dress. It's not too low cut. It's short, but not too short. I love how it hugs my curves. I could almost wear it to teach (I'm thinking paired with a blazer or cardigan, hose, and simple shoes). It is simple, but has unique ornamentation. I love the inside-out zipper. I'm not a huge fan of ruffles in general, but I like the ruffles across the straps. I always love black and white, and combined, they just beg for red accents.

These red heels trace their way back to my very first gay prom. Whenever that was, I wore a black strapless dress trimmed with red, red heels, and a black fedora. I don't remember exactly how much I paid for them, though I think it was less than $20. I have certainly gotten my money's worth. Now, wearing red patent slingbacks the day you twist your ankle at work is not a good idea. But sometimes, it's your only option. Especially when you have a bad-ass leather bracelet accented with red beads. 

7/19/10: A Very Vintage Birthday

In celebration of my friend's birthday, I spent the evening drinking unusual ciders and eating homemade soft pretzels at a bar (sorry, lounge) that is way to hip for its own good. While I am not nearly hipster enough to drink there, I pretended with a vintage dress.

 Dress: Handmade and vintage, gift from Mom

Belt: Vintage, stolen from mom

Bracelet: Carved bone brought back from South America, gift

Sandals: "Women's Ranford Sandal" by Privo via Clarks Outlet (available for $49.03 on Amazon)

This vintage dress is not a shape I thought I could wear, but I'm falling in love with it. It had some sort of attached belt, which I lost. I've been wearing it with a brown leather belt, but I decided to dress it up today with this woven scarf/belt thing. I think it worked.

Most of all, I love the detailing on the neckline of the dress. Somebody sewed this by hand. The zipper is all metal; no breakable plastic parts. It was hemmed by hand. All the seams are reinforced. They just don't make things like they used to. 

I promise I was going to wear different shoes today. I had bronze metallic kitten heels in my car. I was ready to go. Then, the last hour of work, I tweaked my ankle. Deciding it was better to stick with comfort and safety, I wore my favorite Clarks sandals yet again. I should just concede to the fact that I will be wearing them at least three times a week until I move to Ohio and meet an actual winter.