Doesn't Stop

What I Wore

Top: Kohl's - $15

Pants: Target - $20

Shoes: Tory Burch via eBay - $50

Scarf: Target - $15

Earrings: Target - $4

Belt: From a pair of pants

Sometimes, you just need a little detox. I mentioned in my last post that I was feeling burnt out, so I decided that it was just time to take a break. I had quite the crazy week -- I got home much later than the usual work weeknight...and the buyer of our house wants to close in 45 days instead of the delayed closing we originally thought we had! Now we're on a crazy house hunt...and our grad classes start tonight. Life never stops when you're an adult, does it?

This shirt was a pre-birthday buy. I realized that I don't have many non-work clothes, which is great in terms of efficiency and mixing/matching, but I feel like I dress so much older than my friends (and I just needed some youth in my wardrobe). I like it untucked to show the hi-low effect (and I don't think it looks as baggy in person because it's fairly sheer and you can tell that I'm not entirely shaped like a box), but I like the tucked-in look to make the top more pulled-together.

Starting May 27th, Heidi from Literate & Stylish and I will be hosting a "We Love Target" link-up. We've been talking about doing this for a while, and we've just now followed through on all of our big talk about making it happen. I hope all of you will join us by wearing your favorite Target top on Monday, skirt/pair of pants/shorts on Tuesday, any accessory (like jewelry, belts, or scarves) on Wednesday, shoes on Thursday, and show off your favorite Target score on Friday!

XO,

Targeted and Pre-Summer

What I Wore:

Necklace: LOFT Outlet - $13

Lace tank: Target - $15

Belt: Target - sister

Blazer: Target - $25

Skirt: Target - $22

Shoes: Target - $15

I'm wearing head to toe Target...except for what's around my neck, of course. I do this unintentionally, and I only realize it when I'm writing my outfit summary for my blog posts. I don't, however, think this looks like a cheap-o Target outfit. However, I always feel more professional and expensive-looking when I'm wearing a blazer. Maybe it's just me. 

Bear with me, guys. I'm feeling a bit of the end of the semester slump--a little burnt out, if you will.

I'm so ready to wear summer clothes and break out my non-teacher attire on a regular basis (I have serious blogger envy for those bloggers who can wear jeans/shorts/shorter skirts on the daily). I have two more weeks (this week and next) before "summer" starts, but I have an over-lap next week with my graduate course that starts Monday. I always cringe when people tell me how "lucky" I am that I have the summer off. They have no clue if they truly think I'm twiddling my thumbs poolside all summer. 

Busy summer or not, I'm already mentally mourning my last couple weeks with this group of kids. I whole-heartedly adore this group of seventh graders I have taught/coached/advised this year. I think that really speaks to the kids I've taught this year--I don't want summer to get here so I can keep teaching them! Is it possible to have both? Can I keep teaching them and  have summer break?

XO,

Simply Nautical

What I Wore:

Top: Target - $27 (circa 2010)

Necklace: Target - $16

Pants: Old Navy - $7

Belt: Target - sister

Shoes: Target - $15

During one of our movie dates this weekend (we caught up on "Iron Man 3" and saw "The Great Gatsby" -- WOW to the last one!), my husband turned to me and asked if I had a "teeny tiny obsession" that I needed to tell him about. At first I was a little puzzled, so he clarified with "all things nautical." He's so right. A little behind, perhaps, but wholly and completely right. Whether the looks are semi-nautical like the one I'm wearing in this post, or undeniably so with a pair of anchor earrings and a rope belt, I find any excuse to add a little something nautical to my outfits on a regular basis.

So, now that we've all cleared that up, let's all have a great Monday!

XO,

Confetti (and the ideas of others)

What I Wore:

Shirt: GAP - $15

Necklace: LOFT Outlet - $13

Belt: LOFT - $18

(It's the polka dot belt -- I flipped it around even though it's not marketed as reversible)

Skirt: Target - $16

Shoes: eBay - $60

Ever since I saw this pin when I first started Pinterest, I've wanted a confetti tee. When Fran posted a picture of her adorable sister wearing this top, I knew I had to have it. I went to the website, but it was sold out in every size except XS and XL and the reviews on the sizing led me to believe that I could probably squeeze into an XS and be comfortable, but I didn't want to take the risk. I checked my local GAP and they didn't have it, so I let my excitement fade. Until...I went to Atlanta last weekend and we happened to pop into Lenox Mall...and there was a GAP...and this shirt was there...and they had it in every size, but the XS fit perfectly afterall...and it was on sale. So, long story short, it's now in my closet. I think that it was definitely a purposeful purchase, goes with a lot in my closet, and it fulfilled a longing for a sartorial white whale, so to speak (pretty sure that's what Tania described it once). Whether I'm fully sticking to my shopping ban or not, I'm at the very least being more thoughtful about what I purchase.

Do you have any clothing "white whales," my dear Ahabs of the style world?
XO,

The "No" Morning

What I Wore:

Necklace: Altar'd State - $3

Tank: Target - $15

Cardigan: J. Crew - $55

Pants: JCP - $25

Belt: came with some pants

Shoes: Target - $7

This morning, the dialogue I had with my closet went a little something like this:

Me: "Closet, what are we wearing today?"

Closet: "Well, we have this adorable black and white striped tank with..."

Me: "Hold it, I have to wear colors because I've been wearing black and white like crazy. What else do we have?"

Closet: "Well, you could always wear this white shirt with your scarf and orange skirt."

Me: "That sounds great, let's try it on."

[I try it on]

Me: "Ugh, closet, the shirt didn't quite work...what are my other options? I'm running out of time to get dressed..."

Closet: "This white shirt with this..."

Me: "No. No more white shirts. Color!"

Closet: "Those are all the outfits you've put together already, so..." 

[pretty sure my closet rolled its eyes at me at this point, so I tossed these three things together, braided my hair, took pictures, and left for work]

So, this outfit isn't anything too special...not that every outfit of mine is overwhelmingly groundbreaking, I know. I'm sure you have had mornings like this, right?

XO,

Survival Earns Jewelry

What I Wore:

Necklace: GroopDealz - $20

Shirt: Sister gift (Old Navy)

Skirt: Target - $20

Shoes: Target - $7

So far, I have survived this crazy school year of training for a half marathon (and completing it!), coaching two seasons of cheer, teaching five sections (+ all the other responsibilities that come with that), keeping up with Crossfit (and the occasional pilates or yoga class), being a young married and working woman while maintaining a social life, and working on my Master's. Without going too far into bragging territory, I have done all that and kept a 4.0, so I bought myself a little treat to celebrate; this necklace! My life goes from one thing to the next to the next to the next--and sometimes you just have to reward yourself. Not just go shopping and buy yourself something pretty, mind you, but intentionally buy yourself something for a job (or about five in my case) well done. Even though this necklace isn't fine jewelry, I'll definitely associate this feeling of accomplishment (and slight exhaustion, not going to lie) every time I wear it. 

(And I'm definitely drawing inspiration from all the ways Apples and Pencil Skirts has styled it so far--love it!)

Side note: It was either this necklace or a cupcake...and I decided that another piece of jewelry for my neck was a wiser decision than another inch or so on my thighs.

Side note take two: Forgive the fact that three of the last four posts have been black and white outfits. It happens sometimes. I'll try to wear color tomorrow.

Do you reward yourself? If so...please tell me you have a cupcake and necklace addiction, too.

XO,

My Careful Pants

What I Wore:

White Pants: hand me downs from mom (Maurice's)

Anchor shirt: Target - $20

Striped blazer: Express - $35

Shoes: Payless - $20

Monogram necklace: Amazon - $43

Outfit inspiration: This pin / Original Source

I'm proud to say that I wore white pants and didn't get anything on them. At all. The entire day. In order to make that happen, I had to wrap myself in mental shrink wrap. Every move I made, everything I touched was intentional and a conscious decision. Maybe that's how most adults operate on a normal basis, but I am quite proud of my pristine, white pants. Seriously, guys. It's a big deal! Just ignore the fact that the first picture looks like a weatherman (or weatherwoman--PC, right? Meteorologist -- is that what we call them now?) who wore a green shirt in front of the green screen. It's my mysterious floating torso and upper body picture!

Speaking of big deals, I've posted my monthly album on Facebook for April! Go check it out!
Happy Monday!
XO,

Subdued

What I Wore:

Pants: Christmas gift

Shoes: Tory Burch via eBay - $50

Shirt: NY&Co - $10

Necklace: Target - $7

Easy does it, sometimes, am I right? 

Fins and I are in Atlanta this weekend with some friends to celebrate finishing our classes and blow off some steam! Have a great weekend!

XO,

Wedding Colors, Happy Colors

What I Wore:

Necklace: Forever21 - $25

Tank: Target - $7

Cardigan: Aeropostale (circa 2005?) - $15

Belt: NY&Co - $5

Skirt: Target - $20

Shoes: Tory Burch via eBay - $50

Great minds must think alike -- Mai Heart wore her pink skirt and polka dots and I had this outfit all stored up and ready to go! My wedding colors were black and white (total Audrey Hepburn inspiration) with pink accents, so I feel a slight twinge of nostalgia (for the wedding part, not the planning aspect) whenever I wear these colors together. In fact, I took my sweet friend out for her birthday, and her first words upon seeing me were "Aww, you're wearing your wedding colors! Did you do it on purpose?" Maybe so--these are my happy colors. 

A (probably literal if you weighed us all) ton of people that I encountered also wore black, white, and pink the day I wore this, so maybe we had some kind of subliminal push to wear it? (I'm being serious, guys, the entire 7th grade female teacher faculty wore pink on the same day like we planned it...and several of my students' parents joined in along with a couple other teachers -- it was uncanny, but it served as a fun little bonding moment among all of us)

Do you have your own set of "happy colors," or do I go too far with my personification of colors? 

XO,

Texas Big

What I Wore:

Shirt: LOFT Outlet - $12

Necklace: LOFT Outlet - $12

Skirt: JCPenney - $20

Belt: Target - $13

Shoes Target - $15

Turquoise studs: Amazon - $5

For the record, when someone from the South refers to another Southern state as an adjective, you know it's a serious moment. When first fixed, my hair looks all Texas Big, but by the end of the day looks all California Prom Queen (or insert a better comparison here). I have decided that these women wear their hair so big because it makes their waists look smaller in comparison. Is that an odd theory to have?

Linking up with Heidi and Marissa for their Pantone Color Challenge

+

t+j designs Blog stripes challenge -- be sure to visit and let them know you like my look (if you do, of course).

XO,

Cool Colors

What I Wore:

Necklace: Gift from Fran

Cardigan: Old Navy - $12

Shirt: Target - $7

Belt: Target - $17

Skirt: Target - $20

Shoes: Old Navy - $9

Maybe I'm just ridiculously out of touch with the current trends, but I don't have much of this "African Violet" color that Pantone included in their 2013 colors. I bought this cardigan several years ago because I liked the color and this shirt just happens to have a lilac-like color tossed in with some other blue shades. Aside from a low-cut 3/4 length top, this cardigan, shirt, and necklace are all I have in this shade of purple...so I tossed them all together. Kind of the antithesis of what I said yesterday about trying to wear trends in subtle ways.

Linking up with Literate and Stylish and The Modern Austen!

I have my final exam tonight! I am so ready to take it and have a mini break before the summer semester starts. April has been the craziest month--and I've felt like I've barely been afloat at some points. I am so sorry that I haven't been very diligent about commenting on your blogs and being a social blogger. Just know that I'm reading your posts and I should be around a little more often as of this evening.
XO,

Emerald

What I Wore:

Dress: LOFT - $18

Shoes: Old Navy - $9

Necklace: NY&Co - $15

Part of embracing trends is learning how to incorporate them in the smallest ways. Obviously, when I bought this necklace, I didn't know that emerald would be "in," but it's the only item in my closet of that color (ironic considering emerald is my birthstone...) and I thought it would add some diversity to my accessories. I've never been one to go out and buy clothes because the color is trending, so I get lucky when something I have fits with the "in" colors of that season (a la "Devil Wears Prada" and the cerulean sweater)! I think that wearing trendy colors as an accessory instead of the main pieces of an outfit gives a nice subtle nod to the trend without giving off the trend salad vibe.

So, I think I'm pretty good at calling myself out when I don't do something well (I try to be a self-aware blogger). This dress is a little on the wrinkled side--sorry guys. I got an email this weekend calling me out for wearing "so many" wrinkled outfits...and while the tone of the email didn't quite come across well (it included a "just sayin'" in the signature for heaven's sake), I have to agree that I'm definitely not talented with an iron. I hope that the past few months have been better in that area--I've been trying to take my pictures in the mornings before I leave for work as opposed to the end of the day in my classroom (hence the wrinkledness in several of my classroom pictures). I am glad that you guys stick with me even in my worst wrinkly moments -- my blog isn't a magazine. I wear my clothes. I do a LOT in my clothes and sometimes, there's a wrinkled skirt or a flyaway hair (or a weirdly placed belt). I'm not doing myself any favors by pointing all of that out, am I? Better to be self-aware than ridiculously clueless, I suppose. Point is--I'll definitely try to put a little more effort in that area -- and I apologize if I look like a ragamuffin (that, for those of you not in the South, is a fun word my mother used to describe how my sister and I looked after a long day of running around and playing outside -- sorry, mom, I never outgrew it.)

Linking up with Heidi at Literate and Stylish for her Pantone color link-up with Marissa at Modern Austen!

XO,

April Closet Review

Wait a second. It's already the end of April? I refuse to believe it, guys. Regardless, this is going to be a super short post.

Items Removed: 

Paired with the craze of April and the large amount of clothes I've already removed from my closet, I just didn't even think about what I could remove from my closet. I did, however, unwillingly remove a couple:

• Purple floral bow blouse: It ripped and died.
• Tan bow belt: It fell off of my body when I wasn't paying attention...and is forever lost to my closet.

Items Added:

• Merona white lace shell - Target - $20 : I've been desiring a lace shirt for a while -- especially one that I could wear with skirts or layer with dress pants. The lining was definitely key in my choice -- my two other lace tops don't have any kind of lining.
• Chelsea Crew Vintage heels - eBay - $60 : These shoes are just perfection. I've been looking for a pair like them for a long time, but I gave up momentarily because of my shopping restriction. I think that these shoes will last a long time in my closet, so I didn't mind spending a little more for them (maybe it's just me, but I only spend above $50 for my sneakers and running shoes (other than the two pairs of Tory Burch shoes in my closet)--the rest of my work shoes are around the $20 range).

Monthly Total: $80 for two items that I will wear quite often. Not terrible, but not great for my very limited no-shopping resolve.

Linking up with Fran's Budgeting Bloggers. How did you do this month?

XO,

Deception Inception

What I Wore:

Sweatshirtishshirt: Target - $20

Buttondown: NY&Co - $4

Necklace: LOFT outlet - $12

Pants: Target - $15

Shoes: Target - $7

I have this sweatshirt in the grey color I am wearing today and in the blue and white striped version -- and I have worn them every weekend since I got them. While I haven't posted a majority of the outfits (no time to get pictures, etc), they work perfectly with my boyfriend jeans, skinnies, and casual skirts. I have been wearing them as a top by themselves, so I thought I'd see how well they layered. I think that a button-down under anything gives a more formal vibe, but you guys know how I'm all about formal deception with casual pieces. I wore this outfit for a family lunch and then later to our weekly dinner and a show night with our friends...but I also wore it to work on my last paper for the semester (it's due today -- wish me luck!) because it was such a comfortable outfit (confession time: I've been known to change out of outfits just to wear more comfy clothes for an hour to feel more productive). As for an outfit doing its job, I think this one definitely did. I love wearing outfits that look good (and earn plenty of compliments), but you forget what you're wearing when you have a good time (except for the fact that my pants are now too big in the waist and I'm constantly pulling them up even when I'm wearing a belt...the search for pants begins again...).

Yes, by the way, those are pollen stains under my feet. You can't avoid it in the South, guys.

Have a great weekend!

XO,

Girliest

What I Wore:

Cardigan: LOFT - $28

Skirt: LOFT - giftcarded ($25)

Belt: eBay - $2ish

Necklace: Target - $17

Shoes: Chelsea Crew via eBay - $60

If Monday's outfit was the springiest outfit I could create, I think this one takes the cake for girly. At least I felt like it was while I was wearing it! Lace, vintage-y heels, bow belt, and a flower necklace? Yes, please.

However...this is the last time you'll see this belt unless I decide to buy another one just like it. Somewhere between my car and the stairs, it fell off. I don't know what it is with all my clothes committing suicide and running away from me all the time. The good news is...I still have my Anthropologie bow belt that works just as well. If not better (not sour grapes at all).


Linking up with Tara at Mix and Match fashion for her What I Wore to Work link-up!
XO,