Navy Sheath

This sleeveless sheath dress has been a staple in my work wardrobe every single week since the summer.  I just can't stop restyling it!  

Perhaps it's because I never had to wear a school uniform, but I love the look of a plaid shirt under the navy.  I topped it with a soft vest, but often also include a blazer or cardigan.  Navy sheath, you are a dear friend.

Dress, Vest, Tights: Gap

Button-Down: J.Crew Outlet

Boots

Goodbye, 2012

Goodbye, 2012.  This has been the most challenging year of my life, for a number of reasons, and while I'm feeling grateful for the emotional growth it has provided, I couldn't be happier to move forward.  

This year will forever be remembered as the year I married my best friend in front of so many loved ones.  It was the year that I learned just how loving and generous our family and friends could be.  It was the year I became a tenured teacher and the year that Erik and I travelled alone together for the first time.  It was the year of job changes, and the year my parents said goodbye to my childhood home.  It was the year that we gained family, and lost family.

And so despite some hardships and losses that have been faced this year, I'm putting my best foot forward into 2013.  I'm resolving to commit myself much more to running this blog.  I'm committing to being excited to turn 30 in 2013.  And I'm committing to move my relationships forward even more, because so many moments throughout this past year have shown me more than ever that life is about the incredible people who surround us each day.  So goodbye, 2012, and hello new year.  You're going to be the best one yet, I'm sure of it.

 Sweatshirt: Loft

Hat, Leggings: Gap

Boots: Anne Klein 

The Skies are Clearing

T-shirt and Leggings: Gap

Poncho Sweater & Scarf: H&M

Rain boots: Steve Madden

Punkin' Pickin'

Last week, one of my 1st graders was constantly talking about how excited he was to do some "punkin' pickin."  I guess I couldn't get that out of my head, because I had a major itch to pick some pumpkins as well!  With a bit of sunshine and warmth in the air, we hopped onto our (super amazing) new Genuine Buddy, and found a great little place in our area.  

One little pumpkin, too many nachos, and some alpaca-petting later, we rode home with the wind in our faces.  A perfect Sunday...

Sunglasses: Loft

Broach: Flea Market

T-shirt, Bag, Scarf & Flats: Gap 

Angle Zip Legging Jeans: Gap

Button Down: Urban Outfitters

Scooting Around

Over the weekend, Erik and I scooted around town (yes, we got a scooter!!!) and had a blast.  Our errands included a trip to his new office to drop off some books and do a little decorating.  He started working at a new firm at the beginning of September.... and although he didn't move into a new building in Philly, he moved up a few floors and has some fantastic views.

By the way, this outfit is one of my favorites in a long time... which means, I wore it all. weekend. long.

Sweater: J.Crew

Vintage Bag: Coach

Flats: Chinese Laundry

Zipper Jeans & Blouse: Gap

Taking Summer Staples into Fall

I still haven't managed to pull out my fall/winter clothes from storage, so I've been transitioning my summer staples into my September wardrobe.  The truth is, I always love to hang on to the sandal-wearing days as long as possible because once you put on a pair of boots, you know it'll be months and months until your toes see the sunshine again.

Sweater: H&M

Pants: Gap

Sandals: Loft Outlet

Back to Work

Finally getting back on track!  Today marks the 1 month anniversary of our wedding, and I figure that it's finally time to jump back onto the blogging wagon.  Over the past month, we said our vows in front of all of our loved ones, took our very first vacation as a couple, I had the honor of being a bridesmaid in a dear friend's wedding, and then I dove right in to a new (and busy) school year.  It feels like we've been going non-stop, but it's finally time that we return to a normal routine.  I'm ready to hibernate in our house for a while and just enjoy married life.

Soon I'll have some wedding and honeymoon photos to share, I promise!  Oh, and maybe a few fun pics of our cute new scooter!

Sweater: Talbots

Sheath Dress: Gap

Sandals: Steve Madden

Watch: Michael Kors

More Casual

I bought this dress a few months ago, and wear it frequently.  My problem with it is that I often want it to look more casual, and it's a little on the fancy side with the beautiful detailed pattern.  So to make it look a bit more relaxed, I added this neon yellow belt, and I love the strange color combo!

Dress: Talbots

Belt: Loft

Wedges: Gap

Watch: Michael Kors

Once a Week, Probably

I've only photographed this this dress once before, but I've worn it many times this summer.  It's a perfect all-season find that I can't wait to carry into the fall and winter.  Basically, I'll probably wear this dress at least once a week for the rest of my life.  Would that be weird?

Dress & Belt: Gap

Necklace: Banana Republic

Sandals: Steve Madden

Finally Dressed Up

Finally catching a breather!  This weekend was jam-packed full of fun.  Saturday--my bachelorette party!  And Sunday, a friends baby shower.  Between the two events, I didn't have a chance to photograph my outfits.  So finally, although I'm only running errands today, I thought I'd take a little longer than usual, put my trusty (over-worn) denim shorts to rest, and pull out a favorite new purchase from Loft--this new pencil skirt!  I'm excited about it because so many colors will work with this skirt.  It looks very blue in the photos, but is more indigo in person.. and I love it!

Blouse & Wedges: Gap

Watch: Michael Kors

Skirt: Loft

Panic Mode

This past week has been nothing but running errands and working on wedding projects.  All of my procrastination caught up with me, and I entered panic mode for a few days.

I'm still working on getting myself organized... and I've realized that my crazy schedule will absolutely not let up until September.   Sorry, folks, but this is the first time over the past few days that I've put on anything more interesting than a Hanes t-shirt and gym shorts.

 Button Down: Gap

Cropped Pants: Loft

Wedges: Gap

Necklace: H&M

At the Drive-In

I can't believe my first week of summer vacation has already come to an end!  I had a busy week, filled with teaching piano lessons, visiting the neighborhood pool, enjoying the fireworks, hanging out with family and friends, and having a fun night at the drive-in.

Apparently there is only one drive-in movie theater that remains in New Jersey, which is so sad.  Where I grew up, in rural Pennsylvania, we have several different local drive-ins, and visiting one was a regular event on summer nights.  So after years of missing out on the nostalgia, Erik and I finally made the drive to watch Brave and Spiderman on the big screen.  Fried food and warm weather put me to sleep before the end of the second movie, but it was such a great time, I'm looking forward to going back again.

So this outfit isn't terribly exciting, but it's all I have from this past week.  It was super comfortable for our movie night, and fit into my week-long red/white/blue outfits.  

Button Down: Urban Outfitters

Shorts: Gap

Espradilles: Target

Birthday Bridal Shower

An amazing bridal shower/birthday weekend, the end of my school year coming up next week, and many other busy moments in my life have been keeping me from this blog.  But I refuse to wave the white flag.  Next weekend marks the beginning of my summer vacation, and I'm promising to get back on track with some well-planned outfits.

In the mean time, settle for a picture of a dress I purchased months ago from Banana Republic.  I loved this dress so much, I knew it had to be saved for something very special.  

Dress: Banana Republic

Heels: Nine West

Pearl Earrings & Pearl Bracelet: Ross Simons

Bow Bouquet: My beautiful family and friends

Bold Stripes

Shirt Dress: Gap

Sandals: BC Footwear

T-Shirt Simplicity

I have to admit that as our weather has turned warmer over the past few weeks, I have seen far too many women forget about the sheerness of their clothing.  I'm talking about major see-through issues... to the point where I'm embarrassed for them.  So when I pulled out this oldie-but-goodie t-shirt dress, rest assured I remembered to add a slip!

Wearing a slip is such an easy fix for sheer dresses and skirts.  Now, if I could only find the perfect non-sheer white pants...

Dress: Gap

Wedges: Loft

Necklace: The Limited

So Here I Am

I have pictures to post, and not a thing to say.  I'm just brain-dead.  I thought about discussing my distaste for linen and its constant wrinkles, but then I realized that I didn't have much to say other than that I shouldn't buy linen anymore.

And then I thought that perhaps I should discuss my recent recommendation for tenure.. but I'm not sure how I feel about tenure in general and don't feel up for any serious discussions about my job.

So here I am.  Wrinkled in linen.  Exhausted from a long week, avoiding the gym, and seriously considering some take-out for dinner.  Weekend, come quick.

 Blouse & Blazer: H&M

Pants & Ring: Loft

Sandals & Sunglasses: Loft Outlet

Everybody Everywear: Nautical

I'm not sure if this is the most nautical outfit I could have pulled together, but I wasn't willing to wear anything other than this dress today.  It's comfortable and easy, and definitely a good way to avoid tearing apart your closet on a busy Tuesday morning.

My love of red/white/blue combos and stripes is clearly out of control.  If you're interested, check out a few more nautical-inspired outfits here, here, here, here and here! 

Dress: Loft Outlet

Blazer: Gap

Bag: Target

Heels & Necklace: H&M