Summertime Professional

I recently had to attend an event that required professional attire.  As a teacher with a great summer vacation, looking professional during the summer is rarely ever a requirement for me, and pulling out a stuffy suit is the last thing I want to do.  So starting with my favorite blazer, I decided to add some bold summer color with this beautiful silk skirt.  To tone it down a bit, I kept my top and jewelry very neutral.  

Hope you enjoy my dog's photo-bomb.  You might think that she's smiling at you, but she's really just eating a stick... yes, a stick.  Obviously she isn't the one who had to be a professional today.

Blazer: Gap

Skirt: J.Crew

Silk Top: J.Jill

Shoes: Levity via DSW

Necklace: The Limited

A Warm Autumn Work Day

 On the best Autumn days, it's crisp and sunny, and we've been fortunate to have several of those days this past week.   I pulled this look together last Wednesday for work with a few things in mind: an important meeting, lots of walking, and it was fairly warm outside.  I'm thrilled with the simplicity of this outfit, but love that it feels so "me."

Button-Down and Cropped Pants: Gap

Blazer: Banana Republic

Necklace: J.Crew

Flats: Chinese Laundry

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

Lots of Questions

We had a big day at school last week because a very important visitor came in for a tour.  For me, it was a long day of rehearsals and running around before our program, so this easy outfit worked well.  The kids were fantastic and so excited to perform.  Lots of "Will he have bodyguards?" and "Is President Obama coming with him?" questions.

So adorable.

Blouse & Oxfords: Urban Outfitters

Scarf & Pearl Earrings: Macys

Watch: Michael Kors

Necklace: Forever 21

Cropped Pants: Loft

Blazer: H&M

Bright Red on a Gray Day

I'm so happy I picked out my brightest red pieces to wear today, because it was miserable outside.  I just think that mixing red and hot pink is so cheery.  

I'm going to have to figure out how to mix these two colors a little more often so that I can be fully prepared for Valentine's Day next month.  Otherwise, I'm going to have to pull a real crazy-teacher-lady move and wear some ugly dancing hearts sweater/matching earrings/matching pin/matching socks combo.  And I'm just too young to have to resort to that.

Skirt: Loft

Watch: Michael Kors

T-shirt & Blazer: Gap

Earrings, Belt & Bag: H&M

Back in the Day

I recently pulled out an old favorite of mine... this leather belt that I purchased during my first year of college.  Back in the day I was a bit more bold with my style, and even though most of my closet has changed over the years, I'm happy that I held onto this blast from the past.  

I didn't actually wear this outfit without the jacket, but here's a better picture of the belt.

 Shirt, Blazer & Dress: H&M

Belt: Macy's (10+ years ago)

Boots: Steve Madden via DSW

A Christmas Outfit

It's sort of a crime that these pictures came out so dark.  This is one of my favorite outfits that I've pulled together in quite a long time.  It's classic and a little dressy, and I love the bold necklace and the bright blue pants.  I didn't really have a legit reason to dress up on Christmas... most of my family doesn't do it, but I'm happy I came up with an outfit that I can re-wear (over and over and over)!

 Blazer: Gap

Clutch: H&M

Top: Ann Taylor

Cropped Pants: Loft

Heels: Urban Outfitters

Necklace: Guess Outlet

A Holiday Away

We just returned from our Holiday away... what a great few days!  Here is a picture of E and I on Christmas Eve afternoon, just before our big dinner with his family.

On Erik:

Pants, Belt & Velvet Blazer: Gap

Tie: Geoffrey Beene

Shirt: Calvin Klein

On Me:

Dress: Vintage

Blazer: Gap

Heels: H&M

Necklace: Guess

Earrings: InPink 

The White Blazer Lives On

The past few weeks have been unseasonably warm, so perhaps that's why I was inspired to pull out my white blazer, which was a favorite from the summer.  

I tried to "autumn" it up a bit with my new boots from DSW... love these new guys but I'm still trying to figure out how to wear them!

Any favorite looks out there with similar color booties?

Blazer & Tights: Gap

Dress: H&M

Scarf: Target

Necklaces: J.Crew Outlet

Shoes: Audrey Brooke via DSW

Bag: Ecote via Urban Outfitters

Monday Pants

These pants have quickly become my Monday uniform... mostly for two reasons: 

1. It's relatively warm and I can get away with short pants and no boots.

2. They are just as comfortable as my pajama pants which makes me hate Mondays slightly less than I usually do.

Jacket, Pants, Blouse: Gap

Necklace: J.Crew Outlet

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

I Promise

I am such a disappointment on the weekdays.  Seriously.  All of my outfits are based solely on comfort and nothing else.  Definitely bad for a fashion blog.  No heels with this outfit?  COME ON... what was I thinking? 

I'll tell you what I was thinking... I was thinking about the 1000 different things on my to-do list.  I was thinking about how much I needed coffee at this super early hour.  I was not thinking about what a disappointment my outfit was.

Tomorrow, I promise to try harder.  Seriously.

 Blazer: H&M

Watch: Thrifted

Earrings: InPink

Dress & Tights: Gap

Flats: Urban Outfitters

Garnet Necklace: Gift from Prague

These Short Boots

My striped dress was a favorite from this past summer.  It's too short for work, so I knew I had to throw it on for some weekend errands.  My second thought went straight to these black Gap boots... which feel like a little blast from the past.  And although I've hung up my fishnets and Dr. Martins years ago, I still feel a little rock'n'roll with these short boots.  

Happy Sunday evening, everyone.  This household is hunkering down for some serious HBO time and a big pot of my favorite soup!

Dress, Blazer & Scarf: H&M

Boots, Vest & Tights: Gap

Necklace: Forever 21

Purse: JCrew

What's Black, White and Red All Over?

My outfit, of course!  By the way, I found my wedding dress this weekend!  I can't wait to share the details with all of you... 

Watch: Thrifted, with new red band

Blazer and Cropped Pants: Gap

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Necklace: Forever 21

Blouse: H&M

Everybody Everywear: Colored Tights

I bought this dress from H&M during the summer, knowing that it would be a favorite fall favorite, and it really has been!  I've been wearing it nonstop over the past few months because so easy to dress up or down.

I can't wait to pack this mustard guy up for my upcoming long weekend!  Later this week, I'm meeting up with my family to officially begin the search for a...  wedding...   gown.

I've been so excited about the planning so far, but searching for the perfect gown seems so stressful, I'm definitely apprehensive about it.  I'm on my way to Bridal Atelier and RK Bridal in Manhattan.  Have any of you visited?  Any good stories about finding your dress?

Dress: H&M

Blazer & Bag: Urban Outfitters

Necklace: Forever 21

Watch: Michael Kors

Purple Tights: Gap

Boots: Macy's