Planning Ahead: Loft Dress

This loft dress is one of my favorites from this summer. It's definitely coming on vacation with me. I tried to make it more beachy by adding some nautical jewelry. I would normally wear white sandals to keep everything crisp but I decided to play off the bright yellow with the bright orange sandals. I also think that the Loft wedge sandals that I was coveting in yesterday's Things I Love About Summer  post will look cute with this dress. It's a good thing I gave in and ordered them!

Dress: Loft (Summer 2012)

Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction What a Square (summer 2012)

Necklace: Lia Sophia (spring 2011 collection) 

Eshakti Dress Review

A few weeks ago I was contacted by a representative from Eshakti and asked to review a sample from their clothing company. Of course I jumped at the chance. The thing that's great about Eshakti is you can customize their clothing by providing your measurements. You can even change sleeve lengths and hem lengths to your liking. You can also just order standard sizes and keep the clothing as is, which is what I chose to do. The Eshakti website is very user friendly and has lots of clothes to browse. I had a hard time deciding what I wanted to sample! I wound up choosing a dress. Here was my experience in a nutshell:

*Great customer service. E-mails were answered promptly and with courtesy.
*Wide variety of clothing on the website to choose from.
*Prices are reasonable. I chose the Pointillist Tweed Dress and it is $69.95 which is an amount I would spend on a work appropriate dress.
*Shipping took a while, I didn't receive my dress until about 3 weeks after I put my order in, so that was a draw back.
*The fit of the dress is great, and I didn't even use the custom sizing option.
*The dress I chose is nice quality! The top of the dress is tweed, has a pretty black fringe that lines the neckline, back, waist, and zipper. It is also fully lined. The bottom portion of the dress is a multicolored stretch cord material. I loved that it's stretchy.. very teacher friendly! Even though the cord fabric stretches, the dress still retained its shape throughout the day (and I move around a lot!)

I decided to wear this dress to work today for class pictures. I wore it with a black cardigan this morning since it was chilly, but I can pair it with many different colored cardigans or jackets. It will also look great with tights and boots. I got a lot of compliments on this dress today and am very happy with my selection! I plan on wearing it again to a family Christening this weekend. Would I ever consider ordering clothing from Eshakti again? Definitely!

Dress: Eshakti
Shoes: Nine West
Jewels: Lia Sophia

1st Day Jitters

After 12 years of teaching I still get a case of the nerves every first day. Will I have a ton of criers? Will the kids be well behaved? How will the day flow? etc., etc.  The 1st day in Kindergarten is never perfect, always a little chaotic, but I somehow get through it every year. Today we made cute little 1st day of school necklaces and the kids loved them! I had 2 criers (not bad considering) and 2 pretty rambunctious boys who will hopefully settle down as we get more into the routine of our year. I am exhausted and already losing my voice from having to repeat things so often. Hopefully these next couple of days go by fast because I can really use the weekend break!!

It was a gloomy 1st day so I tried to cheer it up with the sunny colors on the top of my dress :)

Dress: NY&Company (spring 2011)
Cropped Cardigan: Old Navy (spring 2011)
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Unlisted Via Marshalls
Bracelet & Earrings: Lia Sophia

I wore these earrings, but not this bracelet. I was
too lazy to take a new picture! 

Don't Drink the Water!

Wow, let's hope it doesn't come to THAT this weekend in the northeast. My area of the country is NOT equipped to deal with a storm as large as this Irene is predicted to become. I am hoping that all the hype is for nothing and she goes way off course, but we are ready with water, non-perishables, flashlights, candles and etc. My parents live along the NJ shore and I keep encouraging them to come stay with us this weekend, but they are being typical stubborn little Italian people!  I was going to make a last minute Home Depot run but I called ahead and all items we were looking for were sold out! So this is what wore to run the rest of my last minute hurricane errands. Be safe fellow east coasters!!

Dress: Gap Outlet (a couple of summers ago)
Cardigan: Gap (a while ago)
Belt: Gap Outlet (spring 2011)
Shoes: Gap Outlet (spring 2011)
Necklace: Lia Sophia
Bracelets: Sunshine Daydreams 

What if a great wave should wash us all away?

From the song PIG by DMB. I know, I know, it's kind of inappropriate, yet so appropriate at the same time! I decided to use the DMB lyrics as my titles this week and I'm sticking to it! Although at this point, I'm not that sorry about not going to the concert. Who wants to be stuck on Governor's Island in the middle of a hurricane? Not I!!  This definitely fit with the theme of my day.. shopping for flashlights and such in case this Irene chick decides to wreak havoc on the the northeast over the weekend. Target was MOBBED. The non-perishable food aisle was insanely packed. But hey, who am I to criticize? I was there too! Running straight to the flashlights when I heard a kid say to his mom "wow there are only 3 left!"

This outfit was actually worn a couple of days ago. About the pony tail.. it's a fact of my life since I had Robert. I don't wash my hair every day. That might seem gross lazy to some people, but, well, OK maybe it is (slightly). My hair is very thick, naturally wavy but not curly which = frizziness if I don't style on a regular basis.  I either straighten it, which means I can get another day out of it being straight without washing or I go wavy, which means the next day it will be in a pony tail. I think I have worn my hair wavy almost every day this summer. Last winter I cut it into a short bob and I loved it.. but it was a lot of work.. I had to straighten it every day and no pony tails. BUT it was really cute/flattering so I might do it again this fall/winter. We'll see!

Shirt: Gap Outlet (summer 2011)
Cutoffs: Gap Outlet (summer 2010)
Belt: NY&Company (spring 2011)
Flippies: OLD Navy (long time ago)
Necklace: Lia Sophia 

This necklace reminds me of a Dave Matthews Band concert,
I am totally wearing it to the next one I go to! 

Yikes! I am shiny. Anyone have a foundation compact?
:)

Party in the USA

 I couldn't think of a creative name for this post and I've had that song stuck in my head since yesterday. Don't ask me why. I don't even like that song! But it's been playing over and over again! I guess it's fitting because this LOFT top reminds me of a party. The layers and polka dots are so fun and festive! I definitely hope to get a couple more wears out of this before summer is over. This is an outfit I would wear out to lunch  and shopping (which is what I'm doing today) or even to work on a dress down day, but I would definitely keep the sweater on all day or wear a more closed cardigan for work.

Top: LOFT (summer 2011, no longer available)
Sweater: NY&Company (spring 2011)
Trouser Jeans: LOFT (winter 2011)
Wedges: Bandolino
Necklace: Lia Sophia

Crank Monster

Eh today is just one of those days. Rainy this morning, kind of sunny this afternoon. I've had little motivation to do much of anything. I am the type of person who must leave the house at least once a day or I tend to go a little batty and get really cranky. I couldn't think of anything great to do so it's been an indoor day complete with nap for both R and me. The nap made me a little crankier somehow! Thank goodness we have outings scheduled for the next couple of days! 

Anyway, I feel I'm in a clothing/outfit rut.  Or maybe I am feeling slightly intimidated by this fashion blogging, like everyone is really creative and interesting and I'm just kind of boring. But then I tell myself this is me, this is how I dress.  My hair isn't always going to be perfect, I don't have all the latest and greatest clothing. Maybe someone will see something cute and get an idea, maybe they won't, but I want to keep this blog up for myself and see how it evolves. OK that's over.. phew I feel better now :)  

Tunic: LOFT outlet (last year)

Jeans: Banana Republic outlet (2 years ago)

Sandals: Alfani (Macy's) a really long time ago

Jewels: Lia Sophia 

Rainy Days and Mondays...

...always get me down! Well not always, and not this Monday because I bought a shawl sweater at LOFT recently that is perfect for a rainy summer day. It has a hood. I love hoods! I was also excited to put on my J.Crew rain boots that I haven't worn since spring. I never thought I would be excited to pull these out again because they got so. much. use. last winter/spring between the crazy snow and torrential storms we had. But after a few months they feel new again. It's always fun to pull out items that haven't been worn in a while. Makes me look forward to fall, crisp mornings, boots, sweaters, tights, etc. What items are you looking forward to wearing again as the season changes?

I tried it tied 

And left open 

Tank: H&M (pretty old)
Shawl: LOFT recent purchase, no longer available on-line, check stores
Jeans: Old Navy (2 years ago)
Rain Boots: J.Crew (Christmas gift from a couple of years ago)

I was tempted to pose outside with my navy umbrella that matches my navy
rain boots but I chickened out! 

Ring & Earrings Lia Sophia 

This outfit brought to you by... a house centipede!

I've been stuck in a little bit of a fashion rut, which usually happens to me around this time of the summer. It's just too easy to get into the routine of shorts and tank tops when I'm home all day. Most people who work and get time off embrace this, but I am a person who loves to get dressed. I like to look cute. I'm a "girly girl" for sure.  I know fashion bloggers get their inspiration from other bloggers, celebrities, clothing websites, etc. I figured why not take my inspiration from something that's a little closer to home. Centipedes. That's right, centipedes.

Here is the scenario: I'm on the phone with my girlfriend and we're chatting it up about the usual gossip, kid stuff, etc. I am multi tasking as all moms do, talking and cleaning up the dishes in the sink at the same time. We were in mid conversation about a book that I had just finished reading when all of a sudden I let out a "AAHAHHAHAHAAHAHA!" blood curdling scream.  And then I instantly stop and start banging a spatula in the sink. My friend is frantic on the phone, thinking I've just been murdered. "No, no, I'm fine, it was just another centipede." Oh she understands now, as does anyone who knows me fairly well because I talk about how these nasty creatures have taken up residence in my home all the time. 

If you've never seen a house centipede, consider yourself lucky. I hadn't before we moved into this house and now I have a sighting on an almost daily basis during the spring, summer, and early fall (winter is our only safe time). If you are not easily grossed out here are a couple of pictures of what we're dealing with.

OMG I just had to take a moment to calm down after reading a comment on that blog about how one of them crawled across someone's FACE. OK, deep breaths, let's continue.

They come in from outside and find moist areas in the house (pipes, basements) to crawl in. We see them in our basement and our upstairs, rarely in our 2nd story bedrooms, thank the Lord! We found out through an exterminator that they are almost impossible to get rid of. On the bright side, they keep all other insects away, because, well, they eat them. And even if they didn't, heck, they sure are scary enough, they've nearly driven me out of my own house! So I figured, if I can't beat them, I might as well try to blend in and join them! Here is my earthy colored, centipede inspired ensemble:

 Tank: Gap Outlet (last summer)
Sweater: LOFT (summer 2011, no longer available)
Cargo Shorts: Target (last summer)
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction hand me down flip flops from my sister
Bracelets: Sunshine Daydreams Shop, Point Pleasant NJ
Necklace & Rings: Lia Sophia

I come in peace centipedes! 

Hey, I need a little wedge heel for stomping on the suckers.

So what do you think? Would the centipedes approve? Do I blend in enough? I know! I should start an outfit challenge of dressing like your favorite insects! Monday, ladybugs, Tuesday, grasshoppers... just kidding :)  Hope I didn't gross out offend anyone too much and you enjoyed reading about my daily horror of living with centipedes!

Transitions

Well we did actually make it to story group at the library today where the theme was parrots. I should have dressed in something more colorful! Then we headed to LOFT to check out their sale. I picked up a few things including a linen blend skirt that I will mostly likely not debut until I head back to work. Yes I wear linen after labor day. Around here we have temperatures that hover in the 80's in September, right into early fall. I used to be one of those people who started wearing turtlenecks on September 22nd, but now that I've gotten older I figure, why sweat? And why rush the brutal winter? The link for the skirt is here.  I also picked up a couple of tops that I will definitely wear before summer is over and still be able to transition into early fall. Do you faithfully abide by seasonal fashion rules such as no white or linen after labor day, or are you a rule bender?

Here is what I wore today:

Gap Outlet shorts I bought last week. Love them!

Shorts: Gap Outlet
Shirt: H&M (2 years ago)
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction (2 years ago) similar here
Bracelet & Ring: Lia Sophia

Change of Plans

Today was supposed to be a beach day for us but we woke up to overcast skies and decided to head to the movies instead. I tried out my new trouser "jorts" (do they still call them that?") from the Gap Outlet. I really like them! They are cute and comfy and I feel a little more put together in them then in my staple cutoffs.

I've been trying different things out with these pictures and I know the quality isn't great but hopefully I'll learn!

You can see the colors and details of the top much better in this shot!

I love any kind of charm bracelet and this one is so whimsical, it always puts me in a good mood!

Shorts: Gap Outlet (summer 2011, still available as of Wednesday)
Shirt: Old Navy (spring 2011) still available here
Cardigan: Loft (spring 2011, no longer available)
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Screen Gem (last year) still available in some sizes here
Bracelet: Lia Sophia Menagerie

Birthday Party

On Saturday we had my nephew's 4th birthday party and this is what I wore. I wanted to keep it cool and casual since it was oh, 100 + degrees out and I knew at least SOME outdoor activities would be involved. I don't usually wear flowy tops like this one because they make me feel a little extra bulky, but I loved the color and pattern of this shirt so I thought I would give it a shot!
top: Ann Taylor Loft (summer 2011)
shorts: Gap Outlet (2 years ago at least)
shoes: Macy's (bandolino) still available on-line in denim and black here

A close up of the shoe. They are really cute and my feet were not totally screaming after wearing them all day in the heat!

I love fun accessories and have a ton of Lia Sophia stuff. These earrings are called Lacey and you can find them here. The bracelet was a gift from a parent.