Planning Ahead: Maxi Dress

This is another dress I plan on taking with me to the beach. Believe it or not, this is the only maxi dress that I own. I have trouble with maxi dresses in that they are super long (I know, I know they are supposed to be long :) and I have to wear a wedge or heel when I would rather just wear a flat sandal. That's why I like this dress from Target, it's the perfect length for me.

We've had an active week but today is pretty overcast with a chance of thunderstorms. It's the perfect chill out in the house type of day, but I'm tempted to head over to the Loft friends and family sale to look for some belts. ONLY belts. Yep that's what I keep repeating to myself :)

 
I'm linking up with Casual Chic Mom  today!! 


Dress: Target (summer 2012)
Cropped Cardigan: NY&Company (summer 2011)
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction (summer 2010)
Earrings: Local Shop 

Planning Ahead: Flowy Skirt

I've hit that part of the summer. The part when I get bored with my clothes, bored of trying to be creative, and end up in some variety of the same shorts/t-shirt/tank top/flip flops every day.  I guess lazy would be another word for this but I'll use bored.  Since I feel like my current every day outfits are no fun to blog about, I decided to do a little planning ahead for an upcoming beach trip and post some photos of outfits that I plan on bringing. The one I'm wearing today is something that I... actually wore today! I haven't decided if I'm going to bring this one along or not. I like the skirt but I feel like it's length and fullness kind of overwhelm me. But I do love the color and print so it's in the running!

T-Shirt: NY&Company (spring 2012)
Skirt: Old Navy (summer 2012)
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction Flower Gem (summer 2010)

10 Years

This past Saturday was my 10 year anniversary. I can't believe I've been married for 10 years, it's crazy! We celebrated by having dinner at an ocean side restaurant in NJ. It wasn't overly fancy or overly casual so I went with a dress that fit the atmosphere.

Dress: Loft Outlet (summer 2011)
Sweater: NY&Company (spring 2011)
Shoes: Bandolino (spring 2011)
Wristlet: Coach Factory Store (summer 2012)
Necklace: Charming Charlie (spring 2011)

Plaid Shorts

I know I said I was done shopping for myself this summer, but when I headed to Old Navy to pick up a birthday gift, I couldn't resist the cute printed shorts. The 40% stuff and save sale made it all the more enticing and I left with these shorts, a green polka dot pair, and a green and white striped dress. Never the selfish shopper, I also picked up a another bathing suit, pair of shorts, and shirt for Robert, 2 t-shirts for hubby, and 2 baby outfits for the birthday gift. I left spending only $85 which I couldn't believe, considering all the stuff I bought!

Today we are heading to a library story craft and then I am going to attempt the nail salon for a pedicure... with Robert. I tried this once a year ago and it.. didn't go so well. I'm hoping being a year older will help. And I'm not past bribery. Wish me luck!

Tank: Gap Outlet (old)
Shorts: Old Navy (summer 2012)
Belt: NY&Company (spring 2011)
Shoes: Bandolino (via Macy's summer 2011)
Bag: Kenneth Cole Reaction
Necklace: Charming Charlie (spring 2011)

NY&Co...

Funny story about these green pants. I wore them on the 1st day of our state testing a few weeks ago. I was feeling kind of exhausted that day and had my teacher assistant dismiss the kids (we dismiss right from the classroom). She opened the door for one of my parents and told her that her son needs to focus and do a better job of listening to directions on day 2 of the test. The mom kind of nodded, half listening, then looked at me (I wasn't far from the door, still in eye-shot) and yelled "I LOVE your pants, I have the same pair, from NY&Company right???" I smiled, nodded my head and my T.A. closed the door. We both looked at each other, didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I mean, who cares about the test when the teacher is wearing such awesome green pants! We decided to laugh, because.. I mean it was kind of funny, especially the way she yelled into the classroom and all. Now we've affectionately nick-named this parent "NY&Company". These green pants must be a big seller this spring!

I am linking up with Tara from Mix and Match Fashion  for Teacher Appreciation Week. I appreciate all the great teacher's out there!!

Jacket: Loft (fall 2011)
Sweater: Gap Outlet (Spring 2012)
Pants: NY&Company (Spring 2012)
Necklace: Loft Outlet (last year)
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction (last year) 

Shoes, not in the picture

arrgh!!!!

Ugh, that's what the past couple of weeks at work have felt and sounded like. Looking forward to a 4 day President's weekend coming up soon!

Jacket: Loft (Christmas gift 2011)
Pants: NY&Co (fall 2011)
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction (last year)

Buon Anno Nuovo

I figured everyone would have "Happy New Year" titles so I would at least change up the language and post it in Italian :)

We are boring and stayed in last night. I was sadly asleep before midnight. At least I am refreshed on this 2012 morning and ready to go eat lentils at my parent's house. Eating lentils on New Year's Day is an Italian good luck tradition in my family. There are certain areas of my life that I can use good luck in,  so I will be sucking them down.

Sweater: Banana Republic Outlet (several years ago)
Jacket: Loft (last winter)
Jeans: NY&Co
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction (last year) 

Who are you calling "worst dressed"??

I was listening to my favorite Christmas music station in my classroom this morning and the trivia question of the day was "what is the worst dressed profession?" "teaching" I blurted out before I even had a chance to think! Wow, I am a traitor to my own career and colleagues. But sadly I was correct. Well, "not me" is what I thought as I stood decorating my classroom with more gingerbread houses in my 3 inch skinny heeled metallic Kenneth Cole boots. "I am stylish," I thought to myself... I mean, how many Kindergarten teachers do you know who wear 3 inch skinny heels to work?? Yes, I was pretty impressed with my stylish self.. and then I nearly tripped over a small chair. As you can see from the picture, the boots did not make it through the day. At least I WAS smart enough to bring a back up pair of flats with me.. they were also metallic, don't want to mess with my style :)

Sparkle Sweater: NY&Company (old)
Cords: NY&Company (recent)
Flats: Nine West (a couple of years ago)

Tickled Pink

Please excuse the mess of toys behind me, such is life with an almost 4 year old! 

I joined up with Melissa from A Working Mom's Closet and some other bloggers to participate in Blogging for Breast Cancer Awareness.  What a great cause and a great excuse to wear pink!  I signed up for at least 1 pink outfit a week for the month of October, but I'm sure I'll have more. I love pink and have a lot in my closet. Although you can't really tell from the picture my shirt has subtle tones of pink, I added a pink bracelet, and of course my pink shoes! I've always loved the pink/brown combo so I like the way these look with my brown pants.

Poncho/Cape: Gap (old)
Button Down Shirt: NY& Company (old)
Pants: Target (old)
Shoes: Old Navy (old, hmm sensing a trend)

Chaotic

Yes my feet were on FIRE wearing these wedges. Thank goodness for my back
up flats!

Ugh, OK I'm done with this week! I'm exhausted and short on words. 1st few weeks of school are always nuts and hopefully things will calm down soon!

Tomorrow is red, white, and blue day in honor of 9/11. No jeans allowed so I'm trying to come up with something professional/creative!

Top: LOFT
Cardi: LOFT
Pants: NY&Company
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction
Necklace and Earrings: Lia Sophia
Bracelet: Sunshine Daydreams

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! 

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?
:)

"Goes to visit his mommy...

she feeds him well, his concerns, he forgets them, and remembers being small... playing under the table and dreaming..."


Ahh, from the classic DMB song Ants Marching. That line of the song reminds me of home, and being with my mom. My parents sold our childhood home a couple of years ago which was very sad. So many great memories were created in that house and it was hard to let it go. But I find that, for me anyway, home is where my mom is. The familiar smell of espresso brewing, or sauce simmering, and I'm home again, under the table and dreaming.

On an outfit note, this LOFT dress has been one of my go to pieces for the entire summer. I love the colors, the stripes, the drawstring at the waste. I think it might even work for fall with a cardigan and flats. What do you think?

Dress: LOFT (summer 2011)
Shrug Sweater: NY&Co (a couple of years ago)
Flip Flops: Old Navy (old)
Necklace: Sunshine Daydreams

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