Orange & Yellow

I just picked up this orange striped shirt from Loft. The reviews on the website were just so-so but I wanted to give it a chance because I love orange.. and stripes. Half the battle was won right there! It is a little loose and boxy but I solved that by doing a half-tuck and I think it will look great with skinny jeans and a longer tank underneath it.

I also gave in and ordered the yellow wedges. I love them! The color is great and I'm not going to complain about going from 5'4 to 5'8 by simply putting on a pair of shoes :)

Top: Loft (available here)
Shorts: Gap Outlet (summer 2011)
Shoes: Loft (summer 2012)
Earrings: Lia Sophia

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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)

Shades of Blue and Red

The heatwave has broken in the northeast which means I finally felt like attempting to style my hair and put on a pair of flats because I didn't have to worry about my toes sweating. Actually, I had white sandals on at first and then felt like I needed a little punch of color so threw on the red flats. I'm not a huge fan of wearing closed toed shoes in the middle of the summer, only because I have to wear closed toed shoes the majority of the year here in NJ, but I figured I would step outside of my comfort zone.. flats in the summer, wow I am really living on the edge :)
You can't really see in this picture but the tank top has these cute metallic details on the shoulder which makes it a little more interesting then your plain tank.

Tank: Loft Outlet (last summer, but they had the same tank in other colors, I picked another one up in a bright pink shade last week)
Shorts: Loft (last summer, but they had a similar style in the Outlet also)
Shoes: Gap Outlet (spring 2010)
Necklace: local jewelry shop Sunshine Daydreams 
Bracelet: local jewelry shop Sunshine Daydreams 

The Color of Summer

Tank: Loft (last summer)
Shorts: Gap Outlet (last summer)
Shoes: Old Navy flip flops (old) 

Hope everyone had a great 4th! I love this orange tank from Loft that I picked up last summer. It's a fun looking shirt. I have had a little trouble wearing/styling it as it's a tad voluminous due to all the tiers of fabric that overlap. But I still always find myself pulling it out because I love the color and the white dot print. Orange is really my color of summer. I have a lot of stuff in various shades!

Oh and it's obviously little R's color too so it's fitting he jumped into the picture with me. We went outlet shopping yesterday and for anyone with little kids, try to hit up your Gymboree outlet. They were having a great sale and I picked up about 7 shirts and 2 pairs of shorts for R for only $35. I also picked up 2 pairs of shorts, 3 tanks, and a shrug sweater at the Loft outlet for only $60! We are getting ready for our trip to FL in August and I figured I would stock up on the warm weather clothes with all the good sales going on. I think this might be it for me shopping wise for a while. I have a ton of sundresses, enough shorts and tanks, and 3 bathing suits for our trip. The only thing I do NEED is a pair of comfortable walking type sandals for Disney World. Other than that, it's time for me to cool it with the shopping. Let's see how long I can last :)

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

In the Spirit

Shawl Sweater: Macy's (recent)
Tank: Gap Outlet
Jeans: Old Navy
Boots: Nine West 

I realize I have not been posting many (any) work outfits lately. This is happening for a couple of reasons.
#1 I am not good about re-mixing stuff and I repeat outfits often.
#2 With it getting dark so early, I pretty much put my sweats or p.j.'s on as soon as I get home from work, plop down on the couch in front of my Christmas tree and then think "oops, I forgot to take a picture for the blog!" I DID take a picture today.. but I'm saving it for tomorrow's post. I figured since I have an outfit picture from this past weekend, might as well use it!

I am still feeling exhausted from our fun Christmasy weekend. We saw the Muppet Movie on Saturday (funny and soo cute!) and headed out to dinner after. Sunday was a fun filled day in the city. First we saw the Big Apple Circus, then headed to FAO Swartz, saw the windows at Bloomingdales and Tiffany's, and finished up with a visit to that little old Christmas tree in Rockefeller Plaza. I really do consider myself lucky to live so close to NYC, and as anyone who has ever visited I'm sure knows, there is NOTHING like New York at Christmas!

The lovely window display at Tiffany's 

Me and R in front of the tree

Rockefeller Christmas Tree 

Pink and Grey

I have continued to wear my pink for breast cancer awareness.  I've owned this pink jacket from the Gap for many years and I still break it out every fall. You can't really tell from the picture but I'm wearing a grey cardigan underneath the jacket/over the tank. I love the pink/grey combo. I also love the lace detail that I've seen on a lot of LOFT stuff recently. 

Today I had to find a field trip for my grade level, reserve tickets, and submit all the paperwork by the end of the day. Originally the deadline for field trip submitting was November 1st but it was changed to today and I found out about that TODAY! I also had lunch duty with the 1st graders. Ugh. And now I have a splitting migraine headache. On a happy note, tomorrow is Friday! AND my sample dress from eshakti arrived today. I can't wait to wear and review it! 

Jacket: Gap (old)

Cardi: LOFT (recent)

Tank: LOFT (recent) 

Pants: Gap Outlet (old)

Shoes: Nine West (old) 

Little booshie (as I like to call him) decided to
crash my photo :) 

Nothing to blog home about

I have to admit that this has not been my best week as far as feeling inspired to get dressed for work. On Monday night I decided to switch my bedding and while I was pushing the mattress to put on the new bedskirt, I hurt my back. So I've been going mostly for comfort when choosing clothing this week. Also, we've been painting t-shirts for anti-bullying week at school, so I obviously didn't want to break out any of my ball gowns for that project! 

I love these grey cords, they are super comfy and it was the perfect day to wear them, not too cool not too warm. The weather has been beautiful the past couple of days here in NJ. 

Sweater: Banana Republic (last year)

Shirt:  Banana Republic (last year)

Cords: Gap Outlet (2 years ago) 

Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction (last year) 

Sunglasses: Coach (several years ago) 

Long week OVER!

Yay! Is all I have to say. I made it to Friday. Here is to having some relaxation this weekend. I think I've earned it!

Today was red, white, and blue day at work in honor of 9/11. I did not wear the white sweater all day, it got way too hot and the AC in my classroom is broken. Other than that I liked this little outfit. I always feel like twirling when I wear this dress because of the ruffle on the bottom :)

This weekend I plan on eating a  big juicy burger. I am starving! I feel like I barely had time to eat all week. Hopefully I can sneak some shopping in as well. Anyone else have exciting plans?
Happy weekend everyone!!


Dress: LOFT outlet (last year)
Cardigan: Old Navy (last spring)
Red ballet flats: Gap Outlet (last year)

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?
:)

"For a moment this good time would never end..."

From the Dave Matthews band song "stay". Not really one of my favorites but very fitting for my life right now.. I only have a few more days home with my little Mr. R.. He goes back to school on Monday. I am feeling emotional about this, as I have every year since he started daycare 2 years ago. I know it's good for him, he gets to socialize with kids his age, he is learning a lot, etc. etc. But part of me has always wanted to be a stay at home mom and it bugs me a little every September when I have to send him back. So I'm making the most of our few days home together before I head back to the grind.

We kept things laid back today and had a play date with the neighbor kids. I decided to layer this Gap Outlet peach ruffle tank with a green striped tank underneath, just to try something different, and because I am slightly obsessed with stripes! I've worn some version of stripes every day this week so far!

green striped tank: Gap Outlet (summer 2010)
peach ruffle tank: Gap Outlet (summer 2011)
shorts: Gap Outlet (summer 2011)
shoes: Kenneth Cole reaction (2 years ago)
necklace: charminngcharlie

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

Meh!

I don't love this outfit. I feel like it's kind of a mish mosh. The shirt is old and doesn't fit that well but I love the colors in it, which draws me to wear it every once and a while. The cut off jeans are a huge staple in my summer wardrobe. I wear them. A LOT. So much so that I invested in a denim trouser style short when I hit up my local Gap Outlet yesterday. I needed another short of the denim variety to over wear.

I'm also having issues with finding good spots to take pictures. So I decided to sit this one out! While this outfit is not anything earth shattering I figured I would post it since I'm trying to give this fashion thing a shot!
Here are my 2 favorite parts of this ensemble:

Shoes and accessories make me happy :)

Shirt: Target (really old)
Shorts: Gap Outlet (last year)
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction Flower Gem (last year) similar here
Bracelets: Christmas gift from Red Envelope

Outlet Queen

When I post outfits you might see the word "outlet" attached to end of it quite often. That's because I live in NJ and I have 3 major outlet centers all within 40 minutes of my house.  Teachers also get coupon books when we show our school ID so I get extra savings on top of the already great savings! This outfit is kind of plain, just jeans and a t-shirt. I tried to make it cuter with the necklace and fun shoes.

T-shirt: Gap Outlet (spring 2011)
Jeans: Gap Outlet (a couple of years ago)
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction - Screen Gems available here
Necklace: Charming Charlie (spring 2011)

I love Charming Charlie! They have the cutest accessories and this necklace has been one of my favorites this spring/summer.

Kenneth Cole Reaction shoes. I have a lot of Kenneth Cole shoes because my sister works for the company! Sorry for the foot shot!