Teacher Threads 1.28

You may notice something about me. Yes, it is true - I am particularly fond of boots.

These boots in particular. There are several reasons for this including, but not limited to: the ability to wear skirts in the winter and still be warm, the sass factor and last, but definitely not least, the incredible traction these suckers have. I'm not kidding; it's like wear tires on my feet. This is what I am thinking about early in the morning when I'm picking out teacher threads. This, and the death stairs to my classroom I will inevitably travel down in order to teach. And seeing how I'm attempting to look more put-together and poised than my students, it is important that there first encounter with me is not of me wiping out on the stairs. It's hard to take someone seriously when that happens.

Safety first, folks. That's my motto when it comes to teacher threads.

I am doing Kendi's 30 for 30 challenge and these booted beauties will most certainly be in the mix.

shirt: Express

scarf: Forever 21

tank top: target

grey jeans: target

boots: Kohl's

Flash Dance

This is what happens when you take pictures late. I call it the Flash Dance. I wanted to get a picture of an outfit I wear to grad classes so I decided to mess with in-home pictures at night.

Mixed Results follow...

Attempt 1 no flash (and some photo editing)

Attempt 2 with Flash

Attempt 3 with flash and tripod moved

Attempt 4 with flash, tripod moved again

I don't know about you but I find that camera + tripod + flash + weird indoor lighting = funky photos. Personally the "oh shoot! the timer is out and I haven't positioned so I'll just stick my face in the camera" photo is my favorite (see first photo).

Which one's your favorite?

Scarf: Gifted

Sweater: Swapped

Shirt: Express

Skirt: T.J. Max (altered)

Tights: Target

Boots:Lyla's Boutique

(Planned) Snow Day

We don't have official snow days at the school where I teach (boarding school = class is 100 feet from where everyone lives) so we plan one snow day a year in order to get the most out of it. Most people go skiing. I have bad knees and therefore don't ski (ok by me! ) and so the day is more like a day off.

But a day off doesn't mean a day from style! I have wanted to wear these shorts purchased over winter break but haven't found the right time to do so. Today was the day. I quite like them, although I have already gotten mixed reviews. From "You look like you are going on a safari" to "sassy" to "shorts in the winter?" to "that better go on your blog", I am starting to realize that personal style is just that - personal. And sometimes, people are not going to be as impressed with you as you are. Personally, I like this outfit. Isn't that what matters?

What about you? Have you ever worn something that got really mixed reviews?

scarf: gift from friend

sweater:swapped

shorts: H&M

tights: target

boots: Kohls

necklace: Revival boutique

Enlargements

I don't have any pictures of today's outfit. I might try to take one tonight because, well, it's pretty cute. In the meantime, I'm playing around with the size of my photos and figure out how to make them bigger. I'm practicing with an outfit from awhile ago.

It seems to have worked. Hot Diggity.

Chambray button down: Target (gifted from J)

grey t-shirt: swapped a million years ago

scarf: Target

black skinny jeans: Target

booties: Target

Are you seeing this, Target? You should probably sponsor me.

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One Shirt, One Love

1.24.2011

Meet the Boyfriend (We'll call him J):

(photos by April)

Go on, say it. He's reeeaaal cute.

I love this man. There are many reasons I love him. One reason involves a shirt.

Meet Gingham Shirt:

This shirt belongs to the man above. It was purchased this weekend during a trip to the consignment store. And I wanted it. Immediately. For one, it's a great shirt. But also, a few weeks back, some bloggers had started a "Gingham Gang" and since then I have been secretly harboring a strong desire to style a gingham of my own. Being the great boyfriend that he is, J happily (read willingly after some coaxing) offered to loan me this shirt until spring (!!!), at which point he plans to sport this patterned beauty. I plan to wear it often before the sun, warmth and birds return to the midwest.

Also, please meet my awesome earrings:

These earrings were a Christmas present from one of J's sisters. Not only is she a brilliant photographer (see photos of J and I above) but she also is quite crafty. These earrings were made from strips of leather and cut/frayed to look like feathers. (Leather feathers, ha!) I have already received several compliments on them.

Gingham shirt: on loan from boyfriend

skirted: thrifted

boots: thrifted

belt: thrifted

earrings: gift

necklace: earring on chain (lost the other earring)

Teacher Threads 1.20.2011

Some (more) things you should know about me...

I love scarves. A lot.

So I wear them. A lot.

I also quite enjoy pencil skirts and boots during the winter months. I am also not petite. I am pretty tall and have what could be called "strong" arms and legs (you should see my calves!) More accurate would be to say that I'm "curvy". So dressing this bod requires some effort while attempting to make it look effortless. But it is amazing how liberating it can be to feel comfortable in your own skin and have the chance to show that through body-appropriate attire. I don't try to dress for a size or shape I'm not. And I think that helps me feel confident with the size and shape I am.

scarf: Forever 21

cami: Express

sweat: Express

skirt: Kohls

boots: Kohls

belt: Thrited

A few for you

Some limitations (like poor internet connection) have hindered my ability to post, but I will try to post more than once a week.

So here are a couple of outfits to share:

1.12.2011

This was a teaching outfit from last week. I am IN LOVE with these little booties from Target. I have also found that this black shift dress has become and easy go-to piece for professional and comfort. And who doesn't like purple tights?

1.13.2011

The outfit above quickly turned into the outfit below. I really like this jacket in the above picture, but it was not nearly versatile enough for the day. So I swapped for the sweater below.

The hair went up, too. Winter is seriously brutal on my locks.

1.14.2011

Friday begged for comfort as I had been up late in the dorm Thursday night, and up early to plan for my Friday morning class. I opted for comfort. The shirt is actually a long sleeve knit top with a black tank top over it. I actually really liked this outfit and found my self feeling professional and comfortable - always a good combination.

Welcome to my "style" blog

I've been putting this off for awhile. I have been following several style blogs over the past year or so and love the creativity and confidence with which people get dressed for the day. I take getting dressed pretty seriously and have been known to change several times before choosing an outfit. So, in a way, this blog is really for me to document outfits that I like so I don't stand in front of my closet day in and day out wondering "what should I wear?"

A bit about me and what informs my clothing choices:

1. Three days a week I am a teacher at a small school. The school for the most part is dress casual. That said, I tend to dress up for work as to attempt to look older than my students.

2. Two days a week I am a full-time graduate student. Obviously, there is little expected dress code but I try to actually get dressed for class and avoid the abominable "sweatpants, sweatshirt, Ugg boots" trend that has infiltrated women's fashion on college campuses. Maybe it's because I'm paying a lot of money for my education but it just seems appropriate to wear clothes, not PJ's, to class.

3. A few nights a week I supervise the girls dorm at the school I work at. This involves all things comfort so I tend to dress for the occasion.

4. I live in the Midwest. It get's cold here. And it's currently winter...layers are everything!

So that's a little about me. And the potential outfits you may see.