Winter Uniform

Skirt: Preview Collection via Goodwill
Sweater dress (layered underneath): Ross
Cardigan (base layer): Goodwill
Tights: Hue via The Rack
Boots: Steve Madden

Thirty out of Thirty

Wow. I can't believe this is it. I made it through this month and it seemed so speedy. There were some outfits that just struggled to be put together, such as this one with the blue tights, but there were other outfits, such as the one for today, that just fell together effortlessly. I knew I wanted to wear something fun for the last day of the challenge and I wanted to incorporate this peach J. Crew sweater, and everything else just fell into place.

The review for the last third of the challenge, plus my overall thoughts, will be up later tonight!


Skirt: Preview Collection via Goodwill
Tights: Gray F21 tights layered over Black Target tights
Shirt: J. Crew via Goodwill
Scarf: Unknown via Goodwill
Sweater: Unknown via Goodwill

Twenty Five Pennies

After looking over my Two Thirds Review, I realized that I have been wearing cardigans almost every day for the past few days. I wanted to try to branch out a bit, so instead I wore a long-sleeved shirt underneath my sweater to have the warmth without the layering look. It's not a huge step, but it's something. Next: Outfits without scarves!

What items do you wear out of habit?
Do you have any 'safety-blanket' items you feel undressed without?
What has been your most ridiculous favorite item that you wore all the time?









Sweater: Gap via Goodwill
Long-sleeved shirt underneath: Kiabi via France
Skirt: Preview Collection via Goodwill
Tights: Black Tights from Target layered over Underamour
Boots: Giusti via Goodwill
Scarf: Self-made

Twenty Three Chromosomes

After my crazy amount of unexpected time off recently (snow, I love you) I felt invigorated and ready to start a new week. Of course, so did the kids at my school and it took most of my energy to wrangle them to the tasks at hand in class, but that's another story!



I decided to go for my typical teacher ensemble--pencil skirt, ballet flats, cardigan and scarf. In my attempts to actually use most of my wardrobe I decided to bring out these bright indigo tights that I rarely wear. They are another pair of tights that are surprisingly bright once you put them on, much like my bright teal Hue tights; I had bought them thinking they would be a subdued navy, but clearly I was mistaken! The scarf is an attempt to bring the tights into the realm of 'normal' for me, as this bright color is a bit out of my comfort zone. What do you think? Did I stay true to my fledgling style, or is this a bit too far out of my color palette?



Do you have any accessories that didn't wear how you thought they would? Do you have any tricks to bring an unusual accessory into your daily rotation?



Shoes: Naturalizer
Tights: Hue via Plato's Closet
Skirt: Preview Collection via Goodwill
Shirt: J. Crew via Goodwill
Cardigan: Self-made
Scarf: Unknown via Goodwill
Necklace: Vintage via Goodwill Outlet

Ten Fingers

The one part of my blog I have been trying to improve has been the photography. I have been scouting out new locations to no avail--my requirements were strict and exacting! I finally decided to try out this location. It is half way between work and home, so I can stop by to take photos after work, it is easily accessible, and it is filled with grass, trees and various woodland critters (what, it was on my list!).

Today was a windy day--I think I am holding my scarf to prevent it from flying away in almost all of the photos! I ended up leaving work early today and this is my break before I start at-home work. (the benefit for doing my at-home work right now is that I can take my pain pills, since I won't be driving anywhere! heehee)

Where do you take your blog photos at? Do you have any tips for finding a great location? Or do you change locations frequently?

On a more superficial note, what do you think about these tights? I like that they're a break from burgundy...but I wish they were a little more forest green and a little less bright blue!








I love my watch!

Cardigan: Unknown via Goodwill donation pile
Shirt: The Loft via Plato's Closet
Skirt: I.N.C. via Goodwill
Tights: Hue via Plato's Closet
Boots: Capelli via Goodwill
Coat: Jenifer via France
Scarf: Self-made (this is fast becoming my favorite snuggly scarf!)

Seventh Heaven

Today I had to return some stuff to the Goodwill (a few items that didn't even make it to Four Ways To Wear status, that's how bad they were. Why did I buy them? My brain overheated? It's a mystery) and it was a test of my willpower to not browse all of the new items. But I did it! First I tricked myself into thinking that I would look but not buy...and then I YANKED the rug out from under me and kept walking towards the exit after my return went through. I'm a tricky fiend...



Sweater Jacket: 22 via The Rack
Longsleeve Shirt: Kiabi from France
Skirt: Preview Collection via Goodwill
Tights (gray, outer layer): Hue
Tights (brown, inner layer): Target
Shoes: Naturalizer via Goodwill
Scarf: Goodwill

Four Better Or Worse...

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post more than one outfit per day for the 30 for 30...but oh well, call me a cheater. ^-^ I have a meet-and-greet tonight for work and needed something that wasn't too formal, but was nice and appropriate. I also chose to include several layers, since the event will be taking place in a drafty gymnasium.


Purple Sweater: Gap via Goodwill
Cardigan: Unknown via Goodwill donation pile
Belt: Unknown via Goodwill
Skirt: Preview Collection via Goodwill
Leggings (base layer): Underarmour
Tights (top layer):F21, gift
Boots: Steve Madden

Can the 80s be subtle?

I do realize that I talk about the weather a lot on this blog...and I do realize that, for the most part, most of my pictures look the same weather-wise. However, it was so unusually pretty outside today I felt compelled to bring it into my picture. Once again, cue MS Paint!


And yes, I AM rocking a side ponytail today!
Skirt: Preview Collection via Goodwill
Shirt: Toomi via Goodwill Outlet
Sweater: Unknown via Goodwill donation pile
Belt: Chico's via Goodwill
Tights: double layered, Target leggings and Target black and brown herringbone (finally wore them!)
Shoes: Steve Madden

Calling All Morning Birds

I'm tired of the same old background! However, instead of diligently trying to find another background that is both accessible, close and has a good place to precariously balance my camera, I have decided to tap into my thus-far-unexplored MS Paint skills. Thus, I give you:


We can pretend I'm calling the birds to play...at 7:30 in the morning, moments before I rushed out to work.


This was the picture that started it all...I wanted to include flowers, but my yard is full of dead leaves and the brown wall of the house is not quite up to my 'bundles of pink flowers' expectations.
Shirt: AE via Goodwill donation pile
Sweater: Unknown via Goodwill donation pile
Skirt: Preview Collection via Goodwill
Tights: double layered, Hue via Plato's Closet and Target
Shoes: Merona, gift

Four Ways To Wear Episode 9: Watercolor Silk Shirt

Remember that truckload of Martin & Osa clothing I found at the Goodwill? Well, this shirt was also a purchase from said truckload. It's 100% silk, machine washable, 7$ and originally $120. Awesome-sauce, right?

The Candidate: Silk Martin & Osa shirt

The Goal: A fun, summer shirt that I can also layer to get use in the other seasons. Bonus points for work-appropriateness.

The Results:


My first thought--easy with jeans.
Shirt: Martin & Osa via Goodwill
Jeans: Martin & Osa via Goodwill (it's like there's a trend somewhere...)
Shoes: Unkown, France


Second thought--the lower part actually has pockets, so it must be a tunic, right? Toss on some leggings, let's see how it looks!
Shirt: Martin & Osa via Goodwill
Vest: F21
Leggings: Target
Shoes: Unknown, France


I wanted to try something a bit more relaxed...bring in faded denim!
Shirt: Martin & Osa via Goodwill
Pants: AE via Plato's Closet
Sweater: The Limited via Goodwill
Shoes: Unknown, France


Now let's try something more teacher-y.
Shirt: Martin & Osa via Goodwill
Sweater: Express via Goodwill Outlet
Skirt: Preview Collection via Goodwill
Shoes: Unknown, France

The Verdict: It was very close with this one. While I like some of the outfits (mainly the one with jeans), this shirt was just very difficult to style! The colors are close to my main colors, but not spot on--something I would forgive if the silhouette was more versatile, but it's hard. It is slightly too long for pants, too short for leggings, too casual for work and I'm just not feeling it. I really wanted to love this shirt--honestly, $7 for a $120 shirt with the tags attached!!! However, in the end it would just be $7 for a shirt I'm not in love with, which would take up space in my wardrobe and which I would have to lug around with me from move to move. *sob* My overwhelming joy with the purple Martin & Osa dress throws my lackluster reaction to this shirt into sharp relief. There will be other silk shirts, right? So back it goes, and $7 goes back into my wallet for other items that will mesh in my wardrobe even better. So--nope, out it goes. Next!

Awesome-sauce

The forecast: Sunny. Blue skies. Warm.
Thoughts: Last nice day of the year? Yes. Bring on the capri leggings!
Reality: Cold. Damp. Warm for about two hours in the late afternoon.
Thoughts: Drat. Also: love my bangs. So much.


Shirt: 6 Degrees via friend's Goodwill donation pile.
Sweater: Unknown via Goodwill donation pile.
Skirt: Preview Collection via Goodwill.
Leggings: Target
Shoes: Merona, gift
Scarf: Goodwill
Total Cost of Outfit: $9
Totally Awesome.

How Many Days to Make a Habit?

Tonight was curriculum night, so I dressed up a with a skirt and my boots for the day, then switched out this blazer for a nicer one for meeting the parents. I honestly didn't put too much thought into this outfit--I knew I wanted to wear the purple sweater and a skirt, and the brown skirt is really one of the only ones I have that looks good with the purple sweater. Then, due to the forecast of rain, I decided to wear my boots, and by that point I needed a lighter colored pair of tights to balance out the lighter colored skirt, and a blazer to really bring in the black boots...and that was my train of thought this morning.


Shirt: Gap via Goodwill
Blazer: Costa Blanca via Goodwill donation pile
Skirt: Preview Collection via Goodwill
Tights: F21, gift
Boots: Steve Madden

By Now It Might Be A Pattern...

I wore jeans to work yesterday, so I felt obligated to dress it up a bit today with a skirt. I feel like I probably should branch out my basic uniforms (jeans+boots/ballet flats+nice shirt+blazer+scarf OR skirt+tights+boots/ballet flats+nice shirt+cardigan+scarf), but they make it so easy! Maybe some day I will expand...but start small and stable, then work out.


Shirt: Gap via Plato's Closet
Sweater: Unknown, a goodwill donation pile
Skirt: Preview Collection via Goodwill
Tights: Hue via Plato's Closet
Shoes: Naturalizer via Goodwill
Scarf: Goodwill

Neutrally Inclined

I wanted something a bit more toned down to wear after my unsatisfactory first day look, so I chose items that felt all me. This included three of my wardrobe workhorses (my neutral pencil skirt, my gray cardigan and a scarf) plus a new pair of shoes! I am in love with these shoes--black, leather, vintage, Naturalizer, kind of geeky, super comfy and totally awesome--plus, only $4 at the Goodwill. Can't beat that!


Shoes: Naturalizer via Goodwill
Tights: Hue via Plato's
Shirt: Haha, actually my black sweater dress from Ross. I love this for layering, since the bottom part of the dress helps keep me warm without adding too much of a layer!
Cardigan: Unknown brand, free
Scarf: Goodwill

Day The Fourth

The weather has been driving me crazy--it is cold, overcast, damp and windy in the mornings, then clear, warm and calm in the afternoons. Add in the fact that the classroom I spend most of my time in is chilly (it's at the bottom of the building!) but almost all the other classrooms are very warm, and it's a challenge getting dressed. I ended up pulling this outfit together...then wearing a coat and scarf for the first half of the day and being too hot for the second. Oh well, in a few weeks all we'll be getting is rain and gray skies, so I suppose I should just count my blessings.


Sweater: Abercrombie, present
Shirt: H&M via Goodwill
Skirt: Preview Collection via Goodwill (I've been getting some awesome wear out of this skirt!)
Tights: F21, gift
Shoes: France

Day The Second

My second day at the new job was dreary, gray, pouring down rain. I layered. I wore my boots. Then I threw on a scarf and wore a thick coat all day. This is what I looked like without the coat (because, let's face it--I'm always cold, and if I included my coat in all my photos it would be a boring fashion blog, haha).


Sweater: Gap via Goodwill
Skirt: Preview Collection via Goodwill
Tights: F21, gift
Boots: Steve Madden
Scarf: Unknown, free (someone was throwing it out as they were moving last spring--but it's sooo soft!)

Four Ways To Wear Episode 5: Black Poncho and Cream Sweater

This episode is a Full Night Event (remember those, back when the CW was the WB?). A twofer, if you don't mind.

Part I: The Case of the Black Lace Poncho

The Candidate: A black lace poncho

The Goal: A new type of layering piece, something fun and unexpected

The Results:


Poncho: Bisoux Bisoux via Goodwill
Shirt: Gap via Goodwill
Jeans: Martin & Osa via Goodwill
Shoes: Unknown from France


Poncho: Bisoux Bisoux via Goodwill
Dress: Ross
Tights: Hue via Plato's

I'm stopping at two. This poncho does not fit in with my wardrobe (Is it the lace? Is it the fact that it looks cold weather, but is not warm? Is it the unusual shape?) and it was a stretch for me to make these outfits, much less two more.

The Verdict: Thumbs down. Return it!

Part II: The Case of the Wool Cream Sweater

The Candidate: A wool cream sweater, Banana Republic.

The Goal: A light-colored neutral warm sweater.

The Results:


Sweater: Banana Republic via Goodwill
Dress: Ross
Tights: Hue via Plato's
Shoes: Naturalizer


Sweater: Banana Republic via Goodwill
Skirt: Preview Collection via Goodwill
Shirt (you can see the tip of one sleeve, haha): The Loft via Plato's
Tights: Hue via Plato's
Boots: Steve Madden

Aaaand I stopped again at two. This time, it was definitely the result of several extremely unflattering photos--usually I get quite a few not-very-pretty ones, but rarely to this degree! It was the sweater! Added in that it felt a bit too big, loose cut notwithstanding, and the cropped sleeves denied me the warmth I was seeking in a wool sweater...it got cut.

The Verdict: No-go. But a return means more money in my pocket!

Four Ways To Wear Episode 3: Red Sweater

The Candidate: Red Sweater by the brand 22 (via the Rack)

The Goal: A comfy layering piece that I can wear both indoors and out

The Results:


Sweater: 22 via The Rack
Shirt: Language Los Angeles via Plato's Closet
Pants: The Merlot via Plato's Closet
Shoes: Merona, gift




Sweater: 22 via The Rack
Scarf: I made it out of a ridiculous poncho-type thing I found in the trash
Skirt: Preview Collection via Goodwill
Tights: F21, gift
Shoes: Steve Madden


The same as before, just with the jacket done up differently and with a different scarf (this time via a garage sale).


Sweater: 22 via the Rack
Sweater Dress: from Ross
Tights: F21, gift
Shoes: Steve Madden

The Verdict: Another win! I love this sweater, especially the cozy sleeves!

Double Take

As promised, the last look for my brown skirt! Actually, two looks, although they are extremely similar (what can I say, I have a look I like!).



Skirt: Preview Collection via Goodwill
Leggings: Target
Shirt: PSYCH! It's a sweater dress. Yup. I almost like it better as a top, haha. It's Rhapsody via Ross.
Shoes: Naturalizer







The same, only with an actual shirt for the top--Tricot Jolie via Plato's.

Double Feature: Brown Pencil Skirt

A new feature for this blog! With every new item I buy, I will show four ways to wear it, or four different outfits built around it. I already do this to some extent, but by documenting it I will have a record of what I was actually thinking when I bought that one blouse with the polka dots, or that sweater which was so weird I couldn't not buy it and of course it will work in my wardrobe. Yep. Or, in this case, a cute taupey-brown skirt that I decided was long enough for work and neutral enough for pretty much everything.





Skirt: Preview Collection via Goodwill
Sweater: One Clothing via Ross
Scarf: Garage Sale find!
Tights: Hue via Plato's Closet
Boots: Steve Madden
















Skirt: Preview Collection via Goodwill
Shirt: Language Los Angeles via Plato's Closet
Sweater: The Limited via Goodwill
Tights: Hue via Plato's Closet
Boots: Steve Madden
Necklace: Spotted Moth! (seriously, it goes with everything)














Ok, this is the exact same outfit as the last one, only with a scarf...but I liked it both ways! Don't worry, I will be uploading at least one more outfit with this skirt to make up for this moment of cheating...what can I say, I'm a rebel! Also, I was quickly losing my light...
















Skirt: Preview Collection via Goodwill
Shirt: Banana Republic via BR Outlet
Tights: Hue via Plato's
Boots: Steve Madden