2013. crazy clutch lady.

vermont jacket by paige. ella moss dress. vintage clutch. nine west wedges.

i am unabashedly crazy about clutches. men will never understand why women carry purses with no straps or handles. sometimes i don’t understand myself when i take one to the grocery store and end up sticking it like a newspaper under my armpit because i lack free hands.

i bought my first clutch in college; it was an oversized lavender leather via spiga found on deep discount at tj maxx. then i got into thrifting beaded evening clutches and anything else that enchanted me. on saturday morning, i found the ombre-embroidered bag for five dollars and thanked my lucky stars. she’s the perfect spring and summer clutch, and i can’t wait to pass her on to my future daughter (way in the future, mind you).

i wish i could sew a similar clutch but i lack the tremendous patience and needlepoint skills. however i can do one thing— carry it.

the look | similar jacket | similar dress | similar shoes

2013. pleasant surprise.

cotton terry zip jacket c/o LOFT. andalusian horse dress by leifsdottir. acrobatic wedges from anthropologie.

i own several cute jackets, but none have garnered the same amount of attention as this one. i picked it out a couple weeks ago with indiana, and we nicknamed it “the sweatshirt jacket” because of its cozy knit.

i wore it to our TxSC events over the weekend, and at least ten women said, “where did you get your jacket? i haven’t seen anything else like it!” they thought it was either a designer, vintage, or handmade piece. everyone looked pleasantly surprised (and relieved) when i told them they could buy it from LOFT.

i am a true believer that style is everywhere whether you shop at goodwill or gucci. but i must admit a sneaky side of me enjoys pretending that i own a $600 coat.

p.s. my blog calendar is a little off due to spring break. everything will be back to normal next week!

the look | jacket | similar dress | similar wedges

2013. a walk outside.

denim jacket by billy blues (thrifted). silk dotty dress by madewell. wanted sandals. missibaba bag.

after several evenings in the 30’s, spring is here— for the moment, anyway. the weather treated us to a beautiful sunny day with legendary texas blue skies.

everyday we take turns walking sophie. michael walks her in the mornings, and i walk her after school. on cold days, we bundle up and scurry in and out. on warm days, we mosey around other people’s yards and scowl at loud airplanes (more her than me). i can’t help but giggle watching her trot-trot-trot back home.

a walk outside is good for the soul. it’s just a teensy bit better with a funny pug.

the look | similar jacket | similar dress | similar sandals

2013. first dates.

striped crochet jacket by zara. soft joie tank. verdugo leggings by paige. tory burch reva flats. allibelle mohawk clutch.

remember that old movie with drew barrymore called 50 first dates? i saw part of it on cable and quickly got the gist: woman loses memory but falls in love again each day on a date with her husband.

sometimes i can’t believe that michael and i have been together for over eight years. it doesn’t seem like a very long time, and from conversations we’ve had with friends (single and married), that’s a good thing. you want to find that person you can take on 50 or 100 or 500 first dates.

thank you M for being my first date on saturday and buying us sushi. i hope i see you again soon. :o)

the look | similar jacket | similar tank | similar jeans | similar flats

2013. billy jean.

denim jacket by billy blues (thrifted). silk dawnlight dress by madewell. vintage dotty smith kissing frogs belt (from hunt.gather.style). gloria wedges by bed stu.

i bought the jacket last year for a few dollars. when i saw it on the rack, it looked tiny, and i almost put it back. good thing i kept it— it fits like a glove. usually jean jackets look boxy or oversized, but this jacket is tailored in the right places. i love wearing it with dresses.

on the radio today, the deejays commented that more people will shop at thrift stores because of macklemore. so if we meet each other thrifting, i’ll let you have the leather jackets and broken keyboards. don’t touch my cart!

the look | similar jacket | similar dress | similar belt | wedges

2012. the mondays.

striped crochet jacket by zara. silk striped tank by j.crew (thrifted). skinny skinny ankle corduroys by madewell. nine west wedges.

i can’t say that i’ve ever experienced a prolonged case of the mondays. sure, i’m sleepy and slightly tired, but i also like returning to a structured routine. i try to start mondays with a good outfit and set the tone for the rest of the week.

school has kept me busy— i’m finishing up conferences and progress reports and looking forward to friday! tomorrow, tomorrow, i love you tomorrow, you’re always a day away…

the look | similar jacket | similar top | pants | wedges

2012. blue eyes.

striped crochet jacket by zara. ruffled tank by j.crew. verdugo jeans by paige. furla heels (thrifted). rebecca minkoff cupid satchel.

on saturday, we went out to dinner, and i came home feeling sick. i slept most of the day on sunday, and by monday, i seemed a bit better. we’ve been dealing with a stomach bug at school, but fortunately for me, i’m just tired with a small appetite and restless mind. i’m not quite 100% myself, but i’m getting there.

i hate admitting that i’m tired. i grew up with a workaholic dad who spent his days building furniture, taking extra jobs fixing carpentry work, and making things just for fun on the weekend. if anyone should be tired, he should be tired! so the good child in myself has always recognized that no matter how bad you feel or how terrible you think things are, there’s someone else who keeps on keepin’ on.

so now instead of whining to M, i can think about my dad being awesome, and instead of a doodle, i can share a peek of my necklace.

the look | similar jacket | similar blouse | similar jeans | similar heels

2012. fall forward.

denim jacket by billy blues and western style belt (thrifted). la la leaves dress by marc jacobs. gloria wedges by bed stu.

i tend to wear this dress in the fall for obvious reasons. on tuesday, i paired it with a denim jacket and received compliments from the staff (and several kiddos). one of my school year missions is dressing my best every day— a great outfit simply works wonders for my mood. i always have my “game face” in the classroom so i might as well use it in the closet, too.

M has been wonderful the past few days; he packs my lunch and cooks dinner because i’m leaving earlier in the mornings and working later in the afternoons. i don’t get very mushy about M on the blog, but a little mush every once in awhile is okay. :o)

the look | similar jacket | similar dress | similar wedges

2012. blue jean queen.

high seas dress by we love vera. denim jacket by billy blues (thrifted). nine west wedges.

my outfit posts have been sporadic lately, mostly due to school and kennel cough. i don’t have kennel cough; sophie does! she visited the vet last week for a dental cleaning and returned home coughing like an old man. poor thing! she’s doing a lot better— we brought her to the texas coast over the weekend for some fresh “sea” air.

the little getaway did us good. sophie encountered various falling snacks, M went kayaking, and i just relaxed. it’s always difficult to say goodbye to summer vacation, but i look forward to another great year of teaching.

M snapped this photo about ten minutes after we returned home from corpus. i don’t look as terrible as i thought i would after a three-hour car ride, if i say so myself! :o)

the look | similar dress | similar jacket | similar wedges

2012. paris, texas.

striped crochet jacket by zara. pintuck silk tunic by alice + olivia. verdugo leggings by paige. bronx flats (thrifted).

a ladylike, chanel-style jacket has been on my wishlist for years. i found one last week at zara while shopping with tanvi, and it never left my greedy hands as we walked around the store. i love the jacket because it’s lightweight and it’s striped (and it was on sale). i hope sydney buys one, too, so we can be twins.

i wore it on saturday morning for a road trip to bulverde. while i helped a friend style outfits, M and her husband replaced our very old saab’s hood ornaments with lamborghini ones. yeah… this is what happens when i leave M to his own devices.

i wanted to wear the outfit to dinner, too, but honestly, i was super sweaty. you don’t want to be a stinky lady in a restaurant even if your jacket is stinkin’ cute.

p.s. my hair stayed up for hours on saturday! i finally figured out how to make a steadfast bun. it’s about time. my middle school self is shaking her fist at me.

the look | similar jacket | similar blouse | jeans | similar flats

2012. carnival life.

denim jacket by billy blues (thrifted). anna sui dress. steve madden selena wedges.

i bought this dress in my “pre-blog” years, and i never sported it until today (seriously). i’ve been going through my closet and donating or selling items, but i couldn’t part with the amazing circus print. when forced to use it or lose it, i chose to keep it and give it sartorial love. the dress received compliments from teachers and kiddos, many of whom thought i made it. i wish!

presently i’m sitting with M in our office, listening to the rain with a little dog under my feet. thunderstorms aren’t so bad with my two musketeers.

the look | similar jacket | similar dress | similar wedges

2011. ribbon holder. 

tuxedo jacket by j.crew. striped blouse from old navy. verdugo leggings by paige. cowlneck scarf by calvin klein. tory burch reva flats.

i’m back with a pre-holiday outfit! the candy cane stripes pulled their weight; i wore the ensemble last monday (scoping out the 50% off sale at anthropologie) and traded the blazer for a red sweater later in the week.

i hope santa claus treated you kindly this year. i don’t know anyone who’s received a “december to remember” i.e. a lexus with a big bow. but i do know that the little things— like waking up from a dream, terrified of a burglar and finding out it’s just your small dog snoring like a pirate from her christmas treats— make december a difficult month to forget.

the look | similar blazer | blouse | jeans | similar scarf | similar flats

2011. friends in fashion.

tuxedo jacket by j.crew. tunic by lauren conrad. tory burch achima shorts. elizabeth and james lara flats.

tada! here’s a picture of me and my long lost sister-in-style indiana (of adored austin) on 2nd street. indi is wearing a romper from lulu*s and franco sarto wedge sandals.

2011. all dressed in black.

faux-belstaff jacket from target. charcoal thermal by j.crew (borrowed from M). skinny velvet pants by lauren conrad. gifted scarf. elizabeth and james jane flats.

let’s catch up on outfits! on monday (MLK day), i stayed home in pajamas. i wore this on tuesday, copying the look from one of the j.crew winter catalogs. one of my former students in dallas gave me the scarf; it’s soft, warm, and embroidered with my name. a very sweet gift from a very kind family.

2011. biker chic.

faux-belstaff bomber from target. floral henley and skinny velvet pants by lauren conrad. elizabeth and james jane flats.

worn on monday. can you spy with your little eye… a pair of scissors? the recent “alice in wonderland” anthropologie catalog featured giant paper maché scissors and i really really really wanted them. i am obsessed with scissors— i have special scissors for paper, pinking shears, fabric scissors, jewelry scissors, etc.

i found the wooden scissors at hobby lobby (a popular craft store in texas) and selfishly bought the remaining two pairs. i painted the handles black. eventually i’ll paint the “blades” silver. i asked M if i could wrap a fat ribbon around our porch and have a cutting ceremony. he said no.