Friday Flies

You know what makes a Friday even more awesome than usual? A half-day on Friday! Woo-hoo :)
I am going to come home this afternoon and take a monster nap, and then I hope to catch the Hannah Montana movie on the Disney channel (again). Maybe I'll work out. Maybe I'll eat a pizza. The possibilities are endless.

I really liked this outfit. If wearing a denim skirt is wrong, I don't wanna be right! Sadly by oh, 8:00 AM or so, it was entirely too hot for this scarf I got last year at Old Navy. I'll try again next month I guess. One day I'll get to wear one and not soak it with sweat.

By the way, my earrings? They are totally rhinestone flies. Awesome, right?

I hope next week I won't be so random, and I'll actually have important things to talk about. Any ideas?

Life Lately

Lately:

Yesterday Curtis found a snake behind our vacuum cleaner. It was a baby and non-poisonous, but a snake nonetheless. Just one of many reasons, I don't vacuum...

Sleep has been rough over here the past three nights as we try to get Sean in the habit of going to sleep by himself, instead of the usual sleeping arrangement which is me curled up beside him and snoring at 8:00 PM. Last night I was so exhausted I went to sleep at 7:30, leaving Curtis to deal with Sean and his crying. Sean finally fell asleep after 9:00...

Lower humidity here in the South means that my hair will hold curl till my afternoon photo-taking. That makes me pretty happy. So does this new sparkly top (remember- Glitz Before Six!). If you have a Cato's nearby, go get this top (Available in multiple colors and plus/straight sizes)! I'll be adding some new pieces to my StoreEnvy shop in the next couple of days, so be sure to check back!

Cheetah, Cheetah

Is there any color you can't wear a good animal print with? Leopard print, and its cousin cheetah, is the ultimate neutral. I mean it's made up of multiple shades of black and brown- neutral overload! That makes it perfect for pairing with any number of colors- red, mustard, cobalt, mint, the ideas just go on and on.

Cheetah Shirtdress- Old Navy
Belt- Target (in stores)
Wedges- Cooperative for Urban Outfitters

This dress (from Old Navy, naturally) is great. The bottom half is lined; the material is thick; the cut is flattering. The shoes, the only thing I've actually ever purchased from Urban Outfitters, make an appearance again. I think the combination is even better than my last animal print and mint try. It was a great look for an afternoon matinee at the theatre on Sunday.

The rest of my weekend was uneventful. I finally won a lot of Christopher Pike and R.L. Stine young adult horror novels on Ebay. I grew up on these babies. I probably bought one novel a week in 4th through 6th grade. They have long since been sold or lost, but after waxing nostalgic about it with Tara, I decided I needed to own them again. So you can guess what I did- lots of reading. It was pretty wonderful. Any other fans of Stine or Pike out there?

And finally, in case you missed the big announcement over the weekend, I have opened a StoreEnvy site to sell some of my clothes. The link is over in the right-hand toolbar and if you are my size, I'd love for you to check it out. I'm not trying to pimp myself out, I promise, but I think the prices are reasonable. 

Necklace- Birthday gift from sister-in-law
Lipstick- Revlon Lip Butter Cherry Tart

On Aging and Birthdays

Today is my birthday. Today I turned 31. Today I struggle with the fact that I am not struggling with my age. 31 doesn't bother me. 30 didn't bother me. On our way to my early birthday dinner last weekend, Curtis and I discussed aging and getting older. He says I'm not bothered by my age because I don't look 30 (whatever that means). Spending the majority of my days with 15-year-olds could make me insecure. I used to chide them when they would ask how old I was, but now I tell them just to see their reaction. They rarely believe me.

Luna Lace Dress - Kiyonna Blogger Brigade
Heels- Forever 21

I find it interesting we spend the younger years of our lives desperate to look older, and then the rest of our lives vainly trying to look younger. It seems unfair. Do I feel a thrill every time a student says, "You look like you are 20!"? Of course, but I also realize that at some point I am going to say I'm 40 and I will look 30 (hopefully) or I am 50 and look 40. At some point I will no longer be young to my students.  How many more years can I milk it? When do you HAVE to be old? And don't say "You are only as old as you feel" or "Age is only a number" because I don't believe it.  At some point I will have to stop wearing raspberry party dresses, right? 

I hope not

What does it really mean to "act your age"? 

Will the age police show up?

Will I wake up and know, "Now I am grown up!"?

Would You Like Extra Mustard on That?

I think this chambray dress I bought from Old Navy is probably one of the most worn items on my blog (and most loved). It was one of the very first outfits I blogged way back in October of last year, and it remains a favorite. I have worn it over three seasons, and I am always finding new things to pair it with. Well worth the $20 or so it cost me.

Chambray Dress- Old Navy (Similar- Plus Size and ON SALE, similar, similar)
Mustard Heels- Payless (Similar, Similar, Similar, Similar)

I've been moaning and groaning non-stop about the weather lately, and I finally realized it's because I've been wearing the same dang stuff since February and March. I am ready to get rid of everything and buy new stuff.  So scroll through and if there's anything you want (except this dress!), make an offer. I'm so over it. Especially my dresses!! By the way, I'm totally not kidding.

When I think fall, I think mustard. My obsession continues, clearly. I bought the shoes at Payless back in the winter and still love them dearly. I loved pairing the denim with mustard. I hope you love it too, because you are going to see it. A LOT.

I Dream of...

Every fall wardrobe needs a great pair of trouser jeans, and I cannot get enough of these from Old Navy. They are $25, come in two different washes, and are super flattering- does it get any better? Speaking of fall, when will it cool down?! I have tried to avoid raving about pumpkin spice lattes and apple cider and hot cocoa, but come on... I am ready for some brisk weather. Get with it Mother Nature!

Two important things happen this Friday- the official start of fall and my birthday! Curtis keeps asking me what I want. Apparently he can't control the weather and a new car is out of the question, so I am pretty stumped. I want a quirky sweater with some sort of woodland creature on it (that doesn't cost an arm and a leg) and a pair of shoes that look like pencils. However, I really struggle with spending that kind of money on a trendy, silly thing. I just can't do it. A nerdy girl can dream though, right?

Pucker Up

It's Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday...Oops, sorry, just some terrible Rebecca Black flashback from two years ago! Seriously, has this been the longest week ever or is it just me? I get lipstick questions and compliments a lot, so I thought I'd talk about me favorite lip products today.

I'll be honest- I have a little, tiny lipstick issue. As in I am addicted. When I decided to take photos, I emptied out the contents of my purse and this is what I came up with. Three lipsticks, three lip glosses, and one lp treatment. In my purse. My desk drawer at school looks very similar.

Top: Revlon Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie,
 Kat Von D Painted Love in Rosary, and L'Oreal Color Riche Balm in Rose Elixir
Left: Sugar Lip Treatment in Plum
Right: NYX "Mood" Lip Gloss, L'Oreal Color Riche Gloss in Peach Fuzz
and Sephora Gloss in Bronze Beauty

As already stated I have a lip problem. I have always thought my big, full lips were one of my best features, so I love wearing lipstick. I try to stick to easy-to-wear shades in easy-to-apply formulas. I rarely have the time to apply my lipstick careful in the mirror. I am usually applying it in the rear view mirror before hopping out of the car in the morning or in between classes in a hurry at my desk. I love lip glosses because they are pretty fool-proof (as are the wildly popular Revlon Lip Butters) and they can be layered over or under other lipsticks.

Here are some of my favorite lippy looks!

Left: Wearing Revlon Lip Butter in Cherry Tart
Top: Kat Von D Rosary
Middle: NYX Mood Gloss
Bottom: Revlon Lip Butter in Raspberry pie

Any favorites you'd like to share with everyone? Please do! And have a GREAT Friday!

Goldmine

Cardigan- JC Penny's
T-shirt- Old Navy (lasy year)
Denim pencil skirt- Old Navy
Wedges- Kohl's

Okay, I am opening up with a question for you. When is the last time you went in a JC Penny's? If you just scoffed at the very idea, then you are missing out big time! You know that coveted mustard cardigan everyone is looking for? Yeah, like that one in my photograph. Well, I got mine at JC Penny's for $20! Can you believe it?!

I didn't do a great job photographing it but there is a very cute button detail on the cuff and the quality is really nice. This is not some sponsored post or affiliate link, just my true excitement in sharing a great deal with you. Too often we stick our noses up at the idea of a fuddy-duddy department store, but they can be a goldmine for classic pieces. Nearly everything I looked at was $20 or under. Take a look at the website if you don't believe me- colored pencil skirts, cardigans, pull-over sweaters. I am about to do a little mini-shopping spree myself (I mean it is my birthday month!)

So share with us! What unlikely store is a favorite of yours?

Sunday Funday on Manic Monday

And here we are again. Another Monday. Fall is in the air (even way down here).  The weather was so beautiful, we just had to get out and enjoy it yesterday. We took Sean to a local park, and he insisted on taking his new best friend, Mario. Have you ever seen a happier kid?

I really thought I was swearing off skinny jeans, but I wanted to match my clothes to my nails, so I shimmied into a pair from last fall. Just the fact that I could comfortably wear a pair of skinny jeans outside speaks volumes. The weather was PERFECT.

I spent WAY more time than I should admit giving myself a manicure on Saturday. Sean was with my parents; Curtis was at a football game; it was a great time to sit down and primp. My friend Heather sent me some Jamberry Nail Shields to try out, and I am just a hopeless mess when it comes to nails. This is the reason why I rarely wear polish. However, you know how obsessed I am with birds, so I couldn't resist trying out the sweet little bird print. The shields are supposed to last 2-3 weeks, with proper application, and while it was a little tricky to get the hang of, I know if I can do it, then anyone can!

Coming up this week on the blog? An affordable mustard cardigan ($20) and my favorite lip products (I get tons of questions about lip stick and I am obsessed with it, so it's a win-win!) I hope you had an awesome weekend. Any nail tips? Have a great Monday!

Burning the Candle

I feel like I have gotten really good at concealing the dark shadows that are always present under my eyes these days. It seems like I cannot get enough sleep, not enough hours in the day,  always something else to do. I have so much I want to do (and need to do and have to do) that sometimes I just feel like I am running around in circles.

Typical day starts at 5:45. I'm out of bed and rushing to get ready for the day. Leave home by 7:00 at the very latest to get to work by 7:30. Work all day (with teens no less!), hopefully leaving school by 4:00- next week will be the exception because I have two after-school meetings AND Open House! Gym by 4:30 for an hour. Home, shower, start dinner, crash. Add to that days when I need to go to the grocery store or take photos or pick Sean up because Curtis has a late meeting and it's no wonder I am ready for bed by 6:00 most nights.

Blouse- Old Navy (last year- sorry!)
Corduroy Pencil Skirt- Old Navy
Heels- Kohl's (super old. super sorry.)

Sorry, it sounds like I am complaining. I'm not completely. I am really enjoying my classes. We started reading The Scarlet Letter this week, and it is truly one of my favorite novels to teach. I just love it so much, and it is so exciting to get teenagers really into it. I am newspaper sponsor and we are about to unveil a new web version of the paper. That is something I've had in the works for several years now, so I can't wait for the big reveal. In addition to all of that, I am creating and sponsoring an anti-bullying club at the high school. Again- there are not enough hours in the day.

And Sean. Bless his heart. He is so handsome and smart and funny. He is a fabulous eater and loves school. He hates sleeping. So much that it sometimes takes us two hours to get him to sleep, only to find him sneaking into our bed an hour later. He is tired and grumpy. We are tired and grumpy. I haven't watched X-Files all week (going through Mulder withdrawals as I write!). My mom offered to keep Sean tonight, and I am so thankful and excited.

Sleeping late. And X-Files. Yes, please.

All That Glitters...

Back in July when I was writing about fall fashion, I expressed super-excitement for the "Glitz Before Six" trend cropping up. Sequins, sparklies and shinies for daytime? Sign me up! I decided to do the "responsible" thing and shop my closet first before buying something. And after a good about of digging, I found this beauty.

I bought this sequined tank last year for a bachelorette party, and truthfully I don't think I ever wore it. I wish I knew more about photographing sequins, so you could see the sparkle, but I don't. Any tips? This top is completely covered in sequins- gold, bronze, cream, light pink. It was a cheap-o from a clothing store called Cato's (the stores seem to be centralized in the Midwest and Southeast of the US), but the quality is pretty top notch. That's important for something as delicate as sequins. The sequined part is a mesh overlay and the sequins are securely sewn on- I'm not sure how a machine can be so precise, but there's not a single loose sequin in the bunch.

Because this is such a neutral palette, the sequins aren't super flashy or over the top. A simple tank like this is an easy way to introduce some "Glitz Before Six" into your daily work wardrobe. You don't have to spend a lot, but you definitely want to pay attention to the quality of the piece. Make sure the sequins are secure. You don't want any loose ones to fall off. And be sure to treat your top kindly. I do machine wash this one (inside out and on a short, delicate cycle), but you may want to hand wash to be super safe. For the record, I will never, ever hand wash anything I own. It's kinda a pre-requisite.

I completed the look with gold and rose gold accessories, including this lovely little gem from the Maya Brenner Designs (won in a giveaway hosted by The Average Girl's Guide). It is quickly becoming my favorite understated piece. I wear it all the time and usually forget it's there. Love it!

How are you incorporating glitz this fall?

Pencils and Peplums

As promised I have been trying to focus on separates for this season instead of buying ten thousand dresses like I did last fall. I love dresses. I've blogged about them quite often, but separates offer a versatility the dresses do not.

Today I am combining two big trends from summer that are carrying over into the fall- pencil skirts and peplum (hence the super clever blog title today). This is my first foray into the world of peplum, a trend I have been hesitant to try because of my ample apple shape. I was afraid the empire cut of the top and the wide peplum might make me look just the slightest bit 6 - 7 months pregnant. That is not the  fashion statement I was going for!

 Despite the maternity top feel (and you know how I love maternity clothes!), I liked this outfit. It feels very sophisticated and bold. I like the curve of the silhouette, though I think I will look for a smaller peplum next time. Curtis loved it because of the houndstooth print (huge Alabama football fan), and, well,  probably because it was very form-fitting

Top- Forever 21 Skirt- Kiyonna Wedges- Cato's

Are you taking peplum into your fall wardrobe? Do you pair peplum with pants?