“Time to go back to school”

I have some very exciting news to share: I got a job!  Starting in a few weeks, I’m going to be working as a media specialist (librarian) at a magnet middle school.  The position only goes until the end of the school year, but it puts me in a very good place to get a permanent position in the next school year.  I’m so excited, and a bit nervous too!  I’m not sure yet how it will affect my blogging.  I plan to continue posting at the same rate, but I probably won’t be able to comment on other blogs as often as I have in the past.  I’m going to be diligent in setting aside some specific time to devote solely to blogging, so hopefully I can stay on track.  Also, I’m planning on buying a lap top, which will help me stay on top of things.

It was spring break at the college that I work at this week, so I got up the courage to take pictures in a semi-public place, this neat H2O sculpture (see how they look like atoms? or whatever the proper term is) by the science buildings.  I got a few strange looks from professors, and one guy on a golf cart asked me what I was doing.  I just said that I was working on a project, which is the easiest answer to give when on a college campus, and we got into a friendly discussion about cameras.  It felt so empowering to take pictures where people could actually see me, as opposed to my usually habit of finding deserted and empty areas.

These are my new Gap curvy jeans, and I am in love.  I altered the leg to make them into straight-legged jeans following my tutorial.  I’m planning on nipping in the waist a bit too, just so they can fit without a belt.  They’re so soft, and the dark premium denim wash is gorgeous.  A word of warning though – the dye on washes like this will rub off on things like light colored purses.  Usually it’s easy to clean off.

Do you feel awkward taking pictures of yourself where others can see you?

Blouse: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT
Jeans: Gap Curvy (altered by me)
Shoes: Born Codder
Purse: Morelle Truffle
Short Pearls: Coryell Design
Long Pearls: Garage sale
Cuff: Via Classy Consignments

Quote: No Talking, by Andrew Clements

“In those green-pastured mountains”

After winning a free pair of We Love Colors tights, I was eager to put together an outfit incorporating them.  Because the tights are so bright and saturated, I decided to keep the rest of the outfit to simple black and white, with an additional touch of green in the necklace.

This outfit was a lot of fun to wear.  I admit, wearing the tights made me feel just a bit 80’s, but I think since the rest of the outfit was simple, they worked fine.  These tights are insanely awesome!  These are the nylon/microfiber tights, and I can see myself by many, many pairs.  They are thick, opaque, soft, and best of all, the waist-band fits but doesn’t feel constricting.  With 51 colors to choose from, what’s not to love?

What do you think of colored tights?  Are they just a passing trend, or are they here to stay?

Dress: Express
Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT
Belt: Anthropologie
Necklace: Pixisette
Bangles: Jill Popowich
Tights: We Love Colors, Scout Green
Boots: Dansko Risa (via eBay)

Quote: You’re Only Old Once! A Book for Obsolete Children, by Dr. Seuss

“That’s how librarians are”

(Don’t forget my knitted gloves and mittens giveaway!  It ends at midnight EST tonight)

I substituted at a media center in a high school this week, and on my first day, I was mistaken for a student twice.  On my second day, I decided to make sure that my outfit made it clear that I was an adult, not a student.  There’s nothing quite like a good dose of librarian chic when you actually are a librarian.

I decided to go for a sort of Joan Holloway look with this outfit, wearing my favorite pencil skirt.  I paired it with my new Anthro blouse, and then echoed the colors of the blouse in everything else.  A little yellow in the handbag, red in the shoes and necklace, white with the cardigan.  To me it seems intuitive, but one of the best ways to create a put-together outfit is to wear a beautiful pattern blouse with a skirt or trousers, and then echo the colors of the blouse in your accessories.  This works equally well with patterned dresses.

Because I was substituting all week, I’m quite behind on my blog reading and commenting.  So if I didn’t visit your blog this week, please know that it’s nothing against you.  I’m still trying to learn how to balance all the various aspects of life and work. Because I haven’t had time to read blogs this week, there won’t be a Link Love post this afternoon.

How do you balance life and work?  How do you make time to read other blogs?

Blouse: Anthropologie
Salmon Tank:  The Limited (via Revolve)
Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT
Skirt: Semantiks
Shoes: Tsubo Acrea (via www.ebay.com)
Purse: Vintage (via AdVintagous)
Necklace: ??, via clothing swap
Cuff: ??, via Classy Consignments

Quote: The Boy who was Raised by Librarians, by Carla Morris

“Your yarn is all loopy”

The weather has finally turned cold again in Florida, and I’m milking it for all it’s worth.  I know that pretty much everyone is ready for Spring, but right now I am loving winter.  Boots and tights and scarves and sweaters are so much fun, and I know that it’s only a short few month until the hot temps of summer will be here.

This outfit definitely kept me warm, but I must say that I wasn’t completely sold on the color scheme.  I would rather have worn a solid white blouse underneath, or even a pale blue one, but I didn’t have any that would work with this outfit.  I still think it looks good, but the tones are a bit warm overall for my liking.

One thing I am sold on is this method of tying a scarf.  Referred to by many as the Orchid Grey wrap, it essentially involves wrapping a scarf around  your neck once or twice, and then tucking the ends in.  It worked fabulously with this hand-spun, hand-knit merino scarf.  It was fantastically cozy.  If I ever do decide to open an Etsy shop, it would probably be to sell scarves like this.  That won’t be anytime soon though, as I have more than enough on my plate right now.

What’s your favorite winter accessory?  Do you love getting bundled up for winter, or are you more of a spring/summer type?‘

Blouse: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Cardigan: J Crew (via Ebay)
Skirt: Ann Taylor LOFT (via Ebay)
Tights: Hue
Boots: Dansko Risa (via Ebay)
Scarf: Handspun and knit by me
Cuff Bracelet: via Classy Consignments

Quote: Woolbur, by Leslie Helakoski

“Mature is fancy for acting grown up”

Last week, Style Symmetry was having a challenge to create an outfit inspired by one of the images from the Wardrobe Remix group on Flickr.  This particular day, I was looking for some inspiration for a new way to dress up jeans for work.  I came across this outfit by Elsa, and decided to break out my (only) button-down and mix it up.  It wasn’t cold enough to layer a long-sleeved sweater, so I went for a sweater vest instead.  I tried adding a belt like she did, but it was not flatttering at all on me.  I then added the pearls (under the collar) to imitate the lovely statement necklace she wore.

I like how professional this outfit is, and I think that looks like this could work really well once I finally get a full-time job as a librarian (it’s been six months since I finished my degree; someone hire me!).  However, the outfit didn’t really feel very “me”.  It felt to simple, basic and ordinary.  The bright colors and pattern of the vest helped, but it still didn’t feel quite right.  I think I might like it better with my denim pencil skirt.

The other thing that this outfit made me realize is that I’ve become spoiled from wearing so much jersey knit fabric.  The moment I put on something stiff and structured, my body recoils and begs to crawl into a comfy jersey dress and leggings.  And fabrics like this button-down wrinkle so horribly.  I refuse to wear polyester, so buying no-wrinkle sythetics is not an option for me.  I think that maybe I just need to search harder for a button-down that feels more me, and that perhaps is a bit more comfortable than this one.  Anthropologie has some gorgeous ones right now, and I’m hoping to get one (or two) with my birthday discount in the new few weeks.

Do you have a love-hate relationship with button-downs?  How do you dress the up to fit in with your style?

Blouse: Ann Taylor LOFT
Vest: Boden (via Ebay)
Jeans: Express
Boots: Dansko Nena
Pearls: garage sale

Quote: Fancy Nancy: Explorer Extraordinaire!, by Jane O’Connor

“Tut-tut, it looks like rain”

It seems that rain and this dress go together.  Or maybe I’m just drawn to this dress when it’s rainy out.  Either way, it was the perfect dress to wear today.  Florida’s weather is being ridiculous lately, and it’s already starting to feel like spring.  It’s a bit frustrating for me, because I’m really not ready for winter to be over.  Still, I was going to my cousin’s bridal shower today, so I wanted to look a bit springy.

I’ve done pale pink accessories with this dress several times before.  Something about that combination just feels right to me.  Today I also added my grandmother’s brooch.  It’s a pink rose cameo, and it worked perfectly with the rest of this outfit.

And I can’t believe I’m wearing sandals in January!  Somebody please send a little cold weather my way.  I don’t want to retire my boots and scarves and coats just yet.

Do you have a certain outfit that you find yourself drawn to on rainy days?

Dress: Ecote (Urban Outfitters)
Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT
Sandals: Dansko Novalee (Ebay)
Pearls: Garage Sale
Brooch: Vintage (belonged to my grandma)
Bangle: Vintage
Purse: Easy Spirit Outlet
Umbrella: ??

Quote: The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh, by A.A. Milne

“Smart people are those who have asked lots of questions”

In my high school days, I was drawn to preppy styles.  I liked button-down shirts and polos, even though a majority of my wardrobe was jeans and t-shirts.  I’m not that into the prep-school look anymore, but on occasion, I like to take cues from it.  When I saw this lovely striped cashmere sweater on Ebay selling at a mere $20, I couldn’t resist.  I’ve already planned several outfits with it.  It’s delightfully soft and quite flattering.

Because I didn’t want this outfit to be an overload of blue, I added the goldenrod brooch and bracelet to break things up.  I definitely need to get a lot more brooches.

What styles were you drawn to in high school?  Do you still like them now?

Sweater: J Crew (Ebay)
Camisole: Gap
Skirt: Ann Taylor LOFT (Ebay)
Tights: Hue
Shoes: Dansko Sally
Purse: Morelle Charlotte
Brooch: via Revolve
Earrings: Modern Bird
Bangle: Vintage (via Sherry’s Yesterdaze)

Quote: The Rag Coat, by Lauren Mills

“Ready to kick up their heels”

I am continuing to adore this magenta cardigan I got for Christmas.  I’m discovering that drape cardigans are insanely versatile.  Last week, I wore it draped with a pair of skinny jeans and a blouse. For today’s outfit, I paired it with my little black dress and my goldenrod Malibrans.  Yellow and magenta was never a color combination I had given consideration before, but now I’m discovering just how great it is.

I love how the soft, light fabric of this cardigan ties up perfectly as a bolero.  I tried tying it back as a wrap sweater as well, but I didn’t like the effect, as it visually added bulk.  I love how tying it as a bolero adds a bit of waist cinching.

As you may know from previous posts, scoop neck of this dress is really low, and requires some layering underneath to be decent.  I originally tried a solid colored blouse for today’s look, but then I decided  that adding a bit of black and white pattern would complement the rest of the outfit best.

What color or pattern combination have you tried lately that surprised you?

Dress: American Rag Cie (via Revolve)
Blouse (under dress): Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Cardigan: Fossil
Tights: Target
Shoes: Fluevog Malibrans
Purse: Morelle Oyster
Pearls: Coryell Design

Quote: The Three Silly Billies, by Margie Palatini

“They stretched their wings”

Drapey fabrics and windy days don’t really make the best combination.  But I still love how this outfit came together, despite it not being very functional in this weather.  I got this skirt months ago during my shopping ban, but somehow this is the first time I’ve worn it out.  I has such a sweet polka dot print, and despite how it may look in the photo, it has a very flattering a-line drape.

I actually started out this day with bare legs, but I brought a pair of tights to work in case I started to feel cold.  With a heavily air-conditioned office, I ended up needing them.  And I felt kind of awkward with bare legs.  After wearing tights for so long, it feels strange to have bare legs.  I’m thinking about getting a pair of nude micro-fishnets, like these from J Crew (which technically aren’t micro), to make the spring transition to bare legs a little smoother.

Blouse: Anthropologie
Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT
Skirt: Ann Taylor (thrifted)
Tights: Hue
Shoes: Dansko Sally
Purse: Morelle City Bag
Necklace: Express
Watch: Target
Earrings: Sara Westermark

Quote: The Littlest Owl, by Caroline Pitcher and Tina Macnaughton

"The effect was charming"

This little bridge over a spring is in that park just down the street from my house, and I’ve always wanted to take pictures here.  It’s one of my favorite places to go to relax.  Maybe it’s the Pisces in me, but I adore the sound of rushing water.  This little spring flowing into the Hillsborough River has a tiny little waterfall right under the bridge.  I love coming here in the summer and dipping my feet in the cold water.

I absolutely love this outfit.  I wanted fabrics that were soft, drapey and just warm enough for the odd weather we’ve had in Florida lately (we went from temps in the 30s to temps in the 70s, and by the time this is posted it will be back in the 50s). I bought this cardigan with my Christmas gift card to Fossil, and I love it.  It’s insanely versatile, and I love the strong, vibrant color.

After cropping my skinny jeans, I knew that I would have to pair them with ballet flats for a classic Audrey look.

This gorgeous vintage purse is one of my latest Etsy purchases.  I’m finding myself strongly drawn to yellow lately.  It’s such a fun, cheery color.

I love how these photos turned out.  I definitely need to go down to the park more often.

Blouse: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Cardigan: Fossil
Jeans: Express (re-conned)
Shoes: Born Sokal (Ebay)
Scarf: Target
Purse: AdVintagous

Quote: The Velveteen Rabbit, by Margery Williams