Au Revoir, Eloquii

Eloquii Top / Torrid Pants / Vintage Purse / Jessica Simpson Shades / Ferragamo Shoes / Eloquii Bracelet

Today I had the pleasure of attending a nice, low key bridal shower for two of the lovely ladies in from my teaching credential program. Since it was on the cooler side today, I took the chance to wear some of the colored denim I bought recently instead of a dress. I'm also wearing my one of my many new Eloquii tops. The great deals in their going out of business sales don't make up for my extreme disappointment of them going out of business, but it does help dull the pain.

Obsession du Jour: Hot Pink Accessories

Forever 21 Dress  / American Apparel T / ASOS Leggings / ModCloth Scarf / ASOS Belt / Urban Outfitters Bag

American Eagle Moto Boots

JCPenney Pearl Stud Earrings

I wore this outfit to go observe my old French teacher in preparation for my new French sub position. My outfit even matched the visitor's pass! 

Obsession du Jour: Squirrels

ASOS Sweater / Old Navy Jeans / Naturalizer Boots from Piperlime / Gap Bag

Today my Mom and I went to the mall to with a few goals: to go to Sephora and get new makeup for me, to go to Nordstrom and buy some gloves for her and to look for some aviators for me.  For this quest I decided to wear this whimsical squirrel sweater, perfect for the continued record chilly weather we're having in the Central Valley.

Last night I saw Zero Dark Thirty (I loved it!)  and even before I saw it I knew it would motivate me to renew my quest for aviators that fit me. However, after trying on all the Ray-Ban and other brand aviators at Nordstrom, I couldn't find any that I thought looked good on me. This is a problem I have with aviators. I desperately want to be cool like Joe Biden and Maya in Zero Dark Thirty, but whenever I go to try them on I feel like I look like a mean lady cop. Alas, the quest continues. Instead,  I ended up finally buying a pair of real Ray-Bans Wayfarers  And given my obsession with and collection of cheap Wayfarers, it was probably a wise choice to invest.   Additionally, I was proud of myself that I resisted buying this amazing pair of Chanel cat-eye sunglasses that fit my face perfectly. #firstworldvictories

Ray-Ban Classic Wayfarer XL in Tortoise

Très Chic

Thrifted Skirt  / ASOS Blazer / Forever 21 Scarf

Today I had a semi-interview meeting for a long-term sub position teaching French. Since I was going to be meeting with Administration and meeting the students for the first time, I wanted to look the part of a French teacher. I've always had chic French teachers, and decided I needed to up my game from history teacher. And since it wasn't really an interview I didn't want to wear a suit. Also it was super cold this morning (it was 30 last night) and today, so I needed to be warm. I settled on wearing this new skirt I found at a thrift store this week. It's by Liz Clairborne and part of a suit, but the jacket is a little big on me and both pieces together look a little too British and/or matronly. However, I am excited to wear the pieces separately. You can see me wearing the blue version of the blazer here, and waxing poetic about how much I love them.

Naturalizer Boots from Piperlime

American Apparel Shirt / Old Navy Necklace 

After the jump, more accessories detail...

A Bold Print for Summer

ASOS Curve

Spring's Sprung?

This week we had a few days of highs in the '70s. While it wont last, it got me thinking about spring outfits and shopping.

Old Navy Dress

Old Navy Cardigan, Target Belt, ASOS Curve Dress

What I Wore: Casual Friday on the Base

Old Navy Jeggings & Tank, Alloy Blouse, Lacoste Espadrilles

After school we headed over to our friendly local Air Force Museum to scout out a potential field trip.

Vintage Floral Prints for Work

This dress I just got in two prints isn't really winter-ready, but I'm excited about it anyway. They are going to be so great for teaching when it warms-up next semester. The necklines are interesting yet very conservative, which is refreshing. I ordered both with the intention of returning one but I just couldn't.

Old Navy (XS-XXL)

One Last Summer Dress

Ann Taylor Dress

Forever 21 Faux Pearl Necklace

Polka Dot Dress

A couple new polka dot dresses I've gotten from Forever 21+, I'm so excited to wear them in the classroom starting next week.

F21+ Dress, Via Spiga Belt

Bold Pearlescent Necklace

Ensemble: Going Out IV

Old Navy skirt, Kimchi & Blue tank (possibly from Urban Outfitters, but maybe a boutique)

My Mom somehow ended up at at a home sale jewelry party where she felt obligated to buy something, but even under pressure she made a good choice with these multi-colored  faux pearls.

The back detail is the best part. You guys know how I love showing of my ink with one shoulder or racerback tops.

Let's Talk About Stripes

Old Navy T/Vintage Scarf bought in Toulouse

I'm a big fan of stripes. I hate to call them a trend, since there is nothing more classic than a Breton-style stripe, but this season we are seeing a lot of fun permutations (thick, thin, pinstripes, chevron, color blocked, ombré, vertical, horizontal, and more!) worthy of your attention. There's something that can work on everyone. Here are some cute Ts and dresses to consider, plus some of (most of) the striped pieces in my closet.

Classic Blue & White:

Gap: Soft V-Neck Striped T (also in grey stripe)

Gap: Striped Cap-Sleeve T (also in lavender and orange stripe)

 Juicy Couture

Le Petit Bateau: Organic Cotton Marinière

A Couple Forever 21+ Outfits

I just got my first order from Forever 21 online in the mail this morning. My always thoughtful Aunt got me a gift card for my birthday, so I could "check out the competition". Thanks Magi! Now that I'm a fashion free agent (i.e. no more employee discount), I'm excited to try different online outlets.

Contrast Cap Sleeve Dress

Let's talk online shopping shop. First off, I placed my order with the free shipping option on Thursday evening and it arrived Tuesday morning (it shipped from LA).  So that was impressive. However, the former customer service rep in me would like to remind shoppers to always look at the promised shipping timeframe. If you need an order by a certain date, pay for the shipping that will get it there before your event. Don't expect it to always arrive as quickly as past orders.

I digress. More importantly than the speed, I liked the contents of my order.  A quick note on sizing, which is hard for you to determine from the photos since my dress form is much smaller than I. I ordered the 3X in both the skirt and dress, which means that their 3X is about an 18/20 (obviously not the same as Old Navy's). This also means that if you're a standard XL, their 1X might work for you. The prices were just as cheap as Forever 21's standard line which isn't always the case for plus size (probably since their plus doesn't go as large, the fabric cost doesn't catch up to them). Here are a couple of outfits I put together using my new pieces.

A Black & White Floral Skirt + Michelle's Pearls

Gap Outlet skirt, Old Navy crochet detail tank, gifted necklace

My Aunt Gayle and Uncle Michael gave me this lovely pearl and ribbon necklace from Carolee.  Carolee also makes Michelle Obama's signature faux pearls.

Michelle 12 mm Two-Row Pearl Necklace

She wore them in her official portrait with a simple Marc Jacobs sheath dress.

Michelle 16 mm Pearl Necklace

On the night of Barack accepting the Nomination, in a Maria Pinto dress with Alaïa belt

Style Icon: Lucille Ball

 

My I Love Lucy Period corresponded (lead to?) my hat collecting period. This was in 1st and 2nd grade. I successfully petitioned for my first bedtime extension specifically so I could watch the first couple shows on Nick at Nite. Head on over to this post of more glamorous photos of Ms. Ball. Then, click through for an outfit I created inspired by her Vitameatavegamin ensemble.