Spring Style!

There is something about the change of seasons.  I love it when summer finally starts to cool and there is a touch of fall in the air.  Equally so, after winter, I welcome the promise of days full of sunshine and warmer temps.  Transition to Spring in Texas can be a little tricky, often the morning and evenings still have a little chill in the air, while the days heat up. Here's a few ideas on Spring from my closet...

I got this jacket at Anthro last summer at the end of the season on a ridiculous sale, like $19 or less even.  I only wore it a couple of times, but it was screaming Spring from my closet for a Saturday dinner out.  The other good news is the flare jeans I've had for several years have finally come back "in". As a tall girl, flare has always been my favorite cut, so even though I've been "out", these haven't been hiding in the closet. 

 

Warm afternoons on a patio call for a tank top and a sweater in tow for when the sun goes down.  These closed toe wedges are one of my favorite seasonal transitions, even though they are sometimes hard to keep on! Anyone else have these from Target 2 summers ago??   There are so many great necklaces out right now with a pop of color and a tassel.  No matter your  style or budget, you can find one to fit.  I picked this one up at Sam Moon for I believe under $5. The stone is mint which is one of my favorites for Spring and Summer.  I go back and forth on skinny or wide cuffs for jeans, just whatever I feel that day.  This time, wide cuff. 

I attended a retreat recently for Women at my Church, it was such a great weekend.  However, the temps dropped and the rains came. Thankfully on Saturday the sun decided to show up again just as we were breaking for lunch.  I have worn this ruffle top under several Ts and tops and here again it is with a camo sweatshirt.  I do love a baseball cap and I was not feeling great this day, so wasn't up for fixing my hair and the cap felt a little put together so I called it good enough.  I found myself looking not even a little put together the following morning in the HEB Redi-Clinic where my sinus infection finally won. 

I was home the weekend prior to Easter Sunday and made a quick trip through the local Marshall's where the clearance sticker on this dress caught my eye. I wasn't looking for a dress, but I've long learned when you're really needing a dress it when you can't find a dress.  I tried this on and it was perfect for Easter Sunday. I paired it with gray suede and leather heels, but will wear it with other shoes throughout the summer.  Nothing beats a simple shift dress and this is like nothing else in my closet as far as print and color.  I felt like this could also be worn with cardigan or jacket in other seasons. 

There is a prison in the town I grew up in and there used to be a famous Prison Rodeo.  When I saw this tank at RodeoHouston this year, I had to have it.  You might not want to refer to the prison rodeo but any graphic tank will do. Just toss a cardigan with it in case the temps change. Yes, these are the same jeans from above. Flare for life.  Flare with heels. Flare with cowboy boots.  Flare fan!

Another idea for night out, half tucked silky blouse and jeans.  As the weather warms I start to feel like my light jeans are better choice and the super dark jeans take a back seat.  I sat outside for dinner this night and was glad to have sleeves as the temps dropped after sundown.   

And, of course, it wouldn't be honest if I didn't show you most days after work/weekend days look something similar to this....cropped legging and a tunic. Yes, that is stripes peeking out.  I feel like anything goes with this legging print!

Happy Spring! Enjoy the longer light in the evenings and bringing out some new combinations from the closet as the fall & winter trifecta {boots, cardigans and scarves} take a backseat. 

Blessings,



What I'm Wearing ~ 04.24.15 {Cold & then Hot}

I know Katy Perry says you're hot and then cold, but this week the weather proved once again that Spring in Texas is unpredictable. Much like the person she's singing about.


Disclaimer: What I'm Wearing is in hopes inspiration for your closet, that I can give you some ideas from what I'm wearing. What fits you doesn't always fit me. What fits me, doesn't always fit you. So, we all know the style of jeans that work best for us, the brands of shoes we love, etc. I'm not a "linker" to buy all of these outfits here. Truth be told, a lot of my clothes are many many years old and I pick up things all around the place. I'm don't update my wardrobe every season with the latest and greatest. I don't have signed up for Pinterest, so if there's something you like, you can "pin it" to save. Hopefully you're just inspired, maybe by something you have and didn't think about putting it together or maybe you are just looking for a simple accessory to add in and these posts can give you some ideas.

Monday morning I let my dog out expecting the semi-warm temps we've been experiencing to be met instead with chilly north wind and temps right at 60°! However, we are past middle April, so I chose monochromatic white layered with new military vest I picked up recently at Marshall's to combat the "cold". I've watched these vests for a long time, never finding one I really loved. Finally ran across this one on a rack with ones that have been in store and figured out the difference.  This one isn't quite as washed and has a little more shape to it. I foresee wearing it with lots of combinations, including shorts as the temps warm...and stay warm.

Tuesday morning started the same and I was better prepared for it. Figured this might be the last chance for a sweater, so wore an old Old Navy favorite layered with a sleeveless button up. Gray pants and leopard heels to mix it up.  I wish Nine West would come out with these same shoes another season. I'm going to hold out for what goes out comes back.  However, I'm a little disturbed by the return of culottes....

Wednesday and the Spring temps were starting to return. I've realized on Wednesdays I wear a ponytail. Mid-week, should have washed my hair, but it will last one more day. This leopard shirt was half tucked when I left, full tucked a couple of times and untucked by time I left school.  It's a good versatile top, also found at Marshall's.  Wore all gold accessories and stacked up bracelets with my long time favorite Michael Kors Runway watch.

Thursday I was out of the classroom, but into a workroom and writing curriculum all day.  I wasn't sure about this task as I've never done this before, but it was pretty fun for me. I really should have had a pic in the jacket I ended up wearing all day, due to Admin Building freeze-out temps, which was my favorite Columbia rain coat because it currently lives in my car and I forgot to grab anything different as I was walking out the door. Apparently I was too focused on not having to pack my lunch and getting Chick Fil A for breakfast and eating lunch out on a workday. It was like the glory days of corporate life!

Fri-yay! If you were anticipating the #LillyForTarget release last Sunday you probably saw all the cute scarves with pompoms and tassels on them. However unless you were an octopus at Target and could reach from clothes to accessories to housewares with all of your arms at once between 8:00:00 and 8:00:05 you probably didn't get much more than one of those items. Fortunately I got the dress I wanted,but the entire-rack-snatchers had all the accessories in their buggies for eBay before I got a scarf. You know who had them, without a fuss, for $6.97 and in my school colors?!? WALMART!! For the win! Tossed it on with a Friday spirit shirt and called it good!

From 60° to almost breaking 90°, it was your average Spring week in Texas!

Blessings, 

Belly dancer, Table for 1

This afternoon I was getting a few things done around my house and needed to run a couple of errands before my evening plans. I was thinking about dinner options and since I was going to be on the road, I didn't want to eat in my car and that's when I got my stuff together a little quicker and cut some time out for dinner out...by myself. With a book. 

In my "corporate days" I spent a year traveling back and forth to Atlanta (shout out to Buckhead - what a great little suburb and getting to go to Louie Giglio's Tuesday night Bible study on the regular) and often times after a long day didn't want to talk to anyone else, didn't want room service and I found myself eating out, alone. After that year was over I still went on business trips by myself often enough and some nights was on my own for dinner. 

For some reason eating alone is not socially normal for women, though not usually looked at as awkward for men, party of 1.  I'm not sure why that is, but it just seems to be.  My favorite was to get sushi, because not a lot of people I knew liked it and it was a good meal I really enjoyed.  I usually took a book or magazine with me, as this was before the days of smart phones and scrolling status updates to look occupied and not "alone". 

Eating out alone is different than being in a coffee shop alone. I love coffee shops, but it's like  acceptable alone space.  Hook up to music & your computer with an artistic latte and everyone is 'together' while never really connecting.

Tonight as I was eating at the formerly known as Mission Burrito now referred to as Uberrito, I snapped a pic of the moment.  #nofilterburritobowl  The only thing I was disappointed in was not having more time.  The book I'm reading right now, Nobody's Cuter Than You by one of my favorite bloggers, Big Mama, speaks my language.  It's all about best friends. So, when I realized I had to go, I felt like my time was cut short and I really wanted to stay. 

I was thinking as I was sitting there, I was so glad to be "ok" in that space.  I know there are a lot of busy women who would relish in the idea of a few quiet minutes to themselves with no one asking questions, needing something or working on a to-do list, instead trading a few minutes of quiet with a book, magazine, or maybe just status updates to read. 

But, often we're not ok in that space. 

I went to an event recently where someone asked me "did you come alone?".  Yes.  I did.  I am single, so oftentimes I am alone.  That's not a pity statement, it is just a fact.  But, just because you've got a significant other doesn't mean you're not at times doing things on your own.  I love people, my people, and tables full of people. Being gathered at the table is one of the sweetest gifts of life.  I grew up with dinner around our table most every night. I love meeting friends for meals and catching up on life over a meal.  And, sometimes, I love the table to myself. 

It's all about getting out of our comfort zone.  The first time I ever said "party of 1", the return look  was almost shocking. Enough to make me look around and question if EVERYONE in the place heard my request and was going to be looking at me walking to my PARTY OF 1 table. 

Tonight while volunteering at an ESL school, I had an out of comfort zone experience. We work on conversational English and I've said before how often I learn something from them, potentially more than my conversation teaches anyone.  Tonight we did discuss skim vs. whole milk, nail polish and a few other topics until belly dancing came up.  Our "student" has experience belly dancing in the country she came from which immediately prompted a request for her to demonstrate.  One person in our group is a gifted dancer.  The rest of us, not as gifted.  But, we all stood up, she called up the Google DJ to play a song and we gave it a shot under her instruction. 

Take me back to the table: party of 1.  Belly dancing is OUT. OF. MY. COMFORT. ZONE. 

However, language barriers were lost and laughter erupted and there's no shame in doing something you're not good at, that's how "out of comfort zone" experiences become less and less difficult.  Tonight is now a memory that will forever be with our group. 

I saw this sign at Hobby Lobby today during my errands...

 

 

I laughed thinking back about it.  My dance skills are definitely a result of my farm girl raising and I excel in the 2-step, and other than that I classify myself as a "freestyler".  Since I live in the city it is generally assumed I am a city girl, but really I grew up in the country and am a small town girl at heart.  It took me a lot of years to be comfortable in the big city and do things that were out of my comfort zone.  Eating out alone or {getting out of my chair and attempting} belly dancing.

 

Though it will take me a next to a sweet forever to ever say I was comfortable belly dancing, I will continue to embrace the things of this life that challenge me and push me out of my comfort zone. I know they grow and stretch me and add to my life.  

 

Blessings,

What I'm Wearing ~ 04.17.14 {End of the 5th(!!!) 6-weeks!}

After being sidelined all weekend with a sinus infection, I thought I was on the up and up a bit Monday morning.  Until about 10:45 hit and a massive migraine like pressure headache came with it.  If you're a regular sufferer of sinus pressure, bless you.  I have new found empathy.  I've NEVER had that in my life, and it. is. miserable.  Every time I bent down to put the leash on my dog, I wasn't sure if I could pick my head up again or not! 



Disclaimer: What I'm Wearing is in hopes inspiration for your closet, that I can give you some ideas from what I'm wearing. What fits you doesn't always fit me. What fits me, doesn't always fit you. So, we all know the style of jeans that work best for us, the brands of shoes we love, etc. I'm not a "linker" to buy all of these outfits here. Truth be told, a lot of my clothes are many many years old and I pick up things all around the place. I'm don't update my wardrobe every season with the latest and greatest. I don't have signed up for Pinterest, so if there's something you like, you can "pin it" to save. Hopefully you're just inspired, maybe by something you have and didn't think about putting it together or maybe you are just looking for a simple accessory to add in and these posts can give you some ideas.



Monday morning was storming, and so it was another good day for boots. Easiest thing to go with boots: leggings and a tunic! I mentioned this Banana Republic tunic in my Rodeo posts, and here's another look. These leggings are several years old, from a boutique somewhere along the road, possibly LaVida Loca, they always have great reasonably priced leggings! The arrow necklace was a special gift from my church Women's Retreat over the weekend. More about that to come...

Tuesday, our community partners were at school for our Take Flight mentoring program, so it was "uniform day" of Take Flight T's and Jeans. 

Wednesday, skirt and dress days are finally returning.  {I just need a little sunshine on my legs.} My favorite thing to pair with this skirt is navy or denim and our T from retreat happened to be navy and gold. Our theme was "Like a Girl" and was so good with teaching on belonging, believing, beloved and being brave.  Today's stack was a mix of silver/brown and gold with a bow almost on top.  If you don't own a jean jacket, I highly recommend it!  Perfect for when the seasons are changing! 

After looking back at last week, it looks like black & white with a little green is a "thing" for me right now. Again, a classic look for me that has always worked well, wide leg pants, sleeveless top and heels.  Today's just happen to be a spring green patent! The great thing about this stack of bangles, they are fabric wrapped and they don't make any noise!  Added a mirror-like belt and was ready for Thursday.  In my days working at Ernst and Young this was my uniform, except often with a Harold Powell cardigan twin set. :)

TGIF! I always love Friday.  And especially when our students get out at 11:35 and it's the end of the 5th 6 weeks meaning just over 30 school days until summer! This Spring has been a tough one for a lot of reasons and I'm trying not to count down the days in misery, but will be thankful for the season to pass.

Have a great weekend! Post coming up soon on Spring transition...things to wear for the weekend!

 

Blessings,

What I'm Wearing ~ 04.10.15 {5 Days of Work Week}

I realized this was going to be the first week I've worked 5 regular days in I believe a month. Not that I haven't worked a 5 or 6 or 7 day week, but just 5 regular school days in a row.  However, it started with jeans day and so if it's 5 school days and they start and end with jeans, I'm a happy girl.  Jeans are my love language. 

Disclaimer: What I'm Wearing is in hopes inspiration for your closet, that I can give you some ideas from what I'm wearing. What fits you doesn't always fit me. What fits me, doesn't always fit you. So, we all know the style of jeans that work best for us, the brands of shoes we love, etc. I'm not a "linker" to buy all of these outfits here. Truth be told, a lot of my clothes are many many years old and I pick up things all around the place. I'm don't update my wardrobe every season with the latest and greatest. I don't have signed up for Pinterest, so if there's something you like, you can "pin it" to save. Hopefully you're just inspired, maybe by something you have and didn't think about putting it together or maybe you are just looking for a simple accessory to add in and these posts can give you some ideas.

Monday as the NCAA finals. {Sidenote: If you're like me and don't really follow this sporting event, it was a big deal Kentucky got beat by Wisconsin and since I am a Texans fan, which really means a JJ Watt fan, I defaulted to pick Wisconsin since they were the underdogs and I know there's a Duke Dynasty of Basketball, but I always like a good comeback story and Wisconsin almost did it!} I'm also not a Razorback, but by way of a good friend, I cheer for the Razorbacks and they also have a pretty good basketball team, so all that to say, here's my Monday jeans + team T for NCAA finals day!

This lime green top is one of my favorites, but it doesn't layer really well with a cardigan for winter, so when the weather warms up I love to wear it.  I don't even know where this is from, probably somewhere like Marshall's/TJMaxx.  I've always been a fan of classic "professional" and it's hard to beat a cute top with black dress pants and heels in my opinion.  Especially when those are leopard heels! :)

Wednesday, white jeans have been calling out from the depths of cold, rain and dreary days.  Finally wore them with a simple blue and white stripe "boyfriend" {Gap, ca. 2005} button up and open toe cognac heels.  No secret I love stack rings, and I haven't posted a stack in a while! I have a collection of various rings and just mix and match them on a daily basis. They are from all over, boutiques, Brighton, Pandora, Nordstrom, Amazon and more.  None are expensive, and stack rings is one of my favorite "pieces" of jewelry to wear. 

OOOPPPPSSSSSS!!! I woke up at 7:05 this day!  {I'm supposed to be at school at 7:10!} I've always been known to sleep through my alarm and never even know I turned it off, but I haven't done it in a LONG time until Thursday.  Fortunately I had my clothes picked out and I don't have a 1st period.  #Reallife these pics are after school because in 11 minutes I got dressed, washed my face, put my *clean* hair in a bun, packed up my makeup, packed up my lunch, walked my dog and was out the door! These pants are from Target and my favorite thing to wear with them is stripes.  I have tried solid colors and more, and I always come back to stripes.

TGIF!  Friday, end of the week and a women's retreat for my church ahead on the weekend agenda.  Just a regular spirit day of school T + jeans.  I do love this T from our Student Council {aka "StuCo" if you speak High School}.  Believe there is good in the World/Be the good in the world!  A good motto for life!

Made it through the week. And, honestly the 7:05 sleeping in should have been a warning, a nasty sinus infection finally took over and sidelined me Saturday afternoon and ALL. DAY. SUNDAY.  After 3 weeks of fighting the crud/cold/allergies...it won. 

 

Blessings,

{Never} Alone

I was talking to a friend recently and came to realize, 3 of the last 4 years I was dating someone in the Spring and it seemed like the wheels fell off right around Easter each time.  Never for any real major reason, just part of life and two people not in the same spot.  I was working out this weekend on my favorite trail around the lake and thinking about this season, that seems to repeat in my life....

So many of my friends who are single right now have been in hard seasons. Friends getting married, the ex who marries the next girl he dates, seemingly everyone is a couple but you, feeling alone and more.  There are days when it is hard to be single.  I don't say that without realizing there are equal numbers of people who are married and also feel alone and it is very hard to be married. 

As I was making my way along the trail, a few things came to mind over and over...

Easter, this season, it comes every year, a celebration of resurrected Christ. As a Christian, I believe Jesus was crucified and on the third day as it was written he rose from the grave. I serve a risen Savior. I need to be reminded of this.  It's not that I forget, but sometimes I let the significance of Christ's sacrifice for me dull. When I get involved in my everyday life and lose focus at times of who is most important, I need a reminder. 

If I start to feel alone, I know and have to remind myself I am never alone.  I know Jesus is with me.  He goes before me in all the days of my life.  He pursues my heart like no human will ever be able to.  He cares for me, he wants the best for me, he longs for me to trust him in ALL the areas of my life.  He is working out the details. Even though I sometimes think I have it "under control", I'm reminded I don't. He does.

Communication and time are huge for me. In any relationship and friendship quality time is very important to me.  Finding time is often sacrifice, but despite all of us being "busy" there is ALWAYS time. I want someone who makes me a priority, because I make them a priority.  Checking in and quick messages during the day balance out evenings and days spent together on the weekends. The same applies to Jesus.  He should be the priority.  He deserves the sacrifice of time.  I only build relationship with him through time spent in the word and in prayer. Time builds any relationship, and that one is the most important one for me. 

The hard conversations. I've never shied away from having the hard conversation.  I know in a dating relationship the hard conversations are really "easy" compared to in married life.  There will always be hard conversations in life.  So, dating is practice.  I've never run from having a hard conversation. In fact, I've probably held on too long because I'm willing to give it to the last chance and give the benefit of the doubt.  Know who also doesn't shy away from hard conversations?  Jesus.  He can handle all of my questions, my doubts, my fears, my alone, my whys. And, he will never run from them.  In fact, the Word says "come to me all who are weary and heavy laden".  He awaits us to release from fighting and solving on our own, to come to him, and rest in his care. 

So, despite this same circumstance repeating at Easter for me, I know it isn't without purpose.  I am thankful for sweet time around a lake that reminds me, Jesus is for me, he knows my heart, he wants my time and he will give me what is best, I just have to continue to trust him.  I pray you know those truths in your life, they apply no matter what season you're facing!

Blessings,

What I'm Wearing ~ 04.02.15 {STAAR Spirit}

All across the great state of Texas students and teachers are stressed to the max in the month of April and May due to STAAR standardized testing.  In High School these are End of Course tests, and allegedly you pass and are "equipped" to go about your future! I won't even get into the debates of STAAR/standardized testing....however, it's good to see they are up for review at the Capitol!

Disclaimer: What I'm Wearing is in hopes inspiration for your closet, that I can give you some ideas from what I'm wearing. What fits you doesn't always fit me. What fits me, doesn't always fit you. So, we all know the style of jeans that work best for us, the brands of shoes we love, etc. I'm not a "linker" to buy all of these outfits here. Truth be told, a lot of my clothes are many many years old and I pick up things all around the place. I'm don't update my wardrobe every season with the latest and greatest. I don't have signed up for Pinterest, so if there's something you like, you can "pin it" to save. Hopefully you're just inspired, maybe by something you have and didn't think about putting it together or maybe you are just looking for a simple accessory to add in and these posts can give you some ideas.

This was definitely a Monday...I looked down as I was leaving for school, and yep, I had on TWO watches. I didn't even get dressed in the dark...

Tuesday was a non-testing day so a regular "professional" work day.  Simple black tank, black maxi plus a belt and jean jacket and I was off to a regular day of teaching. 

And, back to testing on Wednesday with spirit wear.  I'm sure everyone felt like Barney...just over it.  I escaped having to proctor this time around, though I know my time is coming in May.  Testing this week was 5 hours, so it is long days for students and proctors! 

Just like that it was Friday on Thursday and the week would be over!  I do love a 4 day week!  It is the best!  These JCrew suede flats are some of my favorites, and that make this week 2 of flats edition!  The heels are coming back...

I hope you all have a great Good Friday and spend time over this Easter weekend with the people you love most.  I am so thankful for Easter, for Jesus who died on the cross and fulfillment of the Word  when He rose again on the 3rd day.  No matter your circumstance, Jesus gives hope!

 

Blessings,