Cozy in Spring

All the rain has cooled down North Texas to a frigid 70 degrees, and that's my cue to reach for a cozy sweater and ankle boots while I still can! I'm sure it two weeks I'll be laughing at myself for even having a pair of boots in my capsule!

I've been enjoying planning my summer capsule, it's nice to be planning a capsule that involves just one aspect of my life rather than work and school and play! So excited for shorts and sandals!

Worthington button up (similar), Gap cardigan, Mango jeans, Gap boots (similar), Citizen watch

Old Lady Shoes

I picked these loafers up at Gap the other day when they had their awesome sale (which may or may not still be going on!) and I fully intended to tuck them away until fall, but I wanted to test-run them once (or twice... ok, it was twice) before I decided if I liked them. I do like them. In fact- they led me to an uncomfortable realization- I'm totally an old lady. I mean, these are some old lady shoes. Plain black loafers are about as classically boring as it gets. And I totally love them. I wore them because I was like "How cute and put-together-teachery will I look with these classy loafers!" But then I really thought about myself in relation to my age and I'm such an old lady! I drink loads of tea. I try to go to sleep as early as I can. I wear sweaters all the time, even in beautiful 70 degree sunshine (like today). I'm always cold. I have an affection for young children but they also bring out this stern side of me. Whenever someone comes to my house I try to give them things- food, candy, clothing- and I force it on them until they take it. Such an old lady. But I don't mind- I'll totally rock my old ladyness until I actually become one, and then I plan on being pretty kooky and weird.

Target cardigan (similar), Loft button up (another awesome option), Gap jeans, Gap loafers (still on sale)

Another way I know I'm an old lady on the inside? I love my pearl earrings. E got them for me for our anniversary and apart from my wedding band, they're my MVP of jewelry. I could and would wear them everyday. Sooo ooold! These are similar styles to the ones I have: 

from Zales

also from Zales

If you ever find yourself with a little extra cash on hand and a need for some earrings that go with everything and never go out of style, I would recommend pearls. I never realized how much I needed something so basic until I had them and now I wear them endlessly. Thanks E!

Gray and Leather

I love the contrast in the outfit- the top says nap time and I'm not sure what the bottom says but it's definitely not for resting. It has that casual look that's downplayed by the leather. I feel like these pants are the Parisian version of the boyfriend jean. They have the same slouchy fit, but they're not artfully tattered in a way that I don't feel meshes with the whole effortless chic the French are known for. Not to say I'm at all effortless. I won't tell you how many times I changed to get to this outfit. But I like to think it sends out the vibe that I can be effortless and comfy and chic all at once. 

Also, I'm not sure where these pants stand in relation to my capsule. Are they in or out? Should I pack them away until fall or leave them available for cooler days, ensuring they get worn? No idea. 

Banana Republic shirt, Gap cardigan, Nordstrom Rack leather pants, Gap loafers

More florals

Black and white and florals. That's all this spring is about. That and finding ways to wear both boots and sandals. That's definitely an interesting change!

Expect posts to be a little less frequent these next few weeks- school is wrapping up which means all the projects are due at once and my stress went from moderately high to "maybe you should sit down" high.

Thrifted top, Target cardigan (similar), H&M jeans, Gap boots (similar)

Bright Blue

I really don't have much to say today, mostly just that I love this shirt! Happy almost Friday!

JCPenney button up (similar), Gap sweater (similar), Gap jeans (similar), Gap loafers (similar in blush)

 Necklace was a gift from my parents

Graphic Blouse

I've been looking forward to this outfit for weeks- mostly because this shirt has been sitting in my closet calling to me. When I set foot into Loft in January I fell in love with this bold floral print, and I plotted. I schemed all the possible ways of getting my hands on it- everything from teacher discount to Retail Me Not coupons, until Loft basically handed it to me by putting it on sale and then adding the extra 60% off they seem to do every other week. The wait was worth it! I love it.

Loft blouse (still on sale, by the way), Gap cardigan (similar), Mango jeans, stolen rainboots from my mother (similar)

Not sure how I feel about this cardigan. Its my spring replacement for my giant drapey black cardigan I wore 5,000 times the past few months but its just quite as cozy (like here, here and here). But the gray is way better for spring, don't you think?

Anyway, hopefully I'll only be wearing it a few times before the Texas sun comes to its senses and starts shining again. Until then, grandma cardi to the rescue?

Dressing for winter in the classroom

I'm a naturally cold person. In summer, even Texas summer, anytime I'm in air conditioning for more than 10 minutes I get cold. Usually I keep a cardigan or a jacket in my car to take in with me on longer grocery shopping trips (I abandon E when we need to go retrieve milk or frozen veggies) or to restaurants. Unfortunately, that means that I look somewhat ridiculous - everyone in their sleeveless dresses and shorts and I'm huddled in a corner with a scarf and a jacket trying to cover my legs.

So you can imagine what winter is like for me. I can't step outside for a few minutes to warm up- I have to keep my warmth against the wind and the rain and the a/c all by myself. My lead teacher loves a cool classroom so I'm perpetually cold at work. It's not uncommon to see me in a long sleeved shirt and a cardigan  and maybe a scarf and her to be in short sleeves and a skirt! I marvel at her natural warmth. Last year I was cold every day, but this year I'm trying a new strategy. If you have a cold classroom and don't want to be burdened with binding blazers, cumbersome cardigans, or sloppy scarves, you can try my tips below.

1. Layer an additional long sleeved shirt under your sweater or even a button up. Considering I wear a button up almost every day, I had to think of more ways to layer other than a sweater over them. This also allows you to look as if you're at a comfortable temperature rather than wrapped in a scarf or jacket that screams give me a blanket. If you get a cozy, long-sleeved cotton shirt to layer with, make sure it has a deep enough neckline so it won't be visible if you top layer moves during the day.

2. Wear a button up or turtleneck under whatever you're wearing. Somehow both of these styles are now ok to wear- thank you to whoever made that happen because now I look like less of a loon when I wear something like this. For inspiration, check out Anh at 9to5chic. She is my layering guru.

3. Cardigans. They are the answer for almost every teacher prob when it comes to style- they add visual interest to your outfit, can cover stains if your student bumps your mug or you drip something on your shirt in the 5 minutes you have for lunch, and are a great way to add warmth without committing to the awkward trying-to-take-off-my-sweater-without-flashing-my-students tango. I wear a cardigan everyday in late spring and early fall (aka extended summer) because Texas, but I usually opt for something heavier in the winter because I don't take off my layers during the school day. I also move around the classroom so much that it's impractical most days to wear something that will flap around. Imagine a grown woman dancing the hokey-pokey with her pre-k kids with a giant cardigan making her look like a bat. Not cute. Add a big scarf to that and it's hilarious.

4. Leggings under your slacks. You might roll your eyes at this- why would a Texas teacher need this level of layering. I'll tell you- I find anything under 40° unbearably cold. So you better believe that those 4 days a year that are below 40° I have all the layers ever. All. Of. Them. The trick to this one is that you have to have tight enough leggings that they won't bunch up at your knees and they also have to be long enough to pull down at your ankles if they do get bunchy. Pro tip: if you want to confuse your better half, ask them to hold onto your leggings at your ankles while you pull on your other pants.  Their expression will be hilarious.

5. For the love of your ankles, feet, and toes- wear appropriate shoes. Last night after one of my education classes I saw far too many of my classmates darting through the freezing rain in flats. Guys. If its cold and rainy, please wear boots. Ankle boots, riding boots, rain boots- there are so many options that will leave your feet warm, dry, and not the least frost-bitten. Do not leave your house in flats when its 30° or raining. . This is not a tip- its a demand. When we come to our classroom with dripping wet feet we are not modeling good choices for our kids.

I hope that if you, too, find yourself rubbing your hands together and wishing you could teach in a puffy coat these ideas will help!