Weekend in OKC

This weekend I got to play hookie on real life and escape to Oklahoma City to meet up with two of my favorite people. They live in Kansas, where I hail from, and we rarely get to hang out these days due to my present location. We explored Bricktown in the midst of a thunderstorm, laughed out loud to Pitch Perfect 2, and saw the Oklahoma City Memorial, which was lovely.

I got this jacket from H&M for my summer capsule (due in 2 weeks!) and I haven't taken it off since I bought it. Its lightweight and breezy, and I love that the sleeves can be rolled up. Its the perfect summer piece and I can't wait to wear it during my summer adventures! I also came across these jeans on major clearance from Banana Republic and couldn't resist replacing my DIY waxed jeans with something with a little more staying power.

Thrifted shirt, H&M jacket, Banana Republic pants (similar), Brooks Sneakers, Nine West purse (similar)

Be on the lookout for some posts on summer coming these next few weeks! I'm so ready for summer- I can't believe we still have 3 weeks of school!

Oversized Sweater

I've been living in this sweater this past week- its oversized and cozy but also spring friendly because its short-sleeved, although it is still black. I wore this to work, then changed for class since it turned colder as I was walking out the door.

Gap sweater, thrifted Ann Taylor skirt (similar), Gap boots (similar style on sale!), Loft scarf

Gap sweater, DIY waxed jeans (similar non-DIY option), Brooks sneakers, Loft scarf

Borrowed E's watch, I always do when I wear this skirt for some reason!

I'm clearly mourning in these pictures with all this black- Caroline at Unfancy, my capsule wardrobe guru and general girl crushee, announced last week she'll be taking a break from blogging. Why, world, why! I'll have to step up my game to keep myself occupied. Don't worry, I may take my cues from her but I plan to continue writing here at My Teacher Style and hopefully will get on a more regular posting schedule following the end of the semester. 

Last of Leather

As much as I've enjoyed these pants, I think it's time to tuck them away for their long summer's sleep. With temperatures steadily creeping upward, I will look increasingly silly romping around in leather pants. I have to at least try not look silly, even if it pretty much never works. I'm also trying to convince myself to stop wearing so much black. Clearly, it's not working.

Nordstrom Rack blazer (similar), thrifted top, Nordstrom Rack pants (similar in a baggier fit), Chinese Laundry flats

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)

Classy In Florals

People usually associate spring with florals, but florals are one of the few patterns that I love all year round. Stripes and florals are the only patterns I'm comfortable with unconditionally; occasionally I'll slip a polka dot or a paisley into the mix.

This thrifted Ann Taylor pencil skirt is one of the few patterned pieces in my closet, but it gets a lot of use. I love the whimsical nature of the print, its not quite as outright feminine as some florals. The colors are perfect for spring too- fresh and clean and bright. I paired this skirt with stripes and my moto jacket in March and I loved that combination too! I wore this more formal outfit on a day I had to look classy, and it actually felt kind of strange to be so dressed up. My school allows me to dress pretty casually, but I think I like this vibe- I feel like a creative professional.

Mango button up, thrifted skirt (similar, similar), Lucky Brand flats (similar)

Rejuvenate at Recess

This morning I woke up so grumpy and tired- I felt exhausted and irritated at everything. I spent most of the morning quiet, not commenting much during literacy centers and silently watching our students sing. Then we went to recess. Something about the cool breeze and the laughter of the 4 year olds made me calm down and open my heart. It's so easy to go through the whole day without realizing the blessing that is being a teacher! Being surrounded by children laughing and calling to me to show me that they've mastered swinging alone or doing a cartwheel is a refreshing experience after the sometimes frustrating situations in the classroom. 

Anyway- I'm grateful for the opportunity to have a mid-morning restart to the day.

This is my outfit for the 7-day Loft #liveinwhatyoulovecontest that started yesterday on instagram. The challenge was to show your favorite spring outfit- and all I need is black and white with a swingy skirt. So fresh!

Loft button up, thrifted skirt, Nine West purse, Jessica Simpson flats, Citizen watch

I just checked and saw that the Jessica Simpson lace-up flats I've been raving about have sold out. Such a bummer- these are one of the only affordable and quality pairs of laced flats I've seen! Hopefully, if this is a style you love, you can find another option. I'll probably do a round-up of laced flats and sandals for summer, so for now, happy hunting!

((Also a quick note- Here is my face! It does exist and it looks pretty normal. I would love to show you my whole self every time I share an outfit, but I'm usually only able to manage selfies and quick shots before I go off to class! Hopefully sometime in the near future I can upgrade my photos!))

Midi Skirt Week: Florals and Stripes

It was a struggle to get dressed this morning. Even this perky skirt couldn't convince me to get out of bed at a time that allows me to not run around my house frantically! In my haste to get ready (I changed three times, barely grabbed my lunch, and somehow slipped an apple into my purse before rushing out to the car and returning a moment later waking up poor E to ask him where my sweater I left in his car yesterday was) I neglected to accessorize my outfit to my liking, but considering how busy this outfit is anyway, I guess the lack of showy jewels is good.

Target cardigan (similar on sale!), thrifted t shirt, thrifted skirt, Chinese Laundry flats

Citizen watch

I was talking to my sister-in-law, Aleah, earlier today (in preparation for a special post we're putting together, look for it next week!) and it came up that these days, an outfit like this feels like a neon sign to me! There seems to be so much going on, the patterns and shapes and layers- but its really a simple outfit. I think I'm just out of practice after the past few weeks of super simple outfits. Maybe tomorrow I'll go for something a little more low-key. 

Also, can I just say that I love these shoes but man they are not classroom-friendly! I need to do some troubleshooting! Any tips for making flats more comfortable for all-day wear?

Leather Pants

((Alright guys. I'm going to just put this out there- I'm going to be using the phrase "leather pants" a lot in this post. Ok- begin post.))

Last weekend, while browsing the copious clearance section of Nordstrom Rack for an engagement party dress, I found something I'd be searching for for months. Quite possibly for a year. Leather pants. I found real, glorious leather pants for a ridiculous amount. Let's just say, I got them at 87% off and the clouds opened up and the gods of shopping smiled on me. Yes, it's against my capsule rules to shop. No, its not realistic to stick with the rules 100% of the time. Yes, I'm a total enabler.

Anyway, I waited all week for temperatures to dip below 70 degrees so I could give them a try. I wasn't completely sure that I would keep them if they weren't functional on the classroom level. You see, I was scarred slightly by a pair of leather pants I thrifted once... I wore them to a concert and had to completely unbutton and unzip them on the car ride to and fro. So no, not functional. These leather pants though, definitely functional! The whole day I was really self conscious about actually wearing leather pants, especially to teach pre-schoolers in, but it was a normal day. But a normal day in leather pants.

Leather pants.

Ok. Sorry.
(Have you seen this?)

Nordstrom Rack pants (similar), Gap sweater (similar), Loft button up (lovely alternative), Gap loafers (similar in blush)

Quick change

Spring break was to me the equivalent of a tired juggler saying "forgettaboutit" and dropping all their balls and taking a nap. Between work, school, family, and sleeping, it's been an exhausting few months and I enjoyed my break by binge watching my favorite shows (and a new show- has anyone else seen Marco Polo from Netflix??) and hanging out with my family who were in and out of town.

But alas all good things must come to an end, so bright and early I arose to eat before sunrise (just a few more days until the Baha'i new year! That's when the fasting time ends and I celebrate by eating my weight in Persian rice). It is amazing weather today so I felt a bit springy. I wore this thrifted skirt to work, then changed into something a little more comfortable for class tonight.

Ann Taylor button up, thrifted skirt, Lucky Brand flats, Citizen watch

Ann Taylor button up, DIY waxed jeans, Chinese Laundry flats, Citizen watch

Stripes and florals

Here is proof I wear outfits comprised of things other than jeans and ankle boots. With the temperatures for the foreseeable future in the 60's and 70's, this is a look that will be on repeat in some iteration in the coming weeks. I realized as I put this outfit on that this is about as bright and patterned as I'll ever get, and I'm totally ok with that! 

Topshop jacket, Gap shirt, Ann Taylor skirt (thrifted, similar), Lucky Brand flats

Necklace is a gift from my mom, from Kohl's

Floral again

The sun is shining, the wind chimes are chiming, and I am wearing this button up again. I know. Twice in one week- what self-respecting style blogger does that? I'll tell you what kind- the kind that is no longer guilty about being excited to wear something and wearing it. Sure, it might be boring, but man I love this shirt.

Loft button up (seriously on sale. Really really on sale), H&M jeans, Gap ankle boots (similar)

Nordstrom Rack earrings (similar), Citizen Men's watch

Also this is my nail color, Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polish (what a mouthful!) in Malbec. I love that its dark enough to make an impact but when the light catches it, its obvious its not black. Dark plum for spring! I love it. This formula also lasts a long time, which for me means it chips after 2 days instead of 2 hours. Its great for people who do things like wash dishes, peel labels off of things, and live a normal life. Seriously, who are these people who can get a regular manicure and it still looks perfect a week later? Do you not shower?? I mean. Really. What is your secret.

Happy weekend! And happy spring break if this is your week!

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?

Spring Brainstorming

I'm dreaming of spring... Consistently warm temperatures and actually seeing my shins and ankles is far too seductive to ignore. I searched my Pinterest and found some common themes that make me excited for rainy days, blossoms, and that amazing hue new grass has as it pokes up through the ground. Sorry guys, it looks like its going to be a boring spring. Basically, all I want to wear in the coming months is black and white, good jeans, and full skirts. And florals, because spring.

Here is my moodboard for spring... I was a little worried about making a moodboard but then I realized that a moodboard is essentially a glorified collage... And pre-k has that on lock, so I went for it.

I've already done most of my spring shopping, if I'm being honest, and I'll share an update on that in a few days. Somehow I have a very short list for spring. Now I just have to wait 2 weeks to enjoy the boring! (What? Two weeks, Kate? I thought you were changing in April like everyone else who does capsules!) (Yes, good reader, I was, before I made this fancy diagram!)

Florals and Black

Today I went with a thrifted floral top, a black blazer, and my favorite DIY project, waxed jeans. Simple with a little flavor!

Lauren Conrad blazer (sold out, similar), thrifted floral top (similar), waxed jeans (DIY, similar), Gap ankle boots