In the Rain

The rain this week has been so completely amazing. From misty afternoons to midnight rumbles to downright downpours... Seriously I love rain. Not going to be mad when the sun comes out though!

Gap sweater (similar), Mango button up, Gap jeans (similar), rainboot from ma

Target (top and bottom) and Kohl's (middle)

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

Summer Rain

This sweater is another item I wanted to test run after snagging it in a sale last week. I've been looking for a good gray thick knit cardigan for the fall and Gap had one for a reasonable price so I went for it. I actually bought two of them for sizing purposes- a reviewer mentioned that the cardigan can be a little boxy, and she went to the maternity section and found that the maternity version is a little longer, but fits just as well. I ordered the XS/S in maternity and the M/L in regular and decided the maternity one actually fit better, I kept it for future cozy sweater enjoyment. 

Gap sweater, Target tank top (similar), Gap jeans, awesome rainboots from my mom

I think I want to replace this tank- I just don't like jersey, it doesn't seem weighty enough. I was thinking of replacing it with this one from Loft (I know- I might be slightly addicted) but I need to try it on. Anyway, I'm still working on my list of summer wants, hopefully I can fanangle all of my wants out of my budget!

Teacher-wear

"Kate- describe a typical teacher outfit."
"This."

This outfit reflects to me decades of teacher style- pleated midi skirt (somehow popular again), button up (also popular again?), and loafers (how are all these things popular again). If I hopped in a time machine to the 50's I would not be completely out of place, any more than I am now.

Mango button up, thrifted midi skirt (similar), Gap loafers (similar on sale), thrifted belt, 

Citizen watch

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

Easy Blush and Black

If someone asked me to describe my style  uniform- what I could wear every day in any situation and feel fresh and ready for anything, this would be it. Loose button up, skinny pants, and flats. I could wear a variation of this until I die and be satisfied! It's easy and versatile. Add a cardigan or scarf and it's winter ready. Roll up the sleeves and undo a few buttons and I'm good for summer. Definitely my go-to combination when I'm not interested in thinking about my outfit.

Loft button up, DIY waxed jeans (similar), Gap loafers (similar, on sale!), Citizen watch, H&M necklace

What's your go-to uniform? Let me know!

Monday again?

Is it really Monday? Already? Even with the 3-day weekend, Monday snuck up on me.

I replaced my black and white Gap striped tee this weekend. I stained my hard won shirt with black shoe polish and through various attempts to clean it, I ended up putting holes in it. Oh well! I'll enjoy this gray and white option from Banana Republic until I finally find the perfect black and white striped tee. It's a little more weekend than work wear, but my style for work is pretty relaxed anyway. 

Nordstrom Rack blazer (similar), Banana Republic shirt, Gap slacks (similar), Gap loafers (similar in blush, on sale!), Citizen watch

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)

White and Plum

This week is off to a good start. The weather is fresh, recess is enjoyable again, and my assignment for an integrated lesson plan is off to a great start. I'm working on a lesson for 3rd graders combining the TEKs (Texas standards) for landforms and using art to express ideas, and it is so exciting! My hands were actually trembling writing about students creating imaginary lands and making a map of the landforms using all different materials. I guess that's how I know I'm in the right profession?

This outfit was actually too warm for me yesterday, I was shocked! I took my sweater off for most of the day and was still overheating, especially hauling my backpack across campus.

Mango button up, thrifted Nordstrom Rack pants, Gap ankle boots

Forever 21 necklace (top), Nordstrom Rack necklace (bottom) 

It's so hard to get a shot with these pants where you can really see the pattern, it's a pity because in person they're really lovely! 

With the Boys

This cloudy Saturday I spent the day hanging out with my brothers, so naturally I went for my equivalent of a t shirt and jeans- a slouchy sweater and some cool waxed jeans. After a Starbucks trip and burgers for lunch, I was glad to have some give in my waist area!

Gap sweater (similar from the boys!), DIY waxed jeans (similar crazy on sale), Topshop jacket, Chinese Laundry flats, Nine West purse (similar)

I recently got this crossbody purse at Steinmart (this place is new to me, like a TJ Maxx for old ladies) and I love it- its brighter than what I would usually consider, but I liked the white for spring. My last crossbody bag bit the dust while I was wandering with E in Paris in December after only 6 months of light use, hopefully this one will be a little more hardy!

Also I cut my hair... I'm now attempting the lob after convincing myself I'd be happier with something lighter and easier to style than my long wavy hairstyle I had before. I have lots of inspiration on my beauty board on Pinterest. Check it out, maybe you'll be convinced too!

Happy weekend ya'll!

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

Pleats

This dress was a last minute thrift find. I was killing time in Texas Thrift (giant, but somehow usually devoid of anything worthwhile) and I as I was leaving, I happened upon this dress on the dressing room reject rack. I loved its retro vibe and its simplicity. I don't usually go for pleats but something about this dress made me feel cool and unique, a little like I just popped into Zara for a little black dress.

In the summer I wore this with simple black ankle strap sandals and a little bright purse but I struggled to transition it into fall and winter, which surprised me because it layers well. Maybe it looks a little weird with ankle boots? Regardless, I'm glad I included it in my spring capsule.

Because of the rain this afternoon I had to switch from the loafers to my trusty red rainboots, which was fine. I don't mind break up all the black and white happening lately!  

Thrifted dress,  Loft button up (sold out, lovely alternative), Gap loafers (similar in blush), thrifted necklace

Easy

Another ice day means cozy at home. Which was interrupted by thinking I had class today so I promptly got ready to go into the cold and slush. I didn't mind so much if it meant wearing something comfy and relaxed.

Gap sweater (similar), Gap jeans, Gap ankle boots, scarf from Israel

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?

Failed Monochrome

This morning I woke up feeling as gray as the sky so I intended to go all gray- sweater, skirt, and boots. When I peaked outside, however, I saw the gray sky I was channeling was also spitting some sleety icey stuff. So that immediately disqualified my gray suede boots for use today. So I went for a bichromatic look rather than all monochrome. This is after the roller-coaster weather veered up to a pleasant 45°. I'm looking forward to some consistency!

Gap Factory sweater, Banana Republic skirt (thrifted, similar on sale!), Zara riding boots (similar)

Berry Cold

So my pants are berry colored and it's berrrrry cold today... Harharhar... Sorry, its essentially Monday.

I realize that this sweater is my go to for the coldest days, but this week and next seem to be full of them! I'll have to be a little more creative. There's only so many ways to wear a huge turtleneck and riding boots.

Gap Factory sweater, Old Navy turtleneck, Target pants (similar), Zara boots (similar)

Oversized Stripes

I'll be real- it was nearly impossible to get out of bed today. A long day of work and class is not exactly inspiring, so I relied on one of the few pieces of sparkle I have in my jewelry box to brighten my day. I got this necklace on eBay after reading posts from other bloggers who have found awesome statement necklaces for like a dollar. I scoured for weeks- I wanted the right colors to be as wearable as possible, I wanted sparkle but not too distracting, and I wanted the perfect size. When I finally got my shamefully cheap necklace, I realized that this necklace was none of those things. The colors are fine, but the gray is a little weird. The sparkle is so flashy. But the biggest issue is... This necklace is giant. Like, unwearably so. This is the only outfit I can wear this bauble with, I'm trying to both match the gray and hide the majority of the sparkle- but I'll be darned if it isn't a charming combination.

Gap sweater (similar), Loft chambray shirt (on sale!), Mango jeans, Gap ankle boots, 

Necklace from eBay 

Playing catch up

This week has been madness! I'm so glad to finally be catching a break after rushing home from a cancelled class to see E before he went to work. I'm trying to catch up on my outfits, its been busy enough so far that I haven't been home when its light enough to get a decent shot!

Lauren Conrad blazer (similar), thrifted button up, Mango jeans, Gap loafers (similar)

 Old Navy turtleneck, Mango skinny jeans, Chinese Laundry flats

Joe Fresh button up (similar, super on sale and lovely), thrifted sheath dress (similar), 

Gap ankle boots

I love this dress! I hadn't originally put it in my capsule for this season but I added it back after missing it and day dreaming about looking like a 40's secretary going to a funeral. I love this length but it was killing me on campus going up and down the stairs! 

Hope the rest of the week is a little more laid back for everyone!

Gray and Blush for a gray day

This time of year usually gives me the blues- it's cold and gray, sometimes my expectations for the holidays are unfulfilled (I have three holidays this month- Valentine's Day, the Baha'i celebration called Ayyamiha, and my birthday which  I consider a holiday!), and spring still seems so far off.

But this year the usual feelings are absent, I'm feeling more positive than I expected. Hopefully it'll carry me right into spring!

Target cardigan (similar), Loft button up (on sale!!!), Banana Republic skirt (thrifted, similar), Gap ankle boot (similar), H&M necklace (old, couldn't find similar)

Sorry I'm a little glowly in this- I forgot to turn off HDR!

Gray and plum, bundled

Today is the first day of my morning crossing guard duty, and a sublime 25° dawn greeted me as I marched to the sidewalk, wrapped in so much clothing I could have been a walking rack of winter accessories. Under all those coats, scarves, hats, and gloves was this outfit. Believe it or not, even though I have leggings and extra layers under the sweater, I was still a popsicle when I went back to class. The kids looked at me like I was an abominal snow woman, although they would hardly know what snow is! Last week we discussed the seasons and what comes with them, it was hard to convince them that the 75° weather was in fact happening during winter.

Gap factory sweater, Halogen pants (thrifted, similar), Zara riding boots (old, similar)

I love the texture of these pants! The color is perfect for any season!