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

My Style Icon

Since pinterest came into my life, with all its inspiration and addictiveness, I've really been able to use it to hone in my personal style. A few weeks also when I was building my spring inspiration graphic, I went practically back to the beginning of my style board and retraced my steps. At the beginning, I was all over the place. I pinned whatever caught my eye- the color of a dress whose silhouette was totally wrong for my body, an outfit with a great jacket but paired with a skirt much too short for my real life. Steadily I've gotten more and more narrowed down to what I actually wear and want to wear- the colors, pieces, fit, and style in each of the images I pin are actually what I would wear. Minus the heels. Even I can't avoid pins with heels.

Rarely do I find a blogger or celebrity who embodies in almost every photo I can find of them what I want- even the great Olivia Palermo, who I definitely admire, wears stuff that I just don't get. For someone to be my style icon, their style needs to be relatable as well as something to aspire to. I realized last night, after looking over my pins, that Jessica Alba is my style icon. I explored as many of her outfits as I could find on pinterest and I was surprised to see that I loved so many of them. Our body types are similar, so I can wear the same silhouettes as her. Her lifestyle, being a business woman and mother as well as into creative pursuits, gives her opportunities to look mommy chic (jeans, flats, t shirts, sandals, perfectly messy hair) and creative business casual (gorgeous blazers for days, full skirts, simple blouses). I just love her style! It's nice to find someone who I can look to for ideas when I want to kick it up a notch in my own style without stepping outside of what I want to wear.

Here are some of my favorite looks from Jessica Alba:

Can we just? She is flawless!

Social Media for the Win!

Just wanted to let you all know that I've created an instagram account, my_teacherstyle, to join in yet another great community social media has given us space for. I can't wait to connect with everyone!

Subtle Pattern Mixing

This outfit came to me as I was trying to fall asleep after stuffing myself with as many eggs and strawberries as possible before the sun came up (it's the Baha'i fasting period until March 20th) so I like to think that's it's dreamy.

I surprised myself with how much detail there is today, patterns and jewelry? This is rare people!

Nordstrom Rack blazer (similar), Gap shirt (similar), Halogen pants (similar), Gap boots (similar on sale!), scarf from Turkey

With my yummy jacket

Topshop jacket, Target purse (similar)

At glance at the details and accessories

Bulova watch, Old Navy ring

Baublebar earrings 

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?

Red, White, and Cold

This is my first spring capsule outfit, and it's a warm one. It's cold and rainy, so I'm bundled in a warm sweater, chambray, and my trusty red rainboots. I relish any opportunity to rock these rainboots, so that's basically the only exciting part of this nasty wet weather that seems to be going on and on.

This is also the last day of the Baha'i celebration called Ayyam-i-ha, and tomorrow starts the 19 day fasting period. We don't eat or drink from sunrise to sunset, in an effort to detach ourselves from the material world and become closer to God. It's very difficult at times, especially because I'm a huge snacker and my days are long going from work to class. But the whole process is really uplifting. I'm looking forward to it!

Gap sweater (similar), Loft Chambray button up (on sale!), Gap jeans, rainboots (courtesy of my wonderful mom who never made me give these back!) (similar)

Last of Winter

This is my last look from my winter capsule, and I can't say I'll miss it! I learned a lot about my personal sense of style and I can't wait to bring that learning into my spring capsule.

I wore this get-up to celebrate my brother's engagement to my lovely friend and future sister-in-law! I'm so full of joy to be welcoming her into our family!

Ann Taylor button up, Target dress (similar), Zara boots (similar)