High Waist Jeans

Why is it that American Apparel models (or any models) can make certain clothes look amazing?

Even though I know those certain clothes would not look amazing on me?

Case in point:

High Waist Jeans: American Apparel, $72

My brain says: "These are not a good purchase for you.  The waist is way too high for your short-waisted self."

My heart says: "But 98% of the reviewers recommend them!  The reviewers say they are comfortable, flattering, and they even use the word perfect!"

My brain says: "Just, No."

Well, if the AA jeans aren't for you (or me), here are a few other high-waisted options:

7 For All Mankind High Waisted Skinny Jeans, $132

BDG High-Rise Jean, Urban Outfitters: $58

Style Makeover: Classroom Edition

I thought I would show a little bit of my "classroom style" today.

In June, the classrooms get emptied out, cleaned out, and end up pretty barren.
So, I've spent much of my August fixing mine up for the school year.

I'm proud of how it turned out and I'm excited to have it full of my new fourth grade kids.

Here are some before/afters:

Front of Room (Before)

Front of Room (After)
Notice: Curtains, bulletin boards, and white paint.

Back of Room (Before)

Back of Room (After)
Notice: More white paint, more bulletin boards, books.

I will still be tweaking the room a little as the year starts, but for now that's probably most of it.
I'm so thankful to awesome women who helped me out greatly, Mary Kay and Lynn.

I can already tell it will be a great school year!
Now to enjoy sleeping in just a few last days...

Look for Less: Tuxedo Flats

If you are a heels girl, this post might not appeal to you.

I am definitely a ballet-flat girl.  I am almost always in flats unless it's a weekend night and I'm going out.

So, when I started seeing these slipper-looking flats popping up around town, my interest was piqued.

Picture from here

The style of shoe seems very retro to me.  It reminds me of what my mom probably wore to work in the 90's (not in the wild prints though.  More like the print on the far right).

But, they look comfortable to me and perfect for a casual office environment (i.e. my classroom).

I've seen them labeled as smoking flats, smoking slipper flats, tuxedo flats, and ballet loafers.  I'm sure they go by other names as well.  I wonder if the term will become more streamlined as the look becomes more popular?

I can't imagine the term "smoking slipper" sticking around when they make these shoes for children.

Although the leopard print is adorable and the sequined ones are even more adorable, I'm showing basic black here for practical reasons:

1.)

Donald J Pliner 'Denda' Flat, Nordstrom: $198

2.)

STEVEN by Steve Madden Shoes, Valantne Smoking Flats, Macys: $119
I know that looks like a typo: "Valantne", but I swear that's the name of the shoe!

3.)

Mossimo Vianca Tuxedo Flat, Target: $19.99

My extra thoughts: sometimes it's worth paying a little more for shoes if you are someone who plans to stand up for hours on end in them.

Now, I just have to convince myself that the basic black is a smarter choice than those super cute sparkly ones...

P.S.
Check back tomorrow for before and after pictures of my classroom setup!

Black and White Combos

I don't know what it is, but lately I have been just loving black and white combo outfits.

I appreciate bright colors just as much as the next girl, but right now I'm all about black and white.

Here are some favorite picks:

1.) I love this white top with black collar and cuffs.
It would be so cute with skinny black pants or jeans:

Top: Target, $22.99

2.) Necklace-printed dress, love the white band around the waist for a slimming look:

Dress: Dorothy Perkins, $57

Note: In the dress above, the "necklace" is screen printed on.  It is not an attached actual necklace, just fyi.

3.) Black lace and white dress:
(I just can't get enough of lace!)

Lace dress: Asos, $93.67

4.) What better place to look for black and white combo clothes than White House Black Market? Below:

Skirt: White House, Black Market, $79.99

Just in case this wasn't enough black & white for you, Pinterest has plenty of it here!

Flannel for Fall

It feels odd to write this post because it has been seriously hot here these past few days (well, this whole summer actually).

But fall is coming soon, and nothing says fall to me more than cotton flannel plaid-patterned shirts.

Funny how fashion works, because it wasn't too many years ago that I was pleading with my dad to get rid of his collection of plaid flannel shirts.

And now, plaid flannel is a staple of fall for me.

I'm the one wearing flannel in this pic, but I'm pretty sure my dad still wears flannel shirts, regardless of whether it's "in" or not.

For someone (like me) who is almost always too cold, flannel is just a perfect way to feel comfy and cozy without actually wearing a big hoodie around.

Flannel with skinny jeans and heels!
Picture from Pinterest

Here are my picks for this fall:

1.)  Nothing says "warm and cozy" like The North Face.

Flannel shirt,  North Face: $65.00

2.)  A cute flannel from J.Crew factory:

Flannel shirt: J.Crew Factory, $54.50

3.)  Target has this shirt in tons of color combos.  Love it:

Flannel shirt, Target: $17.99

Note: The above shirt is from the Target Juniors section, so it might run a little small.  And is also 100% cotton, so might shrink a little.  Just a heads up.

A final thought from me:
If you want the soft, warm, fuzzy feeling of flannel, you might not get it with one of the many plaid shirts that are out there (like this or this).  Be specific in your search for the flannel material (if it's what you want).

And try not to wear your cute fall flannel until at least some of the leaves are changing color!  When it still feels like summer out, it's probably too soon for flannel.

Tulle Wedding Dresses

I love the look of a slim-fitting bodice with a tulle skirt. (FYI: Tulle is a sheer to semi-sheer net fabric, used mostly for skirts and veils).
Tulle reminds me a little bit of ballerinas, elegant and classic.

I've selected a few favorite wedding dresses made with tulle for today:

1.) Love the beading on top, with a full tulle skirt:

Watters: WTOO Marabella Dress

2.) Love this neckline, paired with a softer tulle skirt:

 

Dress: BHLDN Elysium Gown, $2400.

BLHDN stands for Beholden, and it is the new Anthropologie Wedding Boutique.
I love BHLDN dresses because they are seriously all so unique and different!

3.) A traditional strapless tulle look:

Nordstrom: Theia dress, $1695

4.) A dress inspired by the costume designs from the movie "Mirror Mirror", made with 100 (!) yards of tulle:

Dress: White by Vera Wang at David's Bridal, $1,028.

5.) And last, not only do I love wedding dresses in tulle, I also love babies in tulle!  Some cuties:

Lilac Decadence Tutu: $55

Sweetest Pink Diamond Heart Fancy Crochet Tutu Dress $59.99

I can just tell they love tulle as well.

Look for Less: Colored Denim

Colored denim has been popping up everywhere.  I love the trend, but I haven't yet invested the money to buy any for myself yet.

So today I thought I'd find some colored jeans that aren't going to break the bank, for those of us yet to try the look.

1.) Bright Blue

A girlfriend wore bright blue denim on a girls' night out last spring.  She looked hot, and ever since then it has been my favorite shade for colored jeans:

Colored Jeans: Bleulab at Saks for $194

Colored jeans: American Eagle for $39.99

Kim K. rocking colored jeans at the airport
Picture from USMagazine

2.) Cheery Yellow:

Another cute color that would work either in summer or fall is yellow:

Jeans: Citizens of Humanity at Shopbop for $132.30

Jeans: Pacific Sunwear for $49.50

My thoughts: A good way to ease into this look is to pair it with neutral colors.

A floral top with colored jeans may look pretty on the model, but it can be a bit much for the average girl.

A classic black, white, tan, or gray tee would look great with any of the jeans above.

Have a colorful day!