A 2-for-1 Sweet n' Chic Deal!

Mondays are busy days now and I did not get to post yesterday, now with school, commuting, figuring out dinner, and Bible study. But fear not!  We did snap some shots of yesterday's attire so today dear readers I give you 2 days of sweet n' chic style rolled into one!

Monday:

Top: 3 Sisters Boutique 

Top made by Esley which does not allow non-merchants to access their site so...I've never seen anything like this shirt anywhere else and it's one of my favorites because it's so cute and unique from every angle...sorry I don't have a similar for you.

Pants: LOFT (similar)

Shoes: Old Navy (similar, similar)

Tuesday:

Top: Francesca's (similar, similar)

Cami: White House Black Market (any standard black cami will do)

Pants: LOFT (similar, similar)

Shoes: Old Navy

Necklace: similar 

(Seriously, these necklaces are on Etsy and eBay all over...just type in whatever color, J Crew Bubble necklace and BOOM!)

As you can see, color has been on my brain and I've ditched the dots...for now.  ; )

Hope the start of the week has been treating you well!

Sweet n' Chic Maxi Style + PR

As promised, I DID NOT do dots for Friday!  I LOVE this maxi I bought from LOFT last spring such a great easy piece for work or play.

 

Top: Old Navy

Cami: Target (color not available online)

Skirt: LOFT (similar)

Scarf: Craft Fair Artisan

Sandals: Target (color no longer available)

Earrings: similar

In other news, let's talk about Project Runway!  Now this episode's challenge was not my favorite...athletic wear...blegh.

I can't believe who won...AGAIN!  REALLY?!?!?!  It's all because of Nina...that's really the name of the game...appeal to Nina and you win.  It's disgusting really.  This whole season Kate has always been the one to put the most thought and detail in her garments, and I still have her slated to win.  She totally had this challenge in the bag and I don't know what those judges are thinking.

This was the winning look and ONLY because of the jacket that Nina was obsessed with...the shirt underneath was poorly made...it was an after thought.

The look that SHOULD have won!

Annnd here we have the poopy pant again...really????? Who could work out in those pants?!?!?! And HEIDI LOVED THEM!  Oh and might I add they come with the "pleasure me pockets," as Michael Kors so discretely put it.

Doing Dots Still

OK, I promise I won't do dots again tomorrow.  Well at least I will try not to!  

Also, it is TBT and ALL of these pieces are pieces I have had in my closet for at least a year.

Top: J Crew Factory (similar, similar)

Skirt: Halogen (Nordstrom Rack) (similar)

Shoes: TOMS (similar)

Necklace: Body Central (similar)

Earrings and Watch: Gifts

Seeing Red

So the reds reappeared today as well.  I guess we know what colors I'm feeling this season!  And now that I think of it...those dots showed their cute selves again as well.  I'm still not over polka-dots!

I bought this skirt a month or so ago and have been DYING to wear it!  But it was just too business-y for me to pull it off over the summer.  In fact I pretty much just lived in shorts and T's this summer...thus there weren't as many fashion posts.  The white shirt I just bought this weekend at Old Navy, having tried another white button up on at Old Navy I almost purchased that one when I saw this one hanging on the rack and liked it better...but I didn't try it on...it turned out WAY baggy-er than I expected, so it doesn't create quite the sleek look I was going for but I still got quite a few compliments today even though the shirt made me feel a little like a bag lady.

Forgive the horrible lighting/scenery, errands and dinner kept us from taking these photos before dark, so we took them in my poorly lit house...

These are the shoes I wore to school.  I was amazed the number of people who commented that they had no idea TOMS made wedges!  Yes ladies...TOMS has adorable wedges!

Reflecting on today as a teacher, I think day 2 went even better than day 1, and just as stylish as ever!  Happy Hump Day friends!

Top: Old Navy

Cami: Target

Skirt: J Crew Factory (no longer available)

Shoes: TOMS (similar)

Purse: LOFT (no longer available)

Bracelets: 1 similar, 2 similar

Back in Style

WOAH!  Was it REALLY the first day of school today?!  Did that REALLY just happen?

Yes, readers, this morning I greeted 31 smiling sixth grade faces, and over the course of the day worked with my 93 total students I'll be seeing for language arts every day.  I cannot believe this day has already arrived.  It was a great first day that flew by, and by the end of it all I felt like I had accomplished nothing even though I know it's not true.  We labeled folders and notebooks, stashed extra supplies, and discussed various procedures and expectations.  By the time I told my students to pack up for dismissal several of them said, "It's time to go home already?"  I guess that's a good thing.

Anyway enough about first day jitters, let's take a look at my back to school style.  I went on a little Labor Day shopping spree the day before with a LOFT rewards card in hand and some great sales at Old Navy.  Typically I would go with a dress or pencil skirt for the first day, but these red pants were calling to me, and ummmmm maybe the fact that I didn't feel like shaving had something to do with it.  Yes, fashion/beauty laziness at it's finest.  Is that bad?

 

What look did you rock for the big first day?

Top: LOFT

Pants: LOFT

Shoes: Target (similar, similar)

Bracelets: Groopdealz (1 similar, 2 similar)

Project Runway - WHAT?! + NOT Glamping

First off, my apologies for the delay in this post.  I just couldn't get it off the ground before heading to work on Friday and then I was out camping with the hubs and some friends for the weekend.

Gosh, I can't believe we're down to the Top 10 now!

OK, keyword for this episode is WHAT?!

First of all, this week's episode was based on another one of girls' best friends, SHOES!!! Say what?!  WOOT!  I was majorly pumped! (pun intended)

It was so fun to see what shoes each designer picked, and how they styled them.  I think I would have died if I had been in that room of shoes!

I was shocked this week by who won, and who wasn't even recognized!  I think the judges got some things WAY wrong this week.

I try really hard to avoid spoilers so this week's post is quite a challenge.  I ABSOLUTELY DISAGREE with the winner of this week, in fact I found the design incredibly boring.  But what do I know?

I was NOT impressed with Dom's look this week and found it more on the juvenile side...again.

 

I'm so glad Justin did just fine this week, but man I LOVED his outfit, and totally thought he deserved more attention for it.  I think I'm just going to give him a shout out here!  WAY TO GO JUSTIN! I mean LOOK at the way those shoes POP!!!

 

Now Kate, THOSE SHOES!!!  They were a perfectly bold choice!  Loved her outfit although I thought the pants kind of looked weird when the model walked the way they pulled under the crotch.

 

On a different note camping this weekend was an experience.  I was pretty pumped to be going, and I knew my husband was uber excited to go on an outdoor adventure.  We went up to Cherry Springs State Park in PA with some friends.  It has a reputation for being one of the best places on the east coast for star-gazing.  Well...let's start with what turned into a 7.5 hour drive (crawl for the most part in traffic) in a topless jeep with NO AC the sun beating down on us and the heat from the engine blowing on our feet = recipe for MISERABLE!  We got to camp around 10:30 and set up in the dark, ate a few s'mores, stared at stars for a bit then went to sleep.  The next day was spent napping and eating mostly because it rained all day long....and all night.  Up early and back on the road this morning...this drive wasn't as bad, but boy was I glad to return to AC and to get a shower.  This was NOT Glamping ladies and gents.  I repeat, NOT GLAMPING!

Oh well...one more day of freedom left and then I get a class full of sweet youngsters.

PR and First Dates!

Lot's to talk about today and I'm too excited about them to split it up over different posts, so bear with me.

Let's start with the usual Project Runway recap and analysis.  Last night I had to catch up on last week's episode plus watch the new episode (last week BSB took precedence over PR....sorry).  I won't waste a whole lot of time talking about last week since I'm sure most of us have moved on, but I will say LOVED Jeremy's outfit, and yup, Sue needed to go.

This week's episode I absolutely LOVED!  First of all, I told my husband that "Glamping," was definitely the type of camping I would do with him anytime.  I asked if we could plan a glamping trip of our own...he was not enthusiastic.  My husband would rather camp Bear Grylls style in complete survival mode, and hopes to one day be on his new "Get Out Alive," show....I said "you have fun with that, I will not be accompanying you for that journey."  Does that make me a horrible wife?

I adored Jeremy's dress this week, and quite frankly Alexandria's outfit was pretty cool, however, I am still NOT a believer in the "poopy pant."  I do think that the judges got it WAY wrong this week in terms of who should go home, and SPOILER ALERT, THANK YOU TIM GUN!!!!!!!  I have LOVED Justin this whole season just because he's so darn sweet and funny, and I actually really LOVED the idea he tried to execute...it was a big beautiful risk, that unfortunately went all sorts of wrong once it got to the runway.  This week, I cried, I ACTUALLY CRIED!!!  At Project Runway for gosh sakes! Anyone who knows me knows I cry at most movies and such but crying for Project Runway...I have sunk to a new low. And then Tim Gun saved the day and EVERYONE (ALL the other cast members) commended him for his decision and said it was the right one.  So who should have gone home...?  As much as I had kind of been pulling for him in the beginning, Ken, that dress was WACK and UGLY to boot!  No woman would ever feel feminine or sexy in those colors or with all that stuff on top flattening, and yet still bulking her chest out (if that even makes sense?). Annnd I'm starting to feel like in these last two episodes Ken has become the new Sandro....am I alone in this?  ANYONE?  Drop the drama kiddo and just focus on making clothing.

 Alexandria's Winning Design from last night.

Jeremy's Stunning Love Letter of a Dress

Justin's Neat Glue Gun Lace Design that sort of fell apart in the end.

Ken...really?

In other news, I went on a first date last night!

Gotta have my pink elephants!

I made poor Corey get a box down from up high in the garage that had these shoes stored in it.  They were the perfect shoe choice though!  I got tons of compliments on them the minute I showed up which made me feel confident and opened the door for conversation.  Thanks a ton babe, you're the best!

Has anyone ever joined groups on Meetup.com?  Well if you know me you know, that since I returned to my new home with my husband, I have been going out of my mind this summer because I have been sitting at home by myself all day while he's been off at work.  We moved here in June, and I don't have any friends in this area, so I've been going a little crazy.  Hence the HUGE need for my Girl-cation last week.  We've been working on finding a church home in the area in hopes of developing a sense of community that way, but up until this past weekend we hadn't been successful with that.  Anyway, a few weeks ago I got on Meetup.com where various groups of people with different interests start groups and host events as a way for people in their communities with the same interests to come together and meet and make new friends.  So I joined a women's social group in my community and last night I attended my first event.  They hosted a happy hour at the local Firebird's restaurant.  I was SO nervous!  I told my husband I felt like I was going on a first date...his response, "You kind of are."  Good news is this gave me a great excuse to dress up!  (Since I've just been by myself at home most of the summer I've been in shorts and t-shirts...hence the lack of fashion posts recently.)  And other great news, I had a really good time!  I won't say that I made any super deep connections, but I had the pleasure of sitting and having a drink with some really neat ladies that I might not have otherwise spoken with.  I got to hear their stories and learn of all their cool travels, and one lady went to the last NY Fashion Week and got to see the Project Runway shows, AND had a picture of Michael Kors from Fashion Week on her phone!  Ummmm HELLO AWESOME!  I thoroughly enjoyed myself.  The drinks were delicious, the price was right, and the company was wonderful.  I only wished I could have had the chance to chat with others who were there, there were about 20 of us who attended, but the tables only seated 4 so we were a little spread out and sort of limited as to who we could comfortably chat with (without screaming across the room lol). I definitely plan on attending more events, and hope to get to know more of these fun ladies!

And FINALLY, surprise #6 I think...

This bench was given to us by my mother two weeks ago.  It was super rusty and all the white paint was chipping off.  Funny story is, Corey and I had actually looked at the same bench a few weeks prior, but it was out of our budget.  Mom had no idea we had even seen the bench before, but when she pulled it out of the van, I was like..."Hey, where'd you get that? We've been looking at one of those!" It was the exact same bench!  Anyway, this past week, Corey sanded out the rust and painted it pretty!  

Now we just need to have a cushion made for it and we're ready to enjoy it! 

Blouse: GAP (Pink elephant pattern not available online)
Necklace: Gift
Jeans: Lucky Brand
Shoes: Target (old) similar/similar/similar
Purse: LOFT (old)
Bracelet 1: GroopDealz (similar)
Bracelet 2: Gift (similar)
Sunglasses: Target
Watch: Citizen Eco (gift)