making work clothes work

The final count down of summer!
I go back to work on Monday and will get my actual students the following Monday.

During this time I mope around the house and try to lift my spirits by heavily drinking shopping for new work pieces and going through my closet trying on every pencil and tulip skirt that I own.

If you know me- you understand that my work wardrobe consists of fitted skirts and extra high heels. I actually went and counted for you that don't see me in my work realm. I own 19 skirts composed of pencils and tulips- that is almost enough for an entire month! Luckily I have been collecting these since college. I love the fact that a well structured skirt will always be in style.

Now what you do with that skirt is where it counts.

urban outfitters $38

blue and cream $228

Personally I like to wear my skirts with a much more casual light t-shirt or top. I think it takes that serious edge off the skirt and makes it seem more youthful and fun.
Otherwise you could run into the possibility of looking like an 80's power queen in a skirt suite with those square toes loafers or mules...not so cool.

steve madden $89

Last school year I loved grabbing whatever color of platform (hidden/or not) slightly rounded toe stilettos from my closet to pair with my skirts. I felt it just dressed up the outfit enough to pull off the t-shirt or top of choice. I ll always go back to my staple stiletto but I decided to accept a new option:

After much coaxing and convincing myself- I decided you can wear the last year booties and newer sling back high heeled clogs with skirts. In fact, I love it. I would gladly take any of these shoes with a fitted skirt or even a trouser

enigma $56

topshop $160

steve madden $150

carvela

The last few days I started looking at some of my favorite places/brands like modcloth, urban outfitters, asos, topshop, anthrologie and noticed a vintage feel and bright colors on several of their skirts. What a nice change over the same old grey black or blue today question I ask myself every morning.

asos $27

harmony lane $169

urban outfitters $140

asos $20

Skirts are my essential work attire. They say serious but with a hint of sexy. You can play them up or down and accessorize them with just about any style. Have fun and stay fashionable with your work gear. Black pants and button downs are too predictable.

What's your essential work attire?

Love,
Ashley

ps this my feeble second attempt at posting this since my lovely daughter decided to delete all just as I was publishing. ahh one of the many joys ;)

head turning toddlers

I made a to-do list for my summer since I am a school teacher and try to take full advantage of my few months off. Number four on the list was start my blog. I only have four days of summer left and I haven't even accomplished 1-3 which are
#1 frame an adorable but obnoxiously sized 20X30 photo by the amazing Meegan of my baby girl from her first year portrait

I'll refer to her as Aces because that is how she pronounced her name until just recently.

#2 organize my closet.  All I have done is organized my shoes and dropped off the dry cleaning.

#3 paint and sand table and chairs we picked up off craigslist for my mothers day present.  and that leaves me with #4 start blog...

Normally my post will be about baking but every now and then I will throw in some fashion, my wish lists, home projects, family life, and work life.

Today it is fashion because I do not have the portable hard drive with all my baking photos with me.

Caution to reader- by no means am I a writer. Despite the fact I am a Latin teacher this has no affect/effect (I always get them mixed up) on my writing ability. You see I am a 27 year old with a severe case of ADD. I type how I think. All over the place and hardly in complete sentences. So keep with me folks :)

Everyone who has kids has said this at least once- I wish they had this in my size. Aces (nickname for my almost 2 year old daughter) is such the fashionista. She wears clothes that I would wear. I try to stay away from the carters look. Not that I am hating on carters. Carters is completely appropriate for babies but I can only stand butterflies and teddy bears on clothes up to so many months.  Sorry if I have offended anyone on the first post.

Anyhow. We went to the Ft Worth zoo a few weeks ago. I live in Texas. It is just a "little" hot here. Key to surviving any outdoor event is shade, sleeveless, and looser fitting clothes. 

gymboree outlet find

I am not always a big fan of gymboree. It is a hit or miss. Sometimes they have fantastic finds other times it is too baby for me. I need to think of a term for this... Both the top and shorts were on a huge sale. I think I paid 20 dollars for the entire outfit.
Oh for the record I am cheap. Real cheap. I talk myself out of purchases from the dollar store. No lie. I love designer looks and try to mimic them at affordable prices (more on that another time). 

Well back to the topic of post. This outfit meets the essential of texas survival. Light weight and colored shorts and a sleeveless flowing top.

 I love the look of these modern sailor shorts with fun colors. The buttons with the ruffles just make me melt. Little extra details really make a simple piece all the more special.

The tank top is one of my favorite colors periwinkle. It has equally amazing ruffle sags on both front and back. 

nota bene - Color is always in style. The brighter the better. If you fear it try it in accessories or pair  nude shoes with a bright dress.

I decided to pair this with metallic accessories because it would play well off the cool colors of the outfit.

You can,  I repeat, you can mix your metallics. I didn't here but do not be afraid to do

She is wearing a simple and comfortable pair of gold ballerina flats from Shoe Mart (shoe store next to Sam Moon) and a gold headband with a faux leather floral embellishment from Old Navy. I heart you old navy toddler line. 

Does she not look too cute. Do you not want to wear this exact same outfit? I thought so...

Well the baby is in bed calling me to watch a free movie on demand.  Had me at free ;)

Rule for the evening- toddlers can be just as cool and take fashion cues from the runway or your own closet.

Love 

Ashley