My Standard

This, I would have to say, is a pretty standard teachery outfit. I even wore this sweater last year for school picture day! 

Sweater: Madewell

Button-up: J. Crew

Necklace and watch: Charming Charlies

Skirt: Corduroy #2 pencil skirt J. Crew

Tights: DKNY

Boots: Vince Camuto (Fivvy)

Bold Stripes

I must confess, I'm a terrible nighttime dresser. I consider myself much better at putting together work outfits than going-out outfits. 

Whenever my husband and I go out for a date, I always go straight for the maxi skirt. It's a comfy classic that works for pretty much any occasion. It can be dressed up or down or somewhere in between, which is were I landed with this ensemble.

 This time I paired my black Express maxi skirt with my first ever StyleMint purchase, this bold stripy top. I gotta say, it think I liked this top better before I saw the pictures of it. Maybe it was just really windy, maybe because it's so bright against the night setting, but man did this shirt not seem to photograph well! 

What do you guys think? Is it a winner or does it look a little crazy? 

Also My husband thinks I look like a DJ in this first photo. I'm sure he would appreciate some support in the comments below! 

Skirt: Express, Top: StyleMint, Necklace: Charming Charlies, Fringed boots: Forever 21, Purse, Aldo Outlet, Earrings: Francesca's,  Lips Sephora Rouge shine #46 SoulMate (on the blog here)

Rosy

Long ago I was a silver girl, then for the past 4 years I was a yellow gold lover. Now that yellow gold has taken over nearly all my accessories, I'm trying to incorporate more silver and rose gold. These rose gold mirrored heels from Nine West were a great start. H&M has some really great rose gold options right now too.

On a weather-related note, I really wanted to wear something that wasn't a tank top or a sleeveless dress. I want some layering weather, darn it! Even Sunday was a treat, at 80 degrees, so comfortable and breezy... seriously it was so welcomed! I even slept with my windows open for the first time in a long time (only to be awoken the next morning to a crazy man banging on a pole yelling "I'm not crazy".... oh, but you are sir).  My hair, silk blouses and pants are all sick of this weather!

 Silk blouse: J Crew, Shorts: Target, Mirrored heels: Nine West here and here, Rose gold watch: Charming Charlie's, Bullet bracelet: Ebay, Rose gold Link/Enamel bracelet: H&M, Sparkly bangle Nordstrom, Pearly bangle: Vintage. Bib necklace: Forever 21, Nails: Essie on 8 fingers: Orange, it's obvious and on the other 2: Tart Deco

Playing on the Tracks

I would just like to say that I am not a fan of the Metra. It's like the bizarro world of transportation. I expect the crazies on the El, but for some reason I feel that a train on the way to the burbs should be full of quiet tired folks commuting back home after a hard day's work in the city. Yet every time I ride, I get the creepy Axl Rose looking dude drinking a 40 who really wants to strike up a conversation with me, or the shirtless guy just hanging out like it's nothing out of the ordinary. Then there are the people who want to eat the world's funkiest smelling meals and stink up the whole train! Is it just me? Are they following me? Seriously!?

Anyway...the whole reason I even needed to rush out the door over to Union Station was to meet my husband out in Schaumburg to shave a few hours of rush hour traffic off our trip to run the Swift Water race in Nekoosa, Wisconsin. My husband ran the 5mile and I did the 2mile. Yay us!

Did I mention I hate running? Did I mention I coach a girls running team? Yep, that's all true. So why do I do all this? I have this policy on things I hate, that I also know are good for me. I force myself to do them. The whole reason I hate them is because they are hard or uncomfortable. But that's where the most change always seems to happen in my life, so in the end they are usually the most worth-while things I do. I feel that way about a few things off the top of my head; running, camping, Bikram yoga, packing for just one night away, and writing lesson plans for school. I still do them all, some more than others, and I think I am a better off because of it. 

How about you? What  do you feel that way about?

 Striped tank on sale now for $15: Old Navy, Shorts: H&M, Silver Flats (if you are a size 8 that's all that's left, but they are on crazy sale): Zara, Necklace: Forever 21 (old), Black and silver Bracelet: Forever 21, Sunglasses: Target, Earrings: TopShop, Lips: Smashbox-Fuchsia Flash, Watch: Charming Charlies

These flats allow me to still appreciate the neon pink toes.

 

 Two-tone watch and silver bracelet saving me from my lack of non-gold jewelry

May not be a Santorini sunset yet (we will be going in spring), but it sure was nice to watch in the car.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Movie Night

Ahhh, where to begin. I had such a great weekend! I spend more time with my husband  than I have in a long time and we didn't have to drive anywhere!

Of course there were a few fun events that didn't involve him like the girls outing to see Magic Mike. Yeah I saw it... It was like Coyote Ugly with dudes. Over all it was pretty funny, but I won't go as far as saying it was good.

Also there was the Randolph Street Market Saturday which was filled with so many vintage goodies, and the weather totally perfect to walk around the outdoor area! Pictures of that and the rest of the weekend coming soon!

So I guess I'll begin with Friday at the movies. I would like it to be known that I rode my bike to this and as a result...helmet hair, but hey look at that view behind me! That's distracting, right?

Top: Forever 21, Vest: Zara (similar and cheap) I cut off the shoulder flaps, Silk shorts: Nordstrom BP, Silver slingback wedges: Sole Society Austin, Bag: Coach vintage Willis in British Tan, Watch: Michael Kors, Bracelet: Charming Charlies