Another Day, Another Hustle

Quilted Dress (40% off and feels like a sweatshirt!!)  // Shoes // Purse: Kate Spade (old but shop more options below) // Necklace: Forever 21 (old but here's something similar on mega sale) // Sunglasses: Prada (similar)

It's pretty hard to follow up on my last blog post. I have no great bombs to drop at the current moment so hopefully you guys will settle for a fun wall, a cool dress that happens to be on sale for 40% off, and a few of my worries.

This wall say "another day, another hustle. It really struck a chord with me with our upcoming move. I cannot tell you how many times a day I say the word hustle to my students. It's even funnier when I heard them say it to each other to help their table mates get on task. 

After my 10+ years of teaching in inner city Chicago public schools, I will welcome the break as much as I will miss the babes I teach. I truly love what I do, an pour my heart into it which leaves me exhausted, emotionally drained, and with a heavy heart. It's impossible to fix all the problems in my students lives, but I take it very seriously to provide them with a place where they can feel safe and loved in my class daily. A place that pushes them to be better human beings. That is something that is hard to leave, and even harder to take away mid year. I'm working on my guilt.

This wall also reminded me how every day of my life has been a hustle for more years than I can remember. Even before college I worked through high school. During college I took a full course load and worked 5 jobs! Yes, 5! I've never been good at relaxing, stopping, or taking a break. I tend to create fullness and activity whenever a break presents itself.

 This adjustment will be interesting. With this move I know my life will slow down, and I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to that but also a little nervous. I do not have a new teaching job lined up and don't plan to get one probably till next school year (or if I get really bored). I will be working on building our home, discovering new workouts, making new friends (if you know someone cool I should meet out there, tag them on my Instagram or in the comments below),  and just plain exploring!

I'm mostly just excited to see where this opportunity takes me. I will finally have some time to work on my blog and work more with my Jill of all Trades clients, and hopefully some fun new SLC clients!

Thanks to Samantha for the Photos and company!

Shop the post here!

Big Flare Don't Care

Top (on sale for $9! // Jeans (c/o LOFT) // Booties // Purse (c/o Shopbop) // Lips

Photos by Lauren

You guys, flares are BACK! One of my favorite stores, LOFT, sent me over this pair to try out and I was instantly transported to my highschool days. I also forgot how insanely long flare jeans make your legs look too! Nice bonus.

After I got over the shock of the time hop, I realized that these pants were pretty useful pants indeed. They almost look like tailored work pants, especially if you pair them with a nicer button down top. I could even get away with wearing this dark wash to work! 

Have you tried the flare trend yet? Will you go for a dark wash like these or a lighter wash?

Shop some of my favorites here

River Walk on Date Night with LOFT

Dress and belt: c/o Loft // Sandals: Old Navy // Earrings: H&M // Sunglasses: eBay // Purse: Rebecca Minkoff "Jules" Satchel c/o Shopbop

This LOFT off-the-shoulder dress is pretty much the perfect summer date dress. It's light weight, and easy to wear and the french hen print adds a touch of fun!  Overall I felt pretty glamourous in it, which is why I wore it for our 15 year anniversary dinner date. While I was getting ready for dinner, my husband walked in the room and told me, "by the way, we aren't staying here (at home) tonight". If you saw my post here, you know exactly where we stayed, and boy was it fantastic. 

The first step in having a great date night is feeling your best, and LOFT helped me do just that. A few weeks back I had the opportunity to shop and chat with LOFT's style director Amanda Kraemer at the Michigan Avenue store. We walked around for all of about 20 seconds before she picked this super on-trend off-the-shoulder dress and swore it would look perfect on me. She was totally right. I didn't even need to try anything else on, I was hooked. She was also wearing this very belt and I just had to add it on as the finishing detail! It's been getting a ton of use with my jeans and shorts so far this summer!

LOFT always has great summer pieces at super affordable prices, this dress being a prime example ringing in at under $100! Shop some of my current favorites below!

Goop Pop-Up Shop Opening

Dress: Asos // Bag: Rebecca Minkoff "Jules" satchel  c/o Shopbop// Heels: Ann Taylor // Sunglasses: Prada (similar) // Bracelet: Banana Republic Outlet (old) // Jacket: Loft (on sale) // Scarf: Loft (my favorite! On sale now!)

If you haven't heard of Goop before, well It's time you have. Created by Gwyneth Paltrow, this site brings you all the best recommendations on shopping, food, travel and pretty much just life itself! I was lucky enough to come get a pre-opening glimpse inside the beautifully decorated Pop-up shop in Chicago and be treated to a gorgeous breakfast at the Waldorf!

If these pictures prove anything, It's that I'm terrible at getting posts up in a timely fashion because I was walking past the Waldorf Astoria Hotel yesterday, which is where the Goop pop-up shop was located, and it's already gone! That was fast. All the collections can still be found here on Goop's site! I'm enjoying one of these candles right now that you can pick up on Goop too! Enjoy!

Photos by Lauren of Lake Shore Lady

LOFT Flippy Skirt with OTK Boots

Skirt: LOFT // Sweater: Target (bogo 50% off all women's clothing) // OTK boots: Chinese Laundry // Faux-Fur Stole: Boohoo // Bag: Mad Style // Necklace: J. Crew

I'm a huge fan of LOFT and their Flippy skirt. It's the only short skirt that I own that doesn't make me feel too scandalous. It's also a super comfy and fun shape. I have to tell you that I own 3 now, and they are perfect for work with tights and boots or flats when this stinkin' cold finally goes away for good.

LOFT Spring 2015 Look Book

This week I've been focusing on brands that I love. LOFT is yet another one. In the last few years I've found so many great pieces from LOFT. It's my go-to for comfortable pieces for work that look professional, yet feel comfy like weekend clothes.

Recently I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at the entire Spring 2015 lookbook and boy, was I impressed.

Enjoy the eye candy that follows and let's hope for consistent spring temps!

Shop the line here now.