Summer Fashion: Maxi Dress

Summer is my favorite time of year! While I love shopping for clothes any time of the year, summer clothes are also my favorite to wear. I love racerback tank tops and sun dresses the most. Anything that allows me to get (slowly) tanner and wear my super comfy Rainbow sandals is a big win in my book. This love for summer clothes can be dangerous however. Dangerous for my wallet. Especially if Target has a bajillion cute items at the same time. Oh!
Then it's all over.

Excuse the grainy cell phone picture

I try to show restraint. And by "try" I mean avoid going in the stores with the cute clothes and tell myself I have plenty already and still love them so I don't need more. Well it usually works. But then, there's some adorable, must-have, on-sale summer dress that calls screams my name and I give in. This summer was no different. And the cute clothing item in question this time was this beautiful, coral and gray, chevron striped, racerback, maxi dress. All my favorite things combined into ONE garment! How could I NOT buy it?

So I did! :) I did use a 15% discount mind you because, well, that helped justify it...even though I honestly needed no justifying since I'm not on shopping probation or anything. Once it came, I loved it even more than seeing the picture online! Don't you love it when that happens? For those of you wondering, the dress is from Kohls and is Lauren Conrad brand. My exact dress is no longer available online but you can find similar ones here and here.

One of the things I love about maxi dresses is how versatile they are! With the right shoes and accessories they can be dressed up for a nicer event but with flip flops they are just as good for a casual summer day. Another thing I truly love about them is that it pretty much feels like you are wearing pajamas all day! Soooo comfy. So far I've worn it to my husband's basketball awards banquet, the awards ceremony at school, and my dear friend's bridal shower. I'm planning to wear it to church this Sunday.

What's your go-to summer fashion?
Are there certain aspects (color, print, style) of clothing that make it hard for you to resist?
Do you ever feel the need to justify buying cute clothes even when no one else needs the reasoning but you?

It's Better When...

Monday, Monday

Today was a good Monday.

You know those typical Mondays when you dread going to work, when you get there it's hectic, when you have a huge to-do list for the week, and when you are already looking forward to Friday afternoon?  Well today was kinda not one of those days.

Yes, I still groaned when my husband's (super loud) alarm went off 3 times. Yes, I still made a mile-long list to hopefully tackle this week, and yes I am looking forward to Friday already and our plans for the coming weekend.

BUT....this Monday was better than most because....

...getting out of bed is better when you make a hazelnut latte!

...doing your hair is better when you have a brand new cut and style that you love and feels heatlthy! (and getting many compliments throughout the day doesn't hurt either)

...an outfit is better when you include coral, such as adorable wedges and super fun dangly earrings both gifted from your great mom (not to mention the teal scarf as well!)

 

...teaching is better when you get to collaborate with your awesome team.


...driving home is better when you can roll your window down and open the sunroof!


...folding laundry is better when you watch "Friends" :)



....a house is better when it has a roof!

...working out is better when you have brand new, cute, work-out clothes to make you at least feel like you are fit and athletic when you really are gasping for breath and have terrible foot cramps

...biking for 7 miles at the gym is better when your husband encourages you and pushes you to finish strong during the last 5 minutes.

...chicken is better when you add garlic (a little brown sugar doesn't hurt either!)

...dealing with the politics of teaching is better when you have a husband that gives great inspirational speeches to make you feel better.

...and blogging is better when you have readers and comments!

So tell me, what are a few things that can instantly make YOUR day better?

WTTW #11

I really need to figure out how to get better quality pictures. I am using my DSLR and it's on a high resolution. Maybe using the remote isn't the best option for focusing??? Any tips?

 

Monday

Blue and white striped sweater: birthday present from Shade

Navy bootcut pants: Target

Brown Flats: Target

Tuesday

Olive tie-sweater: birthday present from Shade

White t-shirt: Kohls

Khaki bootcut pants: Hollister

Brown flats: Target

Brown medallion necklace: Christmas present from SamMoon

Crochet headband: Delia's

Wednesday

Light Blue Baby Tee: Shade

Dark Yellow Cardigan: Target

Navy bootcut pants: Target

Gray flats: birthday present from Target

Thursday

Gray sweater dress: made by my mom

Red t-shirt scarf: made by my mom

Black leggings: no clue

Black slouch leather boots: JCPenney

Black belt: WalMart?

Friday

Gray and White striped shirt: American Eagle

Blue infinity scarf: birthday present--no idea

Dark bootcut jeans: American Eagle

Gray flats: birthday present from Target

WTTW #10

I have not posted the past couple weeks because one week I was sick and did not work 3 days (the other days I just wore the comfiest professional clothes I could because I was not feeling great) and then the second week was conferences and Thanksgiving break.

This past week was my first week of full-time teaching. One of the other Kindergarten teachers has started her maternity leave and I am now teaching both AM and PM classes. It definitely keeps me busy.

Here is what I wore this past week:

 Monday

Blue sweater: Birthday present from Shade

Navy blue bootcut pants: Target

Black flats: DSW

Blue necklace: Christmas present from SamMoon

Tuesday

White t-shirt: Kohls

Jean Jacket: WalMart

Maxi skirt: Birthday present

Brown flats: Target

Necklace: Christmas present from SamMoon

Wednesday

White t-shirt: Kohls

Blue sweater: present from Costco

Khaki bootcut pants: American Eagle

Black Flats: DSW

Thursday

Pink shirt dress: WalMart
Long black sweater: JCPenney
Black slouchy boots: JCPenney

Friday

Yellow sweater and belt: WalMart

Skinny jeans: American Eagle

Brown leather boots: Murdoch's

WTTW #6

Monday

Green baby-tee: ModBod from Costco

Oatmeal cardigan: American Eagle

Black bootcut pants: American Eagle

Black Flats: DSW

Tuesday

(hubby came home from a 5-day business trip, so I dress up a little :)

Blue and white pin-strip button-up--JCPenney

Black Pencil Skirt--Target

Gray MaryJane heels: Target

Wednesday

Floral top: Target

Khaki bootcut pants: American Eagle

Brown flats: Target

Thursday

Red baby tee: Kohls

Jean Jacket: WalMart

Floral Skirt: sewn by my mom

Brown flats: Target

Friday

 

Gray baby tee: Shade

Green  3/4 sleeve cardigan: Target

Brown bootcut pants: American Eagle

Brown flats: Target

WTTW #5

Monday

 Gray Babe Tee: Shade

Black Boyfriend Sweater: JC Penney

Jean Skirt: Target

Black Boots: JCPenney

Scarf: made in Israel, gift from a friend

Tuesday: Field Trip to a Farm

Plaid Flannel button-up: Target

Straight Jeans: JC Penney

Polka dot boots: Costco

Wednesday

White t-shirt: Kohls

Coral Cardigan: BP from Nordstrom

Khaki bootcut pants: Hollister

Sandals: Target

Necklace: SamMoon

Thursday

Dark Coral Sweater: Target

Blue bootcut pants: Target

Brown flats: Target

Friday

Blue Baby tee: Shade

Navy open-face cardigan: Costco

Khaki bootcut pants: American Eagle

Brown flats: Target

Necklace: SamMoon

WTTW #4

 Monday

 Floral button-up shirt: JCPenney

Brown bootcut pants: American Eagle

Brown flats: Target

 Tuesday

Yellow Baby Tee: Shade 

Gray 1/2 sleeve jacket: a college friend was getting rid of it

Blue floral skirt: my mom made it

Sandals: Rainbows

 Wednesday

 Gray Baby Tee: Shade

Blue cardigan: Target

Black bootcut pants: American Eagle

Black Flats: DSW

Thursday

Light Blue Babe Tee: Shade

Gray and white striped hoodie cardigan: Target

Blue bootcut pants: Target

Brown flats: Target

Only 4 outfits this week...no school on Friday! Woo hoo! My husband and I are using the long weekend to go to Seattle to visit friends and go to the Carrie Underwood concert!

WTTW #3

Monday

Red Tshirt: Kohls

Yellow Cardigan: Target

Floral Skirt: homemade by my Mom

Oxford Heels: JCPenney

Blue flower hair clip: Bridesmaid gift from a wedding I was in last summer.

I would like to pause here to thank and commend my talent mother! She sews so many great things! I am so blessed to be one of the recipients of her quilts, purses, aprons, and skirts! I love everything she makes because it is made just for me with lots of love!

As you will notice, I had to switch to taking my pictures inside. I worked full days for most of this week and when I got home it was already dark outside.

 Tuesday

 Pink t-shirt: ModBod from Costco

Open-front gray "sweater": Forever 21

Jean Skirt: a shopping center in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. I can't remember what store.

Sandals: Target

Wednesday

 Charcoal shirt dress: Target (Christmas gift from my parents)

Black belt: Target (also Christmas gift from my parents)

Black Flats: DSW

Thursday

 Today was Open House night so I wanted to look a bit more dressed up for meeting all the parents.

Cardigan: Bass Outlet

White T-shirt: Kohls

Gray dress pants: Kohls

Black flats: DSW

Friday

Aqua/Green Paisley Shirt: WalMart

Capris: JCPenney

Sandals: Rainbows

What The Teacher Wore #2

Monday

Red Baby Tee: Shade 

Black Cardigan: Target

Black Bootcut Trouser Pant: American Eagle

Black Flats: DSW (I think, Chinese Laundry brand)

Tuesday

Crochet headband: Delia's

Green Gingham button-up shirt: Shade 

Brown Belt: came with a different shirt from WalMart

Denim Skirt: Target (I think, I have had that skirt for about 8 years so I can' remember)

Sandals: Target

Wednesday

 Light Blue Baby Tee: Shade (same tee from Wednesday last week)

Coral cardigan: BP at Nordstrom

Khaki bootcut pants: Hollister

Brown Flats: Target

Necklace: JCPenney (I think)

 Thursday

Picture Day at School!

Blue Baby Tee: Shade 

Black pencil skirt: Target

Gray Mary Jane heels: Target 

Faux Pearl necklace: SamMoon

 Friday

 Green Baby Tee: Shade

Khaki Capris: JCPenney

Sandals: Rainbows

Necklace: SamMoon

New Series!

I have decided to start a new series in my blog. This series will be called What The Teacher Wore or WTTW. I would like to post weekly for this series so we shall see out it goes. Since I developed this idea on Wednesday, I only have 3 days of outfits to show you.

One thing I enjoy about having a job is that I actually get to get dressed and try to look cute each day. When I wasn't working this spring and summer, I wore yoga pants, shorts and a tank top, or honestly my pj's. I have LOTS of clothes and I love to shop, so having a job is nice in that I have a reason to wear them every day!

So here is the first of many "fashion" series for my blog. I used quotations because I don't call myself or assume I am a fashionista. I also don't spend a ton of money or buy many brand names. I hope to give some good ideas of ways to pair different items, but you certainly don't have to take my word for it!

Wednesday

 Cardigan: Target

Baby Tee: Shade

Pants: Target

Flats: Target

Necklace/earrings: Sam Moon

Thursday

 Jean Jacket: WalMart

3/4 sleeve white tee: Target

Maxi Skirt: WalMart

Sandals: Target

Friday 

Baby Tee: Shade

Slouchy vest: Forever 21

Capris: JCPenney

Sandals: Target

Let me know if you have any tips/suggestions of other items to pair with things you see.