Trouser Power

I love a good trouser. They make me feel powerful, tall, and professional. The cut of the trouser is great on a variety of people, and they can make your legs look like they're going on for miles. This cream colored trouser is great because it's so versatile and are long enough to be worn with heels. If you're having a hard time feeling like the ruler of your classroom, or if you just want a little power in that walk, try a pair of these. I swear, it works!

Cream trouser: The Limited--can't remember price

Black short sleeve shirt: Old Navy $6.00

Leopard infinity scarf: Charlotte Russe Outlet $9.00

Mint pumps: Marshalls $20.00 on sale

Short Dress Fix

To all you clothes hoarders out there (guilty), perk up your ears and listen--I have another reason to hold on to some clothing items!

Have you ever been temporarily delusional in thinking that a dress is appropriate when it's not, or were so blinded by the great price, that you just buy it without trying it on? (guilty again) This Old Navy "shirt dress" below was so cheap and so cute on the rack that I just bought it in a moment of glee without trying it on. I guess they meant it when they said shirt dress, because this dress was literally like a shirt. The underlining is shorter than the top sheer lining and it's really just not appropriate for work or church...or ever. So, I decided to belt it, and I ended up liking the results! I would also wear this with white skinny jeans if it was chillier.

Polka dot shirt dress: Old Navy $6.00

White shorts: Old Nacy $8.00

Turquoise skinny belt: www.shopacutabove.com $7.00

Bow front nude flats: TJ Maxx $10.00 on sale

Think {bright} pink!

I found this lightweight sweater at J.Crew one day, and I love how bright and cheery it is! I like the way the blazer off-sets the bright pink color and adds a little structure to the look since I didn't tuck the sweater in. The outfit was definitely lacking a waistline without the blazer. I paired it with a white pencil skirt from Banana Republic and a three-strand mint necklace from Charlotte Russe outlet. I had to add the bright pink Kate Spade bangle for a little fun arm candy. :)

Bright pink sweater: J.Crew $10.00 on sale

Khaki blazer: F21 $25.00

White pencil skirt: Banana Republic outlet $12.00

Taupe pumps: Target $14.00 on sale

Enamel bow earrings: Kate Spade--gift

Pink and gold spade bangle: Kate Spade--gift

Neutrals {with a pop of color}

I love these trends I've been seeing of either white on white, or white with beige or tan. I love neutrals just as much as I love some color, so I did head-to-toe neutrals with this tie front blouse from the cutest boutique ever (www.shopacutabove.com), white skinny jeans, and a leopard clutch/wallet thingy (you all know the ones in Target). I decided to pair it with these fun mint Jessica Simpson pumps I got for Easter, and it definitely elongated the outfit. I felt like I needed a little elongating, since white and light tones can make you feel a little chubbsier than dark colors. 

Tie-front blouse: www.shopacutabove.com 

(not available anymore, but go check out her other stuff!!)

White skinny jeans: Target $13.00 on sale

Leopard clutch: Target $4.00 on sale

Mint shoes: Marshall's $20.00 on sale

Pink stud earring: Kate Spade $12.00

Ikat and Gold

It's Memorial Day weekend, and I love this time of year! It's been stormy here, so the weather has cooled down a bit. I decided to go with summary colors, but stay a little covered to keep off the chill. This shirt is in an ikat print of turquoise and white with cute little gold buttons. It's more of a flowy tunic and I love it because it's light, but can keep wind chill away. It could be belted, but because I have skinny jeans on, I decided to just let it flow. I liked the gold compliment for the white, so I went with gold accessories, and gold Kino flip flops that my husband got me for Christmas. For those of you who don't know, Kinos are made only in the Florida Keys and are super comfortable because they have a more squishy bottom than a flat flip flop. They are also a great alternative to Jack Rogers, coming in at a much cheaper price of about $13-20.

Ikat printed tunic: Marshall's $15.00

White skinny jeans: Target $13.00 on sale

Gold flip flop: www.kinosandals.com $16.00

Michael Kors watch: Gift

Linked bracelet: J.Crew $18.00

Teacher Appreciation Week Bonus

When I first got my teacher I.D, the only power I thought I possessed was being able to tell kids that they were late to class or needed to stop throwing food in the lunch room.

Wrong.

That little I.D holds purchasing power. Almost every women's retailer and some mixed retailers (J.Crew, Banana Republic) give a teacher's discount. So, if you're no longer a student, but still want those discounts, just become a teacher! Just kidding. That's a terrible reason to become a teacher. Either way, my friend and I went to LOFT because they were having extra percentages off for teacher appreciation week, and that's how I snagged this yellow beauty of a skirt. This thing is majorly bright, but it's fun and can make you look tanner than you really are--what could be wrong with that?!

White ruffled tank: Old Navy--super old, can't remember price

Piped navy blazer: $15.00 Marshall's

Yellow skirt: LOFT $15.00 on sale

Brown and gold sandal: Target $8.00 on sale

Sunday Best

This outfit is just a mix of some of my favorite color combinations. I just love khaki and white together, and the coral/turquoise combo with my shoes and bag are another favorite color combo of mine. I wore that ruffled shirt on a West Wing tour of the White House, so I always feel snazzy when I wear it!

Ralph Lauren white ruffled button down shirt: Marshall's $14.00 on sale

Khaki skirt: Target $9.00 on sale

Calvin Klein coral wedges: Marshall's $15.00 on sale

Turquoise patent bag: Kate Spade--gift