I Wish...

Dress: Ruche / Sweater, Bracelet: F21 / Shoes: Endless.com (C. Label) / Belt: Consigned at Periwinkle / Watch: Gift (Fossil) / Tights: We Love Colors / Earrings, Purse: Gabes (Monet)

I wish I could wake up early and feel energized enough to go running. I wish I could come home right after work, flop on the bed with the Husband and Hound, enjoy a quick nap with the breeze floating in, wake up refreshed and ready to make a healthy meal, dine out on the deck, then spend the evening reading, relaxing with the Husband, and crafting { ha, like I know how to craft...but I do have hobbies, you know...or I used to, at least } until time for a candlelit bath and then bed.

But I can't. Because it's cold outside and running, warm breezes, and dining outside don't work too well in the cold. And because since I'm utterly exhausted from school and always stay late, we're more likely to have something frozen or quick to eat anyway. And instead of having fun or relaxing in the evenings, I spend them grading papers and planning lessons. Because I'm a first year teacher for the 3rd time. And I teach 5 different classes, 180 different students, and all levels.

Also, I'm not some pampered elf like Liv Tyler's pre-Aragorn { the Husband made me add that part } character from Lord of the Rings. Why didn't anyone tell me I couldn't be her when I grew up, living in the land of waterfalls and bliss?

P.S. In case any magical genies are out there reading this, I also wish that Hounds didn't shed. Just sayin'.

P.P.S.  Sorry for the gripe-fest. Sometimes I get overwhelmed. But then I wake up to scenes like this, with golden light illuminating the fog-shrouded mountain across the lake, and remember how lucky I really am. 

Don't mind our Hound cover on the sofa, with the pile of pillows underneath so she can prop up and enjoy the view.  

Sometimes I just need to step back and enjoy the view myself. Profite du jour*!

Linked up to G-Rated's Sunday Best again and The Pleated Poppy's What I Wore!

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*Profite du jour = Seize the day 

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Thanks to Ruche for featuring this outfit on Ruche's Style File!

Mixed Prints: Yes, Another 30x30 Interlude

 Dress: B Moss / Top: F21 / Scarf: Charlotte Russe / Shoes: J Crew final sale ($15!) / Bracelet, Earrings: Gabes / Bangles: AE

HOW is it time for another EBEW already? C'est pas possible!* I've done a measly three posts since the last one. I can't wait to get this 30x30 behind me. It's actually finished; I just haven't finished posting it. Because the Europe posts take for-ev-a. And I'm trying to get my house in order and take care of things at home, since I've been away most of the summer. Piles of classroom clutter litters my floor as I type. I'm pretending it's not there.

So, down to business. I've been voting for color blocking the past few months and was disappointed it still hasn't won {seriously, how did it not beat yellow? I love yellow and all...but still.} I really just want it to win because it's something I've yet to blog. I've done mixed prints. Or maybe I just want an excuse to buy one of those super cute color blocked dresses out there...

Either way, I embraced defeat and pulled out this old printed wrap dress, threw a stripey shirt and flowery scarf on top and a dotted slip underneath, and bada bing. Loads of mixed prints, all in one outfit. Yet my favorite part is the solid shoes. Extra 40% off of final sale and free shipping with no min. Thank you, J Crew for making my summer. I stuck with a color theme to pull my outfit together, but now I'm wishing I'd been brave enough {or had clothes cool enough} to try something like this.

P.S. By tomorrow I'd like to have ready my posts for Outfit 12 at the Villa Carlotta and 13 at the 50s-style Cuccaro Club in Italy. But there's a plane ticket with my name on it heading East bright and early tomorrow, so we'll see. I'm spending a week with my family and attending my first class reunion. Remember this dress? Well, I won it. And found some more cost efficient coral shoes and lipstick to go with it. Can't wait to try it out:)

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C'est pas possible =  short for Ce n'est pas possible = It's not possible!

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Awkward and Awesome Thursday: Sailor Stripes

  Tank & Earrings: J Crew final sale / Blazer: H&M / Pants &Scarf: AE / Wellies: Hunter via Bloomingdales gift card

Awkward / Maladroit* :

- The fact that it snowed on June 1st. Just going to throw that out there. It's more maddening than awkward. 
- Getting yelled at by a random jogger, literally screaming from shore for us to get off the rock bridge we were on, fascinated and giggling like kids by the way the waves went under it then crashed into a blow hole by the shore, spraying water way into the air.
- Continuing to happily dance in the wave spray while said jogger screams at us. We finally heard him over the roar of the waves. Apparently, sneaker waves can wipe out people on the bridge, and some have died . You'd think they'd post a sign!
- People shaking their heads at us while we leave, quite abashedly, only to return a few minutes later with a camera and dry clothes to take photos in front of the blow hole instead. Shameless, yet spellbound.

Awesome / Génial*:

- My double striped fashion risk. I'm calling it awesome. It could be awkward. I felt like a rebellious sailor. First double dots, now double stripes. Maybe one day I'll be daring enough to pair dots and stripes.
- The fact that I found these skinny cords for $15 at AE. Yay, sales and fab deals!
- The fact that dizzying cliffs + huge waves + sea rocks to climb upon = a very happy Husband.  It's like his own personal crack, people. And we encountered lots of it on our trip :)
- That he takes a flurry of photos in his high, which is good for my blog. He was all, "Oh, this is a cool spot. Right here. Climb this craggy rock. Now, pose on the edge of this cliff. A little closer to the edge; you can't tell how high it is. Be sure to balance inwards." Oh why? Because it's like a way scary drop into treacherous waves and I'm the worst swimmer ever? Yeah, that's why.

- This person's house. So green with envy right now.

- Kyllo's crab cakes with garlic mash, crab melt, and hazelnut bleu cheese salad. Oooh, miam miam*!

- And last, but not least, the Pacific Northwest Coast! We just love it.

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*Maladroit = Awkward; Génial = Awesome; Miam miam = Yum yum / Nom nom!

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Floral Edge

  Silk skirt: Gabes (Express) /Top: F21 / Shoes: Zappos (Blowfish) / Necklace: Gabes (1928) / Bracelet: NY & Co / Earrings: AE / Belt: Ruche

I'm love, love, loving the floral trend this spring. When I came across this charming little laundry room, I suddenly knew just what to pair with that silk skirt I snagged for $12 years ago but rarely wore because I didn't know how to dress it. I went with more traditional floral looks here and here, so for Everybody, Everywear's floral challenge, I decided an edgier look was in order. I think my edgy attempt worked. After our little photo shoot on the mountain, the Husband and I went shopping and our cashier commented that we didn't look like we were from around here. I suppose I did stick out a bit in this ranch town. These wedges put me at 6". We asked him to guess where we came from and he said, "It'd have to be California." Ha! So very far off, my friend. I love it.

Meanwhile, if you've ever thought of investing in those derrière-enhancing pads { I once had a housemate while living in FL that did...}, I suggest you try a circle skirt with a bit o' wind instead.  It can even give you that perfect 1860s backside poof without the hassle of bustles, hoops, and petticoats. Quelle bonne affaire!*

P.S. The Husband's decided since he's going to be my personal photographer, he's going to direct as well. He insisted I make a fool of myself on this rock, saying in his worst French accent, "make love to zee cam-air-uh." Oh là là*...

Au revoir!

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*Quelle bonne affaire! = What a deal! ; Oh là là = Oh my

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