Color Blocked, Finally

Dress: Consigned at Periwinkle / Skirt underneath: Charlotte Russe ($5!) / Shoes, Jewelry: Gabes / Belt: Thrifted

Um, I missed this month's Everybody, Everywear. And it was...are you ready for it? Color blocking. Yes, color blocking. The very trend I've been nominating and voting for for over a year, to no avail. Then it's finally chosen the one month I'm not paying any attention because of vacation. And just before I left for vacation, I found this color blocked dress at a local consignment shop for just a few dollars, wore it to school, and photographed it. It would have been so perfect. 

So here it is, my color blocked dress. What I love about this dress is that it's a bit too short. In the past, that would've stopped me cold. But I didn't flinch when thinking about throwing on this black skirt underneath, and voilà, the length works, and I've added a third block of color. Smack. Down.

I also love that it has pockets. Pockets on a skirt or dress are like whipped cream on hot berry pie. It just makes sense.

Turbin Time

Pants: F21 / SS Top: Gap clearance / 3/4S Top: Shade / Boots: MIA / Scarf: AE / Bracelets, Belt: J Crew final sale / Bag:: TJ Maxx

F21 is my favorite place for fast fashion. I found these pants for under $20 on sale. They're sold out online, but they have these adorable printed ones in a darker, but similar color.

I think the Husband was a bit embarrassed by today's head attire. I told him that was a prime example of reason #4859 for why we should move to a big city. Or at least close to a metropolitan area. There, my nifty scarf-turned-turbin trick probably wouldn't even merit a second glance. He may not be sold, but I am in l-o-v-e. I couldn't get my bangs to behave very nicely today, and this scarf whipped them right into place { which was out of sight, of course. }

This evening we went for a little stroll between the marsh and the lake. This is, quite possibly, the Hound's favorite spot for a stroll. It's replete with critter-holes. Her head disappears into the most interesting holes, and when her tail starts to wag wildly, you can bet the digging will start next. She gets so excited she starts tearing away mounds of dirt with her mouth and flinging it aside, at which point I insist she be pulled away { and by pulled, I mean picked up and hauled off, while she fights desperately for release.} I won't have her tearing up any homes. One of my favorite childhood stories was about a chipmunk family that had a network of tunnels leading to their home under a chestnut tree. I'm certain it was a true story. Autobiography, maybe.

Then the Husband decided we needed some artsy photos with the pretty sky. So here are my artsy poses.

When you can't see the tail of the scarf, it kind of resembles a helmet, doesn't it?  Eh, oh well. 

Ciao!

Today I Was Pi-ed.

 Dress: Asos clearance / Sweater: Gabes / Shoes: 6pm / Belts: H&M / Necklace: Bluefly clearance / Watch: Fossil

Happy Pi Day.

I had my students write Piakus and Pi Limericks.

Then I was chosen to have a pie thrown in my face. A real pie, not a pi, unfortunately.

I thought for sure I was in the clear. The students bought raffle tickets and put their name and the name of the teacher they wanted to pie on it. Three were to be drawn. All day students were telling me that I had the most tickets, so I knew my chances weren't looking good.

#1 wasn't me. I gleefully high-fived the teacher who had the 2nd most number of tickets.

Then she got drawn for #2. I may have snickered a bit.

The kids noticed. When teacher #1 got drawn again to be teacher #3, suddenly everyone was chanting to make me teacher #3 instead.

I put on my very best sad face.

 Me? Surely you don't mean me!

When that didn't work, I threatened, "essays for everyone!"

Are you sure about this? You really wanna mess with me? *wags finger*

They weren't buying it. Before I knew it, I had a trash bag over my head, and a pie in my face. Then a bunch of students shouting, "look here!" with their phones. And then the lady from the paper came over to get the correct spelling of my name. Apparently, my pie-face turned out the best photo.

This is what my hair and face looks like after wiping off a bunch of whipped cream and letting it get all sticky for a good few hours.

Clearly, this is what happens when you dedicate an entire day to math. Now, whose idea was that, and when will we have a day to celebrate spoonerisms? A spoons tournament would be fun, no? Though I don't know that spooning ought to be encouraged...no, not for drama-thriving, PDA-loving teenagers. Perhaps puns, instead. Yes, puns with buns. We could make sticky buns. Or hot cross buns! Who wants to start it?

{ Pardon the geeking out, SVP* ...and excuse the lack of pie-face photos. I'm sure I'll be getting some soon. }

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*SVP = s'il vous plaît = please

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Courtesy of the Husband: Cassi with a pie in her face
{ Gotta love the fluorescent lighting. Also, I'm pretty sure every kid in the school has my picture on their phone now...Lovely.}

One Year Later...

 Top: Ruche / Dress: Old Navy clearance / Skinnies: F21 / Shoes: Blowfish / Belt: J Crew final sale / Necklace: Secondhand Brighton / Bracelets: J Crew final sale / Watch: Fossil / Earrings: DC Street Market

My one year blogiversary came and went and I didn't even notice.

I guess that's about on par with how my first year of blogging panned out. Sometimes my life is just too busy to keep up with consistent blogging.

I've got mixed feelings about this little landmark. While blogging is certainly fun, and I still stand by my initial reasons for starting a style blog, there are a few downsides.

Like, I need a budget. Shh...Let's keep that from the Husband, shall we? Do you see that Ruche top and those Blowfish shoes up there? I didn't even know those shops existed till I got sucked into the fashion blog world. Though I'm sure glad I know them now...

And thrifting. Boy, is it fun. But it's not an excuse to buy everything fab item you see just because it's a ridiculously good deal. That's a tough lesson to master. So saith she who just returned from a trip to Portland where she hit up Value Village, both Buffalo Exchanges, and 2 Goodwills...

And I've pulled far too many late-nighters for this blog than I really ought to have done. For example, it's 1:49 a.m. and I'm desperately trying to fit in this post after a long weekend in Portland and before EBEW tomorrow morning. Oh yea, and before going to work, too. Those pesky "real jobs"-- mustn't forget about them...

Also, pretty much everything Jentine says here. She states it all so well.

Sometimes I feel just a little bit like the last kid left on the playground, waiting to be picked or labeled "cool." I don't know why I let blogging do that to me. It's a blog, and I'm an adult now. But every once in awhile, I'll see other bloggers who've just reached their year mark, and they've got over a THOUSAND followers and are celebrating with a fab giveaway {or ten} from one of multiple sponsors. Or maybe they're like Jentine and got 68 comments on their one-year post. Then I look at my stats and feel like slinking into some dark corner, hiding my face, and pretending like I never tried to be a real style blogger, after-all. Denial is so much easier to accept than failure...

But then I remember that I didn't do this for stats. And I don't advertise my blog, like, at all. I don't ask people to follow me, and I don't follow people so that they'll follow me back. I've no time for that. Besides, I didn't do this to be a business. I did this for me. Because it's fun. And I certainly didn't fail at having fun. Non, pas du tout.*

Isn't it fitting/ironic that this post would fall on the day that Everybody, Everywear does a "Green with Envy" theme. Oh, little green monster. I officially karate chop you out of my life.

Hi-Yah!

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*Non, pas du tout = No, not at all -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Copycat Fashion

Dress: Romy ($7!) / Cardi: Old Navy / Shoes: Target / Necklace: F21 / Bracelets: J Crew final sale / Watch: Fossil

That's right, I got this dress for $7. Romy { not online-- sorry } pretty much always has some sort of amazing sale going on. I may even have gotten it in the next size up. It would make a perfect maternity dress when the time comes, no?

Last Friday, when I was supposed to be checking the weather for our holiday trip to the coast, I came across this cute little blog, two birds, and their "Inspiration Monday" feature. Today's feature was to be this classy casual outfit, which I just recently pinned, by SJP, one of my style favorites.

 Image

I don't know why the thought to copycat the fabulous outfit didn't occur till a challenge was issued forth. { Could someone please challenge me to a house-cleaning contest? } I already had the perfect dress and cardigan in similar colors. But then I remembered that the cardi was currently on display at a local consignment shop. So Saturday morning, on our way out of town, I stopped by. As luck would have it, it was still there. And just like that, new life was given to a cardigan I almost traded in, and I had a new favorite spring outfit. The Husband loves it when I shop my closet for new outfits.

I thought I'd have to photograph it indoors, what with all the rain we were supposed to get, but fortunately the weatherman was wrong again. It didn't rain till we left today. We enjoyed sunshine and relative warmth all whilst exploring from Brookings up to Port Orford. The little cottage we rented in Nesika Beach offered a lovely view from atop a bluff overlooking the ocean. There's something oddly relaxing about staying in someone else's house. There's also something about having an ocean-front view on a bluff. Which means no one will be walking past your windows, so it's okay to walk around in your unders with the curtains open.

P.S. Despite the empire waist, and my maternity talk up there, I promise I'm not preggo here. Any bumpage is a combination of wind and the morning's oatmeal with cream, berries, almonds, and brown sugar.  No baby.

*Pas encore.

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*Pas encore = Not yet

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Valentine's Date Night

Blouse: Vintage Oleg Cassini / Tank: Thrifted LOFT / Skirt: Express clearance ($13!) / Purse: Express via Gabes / Faux Fur Coat: Consigned at Periwinkle / Shoes: 6pm (TCP) / Watch: Fossil / Bracelets, Belt: J Crew final sale / Earrings: AE

After a few years together, date nights start to blend in with the norm { Yea. It happens...}  This is especially true when you live in the middle of nowhere and your husband rarely consents to ice-skating, which is the only fun feature your town offers. So for Valentine's this year, I put together few fun little date nights...

1. Make some peanut-butter play-dough-- mix PB, confectioner's sugar, dry milk, and honey-- and check out what's new on your favorite funny site. I Can Haz Cheezburger, Failblog, People of Walmart, or one of Ryan Gosling's many "Hey Girl" memes are all valid options { I like the Literary and Feminist versions, but dang. Handmade and Silicone Valley Ryan are a riot. } Use your play-dough to sculpt some of the funnier pictures for pictionary. Then eat them.

2. Take your Hound { any medium dog will do } to the playground. Put her in a kiddie swing and swing her. Pretend not to notice the staring parents of real kids. Then put your Hound down the slide. Clap with glee. Praise her vociferously. And don't forget to snap lots of pictures. Then stop suddenly and race each other to the car. Pick up some fro-yo on the way home and laugh wildly at the pics.

3. Pull a mattress or memory-foam topper in front of the television, make a fort, light a bunch of candles, and watch a favorite movie. Take turns giving massages and camp out for the night. Or for a month, if you're like us.

4. Teach your man how to apply your makeup. Let him make up categories and have his fun. Then have him teach you how to tie a tie. Bonus points for strapping him to the bed.

5. Play Blackjack. Strip Blackjack. You deal. Heh-heh.

Testing has proven these to be quite agreeable :)

 Joyeuse Saint-Valentin!



P.S. In honor of St. Valentine, it's Red Day over at Bloggers do it Better and Red & Pink Day over at Everybody, Everywear. Red & pink and I are bffs already, in case you didn't know. We went to school together today { and to church on Sunday-- I can't take outdoor photos on winter school days.}

We also went to school together yesterday and we went to a party this past weekend.

At Christmastime we attended an imaginary soirée together, and last summer we frolicked in a field.

We've even gone to the coast together.

{And tonight we're gonna play #5 with the Husband.}

It's getting serious. 

P.S. Express is having one of their "Take an extra 40% off clearance" sales right now! Could make a fun V-Day gift to yourself. Just sayin'!

Can colors take over your life?

Tank: Thrifted LOFT / Blazer: UO / Skirt: Gabes / Boots: Ugg / Scarf: Asos / Belt: J Crew final sale / Bracelets: DC Street Market, Brighton via Ebay / Watch: Fossil

Yesterday I said I'd planned this outfit to wear to school today, but I woke up to a bunch of drippy wet snow and just wasn't feeling it. So I came up with yet another red and pink outfit.  I've no idea why I feel this is something I have to explain, nor why I felt I had to post pictures of what I really wore. Especially after 10 hours at school. Maybe it's because I have a weird sense that red and pink are taking over my life. Turns out,  I really did wear it every day up to Valentine's.

In other news, I finally received true affirmation of my fashion sense this past week. My blog is henceforth affirmed. In two little words, Miss Sydney here expressed everything one needs to know about Uggs. I still shudder to think about my college days when everyone was wearing them with black leggings.

I did, however, fall victim to their more sensible boots. Like ones that are not only warmly lined but also waterproof with a stylish shape. These have become my snow-day go-to for work. They're perfect for tromping through the snow {  the Husband has this thing where he doesn't believe in shoveling the walk unless we can't get out the front door. I can't blame him. I have a thing where I don't believe in doing laundry till we're out of underwear. }

P. S. After years of experimenting with baby powder, All-Nighter Powder, and every other affordable trick for second day hair, I finally found Suave's spray dry shampoo. It is pure fabulousness in a can. Do you see my second-day hair up there? I've never been able to wear my hair down the day after washing it. This morning I rolled out of bed, sprayed my hair, ran my fingers through it, and went to school. It took all of 2 minutes. Finally, I can guiltlessly snag a few extra minutes of shut-eye and get up feeling like a rock star rather than a grease monkey. Fantastique!

Pre-Gaming for Cupid

Dress:  B. Moss / Blouse: Old Navy / Shoes: Ross / Earrings: Gabes (1928) / Silk Scarf: Consigned at Periwinkle / Tights, Bracelets: J Crew final sale / Watch: Fossil / Flowers: Bunco prize!

Valentine's is one of those holidays for which I like to sufficiently pre-game. The entire week leading up to the big day, I wear nothing but red and pink and make all of my food into the shape of hearts. I even make heart shaped Hound-treats. I dress our bed with pink sheets and a red quilt and leave candy hearts on the pillow. I "heart attack" all of my friends { including the ones out East-- impressive, huh? } and I make the Husband watch every Valentine's movie known to man with me. We listen to nothing but love songs in the car and at home.

Just kidding.I don't really do any of those things. I realize I did write an ode to herbal tea in my last post, but I promise I'm not really crazy :)

HOWEVER, I did get sucked into wearing red and pink a few times this year. I planned to go all rebellious with my new tangerine tango blazer over red, but that didn't quite work out as I planned. In classic Cassi style, I sabotaged myself right outta that one.

It all began during our staff meeting last week, when we found out that the meeting we have scheduled for after school tomorrow, the day before V-day, would be recorded. My principal eyed me warily and said I should spill what I intended to wear so I wouldn't show everyone up { I have this thing with dressing fancy, in case you haven't noticed...} I feigned astonishment and cheekily replied that I wear red and pink every day leading up to Valentines, of course. Before I knew it, it was agreed that we'd all wear red and pink.

Then we had our church's Valentine's party this weekend, so I decided to try out the outfit you see above, which I plan to wear to school tomorrow. I mostly wanted to test drive that head-scarf, to see if I can pull off what Kristine makes look so brilliantly effortless.

What do you think? Sorry about the random flowers. They were so pretty and matched so perfectly I couldn't resist...

Then Everybody, Everywear voted on the red and pink combo for their February edition, which happens to fall on Valentine's { I was pushing for faux fur...I just consigned a new coat for $4! } so I'll be decked out in yet another red and pink outfit on Tuesday. 

Looks like my tangerine blazer will just have to attend avec impatience*!

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*attend avec impatience = wait patiently

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Editor's Note: Evidence that red and pink is still going strong!

Edelweiss on the Coast

 Dress: Edelweiss by Sarah Give-Away Win / Shoes: Asos / Earrings: 1928 / Bracelet & Necklace: J Crew / Purse: Nine West

Above, I present my real-live window shopping style board, brought to fruition courtesy of my Edelweiss by Sarah win. That's right- I said win. Though I'm pretty sure this was the climax of my streak, after winning a necklace and Bunco 7 times in the past year { yes, I won again last month... I'm not sure how this is happening nor why they still invite me. Probably because I woo them with  fancy foods.}

And below, mesdames et messieurs, you have my extravagant take.  Minus the $22,000 earrings from Barney's, of course. I'm not that lucky.

  Dress: Edelweiss by Sarah win / Shoes: Chinese Laundry / Necklace & Bracelet: J Crew / Earrings: Vintage / Clutch: Gabes (Michael Kors)

True to my word, and using my superior coupon-code / sale monitoring / free-shipping mongering skills, I purchased the shoes, earrings, and purse that I used for my window shopping board. { I didn't have to buy a dress now, after all...or so I rationalized.}

Then I found these darn coral shoes. Nothing close to the  Louboutins, that's for sure --ha! like I would know-- but I still couldn't resist. In the end, I went for extravagance at my class reunion.

Can I tell you how supremely elegant I feel every time I wear this dress? No, I cannot. Call it lethologica, but I think there are no words. Not even French ones.

P.S. Thank you Sarah for the absolutely BRILLIANT silk Luther! I still can't believe you picked my style board, but I'm oh so glad that you did!

The Fixer Upper, Reinvented

 Skirt Suit, Belt, Bracelet: Gabes / Shoes: Ross (Aerosoles) / Lace Top: Charlotte Russe / Tank: Thrifted (Loft) / Necklace: TJ Maxx

My sad little blogger world suddenly revolves around EBEW, which I can't bear to miss despite the fact that my photos are still too large { I finally got my new computer! Just waiting for files to be rescued from the old one and to get Photoshop on here so 30x30/Europe posting can recommence :)}

With my insane schedule I thought there was no way I could participate in this month's DIY feature. I can barely keep up with planning and grading, and I'm not super savvy with a sewing machine. My mamaw got me a basic one for Christmas in college, because I desperately wanted to be the next Coco Chanel. I promptly used it to spruce up my spring break swimsuit with what I thought to be some very sophisticated decoration, then considered myself appropriately versed in all things sewing and gave it up entirely after remembering I was a French major planning to vacation at Cocoa Beach, not a fashion apprentice headed to Saint Barts.

I briefly considered featuring that swimsuit, but how lame would that be for October? Then I remembered  there was another project I tackled before retiring from major DIY.  I'd purchased a cherry skirt suit from Gabes, thinking I got a sweet steal for a perfect grad outfit, only to get it home and find the sleeves were two different lengths, the jacket was too wide, and the hemline was most unflattering.

I managed to modify it well enough before retiring my machine to a lifetime of mending and easier projects, like adding lace inserts to mischievous skirt slits.  My little red suit served its purpose well, then I tucked it in the back of my closet and haven't looked at it since. Till now. When I realized I could bust it out not only for a DIY feature, but to also continue my allegiance for a color blocking feature.  In the most fashionable way possible. Which, of course, is by breaking the rules and following the fab footsteps of Emma Stone, SJP, and Zoe Saldana.

There was a time I was too traumatized to dare reds and pinks in the palest of doses, but I'd say this rich combo proves I'm fully cured. {You can read about my traumatizing experience with reds at the end of this post, if it strikes your fancy.}

And there you have it. I've no tutorial for you. Not even any before shots. There was no process to my madness. I don't think I even had a measuring tape. And I'm certain I didn't do a zigzag stitch to prevent fraying. And because I know I'm going to feel completely outdone seeing everyone else's marvelous masterpieces, I thought about throwing in a photo of that plain white tankini, which the sting of a fresh break-up inspired me to fancify with an extra strap, belt, and ties. Stitched by yours truly.  It's amazing, the creative energy a blow to your self esteem can expose. And I didn't even know about DIY tutorials at that time.

But then I remembered my computer crashed. Quel dommage!

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*Quel dommage = Too bad!

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Color Me Crazy

Coral Capris: Gap ($8!) / Top: B Moss / Shoes: Asos / Belt, Necklace: J Crew final sale / Earrings, Bracelet: Gabes (Monet, Kissaka)

My brain is far too frazzed to create a proper post. {Remember? I'm teaching 4 different courses this year. All of which I've never before taught. Yes, that's 4 preps for 4 new courses. And because class sizes are so lovely and large, I have over 180 students. There are 44 freshmen in just my first period. I must be mental.}

Thus, you get a list:

1. Gap is having an amazing sale right now. Extra 40% off sale items = $8 colored capris.

2.  Refer to the introduction { yes, teaching is always on my brain these days...if my conclusion / final paragraphs summarizes this list, please disregard it...} for one reason I've still yet to finish my Europe and 30x30 posts, which I began in June.

3. A second reason is this:  I found I've already used over half my allotted free space for my blog because my photos are evidently gi-flipping-normous. Half, and I've only been blogging since March. April, really. When I tried to make them smaller with Picnik, they got all weird. Not sure why. I don't know anything about photos, actually.

4. I've ordered Photoshop with my fab-dab-abulous teacher discount! Now I just have to find time to learn to use it...any recommendations for a fab reference guide?

5 Till I do so, I'm a bit afraid to continue posting. Will I have to go back and re-do all the photos in prior posts in smaller sizes? Probably. Do I have time for that? No, certainly not right now. All this is despite the fact that I've got half a 30x30 to finish and an entire summer to blog... I guess for now I'll just learn to cut the photo size, tweak it a bit, and start posting again with that. Once my school schedule slows down, that is. Till then, we'll continue with this glacial snail of a posting pace and it's very possible I'll still be posting summer outfits when it begins to snow.  Thrilling.

6. Since my posts have few and far between, I figured I'd better go all out for this one. So I combined coral, color blocking, and colored pants into one outfit. Three trends with one outfit. Then I threw in an apple tree for good measure. I'm a teacher, yo. And apples are in right now.  Wham. BAM. 

Fin.*

P.S. Do you remember The Odyssey? That wretched, confusing tale we all had to read back in the day? Check out here what brilliant things students are doing with it today. Ah, thank heavens for silver linings :)

P.P.S. I've been consigning at my fav little local shop. And it's super fun. Last week, I got an uber cute little plaid wool blazer from Ralph Lauren, two wool jumpers from Ann Taylor, and a darling Banana Republic dress, all for only $12 after my credit and the current sale were processed. Can't wait to show you!

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*Fin = End { The Frenchies don't add the "The."}

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