Tag Archives: Banana Republic

Last Licks

Bailey 44 top and skirt, Michelle DaRin jewelry bracelets, BCBGeneration sandals
Bailey 44 top and skirt, Michelle DaRin jewelry bracelets, BCBGeneration sandals
BCBG Max Azria dress, Michelle DaRin jewelry, Minnetonka boots
BCBG Max Azria dress, Michelle DaRin jewelry, Minnetonka boots
Banana Republic T-shirt and skirt, Michelle DaRin jewelry, Calvin Klein sandals
Banana Republic T-shirt and skirt, Michelle DaRin jewelry, Calvin Klein sandals

Here I am, officially home from the last day of school.  I will be heading over to the Sullivan Library in Chittenango, New York in a bit to install my annual summer art show.  It will hang through August 2016!

BCBG Max Azria dress, BCBGeneration sandals
BCBG Max Azria dress, BCBGeneration sandals
Bailey 44 dress, Nine West boots
Bailey 44 dress, Nine West boots
Chan Luu bracelet, BCBG Max Azria T-shirt and dress, Nine West booties
Chan Luu bracelet, BCBG Max Azria T-shirt and dress, Nine West booties

I have many plans for my summer – travel, parties and lots of art shows.  I thought last summer was my best ever, so I am really looking forward to all the fun and surprises in store for me in the next two months.  I don’t know why I am certain it will be even better, lol, but I get the feeling that my life is getting better and better every minute…because it is!

Banana Republic T-shirt and skirt, BCBGeneration sandals
Banana Republic T-shirt and skirt, BCBGeneration sandals
Trina Turk dress, Guess sandals
Trina Turk dress, Guess sandals
BCBG Max Azria dress, belt and pants, Calvin Klein wedgies
BCBG Max Azria dress, belt and pants, Calvin Klein wedgies

Here are my final outfits of the day (#ootd) from the past couple of weeks.  No more outfit pics for a while since I will be living in Champion sports gear and Trina Turk bikinis, although I just received my new Trina Turk top and am dying to wear it.  Lord & Taylor had a CRAZY sale on-line – 30% off almost everything plus an additional 15% off on top!

Honora necklace, Banana Republic jacket and pants, BCBG Max Azria T-shirt, BCBGeneration sandals
Honora necklace, Banana Republic jacket and pants, BCBG Max Azria T-shirt, BCBGeneration sandals
BCBG Max Azria dress, BCBGeneration sandals
BCBG Max Azria dress, BCBGeneration sandals
Michelle DaRin jewelry, BCBG Max Azria T-shirt and top, Trina Turk skirt, BCBGeneration sandals
Michelle DaRin jewelry, BCBG Max Azria T-shirt and top, Trina Turk skirt, BCBGeneration sandals

I love fashion!

Honora necklace, BCBG Max Azria top and pants, BCBGeneration sandals
Honora necklace, BCBG Max Azria top and pants, BCBGeneration sandals
Trina Turk dress, BCBGeneration sandals
Trina Turk dress, BCBGeneration sandals
Bailey 44 top, Banana Republic skirt, BCBGeneration sandals
Bailey 44 top, Banana Republic skirt, BCBGeneration sandals

Happy, happy summer!

Michelle DaRin jewelry, Bailey 44 top, Trina Turk pants, Nine West sandals
Michelle DaRin jewelry, Bailey 44 top, Trina Turk pants, Nine West sandals
BCBG Max Azria dress and belt, BCBGeneration sandals
BCBG Max Azria dress and belt, BCBGeneration sandals
Trina Turk dress, Guess sandals
Trina Turk dress, Guess sandals
BCBG Max Azria dress and pants, Calvin Klein wedgies
BCBG Max Azria dress and pants, Calvin Klein wedgies

 

 

Classroom Tashionista

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JCrew blazer, BCBG Max Azria top and pants, BCBG Generation sandals
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Lucky Brand top, BCBG Max Azria pants, BCBG Generation sandals

Here are my most recent #ootd pictures.  I am grateful for Katy Conden, my fellow art teacher, work colleague and all around bestie who has been taking such good pictures with my Samsung Galaxy 6.  She makes it so fun to vogue it up every morning.

I am getting my hair done more frequently these days.  Amanda LaDue at Miracles in Fayetteville, NY is a true miracle worker.  She has single-handedly transformed my look.  The other day one of my work colleagues told me that I look younger now than I did ten years ago when we first started working at the middle school together!  That is so sweet!

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Banana Republic cardigan vest, Bailey 44 top, INC pants, Nine West sandals

It is such a thrill to get such positive responses on Facebook and on Instagram as well, where a lot of other fashion bloggers are giving me kudos, most notably the local fashion sylist, Jackie Terribile (@thesmalltownstylist)  She is a friend of my little sister.  Jackie blogs about the Syracuse fashion scene and does some guest hosting on a local morning show.

I am a lot older than the typical fashion blogger so, yes, it is all so flattering and wonderful.  I am empowered by Madonna’s statement about her Met Gala outfit and the idea that age should not even be relevant when it comes to fashion, beauty and all that.

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Coach headband, Lord & Taylor cardigan, BCBG Max Azria top, Banana Republic skirt, Nine West boots

The above picture was taken by Roberta Mou, the Home & Careers teacher (when Katy was absent one day).  Note the kitchen background.  I am never normally in a kitchen, lol.  I never cook except to make cupcakes once and a while for the art talks we have at school.

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BCBG Max Azria dress, Ralph Lauren boots, Fossil bracelets

I wore this white dress on a day I was demonstrating an India Ink lesson!  I wore two smocks.  In my defense, I love this dress and I can’t just stare at it in my closet and not wear it once and a while.  I am going to an event at the end of the month that has a dress code – resort casual – and this dress is perfect except for the color.  It is literally never appropriate to wear white to anything wedding-related unless you are the bride.

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Honora necklace, BCBG Max Azria T-shirt, knit top and leggings, Ralph Lauren boots
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Vintage necklace, JCrew cardigan, Bailey 44 top, Calvin Klein jeans, Nine West sandals

Nine West asked to repost the above picture on their website and on their Instagram account.  Those sandals are my most recent purchase.  They are so comfortable.  They come in two other colors – emerald green is one of them.  They have a zipper in back and a gladiator style lace-up in front.  I love the support this style offers!

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Free People cardigan, Trina Turk top and pants, Nine West sandals
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Vintage necklace, BCBG Max Azria dress, Nine West booties

The beaded cross necklace – my mother got it from the Indian Village at the New York State Fair in the 1940s.  I am in love with it!  I built many of my outfits in the past two weeks around this blue, gray, beige and gold color scheme.

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BCBG Max Azria T-shirt, Lucky Brand top, 7 For All Mankind jeans, Nine West booties

Now that the school fair is over, it is pretty much smooth sailing until the end of the school year.  Hopefully, the backgrounds in my #ootd pictures will improve, meaning I will start cleaning the room and putting away unnecessary supplies.  (Sure I will.)  And then before we know it, it will be summer vacation!

Yeah, I guess I am not a typical fifty-something, lol.  No cooking or cleaning, but a big yes to a stress-free aesthetic in four-inch heels.

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Free People cardigan, BCBG Max Azria dress and belt, Calvin Kliein jeans, BCBG Generation sandals
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Michelle DaRin jewelry bracelet, BCBG Max Azria top and pants, BCBG Generation booties

Neutrality is a Cool Cat

I guess I feel most comfortable wearing neutral colors – black, white, gray, beige, navy blue….

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Banana Republic turtleneck sweater, BCBG Max Azria leggings, Ralph Lauren boots

People keep making comments to me about my wardrobe – that it seems unlimited, that my closet must be colossal, et cetera.

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Lord & Taylor cashmere cardigan, Banana Republic leather top, Trina Turk leather skirt BCBG Generation booties

It is an illusion, I think, because I have repeated a lot of separates, although I try to mix things up enough in order to create new looks.  And I have to admit, this is a lot easier when you stick with neutrals.

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Coach headband, BlackBrown1826 cashmere sweater, Bailey 44 top (underneath), BCBG Max Azria pants, Nine West booties

One of my friends wants me to be her stylist and while I love fashion, I cannot see myself as someone else’s personal shopper.  Fashion reflects one’s personality, of course, but as well as I know her, I can’t be limited by a budget.  If I desire something, I don’t stop until I get it.  I know that other people, my friend included, do not generally live by that creed.

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Bailey 44 top, BCBG Max Azria skirt, Nine West boots

Case in point – I just bought two evening dresses – a gown and a cocktail dress – for upcoming events (a BCBG Max Azria and  a Jill Jill Stuart!).

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They were in the $300 price point range.  So…I will be driving to work on fumes for three more days.  I have also lost three pounds, lol, no food in the house.  No biggie.  Everything always ends up working out for the best.

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The Limited silk scarf, Banana Republic dress, Steve Madden boots
KEY, 30X30, 2000 (300x300)
Karen Tashkovski, Key, 30″ x 30″, 2000, oil, latex & collage, $825

Hey – if I sell every “cat” painting I brought to the Summit Medical Group art exhibit (in the Lawrence Pavilion Lower Lobby Gallery) in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, I will make $11,800 less a 10% donation to that local animal care charity.

WING, 30X30, 2000 (298x300)
Karen Tashkovski, Wing, 30″ x 30″, 2000, oil, latex & collage, $825
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BCBG Max Azria cardigan and T-shirt, Banana Republic pants, Nine West booties

That’s enough to buy at least a few more clothes.  That show starts April 25, 2016.  It is open to the public – my favorite type of art show – a captive audience, people who may not seek out art venues but are at the offices for other reasons.  It’s my bread and butter (ha ha – figuratively.  You know I don’t eat bread or dairy).

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The opening reception is scheduled for Thursday, May 5th, 2016 from 5:00-8:00 pm.  Summit Medical Group is located at 1 Diamond Hill Road, Lawrence Pavilion, Berkeley Heights, New Jersey 07922.  Call (908) 277-8806 for more information.

Freedom of Choice

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Warner Bros. Harry Potter top, Banana Republic skirt, Nine West boots
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Free People sweater, BCBG Max Azria top and T-shirt, Trina Turk pants, Coach booties

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Just got home from an amazing business/fun trip to Jersey City, NJ. Now I am in my PJs with my cat on my heart thinking about what I will wear to work tomorrow.

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Banana Republic skirt and suede top, Ralph Lauren boots
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BCBG Max Azria top and pants,BCBG Generation sandals

Here are my looks from the past couple of weeks.

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Michelle DaRin jewelry, Trina Turk dress, Nine West boots
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Banana Republic suit, Syracuse University T-shirt (from Target) Nine West booties

The weather is getting warmer here but for a while it will be darker and probably colder in the mornings because of Daylight Savings Time.

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Michelle DaRin jewelry, BCBG Max Azria dress, Nine West boots

My new Michelle DaRin choker is currently in heavy rotation, lol. I have been wearing a lot of pink because of it.

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BCBG Max Azria cardigan and pants, Bailey 44 top, BCBG Generation booties

All of my clay projects are drying and the 5th grade wood sculptures are glued (will need to put all the boxes away!). Am going to be doing some painting in some classes starting tomorrow, so I will need to compensate by wearing short sleeves.

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Michelle DaRin choker, Banana Republic cardigan, BCBG Max Azria top and leggings, Ralph Lauren boots

Hmm…what to wear…what to wear??????

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J Crew cardigan, BCBG Max Azria dress and T-shirt, 7 For All Mankind jeans, Nine West booties

 

Techno Fashion Glitch

Lucky Brand jacket, Warner Bros. Hogwarts T-shirt, Trina Turk skirt, Nine West booties
Lucky Brand jacket, Warner Bros. Hogwarts T-shirt, Trina Turk skirt, Nine West booties
Honora necklace, Banana Republic leather top, cardigan and velvet pants, BCBGGeneration booties
Honora necklace, Banana Republic leather top, cardigan and velvet pants, BCBGGeneration booties

One of the main reasons I haven’t been blogging – I was having technical difficulties with my Instagram account.  The pictures were not saving to the camera’s gallery.  I tried uninstalling the program and reinstalling it and it didn’t work until tonight.  Yeah, tonight it worked.  Weird.

Michelle DaRin jewelry, Banana Republic cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria top and skirt, Nine West boots
Michelle DaRin jewelry, Banana Republic cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria top and skirt, Nine West boots
Free People cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria T-shirt and leggings, Lucky Brand top, Ralph Lauren boots
Free People cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria T-shirt and leggings, Lucky Brand top, Ralph Lauren boots

I must be more relaxed or something – I am on vacation.  Or maybe it’s just an example of perseverence, although I had been on the verge of giving up, lol, over something so simple.

Michelle DaRin jewelry, BCBGMaxAzria dress, 7 For All Mankind jeans, Nine West booties
Michelle DaRin jewelry, BCBGMaxAzria dress, 7 For All Mankind jeans, Nine West booties
JCrew blazer, Rachel Roy top, Banana Republic skirt, Steve Madden boots
JCrew blazer, Rachel Roy top, Banana Republic skirt, Steve Madden boots

A former student asked me how he could get his creativity back.  He thinks he’s lost it, I guess.  And the truth is, no one can find it for you.  You just have to take the time to quiet your mind of all the bugs that are attacking you.

BCBGMaxAzria dress, Nine West boots
BCBGMaxAzria dress, Nine West boots
Michelle DaRin jewelry, Berkley Cashmere cardigan, Bailey 44 top, BCBGMaxAzria pants, Nine West booties
Michelle DaRin jewelry, Berkley Cashmere cardigan, Bailey 44 top, BCBGMaxAzria pants, Nine West booties

No more I’m not good enough…I can’t do this and all that junk. Believe you can do it.  Know you can.  Then think about how you will do it and just do it.

Viola top, Calvin Klein jeans, BCBGGeneration booties
Viola top, Calvin Klein jeans, BCBGGeneration booties
Lord & Taylor cashmere cardigan, Banana Republic cashmere dress, Nine West boots
Lord & Taylor cashmere cardigan, Banana Republic cashmere dress, Nine West boots

I know that some of my friends did not like hearing me say that I did not want to make new artwork until I started selling the art I have already made.  It is not that I lack creativity.  I just desired a sign from the universe that my art is leading to other great things.  It is very important to me to achieve financial success as an artist because I want to show my students that it is possible.  I mean, that is one reason.  I mean, I didn’t make over a thousand works of art for them to just be stored away forever.  That doesn’t make a lick of sense.

JCrew cardigan, Banana Republic dress, Nine West booties
JCrew cardigan, Banana Republic dress, Nine West booties
BCBGMaxAzria cardigan and dress, BCBGGeneration booties
BCBGMaxAzria cardigan and dress, BCBGGeneration booties

And then, I haven’t been doing anything to make any of it happen.  I haven’t been actively seeking venues or peddling my wares anywhere since the Natur-Tyme exhibit where I sold a handful of $5.00 cards.  So, I kind of sound like a person who does not take my own advice.

Michelle DaRin jewelry, Free People cardigan, Lucky Brand top, BCBGMaxAzria belt, Banana Republic skirt, Nine West booties
Michelle DaRin jewelry, Free People cardigan, Lucky Brand top, BCBGMaxAzria belt, Banana Republic skirt, Nine West booties
Banana Republic suit, BCBGMaxAzria top, BCBGGeneration booties
Banana Republic suit, BCBGMaxAzria top, BCBGGeneration booties

The truth is I wanted to manifest getting an art show in a passive way.  I was already doing everything I could to get myself out into the stratosphere.  I am here.  Right here.  And on Instagram and Linkedin and Facebook.  I have over 20,000 views on this blog.  I wanted someone to find me.  Someone who was looking for me and my art because they know it will sell.

Banana Republic sweater and pants, Calvin Klein belt, Nine West booties
Banana Republic sweater and pants, Calvin Klein belt, Nine West booties
Berkley Cashmere cardigan, Warner Bros. Gryffindor T-shirt, Nine West booties
Berkley Cashmere cardigan, Warner Bros. Gryffindor T-shirt, Nine West booties

Well, it finally happened.  I will give you more details as it gets closer to show time.  I was asked to be part of an art show at a medical facility in New Jersey.  The show starts some time in April with a reception on May 5th, 2016.  I will be exhibiting and selling my Dreamtime and Echolalia series paintings (it is an animal-themed show).  The curator saw my work on Linkedin.com.

Michelle DaRin jewelry, Free People cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria tank top and leggings, Ugg boots
Michelle DaRin jewelry, Free People cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria tank top and leggings, Ugg boots
Black Brown 1826 cashmere sweater, BCBGMaxAzria leggings, Ralph Lauren boots
Black Brown 1826 cashmere sweater, BCBGMaxAzria leggings, Ralph Lauren boots

Trina Turk recently replied to my comment on her picture on Instagram.  She said, Love you, too and something about wanting to be an art teacher one day!  I have the dream of meeting her one day, becoming friends and maybe even working with her – designing clothing with silk dyed to match my watercolors.

BCBGMaxAzria cardigan, top and pants, Nine West booties
BCBGMaxAzria cardigan, top and pants, Nine West booties
Bar III sweater, BCBGMaxAzria leggings, BCBGGeneration booties
Bar III sweater, BCBGMaxAzria leggings, BCBGGeneration booties

Two years ago, I wouldn’t have dreamed I would actually be interacting with her on social media.  Things can happen.  You can mold your life consciously even if you dream big.

This blog is about my community, my artwork and fashion because I have all of these other dreams.  And I think it is perfectly okay to slide your creativity around to wherever it takes you.  Who knows where it will stick?  There are bound to be more glitches along the way.  That is kind of the fun of it.  To never lose faith even when junk makes you feel like quitting.

Banana Republic sweater, Trina Turk dress, Nine West boots
Banana Republic sweater, Trina Turk dress, Nine West boots
Michelle DaRin jewelry, BCBGMaxAzria top and pants, Nine West booties
Michelle DaRin jewelry, BCBGMaxAzria top and pants, Nine West booties

I have a few more goals to achieve with the remainder of this February break.  I am buying a car, so I guess these fashion posts are going to seem redundant for a while.  While preparing the stuff for my taxes I tallied how much money I spent on clothes this past year and it was kind of a lot.  (No, I don’t deduct any of it, lol)  It would be nice if clothes were free, wouldn’t it?  Just thought I’d throw it out there if anyone is listening.  Would love to make that one stick….

Sandals in Syracuse in December!

Banana Republic cardigan, Bailey 44 top, BCBGMaxAzria top, BCBGGeneration sandals
Banana Republic cardigan, Bailey 44 top, BCBGMaxAzria top, BCBGGeneration sandals

I am officially starting my Christmas vacation!  Wore this holiday look today.  My new BCBG Max Azria pants with my favorite top and a sweater I never wear, lol.  But my absolute favorite part of the above look is that I could wear sandals to work today!  It is sixty degrees in Syracuse.  Yes.  On December 23rd!  Last year at this time we had a bunch of snow.  A week later we had these cray-cray sub zero temps!

Banana Republic cardigan and pants, Bailey 44 top, BCBGGeneration sandals
Banana Republic cardigan and pants, Bailey 44 top, BCBGGeneration sandals

I am LOVING this warm weather.  Green Christmas, here I come.

Banana Republic cardigan, Banana Republic dress, Nine West booties
Banana Republic cardigan, Banana Republic dress, Nine West booties
Banana Republic cardigan, Trina Turk dress, Nine West booties
Banana Republic cardigan, Trina Turk dress, Nine West booties

After Christmas, I am going to put on my thinking cap and start making future art plans.  I expect to concentrate on this art career of mine.  I should have bigged myself up a few weeks ago – I could have sold some art and merchandise from my redbubble.com site.  You can still buy it, just not in time for Christmas.  Oh well.

Ann Taylor cashmere sweater, Bailey 44 skirt, Nine West boots
Ann Taylor cashmere sweater, Bailey 44 skirt, Nine West boots

Happy holidays!

Skirts, Leggings & Klimt

Trina Turk dress, Nine West boots
Trina Turk dress, Nine West boots

It’s been relatively warm here.  Sunshine – no rain, no snow.  I still feel comfortable in bare legs and/or sandals at forty degrees!

Free People cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria dress, Nine West boots
Free People cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria dress, Nine West boots

I think that’s because last winter it was, like, four or more below zero in the winter, so we Syracusans think that thirty degrees is sort of warm.  It’s a relativity thingamabob.

Trina Turk top and skirt, BCBGGeneration booties
Trina Turk top and skirt, BCBGGeneration booties

Whenever I wear Trina Turk, the amazing fashion designer likes or comments on my Instagram pictures so, of course(!) I do it as often as possible.  Here is the outfit with and without the Banana Republic cardi.

Banana Republic cardigan, Trina Turk top and skirt, BCBGGeneration booties
Banana Republic cardigan, Trina Turk top and skirt, BCBGGeneration booties
Lucky Brand jacket, Banana Republic dress, Steve Madden boots
Lucky Brand jacket, Banana Republic dress, Steve Madden boots
Free People cardigan, Rachel Roy top, BCBGMazAzria pants, Coach booties
Free People cardigan, Rachel Roy top, BCBGMazAzria pants, Coach booties

This Free People cardi is in heavy circulation.  I just love the color.  It’s a sort of raw sienna/yellow ochre dealio, which truly suits me.  I am always instructing students to use this color as the underlying structure to a painting or a colored pencil drawing – the perfect neutral.

Free People cardigan, Bailey 44 top, BCBGMaxAzria leggings, BCBGGeneration booties
Free People cardigan, Bailey 44 top, BCBGMaxAzria leggings, BCBGGeneration booties

Been going to Green Lakes after school every day – I either bring exercise clothes to change into or I’ve been wearing leggings almost as a uniform, which is just easier.

Berkley Cashmere cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria top and leggings BCBGGeneration booties
Berkley Cashmere cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria top and leggings BCBGGeneration booties
Banana Republic cardigan, Bailey 44 top. Champion leggings, Enzo Anglioni boots
Banana Republic cardigan, Bailey 44 top. Champion leggings, Enzo Anglioni boots

The picture below was my casual Friday look.  We call it dress down day.  The teachers contribute money to fund various charities in order to wear denim since jeans are technically not professional attire.

Ann Taylor jacket, JCrew top, Calvin Klein jeans, BCBGGeneration sandals
Ann Taylor jacket, JCrew top, Calvin Klein jeans, BCBGGeneration sandals

I always top my look with an apron or a blue smock during the school day.  I look more like this crazy guy when I am not posing for a picture:

Gustav Klimt
Gustav Klimt

He’s Gustav Klimt.

I love this man!  His work is sooooo beautiful!  He was very eccentric.  He loved cats to the point that I think he hoarded them.  I only have the one – I am not technically a crazy cat lady, but just being an artist, the word crazy is tossed about a lot directed towards me, like some sort of embraceable put-down, lol.

Right now, I have something like six or seven different preps – I am doing different lessons in every class.  Painting – Wolf Kahn barn paintings in acrylic, fluorescent clay lizards and frozen faces; additive sculptures in one class, reductive sculptures in another…what else?  Colored pencil dessert drawings à la Wayne Thiebaud and Japanese fan mixed-media pieces,  Needless to say, the classroom is a crazy, topsy-turvy mess.

So, smock, cats, crazy…you can see that I identify with Klimt.  We could have been besties in another life.

Mada Primavesi by Gustav Klimt
Mada Primavesi by Gustav Klimt

This is my favorite Klimt painting.  When I stood in front of it at the Met years ago, I literally wept at it’s beauty.  It just has this innocent freshness.  The painting is actually life-size.  The girl and I are the same height. Hmm, that gives me an idea for a fashion look….  Think I will sport the side hair part tomorrow, maybe wear my white BCBG Max Azria dress again…but I think I will pass on the white tights.

 

Tashionista at Work

The school year is winding down quickly.  I started working here nineteen years ago.  It’s basically the longest relationship I’ve ever had discounting the ones I have with my immediate family members. It doesn’t seem like so much time has passed.

BCBG Max Azria dress, BCBG Generation sandals
BCBG Max Azria dress, BCBG Generation sandals

There is history and yet I feel like a time traveller in a way.  Working with 8th graders tends to take me back to my own middle school years.  It was 1976.  I remember having a crush on someone because he resembled Shaun Cassidy or was it Leif Garrrett? (the kid didn’t like me at all).  Having a faux Dorothy Hamill haircut that took years to grow out (not showing you a picture of that!).  Getting a 96 on the Algebra regents – I’m still angry with myself that I made the same subtraction mistake twice, which caused me to lose the two points on each mistake.

Whatever I had, I purchased with my paper route money – clothes, art supplies and eventually a 150-watt stereo for my bedroom so I could listen to Casey Kasum do the American Top Forty after delivering the Sunday morning paper.

I honestly can’t remember where I bought clothes then. Department stores?  I remember that there was a Levi Strauss store in Shoppingtown Mall where we bought colored corduroy jeans.  Our shoes came from Thom McAn.

Banana Republic suit with cropped pants, Rachel Roy top
Banana Republic suit with cropped pants, Rachel Roy top

It was a completely different time.  I always had to be responsible at such a young age, but instead of teaching me to save money and build a future, I think what I learned is that I will always know how to work then buy stuff with the money I earn.  I will eventually retire from my job, but I will never retire from being an artist or a writer.  I will never abandon creativity.  In that respect, I may not be rich but I will always have riches.

Bailey 44 top, Banana Republic pants, BCBG Generation sandals
Bailey 44 top, Banana Republic pants, BCBG Generation sandals

What else have I learned in thirty-nine years?  I still have a tendency to crush on men who break my heart, lol.  So I haven’t learned anything there.  Yeah – no wisdom there.

Trina Turk blouse and leather skirt, Champion tank and shorts (underneath), BCBG Generation sandals
Trina Turk blouse and leather skirt, Champion tank and shorts (underneath), BCBG Generation sandals

My fan-love for Dorothy Hamill though – my sister met her at an event last year and in conversation, Dorothy said, “Send your sister my best regards” !!!!!!

My sister with Olympic Gold Medalist Dorothy Hamill
My sister with Olympic Gold Medalist Dorothy Hamill

And Algebra is probably my favorite subject to work on with students in my study hall.  I love a good Greek theorem.  Math is eternal even though the way it’s taught these days is in a wonky new math style.  My way still works.  I want to say it’s because of the teacher I had in 8th grade, but to tell you the truth, I can’t remember anything about the teacher.  Man or woman?  IDK!

Banana Republic T-shirt and skirt, BCBG Generation sandals
Banana Republic T-shirt and skirt, BCBG Generation sandals

I guess I would prefer my students to remember what they learned in art rather than simply remembering me and my silly antics.  At the very least, my hope is that they have fond memories of the middle school experience – like in my own life, a lot more comedy to drown out the drama.

BCBG Max Azria top and pants, BCBG Generation sandals
BCBG Max Azria top and pants, BCBG Generation sandals

As for clothes?  I shop on-line mostly.   Banana Republic, BCBG, and Lord & Taylor dot coms are my favorite.  And when I review my purchases, which I kind of do reluctantly because I kind of don’t want to see myself coming and going (fashion should be about individuality so encouraging people to copy you via a stellar review seems a little bit defeating) – I call myself Tashionista.

Dare I say that this year was the best ever?  Don’t want to hurt the feelings of students who came before, because it’s not because my students were better.  Okay, don’t want to do the same to my current students. The truth is that after all these years I had a paradigm shift.  I changed my outlook about love, life, art…pretty much started realizing that life can be seen through rose-colored lenses without needing glasses at all.  And even though I am nearly forty years older than my 8th grade self, I still have 20-20 vision.

Playing Favorites

Banana Republic cardigan and pants, BCBG Generations top, Coach booties
Banana Republic cardigan and pants, BCBG Generations top, Coach booties

I started each of the last two school weeks in all black.  Black Monday is definitely a thing.  I actually wore the same top both times – this BCBG Max Azria cotton top is sensational.  I have it in white too and also in white in a crew neck.  The quality of this brand is over the top fabulous.  I either buy it at www.bcbg.com or Lord & Taylor.  Oh, and sometimes at Bloomingdales.

BCBG Max Azria top and pants, BCBG Generation sandals
BCBG Max Azria top and pants, BCBG Generation sandals

I had these pants hemmed because they were 1 1/4″ too long.  Am totally in love with the little slits at the bottom – they are definitely my new favorite thing.  Also love that I’m in a size 0!

So anyhow, I am starting to re-run outfits but am still working on changing it up.  For one thing, I got a haircut.  It will grow back in about a minute; it grows so fast.  But this will be fun and different for a while.

Free People cardigan, Trina Turk top and pants, BCBG Generations booties
Free People cardigan, Trina Turk top and pants, BCBG Generations booties
Trina Turk top and pants, BCBG Generations booties
Trina Turk top and pants, BCBG Generations booties

I love the above outfit.  The top and pants are both Trina Turk.  The top is a silk/spandex blend.  The color is that rich oxblood it-color from last season that is still very big.  I bought my first Trina Turk top in 1999.  It’s the one I’m wearing in my profile picture – also a silk/spandex blend and probably my favorite thing in my closet.  It’s older than my students but has transcended time in a way that very few fashions can.  Surplice front, bishop sleeves and of course, black.

me and gin-gins

Banana Republic cardigan, BCBG Max Azria top, BCBG Generations sandals
Banana Republic cardigan, BCBG Max Azria top, BCBG Generations sandals
BCBG Max Azria top, INC pants, BCBG Generations sandals
BCBG Max Azria top, INC pants, BCBG Generations sandals

Here is that same BCBG Max Azria top I mentioned – in white but in the crew neck.  Found it at the BCBG outlet store in the mall – marked down and 30% off (final sale).  Such a great deal!

BCBG Max Azria dress, Steve Madden boots
BCBG Max Azria dress, Steve Madden boots

This dress currently has over fifty likes on Instagram.  My most liked posting.  The first time I wore it, it was like a ninety degree sauna in school, so I had on sandals and had my hair in a giant bun.  But this day, last Thursday, it was much cooler.  I was subbing for the teachers who left with students on a field trip and I spent a chunk of the day in an air-conditioned computer lab.  I love this dress so much that I got it in white too.  Think I’ll wear it tomorrow – students are just about done painting so it might be okay if I’m careful and wear my smock.  When I look at this photograph, I miss my hair because most of what is ombre ended up on the salon floor (sad face).  But it will grow back.

Bailey 44 top, 7 For All Mankind jeans, BCBG Generations sandals
Bailey 44 top, 7 For All Mankind jeans, BCBG Generations sandals

These Seven For All Mankind jeans are like something out of a dream.  I think I spent an hour trying on jeans and these were the last pair.  They fit like the ones in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.  Crazy.  Had to have them.  And size 25!  Yes!

Marc Jacobs sunglasses, Bailey 44 top, Trina Turk shorts, Minnetonka boots
Marc Jacobs sunglasses, Bailey 44 top, Trina Turk shorts, Minnetonka boots

We had a BBQ for my birthday, so I pulled out the boots I bought for my Native American costume (needed them when I taught at Lake Street Elementary – they had a Thanksgiving feast every year where the kids all dressed as Pilgrims and Indians).  Love them but would love them even more if they had a heel, which goes without saying.  I have this Bailey 44 top in three colors – black, gray and this scarlet red.  The shorts zip in back for a really smooth line.  They are Trina Turk.

BCBG Max Azria sweater and pants, BCBG Generation sandals
BCBG Max Azria sweater and pants, BCBG Generation sandals

This cotton/silk BCBG Max Azria sweater is reversible.  I wore it the other way a couple of weeks ago.  I love it both ways!  It’s like two for the price of one.

BCBG Max Azria sweater, Trina Turk leather skirt, Etienne Aigner boots
BCBG Max Azria sweater, Trina Turk leather skirt, Etienne Aigner boots
Trina Turk dress, BCBG Generation sandals
Trina Turk dress, BCBG Generation sandals

Finally, another Trina Turk dress.  The size 2 dimensions are my measurements.  It’s like buying couture.  This dress looks so much like a flat pattern sloper.  The difference is that the fabric is this jersey stretch double-knit and not a muslin draft.  It was available in black but I waited too long to get it and missed out on it.

So Trina, oh great goddess of my fashion world, if you are listening and there’s one in your secret dress lair that you’d like to gift me? Then I accept.  You are my favorite. <3

 

 

Bloggy Woggy Was a Bear

Bailey 44 top and skirt, BCBG Generation sandals
Bailey 44 top and skirt, BCBG Generation sandals

The weather is all flim-flam again.  Hot last week, cold today, rainy tomorrow.  It’s really all over the place.  So for the last two weeks, it’s been dresses and sandals or pants and sweaters, or something in between.

Banana Republic cashmere sweater and skirt, Steve Madden boots
Banana Republic cashmere sweater and skirt, Steve Madden boots

There are four weeks of school left!  Can’t believe how fast it all went. (Go bears!) I have some art shows planned for the summer – more about that later!

Trina Turk dress, BCBG Generation sandals
Trina Turk dress, BCBG Generation sandals

I live in exercise clothes and paint smocks in the summer, so I don’t foresee posting outfit-of-the-days (#ootd) between June 24th and Labor Day-ish.  But I can’t rule it out.  I was thinking about going back to the say yes policy  I practiced last summer.  I already said no to a bunch of things this week – I’m still working on it.

Banana Republic dress, BCBG Generation sandals
Banana Republic dress, BCBG Generation sandals

I love this Banana Republic olive ponte knit dress.  It was the last one on bananarepublic.com – on sale with an additional 40% off.  I never get breaks like that.  In a dream world, this fashion blogging would lead to free clothes from my favorite designers.  And if you are listening, I’m a 0 in Banana Republic, a 2 in Trina Turk and a small or XS depending on style and a 0 in BCBG Max Azria.  7 1/2 in a sandal, 8 in boots.

Trina Turk dress, Mia shoes
Trina Turk dress, Mia shoes

I know it’s kind of a fantasy – too bad I wasn’t born in the ’90s, because these girls seem to be living the dream.

http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/trends/a10949/how-bloggers-make-money-on-instagram/

http://www.marieclaire.com/fashion/advice/a9812/fashion-bloggers-income-success/

Trina Turk dress, BCBG Generation sandals
Trina Turk dress, BCBG Generation sandals

Here is another article about female bloggers.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/larissafaw/2012/04/25/is-blogging-really-a-way-for-women-to-earn-a-living-2/

Trina Turk dress, BCBG Generation sandals
Trina Turk dress, BCBG Generation sandals

My sister suggested I change out my poses and another person thought my classroom was messy.  But those are my favorite things about my photographs (I am the only person on Instagram currently using the hashtags #fashionintherealworld and #fashioninrealtime). That and my shoes.  If I had a dollar for every time I heard how-do-you-walk-in-those-heels?, I would have that six figure salary!

Edme & Esyllte top, Champion pants, Coach booties
Edme & Esyllte top, Champion pants, Coach booties

I wore this outfit the day I taught gym classes in addition to art in order to help out with the dance lessons – swing, bunny hop and hokey pokey for the WWII event.  I wore Champion fitness gear under that yellow tunic top.  Got very sweaty that day jumping around for the equivalent of four hours.  I don’t know what I was thinking.  It was totally exhausting!

Bailey 44 top, J Crew  cashmere hoodie, BCBG Max Azria pants, BCBG Generation sandals
Bailey 44 top, J Crew cashmere hoodie, BCBG Max Azria pants, BCBG Generation sandals

I feel most comfortable in black.  I usually wear it every day of the first week of school because I am in mourning for my summer vacation, lol, and then I’m partial to black Monday throughout the school year.  I think I have at least eight different pairs of black pants – and a new pair at the alterations place getting hemmed as we speak.  But whatevs, you can never have enough.

Banana Republic cardigan and pants, BCBG Max Azria top, Coach booties
Banana Republic cardigan and pants, BCBG Max Azria top, Coach booties

Purple though – almost nothing.  We do a purple Thursday at work.  I just can’t do it.  It’s so Donny Osmond’s socks circa the ’70s.  I can technically wear that Trina Turk pink dress.  It’s actually the it color of last season – wild orchid.  Or I can do what some of the bloggers do – initiate a pink Wednesday.  That’s from Mean Girls or Clueless or some such ’90s chick flick.  I’m sure those big buck fashion bloggers would know.  🙂  😉