I wore all black this week because I am in mourning for my summer vacation – and because I just love wearing black. I think I have, like, six black skirts and about a dozen different pairs of black pants. I don’t know how many tops. I could potentially extend my mourning period through the month of September just for the challenge of it. But I don’t think I will.
Trina Turk top and skirt, BCBGMaxAzria belt and sandalsBCBGMaxAzria sweater and sandals, Trina Turk skirt, Michelle DaRin jewelry
My grandmother used to hate seeing the old widows at church all dressed in black. She was a pearls, pink crochet cardigan, and pastel floral dress kind of girl, so I know she wouldn’t approve. In 1996, I was hired as a long term substitute. At the end of that first school year, I had to go through the interview process all over again when the other teacher decided to retire. I wore red and black (the school colors) every day to work until it was confirmed that I had gotten the job. Fashion themes are fun! Go Bears!
Honora necklace, BCBGMaxAzria top, Rebecca Taylor pants, BCBGeneration sandals
Rachel Zoe dress, Coach clutch, Calvin Klein bootiesRachel Zoe top, BCBGMaxAzria shorts, Calvin Klein bootiesBCBGMaxAzria romper and clutch, Marc Jacobs booties
Summer 2018 has been amazing so far. So many fun things to do during my staycation. The weather’s great. Syracuse, New York was blessed with Florida style weather – so wonderfully crazy! Me-likey!
Marc Jacobs sunglasses, BCBGMaxAzria top and shorts, Ugg bootsMichelleDaRin jewelry, Trina Turk top, Banana Republic shorts, BCBGMaxAzria sandals
Since I cannot wear them to work, shorts and off-shoulder tops are in heavy rotation right about now. I have been frequenting live band venues – a lot of dancing’s been added to my exercise regimen of yoga, hiking and pilates.
Marc Jacobs sunglasses, Rachel Zoe dress, BCBGeneration sandalsMax Mara top, BCBGMaxAzria shorts, Marc Jacobs sandals
As for art, the Happy Little Treehouse exhibit is moving to another location with a reception sometime next week, I think. My paintings are still available and the proceeds from sales will be donated to Golisano Children’s Hospital. More to come on that front. Stay tuned!
MichelleDaRin jewelry, Trina Turk top and skirt, BCBGMaxAzria sandalsTrina Turk dress, Marc Jacobs bootiesBCBGMaxAzria romper, Joie sandalsTrina Turk top and shorts, BCBGMaxAzria sandalsBCBGMaxAzria dress, Marc Jacobs bootiesRachel Zoe dress, Nine West bootiesMarc Jacobs sunglasses, C by Bloomingdale’s cashmere cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria romper, Nine West bootiesBCBGMaxAzria sweater and pants, Coach crossbody, Calvin Klein bootiesNine West suede cap, BCBGMaxAzria sweater, top and leggings, Coach crossbody, Ralph Lauren bootsAkemi + Kin for Anthropologie dress, BCBGeneration bootiesMarc Jacobs sunglasses, Rachel Zoe top, 7 for All Mankind jeans, BCBGeneration velvet bootiesMarc Jacobs sunglasses, Cinq a Sept dress, Coach bag, BCBGeneration sandalsBCBGMaxAzria romper, Nine West bootiesTrina Turk top, BCBGMaxAzria shorts, BCBGeneration sandalsFree People jacket, BCBGMaxAzria top, shorts and clutch, Ugg bootsMark Jacobs sunglasses, Trina Turk top, BCBGMaxAzria belt, shorts and sandals, Coach clutch
There is no air-conditioning in school. We take my #ootd pics early in the morning and by the end of the day I am sometimes somewhat of a hot and sticky mess. I am grateful to have two fans mounted on the walls in my classroom and I have been drinking tons of iced coffee, water and a Gatorade every day.
vintage necklace, BCBGMaxAzria sweater, top and skirt, BCBGeneration booties
No complaints though, as Syracuse, New York weather feels like Florida right now and we are on the verge of summer vacation!
Cinq a Sept dress, BCBGeneration sandalsRachel Zoe dress, Calvin Klein booties
Here are my most recent outfits. My Rachel Zoe dress needs the dry-cleaner stat, as Friday was a particularly muggy day. It is currently a silk version of what my hair looked like later that day – that frazzled ’80s rock star effect that we all discarded with the invention of flat irons. Seriously cringe worthy, lol. I wore boots that day because I was sure it was going to rain mid-day, but that rain did not appear until I was driving home from work. It lasted all of fifteen minutes leaving us with perfect outdoor festivals weather for the weekend – Ozstravaganza in Chittenango and Taste of Syracuse downtown.
Marc Jacobs sunglasses, BCBGMaxAzria sweater, pants and sandals, Bailey 44 top
Free People cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria dress, Marc Jacobs bootiesTrina Turk dress, Marc Jacobs bootsCinq a Sept top, Banana Republic pants, BCBGeneration sandals
I love fashion! I have enlisted pinch hit photographers for my outfit of the day pictures when Katy is unavailable. The result is a bunch of different poses. I am going all out Zoolander silly with the wispy look away thing – so funny!
BCBGMaxAzria wrap top, pants and sandals, Free People topBCBGMaxAzria blazer, Trina Turk dress, Marc Jacobs bootiesBCBGMaxAzria dress, BCBGeneration sandalsBCBGMaxAzria top and belt, Trina Turk skirt, Nine West bootsMichelle DaRin Jewelry bracelets, Lucky Brand top, Bloomingdales cashmere cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria skirtCinq a Sept top, 7 For All Mankind jeans, BCBGeneration sandalsBCBGMaxAzria tops, Trina Turk pants, BCBGeneration sandals
Trina Turk top and skirt, Marc Jacobs bootsBCBGMaxAzria dress, Marc Jacobs boots
While I was off work, I did a lot of on-line shopping. I found these Marc Jacobs boots for a ridiculously low price. They are beyond fabulous. I love them – worked them into several outfits in the past two weeks. The Calvin Klein booties and the Joie velvet sandal booties are new as well. The Joie shoes are phenomenal. They are velvet with a pink leather lining.
Cinq a Sept dress, Karl Lagerfeld Paris boots
Of course, it didn’t begin and end there. I am on-line shopping every day. I guess constantly is not an understatement! I put stuff into my virtual carts and go back to visit it all, watching for sales or special deals. It is fun! Like instant manifestations. I desire something and somehow after a short time, I can afford to have it. Lately, I cannot get enough silk. The Cinq à Sept dresses and tops are all silk. This is a hard brand to buy on-line because the sizing is not consistent. The black dress is an XS. It fits fine when I am wearing it, but I practically have to dislocate two shoulders to get it on and off, lol. I purchased it on a final sale. I bought three tops in a size small; one had to go back because it was tight and had a snag, so I thought that was weird. It is a new company – I am not sure what is going on there.
Rachel Zoe top, Trina Turk pants, Joie booties
I am still not quite myself physically. Up five pounds, which should get blasted this vacation week with any luck. I go to Syracuse Yoga every morning. It is my sister’s studio. She has a special two-week unlimited package for $30 for new practitioners and an unlimited package for $105 if you use auto pay. If you are local, you should totally check it out! The instructors are amazing!
I am also hiking five miles a day and doing pilates when I can fit it in. And no, I don’t wear heels when I take those walks. I wear these awesome Brooks waterproof sneakers that I bought at Fleet Feet. The service there is magical. You tell the salesperson what you do – run, walk, other sports, etc. and they go in the back room and bring you exactly the shoe you need. They are the best!
Free People cardigan, JCrew T-shirt, Trina Turk skirt, Marc Jacobs boots
And while I am on the subject of plugging businesses, Amanda Losecco is my hairstylist at Miracles. I am there every two weeks. I LOVE her! ❤ She has, seriously, single-handedly (she and her mad colorist and blow-drying skills) changed my life for the better.
BCBGMaxAzria sweater, pants and sandalsC by Bloomingdales cardigan, Rachel Roy top, BCBGMaxAzria leggings, Calvin Klein booties
I was talking to someone the other day about my fashion obsession. It was the salesgirl at the BCBGMaxAzria shop within Lord & Taylor at the Destiny Mall in Syracuse. We decided that it was my hobby. I have a passion for fashion. I just love when I find something new that I consider to be so “me”. I love the fabrics and colors, love when I buy something that works with something else in my closet. It makes me sooo happy. OMG, I love my life.
BCBGMaxAzria sweater, 7 For All Mankind jeans, Joie bootiesBCBGMaxAzria sweater, Trina Turk skirt, Nine West booties
One of the best parts of getting back to work has been reuniting with my favorite photographer/bestie/colleague/art teacher/partner-in-goofiness, Katy C. We have resumed the #ootd. Here are my latest outfits coupled with some from before my two month hiatus.
BCBGMaxAzria tops and pants, Calvin Klein bootiesCinq a Sept dress, Marc Jacobs booties
I have fallen in love with a new-to-me brand: Cinq à Sept (5 to 7). I love every piece and am finding room in my closet for these silk confections – three dresses, two tops and counting!
Cinq a Sept dress, Via Spiga hosiery, Calvin Klein bootiesHonora necklace, BCBGMaxAzria sweater and skirt, Marc Jacobs boots
I am also such a fan of Marc Jacobs boots. He and I are the same age. Lol, he really gets me. I feel like the lasts for these shoes were made from molds of my feet. Cray-cray awesomeness!
Honora necklace, Cynthia Rowley cashmere cardigan (bathrobe!), Trina Turk dress, Hue tights, Marc Jacobs bootiesBCBGMaxAzria sweater, Trina Turk dress, Marc Jacobs boots
I love having somewhere to go every day. People often tell me that they never had a teacher like me, alluding to my work fashion. When I was growing up the teachers always made an effort – they wore mini shift dresses with high heels. Had their hair done in the beehive coifs of the day. Were prim and proper, and so, so smart. Beautiful. Miss Emerson, Miss Clancy, Miss Daniels, Miss Adsitt…. I loved going to school back then too. Thank you, Tecumseh Elementary for a dream. I guess I always aspired to be just like these amazing women. Didn’t actually realize it until now – wow!
BCBGMaxAzria sweater and skirt, Ralph Lauren boots
I love fashion. Love to get dressed every morning for work. Love feeling good about myself, happy, relaxed, confident and this feeling contributes to the dynamic of each day.
Free People cardigan, Halston Heritage dress, BCBGeneration bootiesRachel Zoe dress, Marc Jacobs bootiesFree People dress, Marc Jacobs boots
We have so much fun. Art is about imagination – imagining your dreams via learning how to draw, how to visualize solutions. I am currently working on four or five different things with the students – clay sculptures and bas-reliefs in a couple classes, horse paintings in a couple…. The Studio in Art students are painting barn landscapes using Wolf Kahn’s color palette and my 5th graders are doing double duty – first an additive wood sculpture then an invention à la Da Vinci. More to come in regards to that one. I will tell you the story of my invention soon. It’s hilarious, I promise. ❤
Bloomingdale’s cashmere cardigan, Bebe top, 7 For All Mankind jeans, Nine West bootiesBCBGMaxAzria sweater and pants, Nine West bootiesTrina Turk top and pants, BCBGeneration bootiesBanana Republic cardigan, Free People top, BCBGMaxAzria top and pants, BCBGeneration bootiesFree People dress, BCBGMaxAzria velvet leggings, Karl Lagerfeld Paris boots
Rachel Zoe top, 7 For All Mankind jeans, BCBGeneration sandals
Here is my new favorite outfit! I love this Rachel Zoe top so much – I bought it in white too! And adding spandex to jeans is the most brilliant concept the fashion world has ever known. These 7 For All Mankind cropped ankle jeans are so spectacular. They totally move with me like a second skin. My most recent purchase. Lately, every time I buy something, I say to myself – okay, after this you don’t really need anything else. LOL! Needless to say, that thought is fleeting.
Rachel Zoe top, Calvin Klein jeans, Nine West bootiesHonora necklace, Banana Republic sweater, BCBGMaxAzria pants and booties
I also recently acquired these BCBGMaxAzria silk velvet cargo pants in teal – one of the major colors this season. They are amazing in every way! Soft, elastic waist, cropped so that they did not need hemming… OMG! Love!!! ❤
Free People top, Banana Republic pants, BCBGeneration booties
And the Sloan fit pant from Banana Republic – I bought them in both garnet and charcoal. The red ones were on some ridiculous sale because they were the last pair and happened to be in my size. I think they ended up being only $20!
Banana Republic cardigan and pants, Rachel Zoe top, Nine West booties
Here are the rest of my #ootd pics since school resumed. Some are weekend shots. I really love all my Rachel Zoe tops. The fabrication is top notch. I buy them on-line as no stores in Syracuse, New York carry her. Same goes for Trina Turk. Actually, shopping on-line is the way I prefer acquiring my wardrobe. Sometimes I try on BCBG and other stuff while at Lord & Taylor. I spent a couple hours in there trying on jeans last week so that I could ascertain my size and the best fit. Turns out I am a standard size 2 across the board in Hudson, Joe’s Jeans and 7 For All Mankind (0 in Banana and XS or XXS in BCBG depending on the cut). Yes!!!!! And…I love it when something comes in the mail and it is a perfect fit. It is just like magic! Because, of course, fashion is magical.
BCBGMaxAzria romper, BCBGeneration bootiesFree People cardigan and dress, BCBGeneration bootiesHalston Heritage dress, BCBGeneration bootiesTrina Turk dress, BCBGMaxAzria belt and sandalsBCBGMaxAzria dress and belt, BCBGeneration sandalsLucky Brand top, BCNGMaxAzria skirt, BCBGeneration bootiesBCBGMaxAzria dress, Coach clutch, BCBGeneration bootiesBCBGMaxAzria top and booties, Trina Turk skirt, Michelle DaRin braceletsFree People top, Trina Turk skirt, BCBGMaxAzria sandalsHonora necklace, BCBGMaxAzria dress, BCBGeneration bootiesFree People cardigan and dress, Karl Lagerfeld Paris bootsBCBGeneration dress and bootiesFree People dress, BCBGeneration bootiesBanana Republic dress, BCBGMaxAzria booties
