My Dogs Are Thugs: Pullover Hoodie, Sweatshirt Skirt & Corset Boots

If you recall, a few months back in a coordinated group attack, my dogs stole my glasses from the table and ate them. Now the little furry terrorists have stolen my camera remote. It has vanished without a trace. I decided today would be a good day to catch up on the outfits I didn’t get last week and shoot some for the next few days as well…you know, since it’s a balmy 25 degrees outside. I keep it on my computer desk with my camera, and when I went to get it, lo and behold, it was gone. I searched in the usual places that the little devils squirrel things away for later consumption, but no luck. I imagine I’ll find it in the yard when the three feet of snow melts. Fortunately, I have some pictures in backup that I haven’t used yet. There’s enough to hold me over until Amazon hooks me up with a new one later this week. Which brings me to another somewhat related topic.

What an uppity little blogger girl I’ve become. Two years ago when I started blogging, I took all of my shots by myself with my point and shoot, no remote and no tripod. Now my remote goes missing and I’m all like, “Oh no. I cannot take blog photos with my fancy Canon and tripod if I don’t have a remote!” How funny is that? I guess instead of uppity, I could say I’ve simply become more discerning.

Is this not the cutest little dressy/not dressy outfit? When I first saw the pullover hoodie and sweatshirt skirt combo on Instagram I had to have it. Had. To. Have. It. It fit my aesthetic perfectly, and I knew it would be so comfortable. I was right about that my friends. And it’s so versatile due to the fact it’s not sweatshirt material per se. It’s kind of a cotton french terry knit so it will be equally comfortable once warm weather gets here. How cute will it be with a pair of Converse? Or sandals? Or pumps? Just about any footwear involving bare legs will work. Since it’s obviously not bare leg weather (ya, the mounds of snow probably gave that away) I thought colored tights and my lace up corset boots would work just fine.

Linking up with: Sunday Funday Link Up, Creative Monday’s Blog Hop, Style To Inspire, Let It Shine, How I Fall, Personal Style Link Up, Visible Monday.

Hoodie/Skirt: Headline Boutique (Currently Unavailable); Boots: JustFab (Old)

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White Skater Skirt, Faux Fur Vest & Over The Knee Boots: Insta-Peeves

I started my Instagram account not quite a year ago. I honestly only started one for the blog, and I don’t have a personal account. I know I’ve said it before, and I know that’s it weird considering I have a blog, but I’m a pretty private person. Thus, I don’t feel the need to have a private Instagram. In any case Instagram has become my most favorite social media platform; I’m very visual and love looking at photos. I’ve also made some really cool friends that I wouldn’t have had the good fortune to meet through either blogging or in real life. There are however, a few things that I find rather irksome.

It’s really one peeve broken into two distinct groups. First, are the Instagrammers who follow you only because they are trying to get you to follow back. I have found that typically bloggers or Insta-bloggers who have a large number of followers will follow you and once you follow back they drop you like a prom dress. Then there are the individuals who follow you and when you don’t follow back, again they drop you. It’s all well and fine if you unfollow me because you’re not diggin’ my vibe, but just because you’re trying to boost your numbers and/or I didn’t reciprocate, c’mon, what is this, high school? I do have an app that tracks my followers and unfollowers. And yes, that in itself might be high schoolish, but the trends interest me and I like to know what’s going on with my account. And yes, I do reciprocate with juvenile behavior. Even if I truly love your account (which in most cases I do because I only follow accounts that interest me) if you unfollow a day after I followed you it’s obvious what you’re up to. Therefore, I unfollow because I find it to be incredibly rude to play games like that.

The second group are the people who follow you because they’re hawking one thing or another and want you to buy something. I understand you’re trying to grow your business, but instead of playing silly follow/unfollow games how about trying to grow it organically? Or maybe post something other than 1,000 wrap pictures trying to convince me I’ll be built like a Victoria’s Secret model if I wrap my belly up in some Saran Wrap like substance? I do actually follow a couple of babes who sell those wrap thingys because they post lots of other cool stuff. All of the silliness that transpires on Instagram, and Facebook as well, is just that, silliness. Trust me, I don’t lose sleep over it, but it is irritating and I thought I’d share.

How’s this outfit for breaking the “don’t wear white after Labor Day” rule? I went for it with this one…all I’m missing is white tights. But I’m pretty sure I would’ve felt (and looked) like a nurse circa 1973. I love these Boohoo skater skirts and this white one is one of my favorites so why should it languish away in the closet until May? The faux fur vest was simply an added layer of warmth as were the fleece leggings. And the over the knee boots? I’m pretty sure the skater skirt was just crying out for over the knee boots to go with it, so I obliged. Ya, I’m nice like that.

Linking up with: Style Me Wednesday, I Feel Pretty, Wednesday Blog Hop, Throwback Thursday, What Wives Wear, Spotlight Weekly Link Up, What I Wore To Work, A Labour Of Fashion, Fashion Item Friday, Style Elixirs Friday Fab Favorites, Welcome To The Weekend Blog Hop, Fashionomics Friday, Favorite Fashion Friday, Fun Fashion Friday, Passion For Fashion Link Up.

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Plaid Duster, Striped Turtleneck & Fringed Infinity Scarf: Act Your Age

My gorgeous friend Suzanne at suzannecarillo.com shared an absolutely excellent article on her Facebook page in regard to what exactly age appropriate means. You should really take a moment and read the article here. It’s some truly delicious food for thought. Any of you who have hung around my little corner of the blogosphere long enough know that I’m not a big fan of rules; particularly those of a fashion and beauty nature. I shop at Forever 21 (I mean come on, the name says it all…Forever 21…’nuff said) and predominantly in the junior’s department at all other retail establishments. I would be as nervous as my sheltie without her Xanax if you told me I had to buy something at CJ Banks and actually wear it it public. Going anywhere near the Alfred Dunner section at JC Penney causes me to break out in hives…I kid you not.

Why is this? Is it because I’m trying to be something I’m not? Am I desperately trying to hold on to my youth? Do I actually think I look 21? Hells no. It’s because I’m a woman barreling towards my next birthday with a “0” in it who just so happens to love clothes and shoes that are cool and fabulous as opposed to elastic-waisted polyester and orthopedic. I also happen to love glitter and sequins as much as any twelve year old girl and I have the sense of humor of a twelve year old boy. Does any of this make me any less who I am? Um, no. It is who I am. Love it or leave, it’s all the same to me. I’m happy with myself and at the end of the day that’s the only thing that matters my friends.

I decided this time I’d make this uber cool plaid duster work as a dress. See how I styled it more casually here. And because I never miss an opportunity to mix it up with the prints I wore my striped turtleneck underneath along with my fringed infinity scarf and fleece leggings for both warmth and coverage since the duster is sheer. I also broke another fashion “rule” here because I had the audacity to wear black and navy blue together in one outfit. I know. I’m such a freakin’ rebel.

Linking up with: Style Elixir’s Friday Fab Favorites, Welcome To The Weekend Blog Hop, Fashionomics Friday, Fashion Friday At Mummy’s Got Style, Favorite Fashion Friday, Fun Fashion Friday, Passion For Fashion Link Up.

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Duster: boohoo.com; Turtleneck: Old Navy; Scarf: Christmas gift; Boots: Target (Old)

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Lavender Midi Skirt, Plaid Top & Black Boots: First Day Of School Pt. 2

Yesterday was my first official day with my new Life Skills program at school. I have eight students (6th thru 8th graders) and they are with me most of the day for Math, Language Arts, Social Studies and Science. I also have them for a period where we work on social skills and just do fun activities to work on interacting with each other appropriately. You guys…I’m having so much fun at work I can’t stand it! The kids are all super excited about it too so that makes it all the better. Especially because how often do middle school kids get excited about anything school related? And let’s be real for a second, how cool is it that I’ve been teaching for 25 years and I’m loving my job more now than maybe I ever have. Since I was at the elementary for several years I’ve had most of them since the third grade so we’re all used to each other and it’s kind of a family-like atmosphere. I’m still a bit overwhelmed because every day boxes of new materials arrive and I have so much to sort through and organize. It will all come together though. What matters the most is my kids are now where they are going to learn the best, and they can feel comfortable and happy while doing it.

I decided I needed some color in my life so I thought my lavender midi skirt and plaid top would do just fine. And how about that gorgeous neck bling?! I don’t know why I tend to wear black and gray so much more often in the winter. Don’t get me wrong…I love black, and gray is my favorite neutral, but sometimes a girl’s just gotta have some color. Since we’re still in the midst of the arctic tundra season boots were a necessity. These black beauties have been lurking around in the furthest reaches of our attic for years. Literally, years. I think the last time I wore them was probably six winters ago. Crazy, right? These are some pretty smokin’ hot boots to have been forgotten in the shadows for so long.

Linking up with: Throwback Thursday, What Wives Wear, Thursday Favorites, Spotlight Weekly Link Up, What I Wore To Work, A Labour Of Fashion.

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Skirt: boohoo.com (No longer available); Top: JCPenney (Old); Boots: Macy’s (Old); Necklace: Walmart (In-store purchase); Coat: Vintage

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