Oct 14, Cozy Flannel

I had so much fun last week with my Nordstrom inspired theme week, that I’ve decided to do another one- but on my own terms! It really does make getting dressed easier when you have a point of reference to start. So, here are my plans for the week: Monday: Cozy Flannel, Tuesday: Camo, Wednesday: Dress or skirt, Thursday: Athleisure Wear, Friday: Weekend Ready Graphic T shirt

What could be more fall than a flannel? I mean seriously! It’s like the quintessential fall outfit. My first look was ripped jeans, the flannel and tennis shoes, but that is a little plain.

So then I decided to tye the flannel around my waist and pair it with a white henley long sleeve shirt. I really like this look- it’s a great casual, weekend outfit! For a little less casual version, I thought I’d add this cute utility jacket. This jacket is perfect for chilly fall mornings, it’s not too heavy, but adds a bit of warmth and style at the same time. I swapped out the tennis shoes for my slip on ones, and made sure to roll the sleeves of the jacket. I think the last look would be appropriate for school- but I would not wear the distressed jeans. No school for me today though (it’s conferences, so no substitutes needed), so I’m off to have some fun with girlfriends! 🙂

Flannel- Target

Jeans- Nordstrom (7 for all Mankind)

Jacket- Khol’s

Shoes- Vince, Nordstrom Rack & Adidas, Nordstrom Rack

Oct 11, Dress

My week of Nordstrom inspired outfits has come to an end. I have to say, I liked having a theme for each day. It really did make getting dressed a bit easier! Today’s theme is a dress.

I wanted a dress that is casual enough for school, and then can be easily transitioned to a going out outfit for after work.

I choose this cute black and grey dress from Banana Republic (I bought this on my 40th birthday and I am 48, so it’s really old!)

For school today I have paired it with black tights, black booties and a super chunky, cozy grey sweater. Then, if I had a hot date tonight with my hubby I could take off the tights, replace the booties with heels and remove the cardigan and I’m all set for a fancy date night. Truthfully, I will be going to the high school football game tonight, so I will definitely not be wearing this! But one can dream of a fancy dinner out somewhere warm where one can have bare arms and legs…right?!

Have a great weekend! 🙂

Oct 10, Denim Shirt

Today’s OOTD is another Nordstrom inspired look from the email marketing campaign I received over the weekend.

The advice for today was to build a look around a classic accessory like a wool felt hat, which is adorable on some people, but not me! Instead I decided to build my outfit around a classic piece- my denim shirt.

I’ve had a denim shirt for years now, and if you don’t own one- I highly suggest you buy one asap. Either that or a denim jacket, which may be my all time favorite! A denim shirt (or jacket) is so versatile, it literally goes with everything. I always pack one when I travel, as it is the perfect layering piece. The one I’m wearing today is from American Eagle, but I also have one from J Crew that is more fitted.

Today I have paired my shirt with joggers. I like the casual, loose fit, but I don’t want to look messy, so I needed to tuck it in and roll the sleeves. To really add some style I have chosen snakeskin slides. While it’s tempting to just wear my comfy slip on sneakers, these shoes are a statement piece and truly complete the look.

Joggers- Marshalls

Shoes- Nordstrom Rack

Shirt- American Eagle

Oct 4, Rain boots

This outfit started with my rain boots and then worked it’s way up. I often decide my outfits this way- choosing my shoes first, then building the outfit from that. I take into account several factors; including the occasion, the weather and how long I am going to be on my feet.

I’m teaching school today, so will be on my feet a lot, so need comfy shoes. Since it’s supposed to rain all day, these Hunter rain boots are perfect. They are comfy and warm, and much cuter than the clunky and awkward boots on the left.

As for my leggings, I’m not usually a fan of wearing yoga pants to work, they seem too casual, so I have dressed these up with a long blouse and cardigan. The black cardigan is fine, but isn’t the burgundy one on the right better? I love the pop of color, and the longer length is sure to cover my entire behind. The blouse also covers everything (front and back!), and has such a cute but subtle pattern.

The blouse (old) and sweater (new) are from Target, boots are Hunter (Nordstrom) and my leggings are Athleta. I recommend buying high quality leggings! Cheap, thin ones look terrible. They stretch and sag easily, and often you can see right through them. The more expensive ones hold their shape and last for years.

Oct 3, Athleisure Wear

This casual outfit is a combination of an athletic top paired with joggers, perfect for running errands.

I have a tennis match today, so need to be wearing this top, but wanted to show how it could be paired with casual joggers as an alternative look.

The joggers on the left are made of 100% cotton, and they don’t fit well. They are too loose. See how they bag at the knees? They also are too long- notice how they meet my shoes? The joggers on the right, which are made of polyester and spandex, are a more flattering fit. The rolled cuffs allow for a peek at my ankles and my cute slip on tennis shoes. As for the top, the way it flares out right at my hips makes me look a wider. By tying it in the back- and defining my waist- I look slimmer.

If it’s chilly, I will throw on a denim jacket with the sleeves rolled up.

Top- Altheta

Joggers- Target

Shoes- Dr Scholl’s (Marshalls)

Oct 2, Satin Bomber

I’ve mentioned my love of my bomber jacket several times, so forgive me for being repetitive, but boy do I ever love this jacket!

First of all, it is so warm. Like seriously warm. Secondly, I feel like it adds a layer of ‘cool’ to my outfit, which at my age, I can use all of the ‘coolness’ help I can get. I also love the color, it’s a gorgeous blush/rose- which is really different for me. And lastly, it’s a great alternative to a cardigan or blazer.

My outfit today started with my straight leg blue jeans and a grey v neck tank. For warmth, I added the bomber jacket- but then when looking at the photos, I decided I didn’t love the way it looks. I don’t know if it’s the shoes, the color of the jeans or what… but I wasn’t feeling it. So I decided to try grey jeans instead paired with grey booties. I like this a lot better!

However, then I saw this cute printed tank that I rarely wear, so I thought it would be fun to try it out. When I say ‘shop your closet’ this is exactly what I’m talking about. I’ve had this tank for years (I think it may have been an item I received back when I did Stitch Fix years ago), but I never wear it. But paired with this cute bomber, I really like it. Plus, I’ve been really trying to add more patterns to my outfits rather than always wearing solids.

So here’s my advice today. Block out some time this week (like an hour or more) and play in your closet. Combine items that you’ve never paired together to see how they look. Take photos to get a different perspective. Save the photos on your computer to go back to on those days when you think you have nothing to wear! It’s amazing how many different combinations you can come up with when you take the time to explore!

Jacket- H&M

Top- Stitch Fix

Jeans- Levis

Boots- Paul Green, Nordstrom

Sept 24, Growth Mindset

I’m not even going to talk about today’s outfit, party because I think it’s just an ok outfit (these early school mornings are killing me), and also the changes are pretty self explanatory.

Instead I want to tell you about something I learned about myself last night. 

I was out to dinner with friends and I shared that I have been trying some new vegetarian recipes for my family, and how my daughter has been reluctant to try my amazing concoctions. However, rather than force her to eat it, in our family we have what I call a ‘no thank you bite’ meaning you must take a bite and try it and then you can say ‘no thank you’. I always thought this was a great way of getting my kids to at least try new things. 

However, after I shared this story, my clever friend Stacey said, “why wouldn’t you call that a discovery bite? When you call it a ‘no thank you bite’ you are already setting the stage to saying no….” 

Wow! How had I never thought of that? She is totally right, and that is the perfect example of a growth mindset.

Have you ever heard this phrase? I honestly hadn’t until I started back teaching 3 years ago. Now, I hear it daily. Growth mindset is the idea that instead of saying to yourself ‘I can’t do that’, you say ‘I can’t do that- yet’! Meaning there is always a possibility that you may grow or learn something new! Cool, huh?

So, now I will say to my family, “would you like to discover Ginger miso salad?! Smokey cauliflower tacos? Chickpea faro stew… ?” and I’m hoping their response will be, “I’ve never had that- yet… but I’d love to try! “ Do you see where I’m going here? By simply changing the way I phrase my suggestion to try something new- I hope I can teach my kids to explore- and grow! 

I don’t know why I had to share that, except for the fact that it really made me reflect on how I present things to my children (and students) and maybe even possibly myself. Am I saying no to things because I haven’t mastered them? Am I afraid to try something new? Do I have a growth mindset? Thanks to Stacey, I will now approach my life in a more open minded and exploratory way! We are never too old to learn! 

(jeans- Gap, flannel- American Eagle, boots- Nordstrom)

Sept 23, Black and White, Day and Night

Today’s outfit is not a before and after, instead it’s a day to night look. I’m teaching school today, and then going to dinner with friends this evening, so I wanted an outfit than can easily transition from one to the other.

I started with black jeans, because they are an easy base for any outfit. Plus, being black they will hide any dirt that I may get on them while at school today.

As most of you know, I rarely wear prints, but every now and then I find one I like such as this cute top with the little hearts. It’s fun and different! For my school outfit, I added a draped cardigan which is comfy and warm. I finished the look with flat black booties since I will be on my feet all day. These are super comfy- and best of all, I can wear socks with them!

For my evening outfit, I will swap out the cardigan for a blazer. I have been seeing a lot of blazers lately on Instagram, but most of them are oversized and more of a throwback to the 80’s. This fitted version is not as trendy, but it is still stylish and adds some polish to my look. To dress it up even more, I replaced the booties with these cute peep toe heels.

Jeans- Gap

Top- Marshalls

Blazer- Nordstrom

Cardigan- Calypso

Booties- Nordstrom Rack

Peep toe Booties- Marshalls

Sept 16, Opposite Day

Today’s outfit is jeans, a top and a super comfy long cardigan. Originally I started with blue skinny jeans and a white top with the cardigan, but then I decided to try the opposite of that look- white jeans and a blue top.

Personally, I think both looks work- but I like the version with the white jeans, simply because it’s a little different for me. So next time you are getting dressed- think about flipping your outfit around and trying something new!

Jeans- Gap

T shirt- Nordstrom Rack

Sweater- Marshalls

Shoes- Dr. Scholl’s Marshalls

Sept 15, Black Joggers

When I think of wearing joggers, I immediately think of a very casual outfit, but today I am showing a way to actually dress your joggers up a bit- and perhaps wear them to work, church, or even out to dinner.

I started with this gorgeous wine colored polyester blouse from Nordstrom (similar). Growing up in the 70’s, when I hear ‘polyester’ I think of the Brady Bunch- but honestly, it’s come a long way since then. It’s a great (and more affordable) alternative to silk, plus it washes easily. Tip of the day, don’t be afraid of polyester!

Here is how I improved the before look. I tucked in the blouse, added a cool necklace, rolled the hem of my joggers and swapped out the boots for these cute peep toe booties. Now have a cute outfit that is super comfy while also being stylish.

*full disclosure I’m not actually wearing this today, but I totally would! Instead I’m heading to yoga 🙂