So Long Summer...

Although it's not the official last day of the season, Labor Day for me {and I'm sure for many of you too} pretty much symbolizes the end of summer.

This year is strange for me as it is the first year since I started Kindergarten that I will not be going back to school next week. I am, however, done with training and officially starting my new job on Monday.

I leave you on this long weekend with a summer recap of some of my favorite outfits of the season, and the promise of some fabulous fall fashion to come!

A Maxi Moment

Dress:  Anthropologie, Clutch:  c/o GiGi New York, Rings:  unknown (LOVE these), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban, Nails:  Essie "Camera"

I almost passed on this dress when I first saw it in my local Anthro store thinking ~ where am I going that I could possibly wear this?  Being that this is probably the first summer in 10 years that we have no summer weddings to go to, it just didn't seem that practical.  When I went back a week or two later and saw it on sale, I thought ~ I'll create my own occasion.

I decided to wear it to a close friend's baby shower and dressed it down with a very plain pair of nude flip-flops, and bare minimal accessories.  It was perfect for the occasion.  I will also be wearing to work sometime in the next week or two with a jean jacket to create a more casual {and work appropriate} look.
2 days left to enter our GIVEAWAY ~ don't miss out!  Click HERE to enter.

Runaway Train

Top:  Free People, Jeans:  AG via Anthropologie, Shoes:  Anthropologie, Bag:  Forever 21 (similar here)

I am a woman of few words today...

...have a wonderfully well-balanced weekend!

And of course, don't forget to enter our giveaway to win a $300 J.Crew gift card!  Click HERE to enter.

Summer Romance

Dress:  Free People (also buy here, LOVE this color), Shoes:  Valentino, Bag & Earrings:  Unknown (similar bag here) (similar earrings here)

I was a little hesitant to buy when I first saw this dress.  The waist is a tad higher than what I normally wear, and I'm not really into the "baby doll" look.  To my pleasant surprise, the cut is actually really cute and flattering.  Now that I'm kinda starting to transition into fall wardrobe mode, I immediately began thinking of all the ways I could style it for colder weather. But for $29.99, I'm pretty sure I would have bought it either way!

I wore it to dinner over the weekend ~ my husband took me out to celebrate my first week at my new job.  It was the perfect mix of romantic and chic.

Don't forget to enter our group giveaway HERE to win a $300 J.Crew gift card!

A New Chapter...

Blazer:  Anthropologie (old, similar here), Top:  Anthropologie (identical option here), Jeans:  Henry & Belle c/o PB&J Boutique, Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Shoes:  Zara (old, great option here), Sunnies:  LeSpecs c/o Sunglassesshop.com, Nails:  Essie "Blanc"

Whoa, has this been a busy week {and by week I mean month}.  I'm finally able to share with you something exciting that's been going on in my life.

For quite some time now, I've been thinking of making a career change.  While I love teaching and working with children, I feel that it's just not what I'm truly passionate about.  At the end of the school year this year, I had a meeting with my boss where he explained that the aides' hours were being cut {significantly} district wide.

Naturally, I was upset, but at the same time I knew this was exactly the push I needed to get out there and make a change.

My next question:  where do I even begin looking?  I decided to combine my business degree with my passion for fashion.  I updated my resume and started sending it out everywhere {and I seriously mean EVERYWHERE}.

A few short weeks later I started getting responses and going on interviews, some of which thankfully turned into second interviews.

And so ~ to make a long story even longer ~ I'm happy to say that I accepted a position in the luxury fashion industry and started this past Monday.

I fully intend to continue writing and publishing Classroom Couture, although it may evolve a bit {and I'm not sure yet what to do about the name}.  I'm so thankful for my wonderful followers, and for your continued support as I embark on this new chapter in my life.

And now without further adieu, the winner of my Sunglassesshop.com giveaway is...
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Congratulations Julie! I'll be contacting you shortly.  Thank you to everyone who entered and stay tuned because I have another giveaway coming up early next week!

It's In The Details...

Dress:  Stone Cold Fox c/o PB&J Boutique, Bag:  Forever 21 (similar here), Shoes:  Anthropologie ~ on major sale!, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

I can't decide which I'm more obsessed with at the moment ~ the gorgeous lace detail of this SCF dress,  or the funky tribal motif of these Anthropologie wedges.

Happy Hump Day!

PS ~ Don't forget to enter my sunglasses giveaway ~ ends at midnight tonight!  Click HERE to enter.

Manic Monday

Blazer:  Zara (old, similar here, here under $50!), Dress:  ASOS, Shoes:  Joie ~ on sale 60% off!!!, (also on sale here), Clutch:  Anthropologie (old, similar here), Necklace:  Etsy (old, similar here for $6!), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban, Nails:  Essie "Blanc"

Happy Monday everyone!  I had another wonderful beach weekend and am relaxed and ready to face this crazy week.  LOTS of changes going on and now that things are just about finalized, I promise to let you in on my big secret later in the week.

In the meantime, be sure to enter my amazing sunglasses giveaway {HERE}.

Back To Basics

Top:  Free People, Jeans:  AG via Anthropologie, Sunnies:  Le Specs c/o SunglassesShop

Sometimes it's best to stick to the basics.  Especially on a chilly evening down the shore {and by chilly I mean under 80}.  

I purchased this Free People tank a few weeks ago and, I kid you not, have not taken it off since.  I bought in a few colors {seen here in black} because I love the relaxed fit, high neckline, the ribbing, and the racerback.  Like I always say, you can never have too much of a good thing ~ when it comes to wardrobe basics this is especially true.

How fabulous are these sunnies?  It's hard to tell from the picture but they're actually a twofer ~ I turn my head one way and they're violet and the other way, turquoise!  Sunglassesshop.com not only offers a fabulous choice of LeSpecs, but they carry a variety of the most coveted luxury brand sunglasses. 

Be sure to stay tuned because I may or may not have a sunglasses giveaway coming up later this week!

Sun-Kissed

Top:  Madewell (old, similar here, here), Skort:  Zara (identical one here under $25!!), Shoes:  Steve Madden (another great option here), Bag:  Forever 21 (similar here, here), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

Hello and happy Monday!  Sorry for the short hiatus.  I've been SUPER busy lately {which is ironic since I'm a teacher and it's the summer} working on something that I hope to be able to share with you all soon!  

I have, however, been at the beach every weekend.  Ok, maybe my legs aren't just sun-kissed, they look more like the Jersey Shore special.  Better up my SPF from 30 to 70 and get an umbrella!

Black and Neon

Top:  Free People, Shorts:  J.Crew ~ on sale! (similar option here), Shoes:  Zara (great option here, here, here), Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Nails (fingers & toes):  Essie "Blanc"

It has been super-hot in NJ so I have been wearing as little as possible.  I found this tank at Free People and I think I'm in love.  Possibly the best tank ever created ~ it's light and flowy and I love the high neck/racerback detail.  I purchased it in several colors and am so happy I did because I have worn the black one almost every day for a week straight {good thing I have others for when I need to take it off to wash it}.

I thought I had waited too long to take pictures when I snapped these the other day at dusk, but the shorts are so bright, they almost glow in the dark!