Khaki Colorblock

Top:  H&M (old, similar here with cute peter pan collar), Skirt:  Forever 21 (old, similar here,, here, designer version here), Jacket:  Nordstrom (very old, OBSESSING over this J.Crew version), Shoes:  Christain Louboutin, Belt:  Anthropologie, Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff

 

Happy Wednesday ~ hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

 

On Cue

Top:  Madewell, Pants:  Forever 21 (old, similar here), Shoes:  Zara (similar here, LOVING this pair for fall!!), Clutch:  J.Crew (similar here, I dream of this YSL one), Belt:  H&M (similar here)

 

 

It's as if Mother Nature knew on cue that summer was officially over yesterday because today it is rainy and chilly outside.  Over the weekend I went through my clothes, slowly resurrecting my fall favorites so that I can check that off my list before school starts.

 

Two more days!!

 

 

 

Rules of the Water

Dress:  Anthropologie (old, LOVE this one), Bag:  Unknown (similar here), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

 

I typically don't go anywhere without wearing shoes {they are without a doubt my favorite accessories} but they are not to be worn when riding in my father-in-law's boat. 

 

Just following the rules of the water! 

Any exciting plans for Labor Day weekend?

Hot Crossed Buns

Top:  Anthropologie (old, similar here), J.Crew (similar here), Bag:  Marc by Marc Jacobs, Shoes:  Zara (similar here), Bracelet:  Nordstrom (love this cuff, LOVE this one too!), Sunnies:  Tom Ford

 

You'll have to excuse my hair today ~ getting it cut and colored first thing tomorrow morning.  At the moment {from the sun and lack of maintnance} it's about 5 different shades of brown with some lovely natural grey highlights coming through.  A top bun was the only solution.

 

Hope everyone is enjoying the last official week of summer!

Mosaic

Skirt:  Anthropoloige, Tank:  Aritzia (similar here), Shoes:  Zara (LOVE this pair ~on my wishlist!), Necklace:  House of Harlow, Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff

 

I bought this skirt intending "back to school" wear, but upon bringing it home I realized that paired with some basics it was perfect for a night out.  I can't wait to work this skirt into multiple ensembles so READERS BEWARE:  you will undoubtedly see this skirt on repeat.

A Short Story

Top:  Zara (similar here), Shorts:  Zara (similar here on sale!!), Bag:  Tory Burch (old, similar here), Shoes:  Bebe (very old, love these), Necklace:  J.Crew (similar here)

 

 

I'm trying to squeeze in all of my not work appropriate clothes in the next two weeks before school begins.  Shorts are typically on that list although as you saw in this post, I do push the issue. 

 

Hope everyone is having a fabulous week!

 

 

Maxin' and Relaxin'

Jacket:  Forever 21, Dress:  T-Bags (old, similar here on sale!!!), Bag:  Unknown (similar here), Necklace:  J.Crew (LOVE this one), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

Sorry for the blogging hiatus!  I've been down the shore since Thursday and the weather has been so perfect.  We have been on the beach until at least 5pm every day.  I am truly enjoying these last few weeks before school starts. 

Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend as much as I am!

Paint it Black {and White}

Dress: Forever 21, Blazer: Zara (similar here), Shoes: Zara (similar here), Bag: Rebecca Minkoff

I rarely wear black and white in the summer because I feel it is the best time of year to wear your brightest brights. However, I just loved how simple & chic this outfit looked that I was able to refrain from adding my usual color pop.

I also took a break from my fit-and-flare dresses to don this sleek striped bodycon dress. I found this dress for under $10 at Forever 21 and was suprised by how thick the material was. Great quality for such an amazing price!

Hope you all have a wonderful week!!

Blast from the Past: Engagement Party

Dress:  Miss Me (old, LOVE the pockets on this one), Shoes:  Zara (similar here), Necklace:  Anthropologie, Clutch:  Anthropologie (similar here on SALE!, this one is on my wishlist)

I have been recycling a LOT of my old clothes lately rather than buying new.  I was digging in the back of my closet the other day when I came across the various dresses that I wore for events surrounding my wedding.  Since my 5 YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY is right around the corner, I thought it would be interesting to do a remix of the dresses that I wore for my engagement party, shower and rehearsal dinner. 

I wore this white frock to my engagement party in August 2006.  It was outside under a large tent at my in-law's lake house and, despite the light rain and unseasonably cool weather, it was a beautiful party.

With me in the picture below are my two maids of honor, Michele and Jess.

Such great memories!

Fifty Shades...

Grey tank:  Zara (similar here), Black tank (under):  Aritzia (similar here), Pants:  AG, Shoes:  H&M (liking this strappy pair), Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Necklace:  H&M (LOVE this one), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban, Wrap bracelet:  Unknown (great Gorjana version here), Watch:  DKNY (similar MK one here)

Today started out as a fairly grey day, so I threw on some gloomy weather clothes to go to brunch.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

"I am 16 Going on 17...."

Top:  J.Crew (similar here), Shorts:  Anthropologie (similar here), Shoes:  Tory Burch, Bag:  Louis Vuitton, Necklace:  J.Crew (LOVING this one that can be worn as a bracelet too!), Bracelet:  Unknown (similar here), Sunnies:  Tom Ford

Since I was young I have always had a strange obsession with gazebos {maybe because I also had an obsession with The Sound of Music}.  I thought they were the most intriguing structures and wanted one in my back yard in lieu of a tree-house. 

As a child, my grandmother would take me to this gazebo on the bay where they would often hold concerts and have fireworks.  When it was empty I would dance around in it.

It is still a beautiful place and holds such great memories. 

Down the Shore

 

Dress:  Amanda Uprichard, Shoes:  Bebe (old, similar here), Earrings:  Kendra Scott, Bracelet:  similar here

Another weekend at the beach and despite some rough waters, the weather has just been GLORIOUS the past 2 days.

I wore this bright mini-dress to dinner at our new favorite shore restaurant, Aqua Blu, and it was the perfect compliment to the tan I have been cultivating.

As you can probably tell by now, my beach wardrobe is very different than my classroom wardrobe.  Many of my colleagues complain that they have trouble not looking like a teacher outside of the classroom.  I tell them to begin with pieces that can transition day to night, and go from there.  

Words like strapless, mini, flowy, sky-high, strappy, and flirty are perfect for vacation but are not in my classroom-wear vocabulary.

Lazy Days of Summer

Top:  Madewell (similar for $6!!), Shorts:  Zara (similar here), Shoes:  Zara (similar, loving this low-wedge option), Bag:  Louis Vuitton, Necklace:  Madewell (similar here, here), Watch:  DKNY, Earrings:  gift (similar here), Nails:  Essie 'Borrowed and Blue'

I've been doing a lot of sale shopping lately.  I'm always amazed at how early {usually right around July 4th} stores start to discount their summer stock and actually begin to display their fall lines ~  a bit depressing being reminded that the new school year is right around the corner ~ ahhh! 

I picked up these wedges on sale for under $50 at Zara, and this tank for $10 at Madewell.  I think I can speak for everyone when I say LOVE a good bargain.

So bring on the sales and the new fall stock, but I'm still going to enjoy every minute of my summer vacation!!  

Customized

Dress:  c/o eShakti, Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Shoes:  Zara (loving these, and these), Belt:  Anthropologie (old, similar here ~ I turned the flower to back of dress), Earrings:  Anthropologie (similar here), Nails:  Essie 'Borrowed and Blue'

  I was recently introduced to an online boutique called eShakti.  Their concept is different from many online retailers in that they do ready-to-wear and custom orders. I purchase a good amount of my clothes online and end up sending back/exchanging a lot of them because they don't fit.   It's very hard to gauge whether or not something will fit even with a size chart.

I was really pleased with this dress when it came because it was tight through the bodice and still left enough room in the chest area.  It was lightweight and comfortable and was perfect for a shower I attended recently.

This dress is so fun and flirty, I was compelled to twirl around in it!

Use code MA20RGX from now until July 31 on the eShakti website to receive 10% off your entire order {including SALE}!!!

Cobalt

Dress:  Anthropologie, Shoes:  Bebe (old, LOVING this pair), Necklce:  J.Crew (similar here), Watch:  DKNY (similar here)

 

I was drawn to this dress instantly upon spotting it on a mannequin at my local Anthropologie store.  There is something about this amazing cobalt blue color that gets me every time.  If I had to pick one color that works best with my skin-tone/hair color, this would be it.  

When I tried it on, the dress was so light and flowy and has a beautiful attached slip that protects you from having a wind-blown Marilyn moment.  I knew it would be the perfect dress to accompany me to the beach this weekend.

What are your favorite colors to wear?

Secret Garden

Top:  Zara (similar, love this eyelet one), Pants:  Anthropologie (similar, diggin this pair too), Clutch:  Anthropoligie, Shoes:  Zara (similar), Belt:  J.Crew (similar), Earrings:  Anthropolige (similar, these are cute too)

Peplum top + rose gold + floral pants + flowy waves + garden setting ~ does it get any more feminine than this?

Maxxinista

Blouse:  Equipment via TJ Maxx (similar on sale here), Jeans:  7FAM, Bag:  Louis Vuitton, Shoes:  J.Crew (very old, similar here with feathers! LOVE these), Watch:  DKNY (similar here), Nails:  Essie 'Borrowed & Blue'

It's very hard for me to take pictures early in the morning because I find the light is not very agreeable (and I'm still half asleep).  I had to snap these quickly this morning before leaving the house for a meeting.

I decided that this week ~ in honor of Independence Day ~ I would wear only outfits featuring variations or red, white and blue.  I realized quickly that my wardrobe lacks red but I have an abundance of white and blue.

I picked up this Equipment blouse about 6 months ago at my local TJ Maxx store.  I sometimes find it difficult to shop there because you literally have to weed through TONS of clothes to find the 'hidden gems', as I like to call them.  This top was just that ~ it was labeled 'clearance' and marked down to just $25!!!!!  Now that's a steal! I was instantly transformed into a Maxxinista!

Love these classic J.Crew D'Orsay seersucker pumps with grosgrain bow ~ I picked them up more than 5 years ago via Ebay!

Have a great week everyone!!

Hot Child in the Suburbs

Dress:  Fighting Eel (old, similar here, here), Bag:  Louis Vuitton, Shoes:  Tory Burch, Cross Bracelet:  similar here, here,here, Aviators:  Ray-Ban, Nails:  Essie 'to buy or not to buy' (love the name!!)

I know, I know, "suburbs" does not have as great a ring to it as "city" but I had to keep it real!  We are having another heat wave in NJ and the temp is supposed to be 90+ degrees through the weekend and into next week.

My outfit today is a little simpler than what I normally wear but if it were socially acceptable to walk around in a bikini, I would probably be doing just that.  Also, I must confess, my idea of showering the past couple of days has consisted of splashing around in various swimming pools. 

We took the above pictures at dusk and I was kinda diggin the blue hue that showed up as a result. 

I took the picture below while sunning on my friend's pool deck in Hoboken - amazing view of the city - life is good :-)

School's Out For Summer

Dress:  Anthropologie (old, similar here), Bag:  Marc by Marc Jacobs (older, similar here), Shoes:  Bebe (oldest, similar here, here), Bangle & Necklace:  H&M

Yesterday was the last day of school.  Although I wait for this day with excitement and anticipation every year, when it finally arrives my feelings are bitter-sweet. 

Not only do I miss the students and my colleagues/friends, but I also miss my routine where I'm up early in the morning and am busy all day long.  It makes me feel like I'm not wasting the day away.

This feeling quickly fades as soon as I hit the beach!

I may be on a break from school, but Classroom Couture will not be taking a vacation.  I'll be posting new outfits all summer long so stay tuned!

I tried to take an action shot this week of me "jumping for joy" but I ended up looking like the severely uncoordinated cheerleader who got cut from the squad.