Print Cue

I'm desperately trying to clear out my backlog of all the obviously pre-fall pictures. The green grass and lush trees are sad reminders of a season that no longer is. Well, actually, I really don't mind that autumn is in full force and that the holiday season is well on its way. I just gotta get caught up, is all!

I'd like to think that the color palette of this outfit is inspired by a pimento olive somewhat autumnal, anyway. After falling head-over-heels with this SWAK top (first worn here), I knew I'd need to find layering options for it to be worn in cooler weather. A new infinity scarf in a cheerful print helped pave the way.

Cropped jacket - Maurices / Mia top - SWAK / Jeans - Lane Bryant /
Handbag - Tano / Sandals - Nine West

Ring - Ruche / Scarf - Anthropologie / Earrings - Ruche

That's right, all color cues were taken right from the scarf itself. As it was a new item in my closet, I desperately wanted to wear it, like, immediately, so I set about building an outfit around it. The SWAK top was basically meant to be worn with it, and my oft-worn cropped olive jacket was an equally destined topper. When in doubt, follow the print!

Hat in Hand

Major coup at work: negotiated having every Monday off! Brilliant! I don't know why it took me so long to think to ask for this schedule. I mean, more often than not I'm working the weekends anyway (and 50+ hrs/wk), and I would typically take the following Monday off so that I could have some kind of weekend. So now it's just part of my standard schedule, and I couldn't be happier! And as I get ready to dive into the busiest week of the semester, I couldn't be more grateful...

Mia Top - SWAK / Jeans - Lane Bryant / Hat - Urban Outfitters / Handbag - Ruche /
Sandals - Nine West

Thanks for everyone's thoughtful comments on my journey back into teaching last week, too. It went really, really well! I thought there were a few issues - pace, probably should have just used the classroom microphone rather than insisting I could speak loud enough over the music - but all in all I thought I covered the material well and kept the students engaged. It was a wonderful if scary feeling to be in front of a classroom again, especially with material that I didn't feel as comfortable with anymore, but it many ways it was just like getting back on a bicycle. I didn't end up wearing a wrap dress, by the way, but a great little pencil skirt and printed top ensemble that I hope to share with you next week. (I'm getting so much closer to being caught up!)

Ring - Banana Republic (eBayed) / Necklace - c/o Kiyonna / Earrings - Ruche

This outfit, worn quite a few weeks ago now (when the leaves hadn't yet fallen and I was still semi-obsessed with this hat) feels like a great way to start of the week, though. My perfect, favorite jeans paired with my now favorite top from SWAK. In fact, I warned (myself?) when I wore the coral version a few weeks prior that I would have to get the black and don the hat. Between those two tops, my best jeans and that hat, this was probably one of my most-worn outfits to close out the summer.

Top It Off

I turned on the heat in the apartment today. I feel it is far too soon for such an action, but the below-freezing overnight temps convinced me otherwise. I'm just not ready for this yet! Give the lovely temperate briskness of autumn its due! The temps are supposed to return to more seasonal levels later this week, so until then I'll reminisce (read: catch up) with even warmer weather outfits, such as this one.

Mia Top - Sealed with a Kiss Designs / Jeans - Lane Bryant / Sandals - Nine West

The top is actually my first purchase from Sealed with a Kiss. I'd been browsing their site for some time, but never felt up to a purchase until settling on this cute little top. It's nice and long, has a flattering neckline and elasticized waistband, and presents lots of possibilities for layering options yet this fall. I'm also a fan of its elbow-length sleeves, of course. It's definitely not made to be tucked in, and its length is proportionally too long for any skirt of mine, but I could see topping it with a belt if desired. (And I'm sure I will desire.) Jeans - skinny or flare - are this top's best friend. The colors it comes in are wonderfully cheery - summery turquoise, yellow and coral - and a black option (which I also got) makes it a great basic.

Ring & necklace - Banana Republic / Earrings - The Limited

Though I'd worn my hair down here, this outfit is also one of my favorites to wear with my straw fedora (first/last seen here), snapped ala Instagram with one of my admittedly multiple wearings. Now that I think of it, I wanna wear the black one with the hat next!

Handbag - Coach (gifted)