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.

Hats Off

I've been holding on to this outfit post for-eh-verrrr. It is probably one of my favorite outfits from the summer, and it's one I wore often.

I'm not normally a hat person, even though they generally do right by me. But after a series of Instagram pics and blog posts by the infectiously genuine Elena featuring this hat, I was convinced I needed one for myself. A trip to Urban Outfitters and 30% off sale sent me home less a mere $7 and plus one fun little straw fedora that I couldn't wait to wear. A lot.

Of course, I had to modify my normally pouf-tastic updo so the hat could actually sit on my head, forcing me to find another way to wear my short hair up. It's a similar twist and mini-clip technique (I know, I know - I have yet to share with you said technique), but just sitting lower at the nape of my neck. And no pouf. I quite like it even when I'm not wearing a hat.

OH! And it's another maxi! It's the last of the summer of maxis - the third from Old Navy - sister to the purple one and cousin to the printed one. I really did live in these things all summer. So comfy and rather flattering - a pleasant surprise considering how easy to wear they were. I liked them best with various toppers, long pendant necklaces and somewhat dressy sandals. For this one, I loved wearing peachy-toned gold jewelry, chocolate browns to mix with the black of the dress, and a pop of mint ala handbag. (Mmm, ice cream...)

Fedora - Urban Outfitters (similar) / Maxi dress - Old Navy / Instant Sleeves - LucieLu /
Handbag - Ruche / Sandals - Moda Spana (via Endless)

And the hat, of course =)

Necklace - Ruche / Ring - The Limited / Earrings - Anthropologie

P.S. I'm trying to figure out the best posting time for blog posts that will not only work well for my readers but for my own daily schedule. The write-at-night-post-in-morning thing has worked for a while, but lately it seems to contribute to my lack of regularity. What do you guys think? Does it matter what time the blogs you read post? If so, what are your preferences?