The Afterglow

I had a truly amazing day. It's actually kind of mind-blowing the kinds of things that went down.

Powder blue cardigan - LOFT / Navy blue tank - TJ Maxx / Grey wide leg pants - New York & Co.

If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, I alluded to the importance of the day, leaving many of you held in suspense. My day was so busy, too, that I just haven't been able to communicate with anyone until now. So I thought I'd kill a few birds with one stone and just blog about it. =)

Basically, I met probably the most important scholar in my field (Russian music) today. Not only was he a much more congenial individual than I ever thought possible (he comes with a inimitable reputation), but we had really thoughtful conversation about the field and scholarship in general. I felt comfortable and valued all at the same time, even though for the entire 24 hours previous I was stressing about whether I could even pretend that I knew what I was talking about anymore. (Admittedly, I went back and reread my dissertation proposal! I have been out of the game for about a year and half now.... ) And then? The conversation ended with him offering to be an outside reader for my dissertation... You'll just have to trust me when I say: this.is.a.big.deal. It was decisive moment for me; it resurfaced my latent desire to actaully write my dissertation; it assured me that I could write the dissertation; it even suggested that it could be a great dissertation. In short, it validated all the things that I've doubted for the better part of my graduate career. And for a great many reasons, I needed a little validation right now. The fact that the validation come from an eminent scholar in my field only intensified the magnitude of the thing.

I've told myself that this would be the year in which I decide if I'm going to move forward with musicology or arts administration. However, I must admit that I still cannot choose one over the other. I love my current job and I love the opportunities it presents; but musicology is something I've been doing for so long that I can't imagine not finishing. I don't know if I want to pursue academia for my career, but I am missing out on a great opportunity if I don't write this thing; if I don't take advantage of the professional relationships offered to me today. And that's saying something.

Handbag - Tano "Minilisa" in Blue Marine

And one more thing: I'm down 7 pounds through Weight Watchers... a big day on all counts...

Floral ring - TJ Maxx / Earrings - The Limited

I close with just a few words about the outfit: I did choose it carefully. I wanted to be well-dressed but feminine, confident but approachable. I originally thought I'd rock a pencil skirt, but I opted for pants for their ease and comfort instead. I also kept accessories minimal, going without a belt (something I would usually do) or a necklace. I love the monochromatic blues, calming and great for my skin tone, right down to my fabulous shoes and pedicure.

Blue suede t-strap peep toes - Nine West (via Amazon) / Mani & Pedi - O.P.I. "Russian Navy" (appropriate, no?)

As I close on a post that has reflected on such a big day, retrospection affirms that dressing well, that feeling good about how you look and present yourself, can go a long way to help you manage otherwise stressful moments.

...among other things. =)

Even-Handed

I'm just gonna keep on trucking. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that my team is kickin' some butt on Monday Night football. (Go Pats!) I think Boyfriend would be proud that, not only am I hootin' and hollerin' at the TV in his absence, but I'm doing so while writing about clothes... I'm so well-rounded. =P

I take you back to last Wednesday with this post. I'm not terribly happy with the picture quality of my face (my camera has been really uncooperative lately - in the next few posts you'll see the fruits of some different settings), but I was having a good hair day and I like how this look came together. I don't feel like I knocked it out of the park or anything, but I like this particular combination of color, pattern and accessories. It's a nice, even-handed use of them, methinks.

I gotta do something about this belt though. It's one of those that are adjustable in the back, but after a day of sitting and standing and walking around, this one never stays put at the length that I need it to. So, I clearly need to poke some additional holes in it in order to wear it only at its longest. Fortunately, I do have a belt puncher (no idea what it's actually called) - but only because I once borrowed it from a friend and completely forgot to return it to her before she moved away. Whoops. It's definitely the most unlikely tool I (now) own, but it sure has come in handy!

Printed cardigan - LOFT / Burgundy scoop neck tee - LOFT / Brown wide-leg pants - NY&Co / Nude heels - Nine West (via Endless.com) / Ring - Banana Republic / Handbag - Steve Madden (via Endless.com)

Necklace - LOFT / Earrings - NY&Co.

Instead of a Hoodie

So I'm trying to improve my poses. I try not smiling, gazing off camera, doing different things with my limbs - but often, I just look weird - and those pictures never make the cut. I tried a few poses tonight sans smile, but I look mean, or worse, constipated! =P I guess I'm just not as comfortable in front of the camera as I could be. I do want to continue improving my photos, though, especially since it seems like something of a requirement for a good blog. Practice makes perfect, I guess!

Today's outfit was yet again one in which I felt pretty blah for most of the day. I had considered just copping out entirely and wearing an Illini hoodie and tennies, but I thought I could try a little harder with a cozy cowl-neck sweater and flats instead.

Striped cowl-neck sweater - Gap / Brown long sleeve tee - LOFT  / Wide-leg jeans - Gap / Brown  mary-jane flats 

I have to admit that I was not confident that this look was terribly flattering, and I was thisclose to not even taking pictures, from taking a day off from posting. But the BF convinced me otherwise. And, yet again, my pictures (and finding ways to hold my posture that ARE flattering) convince me that not all is not lost when I opt for flats, jeans and a big sweater. =)

I'm starting to think this blog is all about affirmations... Hmm, maybe I should rename it...=7

Dressed-Up Denim, Part 3

Fall really is here, and for that I am thankful. Rather than taking my lunch back to my office, I've allowed myself to sit outside for a bit at the cafe's outdoor veranda, just me and my thoughts (nope, not even my phone). It's only 15 minutes or so, but it is so...lovely... I used to work pretty regularly at this cafe when I was a grad student. I have vivid memories of working on Russian homework here, reading various musicology articles here, even working on an early (and crappy) version of my master's thesis here. (Where did all this nostalgia come from all of a sudden?)  I guess I miss some aspects of being a student, but don't most people in the "real world" at some point? Especially in the fall? The question of whether or not I'll ever go back to my dissertation still lingers over my head on days like these though...

Hmm, all this moodiness is much like the color I'm wearing today...purple (not blue, but not rosy, either =7). Again. I had planned this outfit a few days ago, even before I became conscious of the purple-ness of all my outfits, too. Ah, purple. I'll swear to think outside the color box for the next few days...

Military green tie jacket - LOFT / Wide-leg jeans - Gap / Purple tank - NY&Co

I didn't feel as fabulous in today's outfit (though I think today was just an all-around blah day for me). I don't think it was as successful in the "dressed-up denim" theme as I would have liked, which I primarily attribute to the lighter wash of the jeans. The flats here are pretty dressy - metallic, buckle, open-toe - so I did about as good I could there for a flat, methinks.

Metallic open-toe flats - LOFT

This is also one of the few outfits you'll see me pair with scarf. I wish I were a scarf person, I really do, but I can't ever get them to work with as many outfits as I'd like. I blame my bosoms for that one - I really don't need extra bulk there! Still, this is one of my favorites...

Purple print scarf - Banana Republic

Earrings - NY&Co

Still diggin' the outside pictures, at least! I'm pretty sure I overheard my neighbors puzzling over why some chick was posing in front of a camera out in the courtyard, though...