Lapis Lazuli (and a Hello from the Boyfriend)

Dress: Anthropologie (with alterations. similar, similar) / Belt: Madewell (similar) / Wedges: Target / Bag: Jason Wu for Target / Sunglasses: Target / Bracelets: Gift / Necklace: bought in Italy

 

I had an interview of sorts today (I say of sorts because it was pretty informal) for a job I'm hoping to get on campus. Essentially, the job's primary duty is serving alcohol to (of age!) undergrads. Or, to put it more seriously, standing between undergrads and their alcohol. This actually sounds like tons of fun to me. I thought on-campus bartending might be a good way to meet people from other departments, learn a new skill, have a good time, and of course make a little cash.

I mention this because the Boyfriend and I were in a bit of a debate over what I should wear to said interview. He was advocating a much more business-y look (black pencil skirt & button-down, pumps), while I thought this shirtdress (with a more professional leather bag) was appropriate for a casual job in the middle of the world's hottest summer. In the end, he deemed this look appropriate. This was aided by the fact that I'm currently living out of a suitcase and these wedges were the only pair of heels I had access to...kind of put a limit on what I could wear.

So, what do you think? Casual job (I was more dressed up than the interviewer, which I think is always a good sign), hot summer...what to wear?

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[Boyfriend edit: I requested the right to defend myself in court, and permission was granted... so hello! I am the boyfriend. My experience with clothes is, shall we say, binary. You are either dressed up (for men: collared shirt tucked into slacks and fancy shoes) or not (T-shirt, jeans). I learned this growing up in a small California town, but now that I am living in Boston I suppose these shades of grey are what I will need to learn. Luckily, Miss Petite on a Penny steadfastly ignored my "but, um, black pencil skirt and white blouse" plea, and put on something fun and vibrant. 

Now, all of that being said, I have a hard time gauging how far to dress up and when. So if the boyfriend is allowed to pose a follow-up question to the court: what factors and thought process determine how "dressed up" you get?]

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Edit to add: I must have done something right, because I got the job! :D

Green and Navy (pt 2)

 

Dress: Modcloth / Cardigan: H&M / Belt: Madewell / Sandals: Gap / Necklace: bought in Italy 

 

I am in love with this color combination right now. I'm not the biggest fan of the pale pastels of spring, but I will always get behind this bright kelly green, which feels so perfect for this season to me. See my other navy-and-green combo here.

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 On a personal note:

I love working with the kids at my school; they are, on the whole, charming, curious, intelligent, and absolutely hillarious children. It is not, however, always (or even often) perfect. Two weeks ago was particularly trying. The kids were testing, and had been for days (the amount of tests in LAUSD is staggering), so they were bored and annoyed and restless.

On Monday, the boys' bathroom was graced with the graffiti "Lauren is a b****" (well, they didn't use the stars, but you get the idea). On Wednesday, I intercepted a note, elaborating upon the sentiment, "Lauren is a b**** and a h** (points for proper spelling?).

I'm pretty sure both of the sentiments were in reaction to something I've tried to stick to: holding the kids to high expectations. Even if they don't have their homework 90% of the time, I will still ask them for it every single day, will still express my dissapointment that they don't have it, and will still follow through on the reprocussions that should follow.

The other week, by doing this, I definitely pissed off a few 10 year-olds. Maybe it had been bothering them for a while and was exacerbated by the days upon days of testing; maybe it had nothing to do with this at all. Maybe some of them just don't like me. But I realized then that holding the kids to high expectations--keeping them accountable, paying attention, following through, and making sure they know that I know they can do it--is infinitely more important than 100% of my classroom liking me, 100% of the time.

Or, as our Principal put it, "If they're not calling you names, you ain't doing your job!" :)

Happy weekend!

Can you really dye my shirt to match my wall?

("Uh-huh!" "Jolly old town!")

Sweater: H&M sz xs ($15.00) / Skirt: LOFT A-Line Eyelet Skirt sz 00 ($69.50,  $32.99 + waist alterations) / Belt: Madewell ($48.00, $12.00, buy here) / Tights: Target / Shoes: H&M  sz 7 ($24.95) / Necklace: homemade

 And it FINALLY feels like fall in LA. Grey skies, a light rain, a crisp breeze....mmmm. I couldn't be happier. What better way to celebrate the fall weather than with a new warm & cozy sweater, tights, and black booties on a business-casual day? I'll tell you what's better....exactly matching your outfit to your tool shed, that's what.