Take a Breath

Oh. my. goodness. I am so busy. I knew grad school was going to be tough, but dang, I am working a ton! I'm not complaining though; I'm doing what I love and I couldn't be happier with my classes and classmates. It just means I am a million years behind on following blogs, and posting might be a bit sparse around these parts for a week or two....at least until midterms are over....

 Top: Forever 21 / Tank: Goodwill / Shorts: Gap / Shoes: Crocs / Bag: Jason Wu for Target / Sunglasses: Target

   

Also, this is likely my last post in shorts for another 6 months. :) The leaves are staring to turn (I'll have to post some pictures of them next time around; its getting gorgeous over here), the wind is starting to crisp up, and that smell of Fall is in the air. Break out the scarves and boots!

And it seems like I'm really getting into this beige-top dark-bottoms thing lately...clearly I have to start digging through another part of my closet...

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

And this is why the Boyfriend doesn't take my pictures...

 Dress: Urban Outfitters (similar and similar for $20 each) / Earrings: from a friend (similar, similar) / Bracelet: Vintage, inherited from my Nana, made in Siam / Sunglasses: Target

 

And this is why the Boyfriend doesn't take my outfit photos....

Me: Would you mind taking some photos of my new haircut and outfit real quick?

Him: Sure!

*Outside* *snap*snap*snap*

Him: Ok, here you go!

Me: Ummm...where's my outfit?

Him: Oh. I thought it was...for the haircut?

I'm always a bit jelous of those bloggers whose boyfriend/husband/significant other takes their photos with professional-grade quality. Me and my tripod are doing just fine, but the versatility they get out of their pictures is enviable!

Apparently, it'll have to stay that way, because the Boyfriend, bless his heart, isn't Mr. Professional Photographer Man. But I do kind of like these photos! Don't you just love how your hair looks right after a haircut? I can never get it to look quite as good after...

Hope you're all having a good week!

Shoe Woes

 Top: Gap (similar, and similar for $9.49!) / Skirt: H&M / Bag: Vintage Coach, via eBay / Sunglasses: Target / Bracelet: gift

 

I've quickly figured out what one of the main differences between my style in LA and my style in Boston is going to have to be: shoes. By which I mean, I went (almost) everywhere in LA by car. I'd drive somewhere, perhaps walk for a short while, and drive back home. Thus, I lived the first 22 years of my life with what I am now realizing are some damn impractical shoes. I've never been a heels-in-the-daytime kind of a girl, but I do have a shoe collection that is 90% paper-thin flats, sandals, and a few pairs of (pretty decent) boots.

Now that I live in a walking/public transportation city, I'm realizing just how impractical most of my shoes are. I bought my first pair of sneakers in years the other day, but I REALLY don't want to have to wear those every day. So, blogging community, help! What are some cute, comfortable, and preferably not too expensive sandals, flats, and/or waterproof shoes that I could wear in a walking city?

My feet will thank you. :)

Counting Down

Top: Gap / Cardigan: from a local boutique / Jeans: Gap 1969 Always Skinny sz 00 / Shoes: Target / Bag: Vintage Coach, via eBay / Sunglasses: Target / Belt: Target / Bracelets: DIY (how to, here!)

 

So the good news is I "inherited" this belt from my mom. Hooray for free stuff! The bad news is is broke all of two hours after taking this picture. :-/ It was a cheap-y belt from Target, so I suppose the fact that it lived for a few years is quite good.

I'm trying to be mindful of what I buy on the (super) cheap and what I spend my money on. Colorful skinny belts that will last a few years? $20, max. But, classic bags or workhorse shoes that will last forever? I'm trying to work up the courage to spend more on those sorts of things. Thus, my decision to buy that beautiful Cambridge Satchel as soon as I move to, fittingly, Cambridge, MA.

Speaking of which, I have only 3 days left working in the elementary school I've been in for the past year, 5 days left at this job, 10 days until I move, 11 until I start school, and 12 until my birthday! Whoah, there. I'm a serious combination of excited and nervous for what the next few weeks has in store. Wish me luck!

Hope you are all having a lovely week!

Nana & Grandma

 Dress: Modcloth student senator dress / Belt: from a dress bought in England / Clutch: vintage, inherited from my grandmother / Necklace: from a local boutique / Sandals: Gap / Sunglasses: Target

  

Three thoughts on the outfit today:

Firstly, these colors went together way better in real life! The dress is slightly more green than it comes off in these pictures; here, I think, it clashes a bit with the clutch. C'est la vie.

Secondly, though I really like the style and color of this dress, the cut is a bit strange. It fits snugly on the bottom half, in a true pencil skirt fashion, but (as you can see) the top half is cut quite loose. I'll be taking it to my tailor, along with another skirt I've been meaning to get fixed, soon. And I don't mind the wrinkles because I'll mostly wear it casually and hey, clothes are meant to be lived in!

Thirdly, and most importanly: I truly cherish the things I have inherited from my grandmothers, such as this clutch. I would cite them both as major influences in my life and in my style. My Nana was full of understated elegance and absolute grace; she dressed in a completely classic fashion that, to me, was never out of style. My Grandma was a fashion model for much of her life (including a stint as a bikini-clad pinup girl during WWII!); she never shied away from trends and simply made clothes look good. From them, I have inherited (among a few other things), this clutch, some gorgeous costume jewelry, a silver bracelet, a strand of opera-length pearls, a stunning diamond ring I am far too young to wear with confidence, and even a couple of outfits from their heydays. I am eternally grateful to both of them for so much inspiration in my life.

Soon, I'll be posting a few pictures of both of them, chronicling some of their fashions throughout their lives, and hopefully drawing even more inspiration from them going forward.

Hope you are all having a lovely week! 

Peach and Navy

 Top: Urban Outfitters / Shorts: Gap / Sandals: Gap / Bag: Vintage Coach via eBay / Necklace: Asos ($20.87, buy here) / Sunglasses: Target / Rings: gifts, from local boutiques

  

I hope everyone had a nice Mother's Day and a relaxing weekend!

Mine was chock-full, with a trip to Unique LA, hanging out with my family, going to a birthday party for a friend I've known for two decades (!), gardening (more weeding, really), having Mother's Day breakfast, and seeing the Avengers (awesome movie). Now, it's back to work, and helping my students stay sane through the second week of the California State Test.

Hope you're all having a good start to the week!