Considering: Cambridge Satchel

I am seriously considering buying a Cambridge Satchel. This Cambridge Satchel, to be exact:

Classic Cambridge Satchel in red

I love its classic messenger bag style, the bright cherry red color (which would surely go with most of my often-neutral-toned outfits), and the fact that it is made from high quality leather and would (hopefully) last quite a long time.

Here's the thing: it's $119. I know that for many people out there, spending a hundred (or even a thousand) dollars on a bag is not that out of the ordinary. I, however, am notoriously stingy, for lack of a better word. I don't think any bag of mine cost more than $40, barring the one nice brown leather messenger bag I got as a gift for my 21st birthday.

But, I think I might do it this time around, for two very simple reasons: utility and timelessness. This bag is incredibly useful and would get near-daily wear. The style is timeless enough that I won't want to toss it in a year; instead, I think I'd keep it around for a very, very long time. Similarly, the quality of it is such that it'll hold up for years, making the cost-per-day ratio make a lot more sense. Every once in a while, spending more than I'm used to on a classic item that will fit perfectly into my wardrobe can make sense. At least, I hope it can. :)

Announcing Petite Fashion Challenge #16: Summer Wedding

 I am quite excited to be hosting this month's Petite Fashion Callenge!

I'm really looking forward to my cousin's wedding, which is just around the corner. So, for this month's challenge...

Summer Wedding--Create an outfit for a summer wedding (the dress code is up to you). For bonus points (and this is what I'll be doing!) try to make your whole outfit, head to toe, come in under $100! (Or, exclude shoes and accessories to meet the $100 mark.)

To participate, please leave a comment with your blog URL. If you are a non-blogger and would like to participate, you can email me your entry at petiteonapennyATgmailDOTcom. Please link your posts back to Petite on a Penny to see the full list of entries on the day of the challenge.

Please schedule your posts for Wednesday, May 30th at 6pm Pacific time.

Happy blogging!

Review: Old Navy Tie-Hem Draped Shirt

Top: Old Navy Women's Tie-Hem Draped Shirt (size S, buy here, grey and blue for 10.99, down from $29.94) / Jeans: PacSun / Shoes: Macy's / Scarf: local boutique / Bag: Olivia + Joy / Bracelets: bought in England

I've been on an ongoing quest for shirts that are not short sleeved, solid-colored, cotton v-necks (my go-to for many, many years), so I was super happy to run across this shirt at Old Navy. At $10.99, down from $29.94, the price was right for me to buy it in both this grey and a gorgeous, deep royal blue.

I seriously love this shirt. The material is soft and the drape is nice and weighty, making it look far more expensive than it is. I could see pairing the shirt with casual skirts, over dresses, and of course with skinny jeans. I love versatile items that can compliment numerous outfits, so this definitely fits the bill. I bought both shirts in a size S for a slightly slouchy, relaxed fit, but I might return one for an XS, to have a bit of variety.

* * * * * * * *

In other news, I'm so glad I sucked up the courage to photograph at this location. These stairs are only two blocks from my house, and I've been meaning to photograph here forever, but...they are super-public, and I'm terrified of people seeing me taking photos of myself, because I'm pretty sure it looks as weird as it sounds.

Since I'm moving in a month, I figured it was now or never and I finally did it. Granted, halfway through a man stopped about 30 yards in front of me and vogued in my general direction, making muscle-man poses and laughing (I wish I was making that up.) Nonetheless, I persisted, if only slightly red in the cheeks, and I'm quite happy with the outcome!

Hope you are all having a great day so far!

Stay tuned for an announcement of the next Petite Fashion Challenge, which I am so happy to be hosting!

Going Green

 

Dress: Urban Outfitters ($10!) / Sweater: H&M / Sandals: Gap / Bag: vintage Coach, via eBay / Necklace: bought in Italy / Blue ring: gift from the boyfriend / Green ring: Amrita Singh, via Hautelook ($12)

 

 
Things I'm really going to miss about LA:

-tacos, and great Mexican food in general

-amazing fresh and local produce, all year 'round

-being 15 minutes away from my family

-the pacific ocean and the LA skyline

-my dogs and cat

Things I will not miss about LA:

-traffic

-smog

-(more) traffic

-having to drive everywhere

-the amazing weather that lets me wear something like this for 85% of the year.

* * * * * * *

I swear this is my last short-blue-dress-and-green-sweater combination. It's out of my system (for now...). And, more importantly, I've finally ran out of short blue dresses.

Do you ever get set on a style and stick with it many days in a row? Sometimes, when it works, it works!

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.

* * * * * *

 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!

Petite Fashion Challenge #15: Chic Pin-spiration

This month's Petite Fashion Challenge is hosted by Long Live Classy:

 Find a pic of an outfit you love on Pinterest, and re-create it the best way possible!

 * * * * * * *

I had a few inspiration photos to choose from, but in the end I chose this one because a) it's a bit of a departure from what I usually wear, and b) I want to figure out what to wear with this awesome orange H&M skirt I got last fall.

Inspiration photo:

My interpretation:

Top: Gap / Skirt: H&M / Shoes: Target / Necklace and Ring: Amrita Singh / Bangles: bought in England

 

I was immediately drawn to recreating this outfit because of my very similar orange skirt. However, the amount of jewelry the girl in the inspiration photo is wearing is awesome for her, but a bit daunting for me. So, I tried my best by putting on my showy Amrita Singh turquoise necklace to echo the turquoise in the photo, along with an Amrita Singh green and gold ring, and some gold bangles bought in England (which is about 2 more pieces of jewelry than I would usually wear!).

I don't have a gold belt, or blue shoes (which I really want, now...) but I still think the outfit works, albeit in a bit simpler version.

Until last year I had zero orange clothes in my closet, but now this is, strangely enough, my second orange skirt. I paired the other one with this Amrita Singh necklace too; I really love the combination of orange and turquoise.

Check out all of the other participants (after 8pm Eastern time) over at Long Live Classy!

Coming Up: PFC #15

Petite Fashion Challenge #15 is this Tuesday, April 24th.

This month's challenge is hosted by Long Live Classy. The challenge is:

  

Find a pic of an outfit you love on Pinterest, and re-create it the best way possible!
Be sure to post the pic of your outfit inspiration in your post as well!

Here are the outfits I'm choosing between:

 kryzu

Emerson Fry

Any thoughts on which I should try?

I'm looking forward to seeing all of the participants!