{coffee & turquoise}

What I'm wearing:
Sweater from Savers!
pants and flats from Target,
scarf (borrowed from mom),
earrings (gift),
necklace from Gem Boutique,
& coffee mug from Anthropologie 

Today I was told by my friend, Jay, that my coffee was pathetically weak... I used to make it strong and then I got stingy and starting using less. Haha! So he made a cup of "quality french press coffee." I must admit it was pretty tasty and with my pretty mug, I decided to pose with it :)

As I mentioned yesterday, I love wearing patterned scarves to spice up solid colors like this black & white scarf with my bold turquoise sweater. Today is my "work day" in my office when I can get a lot of planning done because of the block period schedule. I love dressing in comfortable sweaters on Thursdays. I scooped up this turquoise treasure at Savers for $3.99. Yes, it was a bargain and, yes, it is insanely soft! I believe Macklemore would be proud!

Thanks for the coffee, Jay man.

Jay's stylish man shoes earned him a blog feature
(that he has been begging for...)

{floral & stripes}

What I'm wearing:
Scarf from Argentina,
blouse from Gap,
belt from Anthropologie,
jeans by Citizens of Humanity
from Plato's Closet,
booties by Codify,
earrings (gift),
necklace from Gem Boutique

Usually I wear a patterned scarf to give a solid colored blouse some life, but today I decided to pair together two items that normally can simply stand alone in an outfit, stripes & floral! With the subtle green stripes in this Gap blouse, I wanted to add some contrast by adding my bright floral scarf that I bought in Argentina. Although stripes and floral could be too busy with thick color bands, the thin apple green stripes blend well with the white base. They also accent the leafy green areas of my scarf. To complete the outfit, I cinched the waist with my favorite belt, threw on some dark wash jeans, and kicked it with some comfy carmel-colored booties.

{chaperoning winter formal}

What I'm wearing:
Leather jacket by Michael Kors
from Nordstrom Rack,
Skirt and purse from Argentina,
cardigan and flats from J.Crew,
tank top from Forever21,
belt from Goodwill,
watch by Michael Kors

Saturday evening was perfect leather jacket weather, so I finally wore my new Michael Kors jacket that I got for Christmas. Yes, I said Christmas! Sometimes when I get new things I am afraid to wear them until I am certain I like them. Example A, this jacket. Be prepared to hear about my lame decision making tactics: Every day since I picked this jacket up from Nordstrom Rack I have tried it on with my outfit to "see how it looks!" Haha! Just to make sure I liked it.

Well, on Saturday, Shannon suggested this ensemble for the Winter Ball dance I was chaperoning. It is tough to know what to wear to a dance as a teacher! How nice should I look? Should I wear my school ID? Do I look like a high schooler?!?! But, thankfully, my roommate, Shannon, suggested a belted cardigan with a long skirt. So cute! I tried it on with my new jacket and BAM! a completed outfit. It also was great for walking around and shopping with Alex prior to the dance. 

{my french café fille}

What's Alex wearing:
Dress from H&M,
leggings from American Apparel,
boots by Anne Klein,
scarf from Italy

I went shopping with this doll yesterday afternoon and of course begged her to let me feature in my blog. Alex always looks so cute with creative elements, like her pairing of black & white striped with a coral scarf. The stripes have a classic french café feel to them and the black leggings and boots make it winter ready. While we were strolling around, we picked up some pour over coffee at Ozzo completing the french café look minus the France part ;) She's my little fille (french for girl)!

{socks & silver}

What I'm wearing:
Sweater by from Francesca's Closet,
t-shirt from Gap,
skirt from Forever21,
socks from Marshalls,
earrings from Target,
boots by Unity from Famous Footwear,
rings (gift),
necklace (gift from Switzerland)

If you haven't noticed by now, I usually wear gold jewelry, but today I went for silver accents. With the black and dark purple, I thought silver jewelry would add some pop. It was warmer in Colorado this week and I decided to ditch the tights and I grabbed a pair of knee highs for under my boots. I'm torn between wanting spring to come and loving winter sweaters and skiing way to much! This weather has been perfect though, a light sweater at home and a light dusting in the mountains.

{lookin' sharp}

 Here is the blog I promised! More 1920's speakeasy looks. We had every type of get-up that night: button men who just escaped their bit, girls who are the bee's knees, broads that love their jewels, canaries with adorable flapper dresses, hinky guys with a keen style, and of course, some shebas & sheiks. Overall, they looked pretty spiffy! Check out some 20's slang here!

Sir Collin's swanky tuxedo

Lookin' sharp!

Mustaches & wood pipes

The birthday girl!

Cuties with a variety of looks!

20s school teacher!

Country boy moves to the city!

Classy flapper

Fighting the chill

The little artist

{puttin' on the ritz}

What I'm wearing:
Navy dress from Forever 21,
belt from Marshalls,
gloves and faux fur coat from Glam-ma Rosenwinkel,
earrings from Allison,
necklace gift from Karen Z,
heels by Soffte from Nora's Shoes

The other night a few of my darling friends threw a 1920's themed surprise party with the works for our friend, Carly! (Be ready for my friends' outfit pictures in my next post). As soon as I heard the theme I started preparing! I searched through my suitcases underneath my bed for my grandma's faux fur coat and pulled out my box of her old white gloves from my dresser drawer. With those two key elements and a rocking pin curl up-do courtesy of my roommate Shannon, all I needed was a staple dress and heels! I went for an all around navy outfit with red accents and some big time fur! Even though I got insanely hot in that monster of a coat, it was a hit! Anytime I wasn't wearing it someone else was. So funny! It was such an amazing night. Everyone went all out in their costumes and Carly was so thrilled!

 Check my next post for more pictures of my fellow flapper gals and swinger guys!

{48 & sunny again}

What I'm wearing:
Shirt by Converse from Target,
belt and jeans from Forever21,
boots by Frye,
watch from Marc Jacobs,
earrings by Kenneth Cole (gift)

After my little break from blogging, I'm back! When it is 9 degrees outside, finding the energy to take pictures for my blog is very difficult. Let's just say that my week consisted of dress pants and warm sweaters. But, thankfully today Colorado was back to its normal, wonderful self, 48 and sunny!! Time to break out the sun glasses and strike a pose!

{One year blogiversary}

I can't believe it, but it has been a year! A year of blogging, of being back in the US, and of becoming a high school teacher. I have been so blessed over the past 12 months. From having a life-defining time in Argentina, to experiencing the best student-teaching situation ever, to landing an amazing job as a high school Spanish teacher and branching out on my own, I can't even begin to capture my gratefulness (but I'll try)!

 I want to say thank you to all of you, friends & family, who have been with me during this crazy, yet amazing year of ups & downs. I praise the Lord for the remarkable ups & also for using the low points to mold me into a better woman! With love and loss, we grow & I can see the ways I have grown in the many facets of my life!

Here are some of my favorite highlights from this past year starting in January of 2012!

January

-Started my student-teaching job 

Febuary

-Enjoyed my first snowday EVER!

-Embraced my love for sewing!

-Remembered the life of my loving

grandpa Wavering

March
-Remembered my strong, generous, & remarkable friend, Scott

-Showed off my 1/16th Irish side ;)

-Taught my students how to Tango

April

-Traveled to Panama with my church

and spent time with these lovely gals

-Became obsessed with the "homemade infinity scarf"starting here!
Here is another example in May!

-Attended a wonderful bridal shower for my wonderful friend, Lauren.

-Chopped my hair off (and finally adjusted to it in May)

May

-Attended my last church service at my college ministry, The Annex

-Officially graduated from University of Colorado!

-Rediscovered this adorable polka dot skirt! 

-Relaxed a bit before the insane job search!

-Remember the life of my fun-loving grandma Darlene

-Explored Denver in this lovely assemble

June
*(my favorite blogging month of the year!)*

-Interviewed for a number of jobs!

 

-Enjoyed the creek in the summer

-Completed my first embroidering project

-Attended two breath-taking weddings
between Lindsay & Jake
and Lauren & Blake

Lindsay & Jake

Blake & Lauren

-Got hired as a high school Spanish teacher!!!!!

July
-Celebrated my birthday with friends & family

August
-Took advantage of the last days of summer before
the school year started

Road biking in my girly apparel 

-My first few days as a real teacher

September
-Living the 1st year teacher life... aka work, work, work :)

October
-Fall festivals, farmer's markets,
& football games

-Went to the pumpkin patch &

celebrated Halloween in full fashion

November

-Congratulated my friends, Lauren & Emmanuel, at 

their wedding in Chicago

December
-Became "that teacher" with the
wacky costumes & crazy vests

-Got into the Christmas cheer

 

-Celebrated a Christmas eve tradition with these cuties

(We missed you, Erika!)

-Traveled to Cabo San Lucas for fun in the

sun with my family!

Thank you, thank you for supporting me! Reading the encouraging comments on my Facebook page and seeing the consistent viewers keeps me going when I have a lazy day :) Also, thank you for bearing with me in my semi-awkward posing skills (especially at the beginning, but even to this day!) I also want to thank my featured models, who bared with me in posing them and asking them repeatedly to let me feature them!!!  Thank you: Shannon, Heather, Rachel, Jan, Erika, Hilary, Lauren A., Tyler, Jay, Charlie,  Zach (☺), Jake, Lindsay, Julia, Jessica, Allison, Lauren Peña, Janie, Alex, and Olivia.

I'm looking forward to another year of adventures & posts to go along with them!

I feel extremely blessed!

Thank you, Lord!

♥