Leopard and Stripes

Ok, so I'm pretty crazy about today's outfit.  I got the inspiration from this pin after receiving this scarf from Born Pretty.  I already have an infinity version, but really wanted a tradition one.  You guys.  I love it.  I'm not sure the pictures does it justice, it's really luxurious and not chintzy on the length at all.  I also got the chance to layer a necklace and a scarf and love how it came out too.  Yep, I'll definitely be wearing this outfit again.

Have you entered my sponsor's giveaway here yet?

Mix It Mondays: Herringbone Vest

Today I'm excited to be co-hosting Mix It Monday's with Lauren at Fizz and Frosting. It's no secret I love my herringbone vest, so it was an easy choice to show today.  This vest really does go with everything!  I picked up this vest on super clearance at J.Crew Factory after Christmas and love the yellow paired wit the black here. This outfit already made an appearance on Instagram, but great outfit need to be worn again! The next time I wear it, I'm planning on pairing it with this in colbalt (it's 40% off today, by the way).  Down below today's pictures is a ginormous remix collage on how to style this vest, make sure to check it out below, as well as link-up with Lauren.

On another note, last summer I did a post on knowing and dressing for your body type and it was a great success. I'd like to expand on it and I need your help. I really only gave outfit ideas for a rectangle, because that's what I am. Here's my pitch: Are you hourglass, pear, apple, or triangle shaped? Send me a picture of you in all black (with or without your face) if I get more than one of each body type I'll choose at random. Then I'll create Polyvore sets for you and others with your body type as outfit inspiration, as well as tips to best utilize your best qualities. I plan to do this as part of my Tuesday how-to series. If interested email me here. 

Have you entered my sponsor's giveaway here yet?

Plaid, Vests, and a Batman Sighting....

I wore this outfit the during Christmas break and Grant always like to "help" me take pictures.  I couldn't bring myself to crop him out of he pictures. It was actually a pretty nice day, perfect for a vest for me and Grant's new Batman hoodie for him.  He's pretty much living in it, and along with wearing his new Super-man light up shoes he's definitely the most stylish three year old. :). On this particular day Grant and I went to a paint your own pottery place and Grant painted a plane figurine. Then we went to eat lunch at a pizza place that is really popular here.  We had a really nice little date together. It's so nice that he's getting big enough for fun activities like this. 

Keep It Simple

Whelp, back to school today. Whomp, whomp.  Break has been great, I've had some time to myself and some great time with family too. Today is a workday and I have grades to finalize and lesson plans to write.  

As for my outfit, I'm going to come out and say it, sometimes layering a shirt under a sweater is just too much work. Seriously. Getting the arms and collar just right is the last thing I want to do when I'm already tired in the morning, and having to get up early for the first time in weeks. So, today I am keeping it simple with this red vest and my Stella and Dot necklace, and that's ok. I love the overall ease of this, and it's perfect for looking put together and cozy at the same time.

Chelsea and Ginny Take On: Winter

Today Chelsea and I are going to take on Winter. It's definitely here and this combo today is my favorite for winter this year. A couple weeks ago I showed you a Herringbone Vest Remix and I wore an outfit similar to this one, but the indoor light just didn't do this herringbone and pink sweater combo justice. I love the bright color combo! I swear it is colder this year than it was last winter and these layers are definitely a necessity. I'm not going to lie, after taking these pictures I decided to switch to my booties, it as just to cold for bare ankles. Yep, Winter is definitely here.

On another note, Chelsea and I are going to take a little break from our Take On series. Now that the holidays are over there is really nothing for us to "take on" in January. We plan to resume closer to Valentine's Day.

Born Pretty sent this necklace over and I really like it. I think I'll be able to wear it a lot. It is crazy inexpensive and good quality, they also have free shipping. The one pitfall is it takes about a month to get.

 

Plaid and Polka Dots

Today Grant is at daycare and my mom and I are going to go to lunch and to see The Book Thief. I loved the book, so I'm super excited. Grant and I saw Frozen on Tuesday and it as super good. Two movies in a week doesn't usually happen, so this should be fn!

I recently found this scarf  at JC Penny, it's Joe Fresh and although it looks like it's wool, it's actually not. It's lighter and easier to wear all day without getting hot, which I love. I decided to pair it with my polka for sweater, black jeans, and boots. I seriously want to wear these jeans everyday. I tried on these recently and wanted to love them, but without pockets I didn't feel they'd be appropriate for me to wear at school. What do you girls think? Am I crazy? 

Chelsea and Ginny Take On: Christmas (and my herringbone vest)

This week Chelsea and I are taking on Christmas!  It's almost here and today we're going to share with you a delicious breakfast recipe and a comfy outfit idea. I'm loving my herringbone vest and think it's perfect for Christmas day! This time I tried it with red, my chambray, and flats.  I love this look and am so glad I ended up getting this vest! When it comes to Christmas day I definitely want to be comfy so I think this look will be perfect!

Also, I really wish it was socially acceptable to wear vests and black jeans everyday, because it's gotten really cold here!

*Make sure to come back tomorrow, I've got a fun post planned that has to do with this vest!

Have you entered my giveaway for $200 in Amazon cash yet?

Herringbone Vest

If you follow me on Instagram, you already got a sneak peek at this vest (which is now sold out).....I've worn it three times since getting it and could probably devote a whole Pinterest board to pinned looks I have for inspiration. Today I decided to pair it with this in a solid chambray and my black jeans with boots.  It was a super cozy and easy look, but I totally felt put-together.  This outfit combo has quickly become a favorite, I hope you all don't tire of it too soon, because I think you'll see a lot of variations this winter. : )

*Important note to all who missed the J.Crew version and the Coldwater Creek version: Shopko is selling the perfect dup for under $20 here. I'm not going to lie, I'm a little jealous of all of you who can score this at such a crazy cheap price!

What I Am and What I'm Not.

I don't know about you, but I can let my weaknesses be things I focus on instead of my strengths. Today I thought I'd lay out some of the weaknesses that are bugging me right now, and probably more for myself a list of things I can do well. Let's start with the weaknesses:

1. I stink at tweeting.  Seriously.  I think I might just be too old to keep up with the young "hipster" who tweaks with ease about their delicious breakfast muffins....
2. I am not good at saying no to chocolate, as is I have a serious case of "Eat all the Chocolate."  We rarely keep it in the house because if we did, I would need new pants.
3. I am not very patient with Grant at bedtime and it kind of makes me feel like a bad mom.  Let's face it, I'm tired at 8:00 and I don't have the patience for shenanigans like, "I want another kiss, drink of water, story, song, etc."  I wish I was better at this.
4. Sometimes I just want to be a person, not Grant's mom, Brian's wife, Jesse's teacher, but I totally stink at ever taking time for myself.  My one outlet is this little blog, which I totally appreciate.
5. Once I get an idea on the brain I have to go, go, go until it's done.  This is rarely healthy.  Take a chill pill, Ginny.

So, can any of you relate? Please tell me I'm not alone. : ) Now, to my strengths:

1. I am good at staying caught up on laundry, I used to wait until the weekends, now I do a load every time a hamper happens to be full.  It's the little successes, people.
2. I am good at waiting to buy until there's a deal, rarely do I buy anything at full price and I always end up being happier in the end.
3. I work with some great people and therefore it helps me to become a better teacher each day and my kids are successful because of it.
4. I (usually) have a pretty good sense of self worth and don't often dwell on things I can't control. For whatever reason I have a good "bounce back" gene.
5. I'm good at forgiving and getting over situations. I'm usually not one to hold a grudge. To me, no good comes from that.

Whelp, the strengths were more difficult to write! I think no one wants to feel like eyre bragging, but it's important to celebrate our strengths. Your turn, what are you good at????

Now to today's outfit: I'm styling my new black vest again.  I seriously love this thing and decided to pair it with this hounds-tooth sweater I snagged at Forever 21 for a mere $8! I love how it came together and think I might try it like this next time.  So cute, right? What did I do before blogs and Pinterest.....

Pinspiration

 I've really been trying to work on some more casual looks (that I can also get away with wearing to school).  A few weeks ago Tara wore black and red together with boots and I absolutely loved it. Then I pinned this.  I was sold! Around that time I was at J.Crew Factory and picked up this sweater, along with a number of other great J.Crew Factory options.  Great wool basics like this were definitely missing from my wardrobe! I was also on the hunt for a great black vest and Whitley posted on Instragram that Sears had this vest on super sale.  I love how this look came together and have some many outfit ideas for this vest in the future it's ridiculous.

Linking up with Glossy Blonde today.

Building A Wardrobe: Jeans and Dress Pants

I'm excited to be continuing my Building a Wardrobe series with you today! One the first day of the series I shared Essential Blazers and Jackets, one day two I shared Essential Cardigans, and on day three I shared Essential Skirts. and today I'll be sharing essential jeans and dress pants with you. Here are my thoughts on essential jeans and dress pants:

• I think it is essential to have good pair of skinny jeans, boyfriend jeans, and black, gray, and tan dress pants. I realized today that these are much more essentials for fall and winter, for spring and summer I'd definitely add white jeans.
• Although skinny jeans and boyfriend jeans are kind of a trend right now, they are definitely to key to making a casual look look great.  I also love the trend of cuffing skinny jeans to show your ankle; I think this is much more flattering then wearing them long.  I also love wearing skinny jeans with boots for the sleekest, most put together look.
• With dress pants, black, gray, and tan will be the most versatile.  Now, when I say tan, I don't mean khakis.  I'm a teacher, so I still see these everywhere, but I don't suggest spending money on them right now, as they are seeming dated at this point (we'll see when they come back, I'm sure they will).
• As for dress pants and jeans, fit is key. I'm not going to lie, I think finding great jeans and pants is pretty difficult. I also don't think buying because the price is right is the right way to tackle purchasing pants.  In the past I tended to focus on if pants fit my waist and I stopped there.  I didn't check how it fit in the thighs or check out the pants/jeans from the back either.  Bad idea.  This summer I took the time to try on all my jeans and pants and check them out from every angle.  They all fit in the waist, but if the thighs were too baggy it made me look much bigger than I was, and if the back didn't fit right, I looked very...well saggy.  I kid you not, I got rid of nearly a dozen pair of pants and jeans.
• I'm the most happy with a style I found at The Limited, they were not cheap (about $45 a piece) but the fit is perfection and I know the classic feel will mean I can wear them for years to come.

Now that I've shared my essentials thoughts on jeans and pants, here are some additional options to consider:

• I suggest investing in one pair of colored jeans, I love red. 
•  I also think a good pair of boot cut is a great go-to option for the weekend, I wear mine a lot for errands.
• I also love trouser jeans and depending on where you work, you might be able to wear them at work too.  The fact that they have the structure of dress pants makes them dressier and can give a casual outfit a more polished look.
• I'm also seeing a lot of black denim now and I love it. They haven't been cool since the early 90s, but they're back!

skinny leg jeans / boyfriend jeans / gray dress pants / black dress pants /  tan dress pants / red jeans / black jeans / boot cut jeans / trouser jeans 

Today I'm wearing black skinny pants, which I wear like crazy, they are great with a boot, heel or flat; a must have for every closet!

On Valentine's Day Brian and I had the day to ourselves, which was great. Prior to going out to dinner we stopped by the mall, as Brian had a giftcard to Scheels and I had one to J.Crew.  I found this striped sweater on super sale and was pretty excited because my other one needed to be thrown away. Black and white stripes are so great, but it seems like I need to replace mine each year. I got the inspiration for this outfit from this pin and love how it came together.