Close to Normal Again

Well as normal as I get, anyway...I get this weekend off and I picked up CJ at noon because school closed early for "snow"...it is currently like...flurrying, so good job on panicking, Maryland schools!

J Crew Flowing Ponte Dress
J Crew Jackie Cardigan
Merona Tights
Kelly and Katie Flats
Anthropologie bow belt
Glam Fans headband

Reentry

...to the world, that is.  I spent Monday night (after 10 pm, when I got home) and all of Tuesday recovering from the tournament.

Here's the one picture we actually managed to take:

And here's what I wore today to turn in all of the remaining financial paperwork and sort of clean my office.  Oh, and buy a replacement trashcan.

J Crew Collection blazer
Merona Lace-front Tee
Joe's Jeans
Tommy Hilfiger boots
Silver star necklace by Skyjuice via etsy

T-24 Hours

Till registration!  Last year at this time I was on blog hiatus so you didn't get to see any pics of the event, I'm hoping that will be different this year.  I'm not making any promises though, who knows what I'll have time to take?

J Crew Polka Dot Ponte Dress (another in the "feels like wearing your jammies" line!  My fave!)
J Crew Jackie Cardigan
Merona Tights
Kelly and Katie Flats
LC Lauren Connor Bow Earrings
Hair bow by Sweet Sprinkles via Etsy

Here are a couple of my favorite pics from last year:

Preppy Prepping

Spent all day preparing for our tournament, broken up only by lunch with one of my debaters, who invited me to the dining hall!  Fancy fancy!  (Not really, but still very sweet and kind of an honor--the midshipmen don't get to hang out with civilians during meals very often so they treat you like royalty.)

J Crew Tippi Pullover in Argyle
Banana Republic Blouse
J Crew Denim Pencil Skirt
Merona Tights
Bandolino Wedges
Kate Spade Earrings
J Crew Cobblestone Pearl Bracelet

It was raining today, and I had to stand outside a bit in the rain while the mids finished formation, but fortunately I had my raincoat with me!

MICHAEL Michael Kors Trench

Also, tried out a new hairdo today!  Tutorial here for those interested!  It was super easy, and with the help of some hairspray, stayed put nicely all day.  Even in the nasty chilly drizzle.

Long Day

Eva Franco Dress--via Modcloth
Theory Cashmere Cardigan
Merona Tights
Aerosoles Pumps
Necklace--gift from my sister-in-law
Earrings via Etsy

Black and Blue and a Self-Portrait

Wore this to work today--good for running errands, hunting down debaters, and sitting in my (freezing) office wondering why I host a debate tournament...

J Crew Lady Jacket in Blue Tweed
J Crew Boatneck Perfect Tee
J Crew Minnie Pants
Kelly and Katie Flats (these are black, I have grey too)
J Crew Bubble Necklace
DIY Bubble Earrings

I am not real great at taking selfies, but...I really wanted to show off what I wore to brunch and the movies over the weekend!

Merona Lace Top
J Crew Factory Matchstick Jeans (in MINT!)
David Tate Silver Flats
Wishing Upon a Star Necklace by Skyjuice via Etsy (soooo pretty!  It's hard to see in my picture so here's another from Etsy.  It's very long and can be worn doubled or tripled.)

It's Finally Friday!

CJ and Tom are out of town this weekend so I am chilling by myself.  I am going to go see Lincoln with some friends and have brunch tomorrow, then clean my whole house on Sunday (in preparation for my parents coming to spend next weekend with CJ).

I've only mentioned this 472 times before, but I'm hosting a debate tournament next weekend.  I bring it up to tell you that I'm really proud of myself because I did everything on my to-do list today related to the tournament, which means that I have almost no prep work to do next week.  All I have to do is touch base one more time with the caterers, print up signs for the doors, and go buy snacks and beverages.

I managed to last a week and a day without resorting to my trusty Minnie pants, which I own in 9 different colors (no lie, seriously--Casablanca blue, navy, vibrant flame, teal, wild orchid, british khaki, petunia, black, and denim).  I think they are my favorite because it's easy to make them look polished.  Ballet flats, sweater or shirt, done.  Less sloppy than jeans but still comfy.

J Crew Cashmere Sweater
J Crew Denim Minnie pants
David Tate flats

First Day

Kate Spade Josie Dress
J Crew Jackie Cardigan
Merona Tights
Aerosoles Shoes

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ...so tired from tournament planning and a late meeting that I could barely post, let alone come up with a witty side narrative.  Don't worry, my sharp and biting life commentary will be back after next weekend.

"I'm not sure I'll make a very good nun."

J Crew Flared Ponte Dress
J Crew Jackie Cardigan
Merona Tights
Aerosoles Flats
J Crew Bubble Necklace
LC Lauren Conrad Earrings

I love this dress--feels like going to work in your PJs, which is great when you're going to be at work for 12 hours.  However, black dress + black tights + black flats = Whoops, Sister Mary Danielle forgot her veil at home today (especially when I'm wearing my hair pulled back).  Fortunately the pink cardigan and necklace jumped in to save the day.

Manic Monday

Today I had a bunch of meetings at work and a bunch of admin stuff that needed to get done.  It was rough. I'm glad to be done with it.  I don't teach till Thursday (we are pretending Tuesday is Monday for scheduling purposes #soconfusing) so I have two more days of running around like a crazy person.

(CJ wanted in the picture but refused to put her cheese down.  Little mouse!)

J Crew Factory Charley Intarsia Knit Anchor Sweater
J Crew Wool Flannel Trouser
Katie and Kelley Flats
J Crew Cobblestone Bracelet

Re: bra see thru situation--I am hoping beyond hope that this was only in the photos, because I wore a hot pink polka dot bra today to give presentation to 250 18 year olds, about 80% of whom were dudes.  So....yeah, hoping there was none of that IRL.  ::fingers crossed for luck::

January Blues, A Mini (No Minnie) Challenge, and A "Worth It"

Adrienne Vittadini cardigan
J Crew Tulipe Cami
J Crew Minnie Pants
Kate Spade Flats
Necklace via etsy
LC Lauren Conrad earrings (better photo below)

Note to self--I have been wearing my Minnie pants a lot lately.  Makes sense...on break, don't have to go to work and if I do, no one will be there to see them anyway because everyone ELSE is enjoying their break instead of panicking about the approximately 300 people they have coming to their debate tournament in 2 weeks.  But this is some pretty lazy outfitting and that won't do--so a MINI CHALLENGE that is also a "No Minnie Challenge"--no Minnies for the next week.  I have lots of cute clothes that are getting ignored and it's time they got the attention they deserve!

And now, the shampoo and conditioner in my life that are totally WORTH IT.  As in, I acknowledge and accept that this is overpriced hair goo and I would be perfectly fine using Pantene at a tenth of the cost, BUT, this makes my hair shiny and fluffy and pretty and so I buy it.  (Also, I am afraid of my hairstylist and she all but insisted I use it.)

Deesse's NEU Due Silkyluxe Shampoo and Hair Treatment (aka conditioner):

I have naturally frizzy hair.  On top of that I color my hair, probably overwash it, and heatstyle the living hell out of it.  It's current natural state is actually "hot mess", emphasis on the "mess".  This shampoo/conditioner fixes it all--or at least appears to and that's all I really care about.  LOVE IT.  If you have frizzy hair, color your hair, or fry it on the regs, try this stuff, you'll love it.  

Happy New Year!

Proenza Schouler Sweatshirt (Target/NM Collaboration)
J Crew Denim Minnies
Nine West Driving Mocs

We had a casual New Year's Eve.  By that I mean, I put on these clothes to have my car taken in for service, then we came home, watched some kids movies, then had a West Wing Season 2 marathon.  By ourselves.  Sans booze.  I did make some garlic dip which we ate with veggies, and we had some Trader Joe's sushi.