Party Time, Excellent!

Today was graduation day.  Usually it is approximately 1 million degrees and you hope to be wearing a bikini (or less) under your academic regalia.  I dressed in that spirit--loose dress, cardigan that I could leave in the car, open toed shoes so my feet wouldn't sweat.

Reader, it was 57 degrees out there.  I thought my toes were going to fall off.  Also, it rained throughout the entire 3 hour long ceremony.  I smelled like a wet sheep by the time it was over (the robe is wool with some purple velvet and red and blue satin on the hood, oh and a purple puffy hat for good measure).  I have no idea why they decided to have it outside, except perhaps they figured killing half the faculty via pneumonia would be a cost-saving measure?  Only the strong survive!

Obviously my hair looked this straight and shiny for approximately 4 minutes.  One of my debaters, while hugging me immediately after receiving his diploma, noted I looked like a wet dog.  In fairness, I likely smelled like one too.

Merona cardigan (it has little seahorses printed all over it)

J Crew Talitha dress

Katie and Kelly Slides

This is what I wore to a graduation party last night.  Sorry for the goofy face, it had been a long day.  

J Crew Jackie Cardigan
J Crew Factory Anchor Sequin tank
Citizens of Humanity Ingrid Jeans
Bandolino Sandals

Awards Ceremony

Today was the Prizes and Awards Ceremony for the Humanities and Social Sciences Division.  One of the debate team's alums (gentleman on the left) sponsors an award that generally goes to the team captain--this year we gave it to two mids who are inseparable.  Then we all went out to lunch together (still inseparable!).  After that, headed to a party for another one of our graduating mids.  Busy day!

J Crew Jackie Cardigan
Anthropologie Highest Accolades Dress
Aerosoles Wedges
Kate Spade Earrings
Gymboree Necklace (why yes, I DID steal this pearl necklace from my 5 year old.)

Playing Catch Up

Sorry for the extended silence...last week was crazy-busy!  CJ's school hosted an art auction on Saturday and I volunteered to cater it.  I buy frozen hors deouvres and just heat them, but I make the desserts and it was a time consuming process, plus I had to go buy all the food and wine.  Further, I had the annual meeting of the American Debate Association in Harrisonburg, VA, all day on Friday...and of course I also have this little thing called a "job".  Things are settling down a little bit now, finally!  This is graduation week, though, so I should have a few more fun outfits to show off before all is said and done.

Thursday, May 16: Department End of Year Luncheon

J Crew Bouquet Cardigan

J Crew Factory Mirabel Dress

Aerosoles Wedges

J Crew Earrings

Friday, May 17: American Debate Association Meeting

J Crew Jackie Twinset

J Crew Anchor Skirt

Naturalizer Wedges

J Crew Factory Earrings

(CJ's outfit by Crewcuts)

Saturday, May 18: Jamon Montessori Day School Art Auction 

(Preakness Themed, Derby Hats "Encouraged")

Vintage Hat purchased on Etsy

Loft Cardigan

Kate Spade Dress

Naturalizer Wedges

Vintage Foal Pin

Monday, May 20: Emergency Department Meeting
(Furloughs Announced, Womp Wommmmp)
Anthropologie Deletta Molded and Melded Tee
J Crew Minnie Pants
David Tate Silver Flats
Earrings via Etsy

Mother's Day Eve and Early Anniversary at Fogo de Nommmm

Fogo de Chao, that is.  But it was so delish that I couldn't stand it.  I don't know why I waste time and stomach space on the salad bar, delicious as it may be.  SHOW. ME. THE. MEAT.

Anthropologie Lil Draped Tieback Dress

Impo Sandals\

This is the picture CJ drew for me for Mother's Day.  

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms/grandmas/aunts/etc out there!  Hope you have a great day full of relaxation and love.

Three Champagne Brunch, aka The Lush Life

I wore this to a good friend's retirement ceremony.  And the reception afterwards at noon, where I had like 3 grapes and 3 glasses of champagne, and then buzzed the rest of the afternoon until the BBQ he hosted at his house.  Where I proceeded to have another 3 glasses of wine and had to have a sleepover at another colleague's house--where we proceeded to have another bottle or so of red wine.  Miraculously, there was no hangover this morning.

Anthropologie Glass of Bubbly Dress (aptly named, no?)
J Crew Jackie Cardigan
Naturalizer Flats
Little Mae Designs Necklace via Etsy

Peahen In a Budget Conundrum

A little peacock blue, tempered with a lot of black?  Just right for sitting in my office, scheming on how to beg for money correctly.

Theory cashmere cardigan
J Crew Cami
J Crew Minnie Pants
Naturalizer Wedges
Francesca's Earrings

Wanna hear something buh-nan-nas?  So, we might still get furloughed, looking less and less likely for the faculty though, as we're all basically furloughed the entire summer already (unpaid leave from June 15-August 15, which allows us to go do other things during the summer without it being a conflict of interest), and they have to give you 30 days notice of the furlough.  So unless they do it in the next week or two, the only time they could actually force us to take MORE unpaid leave would be in the first few weeks of school, and since the fiscal year ends September 30, we'd have to take a big chunk of several weeks all at once instead of spacing it out, which would significantly impact operations (like, say, teaching classes).  So unlikely.  However, in the recent budget deal, the school got a lump sum of money that trickled down to each department getting $25,000 to spend by the end of FY13--which is supposed to make up for the budget cuts we've had over the past 5 years.  The stupid thing, though, is that the money can't be spent on faculty salaries, faculty academic or professional travel (conferences, etc), technology updates like new computers, and a bunch of other things, as our department office manager found out when she tried to order me a trophy case.  I might still get one.  But there is all kinds of rigamarole we have to go through to determine whether furniture is authorized.  WTF.  Exactly WHAT CAN this money be spent on? Apparently the only thing that is definitely authorized is...office supplies.  So it may be $25,000 worth of paper and ink.  Classic move, government.

Casual Sunday

Chilled at the mall with a friend and her daughter (the same one I took to "Take Your Daughter to Work" Day).  Came home.  Chilled some more.

Anthropologie Across the Bow Hoodie
Target Merona Tee Shirt
J Crew Factory Toothpick Jeans
Converse Slip Ons

Tea Party!

J Crew Jackie Cardigan
Anthropologie Odille Dress
Sperry Flats
Target Earrings

We're heading to a tea party thrown by one of CJ's friends today--instructions were to wear our "wonderland best".

Exam Day, Exam Day!

My exam is at 1930 (that's 7:30 pm).  On a Friday.  So I made cupcakes and am bringing some Diet Coke and other sodas--cause if you can't have a mini-party on a Friday night while taking a test, when CAN you?

Today's buzzword is "comfort"--because I have a bunch of running around and preparation to do today and then am going to be at school till at least 2130 (9:30 pm), maybe later.  The Silk Collar Tee looks polished but is stretchy and just feels like a short-sleeved sweatshirt, and of course I basically live in Minnie pants.

J Crew Schoolboy Jacket in Chambray Dot
J Crew Silk Collar Tee
J Crew Minnie Pants
Naturalizer Wedges
Kate Spade Earrings
Ann Taylor Bracelet

In the Clear Light of Day

Man, the right lighting makes all the difference!  Usually I am either out of the house way before 7:45 OR I am still in my jim-jams, so I rarely get the benefit of sunrise-lighting.  But here we can see how much it can do for one's complexion/haircolor/outlook on life.

J Crew Washed Chambray Shirtdress
J Crew Silk Applique Favorite Tank
old belt (mayyyybe LOFT?  Uncertain)
David Tate Flats
Target stud earrings