theplussideofme

I spent the day responding to student work in a coffee shop. A few hours into working, it began to snow big, fluffy flakes, so I moved to the front table to get the best view. I listened to Rihanna’s song “Stay” about 35 times (I couldn’t help it), all while trying to ignore the notifications for new Ruzzle games I could play. I ended the day by having dinner with a couple family members at a small Italian restaurant. We laughed, talked about dogs, and I got scolded ”advice” on what to do with my career. After 2 rough (sick) weeks, I’m thankful for a low key day and the small things.

ASOS Curve Jacket, Lane Bryant top, Old Navy zip chinos skinnies, House of Harlow earrings, The Jewel Box chain bracelet, New Look heels

By the way, today’s outfit post is one of those posts that I’ve started, stopped, and deleted about 10 times because it’s featuring an outfit that is triggering my insecurity. It’s kind of a boring outfit in the grand scheme of things, but I’m wearing some items and shapes that I’m not that used to (long jacket, peplum jacket, chinos skinnies). I found it odd that after 2+ years of blogging, my gut reaction is to let the pictures die in the deep, dark corners of my virtual files, so here I am putting them out there since I know that I’m being my own worst enemy about them.

The funny thing is that I felt really good wearing the items, like the kind of good that makes you walk a little lighter and freer the rest of the day, but ultimately I came home, looked at the pictures like I always do, and the inner critic came out. Looking at pictures of myself is a practice I’m used to, and one that has allowed me to know my body more than anyone else. And yet, there are still times where I struggle to accept it, especially when I’m trying new styles. Do you ever go through the same thing? How do you deal with it?

Last night I headed out with my family to celebrate my dad and mine’s birthday. His is on the 6th, and mine is on the 8th, so it’s always a joint celebration. I’d love to say the night was all smiles, but sometimes birthdays don’t end up the way you want them to and perhaps I expect too much out of them anyway!

But on to the outfit! I put to use two of my new items featured on my previous post: ASOS Curve Check Top and their oxblood jersey skirt. I swear these skirts are the most comfortable thing ever. The check top is great (even though its a little askew in the picture), but I’m not a fan of the step hem. I think because it fits tightly on me, the step hem doesn’t “lay” like it’s meant to. Also, I’m someone who always has trouble finding shirts that are long enough, and this top is almost too long on me. If you want it to fit loose, buy your normal size. If you want it snug, I’d size down once.

I paired it with black suede heels from Urban Outfitters and a fitted faux-leather jacket from Evansusa.com. I ran out of time getting ready and had to rush, so no jewelry with this outfit! I was pretty impressed that I managed to eat dinner without getting a spot on my white top. Definitely an accomplishment for me, haha

Evans jacket (similar), ASOS Curve top, ASOS Curve skirt, Urban Outfitters shoes

How do you celebrate birthdays?

Recently I’ve been really getting into Mindy Kaling’s scripted show, The Mindy Project. I had never watched The Office, so I have no reference to understand how similar or different her character of Mindy is, but what I do know is that Mindy’s style on the show is inspiring in it layers, textures, prints, and colors. She somehow manages to come off as sexy, smart, and fashionable, all while wearing some tiny, fun accessory that any 7-12 year old would be delighted to have. Considering that I’m still trying to figure out what the heck professional wear means and looks like on me, I’ve got to give it up to Mindy who is showing me how to be young and office-appropriate all in one look.

Mindy takes her colors, button-ups, layering, and pinches of whimsy seriously, so I decided to try and capture my own version of Mindy’s charm. I went with dark green pants and layered a chambray button up with this fox sweater that I purchased over Christmas break from Old Navy.

As much as I love Mindy’s snowflake earrings and beaded heart bracelet, I’m a little tamer when it comes to “cutesy” things and the fox was enough for me. I picked up the orange color in the fox with my cognac flats and Dooney and Bourke satchel.

Evans green jeans, Old Navy chambray shirt, Old Navy fox-print sweater, Target flats, Dooney and Bourke Florentine Satchel in small (I recommend searching for a deal on eBay), and Aldo ring.

I don’t think I captured the polished aspect of Mindy’s looks, but it was still fun to do. It’s honestly been awhile since a character on T.V. has inspired me with their clothing.

What do you think of Mindy’s style? Do you have a particular actor/character that inspires your style?

P.S. Mindy wears cute clothes outside of her show, too.

Happy New Year! I’m very excited for 2013, and I hope that it brings good things in my (and yours) career and personal life. I’ve started back with a new semester of teaching, hence my disappearing act, but I am back with one of my favorite outfits in awhile.

First, I was blown away by the amount of positive comments on my “Call for Help” post! I also felt like I let you all down just a little bit by not going with outfit #2. I’m glad that I ended up going with outfit #4, since we went to a bar where lots of people were wearing jeans and t-shirts, but now I know that I need to find another occasion to wear #2 to.

Now, on to my outfit. I don’t often wear pencil skirts (really, really rare), but I saw some pencils skirts on ASOS that really piqued my interest. The fit of a pencil skirt can either be my friend or foe, so I reached out on Twitter to see if the ASOS skirts ran large, and luckily for me, I have lots of blogger friends who gave me feedback on the sizing. The skirt runs US16-22, but it runs two sizes large. I decided to risk it, and I’m really happy that I did.

Once the skirt arrived, I realized that I could wear it lots of different ways with the same items. The material is stretchy, but it does not stretch out, so whether I pull it up for a shorter length or down for midi length, it’s going to hold its shape. I also liked that I could wear it with the seams in the right place for a symmetrical print (like above) or I could shift it for a more mixed pattern. For the midi-length, I added a belt to the sheer blouse.

I really like it midi-length for teaching in. Although I love dresses, I often don’t feel comfortable wearing them to work where I’m up and down all of the time, but this length feels very secure and the stretch means it’s going to move with me with whatever I’m doing.

I also wanted to do a shorter look with it and get a more casual feel. I wore the outfit below out to lunch with my mom, and it felt easy and comfortable. I’ve probably only worn a skirt out in public about 5 times in my entire life, and yet I didn’t feel nervous about it at all (and yes, I still get nervous wearing certain clothes in public).

And then finally, the silhouette I wear the least, a tucked in shirt with a longer skirt. I tried the top tucked in tight, but I liked it better billowy.

Torrid Sheer Blouse, ASOS Curve Skirt, New Look Inspire Wedges, JewelMint Necklace, Handmade Button Ring

So, if you can’t tell, I kind of love this skirt, and I highly recommend it, especially for those who are size 26/28 and can’t easily find skirts like this. I also bought the baroque print skirt, which is also really nice and fits perfectly. This shirt could fit someone a little larger, also. This plus the baroque are my first print skirts, but they won’t be my last .

What do you think of the three looks? What do you like to wear with print skirts?