A Glimpse Inside My World

(embellished shoulder top-H & M, skirt-Avenue, tights-Target, 
wedges-Aldo)

My husband and I are both teachers, which makes our household conversations very interesting and humorous.  The life of a teacher is very hectic and busy all day long.  The only time I have a moment to catch my breath is during lunch.  Being a teacher is not easy, but the experience has helped me to develop patience, mature, and become a more compassionate person.  Even though I acknowledge the benefits of my job; I can also see the negatives.  I am constantly under stress, because many people believe that teachers can create academic miracles without the help of parents or the community.  This type of thinking is simply incorrect.  There are many factors that come into play for a student to be successful.  A good teacher is only part of the equation.


Blogs have become my way to decompress when I get home.  I get on my computer for a few minutes and read my favorite blogs.  When you work hard it is important to take your mind off the job for a few minutes.  I decided to show you my School Teacher Swag today, although my little nephew has informed me that teachers don't have swag (whatever).  It is obvious that my favorite colors are black and grey, but don't judge me.

Pearls, Plaid, and My Thrift Store Experience

(jeggings-Lane Bryant, plaid shirt-Old Navy, boots-Rack Room, pearls-JC Penney's)

So my husband and I had a great day in Raleigh yesterday.  We went to an awesome thrift store that I tweeted about, and ended the day at the NC State Fair!  I decided to wear a cute plaid tunic, and a pearl necklace, along with my favorite pair of jeggings.  You couldn't tell me I wasn't fly!!

The thrift store was called the Bargain Box, and I actually found some cute items there. Usually when I go into a thrift store I cannot find a thing; but this was a neat and well-organized store.  I will definitely visit them again!  The only complaint that I have is a lack of plus sizes to choose from, but that is just the way it goes.

Here are some tips that I will continue to follow the next time I visit a thrift store:

1. Don't believe that all clothes are in the appropriate section.  I found items all over the store, not just in the plus size section.

2. Don't be afraid to try on clothes in a smaller size.  Although I believe in wearing your size,  I have clothes in my closet that range from a size S all the way to a 2X.

3. Lastly, do not get frustrated!  I realize now that this has been my problem for so many years.  I would never allow myself enough time to search through the racks.  You have to be willing to dig deep to find your treasure!

If a thrift store like the the Salvation Army is not your thing, visit a more upscale or organized store like the Bargain Box.  There are many consignment shops and boutiques that sell used clothing.

After the thrift store, we went to the state fair, but we didn't have a stellar time.  It was overcrowded and the food was terrible.  Even the funnel cakes were gross.  Now how do you mess up a funnel cake anyway?  We still had fun because we were together, and that is what matters.  Of course, I will be showing you how I style my thrift store finds in future posts, so stay tuned!

Feeling Grey

(skirt-Avenue, top-JC Penny's, necklace-Forever 21, tights-Target, shoes-Nine West)

So I have been feeling really overwhelmed this week, and have not planned my outfits as I usually do.  I get like this sometimes, but I still want to look presentable for my students.  This morning I pulled out my favorite abstract print top, that I like to wear when I am in a rush or just don't feel like ironing.  

I bought this top along time ago, and it actually has little specks of glitter that you probably can't see, because I need a new camera.  I paired this top with a basic black pencil skirt, a bow necklace, and my Nine West pumps (that are way to high to actually teach in).  I hope I get out of my funk soon, because I love blogging.  Recently, I have been feeling like I want to mix patterns and colors.  One of my favorite blogs to read is What I Wore Today; Kasmira is a fashionista who is not afraid of mixing prints.  I on the other hand, will be taking baby steps, but I love her fearlessness.

Does anybody else mix prints?

Loving Stripes

So today I spend the entire day with my nephews, and we hit the park, the mall, and finally Pizza Hut! We had an awesome day planned, so I decided to rock my Kardashian inspired outfit today.  I am loving stripes this season, and I liked the ruched sleeves on this shirt. I picked up the shirt from DOTS, and I do not find a lot there, but the shirt is cute.  I absolutely love the skinny leg pants that I picked up from the Avenue, and there is just no need to mention my fabulous wedges that I picked up from Aldo again! I am so glad that I was able to spend time with my nephews this weekend, and we had a blast!

Fall Trends Haul

I have been purchasing a few items here and there over the last past week and I want to share some of the things that I have found. 

Lace

The first item is a lace top that picked up at H&M.  Now at first I wasn't feeling the whole lace obsession, because I think that it can be difficult for plus size women to pull this off.  I also have a very unattractive birthmark on my arm, so I usually wear shirts that cover it, but self-acceptance is so important.  I debated with my hubby if I should try it on and obviously he didn’t give a flip (never take a man to the mall with you).  When I finally tried on the top I really liked it, so I picked it up.

Wedges

I cannot articulate how in love I am with wedges.  I picked up the first pair at Aldo, and I love that they are lace-ups.  I picked up the Franco Sarto ankle boots at TJ Maxx, and I adore them as well.  I love the little silver studs embedded into the leather trim at the top of the boots.  Now I will admit that I wear a size 10, and I clearly saw that it said 91/2 on the shoe before I tried them on, but I had to take a chance.  It paid off because the boots felt great, except for being a little snug around the ankle, but it is so worth it.  I guess this is what people mean when they say beauty is pain!

Utility Jackets

I picked up this camouflage blazer from an online store, called Tilly’s.  I have never shopped at this store, but they had the item I was looking for.  I am not quite sure what I am going to do with this blazer.  I like that it is very subtle and will not be to over the top for me to wear to work, yet I can jazz it up to wear on the weekends as well.  Let me know if you have any suggestions.

The grey military jacket is from Kohl’s, and I am crazy about it.  When I tried it on in the store my mom said, “You have to get that, it is badd.”  My family knows that I like to shop when I have the opportunity, but my mom is on another level.  She can out-shop me any day!   

Floral

I think that I am the last person on earth to get a floral piece into my closet, but I was waiting for the right one to walk into my life.  I have seen so many shirts and skirts to choose from, but none of them ever felt right.  This ruffled button-down tunic is the perfect fit for me.  I love the belt that came with it, and I cannot wait to actually wear it.  

Well that is all for me right now, please let me know what cool items you have picked up lately.

September Favorites

I really enjoy reading what everyone loves every month, so I decided to share mine.

MAC Studio Fix Powder 

This powder has been in my life for the past 7 years and I still love it.  Sometimes it is forgotten, and lays in the bottom of a drawer or a purse, but I always go back to my old faithful Studio Fix.  This powder has great coverage and it matches my skin really well.

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Dark

I have been using this as a finishing powder for about a year, and it has become one of my staple products.  Sometimes I just put moisturizer on my face, and take a big fluffy brush or sponge and apply it quickly if I am on the go.  It gives light coverage and I really like it.

MAC Boybait Creamsheen Glass

As you can see, I love boybait creamsheen so much that I have used it all up.  I really love wearing a neutral lip, but I need to find a cheaper alternative that will last longer.  At $18.00, I am sure that this is not worth the price, but I love it still the same.

MAC Format Blush (Frost)

Due to my extreme laziness in the morning, I have been picking up this blush everyday.  It goes with every outfit and it is a great bronzey blush that gives my cheeks a light glow.

MAC Love Rush Blush (Sheertone)

This was my very first blush from MAC.  I never use to wear blush on a regular basis but now I wear it most days.  I absolutely love how this gives me the faintest flush of color on my cheeks.  This blush will always be my first love.

Maybelline Tru Shine Lipstick (Nude 470)

I have used this lipstick to death.  I am currently looking for another neutral/beige lipstick to purchase.  I like to wear colors, but not on an everyday basis.  I used this a lot last month and I will definitely continue to purchase it.

Smashbox Tinted Moisturizer

I really like this tinted moisturizer because I do not use foundation everyday.  This product evens out my skin tone and gives me a nice glow.  It will not cover blemishes or hyperpigmentation, but it will give you light coverage.  It's a pricey product but I believe it is worth it.

HIGHLIGHTER

I stated on twitter earlier that today was highlight day at my school.  This means that the students were supposed to wear neon colors to celebrate homecoming week.  Don’t ask me who’s idea this was!   I decided to wear this bright orange sweater that I bought from NY & CO last fall.  I really love this color, and I paired it with a pair of trousers jeans, that I am technically not supposed to wear to school because my school district has a no denim policy.  I really think that this is an archaic rule that should not exist.  As long as we dress as professionals it should not matter what material my pants are made out of.  But I am digressing, this is not the point of my post. 

I am not a big fan of wearing pants because I can never find the right fit, but I love these trousers.  I bought the leopard print shoes a long time ago at Belks, and I do not wear them for long periods of time because they hurt.  I will be attempting to go on a diet soon, so wish me luck.  It is not because I do not enjoy being plus size, it is just that my husband is itching to have children and I am diabetic, so I really need to be as healthy as possible.  Well this post was all over the place, but I am who I am!