Prep with a Punch

{dress: target | jacket: j. crew (similar - on sale!) | boots: sam edelman via zappos | necklace: bauble bar (similar)}

I've been really into preppy style lately. (Peter Pan collars, anyone?) Still, I can't quite bear to abandon the eclectic boho/rocker edge that always creeps its way into my wardrobe! That's why, when I found this perfect striped t-shirt dress, I couldn't resist pairing it with my versatile Petty booties and a rock-inspired statement necklace!

If you're looking for ways to combine a preppy meets feminine style with your already rock and bohemian-inspired pieces, here is some outfit inspiration for you!

{earrings / bracelet / shorts / tank / jacket / sandals}

 Classic, relaxed seersucker, an airy white tank, and simple sandals combined with a printed bow cuff scream preppy, but add in a cool leather jacket & gold stud earrings, and you take that look up a notch!

{dress / studded bracelet / rope bracelet / boots}

 Pink gingham, you say? A white rope bracelet with an anchor clasp? Prep city! Why not anchor it down with some tough black leather boots and add some rockstar studs to your arm stack?

{cardigan / heels / blouse / necklace / skirt}

A peach tweed skirt + a minty cardigan + beautiful polka-dotted bow pumps are all preppy favorites, but add in a spiked statement necklace, and you have definitely upped the funk factor in your ensemble!

Are you loving preppy style right now like I am?

Bloggers + Breton Stripes

{jacket: j. crew (similar) | tee: popbasic (similar) | skirt: american apparel (available in other colors) | tights: target | booties: forever 21 (similar) | clutch: popbasic (similar) | lip color: nyx stella}

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending a little Orange County blogger get-together, thanks to an invitation from my dear friend Chelsea over at CLEO COLLECTIVE. We headed down to Andrei's, enjoyed a couple of Moscow Mules and a lovely cheese & charcuterie plate! It was nice to meet so many local ladies!

But I have to be honest… along with spending some much-needed time with sweet Chelsea, my striped tee, oxblood tights, and this pretty plate made my night.

Basics + Statement Necklace

{shirt: popbasic (similar) | jeans: target (similar) | boots: sam edelman | necklace: via stitchfix (similar)}

As I mentioned recently, I love an outfit that consists entirely of basics. A traditional Breton striped shirt, some comfy jeans, and the perfect bootie make for an easy, yet tailored traditional look. Kick that classic look up a notch with a bold statement necklace, and you have the perfect mix of classic and trendy!

This perfect combination works for a fun night out...

{jacket / tee / heels / necklace / jeans}

a day at work...

{blazer / shell / flats / necklace / skirt}

 or a weekend brunch!

{necklace / heels / dress / cardigan}

All Navy, All Week

{sweater: old navy | top: nordstrom (similar) | jeans: forever 21 | flats: justfab (sold out in brown - available in black) | necklace: vintage - my aunt's (similar) | watch: urban outfitters (similar)}

One fun perk about the #sublife? You can wear the same outfit 3 (or maybe 5...) days in a row, and no one will notice! If you're at a different school everyday, and you aren't seeing any of the same people, you can totally rock the same outfit repeatedly. I changed this one up on a couple of days and added some booties and a scarf, but you get the idea. This shirt is just so comfy I couldn't bear to take it off. And hey... I may even wash it...

#sublife

{cardigan: old navy | shirt: nordstrom (similar) | skirt: old navy (similar) | flats: brooks brothers (similar) | necklace: etsy (gift) | watch: urban outfitters (similar)}

So, finally, after a year and a half, I have completed all my credential coursework, two student teaching placements, 3 state tests, and 4 state assessments! Whew! Now, my credential application is in and I have spent the past few weeks substitute teaching until 2014-2015 job availabilities start popping up - fingers crossed! So for the next few months, I get to teach different grades at different schools every day, and expose my "teacher style" to all the new people I meet!

Classic Pink Pop

So, I kind of teeter-totter between trying to be "super professional" and "I don't want to be super professional" at work these days. As I've mentioned before, most of the teachers at the school dress quite casually, more casual than even my most casual, to be honest. So, sometimes, when I "dress up" (i.e. wear dress pants), I feel like a stuffy fuddy-duddy! However, in this case, throwing in this pop of color (remember when that term was a fashion "thing?") in BRIGHT PINK made me feel a little more relateable, a little more fun, and a lot more Barbie. ;)

The Most Beautiful Dress in the World

{dress: anthropologie - sold out (similar) | cardigan: old navy | platforms: chinese laundry}

So, I'm not even trying to be hyperbolic here, but I really do think this is the most beautiful dress in the world. When I saw Bridgette post it on Instagram a few months ago, I fell instantly in love and rushed onto the Anthro website and saw that it was on sale! Though I shop online a lot, sizing always terrifies me, especially on sale items! Still, I bit the bullet, took the plunge, and ended up with this near-perfectly-fitting, gorgeously colored, heavenly embroidered piece! I paired it with these surprisingly light-as-a-feather (but slightly uncomfortable to teach in) platforms that my mom got me as a gift to start the school year!

The only downfall of wearing this to work? NO ONE COMPLIMENTED ME. NO ONE. I MEAN. NO ONE!!! NOT ONE COWORKER MADE EVEN ONE NOTION AT THE FACT THAT THIS IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DRESS IN THE WORLD! I found myself sending selfies to my friends just so they would compliment me. I was that desperate for others to acknowledge the beauty that is this dress.

So, I leave it to you, my friends. Please comment if you agree that this is, indeed, the most beautiful dress in the world. :)

Seersucker on Stripes on Nautical for Back to School Night

{dress: forever 21 (similar) (similar) | loafers: love culture (similar) | belt: american apparel | cardigan: old navy | necklace: baublebar | watch: marc by marc jacobs}

So, I'm super into this outfit. I randomly decided to pair these seersucker stripes with the thicker striped loafers, and added the rope belt because I thought it put it right over the edge into nautical. And I LOVED it.

I am kind of shocked by how impressed I was looking at these photos haha. Honesty time: I'm a bit self-deprecating much of the time, so it's rare that I look at myself in the mirror or in a photo and am super thrilled by what I see. I'm well aware that for every body type, there are certain silhouettes of clothing that are more flattering than others, and oftentimes, I choose to ignore that fact. I have what I suppose could be referred to as an "hourglass" figure (translation: large chest and equally as large hips...), which, I have to admit, seems a lot better on Scarlett Johanssen than it does on my own body. However, there was something A+ about this dress. I think this cinched waist is super flattering to my figure! Maybe it's time to get serious about rethinking my oversized tees! ;)

P.S. Today is the last day to enter my BIG ASOS GIVEAWAY - enter while you can!