"Fancy"

{jacket: j. crew | dress & watch: nordstrom | leggings: target | flats: tory burch | chain necklace: boutique | geode necklace: luna}

I really liked this outfit. Not sure why. Nothing really stood out about it, but I felt like it was a good combination of  classic pieces. Plus, it's a rare occasion when I wear a bun. And when I wear a bun, my 3-year-olds tell me I look "fancy." So, I must have liked this outfit because of its follicle fanciness...

P.S. Have a safe and fancy new year's eve, little kitty cats!

Bun. Pink. Leopard. Weird.

{Blouse: Sheinside | Shorts & Belt: Forever 21 | Sandals: Jeffrey Campbell | Necklace: Luna | Watch: Nordstrom}

I hate it when I wear my hair in a bun. If you've all noticed, I typically wear my hair the same way on the daily. If my hair is really dirty or not cooperating or I'm lazy pressed for time, I go for the very occasional and rare top knot. And I always hate it.

Anyway, I had a love/hate relationship with this outfit. I was super confident as I descended the stairs, but after looking at the outfit in photos, I hated it. As the day went on, I got rid of the belt, untucked the shirt, messed around with my aching top knot, and didn't hate it quite as much.

...but I still might hate it.

Jury's still out.

Blank Canvas

{Shirt & Sandals: Old Navy | Jeans & Earrings: Forever 21 | Bracelets: J. Crew, Betsey Johnson | Watch: Shock Boutique}

I consider this outfit a very bold move for a preschool teacher. White jeans + 3-year-olds + paint = deep-seeded fear. However, I figured if I don't wear my clothes to work, where else am I going to wear them? Moral of the story, I stayed paint-free all day (even through teaching an art class) and I am giving myself a major pat on the back.

P.S. One of my students went home on this day and said to his mom, "Mommy, you look very pretty today, but you'd look even prettier if you wore a pink shirt like Miss Dani." Winning the heart of a Pre-Ker? Check!

Plaid out. (14/30)

{Button-down: J. Crew | Tee: Forever 21 | Pants: American Apparel | Shoes: ShoeDazzle}

I'm very much obsessed with my new pink pants. Unfortunately, after going to the beach yesterday, my legs are just about the same color as they are, as is the rest of my body. Lobster status.

I've been experimenting with various forms of my rat's nest over the past few days. This is the clean version of the jacuzzi/beach water-infested one I was sporting yesterday. You're welcome.

Today was my first day back at work with the kids and I think I'm lacking brain function. Nap time!

Test test test (5/30)

{Top: Zara | Skirt: Forever 21 | Sandals: W3 by JustFabulous | Necklace: Vintage}

Do not adjust your computer screens. This is, indeed, a wild amount of colored stripes. I love to find two things that I'd never have thought to pair together before and do just that - this one turned out pretty cute! I'm only on Day 5 of the Challenge and am already pushing myself to the limits with a Canadian Tuxedo AND a wild printed outfit.

I also, if you didn't notice, finally discovered how to appropriately adjust light and contrast in my photos. About time, I suppose. ;)

And I also, if you didn't notice, have a really huge bun on my head.

Leopard x 2!

{Tank: Urban Outfitters | Cardigan: Forever 21 | Shorts: Nordstrom | Flats: Jessica Simpson | Pin: Kohl's}

I love everything about this outfit: each individual piece, the combination, the proportions... it just makes me happy. Sometimes I wear an outfit and I'm not quite sure it's me. I can safely say that this outfit totally feels like my style. :)

What's better than a floral pin? A LEOPARD PRINT floral pin! Yes!

On another note, I need some more blonde hair back in my life!

Light It Up Blue + Mamasita

{Shirt: Target | Skirt: American Apparel | Sandals: O'Neill}

Last night my mom and I went to see Men Alive, the gay men's chorus of Orange County, sing ABBA/Queen songs! So fun! I loved it! I finally got myself a well-fitting (and cheap - $15!) chambray shirt! I wore it last night in honor of "Light It Up Blue" for Autism awareness, along with Liz of Reston Style and Sarah of Think Twice Style. I work at an Inclusion preschool, and have been a special education/Autism shadow aide, so this is a cause that I truly feel for.

On another note, how stinkin' cute is the woman behind the camera - my mommy!

Holy 80 degrees...

{Tank: Collective Concepts via Nordstrom | Shorts: cut from True Religions | Sandals: O'Neill | Ring: Luna | Cardigan: F21}

I love this outfit! I totally threw it together last-minute, and it worked for me! It has been sickeningly hot down here in So Cal. They tell me it's 80 degrees, but it feels more like 115, if you ask me. These shoes are ages old, and make me happy. They're like a lazy surfer's version of huaraches. Ain't nothin' wrong with that! Also, who knew I owned one orange item let alone 2 that matched perfectly as if they were a twinset? Fate. These jean shorts used to be my favorite pair of jeans - when they started to fade and fit loosely in bizarre places, I chopped these suckers up. (I first wrote "chopped these puppies up," but it made me want to cry so I changed it.) I got this ring about 2 days ago - feeding my desire for all things Native American - love it!

This ginormo bun was inspired by a few fabulous bun-headed and fashionable bloggers that I love: Sydney, Beth, and Kelsey! I wore a bun yesterday, too, but it was more of a Pebbles Flinstone look - could have been the leopard bow I stuck in the middle, but it left much to be desired. I always feel like the "Carrie Bradshaw" bun looks better on the second day - thanks to the extra frizz & fluff. Definitely check out Sydney's tutorial and Beth's tutorial - they are super helpful! Ashley's top-knot tutorial rocks, too!

Sparkalicious (12/30)

{Jacket & Necklace: UO | V-neck: H&M | Jeans: Seven For All Mankind | Flats: Soda | Flower: Sweet Chic Hair Boutique | Bangle: F21}

Yay! Some fun in my outfit! Sparkles make me happy. Albeit they're gray sparkles, but they're sparkles nonetheless! I threw in a few pops of color with the hot pink belt (of unknown origin), bright yellow bangle, sea foam green (my favorite color!) flower, and blue horn necklace. It's always fun to wear pieces like these to work. The kids go ga-ga over sparkles. The kids were also super enthralled with my necklace. I told the boys it was a saber tooth, and the girls it was a unicorn horn. I love the 3-year-old mind. I'm not one to wear flowers in my hair, usually, but this one is so big and bright that I like it. I also have to love my top-knot take 2. (Today a kid told me he liked my "black and yellow" hair... Ouch.)

On another note, the cover of the Elle that arrived today reads "Spring Fashion: Color Is Back!" Just seeing the word color kind of makes me want to cry. 18 more days... 18 more days...

P.S. Today someone at work told me I look like I was just picked from the Cabbage Patch. 2 questions: 1. What the heck does that mean? 2. Is this a compliment or an insult? Hmmm... All interpretations welcome.