BaK ToO SkOoL

This year is the first year in my six years of teaching that I have the same room from the year before; it is also the first year that I will not have any new class preps. I wish I could say that these two facts alone eased the anxiety of a new class, but as a senior English teacher, I feel such an intense pressure to increase my students' reading and writing abilities before they embark on that small journey called life {wherever it takes them: college, military, employment or a place I call WTF-land} that even the familiarity of my room and my lesson plans could not make that pressure go away. I find that nearly all of my thoughts go towards competing with the likes of a social media world that has captured {nearly} all of their hearts while working within the confines of a classroom with very limited technology; however, the beauty of a new school year exists in the hope of a new beginning. The frustrations of last year are shed and, in their place, optimism emerges. Back to school means my greatest dreams for these kids are not yet dashed by their over-interests in less lucrative ambitions, acceptance of apathy or premature beginnings of other sorts. They come on the first day with their new composition notebooks and un-sharpened pencils, and they all sit and write so delicately on the first page in response to my first question. Next week, a backpack will be lost. In a month, someone will have cut my class. In six months, the senior-itis will be suffocating every ounce of work ethic from their very beings. The first day, however, is an escape from all of the will-happens; it is the hope that all the negatives will, this year, fall into the didn't-happen category. And, maybe, just maybe, they will. Maybe they will learn where to place a comma when beginning a sentence with a subordinate clause. Maybe they will find a deep appreciation for Beowulf's alliterative verse. Maybe they will master the eloquence of a perfectly formulated thesis statement. Maybe {and, of course, hopefully} they will become better people. But, maybe, they won't.

The first day of school does leave a small twinge in my heart for a few summer specialties. One, I love sleeping in. A 7:30 AM start to school means I am {hopefully} waking up at 6:00 AM to get to my classroom with time to spare for mailbox-checking and photo-copying {I didn't even know people functioned this early until I started teaching}. Two, I love to start the day with a long run. I don't feel like a normal human being until I've met my daily sweat quota, and getting any type of workout before the school day begins is just an overzealous, unrealistic idea. Three, I am insanely jealous of people who get to "go out" for lunch. I often wish for a small semblance of lunch as a teacher, but by the time the bell rings, I'm lucky to have made it to the refrigerator to grab my sack of food, which generally contains leftovers from the night before {if I'm lucky}.

The first day of school, however, also brings an aura of positive energy. Friendships are reunited. Teams are brought back together. The hallways smell of coffee, new shoes and laughter {if one can get past the stench leaking from the boys' bathroom}. The new school year means new life and, more importantly, new clothes. Of course, I never miss an opportunity to buy a new outfit. This year, in the spirit of saving, I was coveting the striped Merona dress from Target. Nevermind that I already have an almost identical version from Madewell, the Merona dress is knee-length {a must for teaching} and heavier material, which makes it great for every season. More importantly, it has pockets {yes, multiply the cuteness of a dress by 10 when factoring in these gems}, and it cost me a mere $22 with my Carthweel app. Paired with a bow belt and some pretty pumps, this dress helped me usher in the class of 2014 with all smiles. Here, my friends, is to the maybes.

Back to School // Merona dress {local Target but similar here + here + here}, Rachel Roy pumps {1/2 size up}, Target bow belt, Zara pearls, Michael Kors Jet Set watch & Coach large Saffiano tote

Madewell {Take One} // J. Crew cardigan + Cece suede flats, Deux Lux handbag {from TJ Maxx, but similar here} & eBay jewelry

Madewell {Take Two} // J. Crew colorblock cardigan, MIA Limited Edition Elana captoe flats & Michael Kors Jet Set watch

Cobalt Crush

If you walked into my closet-of-old, you would have been confronted with four colors: black, white, gray and denim. Every shirt-in-awhile, you would have stumbled upon something yellow or red, but its presence would have felt entirely out of place. As a recent college graduate, my budget was limited, and I couldn't bare to spend my hard-earned teacher dollars {which didn't come easy} on something that {I thought} could only be worn once. I'm also nearly positive that I rotated five outfits through every five workdays for my first year as a working professional {classy}. My new-found appreciation for color-blocking, pattern-playing and monochrome-matching has led to a deep appreciation for anything not of the black-and-white family.

My husband and I enjoy playing random psyche games like "Would you rather...?" and "If you could only...?" to establish unrealistic parameters for our lives. Questions include: Would you rather be forced to eat your own toenails or have your eyebrows shaved off? If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what song would it be? Obviously {or hopefully}, we would never be forced to make these decisions, but the answers are so comically amusing - and most times, require such intense thought - that we get lost for hours in a sea of inquiry. I can recall one question, however, that required only a split second of decision: If you could only wear one color for the rest of your life, what color would it be?

Blue. Boom. Done.

From cerulean to navy, I haven't met a blue I didn't like {which very much bodes in my favor as a Kentucky resident}, and I'm currently crushing hard on cobalt. There is a certain radiance and richness to it that screams neon without the eye-piercing dazzle {although I also love me a good neon every now and again}. This bright blue is my new black.

Cobalt Bottoms // Gap 1969 always skinny jeans + butterfly blouse {similar style here and color here}, J. Crew Cece flats {similar color here} & Michael Kors Jet Set watch

Cobalt Top // Target Xhilaration tank, Joe's black skinny jeans, Madewell skimmer flats {print also available here}, Coach handbag {same color here}, Tory Burch aviator sunglasses, Michael Kors Jet Set watch & Cara NY jewelry

Cobalt Details // J. Crew yellow lace dress {similar here} + Cece flats {similar color here}, Coach Madison Lindsay crossbody {similar color here} + sunglasses {similar style here}, Michael Kors Bradshaw watch & cobalt flower earrings

She a Gold Digger

Once upon a time {in a land far, far away}, I hated gold jewelry. It distinctly reminded me of something that my grandmother {or any grandmother} would wear, and I couldn't help but stare at it in disgust. When I hit my mid-twenties, I started singing a {much different} tune. Now, if it's gold, I'm probably wearing it {or at least wishing that I was wearing it}. Something about gold pieces just screams sexy-chic, and they have the ability to make any outfit go from drab to fab. Gold. Bam. Insta-droolworthiness. I have five staple gold goodies that I rotate {rather religiously} through my wardrobe:

1. Gemvara Twine Wedding Band :: I am absolutely in love with my vintage, 100-year-old solitaire diamond engagement ring. When I started shopping for my wedding band, I knew that I wanted something simple that would take nothing away from the diamond's sheer wow-ness. Since the setting was platinum, I also knew that I wanted something gold. Yes, some people naysayed my optimism in mixing metals, but I could not be happier with the selection. The simplicity of the gold twine band next to the power of my stunning solitaire {truly} never gets old.

Gold + Navy + Nude // Francesca's striped dress {similar here}, J. Crew schoolboy blazer, Jessica Simpson Calie pumps, Target belt, Solitaire + Gemvara twine wedding band, Inga Creations earrings, Michael Kors Hamilton tote & Jet Set watch

Michael Kors Jet Set watch + Gemvara twine wedding band

2. Michael Kors Jet Set Watch :: This watch is the staple piece of my jewelry collection. You are hard-pressed to find me wearing anything else. My favorite part about it is, once again, its sheer simplicity. There are no numbers. There are no diamonds. It is just a perfect shade and finish of gold that compliments every possible outfit combination.

Monochrome Blue + Gold // BDG colorblock Chambray {similar here and here}, J. Crew Tippi sweater + Cece flats, Gap velvet skinny jeans & Michael Kors Jet Set watch

3. Inga Creations Tusk Necklace :: Aspen-designer Emily Gustafson loves gold just as much as I do, which means that I keep her jewelry line on heavy repeat. My newest favorite piece is an antler strung on a gold chain wrapped perfectly in gold wire {totally Colorado, right?}. Enter code "PUPSANDPUMPS" at checkout, and she'll treat you to 20% off your order {woohoo!}.

My recent haul from Inga Creations

Dressed Up.

{or} Dressed Down.

4. MIA Limited Edition Elana Flats :: I am semi-embarrassed to admit that I had to trade in my Tory Burch Reva flats a few months ago. The elastic backs were digging into my heels so badly that, by the end of the day, I was sporting them as clogs. Plus, I over-pronate ridiculously far {running lingo for "my ankles roll in"}, and anything with an elastic back just doesn't bode in my favor. I started a mad hunt for a pair of black flats with gold detail, and I found these gems. Love them. Plus, super comfortable {in 1/2 size up}.

Gap corduroy skinny jeans, J. Crew Factory herringbone tank, Zara pearl necklace, MIA Limited Edition Elana Flats, Michael Kors Hamilton tote & Jet Set watch

5. Madewell Skimmer Flats {similar here} :: Finally, my Dorothy shoes. While clicking these suckers together won't get me home after a long night out, the gold glitter stays perfectly in tact, and they are sure to garner plenty of compliments {trust}.

Jason Aldean Concert // Blank NYC coated denim + Tory Burch Amanda logo clutch + Madewell skimmer flats {similar here}

Summer Wedding Secrets

I am not a sappy wedding fan {by any means}. In fact, I am what you might call an anti-traditional wedding-ist. I appreciate tradition, but I have a hard time accepting tradition for tradition's sake; however, I am always touched by how people decide to vow themselves to each other before God - so much so that I have truly come to appreciate nuptials on a much deeper level than ever before. One, it reminds me of the commitment I have made to my own husband {which is always worth being reminded}. Two, I enjoy seeing couple's creativity lived out in a very finite period of time. Three, I love not only dressing for the occasion {obviously}, but I also love seeing how everyone else dresses for the occasion. Weddings are such a unique blend of fashion statements that I can't help but get lost evaluating ensembles {in the midst of making a fool of myself on the dance floor and eating entirely way too much wedding cake}.

Jordan and I had two weddings slated for this summer. The first was an outdoor event in a beautiful park. The second was in a gorgeous downtown church. Surprisingly, I have found that any summer wedding requires layers. Outdoor weddings always bring the possibility of rain, and indoor weddings in the southern state of Kentucky usually entail an {overly} abundant amount of air conditioning. My Forever 21 cotton blazer worked perfectly on both occasions.

I feel blessed to have shared in a special moment with two very dear sets of friends. More importantly, I witnessed the greatest father-daughter dance of all time {"Butterfly Kisses" gets dominated at the 1:40-mark}, and Jordan and I made insta-wedding friends who owned the photo booth with us like it had never been owned before {props rule!}.

Outdoor Wedding Wedges // INC International Concepts platform espadrilles {sold out but loving these}

Outdoor Wedding Threads // Kate Spade Robbie pencil skirt, Mossimo collared blouse {local Target but loving this}, Forever 21 blazer {similar here}, & Michael Kors Hamilton Bag + Jet Set Watch

Indoor Wedding Threads // Maison Jules dress {local Macy's but loving this}, Forever 21 blazer {similar here}, Tory Burch aviator sunglasses, Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac, Michael Kors Jet Set watch & Inga Creations pearl dangle earrings

Indoor Wedding Heels // Sole Society Sheila pumps {limited quantities here but also loving these}

Golden Details

Photo Booth Fun

You Want Me to Put What Where?

Traveling is a daunting task. Sometimes, just sometimes, I feel so overwhelmed by the anxiety to pack just the "right" amount {and styles} of clothing that it overpowers my anticipation of physically arriving at the location. In an effort to not sound like a completely spoiled brat, I must admit to having a rather obsessive compulsive personality: life exists in routine, schedules and alarms. Any deviation from the biological norms I have created within my daily life gets my panties in a {rather unpleasant} twist. I find solace in repetition of familiar habits, and packing {no matter how hard I try} never feels familiar. Once I get past the appropriate number of undergarments {a fairly trivial task}, my mind goes blank. I obsess over the weather and go back and forth wondering if it will be a hot or cold 70-degree day. Procrastination inevitably leads to me staying up until 3 AM the night before, haphazardly grabbing my shoes and articles of clothing and throwing them into my overstuffed bag.

This story went no differently as I prepared to embark on my {belated} European honeymoon, only the problem magnified itself in my brain as international travel took the place of my previous intercontinental exhibitions. Having never been to Europe, I became even more compulsive about checking the weather {something I did not think was possible}. And, I wasn't packing for your average 4-day weekend. We were leaving on an 18-day excursion {yeah, double digits, baby}. How in the world does anyone pack for 18 days?!

Well, I lived through it, and I'm here to say that it can be done {in a single bag, mind you}. Actually, something quite amazing happened through the process. I started to side with the part of me that was excited to partake in such an amazing experience with the man I love. Thankfully, we had an afternoon flight, so at 8:00 AM, my excited persona started bossing around that anxious part who still had nothing {and everything} packed at 2 AM the "night" before: Put this here, put that there...no, THERE. Magically, the bag {albeit still overstuffed} was complete.

More importantly, as I sit here writing from 10,000 feet in the air, I realize that life is continuing on Earth {and let's be honest, no one gives a crap what's in my suitcase}. I'm just happy for this moment and excited for the memory {and, of course, I'm kicking myself for not remembering to bring a jacket on the plane}.

The Goods.

The Bag.

Mission: Complete.

J. Crew maxi skirt {old, but similar here} + Cece flats, Zara basic tee, Tory Burch aviator sunglasses, Inga Creations tusk necklace & bracelets, & Michael Kors jet set watch.

Flying Essentials: Coach large Saffiano City Tote + Madison Lindsay crossbody {sold out color, but available style here}, Passport & neck pillow.

The Life of a SMedium

Inevitably, I am NEVER a small or a medium. I incessantly fall into that awkward SMedium category. The small jacket will flatter my torso, but I will not be able to move from the full-attention position {for fear of ripping off either sleeve}; the medium jacket will allow me the mobility I need as a human being, but I will look like I'm wearing my husband's jacket in the mid-section. The small skirt will fit me in the waist, but I will look like a 13-year-old girl trying to show off far too much thigh under the belt line; the medium will make my hips look more age-appropriate, but it will be falling off my waist, exposing the not-so-cute plumber's crack {think Britney Spears circa 2003}. Disclaimer: I am at peace with my body {as much as any girl can be}. I am just not at peace with the SMedium size that does not exist. Here is a visual for anyone who is still not mackin' what I'm stackin' {seriously, try not to sing}:

All you tweeners know exactly what Chris Farley {and I} are talking about, and, frankly, I consider this a major life issue {yes, m-a-j-o-r}. One, I never know what size to suggest when people are buying me gifts {not to mention the fact that I wear an XS in J. Crew while managing to also fit into an L at Zara}. Two, I spend FOREVER in changing rooms {with far too many clothes than those stupid little placards allow}. I go back and forth and back and forth. I walk out with frizzy hair, the same amount of clothes, and the stench of indecision {this is a big reason my husband hates shopping with me}. Do I buy the small? Do I buy the medium? What if I'm having an infamous female "fat" day? What if I gain a little bit of weight? What if I want to wear this when I'm pregnant {I AM a newlywed!}? It's like buying sunglasses every single time I go shopping: this pair or that pair or this pair, wait, no, that pair {as the sunglass man rolls his eyes and silently prays for you to just make a decision!}. Well, if you haven't guessed this about me yet, I take my clothes very seriously. I mean, money does not grow on trees {at least that's what my husband tells me}. So, I have resorted to online shopping {when free shipping and free returns are involved} - I buy two of everything and return the unwanted size with a 30-day money back guarantee {thank you, Piperlime, Zara, Nordstrom, Zappos, and Amazon}. This way, I can get frizzy hair in the luxury of my own home.

A day in the life of me trying on clothes from a recent Piperlime haul {sizes appear in parentheses}:

{Piperlime, Nordstrom & Zappos} Pim & Larkin blazer (S), J. Crew Blythe blouse (2/XS) {old, but loving this here}, Kate Spade Barry skirt (4/S) & Nine West Wedges (8.5) {old, but loving these}

{Piperlime & Sole Society} Pim & Larkin tee (S), Kensie lace shorts (6/M) & Sole Society Elisa pumps (8.5)

{Amazon & Zara} Schutz rhinestone sandals (9) {sold out, but loving these} &
Zara cobalt ankle strap flats (8) {sold out, but loving these}

Jordan and I leave for our belated honeymoon tomorrow {woohoo!}, so strap yourselves in for some random traveling rants over the next couple weeks. Peace.