OOTD - Seafoam Stripes and Teal

Top - Francesca's $30?

Pants - Michael Kors - Marshalls $40

Watch - Francesca's $18

Shoes - Sperry Top Siders / Cheetah Print on Sides - Zappos.com

Thankfully, this isn't a blog on hair.  Or else I would have negative 10 subscribers.  I know.

I like wearing colored skinnies to work because it's easy to wear pants at work, it's a pop of color, and my students appreciate my effort on keeping up with the trends.  It's not like I wear things all the time because I know it will impress them; it's just nice to remind them you're a person too and that you can rock some trends too.

In some work places this outfit could never fly because it's too loud/casual.  But for my school, I think colored skinnies are appropriate. I always wear colored skinnies with a blouse (as opposed to a tshirt) and sometimes a blazer and try to dress it up with appropriate accessories (like my watch).

Reflection: I also could have wore nude wedges or my tan Kenneth Cole wedges with the gold studs.

Are colored skinnies acceptable at your place of employment?

Project of the Day- Coffee Table

I've been waiting a year and a half to do something to this trunk I bought at goodwill from before I moved out of my parents' house. This trunk has served the purpose of a coffee table, but it was a little low for my liking. Plus, I felt like it was missing a finishing touch.

The plan was to get decorative legs at Lowes, stain them to match my tv stand, and then attach them to the base of the trunk. On the way down the aisle to the legs, we spotted curtain finials that were already pre-finished and seemed sturdy enough for the project. We spotted a deal on $5 finials (they were on clearance). Although, the finials in the picture are more my cup of tea (for $12 for a box of 2). This was our first home project together and everything in my apartment is already mine so I wanted him to be able to have some say and the price was right. We went with the clearance finials.

We went to my parents and rounded up :

• A saw
• A drill
• Small blacks of wood (3x3x1)
• Screws

The bf used the saw to cut 4 small blocks of wood for each corner of the trunk. He used 2 screws each (going from the bottom, inward) to secure the blocks inside the chest.
Then he used a drill bit smaller than the screw of the finial to make a hole for the finial to screw into. Finally, he screwed in the finials.

Reflection: If I had to re-do this project, I would chose the finials I originally wanted. The ones we ended up with look nice enough, but I think it would have looked nicer with chunkier legs. (After seeing the project complete, I think my bf agrees too). At the same time, I'm really glad we came across these pre-finished finials because it required no drying time!

What do you think about using a trunk as a coffee table? Too vintage? Just right?

Project of the Day- Repurposed Coffee Can

I am not a coffee drinker, but my boyfriend has been saying how we have to get cafe bustelo. Finally, we splurged. He uses the Keurig Machine, but this product didn't come in K cups. He will have to scoop it in the "brew your own" K cup every time he wants it (which is often). We put the coffee in an old walnut container on the counter top within arm's reach, but I didn't enjoy the decor of the walnut can.

Solution: I redesigned the can to be more visually pleasant for the counter top by using scrapbook supplies.

I just used tan paper and measured it to fit the can. I taped a seam along the back. I then added the swirly border down the center and added sticky letters to spell out "coffee." Let's see how long it will be until my boyfriend touches the can with wet hands and ruins the whole thing. He's good like that.

By the way, I think I am on my way to being a coffee addict. I am so ashamed. I had one cup last night, and have been craving it all day at work. I'm in trouble.

How many cups of coffee do you drink a day? How do you store your coffee?

OOTD- Royal & Teal Peplum

Dress- Forever 21- $27?

Watch- Francesca's- $18

Shoes- Target from years ago

I bought this sleeveless peplum style dress back in February. I knew it needed to come home with me despite the snow piles that were still outside. The fit was perfect: not too tight, not too loose. There is no slit in the back which is lovely for teaching in. And, finally, in my humble opinion, the contrast of the colors are just beautiful.

I wore a sweater wrap to add some sleeves to the look even though it would have looked better without the sweater.

Fun fact: The peplum was big enough where I didn't need to wear Spanx! What are your thoughts on this peplum trend?

OOTD- Royal Ruffles and Marc Jacobs

Top- Royal Blue Ruffle top- Forever 21- Bought YEARS ago
Skirt- Marc Jacob's Black Pencil Skirt- Gift from family this past Christmas
Shoes- Beige wedges- Bought 2-3 years ago
Watch- Francesca's $18

I am still rocking black in the end of April. I would have adored if this skirt magically transformed with the seasons into an ivory, coral or mint crochet pencil skirt...

I tried to liven the skirt up with a pop of royal blue and the white watch. And as usual, I kept the shoes neutral to not emphasize the black.

Do you ever stop wearing black?

OOTD- Peplum and Studs

Dress- Black Peplum-Target $24.99?

Watch- Fossil/Tortoise and Gold- Macy's $150

Shoes- Tan Kenneth Cole Reaction Gold Studded Wedges- Marshall's $25

Undergarment Support- Spanx- Target $15?

Reflections:

Hair is inspired by my Pinterest Hair Board. http://pinterest.com/karoostyle/hair/ Hair style was a little messy, but easy to do and could get better as I perfect it.

This was the first time wearing these shoes and they were pretty painless. There was a little rubbing in the back on the left side. On the plus side, the rubber on the bottoms allowed me to grip the hallway (and lunch room) floor and added extra comfort.

If I had to do this outfit over, I would wear a pair of gold stud earrings and/or add a thin tan belt.

Teachers Pay Teachers

I have been recently getting many resources from teacherspayteachers.com. This is a great resource because some resources are free and many are very affordable.  The best part is the funds go to other teachers and not some big corporation!

I figured I have a few tricks up my sleeve and decided to upload a couple of products on there to see if I can make some money too.  Here is my link: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Christina-Carew

I promise you're going to feel like a small child on Christmas morning on this site.