Old Clothes: Book Print Dress

Tommy Hilfiger Book Print Dress, Cece Cardigan, Ferragamo flats

My favorite clothes are all so old at this point. Is it bizarre to wear the same things for nearly a decade? To be fair, there were years when I couldn't wear a lot of this stuff due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, and body shape changes. But you would think I'd be tired of looking at the same things.

I can't recall the last time I saw a dress that provoked a strong reaction of "I NEED THIS!" in me. I don't have as much time to browse so perhaps it's a matter of not knowing what is out there that's up my alley? I guess a few of my Boden dresses generated some measure of excitement. But not on the same scale that this dress did. I wore this to teach and got several compliments. I'm glad it's still in the rotation.

It's going to warm up soon enough. I might venture outside at work for photos if I can find my old point and shoot!

Old Favorite: Chloé Van Gogh Dress OOTD

Chloé Van Gogh dress, Resort 2008 with Spanx tights, Aqua cashmere cardigan (similar in cotton here), Eileen Fisher Hall flats

Remember when I used to buy a lot of designer clothes (that were either massively on sale or gently used and cheap on eBay)? Me too! I still have a lot of them because they are too beautiful to purge from my wardrobe and not worth the time and effort to sell. Every now and then I will dig one out and see if/how it fits. This Chloé number (called the Van Gogh dress from Resort 2008) is one such dress. It has an interesting bubble hem and a graphic print that looks like doodles of colorful clouds. I used to wear it with a belt (last seen in the Chloe dress here) or just swinging on its own. I wore it to campus last week for the first time in ages. I paired it with a cardigan to give it some structure.

Deer Season: Boden Must Have Tunic OOTD

Boden Must Have Tunic in Black Deer print

I first purchased one of Boden's Must Have Tunics a few years back but returned it because it seemed overpriced for something that was too short to be work-wearable. You can read my first review here. A few years later when I was pregnant with Rosie, a bunch of the tunics were on clearance so I grabbed them in sizes larger than I typically wear and in long-length with the intention of wearing as maternity dresses (as shown). I wore them constantly! I also learned, pregnant belly or not, that the long lengths make them proper dresses on me, rather than mere tunics. Even better, the scoop is just deep enough to enable breastfeeding if that is a concern (but not so deep as to render it work inappropriate).

Boden Must Have Tunic Deer Print Dress

I've been wearing the style ever since I learned the long length trick. Who knew someone only 5'3 would need L?! My newest Must Have tunic is shown above in an all over deer print. This one is still available on the website along with some other print and color options. The prices vary but mine seems to be holding steady price wise. I got a better deal on it after Thanksgiving. If you are curious about fit, the garment measurements under the size guide are very accurate in my experience. I am wearing a 10 L here, which is long enough to be work-friendly and loose enough that it doesn't make me feel exposed. I paired it with black tights, a jacket from Anthropologie, and suede booties.

First day of the Spring Term OOTD: Boden Carina Dress

Boden Carina Dress

I started back to work from holiday break three Mondays ago. So my semester is already underway. Pitt always returns earlier than most. But we finish in late April which is nice. For the first day of classes I decided to wear a dress Chris had given me for Christmas: Boden's Carina dress. Since I see a lot of the same students, semester to semester, I like to wear something new if I have a new item available. For better or worse, I get a lot of comments in evals and in person regarding my teaching outfits. So I know it's something they notice.

I picked this dress for it's vibrant winter (ok, it's really fall but fall is over so I'm calling it winter!) floral print. It was on a great sale because I don't buy things unless they are. You can still find it on pop back here. It has a back zip and no pockets which is good because pockets would almost certainly bunch up in this fabric. This fabric is a very thick cotton canvas which means it won't run the risk of clinging to every curve and bump. But it's kind of stiff. I took a size 10R. The dress is not lined but it doesn't need it due to the fabric composition. I haven't washed it yet so I don't know how it will wear but so far it's a great addition to my work wardrobe. I paired it with Spanx tights and Sam Edelman booties. I brought a black cardigan with me in case the classrooms and hallways were cold.

If you haven't checked out Boden yet, you can get 20% off full price items and free shipping through my referral link.

Hello Darkness, My Old Blog

Photos by my friend Erin.

It's been so long. Wow having two kiddos and a career and a life to balance and a house to restore/renovate are NO JOKE! Major props to the people who make it look easy and still carve out space for their own interests and hobbies. I know this is a season of life that is short but I miss blogging so I am going to try to get back into the occasional habit of posting an outfit or two.

Wearing an old favorite MBMJ dress. The girls are in Boden. 

It's a lot easier to snap kid outfit pics that my own. They're kids so they're cute and everything looks good on them. But all is well. AND I GOT TENURE!!!! So I need to update my bio. Not sure if anyone still checks in here but hello, if you do!!

What I wore to new student orientation

It is hard to believe that summer break has flown by so quickly. The other day I attended an orientation event to represent my department and meet the incoming freshman class as well as their parents. It was a chilly and dreary day which didn't match the vibe at orientation.

Orientation always feels so hopeful and anticipatory. I remember attending my own with my mother many years ago. We tried to soak in all the info but eventually skipped one of the more superfluous sessions to grab a non-cafeteria lunch and coffee in Oakland. I don't remember many details from the info sessions but I do remember vividly how I felt. I remember the feeling of being on the cusp of big transition. I remember being nervous but excited. I remember feeling glad my mom was with me to help make sense of all the information but also to spend time alone together, right before I was about to leave the nest.

Every orientation I think about how those incoming students and their families are processing so many emotions, ranging from bittersweet to anxious to elated. Seeing them with their families is a good reminder that even when I feel frustrated or fed up with undergraduate antics, there's likely to be someone (probably even many someones) by whom these students are held dear. And when I am tasked with resolving difficult situations, this knowledge helps fortify my patience and empathy. I'm in no rush for summer to end but I can't help but feel excited to meet my new semester of students.

For this summer's orientation event, I wore a dress I received last year to review from Eshakti. The other day I received my second Eshakti order and am pleased. I will show you what I picked soon.

Details:
Eshakti dress
J. Crew Factory Clare Cardigan
Gucci wedges

Interviewing OOTD

For understandable reasons, the bulk of blog advice and consideration surrounding interview outfits is focused on what candidates should (and shouldn't) wear. From having been on the other side of interviewing a few times at this point, I can say that even the process of dressing to be an interviewer can be difficult.

When I know I will be interviewing candidates, I consider carefully what I will wear. Since the interview process is daunting and lengthy for all involved parties, I try to focus on comfort and avoid anything that could be distracting or fussy. Academia in general and the humanities in particular can vary greatly in codes of dress. Couple this sartorial uncertainty with the variability of summer weather and the knowledge that I would be headed out for a date with Chris right after and my outfit conundrum became even more baffling.

But any time I find myself in uncertain dress code situations, I err on the sides of neutrals and basics. This dress and cardigan combo felt a bit casual for conducting interviews but my other breathable summer dresses uniformly are vibrant prints. For this kind of occasion, plain seemed preferable to print. I was seated for the bulk of the day so my outfit was barely visible but I remained comfortable throughout the process. I don't think I would teach in this ensemble because that is a situation where attention gets centralized onto me. But I would wear it again for committee meetings or to do consulting during the summer months.

The shoes are some of the most comfortable wedges I've encountered. Whenever Nike Air technology gets wedded with office-friendly pumps, feet have cause to rejoice. The bag is comprised of incredibly light and durable leather, in a color that seems to match everything and I got it for a song on Ebay. All in all, I am happy with how this outfit turned out. 

Details:
Old Navy Swing Dress
Banana Republic Factory Cardigan
Cole Haan Air Tali wedges (on sale and bought with a gift card- Narrow at the toe so I took an 8 instead of a 7.5 but needed the Nordstrom shoe associate to add a heel grip which he did on site. Their strong customer service reputation continues to be deserved! And early access to the Anniversary Sale has just begun!)
Longchamp Quadri Hobo in Pebble
Both necklaces were gifts from loved ones

Consultant OOTD

I wore this to meet with representatives from a local nonprofit organization for whom I am consulting on digital media strategy, in partnership with our university's center for applied research. It feels great to put my academic skill set and professional background to use toward causes and institutions that serve the broader community. But I never know what to wear for these sorts of things. It's impossible to predict how buttoned up people will be (and perhaps therefore expect you to be). I don't tend to wear suits ever. I have suit-esque pieces in my wardrobe but I am not crazy about them (or how they fit me right now). So I tend to err on the side of "creative conservative." I decided to wear neutral, borderline monochromatic pieces that featured visual details that still felt like me.

Details:
Old Navy dress
Anthropologie jacket (called Chatham Dress Topper)
Spanx tights
Petty Boots

One Burberry dress, (barely) two ways OOTD

I wore this Burberry Brit dress to an outdoor wedding (below) and then the following week I wore it to campus (above). It felt a little fancy to wear on a regular teaching day but I was running late and needed to just pick something and go.  This worked.

I didn't change much about how I wore it on either occasion, save for the shoes and the necklace. I suppose I could stand to get more creative and maybe I will with time. This dress is still new and novel so when I reach for it, it alone feels like "enough."

My broad love for dresses stems from their ease of use. Put on a dress and boom, you have an outfit. Maybe that outfit won't move mountains but I'm not trying to move mountains with my outfits. I just want to be able to get my work done and feel confident doing so.

Outfit details:
Burberry Brit dress
Spanx tights
Gucci wedges (above; in red or black); Nine West pumps (below)

What I Wore Back to School (part 1)

This semester I am teaching two classes that meet once a week. Once-a-week courses require a different strategy when it comes to lesson planning and organization. You need to factor in at least one break, and recognize that the sheer length might lead to even more attention attrition than usual. You also have a lot of material to cover even on day one, because the end of day one is also the end of week one.
 
But when it comes to the content of this blog the main difference between a multi- vs once-a-week class is that I have even fewer in-class outfits to assemble across a semester. For the first week I felt like I had two "first days," and the stakes were high. I needed to maintain that same sense of hopeful energy for each new batch of students. And to confound matters some ongoing HVAC work in the building meant that climate control was unlikely. With temperatures nearing 90, I was pretty anxious.

For one of my "first days" I wore the above ebay find which I now realize looks a bit too short with bare legs. Thankfully I was behind a media console for a good portion of our meeting time. But lesson learned! In taking outfit photos over the years I've amassed some pretty useful data in trial and error. The next time I wear this to campus I will pair it with opaque tights.

Details:
Marc by Marc Jacobs lace print dress (ebay find originally sold in 2009) (similar style; similar print)
Streets Ahead bow belt (similar)
Ann Taylor quilted leather flats
Kors watch

Remember, there's still time to enter my eShakti giveaway! 

Research Colloquium OOTD

The other week I was invited to present my research to the campus as part of an honors fraternity's  colloquium lecture series. I was nervous because I am human but I reminded myself what I tell my students who suffer from presentation anxiety: no one knows your work better than you do. The odds of there being an expert in the same exact subject area in attendance is slim and so it is good to acknowledge and find confidence in that.

Still, I simultaneously hoped and feared that no one would come. A combination of weather and a conflicting faculty committee meeting meant that there were more students than faculty in the audience but that was ok. I was happy to have a smaller group because it enabled me to change the dynamic from lecture to a lecture-discussion hybrid. I felt relieved and proud after it was finished and I hope I will have similar opportunities for research exchange with my colleagues in the future. It can be much easier and more default for us to talk about teaching instead, since regardless of field, it is a common experience. While I enjoy discussions about teaching, I also like learning and sharing about those other aspects of faculty work life.

This dress was something I bought during my early breastfeeding days, thinking it would be breastfeeding friendly. It sort of is if you are only using one side. But that wasn't the only reason I gravitated toward it. I appreciate that although it's one color, it has varying fabrics that bring textural interest. The style is different from the bulk of my closet. And it's really comfortable as well as versatile. I've worn it to dinner at Nolita during a quick weekend trip to Cleveland and to Chris's birthday dinner at Kaya.  I wore it to a party and to the museum in addition to teaching my classes and giving my colloquium.

Details:
Marc by Marc Jacobs dress and shoes
Spanx tights
David Yurman necklace layered with a necklace gift from Chris a few years back

Size up OOTD and some tips on a pump-at-work wardrobe

I bought this Tibi dress around this time last year because I knew it would be breastfeeding friendly and my pre-pregnancy sized version (in a different colorway, last worn here) didn't fit. I'm glad I found it on ebay for a good price in a size up from my other one because it has proved to be a useful piece for teaching. I appreciate the ease of an all-in-one "combo dress" because it looks as though it could be separates but I don't have to spend my day fussing over a tucked blouse.

Last weekend my friend Robina was visiting and wanted some advice about a pumping-friendly professional wardrobe. Although she's a seasoned breastfeeding mom, she is going to be doing some clinical rotations toward degrees in nursing and midwifery that will have her separated for long hours from her infant. She specifically was curious about the names of pumping-friendly dresses she could potentially track down via ebay. The first things I thought of were my Tucker for Target shirtdresses and this Tibi one.

Even with a private office and door that locks, it's nice to avoid having to totally disrobe in the middle of the day. So if a dress can unbutton in the front, ideally down to the waist, it is a keeper in my experience. Wrap and faux wrap dresses are also good options. And the added security of a full slip will make it easy to partially unwrap. Finally, I always keep a drapey cardigan handy, for quick and easy coverage as well as added warmth.

Outfit details:
Tibi dress (Anthropologie called it the Hudson and Houston dress many years back)
Hue tights
Tory Burch flats

New Term, New (albeit repeat) OOTD

I have my big pre-tenure review this semester (delayed by a year due to the tenure clock stoppage of my maternity leave) and submitted my giant portfolio of supporting materials yesterday. Three extra large binders, packed with evidence of my efforts over the last four years. It was overwhelming to take stock of what I'd done and (inevitably) reflect also on what I wish I had done. Although the review is now out of my hands, just submitting the materials brought me a sense of relief because doing so forced me to stop obsessing. Such comprehensive and high stakes assignments are the kind that never feel "finished," even when a deadline looms.

This deadline happened to overlap with the start of the Spring semester which made me busy doubly! But all is going surprisingly well, considering. I am halfway through my second week of teaching and feel optimistic that this will be a great semester. My students seem engaged and my brain is managing to function despite some post-holiday baby schedule upheaval and the wrath of consolidating naps. Thank goodness for caffeine!

Outfit details:
T-bags dress (similar style but different print here and here)
Calvin Klein open cardigan
Hella Tights tights (c/o... review to come soon!)
MBMJ flats

Tommy Hilfiger Library Dress OOTD

I had to have the Tommy Hilfiger Library dress when I first saw it and feel no regrets about the purchase. As I said in my review, I do wish the books weren't branded but unless you are up close, it is hard to tell. I wore this to campus for meetings and teaching and felt both comfortable and stylish. 

Details:
Tommy Hilfiger Library Shirtdress
Spanx Tights
Cece cashmere boyfriend cardigan
MBMJ mouse flats

A Day in the Life of an Educator

My days instructing on campus are long but fulfilling. Although I work full time as a professor, I do not go into my physical office every weekday. Technology yields ample opportunities to stay connected to the office and my campus remotely. I am lucky to have a condensed teaching load, which means I can avoid my commute by working from home on days when I don't teach and do not have meetings. The only trade-off is that on those "teaching days," I teach back to back to back. This can be quite exhausting because I invest and expel a great deal of energy to try to ensure my lectures are dynamic and engaging as well as informative.

On the days when I teach, I wake up and answer emails while I drink my coffee (and lets be honest, baby wrangle!). I begin to get ready but often cannot finish until my sister comes to take care of Emilia. I grab the lunch I likely packed the night prior and my big reusable water bottle, along with my teaching bag full of course materials, papers that have been or need to be graded, and my work laptop if I brought it home and head to work. My commute is long but I try to maximize the time by listening to NPR. I find it relaxing but more importantly, it allows me to keep tabs on current events and find inspiration for examples that might better illustrate concepts in lectures.

When I arrive on campus, I drop off everything in my office, go to the main office to check my mailbox, get some coffee, and grab any additional supplies I might need. I try to arrive at least a half hour before I hold my office hours so that I have time to settle in to things. I input grades, I answer voice mails, and I hold my office hours with students I teach and/or advise.

If no one comes to office hours, I use the time to grade, fine tune my lectures, design assignments, etc. I might have some of my lunch during this time too.

When it is time to teach, I grab my materials and head to the classroom to set up. If my classes don't run over time, I have fifteen minutes in between, to run to the rest room, refill my water, or have a few more bites of my lunch in my office. The time I spend teaching is hectic but because of the condensed arrangement, it really flies by. Before I know it, I head back to my office to wrap up for the day. I finish and input any grades from presentations or assignments that day, pack up materials to be graded, and head back home. More NPR or music if I am feeling too drained to think anymore.

I feel really lucky to work in education and come from a family of teachers. So even when the days are draining and long, they're usually at least philosophically pretty great.

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Some seriously belated (mostly) repeat OOTDs

You can tell by the foliage in the first two photos that these are fairly old ootds. Things have been crazy with Emilia's first birthday, her party, Chris's dissertation defense, Thanksgiving, and the end of semester crunch at work. I am so happy to report that Chris's dissertation defense was a great success. I'll update with a bit more on it soon. Same with Emilia's party!

But I have been busy because of all of the above, not to mention holiday planning, shopping, and decorating... So I have fallen behind on blogging. As much as I continue to love documenting my consumer wants, thoughts, and buys (as well as outfits), out of necessity blogging becomes a lower priority than my real life obligations. I didn't even get to write my gratitude post for Thanksgiving 2013, which is one of my favorite opportunities to reflect on and consider my blessings. Although Thanksgiving has come and gone, I still plan to put together these thoughts. They will just be late. And for those of you who continue to read this less-frequently-updated, unglamorous (especailly compared to the slick professional bloggers!), somewhat haphazard space, I want to say that I am truly, deeply grateful!

Details on outfit 1-- wore to campus for a day of meetings:
Old Navy striped terry dress, Spanx tights, MBMJ metallic mouse flats

Details on outfit 2-- wore for teaching (which upon further inspection might have been a little too casual)
Orly Kiely for Uniqlo dress, Orla Kiely bag, Spanx tights, MBMJ flats

Details on outfit 3-- Was dying to wear one of my favorite dresses again. Fits a bit more snugly but I'll take it! Wore for teaching and meetings
See by Chloé dress, Spanx tights, Ferragamo My Joy flats

Details on outfit 4-- Ditto outfit 3 as this is another favorite dress that fits a bit differently. Wore for teaching
Marc by Marc Jacobs dress, Spanx tights, MBMJ flats

Some of my working mom readers might notice that none of the above are especially breastfeeding/pumping-friendly. Now that Emilia is 1 and eating more solids, I haven't needed to pump at work unless I am there for an especially long day, in which case I keep a slip and cardigan to throw on for pumping. Even though my office door locks, I am not the only key holder and I am paranoid...haha. But we are continuing to breastfeed at least for now and I pump before I leave and as soon as I return home on those days when I manage to avoid it at work.

Books on my Skirt OOTD

I wore the above outfit to campus for teaching and student meetings. I wrote a bit about this Garnet Hill skirt when I reviewed the Tommy Hilfiger Book Print Shirtdress. I also wore it to have dinner and see the Lion King with my mom and siblings for her birthday. It is a comfortable, versatile piece. Although it is indeed a bit poufy and the cotton lining sometimes gets bunched up when wearing tights, I am pleased with the purchase. I also think it is different enough from the library dress that I am glad to have both in my wardrobe.

Details:
Garnet Hill book skirt
J. Crew Claire Cardigan
Rumina tank
Spanx tights
Tory Burch Revas

(Was) Warm Again OOTD

I wore this to campus when it was suddenly 80 degrees once again. Apologies for the crappy in office photo. But between pumping and jumping from meeting, to class, to class, there wasn't time for any more elaborate an exercise in blogging/narcissism.

My postpartum hair loss has turned around and is starting to fill out again so I have all this new growth which makes for a different kind of weirdness. But I'm resisting the urge to chop it for now.

I am so glad that I tracked down this dress in a size up. I don't have to worry about boob gap. It is nursing and pumping friendly. And it still yields a lot of compliments. I was lucky to discover that Porridge (the maker) still had some overstock they were selling on ebay for reasonable prices.

Details:
Two-Wheeler Shirtdress (from Anthropologie via ebay)
Nordstrom cardigan
Marc Jacobs studded mouse flats (I love these ones for fall!)
Kors watch, vintage bracelet, Yurman circle necklace

Another Kate Spade Shirtdress

The new term has started and I feel like I barely had a summer break. I held it hostage with dissertation work and the conclusion of my doctoral degree. But I have no regrets. I just wish there were a few more days of down time... For those of you in academia, good luck with the beginnings of the fall term!!

I bought this Kate Spade dress as a birthday present to myself last April. I don't know the style name but know that it was offered in the above print and an adorable tiny owl one (in a bright goldenrod yellow). I found it on ebay, new with tags and it seemed like it had the potential to be cut similarly to one of my old favorites that still fits my postpartum, breastfeeding bustline. When I got it, it was indeed cut similarly. But to my disappointment it was made of a different kind of silk fabric. I was hoping that the silk of this dress would have the same matte finish and a tiny bit of give (which as been key to ensuring I don't need to always pin buttons closed to prevent "boob gap") like my old favorite. As a person who is otherwise clueless about textiles, I will say that this dress is the standard silky silk that is pretty but stretch-less and too delicate to pin. I solve the issue with a cardigan when I'm in the classroom.

As an aside, I am bummed that so few Kate Spade dress offerings of late have been sleeved shirt dresses. Not that I would ever buy full price but I do enjoy stalking sales. I'm relegated to ebay if I want something from this brand.  Relatedly, I feel so in the habit of dressing to breastfeed these days that I'm still on the hunt for many button front "dresses that got away." They include a few from Anthropologie like the Dagmar Shirt Dress and the Tiny Windows Dress. If you have either in a 10 and want to part with them, let me know!

I also wanted to give a heads up to anyone who found this blog by searching "pregnant and Anthropologie," that a very stylish Anthrophile, Kristin of Lovely Adipae is in the family way and it suits her beautifully! She is sporting a lot of Anthropologie and looks fantastic while doing so. Check it out!

Outfit details:
Kate Spade dress (old)
Gap factory cardigan
Marc by Marc Jacobs mouse flats
Simply Vera tote bag pictured in final photo

What I wore to freshman orientation

I just want to reiterate my thanks to those of you who contacted me with kind congratulations about my defense! I think I'm still processing that this chapter of my life is finished. I don't want to get too comfortable because I need to stay on pace to submit a book proposal this fall.

Anyway, I mentioned a backlog of outfits and the above is one of them. During the summer, faculty representatives on my campus attend orientation events for incoming students so that students and parents can begin to make connections with the campus community. On this particular day, I was there to represent the major and offer advice regarding the curriculum and a first semester schedule.

I met some lovely students that I hope to have in my classes this school year! And I wore a button front, cotton Anthropologie dress that allowed me to stay cool as I ran from building to building and  easily pump in between meetings.

Details:
Anila Shirtdress from Anthro
Kors watch
Rumina nursingwear tank underneath (c/o)
MBMJ Mouse flats

I know I keep saying this but I swear I am posting the giveaway tomorrow. It is ready to go. I just have been dotting i's and crossing t's and running a million errands to wrap up my doctorate.