The Holiday Series: A Winter Wedding Outfit

Alternate title to this post:

When You Think Pictures In Front of the Alluminated Christmas Are A Good Idea

Well friends, these pictures did not turn-out quite as well as I'd hoped and this really bothers the perfectionist in me.  I thought I would be able to edit the lighting a little bit better, but oh well.  Voilà, my outfit for the Winter Wedding Edition of The Holiday Series.

In case you've missed it, The Holiday Series consists of six posts where a group of bloggers led by Ada of Elegance and Mommyhood provide holiday-themed inspiration.

Thanksgiving Outfit

Black Friday Shopping Outfit

Holiday Home Tour

Winter Wedding Outfit

Christmas Day Outfit

New Years Eve Outfit

I'm not actually attending any weddings this season nor am I going to any swanky soirées (much to my chagrin).  If I were, I probably would have bought a pretty, sparkly new dress (because is there anything better than a holiday dress?!).  

But alas, since all of my Christmas get-togethers are casual.  I decided to remix a dress already hanging in my closet.  Typically I wear this jersey-material dress more casually but I found that a sparkly necklace and a pair of velvet heels really jazzed it up!

Do you have a holiday wedding to attend?  What are you going to wear?  If you need some more inspiration, make sure to check-out the blogs below!

'Tis the Season for High Heels

Do you want to know something funny about me?  I actually wore high heels tons more in high school than I do now.  I suppose once I started teaching, my practical (read: boring) side won I started wearing mostly flats.  And wearing high heels is definitely something that requires practice and tolerance.  Now when I try to wear them, I feel like it's way more difficult than it used to be.

But darn it, sometimes I just want to wear a pair of heels!  Especially this time of year for New Year's Eve parties!

Cue Sole Patches!  Sole Patches are cute, flower-shaped stickers that you can place directly on the ball of your foot or heel or permanently in your pair of shoes to make them more comfortable.

When I received a set to review, I placed a pair permanently in a pair of heels that I wore to coach my very first cheer competition.  I was on my feet for four hours straight and was running back and forth across a high school gym.  And you know what, they helped!  Without the Sole Patches, my heels would have been off and my Ugg boots back on within an hour.  Nope!  I kept those shoes on all night!

If you are a sucker for cute but uncomfortable shoes, definitely give Sole Patches a try!
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Velvet Glamour

I'm back today with my last of three outfits featuring pieces from Zaful.  If you missed them, take a peek at my cozy blanket scarf look and my trendy choker experiment!

As much as I love the pieces I've already featured, I've saved my favorite for last!  I've been itching to try the velvet trend, especially for the holiday season!  To me, velvet just exudes warm holiday glamour.  For that reason, I put together a party look featuring this beautiful blue velvet dress from Zaful.

Let's start by highlighting what I love about this piece: the color!  It is even more vibrant in person than it is on the website.  It also comes in a pretty green that I wish I could see in person.   And the price absolutely can't be beat.  I guarantee you won't find another holiday party dress for such a steal!

The one downside is that this dress can't really be worn as a dress, at least not on my body (and I'm pretty average in height).  Admittedly, the dress looks a bit short on the model but is extremely short on me.  It will definitely be worn as a tunic but makes for a super comfy holiday look paired with leggings!  I'm wearing my typical size medium but wouldn't size up because the rest of the dress fits well and I don't think it would add enough length.

If you are interested in your very own velvet tunic, comment below with your e-mail address and a link to something else from Zaful that you are coveting for your chance to win a $100 gift certificate! Today is the last day to enter!

What I'm Wearing:
Tunic: c/o Zaful (exact)
Leggings: LulaRoe
Necklace: Rocks Box (similar, similar)
Bracelet: Stella&Dot (exact)
Clutch: LouLou (similar, similar)
Heels: DSW (exact)

Where I'm linking-up!
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Create28: Lovely Spring Looks- Spring Jacket

Today I'm doing double duty!  I'm featuring my "Spring Jacket" look for Create28: Lovely Spring Looks with Carrie and it's my turn to "take one and pass it on" for Blogging Besties with Alex!

I'm currently enjoying a snowy and chilly Spring Break in Michigan...and I didn't bring a winter coat.  Yes, yes, I know better!  But it's Spring Break!  I refuse to wear anything but this beautiful, blush pink spring jacket!

What's your go-to look for spring layering?  A trench coat?  A rain jacket?  Show us what you've got on Instagram (#Create28SpringLooks) or by linking-up with us on Monday!

Tomorrow's featured look will be denim!  Carrie's got something great in store for you!

If you are new to my blog, every Friday is time for Blogging Besties: a "take one, pass it on" challenge between my blogging bestie, Alex of Undergraduate Style, and me!  If you want to learn more about this series, check-out past editions here.

Alex looked super cute for spring last week in this look:

From her look, I passed on a jacket and stripes!

Your choices of items to pass on for next week are as follows, a striped shirt, ponte pants, pumps, a spring jacket, and a tassel necklace!

What did you pass on from Alex's ensemble last week?

What I'm Wearing:
Shirt: Banana Republic (similar, similar)
Tassel Necklace: Gift (similar, similar)
Ponte Pants: Gap (similar, similar)
Heels: Tommy Hilfiger (similar, similar)
Jacket: Wilson Leather (similar, similar)

An InLinkz Link-up

First Day of School

I've been awake since 5:00 this morning and by the time you read this, I will have consumed at least a few cups of coffee.  This can mean only one thing: the school year has commenced!

As a 28 year-old, I have been going back to school for the past 24 years of my life!  Despite having done this many times before, I still feel a sense of excitement.  The classroom is freshly cleaned and decorated.  There are new things to learn!  Will the other kids like me?  AND it is time to wear those new back-to-school clothes!

I mentioned last August that each year while growing-up, my mom would pose my sister and me at the door in our "first day of school outfits" for a photo.  In continuing this tradition, I now present you with my 24th installment of the back-to-school picture:

While blazers and heels make the occasional appearance in my day-to-day work-wear, I make sure to sport these kinds of pieces on the first day of school to set a professional and academic tone for my students.

So, students and my fellow teachers, what are you wearing on your first day of school this year?

What I'm Wearing:

Dress: LOFT Outlet (similar, similar)

Blazer: Anthropologie (similar, similar)

Heels: Department Store (similar, similar)

Linking-Up:

DC In Style- Monday Bloom
Fashionably Employed- Sophisticated Style

The Modern Austen- Sunday Best

I Do DeClaire- Confident TWOsdays

Style Elixir- Style Sessions

Back to School Butterflies

On the first day of school every year while I was growing up, my mom would take a picture of me in my carefully chosen "first day of school outfit."  I would pose by the front door, my hand on the knob, wearing my shiny shoes and a new backpack.

All these years later and now as a teacher, I still get butterflies on the first day of school and I still pick-out that perfect outfit!

This one is for you, Mom!

What I'm Wearing:

• Dress: Banana Republic Outlet (similar, similar)
• Belt: Charming Charlie (similar, similar)
• Shoes:  Ummm, a big department store? (similar, similar)