:: Dress Code Violation ::

During this indecisive (but oh so welcome!) Dallas weather, I’ve been going back and forth between the pants and skirts rack in my closet. I love this graphic tee and based the entire look around it. Soft, pink meets my favorite edgy jacket? Yes. The midi skirt is my newest pal, as it allows me to cover enough of my skin so that I won’t get frost bite, yet still have the comfort and flexibility of not having to wear pants. Plus, it can be tough to look work appropriate and stay stylish – but for me, this skirt does the trick.

I was always getting called out for my skirts being too short in school, so this style would have been filling my closet in 2003. Whether they were too short or not, the shaming of young women and their clothing of choice is very real and unfortunately happens all too often. Sure, for every woman dressing appropriately, I’m sure there is another dressed scandalously – but the young girl in the article here was not among those. I just read this article about a girl in Utah who was asked to cover her shoulders at a school dance, and subsequently shamed. Take a look and let me know if you think her dress was inappropriate…

In the grand scheme of world problems, I understand that this is perhaps not the most imperative of issues facing us. However, requiring a student to wear a gigantic neon yellow shirt with “DRESS CODE VIOLATION” emblazoned upon it is only going to further the relational aggression we see taking place in our schools. How can we close the achievement gap if students in appropriate clothes, which cover themselves, are unable to focus because they are wearing a “shame suit?”

Just my rambling thoughts on a Thursday morning. This is not a fully formed opinion, but the article hit home for me – and I’m sure for many other fashion bloggers, working professionals, and students just trying to get through high school day by day.

What are your thoughts?

 

Top // J. Crew

Skirt // Top Shop

Jacket // Stella Rae’s

Booties // H&M

:: Caped Crusader ::

If there is one trend I’m the most obsessed with, it’s definitely the cape!

I can vividly remember an early dance class – somewhere in the four or five-year-old range. We were allowed (back in that day – encouraged!) to wear our Halloween costumes to dance class. I adored going to dance class for two reasons – the first being that our classes were held at St. Gregory’s University. It was absolutely the most dramatically mysterious and romantic location I had ever seen (from the exterior) and I was certain that I would someday have a lavish wedding on its rooftop.

Kate Middleton totally stole my wedding, but I still get to claim a rooftop.

The second reason I loved dance class was my one-of-a-kind teacher who ensured we felt special (even that mean girl who tried to push me off the stage). She was brilliant and knew that there was just one way to maintain the attention of five-year-olds while waiting in a line – being allowed to practice our turns by wearing a crown on top of our heads.

I would have stood there all day just for that. Anyways, my parents asked me what I wanted to be for Halloween (big mistake) and just like the year I decided I wanted a pink poodle for Christmas (an item which I totally made up, yet Karen still found) – I threw them a curve ball.

Batgirl.

In 1994, there were few female super heroes to dress up as. Boys had loads of options and Alicia Silverstone had yet to make her Batgirl debut. Much like putting on an evening gown or a pair of really well-made shoes, a cape can make all the difference in how you feel.

I recently received a compliment from a man on my cape (he called it a poncho but whatevs). It’s pretty rare for a man to compliment my sartorial selections, so in my opinion – he can call it a cape, poncho or blanket for all I care! When a fella notices something which is covering up your body even more than normal – and appreciates it – we call that a win. I’m sure it goes back to that excellent Betsey Johnson quote.

“Girls do not dress for boys. Girls dress for themselves, and of course, each other. If girls dressed for boys, they’d just walk around naked at all times.”

So laaaaaaaaadies, throw that cape on and go shatter your glass ceiling!

Top // J. Crew

Jeans // Joe’s

Cape // Anthropologie

Booties // Sole Society

Bracelet // Have had it so long, couldn’t tell ya!

:: Golden Globes ::

I’m not one to actually watch an awards show, but you better believe I’ll spend a good chunk of time on the internet the following day!

1. LOVE green and LOVE the sheer accent on Shaun Robinson.

2. What’s not to love about a pantsuit with a gigantic bow? Well played, Emma Stone.

3. While the color on her skin isn’t perfect, I can’t help but adore the way this beauty shines.

4. Zuhair Murad – my favorite designer. The middle of this dress is distracting, but the intricacy is gorgeous.

5. Satin is tricky and shows loads of wrinkles, but THAT TOP!

6. Hate radiant orchid, but Lupita looks absolutely amazing. The texture, the flow – perfection.

7. Tina Fey – you made the casual sequined tux cool again. Where can I get one of these puppies?

8. Easily my favorite. This silhouette is so flattering – particularly the gathered peplum and belted waist.

9. I honestly just threw this in because I like symmetry and a classic shape.

:: Black Sheep ::

Almost two weeks in to 2015 – how are those resolutions looking?

I rarely make resolutions (failure is not an option, so I rather not set myself up for it!), however this year – I just couldn’t get enough. I started jotting down all of the things I wanted to do and/or improve about myself. Not surprisingly, the list grows miles each day.

One of my challenges for 2015 is to push myself even further outside of my comfort zone.  Sit by the person I am least likely to have anything in common with. Go rogue and choose the restaurant with no online menu available. Sounds small – but it will mean a lot in growing myself this year.

“Whether it’s the best of times or the worst of times – it’s the only time we’ve got.” Time to get to work!

 

 

Top // Nordstrom Rack, J. Crew

Pants // J.Crew

Shoes // Sam Edelman

Bag // Tory Burch

Sunglasses // Tom Ford

:: Rah Rah Rah ::

There is something about a classic cheerleader-style skirt (it just doesn’t make sense to call it a “skater” in my opinion – I mean chicken or egg?!) that will always be fun.

I make no bones about it – I adore skirts, and always have. They are just so much more comfortable (unless you are weathering the Oklahoma winds), and I love the way they hit the leg as you walk. All about the movement these days!

While I have a skirt obsession, I find that I really don’t have as many options as I think I do. Tack that on to my resolutions: buy more skirts!

 Top // H&M

Skirt // H&M

Boots // Tory Burch

Bag // Nordstrom

Necklace // J. Crew

:: Light as a Feather ::

Over the break, Taylor talked me into seeing “A Christmas Carol.” I’m not sure if it’s the ghosts or the grumpiness, but I’ve never been much of a fan. However, we had a great lunch plus wine (at noon!),  so I was totally game.

Yeaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh.

We left our fabulous, warm lunch at Savor – complete with amazing people watching from inside the fully glass-encased building. Then the cold air slapped me right in the face! The day turned out to be colder than a polar bear’s toe nails, but that couldn’t stop me from donning my new favorite feathered friend.

Remember when I said I didn’t like “A Christmas Carol?” Believe it or not – I was wrong! Dallas Theater Center puts on one heck of a show and made “A Christmas Carol” really fun. The show was only two hours total so there was no intermission (bonus!), and I love a good theatre in the round! Aside from the fight I almost got in at the entry (whoops),  it was a looooovely experience!

 

Top // Anthropologie

Pants // J. Crew

Shoes // Sole Society

Jacket // Sheinside

Bag // Nordstrom

:: Tribal and True ::

If there is one absolute, must know rule of fashion it is this: leggings are not pants.

Ok, there are a zillion other “rules” too (though we I break most on a daily basis), but this is one of the most significant. If your top doesn’t cover your behind, you can’t wear the leggings. It’s almost guaranteed that no matter how thick you think they are, it’s pretty likely that you will still be able to see what you are (or for some of you – are not) sporting underneath. Tried and true!

Luckily, this top has the mullet effect, so it has afforded me the opportunity to don these leggings almost the entire Christmas break! Happy Monday friends – welcome back to the real world!

Top // Silver Accents (OKC)

Bottoms // Ebay!! (originally found via Pinterest)

Bag // Tory Burch

Boots // Sam Edelman