RETREAT!

No, this isn't a war, even though I was so tired out last night I slept for... 11 hours, and my abs feel like I've been crawling around in a trench for a few days (dang stupid yoga plank! I will get that six pack if it kills me, and it probably will!).

Anyway, I'm headed off on a mini retreat in Wisconsin with some Church people tonight, and so far I know I'm packing this whole pile of things:

The perfect balance of work and relaxation, no? Especially since the socks are stockinette, so I can work on them while reading. Hooray! Probably I will also need some clothes and a toothbrush and stuff. Minor details.

Speaking of clothes (check out that smooth transition), I have a new favorite outfit that I wore yesterday to go meet a professor at the University where I taught this past fall and where I'll be teaching a couple of courses again next semester. They gave me a very sweet belated Christmas gift of a travel mug emblazoned with the University logo, and a whole pack of similarly inclined pencils. I am excited to use them all.

Shirt: Old Navy // Cardigan: Target // Jeans: Gap // Haircut: needed, ASAP!

The earrings (cheapies from H&M) might be my favorite part.

What are your weekend plans?

[What to wear?] Halloween teaching

Happy Halloween!

I'm teaching a few small groups this afternoon, so I can't go too wild, but I definitely want to celebrate the Halloween spirit with my outfit. And with candy. I am bringing my students candy, in part because I would like to eat a whole bunch of sugar today. 

This is my best stab at a last minute "costume" that will work for the classroom and transition nicely for an evening of walking around the neighborhood checking out decorations and cute trick-or-treating children. P.S., last night the cutest baby in the world came to church wearing a peapod costume. It was so sweet!!!

Step 1:

Shirt: gift from N, who understands my love of creepy-cute // Cardigan: Target
// Slacks: Express, from a closet swap 

Step 2:

Terrifying mask: Halloween store, purchased in 2010

I haven't actually decided whether or not I'll wear the mask as students arrive this afternoon...

What's your costume this year? Do you have any fun plans for the evening?

[What to wear?] Library date

That's right, a library date with me and the books. Sometimes it's a threesome when the computer is invited. Steamy, no?  Since it's a date, you have to get a little bit dressed up, obviously.

T-shirt: Victoria's Secret // Sweater: Old Navy from N.'s closet // Jeans: Gap from the building laundry room "free" pile // Socks: Monkey socks (by me) in Lorna's Laces // Necklace: H&M // Pin: Renegade craft fair // Bracelet: gift from my sister

The layers and wool socks are definitely necessary for working in our campus' main library, where the air conditioner is always on full blast.  The jewelry is just to make me feel a little bit fancy.
What do you wear on a low key work day?

[what to wear?] Black and White

Sorry, gang, but I didn't have a chance to put together a Link Love post for this week; been super busy with school things and other crazy business. I hope you'll enjoy this post instead!

This is a new feature I'm starting, because I always love seeing other bloggers' cute ensembles
and reading about why they paired the items they did.  

In "what to wear?" posts, I'll share an outfit and what I did while wearing it.  First up: 

Classroom teaching!  I lead a three-hour seminar on Thursday nights, so I definitely want something that's going to be comfortable for getting up and down, writing at the board, and sitting in front of a group of people for a pretty long time.  This is the most basic, black-and-white version of my work wear, for when I'm not feeling terribly adventurous but I still want to look put-together. 

Also, this is the blank wall in my new bedroom! I am maybe in the market for a nice piece of furniture, but I at least need some awesome art to hang up there. 

Top: Ann Taylor loft (thrifted) // Pants: New York & Company // Socks: Target (love those $2 socks) // Shoes: Clarks (bought for cheap at Marshalls)

Earrings: Charlotte Russe // Necklace: gift from my parents ages ago // Cuff: gift from N's trip to India

I have so many exciting professional/work outfits that I'm looking forward to wearing for my two teaching gigs this fall, especially once it's really cold enough to pull out the sweaters and tights... Stay tuned!