just more dangerous cold...

Well, the schools are closed again today, so my second day of student teaching is being spent stuck at home too. Oh well, at least the kids will be safe and warm at home. And meanwhile I'm trying to make the most this time to get things done in the house. Here's a casual outfit I wore last week.

Also, #ImGettingFit2014 doesn't officially start until February, I believe, but I've started sharing my workouts and healthy meals on instagram get started. I'd love for you to join me, the more the better, because the more encouragement we can all offer each other! The link to my instagram can be found in the sidebar and here.

Top: Cotton On (exact below)
Cardigan: Sears
Jeans: Old Navy (exact below)
Necklace: Rue 21
Bracelet: old
Ring: Charlotte Russe

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drapey aztec by greathappiness featuring old navy jeans

This post is linked up to Style Sessions @ Style Elixir (button in sidebar)

hearts and a new adventure

Although they don't really show up in pictures, there are polka dots on these coral jeans, making them one of my favorite pairs, obviously! And the sweater is covered in adorable little hearts. Now normally I wouldn't be one to wear a top covered in hearts, because it would make me feel like I'm about 5 years old and while that's not necessarily a bad thing, I work with 5 year olds- I don't need to be one too ;) But when I saw this sweater from Old Navy last year, I was just drawn to it. Maybe it's because the hearts are half pink- half which gives it a cooler vibe, and I love the brown with it. It's also incredibly soft, which is a big plus.

And today marks the beginning of a big change in my life for the next 4 months: student teaching. I'm going to be a full-time student teacher in 2 different classrooms to finish up my Master's and get my teaching degree. And I'm really excited about it! It's going to be lots of work without a doubt, but I'm really looking forward to getting to be in the classroom every day with these awesome kids that I've already gotten time to know and love. And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited about wearing "teacher outfits" every day. I'm already planning out what I'm going to wear into the future. Today would have been my first day in the classroom as the student teacher too, but due to the -25 degree feeling temperatures, all the schools are closed around here. So I guess I will be staying warm inside instead for now!

Top: Old Navy (exact below)

Pants: Kohl's (exact below)

Necklace: Charming Charlie's

Ring: Forever 21

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hearts and polka dots by greathappiness featuring vintage jewelry

This post is linked up to Monday Must Haves @ The Style Record (button in sidebar)

loose fitting clothes

Thursday was one of those days where I really didn't want to leave the house, but I had to go to class. So if I had to leave, I figured I might as well be comfortable. This oversized top from H&M is so awesome because it fits the bill perfectly. I wore it with some jeans, black boots, simple gold jewelry, and this scarf that I recently made! The whole thing was crocheted with my fingers, so it was so easy that anyone could do it! And I'm really digging how it turned out.

Happy hump day!

Top: H&M

Jeans: Old Navy (exact below)

Bracelet: Icing

Knotted ring: Forever 21 (exact below)

Scarf: made by me

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oversized and comfy by greathappiness featuring v-neck tops

how colorful do you go?

It's funny how not too long ago, colored skinny jeans were something I admired from afar, not daring to try on my own. They were too "loud" for me, and I didn't think I could pull them off. But now look, I'm going around wearing bright green skinnies (they're brighter than they look in the picture) and I'm wearing them with a bright blue top! Talk about loud! I'm really happy with what my style has and is continuing to evolve into. I feel so much more myself in something like this than I ever did in slightly oversized, boring clothes that allowed me to blend in but didn't give me any kind of style of my own or show off my personality. And I do think part of it is loving who I am and what my body is, which is something that can take some time, I can tell you. 

I adore this tunic, and I was so excited when I found it at Old Navy. Lately chiffon tunics like this with a cami underneath have been go-tos for me because they are lightweight enough that when I'm up and down and all around with all the kids I work with, I don't get too hot. Definite plus. This is also the second time I've worn this necklace this week. I'm in LOVE, guys. It's another one from my Apple of My Eye Jewelry grab bag!

So, how colorful do you go with your outfits?

Top: Old Navy

Pants: Old Navy (exact below)

Necklace: Apple of My Eye Jewelry

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blue and green by greathappiness featuring cowboy boots

This post is linked up to What I Wore to Work and Three-Fer Thursday (links in sidebar).

lacing it up

So if I could only shop at one store for the rest of my life, it would without a doubt be H&M. I am in love with this sweatshirt I got recently from them. It's the perfect amount of oversized and comfortable. And and sweatshirt you can wear out of the house? WIN. Because it utilizes lace, one of my favorites, as you all know. And as you may not know, I also have a love for grey. So I wore the top with my skinny jeans to grad school class at night, and paired it with a pop of pink in my ring and this adorable bird necklace from Old Navy. And oh my goodness, we had a special guest in our class this night- a mouse!! That's right, my feet were immediately up on my chair and remained there while my feet fell asleep as long as I could stand it. No shame.

Top: H&M (exact below)
Jeans: Old Navy (exact below)
Necklace: Old Navy
Ring: Meijer's

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grey sweatshirt casual by greathappiness featuring ugg® australia boots

layers

I wore this out in the very snowy day we had on Sunday (under layers of coats, gloves, and boots, of course). This is a fun draped cardigan that really hangs nicely, and I paired it with the scarf my brother got me for Christmas. When you have loose layers on top, like a draped cardigan/shirt and a hanging scarf, it's important to balance it out with a more fitted bottom, like these skinny jeans. Because otherwise you'll look like a potato sack, and trust me, you don't want that! And in full disclosure, I took this shot quickly on my way out the door so I didn't take time to make it look perfect. But you can still at least see the outfit, right? And you can always click on them to see them bigger!

How cold has it been by you? How do you dress to keep warm in very cold temperatures?

Top: Kohl's
Cardigan: Old Navy 
Scarf: Target
Jeans: Old Navy 
Ring: bought on vacation

Chambray and Purple

I'm trying a new method of photo posting, because some days I'm just not able to snap pictures of myself at all, and other days I'm able to quickly but I'm not really happy with how they turn out. And it's been leading to less posts from me lately, which I don't like. So I'm going to try at least taking pictures of the clothes, and then snapping pictures of myself wearing them when I can, because I know sometimes it makes a difference to see the outfits on someone. Although to be honest, in this frigid Chicago weather we're having right now, don't expect too many of them ;)

So this is an outfit I wore out shopping last week. This is my little denim on denim "cheat": purple jeans. A little less overwhelming on the whole blue denim on both top & bottom effect, but still achieves a very similar look. I've done this method before and I love the result. I got this necklace in a grab bag from Apple of My Eye jewelry and I absolutely love it! The red and gold is perfect and it went great to add a pop to this outfit!

How do you wear denim on denim, or do you not wear it at all?

Top: DKNY
Pants: Kmart
Necklace: Apple of my Eye Jewelry
Watch: gift
Ring: Forever 21 (exact below)

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Chambray and Purple by greathappiness featuring cross jewelry