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)

cobalt and polka dots and tunics, these are a few of my favorite things

Oh hey, the blog has a new design! I'm still working on it, but I was having issues with comments in chrome showing up in white font. Could you do me a favor and let me know if this happens for you?

You know those pieces that you see on the rack and you know you have to have them and there is no possible way you can leave them there in the store without you? This top was one of those pieces for me. First of all it is polka dots, hello! And adorable black and white ones! I think the name of this blog can let you in on my love for them. And then it's a beautiful cobalt blue! If you were to get a look at my wardrobe, organized by color, you could easily see that blue is the dominate color in my tops. And last but not least, it is a chiffon tunic, which I discussed my love for in my last post. So, this top was perfect to wear for a day in my preschool classroom.

What is your most recent purchase that you had to have?

Top: Carson's
Pants: old
Bracelet: Kohl's
Ring: Forever 21 (exact below)

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blue, black, and polka dots by greathappiness featuring Paris Hilton

polka dots and pastels

I have such a weakness for buying jewelry. On every single shopping trip I end up buying more, even though I already have so many pieces. That is what happened when I had some time to kill so I went to a nearby mall. I went into Forever 21 telling myself that I already had too much of their jewelry, and then I walked out with this necklace. But it's so pretty and not like anything I already have is how I justified it to myself. I know, excuses, excuses...

I was also thrilled because the day that I wore this was actually the first day of Fall that I needed a jacket of any kind!

Top: Forever 21

Pants: Kohls

Shoes: Crocs

Jacket: Rainbow

Necklace: Forever 21 (exact below)

Bracelet: JewelMint (exact below)

Ring: Forever 21 (exact below)

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pastels by greathappiness featuring a black cami

polka dots!

I wore this outfit on a visit to my first grade classroom I'll be student teaching in. So fun, right? I had to have this starburst-like polka dot button up when I saw it while shopping in H&M. And I love how green is more of an unexpected color to pair with it, but it looks great with this green bubble necklace! I got quite a few compliments on it too, which is always reassuring to know that you're not the only one that thinks an outfit looks nice together :)

Green and black and white- a combination you've tried before?

Top: H&M

Pants: old

Shoes: Gap

Necklace: Sassy Steals

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green and polka dots by greathappiness featuring ballet shoes

polka dot peplum

I wore this outfit for my first day visiting my preschool classroom that I'll be student teaching in. For now, I'm visiting there once a week. I think this top is super adorable, and peplums are so flattering. This one also has a zipper along the side which makes it easier to get on and off- a big plus! And as you know, I love polka dots. I'd say the outfit was a success, and so was my first day! The kids are so darn cute- I absolutely love preschoolers :)

Top: New York & Company

Pants: Loft (exact below)

Necklace: gift

Bracelet: JewelMint (exact below)

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green and white polka dots by greathappiness featuring black jeans

mixing prints

You know those days where comfort rules all when it comes to choosing your outfit, and you don't care as much how you actually look? This was one of those days. It was going to be hot, humid, and rainy, and I just wanted to be as comfortable and cool as possible. It was an internship day,  in which I wear nice casual clothes, and no shorts (and socks, sorry about those!) So I put on my polka dot denim capris and this lightweight skin skimming floral top, which is basically a moisture wicking nice shirt. I figured the pants are basically jeans, so they would be ok with anything, but I was fully prepared to look a little mismatched. But I was pleasantly surprised when I put it on in the morning and it actually looked good!

I don't know how much you can tell by these pictures, but it definitely shows the importance of fit in how frumpy or not frumpy you look. I also don't mix prints very often, so I pleased to see how these prints looked good together. The key to mixing prints, though, is pairing a smaller one with a larger one, which is the rule I followed here. The polka dots are tiny so while they're cute and more interesting then plain blue denim, they aren't all that attention grabbing. That way, it was fine to pair them with a larger floral print in the top. You don't want your patterns competing for attention, but rather complimenting one another.

Top: JCPenney's

Pants: Kohl's (exact below)

Necklace: American Eagle

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mixed prints by greathappiness featuring Gloria Vanderbilt

Linking up to Random Wednesday at Because Shanna Said So.