I felt like a Pinterest lady...

Every once in a while...

an outfit comes together so easily...

 And I felt like a Pinterest Lady.


 Outfit Details
 Shoes- Instagram shop- FawnandFeather @ohemmadeer's closet
Jeans - Thrifted
Chambray Shirt- Thrifted
Scarf- Jane
Purse- forever ago Target

How putting on a "costume" changed my attitude

As of today, school officially starts in seven sleeps. And without fail, my back-to-school jitters are kicking in. By nature I'm a bit of a worrier and this year is no exception. Each year I get jitters just like my first grade darlings and it's to be expected after a summer of carefree fun and fashion. The way I dress in summer and the way I dress during the school year... I feel like I'm not the same lady and the clothes come from a costume closet. 



Here's an interesting tidbit about me...Some days I have to put on a teacher 'costume'.  My college professors were worried I wouldn't speak loudly enough and I would struggle with management. But I found a trick... if I dress like a teacher, I act like a teacher.

My first year of teaching was less than ideal. In fact, I struggled with classroom management (aka student behavior).  One little tweak in my wardrobe helped change my attitude. Instead of wearing whatever fun clothes I wanted, I began dressing professionally. I immediately noticed a positive change in my behavior and my students' behavior. Although many early childhood teachers advise against dressing up my philosophy is: clothes are washable.

(Also, do not judge the clothes on the floor behind me. I like to keep it real, people)

I usually start the year off strong and always dress professionally for conferences, meet the teacher, and anything dealing with parents. Throughout the year, I integrate my fun clothes but much like Miss Nelson from Miss Nelson is Missing... I have my alter-ego for when my darlings get out of hand. Shhhhh.... help me keep it a secret. Otherwise this trick may lose its magic.


For now, my teacher clothes are still in the closet... So enjoy some summertime Jana. I like her wardrobe more than Mrs. C's.

DIY T-Shirt Upcycle

One time I bought the wrong kind of shirt for an iron on and then had a shirt that was 'useless'. Until now!

Inspired by the world of Pinterest

(source)

(source)

First, I used a white opaque paint pen (available at your local craft store or Walmart). Then, I used a regular needle and thread to embroider around the pocket of the shirt. I used lots of different colors because that seems more appropriate for my own little Pocket Full of Sunshine.

Then I used 3 different sizes of paint brush and multiple bottles of acrylic paint to do a random, layered design at the bottom corner to balance out the pocket. I sort of drippled the yellow on to finish it off. Easy peasy!

Also noteworthy: I washed the shirt on the gentle cycle before I wore it and I didn't use any type of setting agent.




Outfit Details
Shirt: DIY
Skirt: Walmart 2013
Moccasins: Gifted
Necklace: eBay (for less than $10) You can find one similar by clicking the link.








"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

Whatever you are, be a good one. - Abraham Lincoln - OOTD

Today, I'm being a good frugal fashion blogger- poses and all...

 

Outfit Details:Gold Halo Headband: Dollar Jewelry and More
Spiky Earrings: Same
Glasses: Firmoo
Babydoll Dress: Thrifted
Thigh highs: Walmart (gifted)
Shoes: Instagram shop

Bohemian Chic with a Western Flair

My outfits sometimes have themes... this day was, "Bohemian Chic with a Western Flair." Does anyone else do that? I feel like my style is sporadic but distinctly me. Also, once I buy clothing, it usually sticks around a while. That explain why I can't remember where I bought these jeans...



Outfit Details
Necklace: Instagram Store- sweetmint_shop

Shirt: Consignment/Thrift ($1 holla!)

Kimono: Target Plus Size section (I distinctly remember it being on clearance, too!)
Jeans: sadly, forgotten
Boots: Mossimo for Target via Instagram

I leave you with the following happy for your heart:

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14

Jesus knew every part of you before you came to exist. He loves you and He finishes every work He began. Rest in His love today, friends. 

She wore a raspberry beret

The kind you find in a second hand store... (Prince reference, anyone?)



Blogging is awesome and awkward. I often find myself embarrassed to discover people who know me in real life read my blog. I'm not ashamed of it or anything. I work dang hard on this little thing. But... to say, "Yeah, I take pictures of my outfits so other people can tell me they're cute" seems a little strange to actually admit. I feel like a punk when I tell my real life friends, "It's hard to explain." or "only a blogger can understand/relate/get it." I mean, really... how rude of me? But also- how positively true.

At least once a month my dad tells me about how so-and-so "said they read your blog and really enjoy it. They think you have the cutest personality." Oh mercy. I die. Please don't stop reading but let's have an agreement called: I know you're reading. Thank you. Please know I'm only slightly mortified. Also, don't stop reading.



Don't get me wrong- blogging is awesome. I feel like I found my niche and something about the assumed 'protection' of writing from my computer gives me a transparency I don't always have. I'm a pretty straightforward gal but there's something about being able to talk to my blog friends about thrifting and putting together outfits that is freeing. I can talk about struggles and feel like I got it off my chest. And then...someone from my real world orbit says something about it and we've reached full circle of Awesome to Awkward.

Outfit Details:
Hat - gifted by my inlaws
Shirt- Garage Sale - 25 cent what whaaaat?!
Skirt- Forever 21 (Spring 2013)
Shoes- thrifted Doc Martens
Purse - eBay - he looks like a fox to me. Some people say an owl.
And one random nutball said a Panda. No. Not a panda. 

Last one - because I'm a ham.

Running with Wolves - OOTD

Necklace and Earrings: Caroline G Shop

Shirt: H&M via Instagram Store- Vtgyuyu

Shorts: Forever 21

Boots: Mossimo by Target via Instagram Store Stylish Treasures



Last week I celebrated my birthday and had a little shindig at the house. There will be a post about the Alice in Wonderland inspired partay... you're gonna love it! Stick around for the details!

Have you entered to win a $500 Tory Burch giftcard?

Outfit of the Day - "Modern Hippie"

Headband- local $1 jewelry store

Earrings- Cookie Lee
Shirt- Walmart

Ring- gifted Gleeful Peacock
Skirt- thrifted H and M

Tights - thrifted (new) xhileration
Boots- Instashopping - if you haven't heard of it, check out my post

Check out my awesome, hyper-extending knees... but more importantly, check out that gorgeous Oklahoma sunset.


For your viewing pleasure - a little signature Jana-silliness.

And from this shoot....this blurry shot was one of my favorites.

I'm ready for summer. 10 more school days!

Easter OOTD: Where I bought my affordable dress

 Something about Easter makes everyone need a new dress...
Mine came from Ross. If you don't have a Ross Dress for Less where you live... well what's the point of living. Okay, so that's quite dramatic. But seriously...

My mom got this little polka-dot beaut for me at the amazingly low price of $14.99. My tights came from Target and give the outfit the springy pop of color it needs. And so as not to disappoint- my shoes are thrifted. Naturally. Oooh...not to be left out, my uber glitteriffic clutch: Target by way of Goodwill. I popped some tags and I'm proud.

A special thanks to my incredibly, talented photographer, my husband. Thanks for knowing which side my good side. Love you.

BlissDom 2013 - What I Wore

Don't you worry your pretty little heads - I am working on a total recap but there's so much to mentally absorb that I'm working like molasses in winter.

One of my biggest worries about BlissDom was "What in the crap am I gonna wear?!" Someone hit the nail on the head- "Wow. A Fashion blogger, you must have felt a lot of pressure when packing." Um. YEAH! Plus the fact that I'm a mental spazoid. Oh well- now you get to see what made the cut.

I didn't actually wear this at BlissDom but I did wear it in the car and it's too good to leave it out...

Shirt- Third Man Records in Nashville
Vintage Belt - Thrifted

Skirt- H&M via thrift, c'mon Oklahoma, get with the program and get me a frakkin' H&M

Denimish leggings- Walmart

Boots- Target via Instagram Store, StylishTreasures

 
This outfit was what I wore for the Photo Walk, Newcomer Meet and Greet, and Opening Ceremony. In hindsight, I wish I would have changed after the Newcomer session but you live and learn. Next time, I'm bringing more clothes. 

Union Jack shirt- Forever 21
(p.s. This was an AWESOME conversation starter. So glad I wore it.)

Cardigan- Ann Taylor the Loft
Black Pants- Gloria Vanderbilt, via Ross

Boots- Instagram store


Day 2-Day Outfit

Shirt- H&M Via Instagram store, tongueincheekycloset

Skirt- Forever 21
Fishnets-Walmart
Boots- Instagram
Glasses- Firmoo

Girl's Night Out, Day 2 Night- Definitely dress up! Snazzy yourself up because odds are, you won't feel under-dressed. Also, bring some kind of cute clutch. I left mine at home and had to make a mad dash to Target. Also- Sorry this picture is fuzzalicious. It's what we've got.

Dress- Kohl's
(I also wanted to share with you the new exclusive 10% off code for kohls.com. You can use code BLOGS10 through May 10th.  It can be used to stack savings with one other department level code as well.)
Belt- Target via Goodwill thrift

Fishnets- Walmart
Shoes- Thrifted (featured in How to fix your thrifted shoes) 

and I'm awesome because you can't even see them. Whoops. Sorry.



I. LOVE. this. photo! Credit to the hub. I even have a legitimate 'fashion blogger smolder' going on.
I wore this the last day, Day 3.
I loved when Danika commented, "You've got a really great boho/country look going on".
Yes! People at BlissDom got me. They understood what I was doing. My people!
Black shirt- Forever 21
Grey Cardigan- Ross
Bubble Necklace- Amazon
Earrings- Amaranth Collection
Bangles- Thrifted and Garage Sales
Belt- American Eagle
Skirt- Walmart

Boots- Instagram StylishTreasure store

 
This was my last BlissDom outfit. They had a Girls' Night In and told us to wear what we're comfortable in.
Initially, I was going to wear pajamas, but my husband said maybe I shouldn't and I'm SO GLAD he did because how embarrassing would it have been to take pictures with Jeremy Sisto and Ana Gasteyer in my pajamas.
Shirt- thrifted SWAT

Scarf- eBay

Raspberry skinnies- Ross

Shoes- Ross

And I loved this hair. I can dig a topknot but I had to put my own Jana-fied spin on things.

What do I wish I'd done differently?

• I wish I could have brought my clutch instead of having to buy a new one. 
• I wish I would have changed on the first day between the Newcomer Meet and Greet and the Opening Ceremony.
• I wish I'd been a little fancier for Girls' Night Out.

I kept reading "dress like you're going on an interview". That really freaked me out. My interview clothes are stuffy. Boring. Black. Get the job clothes. I don't dress like my interview clothes. My advice is:

•  Wear comfortable shoes. Even to Girls' Night Out. Something you can walk in during the day and something you can shake it in at night.
• Pack plenty of clothes. Extra. You want options and you'll probably wear 2 outfits a day. 
• be slightly trendy- I heard, "This place is like Pinterest come to life!" It's true.
• BE YOURSELF!

I seriously had an incredible time. Words simply cannot convey the awesome.

What do you think? Do you have questions? Wanna know more? Which look was your favorite?