White Out: Dog Days of Summer

Today is my last day off before I head back to work.  I didn't really get a "summer" this year as once I was done with the school year, I had one day off before teaching summer school.  This year, two weeks was enough time for me to clean out my closet and sell/donate half of my clothes, tidy up the house, make it to the beach once and a pool, finally complete The Sopranos and binge watch two seasons of House of Cards.  We are also currently dog sitting my husband's dog, Jazz, who stayed living with his mother when we got married.  So technically, my summer was filled with dog days (you can find the original meaning of the phrase HERE).   I have pretty much been living in all white the past few months and with the purging of my wardrobe, I made sure to keep simple staples with clean lines. 

Cheers to the end of my dog days of summer!

Cloth & Stone top, Madewell shorts and sunnies, Vans

{pin}spiration: Teacher Style

For a teacher, the late nights grading, early mornings trying to be first in line to make copies and pure exhaustion from teaching 100 seventh graders for over seven hours can make it hard to focus on much else (and that's not including trips to the laundry mat, making dinner, grocery shopping, walking the dog, all while trying to balance somewhat of a social life).  I have been avoiding shopping lately as we are trying to pay off our CC bill, so in the meantime I can only dream of re-vamping my wardrobe next year.  Here are some inspiring outfits that are professional to wear in the classroom yet still represent my personal style.

Darling Summer Issue

Happy August! I know summer has been here for awhile now, but my summer just started last week and I am definitely enjoying some down time catching up on home projects, reading and much needed organization. Last year I blogged about Darling Magazine and their Kickstarter project here to go from begin strictly an online magazine to print and I am happy to state that it has been around for all four seasons now as it began with Fall and is now Summer!  It is encouraging to read the articles written by real women with similar passions and concerns as mine, inspiring to browse through the pictures and it looks great on the coffee table! You can get a summer issue here or at one the many stockists (including Anthropologie) and look out for Sabus and I while you're at it ;)

Monday Motivation: Balance

Life is all about balance.  When you are young, you learn to balance by walking.  As a teen you learn to (attempt to) balance your emotions and desire to stand out yet fit in.  As an adult, it gets more complicated as you learn how to balance responsibility with enjoyment, work and fun, friends and family.  Lately I have been trying to find this balance again as I feel like over the last 8 months, my career took precedence (which is okay because it paid off).  It is difficult when you want to do everything and be the best wife, daughter, sister, friend, teacher and server all while trying to learn new things, read, run a blog, and work out daily.  I have found lately that while it is difficult, it is possible.  It just takes some sacrifice, motivation, discipline and patience.  So I start out the week getting plenty of rest knowing everyday will be filled with opportunities to fulfill my responsibilities balanced with enjoyment. Oh and to do lists daily for everything! How do you stay balanced?

Coveted Style {Pin}spiration

As I have been busy adjusting to my role as a full time (temporary) teacher, I haven't had much time for anything else.  However, once a week I like to pop on a few style blogs and Pinterest to stay motivated and get new inspiration for my teacher/normal wardrobe.  With the exception of the last outfit (definitely more of a weekend outfit), here are a few favorite looks to go from the classroom to meeting up with friends or grabbing a beer with my husband.

To see more, check out my Style board.

{Pin}spiration: Summer Brights

Lately, it has been disgustingly hot in LA, and walking around in the city in the heat grosses me out. Luckily, these brights have been cheering me up and have helped me to embrace our August weather.

All images via pinterest

Girl Crush: Taylor Tomasi Hill

Taylor Tomasi Hill is the artistic director for Moda Operandi.  Her tall, thin frame, bright red hair and impeccible eye for style make her to easy to admire for her looks and wardrobe.  She previously worked for Teen Vogue as the accessories director and as the style and accessories director for US Marie Claire magazine.  She is driven, talented, gorgeous and stylish and is this week's girl crush!

With another girl crush: Joanna Hillman