Been Around the World...

     Paper grading season has officially opened, so that means that I probably will not get to post as often as I have been.  Expect some "Week in Review" types of posts like this one!  As I was organizing my photos from this week, I realized that a lot of what I wore had been purchased during my many travels.  It was nice  being nostalgic as I uploaded pictures, and I love that there are stories behind so many of the pieces of clothing that I am wearing!  I am teaching a mythology class this year, and we have been talking about our own "mythology" and how our personal stories make us who we are and help others learn about us.  So next time you see an article of clothing you purchased on a trip, think "chapter in my life story," not just "sweatshirt I bought because it was cold at the beach!"

This dress is actually a bathing suit cover-up and is sheer.  Had to search everywhere for a long black slip to wear underneath it!  This dress made frequent appearances in NYC this summer and helped celebrate the last day of grad school classes!

Dress: H & M

Bracelet: Forever 21

Sandals: Payless

Ring: Street vendor in Venice

 These shoes have seen the world!  They are pretty much the only shoe I wore in NYC this summer (too bad I packed 10 other pairs!) and have traipsed me around Paris, London, and Italy.  How's that for being at least five-years-old and about ten bucks from Payless!

I purchased this on my last day in Venice.  My goal when I was in Italy was to buy something that each region is known for (glass in Venice, leather in Florence, etc.).  I was losing hope in Venice ( I mean, what am I going to do with a vase, dish, or glass menagerie...) until I found this tiny shop selling these rings!

 Remember when I told you traffic cone orange and blue GO?!  I purchased the shirt and scarf in Rome.  I had spent two days patiently basking in all of the "touristy" attractions, but was so ready to get shopping in this beautiful city! Spent a lovely day with my mom retailing in Roma!

Shirt and scarf: Zara

Skirt: The Limited

Shoes: BCBG

Bracelets: Hemline and Target

 Picked these up after an arduous journey to a land called DSW...sorry, no real story here, except I love em!

Did you know that New Orleans tops a lot of lists as one of the best shopping destinations?  I discovered this firsthand when I rang in 2012 there last year!  I found the cross bracelet at a tiny boutique called Hemline in the French Quarter.  It was created by an artist who works mostly with metal.  She attaches her pieces to ribbons from dancers' old pointe shoes that she has dyed.

Before the skulls, the obsession was butterflies...

Ah...I was definitely in a New York State of mind today!  Most of this outfit was purchased this summer in NYC.  After a marathon day of shopping in SoHo with my loves from grad school, I had purchased NOTHING.  I was getting worried; me finding nothing that caught my eye during a shopping trip?  I was about to walk myself straight to the nearest hospital to get checked and/or alert everyone to gather their loved ones around as this was surely a sign of the apocalypse. As much as I enjoyed spending time with my friends, shopping is often a solo mission for me.  I went back to the same stores the next day and discovered SO MUCH.  Not so great for my wallet...

Blazer and T-shirt: H & M

Pants: Zara

Shoes: Steve Madden

Scarf: Target

Bracelet: Street vendor in Sorrento, Italy

My final purchase in Italy!  Sorrento is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen!  Known for its coral (and Limoncello!), I found it in bracelet form.  Perfecto!

Blue on Black

     I am not a huge fan of matching.  To me it is too contrived, requires little creativity.  I prefer items of clothing to go, not match. For example red and purple do not necessarily match; but they can go, i.e. "Look how that red shirt goes with those purple pants!"  Yet I found myself unable to escape matchy-matchy-ville the other morning as I was getting ready for work.  I partially blame the time; it was 4:30 in the morning. I was worried it was too much blue and black, so I added the red earrings to break it up a bit.

Skirt: Forever 21

Tank: Anthropologie

Shrug: White House Black Market

Earrings: The Limited

Bracelets: H&M

Shoes: Guess

   Ideally, I wanted to wear my blue bird tank with a traffic cone orange skirt (cobalt blue and neon orange go you see), but alas, I cannot find an orange skirt.  Still searching!

Detail of the tank and skirt. I am a sucker for details in clothing. Kinda loving the birds and lace!

Unconventional Couture

And the winner is....

The MoMa Moment!  Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote for my first day of school outfit!  I had a fabulous first day and am excited about this new school year!  

     Speaking of moments...inspiration can strike at any time!  Some of my best lessons have been planned after seeing a display at the grocery store, while standing in line at Starbucks and overhearing (okay eavesdropping on...beware, I listen!) a conversation, while walking into work while it is still dark outside and feeling like the only person awake.  I feel fairly confident in saying that teachers look at and perceive the world differently; we are usually trying to find the teachable moments in life, and I for one like to be inspired by the unconventional.  

     Such an unconventional moment struck me a few days ago.  I am not a big pajama person, but I have had this pair of satin cargo pajama pants for ages. In the midst of a neurotic closet purge, I found them and thought to myself, why relegate them to sleepwear?  I put a scarf (leopard print, of course) and some heels with them for everyday.  Still a work in progress I think, but I am determined to, as Tim Gunn would say, "Make them work!"  Let me know your thoughts!

Hot for Teacher

   Ahhh, back-to-school!  Remember when it was all about your Trapper Keeper, new pencil boxes that held Mr. Sketch Scented Markers (cherry!), new highlighters and all of your hopes and dreams?  Part of the reason I enjoy teaching is because there is a beginning, middle, and end to my job.  The beginning is one of the best parts because there is so much potential.  A new school year is like the shiny surface of that new Trapper Keeper, the pristine tip of a brand new marker, the highlighter unmarred by the pencil marks it will emphasize; filled with opportunity.

     Back-to-school clothes were always exciting too!  The jeans and shirts you bought while school shopping with parents or grandparents in July and August but were not allowed to wear until the school year began; they sat there in your closet beckoning you to wear them.  And of course, there was the all important first day of school outfit! Whether you planned it in advance or threw on the first thing you saw when you rolled out of bed, it had the distinction of the outfit in which you began your year and ultimately was special because of that.
  
     Since you never get a second chance to make a first impression, I am asking you all to help me decide what to wear when I meet my new kiddies on Tuesday!  Which outfit will "make the grade" for the first day? Comment, hit me up on Facebook or Twitter, e mail me.  I will wear the outfit that gets the most "votes" and post it on Tuesday!

THE TRIFECTA

Ask any of my friends from New York; while I was there this summer I was ridiculously drawn to lace, skulls, and neon.  This outfit incorporates all three, hence the name "Trifecta."  Had I found a way to incorporate leopard print, I may have exploded.

Lace T-shirt and cuff: Forever 21

Tank top: The Limited

Skirt: NY and Co.

Scarf: Zara

Shoes: Steve Madden

THE MoMA MOMENT

This skirt reminds me of a painting, so I decided to name this look after the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).  Can you tell I am still in a New York state of mind...

Skirt, cami, and necklace: The Limited

Blazer: Victoria's Secret Catalog

Leather cuff: street vendor in Florence, Italy

Shoes: Zara

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

Because sometimes I need a break from my beloved leopard print, but still need something of the jungle persuasion!  And pockets make everything better!

Skirt: Express

Cami and earrings: The Limited

Shrug: White House Black Market

Bracelets: Target and The Gifted

Shoes: Steve Madden

What Meg Wore

     Because I love (okay, am OBSESSED with) fashion.  Because I like to play dress up in my closet.   Because I could not walk five feet today without being stopped and told that my style is awesome (it also yielded a job offer!). Because I believe that world peace can be achieved if everyone took the time to look his or her best. Because my friends (and strangers!) have told me I should...I am going to take this blog in a slightly different direction.

     I am going to try and post my daily sartorial ventures! So come back often to check out "What Meg Wore."  I promise I will still take the time to write and wax philosophical too!

     If you would like me to style you for an event (or everyday!), help you clean out your closet, take you shopping, tell you "What Not To Wear" and how to "Make it Work,"  please contact me (leoprintisaneutral@gmail.com). I would LOOOOOOVE to help you with any fashion endeavor!  Please feel free to share my blog link with friends, family, whomever!

Dress, belt, and shoes: Target

Bag: street vendor in NYC on the corner of 57th and 6th

Bracelets: Target and Francesca's Closet

I am slightly smitten with skulls at the moment!

Have I mentioned that leopard print is a neutral?