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?

 

Bring the Pain!

      “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable,” is a mantra by which most marathoners live.  It is fairly self-explanatory.  I know few people who can claim they have felt great at mile 12, 18, 25 of a marathon, but you train your body and your mind to be comfortable being in pain.  There was no indoctrination of this concept needed when I pledged the fraternity that is distance running by training for my first marathon.  It was already my life hymn.
     I continually find myself in uncomfortable situations.  Sometimes they are accidental (sorry person on the subway who I sat on today!), but more often I make a purposeful choice to ensure my discomfort (one word ladies: Spanx).  Sounds odd, doesn’t it? Who would deliberately want to make himself or herself uncomfortable?  I argue that EVERYONE should on a regular basis!  It is too easy to be so, well, comfortable with what we know and do that we forget the beauty that can come from breaking out of our comfort zones. Complacency, to me, is a four-letter word.  Being happy with the status quo?  ICK!
     I have just embarked on perhaps one of my most uncomfortable adventures yet: living and going to school in New York City.  The months leading up to this transition were great.  I loved when people asked me about the move and my graduate program.  I wore my Columbia University gear with pride.  I found a great neighborhood in which to live while I was in NYC.  But that was all still very comfortable, as my life really had not changed all that much.  Now I have made the move and have been here for a few days, and I have to say, I am feeling uncomfortable.  My family is no longer five minutes away.  I have to figure out/begin new daily routines.  I have to ask directions a lot because I often do not know where I am (hard for me to do; I don’t want to look weak!).  I have taken the wrong subway more than a few times.  I have had to eat meals by myself and try not to feel like a loser amongst all of the dining couples and groups.  Um, not very Sex in the City.  Not going to lie, a few tears have been shed, but I am embracing the “pain” and have learned a lot in the past few days.
     When people asked me why I was doing this my answer was: I am too comfortable in my job and my routine.  Many said that I should take comfort in the comfortable because it means I have made it and now the going will be easy.  I just get itchy at the thought of easy.  A lot of people also told me I was brave for applying to school and making a move to the big, scary city away from my comfort zones.  Funny thing is, when I left my previous career to become a teacher, a lot of my former colleagues used the same word to describe my choice to make a change.  I find the use of this word so odd.  How is what I am doing (and what I did nine years ago) BRAVE?  But then I wonder how many people are so embedded in their comfort zones that they don’t see the opportunities the world offers.  Or maybe they have thought about making a break from their comfort zones and simply do not because they are not courageous enough.
     I am not suggesting that everyone move to a new city, but everyone should consider and/or find the courage to make himself or herself uncomfortable in some way.  Try a food you normally would not.  Style your hair differently.  Take a new route to work.  Go to dinner by yourself.  It might surprise you how much it affects your day, your outlook, your mood.  Embrace the uncomfortable, because it is often where the magic happens!
   

  

Freak Flags Flying

     I am weird. Yep, I said it.  Weird.  I enjoy things that most would classify as eccentric.  I like outfits that do not quite match.  I like something my colleagues have deemed "crab yogurt" (lump crab meat, Greek yogurt, as much garlic as you can handle.  Mix together.  Enjoy.  You're welcome.) I think drag queens are fascinating (if you have not watched RuPaul's Drag Race, you really don't know what you are missing!).  I purposefully stop during my runs to scroll to Nickleback songs on my iPod. In one breath I can be both philosophical and shallow. My name is Meg, and I am a Weird.
     I feel I fall into this category often, and as much as I embrace it, it also fuels my insecurities.  While doing some reading for grad school, I had a light bulb moment when I read the following, "going against the normal is bound to raise resistance (even though they may be small ones) and resistance usually stems from one being frightened and/or uninformed to new ideas and beliefs."  Although I was reading about educational reform, I likened the idea to being weird.  If you are one of "The Weirds," resistance from "The Normals" is something that you will be forced to confront.  Girls, a new show on HBO, recently spoke to this idea.  The main character Hannah was watching her boyfriend Adam rehearse a very personal scene in a play.  After watching him enact an intimate memory she said to him, "Do you know how unusual it is to see someone doing something that is so open, honest, and weird and you're NOT making fun of them in your head?"  I am going to add "out loud" to this too.  Making fun of someone or something (either in your head or out loud) that may be considered weird is such a natural reaction and is also the resistance mentioned in my grad school reading. But why?  Why are we so quick to make fun of something that frightens us, that we do not understand, that goes against our idea of normal?  Why not stop and just accept it? Why are we so slow to recognize the beauty in the odd?
     Being one of The Weirds then requires the cliched "thick-skin," because how much resistance can you take before you give in to the white noise and think, "The Normals are right, and I am wrong."  When does normal become "correct" and weird become "wrong?"  I imagine this threshold is different for everyone (as are the definitions of normal and weird).  Mine is obviously low.  I generally do not let my Freak Flag fly except in very particular company.
     Maybe what I need to embrace is not necessarily my weirdness, but the resistance to it.  If people are questioning me, making fun of me, resisting my ideas, it must mean I have ignited an insecurity in them.  Their resistance might come from being frightened or uninformed, but at least it means I have made them think.  It is easy to say this, but difficult to act upon because I feel it will lead me too often to a place that is very lonely. There are not many people who "get" me. When I bond with someone intellectually, they think my love of fashion and material things is shallow.  When I find a kindred fashionista, he or she usually cannot wax philosophical about literature with me. In either situation, I am the Weird.  Perhaps I should place an ad:

SWF (Sophisticated (yet) Weird Female) seeks OW (Other Weirds)

MUST LIKE: outfits that don't match but go, crazy food concoctions, men who wear make-up and look more FABULOUS than most women, bands most people would be embarrassed to admit they listen to,  discussing 50 Shades of Grey AND classic Brit Lit.

MUST BE ABLE TO: Engage in existential conversations but be able to take breaks from said conversations to shop at Forever 21 and recreate outfits seen on Pinterest.  Completely understand the following: "I put a studded belt with that girly dress to toughen it a bit and make it less precious," AND "The motif of love vs. autonomy is represented when Jane Eyre refuses Rochester's marriage proposal out of fear she will lose her identity," without translation.

     The truth is, I imagine we all feel like one of The Weirds fighting resistance from The Normals from time to time.  And sometimes we are The Normals resisting The Weirds.  My goal is to make a conscious effort to not let the noise from The Normals bog me down. I also want to be aware of and stave off when I tread into Normal territory and resist the Weird. I encourage everyone to do the same. Weird is good.  It brings thought and often change. Raise your Freak Flag, whatever it may be lest we find ourselves in a Normal Apocalypse. I leave you with photos of Sharon Needles. A fabulous drag queen (and fellow Pittsburgh girl!) and winner of RuPaul's Drag Race. She is open, honest, and weird. Practice resisting your Normal tendencies.