Snow snow, go away

Yet another snow day! The roads don't seem to bad today, so hopefully schools will be open tomorrow.

I was talking with the librarian at the school where I work (doing an after-school program) and she was telling me about all the budget cuts and teacher layoffs our district has planned. I was really hoping to get a full time teaching position next year, but I'm not feeling confident that it is going to happen.

A few weeks ago I made a "collection" on Polyvore of what I might wear if I were a teacher. I know that a lot of teachers dress really casually, but I think that looking more polished shows how important the job is to you. At the same time I'd want to incorporate my personal style with colorful and patterned tights, fun shoes, weird brooches, and jewelry derived from fossils and animal bones. Okay, so I know it's a touch of goth, but I really have been a little obsessed with animal bones ever since I took a Mammalogy course in college. You can learn so much about an animal from their skeleton!

7th grade life science by musicishername featuring boyfriend cardigans

Houndstooth Boyfriend Cardigan, $27
eShakti Surplice Front Fleece Shirtdress, $50
Dancing Like a Star Tights, $30
Red Studded Boots, $40
BDG Utility Tote, $40
Pamela Love Crow Skull bronze necklace, $575

This set was inspired by someone I saw on a street style blog, but after I made it I realized Hillary actually rocks the shirt dress and houndstooth sweater combo all the time!

The other three sets in my collection follow the jump:

Etsy Tuesday - gothic wedding

Not that I plan on getting married any time soon, but I guess I've been feeling a bit nesty lately! And with the trend these days toward "offbeat brides," I suppose you could guess that any ceremony I would be involved in would be anything but traditional. So I put together this treasury for lovebirds who are looking for something a little darker.

'gothic wedding' by vespersparrow

til death do us part

stephaniemades... $799.00	KahiliCreation... $47.00	urbanheirlooms $100.00
VictorianLowbr... $13.95	maryandangelik... $85.00	ManoBello $99.00
yasoknitting $15.00	mybluetulipdes... $1.50	digforvictory $140.00
RXVrings $1000.00	localovespirat... $22.00	dedalo $70.00
PoppySeedStati... $25.00	AmoreBride $135.00	EJPcreations $54.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

Lands' End Canvas Polyvore contest

Have you entered the Lands' End Canvas contest on Polyvore? The winner gets a $500 gift card to Lands' End Canvas! Here is my entry:

Land's End Canvas by musicishername featuring diamond rings

The fabulous skirt I first spotted at Danimezza's Polly Dolly Polyvore Challenge, and I just thought it went really well with the orange of the sweater. Considering the latest Polly Dolly features roller skates, I'm pretty sure I'm going to be participating in this one!

Boutiques.com

After reading this post on Adored Austin, I decided to head over to Boutiques.com and create my very own profile. It categorized my style as being somewhat punk and somewhat street and offered these runway photos as examples. I don't think they're too accurate as to where I am now, but they're accurate as far as the style I wish I had.

I can't afford most of the stuff that they offer as suggestions in my boutique, though I do like the majority of the items, the Free People stuff especially. It's pretty cool to have a computerized personal shopper. Is there a site that does this for plus sizes?

Clear Cut

I was on This Next looking for sweaters in a plus size when I found this adorable thing:



Of course, that sweater is no longer available, but when curiosity caused me to click through to the designer's website, I found many more lovelies!




I love the structured jackets and the flowing dresses in this designer's clothing line, as well as the wild, colorful prints!

I feel like American designers have really dropped the ball with designing for plus sized women, and that ladies in the UK have so many more flattering, stylish options. Considering how people in the U.S. fuss over the "obesity epidemic," one would think that they would make more clothes for fat people. Maybe they're just providing us with awful clothes in an attempt to shame us into being thinner.

Anyway, the designer is Anna Scholz, and while her designs are way out of my price range, they are very lovely to look at. You can purchase items through her website or through her salon on the Saks Fifth Avenue website. She also has lower-priced but still lovely options at Simply Be.

Today's song: Lali Puna - Clear Cut

What I Wish I Wore Today

This would be a nice outfit for some early morning birdwatching, and then maybe a trip to the Farmer's Market or a flea market. Just a casual weekend sort of thing.

Birdwatching Sunday by musicishername on Polyvore.com

Navy and White Plaid Snap-Front Top, $34
Bean Boots by L.L.Bean, 8": Bean Boots at L.L.Bean, $94
My Pet Octopus Bracelet from Modcloth, $16
Curvy Fit Boot Cut Stretch Jeans, $30
Binoculars at REI.com, $179

Dress uniform

Thought I'd try out this whole Polyvore thing with a couple of looks based on dresses.
I was a huge tomboy growing up, so it seems a little strange for me to gravitate toward wearing dresses... but they're just so easy! Instead of having to find a top and bottom that can coordinate, you have the whole thing put together, and all you need to do is add accessories and shoes!

And even though I'm not a fan of this trend toward rompers, they do have some appeal for the same reason - they're a ready made outfit. Just grab and go!

For these collages I picked a couple of dresses I've been lusting over from eShakti and Coldwater Creek. Click on each picture for details.