Subject: Accidentally Patriotic

I usually avoid the red/white/blue combo unless it’s Independence Day. And even then, I’ll only pair two of the colors. But this is the one outfit I was remotely satisfied with after trying on clothes for 30 minutes. You should see me when I haven’t picked out an outfit the night before…

Dress, Target; Cardigan, Wal*Mart; Necklace, Thrifted by Mom; Shoes, Ridiculously on sale at Shoe Carnival.

This is another one of those super cheap outfit. Less that $30 this time for everything. 

Bear with me as 1)my camera takes blurry pictures since I’ve dropped it (i’ll be getting it fixed next weekend when I’m in Birmingham) and 2) I find a decent spot to take photos. My neighbors already think I’m crazy, but I haven’t gussied up the nerve to take my photos in public yet.

Subject: Ashley and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Tuesdays are my “work day,” which means I read/edit for a literary magazine for two hours in the morning, and then I mostly sit on the couch for the rest of the day, watching movies and ignoring my workload.

It also means I don’t take my outfit picture until 9:30 or so, when the sun is up and too bright for a decent picture. I realize you can’t see anything in this picture except my lack of living vegetation and neighbor’s house. But I took it, dammit, so you’re going to see it.

Top-Target; Jeans-Old Navy, Shoes-Birkenstock (Gizehs); Sunglasses-Target; Jewelry-Gift. Nothing interesting, I know, but it’s my day off.

As an aside, the cat I’ve had since 6th grade is old now, and his health has rapidly declined in the past week or so. (He’s in my capable mother’s care back in my hometown.) He’s currently on a feeding tube and IV drip, and we’re hoping this will get him back on his feet–his liver function has decreased significantly.

And of much lesser significance, apparently every bite of food I eat makes me feel sick, no matter what it is.

Tomorrow will be a better day, I’m sure.

Subject: Read the Syllabus

Ah, First Day of Classes! This day could be skipped if everyone would just read the syllabus. Mine get progressively longer each semester I teach.

I needed a bit of encouragement this morning, and since I’m pretty sure drinking this early in the morning would not be a good idea, I opted for orange high heels. I don’t usually wear heels this high and skinny to teach in (my feet will hurt before I even walk through the door), but they make me feel confident and in charge. 

This entire outfit cost me less than $20! 

Dress, Belks, ridiculously on sale ($80 down to $8 or something like that); Shoes, Payless ($7), Flower Brooch, New York & Co ($5, but I had a coupon). 

I LOVE this dress. It’s my first time wearing it, but it will definitely be a staple piece. And it has pockets! I love pockets on dresses, even when I don’t have any money to put in them.

Subject: 1st Year Orientation, or Oh Crap I’m Not a 1st Year Anymore

Last year, I went to the First Year Orientation completely nervous and out of place. This year, I’m going because I’m supposed to be a seasoned member of the department who has something to offer to the new people. We’ll pretend I don’t feel like a total fraud.

Here’s what I wear when feeling like I still need orientation myself:

-Jacket, Old Navy, overdyed by me (truer color seen here!)
-Lacy Cami, Old Navy, thrifted through Craigslist
-Sundress worn as skirt, Old Navy
-Brown Leather Belt, New York and Co.
-Mary Janes, Payless

Um, yeah, I’m wearing all Old Navy. Not intentional.