Thursday, February 23, 2012

Classroom Bohemian

UGH! I look so tired! Let's just say I had a "challenging" week. And look, no lipstick!
Tuesday's look was the result of a very tired, very overworked Professor. I've been working like a madwoman on my History of Illustration classes -- grading and organizing -- that it has left very little time to do anything else, including my dissertation work. It's frustrating the crap out of me, and as a result I told Parsons that I will not be available to teach in the Fall and Spring. Yipes. I'm scared to death to leave (hopefully temporarily) a good teaching gig, but I know that a full-time job and eventual tenure will not be possible without my PhD. I need to get this dissertation done and that means I need a break from teaching in order to research and write. And let's face, I'm burnt out. Last year I taught four classes in Spring 2011, three in Fall 2011, and now three more ... all while trying to get my dissertation proposal approved and doing my own work. Stick a fork in me, I'm done physically, mentally and emotionally.

I've been dragging my tush lately and I have to admit, I haven't really come up with spectacular and inspired outfits. Unfortunately, I'm dressing professionally to get by for a day of teaching. No bells, no whistles. I've fallen back into a quick and easy routine. As you can see in the above photo, the routine consists of pulling on a nice skirt and pretty blouse, and pairing them with some fun earrings. My makeup is simple and fast: powder, some blush, liquid liner across my top lid, and softly brushed in brows. The skirt is a double layer flouncy number that I featured before. The top layer of the skirt is a very light georgette that's sewn in a handkerchief style. The oversized peasant blouse is rayon and belts with a fabric belt. I LOVE this blouse -- the design and the colors had me the minute I laid eyes on it. And who doesn't love a ruffled, flouncy sleeve? If I had my wits about me on Tuesday morning I probably would have belted the blouse with my cincher belt, but I didn't have my wits about me as I ran out the door. Ah well.

Do you fall into fashion ruts because you are too busy? How do you overcome it?

The Run Down
Blouse: QVC
Skirt: Macy's
Stockings: Target
Shoes: DSW
Earrings: gift from my Mom


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22 comments:

  1. Love the earrings! They match the blouse very well. Eeww, how did you manage to engage BOTH in a Ph.D and teaching O.o? You're a wonder woman, really :D! I'm not just sayin', I find it hard to cope with the Ph.D part only ^^
    And as for the "fashion routine"...cough cough...well, let's say you're not alone. Mine is very simple 'cause I only wear black (and occasionaly a hint of white. Well, my hair's violet, so I have to "tone down" by dressing very soberly). The only way for me to overcome it is havin'more time to get ready, which is not always possible, especially on a busy schedule; but elegant, stylish jackets/blazer/cardigans on ordinary clothes usually do the tricks :)!
    I'm currently lovin'this amazingly talented lady on Etsy, whose creations (blazers and jackets) leaves me in awe...and they're suitable for teaching/working!

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/lauragalic

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    1. Thanks! I think the key word here is "manage." I'm officially done with classes so I don't have that stress on me. Basically these days I'm teaching and desperately trying to write a dissertation. Sometimes things need to give and they usually come out of my social life.

      ooooo ... I like the link! Thanks!

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  2. Good for you for recognizing and not being ashamed to admit that you need a break from teaching to reach your goals. Fashion ruts do happen as a result of burnout. They also happen when one is too lazy or too silly to get up on time for work (like me- today is the first day all week that I actually dressed for work in a somewhat professional way, and I work in a law office). Sometimes certain things take priority over fashion. If you're busy trying to get your work done it makes perfect sense that fashion and other interests would fall by the wayside.

    I wish I could work as hard at academia as you. You already strike me as a superwoman for getting so far in something you're obviously passionate about and going for your goals no matter what.

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    1. Aw, thanks! Yeah, this was a very difficult decision because I do love teaching. I'm trying to be mindful of what's important take the moment, and that would be my dissertation.

      I think this rut is also a result of losing the weight. I'm not complaining, but it's getting a little tricky because some things just don't fit anymore and some do but with help. ;)

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  3. I think you look so fresh and beautiful even when you say you look tired. It's definitely tough to keep up with maintaining the appearence in the morning rush. My bell is ringing 5:45 in the morning I get up 6am getting the kids to school and starting my work at 7. It's too often I don't have the time to do some makeup, and I've run out of inspiration regarding my wardrobe loong time ago.

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    1. Yes, early mornings can be a real pain in the butt! I try to put things together before bed, but that's been challenging to say the least. I "buy" myself so extra time in the morning by letting the bulk of my hair dry naturally. I try to concentrate on my bangs and my makeup ... hehehe ... not always successfully. :)

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  4. I can soooo relate to your exhaustion and burnout! I got both my BA and MA (Anthropology) AND did a four-month internship while working full-time and raising a family. Fortunately, I work at the university I attended, so at least I didn't have to worry about the commute! But being Superwoman is hard, so I think you're wise to do what you need to do to get the dissertation DONE.

    Whenever I get stuck in a fashion rut (which is frequently), I usually go for either my skinny black Tripp pants or my faded black skinny pants, one of my several skull t-shirts, and either my Mudd platforms or black flats. Then the next day, I try a combo I've never worn before, just to see what happens. That usually gets rid of the rut, at least for THAT week!

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    1. WOW! Boy, we academics are crazy ... but passionate and that's what makes it worthwhile. Yes? We love what we do. I guess fashion ruts are just a result of doing too much in too little time. We get tired and uninspired ... and we want to sleep, big time!

      Yup, you my dear are a Superwoman!

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  5. I actually admire women who DON'T try to do it all. You are able to prioritize and make the right decision on how to accomplish your goals at this time, which not many people seem to be able to do. And you take your goals seriously, whereas many just seem to think good things will happen eventually by magic. ;) I think you look fabulous. Your vibrant smile and that vibrant print give you so much life, even if you are tired! I would love to see that blouse with a black cincher belt though, to show off your figure!

    I get in ruts due to time, as well as a nasty work situation that has me pretty depressed and not too interested in getting "ready" in the mornings (you might have noticed only one work outfit per week on my blog lately, and some of those are from the archives!). The only way I can manage interesting outfits for work is to come up with them at least the night before... But when the work day is long and the evening short, even that is a feat that's near impossible most nights. So I try to at least have a vague idea for a couple of good outfits in my head the previous weekend. Then that fails when the weekends are too busy, and it becomes a nasty cycle. ;) I'm actually currently looking for a new job, so if/when that happens I know it'll spur a new enthusiasm in my wardrobe!

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    1. Aw, ((((HUGS)))) thanks darling!

      Yeah, I was wondering what was going on in your neck of the woods. I am so sorry that you're in this situation and I truly, truly hope that you get what you need and want via a new position.

      I hear you about the nasty cycle of too little time, too much work and no inspiration because you're too tired. I can so relate!

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  6. I think you are very smart for recognizing burnout and taking steps to address it. Driving in the "slow" lane of life can be very enjoyable for a while. ;)

    I currently live in a fashion rut, but it's due to environmental factors rather than workload. The temperature in my office varies from chilly to surface of the sun, so I have no choice but to dress in layers. Practically every day, I wear a tank top under a tee under a sweater, with short black skirt, black tights and New Rocks. I wear the same black skirt so often that I have begun to hate it.

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    1. Thanks sweetie! I'm not so sure I'll be driving in the slow lane. It's more like a fun, scenic direct route to my goals. It'll be intense, but filled with lots of fun rest stops on the way. ;)

      YES! I totally understand hating clothing because you wear it too much! Holy smokes! I'm going through that now too!

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  7. I think fashion ruts happen to everyone who actually has to dress themselves. You still look great and the attention you're paying to your overall fitness level is really paying off. Even tired and not decked out to your full potential, you're still glowing and beautiful!
    Don't try and do it all. You'll just end up burned out, frustrated and angry at everything. Take the time to focus and everything will be better because of it. You're an inspiration to all of us women who want "it all," whatever "it all" may be.

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    1. Oh sweetie! Thank you so much! ((((HUGS)))) Yeah, "it all" should be whatever you make it. :)

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  8. i was wondering anyways how you manage to work this much for a long time... <3

    and kitty's idea is great, try a black cincher with it for us :-D

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    1. I do too sometimes. ;) Like I said before, something needs to give and unfortunately it's been my social life and clubbing. Ah well.

      I will definitely try this shirt with the cincher belt.

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  9. The shirt looks good on you. I've been a rut too. Sadly, I just fall back on black leggings and black smocky dresses. I blame it all on the strange weather. Usually by this time of year I'm so excited to get out my spring clothes, but I feel like I haven't even had a chance to wear my winter stuff.

    And good for you for lightening your load. Life is short. Good choices are priceless.

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    1. Oh, this weather has been such a bitch! It can't make up its mind whether to be warm or cold! I froze my ass off on Saturday, yet mid-week I had my windows open and I was dreaming of spring. grrrr .... it really makes for some confusing wardrobe choices.

      Thank you!

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  10. Girl you are super woman! I don't think taking a break is a bad thing and admitting you are burnt out. People push themselves way too far and don't realize stress can cause a lot of health issues.

    Just breathe my dear!

    Oh yes, I have been in fashion rut many, many times. When I'm running around on shoots and dressing everyone else and thinking about styling an editorial....dressing myself is the last thing in my mind. I try and take a day to look in the closet and try on outfits, sorta like a test run and introduce some new combos to the mix. I also like shopping for textured stockings, jewelry, etc to infuse something new!

    If all else fails: retail therapy (when you have time) *Wink*

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    1. :) *Breath* *Breath* *Breath* Thanks darling! Yes, taking a time out is so necessary for me right now. I need to focus on my dissertation and myself. Period. The jobs will be there, I just know it.

      I LOVE RETAIL THERAPY. Alas, I'm in between sizes and it's making me CRAZY. hehehehe ... there's always accessories, makeup and shoes! hehehehe ....

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  11. That's a lovely blouse! It's great to wear something colorful when you are stressed and busy; it keeps your mood up a bit, I find!

    My fashion rut is jeans, converse sneakers, and a tee-shirt. It use to be opaque black tights, mary-janes, and whatever skirt or dress is nearby, but then the jeans came when I worked selling jeans for a while, and they are just so bloody comfortable and easy, so I got lazy. :/ Trying to get back to tights, but it's hot here right now!

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    1. Thanks! I love interesting patterns and colors, always have. I think it's really the combination of clothes that lifts my mood. I like wearing things that make me feel a certain way; it's like my clothes script my day and mood.

      Oh hot weather! I know it's coming closer and closer ... but I so want the spring and growing things!

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