In the last poll, Saturday won with 66% of the vote (it would’ve gotten mine, too!). This week’s Friday night look was pretty similar. Tuxedo jacket x3 this week (the cost-per-wear calculation for most of my wardrobe is pretty darn low).

I’m settling in for a frozen pizza and the SAG red carpet. After watching it from my in-bathroom TV in a jet-packed bathtub in Vegas last year…I don’t think anything will quite measure up, but I’m already loving some hair and dresses (I think Ashlee Simpson might look fabulous…?!). Hoping I can tear myself away from the TV later to get my bookworm on. ANYWHOODLE. I’d love to hear which look was your favorite from January 23rd-27th. As always, your vote is anonymous and any additional comments are very welcome!

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Event: Seeing John Oliver & opening act Mike Lawrence

Outfit: Striped tee: JCrew Factory Store; Tuxedo jacket: LC Lauren Conrad; Skirt: Target; Tights: Hue; Boots: Madden Girl via T.J. Maxx; Necklace: gift; Bracelet: Lela sidewalk sale

Both comedians were hi-lar-ious! John Oliver’s material was reminiscent his 2008 show in the sense that it came from the same British, living-in-but-mocking-America perspective, but of course made very current. Loved his reenactment of the State of the Union he wished we’d gotten to see. And here’s another favorite bit: LIBRARY!

This evening was both a) to see the comedy show and b) to see Adam after not having done so in over a month. Not so much blog material, but I’ll just say that being friends still seems tricky. I think got a little more closure aka reaffirmation that he truly believes we were a bad match. I still don’t agree, but it’s not like I find all of his reasoning insane, which I suppose is a first step toward letting that future go. In any case, I loved seeing my puppy, drinking a couple of my favorite MKE brews, and walking around my favorite neighborhood. It just still feels ridiculous to not be, well, holding hands during a comedy show. Substituting “hon” with “Adam”/”friend” at the last second constantly. Trying to figure out what I would tell a friend vs. what I would tell my person. Just very unnatural. Maybe someday it won’t be.

Time to get to the gym and shop for dessert ingredients (still debating what to make) for the slumber party/baking party tonight! Have a good Saturday.

Was inspired to try out some (almost) matching tights & skirts by Kimberly and Dotty.

Event: Work

Outfit: Striped sweater: JCrew Factory Store; Jeans: Gap; Vest: gift (Old Navy); Brogues: Target; Necklace: gift; Bracelet: Lela sidewalk sale

Enjoying an early lunch at the moment–salad from Panera and an episode of Party Down. Was at the private school this morning and have an afternoon at my building involving lots o’ IEP scheduling and evaluation writing.

Am headed to Milwaukee to see John Oliver later tonight. Saw him at U of I in 2008 (along with Rory Albanese) and he was hilarrrrious. Still sad to have missed out on Jon Stewart when he came to MKE earlier in the year, so this should ameliorate the feeling of deep loss just a bit. And tomorrow night Milwaukee will come to me—-Kristy & Maria are driving in for a slumber party o’ cupcakes & wine. Always grateful when city folks will make the trek to the ‘burbs!

Have a fabulous Friday night.

1. Twice-baked shortbread

2. Pesto pasta with chicken sausage

3. Crisp white chocolate oatmeal cookies

Event: Work

Outfit: Olive shirt: JCrew Factory Store; Tuxedo jacket: LC Lauren Conrad; Jeans: Gap; Boots: Diba; Necklace: made by Anna

Had to wear my new necklace from Anna today! I got to pick from a whole bunch of them (originally made as gifts for my bridesmaids to wear on the big day) and couldn’t resist this mixed-materials one. They were all pretty darn stunning, though (she might be selling the extras, stylin’ friends!). I’m so spoiled to have such a talented hermanita. Can’t wait for her to graduate and have time to open an etsy shop or somethin’ (while rockin’ her new job at KOHL’S, of course!).

Time for an evening of relative laziness & cleaning—-am expecting more fabulous guests this weekend, this time from the land of cheese and beer, so I’ve gotta get the place in order. May take my first day off from the gym this week—it has been really crowded lately (end-of-January resolutioners gettin’ in there?)…and yet somehow justify eating the Ben & Jerry’s I bought today + a glass of wine? Lalalalalalala.

7pm addition: This was one of those days at work when things just felt right. Used my time efficiently and made my 8am kiddo an “Emily the train” book focused on prepositions (his favorite engine), managed to get data sheets ready for the assistants to awesomely fill out for my group in the classroom, modified a SMARTBoard activity for “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” and the kids wound up loving it, constructed and laminated some visuals to go with the story (laminating always feels like a “YAY I’M SAVING FUTURE ELENA TIME AND WORK NEXT YEAR!” accomplishment and it happens way too infrequently; things just wind up crumpled in the garbage). Need those days. Workin’ with kids on speech & language really is pretty darn fun.

A look back at some of the awesome gifts made by the talented Anna

(In honor of the latest creation I get to don, the amazing necklace seen above!)

Event: Work

Outfit: Sweater: Swapped (NY&Co); Lost Time Skirt: Anthropologie; Flats: Nine West (via endless.com); Headband: Target; Bracelet: stella & dot

Slower workday than usual. The private school was taping some sort of school-wide musical event (may have to go watch its debut next week; don’t really understand what they were doing…something with dubbed singing?), so missed seeing most of my kids this morning. Finished testing a kindergartner, got some paperwork in order. Added lots of pins to my “Speech & Language” board. Had the usual busy afternoon.

Off to the gym and then headed to the parentals’ for dinner & bidding Anna adieu—she heads back to NYC tomorrow for her last college semester. I finally bought my tickets for spring break yesterday. Big Apple, here I come!

P.S. Big thanks to Rachel for the Versatile Blogger award. Brightened my day!

Event: Work

Outfit: Striped tee & cords: Gap; Tuxedo jacket: LC Lauren Conrad; Boots: Diba via DSW; Necklace: stella & dot

YES: a clear sign I was slightly less of a zombie this morning—->a morning shower and blow-dried hair. Winning.

I was happy to bust out my new jacket again (didn’t even need an additional coat today—so oddly warm again!) and my favorite necklace. Easy Tuesday look. Cutest moment of the day: when one of my 4-year-old students walked in with a Starbucks gift card (coudn’t quite figure out the occasion, but accepted it gratefully). Thanked her dad at the end of the session, and he said “Oh no. It was all her idea. She said we had to get her teacher coffee, and I said I didn’t know what you’d like. She said we needed to get pumpkin coffee. I wasn’t sure where that was…so we got a gift card.” In the fall she used to always ask to sniff my (Dunkin Donuts) pumpkin coffee if I sipped it during sessions, so this was pretty adorable. I much prefer coffee to an apple a day.

Annnnnd now it’s time to go workout. Motivated to get there early for a) a hopefully empty gym and b) because I want to make cookies later, which requires time & some calories burned (I will eat cookie dough. This is completely predictable). Have a great night!

Event: Work

Outfit: Cardigan: LC Lauren Conrad (KOHL’S); Pants: Banana Republic; Black tank: Old Navy; Flats: Nine West (endless.com); Bracelet: stella & dot

Grabbed this cardigan on a shopping trip with Anna last week—sale + Mom’s coupon made it a good find. Always on the look-out for pieces that make dressing-for-work easy (especially when they have rhinestone buttons and chiffon trim!). I’m a little bummed—my bracelet got caught on it and ripped a hole in the sleeve today. So…will always have to be worn sleeves-rolled-up-style. Luckily that’s pretty much how I wind up wearing all cardigans.

Finishing up my cinnamon dolce latte and am off to the gym! Hope your week’s off to a good start. I’m hoping for an evening of reading Bel Canto, watching last night’s Downton Abbey, and an early bedtime. Just want to feel well-rested for once. Otherwise NyQuil and I may have to have a brief affair…

Last week’s winner was Sunday, with 30% of the vote. It was my favorite look, too! Thank you for your feedback.

This week’s poll has a few looks from the work week and one from the weekend. The last couple of weeks have been about trying out new pieces and mixing/re-mixing them with old ones. Love having some new items in my wardrobe! Suspect I’ll be wearing this tuxedo jacket a whole lot.

I’d love to hear which look was your favorite from January 17th-21st. As always, your vote is anonymous and any additional comments are very welcome!

Thanks in advance for your feedback.