Event: Work

Outfit: Mustard blouse: Gap; Cords: Gap Outlet; Vest: gift (Old Navy); Bracelet: Lela sidewalk sale; Boots: Diba

Typical Tuesday. Lack of sleep continues to be a theme, but I think more because of poor time management at this point than true insomnia. Starting a book at 11pm? Not the wisest move, self. I did finish Bel Canto last night—would recommend it. I’m going to a book club meeting for it in a few weeks…cue nerdy excitement.

The day was fine. Sometimes it just surprises me which moments make me feel the saddest. Today’s grocery shopping trip for one put me in a funk (though I should be used to it by now). In a lot of ways I think I’ve gotten better at this whole “moving on” thing, but some days it just feels so ridiculous to me. Just doesn’t make sense. My friend passed on some wise words: There are 4 parts of a relationship. Your feelings, your actions, their feelings, their actions. You can only control one of these.

I’m no longer in a relationship, but this still rings true. I might not feel the way my ex does, may not understand the way they’ve acted, and I can’t seem to feel at peace with any of this at the moment. But I can keep moving forward, one action at a time. Just being in my new apartment everyday reminds me of this.

Feeling way more in the mood for a pint of ice cream than a treadmill session, but we’ll see how the night goes. A compromise is likely. Have a good evening.

Blouse previously:

Just make them. Now. There’s a little bit of time involved (supposed to freeze them for a bit before baking, etc), but just pull an “Elena” and bake them while two of your girlfriends are over and you won’t even notice the waiting. Makes plenty of cookies, and you’ll certainly have the option of lots of dough to eat as well. YUM. My supply is dwindling and, while that’s probably a good thing, it does bum me out a bit…

Event: Work

Outfit: Sugared Dress: Anthropologie; Cardigan: Express (2006); Tights: Hue; Brogues: Target; Necklace: gift

I usually do a quick-change after seeing these tights with brown footwear (…somehow Peter Pan always comes to mind), but with the feminine colors throughout the rest of the outfit, this combo made it out the door! I continue to love this dress. & I miss you, Anthropologie. I sense a reunion coming on my next long weekend…day o’ shopping the Third Ward? Methinks YES.

Pretty standard workday. Mondays are actually one of my favorite days just because it’s the day I co-lead a speech/occupational therapy group during the morning and afternoon. Nice change to the week. One of the things I love about this job is basing language/motor/artic/snack time activities around a book (this week? “Snowballs” by Lois Ehlert).

Time to get my workout on. On a related note, finally got my scale back from Milwaukee and it looks like I’ve lost at least 5 pounds, which was a nice silver lining. 5 more and I’d be a pretty happy camper. Perhaps if I bake fewer cookies (…worth it? ;-D). Have a good Monday night, fabulous people!

Sugared dress previously.

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!