Layer a Shirtdress for Cold Weather

March 25, 2019 by Virginia 24 Comments

leopard shirtdress_white v-neck sweater_nude pumps_spring fashion_layer a sweater over a shirtdress

It’s definitely starting to warm up here in New England but it wasn’t all that long ago that I was wanting to transition to spring colors and styles but realizing I was still stuck in winter weather!

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I love all things leopard and it’s one of the ways I manage to get out of a winter wardrobe rut. Leopard goes along with the winter dark-color vibe but jazzes it up a bit with a fun pattern. This leopard shirtdress that I got from Shein in the Fall (see HERE) is still a favorite, but it’s been a little chilly to wear through the winter. Now that Spring has come, the temps have warmed up just enough to make it bearable. But, the fabric is still a little too thin to be warm on its own. Enter one of my go-to tricks: layer it!

Layer Your Dresses

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An easy way to make your wardrobe go farther (and in this case, make it warmer!) is to treat each dress as also a skirt and a top.

Layer a dress under a top to wear it as a skirt.

See two ways I wore a dress as a skirt HERE and HERE.
- HERE is the dress on its own

Layer a dress under another skirt to wear it as a top.

See how I wore a dress as a top HERE.
- HERE is the dress on its own

Layer a Shirtdress

I admit that this outfit is not all that revolutionary. But, don’t we sometimes forget to layer a shirtdress in a non-traditional way? I frequently think to add a jacket, cardigan or blazer, but I forget that I can wear it like a skirt too.

Thankfully I got a reminder since I’ve been seeing so many fun leopard and cheetah-print skirts lately. In my layering I decided not to completely hide the top and did let the collar peak through a little. It was a little too plain up top for me, but you could totally do an over-sized sweater up top and still have a look you’ll love!

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The result? An outfit that totally held up to the chill still in the air!

Leopard Options

Leopard Skirts

If you’d rather just get the look without layering, here are some of the cute leopard skirt options I’ve been seeing.

Leopard Dresses

To get the layered shirtdress look, there are a number of options out there for leopard dresses.

Get the Look: Layer a Shirtdress

teacher outfit_layer a leopard shirtdress_white v-neck sweater_teacher style_nude pumps_spring fashion_keep warm

Leopard Shirtdress also HERE (shorter, but looks cute!) || Similar White V-Neck Sweater || Similar Nude Pump || Similar Star Drop Earrings (go with everything! more in widget) || KS Elisa Necklace c/o || Similar KS Cuff Bracelet || Michael Kors Watch ||Hermes-like Bracelet

What is your favorite way to add warmth during this transition stage from Winter into Spring? Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

-Virginia

Overnight Oats: Quick and Healthy Breakfast

January 21, 2019 by Virginia 6 Comments

Good morning, friends! I’m so excited about today’s post because it’s been a long time in the making, and I think it’s a great tip for for finding some healthy balance! Right at the beginning of last school year, I shared my plan for how I save time by using a meal-plan service and planning ahead for lunches. It helped me eat better and also save time that was typically spent frantically scrambling around for scraps of food to throw in my school bag that would constitute “lunch.” Today, as everyone is getting to the end of the first month of New Year’s Resolutions, I want to challenge you to try something new for your breakfast: overnight oats.

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Why I Love Overnight Oats

Teaching gave me a scrambled brain in the morning, leaving very little time for scrambling eggs. I was exhausted from staying up late planning the night before and most of the time I was guzzling down my coffee while finishing up a lesson for that day and then running through all the things I needed to make sure I copied or picked up before the kids walked in the door. So, some days I didn’t eat breakfast at all. Other days, I picked up whatever was close and easy – often something not very nutritious or filling.

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Overnight Oats are the best solution I have found to my problems and I haven’t put them down, even as I am taking a break from teaching (more on that here).

You make them the night before. I find it’s a great way to de-stress before I actually lay down in bed.
It takes very little time (depending on the recipe). All the recipes I’m recommending are easy!
You can make multiple days worth in advance. (I usually make 3 or 4 at a time).
They are healthy.
They are yummy.
They keep me full until lunch-time!
When I wake up, I don’t even have to think. While I’m waiting for my coffee to drip into the cup, I open the fridge, pull out my overnight oats, dump them in a bowl and mix them up. By then, my coffee is done and I’m ready to go finish up whatever I need in the morning while still getting some sustenance.
If I forget or don’t have time to eat the breakfast in the morning, I can just grab the jar and easily take it (and a bowl if I’m not using these amazing jars) with me to work.

How I was Introduced to Overnight Oats

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I tried overnight oats because I started using Skinnytaste Meal Plans. If you’ve followed me for a long time, you know that I have used pre-made meal plans for years. When we got married, Jeremy made it clear to me that we needed to actually have time together. 😂 But, teaching didn’t allow for a whole lot of time to cut – so I thought. Then I discovered meal plans and I was hooked.

I have tried a bunch of different meal planning services, but my favorite for many years was Cooksmarts. If you have lots of dietary restrictions in your family, this is (I believe) the best fit. In the last 8 months or so though, I’ve started using the Skinnytaste Meal Plans. They’re free, great-tasting, and super-low calorie. Like…you can’t believe it’s so low cal and still so good. ANYWAY…this is a long, round-about way of getting to my point. She introduced me to Overnight Oats.

perfect teacher breakfast_overnight oats under 300 calories easy breakfast

From that first inroduction (see below), I started scouring Pinterest for overnight oats recipes that were under 250 calories but still yummy. There is an ENDLESS (and you think I’m joking…) number of overnight oats recopies on Pinterest but:

many do not include the calories
some are over 400 calories per serving!
some just don’t taste that great…

On this blog I strive to help busy professionals find balance behind the workplace. Part of finding balance is being healthy. So, today I want to share four of my favorite Overnight Oat recipes under 300 calories.

Four Overnight Oat Recipes under 300 Calories

This post contains some affiliate links, which means that if you click and/or make a purchase through these links, I will make a small commission at no cost to you. For more information, please see my privacy policy.

favorite overnight oats under 300 calories_easy breakfast for teachers

The First Overnight Oats I tried: Overnight Oats in a Jar – 243 calories

The first overnight oats I tried are still my favorite. This recipe is quick to make and tastes so sweet and fresh to me. There is one ingredient that you may not have on hand, but once you have it, these can’t be beat.

Coconut Latte Overnight Oats – 223 calories

This recipe is for anyone who loves coffee as much as I do! Actually, I don’t really feel like I taste the coffee all that much, but it’s a pleasant, not too sweet, not too bland overnight oats and at 223 calories, it’s a great option!

Peach Pie Overnight Oats – 269 calories

This overnight oats recipe is like having dessert for breakfast!

French Toast Overnight Oats – 231 calories

Similar to the Coconut Latte Overnight Oats above, this one has a fresh, sweet taste. The maple is what makes the recipe amazing and the author is right, pair it with a cup of coffee and it’s perfect!

Special Mention Overnight Oats

Raspberry Almond Overnight Oats – 322 calories

This is over my 300 calorie limit for this post, but if you don’t care about that, this one is to sweet and yummy! The raspberries melt into the oats overnight and are a wonderful treat in the morning!

Blueberry Lemon Coconut Overnight Oats – 323 calories

This one…oh man, this one…the lemon zest combined with the blueberries and coconut makes this full of flavor and fresh-tasting! This is my favorite after the Skinnytaste Oats in a Jar above. It is 80 cals more though…

Recipes I Haven’t Tried, but Look Good!

(284 calories)

(263 calories)

(240 calories if I change it to almond milk and 3 servings instead of 2)

A Note on Overnight Oat Supplies:

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After trying so many recipes for overnight oats, I’ve learned that there are certain things to have on hand. These appear in a number of recipes.

flax seed
chia seeds (my favorite in overnight oats – gives it a nice, light crunch)
almond milk (I like unsweetened vanilla)
bananas
jars – These are my favorite (individually here) but any kinds of these would work.
maple syrup

Note: not every recipe calls for all of the above, so don’t be scared to try one of the recipes and branch out from there!

overnight oats under 300 calories_easy breakfast for one_teacher health

Also, though you can use mason jars to make the oats and then simply dump them out into a bowl, I highly recommend these Weck jars. Unfortunately, they are currently out of stock everywhere I look on the internet. I have only had them for a short time but they have made a huge difference in my routine.

As you can see above, they are easy to stack in the fridge (taking up less space). The pint mason jars I used were precariously perched and one actually broke when it fell out of the fridge!
They are wider than my measuring cups, making the assembly process quicker and less messy. I use a 1/4 cup measuring cup because most of the ingredients are either 1/4 cup or 1/2 cup measures.
They are the perfect size to eat directly out of the jar. It’s like a bowl itself!
The glass top is easier to wash. My mason jar lids kept getting rusty after going through the dishwasher.
They save dishes. This is the biggest win. Since it’s big enough to eat out of, you don’t need an extra bowl. That means only one dish to wash! Plus, the dishwasher can reach the bottom of the rounded bowl easier than the corners of a mason jar.
Along the same lines, since you only need the one jar (no bowl), it’s even easier to take to work. Just add the jar to your bag and go. No extra bowl needed.

The lids are kept tight with little clamps, as you can see in the picture below.

healthy overnight oats recipes_easy breakfast_best jar for overnight oats

Despite everything above, don’t be afraid to try overnight oats just because you don’t have these jars. But, if you find out that you love them like I do, they’re worth the investment.

In Conclusion

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Wow…if you’re still with me, more power to you! Who knew I had so much to say about overnight oats! It truly was one of the best healthy eating choices I made last year and if I can give you tips help you find a better balance in your life like I have in mine, then I’m gonna share what I found!

So, what do you think? Have you tried overnight oats before? What looks like your favorite from the list?

If there’s one on the list you want to try, click on the image above to repin it or add this one to your Pinterest boards!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

~Virginia

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: Is it worth it?

July 17, 2018 by Virginia 2 Comments

Everyone is talking about the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Is it worth it? I love the Nordstrom Anniversary sale and look forward to it every year. I have written a lot about it in the past because I think it’s a great way to stock up on better quality products at an affordable price for fall and winter.

It’s easy to get the feeling that since an item is on sale, you need to buy it. There are some great deals on good basics in this year’s sale but there are also items you can get for a better price (and the same quality, or better) from other retailers.

That being said, I studied the sale when it was open to card-holders last Thursday and went to my local Nordstrom to try some things out and I’m actually not that impressed this year. I know it’s not as early as other bloggers, but before the sale is open to the public I want to give you my own opinions on what might be worth it and what to avoid.

I stand by my recommendations for teachers from last year. Much of what I will recommend below will follow those guidelines.

*This post does contain affiliate links, which means that if you click and/or make a purchase through these links, I may make a small commission. For more information, see my privacy policy. Thank you for supporting the retailers that make this blog possible.

Shoes: Worth it (all under $100)

Shoes are the best thing I think you can buy at the Nordstrom Anniversary sale. These are good quality brands that will last a long time and be more comfortable. That being said, I never buy them unless I can get them at a really great price. During the Nordstrom Anniversary sale it is worth it because you can get these shoes $40-$70 off!

Booties

In this year’s sale, there are some great options for booties: *Note – Most of these come in multiple colors

1 | 2 | 3 (love this brand) | 4 | 5 | 6 |7 (waterproof!) | 8 | 9

Leopard Flats

My absolute favorite purchase from last year’s sale, included in the recommendations for teachers above, was a pair of leopard mules. I wear them all the time. There are a few options for leopard shoes in the sale. Leopard, I believe, is one of the Top 5 shoes every teacher should have in their wardrobe.

My top pick of the bunch are these Halogen Calf Hair mules. — They have long sides, making them more secure on the feet, and they were very comfortable. They don’t fit as snugly as the pair I snagged last year but I can still see them wearing really well all day. (I LOVED these rust ones too!)
I tried these leopard bow mules on in store and they are so cute, and fit well, but the bow just seemed too big to me. I would avoid.
These slingback shoes come in multiple colors in the sale. But I really dislike how they look. I think they make feet look big and clunky. I would pass on these.
The one pair I was unable to try on in-store was these leopard flats. If you’re thinking of purchasing these, size down. I find that this brand tends to be a little large on me.

Comfortable flats

I can’t give you a complete rundown on all the comfortable flats in the sale, but I will say that these Ugg loafers are AMAZING! Teachers and other professionals, you could totally wear these all day long and feel like you’re wearing slippers!
Also, I have been wanting to pick up this pair of mules after hearing such good reviews from other bloggers, and they are included in the sale!

Other shoes from the sale that I would recommend:

I was unable to try any of these on, but I trust the brand and reviews.

Pumps – Addie Pump (a great kitten heel! multiple colors) / Maxx Pointy Toe Pump (LOVE the yellow! higher heel)
Bow flats – These bow flats are adorable…what can I say? I like bows!
Open Toe Sandal – So cute! I wouldn’t recommend for work because they have a higher heel, but they would be really cute for a night out.

Tops & Sweaters: Worth it

These plaid shirts were a little loose-fitting, but really soft. I especially loved it in green and yellow!
These lace camisoles are being featured all over the internet. The white one is not worth it, in my opinion, because it is so see-through. However, this emerald green lace camisole is just gorgeous and one of the items I purchased from the sale. It has an adjustable strap but note, it is still low-cut even with it adjusted as high as possible!
- Note: As I was writing this, it sold out. However, it may re-stock when public access starts this Thursday so add it to your wishlist!
BP T-shirt – I tried a small and it is true to size. I liked the colored versions, which were not see-through.
Ruffle Neck Sweater with billowed sleeves– I loved this. It’s warm, cozy and soft. It’s a little spendy for a sweater but is a great quality sweater.
Ruffle Edge Sweater – This is probably my top pick for professionals. It’s fitted, made of a sweater material and is long enough to not leave a gap. I love the color selection too! True to size.
Fitted Green Ruffle sleeve – If the last option is still a little pricey, this is a great alternative. It’s a solid colored basic, made of a thick t-shirt material instead of sweater material. I loved the emerald green. True to size.

May Not Be Worth It

Pencil skirts – I think you can find more affordable options elsewhere.

Tops –

these t-shirts are a great deal when you think about Nordstrom prices. However, they are very thin. If you are going to buy, I would not recommend one of the white versions.
As noted above, these lace camisoles are featured all over the internet but I would not recommend the white one, especially for a work environment. It is very see-through and though it has an adjustable strap, it is still low-cut even with it adjusted as high as possible!

Sweaters & Cardigans – I wasn’t in love with any of the cardigans from the sale and few of the sweaters. You will see a lot of other blogger recommending them but most of them that I tried were rough fabric. For the price, I think you can find a more comfortable sweater or cardigan elsewhere.

This over-sized cardigan was WAY over-sized and I didn’t think it was flattering. Plus, though it looks like it would be cozy, the material was very rough.

A few extras

This Stila Eyeshadow set is a great deal. I have been in love with the Kitten Shimmer and Glow liquid eye shadow for months. For a little more than a single shadow you can get it AND two more glitter and glow shadows.
This Kate Spade bag is gorgeous and looked really durable.
These Kendra Scott earrings are beautiful and the perfect size. Not too big, but not too small.

Ok, I know that I didn’t include a lot of pictures this time, but there are a lot of bloggers out there with try-on hauls. My intention here was to give you an idea of what kinds of things that might be worth trying and what to avoid.

No matter what, if you think one of these options may be worth it, there is little risk in trying it out. Nordstrom offers free shipping and free returns. The worst that could happen would be you order the wrong size and it’s sold out when you’re ready to exchange it.

Let me know what you’ve ordered and what you’re interested in trying! The Nordstrom Anniversary sale is open only for cardholders through the 19th. Starting Friday, it will open up to the public and sale prices will stay until Sunday August 5th! Happy shopping!

-Virginia

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