OOTD & Reconnecting

So, when I was about 8 years old, my mom signed me up for piano lessons because I was obsessed with playing. My grandmother had gifted me one of those tiny wooden pianos (à la Schroeder from Peanuts) when I was 2 or something and I loved it and could not stop playing it and figuring out tunes I heard. When I was about 10, my piano teacher suggested to my mom that I take voice lessons because she had heard me sing during one of our solfege lessons and she thought I had a nice voice. This is WAY too young to be taking proper singing lessons, but we didn't know any better. My cousin was taking some lessons with a gentleman and my aunt insisted he was great with children's voices without doing any damage. So, my mother took me to him and I starting singing. All kinds of things, classical, musical theater...amazing! I enjoyed it so much and to my amazement, he was also the artistic director of a Musical Theater Review Ensemble, which I joined when I was 13. I learned to tap dance, jazz dance, do a little ballet and sing my little musical theater butt off!!!

Ultimately, when I was 17 or so, I decided to focus my musical studies exclusively to classical singing and decided to leave the group and study exclusively with the teacher I was studying with at my high school. But, being that he was my first voice teacher, he remained a close, beloved friend of the family and we have managed to keep in touch off and on throughout the years. Well, he was able to come to my wedding four years ago, which was totally awesome and this week, he is visiting Boston and is staying with us. It's amazing to re-connect with someone who met you when you were a kid and watched you grow and go through all of your changes and situations.  Now, as an adult, it feels great to reconnect with someone and share your shared passion for music! So, I'm having a great week!

Here's what came out of my closet today!

Anthrpologie: Deuxhill Cowlneck (2010), Pinochle Skirt (2010), High Prairie Belt (2010?), Salutations & Closings Heels (2011)

A surprisingly All-Anthro combo. The Deuxhill Cowlneck and the turquoise in the skirt play off each other perfectly. Turquoise is one of those colors I am obsessed with these days. I have always been a fan of blue, but I'm loving all things turquoise right now.

Wonderful Wednesday

Thanks to everyone who said nice things about my Valentine's Post yesterday :) Wednesday is so great it deserves two O'sOTD! Yesterday was the first day of my outreach job. I go out to area elementary schools and teach kids about music and over a 10 week period or so, have a couple of small groups of kids work on their own compositions (songs). They teach the song to their classmates and then they give a giant performance at the end of the year. Not that I'm the greatest composer on the Earth, but I can teach a 4th grader, the basics :)

When I was playing dress up in my closet on Tuesday night, I thought that the Pinochle Skirt and the Stretching Sprigs Cardi were great together! I was very colorful, but I thought this was a really fun outfit.

Cardi: Anthropologie Stretching Sprigs Cardigan

Skirt: Anthropologie Pinochle Skirt

Top: Anthropologie Scalinata Top

Boots: Bowtied-Beauty Boots

Belt: Anthropologie High Prairie Belt

Of course...after this was over, I got to go home and take a nap and putz around before rehearsal...so here's the second OOTD: I couldn't resist...

Dress: Anthropologie Color-Dipped Dress

Cardi: Anthropologie Cherry Cardi (don't know the name, thrifted!)

Shoes: Bare Traps

Tuesday morning after I got off from work, I basically RAN to Anthro and picked this up for the new 2nd cut price of $49.95. I was stalking this one like a hawk and when the price dropped, I pounced like a lioness on a gazelle. I'm so glad I was patient! This dress was sitting in my closet taunting me, so I decided to wear it to rehearsal. This dress is SOOOOOO fun to wear! There were a lot of negative reviews about the belt it comes with...but I actually think it's cute and works well with the dress. This dress is a dream...if you find one...buy it. It's DIRT cheap, EXTREMELY well-made and cutey McCuterson.

I cannot stop thinking about the Botany Book Dress, so I'm going to try it on tomorrow after work. I am looking forward to doing some great reviews for you!

OOTD: Pinochle Anyone?

Hi Ladies! I've been away for a few days! I have been so crazy and a bit under the weather, but I'm back in full-force! It's Monday night!!! Do you guys think there will be an Anthro Sale tomorrow!? I'm going to sweat it out at Effortless Anthropologie (Roxy's Sale Guessing Game!) to see what the lowdown is! Monday nights sale speculation is always fun, even if I don't necessarily want anything. Plus, I'm on a shopping ban until Christmas. I'm hoping to get to Anthro tomorrow to go and try on some new arrivals and hopefully not buy anything.

Anyway, this outfit is from Saturday night! My hubs and I went on a dinner date to a trendy restaurant in our neighborhood and I thought it would be the perfect night to break in the Pinochle Skirt I scored for its second cut price of $19.95. There's something about seeing the two slashed prices with red pen that is ridiculously satisfying. Seeing three slashes is even MORE satisfying. I almost don't want to take the tag off my Marine Mural Dress, I just want to look at the price cuts and smile, but it MUST be worn! It's just too quirky - like me.

Top: Ann Taylor Petites (SUPER old)

Cardi: Anthropologie (thrifted)

Skirt: Anthropologie Pinochle Skirt

Boots: Payless

I look at this outfit and I wonder if it actually worked, but it's off my person now and it doesn't matter. The cardi is one I found at my FAVE consignment shop in the universe, Second Time Around. There are a few around the Boston area, but the one closest to me is in an affluent neighborhood and is in a quiet shopping center, so I ALWAYS score majorly. There are always lots of old Anthro pieces as well as other sweet designer items. I have gotten some gorgeous Karen Millen pieces for a steal. It's ridiculous. Anyway, I saw this little Moth Cardigan hanging out by itself. It's actually a really sweet little piece. You can't see the detail in the photo, but it has two gorgeous buttons in the front and the back has this super duper crosshatch area. I picked it up for a steal (15 bucks I think) and I got another black, beaded Odille Top also.

The pink boatneck top I've had forever and LOVE! It's a regular go-to piece for me and is totally flattering. I figured it would pick up the pink in the skirt. I don't for the life of me, understand why the card print on the skirt is a mirror image. I don't know if it's a mistake or what, but my cards are backwards! It doesn't matter though, because it's still cute. I won't lie though...it's a little snug, so I won't be eating a big meal in this!

Let's hope for another big sale tomorrow!