A couple weeks ago Austin and I traveled to Mexico to celebrate our 3 year wedding anniversary! We both had never been to Cabo, so we were very excited to experience this new place together. Many of you have asked about places to stay and eat so I wanted to be sure a do a recap of our trip.
Please feel free to email (theteacherdiva@gmail.com) or comment with further questions.
Where to Stay?
During our trip we stayed at the Riu Palace. This resort was absolutely beautiful and we loved all of the amenities. The Riu Palace is all inclusive, and offered 24h room service. It was fabulous!
During the day we spent most of our time by the pool or beach. We loved staying by the pool because of the service. We had snacks, drinks, waters brought to us all day long...it was pretty nice! Our overall experience was very positive. We would definitely want to go back again!
Striped Tunic (wearing a small) | Ripped Denim | Sunglasses |
How to Wear Jogger Pants
Today I wanted to share with you one of my favorite looks for fall. I love this look because it can easily be dressed up for work or down for something a bit more casual. I've never owned anything army green (except for this moto jacket) so I was pretty excited to find how easy these are to wear with other neutrals, pops of color and patterns.
I found these pants when I was searching for some new fall gear, and immediately fell in love with them. They are soft, comfortable and pair well with so many different tops and shoes. So, if you're wondering how you can swing these for work, I suggest pairing with a chambray top or white blouse if the t-shirt is too casual. I also have worn these pants with these sandals and these flats in case you're on your feet most of the day (for flats, those both offer decent support).
See below for more of my favorite jogger pants. Thanks for stopping by! xx
Beat of Your Drum
When WHBM asked for me to join them in their #BeatOfYourDrum campaign, I immediately knew this was something I wanted to be a part of. Aside from their beautiful new fall collection, this is a launch that is all about empowering others and sharing how you live to the beat of your own drum. What makes you,you!
Growing up, my parents always taught me to be true to myself and follow my dreams. They encouraged me to be confident, yet humble, and appreciate life's blessings both big and small. As an adult, I aim to carry those values daily. When I think about what it means to live to the beat of your drum, I immediately think of living life authentically and being true to yourself. Not giving in to what others do or say, and going after you dreams and passions.
How do I live to the beat of my own drum? Well, recently, I've started to take more chances. Many of you know this by my decision to take this blog full time. I used to let the fear of change scare me and hinder my ability to try new things. It wasn't until this last year when I learned to kick fear to the curb and take a leap of faith. Following my dreams one day at a time...or at least trying to!
I invite ...
Instagram Lately .04
Happy Friday! I wanted to share a few looks from instagram over the past week.
Also, tonight is the Charming Charlie Event at Preston Park Village! Come stop by between 6-8 and enter to win some giveaways and check out Charming Charlie's new take on necklace layering...I am so impressed with their new collection!
I would love to meet you!
RSVP at press@charmingcharlie.com
the pink pumps run a little big, i went down a 1/2 size
This YSL Lipgloss is called " #113 Coral Reformer" and is a pretty coral/nude. It doesn't make a huge statement, but it perfect for everyday.
Back To School Guide for Under $100
Well, the first week of school is officially here and it's just as bittersweet as I imagined. After talking to my fellow teacher friends last night, it was fun to reminisce on the past 6 years (see my classroom here, here and here), share crazy stories, and laugh about good times. I am just reminded of how amazing all of you teachers are. I wish all of you the best of luck with your new classroom and a wonderful start of the year!
I have received many emails regarding back to school fashion, from both teachers and students. I wanted to share with you some of my favorite looks for back to school, keeping in mind that they can be for both teacher or student. Almost every item is under $100. These are great because they can be mixed and matched with things you probably already own. Plus they make great transition pieces for Fall.
My personal favorite is this striped dress. It's so soft and perfect for work. I plan to wear this with an oversized cardigan (like this or this) and a pair of booties similar to
Necklace Layering 101
After organizing my jewelry collection this past week, it's very obvious I like simple and delicate pieces. I found the occasional statement piece but more often than not, I prefer to layer delicate necklaces, rings and bracelets instead of one large piece.
These necklaces from Charming Charlie immediately caught my eye. They are delicate, affordable, and perfect for layering!
When layering necklaces, there's a few tips I like to keep in mind.
1. Pick Your Favorite Short Style
Look for pieces that are minimal, and hit right at your collar bone. I love the Bria Vertical Bar Necklace. It's versatile and looks great with just about any stack!
2. Layer On a Chic Mid-Length
When layering, don't be afraid to mix metals. I love the idea of mixing rose gold with gold or even throwing in some silver.
3. Add an Elegant Long Piece
Charming Charlie has made this look so easy and effortless with their new necklace layering collection. I had such a hard time picking just three! See more from the collection here.
Best. Necklaces. Always!
If you like jewelry and accessories as much as me, I invite you to come out to Charming Charlie in Preston Park Village on Friday, August 28th from 6-8pm. I will be sharing style tips and there will also be ...
The Fringe Bucket Bag
As a long time fan of Rebecca Minkoff I am so excited to share with you one of her latest handbags from her exclusive collection with Nordstrom. You may have noticed fringe is a huge trend for fall and winter fashion and after seeing this trend all over the runways, I couldn't wait to see how I could incorporate it into a realistic, everyday look. Not limited to jackets, we are seeing fringe details on skirts, dresses, and my favorite... handbags.
This fringe bucket bag by Rebecca Minkoff was exactly what I wanted. I love the size and the fact that the strap can adjust for a cross-body or shoulder bag. The fringe details are the right amount of "trend" without being over the top and I have found that this bag goes with so many prints, solids, and textures.
Rebecca Minkoff is one of my favorite designers and I have been carrying her purses and accessories for years. I was thrilled to see that this bag was part of her collaboration with Nordstrom (and couldn't wait to get one for myself). The bag also comes in brown and green. See more from Rebecca Minkoff here.
Thanks for stopping by! xx
Grey Popover Tunic
Simplicity is always number one in my book and this popover tunic (now 40% off with code FALLGAP) is no exception. Not only do I love the texture, but the relaxed fit makes it versatile for many occasions. It's one of those pieces that looks great tucked in or left untucked for an effortless vibe.
As we start seeing more fall pieces come into the mix, I try to find clothing that can be worn both now and later. This top is great to wear now with these shorts, but thinking ahead, I love the look with black leggings (my favorite) and tall black boots.
On a side note, I need to say thank you again for the kind words, emails and comments regarding this post. It was not easy to share, and honestly I was very scared to be so open and transparent. You guys are awesome and I genuinely appreciate each of you.
Thank you!
Outfit Details: Gap
The Softest T-Shirt
One of my favorite items hanging in my closet now is this t-shirt. It's just one of those tops where I wish I had it in every color. I recently purchased this top simply because of the fit and color, but when it came in the mail I was surprised at how soft it was. Not only was I crazy about the comfort, but I love how the shirt fits. It a little longer in the back (which I'm always for) and the rolled sleeves make for a unique look.
I've worn this top with jeans, but I love wearing it with these white pants. The color combo is one of my favorites and I have always been a fan of neutrals. I actually just ordered this top in the "fatigue" color and black. I figure I will always need a black v neck and this sand color will look amazing with these white pants or green pants this fall.
On another note, I'm heading to the design district today to work on a fun project with Peacock Alley that I will be sharing with you guys later this fall. I will be posting some behind the scenes footage on my snapchat (theteacherdiva), be sure to check it out!
Thanks for stopping by! xx
A Weekend in Sonoma
pink dress (tts) | cross body satchel (size mini) | ring set | monogram necklace | watch
A few weeks ago, Austin, myself and 8 of our close friends traveled to Napa and Sonoma for a beautiful, destination wedding. This was our second trip to wine country, but it was just as wonderful as the first.
Many of you asked about our favorite vineyards, places to eat and lodging recommendations, so I wanted to be sure I did a complete review of our stay and include some of our favorite stops. As always, feel free to reach out with questions!
Where to Eat in Sonoma & Napa
One of my favorite things about traveling, is trying new food and visiting neat restaurants. Breakfast is number one in my book and between Sonoma and Napa, we had some delicious meals. One of my favorite places for brunching with a view was The Fremont Diner. The weather is near perfect in Northern California so this makes for the perfect outside dining experience. We sat on a picnic table that overlooked beautiful hills and vineyards. I had the
