Fashion vs. Style

As Alexander Wang once said, "Anyone can get dressed up and glamorous, but it is how people dress in their days off that are the most intriguing."  This quote inspires me in many ways.  It inspires me to dress "better" on a daily basis, and to dress more true to my self and my sense of personal style.  But this quote also brings up the question, what is the difference between fashion and style?

The Marriam-Webster dictionary's definition of 'fashion' is "a popular way of dressing during a particular time or among a popular group of people."  Seems simple enough.  Fashion is what designers produce for us, four times a year, at their shows.  It is the trends the stores and media present, and what the shoppers/readers consume.  But as Yves Saint Laurent once said, "Fashions fade, style is eternal."  So if fashion is external and fleeting, what is style?

Style is internal.  It is who you are as an individual.  Many people can follow a fashion trend.  Style is more personal.  With style, there is no herd to follow.  Rachel Zoe said, "Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak."  In a world where first impressions are important, one must know what image they are portraying to the world.  Style is not only the clothes we wear, but how we carry ourselves.  A pet peeve of mine is when people wear pajama pants out in public.  This shows defeat.  If you are going out of your home....put some pants on.  Please.  Dressing for success will not only have you looking good, it will have you feeling good.  And by success, I mean an outfit true to you.  If you are self-confident and embrace your own sense of style, you will radiate beauty.  But how does one begin to understand, build, and maintain their style?  I have a few tips to help you with just that!

First, assess your wardrobe and then downsize.  How many items in your closet do you actually wear?  Do you stand in the middle of your closet, frustrated because you have "nothing to wear?"  Do you try on multiple outfits and then end up leaving the house in your original outfit?  If so, you need to revamp your wardrobe!  I always find it hard to do this.  Being a shopper, and the daughter of a mother who loves to hoard (sorry Mom!), I never want to get rid of anything.  The common thoughts of What if I need that one day?, What if that comes back in style? and But I used to love that!, pop into my head.  Because of that, I have made a rule to follow when downsizing my closet.  I ask myself, have I worn this in the last year?  If not, toss it.  At times I need to be ruthless.  Favorite shirt from when you were a teen?  Toss it.  That favorite trend you were really into two years ago (mine was skulls)?  Toss it.  You've evolved past it!  Remember, it is better to have five amazing pieces in your closet, than twenty-five mediocre ones.

Once you have pulled all the old, it's time to focus on the key items.  This will not only help you discard other unwanted and unworn clothing/accessories, but it will also help you see what you actually do need to shop for.  You might not have noticed that you were missing an essential wardrobe item, such as black heels, because all the clutter.  I listed a few essentials for the working woman in my previous post, 9 Things Every Nanny Needs in Her Closet for the Fall.  Of course, there are other key items that a woman will need in life. It is all dependent on your life style, daily routine, and personal views.

Now that you have cleansed your closet, it is time to start building on to it!  This is the fun part!  Keep in mind that you should shop strategically, not aimlessly. Look for pieces that you identify with, but are also versatile.  I like to think of possible outfits while shopping.  I also like to think of my fashion inspirations, and favorite style icons, and take from there.  However, it is important, when buying clothes, to buy the correct size!!  I cannot stress this enough!  Do not buy things that you "want to fit into."  Buy clothes that fit you now.  Trust me, you will look and feel better.  Once you have the basics, you can start to add additional pieces and accessories to complete your looks.

  Remember, don't follow the herd.  Once you gain self-confidence you'll be able to fully embrace your own style.  As Coco Chanel once said, "In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different."  Focus less on fashion trends and more on your sense of style, and how you carry yourself.  Your fashion sense may have people liking the way you look, but your style is what will keep people intrigued.

Have a great rest of the week!  Thank you for stopping by, Cute Teachings!

Casual Saturday

This week has been a rough one with my grandfather passing. He was 92 years old when kidney failure and cancer took his life. He and I were extremely close. When I was a young girl, he would attend every sporting event and be the loudest fan, cheering on the sidelines. He was always amazing to me and my family. Being the oldest grandchild, I was very lucky to have him for twenty-six years. I will always remember him and the amazing times we had together. RIP Papa.

I have been busy and distracted this week with everything going on. Therefore, I wanted to dress casual for Express today. This morning was a little chilly in Boston so I decided to wear lite jogger pants and a denim, long-sleeve shirt. At Express, they love a layered outfit, dressed up with jewelry!

My tee, denim shirt, and jogger pants are all from Express. The wash of my shirt is not sold any more. However, Express sells a Light Wash Denim Boyfriend Shirt that is similar. My Garment Dyed Fitted V-Neck Tee is on sale for $9.99, at the moment. My casual jogger pant are no longer sold in stores. Express does have a dressier version of my pant. They are the Pleated Jersey Jogger Pant and they are absolutely amazing! I love the material! They are very versatile and can be worn for work, casual days, or nights out. 

I hope you all had a better week than I did, and continue to having a nice weekend! Thanks for stopping by Cute Teachings!

Wish List Wednesday

Happy Hump Day! My week is going so well, and I hope your's is too! My boyfriend is still in Texas so my German Shepherd, Piper, and I have been spending the week at my parents' house. They have been so incredibly sweet to the both of us, and we are having the best visit! I cannot wait for my boyfriend to come home though! 

Although my boyfriend is on the top of my wish list, here are a couple other things that are as well...

I know that previously I have posted a Fossil Sydney Satchel that is this pattern, but I am just so obsessed! Since I purchased the Sydney Satchel in a different pattern I am really loving on this Sydney Shopper. I was able to see this purse in the store and it is an amazing size for nannying! You can fit all the toys, wet wipes, and other odds and ends that kids may need. Hopefully this pattern will finally make it's way into my closet!

I know, I am obsessed with Fossil! This Long Jade Pendant Necklace would look absolutely perfect with my necklace collection though. Furthermore, this would be a great fall accessory.  Maroon is in this season and can be found throughout many stores. I saw this piece in store and it gorgeous! One day this necklace will be resting around my neck.

I hope you guys have a great rest of the week! Thank you for stopping by Cute Teachings!

Sunday at Express

Today was an absolutely amazing day at work! I got a lot of positive feedback from customers about my outfit. It is so sweet to hear people say I look nice, and even more flattering to have them ask where they can find it. I actually sold my outfit to three customers! Therefore, I thought I should add it to the blog.

My Gray One Eleven Long Side Slit Tee is from Express. My Sexy Stretch Leggings are from Express. My watch was a gift, and is from Fossil. My Sydney Satchel is made by Fossil but purchased at DSW.com. My necklace was a gift, and is from Nigeria. My Chevron Weave Fedora is from Express. My suede booties are from Aldo. I bought these last year and Aldo is not selling them right now. However, they have tons of great booties (some including fringe) that I would just love to have! 

I hope you all have a great start to the week! As always, thanks for stopping by Cute Teachings!

Home Sweet Home

Hello, Boston! I am back in town and loving our sunny, blue skies. I had the most wonderful time in Texas! I wish I could have stayed longer but I am happy to be home. I spent a lot of quality time with my boyfriend and his family. It was absolutely amazing! Now, it is time to get back to work. But first, here are some outfit details that I had during my vacation.

My Black & White Mesh Skirt Fit & Flare Dress is from Express.

I purchased my shoes from the DSW on Washington Street in Downtown Boston. However, when I looked online I found that DSW only sells Coach in stores, not online.

My bracelets come from a combination of various places. The first and third bangles are from Forever 21. They are not sold at the moment but I really enjoy their bangle selection. The second one from the top was made for me by my mother. And the last bangle was a gift given to me for being in my cousin's wedding. My ring was hand-made at a boardwalk in Florida.

My Basic Black Top is from H&M. My ripped jean shorts are from Express. They are not sold online at the moment but they are having a sale on their denim jeans right now. You can either find mine in stores or a similar pair online. I bought my Lucky Brand Emmie flats from Marshalls. My necklace and purse are from Nigeria.

My maxi dress is from Marshalls and was purchased last summer. My top two bracelets were given to me as a gift. I found my bottom bracelet from a yard sale in Maine. My Sydney Satchel is from Fossil but I purchased it from DSW.com.

My striped tee is from Express. My shorts are from Charlotte Russe. I bought both of these items a few summers ago and are not available at this time. My shoes are from Nine West but I bought them from Marshalls. 

My Ray-Bans are from Sunglass Hut. My necklace was hand-made by my mother. My Kimono is from JC Penney. 

My top two bracelets, the bottom bracelet, and my ring were gifts. I bought the large bracelet from Barcelona.  

During the Texas heat I chose to wear basic, diverse outfits and dress them up with some details. I was able to enjoy my time while feeling comfortable and looking cute. I love being home but cannot wait to see where my next trip will be! 

Thanks for stopping by, Cute Teachings!

Traveling to Texas

My countdown to vacation has ended and I am finally in Texas!! I could not be more excited! However, I was thinking about a question the boys' father once asked me. He mentioned how, many people count down the days to vacation because they cannot wait to get away from their place of work and the daily stresses of their jobs. He asked if that were the case for me. Without hesitation I responded "no." I love my job and my relationship with the boys. Every day I go to work with a positive attitude, because I am excited for all the fun the day has in store. Hopefully my readers feel the same about their careers! I had a vacation countdown for two reasons. One, between Express and nannying I work, on average, a total of sixty-three hours a week. I love both my jobs but it feels nice to take a break every once in a while. Two, I get to spend time with my boyfriend's family! His sister lives in Texas and his parents live in Africa. I do not get to see them as much as I would like to. During this trip I will be staying with them at the house he spent most of his teen years. I cannot wait to be shown around and learn a little more about him and a state I have never been to. It is important to slow down and spend quality time with those you love, or just to have time to yourself. 

As a nanny, your vacation affects many individuals and their schedules, especially the children. It is important to keep this in mind. I felt bad leaving the kids and my dog but sometimes it has to be done. The best you can do is let them know ahead of time that you won't be there for a certain amount of days. It's important, and part of a nanny's job, to make transitions as smooth as possible. That being said, don't not take vacation time because you feel guilty for leaving. The kids will miss you, but rest is important. Especially when it comes to working with children! A run down nanny is not the best nanny.

Now, let's talk about the "perfect" outfit for traveling. I have not found one yet. My boyfriend is a veteran flyer and I am still a rookie. I am still figuring out the do's and don'ts of traveling by air. For example, I wore my Lucky Brand flats for comfort, but needed to take off my shoes for security. Walking around barefoot was not ideal for me. Furthermore, for this flight I especially wanted to look cute but casual. I was meeting my boyfriend's abuelas once I landed! They speak Spanish and know very little English. I wanted to make sure that I looked nice for the first impression. I think I was able to come up with a presentable outfit that was still comfortable for traveling. 

My shirt and shorts are from Forever 21. My watch and purse are from Fossil. However, I bought the purse from DSW. My ring is from Lia Sophia. My shoes are Lucky Brand but purchased from Marshalls. My necklace was a gift and came from Nigeria.

Let me know how you like to dress while traveling, and your favorite destinations! As always, thanks for stopping by Cute Teachings!

Wish List Wednesday

Happy Hump Day! I hope you all are having as great a week as I am. I've had so much fun playing with the boys! Monday they spent their day running through the sprinkler in their backyard and on Tuesday we went to see the Minion Movie! The movie was so cute and we were lucky enough to go with my sister, the two girls she nannies, and my mom. One of the main reasons why I love being around children is it reminds me of when I was young. This week definitely brought me back to the simplicity of childhood. There was a lot of dirty feet, sticky hands from Popsicles, and smiles. Aside from my time with the boys I have been packing for my trip to Texas. I leave tomorrow and could not be more excited to venture out to a new state.

I have taken a little break from packing to bring you my Wish List Wednesday! Every Wednesday I will be making a wish list of items I would love to have in my closet. Let me know if you're crushing on the same pretty pieces!

I want to begin with a celebrity outfit. Although I can appreciate Kylie Jenner's look, we usually do not share the same style. Mine is more boho and her's is more modern. But I have to say, I am in love with the over-sized flannel dress she rocked last week. What really caught my eye about this dress was the way it flowed. It is cute while still being comfortable to wear while running around with the kids. In my mind, flannels are always a fall most!

Next on my list is my summer obsession...sunglasses! I don't own a pair of nice sunglasses, but I would absolutely love to. That said, I have my eye on a couple of Ray Bans. I like the blue/violet mirror Aviator Flash Lenses and the blue/gray classic Clubmaster Fleck. Hopefully one of these will be mine soon!

The third item on my wish list is a pair of New Balance casual sneakers. Last Christmas I traveled to Barcelona with my boyfriend's family. While we were there, his sister and I saw New Balance sneakers everywhere! At first we were so surprised. But by the end of the trip we were vowing to each other that we would own a pair. Sure enough, the trend hit the states. My boyfriend's sister bought a pair in green but I still have yet to get mine. For me, comfortable sneakers are a must when it comes to nannying. If you work with children, who wouldn't love this trend? You get to wear cute, comfortable sneakers while still being trendy! 

Lastly, I end with a Fossil Sydney Crossbody. This new pattern reminds me of the 70's trend that is happening right now. Let me just say, if I were born in the 70's I would be in all my glory. I am excited this trend is making a comeback! I chose the crossbody because I recently bought one of Fossil's Sydney Satchels. I loved the shape and look of the bag but would love a little diversity. Plus, purses are my shopping weakness. The petite, yet spacious, size of this bag makes the pattern add just enough to an outfit without being too much. The purse's light weight, and Fossil's amazing quality, make it a perfect purchase for any hard working nanny! Not to mention Fossil's excellent customer service. Not only are the purses fashionable and durable, but Fossil will repair damages that may occur to the bag during its use. Fossil produces reliable purses that are great for any nanny and her busy day!

This season is all about old trends making a comeback! Let me know what you thought about my wish list, and what would be on yours. Thanks!