30x30 week 3 and Monday Morning Gossip

Hey guys!!

I'm back and finished with my Master's in English Literature...well technically i have one final 15 page essay to write by Thurs...which I am trying to find the motivation to finish writing. But as of this coming Saturday I will be a Cal State Fullerton English lit MA graduate!! Sooo excited!!

Since I don't want this to be a super long post, but am linking up with Leeann of Join the Gossip for some Monday Morning Gossip, my gossip is to stay tuned this week because I will have some recaps on some of the fun things I did these past couple of weeks, including an injury that reminds me I am turning 30 in about a month and a half.

Moving on the the 30x30 May challenge!!

This week again wasn't too bad, since I still had some things I haven't worn. I did have some challenge in re-mxing some pieces.
Oh and some extra "gossip" about the 30x30 challenge...our little group of women are soo amazing and I, personally, have had a blast getting to know them and love the supportive side of blogging!! Anyways, we have had such a greta time in doing this, we decided to host a giveaway to one of our readers!! Stay tuned next week for more info!!

Here's a recap of previous weeks. (The "collage" is courtesy of Kelly's how-to. I'm still playing around with it)

Onto this week!!
Day 13
I had field trip #2 this day and wanted to dress comfortably for the aquarium we were visiting. The weather once again was HOT!! I figured 100 degrees "inland" would mean a comfortable 70 degrees on the coast...WRONG!! It was a nice 85-90 degrees and I chose to wear my JCrew leopard cardigan (it is pretty light material!!) with my JCrew coral tank top, GAP boyfriend jeans and Steve Madden flats. The tank top is a cotton-ployester blend and was not breathable material...I was dying to take off my cardigan but I feel weird with wearing a tank top around my students. I just feel unprofessional showing so much skin...even though it's just my arms. Weird? Although there are some no-sleeve button up shirts I will wear to work without a cardigan, just not a tank top like the one I had on....weird?
I already feel a little weird having my student J take pics, but we went into the bird cage and I wanted to feed the birds and used that as an opportunity for an outfit picture hahaha. My students still thought I was weird for asking for a picture hahaha oh well!! wow i say "weird" a lot...need  to find a new word..suggestions? hahaha

Day 14
I have been dressing so casual for work that I wanted to go back to more "business-casual" dress I usually wear Mon-Wed. Our district is pretty relaxed in dress code for teachers and most of my colleagues are professional/ business casual  in dress and we have an established casual Friday's, where we all wear jeans and school spirit shirts or our college alumni shirts. Anyways, today I went for a skirt since the weather was still pretty hot. I wore my JCrew striped shirt, JCrew yellow skirt and Juicy Couture wrap up wedges.

close up of the wedges...I love these soo much...I wore them on vacation in France the day we went to Versailles 

Day 15
Today I kept up with the business casual look for work...but I guess I looked super fancy or something because all day long I was complimented and then immediately asked if I had an important event after school. OR I was just asked why I dressed up. I do like to dress nicely and I think everyone on campus knows that by now, but I still get those "Why are your dressed up?" comments. And like I said my colleagues do dress professional enough, but I'm the only female teacher who takes "fashionable risks", I guess...
I wore my JCrew black cardigan, JCrew leopard shirt, Old Navy black skirt and Steve Madden heels. I added a tan belt OVER my cardigan and shirt (something I have seen from the other bloggers in this challenge and wanted to try it myself :))

What do you think? Too fancy? Too dressy for work?

Day 16
Since I try to do business casual Mon-Wed, on Thursdays I go just a bit more casual and start wearing flats. yes I teach jr. high school in heels....all 6 hours :) I had a presentation for my grad school class after school and wanted to look nice. I wore my JCrew blue cardigan, JCrew anchor sequin tank, JCrew army-green cafe capris and Report loafers.

Day 17
Today was a CRAZY, CRAZY day!! I had my Master's thesis project defense presentation starting at 1  (my presentation time was at 3 thou, but we had to go for the entire time) AND we had an assembly for the school's talent show as well as a special "Great job on state testing" Carnival day. I knew I would not have a lot of time in between leaving work after my 4th period/ lunch and getting to campus for my presentation. I wore 1/2 of my "professional dress" to work so that I would be comfortable at work and change quickly before my presentation. For work I wore my JCrew blue gingham button up with JCrew jeans and Report Loafers. I also added in a fabulous necklace from GroopDealz.

I didn't get a picture but for my presentation, I wore my black JCrew trousers and took off the necklace (didn't want the necklace to be a distraction) and added my JCrew blue cardigan  seen above and read Kenneth Cole wedges. It was the one time this whole challenge I didn't get a picture!! oh well...

Day 18
Saturdays go by sooo fast!! I went to Pure Barre, the post office to drop off my Preview to Summer blogger book swap, then to a open-house/William Sonoma event at a housing development we may buy a house in. After Pure Barre I changed into my blue Shabby Apple maxi dress and topped it off with my JCrew leopard cardigan and another belt over both. I wore my Rainbow sandals for comfort.
I actually really, really dislike wearing shows and would much rather be in sandals all day, everyday!!

What did you think of this week? So now all 30 pieces...except for one jacket have been used...now these last weeks will require extra thought in re-mixing...I hope it's not too bad :)

Be sure to check out the other ladies int he challenge :)

30x30 week 2

Hey people!!

Ok so I am in the home stretch of grad school!! I cannot wait til I do not have to write those 2 little words anymore!! I basically have to finish editing my 30 page project, start/finish a 15 page paper for my one regular class, prepare 2 separate presentations for my thesis project and my regular class and I'm done!!!! (does anyone else think of Tamra Barney from Real Housewives of Orange County GIF? **** Thanks to Matt for helping me with this GIF!!)

Moving on to this next installment of the 30x30 challenge :)
It's a little harder as the days go by...I should have added in shorts, but since I can't wear shorts to work, it's almost pointless for just weekend wear. I have plenty of skirts/ dresses to keep me happy in these next weeks of HOT weather!! I'm still playing around with pictures/ photographers...this week I had 4 different photographers!! I know my pictures aren't the best, but I'm more worried about getting the pictures than the quality (oops!! is that a no-no for blogland? grad school priorities here people!! haha)

Recap of 1-7:

Day 8:
I had field trip #1 and I was a little tired of my school spirit shirts, so I grabbed a fave go-to outfit: JCrew black and white striped sweater, Gap boyfriend jeans and Tom's. I added some jewelry to give it a fancy feel. It was a nice day and the sweater is really light... a perfect So Cal sweater that can be worn through out the year.

both bracelets are from sophistifunk

Hard to see but my Tom's are painted with roses and Delta Zeta letters :)

Day 9:
I felt like dressing up a little for work since I had so many casual days. I paired my magenta-purple Nordstrom dress with my chambray JCrew button up. I used the dress as a skirt and tied up the chambray so it would be short. I haven't tied up my shirt in YEARS (last time I can remember was for the Phi Sigma Kappa Catholic School girl party in 2003-ish and before that when it was cool in 6th grade...ahh the grunge 90's ) I also added black tights because I am paranoid of my dresses/ skirts being too short for work, but tights make me feel better...topped off with my black Steve Madden boots.

Day 10:
Today was Gatsby day!! I wanted to wear my Gatsby shirt (seen here) but I had to wear my Night of the School Mascot spirit shirt to support my 8th grade team. I wanted to give some kind of Gatsby vibe to my outfit so I wore my pink Jolie headband I won in a giveaway from Kelly over at Messy Dirty Hair and added my Steve Madden leopard with pink trim flats.

Later that night was actual Gatsby movie night!! I decided to follow the challenge and not wear my Gatsby shirt and wore my Jcrew white v-neck with rhinestones, Jcrew black cardigan, Gap boyfriend Jeans and Gap leopard loafers (? driving flats? what is this style called again?). I added my Juicy Couture bird headband for a pop of color and again a Gatsby/ 1920's-ish feel.

Close up of my head band

Day11: 
Saturday was a grad school/ manicure day. I got my nails done and threw this outfit on: JCrew black tank, Citizen of Humanities denim walking shorts, Rainbow flip flops and a hat.

Day12:
Mother's day was spent at my parent's house in Chino with 100 degree weather!! It was hot but my Shabby Apple blue maxi dress made it bearable. I paired it with my glitter-y sandals from Target. Thanks to my sisters Stephanie for taking my pics!! I have to say i love this dress because it's Super long!! yay!! as a "tall" person, maxi dresses are never long enough, but this one is...I'm even thinking of cutting it because I step over it when I walk.

my manicure

the sandals

I think I'm doing well with getting all pieces in these past two weeks, so I expect these next coming weeks will get tougher now that I have used most of the pieces/ outfits. Is it repeat outfits if I wear it with different bottoms? Thoughts on that?

Be sure to check out the other ladies in the challenge!!

30x30 Week 1

Hey guys

I'm in the middle of finishing grad school and not posting other than this project...2 more weeks holy cow and I'm done!!!

Okay so this first week of the 30x30 went by pretty well. You can check out my pics here. I'm trying to figure out the picture situation....so far some mirror selfless, some nicer pics courtesy of the husband and.... I roped one of 8th graders into taking pictures hahaha!! She enjoys it and finds it funny, but does it with a smile on her face....Thanks J-!!!

Day 1:

So I used my leopard tank with the black cardigan and my green cafe capris tourers and tan flats for work. I added in my Juicy couture head band as an accessory. This was the first pic J. took of me and it was very quick...I have to train her a bit more hahaha 

Then later that night I had a dinner double date with Matt's BFF and his BFF's girlfriend. They live in New Mexico and were in town for a week...I could have cheated and worn anyhting, but since I have to cheat for my graduation...I figured this would make up for that hahaha. I wore my black maxi dress and a floral tank over it with sparkly sandals.

 Day 2:
I wore my grey striped shirt and black jeans with my leopard flats. Gettin better with the pictures, but now I have to work on my facial expressions and not blinking hahaha.
Confession. I have 3 tattoos....which is nothing and I love them all, but I do get a bit nervous with my students seeing them. I have a very obvious one on my foot, not so obvious on my right hip and my newest is on the back of my neck. I got that on New Year's an until I wore THIS shirt, none of my students knew. But this shirt didn't over it up as much and students saw it...ooops!! oh well!!

 Day 3:
Today was Night of the School Mascot!! It's a night when a team of 10 8th graders and 2 teachers compete in silly, fun games from after school to midnight. It's fun and a great bonding event for teacher sand students. So I wore my team shirt, jeans and sparkly sandals. I changed into yoga pants and sneakers to play the actual games....I'll post about this later....but I got hurt doing the limbo challenge!! Basically sprained my hip/groin really bad!!

Day 4:

I could barely walk after Night of the School Mascot, so I basically stayed in pj's all day trying to rest and recover in order to go to my friend's bachelorette party...to which I wore my Messy Project nude hi-low dress with my studded belt and black wedges...for this pictures only!! I actually wore some black sparkly Steve Madden sandals because I COULD NOT walk!!

Day 5:

I felt better with my hip and not hungover-hungover, but 2 nights of staying up and running around alll night did it's toll and again I stayed in pj's all day until we went out to run errands and I threw on my Black maxi dress with my grey cardigan since it was cold. THANK GOODNESS!!! I added my black maxi dress!! I find it's a very quick and easy outfit for anything I need to do :)

Day 6:

I misread a text from another teacher and wore my Night of the School Mascot team shirt....we're suppose to wear it Friday...so that will be the third time I wear the same shirt hahaha I paired it with my grey cardigan, black jeans and tan boots. See J is getting better at the pics!! and I'm getting more comfortable hahahah

Day 7:

I took a day off to work on my grad school stuff, so I stayed in sweats and a tee shirt almost all day. I had a audiologist/ doctor's appointment so I threw on my leopard shirt, black cardigan and jeans and tan flats. I should look at the mirror for some selfie's huh? :)

Not bad for my first week I would say. It was pretty easy and convenient to grab from pre-selected clothes...since I have been snoozing a lot more and running a tad bit late for work.

If you follow me on Instagram, then you've seen these already...ooops...if not follow me: @katgdfastiggi

Can't wait to see what everyone else did!! Check out other bloggers, including the "host" Kelly, for more 30x30 challenges!!

Kitty Tales #3: Meowpocalypse

Hey people!!

So excited for today's link up with my IRL (in real life) friend, Tiffany at Polka Dotted Cats!!

If you read Tiffany's blog, then you've read her once-a-month hilarious and entertaining JMeow Diaries.  (Although I demand more!! Do you hear that Tiffany's I demand more Meow on the blog!! hahah Love ya)  The diaries are  updates of all the craziness that surrounds JMeow and her human slaves wonderful owners. 

So according to Tiffany's explanation today is the day "we will share our stories in one safe place. And all hold hands and remember that sometimes our pets are the boss of us whether we like it or not." As much as I love my fur babies they can really be little brats!!
You can read Kors' story here and Spade's story here.

Kors enjoying outside time with his leash on

Spade loves drowning things in the toilet

Kors watching from his cat tree

Spade likes to drink ice

So while Kors and Spade are loving and cute little things..they can be annoying buttholes!!

They love to curl up with us when we sleep...and take over the bed!!

Spade likes to dig thru my purse for recipes or any paper really and...watch the video!!

she loves to play catch with the paper!!

Kors doesn't let us go to the bathroom alone. I have yet to catch him in action on my camera, but if we are in the bathroom...on the toilet or in the shower, Kors opens the door and wants to know what going on.

upside down kitty

Both cats like each other. Kors is a great big brother to Spade

Spade mimics Kors ALL the time

They love to watch from the window/ cat tree

BUUUUTTTT.....since she is almost 2 years younger, like any good little sister, she annoys him!!

****Disclaimer: The following video is them "playing". Spade likes to push Kors and tries to get her way, usually Kors gives up and lets her have her way, but once in a while Kors fights back.

30 x 30 Challenge

Hey ladies!!

I am so excited to link up with Kelly over at Mrs-In-Training for the May 30 x 30 Challenge!!

So the 30 x 30 Challenge is pretty simple: take 30 clothing items and mix and match them to create 30 outfits for 30 days. Kelly explains more here, but basically encourages everyone to just have fun with it and anything goes. 

I chose to use pants/ dresses/ skirts and tops because I need the most options for work. I chose not to include shoes because I tend to wear the same shoes anyways. I also did not include any accessories because I don't normally wear any..I will randomly remember to add on a necklace or bracelet, but I felt  my 30 items would be better used with actual clothing than accessories. I do wear scarves, but with the weather heating up I don't want to over-heat myself haha. I am also not counting/including layering tank tops because if it's see thru, then the cami underneath is a given!! Also not counting belts because again I don't always need one and it's either a necessity for pants or an accessory for a dress.

So here are my 30 items:

  ****disclaimer...I hate to iron so some of my stuff is quite wrinkly. Also I am not in the mood to try and make a collage of the clothing...I tried for 10 minutes of PicMonkey and gave up....grad school can mke you NOT want to spend any extra time on your computer hahaha

 **** disclaimer #2: My Name is Kathrin and I am a JCrew-a-holic...seriously I have a problem....and I don't need help!!

Pants

 I chose 4 basic pants tat I can't live without: Top L: JCrew Matchstick denim jeans, Top R: JCrew Black Trousers, Bottom L: Gap 1969 Boyfriend jeans, Middle R: Black Hudson denim jeans and Bottom R: JCrew light army green Cafe Capris Trousers

Since it's warming up I also chose my Citizen of Humanity denim jeans walking shorts

Skirts

My 2 favorite and most used skirts: Black Old Navy pencil skirt and Mustard yellow JCrew pencil skirt (P.s- I thought I lost this yellow pencil skirt but Matt found it in HIS shorts drawer!! I was soo happy to see it again!!)

Dresses

I picked 4 dresses that would appeal to some events I have coming up and work appropriate/ weather appropriate.....and I cheated a little with 2 dresses/ outfits you may have already seen :)

Top to Bottom: Blue  Shabby Apple Maxi Dress, Pink Nordstrom Mimi Chica halter dress, Nude Forever 21 hi-low dress and black Old Navy maxi dress.

** Disclaimer: may substitute one of these dresses for a graduation dress/ wedding dress. I walk in the graduation ceremony and have a wedding to go to the SAME day. I am looking for a dress that can suit both events.

Tops

I needed all the shirts I could get!! I selected different styles that can work for play or work.

JCrew white v-neck with rhinestones

JCrew black silk tank

JCrew chambray button up

JCrew sequined anchor tank

JCrew coral halter tank

Silver Yellow is Gold brand striped tee

JCrew leopard sleeveless shirt

School Spirit Shirt

JCrew striped sweater

Nordsrtom floral tank

JCrew striped boat-neck tee

JCrew leopard tank

JCrew blue gingham button up

Disclaimer: The school spirit shirt is interchangeable. I have 2 upcoming Friday events that I am getting new school spirit shirts for. I also have 2 field trips that I may or may not wear a school shirt.

Cardigans/ Jackets

Nordstrom abstract floral jacket

BCBG cashmere boyfriend cardigan

JCrew navy blue boyfriend cardigan

JCrew black cardigan

JCrew leopard cardigan

So there are my 30 items!! I had a bit of fun pre-styling some outfits....which I managed to make 50+ outfits...yay!!

If you're interested in linking up. Kelly has posted the following dates to link up:

• Wednesday, May 1st:  My 30 selected items 
• Wednesday, May 8th:  Days 1-6
• Tuesday, May 14th:  Days 7-12
• Monday, May 20th:  Days 13-18
• Monday, May 27th:  Days 19-24
• Monday, June 3rd:  Days 25-30

For more info, you can go here.

You can visit the other ladies joining the challenge here: