Early Summer Outfit Ideas to Copy

It's time for another real outfit roundup where every two weeks or so I share the outfits I've worn in real life along with brief outfit explanations and links to shop the same or similar items.

I'll be honest -- I almost missed this one. The last outfit roundup post was exactly one week before students' last day of school and one day before our field trip to the amusement park. We also had Honors Day and field day and eight grade graduation. Then I basically have been potatoing on my couch decompressing from the school year before I actually dive into summer fun. That's coming, though.

Before we dive into this roundup, I must warn you that there are some gaps. I didn't get a photo of what I wore on the field trip or Honors Day, and the only pictures I have from graduation I can't share on here because they have students in them. I've also missed some days this past week for various reasons.

Still, there's some good stuff here, especially if you're looking for fun hot-weather outfits to inspire your own summer looks.

Sizing info: I'm 5'2" and weigh about 140 pounds. I usually wear size 6 or s/m in clothes and size 7 in shoes.

Dress | Shirt | Sandals

We're going back to May 14th for this first outfit. This was just a regular day at school before the real craziness of the end-of-the-year kicked in.

This dress is so cute. It's a seersucker material, which gives it a nice subtle texture. The straps have scalloping detail, which you can't see in the picture; they're really cute, but they do make adjusting the length of the straps a little tricky. The bodice has that sweet little tie feature, which I'm happy to report doesn't actually reveal anything if it comes untied. And as you can see from the picture, it's got pockets.

Obviously, it's not appropriate for school on its own, so I layered it over my short sleeve mesh shirt. The floral pattern of the 'lace' created a nice bit of understated pattern play. I like that it created that base underlayer without adding any bulk to the outfit. These are perfect for adding a layer in hot weather without causing a heat stroke.

My sandals are still going strong from last year. Remember to size up half; the straps are pretty snug and have not loosened up for me at all over the last year.

Dress | Sandals

Are y'all tired of hearing about these dresses yet? Well, strap in because you'll be seeing a lot of them this summer. They're just so comfortable and easy to wear. I'm not going to go into a ton of detail about this dress again for this post. If you've been living under a rock the past few weeks and somehow missed me waxing poetic about my love for this amazing dress, check out my full review of it here.

On a side note, though, I do want to mention that this dress will shrink in the wash, which is why I ordered up a size and got the medium instead of my usual small. In completely flat shoes, the medium was skimming the floor. After a wash, it is now the intended ankle-length.

Also, let's talk about these sandals. I mentioned them in my May Favorites post, saying that I almost didn't order them but am glad that I did because they literally go with everything, as you'll see in this post! I got my usual size 7 and they fit true to size. Surprisingly, they're very comfortable even though the straps have no elastic in them whatsoever. I've worn them almost every day.

Vest | Shorts | Sandals

This is what I wore the last Monday of school. It was our field day, which was outside on an open field with no shade whatsoever. It didn't even matter that it was overcast because it was so dang humid (I promise you my hair was not that big when I left for school in the morning).

I actually really love this outfit. These are a pair of shorts believe it or not; they just have a really flowy material that makes them look like a skirt. I sized up to a medium because I size up in all my shorts -- I have thick thighs, y'all. Anyway, these have a drawstring waist with a cute tassel tie and nice, deep pockets that are actually big enough to be useable.

Because I knew we were going to be outside for awhile, I wanted to be as cool as possible but keep my shoulders completely covered. I started with the vest unbuttoned over a white tank, but the white was too white against the dark tones of the rest of the outfit, so I decided to wear the vest as a shirt. I think it was a good choice. The white sandals helped to lighten the outfit without taking away from it.

Dress | Vest | Sandals

Yes, it's another one of those dresses, this time styled to be worn to school with my favorite denim vest which is BACK IN STOCK at Old Navy. I will admit that I did not pay full price for mine, but I can confidently say that it's worth the full price. I wear this sucker all the time. I went up a size so that the buttons wouldn't gap when closed.

This coral color is my favorite of these dresses, I think. It was so flattering, and I got a ton of compliments about it. I really wanted this bright, bold color to be the star of the show, so I kept everything else neutral, including my espadrille sandals.

Dress | Sandals

This was the day of the eight grade graduation and my last day of post-planning, but I obviously did not wear this dress for either. I did, however, change out of my fancier graduation dress into this more comfortable dress as soon as I got home. It was hot out, so I didn't add anything over or under it as you can see, and I kept my shoes nice and simple.

Dress | Sandals

This is not the first appearance of this dress on the blog, but it is its first solo look. I first bought and wore it back in April (see that post here). Surprisingly, it's still available in most sizes online, although I have not seen it in my local store the last few times I've gone in.

This is such a fun summer dress. I wore it over Memorial Day weekend because it felt like the right vibe. It would also make a nice 4th of July outfit. I'm wearing this in a small, which is my usual for this brand. The material is a thicker linen, so it holds it shape pretty well. The skirt is kind of narrow, so be aware of that. It has not shrunk in the wash at all, so it's still pretty long on me, hence the platform sandals.

Top | Shorts (similar) | Sandals

This is what I wore on Memorial Day. We didn't do much that day other than have a cookout at my in-laws. It was a hot day, so I wanted to be cool, and I hadn't had a chance to wear this fun peplum top yet. By the way, when did peplum come back in style?

The product description calls this a floral print, and I guess that's not technically wrong, but flowers are not the only aspect of this summer pattern. There's also peppers and tomatoes, peas and radishes, and strawberries and blackberries. The bodice is fashioned exactly like the green-striped dress in my first outfit of this post, although I found the shirt to be a tighter fit than the dress. I would recommend sizing up if you're blessed up top.

My shorts are from last year and no longer available, but I linked to a similar pair from J. Crew. White sandals felt too white, which I know is weird, but trust me when I say they didn't work, so I went with the espadrilles again. Told ya they go with everything!

Dress (similar, similar, similar) | Sandals

This dress is one of my oldest and dearest. It's a go-to in the summer time for me because it takes zero thought. It's also not hard to style other ways by layering over or under and/or adding a belt; however I tend to just wear it like it is. It's long out of stock, but I linked to three pretty purple floral dresses for you that kind of give the same vibe.

Shirt (similar) | Shorts | Sandals

These are another of those flowy shorts from Old Navy. Before settling on this combo, I experimented with different ways to style these. You can see all four of those outfits here. Ultimately I decided to go with my Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers concert graphic tee because it felt unexpected and fun and, most importantly, me. I'm pretty sure I got this from Walmart for like $10, but I can't find it anywhere other than resale sites for a whole lot more than that. I linked to another version by the same company that made this one, but it doesn't really look like this one at all. Sorry.

May Favorites: 10 Things I Loved + Your Favorites Too!

May seemed to at once drag and fly by. Individual days seemed to last forever, then I blinked, and it was over.

So much has happened this month. I took and passed my final in the gifted certification course I've been slogging through all school year, so that's finally behind me. That course was rough, y'all, and the final was hard. There was no in-person instruction, just a few virtual meetings, which is not the same thing. But it's over and done with, which means I can actually focus on just doing my job next year.

Speaking of my job, the last few weeks of school were busy. We had a field trip to an amusement park, Honors Day, field day, and eighth grade graduation. Not to mention remediation for students who needed to retake the end-of-course assessment.

Now, we're one week into summer break, and we've done nothing except decompress. Well, I've been decompressing. My fellow teachers get it.

Anyway, here's a look at my top 10 favorite things from May plus the 10 most popular things I shared from the month.

My Favorites

Ribbed Maxi Dress - Yes, I know I've been talking these up a lot lately, but they really are that good. I own it in four of the five available colors and have been wearing them on repeat. You can read my full review of them here.

Double-Strap Espadrille Sandals - I debated long and hard before I ordered these. They just weren't what I was really looking for, but I'm so glad that I decided to take the chance. They go with everything! They're also comfortable and easy to walk in. I also like that they give me a couple extra inches in height.

Flowy Shorts - I don't know about you, but I hate buying shorts. It's so difficult finding a pair that don't squeeze the life out of my thicker thighs. I also don't always like the casual look of most shorts. These, however, look like a skirt, so they're instantly a step above casual. They are so dang cute and so, so comfortable. I bought both patterns and am currently on the hunt for more.

Silicone Face Scrubbies - This is not my first time using these, but I got away from them for whatever reason. I'm honestly not sure why I stopped using them, but I'm kicking myself over it. These leave my face feeling so clean and help with dry skin. I just put my facial cleaner right on there. Even my daughter likes to use these, so win-win!

Round Electric Toothbrush - This was recommended by my hygienist when I was getting my crown replaced. I mentioned that I've been struggling with my back teeth not feeling clean. I'm not sure what makes this style better than a traditional full brush, but I can definitely tell a difference, especially with my back molars.

e.l.f. No Budge Shadow Stick - This little gem was recommended to my by one of you. I'll be honest, eye shadow is not really my forte, so I go for simple every time. I've tried other products like this in the past with mediocre results. They creased, were difficult to apply, or simply didn't make it through the day. This, however, is easy to apply and looks good all day. It even lasted through a hot day at an amusement park and field day. Fair warning, though, if you rub your eyes, it will smudge and/or wipe off completely. I use the Magnetic Pull and Champagne Crystal colors.

Aussie Hair Pudding - This is the best wavy hair product in my arsenal right now. It holds up to heat and humidity better than anything else I've been using without weighing my hair down, which means I can extend my washes by a day or two. Sadly, it was discontinued by Aussie so no link for you, and I'm not aware of any dupes that are still on the market.

Kleenex Car Tissues - I've never bothered with buying the cup-holder-shaped ones before, but never again. They are so convenient, and there's literally no rule that says you can only use them in your car. Seriously, I've got a container sitting on my desk right now.

Glide by NEIKED & Portugal. The Man - This song is such a summer vibe. I've been playing it nonstop.

Fawkes by Nadine Brandes - Yes, this was my April book club pick, but life got busy and stressful, and I didn't really get into it or finish it until this month, and wow. This will definitely make my best books list for the year. One of the best I've ever read. Read my full review here.

Your Favorites

Old Navy Fit & Flare Floral Peplum Top - This is such a pretty, fun top for summer. I've only worn it once so far since it is definitely not school appropriate on its own. I do recommend sizing up. Even with my smaller bust, the top was very fitted in that area -- and I got the medium.

Woven Mesh Mary Jane Flats - These are still leading the charge, specifically the ones from Target that are sadly no longer available. These ones by Cushionaire are very similar and have good reviews, and these Crown Vintage ones are currently marked down. All three are currently tied in the #2 position.

Denim Vest - This Levi's denim vest pulled slightly ahead of my beloved Old Navy vest in May. It is currently on sale, but I've got great news! My Old Navy one is BACK IN STOCK! I love this one so much. The lighter shade of denim makes it really versatile, and I like the waistcoat style.

Floral Wide-Leg Jumpsuit - This is one of my favorite jumpsuits! It's good on its own or layered over a t-shirt. I own the Black, but I've got my eye on the Khaki and Light Pink as well.

White Eyelet Mary Jane Flats - No one is more surprised than me that these are still available in most sizes. These are an easy way to dress up an outfit (a.k.a. when sandals aren't appropriate) without wearing heels.

Embroidered Floral Headbands - I love headbands but have a hard time wearing them. These are nice and slim, so they work well with my glasses, and they didn't feel like they were squeezing my head after wearing them all day. The embroidery on them is so dang pretty, too.

Floral Print Blouse - This blouse really is pretty, even if the neck is a bit odd because of the elastic. It's also very much sheer in the back, which makes more difficult to wear in a conservative workplace. You can see how I wore it here.

Ribbed Maxi Dress - It seems you guys share my love of this dress. You especially like the black, although the coral is also pretty high up the list.

Blue Floral Midi Dress, Blue Abstract Dress, & Floral Rose Midi Dress - These dresses were part of my graduation dress roundup post and received equal attention from y'all so I'm lumping them together. They were actually my top choices, as well, although I did end up wearing something I already own.

White Sandals - These are the same sandals I loved last summer, which are still available and still an important piece of my summer wardrobe. Remember to size up half; the straps are very snug with no give.

One Woman Book Club Review: Fawkes

What a wonderful way to kick off my summer break! While this book was meant to be my April book club pick, life did not work out that way, and honestly I'm glad. This novel was the perfect book to kick off my summer reading, and I don't think I would have appreciated it near as much had I read it during the busyness of April.

This full-length novel took me the better part of a week to read. It is a retelling of the plot to blow up the British Parliament and King in 1605 told from the point of view of Guy Fawkes' son, Thomas. It is told in single point of view, but I didn't find that it took away from the plot at all. In fact, I think the author made the right choice by not including the points of view of the other plotters, who are all based on the real conspirators.

While the infamous Gunpowder Plot is the baseline for this story, the plot is not the main focus. This book is at its core a coming-of-age story. The growth and character development of the protagonist is beautifully crafted. His struggle to make sense of his beliefs and the injustices of his world are so real and still resonate today. The book explores themes of friendship, family, loyalty, and social injustice, as well as a budding relationship that has astounding odds to overcome.

To avoid spoilers, skip to the end of the post.

***Spoilers***

In 1605, King James sits on the throne of England, Keepers and Igniters are engaged in a deadly battle, and the Stone Plague is sweeping through the country unchecked. There are only three things an Englishman can be: a Keeper bonded to just one color power, an Igniter who's embraced White Light and can use all color powers, or one of the plagued.

Thomas Fawkes has been hiding his plague for the two years he's been studying at St. Peter's School. He keeps his plagued eye hidden beneath an eye patch, explaining it away as a fencing accident. Although his plague appears to be dormant, Thomas knows that his only hope of a cure is receive his color mask and bond with Grey, the power that controls stone. The only person who can create and give him a mask is his father, Guy Fawkes, but on the night of his color bonding ceremony, his father doesn't come. Worse, his plague is discovered and he is kicked out of school.

Turning down his grandparents' offer of a home, Thomas sets out for London to find his father and convince him to give him his mask. The journey is eye-opening for Thomas, who up to now has not experienced life as a plagued. Eventually, he makes it to London where he's arrested when his plague is once again discovered, but while he's being carted to the Tower of London where he'll be put to death, a voice speaks to him...and Thomas answers. Unbeknownst to him, the voice is White Light, the source of all color power and forbidden to Keepers, which Thomas is. White Light frees Thomas from the prison cart, and he flees into the depths of London where he stumbles into his father.

Guy reveals to Thomas that the reason he did not show up for Thomas's color bonding is because he is part of a plot to remove the Igniter king from the throne and return the country to Keeper rule. Thomas determines that in order to earn his mask from his father, he must join this plot, and it just so happens that the conspirators need an unmasked. Thus, Thomas is sworn into the plot.

Thomas gains employment with the Baron Monteagle, a member of Parliament and father of his archnemesis from school, as the escort of the Baron's ward, Emma. Emma is the daughter of a renowned British naval captain and the slave woman he freed and then married. She's also uniquely skilled in color magic because of her intimate connection with White Light. While performing his duties, Thomas learns the date of the upcoming Parliament meeting, a crucial bit of information for the success of the plot, but he also grows closer to Emma. The closer Thomas and Emma become, the more Thomas begins to question the soundness and morality of the plot as well as his own beliefs about color power.

Meanwhile, the leader of the plot, Catesby, has brought in a new member. John Dee is a renowned alchemist, neither an Igniter or Keeper, but who commands all the colors and holds a deep grudge against King James. However, unbeknownst to everyone, Dee is controlling the Stone Plague that he created. When Thomas uncovers his involvement, Dee infects him, and it is only White Light that prevents Thomas's death. After much deliberation and conversation with White Light, Thomas bonds with it and is fully cured of his plague.

No longer able to stomach being part of this plot that will result in so many innocent people's deaths and ultimately condemn Emma to a life she does not want, Thomas writes a letter to the Baron Monteagle warning him not to attend Parliament. The Baron passes the warning along, which eventually leads to the discovery of the gunpowder hidden in a storage room beneath Parliament and the arrest of Thomas's father. At the behest of his father, Thomas sets out to try to save the other plotters, but to no avail. However, Thomas cannot allow Dee to continue his destruction of England. With the help of White Light and his beloved Emma, Thomas kills the perpetuator of the Stone Plague and saves all of England.

***End Spoilers***

I love a good historical fiction book, and Fawkes delivers. Author Nadine Brandes does such an excellent job of weaving true events with real and fictional characters and adding in a magical element. Not only does she put a fantastical spin on the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, she humanizes the plotters in a way that I've not previously experienced. In fact, after reading this book, I dove down a research rabbit hole of my own.

Brandes stayed incredibly true to the actual events of 1605. All of the plotters included in her story were part of the plot to blow up Parliament. Thomas is based on a half truth. There is record of Guy Fawkes having a son named Thomas, but other than that brief mention of his birth, there's nothing about Thomas to be found. Emma is the only character not based on an actual person, though her parents were real.

The events of the plot were not changed, from the plotters attempting to tunnel underneath Parliament to the standoff at Holbeche House and the eventual demise of the plotters. Even the letter to the Baron Monteagle was real, though it most certainly was not sent by Thomas. No one ever took responsibility for the letter, and to this day its sender is unknown. Truly the only thing that was changed was the catalyst for the plot. In the story, Keepers are being persecuted for their beliefs by the Igniters. In reality, the plot was planned by Catholics intent on stopping the persecution of their fellow believers by the Protestants. 

This might be the longest review I've written to date, but this book was just that good y'all. It was so multifaceted, and although the outcome was predetermined since it was based on an actual event, the story still felt unpredictable. If you like historical fiction that doesn't stray far from the truth, then this is definitely the book for you. Fawkes will unquestionably be at the top of my best books of 2025 list.

It's not too late to join my book club! Check out the monthly schedule here.

30 Summer Must Haves from Amazon

Memorial Day is the not-so-unofficial kickoff to summer, and I am here for it! Now that I can actually enjoy my summers, it's become one of my favorite times of the year.

I don't think I realized how little time I actually got to relax and rest before becoming a teacher. Looking back, I'm not sure how I avoided complete and total burnout over the years. Summer was relegated to weekends, and if we're being honest, a lot of those weekends were spent doing nothing more than imitating a potato on the couch because I was exhausted from the week before.

Now, I get two full months off, which means once I get past the initial decompressing stage (if you're a teacher, you know what I'm talking about), I actually have the energy to live my best summer life. For me that means no alarm clock and staying up late without fear. It means little to no makeup, messy hair, and not feeling guilty for having a lazy day. Oh, and seizing every opportunity I can to have fun.

With summer now officially underway, I got to thinking about things that would make summer more enjoyable. Amazon is a great place to find affordable essentials, and I've rounded up 30 summer must haves for you.

Mesh Beach Bag - Whether it's the beach or the lake, sand is probably the worst part of the trip. It gets everywhere! These mesh bags are supposed to minimize the amount of sand you inevitably take home with you. I think it would also be helpful with preventing mildew since they're so breathable. And check out all those pockets!

Sunscreen Lip Balm - Your lips need protection, too!

Trendy Sunglasses - Sunglasses are a must in the summer months. I like these retro vintage ones.

Hawaain Tropic After Sun Body Butter - This is one of my favorite sun-care brands. This after-sun lotion has 19,000 reviews. It's supposed to shorten the life of a sunburn while maintaining your tan. Reviewers also say it smells amazing.

SoCozy Swim Leave-In - I've never used this but it's got over 6,000 reviews and a 4.5 star average rating, so it's worth a mention.

Mini Wet Brush Detangler - This is the perfect size to throw in your beach bag.

Beach Sandals - These platform slides are also popular right now. These would be good for the pool.

Sand Drink Holder - Where have these been all my life? Seriously, I want a set of these to take everywhere so I don't have to sit my drink on the ground and it get all gross with dirt, grass, etc.

Oversized Sand-Free Beach Blanket - I feel like this one doesn't need an explanation. It's like a picnic blanket made especially for the beach. It comes in 25 patterns and three different sizes. It has stakes to keep it in place, and a bag to store it in between trips.

Beach Towel Clips - Every year I say I need these, and every year I forget to buy them. Don't be like me.

Belt Bag - This belt bag is perfect for summer travel when you don't want to carry a heavy bag on your shoulder in the heat. Not only can it be worn around the waist, it can also be worn as a crossbody. It comes in 17 color/pattern options. I own this exact one in black and absolutely LOVE it.

Crochet Bag - Crochet is having a moment, and this tote bag is an easy way to partake in the trend without actually wearing it. I like the B-beige and the B-khaki options.

Cute Swimsuit Coverup - There are so many out there to choose from. I really like this one that can also be worn as a dress. There are a bunch of colors and designs to choose from.

Minimalist Flip Flops - Barely there flip flops are trending this summer. Cue the nostalgia.

Claw Clips - I've been gravitating to claw clips more than ponytails recently, and these are so cute and summery.

Sarong Wrap - I love these, even though I never actually use them for myself. 

e.l.f. Holy Hydration Face Mist - I've not used this brand before, but a couple of years ago I received a face mist as part of a promotion when I ordered something, and I fell in love.

Bikini Trimmer - This is not the same one that I currently have, but it's close and, I think, actually better.

Body Glide Anti-Chafe Balm - I don't know about you, but my thighs could use a little extra help in the summer time.

Pasties - These are perfect for those dresses and/or tops you can't or don't want to wear a bra with.

Handheld Fan - My students were all about the handheld fans this year for field day. This one has a USB charger but is also battery powered.

Cooling Towels - My dad used to swear by these when he carried the mail, and we got my daughter one last year for a tennis summer camp. You can throw them in your cooler for maximum cooling.

Marshmallow Roasting Sticks - Truthfully, we always find a stick to roast our marshmallows on, and it's fine, but I wouldn't say no to a set of these. You can get them in an 5, 8, or 10 count. They also come with a handy storage bag.

Buggy Bands - We've used these mosquito repellant bracelets before, and they work decently well.

Bug Bite Relief Patches - These are medicine-free and have a ton of great reviews, most from moms. Considering my daughter always gets ate up by mosquitoes and they always welp up so bad, these will definitely be part of my next Amazon order.

EverBrite Flashlights - These are so stinking cute!

Twister Splash - It's like Twister had a baby with a splash pad! Also comes in XL version

Toss Across - This bean bag toss tic-tac-toe game has been on my wish list for years. It would be such a fun camping game.

Reusable Water Balloons - My own kid would love these! There are seven different balloon counts to choose from and it comes with a mesh bag to store them in.

Collapsible Beach Toys - Storing beach toys is always a pain - the buckets take up so much room! But not with this set, and it comes with a convenient mesh bag to store it all in.

The Ribbed Maxi Dress You'll Want to Live In This Summer

According to the calendar, it's not officially summer yet, but here in the South where I live, summer checked in at least two weeks ago, and we've been experiencing heat and humidity ever since.

My summer style tends to be shorts and t-shirts with a loose dress thrown in every once in awhile. The goal is to be cool and comfortable, which is not easy to achieve when your feels-like temp is in the triple digits and the humidity has you sweating as soon as you walk out the door.

I love pieces that are easy to throw on, don't require a lot of thought, and make me feel like a million bucks all at the same time...and today's featured product hits all those marks!

This ribbed maxi dress from Old Navy has pole vaulted onto my short list of favorite dresses. I've been seeing ribbed knit dresses everywhere, but it's been overwhelmingly bodycon styles, which I avoid. This dress, though, is perfect, and I own it in four of the five colors it's available in.

Before you start shaking your head like I'm crazy, I didn't order four of them right off the bat. I started with the black jack. I've been wanting a casual black dress, and it was on sale, so I decided to give it a shot. I loved it so dang much that when I saw they'd been marked down again even lower, I bought the vivid begonia, bright coral, and patina blue. I stayed away from the warm taupe. It's a gorgeous color, but it just doesn't work with my coloring.

This dress is 96 percent cotton and 4 percent spandex, making it so soft and comfy. It literally feels like you're wearing pajamas. It's got a scooped neck, fitted top, and A-line skirt. The skirt is seamed, which I saw in the reviews some people did not like, but I do. It makes the skirt a bit more flared, which is always a win in my book. The straps are thin and not adjustable, and it does not have pockets.

It's available in sizes extra small through 4X and comes in regular, tall, or petite. I got the medium in regular sizing, which makes the length on me a bit longer but not enough to be a problem. On most people, the dress is just above the ankle. I wanted more room and to compensate for the inevitable shrinking in the wash.

While I definitely love this dress, don't just take my word for it. It's got more than 1,000 reviews on Old Navy's website, and 92 percent of those are 4 or 5 stars. I did go and read the one-star reviews, and most seemed like they ordered the wrong size.

A few reviewers complained about the the thickness of the material, which does reduce its breathability. But I think the thickness of the material is what makes it so flattering. It doesn't cling in the wrong places, doesn't show panty lines, and kept its structure all day even in crazy heat and humidity. And honestly, even my thinnest dresses are too thick in our annual dog days of summer. These are great on their own but can also be layered if needed (a.k.a. to wear to school).

I've not had these for very long, so I don't have a ton of outfits to share with you, but keep reading to see how I've worn each of them so far. All of these outfits are linked in my LTK Shop and Shop My Instagram page as well as in the widget at the bottom of this post.

16 Things the ELA Teacher Loved This School Year

The school year is officially over, marking the end of my third year of teaching middle school ELA. 

This year, I moved from seventh to eighth grade. This wasn't as simple as moving classrooms; my school also decided to split reading and writing into separate classes, which was a great decision because it meant that we had dedicated time for each instead of trying to fit everything into one class. I definitely saw results on the writing side of the spectrum. I was able to do more one-on-one work with students and really focus on the areas they needed improvement in.

This year also saw several schedule changes. We went from block scheduling to 55-minute classes, and our school year was shortened by twenty days. So not only did I have less daily class time to work with, I also had fewer days to teach. Thankfully, middle school ELA standards are pretty consistent across the grade levels, so there wasn't much of a learning curve to overcome. And this was my second year teaching this group of students, so that made the transition a lot easier.

Just like with the calendar year, I like to reflect on the year that's passed. I make note of the things that worked well as well as the things that did not, and I consider ways to improve on both. So let's take a look at some of the things that worked well for me this year.

Clever Fox Planner - This is hands down the best teacher planner I've used, and I will be buying another one. It is designed specifically for teachers, so you don't end up with a lot of unused pages, which is honestly my biggest pet peeve. I like that I get to set up the months and weeks myself; I had a blast putting all the stickers in at the beginning of the school year. I loved using the graph-paper pages for mapping out unit plans. I also like that it's got a place to put important dates right up front for quick reference. It's even got a built-in gradebook, which I didn't use this year, but would be really handy if you like to keep a paper record. It's got three built-in bookmarks, a communication log, a pen loop and elastic band, and a storage pocket. Not to mention it's leather-bound and has bleed and smudge-proof thick paper.

Pencil Catchall Tray - This might have been the best random item I purchased this school year. It is literally a tray that is shaped like a pencil. I sat it on the corner of my desk and used it as a designated place for my room keys, smartboard remote, and clicker -- the three things that get misplaced the most often. This was seriously a sanity saver for me this past year. I got mine from Target's seasonal back-to-school section, so it's no longer available, but I did find one on Etsy that you can personalize.

Presentation Clicker - Game. Changer. This little device lets me control my lecture notes from anywhere in the room. I've been using this for almost two years. It works with both PowerPoint and Google Slides. Unfortunately, I dropped it one too many times, and the last time it just did not recover, and I really felt its loss the last month or so of school. But I definitely feel like I got my money's worth out of it, and I will be ordering a new one for next year for sure.

Clip-On Desk Fan - I feel like I shouldn't even have to explain this one. I'm pretty sure mine came from the Dollar Store, but you can find them pretty much everywhere. This one looks exactly like what I have.

Clipfolio - I don't remember when exactly I got this, but I love it so much. It is so much more useful than a regular clipboard or a plain notebook, although I use those, too. I use this thing for meetings as well as during my lessons to have my plans handy. Mine is by Rifle Paper Company, which is one of my favorite brands.

Teacher Memo Pad - I actually talked about this in my Teacher Appreciation Gift Guide. I will be the first to admit that I used this more in the first half of the year than the second, but it was truly instrumental in keeping me organized.

Library Book Cart - This was a hand-me-down cart that I found in a storage room that no one wanted, so I turned it into my mobile class library. It helped free up space on my built-in bookcase for other things and can be moved anywhere in the room at will. Mine just has two shelves, so it's pretty small. If I were buying one for myself, this is what I would be looking at.

Small Podium - This was another hand-me-down that sat in our workroom for a year before I claimed it, and I'm so glad I adopted it. This is an excellent tool to use in one-on-one student conferences, and it provided a coveted seating option in some of my classes.

Filing Crates - I upgraded my writing folder system this year to something a little more durable. These Sterilite file crates were perfect for the job and held up much better than the mesh boxes I had been using. Mine came from Walmart for $5 each. At the time, they were available in multiple colors, but all I see now is black.

Brisk Teaching - If you don't already have this plugin, consider this your sign to download it. This extension is such a great tool for verifying that student's are writing their own essays. It shows you literally every step they took from the creation of the file on, making the fight against plagiarism and AI a little bit easier. You can upload your grading rubric and have it generate feedback based on your criteria, which makes grading more than 100 essays so much faster. You can also use it to shorten texts for differentiation and/or create questions from a text.

Tolentino Teaching - This has been such an amazing resource for me this year. Brian has a ton of free resources for ELA teachers. I especially love his writing prompts and challenges; they get students thinking creatively and promote productive struggle. Most of his resources also include optional videos.

Reading & Writing Haven - This site has a ton of resources for ELA teachers. This past year I used a bunch of her grammar resources since I was given time to actually teach grammar in a meaningful way, but she's got great tips for pretty much all areas of ELA.

EReading Worksheets - This site has a ton of reading-related resources from worksheets to lessons and even online games. I've used so many of their worksheets for skills practice and writing practice using a specific grammar concept. These worksheets are unique and usually interesting. There is also different difficulty levels of most of them so it's easy to differentiate.

Canva - This is how I create graphics for my lecture slides as well as any inserts for students' notebooks. I've even used it to create class newsletters to share with parents and for digital projects in some classes. The free educator account gives me access to their entire library of images and templates.

Classroom Screen - I've been using this since my first year. This is how I post my daily agenda, standards, learning goals, and important reminders. It usually is frozen on my smart board for most of the class period. By the second week of school, most students know to look there for what they should  be doing. It's got other cool features like a noise level monitor and timer. I also use the random grouping feature pretty regularly.

Online-Stopwatch - I use this every single day. Bell work, group or independent work time, tests or quizzes. It was especially beneficial this past year in which my classes were significantly shorter, and I needed to set more concrete limits to ensure we were using our time in the best way. There are lots of different timers to choose between -- my students like the racing ones the best, but you have to be careful with that since they might pay more attention to the timer than what they're supposed to be working on.

Summer Transition Outfit Ideas to Copy

It's time for another real outfit roundup. For those of you who aren't familiar, this is a biweekly post (give or take a few days) in which I share outfits I wore in real life, along with explanations for my choices and links to shop exact or similar items.

Summer break is almost upon us. We are down to exactly one week for students and an additional two days for teachers. My classes have taken their final test for me, done a review and retest over some grammar skills that needed reinforcement, and are now completing their final assignment for me - a review of their eighth grade year. We've still got that all-day field trip to the amusement park, honors day, and field day, as well as graduation, but the end is in sight.

These outfits date back to May 1st, which is basically the start of summer-like weather here, so I've been reaching for all my flowy favorites that help me stay cool.

Sizing info: I'm 5'2" and weigh around 140 lbs. I wear size 6 or s/m in clothing and size 7 in shoes.

T-shirt (similar) | Skirt | Sandals

If you've been around awhile, then you already know that my absolute favorite warm-weather outfit formula is a floral skirt paired with a graphic tee. This skirt has been a favorite for a few years now. It does have a high-low hem, but it's not that noticeable to me. The skirt is tiered, lined, and has an elastic waist but no pockets.

I decided to pair it with my new alfresco tee from Target, which I could have sworn was a new arrival, but I cannot find it anywhere online. My local store had a ton of these, though, so check yours if you like it. I did link to one that's pretty similar, although it doesn't have all the different colors in the pattern. (Updated 5/30/25 with link to exact t-shirt)

My sandals are from last summer but are still available in all sizes. I sized up half because the straps were so dang tight, and a year later I do not regret that decision as the straps have not loosened very much at all, and I wear them literally all the time.

Dress (exact) | Vest (similar) | Sandals

This is one of my most favorite dresses. It's the same dress from my blog profile picture! Sadly, this gorgeous yellow print is no longer available, but the exact dress is still available in other patterns. I have the purple flower print, as well. It's a nice thick material that doesn't cling in all the wrong places. It has adjustable straps and pockets. It is a tad long on me, so I don't usually wear it with flat shoes, although I can so long as I'm careful and/or it's not raining.

Good news! My exact vest is back in stock in a few sizes. It is marked back up to full price, but in my opinion it's worth the full price. If your size is not available, I have linked to a very similar one made by Levi's that is available in all sizes.

T-shirt | Skirt | Sandals (similar)

I have mixed feelings about this outfit. I love each piece individually, and the colors all work together, but I just don't know if I truly like the seashells mixed with the floral print. I discovered this t-shirt on a random Target trip, but they didn't have the size I needed, so I said it wasn't meant to be. Except it clearly was because on a trip back a week or two later, they had restocked and had my size!

This skirt is one of my favorites, but I may have ruined it this particular day. You see, my sandals were really really old and decided that day was their last. They fell apart at the start of the school day, and I didn't have a pair of backup shoes, so I begged my coworkers for super glue, which then exploded all over my lap...and didn't even work to hold the sandals together.

Maybe this outfit combo is cursed? I don't know. But now I may be in the market for a replacement skirt -- thankfully it's still available -- as well as a new pair of neutral sandals.

Blouse (similar) | Skirt | Shoes (similar)

Another outfit with that viral white A-line skirt from Target. I cannot believe this skirt is still available in all sizes! It's so good, y'all. It's not see-through, it has pockets, and it has a classic silhouette that won't ever go out of style. It's so effortlessly chic and goes with practically everything.

I love this floral print blouse, but sadly this pattern has sold out. However, the exact blouse is available in other patterns, and if you really love the print, it is available in a long-sleeve blouse.

Shirt | Skirt | Sandals

This is another favorite skirt that has made many appearances on the blog and is still available. I don't get too adventurous with tops for this skirt -- the pattern is just too pretty not to be the star of the outfit! That doesn't mean the tops I choose to wear with the skirt are basic, though, and this one is definitely elevated. It's really just a t-shirt,  but it's got cuffed sleeves and an eyelet pattern, which makes it so much more visually interesting. The eyelet is so feminine and a nice compliment to the skirt, and because it's essentially a t-shirt, the top is incredibly soft and comfortable. I highly recommend it.

Blouse | Jeans | Belt | Shoes (similar)

I wore this outfit on a weekend outing. My husband had been wanting to drive to a nearby town to eat at one of our favorite Cajun restaurants, and it finally worked out that we could. Of course, it rained cats and dogs all weekend long, but we didn't let that stop us. Because of the rain, it was a little bit cooler than it's been being, so long pants were in order. You'll notice that once it gets warmer, I pretty much stop wearing jeans altogether. I'm too hot natured for them to be comfortable.

Anyway, I'd been eyeing these braided wide-leg jeans for awhile. I added them to my cart during one of those "Today Only" deals that Old Navy runs but never actually clicked buy, then I got tired of waiting for another sale to come around so bought them at full price. I don't regret it, y'all.

These jeans are so good I had to give you a side view. Check out that braided detail. I absolutely love the added personality of this embellishment. These are high-waisted and fit snugly around my hips, which I appreciate. They are not baggy, which I've found is a really hard thing to find in wide leg jeans for me.

Dress (similar) | Shoes (similar)

You might remember this dress from earlier this Spring. I picked it up at one of my favorite local boutiques. It's almost too nice to wear, but it was perfect for Mother's Day. We went out for Italian, where I ate so much I literally hurt.

Anyway, this dress is too pretty not to share again, but it is no longer available. I did find something similar online, but you should definitely check out Willow Jade Boutique.

T-shirt | Pants | Shoes (similar) | Headband

These linen pants are so good y'all that I had to get them in the blue stripe, too. I already have - and love - the red stripe. These fit exactly the same. I got the medium although I can wear the small because they will shrink an inch or two in the wash.

My bluebird tee is still available in all sizes, too! I love this t-shirt and have worn it so many times. It pairs perfectly with these pants, though.

It rained for four days straight, which meant my hair was uncooperative, so I attempted to tame it with one of these pretty floral headbands I found on Temu. It wasn't a perfect match, but I thought it was a nice compliment to the rest of the outfit. They come in a pack of three and are nice quality for the price.

Dress | Shirt (unavailable) | Sandals

This might be my favorite outfit of the post. This dress is basically pajamas. It is soft and stretchy and ridiculously comfortable. The material is thick so that it isn't clingy, which makes it incredibly flattering despite it being fitted on the top half. It has very thin, non-adjustable straps, but they weren't a problem for me even sizing up to a medium.

Y'all, I love this dress so much I ordered it in three more colors. I will probably be living in them all summer long. That's how comfortable it is. Oh yeah, and it has pockets. Winning all around!

I needed to cover my shoulders so I layered this really old button-up polka-dot t-shirt over the top. I finished the look with my white sandals to help balance out the brightness of the shirt.

10 Dresses I Would Wear to a Graduation

As the last day of school quickly approaches, my calendar is filling up with all the end-of-the-year activities. We've got Honors Day and graduation, and I find myself in need of a new dress. So I've been on the hunt for something budget-friendly (read: under $50) that I can wear over and over again, and let me tell you, it's been tough!

There's a certain etiquette graduation to which guests are expected to adhere. The general rule or understanding is that guests should wear semi-formal or business casual attire. After all, the graduates themselves will be wearing robes with nice clothing underneath. On top of that, I attend as an employee of the school, not just a guest, so I have to dress accordingly. For me, that means my shoulders should be mostly covered, tops should not be too low cut, and skirts/dresses should be an appropriate length.

That's a tall order to fill, but I have found ten dresses that I would absolutely wear to a graduation, both as a guest and a teacher. Apologies in advance for all the blue, but our school colors are blue and gold, so there's that.

Pink Scroll Dress | White Lace Dress | Blue Floral Midi Dress | Blue Lace Dress

Blue Abstract Dress | Floral Rose Midi Dress | Asymmetrical Navy Ruffle Dress

Swiss Dot Halter Dress | Blue Ditsy Floral Maxi Dress | Square Neck Floral Dress

Teacher Appreciation Gifts

Last week was Teacher Appreciation Week, and if you're like me, you had no idea until it was too late to participate in a way that felt authentic. As a teacher, you'd think I would know when Teacher Appreciation Week is, but I absolutely do not know until I get the email from admin about special plans for the week -- a.k.a. the schedule of what food we'll be getting on which day.

Honestly, I think elementary teachers are the most dialed in to this Teacher Appreciation Week than their secondary counterparts. Their students, after all, are still small and cuddly and love their teachers. I, on the other hand, teach middle school where gifts are few and far between though not nonexistent.  This year I received gifts from six students - a record to be sure! High school teachers, I'm afraid, might be even more overlooked.

If you're like me and totally blanked on Teacher Appreciation Week, you still have time to recognize all the hard work your child's teacher puts in over the school year. We still have a few weeks until summer break. In my district, students have eight more days, and teachers have ten.

Not that I'm counting.

I'm definitely not counting.

Ahem. Anyway, I have rounded up more than twenty gift ideas that your child's teacher would actually appreciate.

Thank You Notes - I can guarantee you that these are hands down a teacher's favorite thing to receive from a student. The notes I've collected over the last few years are something that I will treasure for a long time. Our school system has started doing a digital appreciation program the last two years that allows students, parents, and other community members to submit notes to teachers. The notes are delivered directly to our inboxes. It's a nice little pick-me-up that shows up at unexpected times.

Food - Seriously. You cannot go wrong with this one. Find out what your teacher's favorite snack is and gift that to them. Or if you're able, treat your child's teacher(s) to lunch. One of our eighth grade families did that this past week!

Gift Cards - Starbucks, Target, Chick-fil-A, a local restaurant, Amazon...the possibilities are endless! And always appreciated.

Colorful Pens - Show me a teacher who doesn't love fun pens. I think Flair Pens are probably the most popular, but these Papermate Ink Joy Gel Pens are my personal favorites. If someone gifted me a new set of those, I would love them forever.

Sticky Notes - I use sticky notes literally every day, so I would be thrilled to receive a brand new pack. I especially love this set that is customized for teachers. There are a bunch of designs available.

Teacher Notepad - I have and love this notepad. I don't use it daily, but on days when I have a ton of things that need to be accomplished, it's a lifesaver.

Expo Markers - Show me a teacher who wouldn't appreciate a brand new pack of colorful Expo markers...although, I also wouldn't turn my nose up at a pack of plain-Jane black ones either.

Teacher Stamps - This is one of those things that I would love to have as a teacher but would never actually buy for myself. Hint, hint.

Stickers - I don't care how old they are, kids love stickers, but they aren't something that I keep in stock. I would love to be that teacher, but I'm just not. I like these run-of-the-mill motivational ones, but I love these personalized ones even more. How cool would it be to put a sticker on something you're handing back that has your name on it?!

Things My Students Said Journal - If you've ever worked with kids, then you already know that they say the craziest, funniest, most off-the-wall things ever. Having a way to document them would be such a fun way of memorializing good memories.

Hand Sanitizer - Teaching can be gross at times, making hand sanitizer a necessity. Some of my students have been recently loving these Touchland Power Mist sanitizers, and they are so cute and fun.  You can also never go wrong with Bath & Body Works' PocketBac sanitizers.

Desk Calendar - Not only does this look cool, but it's also reusable year-after-year. Of course, I would probably never remember to change it...

This Teacher Rules Desk Plaque - What a cute idea for a math teacher!

Apple Pillow - I saw this in Target the other day and almost bought it for myself.

Best Teacher Ever Trophy - This is one of those gifts that's so silly, but I would absolutely add it to my collection of desk/filing cabinet decor.

Pencil Tumbler - I'm not sure that I would use something breakable at school, but the writing teacher in me appreciates this cup a lot.

Pencil Pouch - I am a firm believer that you can never have too many pouches, and this one is such a good size.

Personalized Jumbo Paper Clips - I 1000% want these. Someone please order them for me!

Teacher Encouragement Jar - There's no doubt about it: teaching is hard. Some days more than others. This jar is filled with encouragement in five different categories.

Teacher's Last Nerve Candle - This candle is so funny to me.

Portable Cutlery - Do you know how many times I've sat down to eat lunch at my desk and realized I have nothing to eat said lunch with? This reusable set of cutlery would be so handy. I especially like that they come in their own little case, too, so I wouldn't just have silverware floating around my desk drawer.

Lightbox Sign - I feel like this could be a fun addition to any classroom.

Teacher Care Crate - I don't personally have experience with this subscription service, but it looks really promising, and the monthly price is surprisingly lower than I expected.