Real Outfit Roundup: 9 Southern Fall Outfit Ideas

It's time for another real outfit roundup where I share the outfits I wore in real life along with a brief explanation for each look and where I wore it, plus links to shop the same or similar items.

This post has quite a few old favorites in it blended with some newer pieces that I've added into my closet as I continue to transition into a style that feels authentically like me. I'm also still trying to break out of some of those ingrained "fashion rules" that have been guiding my outfit choices for years, especially in terms of how clothes should fit. I've recently discovered some ladies around my age who unapologetically rock their unique fashion-rule-breaking styles, and I want to be more like them...but in my own way.

All that to say that I tried a few things this past two weeks with some of my outfits. I dressed in what felt good and right, and honestly, I don't know if all of these landed, but we live and learn and give ourselves love.

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

Graphic Tee | Cardigan (similar) | Skirt (similar, similar) | Socks | Boots

This might be my favorite outfit of the post. I just love how this whole look came together. This was the Monday of the week before Thanksgiving Break. I decided that morning to throw my lesson plans out the window and give students one more class day to work on an essay they'd been writing for two weeks. I knew that I would be moving around the room quite a bit, so I wanted to make sure I could do that comfortably.

This skirt is one of my favorite things I've gotten this school year. It came from Temu, if you can believe it, and is such good quality that it's honestly unbelievable. I really like that the brighter, lighter brown in the plaid is almost orange. It gives the skirt so much more personality in my opinion and makes it more versatile in terms of how I can wear it. I linked to a few options for you above. I'm wearing size medium.

For this particular look, I decided to pair my coffee club graphic tee for a more monochromatic vibe. Surprisingly, this tee is still available in most sizes online. It's been one of my most worn so far this school year.

It wasn't exactly cold outside this day, but the building was pretty cool, so I finished the look with this cardigan that I've had for several years. I got it in either a StitchFix or Wantable box, but I can't remember which. It's incredibly soft and stretchy and has different colors mixed into the brown. It added another layer to the coffee vibe goodness of this whole outfit.

Sweater | Skirt | Belt | Shoes (similar)

On Tuesday, I decided to try my hand with a little print mixing. This polka dot skirt has been in my closet for years, so I'm always looking for new ways to wear it.

This short-sleeve sweater is a new addition to my closet. It's got a purple diamond-like print on it with a pink neckline, cuffs, and waist. That's what I matched to the skirt. I tucked the sweater in and then added a belt because I didn't like the way the waist of the skirt looked against the sweater.

I wanted to keep everything in the same color palate, so I finished the look with my purplish-red ballet flats that I've had for years.

Shirt | Vest (similar, similar) | Pants (similar) | Shoes (similar, similar)

Wednesday was Alexis's school spelling bee, so I took the day off to go to it without worrying about getting back to my classroom by a certain time.

I really wanted to wear this new sunflower-printed blouse, so I based the rest of the outfit around it. I was quite impressed with this blouse. It's a nice quality and a nice thickness, so I wasn't worried about it being see-through.

I really liked how the blouse contrasted with these red-striped linen pants that I bought back in the spring (one of my best purchases of the year). I almost wore just the blouse untucked with the pants, but the outfit felt incomplete, so I decided to really lean into the 90s sitcom mom vibe and added my denim vest. I didn't like the blouse untucked under the vest, so I fully tucked it in, then added my brown woven mary janes to finish the look.

Dress | Flats (similar) | Sunglasses (similar)

On Thursday, I decided to scrap my lesson again and do what I call a Mustard-Ketchup-Pickle Day. It's basically a chance for students to get caught up on everything because middle school students are still learning how to be self-sufficient and responsible. Also, sometimes us teachers need a break. Plus, I decided it would be more beneficial to move the particular lesson I had planned to a better time when I could devote more time to it.

Anyway, it was pretty warm this day so I wanted something easy and not too warm. This dress is a good one-and-done outfit. And it's still available in all sizes...and two other colors. I'm really interested in the clove...

I haven't gotten very creative with this dress. It really is just good on its own! So just like the last time I wore it, I paired it with my leopard-print mary janes. These ones are sold out, but I linked to a pair that looks pretty similar.

Blouse | Pants (similar) | Shoes (similar, similar)

Fast forward to Monday of Fall Break. I honestly don't remember what we did or what I wore over the weekend... Come to think of it, I can't remember what we did on this day outside of going to the barn that afternoon.

Remember how I said I tried some new things over the past two weeks? This is one of those things. I experimented with creating an outfit that wasn't necessarily flattering terms of fit but that felt right in terms of everything else. I love the colors of this outfit, for sure, and I was comfortable, but I don't know how I feel about it overall. Everything is just so...loose. I've never been big on the baggy-clothes trend. I feel shapeless and kind of sloppy. What do y'all think?

T-shirt | Button-Up (similar) | Skirt | Belt | Shoes (similar, similar)

Skipping ahead to Wednesday. It was my birthday, so I felt like dressing up a little, although this outfit feels pretty tame for me relatively speaking. Anyway, I experimented with proportions here as well, but I think it works much better in this overall look than the previous one.

This skirt is new, and I love it already! I'm wearing this in the medium, but I should have gone with the small as it's a mite too big in the waist. I'm hoping it's going to draw up a smidge in the wash. Anyway, it's got so many different colors to play with in the pattern that the options are pretty endless.

This go 'round I decided to go with green and pulled out this old olive green basic tee. I added my cream-colored, wide, straw belt to help with the waist of the skirt being too loose. I topped it all off with my tried-and-true short-sleeve denim button-up that I've had for years.

We went out to a nice birthday lunch at one of my favorite restaurants. Then we walked through Kohl's for the first time in forever and went to the bookstore where I got two classics that I've been wanting to add to my collection. When we grabbed dinner later, a random teenager complimented my outfit, which totally made my day because y'all know teenagers don't like anything.

Dress (similar) | Sweater | Boots | Socks

I hosted my second Thanksgiving with my family this year, except this time I did all of the cooking myself. Yes, this is the first year I ever cooked my own turkey, and it's the first year I made the dressing. Alexis helped a lot, and it all turned out so good. We also ended up not having many leftovers, which makes me really happy since these kind of leftovers go in my fridge to die...especially since we're not in school so I can't take them for lunch.

Anyway, this dress is an old favorite that I've been wearing a variety of ways for years. It's especially perfect for this time of year, but I wear it pretty much year round. Unfortunately, it's long sold out, but I linked to a dress that has the same type of vibes.

This day, I decided to be whimsical and layered this new embroidered cardigan over it. The colors were a nice complement, even if the flowers weren't perfect matches. I finished the look with my favorite lace-up boots and felt like a woodland fairy. This outfit is tied with the coffee-fit for favorite look of the post.

Sweater | Pants | Boots | Socks

This was what I wore on Black Friday, although I did not participate in the shopping. It's been years since I did any true Black Friday shopping. We hit up Panera for lunch and did make an early-evening Walmart trip, but that's the extent of our Black Friday adventures.

This outfit, I'll admit, feels dated. Mostly due to the pants. It screams "millennial," which I am. These are technically 'straight' leg but they fit really slim, so they're almost like skinnies (especially since I put on a little weight). They're also an ankle skimmer, so the length can be a bit awkward. I cuffed them so they'd hit just above my boots.

I love these colors together. The mauve of the sweater and the washed-out look of the olive just works. The boots are a nice touch, as well. I just don't love the look overall. I really like tunic-style sweaters because of the length, but at the same time they're difficult for me to style because of my height. I also don't love the fit of these pants anymore, although I love this brand overall (Democracy); I'm not a trend chaser, but these don't feel right anymore for me.

The outfit works; I just feel like a few tweaks would  have made it better.

Sweater | Skirt | Shoes (similar)

On Saturday, my mom and I, plus Alexis, had our annual birthday outing. We went to Hobby Lobby,  went to Chili's for lunch and Wicked margaritas, browsed JCPenney, and then went to see Wicked For Good, which was fantastic.

It was cool but not cold for most of the day. I will admit I would have been fine in short sleeves, but I really wanted to wear this sweater and skirt combo. You probably recognize this skirt from all the many times it's popped up on the blog over the years. I really think it might be my longest-running clothing item; I've honestly lost track of how many times I've repaired it over the years so I can keep wearing it. It has definitely been worth what I paid for it -- and it's still available all these years later!

My sweater was a random Walmart find and only cost $12. It's only $15 full price, though, so still very affordable. I also bought it in black for myself, and my daughter got a baby blue one. It's super soft and the knit is fairly open so it breaths nicely. I did layer a camisole underneath to keep the wind from cutting through to my skin.

Working Moms Christmas Gift Guide

He's making a list. Checking it twice. And we all know that mom has been extra nice. But mom isn't always the easiest person to shop for. Usually because she's been so busy shopping for everyone else that she forgot to make her own list.

That's why I'm here! There's no doubt that moms of all shapes and sizes deserve something special under the tree, and I've been playing elf looking for all the best gift ideas.

As always, I look for things that all kinds of working moms would enjoy, including myself, so you'll find a wide variety here. This year, I wanted to focus on fun, unique, and useful things that mom may or may not know she wanted.

I also stuck to a budget this year -- all but one of the gift ideas featured on this list is under $50. I hope these thirty-plus ideas help you find the perfect gift for the working mom in your life!

Vintage Ring Holder - I can't be the only mom who likes pretty trinkets for the nightstand. I also can't be the only mom who doesn't put her most-worn, everyday jewelry back in the jewelry box every night. This vintage-inspired ring holder is so pretty and unique. It also reduces the chances of accidentally knocking your rings off and losing them under the bed.

Insulated Coffee Mug - I actually just looked at this in Barnes and Noble! Generally speaking, I love most anything by this company, but this coffee mug is especially convenient. It's also more practical in terms of the amount of coffee I actually need to drink before school.

Embroidered Corduroy Tote - A good tote bag is never a bad idea, and this corduroy one is a good size. it's also personalized so you can have whatever you want embroidered on it.

Puzzle Vase - This unique puzzle intrigued me. I've never seen a puzzle that makes a sculpture before. It's a fun spin on a traditional hobby to give your puzzle-loving mom something different.

Bud Vase - Natural Life has the cutest little bud vases. These are great for adding personality to a bookshelf or desktop. I like this cat one, but there are a few designs to choose from.

Desk Lamp Post - I've been wanting a lamp for my desk at school that doesn't take up much space, and this mini lamp post is so dang cute and full of personality.

Boho Hair Clip - This style of hair clip is so easy to use and also unique and fun. There are four different colors to choose from.

Desk Yoga - I think this has made the list several years now. Someone buy it for me already, hint hint. It's pretty much exactly what it says it is -- a deck of cards with yoga poses that are perfect to do at your desk.

Lipstick Keychain Case - When I saw this, all I could think was how convenient it would be to have my lipstick attached to my keys so that I don't have to dig through my purse where it inevitably ends up on the very bottom no matter if I put it in its designated pouch or not.

Desktop Vacuum Cleaner - I used to have one of these for my kitchen counters, and I used it until I killed it. It was so convenient for getting up salt or shredded cheese. This would be great for pencil eraser shavings, glitter, etc.

Therapy Dough - It's play-doh for adults! This has aromatherapy scents baked in so you get a therapeutic experience every time you mold it.

Slippers - This is another one of those gifts you can't go wrong with. I myself am a fan of slippers with thick, hard soles so that I can wear them outside when I go check the mail or take the trash out. This pair from Old Navy has been getting lots of attention on TikTok, and I can see why. They're really cute.

Food Decision Dice - I'm not going to lie; sometimes after a particularly long day at school, the last thing I want to do is decide what's for dinner. This food decision die would go a long way in helping take the pressure off. There are other options for this one, as well. It would make a fun stocking stuffer or coworker gift.

Cute Fridge Magnets - I don't know about you, but my fridge is covered with stuff. From pictures to artwork to reminders, every useable surface has something on it. These cute ceramic flower vases would go a long way in prettying things up.

Tablet Pillow Stand with Storage - As someone who uses their ereader pretty much daily, I can appreciate a good tablet stand. I like this one a lot. It's got a decent sized storage compartment and stylus loops.

Laptop Tote Bag - Everyone needs a nice laptop bag these days, and this one is a good one. It's got lots of pockets and zips fully closed. It also has a cup pocket that can fit a large tumbler.

Interactive Daily Horoscope Mug - Uncommon Goods is one of my favorite places to find unique gifts, and their collection of QR mugs seems to grow every year. I've shared a few different ones over the years, but this is the first time I've come across the daily horoscope one. Not going to lie -- I want one.

Scrumble Magnetic Fridge Game - This is perfect for Scrabble lovers! It's also a way to leave messages for your spouse, kids, etc. in a place that most people look.

Electric Lunchbox - I think this has made the gift guide every year, but it really is a good one, especially for someone who doesn't have access to a microwave for lunch.

Soup Bowl with Handle - These are really pretty, and the handles make them very convenient.

Candle Warmer Lamp - I have recently become obsessed with these. You can find all kinds of different versions, but I like that this one has a timer so that if you forget to turn it off, it doesn't stay on forever.

Decorative Measuring Spoons - I love fun kitchen gadgets, and these measuring spoons are certainly fun.

Ceramic Bread Baker - I swear, all my friends are getting into sourdough and bread baking. I'm not necessarily interested in making my own bread, but if I were, this would be a good way to give it a try. This ceramic bowl makes just a half loaf and it comes with a recipe to guide you through the process.

Nesting Measuring Cups - How cute are these! I have a very similar set. When I'm not using them, I have them on display in my China cabinet.

Puffer Vest - This is one of those fashion items that always seems to be in style. The one I'm showing is a thinner one, but you could also opt for one that's really puffy.

Cute Socks - It's not a gift guide without socks! Seriously, though, socks are always a good idea, especially if they're cute. I like these Fair Isle ones from Old Navy a lot.

SoSoft Mockneck Cableknit Sweater - A classic cableknit sweater is a must-have, and Old Navy's SoSoft line is the best. You can't go wrong with any of those. I have this exact sweater in two different colors (not this particular one).

Lounge Set - I'm not big on matching sets, but I do like both of these pieces on their own. Wide-leg joggers feel much more stylish than ones with the elastic ankles. These ones have matching hoodies.

Blanket Kimono - This is on my own gift list. I want one so bad! It's like a snuggie only way better.

Poncho - I didn't realize ponchos had come back in style, but I know lots of ladies who love them, so I wanted to include a pretty plaid one on this list for them.

Stained Glass Window Cling - I am all about turning ordinary spaces into something unique and fun, and this stained glass window film is an easy way to do that. It's so pretty!

Lil Puff Tote - This is advertised as being an active tote, so I guess it's supposed to be for the gym. Regardless, it's cute and not oversized.

Micro-Stitch Gun - This little gadget is handy for instantly adding a stitch to clothing without a lot of fuss. The best part? You don't have to know how to sew to use it. Also, the stitch can be removed later if needed.

Rechargeable Hand Warmers - I'm seeing these all over social media this year. I know a bunch of people who would like to get a set of these. They would make excellent stocking stuffers.

Necklace - I don't usually include jewelry on this list, but I'm making an exception for this gorgeous beaded necklace. I want this for myself, y'all.

Double-Sided Throw Blanket - A cozy blanket is always a good idea. It doesn't even matter how many blankets we already own. I want this for myself, as well.

Smartphone Photo Printer - We've reached the one item that isn't' under $50, but this is one of those gifts that your mom would love to receive. This will get all of those precious photos off her phone and into an album.

Car Trunk Organizer - This is exactly what it says it is, and I still want one for my own car.

One Woman Book Club Review: The Wicked Deep

My October book club pick was a perfect pick for the month...although I must admit that I got behind on my reading (all my library holds became available at the same time!) and didn't actually read this one until the first of November. This witchy read was so good, especially for a debut novel -- it's not new, though; it was released back in 2018, and I'm just now getting around to reading it.

To give you an idea of just how good this book is, Netflix has bought the movie rights to it. A movie has not been released yet, but it's out there, and I cannot wait.

The Wicked Deep is a witchy romance set in the coastal town of Sparrow, Oregon, home of the infamous Swan sisters. In 1822, Marguerite, Aurora, and Hazel were convicted of witchcraft and drowned in the harbor. Now, every summer on June 1st, the sisters return to Sparrow to enact their revenge, possessing the bodies of three teenage girls and drowning at least one boy each before midnight on the summer solstice. Penny Talbot can see through the possessed girls to the spirits inhabiting them, and when Bo Carter arrives in town with no knowledge of the very real danger he faces, Penny knows she is the only one who can protect him from the sisters' wrath.

This story is told from Penny's point of view, except during the flashbacks. Those are told in third person and are expertly woven into the story in a way that enhances the present-day timeline. As the story unfolds and the flashbacks reveal the truth of what happened in 1822, you get to see just how much and how little has changed in Sparrow over the centuries.

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

***Spoilers***

The story begins with the Swan Party, a yearly tradition in which Sparrow's teenagers congregate on the beach and party all night to bring in the annual Swan Season. Seventeen-year-old Penny Talbot has never gone to these, but this year she lets her friend, Rose, convince her. There's drinking and a bonfire, and up until midnight some of the girls take the boys' dares to go into the harbor to prove they're not afraid of being taken by a Swan sister.

When Penny is accosted by one of the boys at the party, Bo Carter comes to her rescue. She had met him earlier in the day when he asked about the assistant lighthouse keeper's job she had posted, but she'd told him the ad had expired. As predicted by Penny, Bo had had no luck finding work or lodging in the town; locals won't hire outsiders, and all the bed-and-breakfasts are booked for the Swan Season.

Penny invites Bo back to the party, where he learns the tale of the Swan sisters. Two hundred years ago, sisters Marguerite, Aurora, and Hazel were drowned in the Sparrow harbor for witchcraft. Every year since, on June 1st, the sisters return, taking the bodies of local teen girls to exact their revenge on the town -- drowning boys in the harbor until they return to the water on the summer solstice.

Bo, understandably, doesn't believe the legend. Then, at exactly midnight, the singing starts, and girls must be held back from going into the water to be claimed by a sister.

By the end of the party, Penny has started to fall for Bo and offers him the job she'd previously denied, which includes lodging. Bo accepts and moves into one of the cottages on Lumiere Island, where Penny lives with her mom.

Sometime that night, Penny is taken by the spirit of Hazel Swan. Hazel takes on all of Penny's memories and assumes her life, just like she did the last two summers. Like all the Swan sisters' hosts, Penny doesn't remember anything at the end of the summer, and no one knows she was taken. Except her mother, who has a sixth sense that allows her to know when anyone is on the island, but who has been slipping further and further away in the years since her husband, Penny's father, disappeared.

Once all three sisters have a body, the singing stops, and this summer, they claim hosts quickly. Marguerite possesses Olivia, one of the most popular girls in Penny's school, while Aurora takes Gigi, one of Rose's childhood friends. Marguerite/Olivia doesn't wait to lure a boy into the harbor to his death. Penny, Bo, Rose, and Rose's boyfriend, Heath, discover the body. Aurora/Gigi drowns two boys at once, but she is caught in the act and held captive by a pair of boys until Rose, having no idea that Gigi is possessed, sets her free and takes her to the island for safekeeping.

Now all that's left is for Hazel to drown her victim, presumably Bo. But this summer, everything is different. For the first time in two hundred years, Hazel feels love and can't bring herself to kill. Marguerite, still vengeful, tries to lure Bo to his death, but Hazel saves him. It's this near-death experience that causes Bo to finally believe in the sisters, but he still doesn't know that Penny is really Hazel.

Eventually, Bo confesses to the real reason he's come to Sparrow. The previous summer, his brother drowned in the harbor. He had no idea that he was a victim of the Swan season, but now he's determined to identify all three sisters and kill them.

As the events of the present day are playing out, flashbacks to 1822 are woven throughout, providing information about the Swan sisters and what led to their eventual execution. The sisters came to Sparrow looking for a new life. They opened a perfume shop and did good business for awhile. The sisters were beautiful and had a pull to them that the men of the town couldn't seem to resist. Marguerite and Aurora enjoyed using their allure, but Hazel resisted the attention of the men...until she met the lighthouse keeper's son, Owen. The fell in love and Owen proposed, but when his father caught them together, Hazel was banned from ever stepping foot on Lumiere Island again.

Eventually, Owen's father accused the sisters of witchcraft. At the "trial," different men testified to their being "witch marks" on Marguerite and Aurora's bodies, but Owen refused to testify against Hazel. Knowing that if he didn't he would be killed along with them, Hazel pleaded with Owen to condemn her. The sisters were rowed into the harbor, where stones were tied around their ankles to drag them to the bottom, but Owen was not going to sit idly by and watch his innocent fiancé be drowned. He jumped into the harbor after Hazel and drowned along with her.

For two hundred years, Hazel's anger over Owen's death has fueled her revenge on Sparrow. This year, her love for Bo has extinguished it. She decides that this year she won't go back to the water on the solstice. She wants to assume Penny's life for good and stay with Bo on the island, but Marguerite has other plans. She, acting as Olivia, moves the end-of-the-season party to the island.

Aurora/Gigi escapes the cabin where she'd been being held and brazenly attends the party. She, of course, is recognized for who she really is and is forced to flee to the harbor.

Marguerite, meanwhile, manages to lure Bo to the top of the lighthouse where he's managed to turn the tables on her, until Penny/Hazel arrives and Marguerite spills the beans not only about who she really is but what she did the previous summer. Hazel is the sister who drowned Bo's brother. Not only that, but the first summer she took Penny's body, Penny's father realized what happened and figured out a way to end the curse for good without killing his daughter in the process. Hazel, desperate not to die her final death, killed him for it.

As she sees the truth of her actions play out on Bo's face, Hazel realizes that they can never be together. He thought he was falling for Penny, not the witch who murdered his brother. It's at that point that Hazel decides to end the curse, sending her and her sisters to the great beyond, but she needs Bo help to ensure that Penny does not perish with her.

They take Penny's father's sailboat out into the harbor, and Hazel surrenders to the water. As she drowns herself, she takes Penny's memories from the summer, leaving only the good ones. Bo pulls Penny from the water and brings her back to life. They return to the island where Bo stays on as the lighthouse keeper, and now that Penny is no longer possessed by a Swan sister, her mother comes back to herself.

At the end of the summer, the perfectly-preserved bodies of the Swan sisters are pulled from the harbor. Hazel's sacrifice ends the curse over Sparrow, and the sisters never return to possess teenage girls and drown boys again.

***End Spoilers***

I really enjoyed this book. The blurb says it is a blend of Practical Magic and the Salem Witch Trials, and I agree. Shea Ernshaw did a nice job of weaving the history of witch hunts into this story. The Swan sisters were not witches. They made and sold perfumes and enjoyed the men who showed them attention. All it took was one man who didn't want his son to marry beneath him to point the finger of witchcraft at all three. The only evidence against them? Birthmarks. Sadly, this was the reality for so many women (and men) at the height of the witch hunt hysteria.

At its core, this story was absolutely a love story. Not only of a man and a woman but also the love shared between sisters. Hazel was the ultimate victim. She refused to condemn her love to death in 1822, and in the present day she refused to sacrifice her sisters. In the end, she sacrificed herself, finally giving her sisters peace and allowing a true love to be realized.

This one is for all the romantics and will most likely make my end-of-the-year best books list.

8 Early November Outfits to Copy

The first two weeks of November have flown by. How is there only one week until Thanksgiving Break?! And we (teachers) all know this next week is going to drag on so slowly.

Welcome to another episode of Real Outfit Roundup, where I share the outfits I wore in real life over the last two weeks along with brief descriptions of each look and links to shop the same or similar items.

In case you're new around here, I am a middle school teacher, and most of the looks I share are from my work week. I come from a background of working in television news followed by a few years of working from home as a magazine publisher, so my style has gone through quite the evolution over the last decade. Now that I'm almost in my 40s, I think I might have finally figured some things out.

At any rate, I don't consider myself an influencer. I share what I wear each week because I enjoy fashion, and I find inspiration from how other people dress, so why not share my own? I include links to make it easier to find the items I love. Those links are affiliate links so that my time and effort has some reward -- these posts don't put themselves together! For those of you who don't know how those work, affiliate links allow me to earn commission off of your (or others') purchases at no additional cost to the shopper. If you want to guarantee that I'm getting credit for purchases you make based off of my content, make sure that my link is the last one you click before you checkout. As always, thank you for supporting Mommy the Journalist.

Now, on to the outfits! We've actually had a blast of cold weather lately so there are finally some sweaters in this roundup!

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

Sweater | Pants (similar) | Boots

We're starting with what is arguably my favorite look from this entire post. I absolutely love the academia vibe, and autumn is the easiest time to achieve those type of looks. I mean, what screams English teacher more than plaid pants and a cable-knit sweater?

This sweater has been getting a lot of attention on social media, or at least from the ladies that I follow. I've had it in my closet for awhile now, but it hasn't been cold enough to wear it until last week. I knew it was a good sweater, but wearing it definitely reinforced it. It's Old Navy's SoSoft material, which totally lives up to the hype. The color is so interesting and will honestly go with so many things that I already own, but when these pants were the next thing to come out of the order, I knew I had to wear them together.

I will be the first to admit that I've avoided Old Navy's Pixie pants for years. I tried a few back when I worked at the TV station, but they were always so tight and uncomfortable. Now, though, they make them in a few different styles, and I really like these wide-leg ones. They're still pull-on with no buttons or zippers, so the waist is pretty stiff. The first time pulling them on was a struggle, but it got better, and they are so dang flattering on. Unfortunately, the wide leg ones are mostly sold out, but they do have this exact same pattern in the Pixie flares.

Blouse | Skirt (similar) | Shoes (similar, similar, similar)

I kept the academia vibe going on Tuesday. Neck-tie blouses are one trend that I'm actually happy to see back in stores. I used to love these back in the day, and this one from Old Navy is so sweet. It is completely sheer, though, and it does not come with a built-in shell or camisole. I wore a pale pink camisole underneath it; it's one that I've had for awhile and can't remember where I got it.

This blouse was the perfect complement for this skirt that I absolutely love. It's probably the best thing that I've bought off of Temu. The quality is superb, but it's been discontinued. I did, however, find a skirt in the exact same pattern on Amazon, which is what I'm linking to for y'all.

Dress (similar) | Sweater (similar) | Shoes (similar)

Wednesday's outfit had a different vibe to it, but it was still a good one. This is one of those ribbed maxi dresses that I wrote about back in May. I loved them so much that I bought it in four different colors, and I still wear them all the time. The black definitely gets the most wear for obvious reasons.

This go 'round I decided to layer a crocheted sweater over it. I picked this sweater up from Target in the middle of summer. It's meant to be a "summer sweater" I think, but where I live there's no such thing, so I've been hoarding it until a more appropriate time to wear it. That said, it's definitely no longer available, but there are a bunch of crochet or open-stitch styles out there. I linked to one that's really similar in terms of shape and crochet pattern.

I finished the look with my leopard print mary janes from Old Navy. These have been such a nice addition to my fall shoe collection, and lots of other people agree since these have almost sold out. I'm linking to these exact ones plus some that look really similar in case your size isn't available.

Shirt | Vest (similar) | Pants (similar) | Shoes (similar)

This is the outfit that I wanted to love, and I did at first. I really liked it in the morning, but by the end of the day I was over it. I don't hate the outfit; it just didn't quite live up to my expectations. In fact, I think I'm probably about to donate this vest top. I got it on clearance last year, and it has just been a nightmare to style. I love the idea of it, but I just cannot make it work for me.

Anyway, I really do love these pants. This is the first time I wore them. I got them at the beginning of the school year, so they're not very old, but they're also sold out in this pattern. I'm linking to them for you so you can see the other option. I got these in the large. They're really comfortable.

I was really surprised to see that this seamless tee is still available in all sizes. It's a good layering piece, but it is short waisted. I got it in the medium and almost wish I gotten it in the large, but then the neck would have been weird. It's very tight, especially in the shoulders, but it's very soft and generally comfortable. I own it in a couple of colors. I think, ultimately, it was too bright white for the rest of the look.

My loafers are really old from ShoeDazzle, and they don't really have anything similar right now for me to link to, but there is a pair that looks almost exactly the same by Dream Pairs, so I linked to those.

Sweater | Pants (similar) | Boots

Monday was cold, so I leaned into it with an all-blue look. This sweater is another of Old Navy's SoSoft line. It's a tunic length, which is probably my favorite length for sweaters because it helps to make me look a little taller whereas the ones that hit me at my waist tend to add bulk up top which my 5'2" frame does not need. Anyway, I fell in love with this baby blue color, but I also ordered it in a kind of faded maroon color (which is no longer available unfortunately).

These are the same blue pinstriped pants that I shared in my last real outfit roundup. They help up really nicely in the wash. So far as I can tell, they didn't shrink at all. Sadly, they're all but sold out, but this style of pants is still available in other patterns, so I'm still linking to them.

Overalls | Shirt | Boots

Y'all knew it wouldn't too long before these overalls made another appearance in my outfit recap. I own them in black and yellow, too, but these green ones definitely get the most wear. It has been a minute since I wore them last, but you can see that outfit in this post. This time around, I swapped out the fancy blouse for a multi-colored floral mesh shirt that I've had for awhile but not worn yet.

I loved this pairing together, but I feel like I need to be honest about the shirt. It's on the short side, and I fought with it for most of the day to keep it pulled down. It doesn't seem like it should have been a problem due to being inside the overalls, but it kept wanting to ride up so that it was a problem. Will I wear it again despite that? Yes. But I felt like you needed to know before committing.

These are my favorite brown boots to wear this time of year. In fact, I'm probably about to order them in black, as well.

Dress (similar) | Cardigan (similar) | Shoes

Who said dressing warm had to be done in shades of blah? This dress, despite being sleeveless, is pretty warm. It's the same ribbed maxi dress as the black one I shared earlier in this post. It has faded a bit in the wash, and something bled onto it the last time I washed it, but I didn't realize that until I was already at school. Oh well.

This cardigan has been in my closet for awhile now. I don't wear it often because it is too warm most of the time, but it was cold last week. This exact one is not available anymore, but I found an updated version of it by the same brand. The pattern is exactly the same, and the only difference I see is that the one I'm linking to has pockets, and mine does not. I wish mine had pockets. That would be so convenient.

The only thing I don't like about this outfit are my shoes. They're fine, but I feel like they're just meh. I couldn't decide what shoes I should wear, so black flats seemed like the best choice.

Blouse (similar, similar) | Pants (similar, similar) | Boots

Everything in this outfit is old...and has somehow never been worn together. I've never thought to do a semi-monochrome outfit with either of these pieces, but I love the way this one turned out. Safe to say, it's my second favorite look of this roundup. The darker shades of maroon in the shirt's floral print are a perfect match for the pants. I found similar options for both the shirt and the pants for y'all. Mine are from Old Navy, both at least two years old but probably older. Old Navy doesn't have anything similar right now, though.

Simple Chicken & Rice in the Crockpot

I love a simple meal that is not only delicious but leaves you with that warm, full feeling after just one bite. This easy crockpot recipe is just that...and how it all came together was a happy accident that I will be repeating on purpose again very soon.

Chicken and rice has always been a favorite meal of mine, but it's one that I've always struggled to make just right. In fact, this meal did not start out with the intentions of being chicken and rice at all. It was simply meant to be chicken and gravy with some complementary sides added. I had planned on serving potatoes and green beans or carrots, I'm pretty sure.

Anyway, this started out with a simple crockpot recipe that I shared here on the blog about five years ago. You can see the original recipe here.

Because this meal went from one thing to another, and I threw most of it together in the wee hours of the morning before rushing out the door to school, I only have after pictures, but I promise the results are worth it. My husband said that this is the best chicken-and-rice I've ever made.

Ingredients

• 2-3 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 2 packets chicken gravy
• 1/2 cup of sour cream
• 3 cups minute rice
• 6 cups of water (total)
• Crockpot

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 6-8 hours

Step 1

In your crockpot, mix together the soup, gravy mix, and two cups of water. I used the Publix brand soup and gravy mixes to save a couple dollars. Mix until the gravy is fully dissolved, otherwise you'll have some grit in the final product, which is gross.

Step 2

Add your chicken to the pot. I put mine in straight from the freezer, so it was solid as a rock. In fact, I think this is probably why my gravy didn't scorch over the course of the day (I was honestly worried that we'd be gone too long for this recipe). Make sure you fully submerge the chicken in the soup-gravy mixture.

Step 3

Cook on low for six to eight hours.

Step 4

Shred your chicken. I guess you could cut it up into smaller pieces if you wanted, but we like it shredded. Then, stir in half a cup of sour cream. This will thicken the soup-gravy mix so that it's more like gravy.

Step 5

On your stovetop, bring three cups of water to a boil, then stir in three cups of Minute Rice. Cook as directed on the packaging. I used white, but you could use brown. Once the rice is fully cooked, add it into the chicken-and-gravy and serve.

I think that cooking the rice after and then adding it to the chicken and gravy was what made this work better than any other time I've tried to make chicken-and-rice in the crockpot.

What I'm Loving at Target Right Now

While everybody else is already jumping into holiday content, I'm just now really getting into fall. Our temperatures are just now starting to shift, and it's finally beginning to feel less like summer where I live. We can finally start adding some lighter layers to our outfits, but we're still a long way from breaking out the bulky sweaters.

So if you're not quite ready for the holiday madness, this is definitely the place for you. I try to stay in the moment as much as possible and not rush things. I'm not a very good influencer, I guess.

Anyway, it is still technically fall and will remain so until mid-December. Plus, I live in an area that doesn't experience deep winter very often, so I have no need for a closet filled with winter clothes. So join me as I continue to add a bit of cold-weather flavor to my outfits without actually dressing for cold weather.

For this edition of "Updating My Closet," I'm heading to Target. I've got to be honest: it's been a minute since I've been truly excited about clothes shopping at Target. Don't get me wrong -- it's still probably our favorite place to regularly walk through, but it's been awhile since the selection left me feeling anything but meh. Nothing against Target. It's just that in recent years, the trends just haven't been my style. At all. Right now, though, there's quite a bit of good to be found, and I wanted to share a few of the things that have caught my eye recently.

Burgundy Sneakers - I love burgundy in general but especially for fall, and these retro, gum-sole sneakers are simply too cute. If I hadn't just bought a new pair of tennis shoes, these would probably have already come home with me.

Cateye Sunglasses - Technically, I already have a pair of cateye sunglasses that are very similar to these ones and that are still in really good condition despite being from the late 90s. These were just too good not to share.

Bucket Bag - I'm a sucker for a bucket bag, and I really like this one, especially the two different materials. It also comes in black, but the brown is gorgeous.

Faux Suede Skirt - Suede is having a moment this year, but regardless, it's a classic, and this skirt is really nice. It comes in burgundy, brown, and olive green.

Button-Down Shirt Dress - The only thing holding me back from this dress is its length. It's a tad short for me to wear to work comfortably. Keep in mind that I teach middle school. It comes in this pretty cream as well as a burgundy floral.

Lace Overlay Dress - Man, I love this dress. It gives me all the 90s feel-good vibes. Butttttt it's not practical for my lifestyle at all, so I haven't allowed myself to buy it. If it gets marked down, and they still have my size, I might indulge. It really is so cute. It also comes in cream.

Ruffle Sleeve Maxi Dress - I have looked at this dress every single time I've gone in Target recently. Both colors it comes in, maroon or green, are pretty. This one is a bit pricier, which is the main reason it's still on the rack at the moment.

Combat Boots - My current combat boots are on their last leg, so I'm on the hunt for their replacement. These ones are a contender. I like the heel, the height of the shaft, the cute threading detail on the toe, and the price.

Fringe Ankle Boots - I look at these boots every time I'm in the store. They're really cute and on trend right now. The thing that's holding me back is that I don't know how much I would actually wear them.

Layered Waistcoat Dress - I don't know why I like this dress, but it speaks to me. Maybe it's the academia vibes? It comes in this pretty wine red as well as classic black.

Faux Suede Mary Janes - I'm including these on the list because I feel like they're a really good transition shoe. Plus, my favorite basket-weave mary janes aren't available, and these are a good substitute.

Brown Sneakers - These have been really popular online, and they're pretty cute for a more athletic style shoe. Again, I just bought a new pair of sneakers at the start of the school year, so I don't need a new pair.

Cargo Pants - These are very on trend right now, and I love the pink. They also come in brown, green, and khaki.

Drawstring Shorts - I know it's not the season for shorts, but these just showed up in my local store, and I really like them. The rust color is also perfect for our weird southern fall weather that sometimes is in the upper 80s.

Two Weeks of Fall Outfit Ideas to Copy

It's time for another real outfit roundup. Every two weeks, I share the outfits I wore in real life, along with a brief explanation for each look and links to shop exact or similar items.

In this edition, you'll notice a shift. We finally got some fall weather in my neighborhood. Our overnight lows dipped down into the 40s and our highs were in the mid-60s and low 70s.

You might also notice that I'm starting to dress less for an aesthetic and more for a feeling. I like bold colors and patterns and unexpected pairings. Basically, I'm tired of outfits that feel formulaic and boring and not altogether me. I don't want to look like everybody else. It's time to embrace the weird English teacher living inside me.

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

Sweater | Pants | Belt | Shoes (similar, similar)

We're starting on a Tuesday this go 'round and with one of my favorite looks of the entire month. This was my first day back at school after fall break with students. We jumped right into the new quarter with a lesson and hands-on, project-based writing activity. I knew I would be moving around the classroom a lot and wanted an outfit that made that easy.

At this point in the month, our weather was still incredibly mild. Thankfully the humidity hasn't been an issue for awhile, but cold temperatures have been scarce. I'm pretty sure our high for this day was in the 80s, so this short-sleeve sweater was perfect for this weird in-between time. It's also really good quality. I was pleasantly surprised if I'm being honest, especially for the price. I got it in a medium, which is what I do with most sweaters so that they'll fit a bit loose. I don't like tight sweaters at all; I get hot way too easily.

These cropped yellow pants are so good. They're not a very thick material and are very stretchy -- perfect for moving around a classroom helping students. I like the patch pockets a lot more than I thought I would, too. They're a cropped length, so on me they're ankle length, which is what I was going for. I feel like they'll draw up a bit length-wise in the dryer.

Good news about my shoes. While Target hasn't brought these exact ones back, they do have a really cute suede pair that are very similar.

T-shirt | Skirt | Belt | Shoes

On Tuesday, I really wanted to embrace spooky season, especially since my students were doing a haunted house activity. This yellow striped skirt wasn't an obvious choice, but I really enjoyed this look. I felt like the yellow really added to the playfulness of the skeletons on my t-shirt. Surprisingly, my Team Spirit skeleton tee is still fully stocked online. I added my stretchy, black-patterned, woven belt to give a bit more definition at my waist. It also added a bit of pattern play, which I really like here.

These black knit mary janes have been a really good addition to my closet. I've worn them more in the past month than I wore those square-toed ones I got from Old Navy in a year. These are still available in most sizes online, but they were pretty limited the last time I was in my local store.

Blouse | Skirt | Belt | Shoes (similar, similar)

Wednesday called for a bit of whimsy courtesy of this dinosaur skirt. The last time I wore it, I went all out with a Peter Pan shirt, but this time I decided to keep the rest of the look simple. I chose this lace-sleeve, light-green blouse that perfectly matched the brontosauruses in the skirt's print. I've had this blouse for awhile now. It's what I would consider an elevated basic. I added my cream-colored woven belt to create some definition at my waist. It was a nice complement to the stegosauruses in the skirt's print. The only thing I don't like about this look are my shoes, but I'll be honest. I don't know what other shoes to wear other than my espadrille sandals, and that's not happening in October.

Blouse | Pants (similar, similar) | Belt | Boots

I recreated an old favorite look for Friday with this orange floral blouse and wine-colored, bootcut pants. I don't understand why this look works, but it just really does. While everything in this outfit is old, the only thing not still available are the pants.

I actually own this exact blouse in two patterns, but this one is my favorite. This is a fully-lined blouse with the top layer being a chiffon-like, gauzy material. It's 100% polyester with ruffle sleeves and smoking around the neck.

You can't really see them in the picture, but these are my favorite ankle boots. They're good quality, the heel is just the right height, and they're surprisingly comfortable. I also own them in black.

T-shirt (similar) | Pants (similar, similar) | Belt | Shoes (similar, similar)

On Saturday, we went to a Halloween festival in downtown. It was pretty comfortable temperature-wise, so I didn't regret wearing pants until the very end. There was very little shade where the festival took place, so after about an hour or so of direct sunlight, I was getting a bit hot. Later that afternoon, we went to the campground trick-or-treat event we've been going to for the past several years.

Anyway, this t-shirt came from Lowe's of all places, but it's actually a really nice tee. It's very soft and fits nice and loose, which isn't always easy to find. As you can imagine, it's practically sold out at this point, but there were still a few left at the time I wrote this post.

My pants are several years old now. They're a nice alternative to olive, I think, while still accomplishing the same vibe.

Dress (similar) | Belt | Shoes (similar, similar)

Sunday called for a dress. This one has been a fall favorite of mine for a few years now. The colors are just perfect. I also love the ruffled sleeves and the way that it's cut. I made it feel new again by adding my cream-colored straw belt and favorite basket-weave mary jane flats. I linked to a dress that's pretty similar in style and color for y'all, and it's by a brand that I regularly shop.

Shirt | Dress | Boots (similar, similar)

This past week we actually had fall weather, which meant I could finally add some actual fall layers to my outfits. This mesh top has been getting a good bit of attention on social media lately, but it's not being over-hyped. Somehow, and I don't know how, it's not see-through. I'm not 100% clear on if the base color is black or brown -- I thought it was black, but when I put it on it looked more brown. I don't know.

I decided to layer it underneath this denim maxi dress that I've been stalking ever since it came out. I just couldn't make myself pay full price for it. Then I found it marked down to $13 in the store, and I snapped it up so fast. It is still available in most sizes on the website, but it's still showing as full price. So my advice is to check your local store first. This is really good quality, though. It's got a zipper in the back. The straps, sadly, are not adjustable, and there are no pockets. I bought the medium, and it's a tad big, but I have no doubt it will draw up some in the wash.

Dress | Boots (similar) | Necklace (similar)

Tuesday's look was my students' favorite outfit. According to them, this outfit was "tea." My daughter assures me that means good. Anyway, this dress is amazingly soft. It was like wearing a blanket all day. It was a bit more fitted than I was expecting, so I'm definitely not going to dry it.

I've had these faux suede, tall black boots for a few years, but they're still so good. I did regret wearing them this day, though. I forgot we were going to the library to do research, and I spent 90% of the day on my feet. On a normal day, these boots are fine, but after so much walking and standing, my feet were dead by the end of the day.

As a finishing touch, I pulled out my vintage owl necklace from the early 2000s. No, I wasn't wearing it ironically. I genuinely still love this necklace, and it was just what this look was missing. I actually managed to find a really good dupe of it on Amazon for you.

Blouse | Vest | Pants | Shoes (similar)

This might be my favorite outfit of the entire month. It just felt so me, and I was so comfortable all day long.

These pinstripe pants are so comfortable. I was on the fence about buying them at first, but I'm so glad I did. I tried them with several shirts before deciding to go with this one. It's hard to tell from this picture, but my blouse has lace detailing on it, which adds a fun bit of character to what would otherwise be a plain white shirt.

I love the pop of red this vest gives to the outfit. It felt unexpected but right, and the quality is so good. I'm glad I took the chance on it. I did go up a size so it would be more like a vest and less like a top since I knew I would never wear it that way.

Sweatshirt | Button-Down | Pants | Boots | Earrings

This was such a fun look to put together. I was a bit self-conscious at first -- the plaid pants are loud! I had several ideas for how to style them, but when this cropped Salem sweatshirt came in, I knew I had something. Of course, since the sweatshirt is cropped, I couldn't just wear it on its own, so I layered it over a basic, white long-sleeved button down. I left the bottom two buttons undone for a more relaxed look.

These pants, aside from being a definite statement item, were like wearing pajamas all day. They were an inch or two too long for flats, so I wore my brown ankle boots, which were the perfect height to keep them from dragging.

As a side note, after school, we hung around town for the second-annual witch's ride, which may have inspired this entire look.

T-shirt | Skirt | Boots (similar)

Friday was Halloween. I decided not to dress up in a full-blown costume this year, but I still wanted to be in the spirit. This tulle skirt was the obvious choice. A good thing about this skirt is that it could easily be turned into a witch's costume. I just didn't feel like going all out this year. Maybe next year?

I had several Halloween tees I could have worn with this skirt, but I decided to pair it with this Halloweentown graphic tee. The Halloweentown movies were a big part of my childhood, so this shirt felt very nostalgic.

I finished the look with my combat boots. I don't love them, really, but my feet were still protesting Tuesday's choice of footwear, so this was the best choice. On a side note, I'm going to have to replace my combat boots soon; they're starting to squeak.