A Few Resolutions

pumps - Ferryl Robin (remixed) * snow boots - Lands End (gifted-Mom)

I have generously been given a teaching reduction and am only responsible for attending meetings and working on my dissertation until September. While I realize that that is a whole lot of time, I also know that if I don't make realistic weekly writing and monthly goal schedules (and stick to them) I could easily find myself regretfully reflecting on how I mismanaged and squandered all of this time 9 months from now.

sweater - Ann Taylor LOFT * skirt - Express (remixed)
tights - Eloise/Anthro

Vita Activa

Manage Stress & Anxiety: Although I've flown regularly my entire life, when I was 18 I began to dislike flying and it transitioned into some pretty horrible aerophobia (cue bad references to 2nd Wave metaphorical novel) about 5 years ago. After attempting to self-medicate in variety of ways (3 gin & tonics before boarding; 30-hour sleep deprivation plus Benadryl) I found myself in my university's counseling center where I'm now actively working to manage my condition. Since I began therapy, I've discovered that despite being able to rationally explain why I should not feel fear or panic in certain situations I've somehow trained my body (think kinesthetic memory) to produce and hold onto fear and panic. It's bad enough that when I turn in grant applications, my stomach and chest tighten at the thought of being on an airplane for 8 hours en route to London. Thus, some resolutions for retraining my body: continue therapy, cut down on caffeine, add yoga to regular exercise, and become more organized (To avoid banal panic like "Oh shit! I lost a paper I was supposed to grade!).

Responding: I have a horrible habit of receiving gifts and feeling grateful and not sending a note expressing gratitude until 6 months later. Similarly, when you Wonderful Readers respond to my posts, I think about what I want to reply but I don't do it immediately and so the time passes. I resolve to respond in a more timely fashion (this will probably also cut down on the anxiety).

Dress for the Job I Want, Mon-Thurs: In 3 years (the max time for this to make sense) if I do not have a tenure-track Assistant Professorship I want to be able to know that it is the economy and the job market that caused me to change careers and not because I did not write a solid dissertation, present enough papers, or revamp papers/chapters into published articles. In order to meet my writing and professional goals (see below) and to do them well, whether I work from home, the library, or a coffee shop I need to be dressed for work. Like Sara of Orchids and Buttonholes, I have to feel put together for "my morale and my productivity and my sense of self." Because of the weather, I thought I would start on this tomorrow, but then I decided that I should start today--even though I'm snowed in, I'm wearing the fabulous multi-textured brown, gold, and green outfit pictured here:

cloche - Ann Taylor Loft (remixed) * scarf - H & M (remixed)

Vita Contemplativa

Dissertation and SFE [Forthcoming]: Hopefully, being dressed, organized, and less stressed will allow me to concentrate on this dissertation. Many of my successful colleagues before me have committed to 2 pages/day, Mon-Friday. A friend and I have modified this to allow for necessary days of research without writing: 8 pages/week. And if we have 8 pages or more by Thursday, then we get to take Friday off! This realistically puts me at 3 (out of 4) Chapters by August 31st, which is also what I need to be at for my committee members to guarantee a June 2012 graduation in job letters. Also, I need to have a publication listed on my CV next year and I have two papers that simply need to be reworked and tweaked a bit and then sent out by next month. I think I might budget in some sort of reward for that.

detail of tights: brown with cream specks and green dots

Distracted vs. Purposeful Use of Time: Last year for Lent I gave up Facebook (my gateway to procrastination and endless hyperlinking) and then, after 40 + days, I went right back to habitually wasting time on the Internet. Recently, a friend of mine wrote an article on how we know that Internet use is changing our minds and but we don't exactly know how it is affecting our moral character:

It should not be shocking that a habit like constant Internet use might change us at a profound level, perhaps even ruining the capacity for sustained, contemplative focus that we once took for granted. The notion that actions create habits, which in turn shape moral character, is the foundation of virtue ethics.

Shakespeare's Masculine Ending and I have resolved to try to reduce our after-hours Internet and computer usage, which includes subscribing to the actual paper-version of the Sunday NYT--seriously, what a more enjoyable ritual than scrolling and worrying about spilling coffee on your keyboard! For me, this also means scheduling time for the blogosphere so that I enjoy it and don't have that nagging (anxiety-inducing!) feeling like I'm procrastinating other scheduled work.

detail of accessories: earrings - Anthro (remixed-gifted)

So, Dear Readers, I'm asking for advice: How do you get yourself to stick to schedules? Those of you who have been on fellowships, how did you manage your time? Lastly, I have 2 works spaces: a closed carrel at the library (where ALL of my books are) and a desk at home--I'm thinking I might plan for 3 days at the library and 2 at home, but I worry about the back and forth. Thoughts?

Query: Is it still called Indian Summer?

Yesterday it was already warm in the morning and I knew it would get up in the high-70s (25.5 C), so I pulled out a favorite Spring/Summer dress. I was going to wear a professional looking black skirt + silk blouse combo, but I decided to take advantage of the last day of warmth. I definitely enjoy dressing for Fall/Winter more than Spring/Summer, but I've really enjoyed this outfit, especially because I thought I had already worn it for the last time three weeks ago--when the temperature dropped to the level that required the landlord to turn on the heat.

1. Dress - Ann Taylor Loft
Cardi - Tiny/Anthro
Cami - Banana Republic
Sandals - Bare Traps via DSW (remixed)

I've decided to forgo jeans in the classroom, so this is likely to be the most casual outfit I will don the entire term. And now that it is mid-term and my students know me and my expectations, I felt it was fine.  Because of my proportions--especially the height factor--I find that drapey, asymmetrical cardigans look best on me over dresses and skirts. Compare the above to pairing it with pants below:

2. Cardi - Tiny/Anthro
T-shirt - Banana Republic
Cropped Cargos - Ann Taylor Loft (remixed)

To be fair, that was the most unflattering photo I took of this outfit, but sometimes those are the most telling. Pairing this sort of cardigan with cropped pants on a shorter body is not necessarily terrible, but it is much more flattering with a monochromatic dress.

To return to the cardi + dress comb, it creates a really great neckline:

3. Earrings - ? (gifted)
Miraculous Medal - National Shrine, DC

Also, I have good news to share:

4. Dress - Girls From Savoy/Anthro (remixed)
Cardi - Banana Republic

Last Wednesday I confined myself to a library computer until 9:30 p.m. in order to finish a paper that had to be sent out and circulated. It was a goal and I met it, and per the revised policy, I got to wear the Twinkle Twinkle Dress on Thursday to celebrate.

Over the Weekend

First of all, I want to thank you all so much for your comments yesterday about our interview!  M.'s status was approved and he is now a conditional resident.  We'll have to submit more paperwork in a couple of years, but I'm glad to have the better part of an expensive and time-consuming process out of the way.  I love my husband, but I've been pretty tempted to use using this for leverage when it comes to household chores and deciding who goes to pick up our takeout and dry cleaning. 

We went out on Saturday night to a party at Ann Underfunded Humanity's place, and it was a great time.  I had intended to take some photos of the party, since a few stylish academics were about the place, but once I had a glass of wine in one hand and a plate of food in the other, that ship had sailed.  In fact, I only remembered to get photos of my own outfit after we got home that night.¹  So these were taken with the nighttime profile setting on my point-and-shoot.

 1. Yellow Dress - Signature by Robbie Bee (remixed)

Black Dress - Y Boutique (remixed)

Shoes - Ann Klein (remixed from my wedding)

Belt - From another dress (remixed)

Purse - Harrods (gift and remixed)

I also feel compelled to come clean about something goal-related.  Over the weekend I was supposed to run a half-marathon, but I decided not to the night before the race.  I've been having a really hard time getting in my long training runs and even some of my shorter runs in as I deal with this last round of revisions before my defense and the chaos of finishing up the semester at the small liberal arts college where I've been a visiting faculty member this year.  I decided to remove running from the list of stressors for the time being.  I'll still run when I feel like it and to relieve stress, but I won't feel anxious or guilty because I only ran 2 miles instead of 12.  Right now I just don't need anything else causing me anxiety or guilt even if it means not meeting my goal of running three half-marathons this year.

What tactics do you have for dealing with stress? How are you doing with your goals or New Year's resolutions?

Holding Myself Accountable

Hmmmmm.....  A few weeks ago, when 2010 still seemed shiny and sparkly and new, I set some goals for the year.  Just so that I'm holding myself accountable I'm checking in with you.

Goal #1 had to do with finishing and defending the dissertation.  After having bronchitis over the holiday, getting caught up in the mad dash of preparing for my conference and interview, and the start of two new school terms, my advisor and I finally sat down and chatted.  I'm turning in a complete draft from intro to bibliography on March 15th.  I'm working on the revisions of the last chapter and the introduction starting this weekend.

Goal #2 was all about the shopping ban.  I admit that I have violated it to buy my first piece of Wendy Brandes jewelry, but it was for a really, really good cause.  I don't feel bad about this at all.  Aside from that purchase, I've been holding strong and I've enjoyed trying to be more creative with my closet.  When in doubt I build an outfit around one piece, such as a pair of tights¹, like I did Sunday.  I wore this outfit for brunch with M., my family, and a couple of close girlfriends and to have my man of honor and his husband, thechemist-coture, over for coffee and leftover wedding cake. 

1. Navy Sweater dress - H&M

Floral tights - ModCloth (remixed)

Boots - Steve Madden (remixed)

Belt - Target (remixed)

Goal #3 I'm running but I'm still not in very good form after my bout of bronchitis.  The cough.  It lingers.  This is not good because I'm running my first of three half-marathons in less than two months.

Goal #4 of getting out another article is on the back burner for now.  That is fine.

Goal #5 was for me to be more mindful.  For the most part I have been.  I've been meditating and doing yoga.  My table was covered with the warmers and food dishes we had borrowed from the restaurant for a couple of days, but apart from then I've been eating at the table.

Goal #6 of reading a poem a day has been a pleasure so far.  Right now I'm reading Emily Dickinson, Pablo Neruda, and Shel Silverstein.

Goal #7 has been a bit of a struggle, but there's nothing like having a wedding reception at your home to inspire you to clean it....

Goal #8 was to continue to grow my hair out.  It might become more of a struggle now that the wedding is over.  I wanted a glamorous updo, and I got one.  Now I'm so tempted to cut my hair, but it's just a few more months, so I will be patient.

If you set goals for the new year or resolutions, how are you doing with them? Are you finding some easier to keep up with than others?

Florals and Stripes

If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you know that I've been on a shopping ban for about 2.5 weeks now.  In case you've been wondering, so far it's been relatively smooth sailing because I have been avoiding temptation.

The shopping ban's main purpose was to keep my budget in line even with the added expenses of attire and beauty for my upcoming wedding.  It had a few other purposes, though, as well.  One of which was a sort of learning exercise.  I wanted to be forced to make better use of what I already had in my closet.  I had been wondering, though, if the ban would make me fall horribly behind on current trends (not that I like or wear all of them).  When I read the most recent issue of Glamour, I realized that most of the trends that I would be willing to try anyway (especially for teaching attire) I'll be able to make work with what I've got.  For example, jumpsuits make me look and feel like a blob, and thus, they are not something I would think too much about buying even without the shopping ban.  However, mixing floral and striped patterns¹ is something that I am willing and able to do.

1. Shirt - ??? (Filene's Basement)

Cardi - Target (remixed)

Jeans - Express (remixed)

Boots - Steve Madden (remixed)

Belt - From another dress (remixed)

Earrings - Gift (remixed)

Now, in my opinion, mixing stripes and florals is a trend that I think is translateable into classroom appropriate attire.  However, I do think that female academics should approach floral patterns with a bit of caution, especially those who are younger or look quite young and especially early in the term when it is important to set the tone for the next ten to fifteen weeks.  Florals can make one seem "girly," which is not always the message an instructor wants to send to her students.  And -- for better or worse -- students do notice what we wear.

What do you think about this trend?  And, for those readers who are academics, what do you think?  Do you think I'm just a croaking Cassandra?  Have you, did you, or will you wear a floral pattern on the first day of the term?


Oh, and, there's still a couple of weeks to answer our CFP.

LHdM's Goals and Priorities for the New Year

Since I spent yesterday in polka-dot pajamas trying to recover from a nasty upper respiratory infection, taking antibiotics, drinking hot tea with lemon, and snuggling with Bailey, I don't have an outfit to show you.  However, I thought I would share a picture of snugly Bailey

 and a few of the goals that I will be focusing on in 2010 and a brief breakdown of how I plan to achieve them with you to try to make up for it.

1) Defend my dissertation and become Dr. de Moda.  Obviously, this is a goal that cannot be achieved overnight.  However, I've been revising my dissertation chapters over the past few weeks and will continue to do so.  I've set a deadline to finish revisions by January 20th.  This is a later date than I had initially intended, but I've been hacking my brains out for a week, the new term starts on Monday, and I'll be away at a conference next week.   I accept that I'm only human, but if I devote six to seven hours a day to revisions the next three days, I should be on track by the time the term starts.  That will give me the week of my wedding away from the dissertation and then writing the intro and conclusion and taking care of any revisions that come back on a second round in February and early March.  This should put me on schedule for an April defense.

2) Successfully complete my 2.5 month shopping ban.  As I outlined in an earlier post, I will not be doing any clothes shopping during the months of January, February or the first half of March.  The way I plan to achieve this is to use my own style blog and those of others to find ways to creatively remix the pieces that I already have.  And whenever I feel an uncontrollable urge to shop for something, to write down what that thing is, how I'm feeling, what might have brought on the urge to shop, and then shift gears and either do some work on the dissertation or hit the running trails or my yoga mat. When the ban is over, I will continue to dress stylishly and within budget.

3) Run 3 half-marathons.  In 2009 I ran a 10k, a half-marathon, and a full marathon.  While part of me wants to be ambitious and run another marathon in 2010, I'm also well aware of the fact that my dissertation and teaching a new course next term will be extremely time consuming.  Training for a marathon is mentally, emotionally, and physically draining.  There's a chance that if things work out and I land a tenure track job that I might consider training for another marathon in the fall, but in the meantime, I've decided to set the goal of running 3 half-marathons in 2010.  The first of these will be in March in Virginia Beach.  So over the next week as I feel better I'll be easing back into a running routine.  Upon my return from my trip to the annual meeting of the American Historical Association, I will be running four or five times a week, and following a half-marathon training schedule. (Even though I'm not a novice, I like the flexibility of this program.  I might train more intensely later in the year.)  Since I am much better at running in the morning, I will commit to getting up early and getting my training in first thing, except for those days when I'm running with a friend.

4) Write another scholarly article.  Once my dissertation is turned into the graduate school, I'd like to spend some time in the late spring and summer working on another article for publication.  I have an idea and have done a teensy bit of preliminary research for this article, but obviously I won't be able to focus on it until later in the year.  I don't want my brain to get dusty right after the dissertation is completed, but I also know that after three years, I need a break from that project before I start thinking about revising it as a book manuscript.

5) Be more mindful in general, but also spend more time on the yoga mat in physical asana and meditation.   I need to connect with my mat and shut up my inner monologue for atleast a few minutes every day.  When I do this I feel better, and I know that.  I also will eat all of my meals at the table, including breakfast, even though that might reduce the amount of time I spend blogging/reading other blogs.

6) Read atleast one poem everyday.  In my opinion, everyone should make time in their life for poetry.  Enough said.

7) Help to keep the house cleaner.  I have been tremendously guilty of only cleaning up when I know people are coming over for the past two or three months.  M. has done more than his fair share of washing dirty dishes and sweeping up Bailey hair.  If I want my marriage to be an equal partnership, then I better start pitching in more with the household chores again.  My plan is to spend a couple of hours cleaning this afternoon.  Then I will spend about 10-15 minutes a day during the week and a couple of hours over the weekends picking up, dusting, sweeping, organizing.  I know that having an orderly house makes me feel more at ease, so I should invest the time in keeping it cleaner.

8) Continue to be patient with growing out my hair -- at least until June.  This is the longest that my hair has been since 2005, and I'm only just starting to re-learn how to style longer hair.  I want to use this period to learn how to do a few updos and hopefully my hair will get long enough to actually put it in a side chignon. Although I doubt I'll ever get the hang of more elaborate updos.  Speaking of updos, these are a couple that I'm trying to pick between for my wedding:

Source

Source

I would put get a tenure-track job on the list, but I decided that these goals should be things that I essentially have direct control over.   What do you hope to accomplish in 2010? Do you break your goals down into more manageable mini-goals and come up with a game plan?  How do you set and achieve your goals?

Oh, and fear not.  We'll be back with more outfit posts, open forums, and guest lectures in the new year.  Have a safe and very happy New Year!

Why I Am Not a Fashionista, Part II

Last week I wrote a piece about why I am not a fashionista.  The outfit¹ that I wore on Christmas Eve demonstrates many of those reasons that I outlined in that post:

1. Skirt - Anthropologie (thrifted and remixed)

Sweater - Sweater Project (Filene's Basement)

Belt - from another skirt

Tights - Target (sale)

Brown wedges - MIA (DSW and remixed)

This sweater is entering its fifth winter, and if it were pictured more closely, you would be able to see that it is definitely past its prime.  It's starting to pill, and I'm afraid this is its last season for wear (although I think I said that last winter, too...).  I thrifted this gorgeous Anthropologie skirt at a local charity shop.  I think it's beautiful, and I feel good about wearing it because I only paid a few dollars and because it is second-hand.  The shoes were a budget-friendly and smart choice because they're so versatile - they've gotten quite a lot of use.  They're also extremely comfortable for walking around campus and standing in for lecturing.

Because I tend to be a hoarder (as my inability to let the sweater go indicates), I have a particularly well-stocked closet.  While I would always love to have a few more cardigans or another A-line skirt in it, I have decided not to add to my closet for the next two and a half months.  Inspired by the Law School Fashionista and her closet shopping challenge and Rosie Unknown who had been only thrift store shopping for the past couple of months, I am going on a self-imposed SHOPPING BAN for the months of January and February and the first half of March.  For the next two and a half months, I will not buy any clothing, shoes, purses, tights, hats, jewelry, or make-up.  I also won't buy any dvds, books, music, or kitchen appliances.  The only exceptions to my shopping ban will be for job interview related emergencies and toiletries, such as moisturizer and shaving cream, or if I desperately need athletic socks or basic undergarments.

I am implementing this shopping ban for a number of reasons.  I have to pay for alterations for my wedding gown imminently because I'm getting married on January 22nd, and I'm going to get my hair and makeup done by my lovely stylist because I am both vain and hair-challenged.  Even though those things could technically come out of money budgeted for the wedding, I am paying for the alterations myself (paying for my own dress was a pride issue for me), and that will more than deplete my clothing budget for the months of January and February, as well as my budget for little luxuries, like dvds, songs on iTunes, and lipstick.  I have decided to include second-hand items in the ban because I have enough winter clothing.  I have plenty of shoes and boots.  There is really nothing that I need, and this will challenge me to make more creative use of what I have.  I am also trying to shrink my carbon footprint and my amount of credit card debt.  Finally, this will make me really consider what items I really tend to wear, which items tempt me the most to violate the ban and why (I'm not saying that I'll cave into the urges), and which - if any - new trends are worth adopting.  If I can't make it work with what I already have that's just too damn bad. 

I'd love to hear what others think about shopping bans!  Have you ever gone on a shopping ban?  What rules did you set for yourself?  Would you consider going on a shopping ban or not?  Why?

What I Did in 2009

I hadn't really thought about all the highs (and some lows) of this year until I read a post the other day on By Hillary.  It got me thinking about all that has happened in 2009 (and how I should definitely take more photos in the library).  All in all, 2009 has been a pretty good year.  In mostly chronological order a lot of pretty damn good things:

I got engaged to a wonderful man with whom I am completely in love.  We're getting married soon.

I wrote three chapters of my dissertation.  I submitted an article for publication.  I had an on-campus interview for an adjunct position and got the job (alas it is temporary) at an institution with which I am deeply enamored.  Since last January I have taught five classes (two of them completely new preps and four of them classes of fifty students).  I have marked a mountain of papers, and some of them were actually quite good.

I rewarded myself with two pairs of Fluevog boots for meeting professional goals.  (You have probably seen them a few times on the blog.)

I went to Madrid on my last quick research trip for the dissertation, and as fate would have it my best girlfriend (known to me as my amiguita) was there at the same time!  I'd post a picture, but I am not sure she would approve of that (and since right now she is in a tiny village in Spain with no internet, I can't check with her).

I got my third tattoo.  It is very meaninful to me, as are my other two.  I don't really have a good picture of it to show to you, but I'll show you my favorite tattoo that I got a few years ago, after I passed my exams.

I gave the toast at my best friend's wedding.  It was such an honor to be asked! (By the way, my best friend is married to thechemist-coture.)

My future sister-in-law asked me to hold the chuppah at her beautiful wedding.

M. and I adopted Bailey from a shelter, and we've never looked back.

I started this blog with Megarita and Ann Underfunded Humanity, and thechemist-coture joined the team before long, as well.  Thanks to this, I'm far less afraid of having my picture taken than I was a few months ago.  It also has introduced me to an absolutely wonderful community of style bloggers in academia and other professions.  Thanks to all of you for writing posts and to those of you who read my blog!  You rock!

I ran my first marathon.

I finally got my mama to come visit me out here in the Midwest.  We had Thanksgiving dinner with her and M.'s parents here.

I won a contest, and we at Fashionable Academics are hosting our first Giveaway!

How was your 2009?  What were your best moments?

It's been a long time!!!!

So here it is 2008 and I am ready to make a new start.. in more ways then one. I have finally gotten to a place where I think I am happy mentally so now it is time to work on the physical me. I have vowed to work out and eat healthy in 2008 My goal is to lose 20lbs. Now some may say oh you don't look like you need to lose 20lb and honestly I don't "look it" but I feel it. So I have started my journey and I will write about it here from time to time so forgive me if I whine :)

Thus far 2008 has been great, now keep in mind I am only on day 3 of 2008 but I have a good feeling about this year, not to mention that there is a lot that is going to happen this year. I will be traveling more for work, and hopefully getting a promotion, Dan my wonderful husband will retire from the Army after 20 years, Dan's dad will turn 70! And I am sure there will be a host of other highs and lows in 2008.

I wish you and yours all the best and look forward to comments in 2008.