Some of the best items to look for at Loft are:

• Jewelry: Their earrings, necklaces, and bracelets are super cute and very affordable!
• Shorts: I was sooo pleased with the shorts I found. Not too short, and very flattering.
• Dresses and Skirt: They have a wide variety of dresses and shorts – honestly something for everyone.
• Blouses: I love their selection of cute but simple blouses and tops.

Here are some of my favorite items I snagged in the Loft sale! I listed the prices that I got them at. I recommend putting items you want in your cart and then waiting a while to see if they go on sale!

These shorts are the perfect length! I was looking for shorts that were long enough to wear to school but that still felt stylish. The are very flattering with the tie waist, and also have big pockets which we teachers know is always a plus! I also was looking for white shirts that would match all of my shorts and skirts. These are both cute options.

How cute is this white blouse? I love the puff sleeves so much! It really pairs with any skirt to make it into an easy outfit. These skirts are both perfect for school. Not too long, not too short. It's hard to find denim skirts that are modest enough for teaching, but this one is great!

It's always hard for me to find fall and winter dresses. These two will both transition easily into the colder weather with just a sweater and some tights. Definitely worth holding onto! I was also looking for a lighter colored woven belt… bingo!

I've been trying to add more dangling earrings into my outfits (I'm usually a no-fuss studs girl). These earrings are simple enough to pair with most outfits, but also not boring. I am keeping them all!

I've been trying to hop on the top knot headband trend for ages, and I finally found one I like! The crinkle fabric on this pink headband is so pretty. I use headbands all the time for easy hair days, and these will all get a lot of wear!

Head to Loft before these amazing styles sell out! And if they're not on sale now… they probably will be soon!

What's your favorite place to shop for a good deal on teacher
clothes?
xoxo
Laura

The post The Best Teacher Clothes On Sale At Loft appeared first on Love Grows Learning.

But whenever I go to Target, I can’t help but wander through their clothing aisles and end up with a handful (or sometimes an armful) of cute items. I definitely am not comfortable going into fitting rooms right now, which means I end up buying a bunch of stuff to take home and try on (after letting it sit for three days so the germs can die)! 

After several trips to Target, I finally feel like I have a summer wardrobe happening (months of sheltering-in-place meant clothing shopping was mostly leggings and sweatshirts)! So many of these items are versatile enough to wear in or out of the classroom. But mostly they are just great casual summer staples. And I can keep them all because Target's prices are so affordable!

Here are my favorites:

• Overalls: These overalls are so fun and comfy. They are super stretchy, which is must in my book, and the pockets are actually functional! I could see myself wearing these to school with a puff sleeve blouse and some high-top slip-on sneakers. These overalls run big, so I sized down.

• Tie-Dye Sweatshirt: I have to admit, I am loving the tie-dye trend. I was so excited to find this sweatshirt and even more excited that the fit was so nice. I went one size up so that it would be a little loose. The colors are so summery, I just love them!
• White Cut-Off Shorts: These white Levi shorts might be my favorite item I found. They are the perfect short-shorts – flattering, but still trendy. I love the distressed look. I definitely won't be wearing these to school, but I they will still get plenty of use this summer! Levi's run small, so order up if you're between sizes.

• T-Shirt Dress: I've been wanting to add a T-shirt dress to my wardrobe, and this one is the winner! I love the muted teal, and the slightly loose fit, and the just-right length. I can't wait to style it with a jean jacket, baseball cap, and flip-flops! Runs big, so go down if between sizes.

• The Perfect White T: I've been on the search for the perfect white T, and I finally found it! I wanted an oversized fit with a crewneck. This shirt is just the right sturdiness. I went two sizes up to get the perfect oversized feel. Did I mention it's only $9? I'll probably have to go back for more!!
• Just-Right Shorts: It's so hard to find shorts that aren't too short to wear to work. These are pushing it, but I think I could get away with wearing these to school if I paired them with a nice blouse and some sensible flats. But they may just end up being summer shorts. The color is great because it's so neutral it goes with everything!

Which look do you like the best?
xoxo
Laura

The post Must-Have Summer Outfits From Target appeared first on Love Grows Learning.

I have definitely been enjoying being able to wear leggings and sweatpants every day while working at home. I’ll throw on a nice blouse for Zoom meetings, and make sure my hair and makeup is done. I can hear some people asking: Hair and makeup? Why bother? Well, I did my hair and makeup every day when I was teaching in the classroom, and if my appearance is one teeny tiny thing that I can make consistent for my students during this crazy time, then it’s worth it. Here are some Zoom shots of some typical outfits I’ve been wearing. (Just picture leggings or sweatpants on the bottom half!)

With warmer weather starting up, I’ve also been pulling out some of my summer dresses. Turns out this is a super comfy option that looks professional on top with no extra effort! Here are some of the dress styles I’m loving for days with stacked Zoom meetings.

What has your workwear style been like lately?
xoxo
Laura

The post Zoom Tops and Blouses: The New Workwear appeared first on Love Grows Learning.

You know that feeling when you go out for yard duty and realize you were so so unprepared for how cold it is outside?

I have spent many a morning recess thinking “I should have worn that extra sweater!” or “Why did I think I would be fine without long underwear?”

I have concocted many crazy ideas to help warm up on the chilliest of mornings. I actually have an electric heat pullover that I wear under my sweaters on super cold mornings. In fact, I should probably do a post that lists all of my hacks for staying warm during 8 am yard duty.

So how can you dress when you know you'll be in and out of the classroom, and that the temperatures will be all over the place? You need an outfit that can adapt with you for those days that start out freezing, but somehow warm up 30 degrees by the end of the day.

And for those of us who live in Northern California, those days seem to last most of the school year!

I've found that layering is really the only way I can stay comfortable all day. Being warm is very very important, so I like to add in a proper coat and a hat most chilly mornings. But once the classroom warms up and I get going with the teaching, I start shedding layers!

Bye bye coat. There goes the hat. See ya sweater.

Layering options help me maintain that “just right” temperature all day long, and let me feel prepared for just about anything the weather might throw my way!

Outfit Breakdown

Here I went with….

• Grey peacoat (My JCrew Factory one sold out, but it's based off of this gorgeous JCrew Chateau Parka)

• White jeans (a staple for me year round. I like these H&M ones because they are so affordable, I have several pairs I rotate through)

• Striped turtleneck, becuase let's be honest, I consider blue and white stripes a “neutral” (similar here)

• Cozy sweater vest – I was so so excited about this item. I wasn't sure I would wear it a lot, but I've ended up getting so much use out of it! (similar here)

• Knitted hat – this one has a cute pointelle pattern so it's not as chunky and overstated as other winter hats which can be nice (similar here)

• Lace up boots, which are another wardrobe stable, as these are actually comfortable and have that perfect not too high, not too low heel. These are from Anthropologie (similar here)

I love pairing neutrals with more neutrals, and putting together different fabric textures. I also love how the sweater vest sticks out under the coat – if you're going to layer, show it off! Then off come the layers, and you're ready for whatever temps the day decides to throw at you!

What are your go-to layers on cold days?
xoxo
Laura

The post Winter Layering Can Actually Be Cute appeared first on Love Grows Learning.