Thursday's Real Holiday

I didn't wear any green on St. Patrick's Day. I just couldn't make it a priority this year, not with Thursday being the first (not officially, but I think we can all agree that the Big Dance still starts on Thursday) day of March Madness. Instead, I wore my best blue and gold to help cheer Pitt onto their first victory in the tournament.
When you have a great piece like this yellow blazer, outfits tend to fall into place. Pairing the blazer with this dress was bit of a no brainer because of the overwhelming blue and gold theme. I didn't want to distract too much from that color combination, choosing a simple brown belt and this plain gold chain necklace that I bought second-hand at a Saturday Market, which might actually be a belt. That fact hasn't really deterred me, especially today -- the official colors are blue and gold!My white tights and brown sandals pulled the outfit together, keeping it light and fun. I was, after all, dressing in my very own version of a player's jersey (a habit I cannot support).

Dress: H&M

Blazer: Thrifted, Value Village, Vancouver

Tights: Target

Shoes: Thrifted, Alabaster's Church Thrift Store, Greensburg

Belt: Fashion Bug

Necklace: Stand at Saturday Market, Etown

My Final Four for the tournament? Pitt (of course), Kansas, UConn, and Kentucky

My even more important Final Four for Fug Madness? Taylor "Little J" Momsen, Leona Lewis, Paz de la Huerta, and Aubrey O'Day. Little J will, of course, take all. xoxo Anna Rae

Let's Go Pitt!

Readers, let me apologize. I know you're tired of my yellow cardigan, especially paired with my yellow tights. You've seen it before, and you probably have a feeling that you're going to see it again. But look at that sea of orange. A Pitt fan has to do something to stand out, especially in the intimidating, air-tight Carrier Dome, home to the Syracuse Orangemen.

I wanted to wear my Pitt apparel like everyone else, but I wanted to have fun with it. I chose to wear a Pitt t-shirt that wouldn't actually be the central focus of the outfit, and build the rest around some vintage collegiate vibes and an overload of yellow and blue.

After creating that game plan, the yellow tights and cardigan were a must, as was my blue and white belt, a bonus vintage find that came attached to my seersucker dress. I kept it both casual and in the color family with my jean skirt and didn't let any of the accessories overwhelm the color palette. The neutral two-toned Oxfords, pearl cardigan chain, and pearl earrings helped give the outfit a dated college feel, remembering a time when football games were attended in sport coats and dresses (Oh, how I wish...).

Cardigan: Old Navy

Shirt: Family hand-me-down

Skirt: Thrifted by Erin, Salvation Army in Kerrisdale, I believe

Tights: We Love Colors

Belt: Vintage, Eons (came with purchase of dress)

Pearl chain: Thrifted, Salvation Army, Latrobe

Earrings: Gifted, Erin

Shoes: Gifted, Mom and Dad, Zappos, Bass

The good news? We won! The better news? Because we were sitting so near the end zone when Pitt scored so many touchdowns, we were also on TV! Thanks again Julie for taking these pictures. xoxo Anna Rae

Pitt 89 - Oakland 66

Today I dressed in my best blue and gold (or yellow or mustard), and Pitt won their first game of the tournament by 23 points. I believe there is some sort of connection between the two. To celebrate, Erin photographed me by the incredibly ugly mural on the wall of our office building (which is actually an academic building that happens to hold the offices we use for office hours).
I really like how this outfit came together. Mixed patterns are my new favorite. Also, I love wearing clothes associated with school, like button-ups and argyle. So, I guess this is the preptastic way to wear this skirt.
Next to mixing patterns, my favorite new trend is socks with flats. And these socks gave me a chance to wear double argyle! Also, doesn't this photo look like it belongs in a 1980s music video? I love it.

Today I felt like both a prepared teacher and a dedicated fan. Such a success! Now to plan what to wear for the game again Xavier on Sunday. I have a feeling that the tights will make another appearance, they're such a staple for my fangirl life.

Skirt: AE

Shirt: Thrifted, Value Village

Vest: Thrifted, Goodwill, Etown, PA

Belt: Thrifted, Value Village

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: AE

Jewelry: Gifted by Mom and Dad

Sunglasses: 3 Vets Ltd, Army Surplus Store

If the Fug girls can like basketball, then I can too.

I'd like to interrupt our regular fashion programming to announce how surprised and excited I am that Pitt is a Number 3 seed for the Big Dance.

Will I wear some blue and gold on Friday to show my spirit? Will I be so wrapped up in the emotions that I actually wear my Pitt sweatshirt? Only time will tell.

P-I-T-T, Let's go Pitt!

xoxo Anna Rae