Wednesday, March 30, 2011

At least I don't work at Sterling Cooper!


Mad Men, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.
Red wool dress: Merona
Black headband: Goody
Skeleton key necklace: Etsy
Black Flats: Steve Madden

Just a quick post as I am currently in a break from my online class.  Today I taught my last two library instruction sessions of the semester! Whoot!  They were long ones though so I took some fashion sense from Mad Men Season 3 (I haven't had time to purchase Season 4 yet) to make me feel classier.  I love this dress, which was an online find from Target this past fall.  Sadly, I do not wear it enough because...it makes me feel too dressy for the reference desk! Crazy, I know.  I like the fact that I can wear jeans and a nice top to the reference desk and not look out of place but I do wish it was okay to be a bit dressier.  Watching Mad Men always makes me realize how much work outfits have changed over the years.  At the same time, I am glad I work in a library in 2011 rather than an Ad Agency in the 1960's.  I'll take personal rights and searchable databases over clothing any day.

Okay, back to my online government info class!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Busy like a bee

Black Cardigan: Mossimo
White Tee: Merona
Yellow leaf print skirt: H&M
Teal belt: Target
Gray tights: Target
Black flats: Steve Madden


Just a quick update as I am exhausted; this week is jam packed with activity. I feel like a busy worker bee flying back and forth between the library and home. Today I had an early meeting, some last minute homework to finish, another meeting, class, and then a long ESL library section. I wish I were done but I have a virtual chat reference shift tonight from 9 to 12 tonight. My geriatric self does not care for the late nights. Tomorrow I have a lot of teaching and class and then Thursday I have extra work shifts in addition to my own. Once I get to Thursday night though, I am golden.

One misconception of working at a library is that there is not that much work to do. I knew librarians did not just read at the desk all day but even I had no idea of the amount of side projects and paperwork that are required. Some days are much busier than others, practically draining. I don't mind being busy because, most of the time, I am happy at my work. And I know things will get better once I am just working and not doing all of this extra homework.

I think that's why I needed a bright cheery outfit today- just in case the 2.5 cups of coffee didn't do their job.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Spring Broken


Lady Gray, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.
Book: Jude the Obscure
Cardigan: Old Navy
White ruffle top: Old Navy
Navy blue skirt: Merona
Belt: Forever 21
Gray tights: Target
Brown Flats: Xhilaration
Coral Bracelet: Possibly Target?


My Spring break was a wonderful thing. I visited friends (in Milwaukee and in Chicago) for the first few days and basically ate, drank beer, and caught up on life stories. Then I visited my parents for the rest of the week which is fabulous because they work during the day so I had a nice quite house to get work done. Normally I am not productive over break but once I got in the swing of things I managed to get a bit ahead of schedule. This was much needed as this week is crazy busy with extra work shifts, teaching, and projects. I also rewatched the HBO show Carnivale. I highly recommend it if you enjoy racy tv, both laughing and crying during watching tv, fortune telling, twist endings, circuses, and 1930's fashion. It's wonderful. The ending of season 2 is a bit disconcerting. I don't want to spoil anything but they end it in a way that seems like it needs to be continued (big cliffhangers) when it obviously won't be (Season 2 is the last season). So, I love it until I get to the last episode of the series.

As a result, I feel like lazing about in comfy lace slips (ala Rita Sue or Libby), reading East of Eden, and drinking. Since that is not in the cards for this week I will have to be satisfied with strong coffee and season three of Mad Men (season 4 comes out on Thursday!!). That, I can handle!

Although I may still lust after some of Sophie's dresses this week!:

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Dubliners


Dubliners, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.
Book: Dubliners
Cream Cardigan: Old Navy
Purple tee: Zine
Black crop pants: Gap
Brown flats: Xhilaration


I realized after I got to work today (super early because I had to teach two 80 minute library sessions and then work for 4 hours. Ergh!) that it was St. Patrick's day and that I was one of the few bozos not wearing green. Oh well! I was pretty jazzed about this pretty little cardigan with the flower detail. Also, check out my ankles!! It was 70 degrees today!! Unfortunately I was stuck at the reference desk, far from any windows. However, tomorrow I am one reference shift and one LibGuides training from Spring Break freedom.

And on that note, I will be taking a planned hiatus from my outfit cataloging as I will be traveling (and frantically trying to get assignments done!)

At least I have a few nights of delicious freedom- to be enjoyed rereading Joyce's Dubliners as a cool breeze blows in my living room, all while drinking delicious cold beer.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

On a big blue Spring day


Bluetiful, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.
Blue dress: Merona
Blue gray stripe top: Old Navy
Black tights: Target
Brown Boots: Famous Footwear


Even though we had Spring weather today (upper 50s!) it was still a bit chilly outside so I did some light layers- perfect for a few meetings, a group project meeting, and a impulse movie date.

I was kind of intrigued by the new movie version of Red Riding Hood. Admittedly, I am a sucker for fantasy movies, especially when they involve fairy tales. Plus, Red Riding Hood is my favorite Grimm story- maybe it's the idea of living in the forest or that pretty red cloak. This looked like it would be a bit cheesy (with Red choosing between two hot guys) but it actually wasn't so bad. A nice twist and some really pretty moments. Overall, it was well worth not doing my government information reading (on Legislative Histories). Well, the popcorn with extra butter was what made it worth it in my opinion.

Anyways, I have a full day of teaching and then back to back reference shifts so it is bedtime for this girl!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Pretty Parisan


Pretty Parisan, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.
Book: A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genuis
Red stripe top: H&M
Gray tank: Hollister
Skinny jeans: Old Navy
Brown flats: Xhilaration
Bird necklace: Modcloth
Gray scarf: From Portobello road in London


I am rocking this week. Seriously. For the past two weeks I have been behind and now, thanks to some cancelled classes, I have managed to get a bit ahead on work.

Because I only had a library G.A. meeting today I decided to make today a work day and quickly hurried off to the corner Starbucks for some afternoon cafe studying. Because of my stripe top and my choice of music (the Amelie soundtrack), I felt a little like I was in Montmartre. Just a little.

Sometimes, I forget I own things, like this awesome gray scarf which I purchased while on a side trip to London. The trip was kind of a disaster (almost missed flight, really bad hostel, bad tour experience, etc.) but I did get to see a few places I had been longing for, in particular Portobello Road. I have always been a huge fan of Bedknobs and Broomsticks (dancing underwater!!) so when I had an opportunity to visit P. Road, I knew I had to take it (and sing the song in my head).

Besides my fancy studying experiences, library life has been kind of quiet. In my cataloging class we have made it to Dewey Classification. Let me tell you what a pain in the butt that is. It's all numerical so nothing about it is intuitive. One thing I did learn is that, when the book is about a specific place (such as the United States) you add that on to the number with "09" which stands for a geographic place and the country number (the United States is 73). So a book about intelligence testing in the United States would be: 153.930973 because the number for psychological intelligence tests is 153.93 and the code for the U.S. is 73 (with the 09 in front to represent a place). It's fairly easy for less complex subjects but some of the exercises have me trying multiple searches.

I do have to admit, it's really making me want to be a cataloger. If only I could find a job where I could do reference part of the time and cataloging for the rest of my hours. Sigh, a girl can dream.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Call me Captain Ahab


Seafaring, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.
Book: Billy Budd
White v-neck cardigan: Merona
Gray t-shirt: Gap
Blue stripe skirt: H&M
Brown flats: Xhilaration
Skeleton key necklace: Etsy


So I've been adrift for a while. Whenever I get really really focused on work I call that having a "Captain Ahab" moment. Well, the last few weeks have been like that. I got really behind in my grad school work because of some extra project hours I took on and I would basically get home, change immediately into sweats, and go to my couch to read. It wasn't fun or enjoyable, but it needed to happen.

I missed cataloging my librarian wear and am back for the long haul. I am especially motivated since that Spring freshness is starting to creep into the air. I had bare (albeit chilly) legs today!

I am finally caught up (and even a bit ahead!) and definitely celebrated this fact with one of my favorite beers and a cheese and crackers dinner. It's the simple things, really.