Friday, April 29, 2011

Spring stripes


Spring stripes, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.
Via Flickr:
Turquoise and green stripe sweater: Old Navy
White peter pan collar blouse: Forever 21
Grey skirt: Merona
Black flats: Steve Madden

My clothing felt very librariany today so I had to blog it even though it is a busy Friday. Friends are coming to visit so I have to hop to it and start cleaning my apartment!! I think a big glass of chilled white wine will definitely help with that!

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Blue & Yellow remix

Via Flickr:
Book: A Fairly Honorable Defeat
White ruffle cardigan: Old Navy
Blue tee: H&M
Yellow flower skirt: H&M
Black flats: Steve Madden

Apparently I am loving the blue and yellow combination this week. What's not to love- it is such a cheerful combo. It's been raining so much these past few days that I need an energy boost. Only a few readings and my huge cataloging stand between me and summer freedom. Work has slowed down a bit- a lull before the storm of finals. All I have been doing at the reference desk is find the full text of articles or telling people about late book fines.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Chili Challenge


Mellow Yellow, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.
Via Flickr:
Mustard cardigan: Merona
Blue ruffle blouse: H&M
Skinny jeans: Old Navy
Brown pointy flats: Xhilaration
Timepiece necklace: etsy


It's those precious two weeks before finals when life becomes a blur. Luckily, I seem to be staying on my super nerd schedule (thank you mom for the Starbucks gift card- lattes are my motivation right now!!).

I notice that when I get bogged down with work, my personal life takes a hit. Cooking seems challenging, and picking out clothes is confusing. I wanted to wear this lovely blue blouse today because it feels a bit turn of the century with its ruffles and collarless top. The only thing I ever pair it with is my navy sweater so I had a hard time putting it with anything other than a pencil skirt and navy cardigan. Challenges are good for me- this may not be my favorite outfit ever but it is not horrible. How can we get better (as people, as librarians) if we don't challenged ourselves once in a while? My librarian challenge would be taking crazy science or business questions on chat- I panic when I don't know the subject. But, if i don't take them, how will I learn?

I have had time for some fun things- I made my favorite delicious veggie chili (using only two cans of beans and a few shakes of cumin, chili powder, and red pepper instead of the spice mix) and took a few [too many] moments today to gaze in wonder at pretty tulips:

Monday, April 25, 2011

Old favorites


Old favorites, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.
Via Flickr:
Cream oatmeal cardigan: Old Navy
Navy dress: Forever 21
Gray tank: Hollister
Brown belt: F21
Brown Boots: Famous Footwear

It's been a while. Phew! Last week got nutty! Tuesday I went to an Information Literacy conference (which was so cool- there were different professional presenting on creatives approaches to instruction). Wednesday I hustled to finish a project due. Thursday a friend was stopping through town and stayed over (so I was forced to clean!) and Friday I went home for the weekend right after work. I feel like I have normal weeks and then I have weeks with everything going on!

I am so near the end of the semester I can feel the freedom. Of course work is crazy (students have all that end of the semester work) and everything is due for me in the next 2 weeks. I have a test tomorrow for my Intro to Libraries class and the weekly topics were so general ("social issues," "information literacy," "copyright," etc.) that I am freaking out a bit. However, a delicious iced coffee and a day in my favorite coffee shop spent writing out ideas helped.

It's odd that I help students on a daily basis with studying and research related tasks and I kind of panic when I have to do it for myself!

Monday, April 18, 2011

Black bows and cold toes


Black bows, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.
Via Flickr:
Red cardigan: Merona
Black tie blouse: Merona
Gray skirt: Old Navy
Black tights: Target
Black flats: Steve Madden
Black bow headband: Forever 21


The tights are back because the Midwest likes to be tricky about Spring and drop temperatures right when you put away your winter coats!!! Luckily there was no snow here but it still was chilly waiting for my bus this morning.

Another bit of luck was that I found this black bow blouse on the floor of my closet (it must have fallen off its hanger). I totally forgot I had it. I don't know why I don't wear it all the time!

Now I am all cozied up under blankets, sipping peppermint tea, and finishing a cataloging record for an audiobook (Neil Gaiman's Fragile Things, which is one of the books that is actually easy to listen to!).

Friday, April 15, 2011

Gray Day


Gray stripe, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.
Via Flickr:
Book: Franny and Zooey
Gray cardigan: Merona
Gray stripe tee: Forever 21
Skinny jeans: Old Navy
Gold Flats: Mossimo


My clothes match the day- it is rainy and cloudy (and cold). I am posting now because I have a "watch Harry Potter 7" dinner date with a good friend. We are making fish and chips (with vinegar for dipping the fries, of course) and watching Harry Potter 7 (Part 1), released today on dvd.

Because I only had a short reference shift (which is pretty much dead anyways) and a volunteer shift at my local public library (I help in the computer lab), I could afford to be a bit casual. Which was helpful in transitioning from the library, to grocery shopping, to cleaning, to, now, friend fun. Plus, I am a bit in love with these gray stripes.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Blue Collar


Blue Collar, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.
Via Flickr:
Blue collar oxford shirt: Old Navy
Navy skirt: Merona
White flats: Mossimo
Belt: Target
Sparrow heart pin: Etsy


All I have been doing at work lately is helping people find the full text of articles. It gets repetitive but it is kind of like a fun treasure hunt. An access treasure hunt. In other news, it is warm enough for mosquitoes and I have already gotten 3 bites- my blood is like a sweet sweet nectar to them. It is crazy!!

I have less reading than I thought I did for my government research information class so I get to let myself take the night off. I've been craving lemon bars lately so I think I might bake lemon bars and watch tv. Wonderful. And reread old issues of Real Simple to get recipe ideas (I have been in a chicken rut lately!). Relaxation, commence!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Sunshine on my Shoulder

Via Flickr:
Book: Jude the Obscure
Gray cardigan: Merona
Yellow sundress: Mossimo
Black heels: Candies


Today, everything I had was canceled (well, just my online class and a morning meeting). As a result I got dressed up for nothing but kind of enjoyed studying on campus in a pretty dress. I'm not sure it made me read about cataloging sound material any more quickly, but it made me feel classier and sunnier. Sometimes we need to make our own sunny days in gray weather.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

National Library Employee Day

Via Flickr:
Rust cardigan: Mossimo
Brown polka dot blouse: Odille
Gray skirt: Old Navy
Brown Mary janes: Xhilaration

Today is National Library Employee day so thank your local librarian!! I was thanked by having the most wonderful day. First, free stickers for librarians (see below). Second, work potluck (someone made this amazing bacon dip, oh my!). Third, judging a mustache growing contest between our boss and another GA during our weekly staff meeting.

I dressed up a bit for a presentation for class which, ironically, discussed the fact that librarians in fancy clothes or from a different ethnicity than a patron may make the librarian unapproachable. Those are things that are difficult to change but, one article suggested bringing in local community members as volunteers (to get people to approach the desk) and making sincere attempts at diversity training.


Monday, April 11, 2011

I want to live in old dresses


Stripes + Dots, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.
Via Flickr:
Vintage Blue stripe dress with polka dot trim: Thrifted
Brown flats: Xhilaration
Timepiece necklace: Etsy

The only thing I had going on today was a virtual chat shift and my online class. Thusly, I biked to campus and biked back to spend the rest of the day watching British Mysteries (Inspector Lynley) and cataloging my e-book record. As a result, I needed my most comfortable (and pretty) house dress to keep me motivated to work. Outside the library I find that dressing a bit fancier (but still comfy) helps me get into a work mood.

Let me be honest and say that this is my favorite dress and favorite vintage find ever. I found it on accident when I went with my friend to find an apron for her "I Love Lucy" costume. I was actually looking for a glass pitcher so I mainly stayed in the housewares section but was dragged into the clothes to look for another apron for her. I found this beauty: blue stripes and polka dots. I didn't think it would fit but I tried it on anyways and it fit like it was made for me. Love.

I like thrifting because I find it totally opposite of my work life. I go into research with a plan. Even with students, I do a reference interview to figure out what they are looking for and then I figure out which sources will give them exactly what they want. I find with thrifting, I find the best stuff when I am not looking for anything particular. It's strange to do something without a plan but, I imagine, it's probably healthy!

I mean check out these polka dots:

Thursday, April 7, 2011

"The wind is in from Africa"


Full Floral, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.
Via Flickr:
Book: Franny and Zooey
Brown Tee: Mossimo
Blue floral skirt: American Eagle
Brown gladiator sandals: American Eagle
Sparrow necklace: Etsy
Bracelets: ??


"And last night I couldn't sleep." 

Such a busy week. Good, but busy.  Today it was still warm so I ventured out in bare legs and my walking sandals for my reference shift today.  And my favorite skirt.  I have had this skirt for about 6 years and I will never get rid of it.  Flouncy, pretty, and beautiful turquoise blue!  Now I am off to eat a quick dinner and finish up my article analysis posting before a phone date with a dear old friend (I believe we were friends even before I got this skirt!).

Also, I wondered today: in a world of budget cuts, where libraries have to make do with the "necessities", what is really being lost?  Just a few resources or perhaps different perspectives, pieces of culture.  Sigh.  Shortly enough, it's something I will have to deal with as well.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Robin's Egg


Robin's Egg, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.
Via Flickr:
Turquoise Cardigan: Merona
White ruffle tee: Old Navy
Black Capris: Old Navy
Red polka dot flats skimmers: Old Navy


I've been on a Katharine Hepburn kick lately and wanted to steal her trouser and sweater look (with my own twist, of course).  She is such a classy broad!  I was rewatching one of my favorite Hepburn movies, Desk Set and was impressed by the way reference worked back then.  Librarians basically provided people with answers.  Today there is such a need to instruct the patron (information literacy being the hot term).  I feel guilty if I just give out an answer.  It's strange to view how libraries have changed in terms of patron requests- patrons aren't necessarily coming here to find very specific esoteric facts, they just want to do research on their own.  Instead of giving the man fish, we are teaching the man to fish so he can be fed for the rest of his life.  

Also, Desk Set always reminds me that even with the addition of technology to the library, librarians will not become obsolete.  There will always be a need for trained reference staff to help people navigate it.  I hope to be one of those people one day. Just call me Bunny Watson.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Pocket full of Poseys

Via Flickr:
Book: Franny and Zooey
Redish dress: Old Navy
Gray Cardigan: Merona
Belt: Target
Brown flats: Xhilaration

It was a gorgeous day out! I was so busy enjoying the sunshine (and looking up statute information on organic processing for my government information assignment) that the day got away from me. One thing is for sure, I am ready for bare legs in the library again!! Work feels less constricting that way.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Librarian workhorses


Gray Green Sea, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.
Via Flickr:
Book: Franny and Zooey
Gray cardigan: Merona
Green button up: Old Navy
Skinny jeans: Old Navy
Brown flats: Xhilaration
Timepiece necklace: Etsy


It was beautiful, sunny and hot yesterday.  Today it is gray, rainy and cold.  I wanted to wear a pretty dress and I ended up in these clothes because I was cold (so I wanted pants) and I was feeling gray (so I wanted gray).  When I am struggling to come up with outfit inspiration I fall back on the librarian staples: a button up and a cardigan. Always a cardigan.  This combo never fails me, even when I am tired and groggy from being woken up by a massive windstorm the night before (I napped so hard this afternoon, opps!).

Also of interest was this article I read today on what to throw away during Spring cleaning.  It's interesting that physical books are okay because "consider this about a book: It has a terrific, high-resolution display. It is pretty durable; you could get it a little wet and all would not be lost. It has tremendous battery life. It is often inexpensive enough that, if you misplaced it, you would not be too upset. You can even borrow them free at sites called libraries."  Okay.

You can read the article here:  "Spring Cleaning: Gadgets You Can Get Rid Of."

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Partly Sunny


Partly Sunny, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.
Via Flickr:
Yellow stripe cardigan: Mossimo
White ruffle tee: Old Navy
Khakis: Gap
Brown flats: Xhilaration
Sparrow necklace: Etsy (?)


This was Thursday's outfit.  Clearly, I've gotten a bit behind- both Thursday and Friday I left my apartment at 9 and didn't return until after 9.  I live a crazy librarian life!!  I was going through my closet to donate clothes I don't wear or clothes that don't fit and I came across these khakis.  I got them on super clearance at Gap last year but they didn't quite fit (I gained a bit of weight last year so I took a chance and bought them in my usual size instead of the size up I was wearing at the time).  As a result they were smushed between two bridesmaid dresses, forgotten.  They fit perfectly now but I had a hard time styling them.  I'm not much of a khaki person.  Are khakis are librarian thing?  Even if they are not, I am going to make them my thing- my spring clothes challenge is to step out of my skirt comfort zone and "research" how to style these khakis.

The chicken tells me that my BBQ chicken is done!





So that means it is time to enjoy BBQ chicken, cucumber sandwiches (the kind where you mix cream cheese with that italian seasonings mix and put it on tiny toasts with cucumber slices and dill) and a berry smoothie for desert.  It was much needed as it is about 80 degrees here and was about 95 in the library today when I worked the circ desk!