Birthday Cardigan

Birthday Cardigan, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.

Via Flickr:
Coral cardigan: Old Navy
White yoke dress: Old Navy
Brown belt: Target
Brown sandals: American Eagle
Timepiece necklace: Etsy


I was totally pumped about this outfit today until I realized that I also wore this cardigan last year on my birthday. I guess it is just my birthday cardigan!

I had an awesome day: brunch with a friend, a stop at the local totally twee bakery for cupcakes and macaroons, watching old episodes of Parks and Rec ("All for a free scoop of Rum Raisin. Was it worth it, Ron? Was it?"), biking to work (soon), working one of my last shifts ever, and then an amazing BBQ dinner and cheap beer with co-workers.

I don't think I could have done any better!!


I mean...yum!

Grass is Greener

Grass is Greener, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.

Via Flickr:
Yellow jackie cardigan: J Crew
Green tee: Mossimo Supply CO.
Black bermuda shorts: Old Navy
Black Flats: Steve Madden

This is the last week of classes and I basically just turned in my last paper which means....I am done with my MLS degree!!! Next week is finals and I have to do my final hours for my Grad Assistantship but other than that I am freeeee!

I have an interview and will be traveling the next few days which is exciting but also scary- I realize that I have absolutely no idea of what I will be doing after graduation. Immediately after graduation I will still be working here in my academic library over the summer (we can get a few desk hours) so I'm not totally out in the cold. But come August...???? It's 5% liberating and 95% terrifying.

I'm not sure what that means for ye olde blog. I will post my summer outfits (well, a few, as most of them get quite repetitive as it gets hotter and I get lazier) and discuss library things but, if I don't have a job, there will be no librarian outfits or thoughts (Except utter despair) to post for a while. Eeek.

Cherry on top

Cherry on top, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.

Via Flickr:
Red floral print blouse: Banana Republic
Gray Skirt: Merona
Brown belt: Target
Brown boots: Call it Spring


Looong day!! I worked my own shift and then subbed for someone else- that is a looong time to be at the reference desk!

No matter how tired I am, I love being at an Academic Library at this time of the semester with students working so hard- it gives me a lot of hope for the future (Even my own small future).

Cloudy Skies Ahead

Cloudy Skies Ahead, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.

Via Flickr:
Aqua Tee: Merona
Yellow leaf print skirt: H&M
White flats: Xhilaration
Timepiece necklace: Etsy

Looking a little forlorn here. Accurate.

The semester is over is less than two weeks. I am basically done with classes and just have to work a bunch of extra shifts. As tired as I am, I am glad for it because it distracts me from the fact that I will be a librarian without a library to work in. And that is a little sad for a lover of books and people.

But a cloudy path, while uncertain, can still be an adventure, a learning lesson.

"May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds." -Edward Abbey

Another red and black combo

Another red and black combo, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.

Via Flickr:
Red jackie cardigan: J crew
Black dress: Mossimo Supply Co
Brown belt: Target
Sandals: American Eagle

Red is the color of my cardigan and of my feet. So last summer I had the best pair of brown sandals from American Eagle. I wore them everywhere, with everything. Because I did that, they were torn up (the bottom was separating from the sole). Luckily, AE had a similar pair on their website and when a free shipping deal came along, I pounced.

I know I need to break them in (this happened last summer also) but man my feet hurt! I can't wait to get to the point where they are so comfortable I can walk all day and be comfortable. However, today was not that day. I've got my feet in an ice bath and a cold beer. That should take care of things!

School Marmy

School Marmy, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.

Via Flickr:
Brown Shawl collar cardigan: Mossimio
Cream lobster tee: Old Navy
Navy skirt: Jcrew
White flats: Xhilaration


I hate how I forget about this sweater. I am totally out of it in the mornings and when getting dressed I reach for a cardigan first; it's pretty easy to grab the brightly colored ones first.

But I love how this fits me and the pretty shawl collar. Every time I wear it (which is every few months) I say: "You need to wear this every day!!"

I like how it makes me feel a bit like a character in Anne of Green Gables, most likely a school marm teaching in a one room school house: grading chalk boards, handing out dunce caps, and probably taking a lot of field trips to an actual field. That sounds pretty amazing but, since that probably won't happen, I will settle for awesome public librarian in an Anne Shirley cardigan.

Black white and red all over

Black white and red all over, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.

Via Flickr:
Black jackie cardigan: Jcrew
Stripe tee: Heritage 21
Red skirt: David N
Black flats: Steve Madden

What is black white and red all over? A zebra with a rash! Or a tired librarian?

I had a total zen moment the other day. I have to work 10 extra hours each week for the next 3 weeks (includes this week) because I am under hours (through no fault of my own- they just guessed at the hours my extra assistantship would need and sort of over guessed). Anyways, I was covering the circulation desk yesterday for someone because I needed the hours. I was super grumpy about it because I was tired (I had an amazing weekend beer tasting with friends) and I had to miss my new favorite show Once Upon a Time (it is so cheesy but I am soooo addicted to it). I did not really want to do this shift but I ended up leaving it in the best mood. The desk was crazy on Sunday night but I helped so many people: I helped clean table for someone and helped some one print up a design project so it looked right and got someone a study room they needed. It was the most busy shift ever but I left on a total high. I just felt so good at 9 pm when I was leaving the library.

So the good news is that I have for sure found the right profession for me; I remember doing one of those Meyer-Briggs tests I am but I am totally a nurturer (I think ISFJ?) because I just love to help people (even though I am an introvert). Just seeing students leave the library with what they need or helping them out of a jam....it makes me tear up a bit.

The bad news is that the semester is almost over so my job as a grad assistant at this library is almost done and I have no job lined up.

I am in the right profession, but I don't have a job.. Grrr. At least I have something to float on while I look for that job.

Spring fling

Spring fling, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.

Via Flickr:
Navy jackie cardigan: J Crew
White embellished tee: Merona
Blue print skirt: American Eagle
Gold flats: Mossimo Supply Co
Wooden bird heart pin: Etsy

Total bike riding weather- it is warm but not too warm and also deliciously breezy. This skirt kept me nice and cool today at the reference desk.

Earth and Sky

Earth and Sky, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.

Via Flickr:
Aqua cardigan: Jcrew
Green dress: Merona
White shoes: Xhilaration
Timepiece necklace: Etsy

Busy day: Meeting, reference shift (with printers offline...fun!), quick dinner date, and then late night library office hours (where I helped someone find newspaper articles about the conflicts in the DRC!).

Apparently, I have just uploaded my 200th photo in flickr and I am being pushed to buy a pro account. I'm going to see what this means- I think older photos would still appear on the blog but they may be hidden on my flickr page? I am cheap so I may have to find another way to get my photos on here. Oh joy! Technology.

Fall back

Fall back, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.

Via Flickr:
Gray cable sweater: Gap
White tank: Old Navy
Skinny jeans: American Eagle
Brown boots: Call it spring

Despite the fact that it is April, it was cold today. Since I had an early class and was a bit cold and confused this morning (or, really, every morning) I grabbed the warmest sweater I own. I felt a little frumpy today in class and at the reference desk but I was oh so warm and toasty. Lovely!

Snapshot Day

Snapshot Day, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.

Via Flickr:
Pink floral infinity scarf: American Eagle
Blue button down: American Eagle
Skinny jeans: American Eagle
Brown pointy flats: Xhilaration

It is ALA national library snapshot day- libraries take photos, interviews, and record stats to document a day in the life of the library. I've been taking photos of the library all morning so it felt a little tiresome to take my own photos. But here it is: a day in the life of a library grad assistant (hopefully soon to be reference librarian!).

Blue bird

Blue bird, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.

Via Flickr:
Aqua Cardigan: J crew
White ruffle tank: Old Navy
Gray Skirt: J Crew
Black tights: Target
Brown belt: Target
Brown pointy flats: Xhilaration
Heart bird pin: Etsy

I love this cardigan and I love this color. My future house might end up painted entirely in aqua/turquoise. It's like a robin's egg or the sea. It's a great color.

In other news I got another interview, this time at an academic library. The job itself is interesting but I am still pulling for a public library job. One gripe is that there has been a serious lack of adult reference jobs in pub libs in the midwest lately. If I see another children's librarian job I might scream. Come on adult reference librarians- retire!!

If this keeps up I might have to just go into libraries I want to work in and talk myself up around the water cooler, Funke style:

Double V

Double V, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.

Via Flickr:
Cream v-neck cardigan: H&M
Green v-neck tee: Mossimo
Navy skirt: J crew
Gray socks: Forever 21
Brown Boots: Call it Spring
Owl Necklace: Forever 21

V-neck tee shirt + V-neck cardigan? Why not!!

So I have 5 weeks left of this semester. That is crazy scary!! I am pumped to be done with school but I will miss my current job as a grad assistant. I like consistency the most so my biggest struggle is dealing with not having something consistent after the summer. Applying for jobs is tough all over: emotionally, mentally, spiritually. It hits you everywhere.

Put a bird on it

Put a bird on it, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.

Via Flickr:
Teal cardigan: J Crew
Gray tee: Mossimo Supply Co.
Jeans: American Eagle
Gold flats: Mossimo Supply CO.
Bird heart pin: Etsy

Best part of the day: when the barista saw my bird pin and just immediately blurted out "Put a bird on it!" We then talked about our mutual love for Portlandia while she was making my latte. Awesome!!

The best part about being a grad student is having lighter work days amidst the crazy days: today I just had a meeting and light reading to accomplish so now I get to watch the Food Network and prep the ingredients for some delicious lemon raspberry muffins I am making my mom for her birthday!

Pumpkin and apples

Pumpkin and apples, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.

Via Flickr:
Rust cardigan: Mossimo
White ruffle tank: Old Navy
Red Skirt (thrifted): David N
Brown Wedges: Kenneth Cole Reaction

Not exactly spring colors but at least it's not that same old green cardigan. My goal was not to wear that cardigan. My alternate goal should have been not to take a picture after my bike ride so my skirt wouldn't be wrinkled but you win some you lose some!

Other than that, things are quiet: no appealing jobs to apply for, work projects almost finished, and typical weekly reading for class. Same old same old. Sometimes the life of a librarian is predictable and sometimes crazy- I like a mix of both!

Cardigan with Plums

Cardigan with Plums, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.

Via Flickr:
Book: Chicken with Plums
Olive jackie cardigan: J Crew
White yoke dress: Old Navy
Brown belt: Target
Brown wedges: Kenneth Cole Reaction

Looking over my Flickr page....apparently I am obsessed with this cardigan. I just did laundry this weekend so it was so temptingly clean looking I picked it again!

Anyways, besides repeating cardigans, I am repeating life: class, work, and job apps. But it's not so hum drum- I get to buy the newest psychology books for the library (based on Choice Reviews) and it has been fun reading about all of these new books.

I've also been reading Game of Thrones. OMG. Still so good. I am still surprised that I love it so much that I have been getting into bed earlier than usual just to read it! Life can never be dull with good books.

Funny librarian face

Funny librarian face, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.

Via Flickr:
Red stripe tee: H&M divided
Gray tank: Hollister
Black capris: Old Navy
Black Flats: Steve Madden


Every Spring I have a week where I have a dire need to rewatch my favorite Audrey Hepburn films. As a result I tend to gravitate towards my favorite black capris afterwards. It's classic and awesomely comfy. Perfect for starting up bike rides to campus (I don't live close to campus so the commute is either a 40 minute bus ride because of all the stops or a 25 minute bike ride).

Today was awesome- we had our GA meeting in archives (super fun!), then I volunteered in the computer lab, completed my order on Gobi3 for Food Network Cookbooks for the library, and am now ready to read more of The Game of Thrones (I was expecting a Tolkien read alike in terms of denseness, which I was dreading, but actually it is really engrossing...without all the songs!).

Ebsco craziness

Spring Thing, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.

Via Flickr:
Green jackie cardigan: J crew
White ruffle tank: Old Navy
Blue stripe skirt: H&M
Brown wedges: Kenneth Cole
Timepiece necklace: Etsy

Spring break is over and I am officially back to work and school. I picked a great week to come back. We just changed printing clients so there are so many problems (like the client only sending certain black and white jobs to the color printer). Also, Ebsco was totally down today which made teaching library instruction sessions on Academic Search Premier (and Ebsco database) really fun.

However, it wouldn't be a typical reference shift unless something went wrong. As my boss put it. "it's just another great story for a job interview of how you can adapt." For sure!

And on that note, I want to share my new spring goal: to look at things (problems) more positively. This is especially true with the job search. Thus far I have applied to 32 jobs, had 4 interviews, and have no offers. However, I've had interviews!! That is good! Life is ok, for now.

Sick Librarian

Standards, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.

Via Flickr:
Olive green jackie cardigan: JCrew
Black shirt dress: Merona
Teal belt: Merona
Black pointy shoes: Xhilaration

So I have an awful chest cold and have to make it through the busiest few days of the semester. Yuck. Yesterday I had to give a book talk for my class, work a long shift, and finish a paper. Today I was in the library at 8 am to teach, have a break now, work, then teach a grad level ESL class, and then work a 9-midnight chat shift This would be normally fine if I wasn't breaking down into coughing fits every five minutes. I am a little grumpy but I will survive.

Plus, after my meeting tomorrow, I am free for Spring Break! Which basically means I can lie on my couch for days on end and drink tea and watch Midsomer Murders. Now that is my idea of a sick day!

2nd verse, same as the 1st!

2nd verse, same as the 1st!, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.

Via Flickr:
Navy jackie cardigan: Jcrew
Brown polka dot top: Odille
Gray skirt: Jcrew
Gray tights: Target
Brown Boots: Call it Spring

After looking through my flickr, it seems like I have quite the affinity for this gray skirt and those brown boots. Oh well! They are both comfortable and cute- both major requirements in an outfit.

In spite of dressing boring, life is actually crazy. I worked a chat shift until midnight last night and then got up at 8 to volunteer at the public library and then teach and work all day. Right now I am eating some chili (from the freezer- I made it last month) and drinking a night cap glass of wine. I am just trying to make it to 9 pm, which is a more acceptable bedtime than 8.