Woohoo! The big week is finally here- on Thursday we’re going to Waco for my son’s graduation. This is unusual for us- due to my husband’s schedule and commitments, we rarely travel during the school year. As it is, my husband is missing some important things, including graduation at the school where he teaches- but obviously Paul’s graduation takes precedence.
My daughter isn’t coming with us. Suddenly, after being a mediocre student all year, she’s very concerned with her final exams and doesn’t want to miss school. The truth is, she just doesn’t want to travel with us because, well, sometimes she doesn’t like us very much. THAT IS OKAY! I don’t want to travel with an angry, surly teenager either. We arranged for her to stay with a friend, and I’m looking forward to a trip with just my husband.
Another reason this is unusual is that I have to actually wear clothes that look presentable. The graduation is in the afternoon, so I don’t think it’s going to be a super formal occasion, but still- I have to make some sort of an effort. At least, I have to look like I’m not going to the gym, or a baseball game. With that in mind, I ventured out again (you may remember I had a failed shopping attempt in February) to try to find SOMETHING to wear.
I came home with two tops- hopefully I will wear one and return the other. I don’t love either one of them, but here are the two choices:
I know you’re probably thinking, “JENNY! How are we supposed to judge these outfits when they’re sitting on your couch, all wrinkly? And do you have to wear that skirt?”
Well… yes, I do have to wear this skirt. It’s actually a skort from Athleta that I’ve worn for every “skirt” occasion for the last ten years. My only other choice would be a black skirt, and I don’t think it would go with my shoes…
Why, yes… these are Crocs. But they look pretty cute (at least… I think so? Maybe I’m kidding myself) and I’ve also worn them for every “dressy” occasion in the past ten years.
I know… I need some serious help in the wardrobe department. I live in fear that I’ll be invited to a fancy wedding or something AND THEN WHAT WILL I DO. But for now.. I think I can get away with what I have. I’m thinking the white shirt? The blue one would make me look frumpy, right? Sigh.
Oh, and I’m basing these choices on the weather forecast…
If graduation had been one week earlier, we would have enjoyed temps in the upper 70s. But it’s spiking up just in time for our arrival! That’s okay- I usually go to Waco in August, and I don’t think it’s ever been less than 100 degrees. 94 and windy will feel… pleasant (?)
Oh, one last thing. The only problem with these shoes is that I have two “souvenirs” from my race- both big toenails are a deep, dark shade of purple. My husband suggested that I paint the rest of my nails purple and hope that it looks intentional. OR, I could just put bandaids over them (that’s probably what I’ll end up doing). I know… do NOT invite me to any fancy parties, unless you want to take me shopping and help me dress. I’m pretty hopeless.
Who else is celebrating a graduation this month?
Top photo by Pete Alexopoulos on Unsplash
34 Responses
have fun at WACO, your outfits look very cute!!! I love skort!
Thank you Coco! I love skorts too.
Jenny, I’m so excited for you, Paul’s graduation, and your couples’ travel! ENJOY it ALL!!!
I think the outfits look cute. I’m really hoping you’ll keep both tops. They both coordinate great with the shoes. Ask Angie to suggest a necklace or scarf?
And… I hope you’ll paint your nails purple–it’ll be so festive!
Thank you Maya!!! I did think about asking Angie but I was afraid she would say something insulting like “Well, other than the fact that you look really old, either top is fine.” Ha.
Enjoy your suns graduation! I think both tops will look good. I always feel a bit flustered when I have to dress for occasions outside my normal routine.
Oh thank you Sak! Glad to know I’m not alone. I usually feel like other people know how to handle these things!
Oh, I love the cream top with that skirt and great shoes. I think that looks dressy while still being you!
And I’m impressed that you’re letting your daughter stay behind. Some families would make a teen go,because of ” family” , and everyone would have a less than pleasant time. ( I have traveled with reluctant teens – makes for a very uncomfortable trip.)
No graduations this year – last year I had 3 ( med school, college, 8th grade) so I appreciate the break.
Three graduations in one year??? That must have been intense. And, I know a lot of families would make siblings go- actually, most families. My husband leans more in that direction. My feeling is that Angie has ruined enough things for me (when I took that route) and I don’t want this graduation ruined. So, she stays behind!
Oh, you have to wear that skirt with those shoes, for sure! And Crocs makes some surprisingly nice casual sandals, I think you’re fine with those.
As for the tops, I would suggest putting the whole outfit on and seeing how the tops feel and fall, as sometimes it feels different on. You’re going to look cute either way. Congrats to you all on the graduation!
Thank you! I will definitely put both tops on and maybe even solicit advice from… shudder… my daughter. But you’re right- they’ll look different on me than while lying on the couch.
Definitely the white – that’s definitely the right choice. The blue doesn’t really go with that skirt and the sleeves are too fussy for you. Simpler is better for your style, I think.
I think you need to go get a pedicure! Get a nice dark colour and the bruises won’t show at all! I, um, wouldn’t go the bandaid route. That’s just drawing attention to them and not in a good way. PEDICURE! Plus it’s so nice to have your feet pampered after all they’ve been through!
Okay, it’s settled! I trust you Nicole, and I was leaning towards the white anyway. A pedicure… honestly I’m scared. They’ll be like WHAT DID YOU DO TO YOUR FEET. So you don’t think two bandaids would look good? Now that I think about it, that does seem stupid.
This is so exciting!!!!!!!! I cannot believe Paul is graduating. And I think it will be fun to just go with your husband. Teens can find interesting ways to drain some of the joy out of certain situations and I bet she’ll love the opportunity to stay with a friend.
My vote is definitely for the cream top (I think it coordinates better with both the skirt and the shoes and it also is a bit shorter, so it will naturally hang at the right spot on the skort). And I love the texture it brings, too. I think it looks like a perfect outfit for graduation.
THank you Elisabeth! I definitely trust your opinion on this. And, I like the way you put that… my daughter would definitely find interesting ways to drain the joy out of this experience!
I love the cream top, too, and the idea of painting your toenails purple, haha! Congrats to your son and how amazing for you and your husband to have the time to go celebrate this milestone together (and your daughter gets friend time, too, which is always a win)! Safe travels!
Thank you Lindsay! Okay, I’ll look for purple nail polish to match the bruises. Ha! I”ll definitely give an update.
Oh, nice! Congrats to your son! I love that skirt, and I’m with you about the ruffled sleeves. I probably have no clue, but I wouldn’t mind wearing black to those shoes. By the way – very unusual with Crocs that actually look good!
Enjoy the trip!
Thank you Susanne! Those Crocs are SO comfortable! And I think I can just get away with them for a semi-dressy occasion.
Yes I would paint those toe nails. I think I prefer the white top. And I love those Crocs!!
Enjoy! And congrats to your son!!
Thanks Darlene! Okay, I’m going to look for purple nail polish. And I’ll wear the white top, I’m pretty sure.
Yes, I agree with others- I love the cream top! I always prefer sleeveless, although I also am not opposed to a little ruffle sleeve or cap sleeve either. I think that can be cute. Honestly, this whole post made me feel better about my wardrobe issues. Please don’t take that the wrong way! But I just way overthink clothing + wardrobe stuff, I think, and it can cause undue stress/anxiety almost, sometimes. You are living proof that it really doesn’t HAVE to be that complicated! You’ve been wearing one nice skirt and one pair of shoes for everything in past 10 years- and it works! So simple yet effective. I know you are saying that your clothing situation is dire, etc, but really, maybe not? I mean, think how much less time and energy you’ve had to devote to that area of your life. I think it’s a good thing!! And I think I should take some pointers from you. 🙂
P.S. Now I suddenly kind of feel like I want a skort! haha. Maybe I need to go browse Athleta… 😉
Ha ha, Kae, I’ll take that as a compliment- or at least, encouragement. Yes, maybe I’m not doing it wrong after all (although… okay, I’ll have to think about that). And yes (looking at your comment below) Athleta skorts are great!
I like the cream top, I think it goes better with the skirt and shoes! And I think you should paint your nails purple — one of my big toenails is still not quite right but I have it painted so no one can really tell since I’m always wearing sandals. I hope you have a fun trip!
The graduations for the school district I work for are next week, but I don’t have to attend. But I can’t believe it’s already that time of year!
Thank you Ashley! I’m very glad I posted this- I’m getting great advice. And yes- it’s the end of the school year! It always comes up so fast.
I prefer the white top! That skort is very cute and the outfit is perfect for such HOT WEATHER. I would paint your nails. I don’t think people will notice your feet and if they do, oh well! That is my attitude about it at least (although I do not wear open-toe shoes in general!). I hope you enjoy the trip with your husband. Congrats to Paul!! Will he be home with you this summer before heading to Chicago?
Thanks Lisa! I thought about trying to get closed toe shoes, but I think they would pinch my toes too much, especially right now. To answer your question, Paul will be home from mid-July until the beginning of September. So, a nice amount of time, but first he’s going to a summer music festival.
Jenny, we need to meet and go shopping. I think those outfits look adorable, but I feel like I need to get you ready for a big event!
Okay Engie- if I need to get ready for a big event, I will come to WI and you can help me (but I’m warning you- you will probably regret ever making that offer!)
I love it! First of all, the fact that your daughter isn’t coming with you isn’t an Oh No Big Terrible Thing, it’s a “everyone gets to live their best lives this week” thing. She gets to focus her attention on school, and I personally would have loved to get to live with Anyone Who Wasn’t My Parents for a few days when I was her age. It doesn’t sound like your husband is heart broken at having to miss his work events. You and he get one on one time, and your son gets everything that he needs and gets to be center stage as he should be.
I kind of like the white top better, but either way you’ve got a great graduation outfit. I approve of the crocs sandals. For myself, you saw my “everyday” Teva sandals, and I have a pair of “nicer but still comfortable” sandals that I wear for dress up days. They were so hard to find, but since I only wear them a few days a year, they will last forever.
My feeling about your toenails is that you know what they look like, but the rest of the world is not going to be staring at your feet. I don’t know what it feels like to put polish on bruised toenails. If it’s NBD, then put a layer of polish on ’em and now your toenails look like “normal people” toenails. I like the Sally Hansen brand that dries in 90 seconds for toes. You don’t have to use purple polish if you don’t want to. Any opaque color would work. But if it would hurt or be uncomfortable to have the polish on your toes, then “forget” it! [“forget” is a substitute for another word that I don’t use on the internet].
ha ha… okay thanks! I did think about just ignoring the whole situation- you’re right, no on else is really going to be looking at my feet. I mean… hopefully. And, I like your analysis in the first paragraph- you’re right! We’ll all be living our best lives.
I vote for the white shirt! And those Crocs are cute. It’s nice to have a friend who is even more casual than me! I went to church with Elisabeth and I was kind of embarrassed by my “fancy” outfit, which was the same capris I’d been wearing while cycling.
Ha ha, I like that “church” outfit. Although, I know churches don’t require a lot of dressing up these days. I’m going with the white shirt and that’s that!
Oh, I’m glad everyone is saying the white top because it has my vote too. And the Crocs fit perfectly – I wouldn’t even have noticed that they are Crocs if you hadn’t pointed it out. Incidentally, I get freaked out by “dress-up” events as well… I think I need someone who goes out and comes back with the perfect outfit so I don’t need to stress about it.