Disclosure: This is a Fashionista Event Opportunity, and is hosted by Still Blonde after all these YEARS and Modly Chic.

A teacher’s salary doesn’t usually have enough wiggle room to provide separate wardrobes for every occasion.   My daytime hours are spent with 11 year olds; I am constantly on my feet and bending down on my knees.  My clothes must be comfortable, modest, and durable.  The evening hours are busy with running errands, shuttling my own personal children to various activities, and the infrequent evening out with my hubby.  There isn’t time to go home and get all froufrou.  Monroe and Main has just what I need to go from daytime to date night with a few minor changes.  Monroe and Main’s blog has more great tips for broadening the wardrobe with a few essential pieces.  I used a few in this post.  Check out my transformation!

I based my transition pieces around this fabulous pair of shoes.  Can you hear the angels sing???

Would you love to have these under your tree for Christmas this year?  Pin the photo above and email it to your Santa!! Here’s another one to make your heart beat faster.  Don’t you love the little extras like the pretty buckle with a double strap, and the cross-stitched detail near the heel?   SIGH!!!

These booties inspired me to create outfits that would be perfect for the daytime as well as dinner out.  I initially wore them on a shopping trip followed by lunch with  my family.   Although it was a cold day, the sun was brightly shining.  It was the perfect day to wear my Monroe and Main cutout flower sunglasses.  At only $8.99, these are perfect to stash extra pairs in your desk drawer and in your purse so that you  never have to go without.  The Andiamo Colorado Booties are divinely comfortable; even after Christmas shopping all day long my feet didn’t complain once.  Worn with jeans, a scarf, and my Kenneth Cole winter coat, these boots looked rugged cool.

Take a peek inside my classroom!!  On Monday, I wore the Side Sweeping Top in canary with a fitted black jacket and gray dress pants.  The top has a deep V-neck so I kept it modest with a cream-colored cami underneath.  The Andiamo Colorado Booties finished off the outfit.  The Side Sweeping Top is so very soft; the fabric is a dream to touch.  It’s long enough through the hips to wear in my classroom.  I can reach up to write the homework assignment or manipulate the SmartBoard without worrying that my students will catch an unwanted (and unprofessional) glimpse of my waistline.  (Here’s a little bonus tip… it hangs perfectly on a notched hanger without getting shoulder bumps!)

I curled my hair and pulled it to the side, then accessorized with jewelry from my own collection.  My students and coworkers kept complimenting my ensemble; the layered look really dressed up this teacher outfit!  Although I went through a whole day of teaching, kneeling on the floor, and walking around my classroom, my feet felt as though I’d been walking on clouds.

The next outing my outfit will take me on is a Date Night with my husband. Our kids never get to spend the night with their grandparents so that we can have dates, so Mr. Savingsinseconds and I must strategically plan our dates.  Sadly, they’re few and far between because we neither have the time nor the money to go solo very often.  Since it’s near Christmas, we decided that we’ll gift each other with a date night.  We’ll secure a babysitter to entertain the kids, and  we’ll go out for dinner to reconnect.   I plan to wear my Monroe and Main outfit since I can come right home from work, shed the jacket, and put on a pair of jeans.   Here’s what I’ll be wearing on our special evening.

I wore the Side Sweeping Top with a pair of my daughter’s velvet jeggings.  I love the contrast of the dark jeans with the bright yellow. It’s so festive! Plus, the jeggings allow my Andiamo Colorado Booties to steal the show.  My hair is usually pulled back for work, but for Date Night it will be long and sleek.  I’ll also wear some smoky shadows with a bit of glitter to stand out in the evening lights.

To dress up the outfit, I accessorized with the Crystal Watch and Jewelry Set in silvertone.  This set  maximizes your dollars by giving you a coordinating watch, bracelet, earrings, and pendant.   You can mix and match the pieces to create your own unique look.  The contrast of the silver with the canary yellow is striking and bright; it’s perfect for Christmas photos!  You could also go with the goldtone for a rich holiday look.  At under $35, this makes a fabulous gift as well. It comes in a lovely box that just needs a pretty bow, and you’re ready to go!

This outfit is perfect for Date Night because it’s comfortable and pretty.  It shows my curves without being too clingy.  Things have changed a lot in the weight department since I had children.  Monroe and Main has great tips to help me dress for my new body shape.  The top is sexy without being too revealing, and it’s just right for winter.  The dramatic sleeves are so fun to wear.  I especially love the way the shoes bring out the brightness of the canary shade.

Sunglasses, jewelry, a new top, and boots made my current wardrobe stretch into these three new outfits.  The pieces were great for weekend shopping, weekday work wear, and evening outings.  The best part?  I felt fabulous the whole time!

Thanks to Monroe and Main, I was able to use existing wardrobe pieces to make a knockout holiday outfit.  Monroe and Main is helping one lucky reader do the same thing!

One Savings in Seconds reader will win the Monroe and Main Holiday Accessories Prize Bundle pictured above!   The giveaway runs from December 4, 2014 through December 17, 2014. The contest is open to US readers ages 18+. Void where prohibited by law.  Enter on the giveaway form below.  Good luck!

Entry-Form