Inspiration Monday: My Favorite Gift

I'm linking up today with Two Birds, for Inspiration Monday.

Our inspiration today is our favorite gift from the holiday season.  My favorite gift from this holiday season is actually a birthday gift (I'm a December baby) from my dad.  He didn't personally pick it out but he provided the money to purchase it and I couldn't be happier.

So, what is it?  It's a Victory Garden Yarn Skipjack cowl:

This is the scarf that I've been stalking on Etsy forever. When I found out that Anna and her amazing cowls were coming to Portland for Crafty Wonderland, I knew I had to go and get one.

And you guys? I LOVE this scarf.  It's even more amazing in person.  It's soft and cuddly and the yarn has all sorts of variations in it that make it really beautiful.  I chose the cowl in Spice and it's beyond perfect.  I honestly couldn't be any happier.  I wore it for about three days straight after getting it and truly believe it goes with everything.

Like my sweater dress that I also can't stop wearing:

So, yeah, definitely my favorite gift.  Thanks, Dad!


And thank you, Two Birds, for hosting!

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Anjolee Review

Hello, All!

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas!

And, speaking of lovely (yes, I do love a ham-handed segue, thank you for noticing), I got some lovely new earrings:

They're from the wonderful people at Anjolee and are the diamond drop earrings.  The style I received are the triple diamond drop earrings and I ordered them in topaz because it's my birthstone.

I was pretty excited when Anjolee contacted me for a review and not just because their jewelry is gorgeous.  No, what I like most about Anjolee is that they're a fairly small company but are still committed to an environmentally-friendly manufacturing process.  Any waste created by the process is filtered to ensure only clean discharge it put back into the environment.  And the remaining material is sent to be refined or is recycled for reuse.

So, yeah, they're a pretty cool company and they make some stunning jewelry.

Thanks, Anjolee!

Gracey

Neutral Layers

As most of you know, I'm just not that into neutrals.  But, I love layers, texture and patterns which is why I think this outfit works for me:

The turtleneck  and boots add a bit of color, but otherwise, my outfit is dependent on layers, texture and patterns for interest.  The cream sweater has a non-standard stitch, the gray skirt is a diamond pattern and the gray tights are herringbone.

I even layered my necklaces:

So, yeah, even though this outfit is mainly neutrals, it still feels like me.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Get the Look

Similar skirt

Similar sweater

Exact Naya "Virtue" boots

Similar moss agate necklace

Waking Up a Winter Wardrobe

The other day, Angie, of You Look Fab, listed her four ways to liven up a winter wardrobe and it got me to thinking about how I like to wake up my winter wardrobe.  Especially now when the days tend to be short, dark and cold.

Sparkle and Shine

A couple of years ago I was firmly against daytime shine.  I liked to save my sequins for special occasions and couldn’t figure out how to incorporate them into my every day wardrobe.  This winter I’m all about daytime shine; incorporating sequins, rhinestones and metallic into my every day looks.  Whether you wear a little, or a lot, daytime shine is a great way to beat the winter blahs.

Nine West "Darbie" boots

Gap tee

Gap glitter belt

Brights

Angie advocated bright coats and accessories in her list, but I’m advocating brights in general.  I love wearing brightly colored pants, sweaters and yes, accessories, during the winter.  Even when it’s freezing out, brights bring a smile to my face.

Banana Republic Blue Bow Skirt
Gap legging cords
 Banana Republic colorblock scarf

Texture 

This time a year, you’re probably wearing a lot of knits.  I know I am.  And I know that can get boring.  But, if you look for texturally interesting pieces, it can alleviate some of that boredom.  Honeycomb, cable knit and popcorn stitching can all add interest to basic knit pieces.  Fuzzy sweaters are also a great option in a delightfully 80s way.

Eyelash Plaid Cardigan

Echo open stitch infinity scarf

Kyi Kyi Pom Pom Hat

New Neutrals

Black is a very present neutral in my winter wardrobe.  But, I also like to mix things up with new neutrals.  This year I’ve been wearing a lot of navy and gray but I also think camel, cream or even olive could work as a winter neutral.  

 Gap legging cords

Leith infinity scarf
Banana Republic Plaid Fringe Scarf

What about you, Reader Friends?  How do you wake up your winter wardrobe?

xoxo,

Gracey

Monday, Shiny Monday

I'm having a very shiny Monday:

Between my "glitter grunge" sweatshirt and my velvet scarf, it's just shiny, shiny, shiny.

Not that I mind.  Being shiny on a Monday definitely cheers me more than being dull and drab.

Shirt: Gap, similar  Scarf: thrifted  Jeans:JCP   Boots: Born Crown, similar

And, I'm not just shiny, I'm pretty visible in this outfit, so I'm linking up with Patti at Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Monday.

How is your Monday, Reader Friends?

xoxo,

Gracey

Holiday Gift Guide

It's less than two weeks until Christmas, Reader Friends!  Have you done all of your shopping?  Are you not sure what to buy people?  Well, I'm here to help with my handy, dandy holiday gift guide for those hard-to-please people in your life.

1. The Cat Lover

Do you have a friend who has a cat?  Does that cat paint?  Don't you think that friend would like to know why that cat paints what it paints?  Then buy them this:

Image via Amazon - available here

Personally, if I had a painting cat, I'd LOVE to receive this book.

2. The Dog Lover

Do have a friend who has a dog?  Do they think it's little puddum-wuddem face is just the cutest ever?  Then they'll love this:

Image via amazon - available here

No, really, this is a great book.  These dogs are adorable and hilarious.

3. The Misanthropist

Do you have a friend who hates people?  Do they always complain about how so-and-so is dumber than a box of dummies?  Are they harshing your buzz with that talk?  Then try this:

Image  from and  book available at, knockknockstuff.com

It's a journal where your dear, misanthropic friend can rail against all the idiots of the world without bringing you down.

4. The Tree Hugger

Do you have a granola-eating, chicken-raising, Birkenstock-wearing tree hugger of a friend?  Do they sometimes get poked in the eye by branches on the trees they're assaulting hugging?  Then this is perfect:

Via Eve's Little Earthlings Etsy shop

It's a soft, cuddly, truly huggable tree, made from an upcycled sweater, complete with friendly little mushrooms.  And it's frickin' adorable.

5. The Best Friend

Do you  have a best friend?  Did you two have those best friend necklaces in the 90s?  Do you lament it's loss on a daily basis?  Well, here's a replacement necklace with a literary bent:

Via Out of Print Clothing

It's inspired by The Great Gatsby and is perfect for the best friend who now lives on the other side of the country.  Or just across town.

6. The Wine Enthusiast

Do you have a friend whom you adore but can't trust with a glass of red because she's ruined two tablecloths, a rug and three of your shirts?  I think you and that friend would both benefit from these:

Via amazon.com

That's right, it's a wine sippy cup.  So feel free to buy a white tablecloth again.

7.  The Stock Broker

Do you have a guy friend who thinks that storm troopers are actually pretty cool?  Is he a stock broker?  Yeah, I figured as much.  Anyway, I bet he'd love this:

Via Engram Clothing Etsy shop

It's like a stock broker-trooper!  Your friend would totally hang this in his bachelor pad.  Trust.

8.  The Exercise Fanatic

Do you have a friend who is always working out?  Is she always looking for new work outs to try?  Then I'd like to suggest this work out:

Via amazon.com

Don't worry that your friend may not have bike shorts and a mullet.  All she really needs is a large and presumably very, very patient cat.  And, as an added bonus, Catflexing also works as a gift for cat lovers!

If you still have shopping to do, hopefully this list will help you get through the rest.  And if you're already done, these items make great Birthday, Hey, It's Tuesday, and Easter gifts as well.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Sparkles and Leopard

So, it snowed here the other day.  I only mention this because it doesn’t snow that much in my part of Oregon so it was kind of a big deal.  I celebrated by wearing sparkles and leopard; you know, as one does:

Top: LOFT, similar   Pants: Old Navy, similar   Boots: Naughty Monkey, similar

Also, yes my boots are suede.  And no, they were not even remotely appropriate for walking in the snow.  But, in my defense I didn’t really believe it would snow, because it doesn’t usually, so I just wore whatever I wanted.

So, you know, sparkles and leopard and inappropriate shoes:

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Hearts and Raw Edges

This sweater used to have sleeves, but it looked ridiculous with sleeves so I hacked them off:

So now, instead of sleeves, I have raw edges:

And hearts.  Isn't it adorable, all covered in hearts?

Really, now that I got rid of those pesky sleeves, I love this sweater.  And I love it with my polka dot jeans, white button down and riding boots:

And, of course, with my heart necklace:

I figure if anything goes with hearts, it's more hearts.  Right?  That's a thing, pairing hearts with hearts?  Sure it is...

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

And The Winners Are...

Hello, Dearest Reader Friends!

Thank you all so much for entering my Blue Nile Giveaway!  Unfortunately, I can only select two winners, and they are:

Aya in Couturgatory

and

Lisa at Respect the Shoes


Congratulations, Ladies!  Please email me your addresses at fashionforgiants (at) gmail (dot) com and I'll get your necklaces out to you!

Gracey

Candy-Colored

It has been ridiculously cold here in Oregon this week.  I'm talking highs less than 35 degrees cold.  So I've been reaching for the warmest items in my closet.  Items like this candy-colored wool sweater:

You can tell I'm freezing when I clench my fists.  Well, I'm either freezing or prepared to defend myself against vicious squirrel attacks.  One or the other.


I paired the sweater with my flame-colored cords:

Gap sweater (similar), Target cords (similar on super sale!) & Born Crown boots (similar; also on sale!)

Not because there is any flame in the sweater (there really isn't) but because I find cords warmer than jeans.  And because I like yelling, "They don't have to match, dammit, they go!" at co-workers who still haven't quite grasped the concept.  And because, as I've said before, brights in the winter make me happy.

But mostly for the co-worker yelling.

Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

P.S. If you haven't entered my giveaway yet, today is the last day to enter.  And you can do so here.

Monster Boobs

I’m afraid that this top:

Makes my chestal region look like the chestal region of Roz, from Monsters, Inc.: 

Image via disney.wikia.com

 I know I should steer clear of clothing that makes any part of my anatomy look as though they belong to a saggy-chested monster, but I just can’t quit this sweater.  It’s warm, I think the draped aspect is cool (in spite of what it does to the girls) and I like the color.

I also like how it looks in today’s outfit:

I think the moss green of the top works well with the neutral layers and with the shiny layers of the necklaces.  

 

I guess what I’m saying is, monster boobs be damned, folks, I like this sweater, and I’m going to keep wearing it.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Get the Look

Chevron Necklace

Lonna & Lilly Tassel Pendant

Marc by Marc Jacobs watch

Similar draped sweater

Vince Camuto Midi Tube Skirt

Spanx Tight End Tights

Born Crown Boots

 

Giveaway Reminder

Don't forget, Dearest Reader Friends, to enter my Blue Nile Giveaway!  You can win one of these lovely sterling silver necklaces:

If you haven't already, you can enter here.

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Literary Stylings # 6

This outfit is based on the character of Caesar Flickerman from Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins:

   

How so?  Well, he has blue hair and I’m wearing a blue hat.  And I’m pretty sure he loves shiny stuff so I’m wearing a shiny blue sweatshirt.  But, it’s my Caesar Flickerman Weekend Look so instead of pairing it with equally shiny blue pants that I don’t own but obviously need, I paired it with plaid:

Unfortunately, I think the resulting look is less “Caesar Flickerman On The Weekend,” and more “glitter grunge.”  Which is a thing I just accidentally invented but kind of love.  Seriously, folks, Glitter Grunge could totally be my new aesthetic as well as the name of my new all-female grunge band; we’ll cover Nirvana (because of course), Hole and Garbage.  It will be both dark and glittery.

Enough of that nonsense (though I suspect we’ll revisit it at some point), let’s get back to my look.  Caesar Flickerman is my favorite and I adore how Stanley Tucci plays him with those giant Chiclet teeth of his.  That’s not an insult; I love big teeth and big smiles.  And I love Caesar Flickerman and my Caesar Flickerman-inspired outfit:

Glitter Grunge, FTW!!

And now on to you, Reader Friends.  Did you read a book last month?  Are you wearing an outfit inspired by that book?  Well, then, please link up below:

Happy Tuesday, All! 

Gracey

Blue Nile Giveaway

This is my new vintage sweater dress:

I love it because I can pretend it's teal in certain lights, because it looks fantastic with orange tights and because... buttons: 

Buttons!

But, enough about the dress, let's talk giveaway.  

Although you can't see it, because my hair decided to eat it, I am actually wearing this Blue Nile sterling silver branch necklace:

Branch Necklace in Sterling Silver - image via Blue Nile

Isn't it lovely?  The fine folks at Blue Nile were kind enough to send me a necklace and sent another for one of my readers.  It's part of their "Get One, Give One" campaign for the holidays.

But, because I love my Readers, I've decided to give away m personal necklace as well, so everyone will have two chances to win.  You can either keep it for yourself or gift it to a friend or loved one; they make perfect stocking stuffers!

So, how do you win?  It's easy.  Just follow Fashion for Giants either with Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin' (see the buttons on the sidebar) and leave a comment below saying you've done so.  I will choose two winners on Friday evening so make sure you check back Saturday to see if you've won.

Happy Monday, All!  And good luck!

Gracey