Like Me

I wrote a bit about this in my last guest post over at Already Pretty, but basically, my new job is the first ever that I've had with an honest-to-goodness dress code.  At my last job, they'd admonish us every summer not to wear cut-offs and/or tube tops, but that was really the extent of HR's input on what we could wear to work.  Here though, jeans are only allowed on Fridays and most women wear slacks.

Yep.  Slacks.

Up until now, I've just been avoiding the pants issue and wearing skirts and dresses, but it's really cold here.  So, yesterday, I finally ventured out in a pair of my new work pants:

And, you know what?  I felt like me in this outfit.


Sure they're just basic, some-may-say-boring black pants, but paired with one of my vintage blouses and some leopard print shoes, it's something I'd even have worn back home:

It's a little loud, it's a little different and it's totally me:

And, best of all, I didn't get sent home for wearing it.


I know, I can hardly believe it myself.

Blouse: vintage, thrifted  Pants: LOFT (I'm wearing a 12T)
Earrings: Modcloth (similar)  Shoes: Nine West Heroheart (similar)

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

So Sunny, So Cold

Okay, I guess it's not really been cold here, maybe chilly.  But, it damn sure hasn't been warm and I've been forced into sweaters and coats even though it's nearly May.  Happily for me, I really like this coat:

Yes, it's more yellow, but it's also houndstooth:

And you really can't go wrong with vintage lemon yellow houndstooth:

It's just so perfect for spring.  Especially when paired with aqua skinnies and blue flats:

Coat: vintage  Sweater: LOFT (similar)
Jeans: Old Navy  Flats: Nine West (similar) (similar)

Yep, I highly recommend lemon yellow houndstooth to everyone for those sunny, chilly spring days.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Hello Again, Yellow Again

I feel like I've been wearing a lot of yellow lately.

A review of the archives shows that I have, in fact, been wearing yellow a normal amount, but it sure feels like a lot.


Maybe because I always want to wear yellow.  Especially this cardigan.  I want to wear this cardigan every day:

Top: LOFT (similar)  Cardigan: Modcloth (size up)
Pants: Gap (similar)  Shoes: Hive & Honey (similar)

It's been the perfect transition piece for spring, brightening up my blues and grays:

So, yeah, you'll probably see this cardigan a few more times in the coming weeks

Because I just can't help myself.


How about you, Reader Friends?  Have you been wearing anything on repeat lately?


Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Apricot Sherbet

I am not actually sure what color this sweater is.  Here it's a sort of orange sherbet hue:

But, here it's a bit darker and more apricot, I think:

Sweater: thrifted vintage (similar)
Skirt: thrifted vintage  Shoes: Corso Como (similar)

So it's... apricot sherbet?  Is that a thing?  It should be, it sounds delicious.

And it looks good with houndstooth.


Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Knits and Stripes

Man but I love a knit pencil skirt:

In fact, I love them so much that I only have one pencil skirt that is not knit and I only keep it because it's the most beautiful blue ever.  And, in spite of it's gorgeous color, I don't even wear it that much because I prefer the knit skirts.


They are just so darned comfortable.  And so darned easy.

The same is true for this knit bomber.  It's comfortable and easy like a cardigan, but with a less expected silhouette.


Seriously, knitwear is the best.  Especially when paired with a t-shirt.  And doubly especially when paired with a striped t-shirt.

Bomber: LOFT (similar)  Tee: LOFT
Skirt: thrifted (similar)  Sandals: Steve Madden (similar)

For some reason, I am very into stripes lately.


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Flared and Frilled

There are finally (finally!) daffodils blooming here in Western PA and they inspired me to wear a little yellow of my own:

This top is funny because I love the stripes, the color and the cut, but I'm not sure it's all that flattering on me:

I'm pretty sure it gives my shoulders a bit of a "frilled linebacker" look, but I just can't bring myself to get rid of it.  Probably because it is so cheery and comfortable.


And because it looks darned good with my fox locket:

The jeans are also not the most flattering, but ditto on the comfort factor.  And it's nice to break out of that skinny mold sometimes.  Not me.  The jeans.  I haven't been in the "skinny" mold for ages!

Top: old Anthropologie, can't find similar, but I like this option and this one
Jeans: Gap (similar)  Sandals: Banana Republic (similar)

Bottom line, pairing flared with frilled may not be the most flattering, but it's cheery and comfortable and sometimes that's all a girl wants in an outfit.


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Coral Moto

This coral moto is such a great piece:

It makes every outfit better.  And brighter.  And is beyond perfect for spring.


The texture is great too:

Textured pieces add another layer of interest to an outfit without actually having to add another layer.


But, the best part is the color:

Jacket: c/o Long Tall Sally Jeans: Old Navy
Ankle Boots: Ivanka Trump (similar) 

It's gorgeous and it goes well with colorful shoes.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Pajama Day

My favorite thing about maxi dresses, especially knit ones, is how much they feel like pajamas:

They're not particularly flattering, at least not this one, but I'll be darned if they aren't comfortable.  Especially when paired with a cozy knit moto:

I didn't have "Pajama Day" in elementary school when I was younger, but my nieces and nephews have it and it seems like great fun.  Or, if not fun, then at least really, really comfortable.

Dress: Gap (similar)  Jacket: LOFT (similar)
Scarf: Old Navy (similar here, here or here)  Flats: Old Navy (similar)

Maybe they should have Pajama Day at work too.  I'd support that.  And afternoon naps.  I'd totally support naps.


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Literary Stylings #17: In Zanesville

Although I really, really enjoyed all of the books I read last month (seriously, I recommend them all), I was most sartorially inspired by In Zanesville, by Jo Ann Beard:

As I said on Sunday, this book was absolutely wonderful.  I didn't grow up in Indiana in the 70s, but this book made me wish I had, if only to be friends with the two main characters.  Seriously, the narrator, and her best friend, Flea, were the type of girls I absolutely would have wanted to be friends with in high school.  They bond over corny jokes, favorite words and clothes.


In fact, clothing is so important to them that they take what has to be the worst babysitting job ever (EVER!) over the summer in order to put clothes on layaway for the school year.  And what did they put on layaway?  Oh, just awesome items like culottes and sweater vests:

I mean, if any book were tailor-made for me for this challenge, it's this one.  I love culottes and sweater vests!


Although, I think the colors on my sweater vest are more 80s than 70s:

Wrong decade or no, I'm just happy to have read this book and happy it inspired this outfit:

And now it's your turn, Reader Friends.  If you've got an outfit to share, please link up below:

An InLinkz Link-up

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Silk Scarf Kick

I have been on a silk scarf kick lately.  I wore one here, here and another today:

And I don't think I'll be stopping any time soon.  They great for a bit of extra warmth on chillier Spring days (so, you know, all of them here in PA).  They're great for adding a bit of color.  And they're so easy (and cheap) to thrift.


I especially love the color and pattern on this one:

Scarf: vintage, thrifted  Shirt: vintage, thrifted (similar)
Skinnies: Old Navy Hi-Rise Rockstar  Trench: Banana Republic (similar)  Boots: Born (similar)

The scarf is vintage, and thrifted, and I paired it with a vintage, striped shirt (also thrifted), skinny jeans, boots and a trench.  Because trenches are pretty great for chilly Spring weather too:

Happy Monday, All!  And don't forget to link up to my Literary Stylings Link Party tomorrow!

Gracey

What I Read: March 2015

So, I didn't read a lot of books this month, only three, but I really, really enjoyed all three of them.

The Girl on the Train, by Paula Hawkins

This book is great.  There have been Gone Girl comparisons, but I enjoyed this book much more than I enjoyed Gone Girl.  It's a fast-paced, easy read, but with what I thought was a great twist.  I won't say much more because I don't want to spoil it, but I definitely recommend this book.



The Little Friend, by Donna Tartt

Donna Tartt is one of my favorite writers and, once again, she did not disappoint.  This is such a remarkably well-written story, that even though it was scary as hell at times, I didn't want it to end.  Warning, although it is, nominally, about a young girl trying to discover who killed her older brother, it's not really a mystery.  And it's certainly not a Southern Gothic mystery that a lot of people come to expect from the blurb on the back.  What it is, is a great book, and I recommend this one as well.


In Zanesville, by Jo Ann Beard

Yep, I loved this book as well.  It's about two girlfriends growing up in the 70s, trying to navigate the babysitting job from hell (no, really), boys and the mysteries of high school popularity (and unpopularity).  Although I couldn't directly identify with all of their adventures, I definitely identified with these girls and thought this was just a wonderful read.


Per usual, I'm not sure which book I'll base Tuesday's look on, but I have a lot of options this time around so I'm sure I'll figure something out.  And, even though this is extremely late notice, I hope you all will join in on Tuesday.


Happy Sunday, All!  And Happy Easter!

Gracey