Flow-y, But With Pants

A combination that I really, really love, but don't wear nearly enough, is the combination of a dress over pants:

It can just be such a hard look to get right.  The proportions can go wacky, and stumpifying, very quickly. (And, trust me, no one wants to look both wacky *and* stumpified.  One or the other, sure, why not?  But not both).  Still, as I said, it's a look I love and one I'll keep trying.


That being said, I rather like this iteration:

Turtleneck: Gap (similar)  Dress: thrifted vintage
Pants: Gap (similar)  Belt: thrifted vintage  Boots: Franco Sarto "Eminent"

I think wearing the dress partially open over the pants helps minimize any damage I'm doing with these proportions.  And even if it's not, I still like this version because it is great for swanning about without freezing my nethers. It's flow-y, but with pants.  So, you know, win-win.


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

A Coat and A Smile

So, it's been very, very cold here in the mornings.  And I thought I could smile my way through it.  Because, as you know, smiling keeps you warm.  Except that no, it doesn't.  Smiling absolutely does not keep you warm.  I should know because I tried my best to smile my way to warmth for today's pictures:

I mean it, I tried my best:

But, it didn't work; by the end, my hands were freezing and I had a rather pained look on my face:

Top: Banana Republic (similar)  Scarf: TJ Maxx (similar)
Skirt: local boutique (similar) Boots: Michael Michael Kors (similar)

I guess it's time to retire the smile and break out the coats.  Or, you know, maybe try a coat *and* a smile.



Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Product Review: Berkshire Tights

I wear a lot of tights.  I mean, a lot.  They are basically my go-to for winter, stemming in part from when I used to ride my bike to work.  Tights just dry so much faster when rained on than jeans do.  And although I'm not close enough to my current job to ride to work (also, why no bike lanes, people?) I still love wearing tights.

But, I have to say that while I love wearing tights, I don't always love how it feels to wear tights.  A lot can go wrong with wearing tights.  If they're too short in the leg, they will inch down into Hammer pants by the end of the day.  If they're too tight in the waist, they will give you what Sal over Already Pretty calls "segmented worm syndrome" which is both uncomfortable and unsightly.  And, if they're too tight in the thighs, your thighs bitch and moan and call you names all day.  (No?  Is that just me?  Damn thighs).

If any, or heaven forbid, all of those things happen to you when wearing tights, then I have one word for you: Berkshire.  As in Berskshire Hosiery, as in makers of the most comfortable tights I've ever worn:

These are the Easy On! Tights and not only were they easy to get on, they were comfortable.  All day long.  I mean: All. Day. Long.  I couldn't believe it.  No pinching, no binding, no rolling, and no mutinous mutterings from my thighs.


I paired the tights with a pleated skirt and geometric print cardigan, because if you can't be paired with a pleated skirt and/or a cardigan, you probably don't belong in my wardrobe:

Cardigan: Target (similar)  Skirt: thrifted vintage (similar)
Tights: c/o Berkshire Hosiery  Shoes: Shoes of Prey (similar)

I'm happy to say these tights worked very well with my pleats and cardigan.  Basically, Berkshire tights are amazing and I can't say enough good about them.

Well, I guess I can say a few more things.  One, they're made in the USA, which is fantastic.  Two, they have an amazing selection of styles and a great size range; petite, regular, plus and even maternity.  And definitely long enough for us tall gals; again, I'm wearing the Easy On! Tights in size 1X/2X and they are more than long enough. And it's not just the basic black tights that are long enough; this particular tights is available in six different colors.  Even fun tights are available for giants; I also tried out the Berkshire Trend tights in Fishnet, and those also fit fabulously.

If you want to know more about Berkshire, or want to try them for yourself (you should, they're great!) visit their site at eberkshire.com and, you can get 15% off of your order with the code blogger15, now through December 16th, 2016.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Embroidery, Tassels, and a Ram

This outfit has everything:

Embroidery.

Tassels.

And a ram:

All of which make it, possibly, the perfect fall outfit:

Dress: LOFT (similar) Ram belt: secondhand vintage  
Scarf: Nordstrom Rack (similar here and here)
Boots: Bettye Bettye Muller (save, splurge, bigger splurge)

Or at least perfect for what's supposed to be a rainy, not-too-cold fall day.



Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Worth the Cold Toes

So, I apologize for my extended absence for the last week or so.  I went back to Oregon, and while the trip wasn't especially sudden, I also didn't bother to plan anything for the blog while I was gone, so, yeah.  Sorry about that.


But, I'm back now, and I'm wearing cute pants:

I'm also wearing sandals so my toes were cold most of the morning.  But, the weather got into the 70s this afternoon so my tootsies were just fine.


And thank goodness too because I love these sandals with these pants:

Sweater: LOFT (similar)  Blouse: LOFT (similar)
Pants: LOFT  Sandals: Steve Madden (similar)

This outfit is totally worth the cold toes.


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

A Little Dress-on-Dress Action

I haven't been engaging in very creative layering lately.  I usually just add a cardigan to whatever I'm wearing to combat the office AC.  I'm not even sure that counts as layering.  But today's look totally counts:

No cardigans here, just layered dress:

Both dresses are thrifted, the bottom dress is vintage and the top dress is from the 90s, and has a great sketched floral print:

Now, I'll probably be back to layering with cardigans tomorrow, as I do love cardigans and hate AC, but, for today, I went with a little dress-on-dress action:

Black dress: thrifted vintage (see similar below)  Belt: thrifted vintage
Floral dress: thrifted (similar below)  Sandals: c/o LTS (similar)

And I'd probably do it again.

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Layering Dresses

No Nonsense Denim Leggings

I'm wearing white today:

And yes, it's after Labor Day.


The thing is, I received these white denim leggings from No Nonsense, and I like them too much to relegate them to summer wear only.  They are extremely comfortable, and are a surprisingly good length, even after washing.  I got them in XL and they fit snugly, without being too tight.  I will say though, that they are probably better suited for an "apple" shape than someone with a "curvier" shape; there is a bit of a gap in the waist for me.



So, yes, I'm wearing white after Labor Day:

Leggings: c/o No Nonsense  Tunic: Nordstrom Rack (similar)
Pendant: v. old Old Navy (similar)  Vest: Nordstrom (similar)  Shoes: Via Spiga (similar)

Thank goodness there are no rules against that sort of thing, right?



Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Striped Short Sleeve Sweater

In the folly of my youth, I used to question the practicality of short-sleeve sweaters.  But, now I realize that they really are great transition pieces.

Over the long weekend, our weather turned cooler (finally) in the mornings and  has not been as humid (FINALLY) but still warm in the afternoons.



You know what's perfect for that sort of weather?

Sweater: Gap  Skirt: thrifted (similar)
Necklace: LOFT (similar)  Sandals: Steve Madden (similar)

Yep, that's right.  Short sleeve sweaters.



Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Blueberries and Stripes

Earlier today on the blog I reviewed the "Blueberry" necklace, from Pam Neri Necklaces.  Here is a close up of the necklace:

And here's a look at how I styled it:

With stripes.  I styled it with stripes.



But, also with a full midi skirt and cage sandals:

But, mostly, with stripes:

Necklace: Pam Neri "Blueberry" Necklace
Tee: Banana Republic  Skirt: thrifted Ralph Lauren  Sandals: Steven Madden (similar)

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Bold Floral

It's been so hot lately, I've been essentially living in summer dresses, with a cardigan for work, of course.  Today's summer dress is a bright, bold floral:

Paired with red shoes because, as it turns out, I love red shoes:

And I think they're especially good with a bold floral:

Dress: vintage  Belt: thrifted (similar)  Shoes: Fidji via Shoes.com

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Shop Bold Floral Dresses

A Skirt, Of Sorts

This outfit is NOT a lot of things.  For example, this is not a crop top:

And that's not my bare midriff covered with surprise tattoos.  No, that is a flesh-colored belt covered with embroidery.  (Ugh. Flesh-colored belt is not a phrase I ever thought I'd write, but there you have it).


Gross as that phrase is, the embroidery is actually rather nice:

And looks less skin-like up close, I think (I hope).



In addition to not wearing a crop top, I am also not wearing a skirt:

Not that you can really tell in this picture, but I swear to you, these are culottes.  Or, a split skirt, if you will.



Of course, if we call it a split skirt, then I guess I *am* wearing a skirt:

Blouse: LOFT  Split Skirt: thrifted (similar save, splurge)
Belt: Fossil (similar)  Sandals: Isola (similar)

Of sorts.


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Rose Colored Blouse, Rose Covered Heels

Generally, all things rose are my sister's domain; it's her name after all.  Still I couldn't resist these Topshop shoes with the roses embroidered on the heels:

Fancy, right?!



Fancy, and, I guess, a little busy.  So I kept the outfit I paired them with simple.  Just culottes and a blouse:

Simple. Albeit a little wrinkly.  I love a linen blend pant, especially for summer, but you bend down to strap up your adorable, embroidered shoe and you look a mess.



A well-coordinated mess, in your rose colored blouse and rose covered heels, to be sure:

Blouse: LOFT  Pants: LOFT (similar)
Belt: LOFT (similar)  Shoes: Topshop 

But, still, a mess.



Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

High of Waist, Indeterminate of Color

Today's pants are both high of waist and indeterminate of color:

Sometimes they look terra cotta or maybe red ochre?

But at other times they look more brown:

Burnt sienna, maybe?  Rust?  Brick?  Ann Taylor calls the color "Modern Saddle" which, sure, I guess, why not?

Honestly, I'm not sure what color they are, but they are truly, delightfully high of waist:

Blouse: LOFT outlet (similar)
Pants: Ann Taylor  Sandals: Isola "Lisinda" 

And indeterminate of color.

Happy Friday, All!

Gracey