Maximum Swanning

It was very, very cold here today.  But, rather than complain, I decided to layer:

Specifically, I layered my LTS cape over a striped shirt and belted the whole thing with a studded belt:

All paired with a vintage skirt, tights and riding boots:

Cape: c/o Long Tall Sally  (similar)  Shirt: Gap
Belt: old Michael Michael Kors  Skirt: thrifted vintage (similar)  Boots: gifted (similar)

So, no, no complaining from me today.  Just maximum swanning.


Happy Wednesday, 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

Because, Well, Boots

So, it was like 80-something on Tuesday.  It's only supposed to be like 50-something today.  And rainy.  But, that's okay, because, well, boots:

But, also, because cardigans.  And scarves:

Is it cold?  Sure, but by this time of year, I'm ready for cold:

Cardigan: Old Navy  Pants: v. old Gap (similar here & here)
Scarf: TJ Maxx (similar)  Boots: v. old Born Crown "Sosie" (similar)

Because, well, boots.



Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Unseasonably Warm

So, yesterday it rained.  Kind of a lot.  But today, today was unseasonably warm.  Like in the 80s unseasonably warm.  Happily, I hadn't put away my summer stuff yet, so I got one more day in a flowy skirt:

I paired said flow-y skirt with a patterned top that in no way matches.  But it goes:

Probably.



I even snuck in some sandals:

Blouse: LOFT  Skirt, Belt & Shoes: thrifted

Because, as you may have heard, it was unseasonable warm here today.



Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Another Use for Teal

Today's outfit pairs teal and olive:

Well, two teals, and two olives, I guess.



And yes, I know I also wore teal on Friday; but on Friday, I wore it with flame.  And today I'm wearing it with olive:

Blouse: v. old Old Navy (similar)  Cardigan: LOFT
Belt: J. Crew (similar)   Velvet Flats: v. old Old Navy (similar)
Pants: Ann Taylor (exact in different color, similar color but different pant)

So, really, while it might seem like I've suddenly gone teal-crazy, I'm actually doing it for you, Dearest Reader Friends.  I'm doing it to give you another use for teal.  You're welcome.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Fall Flame and Teal

Oddly enough, one of my favorite color combinations for fall is flame and teal:

I think this color is actually being called "Fiesta" this season, but I will always think of it as "Flame" in honor of my favorite corduroy pants ever.


And I will always want to wear it with bright blue:

Especially in the fall.


To me, this is a very "fall" color combination.  It makes me think of bright autumn skies and bright autumn leaves and pumpkins.  Basically, it's perfect for fall.


At least I think so:

Cardigan: LOFT (similar)  Tee: Banana Republic
Skirt: Ann Taylor (similar)  Belt: Target (similar)  Sandals: Camper (similar)

Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

And Pleats, Of Course

It may well be Fall now, but it still feels like summer.  Well, no, that's not true; it's no longer hellishly humid.  But, it's still warm.


Warm enough for star tees and sandals:

And pleats, of course.



In short, the weather is currently gorgeous and I'm getting all the wear I can out of summery pieces:

Tee: Gap (similar) (similar)  Skirt: thrifted vintage
Belt: LOFT (similar)  Sandals: Dune London "Ivanna"

Like star tees and sandals.  And pleats, of course.



Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Back To Where We Started

This outfit is vintage me:

Bright colors?  Check.

High waist?  Check.

Bold pattern?  Check.



Interestingly enough, this outfit is also me in vintage:

The skirt, top and belt are all secondhand vintage.  The shoes are retail, but they're also amazing, so, yeah.



Of course, me in secondhand vintage *is* vintage me:

Top: thrifted vintage  Skirt: thrifted vintage (similar below)
Belt: thrifted vintage  Earrings: vintage  Sandals: Dune London 'Ivanna'

So I guess we're back to where we started.



Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Shop Red Button-Front Skirts

Bright and Stripe-y

Like much of what I wear, today's outfit features a bright and some stripes:

In this case, a very bright bright and some very stripe-y stripes:

But, what can I say?  I like what I like:

Blouse: LOFT  Cardigan: Nordstrom Rack
Skirt: Ann Taylor (similar)  Sandals: Camper (similar)

And what I like is bright and stripe-y.



Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Small Victories

Remember last week when I said it was so hot that I basically had to wear summer dresses every day? Well, that is no longer true.  I mean, I'm still wearing summer dresses:

But now it's because it's warm enough that I *get* to wear summer dresses every day; I'm no longer being forced into it by unreasonable levels of humidity.



Today's particular summer dress is a floral shirtdress (because of course):

I paired it with a pre-knotted belt because when I try to knot belts on my own, they don't look remotely right:

I also wore my increasingly ubiquitous lace-up sandals and bright green earrings:

Dress: thrifted  Earrings: Kate Spade New York
Belt: LOFT (similar here & here)  Sandals: Dune London via Nordstrom

To recap, it's gone from stupidly hot to pleasantly warm and I didn't have to try to knot my own belt.  These are small victories, but I'll take them.



Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Product Review: Pam Neri Necklaces

With the exception of a few delicate pieces, I tend to like my necklaces like I like my thighs: chunky.  So, it's no wonder that I love the line of chunky beauties created by the talented Pam Neri.  Chunky beauties like this one:

It's the "Blueberry" necklace, which you can find here, and after much, much deliberation, it's the necklace I chose to review on the blog.  Ultimately I went with this one because I am unable to resist anything blue.


But, let me just say that it was not an easy choice.  Pam's necklaces are absolutely beautiful.  For necklaces like the "Blueberry", the individual wire strands are crocheted and then woven together.  You can see the technique better below:

I love the sense of movement in the necklaces, but also that they look raw, and have an almost "found" quality about them.  Part of that appeal is in the materials used.  The above necklace is the "Aruba" necklace and includes both coral and sea glass among the materials used.  I think it's a brilliant mix.

All of Pam's necklaces are beautifully made, and, best of all, she also takes custom orders.  I love the idea of a custom-made necklace to take with you on, say, a cruise.  When you're traveling with a limited wardrobe and limited color palette, why not have a necklace designed to compliment that wardrobe/color palette?  It's also a great option for wedding jewelry.


You can find Pam's necklaces, and place customer orders, on Instagram (@pamnerinecklaces), Amazon and her website (pamneri.com).


I'll share the outfit I wore with my gorgeous "Blueberry necklace" a bit later, but, in the meantime, go ahead and visit Pam's sites and treat yo'self to some swooning over some truly gorgeous necklaces.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Drapes Like a Dream

It probably won't surprise you to know that I'm wearing another shirtdress today.  But, what may be surprising is that this one is just plain navy:

See?  Nothing fancy.


But, I like this one because it's a different silhouette than most of my shirtdresses.  And because, as far as navy blues go, this is a pretty blue:

Dress: thrifted (similar)  Sandals: Dune London 'Ivanna'  Earrings: Modcloth (similar)

Oh, and, it drapes like a dream.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

It's Not Polka Dots, It's Whales

I like shirt dresses.  And I like printed dresses.  But I *love* printed shirt dresses.  Like this one:

It's not polka dots, it's whales:

And it's adorable.



It's also blue and white, so I paired it with red:

Dress: eShakti (see similar below)
Belt: thrifted (similar)  Sandals: Fidji V623

Because, of course.



Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Shop Shirt Dresses

Flat Pleats Are Good Pleats

Today I'm wearing one of my favorite silhouettes:

The pleated midi.


Pleats can be hard to wear, and so can midi skirts, but I still love this style of skirt.  If you love them too, I recommend looking for flat pleats, like those on this skirt:

Flat pleats help keep the volume down, which is important because too much volume in a skirt can make it look like you're smuggling throw pillows on your hips.  Even if you *are* smuggling throw pillows, you don't want to look like it because that's not very sneaky and smugglers need to be sneaky. #wordtothewise


I paired my flat-pleated skirt with a textured sweater:

Because everything is better with texture.


So, what did we learn today?

Skirt: thrifted vintage (similar)
Sweater: Nordstrom (cute option)  Sandals: Kork-Ease (similar)

We learned that smugglers need to be sneaky, everything is better with texture, and flat pleats are good pleats.  All important things.

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey