Cobalt + Peach

InStyle magazine assured me in their latest issue that cobalt and peach are a good idea for spring.  So, I decided to give it a try:

And, I gotta tell you, if I hadn't read that article, I don't think I ever would have paired these two colors together.


Even after doing it, I'm still a little skeptical:

It's not that I think it looks bad, but my eyes are having a hard time adjusting to these two colors together.


I mean, cobalt and tangerine, sure.  But, cobalt and peach?  I'm just not sure that I'm one hundred percent sold on the idea:

Sweater: sold out Anthropologie (sort of similar here and here)
Pants: Gap (similar)  Shoes: v. old Corso Como (similar)

But, I'm glad I gave it a shot.  It's good to wander outside of your comfort zone sometimes.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Snow Birds

So, it's still not snowing here in Pittsburgh, but it was snowing when I wore this outfit two weeks ago.  And since I've been rather lax about taking new outfit photos, you're getting these oldies but goodies:

I mean, you can't be too mad when I'm offering up double grid print and birds.


Yes, that's right, birds:

This scarf is covered with birds.  And I think it pairs perfectly with the black and white grid print.  And with the camel jacket.

Blouse: LOFT (similar)  Skirt: LOFT (similar)
Scarf: vintage thrifted  Jacket: thrifted J. Crew (similar)  Boots: Franco Sarto "Eminent"

Although... maybe it's the red-ness of the scarf that makes it perfect, as opposed to the bird-ness.  Eh, either way, I love this combination.


And, hopefully, next time I post, it'll be something more seasonally-appropriate.  Don't get your hopes up though; March is awfully early for Pittsburgh to give up on snowing.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Well-Placed Medallions

As it turns out, my co-worker was right and it's actually pretty nice here so far this week.  However, I still have some outfits I wore during colder weather that I haven't posted.  So today you're getting an outfit from last week featuring a vintage scarf-print blouse:

Specifically, a vintage scarf-print blouse with some well-placed medallions:

I like to think the designer was trying to make a point that a top doesn't have to be low-cut to draw attention to the girls.  Or they just like medallion covered tatas.  Who knows?  The 80s were a crazy time.


Boob-enhancing pattern and all, I still love this blouse.  Scarf-print blouses just make me happy.  They're so over the top and sometimes boob-tastic, but still fun:

Top: thrifted vintage  Skirt: sold out LOFT (similar)
Tights: Assets (similar)  Boots: Franco Sarto "Eminent"

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Literary Stylings #24: The Library at Mount Char

Let me just start by saying that this is a fantastic book:

The Library at Mount Char, by Scott Hawkins

That being said, I don't think this is a book for everyone, in part because it was very different.  It wasn't like anything I had ever read before and I'm not even sure what genre it's supposed to be in.  One reviewer calls it "modern day hidden world fantasy" and that's a pretty good explanation.  Frankly, you can call it whatever you want, I just call it fantastic.

It takes place in an inter-dimensional (sort of) library (sort of) accessed through a house in a Virginia suburb.  There are twelve "librarians" in this library.  They were all selected by a man they call "Father" to study different disciplines at the library.  The main character, Carolyn, studies languages; all of the languages, living, dead, human and otherwise.  Other librarians specialize in war, medicine, travelling the lands of the dead and the animal kingdoms, among other disciplines.

When the story opens, Father is missing and the librarians are trying to figure out where he is and if he's even still alive.  In trying to do this, they have to venture out of the library into America for the first time since they entered the library as children.  Because they aren't familiar with America and it's social mores, they end up dressing rather peculiarly.  David, for example, the librarian of war, runs around covered in blood and naked except for a purple tutu.  And Michael, the librarian of animals, just runs around naked.

Carolyn, having spent more time in America than the others has a better concept of how to dress herself.  But, because they were all chosen as children, she doesn't necessarily have a better concept of how to dress herself as an adult.  Therefore her chosen outfit is a Christmas sweater and gold bike shorts.  Obviously Carolyn is my inspiration for today's Literary Styling what with the other options being nudity and tutus.


Now, I don't have gold bike shorts (I know, I too am surprised) or a Christmas sweater, but I do have a snow sweater:

And I figure camel and gold are in the same color family so I paired it with my camel skirt:

Snow Sweater: vintage Ralph Lauren (similar here, here, and here)
Skirt: sold out LOFT (similar here, similar longer version)  Tights: Target  Boots: Born "Sosie" (similar)

I added the white tights because white tights always feel a bit young to me.  And since Carolyn was a young child when she was taken to study at the library, I figured white tights fit the theme.  I mean, I know my 9-year old self would love this outfit.


But, enough about me and The Library at Mount Char.  What about you, Reader Friends?  What did you read last month?  Did it inspire you sartorially?  If so, please link up below!

An InLinkz Link-up

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

No Nonsense, Well, Maybe Just a Little

But, not with the tights.  No, these tights were given to me by No Nonsense, and they are living up to their name:

The skirt, on the other hand, is straight up full of nonsense.  The darn thing insists on spinning around on my waist like it's being paid to do so.  Seriously, that front pocket seems to think it's a side pocket and is trying it's darnedest to get back home.

But, enough of the silly skirt.  Let's talk about these tights:

I'm not kidding folks, they are fantastic.

Now, this particular pair, while fabulously patterned, isn't especially thick, but for Fall, or mild winters, these are perfect.  Also perfect?  The fit.  I'd never tried No Nonsense tights because I tend to shy away from tights that have combined sizes, like L/XL, because I've found they're more on the "L" side than on the "XL" side and I am the opposite.  But, these tights fit beautifully.  They're long enough for my legs and didn't sag at all during the day.  They also didn't pinch my thighs, which is good because my thighs hate being pinched.

If your thighs also hate being pinched, I highly recommend No Nonsense tights.  Because, having No Nonsense on your legs gives you more time to deal with the nonsense of your skirt:

Nonsense Skirt: LOFT  Sweater: Woolovers (get 10% off with that link)
Tights: No Nonsense  Boots: Franco Sarto "Eminent"

And that takes a lot of energy.

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Five for Friday 7/31/15: Oak Buff

For today's Five for Friday, I thought I'd highlight another Pantone Fall 2015 color: Oak Buff:

I really like this color.  I'm not too big on camel, but this is a sort of mustard-y camel, so I'm on board.  I am especially on board for the mustard-y camel Oak Buff pieces below:

1. ASOS Sleeveless Jacket - I'd love this jacket layered over a silky long-sleeve blouse for fall.

2. Max Studio Wool Cardigan - This cardigan is both adorable and 100% Mr. Rogers approved.  

3. Donald J. Pliner Mules - I love everything about these shoes.  The color, the mixed texture and the menswear vibe all make me very, very happy.

4. Square Jacquard Scarf - If you don't love this color in large doses, this scarf has just enough in the trim.

5. Boden Audrey Skirt - A-line skirts are just the best.  They're flattering on most everyone and this color will be perfect paired with a sweater and tall boots.

What about you, Reader Friends?  What are your thoughts on Oak Buff?

Happy Friday, 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

Birdie Awesomeness

As an Oregonian, I am, of course, unable to resist anything that has a bird on it.  So this shirt?

Yeah, this shirt was destined to be mine.  Not only does it have birds on it, but it fits my long arms even though it’s not offered in “Tall”.  Those two qualities alone are reason enough to love this shirt.  But then you add the fact that it looks adorable layered under my apricot sweater and it is birdie awesomeness at its best.

In addition to the awesome bird button-down (Caslon via Nordstrom) and the apricot sweater (Worthington via Goodwill), I also wore flared jeans (Gap), camel wedges (Corso Como via Piperlime) and neon studs (Kate Spade NY via Nordstrom).  

 

Friend Ferge thinks the neon studs don’t make sense with this look.  She is wrong.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Shop the look:

Exact Caslon button-down (other prints also available)

Similar neon studs (save, spend)

Similar Gap flares (Tall available)

Similar apricot sweater (here, here and here)

Similar camel wedges

** Disclosure: Actions taken from the hyperlinks in this blog post may yield commission/compensation for the writer. Please see the Disclosure tab for more details.

It Got Cold, I Overreacted

Apparently the Oregon Weather Gods got tired of fellow Oregon blogger, Stacey, and I writing about our recent great weather, because it got cold last night.  And, as I always do when it first gets cold, I overreacted:

Did I really need both the sweater coat and a flannel scarf layered over the chambray tunic and jeggings?  Maybe not.  But, as I said, when the weather drops about 20 degrees in three days, I have a tendency to overreact. 

Also, this is the same DIY scarf I wore on Monday, and in Monday’s comments, the Menopausal Super Model asked how I made it.  The answer?  Crookedly.  Actually, that’s not entirely true.  In spite of the fact that I can’t draw, cut or sew a straight line (I have SLD, or Straight Line Disorder (it’s totally a real thing)) I still managed to do okay with this scarf by following the lines of the plaid for cutting.  It is sewn a little bit crooked though because my left arm is still weak and I can’t guide fabric in a straight line even when I don’t have the excuse of a broken elbow.

The good news is that it’s an infinity scarf and wrapped around my neck you can’t tell it’s crooked, which is why I knew this was the project for me.  I got the idea from the lovely Franziska at Franishh, who used this tutorial.  I used the same tutorial and it was really easy, especially if you don’t worry about your lines being straight.

Yep, looks straight(ish) to me!

Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Shop The Look

Similar sweater coat

CJ by Cookie Johnson python print leggings

MIA “Roam” boots (on sale now at Piperlime)

Similar chambray tunic

Similar flannel scarf

** Disclosure: Actions taken from the hyperlinks in this blog post may yield commission/compensation for the writer. Please see the Disclosure tab for more details.

Jumping the Gun

It was less than 80 degrees here in Oregon today, so I wore boots and a scarf:

Yes, I’m jumping the gun a bit for fall, but, unlike the Olympics, I think bloggers get two false starts, so I won’t be disqualified when fall actually arrives.  Besides, it’s still kind of summery because my dress (vintage, thrifted) is sleeveless, the infinity scarf (Plato’s Closet) is lightweight, and the boots (Steve Madden) are lighter colored.

Make no mistake though, I am ready for fall.  I’ve been Pinning fall outfits like crazy on my Fall Ready Already board, I’ve been longingly petting my riding boots and I’ve already started planning fall outfits.  All of this in spite of the fact that summer came late to Oregon; but, apparently two weeks of 90+ degree weather is all I need to be over summer.

How about you, Reader Friends?  Are you ready for fall?

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

Gracey

Pinspiration: Black, Lace and Cognac

I Pinned this outfit the other day with the idea to recreate it myself:

Image via fashionworship.com

This is my version of the above look:

One of the reasons I Pinned this look is because although I already had all the pieces, it’s not something I would necessarily put together myself.  I mean, it’s just so neutral.  But, I’m trying to become more comfortable with neutrals so I thought I’d give this look a shot.  To do so, I paired my knit pencil (vintage, thrifted) with a cream, lace blouse (Limited), a cognac belt (thrifted) and cognac sandals (Jeffrey Campbell via Nordstrom).  I also added Nikki Jacoby earrings, some bracelets and a vintage necklace (via the Plucky Maidens Junkfest).  And, I think I liked it.  You know, for neutrals.

Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

That 70s Sensibility

Lately I’ve felt like my clothes have reflected a 70s sensibility that I didn’t even know that I had.  This outfit is no exception:

I’m wearing flared, pin-tucked jeans (Gap), a bow blouse (Gap) in a decidedly 70s color and platform booties (Nine West via TJ Maxx).  Even the sweater feels a little bit 70s to me with the color combination and the belled sleeves.

The funny thing is that it’s not like I’m nostalgic for the 70s – I’m too young to remember any of it.  But, I’ve realized that the 70s aesthetic is perfect for my current lifestyle.  I’m not talking about the disco 70s (although I do love a jumpsuit), but the more practical but still ladylike 70s. 

I bike to work every day which means that I need practical clothes that allow me to move with ease.  At the same time though, I have an impractical streak a mile wide in that I like to ride my bike in high heels and pretty things.  Dressing in the 70s style of easy, moveable fabrics (double-knit may be ugly, but you can’t say it didn’t allow you to move), longer skirts, high waists and tall boots allows me to be both practical and feminine.

Which isn’t to say that I always dress with a nod to the 70s; I don’t.  And I don’t go full 70s with an outfit – if I do have vintage pieces from the era, I mix them with modern pieces to keep if from being costumey.  I think both of these things are important to keep from getting in a rut and to keep that rut from being daily trips from the 70s in your time machine.

How about you, Dear Readers?  Do you have an aesthetic from the past that appeals to you?  And how dedicated to that aesthetic are you?

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Matchy-Matchy vs. Clashy-Clashy

I considered wearing red skinny jeans with this color-blocked sweater:

But, that would have been too matchy-matchy for my tastes.  Given the choice, I usually prefer to be clashy-clashy rather than matchy-matchy.  There may be some deep-seeded psychological reason behind that preference; such as I’m afraid to look too put together lest people start to expect it from me, but mostly I think it’s just that I’m drawn to riotous color. 

Like the bright mustard yellow color of these cords:

These cords (Gap) make me happy and it made me happy today to pair them with this color-blocked sweater (Old Navy) and my all-time-favorite boots (Born Crown “Sosie” via Nordstrom).  I also added some bracelets and a watch that could serve to tie the look together if one was insistent on that sort of thing.

What about you, Reader Friends?  Do you tend towards matchy-matchy or clashy-clashy?

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

Gracey