A Monday Aesthetic

I'm wondering if this outfit actually fits:

Because, looking at these pictures, everything seems to me to be slightly too big.  Except the boots, of course, they're perfect.


Maybe it's just the cardigan that's throwing me off; it's extremely rare that I have to cuff my sleeves because they're too long:

Or, maybe it's just the proportions.  Maybe the cardigan would look better with a more fitted skirt:

Cardigan: Target  Blouse: LOFT (similar)
Skirt: thrifted vintage (similar cord, similar wool)  Boots: Enzo Angiolini "Colston"

No. You know what?  Now that I think about it, slightly-too-big actually seems like the right aesthetic for a Monday.



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

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

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

Five For Friday: Cardians

Although it's pretty warm here today, it's been much cooler this week.  So cool, in fact, that it's got me thinking about Fall.  Or, as I like to call it, Cardigan Season.

To celebrate the fact that Cardigan Season is nearly upon us, I've picked five cardigans I'd love to wear this season:

1. Nordstrom Blue Star Geo Print Cardigan - This cardigan is perfect for now, and for regions with milder Cardigan Seasons.  Also, the print is amazing and it's on sale.  Yay!

2. LOFT V-Neck Cardigan - In spite of the fact that LOFT stubbornly refuses to make these cardigans in Tall sizes (Why, LOFT?  Why?), I still like them.  Especially when they come in pretty colors like this orange-y nutmeg shade.

3. Target "Tribal" Print Cardigan - I'm showing the back of this cardigan so you can get the full effect of the awesome mix of colors and prints.  The front is similar, but with buttons.  Available in plus sizes too.

4. Gap Merino Wool Cardigan - The beautiful berry color of this cardigan is everything to me.

5. Modcloth "You Heard That Bright" Cardigan - For some reason I already own several navy blue cardigans.  And yet I still feel like I need *this* navy blue cardigan.  I mean, who doesn't need a navy blue cardigan with multi-colored zigzags??


How about you, Reader Friends?  Are you excited for Cardigan Season?


Gracey

Not Impressed

So, this combination of cardigan and dress drove my coworkers crazy:

Dress: Old Navy  Cardigan: thrifted (similar)  Sandals: Dune London "Ivanna"

They assured me that they liked outfit well enough, but complained that it doesn't match.  I agreed, but offered that it *does* go.

They did not look impressed with that explanation.


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

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

A Good Combination of Things

I don't know if it's the heat or my general discontent (I still miss Oregon), but getting dressed has been difficult for me as of late.  This face demonstrates how I feel about most of my clothes lately:

But, I have to say that I actually like today's outfit:

I mean, double pockets, so yeah.  But, also because it seems, to me, to be a good combination of things.



For example, the combination of the dress with the oxidized belt:

That's a good combination.  As is the combination of the dress with the cardigan.



And the dress with the sandals:

Dress: thrifted (similar) Cardigan: LOFT (similar)
Earrings: gifted (similar)  Belt: vintage  Sandals: Dune London "Ivanna"

Yes, I'd say that it's an all-around good combination of things.



Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Diplomacy

My skirt is navy, not black:

Why does this matter?  Because, the Pittsburgh Penguins, whose colors are black and gold, are currently in the middle of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  This means that most of Pittsburgh is very involved in rooting for the Penguins right now.

And that means that when you wear buttercup and dark navy to the office, the dark navy is mistaken for black and you are cheered for wearing black and gold.  Even when you're not.



But, you smile and say that you are anyway:

Cardigan: Target  Belt: LOFT (similar)
Skirt: thrifted vintage (similar)  Shoes: Kork-Ease (similar)

Because although that sounds like lying, I'm pretty sure it's called diplomacy.



Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Wind in the Florals

I'm back to another vintage floral dress dress today:

And the weather is back to wind.

Thankfully, I'm also back to tights, or this would have been an unpleasant photo session indeed.  As it was, I barely managed to keep from flashing the school children walking by.  I might look calm and collected in the photos above, but this is what it really looked like today:

At least until the wind died down a bit and I was able to get something a bit better:

Dress: thrifted vintage  Cardigan: thrifted vintage
Belt: thrifted (similar)  Boots: gifted (similar)

And then it started raining and I had to give up entirely.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

All in the Family

This look isn't quite monochromatic, but all of the pieces are from the same color family:

The skirt is from Land's End and the cardigan is from Target.  And, to my eye, they look so perfect together, I can't believe I haven't worn this outfit before.



The skirts' more subtle pattern even compliments the the cardigan's bolder houndstooth:

As much as I like combining contrasting colors, this outfit makes me understand that (nearly) monochromatic looks can have just as much impact:

Cardigan: Target (similar) (similar)  Blouse: LOFT (similar)
Skirt: Land's End (similar)  Boots: Born Crown "Sosie" (similar)

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Gray Leopard

The other day I was wandering through Macy's in search of a new fall lipstick when I saw this gray leopard skirt:

Of course, my search for lipstick was immediately ended when I saw this skirt.  I mean, who cares about the perfect plum when you can get the perfect sweater skirt?


And it really is the perfect sweater skirt:

I love the length, the print (of course) and the fit; it has a nice wide waist band so it's super comfortable.


And, did I mention that it was a sweater skirt?  I've convinced myself that means I can wear it all winter long:

Cardigan: LOFT (similar)  Skirt: Macy's 
Tights: Spanx  Boots: Born Crown (similar)

I'll let you know how that goes come January.


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Teal Floral, Pumpkin Cardigan

This is one of my favorite thrifted dresses because it works for spring, summer and fall, depending on the accessories it's paired with:

This works because the floral pattern contains several different colors, including the same pumpkin-orange as my cardigan:

For today's outfit, in addition to the a pumpkin cardigan, I also added colored tights and lace-up booties:

I'm not sure I'd pair the tights, boots and cardigans otherwise, but I love how the dress ties them all together:

Dress: thrifted vintage  Cardigan: LOFT
Belt: thrifted (similar)  Tights: Target (similar)  Boots: v. old Nine West (similar)

For me, that's one of the best things about prints; they give you an excuse to wear all the colors.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Goodbye, Sunshine

I wore this outfit to say goodbye to the sunshine:

Because I'm pretty sure this is the last time I'll be able to handle bare legs or open toes until at least April, probably May.

I figured a mix of blue, olive, brown and golden raisin worked well for saying goodbye to the sun.  The mix makes me think of early fall when the skies are still blue (for the most part) and the leaves are just starting to turn:

From here on out, it's going to be tights.  Probably black tights.  And ankle boots and a bunch of black, gray and navy.  So sad.

And all the more reason to get in a nonsense color combination while I still can:

Cardigan: LOFT (similar)  Tee: LOFT
Skirt: LOFT  Belt: J.Crew  Shoes: FRYE (similar)

What about you, Reader Friends?  Have you said goodbye to sunshine yet?

Happy Friday, All!

Gracey