Form Over Function

The cut on this cardigan is definitely one of form over function:

As I said before about it, the buttons are essentially superfluous, forcing me to wear it open.  Therefore I can't wear it on really cold days because my entire front will freeze.


Happily, it hasn't bothered to be really cold here in Pennsylvania for this entire week.  In fact, it's been gorgeous and I won't even need the cardigan by this afternoon.  In the meantime though, it's perfect:

And the chevron pattern on the cardigan pairs perfectly with my layered chevron necklace:

So even though the cut is mostly impractical and the buttons are nonsensical at best, I have to say that this cardigan looks pretty cool:

Cardigan: A&Ro (similar)  Blouse: Old Navy
Necklace: Piperlime (similar)  Jeans: Gap  Boots: v. old Gap (similar)

And with that, Dear Readers, I'm happy to say I've discovered the secret of form over function: it looks cool but your belly gets cold.


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Fall Floral

I love a dark floral for fall, and this floral sweater from LOFT is perfect:

I love the large scale print and the colors are gorgeous:

Although the weekend was freezing (no, really, it dropped to 28 last night), it's warming up again so a three-quarter sleeve sweater, velvet scarf and culottes are just warm enough:

I'm trying to wear my culottes and cropped pants for as long as I can this fall because, tights or not, I don't see them working for winter.


Which is too bad, because I do love me some culottes:

Sweater: LOFT  Scarf: thrifted
Culottes: thrifted (similar)  Shoes: Bettye Muller Bettye (similar)

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Pattern Play

One thing that has been both frustrating and amusing about getting a new job is that I have a new set of people I get to explain my outfits to.

This outfit required quite a bit of explanation:

First I tried to tell them that mixing patterns was okay.  They were not convinced.



Then I tried convince them that this mix especially made good sense.  I mean, look at this:

Could any two prints go any better?!!!



And yes, I said go.  I know this outfit doesn't match:

But, I'll be gosh-darned if it doesn't go.  Apparently though, "going" isn't a concept my new co-works are ready to embrace yet.



That's okay.  I'll just keep mixing my prints and eventually they'll agree that the mixes make sense.

Top: H&M (similar) (similar)  Skirt: H&M (similar)
Belt: thrifted (similar)  Boots: v. old Steve Madden (similar)

Maybe.


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

A Matchy-Matchy Fall

That'd be the title of a Hallmark movie about my outfits so far this fall.  I don't mean to be matchy-matchy, but it's definitely happening:

Seriously, between this outfit last week and today's outfit, I've matched more in the last week than probably the last six.


I mean, even my nail polish matches:

Yes, accidentally, but it still matches.


But, that's okay.  Because if being matchy-matchy is what it takes to be able to wear these beautiful shoes again before it gets too cold, I'll take it:

Shirt: Gap (similar)
Ombre Skirt: thrifted vintage (similar sequin version)  Shoes: Franco Sarto

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Flares for Fall

As you've probably noticed from every blog and magazine you read, flares are a huge trend for fall.  I've been wearing flares on this blog since it's inception, making me either woefully behind the times, or preternaturally ahead of them.

These particular flares are new though:

And... I'm not sure.  I think I prefer a larger, more dramatic flare, to offset my larger, more dramatic hips.  I'm not sure these are offsetting a damn thing:

I mean, my thighs looked at these and called them "bootcut" which, as everyone knows, is a terrible insult to a flared jean.


Still, they do fit well:

And I like the wash and the fact that the fading is minimal.


I guess what I'm saying is that I do like these jeans:

Blouse: thrifted Jones New York (similar)
Jeans: Gap Skinny Flares  Shoes: Franco Sarto "Gabba"

I just thought there'd be more flare there.


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Stripes and Layers

I pulled out my fall/winter clothes last weekend and that's always fun because I find things I forgot that I even owned.  Like this dress:

It's a sort of shapeless cut and so not the most flattering to my figure, but layering a jacket over it helps that issue:

Dress: Old Navy (similar)  Jacket: LOFT (similar)
Scarf: LOFT (similar)  Boots: Born (similar) 

At least that's what they say.

Also, in case you're curious, no, my scarf doesn't match my dress:

But, it goes.  And, as we all know, that's all that matters.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Blush and Plaid

This is probably one of the most matchy-matchy outfits I've ever worn:

And I don't care, I love it.


Mostly because I've been waiting for ages to wear this skirt:

It's a vintage Pendleton that I thrifted before I left Oregon last year.  It spent the next several months in storage, and by the time it made it out, it was too warm for wool.


I'm happy to announce that it is no longer too warm for wool:

In fact, it's the perfect weather not only for wool, but for trench coats and riding boots as well:

Blouse: LOFT  Skirt: vintage Pendleton, thrifted
Boots: Born (similar)  Trench: Banana Republic (similar)

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

10/2/15 Five for Friday: Biscay Bay

Today's Five for Friday features another Pantone Fall 2015 color, Biscay Bay:

 Aaaaannnnddd...it's basically teal.  But, that's okay.  I like teal.  I wasn't sure about it for fall/winter, but, once again, my Five for Friday finds have changed my mind.

1. Vince Beanie: Here's the thing.  It gets real, real cold here in Western Pennsylvania during the winter and therefore I will be wearing beanies in a couple months.  I'd love it if it were a cute slouchy beanie like this one.

2. Tasha Leopard Print Scarf: I love leopard print scarves.  And I love leopard mixed with blue, or in this case, teal.  It's such a fun, unexpected pairing.

3. Gap Plaid Shirt: Plaid is so perfect for fall, and this particular plaid is fantastic.  The black and burgundy really make the teal pop.

4. ASOS Sweater in Tweed with Zip: I was all about over-sized sweaters last winter and my obsession continues.  I love the side vents and asymmetric zip on this one.  And the color is perfection.

5. Panacea Beaded Arrowhead Earrings:  So pretty.  So very, very pretty.


What about you, Reader Friends?  Will you be dipping your toe into the Biscay Bay this season?


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Pleats and Stripes

Two things I have a lot of: stripes and pleated skirts.  Sometimes I like to wear them together:

And sometimes I like to wear those pleats and stripes with vests and ankle boots:

Although lately it feels as though I'm wearing this vest with everything.  And now that fall is officially here, I am definitely going to start wearing ankle boots with everything.


Like with these pleats and stripes:

Skirt: thrifted vintage (similar) (similar)  Tee: Gap
Vest: Old Navy (similar)  Earrings: handmade (similar)  Boots: Sole Society "Romy"

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

9/25/15 Five for Friday: Dried Herb

Pantone calls this color "Dried Herb" but you and I both know that it's just olive.  Whatever they call it though, it's a great color and makes for some fabulous accessories.  Olive/Dried Herb accessories are the focus of today's Five for Friday:

1. La Fiorentina Silk Scarf: The tie-dye on this scarf is lovely and silk will help keep your neck warm all winter without being too bulky.

2. House of Harlow Five Station Necklace: Station necklaces are great, graphic pieces and this piece incorporates texture as well.  Win-win.

3. Sole Society "Hollie" Boots: I don't need more boots.  I really truly don't.  But, on the other hand, I don't have any olive boots so maybe I do need more boots.  Especially two-tone boots with a walkable heel.

4. J. Crew New Balance Sneakers: I don't do the whole athleisure trend, but I'm warming to the idea of cute sneakers.  And these are very cute; I love the mix of baby pink and olive.

5. Wool Felt Panama Hat: I am seriously considering a felt hat for this winter.  I'm not usually a hat person, but I need something to keep the snow off my glasses and it may as well be this cute hat.


What about you, Reader Friends?  How do you feel about olive accessories for fall?  Would you wear any of these?


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Scout Leader of Love

I feel like a scout leader in this outfit:

 Blouse: Old Navy  Cardigan: LOFT (similar)
 Skirt: vintage, thrifted (similar)  Sandals: Isola (similar)

But, not just any scout leader.  The hearts on my vintage Hallmark scarf make me feel like the scout leader of love:

Vintage Hallmark scarf, thrifted  

So, yeah, scout leader of love.  That's a thing right?

I think so.


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

9/18/15 Five for Friday: Office-Friendly Fringe

I'm taking a break from the Pantone colors for Fall 2015 today.  Instead, I'm offering five office-friendly fringe pieces:

Depending on your office, fringe can be a hard sell.  Heck, if you're over the age of 22 and not drunk in a field at a music fest somewhere, fringe can be a hard sell.  But, I, personally, love it and am always on the lookout for fringed pieces that are also office friendly.  Like the sandals I'm wearing in today's earlier post.

And like these five pieces here:

1. Thakoon for DesignNation Houndstooth Fringe Cardigan:  This cardigan is a great mix of herringbone and houndstooth print with the added fun of fringe.  You know you need a cardigan for fall; you may as well make it a fun one!

2. Ann Taylor Skinny Fringe Scarf: Skinny scarves are very "in" this season and the combination of print and fringe makes this one special.

3. Rebecca Minkoff Fringe Y-Necklace: Y-necklaces are lovely pieces and the fringe adds great movement to this one.  Wear it over a turtleneck to break up any uniboob action that might be going on.  Unless that's your look, then you do you.  Always.

4. Delman "Sade" Pointy Toe Flats: The combination of blue snake finish and trim makes this sleek flat feel both stylish and a little subversive.  But, only a little, so you don't get fired for your "darned Slytherin shoes!"

5. LOFT Fringe Blanket Skirt: I love blanket skirts.  They totally remind me of the 90s and I'm delighted they're back.  This one is in the perfect combination of fall colors and comes in regular, petite and tall (yay!).


What about you, Reader Friends?  Do you like a little fringe for the office?


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Olive, Cognac & Cream

Boot season is here!  Okay, not really.  Well, sort of.  In the mornings it's chilly, but then it gets hot and my feet sweat.  But, it's totally worth the sweaty feet to be back in boots.

And I thought that these boots, in particular, were a good pick for fall:

Their "fallen leaf" color brings a little autumn to the otherwise summery combination of olive, cream and turquoise.


And I had to wear the turquoise:

One, because I love this piece, and two, because I'm trying to wear all of my necklaces before I begin to default to scarves.  Because here in PA it's not just a month or two of scarves, it's like half a damn year.


But, for now, the weather is perfect for statement necklaces.  And boots, of course:

Top: Macys (similar) Necklace: LOFT (similar)
Skirt: Nordstrom (similar)  Boots: Steve Madden (similar)

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey