Pastels and Earth Tones

These colors probably shouldn't be paired together, but I did it anyway:

I mean, pastels and earth tones?  What was I thinking...



And yet, I swear this totally works:

Or not.  I'm not an expert on color combinations that make sense.  No, I'm better at those color combinations that make no sense at all.


Like pastels and earth tones together:

Pants: LOFT (similar)  Top: TJ Maxx (similar)
Cardigan: LOFT  Earrings: Modcloth, sold out (similar)
Shoes: FRYE (exact) (similar) (vegan option)

That's my specialty.


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Wow, That Is A Lot of Yellow

It is.  Except that it’s not yellow.  It’s mustard, or goldenrod, if you will.  But, really, whatever color you call it, yes, it’s a lot:

I don’t know what possessed me to go so boldly, monochromatically mustard today.  I think it’s just because I could.  I had all of the pieces and figured “why not”?  The pieces of which I speak are a sweater skirt (vintage via Value Village), a bow blouse (Gap), a cashmere sweater (via Goodwill) and tights (Target).  I also added a studded belt (Michael Michael Kors via Nordstrom) and riding boots (Born Crown “Sosie” via Nordstrom). 

This is not something I would usually wear and I doubt I’ll wear all of these pieces together again.  I like mustard and I like monochromatic looks, but the two combined in one outfit is just a lot of look, even for me.  It was a fun experiment though and well worth the confusion on my co-workers faces.

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Double Denim Rides Again

Get it?  Because I’m in double denim and a riding jacket.  You’re welcome.

Corny puns aside, I feel like a cattle baron’s widow in this outfit.  Like my husband was killed by outlaws and I have to manage our ranch and our 30,000 head of cattle myself.  This is what I’d wear in Abilene to negotiate a selling price for this year’s cattle:

Because, really, nothing says “shrewd negotiator” like a denim shirt (Caslon via Nordstrom) and denim skirt (thrifted) paired with a riding jacket (Ralph Lauren, thrifted).  I also added a studded belt (Michael Michael Kors via Nordstrom), goldenrod tights (Nordstrom), riding boots (Born Crown “Sosie” via Nordstrom), garnet-and-cameo earrings & an equestrian scarf (Echo, thrifted).

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

Gracey

 

Gracey Wears Green

And so does everybody else, everywhere else.  Because, today is the Everybody, Everywear Green Challenge.

To be honest, I wasn’t terribly excited about this challenge.  I don’t wear a lot of green.  I think it’s a pretty color, but it just doesn’t do much for me.  But, I didn’t want to skip this month, especially since I skipped last month, so green it is:

This skirt (thrifted) is one of the few, non-olive-green pieces of clothing I own.  I paired it with a goldenrod bow blouse (Gap) because whereas some people won’t put yellow near their face, I prefer it to green near mine.  I added a navy blazer (vintage, thrifted), skinny belt (Gap), mustard tights and riding boots (Born Crown “Sosie” via Nordstrom).  And there you have it; Gracey wears green.

To see how other bloggers wore their green, pop by Everybody, Everywear and take a peek.

And have a Happy Tuesday, 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

Take Four: Fall Accessories from Coast to Coast

Hello, Dear Reader Friends!  I hope everyone had a lovely weekend.  Even though it’s Monday (boo), I’m excited because today’s post is the next Take Four post – and we’re talking about fall accessories.  Accessories in my closet generally consist of either shoes or scarves.  And while scarves are perfect for fall (and anytime, really), I decided to go with shoes for today’s Take Four post.  In particular, these Seychelles booties:

I chose these booties because they incorporate two big trends for this fall; chunky heels and menswear-inspired.  But, the best part is that they also incorporate tassels and fringe.  I love tassels and fringe.  I wore the booties (Seychelles “Clue” via Nordstrom) with a goldenrod bow blouse (Gap) layered under my cranberry Mr. Rogers cardigan (vintage Jantzen, thrifted) with a grey midi-skirt (vintage, thrifted) and grey Swiss dot tights (Hue via Macys).  Sadly, this color combination photographed like I am Ronald McDonald's personal secretary, but I swear it was more flattering and less fast-food-empire in person (no, really, I swear!).

But, enough about me. Want to see some other fall accessories in action?  Of course you do!  In which case, might I suggest a visit the other ladies of Take Four?  As always, they are Kelsey of Charming Pumpkin, Karla of Frugal Big Girl and Bekah of Matters of Merrymaking.  Try it; I think you’ll like it.

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Gracey

Goldenrod

Goldenrod is one of my favorite colors to wear for fall:

It’s richer and easier to wear than mustard (not that that stops me from wearing mustard) and looks good paired with fall neutrals like brown, gray and even black.  Today I paired this goldenrod blouse (Gap) with Real Straight jeans (Gap), a thrifted belt and thrifted loafers.  I probably should have added a bracelet or two but didn’t think of it until I got to work and rolled up my sleeves.

I know a lot of people don’t feel like they look good in yellow and bright yellow can be difficult to wear, but I think goldenrod is rich enough that it can be flattering to a lot of skin tones.  And while it looks good with a lot of neutrals, I think it’ll also look good with some non-neutrals.  For example, I’m planning on trying it with burgundy, with red-orange and with turquoise this fall.  And I suspect that it’ll work with all of them.

Today’s Takeaway?  Afraid of yellow?  Try goldenrod – it’s (probably) versatile and flattering.

Gracey