Feathered

This entire outfit was just an excuse to wear this scarf:

I just love the feather print:

It's vintage silk chiffon and I found it for two dollars in a tiny little thrift store in Oregon.



I also adore the color and how well it pairs with my blue shirt and black jeans:

Jeans: Old Navy Rockstar  Top: LOFT
Scarf: vintage (similar)  Belt: vintage  Sandals: Jeffrey Campbell (similar)

And, best of all, it allows me to wear a scarf even though it's still nearly 80 out here in Pittsburgh.  Hooray for fall!


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Drop It Like It's Hot

I'm not usually a fan of drop-waist dresses as they tend to hug my tummy more closely than I am comfortable with.  But, then eShakti went and made a drop-waist dress and it was so cute that I hemmed and I hawed and then I bought it:

And I'm glad I did because I just love it; I love the flouncy hem, and the color and the abstract print. And I went up a size so that it skims my belly instead of trying to get all handsy with it.

I honestly think that sizing up made all the difference in the world; I was completely comfortable in this all day:

Dress: eShakti  Vest: Old Navy  Sandals: Jeffrey Campbell

I paired it with a cargo vest for a cooler morning and come fall and winter will add more and more layers.

I'm trying to get better about buying clothes that can be worn all year long, especially if I buy them retail and not at a thrift store. And I think this dress is perfect for that.  It's great for summer and think it'll be great in the dead of winter layered with tights, boots and a blazer.

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Get the Look

Bohemian Polka Dot Safari

This outfit makes no sense.  None of the elements really go together except color-wise:

Top: thrifted Foxcroft  Vest: Old Navy  Jeans: Banana Republic  Sandals: Jeffrey Campbell

Or, maybe it would be more appropriate to say that some of the elements go with each other, but all together they're a bit of nonsense.

I mean, there are polka dots, there is a safari-ready vest and there are bohemian elements in both the shoes and the necklace.  This necklace:

Vintage necklace via Lil' Gypsy

I think it's the necklace that throws the whole thing.  Even the sandals would probably be okay, but the necklace doesn't quite fit, even though I'm pretending it echoes the polka dot motif of the tunic.

But, the truth is, if I had followed Coco Chanel's advice and removed one thing before I left the house, it wouldn't have been this necklace.  In fact, I'd have ditched the vest.  I'm a little iffy on this vest anyway, not just solely in the context of this outfit.  But the necklace makes me happy even if I do sound like a rather large house cat due to the chiming of the fringe.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Mid-Week Musts: Violet and Blue and The Amazon Too

Every week (or, you know, when I remember), I'll be posting a weekly list of my musts; must have, must read, must listen, must watch.  This week's must-haves feature a heavy dose of violet and blue:

Old Navy Fit and Flare Dress (tall available)

LOFT coat (tall available & currently an extra 60% off )
Kate Spade New York studs 

Jeffrey Campbell ankle boots

Halogen scarf

And today's must-read features a heavy dose of the Amazon:

The Mapmaker's Wife is one of the books I read during my blogging break and I loved it.  LOVED.  It.  I don't read a lot (or any, really) non-fiction, but this book is fantastic.  I loved all of it, even the science-y parts that I'm not sure I fully comprehended; the story is just that good.

If you haven't yet read this book, do.  It's great.

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Double Denim Redux

So, I'm trying double denim again.  The first time I tried double denim I looked like a postal service worker.  No, I'm not linking to it; just imagine my smiling face on your local postal carrier and you've got the gist.  The last time I looked like a cowgirl.  Well, technically a rancher's widow who was trying to get her cattle to market so the ranch didn't go under.  You can see that one here, or just imagine Barbara Stanwyck's character in Big Valley.  (Also, just as an aside, Barbara Stanwyck as Stella Dallas is one of my favorite performances ever; I love that movie).

I think today's attempt at double denim was at least marginally better:

Jeans and Top: Old Navy, Sandals: Jeffrey Campbell via Nordstrom

Short necklace: BaubleBar, Long Necklace: Jessica Simpson via Macy's

But, mostly I think double denim is one of those trends I just don't have it in me to do.  I mean, this looks fine and all but I'm probably not going to commit a felony so I can wear double denim all my live long days.

What about you, Reader Friends?  Are there any trends you've tried and decided they weren't for you?

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Shop the Look:
Old Navy Rockstar jeans (tall available)
Similar chambray tunic
Similar sandals
BaubleBar Cobra Triad necklace (if you're not a member, you can use this invitation code: 20210652)
Similar fringe necklace

** 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.

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

Neon and Floral

This skirt is another item that I’m pretty sure I own solely because I am a blogger.  Before I started blogging, I read a lot of blogs and one thing that I noticed is that bloggers love two things: J Crew and pencil skirts.  They seemed especially enamored of J Crew pencil skirts so, a couple of summers ago, in preparation of being a blogger, I went out and got me one:

And then I promptly never wore it.  In part because of the whole “pencils-skirts-suck-for-bike-riding” thing.  But in part because I don’t think it’s very flattering.  In spite of the skirt’s ability to play nice with neon (no small feat), I just don’t love it.  In fact, I feel like a floral box in it.  I will admit that could be the top’s fault too though.  I love the color of this silk blouse, but it is a bit boxy.  Perhaps the skirt would do a bit better with a more fitted top.

So, I’m placing this skirt on the maybe list and will try it again with a fitted sweater.  Although, as I write this I’m trying to remember… are you supposed to wear fitted with fitted?  I guess I should know that rule, what with being a blogger and all, but I clearly don’t, so help a sistah out, if you will.

Thanks in advance for your help on how to deal with this floral box of a skirt and have a Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Rough Going in the Land of Nosh Opping

I am beginning to dread what I believe is the months of exploration I have left in the Giant’s Closet region of the Land of Nosh Opping.  Although I’ve been here for a mere three weeks, it feels like three months.  And I can certainly see why they don’t get a lot of tourist dollars in Nosh Opping.  The weather isn’t that great, the terrain is inhospitable and the government is really strict on the whole no shopping thing. 

I know that the more quickly I get through, or get rid of, all the items in my closet, the more quickly I can return to the land of retail and joy, but it’s been rough going to create outfits with new pieces each day.  This was the fourth look I tried on today:

And it was such a struggle fording the river and climbing the hill to get here (my mule, Maurice, was once again of little help), that I’m not even sure it was worth it.  I know I like the pieces of this outfit, but I’m not sure it all works together.  I believe the hardships of this expedition may be causing me to lose perspective. 

What I do know is that I like, and plan on keeping, all of these pieces.  I like the top (vintage, thrifted) though I think it could be less boxy.  I also like these pants (vintage men’s pants, thrifted) and do like the top with them.  And, the shoes are great (Jeffery Campbell via Nordstom) though perhaps not with this?  I don’t know.  Did I mention the food here sucks?

But, what doesn’t suck is the fact that today is Friday and it’s sunny and I’m going to the Doug Fir to listen to Guy Dilly tonight.  I’m very excited.

Happy Friday, All!  Enjoy your weekends!

Gracey

Gracey and the New Dress

Well, it’s not “new” new, it’s vintage, but it’s new to me and I adore it:

I got it last night while I was finishing up my 80s prom errands.  I thrifted it for $5.00 and popped it in the wash as soon as I got home so I could wear it today.

I love the delightfully psychedelic print and all the color.  Given both those attributes I could, and maybe even should, have gone with neutral accessories but it’s Friday and I’m giddy for prom tonight so I went with a bright pink belt (thrifted), green glass bangles (Ray’s Ragtime) and green drop earrings.  I did go with a neutral shoe (Jeffrey Campbell via Nordstrom), but then again I’m rocking neon pink toes.  Oh, well.  I gotta be me.

Speaking of neon, the lovely, talented, frankly awesome Wendy Brandes was kind enough to include me in her neon post for the Huffington Post.  Check it out, I’m all, like famous and stuff.

And that’s it for me today.  I’m leaving early for prom (!) but tomorrow I will be posting my photos and all the prom photos you all emailed to me.

Happy Friday, Everyone!  Have a wonderful weekend!  And Happy Mother’s Day!

Gracey