Polka Dots and Leopard Spots

For me, polka dots and leopard are one of the easiest combinations to do when I want to mix prints:

I mean, think about it.  Polka dots are round, leopard spots are round-ish:

Or blobby.  Amoeba-like?  Eh, whatever.



Look; the point is, either way, roundish or blobby, amoeba-like or whatever, leopard spots work with polka dots.

Dress: thrifted (similar)
Belt: Old Navy (similar)  Shoes: Kate Spade New York "Kayleigh"

They just do.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Blue Layers

Today I'm wearing layers of blue:

With a little black thrown in for edge.  Just kidding.  I'm wearing black tights because I like black tights.  There's no edge here.


There might be a little purple though.  Seriously, I think this scarf is actually shades of purple, not blue:

Or, maybe not.  Who knows?  I certainly don't.



But, I also don't care because I really, really love all of these pieces together:

From the possibly-purple scarf right down to the edgy black boots, this is one of my favorite outfits ever:

Sweater: Gap  Skirt: thrifted  Scarf: La Fiorentina via Bluefly
Earrings: Kate Spade NY (similar)  Tights: SPANX   Boots: Franco Sarto "Eminent"

I guess what they (and by "they", I mean "I") say is true; blue layers are the best layers.


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Eyelet and Culottes

Figure flattery is not a very high priority for me when getting dressed, but lately it's been even lower on the list.  Instead I've been playing with proportion and volume.

Friday it was proportion, today it's volume:

And by volume, I mean these fabulously voluminous culottes:

Ordinarily, I'd wear them with something tucked or fitted; anything to define my waist.


But, the fact of the matter is, you don't always have to define your waist.  Sometimes it's okay to wear high-volume culottes and pair it with a cropped top:

And waist be damned.


It's also okay to add in some cage sandals because they're your favorite and you can't-stop-won't-stop wearing them:

Top: Banana Republic  Culottes: gifted vintage (similar)
Sandals: Steve Madden (similar)  Necklace: c/o Happiness Boutique  Earrings: Kate Spade New York

Trust me, it's okay.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Glitter, Stripes and Culottes

As I'm sure you're all tired of hearing me say, I am a huge fan of culottes.  Especially big ol' wide-legged culottes like these ones:

And with a high waist?

I'm in culotte heaven.


I'm also in glitter-and-stripes heaven:

Glitter, stripes and culottes:

Top: vintage (horse option!)  Belt: thrifted vintage
Culottes: thrifted vintage (save, splurge)  Studs: Kate Spade New York
Sandals: Steve Madden (similar)

I'm just not sure it gets any better.


Happy Friday, All!

Five for Friday 7/10/15: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

As I'm sure most, if not all, of you already know, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is coming up soon. Here are five of my favorites from the sale:

BP Tassel Trim Colorblock Poncho - Ponchos remain a big trend for fall and the longer length on this one is great if you're on the taller side.  The length will also allow it to be belted easily, making it super versatile.  Also, tassels!!

Hinge Lace Mix Top - This lace top is so pretty.  It's also perfect for cooler summer days and can be layered through fall.

Kate Spade New York Glitter Stud Earrings - These earrings have been on my list for a long time, but they were sold out.  I'm thrilled they're back and on sale!  Also, glitter!!

Topshop Button-Front Denim Skirt - The 70s are also a big trend for this coming fall, and this skirt is 70s to me in the best possible way.  Perfect with tights, boots and a turtleneck sweater.

Born "Helen" Boots - I purchased my beloved Born boots at a Nordstrom Anniversary Sale in 2007 and they've finally given up the ghost.  I'm purchasing these as a replacement.


Now, the actual sale doesn't start until July 17th, but if you have a Nordstrom credit or debit card, you can shop my picks and all the other great stuff on sale right away!


Happy Shopping, All!

Gracey

Bright Skirt, Blue Shirt

But, not just any bright skirt.  My most favorite bright skirt:

I bought this vintage skirt at a Goodwill in Santa Fe, and I've loved it ever since.  Between the color and the pleats, it's basically the best ever.  I also love that my dear blogger friend, Jen, has a similar skirt!


And, this isn't just any blue shirt either.  It's one of my favorite blue shirts:

I love tropical prints.  Even a subtle tropical print like this one.


Because I remedied the subtlety of the shirt by pairing it with a very bright skirt:

Shirt: Gap (similar)  Skirt: vintage, thrifted (similar)
Shoes: Rieker, thrifted (similar)  Earrings: Kate Spade NY

As always, you're welcome.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Pajama Day

My favorite thing about maxi dresses, especially knit ones, is how much they feel like pajamas:

They're not particularly flattering, at least not this one, but I'll be darned if they aren't comfortable.  Especially when paired with a cozy knit moto:

I didn't have "Pajama Day" in elementary school when I was younger, but my nieces and nephews have it and it seems like great fun.  Or, if not fun, then at least really, really comfortable.

Dress: Gap (similar)  Jacket: LOFT (similar)
Scarf: Old Navy (similar here, here or here)  Flats: Old Navy (similar)

Maybe they should have Pajama Day at work too.  I'd support that.  And afternoon naps.  I'd totally support naps.


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Spring-Like

We had a few days of quite spring-like weather here in PA the past couple of days so I took the opportunity to wear a couple of new pieces I received from Long Tall Sally:

Both the jacket and the shoes are some of Long Tall Sally's latest spring offerings and they were perfect for the warmer weather.

Although I am a size 14, LTS runs a little large, so I ordered the jacket in size 12 and it fits perfectly.  I definitely recommend going down a size.  I ordered my usual size, 10 and I'd say they fit true-to-size.  They are also pretty comfortable and I recommend them unless you're going to be doing a lot of walking; they don't have any arch support.  I wore them for running errands but caution against wearing them for actual running.


The jacket is the Textured Biker Jacket in Flame and the texture really is wonderful:

And the shoes are the Iris Cut Out Printed Ballerina and I love that they're a strong, graphic print.  I've been looking for a pair of black and white printed shoes for quite some time now, so I was thrilled to get these.


I paired the jacket and the shoes with a striped shirt, skinny jeans and green stud earrings:

Shirt: Banana Republic (similar)  Jeans: Gap
Earrings: Kate Spade New York

Why green earrings?  Well, because sometimes the best colors are complimentary colors.  I didn't make that up either; that's Science, Folks.


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Neutrals & Neon

I know that neon is no longer on trend, but I still like wearing it.  It's just the thing to brighten up a neutral winter outfit:

I mean, yes, I could have worn a black scarf with this, but that would have been so boring.  On trend, perhaps, but boring.

One thing you can say about neon, it's definitely not boring:

Even in little pops like a scarf or earrings, neon is just fun to wear.  I admit that I am a little bit biased due to my love of the 80s.  But, really, neon is fun:

And so are capes:

Cape: sold out eShakti (similar)  Scarf: v. old (similar)
Jeans: v. old Gap  Earrings: Kate Spade New York

And of course, one doesn't wear neon or a cape without being visible, so I'm linking up with Patti today.


Happy Visible Monday, All!

Gracey

The Leather Look

I am not wearing this today:

I wore this while I was still in Oregon and still had my very most favorite photographer friend Ferge to take my pictures.


No, today, I am sitting home watching the Pennsylvania weather decide if it wants to rain or snow.  Oh, goody, it's decided on snow.


But, that's enough talk about the weather.  Let's talk about the outfit:

Leggings: Long Tall Sally  Sweater: Free People  Boots: Splendid (similar)

I usually shy away from "leather look" leggings for a couple of reasons.  And both of those reasons are my thighs.  They like to stretch these types of leggings so far that the "leather" appears to crack.  But, these leggings, from Long Tall Sally, have so far proven to be resistant to my thighs' shenanigans.


Now, the sweater is not a "tall" sweater but you wouldn't know it to look at it:

Free People sweater via Nordstrom

Most over-sized sweaters are just "sized" on me, but this one is well and truly over-sized.  I can't imagine it on a less tall person; it must be a dress!


To lighten up my gloomy-but-cozy look, I added citron earrings:

Kate Spade New York earrings via Nordstrom

Because nothing cheers up a look like some neon citron.


Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Prim and Proper and Bright

At it's core, this outfit is prim and proper.  It's a pleated skirt, a sweater and cap-toe shoes.  But, that sweater?  Yeah, it's bright chartreuse:

I think it's fun to wear brights in an outfit like this.  Adding unexpected color to an otherwise classic silhouette is a good way to keep it feeling like me.

I did the same thing with my jewelry, wearing studs and a chunky necklace, but, once again, the studs are a bright chartreuse:

Necklace: LOFT   Earrings: Kate Spade NY

So, yes, this look is a bit prim and proper, but it's also bright, just the way I like it:

Sweater: Old Navy   Skirt: thrifted vintage  Shoes: Bandolio

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Get the Look

Chartreuse sweater (exact, similar)

Similar skirt

Similar cap-toe wedges (save, splurge)

Similar necklace

Exact Kate Spade NY studs