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

Unseasonably Warm

So, yesterday it rained.  Kind of a lot.  But today, today was unseasonably warm.  Like in the 80s unseasonably warm.  Happily, I hadn't put away my summer stuff yet, so I got one more day in a flowy skirt:

I paired said flow-y skirt with a patterned top that in no way matches.  But it goes:

Probably.



I even snuck in some sandals:

Blouse: LOFT  Skirt, Belt & Shoes: thrifted

Because, as you may have heard, it was unseasonable warm here today.



Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Worth the Cold Toes

So, I apologize for my extended absence for the last week or so.  I went back to Oregon, and while the trip wasn't especially sudden, I also didn't bother to plan anything for the blog while I was gone, so, yeah.  Sorry about that.


But, I'm back now, and I'm wearing cute pants:

I'm also wearing sandals so my toes were cold most of the morning.  But, the weather got into the 70s this afternoon so my tootsies were just fine.


And thank goodness too because I love these sandals with these pants:

Sweater: LOFT (similar)  Blouse: LOFT (similar)
Pants: LOFT  Sandals: Steve Madden (similar)

This outfit is totally worth the cold toes.


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Fall Flame and Teal

Oddly enough, one of my favorite color combinations for fall is flame and teal:

I think this color is actually being called "Fiesta" this season, but I will always think of it as "Flame" in honor of my favorite corduroy pants ever.


And I will always want to wear it with bright blue:

Especially in the fall.


To me, this is a very "fall" color combination.  It makes me think of bright autumn skies and bright autumn leaves and pumpkins.  Basically, it's perfect for fall.


At least I think so:

Cardigan: LOFT (similar)  Tee: Banana Republic
Skirt: Ann Taylor (similar)  Belt: Target (similar)  Sandals: Camper (similar)

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

Blueberries and Stripes

Earlier today on the blog I reviewed the "Blueberry" necklace, from Pam Neri Necklaces.  Here is a close up of the necklace:

And here's a look at how I styled it:

With stripes.  I styled it with stripes.



But, also with a full midi skirt and cage sandals:

But, mostly, with stripes:

Necklace: Pam Neri "Blueberry" Necklace
Tee: Banana Republic  Skirt: thrifted Ralph Lauren  Sandals: Steven Madden (similar)

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Product Review: Pam Neri Necklaces

With the exception of a few delicate pieces, I tend to like my necklaces like I like my thighs: chunky.  So, it's no wonder that I love the line of chunky beauties created by the talented Pam Neri.  Chunky beauties like this one:

It's the "Blueberry" necklace, which you can find here, and after much, much deliberation, it's the necklace I chose to review on the blog.  Ultimately I went with this one because I am unable to resist anything blue.


But, let me just say that it was not an easy choice.  Pam's necklaces are absolutely beautiful.  For necklaces like the "Blueberry", the individual wire strands are crocheted and then woven together.  You can see the technique better below:

I love the sense of movement in the necklaces, but also that they look raw, and have an almost "found" quality about them.  Part of that appeal is in the materials used.  The above necklace is the "Aruba" necklace and includes both coral and sea glass among the materials used.  I think it's a brilliant mix.

All of Pam's necklaces are beautifully made, and, best of all, she also takes custom orders.  I love the idea of a custom-made necklace to take with you on, say, a cruise.  When you're traveling with a limited wardrobe and limited color palette, why not have a necklace designed to compliment that wardrobe/color palette?  It's also a great option for wedding jewelry.


You can find Pam's necklaces, and place customer orders, on Instagram (@pamnerinecklaces), Amazon and her website (pamneri.com).


I'll share the outfit I wore with my gorgeous "Blueberry necklace" a bit later, but, in the meantime, go ahead and visit Pam's sites and treat yo'self to some swooning over some truly gorgeous necklaces.


Happy Monday, 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

Drapes Like a Dream

It probably won't surprise you to know that I'm wearing another shirtdress today.  But, what may be surprising is that this one is just plain navy:

See?  Nothing fancy.


But, I like this one because it's a different silhouette than most of my shirtdresses.  And because, as far as navy blues go, this is a pretty blue:

Dress: thrifted (similar)  Sandals: Dune London 'Ivanna'  Earrings: Modcloth (similar)

Oh, and, it drapes like a dream.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Almost, But Not Quite

Today I'm wearing another almost, but not quite, red, white and blue outfit:

I mean, make no mistake, this outfit has red, it has white, and it has blue.



Hell, it even has stripes:

But, instead of patriot-appropriate stars, I went with trees.  And some sort of scenery of something or other.  Look, I don't know, it's confusing.



The point is that, yes, at first glance, you see the striped top and the blue in the skirt and you might start humming a little Star-Spangled Banner:

Top: Nordstrom Rack (similar)
Skirt: gifted vintage  Sandals: Camper (similar)

But, then you take another look at the skirt, and the humming dies down as you realize that this outfit really isn't that patriotic after all.  Almost, but not quite.


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

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

Wednesday Ends in Y

I've decided to limit my print mixing to those days that end in "Y".  Happily, today is just such a day and I'm taking advantage of that fact by mixing some prints:

This time it's palm and stripes:

Palm and stripes and t-strap sandals:

Skirt: LOFT (similar short) (similar midi)  Blouse: LOFT (same blouse, different print)            Sandals: Camper (similar)

Because today is Wednesday and Wednesday ends in "Y."


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

What Owl Dreams Are Made Of

Today's outfit features teeny, tiny gingham, polka dots and a wee little owl:

Here, you can see it better in the close up, especially the owl:

His name is Carl.  And he is thrilled to be a part of this pattern mix.



But, who can blame him?  I mean, it's tiny gingham and polka dots, Folks:

Blouse: Old Navy  Owl Belt: thrifted (similar in pink)
Skirt: thrifted vintage  Sandals: "Bali" c/o LTS

I have it on good authority that gingham and polka dots are what owl dreams are made of.



Happy Monday, All!

Gracey