Long Tall Tunic

Hello All!  Sorry about my extended absence last week.  Life got in the way of blogging, as it's sometimes wont to do, but I am back now.

Back, and wearing clothes.  Specifically, I'm wearing this new tunic courtesy of Long Tall Sally:

I'm also wearing my Sole Society fringe necklace because I figured the print on this top can handle a heavy-duty necklace:

And now for a word on Long Tall Sally.  I tend to stick with the "tall" brands that I know, like Gap, LOFT and Old Navy, even though I know there are other options out there.  Options such as Long Tall Sally.  I had heard of them, of course, but I wasn't sure how they fit and I wasn't sure I wanted to go through the hassle of finding out.

Well, folks, I got lucky because Long Tall Sally actually contacted me and offered me a couple of pieces from their new collection.  And, even luckier still, it fits pretty well.  I ordered a US size 14 and this tunic isn't too large, but it'd definitely a generous cut.  If you are between sizes, I would recommend sizing down.  The same if you prefer a slimmer cut.

The best part about Long Tall Sally though is the length.  They don't make clothes for somewhat tall women, they make clothes for legitimately tall women.  I mean, look at the length on this tunic:

It is truly tunic length on me and, as I've whined about before, that is a pretty rare thing in today's market where showing your bum appears to be the new black.

So, if you haven't tried Long Tall Sally, I highly recommend them, especially if you're 5'10" or over.  And, now that they've combined with Barefoot Tess, they have both a great selection of clothes and shoes for tall women!

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Get the Look

Long Tall Sally kaftan

Similar cropped pants

Sole Society necklace

Similar Franco Sarto sandals

Literary Stylings # 3: Valeria's Last Stand

As I mentioned before, one of the mere three books I read last month was a weird-and-not-in-the-good-way book called Valeria's Last Stand, by author Marc Fitten:

I guess it was supposed to be a comedy, but I don't see how making every single character in the town hateful was funny.  I don't know, maybe I missed the point.  Has anyone else read this book?  If you haven't, I don't recommend it, but if you have, can you explain it to me, using small words, please, in the comments?

Enough about the book though.  Well, maybe a bit more.  There is a lot of talk of produce in the book as the titular character, Valeria, grows the best produce in town and constantly reminds everyone of the fact (seriously, she is horrible).  There is also a lot of talk about color, the color of the fruits and vegetables, especially peppers and turnips, but also of the crockery made by the local potter.

Well, when I saw this dress in Goodwill a couple of weeks ago, the colors instantly reminded me of the colors in the book:

And the chaotic print reminded me of the muddy, chaotic prose of the book:

Happily for me, crazy, chaotic print on a dress makes me much happier that crazy, chaotic writing.  Seriously, that book made me feel like this:

Pretty sure that was the look on my face the entire time I was reading it.

But, it did inspire me to buy this awesome dress, which I paired with a braided belt (also via Goodwill) and ankle strap flats (Hive & Honey via Piperlime) and a chunky necklace:

I chose this particular necklace because the large beads are actually clay, you know, like a potter uses and there is a potter in the book.  Also, it's pepper-colored and peppers play a large role in the book so I wore it.

Because, even though the book was terrible, it really did inspire this entire look.

And now, it's your turn.  You can link your literature-inspired looks below: 

 

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Short and Fruity

It's true.  This dress is short.  And fruity.  But, I love it so:

I got the dress from the Albany Antique Mall (they have a pretty great vintage clothing section) the weekend before last and immediately fell in love with the print.  Yes, it is shorter than I would usually wear without some volume to offset the shortness, but it is a great print and the high neck is fun.  Oh, and it looks fabulous with my Lynne Pin:

And I think it will also look fabulous with tights and a turtleneck in the winter; that way I won't have to worry so much about the length.  Or lack there of.  As it was, I drove in to work today to insure I didn't flash any of the middle school students I ride past every morning. 

In addition to the pin (gifted from Lynne because she is the best ever), I also added a thin belt (Macy's) and pointed toe boots (Luxury Rebel via Piperlime) to the look:

I think the boots somehow served to both modernize the look and recall the dress' sixties origins at the same time.  Which was totally my intention, as far as you know.

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Hip Buttons

I thrifted this blouse last month.  The tags are cut out, but I’m pretty sure it’s from the 80s:

How can I tell?  Well, there were shoulder pads, which I removed, the color scheme is questionable at best, and there are hip buttons.  Ridiculous, gold-accented, non-functional hip buttons.  I seem to have a vague recollection of the 80s being a time when they put buttons on everything (much like the early 2010s being a time when they put birds on everything).

I also think it might be from the 80s because I have no idea how to style it.  I’ve found that a lot of the clothes I’m viscerally drawn to but don’t know what to do with are from the 80s.  Basically, clothing love – styling ideas = 80s.  And today’s blouse definitely fits that equation; I adore it and have no idea what to do with it:

I knew I had to layer the top over something, in this case, a black tank (Target), otherwise we’d have an “oh, hey there, boobs” moment for real.  But, aside from that obvious piece, I had no idea what to do with it.  I thought at first that I needed to go with skinny bottoms to balance the blouson effect of the blouse.  That turned out to be a surprisingly horrible idea, so I did the opposite; instead of skinnies, I decided to go with a wide leg jean (Banana Republic).  I also added platform booties (Nine West via TJ Maxx), a vintage moss agate necklace (Lil’ Gypsy Vintage) and a vintage Monet bracelet (Red Fox Vintage).

And I think it worked.  Of course, I have no idea how I’ll wear it next time around, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Mock Turtles = Professional

I wore shorts to work today.  Not clam diggers, not Bermudas, shorts:

But, it’s okay, because I paired the shorts (Target) with a mock turtleneck (vintage, thrifted).  And if anything says professional, it’s a mock turtleneck.  I completed my totally professional outfit with patent mini-wedges (Seychelles), several bracelets and hot pink drop earrings.

As I was wandering along the edge of The Printed Plains in The Giant’s Closet, I came to the realization that I really, really love these shorts.  Not this particular pair (although they do make me happy), but this style of shorts.  As it turns out, I have three pairs of printed shorts from Target and they are all Merona, Fit 1.  I like them because they have fun prints but also because of the fit.  The ride a little lower on the waist, but aren’t low-rise.  And my favorite part; they don’t cut into my thighs when I sit down.

So, these shorts are definitely a keeper.  And of course I have to keep the mock turtleneck as it’s clearly an integral part of my professional wardrobe.

Happy Friday, Everyone, and have a wonderful weekend!

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