Maximum Swanning

It was very, very cold here today.  But, rather than complain, I decided to layer:

Specifically, I layered my LTS cape over a striped shirt and belted the whole thing with a studded belt:

All paired with a vintage skirt, tights and riding boots:

Cape: c/o Long Tall Sally  (similar)  Shirt: Gap
Belt: old Michael Michael Kors  Skirt: thrifted vintage (similar)  Boots: gifted (similar)

So, no, no complaining from me today.  Just maximum swanning.


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Mostly Impractical

This dress is one of those pieces that I feel has a limited window of wear:

It's a thicker knit so it doesn't really work for warm weather.  But, it's short-sleeved so it doesn't really work for cold weather either.



But, on a day like today that starts out cool, but not cold, and gets warmer, but not warm, it was perfect:

And perfect with this scarf:

Still though, if I'm honest, this dress really is mostly impractical:

Dress: Lands' End (similarly impractical)
Scarf: thrifted (similar) Belt: thrifted  Boots: Gifted (similar)

For much of the year anyway.



Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Wind in the Florals

I'm back to another vintage floral dress dress today:

And the weather is back to wind.

Thankfully, I'm also back to tights, or this would have been an unpleasant photo session indeed.  As it was, I barely managed to keep from flashing the school children walking by.  I might look calm and collected in the photos above, but this is what it really looked like today:

At least until the wind died down a bit and I was able to get something a bit better:

Dress: thrifted vintage  Cardigan: thrifted vintage
Belt: thrifted (similar)  Boots: gifted (similar)

And then it started raining and I had to give up entirely.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

What's Up, Buttercup?

Today I'm wearing, yep, you guessed it, buttercup:

It's one of the Pantone colors for this spring and one I think is perfect for the season.  I love yellow in the spring and summer and buttercup is such a sunny yellow, it's hard not to smile when you see it.



One thing I particularly like about yellow is that it pairs well with darker neutrals, like my olive skirt and riding boots:

Blouse: Gap (similar)  Cardigan: Target
Skirt: LOFT (similar)  Boots: gifted (similar)

But, it will also pair well with lighter neutrals like white and khaki once we get closer to summer.  I don't know about you, Reader Friends, but I just love a versatile bright.


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Literary Stylings #24: The Library at Mount Char

Let me just start by saying that this is a fantastic book:

The Library at Mount Char, by Scott Hawkins

That being said, I don't think this is a book for everyone, in part because it was very different.  It wasn't like anything I had ever read before and I'm not even sure what genre it's supposed to be in.  One reviewer calls it "modern day hidden world fantasy" and that's a pretty good explanation.  Frankly, you can call it whatever you want, I just call it fantastic.

It takes place in an inter-dimensional (sort of) library (sort of) accessed through a house in a Virginia suburb.  There are twelve "librarians" in this library.  They were all selected by a man they call "Father" to study different disciplines at the library.  The main character, Carolyn, studies languages; all of the languages, living, dead, human and otherwise.  Other librarians specialize in war, medicine, travelling the lands of the dead and the animal kingdoms, among other disciplines.

When the story opens, Father is missing and the librarians are trying to figure out where he is and if he's even still alive.  In trying to do this, they have to venture out of the library into America for the first time since they entered the library as children.  Because they aren't familiar with America and it's social mores, they end up dressing rather peculiarly.  David, for example, the librarian of war, runs around covered in blood and naked except for a purple tutu.  And Michael, the librarian of animals, just runs around naked.

Carolyn, having spent more time in America than the others has a better concept of how to dress herself.  But, because they were all chosen as children, she doesn't necessarily have a better concept of how to dress herself as an adult.  Therefore her chosen outfit is a Christmas sweater and gold bike shorts.  Obviously Carolyn is my inspiration for today's Literary Styling what with the other options being nudity and tutus.


Now, I don't have gold bike shorts (I know, I too am surprised) or a Christmas sweater, but I do have a snow sweater:

And I figure camel and gold are in the same color family so I paired it with my camel skirt:

Snow Sweater: vintage Ralph Lauren (similar here, here, and here)
Skirt: sold out LOFT (similar here, similar longer version)  Tights: Target  Boots: Born "Sosie" (similar)

I added the white tights because white tights always feel a bit young to me.  And since Carolyn was a young child when she was taken to study at the library, I figured white tights fit the theme.  I mean, I know my 9-year old self would love this outfit.


But, enough about me and The Library at Mount Char.  What about you, Reader Friends?  What did you read last month?  Did it inspire you sartorially?  If so, please link up below!

An InLinkz Link-up

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

All in the Family

This look isn't quite monochromatic, but all of the pieces are from the same color family:

The skirt is from Land's End and the cardigan is from Target.  And, to my eye, they look so perfect together, I can't believe I haven't worn this outfit before.



The skirts' more subtle pattern even compliments the the cardigan's bolder houndstooth:

As much as I like combining contrasting colors, this outfit makes me understand that (nearly) monochromatic looks can have just as much impact:

Cardigan: Target (similar) (similar)  Blouse: LOFT (similar)
Skirt: Land's End (similar)  Boots: Born Crown "Sosie" (similar)

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Coatigan

No, not "that coat again."  Coatigan.  It's a cross between a coat and a cardigan:

This particular coatigan is from LOFT and I love the forest green color:

And I love how warm it is.  In fact, it's frankly too warm to wear unless it's freezing out.  Happily, it's been freezing out this week so I was able to pull it out of my closet where it had been languishing since this fall.



I layered it over a thrifted sweater dress which was, in turn, layered over a turtleneck and ponte pants:

Coatigan: LOFT (similar)  Dress: thrifted (similar)  Pants: Gap (similar)
 Hat: Nordstrom (similar)  Scarf: Target (similar) Boots: Born Crown (similar)

Yeah, I'll definitely be wearing this coatigan.  Again.


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Double Plaid and a Big Ol' Tassel

It's true.  I'm wearing double plaid and a big ol' tassel:

Quite possibly the biggest of big ol' tassels, but, I can't help it, it makes me happy.



Especially when paired with double plaid:

The skirt is vintage wool, thrifted, of course and I think it pairs perfectly with this plaid shirt:

I finished the look with my trusty riding boots:

Shirt: Banana Republic  Skirt: thrifted vintage
Scarf: La Fiorentina (also in red) Belt: Michael Michael Kors (similar) Boots: Born Crown (similar)

And, of course, the big ol' tassel.  As one does.


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

The Versatility of Pumpkin

Although I'm often extolling the virtues of orange, even I recognize that it's not an easy color to wear.  It seems limited in it's color pairings and pairing it with basic black invites Halloween references.  However, I'm hear to tell you that orange is actually surprisingly versatile.


Especially pumpkin orange, like this cardigan:

The last time I wore it, I wore it with a printed dress:

This time I wore it with basic neutral pieces, including, yes, black jeans:

And I added the most pumpkin-friendly silk scarf I own:

Scarf: thrifted silk

I'm telling you, Reader Friends, you really can pair orange with nearly anything.  Even black:

Cardigan: LOFT  Shirt: Nordstrom (similar)
Jeans: Old Navy Rockstar  Boots: Born (similar)

Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Stripes and Layers

I pulled out my fall/winter clothes last weekend and that's always fun because I find things I forgot that I even owned.  Like this dress:

It's a sort of shapeless cut and so not the most flattering to my figure, but layering a jacket over it helps that issue:

Dress: Old Navy (similar)  Jacket: LOFT (similar)
Scarf: LOFT (similar)  Boots: Born (similar) 

At least that's what they say.

Also, in case you're curious, no, my scarf doesn't match my dress:

But, it goes.  And, as we all know, that's all that matters.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Blush and Plaid

This is probably one of the most matchy-matchy outfits I've ever worn:

And I don't care, I love it.


Mostly because I've been waiting for ages to wear this skirt:

It's a vintage Pendleton that I thrifted before I left Oregon last year.  It spent the next several months in storage, and by the time it made it out, it was too warm for wool.


I'm happy to announce that it is no longer too warm for wool:

In fact, it's the perfect weather not only for wool, but for trench coats and riding boots as well:

Blouse: LOFT  Skirt: vintage Pendleton, thrifted
Boots: Born (similar)  Trench: Banana Republic (similar)

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

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