New Year, New Cape

I think it's best to start a new year in something dramatic.  Like a cape:

It lets people know that you're not afraid to bring the drama to the office.  Belting your cape with a seriously studded belt also helps to hammer that point home:

Still not enough drama for you?  Try swanning about in your cape.  Nothing says drama like some swanning.  And trust me, in this Long Tall Sally cape, you can't help but swan:

The fabric drapes so beautifully and flows so nicely when you walk.  It's wind-in-the-cape instead of wind-in-the-hair, but I still feel like Tyra would be proud.


Seriously, Folks.  Capes.  I think they might become a thing:

Cape: c/o LTS  Turtleneck: Gap (similar)
Skirt: thrifted (similar) Belt: MICHAEL Michael Kors (similar)
Boots: Born Crown "Sosie" (similar)

At least I hope so.


Happy Monday, All!  And Happy New Year!

Gracey

Nubby Studs

Last time I wore this skirt, I wore it with chambray.  This time around, I went with blush:

Given that the eyelet is sort of sweet:

And so is the trim on the skirt, I figured I'd toughen up the look with the addition of nubby orange studs:

Because nothing says tough like nubby studs:

Skirt: thrifted (similar)  Blouse: Banana Republic  Sandals: Lollipops via yoox.com

Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

P.S. Nubby Studs is probably going to be my new band name.  I have no idea what we'll sing about!

Stripes and Studs

Based on the title of this post, you're probably expecting something cool and a little bit rock n' roll.  Something like this:

Image via Pinterest

For those of you who thought that might be what you're getting, let me welcome you new readers to the blog.  Because if you've read me before, you know that my thighs would use those pre-made tunnels to escape those jeans and try to take over the world.


And you'd know that my version of stripes and studs is neither cool nor rock n' roll, but rather, candy-colored and cheery:

Dress: thrifted, vintage   Shoes: Lollipops via yoox

Because when I buy studs, they're on orange suede sandals:

Lollipop sandals via yoox.com

And then I pair them with the happiest stripes I can my hands on:

Happy stripes, folks.  That's where it's at:

And happy Monday's, of course!


Gracey

more happy stripes

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!

Olive Valentine

I tried my darndest to wear red on Valentine's Day, but it just didn't work out.  So I wore olive instead:

Dress: Banana Republic (similar)  Tights: SPANX
Booties: Ash "Joyce"

And polka dots:

Oh, and studs:

Ash "Joyce" Booties (on sale now!)

So, yeah, not the most Valentine's-like outfit ever.


But, it's okay, because my fiance made up for my short-comings.  He wore pink:

Is he just the cutest?!


Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Stripes and Layers

Although I hate being cold, I have to admit that the winter weather provides a great opportunity to work on my layering.  I like layering because it keeps me warm, but I also like that it flexes my creative muscles in terms of what I layer and how.

Today's layers are pretty basic because I'm relying on the different silhouettes to add interest.  The sleeveless vest over the long-sleeve tee and the longer midi skirt are more interesting than long-sleeve over long-sleeve where the bottom of the outfit is all the same length.  I added to the interest by choosing a striped tee, adding a bit of color with the cowl and the watch, and adding leather and studs to the mix with the boots and the belt.  The decision to leave the bottom of the vest/dress open adds movement to the look which, once again, makes it more visually interesting.

In addition to warmth and creativity, layering also allows me to ignore any body flattery rules I may occasionally pay attention to.  I mean, it's the perfect opportunity to yell "I don't have to have a waist, I'm warm!" at anyone who eyeballs your midsection suspiciously.  Then you can laugh like a fool:

Who doesn't like laughing like a fool?  Nobody, that's who.

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Before the Rains Came

So, I'm not actually wearing this dress today:

Vintage RK Originals dress, Gap boots & Kate Spade New York earrings

Nor did I wear it yesterday as is usually the case.  No, I wore this before the rains came.  Over the weekend, Oregon remembered that it's Oregon and it has a responsibility to rain steadily from the first day of autumn through the last day of spring.  It's off to a great start.

But, enough about the weather.  Let's talk about the dress.  I think it's from the 60s and I think it's fabulous.

My favorite part is the studded trim:

Seriously, aren't those just the most ladylike little studs you've ever seen?

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Day 4: Yesterday’s Dress

For Day 4 of the Perfect 10 Remix Challenge, I’m re-wearing yesterday’s dress.  As a skirt:

I layered the dress (Bar III via Macys) under a sleeveless chambray shirt (Caslon via Nordstrom).  I added my Rieker shoes (thrifted, exact), some studded cuffs (Nordstrom) and finished the look with some delightfully shiny earrings (Robert Rose via Nordstrom).

Robert Rose "Fan-Glam" Earrings

I feel like the chambray shirt, the shoes and the cuffs have a dressed down, sort of tough vibe and that the rhinestone earrings are a fun juxtaposition. 

Happy Friday, Everyone!

Gracey

Tough Cherub

I am, admittedly, obsessed with scarf-print blouses.  This is the latest addition to my collection:

Yes, those are cherubs on my chest.  At least I think they are.  I can’t see any wings though so maybe they’re just naked babies.  But, we’re going to call them cherubs because “Tough Naked Baby” is just a ridiculous title for a post.  

In addition to the maybe-cherubs there are also gryphons, urns, some floral elements, and on the back?  Well, on the back, there is a big ol' eagle:

Why?  Presumably because nothing goes with gryphons and babies like a big ol' eagle.  Whatever the reason, it results in a hilariously awesome shirt, so I’ll take it. 

In addition to my fabulously ridiculous shirt (thrifted via Goodwill), I also wore my trusty black skirt (thrifted via Goodwill) and a collar necklace (Nordstrom).  I “toughened” up the look with black boots (Vince Camuto via Nordstrom) and a studded belt (v. old JC Penney).  

Tough cherub indeed.

Happy Wednesday, All!


Gracey

Indigo Girl

I’m not sure today’s photos are really doing this dress justice.  They’re skewing a little cobalt when, in truth, this dress is a lovely, deep indigo:

Not that there is anything wrong with cobalt.  I love cobalt.  But this dress is not cobalt, it’s indigo.  I think these photos show it a little bit better: 

Hmmph.  Maybe not.

But this photo definitely shows me doing The Duck Face Robot, which is a dance I made up this morning:

Ducks and robots aside, my dress is indigo, not cobalt.  And it’s vintage and warm (wool/acrylic blend) and has pockets, so it’s basically awesome.  In addition to my awesome dress of awesome indigo-ness, I also wore a turtleneck (Gap), tights (Hue via Macys) over which I wore OTK socks (Nordstrom), and suede boots (Naughty Monkey via Nordstrom).  I also added a studded belt (JC Penney) and neon pink studs (Kate Spade New York via Nordstrom). 

Also, if you don’t know who the Indigo Girls are, we may need to have a talk.  At the very least you should watch this video (to which you could dance The Duck Face Robot if you wanted):

You're welcome.

Happy Wednesday, All! 

Gracey

Olive Leopard

It’s true, I do.  Leopard is probably my favorite neutral other than black.  And it’s a neutral that looks good with black:

I borrowed the idea for this outfit from this look of Cambria’s at Jupe.  She wore forest green tights, but for some reason I don’t have forest green tights (I know, it’s weird to me too) so I went with olive.  Which ended up working in my favor because the spots on my leopard scarf are olive-hued as well.

In addition to my olive tights (Hue via Macys) and olive leopard scarf (???), I wore a black dress (vintage via Goodwill) layered over a black turtleneck (Gap) and black ankle boots (Nine West ‘Darsy’).  I also added a studded belt because I was worried the scarf-as-bow was too twee.  I like to think the belt reaffirms my status as a Billy Bad Bottom.

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

Gracey

Shop the look:

Similar olive tights

Similar leopard scarf

Similar black dress

Nine West 'Darsy' ankle boots

Similar studded belt

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Another Day, Another Day Dress

I rock a lot of polka dots.  I also rock a lot of dresses.  Although I am firmly on Team Skirt, dresses are just so easy.  And some days a girl just has to take the easy route.  Today was one of those days:

I actually had another outfit planned but I changed my mind this morning because I’m fickle and it’s going to rain (trust me, it totally makes sense).  This meant that I needed something quick and easy drying.  Enter the day dress.  Today’s dress (vintage Karin Stevens, thrifted) is fairly summery, so I wanted to winterize it and toughen it up a bit.   To that end, I paired it with black accessories like a black blazer (Gap), a studded belt, black tights (Spanx) and black booties (Nine West “Peekaboo” via Piperlime).

Remember, it’s not lazy, it’s easy.

Happy Thursday, Everyone!

Gracey