Trench and Slouchy Beret

Since moving to a much, much colder climate, I've become a bit of a collector of winter hats.  So, when offered the opportunity to try, and review, a slouchy beret from Scala Pronto, of course I accepted.  And I'm so happy I did.

I chose the oatmeal colorway and I love it.

This hat is perfect for fall because it pairs well with my trench coat.  And also because it covers less of my head than a beanie so it helps keep me warm but not over-heated.


It's also offered in gray and both colorways have a subtle metallic yarn running through the knit and a mix of stitches to add interest:

Scala Slouchy Beret via Village Hat Shop

As I mentioned, I chose the oatmeal color and yes, I chose it specifically to wear with my trench, because it's my go-to coat for fall:

Although, now that I think about it, I might need the gray as well.  If only to match my suede boots:

Hat: c/o Scala Pronto  Trench: Banana Republic (similar, hooded, cape version)
Skirt: Gap   Tights: Gap  Boots: Circa Joan & David (similar)

Because, really, in Western PA, you can't have too many knit caps.  Happily, these hats are only $32 a piece and you get free shipping at Village Hat Shop.  Definitely worth it to have two, I think.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

A Matchy-Matchy Fall

That'd be the title of a Hallmark movie about my outfits so far this fall.  I don't mean to be matchy-matchy, but it's definitely happening:

Seriously, between this outfit last week and today's outfit, I've matched more in the last week than probably the last six.


I mean, even my nail polish matches:

Yes, accidentally, but it still matches.


But, that's okay.  Because if being matchy-matchy is what it takes to be able to wear these beautiful shoes again before it gets too cold, I'll take it:

Shirt: Gap (similar)
Ombre Skirt: thrifted vintage (similar sequin version)  Shoes: Franco Sarto

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Stripes, Loafers and a Lindi Skin Review

Although it snowed yesterday, the weather is much, much better today.  While it's still not exactly warm, it is warm enough to venture out with bare ankles:

Shirt: Gap (similar)  Sweater: Gap
Jeans: Old Navy  Loafers: Gap

I figured stripes and loafers were the way to go for a casual Saturday.  It feels especially appropriate now that winter is over.  Probably.


Even if winter hangs on a little longer, the weather really has gotten better.  And all of me is relieved by that fact, but my face is probably most relieved. Because this face?

That face right there has been pissed ever since we moved to Pennsylvania.  I have somewhat sensitive skin anyway, but the combination of sub-zero temperatures and high-winds dried my skin out something horrible.  And made my poor eyes water almost constantly.  So, when I was offered Lindi Skin products to try, I was thrilled.

Lindi Skin products were designed originally for people undergoing cancer treatment, which means they were designed to be extremely gentle and extremely effective.  Lindi Skin understands that anything applied to the skin is absorbed by the body so they only use the most carefully researched ingredients.

I've been using several of these products over the last few weeks so that I could provide you all with an honest review.  And, let me tell you, there is a lot to like about these products.  I like that they're made right here in Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, to be exact.  I like that Lindi Skin donates their products to non-profit cancer organizations, hospitals and caregivers.  And, frankly, I like the packaging.

Here's how the individual products broke down for me...


Lindi Face Wash

This was my least favorite product.  It doesn't foam and I'm one of those people who really, really likes foaming products.  My current shampoo doesn't foam either and it drives me crazy.  In spite of the lack of foam (by design, by the way), this face wash works pretty well.  My face is literally squeaky clean once I'm done.  But, given the lack of foam and the fact that I don't really like the scent, I don't think I'll re-order this once it's gone.


Lindi Eye Hydrator

I've never used an eye cream before (I know, I know, I'm a heathen) so I have nothing to compare this too.  All I can tell you is that this product has worked very well in soothing the skin around my eyes that gets so very irritated by the cold wind.  I can also say that it absorbs well and it only takes a tiny bit to be effective, which is wonderful.


Lindi Lip Balm

I didn't really love this product, for a few reasons.  One, I don't really like lip balm you have to stick your fingers into; I prefer my balm in tube form.  Two, it wasn't very soft so you kind of have to work to get it out and get it on.  Once it was on, it worked okay, but it's not my favorite lip balm by any means and I won't re-order this item either.


Lindi Citrus Face Serum

The face serum is by far and away my favorite product.  It comes in lavender too, but I chose the citrus because it's more of a unisex scent and my fiance uses it as well.  It smells great and is very concentrated so you don't have to use hardly any at all.  I used three small drops at night after I wash my face and it's great.  I'll definitely be ordering more of this.


If you're interested in ordering any Lindi Skin products of your own, you can find them on their website. And, if you use the code BLOG25 at checkout, you'll get both free shipping and 25% off through May 31st.  In addition, Lindi Skin will also make a donation to the American Cancer Society's "Look Good, Feel Better" program for every purchase through this date.


Happy Saturday, All!

Gracey

Big Tassels Are the Best Tassels

It's finally thawing out here in Western Pennsylvania, but on Friday, it was cold.  Cold and clear, but so very cold.  So, once again, I was in layers:

You can always tell when I get well and truly tired of winter because my layers get more and more fanciful.  I mean leggings and a striped shirt with a jacket make perfect sense, but then I went and threw a sleeveless denim dress on top of the whole thing.

Jacket: Nordstrom (similar)  Dress: thrifted (similar)
Tee: Gap  Leggings: c/o metrostyle  Boots: Born Crown (similar)  

But, it was actually a pretty great combination.  The dress helped to keep my legs warmer than just leggings alone would.


Also helping to keep me warm is my big tasseled scarf:

Cap: Nordstrom  Scarf: Bluefly

Big tassels are the best tassels, I think.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Literary Stylings #14: Russian Winter

I've decided to base today's look off of the book Russian Winter, by Daphne Kalotay:

As I said in Saturday's post, this book took me some time to get into.  And, today, as I was preparing this post, I realized why.  It's because I don't like the main character very much. The main character is Nina Revskaya, formerly a star of the Bolshoi Ballet in Stalinist Russia who later defected to the United States. And I think she's supposed to be the protagonist, but I didn't ever find myself rooting for her.  

Like everyone else living in Russia at that time, Nina and her friends had to watch everything they said and did.  Artists, especially, during this time were required to use their art to promote the beliefs of the State and if they didn't, or if they were Jewish, they were sent for "re-education."  And I thought the author did a wonderful job of taking the reader back in time.  But she didn't do a great job of making me care for Nina.

Seriously, you'd think someone who had to endure the rigors of post-World War II and fleeing her homeland would be more sympathetic, but not Nina.  She is easily one of the most selfish characters I've ever read about.  It's especially jarring given how unselfish the other characters in the book are.  The only person in the novel I found as terrible as Nina was her mother-in-law and, unlike Nina, she has reason to be terrible!

So, yes, the protagonist is more of an antagonist, but if you can get past that, the book really is interesting.  The descriptions of the lives of the artists in Communist Russia is absolutely fascinating.  And it's a pretty good mystery as well; Nina is keeping secrets she doesn't even realize she knows, making for a good read.

And the story makes for a pretty cozy outfit:

In Oregon I worked with a Russian woman who said that Oregon was nice, but it didn't get cold enough to wear her furs and she missed wearing them.  Remembering that and the fact that the artists in the book were able to earn more than the standard citizens, I figured a vintage fur coat was appropriate.

I'm not sure exactly when Nina defected, but I figured wide-leg jeans and turtleneck were probably okay:

Coat: vintage, thrifted (similar)  Jeans: Gap (similar)
Sweater: Old Navy   Gloves: Target (similar)

I mean, we can pretend she defected in the 70s, right?  Sure, why not?!


Now, a big part of this book is the jewelry that Nina is auctioning off.  And a big part of the mystery surrounds the Baltic amber jewelry she brought out of Russia.  Unfortunately, I don't have any amber, Baltic or otherwise, so I made do with the largest "jewels" I have:

Earrings: Macy's (similar)

Since we're doing a bit of pretending with the post, we're just going to say these are jet, m'kay?  Great!  You all are the best!


And now it's your turn.  Are you wearing a book-inspired outfit?  If so, you can link up here:

An InLinkz Link-up

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Backwards

I'm not sure how it started, I'm sure I cribbed the idea from some blog or another, but I've become rather fond of wearing my belts backwards:

Top: LOFT  Skirt: Jones New York   Belt: Fossil   Shoes: Rieker, thrifted

So fond, in fact, that I can't even imagine wearing today's belt forward.  I mean, the front is some elastic and two snaps.  Who wants to see that?  I'm guessing no one.  And who am I to make people see things they don't want to see?  I'm not going to do that to my Reader Friends!

So a backwards belt it is:

This particular belt would probably benefit from more of a close up, but I'll just tell you that it's embroidered leather and it's too wide for many looks.  But, as you can see, it's perfect with this linen skirt that has, for some reason, the biggest belt loops ever:

It's like they were meant to be.


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

 Get the Look

Similar LOFT tank

Similar embroidered belt (here or here)

Similar huarache shoes

T3: Prismatic Leopard

I am participating in Thoughtful Third Thursday (T3) today, with My Closet Catalogue and my outfit is inspired by a quote from a book that I'm actually struggling to read.  The book is Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace and while I realize that he was a genius and possibly the best writer of his generation, it's still slow going for me.

Which isn't to say it's not inspiring, because it is.  From the moment I read this quote, I knew it was going to be the basis for my T3 look:

My silent response to the expectant silence begins to affect the air of the room, the bits of dust and sportcoat-lint stirred around by the AC's vents dancing jaggedly in the slanted pane of windowlight, the air over the table like the sparkling space just above a fresh-poured seltzer.

Such a minor quote, but I LOVE how descriptive it is.  So, I based my look on the "sparkling space just above a fresh-poured seltzer":

Top: Thrifted MNG  Pants: Kohl's  Sandals: Isola via Nordstrom

Ordinarily I would have selected something that was literally sparkling, but I actually like this better.  To me, the prismatic leopard print perfectly represents the sparkling air above a dark table:

Or maybe not, but still, I think yes.  So I'm linking it up to T3.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Get the Look

Similar blouse

Similar pants

Isola sandals

Wind-in-the-Hair

I'm honestly not sure if this outfit works:

Dress: vintage, thrifted  Cardigan: Ann Taylor, thrifted  Tights: Hue  Boots: Enzo Angolini  Necklace: LOFT

I mean, there is A LOT going on.  Floral and micro-leopard and blue and green and yellow and boots and smiles.

But, what I do know works is this wind-in-the-hair shot:

Right?  Totally.  Now I'm just trying to figure out which of my friends I can get to follow me around with a wind machine.  Or maybe I  can bribe my nephews to do it; I bet they'd do it for some LEGOs.  Those kids love LEGOs.

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Shop the Look

Blue floral dress

Animal print cardigan

Similar necklace

Skinny blue belt

Olive tights

Similar boots

Pinned It and Did It: Buffalo Plaid

Ever since I thrifted my trusty buffalo plaid shirt I've been Pinning ways to wear it.  The other day, I pinned this:

Image via Pinterest

And then, I wore this:

Plaid: thrifted (similar)  Cardigan: Old Navy  Jeans: Old Navy  Boots: thrifted (similar)

I figured for my first Pinned It and Did It Challenge after my break I should take it easy and do something I knew for sure I could do.

Nailed it.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

 

Houndstooth and Harlequin

Today I've paired houndstooth with harlequin:

And, frankly, I'm surprised it took me this long to put these two together.

The houndstooth blouse (thrifted Jones New York, similar) is a natural fit with the harlequin sweater vest (thrifted vintage JG Hook, similar).  Thank goodness I found these two hanging out together in my closet or this may never have happened:

Can you imagine??!!

Really though, though, those two did the hard work. I just added a midi skirt (thrifted vintage, similar), tights (Spanx Tight End Tights) and ankle boots (Nine West "Darsy").  Oh, and my new favorite tiger diadem necklace (Hive and Honey via Piperlime):

It's not my fault it goes with everything.

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Black and Baroque

Aside from the unfortunate placement of some of the design elements, I rather like this Yves St. Clair vintage blouse:

Although I have a well-documented affection for scarf-print blouses from the 80s, I wasn’t sure about this one because it’s not very colorful.  But, I do love the pattern (baroque nipple shields aside) and really like it paired with black skinnies (a.n.a via JC Penney) and animal print wedges (80%20 via Piperlime). 

I also added a filigree heart necklace (Modcloth) that I think works well with the pattern of the blouse:

 

I know, it’s not terribly spring-y look, but as they say, if it’s not baroque, don’t fix it.  And, in my opinion, this outfit doesn’t need any fixing.

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

Gracey

My Thighs Hate It

… but the rest of me loves it.  “It” being my new-to-me vintage tunic:

 

I do love it, but my thighs seriously hate it.  In fact, I can’t even button it all the way to the bottom without them threatening to Hulk out.  But, that’s okay, I just wore it over leggings with the bottom two buttons undone and my thighs stopped yelling about being suffocated in polyester.  They are so dramatic.

In addition to the tunic (vintage, gifted) and leggings (Target), I also wore boots (Enzo Angolini “Saylem” via Nordstrom) and another lady-tie (silk Brooks Brothers via St. Vincent Depaul).  Because it’s International Lady-Tie Week.  Okay, it’s not, but it should be.  Perhaps the next time my thighs are at the UN attempting to get recognized as an independent republic, I’ll float the idea past the General Assembly.  I can't imagine any country not supporting that proposal.

Enough about the lady-tie though, let’s get back to the tunic.  The fact of the matter is; I wasn’t going to allow my pouty, secessionist thighs to ruin this tunic for me.  I love this thing.  I love the crazy print:

And I love how it came to end up in my closet.   

This tunic was originally purchased by my fabulous friend, Jeanne, when we were shopping together at Vintage by the Pound.  I didn’t fight her for it because she was a guest in my city, but I did cast a lot of covetous looks in her direction.  And then, the other day, she mailed it to me out of the blue!  Needless to say, I was thrilled and Jeanne is awesome.

Happy Thursday, Everyone!  And Happy International Lady-Tie Week!

Gracey