Feeling Like Fall in Territory Ahead

Some time back, I was contacted by Territory Ahead to select something from their fall line to review.  I found the perfect fall skirt but Oregon has been extra warm so far this September and I haven't had a chance to wear it yet.

But, today, today feels like fall.  And it feels like the perfect opportunity to wear the perfect fall skirt:

The print and the colors are all fabulously fall to me:

I mean, I like this sort of print in other colors, like an unexpected neon mix, but it feels most right to me in colors like these.


Today I paired the skirt with a denim tee and ankle boots, but I know this skirt will take me well into winter paired with a cozy sweater, tights and riding boots.

Top: Old Navy  Skirt: Territory Ahead  Boots: Nine West

In addition to the versatility of this skirt and the great print, I also have to say that I love the longer length.  It's right in my comfort zone.  Also adding to my comfort is the fact that it's not a true wrap skirt so there is no chance of the accidental flash of one's undercarriage.

If you want a cute, comfortable, non-undercarriage-flashing skirt of your own, I recommend Territory Ahead; you can find this particular skirt here.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Shop the Boots

Arbitrary Neon

Arbitrary Neon is going to be the name of the band I start after Neon Peach goes up in flames because the bass guitarist thinks she should be a solo artist.  It also describes my accessories today:

Although you can’t see it very well, I am wearing a neon necklace.  This neon necklace: 

Long Epoxy Link Necklace -image via Target.com

Why?  Because it made sense this morning and who am I to ignore morning inspiration.  (Also, Morning Inspiration is going to be the name of my 70s soft rock cover band).  In addition to the arbitrary neon necklace (Target), I also wore dark leopard skinnies (Old Navy Rock Star), a sheer, printed blouse (Liberty Love via Nordstrom Rack), an oversized blazer (gifted J. Crew; thanks Alex!) & boots (MIA “Roam” via Piperlime). 

Full disclosure, I love this outfit.  I love the weird color combination (tobacco, blue & fuchsia?), the pattern mixing (of course) and the arbitrary neon necklace.  It’s randomly cohesive, which is totally my thing.  As of right now.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Shop the Look:

Neon Target necklace

Similar blouse

Old Navy RockStar Skinnies

MIA “Roam” boots

I couldn't find a similar blazer, but I'd suggest thrifting something; thrift stores are full of oversized blazers.

** Disclosure: Actions taken from the hyperlinks in this blog post may yield commission/compensation for the writer. Please see the Disclosure tab for more details.

Pumpkin Legs and a Secret

Here are the pumpkin legs (no, really, someone actually referred to them that way):

Luxury Rebel "Yuma" - Image via 6pm.com

And here is the secret: I don’t always dress to flatter my figure.  

Okay, I guess if you’ve followed my blog for longer than a day, you’ve already noticed that figure flattery isn’t high on my list of sartorial priorities.  I would just rather be comfortable and colorful (i.e. happy) than worry about conforming to some physical ideal that I don’t naturally possess.  Magazines are full of tips on how to dress “taller and thinner” but I’m not convinced that’s the best goal to have.  At least not for me.  I am the height I am (which, granted, is pretty tall) but I’m also the build that I am and I don’t always want to have to disguise that.

Which isn’t to say that there aren’t clothes out there that make me look taller and thinner and make me happy.  I’ve found a few pieces that fit the bill.  No, all I’m saying is that if something makes me happy, like pumpkin legs, slouchy sweaters and  colorfully printed skirts, I’m still going to wear them, whether they are flattering or not. 

Unflattering?  Perhaps.  But also happy.

What about you, Reader Friends?  How high is figure flattery on your list?

Gracey

Easter Egg Dressing

I’m dressed like an Easter egg today.  Just in case you all didn’t get enough of it on Sunday:

Actually, I didn’t intentionally dress like an Easter egg, but EBEW and Target conspired against me.   I knew I was going to wear this blazer for the Everybody, Everywear Pastels Challenge, but I didn’t know what I was going to wear with it.  Enter Target.  What started out as a harmless trip to buy Q-tips and a birthday present resulted in my seeing this dress, squealing with joy, pondering the hi-lo hem, deciding to get it anyway and wearing it with this blazer.

So, you see, it’s not my fault I’m dressed like an Easter egg.  I just love this dress (Target) and this blazer (vintage, thrifted) and I happen to love them together, so I wore them together.  I also wore platform sandals (MRKT via DSW), a thin belt (Gap) and a tassel pendant (Old Navy).

Allergic to eggs?  You can (probably) see less egg-like pastel-wearing at Everybody, Everywear.  Probably.  I mean, it’s doubtful anyone else dressed like an egg, but you should go check it out just to be sure.

And have a Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

Gracey

Polka Dots & A Backwards Belt

Although sometimes I like to insist upon my originality, sometimes I just blatantly copy other bloggers.  Today is one of those days:

Sometime back, the gorgeous Kendi of Kendi Everyday wore a similar belt, from Target, backwards; today I am wearing my belt, from Target, backwards.  What can I say?  Tuesday’s aren’t my days for originality (I save it for the third Thursday of every month).  In addition to a backwards belt, I wore a linen skirt (Jones New York via Macy’s), a polka dot tee (Gap), nude platform sandals (Target) and self-made drop earrings.

This outfit is only okay for me.  I think it’s the proportions.  The skirt is so full that I probably shouldn’t have gone so slouchy up top.  But, it’s finally getting really warm here in Oregon (high 80s, low 90s every day) so I shy away from wearing anything too close to my body.  And this top has polka dots, which in my book count for something (possibly everything).

Today’s Takeaway?  Wear polka dots.  They are going to be huge this fall (according to Marie Claire) and they hide a multitude of sartorial sins (according to me).

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Knit Pencil

I thrifted this vintage, knit pencil skirt while I was in Santa Fe a few months ago:

I haven’t worn it before now for a couple of reasons.  One, it’s more body-con than I usually wear.  And two, pencil skirts are ridiculous for riding a bike in.  I decided to give it a shot today though, pairing the skirt with a brightly colored tank (via Ross).  I added leopard print mini-wedges (via Ross), a black vest-like cardigan (I think Allison calls them vestigans) (Halogen via Nordstrom Rack), and some bracelets (thrifted).  I went with the lower shoes because a fitted skirt and high heels would have been too far outside my comfort zone for work.

I actually rather liked this outfit, with the exception of the vestigan.  I only wore it because this top has thin, strappy straps and, again, I wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing a body-con skirt and visible bra straps to work.  The skirt is great though.  Although it’s fitted, it’s made of a nice, thick knit so I don’t feel like everyone is ogling my booty.  And, as I had hoped, it’s a heck of a lot easier to ride a bike in a knit pencil skirt than a woven one.

Today’s Takeaway?  If you insist on riding your bike in pencil skirts (which is completely understandable) try a knit one; it’s much easier and there is less flashing of the poor passersby.

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

WeeCap for July 16th and 17th

Really, this is a weecap for July 15th and 16th as I didn't take any pictures on Sunday the 17th (although I did wear clothes).  I don't supposed the particulars matter too much though, so let's get started!

After work on Friday, Alex and I went to the Salem Art Fair and I wore this:

  

Fair warning: I love this tank so you're probably going to see a lot of it this summer.  I paired the tank (Ross) with grey cut-offs (v. old), black gladiator sandals (Target), some bangles (garage-saled) and some 80s sunglasses (same garage sale).

While at the fair we listened to two absolutely wonderful bands.  The first was Billy D and the Hoodoos; they are identified as a "roots" band, but I'm not sure what that is.  They sounded sort of bluesy to me and where absolutely fabulous.  The second band was a group called the Ty Curtis Band and they are definitely a blues band.  We've gone to hear them play before and they're always just wonderful.

On Saturday morning I did a little thrifting - one piece of which you'll see on Thursday for the special Everybody, Everywear thrift challenge - and then (finally) finished hemming the dress I wore that night.  I apologize that I couldn't get a very good full length picture of the outfit but you can get the gist of it here:

The dress is vintage (thrifted) and was (rather poorly) altered by me.  I hemmed it but don't have the skills to mess with the blouson effect at the waist, so I added a sequin sash to give me a bit more of a waist.  I wore a pair of strappy heels (Nine West, v. old), a vintage clutch (thrifted), a vintage tassel necklace (borrowed from Alex), bracelets and gold chandelier earrings (Target).

Here is a close-up picture from dinner:

Dinner was at a lovely restaurant in Portland called Gilt.  The decor was very cool, all dark reds and old gold with the most interesting light fixtures:

For dinner it was (from left to right) Jenny, Lori, myself and Alex:

After dinner we were supposed to go to Darcelle XV for a drag show, but unfortunately Jen and Lori were half an hour late for dinner, causing us to be half an hour late for the show which filled up before we could be seated.  Luckily, Alex and I always have a Plan B in a blues club called The Candlelight Room.

The Candlelight Room is located near Portland State University and hands-down has some of the best live music in Portland.  It's small and sweaty and they play the absolute best blues there.  On Saturday night we listened to Richard Arnold and his band play.  They played blues, but they also played some old Motown and a little Broadway; and everything they played was great.

During one of the band's breaks, we were talking to a man named Elliot who sang a couple of songs with band, and it came up that it was Alex's birthday.  And Elliot and Richard began singing Happy Birthday to Alex, a capella, right there on the street corner!  It was fabulous.  Richard has a gorgeous low voice (baritone) and his and Elliot's voices harmonized perfectly.  I know I should have taken a picture, but I was just too thrilled with the moment to remember my camera.

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend.  No drag queens, but lots of sequins, and that always makes a girl feel good.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend too!


Gracey