It's Not Terrible

I really like this outfit because it combines two of my favorite things; graphic prints and bright colors:

Or, rather a graphic print and a bright color, but you get the point.



Also, is there any color that looks better than red with black and white?

I think not.  I mean, all brights work with black and white.  And cobalt is pretty great with graphic prints, but even I, a life-long lover of cobalt, think that red is just the perfect compliment to graphic black and white.

Skirt: LOFT (similar)  Tunic: Banana Republic (similar)
Tights: SPANX  Boots: Franco Sarto "Eminent"

I guess what I'm saying is that red, well, it's not terrible.

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Spring Things

It's been pretty warm here lately, so I've been trying to wear some spring things:

Tunic: Gap (similar)  Vest: Old Navy (save) (splurge) (fun)
Jeans: Old Navy Sweetheart  Boots: Lucky Brand (similar)

But, it's been hard because although it's warmer, there is still actually quite a bit of snow on the ground.  It feels weird running around with no coat and bare ankles when the yard is still covered in snow.


I mean, I wasn't cold in this outfit, but I felt like I should have been cold:

But, in reality, the combination of the shirt and vest kept me perfectly warm:

And my ankles didn't even notice the lack of wool socks and snow boots:

I'm still not sure if this is spring here in PA, but I do know that it's finally warm enough to wear some spring things.


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

One Cowl to Rule Them All

Last year for my birthday, I bought a Skipjack Cowl from Victory Garden Yarn.  This year for my birthday, I bought a Snowdrop Cowl from Victory Garden Yarn:

And it is the best cowl ever.  One cowl to rule them all, if you will.  Or, heck, even if you won't.  Because I will.  But, you should.  Because this is a great scarf.


I wanted to get something more suited for the Pennsylvania winter this time around and this cowl is perfect for layering over cozy sweaters:

Cowl: Victory Garden Yarn  Sweater: Free People
Leggings: Macy's  Boots: Michael Michael Kors (similar)

I ordered the scarf in the charcoal and garnet combination, but Victory Garden Yarn offers 25 color choices and you can order the cowl in any combination of any two colors.


But, I really, really recommend pairing garnet with charcoal; it's fabulous:

Earrings: Modcloth

And perfect for winter without being drab:

Perfect.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

#dearsally Holiday Wish List

I'm not currently working here in Pennsylvania, so I have a lot of spare time on my hands.  As a result, I've been doing a lot of reading, sleeping in and virtual window shopping.  As sad as I am to give up actual shopping because, well, no job (and really no need for clothes, if I'm honest), window shopping is pretty fun.

Especially at Long Tall Sally.  It is truly wonderful to see an item and know that it will, in fact, be long enough in the arms.  No more scrutinizing the model to see if maybe, just maybe, those ankle-length pants will be ankle-length and not mid-calf.  It's heavenly, I tell you, heavenly.

Here are some of my favorite pieces:

Because I'm an optimist (and I enjoy cat sweaters), I've created both a Workday Wishlist and a Weekend Wishlist.

On my Workday Wishlist I have an appropriately aloof cat sweater, a plaid skirt and an A-line midi, as well as tights and double-zip ankle boots.  I selected two skirts because I'm not sure how conservative my new work place will be and, because I think they're both fabulous with this sweater.

And on my Weekend Wishlist, I have an awesome mixed media, gradient houndstooth sweater coat, that I'd wear over either a black over-sized sweater or a cream sweater dress.  And I added heavy jersey leggings, waterproof boots and leather gloves that will actually fit my giant hands (I know!).  These pieces would be fabulous for cold days spent exploring Pittsburgh.

What about you, Reader Friends?  What's on your holiday wishlist?

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

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

Tunic, My Heinie

No, really, I'd like to introduce this tunic to my heinie because I'm pretty sure they haven't met:

Seriously, one of the most frustrating things about being tall is that shirts are crop-tops (gross), tunics are shirts and dresses are tunics.  Tunics are (supposedly) great because you can just throw them on with leggings and go.  But, I can't.  Not unless I want to wear leggings as pants (I will never).

No, instead, I have to layer my "tunic" over a "dress" that's actually just a tunic on me.  Happily, I like to layer:

Tunic: Old Navy  Dress: LOFT  Scarf: Gifted  Leggings: HUE  Boots: Born "Mabel"

But still, if I could find a tunic that wanted to spend quality time covering all my bottom and not just grazing the top half, that would be super.


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Shop the Look

Similar  (sort of) tunic

Similar striped tunic/dress

Similar scarf

Exact HUE leggings (my fave)

Born "Mabel" boots

MarketPlace: Handwork of India

The other day I was contacted by a company called MarketPlace: Handwork of India with the offer to review one of their products.  I had never heard of this company so I did a little research and they’re pretty amazing.  They are a nonprofit Alternative Trade and Development Organization that works with 480 women artisans around Mumbai, India, to produce clothing and home décor items showcasing authentic techniques such as hand batik, ikat and hand embroidery.

The women work in supportive, non-exploitative work environments in the form of 14 cooperatives around Mumbai, which the women organize and manage.  And, addition to the much needed employment, MarketPlace works in conjunction with another nonprofit organization in Mumbai, SHARE, to provide social programs to the artisans.  And the women in turn use their own social program, Social Action, to get involved in their communities, tackling everything from garbage collection to domestic abuse.  

So, yeah, pretty amazing.

And so are the items they produce.  Like the Majuli Tunic:

Here is a close-up of the hand printed pattern and the hand embroidery at the yoke:

I don’t wear a lot of purple, but I love the dusty plum of the tunic.  And I love that the embroidery inspired me to pair the tunic with a mustard scarf:

Really, what's not to love about a company that empowers women and inspires the wearing of mustard?!  That's right, nothing.

To share in the love and learn more about MarketPlace: Handwork of India, please visit them here.

And have a Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Black on Black on Black

The lovely Fashionista Next Door has challenged us to wear all black as part of Style Me Friday.  And y'all?  This was crazy hard for me.

That's right, I had trouble putting together leggings and a tunic.

The thing is, I don't wear black from head-to-toe.  I pretty much have to have a pop of color; scarf, earrings, something.  Or something shiny.  I had to force myself to back away from my Foxxy Anubis brooch this morning.

However, I (sometimes) like a good challenge so I bit the bullet and resisted the urge to add color or shine, depending instead on different textures to (hopefully) add interest to my monochromatic look.

I, apparently, also wanted to show how it was possible to wear head-to-toe black and not look sleek and cool.

But, enough about my enduring fluffiness.  Let's get back to the texture:

Yes, my sweater is texturally interesting.  And yes, I do have to make that face when providing a close-up of this tunic. Rules is rules, folks.


Happy Friday, All!

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

The World’s Tallest Third Grader

Today I am dressed like the world’s tallest third grader:

I didn’t do it on purpose (I like to think I’d never infantilize myself on purpose).  It’s just that the shirt (vintage via Goodwill) and pants (Target) happened to be next to each other on my laundry chair (the chair that holds the overflow of clean laundry from my laundry basket) so I threw them on this morning. 

But I like it.  Yes, I would have worn this as a third grader but I’m not embarrassed to be wearing it now.  It’s bright and happy and cozy and involves my favorite pants, ankle-strap flats (Hive & Honey via Piperlime) and a neon necklace (Target).  

 

I tell you what, Friends; third graders might be on to something.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Shop the Look:

Exact Target cords

Similar plaid shirt (plus, standard)

Ankle strap flats

Neon yellow necklace

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Day 3: Birthday Cake and Hobbit Thoughts

Day 3 of my Birthday Extravaganza-Fest was definitely more low-key than Days 1 and 2.  There were no sequins, no feathers, no champagne and only a minimum of fire.  But, there was cake (yay, cake!) and there were thoughts on hobbits (yay, hobbits!).

The low-key nature of Day 3 meant, of course, a low-key outfit:

Especially since I had to go to work – yes, they made me work during my Birthday Extravangaza-Palooza; can you believe that?!  I wore jeggings (Bandolino), a striped tunic (Old Navy) layered under a caramel sweater (Goodwill) and riding boots (Born Crown “Sosie” via Nordstrom).  I also wore my new glasses, from Firmoo, but I'll post more on that later.

After work, I had dinner with my family and I had cake.  This was my cake:

The candles are a joke; I'm not 33.

It was a homemade chocolate Bundt cake drizzled with white and milk chocolate and it was delicious.

And, after cake, my brother-in-law and my nephew took me to see The Hobbit.  Here are my thoughts:

1. Aw, the Shire.  I still totally want to live there.
2. Wow, someone spent a LOT of time styling those dwarves’ head suits.
3. That lead dwarf is sort of sexy, you know, for a dwarf. 
4.  Orcs are gross. 
5.  Was Saruman really always such an ass? 
6.  What’s with all the slapstick comedy? 
7.  Yes, but why were the stone giants fighting? 
8.  The Gollum scenes were pretty great. 
9.  Orcs are gross. 
10.  Not bad, Peter Jackson, not bad.

What about you Reader Friends?  Have you seen The Hobbit yet?  Any thoughts?  None?  Well, then how about any thoughts/comments on cake?

Happy Friday, Everyone! 

Gracey