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

The March Farce

Yesterday several bloggers posted about how happy they were that March was here because that means Spring is here.  This is what I posted yesterday:

And this is what I wore yesterday:

Because yesterday Spring in Western Pennsylvania arrived with a day of non-stop snow.  That's right.  Non-stop snow.


And that means I'm still in non-stop layers:

Coat: c/o Long Tall Sally  Sweater: thrifted (similar)  Turtleneck: Lands' End
Jeans: Old Navy (similar)  Boots: Sorel (similar)  Cap: Nordstrom

All the layers, folks.  So, let these photos be a warning to you not to believe the hype.  Don't buy into the March farce.  It's not Spring, it's just winter in a different month.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Orphan Layers

Today's challenge at Putting Me Together was to wear something you haven't worn in six months or more.  So I took the opportunity to wear three things I haven't worn in six months or more:

The maxi dress was last worn this past summer.  I layered it under a long-line wool cardigan last worn sometime last winter.  And I added a scarf last worn sometime the winter before.


So many orphans.  So many layers:

Dress: LOFT (similar)  Cardigan: thrifted  Scarf: Nordstrom (similar)
Hat: Nordstrom  Gloves: Target (similar)

And so very cold.  Which is why I also added tights, OTK socks, a turtleneck, a stocking cap and long gloves.


Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Literary Stylings #15: The Weight of Water

Today's look is inspired by the book, The Weight of Water, by Anita Shreve:

As I said in my post last week, I absolutely loved this book.  I love how Shreve writes and, for some reason, her descriptions of Norway reminded me of Oregon.  I was able to connect to this book in a way I wasn't able to with the other books I read.  So, I guess it makes sense that I'd be sartorially inspired by the book.

Here is my outfit:

Much of the book takes place in the North Atlantic, off the coast of Massachusetts so I thought winter white and chambray was a good way to go.

Shirt: LOFT  Cardigan: Gap  Jeans: Old Navy
Necklace: Modcloth (similar)  Boots: Born Crown (similar)

 The cardigan also works with the theme.  Gap calls it a fishnet pattern, but it also looks to me like waves:

Either way, this outfit gave me a sense of the sea that I think worked for this book.

And now it's your turn.  You can link up below!

An InLinkz Link-up

Happy Literary Stylings!

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

Seven Bucks

It's started being snowy in earnest here in PA so thank goodness for this giant mustard sweater:

Seriously, this thing is too big for even me and not terribly flattering, but I promise you that it's warm as heck and therefore totally worth it.  Not that I paid a lot of it; I think it was about $7 at Goodwill.


Not bad for seven bucks, eh?

Sweater: handmade, thrifted  Jeans: Old Navy
Scarf: LOFT  Boots: SOREL Tivoli High II

Nope, not bad at all.


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

The Snow Sweater

Back in Oregon, this would be considered a Christmas sweater and I wouldn't dare wear it past the holidays.  But, here in Pennsylvania, this is a snow sweater and I'm going to get at least two more months of wear out of this bad boy:

And I couldn't be happier.  This sweater is so corny, I love it!

Earrings: Modcloth  Similar sweaters: Modcloth, Etsy, Etsy, Etsy, Etsy

Deer and a giant snowflake?  Thank you, Mr. Lauren!  (It's thrifted Ralph Lauren Polo, hopefully from the 80s).


Seriously, it's so bad.  But, it goes great with my polka dot skirt:

Skirt: Macys (similar)  Tights: SPANX  Boots: Lucky Brand (similar)

Hooray for polka dots and snow sweaters!

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Let's Talk Turtlenecks

I love turtlenecks.  I mean, I even have a Pinterest board dedicated to Turtleneck Style.  I know they're considered by some to be the realm of kindergarten teachers (or kindergarten students), but you don't have to pair a leaf-print turtleneck with an appliqued-acorn sweater vest, folks.  There are chic ways to wear turtlenecks.

Like these looks:

All images from Pinterest: Left, Top, Bottom

See?  Chic.


So, what are the best turtlenecks for mastering these chic looks?  Well, I've done a lot of research (bought a lot of turtlenecks) and I can help you out with that.

The first look is a thin turtleneck sweater layered under a dress & a belted fur vest.  For this look, I love the lightweight turtleneck sweaters from Old Navy:

They are truly lightweight and they come in Tall.


For the second look (top right), I also recommend Old Navy:

These jersey turtlenecks are a great lightweight layering piece, available in striped, solid and heathered colors.  And also available in Tall.


Now, for the third look, you don't want anything too lightweight or insubstantial because it won't be completely covered.  For this look, I recommend these Land's End turtlenecks:

I have two of these, and they're great.  Thick enough to be worn on their own, or under a blazer, and a great layering piece for very cold climates.  Like Pittsburgh!  They're also great because the neck is thicker than the jersey necks so you can wear them scrunched or folded without them falling.  The striped version is not available in Tall, but the solid (12 colors available!) and printed versions are.


What about you, Reader Friends?  Are you yay or nay on turtlenecks?

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Snow Birds

It recently snowed a LOT here in Oregon.  As I've mentioned before, we don't get much snow, so it's kind of a big deal.  And this time was an even bigger deal as we got up to a foot of snow in some places!  In fact, we got so much snow that they not only closed the schools, they closed the state offices.

I, myself, left work early on Thursday, didn't bother even trying to make it in on Friday and Saturday I woke up to this:

I don't know why, but Saturday morning our trees were filled with birds.  With robins.  Fat, delightful, very cold robins:

Aren't they just too cute for words?!!

I felt horrible for them though; it was so cold.  I didn't know how to warm them up so I settled for clearing a space on the patio and putting down some raw pumpkin seeds and some millet.  They ate a bit and then a few hours later, they were all gone.

It was very strange having 60+ robins in our trees, but I am hopeful they made it someplace warm.

xoxo,

Gracey

Waking Up a Winter Wardrobe

The other day, Angie, of You Look Fab, listed her four ways to liven up a winter wardrobe and it got me to thinking about how I like to wake up my winter wardrobe.  Especially now when the days tend to be short, dark and cold.

Sparkle and Shine

A couple of years ago I was firmly against daytime shine.  I liked to save my sequins for special occasions and couldn’t figure out how to incorporate them into my every day wardrobe.  This winter I’m all about daytime shine; incorporating sequins, rhinestones and metallic into my every day looks.  Whether you wear a little, or a lot, daytime shine is a great way to beat the winter blahs.

Nine West "Darbie" boots

Gap tee

Gap glitter belt

Brights

Angie advocated bright coats and accessories in her list, but I’m advocating brights in general.  I love wearing brightly colored pants, sweaters and yes, accessories, during the winter.  Even when it’s freezing out, brights bring a smile to my face.

Banana Republic Blue Bow Skirt
Gap legging cords
 Banana Republic colorblock scarf

Texture 

This time a year, you’re probably wearing a lot of knits.  I know I am.  And I know that can get boring.  But, if you look for texturally interesting pieces, it can alleviate some of that boredom.  Honeycomb, cable knit and popcorn stitching can all add interest to basic knit pieces.  Fuzzy sweaters are also a great option in a delightfully 80s way.

Eyelash Plaid Cardigan

Echo open stitch infinity scarf

Kyi Kyi Pom Pom Hat

New Neutrals

Black is a very present neutral in my winter wardrobe.  But, I also like to mix things up with new neutrals.  This year I’ve been wearing a lot of navy and gray but I also think camel, cream or even olive could work as a winter neutral.  

 Gap legging cords

Leith infinity scarf
Banana Republic Plaid Fringe Scarf

What about you, Reader Friends?  How do you wake up your winter wardrobe?

xoxo,

Gracey

Candy-Colored

It has been ridiculously cold here in Oregon this week.  I'm talking highs less than 35 degrees cold.  So I've been reaching for the warmest items in my closet.  Items like this candy-colored wool sweater:

You can tell I'm freezing when I clench my fists.  Well, I'm either freezing or prepared to defend myself against vicious squirrel attacks.  One or the other.


I paired the sweater with my flame-colored cords:

Gap sweater (similar), Target cords (similar on super sale!) & Born Crown boots (similar; also on sale!)

Not because there is any flame in the sweater (there really isn't) but because I find cords warmer than jeans.  And because I like yelling, "They don't have to match, dammit, they go!" at co-workers who still haven't quite grasped the concept.  And because, as I've said before, brights in the winter make me happy.

But mostly for the co-worker yelling.

Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

P.S. If you haven't entered my giveaway yet, today is the last day to enter.  And you can do so here.