Valentine's Dreams

For my fiancee and I, Valentine's Day isn't a big deal.  We don't always bother to celebrate it and when we do, it's generally pretty low-key.  And this year, given our shared reluctance to venture out into the snow, it will definitely be low-key.

But, that doesn't mean a girl can't dream about dressing up.  So, today I thought I'd share with you all some of the looks I'd love to wear if I weren't afraid of the snow and ice.  And had unlimited funds to spend on vintage jewelry.

Blush

Dress: Modcloth  Earrings: Vintage, Chairish
Bracelet: Vintage, Chairish  Clutch: Nordstrom  Shoes: Nordstrom

I think this dress may be less "blush" and more "nude" on me this time of year, but I still think it's so pretty.  

Cameo and Floral

Dress: eShakti  Necklace: Vintage, Chairish
Earrings: Vintage, Chairish  Clutch: Chairish  Shoes: Nordstrom

I am obsessed with cameos and this black cameo on the clear Lucite is fabulous to me.  Also, yes, I did pair blue shoes with this.  It could be because the flowers on the dress might be edged with blue or it could be because I just love blue shoes.

Lovebirds

Dress: eShakti  Belt: Barney's  Brooch: Vintage, Chairish
Clutch: Nordstrom  Shoes: Sole Society via Nordstrom

This look is more like what I'd wear for our low-key celebrations.  I love a shirtdress and the vintage lovebirds brooch is everything to me.

Pink

Sweater: Kate Spade New York  Skirt: eShakti
Earrings: Vintage, Chairish  Clutch: Nordstrom  Shoes: Nordstrom

Just like I try to avoid wearing red and green around Christmas, I generally try to avoid pink and red around Valentine's Day.  However, I'd be more than happy to make an exception for this Kate Spade sweater and these suede pumps.

Blue Valentine

Dress: Long Tall Sally  Necklace: Vintage, Chairish
Earrings: Kate Spade New York  Clutch: Kate Spade New York  Shoes: 6pm

So what do I wear if I don't wear pink or red?  Yep, you guessed it.  Blue.  Always blue.  But, with red heels, so, you know, it's totally appropriate.

As you may have noticed, all of the vintage jewelry I featured in these looks is from Chairish.  I just discovered that site the other day and if I had any money, I'd be spending it all there.  They have home furnishings as well, but the vintage jewelry section is where I like to hang out online.  So much good stuff.

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

As you may have heard, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale starts tomorrow.  There are four things I almost always buy at the Sale.  SPANX 'Tight End' Tights, HUE Leggings, boots and jewelry.  The tights and leggings are winter basics for me, so it just makes sense to stock up at the lower prices.  I buy boots because they are also a winter staple for me; I don't wear flats or pumps during the winter, I wear boots.  And the jewelry because you can get some great pieces of Nordstrom-quality jewelry at great prices.

Above are my jewelry picks for this year's sale (see below for links).  I'm recommending the first necklace because I have a similar one and I've gotten a lot of wear out of it (you can see it here).  The House of Harlow necklace is one I've been contemplating for awhile now; it's a great way to add a little edge to a look.  The earrings are the prettiest plum and I want them (they also come in tangerine!).  I chose the top bracelet because I purchased two similar ones at last years sale & wear them constantly.  The other two I chose because whether you're preppy or edgy, these hinge bracelets are great for layering & you don't have to worry about them fitting over your giant hands!

My non-jewelry sale picks include:

• Trouve Sleeveless Wool Blend Jacket - A great price on a great layering piece.
• Caslon Zip Hem Tunic Sweater - Although I know this sweater mostly likely won't be proper tunic length on my giant self, I'm still tempted.
• Halogen Belted Cap Sleeve Pleat Dress - I know cap sleeves aren't the best for many arms, these look manageable to me.  And there are pleats!  And it comes in a lip print!
• Leith Metallic Rib Knit Slouchy Tank - I am a sucker for a metallic knit and this one is great.  You can layer it under a moto jacket or a blazer.
• Trouve Funnel Neck Scuba Top - I love the structure of this top and the curved hem is so flattering.
• Olive & Oak Bold Check Sweater - I imagine I'm going to be as mad for plaid this Fall as I was last so this bold plaid sweater would make me very, very happy.
• Kork-Ease 'Natalya' Demi Wedge Boot - These are them.  These are the boots.  They are blue and I am a noted sucker for a blue shoe.

What about you, Reader Friends?  What are your picks for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale?

xoxo,

Gracey

4th of July Style

July 4th is nearly here, which means many of you have barbecues, picnics, parades, fireworks, lawn darts, croquet and/or home-grown drinking contests coming up in the near future.

Here are a couple outfit ideas for any and all of those events.

4th of July Crop Top

Top & Skirt: eShakti  Sunnies: UO  Tote: Athleta  Converse: Nordstrom

Yes, you heard me right; I am advocating the wearing of a crop top.  In public.  But, hear me out.  Crop tops can definitely be daunting, but eShakti has come up with the most adorable line of crop tops and matching, high-waist skirts.  With this set, you'll show no more than a sliver of tummy while looking cuter than a bug in the proverbial rug.  Pairing the set with Converse, a star tote & retro sunnies keeps it casual but cute.

4th of July Maxi

Dress: Splendid  Sunnies: Nordstrom  Tote: Century 21  Sandals: Seychelles

I know it seems counter-intuitive to wear a maxi in July, but July 4th isn't usually that warm here in Oregon.  And, most 4th of July gatherings tend to go on all day and well into the night with no chance to change clothes.  With a maxi, you can just add a denim jacket or a cardigan for the evening and you'll be set.  And this maxi is patriotic, but not so much so that you can't wear it throughout the rest of the summer.

Also, yes the sunglasses are totally 80s; that's why I chose them.


What about you, Reader Friends?  What will you be wearing this July 4th?

Happy Sunday, All!

Gracey


P.S. To see more patriotic picks for your summer wardrobe, check out my All American board on Pinterest!

Mid-Week Musts: Tall Yoga Pants

If you're tall and you do yoga, you know how difficult it is to find yoga pants that are long enough.  Even if you're tall and you don't do yoga but like to wear yoga pants around the house in case you have to downward dog for dropped Doritos, you know it's hard.  Well, this week's mid-week musts list is here to help:

Top left: These are Victoria's Secret and I'm not sure what inseam they are, but my friend, who is also six feet tall, says they are more than long enough.

Top right: These are from Old Navy.  I have two pairs of these and can attest that their claim to a 36" inseam is definitely valid; they are plenty long.

Bottom Right: These pants are from Marika.  They're shorter than the rest at 34" but Marika makes a great workout pant.  I have a cropped pair and they're my favorite for Jazzercise.

Bottom Left: This last pair is from Tall Water Jeans and if you're truly tall, these are your yoga pants.  They have a 37.5" inseam.  Yes, that's right, 37.5 inches on a yoga pant.  Brilliant.

I also included a fun top, a pink mat (I'm partial to pink for my mats) and adorably weird (weirdly adorable?) shoes that are great for both Doritos-lounging and commuting to yoga class.

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

What I Learned at Blogwarts: Layering

So, it turns out that Blogwarts is totally a real thing and they let me audit a class on layering.  Since many of you indicated on Wednesday’s post that you also have trouble layering dresses and blouses, so I thought I’d share what I learned.

Let’s talk first about the dress.

It should be a heavier-weight fabric.  I, personally, prefer ponte, a tightly-woven and therefore, heavier knit.

It should not be skin tight.  Especially in your curvier areas.  As I mentioned Wednesday, I went with a fit and flare dress because it gave me extra room around the thighs which is where I need it.

It should be structured (but not tight).  A more structured silhouette will help keep the look sleek.  A fit and flare dress, for example, will look sleeker layered over a blouse than a sack dress.

Now for the blouse.

Unlike the dress, the blouse should be lightweight.  Sheer blouses are very good for layering because they add very little bulk, especially under a heavier knit.

Like the dress, the blouse should be fitted.  This is especially important if the blouse is not sheer; a fitted blouse will help keep the bulk down.  Gap has some very cute fitted/shrunken boyfriend button-downs that I think would work.  They are available in Tall as well.

I also love the Caslon shirts from Nordstrom for this concept.  They don’t come in “Tall” but tend to have long-enough sleeves and are well-fitted.

For some suggestions on what to layer how, I created some Polyvore sets, all featuring the Mossimo Fit and Flare Ponte Knit dress from Target which is the same dress I wore in my post Wednesday.

Mossimo dress, Ruche "Giselle" Pleated Necktie blouse &Lulu's d'Orsay flats

Mossimo dress, Modcloth "First Class Cabin" blouse & "Both Feet on the Playground" flats

Mossimo dress, Nordstrom Caslon shirt, Sole Society booties

A couple more tips.

If you can't find a bow blouse you like, you can always add a lady-tie to your look.

Belts are your friends; a wide belt, especially, can help keep the volume down.

And, if you're still not looking as sleek as you like, try this trick from Franziska at Franish; she's a genius.


So, what do you think, Reader Friends?  Would you try any of these looks?


Happy Friday, Everyone!

Gracey


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Trends to Try: Neon

Like many fashion trends that have been here before, neon has come back around.  It first cropped back up a year or so ago and is still going strong today.

So, how do you try this trend without looking as though you're starring in a Wham! video?  Well, for one, avoid wearing it with feathered hair and short shorts.  Agreed?  Good, now here are some other tips that might help you try this trend.

1. A little goes a long way.  Try this trend in small doses such as jewelry, belts, small handbags and shoes.  I think you'll find that a even the smallest pop, such as studs, or nail polish, is still fun.
2. Wear it with mid-tones.  Especially if you're not sure about this trend, you may find that pairing neon with too strong of a color might be too much look.  Try pairing your neon with mid-tones such as gray, khaki, navy and olive to keep your look modern.
3. Stick to neon in colors you love.  I wear a lot of pink and orange so I naturally gravitated to neon pink, neon orange and, my personal favorite, neon peach.  If you wear neon in shades you like, you'll be more comfortable trying this trend.
4. If you choose to wear more substantial neon pieces, like skirts, dresses or sweaters, make sure you wear them in a modern shape and/or with equally modern pieces.
5. Wear it with denim.  In the form of a belt, shoes, sweater or clutch, neon anything looks good with denim everything.

Looks to Try:

 

Neon by fashionforgiants on polyvore.com

Looks not to try, a.k.a the aforementioned Wham! video:

What about you, Reader Friends?  Have you (re-) tried neon yet?

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey