Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Literary Stylings #12: Hippie Days

As promised, the Literary Stylings Link Party is happening (and hopefully happening, if you know what I mean).

For today's look, I wore an outfit inspired by Ian McEwan's Sweet Tooth:


Image via npr.org


Well, Ian McEwan's Sweet Tooth and my own dear mother.  You see, I got this vest from my mom:




She sent it to me just last weekend, saying she remembers wearing vests like this during her "hippie days."  Which, if you know my mom is kind of funny because she'd still totally rock a vest like this.  But, instead of keeping if for herself, she sent it to me, because she's awesome like that.

So, what does this have to do with Sweet Tooth?  Well, the novel takes place in England in 1972.  And while the heroine of the novel, Serene, is not into the counter-culture movement, choosing instead to study "maths" at Cambridge and to later work for MI5.  Serene's sister, however, is heavily involved in the counter-culture, choosing to backpack in Morocco in lieu of college.  And during a visit to the University of Sussex Serene notes that the students there were much bigger hippies than at Cambridge.

And here you have it, my hippie-inspired outfit, but with 100% less Birkenstocks because I just can't with those:



And now it's your turn, Reader Friends.  If you were able to scrape together an outfit in the last possible minute, I'd love it if you linked up below!



Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Monday, July 7, 2014

What I Read: June's Books

Hello, hello, hello!  I am so sorry for the delayed post, but Literary Stylings will be happening tomorrow (thanks, Jen, for the reminder!) and I hope at least some of you will be able to participate.  As for me, I have a few books to choose from for inspiration this time around.

The Goldfinch, by Donna Tartt

Image via elle.com

This book was actually recommended to me by one of you, and I hate that I can't remember who.  Because this book is amazing.  I absolutely loved everything about it and am convinced that Donna Tartt is a literary genius.

So, what's it about?  Well it's sort of about this painting:

Image via huffingtonpost.com

And it's sort of a coming of age story and sort of a love story and you should read it.  It's one of my all time favorites.  I couldn't stop reading it, but at the same time, I didn't want to read it too quickly because I didn't want it to end.  Really, you should read it.


The Flight of the Silvers, by Daniel Price

Image via terribleminds.com

So, you know how I said that Donna Tartt is a literary genius?  Well, Daniel Price is not.  His dialogue is clunky and often-times flat out terrible.  But, the man has one hell of an imagination and that's what makes The Flight of the Silvers worth reading.  And, it is worth reading.  It's a great story, full of mystery and pseudo-science and time travel and it's not like anything I've ever read before.  So, even though the dialogue really is that bad in places, I can't wait to read the next two books of this trilogy. 


The Interior, by Lisa See

Image via lisasee.com


This book was just a palate cleanser after the glory that was The Goldfinch and the wonderful weirdness that was The Flight of the Silvers.  If you like slightly formulaic mystery novels set in exotic countries, read this book.  If not, there's really not much else to recommend it.  That's not to say that Lisa See isn't a good author, she is, it just wasn't my cup of tea.


Sweet Tooth, by Ian McEwan

Image via npr.org

I don't know why I picked up Ian McEwan's Sweet Tooth.  I'm not a big historical fiction fan and I've never read him before (no, not even Atonement.  I know, I know).  But I did pick it up and I loved it.  Like the heroine, Sweet Tooth is smart, funny and a little bit odd.  Also, the ending was fantastic.  Some people might hate it, but I thought it was perfect.  I highly recommend this book and will definitely be reading more of Ian McEwan.

I'm not sure yet which book I'll be using for my inspiration, but probably Sweet Tooth.  It is set in 1972 and I think that could be fun.

How about you, Reader Friends?  Did you read anything sartorially inspirational last month?  If so, I hope to see you at the link party tomorrow!

xoxo,

Gracey

Intuitive Dressing

I wear a lot of what I wear because I woke up and decided it would be a good idea.  I call it intuitive dressing and today's outfit is a perfect example of it:


Skirt/Top: thrifted  Sandals: Steve Madden

I mean, if asked, I could claim that the butterscotch tones of the top are picked up in the scroll work and some flowers of the skirt and that's why I decided to mix these two patterns.  And I could say that the necklace works because it pulls a bit of blue from the skirt into the top of the outfit:

Necklace: LOFT (similar)

And I could argue that I wore black sandals to tie in the black trim of the blouse with the lower half of the look:


But, to be honest, none of that is true.  I wore this outfit because my intuition says it was a good idea.  Was my intuition still hung over from the long weekend?  Perhaps.  But I listened to it's slurred suggestions anyway and I'm glad I did.

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

10 Reasons You Should Be Watching the World Cup



The Patriotism
Team USA:

Image via ussoccer.com

Here’s the deal.  If your country gets a team into the World Cup, you need to watch.  It’s just flat out unpatriotic not to.  Skipping the World Cup is like skipping the Olympics.  Of course, if you’re the type of person who also skips the Olympics, we might need to have a talk. 


Now, as most of you know, the US National Team is out.  And maybe your national team is out too.  No worries, I have nine other awesome reasons why you should be watching the World Cup.


The Rules
I know it seems odd to recommend a sport because of their rules, but in this case, there are no rules!  That’s what makes soccer so great.  No, wait, there is one rule.  No biting:

This is actually illegal.  (Image via telegraph.co.uk)

But, I’m pretty sure that’s the only rule in futbol.  Okay, there may be other rules, but I’ll be damned if I know what they are.  Soccer is as confusing as heck, and for me, it’s like watching athletic anarchy.  And, as everyone knows, athletic anarchy is the best kind of anarchy.


The Tears
You know how there’s no crying in baseball?  Well, happily, that’s not the case in soccer.  In soccer, crying is not only accepted, I am beginning to suspect it’s encouraged. EVERYONE cries in soccer.  The fans, the players, the coaches, everyone:


It’s the most cathartic sport ever. 


The Shoes
You like shoes?  I like shoes.  And the World Cup teams have a shoe game like you wouldn’t believe:

Image via adidas.com

Image via adidas.com

 Really, their shoe game is only rivaled by their game-game.


The Athleticism
Speaking of their game-game.  These men are Athletes with a capital “A”.  I mean look at this:


That Holland player flew through the air, like Superman, to score a goal with his head.  With.  His.  Head.

And, when they’re not flying, they are running around in heat that’s topped 80 degrees in nearly every game, for at least 90 minutes, if not longer.  And it’s not just running around, it’s playing defense and offense as well which means they have to remain both physically and mentally sharp.  Sounds exhausting, right?  I’m sure that it is and I’m sure your team would appreciate your support in recognition of that.


The Men

Image via elle.com

And that’s all I have to say about that.  But, if you need more information, elle.com has a great post on hot soccer players.  So.  Much.  Eye.  Candy.  So much.


The Hair
That Christiano Reynoldo has some great hair, huh?  Well, he is not alone.  I don’t know what it is about soccer players, but they put more care into their coif than a lot of women I know.  And the results are totally worth it:

Images via fifa.com

The Uniform
Seriously, you want to see good looking men with good looking hair in good looking uniforms?  Then the World Cup is the sporting event for you.

Uniforms range from the United States’ preppy polo shirts:

Image via fifa.com


To the equally preppy, but with a rooster (!) French uniforms: 

Image via fifa.com


To the frankly badass Puma uniforms for the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon:

Image via fifa.com



The Names
Speaking of badass, did you know there is a Brazillian soccer player named Hulk?  Well, it’s true:



They also have a Fred (no, really) and a Julio Cesar:

Julio Cesar and more great hair!
 Awesome, right?


The Fans
Are you a sports fan?  No.  You’re not.  These people are sports fans:



Image via telegraph.co.uk

If you’re not painting at least your face if not your whole body, wearing patriotic headgear of some type and crying uncontrollably when you watch your sport, you’re not a true fan.  Please to watch the World Cup fans and take notes.

Okay, you don’t have to take notes on how to be a good fan, but you really should watch the World Cup.  It’s very exciting and if Brazil wins it in Brazil that entire country will lose their damned minds.  And who doesn’t want to watch that?!!


Bonus Reason – Neymar Jr.
Neymar loves you:

Image via news.yahoo.com

How can you not love him back?!

Happy Wednesday, All!  The next games are Friday!

Gracey

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Brights and Stripes

For today's look, I paired brights with stripes:

Tee: Gap  Necklace: BaubleBar  Skirt: Nordstrom  Belt: Thrifted



And added a compliment of speckles just because:


Steve Madden "Vyperr" flats via Piperlime


Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Get the Look
Similar striped skirt
Gap tee
Steve Madden flats
Similar necklace (here, here or here)



If you still need a BaubleBar invitation code for the first necklace, here is mine: 20210652