Mustard and Leopard

On my last day in Oregon, I wore mustard and leopard.  Oh, and I added some polka dots too:

Leopard Coat: LOFT (similar, similar, similar)

Not only is this the outfit I wore on my last day of work on my last day in Oregon, it's also the last outfit my friend and photographer, Ferge, ever photographed for me.  She was so mad that I was leaving that she cut off my head:

But, even headless, it's still pretty darned cute, right?


I told you that I'd been on the hunt for oversized sweaters for Pennsylvania, right?  Well, they're great for the cold, but they're also great for pairing with short, flippy skirts:

Sweater: Handmade, thrifted (similar)   Skirt: Old Navy  Tights: Hue  Boots: Splendid (similar)

I don't generally wear short skirts, but I do love a short, flippy skirt.  (I like to pretend the extra volume makes up for the lack of length).  Especially when paired with an oversized sweater.


What about you, Reader Friends?  Is this a silhouette you'd wear?

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Donuts, Not Layers

Although I love layers, I don't always feel like I do them well.  It can be hard with my build to wear a layered look without adding bulk.  Especially around the midsection where everything converges (shirt, sweater, waistband).  But, I think I nailed it with this look:

I wish the pictures were better, but it was pouring the day I wore this because, well, Oregon.  But, really, this is probably my most successful attempt at layering ever.  I even layered my collar with a necklace!

Yeah, this is definitely my best layering ever.



I mean, just look:

Top: c/o Foxcroft (similar) Skirt: Thrifted  Sweater: Piperlime
Necklace: Macys  Tights: SPANX  Boots: Born Crown

The only bulk around that midsection there is due to donuts (I really like the chocolate cake kind), not due to layers.

Donuts, Folks, not layers.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Book Review: Amazon Burning

Image via Amazon.com

Amazon Burning is the new novel by Victoria Griffith, and I was lucky enough to be offered an advance copy to review.

At first, I wasn't sure about this book as it's referred to as both a "young adult novel" and a coming of age story and I don't consider it to be either.  The protagonist, Emma Cohen, is a 22-year-old NYU student which seems a little bit long in the tooth to be considered a "young adult" or to be "coming of age."  But, once I got into the book, it didn't matter.

Because, what Amazon Burning is, is a good little mystery.  Journalism student Emma Cohen is forced to flee NYU to Rio de Janeiro, where she interns with her father at his newspaper.  While Emma is in Rio, a famous environmentalist is murdered in the Amazon and she goes with her father to cover the story.  Emma and her father are joined by a young photographer named Jimmy who, like Emma, is looking to help cover the story and make a name for himself.

While in the Amazon, Emma investigates the murder, tries to keep from being murdered herself and falls in love, all while trying to deal with the situation that forced her to leave New York.  There are mysteries on top of mysteries in the novel, making for an exciting read.  And the twist at the end was completely unexpected.  It was also a little strange, but it was definitely a true twist and I appreciate that.

Quite possibly the best part of this book is the job the author does of conveying a sense of place with her writing.  You can tell she's experienced with the Amazon and with the Yanomami Indians she writes about and she handles both of those topics exceedingly well.  She falters a bit in other areas, but all in all, it's a quick, enjoyable read.

As I said, I received an advanced copy of Amazon Burning, but it is available for purchase now, at both Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Happy Reading, All!

Gracey

Branching Out

I tend to be a creature of habit when it comes to buying clothes.  I stick with the stores that I know (so much so that my dad asked me the other day if my blog was sponsored by Nordstrom - he's very funny) because I know how they'll fit me.  This is especially true when it comes to brands that carry "tall" clothes.  Because, as all tall women know, there is tall and then there is "tall."

Unfortunately, due to this reliance on the brands I know, I haven't really tried a lot of other tall lines.  But, today I am branching out.

You see that wonderfully stripe-y tunic?  It's from Chadwick's of Boston.


I know!  I had no idea that Chadwick's carried tall clothes either.  But, they do.  Like this tunic:

When Chadwick's offered me an item to review, I was a little hesitant because their "tall" starts at 5'7" which isn't always long enough for me.  But, as you can see, this tunic is plenty long, covering my bum and everything!

Tunic: c/o Chadwick's  Leggings: c/o metrostyle  Jacket: Kenneth Cole Reaction (similar)
Scarf: c/o FRAAS (similar)   Boots: Naughty Monkey (similar)

Which, given how my bum resists coverage by most tunics, is a miracle.  A Chadwick's miracle!


Now, I can't say how Chadwick's will work for women taller than myself, but if you're between 5'7" and 6', I'd say give them a try.  They don't have a huge selection, but they carry good, classic pieces.  I especially like their basics, like my tunic, and I'm drooling over this fabulous plaid blazer!

What about you, Reader Friends?  Are you creatures of habit when it comes to purchasing clothes?  Or do you like to branch out?

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Sweater Weather

Hello All!  Sorry about my extended absence; we were in Paris for just over a week and apparently not all of my scheduled posts actually posted because I am bad at scheduling things.  But, I'm back, and I'll write a Paris post soon (I know, I know, just what you wanted, more pictures of Paris).  And for now, here I am in a sweater.

Knowing that I was going to move to the frozen steppes of Pennsylvania, I tried to find oversized sweaters to help keep me warm this winter.  Unfortunately, when you're built like me, oversized often just ends up being "sized."  But, that's not the case with this Gap sweater.


As you can see, it's truly oversized:

And, truly cozy.  It has everything I like in a sweater; softness, warmth, and the color blue.  So far, the only downside has been that it pills fairly easily.  I'm hoping regular maintenance with a sweater shaver will help with that though.


Even if it doesn't, I'll probably continue to wear the heck out of this sweater this winter.  Of course, I won't be wearing it with boyfriend jeans and flats like I am here:

Sweater: Gap  Jeans: Lucky (similar)  Flats: Old Navy (similar)

No, here in Pittsburgh, I imagine I'll be layering it over a turtleneck or seven with jeans over leggings tucked into snow boots.  Because, I don't know if you know this or not, but Pennsylvania is cold folks.  So very cold.

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey