Secretly Awesome

This sweater has a gold, snake print up the front, like it was slithered on by a giant, gold covered anaconda.  It’s pretty cool, but you can’t really see it in these photos:

Guess you’re just going to have to take my word for it.  Because heaven forbid I actually take a photo that shows detail.

In addition to my secretly awesome sweater (a.n.a via JC Penney), I also wore my very favorite pleated skirt (thrifted via Goodwill), tights (Hue via Nordstrom Rack), boots (Vince Camuto via Nordstrom) and my new favorite scarf (Betsey Johnson via Nordstrom).

I just realized that I wear an awful lot of snake.  I wonder if that means the Sorting Hat will put me in Slytherin when Hogwarts finally calls.  I hope not!

Happy Friday, Everyone!  Like most, I have a three-day weekend, so I’ll see you all on Tuesday!

Gracey

Shop the Look:

As similar a snake sweater as I could find

Similar black pleated skirt

Similar black boots

Betsey Johnson scarf (in cream)

** Disclosure: Actions taken from the hyperlinks in this blog post may yield commission/compensation for the writer. Please see the Disclosure tab for more details.

Textural Interest

One of the more difficult things for me is working different textures into an outfit.  As with most things, the textures that appeal most to me are not subtle.  I don’t just want texture, I want TEXTURE.  I want big, chunky sweaters and fur and the odd feather or seven.

Unfortunately, when you get into the bolder textures, they can add bulk to an outfit.  This can be problematic for everyone, but we larger women, especially, are told to stick to sleek knits for their slimming effect.  God forbid we look bigger than we are, or even our actual size; the oft preached goal is to appear smaller. 

Well, as I often do, I’ve thrown that rule aside.  This time in favor of some texture:

But, I’m not a complete fashion heathen, so I’ve tried to compromise.  My delightfully fuzzy vest (Design History) has a fairly slim cut and so adds texture without adding too much bulk.  The sheer blouse (Liberty Loves via Nordstrom Rack) under the vest and the slim cut of the skirt (vintage via Goodwill) also add texture without bulk.  I added a bit of leather with the boots (Born Crown “Sosie” via Nordstrom) and metal with the cuff (thrifted via Goodwill), all of which combine to create textural interest. 

 

At least that’s what I’m going with.

Happy Thursday, Everyone!  And Happy Valentine’s Day!

Gracey

Stripes and an eShakti Review

According to most of the fashion magazines I read, stripes are in for spring.  And wouldn’t you know it, I wore stripes today:

When the lovely people at eShakti contacted me and asked me if I’d like to try a piece from their Pre-Spring/Resort Line, I jumped at the chance.  There were several pieces I loved (you can see them in this post) but I ultimately decided on this cream and blue striped knit dress: 

It’s my first knit piece from eShakti, and it’s pretty great.  It’s as soft and as cozy as pajamas, which is fabulous, but the lovely green belt, which came with the dress, also adds some structure.  I added a bit more structure, and some warmth (this dress is sleeveless) with a black blazer (Gap), charcoal herringbone tights (Hue) and ankle boots (Nine West “Darsy”). 

Really my only nit to pick, and it’s a small one, is that this is a LOT of dress.  The skirt is pleated, and therefore pretty full, and because the fabric is a nice, heavy knit, it can be a lot.  If I had it to do again, I’d probably order it a bit shorter to balance the weight of it.  This particular dress is currently out of stock, but if they re-stock and you do order it, I suggest ordering an above-the-knee length.

Happy Wednesday, Everyone!

Gracey

Shop the Look:

Similar striped eShakti dresses: this one is the same fabric, different cut and this one is the same dress in red/white stripes

Similar black Gap blazer

Nine West “Darsy” boots

Emerald green belt

** Disclosure: Actions taken from the hyperlinks in this blog post may yield commission/compensation for the writer. Please see the Disclosure tab for more details.

The Buffallamagator

I apologize for my absence yesterday.  I was out with a nasty head cold and was too exhausted to come to work.

I am still exhausted, but I went ahead and got dressed and came to work anyway.  

That may have been a mistake:

As you can see, my sartorial woes continue.  The concept was rust, leopard & cream, but I’m not sure the pieces are right.  To me, it almost looks like I’m in one of those children’s books where you line up the different animal parts, making things like a buffallamagator (buffalo-llama-alligator) or an elebratamus (elephant-cobra-hippopotamus).  

I mean, the rust cords (Christopher Blue “Angel Skinny” via Nordstrom Rack) make sense with the animal print flats (Nine West “Kicheya).  And they make sense with the cream sweater (MINKPINK "Golden Rule Jumper" via Piperlime).  But, I’m not sure the sweater makes sense with the shoes, even with the addition of the black metal lace necklace (Old Navy) to tie the two together.  

So, the top of the outfit works.  The middle of the outfit works.  And the bottom of the outfit works.  But, all together?  Buffallamagator.

Oh, well, what can I say, I’m sick.

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Shop the Look:

Christopher Blue “Angel Skinny” Cords

Nine West "Kicheya" Flats

MINKPINK Sweater

Similar metal lace necklace

** Disclosure: Actions taken from the hyperlinks in this blog post may yield commission/compensation for the writer. Please see the Disclosure tab for more details.

Cozy Hearts and Stripes

It was very cold on my ride in today, so I bundled up in cozy hearts and stripes:

 

This heart scarf (Betsy Johnson via Nordstrom) really is super cozy:

 And not to terribly twee (I don’t do twee very well).

I wore the scarf with a striped tee (Old Navy) layered under an anorak (Liz Claiborne via Goodwill) and added black skinnies (a.n.a via JC Penney) and boots (thrifted via Goodwill).

It was simple and warm and perfect for a cold, foggy morning.

Happy Friday, Everyone!

Gracey

Shop the Look:

Betsy Johnson scarf (I couldn't find this exact scarf online at Nordstrom.com; I bought mine on clearance in the store.  The one I linked to is the same scarf, but in cream with gold hearts (Ebay)).

Similar long-sleeve tee

Similar jacket

a.n.a skinny jeans

Similar boots

** Disclosure: Actions taken from the hyperlinks in this blog post may yield commission/compensation for the writer. Please see the Disclosure tab for more details.