Poppies, Not Polka Dots

From far away, this shirt looks as if it’s printed with polka dots:

But, they’re poppies, not polka dots: 

Actually, maybe they’re not poppies.  I don’t know.  So, let’s just ignore the maybe-poppies and talk about the brooch cluster; it’s spring-themed!  See; there are flowers and an insect and a sort-of-nest.  Because nothing says spring like a sort-of-nest. 

I paired the not-polka-dot button-down (Eddie Bauer via Goodwill) and the brooch cluster (flowers via Goodwill, others via Lil Gypsy Vintage) with a marigold sweater vest (vintage Anne Klein II via Goodwill).  I love the red and blue print of the shirt with the golden color of the sweater vest.  I finished the look with dark skinnies (bandolino via Macys) and riding boots (Born Crown “Sosie” via Nordstrom).

As much as I would have loved to celebrate the fact that Spring has officially arrived with pastels and lightweight fabrics, it’s too cold here in Oregon for all that.  I had to make do with brights and a brooch cluster. 

Happy Thursday, All!  And Happy Spring!

Gracey

Whoops!  I almost forgot; my shirt, vest and brooches are all recycled fashion finds so I'm linked up to Recycled Fashion's link party today!

Shop the Look:

Similar button-down shirt

Similar dark skinny jeans (Tall ankle length)

Similar Born boots

Similar vintage sweater vest

Similar brooches (flowers, insect and nest)

** 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.

Watercolor and White

This weekend I received a gorgeous watercolor-print scarf from FRAAS:

It is the Mystical Waters scarf, in turquoise, and it’s great.  It’s actually pretty big (40 x 72 inches) and can be used as a wrap, but isn’t too bulky when tied as a scarf, which is how I wore it today:

I wanted to keep the focus on the scarf, so I kept the rest of the outfit neutral, pairing it with a gray tee (Target), trouser jeans (Banana Republic) and a white blazer (Banana Republic).  I also added a clear belt (v. old, Old Navy) and platform booties (Nine West via TJ Maxx).

I think the scarf adds just the right amount of color, texture and interest to the look.  It’s definitely a piece I can see myself wearing all spring and summer. 

If you’d like a FRAAS scarf of your own for the upcoming season, this particular scarf (Style 623949) can be ordered by calling 212-575-0191.  And other scarves are available at fraas.com and amazon.com.

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Shop the Look:

Similar trouser jeans (available in Tall)

Gray Target tee

Similar white blazer (available in Tall)

Similar clear 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.

What Really Goes On

Most of my readers are used to seeing me look like this in photos:

I’m usually smiling, because I like smiling, but also because I think blogging is fun.  I’m usually front to camera because I like to clearly show the outfit I’m wearing.  And I usually have my arms at my sides or have a hand on a hip because I can’t ever figure out what else to do with my hands.  (Moment of clarity: I bet that’s why bloggers carry clutches.  Now I get it.) 

But, I think I owe it to you, Dearest Reader Friends, to show you what the other 40 pictures that I don’t post look like.  To show you what really goes on.  Which, more often than not, is stuff like this:

I am pretty much always talking and often gesticulating.  In the above photo I’m demonstrating how it was so cold this morning that I had to break the ice on my horse’s trough.  I don’t have a horse.

And this:

And, in that photo I am expressing confusion over my friend, Ferge’s, confusion about today’s color combination. 

I think flame cords (Target) and a lavender button-down (Gap via Goodwill) make perfect sense.  Ferge does not.  At least she didn’t criticize the houndstooth shoes (Old Navy via Goodwill) though.  But, really, who would criticize houndstooth shoes?  They so very clearly go with everything.

ETA: Although I don't consider my pants confusing, I'll admit that they're bright, so I've linked up to Visible Monday over at Not Dead Yet Style, hosted, as always, by the lovely Patti.

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Gracey

Shop the Look:

Exact Target cords

Similar lavender shirt

Similar houndstooth flats (now on sale)  

** 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.

Tight and Moody

This look is both tighter and moodier than I usually go:

Although, I think it really only seems tight to me because my boobs are in one of their bigger iterations right now and the shirt is both high-necked and stripe-y.  Also, I ate some donuts before I took these photos.  Note to self, tight stripes and donuts are not your friend. 

As for the color palette, it is moody, maybe a little grungy even, but I like the mix of the purple striped tee (Rebecca Beeson via bluefly) and the leopard skinnies (Old Navy Rock Star).  I also added a black cardigan (Old Navy) and charcoal boots (Gap) because when your outfit is feeling moody, it’s best to just go with it. 

Happy Friday, Everyone!  Have a fabulous weekend!

Gracey

My Thighs Hate It

… but the rest of me loves it.  “It” being my new-to-me vintage tunic:

 

I do love it, but my thighs seriously hate it.  In fact, I can’t even button it all the way to the bottom without them threatening to Hulk out.  But, that’s okay, I just wore it over leggings with the bottom two buttons undone and my thighs stopped yelling about being suffocated in polyester.  They are so dramatic.

In addition to the tunic (vintage, gifted) and leggings (Target), I also wore boots (Enzo Angolini “Saylem” via Nordstrom) and another lady-tie (silk Brooks Brothers via St. Vincent Depaul).  Because it’s International Lady-Tie Week.  Okay, it’s not, but it should be.  Perhaps the next time my thighs are at the UN attempting to get recognized as an independent republic, I’ll float the idea past the General Assembly.  I can't imagine any country not supporting that proposal.

Enough about the lady-tie though, let’s get back to the tunic.  The fact of the matter is; I wasn’t going to allow my pouty, secessionist thighs to ruin this tunic for me.  I love this thing.  I love the crazy print:

And I love how it came to end up in my closet.   

This tunic was originally purchased by my fabulous friend, Jeanne, when we were shopping together at Vintage by the Pound.  I didn’t fight her for it because she was a guest in my city, but I did cast a lot of covetous looks in her direction.  And then, the other day, she mailed it to me out of the blue!  Needless to say, I was thrilled and Jeanne is awesome.

Happy Thursday, Everyone!  And Happy International Lady-Tie Week!

Gracey