Inspiration Monday: My Favorite Gift

I'm linking up today with Two Birds, for Inspiration Monday.

Our inspiration today is our favorite gift from the holiday season.  My favorite gift from this holiday season is actually a birthday gift (I'm a December baby) from my dad.  He didn't personally pick it out but he provided the money to purchase it and I couldn't be happier.

So, what is it?  It's a Victory Garden Yarn Skipjack cowl:

This is the scarf that I've been stalking on Etsy forever. When I found out that Anna and her amazing cowls were coming to Portland for Crafty Wonderland, I knew I had to go and get one.

And you guys? I LOVE this scarf.  It's even more amazing in person.  It's soft and cuddly and the yarn has all sorts of variations in it that make it really beautiful.  I chose the cowl in Spice and it's beyond perfect.  I honestly couldn't be any happier.  I wore it for about three days straight after getting it and truly believe it goes with everything.

Like my sweater dress that I also can't stop wearing:

So, yeah, definitely my favorite gift.  Thanks, Dad!


And thank you, Two Birds, for hosting!

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Anjolee Review

Hello, All!

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas!

And, speaking of lovely (yes, I do love a ham-handed segue, thank you for noticing), I got some lovely new earrings:

They're from the wonderful people at Anjolee and are the diamond drop earrings.  The style I received are the triple diamond drop earrings and I ordered them in topaz because it's my birthstone.

I was pretty excited when Anjolee contacted me for a review and not just because their jewelry is gorgeous.  No, what I like most about Anjolee is that they're a fairly small company but are still committed to an environmentally-friendly manufacturing process.  Any waste created by the process is filtered to ensure only clean discharge it put back into the environment.  And the remaining material is sent to be refined or is recycled for reuse.

So, yeah, they're a pretty cool company and they make some stunning jewelry.

Thanks, Anjolee!

Gracey

Neutral Layers

As most of you know, I'm just not that into neutrals.  But, I love layers, texture and patterns which is why I think this outfit works for me:

The turtleneck  and boots add a bit of color, but otherwise, my outfit is dependent on layers, texture and patterns for interest.  The cream sweater has a non-standard stitch, the gray skirt is a diamond pattern and the gray tights are herringbone.

I even layered my necklaces:

So, yeah, even though this outfit is mainly neutrals, it still feels like me.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Get the Look

Similar skirt

Similar sweater

Exact Naya "Virtue" boots

Similar moss agate necklace

Waking Up a Winter Wardrobe

The other day, Angie, of You Look Fab, listed her four ways to liven up a winter wardrobe and it got me to thinking about how I like to wake up my winter wardrobe.  Especially now when the days tend to be short, dark and cold.

Sparkle and Shine

A couple of years ago I was firmly against daytime shine.  I liked to save my sequins for special occasions and couldn’t figure out how to incorporate them into my every day wardrobe.  This winter I’m all about daytime shine; incorporating sequins, rhinestones and metallic into my every day looks.  Whether you wear a little, or a lot, daytime shine is a great way to beat the winter blahs.

Nine West "Darbie" boots

Gap tee

Gap glitter belt

Brights

Angie advocated bright coats and accessories in her list, but I’m advocating brights in general.  I love wearing brightly colored pants, sweaters and yes, accessories, during the winter.  Even when it’s freezing out, brights bring a smile to my face.

Banana Republic Blue Bow Skirt
Gap legging cords
 Banana Republic colorblock scarf

Texture 

This time a year, you’re probably wearing a lot of knits.  I know I am.  And I know that can get boring.  But, if you look for texturally interesting pieces, it can alleviate some of that boredom.  Honeycomb, cable knit and popcorn stitching can all add interest to basic knit pieces.  Fuzzy sweaters are also a great option in a delightfully 80s way.

Eyelash Plaid Cardigan

Echo open stitch infinity scarf

Kyi Kyi Pom Pom Hat

New Neutrals

Black is a very present neutral in my winter wardrobe.  But, I also like to mix things up with new neutrals.  This year I’ve been wearing a lot of navy and gray but I also think camel, cream or even olive could work as a winter neutral.  

 Gap legging cords

Leith infinity scarf
Banana Republic Plaid Fringe Scarf

What about you, Reader Friends?  How do you wake up your winter wardrobe?

xoxo,

Gracey

Monday, Shiny Monday

I'm having a very shiny Monday:

Between my "glitter grunge" sweatshirt and my velvet scarf, it's just shiny, shiny, shiny.

Not that I mind.  Being shiny on a Monday definitely cheers me more than being dull and drab.

Shirt: Gap, similar  Scarf: thrifted  Jeans:JCP   Boots: Born Crown, similar

And, I'm not just shiny, I'm pretty visible in this outfit, so I'm linking up with Patti at Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Monday.

How is your Monday, Reader Friends?

xoxo,

Gracey