A Coat and A Smile

So, it's been very, very cold here in the mornings.  And I thought I could smile my way through it.  Because, as you know, smiling keeps you warm.  Except that no, it doesn't.  Smiling absolutely does not keep you warm.  I should know because I tried my best to smile my way to warmth for today's pictures:

I mean it, I tried my best:

But, it didn't work; by the end, my hands were freezing and I had a rather pained look on my face:

Top: Banana Republic (similar)  Scarf: TJ Maxx (similar)
Skirt: local boutique (similar) Boots: Michael Michael Kors (similar)

I guess it's time to retire the smile and break out the coats.  Or, you know, maybe try a coat *and* a smile.



Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

It's Not Terrible

I really like this outfit because it combines two of my favorite things; graphic prints and bright colors:

Or, rather a graphic print and a bright color, but you get the point.



Also, is there any color that looks better than red with black and white?

I think not.  I mean, all brights work with black and white.  And cobalt is pretty great with graphic prints, but even I, a life-long lover of cobalt, think that red is just the perfect compliment to graphic black and white.

Skirt: LOFT (similar)  Tunic: Banana Republic (similar)
Tights: SPANX  Boots: Franco Sarto "Eminent"

I guess what I'm saying is that red, well, it's not terrible.

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Double Plaid and a Big Ol' Tassel

It's true.  I'm wearing double plaid and a big ol' tassel:

Quite possibly the biggest of big ol' tassels, but, I can't help it, it makes me happy.



Especially when paired with double plaid:

The skirt is vintage wool, thrifted, of course and I think it pairs perfectly with this plaid shirt:

I finished the look with my trusty riding boots:

Shirt: Banana Republic  Skirt: thrifted vintage
Scarf: La Fiorentina (also in red) Belt: Michael Michael Kors (similar) Boots: Born Crown (similar)

And, of course, the big ol' tassel.  As one does.


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Blush and Plaid

This is probably one of the most matchy-matchy outfits I've ever worn:

And I don't care, I love it.


Mostly because I've been waiting for ages to wear this skirt:

It's a vintage Pendleton that I thrifted before I left Oregon last year.  It spent the next several months in storage, and by the time it made it out, it was too warm for wool.


I'm happy to announce that it is no longer too warm for wool:

In fact, it's the perfect weather not only for wool, but for trench coats and riding boots as well:

Blouse: LOFT  Skirt: vintage Pendleton, thrifted
Boots: Born (similar)  Trench: Banana Republic (similar)

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Eyelet and Culottes

Figure flattery is not a very high priority for me when getting dressed, but lately it's been even lower on the list.  Instead I've been playing with proportion and volume.

Friday it was proportion, today it's volume:

And by volume, I mean these fabulously voluminous culottes:

Ordinarily, I'd wear them with something tucked or fitted; anything to define my waist.


But, the fact of the matter is, you don't always have to define your waist.  Sometimes it's okay to wear high-volume culottes and pair it with a cropped top:

And waist be damned.


It's also okay to add in some cage sandals because they're your favorite and you can't-stop-won't-stop wearing them:

Top: Banana Republic  Culottes: gifted vintage (similar)
Sandals: Steve Madden (similar)  Necklace: c/o Happiness Boutique  Earrings: Kate Spade New York

Trust me, it's okay.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Hepburn on Holiday

I think of this look as my "Hepburn on Holiday" look because Katharine Hepburn would totally wear this silk blouse:

And, if she were on holiday, she might even pair the blouse with this skirt:

Okay, yes, it's probably a little busier and brighter than she's know for:

But, we're talking about being on holiday here, folks.  On vacation.  A vacation full of mai tais and shrimp cocktail and brightly colored skirts paired with silk blouses:

Blouse: Banana Republic  Belt: vintage, thrifted
Skirt: thrifted  Sandals: Isola via Nordstrom

And, there are pockets:

Surely even Katharine Hepburn is unable to resist the lure of pockets.


In other news, I got a haircut once that gave me what I felt was an uncanny resemblance to Eleanor Roosevelt.  Today's hairstyle kind of reminds me of that haircut.  I've been trying to embrace my curls because the humidity is dictating that I do so, but this sort of soft up-do is... not great.


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Holiday Skirts

Stripes & A Statement Necklace

The other day, the fine folks at Happiness Boutique sent me a statement necklace.  This statement necklace:

Celebration Statement Necklace c/o Happiness Boutique

And, I have to say, I couldn't be happier.  I've found that not all costume jewelry is created equally; a lot of it is not substantial enough for my tastes.  I don't want anything so heavy that it hurts my neck, but I also like my jewelry with a little bit of weight to it.  I have a couple of pieces that just feel like cheap plastic (and probably are).


But, this necklace; this necklace is perfect:

 It's just heavy enough to feel (and look) substantial, but not so heavy that I had to take it off after half a day.  And it looks to me as though all of Happiness Boutique's pieces are the same quality.  They are also very reasonably priced, especially given that shipping is free.  And there's a great rewards program too; you get points for both purchases and writing reviews.

There were a ton of necklaces that I loved, but I ultimately ended up with this one because I like the versatility of a multicolored piece.  All the colors in this necklace make me very, very happy.


Pairing the necklace with stripes also makes me very, very happy:

Skirt: sold out LOFT (similar, a-line option)  Necklace: Happiness Boutique
Blouse: thrifted (similar)  Sandals: Banana Republic (similar)

Because, really, how can you be mad at anything that goes with stripes?

Pro tip: Everything goes with stripes.  Including this necklace.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Nubby Studs

Last time I wore this skirt, I wore it with chambray.  This time around, I went with blush:

Given that the eyelet is sort of sweet:

And so is the trim on the skirt, I figured I'd toughen up the look with the addition of nubby orange studs:

Because nothing says tough like nubby studs:

Skirt: thrifted (similar)  Blouse: Banana Republic  Sandals: Lollipops via yoox.com

Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

P.S. Nubby Studs is probably going to be my new band name.  I have no idea what we'll sing about!

Flared and Frilled

There are finally (finally!) daffodils blooming here in Western PA and they inspired me to wear a little yellow of my own:

This top is funny because I love the stripes, the color and the cut, but I'm not sure it's all that flattering on me:

I'm pretty sure it gives my shoulders a bit of a "frilled linebacker" look, but I just can't bring myself to get rid of it.  Probably because it is so cheery and comfortable.


And because it looks darned good with my fox locket:

The jeans are also not the most flattering, but ditto on the comfort factor.  And it's nice to break out of that skinny mold sometimes.  Not me.  The jeans.  I haven't been in the "skinny" mold for ages!

Top: old Anthropologie, can't find similar, but I like this option and this one
Jeans: Gap (similar)  Sandals: Banana Republic (similar)

Bottom line, pairing flared with frilled may not be the most flattering, but it's cheery and comfortable and sometimes that's all a girl wants in an outfit.


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Silk Scarf Kick

I have been on a silk scarf kick lately.  I wore one here, here and another today:

And I don't think I'll be stopping any time soon.  They great for a bit of extra warmth on chillier Spring days (so, you know, all of them here in PA).  They're great for adding a bit of color.  And they're so easy (and cheap) to thrift.


I especially love the color and pattern on this one:

Scarf: vintage, thrifted  Shirt: vintage, thrifted (similar)
Skinnies: Old Navy Hi-Rise Rockstar  Trench: Banana Republic (similar)  Boots: Born (similar)

The scarf is vintage, and thrifted, and I paired it with a vintage, striped shirt (also thrifted), skinny jeans, boots and a trench.  Because trenches are pretty great for chilly Spring weather too:

Happy Monday, All!  And don't forget to link up to my Literary Stylings Link Party tomorrow!

Gracey