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

Color Blocked

As much as I like this thrifted, color blocked sweater, I never wear it.  Because it is really, really hard for me to style with anything but jeans.  But, I think I may have finally figured it out with today's outfit:

Now, my jean wearing has been severely curtailed at my new job (boo!) but this sweater is wool and very, very warm so I feel like winter in Pittsburgh is it's time to shine.  So, eventually, I decided to try it with a suede skirt.


And I really do think it works:

Sweater: thrifted vintage (similar)  Skirt: thrifted vintage (similar)
Tights: WalMart  Boots: Michael Michael Kors (similar)

But, just in case it didn't, you can see that I added some fun, patterned tights to distract people from my sweater.



And I think that's the real takeaway here, Folks; when in doubt about your top, distract people with your legs.


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Non-Boring Neutrals

As you probably noticed from my last post, and the one before, I usually like to brighten up my winters with color.  I also like to brighten up my springs, summers and autumns with color.  But in winter, especially, neutrals can feel kind of boring to me.

But, not these neutrals:

The different textures (suede! leather! fuzzy-wuzzy!) keep the outfit interesting:

And, frankly, the different textures also help keep it warm.



I mean, say what you will about Pennsylvania winters (no, really, I say bad things about it all the time, it's okay, everyone does), but they do provide opportunities to wear fun things like suede and layered sweaters:

Turtleneck sweater: Gap (similar)  Fuzzy sweater: vintage, thrifted
Skirt: thrifted (cute faux version)  Tights: HUE  Boots: MICHAEL Michael Kors (similar)

Things like non-boring neutrals.


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

New Year, New Cape

I think it's best to start a new year in something dramatic.  Like a cape:

It lets people know that you're not afraid to bring the drama to the office.  Belting your cape with a seriously studded belt also helps to hammer that point home:

Still not enough drama for you?  Try swanning about in your cape.  Nothing says drama like some swanning.  And trust me, in this Long Tall Sally cape, you can't help but swan:

The fabric drapes so beautifully and flows so nicely when you walk.  It's wind-in-the-cape instead of wind-in-the-hair, but I still feel like Tyra would be proud.


Seriously, Folks.  Capes.  I think they might become a thing:

Cape: c/o LTS  Turtleneck: Gap (similar)
Skirt: thrifted (similar) Belt: MICHAEL Michael Kors (similar)
Boots: Born Crown "Sosie" (similar)

At least I hope so.


Happy Monday, All!  And Happy New Year!

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

Snow and a Lady Tie

I forgot to post this outfit last week:

Silk Tie: thrifted Brooks Brothers (similar)   Sweater: Gap
Skirt: thrifted vintage (similar)  Boots: Michael Michael Kors (similar)

I wore this when we still had all that snow, but it was already a bit warmer.  Warm enough, at least, to forgo a scarf and wear a lady tie instead.

It's not that you can't wear lady ties in the dead of winter, it's just that when you have to cover them up with a thick scarf, it robs people of the enjoyment they get from admiring said lady tie.


You want people to enjoy your lady tie, don't you?

Yeah, me too.


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Big Ol' Blogger

I took a bit of a risk with this outfit, pairing a voluminous cape with a voluminous circle skirt:

The prevailing logic is that you're supposed to pair bulky pieces with slim pieces, but, I just didn't feel like it.  I wanted to wear my big ol' cape with a big ol' skirt and I didn't give a heck if it made me look like a big ol' blogger.

And, honestly, I just don't think it's that bad.  I felt great in this outfit.


With or without the cape, this outfit is just right up my sartorial alley:

I mean, it's a vintage circle skirt, a vintage cape and a turtleneck:

Cape: vintage, thrifted (save, splurge)  Turtleneck: LL Bean, thrifted (similar)
Belt: Michael Kors (similar)   Skirt: vintage, thrifted (similar)
Boots: Sole Society

So, yeah, if this is what a big ol' blogger looks like, I'll be that.  I'll be that all day long.


Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Black and Navy

It seems as though the Fashion Gods have gotten really lenient lately.  Because, just as it's now okay to wear leggings again (still?), it's also now okay to pair black and navy.

So I did:

Sweater: Gap  Skirt: Old Navy (similar) (similar)
Cap: Nordstrom  Boots: Piperlime (similar)

Of course, I've been wearing black and navy for awhile now.  Often with leggings, but I guess I'm still happy to have approval from on high.

What about you, Reader Friends?  Do you pair black and navy?

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

One Cowl to Rule Them All

Last year for my birthday, I bought a Skipjack Cowl from Victory Garden Yarn.  This year for my birthday, I bought a Snowdrop Cowl from Victory Garden Yarn:

And it is the best cowl ever.  One cowl to rule them all, if you will.  Or, heck, even if you won't.  Because I will.  But, you should.  Because this is a great scarf.


I wanted to get something more suited for the Pennsylvania winter this time around and this cowl is perfect for layering over cozy sweaters:

Cowl: Victory Garden Yarn  Sweater: Free People
Leggings: Macy's  Boots: Michael Michael Kors (similar)

I ordered the scarf in the charcoal and garnet combination, but Victory Garden Yarn offers 25 color choices and you can order the cowl in any combination of any two colors.


But, I really, really recommend pairing garnet with charcoal; it's fabulous:

Earrings: Modcloth

And perfect for winter without being drab:

Perfect.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

The Sweater Coat

This sweater coat is one of the pieces I was most excited to wear in cold Pennsylvania:

Sweater Coat: thrifted vintage  Jeans: Old Navy
Boots: Born Crown (similar)

And I was right to be excited.  This thing is cozy as heck; probably because it's basically a full-body sweater.  It's also colorful, color blocked and from my favorite 80s brand, I.B. Diffusion.  Never heard of I.B. Diffusion?  That's okay, I can help.  Here is one of their fabulous ads:


I.B. Diffusion Fall 1986 from Steve Weiss on Vimeo.


Amazing, right?  Yeah, the company that made that ad also made my sweater:

MICHAEL Michael Kors belt via Nordstrom (similar)

Yes, I know.  I am a lucky, lucky girl.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Winter Brights

The best part about wearing brights for winter is that you can wear them towards the end of winter and everyone will tell you that you look "spring-like" but you'll still be warm!  This dress is great for that:

Dress: thrifted  Jacket: Nordstrom  Belt: Thrifted  Boots: Zappos  Scarf: LOFT

It's also great for catching the wind:

Unfortunately that wind was cold, but I still kind of like the skirt belled out like that.

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Shop the Look

Similar hot pink dress

Kenneth Cole New York jacket

MICHAEL Michael Kors boots

Similar scarf

Pinned It and Did It: Mustard

I have a strange affinity for mustard.  I know it's a color a lot of people shy away from, but I'm drawn to it for some reason.  So, of course, when I saw this Pin, it was one I wanted to try:

Image via Pinterest

And try it, I did:

Skirt & Sweater: thrifted  Cowl: Nordstrom  Boots: MICHAEL Michael Kors

All in all, I think it looks pretty good.  I went with a gray, cable knit cowl instead of fur, but I think the addition of the gray works.

Really, the only thing I think is missing, is texture.  The Pinsperation picture has a fabulous mix of leather, fur and that high-textured sweater.  I tried to add some texture with my scarf and the leather boots, but I think if I did it again, I'd also wear a sweater with a more interesting weave instead of a smooth weave:

In the end though, I really do like this look and I'm happy to be linking up to Style Journey's Pinned It and Did It link party with it.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Shop the Look

Similar mustard sweater

Similar midi skirt

Exact boots

High-texture gray cowl