A Monday Aesthetic

I'm wondering if this outfit actually fits:

Because, looking at these pictures, everything seems to me to be slightly too big.  Except the boots, of course, they're perfect.


Maybe it's just the cardigan that's throwing me off; it's extremely rare that I have to cuff my sleeves because they're too long:

Or, maybe it's just the proportions.  Maybe the cardigan would look better with a more fitted skirt:

Cardigan: Target  Blouse: LOFT (similar)
Skirt: thrifted vintage (similar cord, similar wool)  Boots: Enzo Angiolini "Colston"

No. You know what?  Now that I think about it, slightly-too-big actually seems like the right aesthetic for a Monday.



Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Because, Well, Boots

So, it was like 80-something on Tuesday.  It's only supposed to be like 50-something today.  And rainy.  But, that's okay, because, well, boots:

But, also, because cardigans.  And scarves:

Is it cold?  Sure, but by this time of year, I'm ready for cold:

Cardigan: Old Navy  Pants: v. old Gap (similar here & here)
Scarf: TJ Maxx (similar)  Boots: v. old Born Crown "Sosie" (similar)

Because, well, boots.



Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Striped Short Sleeve Sweater

In the folly of my youth, I used to question the practicality of short-sleeve sweaters.  But, now I realize that they really are great transition pieces.

Over the long weekend, our weather turned cooler (finally) in the mornings and  has not been as humid (FINALLY) but still warm in the afternoons.



You know what's perfect for that sort of weather?

Sweater: Gap  Skirt: thrifted (similar)
Necklace: LOFT (similar)  Sandals: Steve Madden (similar)

Yep, that's right.  Short sleeve sweaters.



Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Not Impressed

So, this combination of cardigan and dress drove my coworkers crazy:

Dress: Old Navy  Cardigan: thrifted (similar)  Sandals: Dune London "Ivanna"

They assured me that they liked outfit well enough, but complained that it doesn't match.  I agreed, but offered that it *does* go.

They did not look impressed with that explanation.


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

A Skirt, Of Sorts

This outfit is NOT a lot of things.  For example, this is not a crop top:

And that's not my bare midriff covered with surprise tattoos.  No, that is a flesh-colored belt covered with embroidery.  (Ugh. Flesh-colored belt is not a phrase I ever thought I'd write, but there you have it).


Gross as that phrase is, the embroidery is actually rather nice:

And looks less skin-like up close, I think (I hope).



In addition to not wearing a crop top, I am also not wearing a skirt:

Not that you can really tell in this picture, but I swear to you, these are culottes.  Or, a split skirt, if you will.



Of course, if we call it a split skirt, then I guess I *am* wearing a skirt:

Blouse: LOFT  Split Skirt: thrifted (similar save, splurge)
Belt: Fossil (similar)  Sandals: Isola (similar)

Of sorts.


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Flat Pleats Are Good Pleats

Today I'm wearing one of my favorite silhouettes:

The pleated midi.


Pleats can be hard to wear, and so can midi skirts, but I still love this style of skirt.  If you love them too, I recommend looking for flat pleats, like those on this skirt:

Flat pleats help keep the volume down, which is important because too much volume in a skirt can make it look like you're smuggling throw pillows on your hips.  Even if you *are* smuggling throw pillows, you don't want to look like it because that's not very sneaky and smugglers need to be sneaky. #wordtothewise


I paired my flat-pleated skirt with a textured sweater:

Because everything is better with texture.


So, what did we learn today?

Skirt: thrifted vintage (similar)
Sweater: Nordstrom (cute option)  Sandals: Kork-Ease (similar)

We learned that smugglers need to be sneaky, everything is better with texture, and flat pleats are good pleats.  All important things.

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Rose Colored Blouse, Rose Covered Heels

Generally, all things rose are my sister's domain; it's her name after all.  Still I couldn't resist these Topshop shoes with the roses embroidered on the heels:

Fancy, right?!



Fancy, and, I guess, a little busy.  So I kept the outfit I paired them with simple.  Just culottes and a blouse:

Simple. Albeit a little wrinkly.  I love a linen blend pant, especially for summer, but you bend down to strap up your adorable, embroidered shoe and you look a mess.



A well-coordinated mess, in your rose colored blouse and rose covered heels, to be sure:

Blouse: LOFT  Pants: LOFT (similar)
Belt: LOFT (similar)  Shoes: Topshop 

But, still, a mess.



Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

High of Waist, Indeterminate of Color

Today's pants are both high of waist and indeterminate of color:

Sometimes they look terra cotta or maybe red ochre?

But at other times they look more brown:

Burnt sienna, maybe?  Rust?  Brick?  Ann Taylor calls the color "Modern Saddle" which, sure, I guess, why not?

Honestly, I'm not sure what color they are, but they are truly, delightfully high of waist:

Blouse: LOFT outlet (similar)
Pants: Ann Taylor  Sandals: Isola "Lisinda" 

And indeterminate of color.

Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Pink, Orange & Pinkish-Orange

My skirt is orange.  It looks red in these pictures:

But, I swear, it's orange.



See?

Orange.



Although... that photo is a little misleading as well.  Because the skirt is not a true orange, it's a sort of reddish-orange, much like my shoes are a pinkish-orange:

Or, you know, coral.  Whatever.

Sweater: Nordstrom  Skirt: Ann Taylor (also similar)
Shoes: Lollipops (similar coral, sadly not studded)

You can call these colors whatever you'd like; I call them well-paired.



Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Brightly Striped

The weather has been pretty gloomy here in Pittsburgh this week so I thought I'd wear something bright:

Is it a lot of look?  Yes.  Do I look like I should be riding on a rainbow-maned horse named Starlight with my Sprite best friend, Twink?  Probably also yes.  But, I love this look.


Nothing combats the gloom and doom of stormy spring days like a brightly striped sweater and an even more brightly colored skirt:

Cardigan: Lands' End  Skirt: Ann Taylor
Belt: Old Navy (similar)   Sandals: Camper (similar)

Trust me folks, there's nothing better.  Sure, you may look like you abandoned the Color Kids and got a grown up job in an office.  But, it'll still make you smile.



Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Because They Go With Everything

I'm wearing those blue pants again:

Why?  Well, mostly because they're blue, but also because I think they really might truly go with everything.



I mean, I've worn them with peach, with a dark floral print and today with whatever color this is.

Scarf: thrifted silk (similar)  Sweater: LOFT (similar)
Pants: Gap (similar)  Shoes: v. old Corso Como (similar)

And I added some additional color with the scarf:

I'm telling you, Folks.  Blue pants.  Because they go with everything.



Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Layered Prints

I'm wearing layered prints today:

Now, you're probably looking at this and thinking, "Really, Gracey?  A turtleneck and a sweater?  In April?"


To which I'd reply, "Yes, because snow":

That's right, snow.  And quite a bit too.  We had a dusting on Sunday, some people got some Tuesday night, and now this.  And I think it's supposed to snow tomorrow as well.


So, yeah.  Snow.  And layered prints:

Stripes: Old Navy (similar)  Sweater: Vila via ASOS
Belt: J. Crew  Pants: Gap  Boots: Franco Sarto "Eminent"

Because, well, snow.


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Wind and Rain and Pleats

Today's look was supposed to be all about this pleated skirt:

But, it was hijacked by the wind and rain:

I mean, I tried my best to maintain my composure, but trying to keep this skirt in check just made me laugh:

It's too bad really, because this print really is great when it not being blurred by wind and rain:

See?  Such a great print when in focus.



And perfect with this navy sweater:

Skirt: thrifted vintage  Sweater: Gap
Necklace: LOFT (similar)  Boots: Enzo Angiolini

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

All in the Family

This look isn't quite monochromatic, but all of the pieces are from the same color family:

The skirt is from Land's End and the cardigan is from Target.  And, to my eye, they look so perfect together, I can't believe I haven't worn this outfit before.



The skirts' more subtle pattern even compliments the the cardigan's bolder houndstooth:

As much as I like combining contrasting colors, this outfit makes me understand that (nearly) monochromatic looks can have just as much impact:

Cardigan: Target (similar) (similar)  Blouse: LOFT (similar)
Skirt: Land's End (similar)  Boots: Born Crown "Sosie" (similar)

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey