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

Embroidery, Tassels, and a Ram

This outfit has everything:

Embroidery.

Tassels.

And a ram:

All of which make it, possibly, the perfect fall outfit:

Dress: LOFT (similar) Ram belt: secondhand vintage  
Scarf: Nordstrom Rack (similar here and here)
Boots: Bettye Bettye Muller (save, splurge, bigger splurge)

Or at least perfect for what's supposed to be a rainy, not-too-cold fall day.



Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Mostly Impractical

This dress is one of those pieces that I feel has a limited window of wear:

It's a thicker knit so it doesn't really work for warm weather.  But, it's short-sleeved so it doesn't really work for cold weather either.



But, on a day like today that starts out cool, but not cold, and gets warmer, but not warm, it was perfect:

And perfect with this scarf:

Still though, if I'm honest, this dress really is mostly impractical:

Dress: Lands' End (similarly impractical)
Scarf: thrifted (similar) Belt: thrifted  Boots: Gifted (similar)

For much of the year anyway.



Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Back To Where We Started

This outfit is vintage me:

Bright colors?  Check.

High waist?  Check.

Bold pattern?  Check.



Interestingly enough, this outfit is also me in vintage:

The skirt, top and belt are all secondhand vintage.  The shoes are retail, but they're also amazing, so, yeah.



Of course, me in secondhand vintage *is* vintage me:

Top: thrifted vintage  Skirt: thrifted vintage (similar below)
Belt: thrifted vintage  Earrings: vintage  Sandals: Dune London 'Ivanna'

So I guess we're back to where we started.



Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Shop Red Button-Front Skirts

Bold Floral

It's been so hot lately, I've been essentially living in summer dresses, with a cardigan for work, of course.  Today's summer dress is a bright, bold floral:

Paired with red shoes because, as it turns out, I love red shoes:

And I think they're especially good with a bold floral:

Dress: vintage  Belt: thrifted (similar)  Shoes: Fidji via Shoes.com

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Shop Bold Floral Dresses

Cropped & Striped

I'm wearing a cropped jacket with my cropped pants today:

Of course, the jacket isn't just cropped:

It's cropped and striped.



The pants, though, are just cropped:

Jacket: vintage silk  Pants: LOFT (similar) 
 Blouse: Banana Republic Factory (similar)  Shoes: Steve Madden (similar)

I know, I know, I'm disappointed in their lack of stripes as well.



Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

It's Not Polka Dots, It's Whales

I like shirt dresses.  And I like printed dresses.  But I *love* printed shirt dresses.  Like this one:

It's not polka dots, it's whales:

And it's adorable.



It's also blue and white, so I paired it with red:

Dress: eShakti (see similar below)
Belt: thrifted (similar)  Sandals: Fidji V623

Because, of course.



Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Shop Shirt Dresses

Almost, But Not Quite

Today I'm wearing another almost, but not quite, red, white and blue outfit:

I mean, make no mistake, this outfit has red, it has white, and it has blue.



Hell, it even has stripes:

But, instead of patriot-appropriate stars, I went with trees.  And some sort of scenery of something or other.  Look, I don't know, it's confusing.



The point is that, yes, at first glance, you see the striped top and the blue in the skirt and you might start humming a little Star-Spangled Banner:

Top: Nordstrom Rack (similar)
Skirt: gifted vintage  Sandals: Camper (similar)

But, then you take another look at the skirt, and the humming dies down as you realize that this outfit really isn't that patriotic after all.  Almost, but not quite.


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Pinwheels and Pleats

I'm wearing pinwheels and pleats today:

The pleats are courtesy of my vintage skirt and the pinwheels are courtesy of this a LOFT blouse:

Well, pinwheels or something like it.

I paired the red blouse and the white skirt with a blue belt and blue sandals:

I love to wear red, white and blue during the summer; it is a such a great, classic summer color combination.  But, it can also be a bit hard to wear this time of year without looking as though Betsy Ross is your tailor.

Blouse: LOFT (similar)  Belt: Old Navy (similar)
Skirt: thrifted vintage (similar)  Sandals: ZiGi girl (similar)

My advice?  Skip the flag print muscle tees and star print cut-offs, at least (especially?) for work.  No, save those pieces for the barbecue, and instead try a red and white printed piece with white and blue solids like I did.  Or, if you're feeling especially adventurous, even a red, white and blue printed piece. 

You can see some of my favorite seasonally-appropriate but also work-appropriate pieces below.  (Hover to see brands/prices).

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Get the Look

Five for Friday: Fiesta!

Of course, today's Five for Friday had to be all about my favorite Pantone color for this Spring, Fiesta!  I love this orange-y red hue and think it's perfect for the season.  And retailers seem to think so as well; there are a LOT of Fiesta pieces on the market right now.


Here are five of my favorites:

1. J. Crew Peacock Diamond Scarf - I love lightweight scarves for Spring and even wear them into Summer to battle the air conditioning at work.  This one will work with everything from a chambray shirtdress to a white tee.

2. Madewell "Transport" Fringe Tote - Totes just seem like the easiest, best, least fussy option for a summer bag.  This one is roomy and has handles long enough to throw over your shoulder, but short enough to carry in your hand.  Basically, it's perfect.

3. Bettye by Bettye Muller "Buzz" Sandals - I don't know what it is about Bettye Muller, but she totally has my number when it comes to shoes.  I love the walk-able block heel and the amazing print on these.  They're a bit of a splurge, but one I will probably make.

4. L. Erickson "Grace" Crystal Stud Earrings - I am a huge proponent of big ol' stud earrings and think this pair is the perfect way to add a little Fiesta to a look.

5. eShakti Crepe Midi Skirt - So, Fiesta and Navy?  A match made in heaven.  As is demonstrated on this fabulous eShakti skirt.  Not in the market for a skirt?  This print is also available on their Allison dress and this belted dress.


How about you, Reader Friends?  Are you feeling this color as much as I am?


xoxo,

Gracey

It's Not Red, It's Fiesta!

My sweater is not red:

It's Fiesta!!  At least that's what Pantone says.  And I'm not going to argue because calling this sweater Fiesta (!) makes this outfit sound more interesting than it probably is.



Which isn't to say it's boring.  The combination of fiesta (!) and olive is a fairly interesting one.  And the non-matching-but-totally-going scarf is fun:

But, it's mostly the sweater:

Sweater: LOFT  Scarf: secondhand (similar)
Pants: Gap   Shoes: Steve Madden 'Eleanorr' Flats

Because, well, Fiesta!



Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Optimistic Ankle Baring

After a wet, cold, rainy & sometimes snowy patch, I think Spring may finally be here.  In fact, I'm so optimistic about it, that I brought out my ankles:

As everyone knows, optimistic ankle baring is one of the first true signs of Spring.


I chose to bare my ankles with these bright blue pants:

I love these pants.  I bought them on a whim, because they were blue.  I was uncertain of how versatile they'd be, but I want to wear them with everything.  Do they go with everything?  Maybe, maybe not.  But I want to wear them with everything.


And they certainly go with this dark floral blouse:

Blouse: Nordstrom Rack  Belt: v.old Macys
Pants: Gap (similar) Shoes: Via Spiga "Nalo" Wedge

But, I'm pretty sure they'll go with a bunch of other stuff too.  In fact, I imagine we'll be seeing exposed ankles all season long.


Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey