Fade to Black

This outfit has lots of dots:

But, in my opinion, that’s not the interesting part; the interesting part is how it fades to black:

From top to bottom, I’m wearing navy, darker navy and finally black.  And the dots go from big dots, to smaller dots to no dots.  Did I just blow your mind?  I know.  Take a minute to recover and we’ll talk further.

You probably noticed that I don’t wear a lot of conceptual clothing.  I think about what to wear, but I don’t think about it.  But, today I did and I have to tell you that it thrills my nerdy little soul to no end to be wearing a concept as well as an outfit.  I’m not saying I’m going to do it all the time, but I think maybe I’ll try it again some time.  It really was a fun experiment.

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Fuzzy Wuzzy Was a Sweater

You can’t really tell from the pictures, but this sweater is fairly fuzzy (wuzzy):

It’s also stripe-y and dolman-sleeved and multi-colored, all of which makes it perfect for me.  Although I think the multi-colored stripes can be paired with a lot of different colors, I kept it simple (obvious?) today.  I layered the sweater (thrifted) over a grey dress (vintage, thrifted) and teal tights.  I added a studded belt (Michael Michael Kors via Nordstrom), riding boots (Born Crown “Sosie” via Nordstrom) and assorted bracelets, watches and bangles (thrifted, gifted and Macy’s).

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

FBFF for January 27th – New Trends

With Fashion Week just around the corner, most bloggers are beginning to focus on the upcoming trends for fall.  Luckily for me, Katy at Modly Chic catered to non-Fashion Week attendees this week and asked us about our feelings on current trends.  My fully thought out and not-at-all-slapdash answers to the questions are below.

1. For trends hitting the stores now, what are you coveting?

Tangerine, of course:

Pantone announced Tangerine Tango as the color of the year and I couldn’t be more excited.  It’s been well-documented on here how much I love orange and I think Tangerine Tango is an especially gorgeous shade.  I already have several pieces and have even already started wearing them:

Oddly enough, I'm also excited about printed pants:

From left: Robert Rodriguez, MARC by Marc Jacobs and Elizabeth and James

I say oddly enough because I’m aware that fashion gurus (and maybe even common sense) dictate that people with sizeable thighs shouldn’t draw attention to the size of their thighs with printed pants.  But, here’s the deal; one, I like a challenge and this will be my fashion challenge for this spring and summer.  And two, my thighs like attention; they figure if they can get public sympathy on their side, the UN is more likely to recognize them as an independent nation.

2.   How do your incorporate new trends into your wardrobe?

With as much panache and as little trouble as I can manage.  I’m usually light on the panache part, but I’m also light on the trouble part, so no complaints.  Mostly though, I’m just really careful about what pieces I choose to incorporate a new trend.  For example, with the printed pants, I’m not going to be looking for long, palazzo-style printed pants like the ones shown above.  I don’t think they’d work for my style and I’m not sure what shoes I’d pair with them.  No, I’ll be looking for cropped, printed pants that are still soft and flowy.  Soft dressing is another challenge that I’m looking to master this year so I’m trying to kill two birds with one stone.

3.  What trend are you seeing and not loving?

Mint green:

From left: Vera Wang, Jenny Packham, Vera Wang and Jenny Packham

Mint green just isn’t pretty to me.  I mean the clothes above are very, very pretty but the color itself is not pretty.  I associate it with hospitals and soapy-tasting mint-chocolate chip ice cream.  I don’t know.  Don’t ask.  And even though the models above appear to the average layperson to demonstrate that mint green looks good on everyone, I am convinced that it won’t look good on me.  Convinced, people! 

3.   Do you feel the pressure to constantly update your closet with the latest trends?

Goodness, no.  Which is probably the wrong answer for a blogger to give, but the latest trends don’t always appeal to me.  Or, if they appeal to me, they don’t always work for me.  Or, both.  Like mint green.  Mint green does not appeal to or work for me.

4.  Where do you find inspiration that takes the trend and makes it accessible to you and your personal taste?

My fellow style bloggers are a huge inspiration to me.  Especially those who take new trends and provide practical examples of how to wear them.  One limitation for me regarding new trends is that I can’t always wrap my mind around them.  Like, how would that look on someone who is not model thin and/or doesn’t have a Balenciaga budget?  I often get stuck in a rut of what I can wear or what looks good on me and can’t always see the potential in a new trend – seeing other bloggers wear something can help me see it in a new light.  Except mint green.  I’m not interested in seeing mint green in a new light.

I’m sure you all found this post very enlightening, or at the very least you learned to never, ever give me anything mint green for my birthday.  To see more enlightening posts/gift ideas, visit Modly Chic for a list of this week’s FBFF participants.

And have a wonderful weekend!

Gracey

Casual Shine

As I said during the EBEW Sequins and Shine Challenge, I have a hard time breaking out the shine in casual situations.  Sequins and shine just read “fancy” to me and I like that about them.  But, today, I think maybe I’ve mastered casual shine:

I really, really like today’s outfit.  Yes, in part because it involves leggings and a tunic, for which I am a sucker.  But, I also love it because it exudes a bit of shimmery goodness that falls well within my Daytime Shine Comfort Level.  The silvery-gray blouse (Halogen via Nordstrom) worn over the black tunic (Old Navy) has a subtle shine.  And it picks up the similarly-hued shimmer from my snakings (snake-leggings via Target).  The scarf (BCBG) has a less subtle shine but still doesn’t make me feel as if I should be tap dancing in a top hat* so I’m comfortable with it.  I finished the look with black riding boots (Vince Camuto “Fantastic” via Nordstrom), earrings and a bracelet

And, there you have it; casual shine as imagined by a giant.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

*Point of fact: if I could tap dance, I would do it all the time, whether I was wearing sequins and a top hat or not.

Tried and True

As much as I enjoyed dressing outside my comfort zone the past couple of days, it does take more effort for me.  And, as work has taken a turn for the crazier, I need to save all my effort to keep from running from my cubicle screaming.  So, I’m back to the tried and true:

A-line skirt?  Check.  Patterned something or other?  Check.  Layers?  Check.  Color?  Check.  Boots?  Check.  For today, the A-line skirt is grey (Banana Republic), the pattern and color comes from the silk blouse (Banana Republic) layered under the apricot sweater (thrifted) and the boots are, of course, Born Crown “Sosie” (Nordstrom).  I added olive tights (Hue) because it made sense in my head, a watch and a couple bracelets because the blouse is three-quarter sleeves and some gold earrings (a Crafty Wonderland purchase).

Nothing too terribly exciting, but it works.  And it allows me to concentrate on work.  And the effort I saved in deciding on an outfit can now be expended to keep from curling into a ball under my desk and sobbing.

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Of Tangerines and Traffic Cones and Shameless Self-Promotion

I was very excited to wear this tangerine-colored skirt today.  Even if it did photograph a little more traffic cone than tangerine:

I still like it.  Mostly because it makes my booty look awesome:

That’s right, I am engaging in some shameless self-promotion of my booty.  If I can’t do it here, among friends, where can I do it?  Okay, yes, I also do it in front of the mirror, but that’s just not as fun.

Want to know what is fun?  My awesome, booty enhancing tangerine/traffic cone skirt.  Made all the more awesome because it’s vintage and I thrifted it for a dollar.  I paired the skirt with a grey and black striped blazer (Halogen via Nordstrom), a black blouse (Nordstrom), black tights (Spanx via Nordstrom) and black wedge booties (Nine West “Peekaboo” via Piperlime).

And yes, slapping some bright orange across my hindquarters is also out of my comfort zone, but I’ve had this skirt for months now and haven’t worn it.  I needed to and figured another day in the discomfort zone wouldn’t kill me.  Also, it’s so fun with stripes!

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

The Discomfort Zone

It’s not often that I leave my comfort zone to traipse around in my discomfort zone.  But, today I did:

Yes, people, that is a sweater dress.  With bold horizontal stripes.  Just writing the words makes me think, no, never, I couldn’t possibly.  And yet, I did.  And how I did it was to add pieces that are well within my comfort zone:

Although I think it’s good to sometimes take risks in my personal style, I don’t like to take too many because I don’t like to be uncomfortable in my clothes.  I don’t like them to pinch or bind, but I also don’t like to be mentally uncomfortable.  I don’t want to have to worry about what angle someone is viewing me from or whether the cake I ate yesterday is going to start pregnancy rumors.

So, yes, this dress (Old Navy) is a bit more body-conscious than I’d usually go for, but I made sure I bought an XL so it’s not super tight.  I added the blazer (Gap) and my security blanket burnt orange scarf (Nordstrom) to disguise the cake baby.  And I wore faux-lace up boots (Kenneth Cole Reaction) because I’m tall and maxi dresses are a little less maxi on me so used the opportunity to show the boots.  And security blanket aside, I do feel quite visibile in this dress, so I've linked up to Visible Monday over at Not Dead Yet Style.

But, enough about me.  What about you, Dear Readers?  Do you have any tricks for trips to the discomfort zone?

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Love and Tunics in the Junior’s Section

I love tunics.  And I love this tunic:

And yes, I found it in the junior’s section.  I usually try to avoid the junior’s section when I’m shopping, for a couple of reasons.  One, I’m not a junior and haven’t been one for years (don’t worry how many years, it doesn’t matter).  And two, I don’t have the body of a junior, and haven’t for many years (again, let’s focus, people.  Focus.).  But, every once in awhile I like to troll the junior’s dresses because they make them so short these days (the dresses, not the juniors) that they make perfect tunics for giants like me.

I layered today’s tunic/dress (Weaver via Ross) over a long-sleeve tee (Gap) and leggings (Target).  I added the obligatory boots (Born Crown “Sosie” via Nordstrom) and belt (Gap) and was out the door easy-peasy.  Easy-peasy being, of course, the preferred amount of effort for a Friday.

And it is Friday, so everyone have a good one and an even better weekend!

Gracey

Dots and Ducks

I’m wearing dots and ducks today.  Let’s start with the ducks:

Is that not the most fabulous bow tie ever?  I love it.

And what do you pair with ducks?  Why, dots, of course:

Dots and ducks, folks, dots and ducks.  It just makes sense.  Just like boxy sweaters and silk bow ties make sense.  At least for me.  I’m really not even sure why, but I’ve been drawn to that combination again and again this winter.  For today, I paired my boxy caramel sweater (Land’s End, thrifted) with a pleated polka dot skirt (vintage, thrifted).  I added my new favorite mallard bow tie (silk, thrifted), tights (Spanx) and wedge booties (Nine West “Peekaboo” via Piperlime).

Now, I realize that I’m wearing a navy skirt with black tights, but one, I didn’t realize it until I left the house.  And two, I kind of like it.  Also, I know that I recommended leggings instead of tights-and-skirts for riding in the rain, but I want you all to know that no children were flashed in the wearing of this outfit.

Finally, the majority of my outfit is thrifted (bow tie, sweater and skirt) which is good because today is Thursday and Thursday’s are for Thrifters and for linking up over at Spunky Chateau.

Happy Thursday, All!  Wear bow ties!

Gracey

Riding Into a Head Wind

The title of this post is both how I spent the majority of my morning bike ride, and a euphemism for the week I’m having.  Yes, I know it’s a short week and I had Monday off, but I’ve been feeling entirely unproductive.  And unfortunately, not very inspired sartorially:

Today’s outfit is just a tunic sweater (Nordstrom) layered over a turtleneck (Gap) and leggings.  I added riding boots (Born Crown “Sosie” via Nordstrom) and a multi-colored wool scarf (Nordstrom).  I also added my new umbrella – a necessary purchase as I fell down the stairs with my last umbrella and it didn’t take the fall well.

Yep, that’s right; I’m reverting to leggings, boots, sweaters and scarves.  It’s not my fault it works.  The combination of sweaters and scarves help keep me warm.  And the combination of leggings and boots are perfect for riding a bike in the rain.  Unlike jeans which take forever to dry when they get wet or tights which dry quickly but are worn under skirts which can get blown up and around, leggings dry fairly quickly and there is no chance of flashing schoolchildren.

And with that bit of wisdom, I say: Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

The Hot, Rumpled Mess Sundae

I am a hot, rumpled mess today.  Seriously, if I were a sundae, I'd be on the menu as The Hot, Rumpled Mess and I'd feature vanilla ice cream and hot butterscotch topping on top a layer of crushed Almond Roca.  You don't believe?  Feast your eyes:

 

I mean, conceptually, it's good.  I like the my new-to-me butterscotch sweater (thrifted this weekend) with the cream crocheted skirt (thrifted).  And I like the addition of black tights (Spanx), the black, silk bow tie (Brooks Brothers, thrifted) and of course, the booties (80%20 “Tessa” via Piperlime, also worn here).

I just look so... rumpled.  Or, in sundae terms, melted.  My skirt is crooked, and I think all of my layers underneath this look (a long-sleeve tee, DKNY smoothies and a black skirt) make me look a bit lumpy.  Like this sundae also features hidden butterscotch chips.  Delicious?  Maybe.  But not necessarily the look I was going for.  But, hey, it was snowing, the lumpy layers were necessary.

Happy Tuesday, All!  I hope it's free of lumps!*

Gracey

*Unless, of course, lumps are your thing.  Which is cool.  No judgement here.

Year of the Tangerine – Orange for Everybody, Redux

Last year I wrote a post encouraging everybody to wear orange because it’s one of my favorite colors and I want everyone to be able to experience the same joy I do when I wear orange.  I know some of you remained skeptical (yes, Erin, I’m looking at you), but the good news is that this year provides another opportunity to embrace orange.  As the fabulous Sue pointed out in the comments the other day, the Pantone Color of the Year this year is, Tangerine Tango. Thanks, Sue! 

And thank you, Pantone, for selecting a particularly lovely shade of orange.

See?  Lovely, no?

Personally, I’m a huge fan of orange in all it’s shades, including but not limited to, burnt orange, rust, coral, tangerine, pumpkin, melon and traffic cone.   And I really do believe that orange is for everybody.  To (hopefully) prove my point, I’ve enlisted the help of some friends to show you that everybody can wear orange. 

First up, a few of the (many) ways I’ve worn orange in the past year:

And now for my lovely friends.  Starting with a fabulous fellow Oregon blogger, Stacey from Gray Skies:

This is the gorgeous Tiffany at A Reason to be Fabulous:

The elegant and wonderful Terri of Rags against the Machine:

And here is the amazing Shen of Shen Dove Style:

This is the lovely Angie of Fashion Me Blog, whose stripe-y outfit I will be copying soon:

Tracy of The Closet Shopper looking gorgeous in orange two ways:

The always fabulous Megan of Feathers and Freckles:

This is the delightful Nico, of Satin and Salt, wearing an orange skirt three ways:

Here is the amazing Kassi of The Closet Intervention in an orange (!) pleated (!) skirt:

And, here we have the brilliant Jenn of The Suburb Experiment accessorizing brilliantly with orange:

And last, but not least, some of my favorite fellow orange-lovers, Tia and Mia, of Reading in Skirts:

As you can see from the bloggers above, orange really can work for every body, every aesthetic and every skin tone.  And remember, you don’t have to “wear” orange to wear orange – you can accessorize with orange or wear a print that incorporates orange.  Of course, if you really want to, you can go all out and really wear orange in the form of dress, blouse or skirt and I’ll totally support you.

What do you think, Dear Readers, will you give orange a shot this year?

Gracey

It’s Hard, Y’All

As I mentioned yesterday, it’s freezing here in Oregon.  This is forcing me to find increasingly creative ways to layer so that I stay warm but don’t look like I’m smuggling a ham and two small children.  And it’s hard, y’all:

I think I did okay with this outfit though; maybe half a ham or so, but no children.  I think it helps that I kept the layers thin.  Today’s thin layers include: an embellished tank (Design History) over a black turtleneck (Gap) and a bright coral cardigan (Nordstrom) over both.  I paired them with grey skinnies (Gap), flat boots (Born Crown via Nordstrom) and a gingham scarf (Steve Madden).

For the record?  I’m still cold.  But, it’s Friday and I have a three-day weekend, so that’s pretty exciting.  Also exciting is the fact that I didn’t fall off my pilates mat last night.  Okay, it’s because we didn’t do mat work; we were on the exercise balls the whole time.  But, I didn’t fall of the ball either – I did, however, drop one on my face, but I still consider that progress.

Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Blue and Berry and Blueberry

I feel a little like Violet Beauregarde today, albeit without the need to be juiced and without the blue skin.  Although, cold as it’s been in the mornings biking to work I’m a little surprised I haven’t turned a delicate, frosty blue.  But, we’re not here for the weather (freezing), we’re here for the clothes (blue, berry and blueberry):

Really though, outside the orange scarf, I think young Miss Beauregarde would totally be on board with this outfit with it’s shades of blue, berry and blueberry.  I paired my blue dress (Eddie Bauer, thrifted) with a blueberry wool blazer (vintage, thrifted) and berry ribbed tights (Hue via Macys).  I added a cognac belt (thrifted), lace-up booties (Nine West via TJ Maxx) and because it orange goes with everything, a cashmere scarf (Nordstrom).

And because my dress, my blazer and my belt are thrifted and today is Thursday and Thursday’s are for Thrifters, I’ve linked up to Spunky Chateau’s Thursday’s are for Thrifters Link Party.  Stop by and join the fun!

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Elastic

These are my new shoes:

They are from a brand called 80%20.  And they make me feel 80% elated and 20% ecstatic; they make me feel… elastic.  They came in the mail yesterday and I carried them around the house for an hour cooing, petting the shoes and feeling elastic.

And of course I had to wear them today:

I paired the booties (80%20 “Tessa” in Cream Kiwi via Piperlime) with an oversized white shirt (thrifted) layered under a wool, double-breasted cardigan (vintage Pendleton, thrifted) and black leggings.  I added a bit of color with a red-orange beaded necklace, but otherwise let the shoes shine.

In exercise news, I went back to pilates last night.  I fell off my mat twice.  I don’t know.  Don’t ask. 

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

EBEW: Black and White

What with the holidays and everything else, I actually almost missed today’s Everybody, Everywear Challenge.  But, as luck would have it, I thrifted this black and white dress last weekend, just in time for the EBEW Black and White Challenge:

My favorite way to wear black and white is in a bold, graphic pattern or design, like the one on this dress.  Because the embroidered design is so bold, I kept the rest of the outfit simple.  I layered the dress (Guatemalan, thrifted) over a black turtleneck, doubled black tights and added black wedge booties (Nine West “Peekaboo” via Piperlime).

I considered adding a belt, but all the belts I tried did funny things to my boobs.  The top of the dress already makes the girls look like they’re heading south for the winter and all of the belts I tried just emphasized that.  Personally, I don’t want the southward migration of my bosom being emphasized in any way, so, I surrendered my middle today.  (Although, my middle did chime in that my tummy wanted it noted that there is some question as to whether or not wearing doubled tights can be called “surrender.”  So noted, Tummy, so noted).

For more black and white looks that probably don’t discuss boob migration or conversations with tummies, head on over to Everybody, Everywear and take a look at what everybody else wore for the challenge.

And have a Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

A Little More Robust

I like this outfit, but I think it could have benefited from a bigger bow:

I mean, look at that wee little bow.  It has so much going for it; it’s a lovely plum shade, it has polka dots and it adds some interest to an otherwise rather staid outfit.  But, I don’t think it adds enough interest.  I think if it were just a little more full, a little more robust, a little more hide-your-women-and-children-THE-BOW-is-in-the-house, that it’d be better.  It’s not bad, it could just be better.

Other than the bow being a little on the twee side, I really do like this outfit.  I layered the the plum polka dot blouse (Old Navy) under a silver-gray tunic (Target).  I added black flared jeans (Banana Republic Heritage), black wedge booties (Nine West “Peekaboo” via Piperlime) and a couple of turquoise bracelets (vintage, Ray's Ragtime and gifted) to add a little more interest.

As I was typing this post, I had an idea that might help give my bow a little more oomph.  I'll recreate this outfit in a couple of weeks with that added piece and we'll see how it works!

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Gracey