Brights for Fall

For some reason super-saturated bright colors feel like fall to me.  Most people tend to start pulling out their browns, tans and rusts but I start pulling out brightly colored pieces like this dress:

 Hmm.  It looks a bit muted in those pictures, but it really is quite bright:

 
See?  Lovely and bright.

I found it last weekend on a quick jaunt through Goodwill and couldn't wait to wear it.  Happily it's warm enough to do so without having to layer so I paired it with my Born riding boots and added a belt (thrifted) and hot pink studs (Kate Spade New York).

Also, for those of you who felt like you were being watched as you read this, I think it might be my boobs:

I didn't realize it until we took the photos, but that particular design element makes it appear as though my boobs have eyes.  And that they are watching you.

You're welcome?

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Day 3: White Heat

So, here’s the deal.  Last week Oregon’s weather was sort of crummy.  I complained and now it’s mid-90s.  I’m not saying that Mother Nature’s trying to punish me, but 95 in September feels a little vindictive.  Anywho, it’s hot.  Stupid hot.  Too hot for clothes, but public nudity is frowned upon (What’s that?  It’s illegal?  Good to know.), so I wore this:

I just couldn’t possibly manage anything more than a simple white dress (Bar III via Macys) and sandals (Enzo Angolini, similar) in this heat.  Heck, I couldn’t even manage a necklace!  But, that doesn’t mean I didn’t accessorize.  No, I used some brooches (similar fruit, similar blue, exact bee) in a cluster at my waist and some studs on my wrist (Nordstrom) to add some interest and a little color.

Hopefully it will cool off some tomorrow because I only have one simple white dress in my Perfect 10 and public nudity will most likely still be illegal.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

How I Wear My: Neon

Today on the "How I Wear My" series (hosted by Jill and Adrienne) we're showing how we wear our neon.  With the exception of this neon dress, I tend to wear my neon in small doses like in today's look:

I paired my neon yellow sandals (Tommy Hilfiger via Piperlime) with a gray dress (thrifted).  I added a thrifted belt, a turquoise and lime scarf (Echo via Nordstrom) and lime studs (gifted (thanks, Megan Mae!)).

For more neon looks, please visit Jill at Everything Just So.

But, while you're still here, what about you, Reader Friends?  Do you wear neon?  If so, how do you wear your neon?

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Pretty Dress, Awkward Photos

My dress is pretty.  My photos are awkward:

In my defense, it started to rain when we were taking these which made me sort of hunch-y, but damn, yeah, that's awkward.

The dress really is pretty though, see?

 

 I love a bold floral and the bits of orange in this one make me very happy indeed.

Also making me happy?  The fact that aside from the bracelet (Nordstrom), everything in this outfit was thrifted (dress, shoes, belt) or gifted (necklace).

Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

The Yellow

I really liked this outfit and I think it's the yellow:

Dress: Thrifted (similar)   Scarf: Nordstrom (similar)   Sandals: Ella Moss via Piperlime (similar color)   Cuff: Street vendor (similar)

It's one of those things that may not make sense originally, but I think it works.  I mean, I love yellow with gray and with turquoise so adding a bit to an outfit that's predominately gray and turquoise really does make sense.  Also, my friend Ferge hates the yellow (it confuses her) so I'm pretty sure it was the right choice.

That's right, folks.  There's a tip for getting dressed in the morning: wear what your friends hate.

Happy  Friday, Everyone!

Gracey

Summer Maxi

People swear that maxi skirts and dresses still keep you cool in hot weather.  I was skeptical (so much fabric!) but, I thought I'd give it a try today:

I paired my black maxi (Target (similar, tall available)) with a black and white striped tee (Old Navy (similar)) and brightly colored sandals (Ella Moss via Piperlime (similar color)).

I also added a braided belt (thrifted) and a vintage squash blossom necklace:

Via Lil' Gypsy Vintage (similar here)

And, I have to admit, wearing a maxi was pretty okay for most of the day.  Right up until I got on my bike to ride home.  Riding a bike in a maxi skirt is never great.  Riding a bike in a maxi skirt in 90+ weather is even less great. But, I will say that the maxi was a great choice for the air conditioned office; my legs often get chilled and they didn't at all today.

So, the final verdict?  Maxi's are pretty great for summer, as long as you're not trying to ride a bike in them:

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Inspiration Monday: Olivia Palermo

Today, I’m joining up with Two Birds and countless others for Inspiration Monday.  Our inspiration today is Olivia Palermo:

 

 

I have to admit that I don’t really understand who she is or why she’s famous.  Is she famous?  I don’t think she has a sex tape, so probably not.  Anyway, what I do know about her is that she can definitely dress.  She always looks on trend without looking like she’s a slave to trends.  Take the above outfit as an example; she’s doing the “global chic” thing, but she’s doing it her way.

 

And here I am, doing it my way:

 

 

 I almost didn’t participate today because I don’t have a white dress (not for lack of trying though; I just canNOT find one I like).  And then I remembered that I have a white skirt (Ann Taylor) and a white shirt (Gap) so I wore those in lieu of a dress. 

 

I finished the look with some layered necklaces and some self-tasseled sandals (Jeffrey Campbell via Nordstrom):

 

 

 

I STILL want a white dress, dammit, but I think this’ll do in a pinch.

 

Happy Monday, All!

 

Gracey

Neon Peach Redux

Y'all, neon peach is my jam:

Gap dress (exact dress, different color), Ella Moss sandals via Piperlime & Target belt (similar)

It's really not surprising that I would love this color so much as it's also the name of the fictional all-girls 80s cover band with which I jam.  And, peach preserves are my favorite type of jam.  (Man, English is a weird language).

Today I wore my neon peach with turquoise and a bit of cobalt:

And, because neon peach is, unsurprisingly, I guess, a highly visible color, I'm linked up to Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style.

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Thighs? What Thighs?

My thighs don't share my love for printed pants.  They like to plan their rebellion quietly, hidden behind quiet skirts and dark jeans.  They do not want anyone to pay any undue attention to them and question what, exactly, they plan to do with all that dynamite.

So, these jeans? 

With their white background and wild and crazy print?  No, my thighs are not a fan.  But, then I came up with the idea to pair the jeans with my neon shoes:

Bisou Bisou skinnies via JCP, Old Navy chambray tunic & Coconuts "Casey" flats via Piperlime

And, wouldn't you know it, no one even noticed my thighs at all.  I received several comments about the shoes, but not a single person asked why my thighs were stockpiling blasting caps.

Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Getting Dressed Can Be Fun

Sometimes I can’t find anything to wear.  Or, perhaps I should say that I can’t find anything that I want to wear.  This has been the case for the past couple weeks.  Sure, I get dressed, but I’ve mostly just been phoning it in with uninspired color combinations and my usual half-assed accessorizing.  When this happens, I try to wear something that helps remind me that getting dressed can be fun.  Today’s outfit is just such a reminder:

This outfit is fun:

 

It’s plaid (men’s vintage golf pants) and houndstooth (vintage via Vintage by the Pound) together.  As they were meant to be.  And it’s layers of bracelets and big, chunky necklaces.  The red necklace is made from vintage African beads & brass (gifted) and the other is a silver & turquoise squash blossom necklace (vintage via Lil’ Gypsy Vintage).

 

They are very heavy together, just in case you were curious.

But, they are also awesome together.  And they are awesome with the houndstooth and the houndstooth is awesome with the plaid.  And it’s basically an outfit made of awesome:

The best part, though, is that it combines two of my current trend obsessions.  Printed suits (yes, I know it’s not a suit, but I feel like we can all pretend it is and still sleep at night) and global/boho chic.  Really, the only thing I’d change is the shoes.  I love these sandals (old Banana Republic “Natalie”) but I think this outfit could take a bolder shoe.  I was afraid a different shoe would be too much, but now I don’t think so.  I’ll definitely try something different next time.

What about you, Reader Friends?  Do you get in style ruts?  What do you do to remind yourself that getting dressed can be fun?

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Gettin’ Matchy With It

I’m not usually known for being matchy-matchy, or for matching at all according to some.  But, when I was gifted this vintage necklace this weekend (thanks, Mom!) I knew I was going to match the heck out of it:

 And match it, I did: 

I’d actually already planned on pairing these emerald cords (Lucky Brand via Marshall’s) with my bright blue sweater (thrifted via Goodwill) and velvet flats (Old Navy).  Adding the necklace and some gold bangles (Nordstrom) just seemed like the right, if obvious, choice.

But, don’t worry.  Tomorrow I’ll be back in a color combination that makes no sense to anyone.

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

Gracey

Shop the Look:

Similar emerald skinnies (plus available)

Similar blue sweater (plus available)

Similar teal flats (patent or fabric)

Similar enamel necklace

** Disclosure: Actions taken from the hyperlinks in this blog post may yield commission/compensation for the writer. Please see the Disclosure tab for more details.

 

Spring Colors and Bare Toes

It was 65 degrees today.  In Oregon.  In March.  I know, I was shocked as well.  But, not so shocked I couldn’t take advantage of the warmer weather with spring colors and bare toes:

The spring colors are courtesy of a pair of coral, ankle-zip skinnies (Gap), a peach sweater (thrifted via Goodwill) and a turquoise and coral polka dotted scarf (a gift from the amazing and awesome Ana).  And the bare toes are courtesy of my new peep-toe clogs (Cole Haan via TJ Maxx).

Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Shop the Look:

Similar Gap skinnies

Similar peach sweater

Polka dot scarf options (here, here, here)

Similar peep-toe clogs

** Disclosure: Actions taken from the hyperlinks in this blog post may yield commission/compensation for the writer. Please see the Disclosure tab for more details.