Gracey and the Big Thigh Day

I am having a big thigh day today:

Don’t get me wrong, I always have big thighs.  My thighs will tell you themselves that they are the biggest, baddest thighs on the planet and that that is why they’re forming their own republic.  

But, I think they're planning something because I could barely get these jeans over them today.  Usually when they act up, I like to quash their dreams of independence with a full skirt, but I’ve been too busy lately to chase down the rebel leaders.  The result?  My thighs in open rebellion.  And by open rebellion, I mean jeans:

Well, Thighs, enjoy it while it lasts.  Because as soon as I can marshal my forces, I’m coming after you with the biggest, fullest skirt I can find.

Happy Wednesday, Everyone!  (Well, everyone except my thighs, of course).

Gracey

Shop the Look:

Exact Gap Real Straight jeans (Tall available)

Similar yellow Gap sweater (Tall available)

Similar heeled clogs

Similar fringe 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.

Feels Like 20

You guys, it has been absolutely been freezing here in Oregon.  Today, for example, it is 27 degrees, but feels like 20.  I tried to dress accordingly:

Seriously, it’s frickin’ cold and maybe it’s because I’m continuing to ride my bike, but I can’t seem to dress warmly enough.

I thought today’s outfit of jeans (Bandolino via Macys), a cozy sweater (Old Navy), wool socks and riding boots (Enzo Angolini “Saylem”) would work, but I was actually still cold.  Especially on the ride in.  I’m happy it’s not raining, but by the time I get to work I am still pretty well frozen in spite of a scarf, stocking cap and leather gloves.  And my office is not remotely overheated either, so I stay chilled all day.  

I think I’m going to continue with jeans, sweaters & boots for the rest of the week, but may have to add tights under my jeans and another pair of socks.  

What about you, Reader Friends?  Do any of you have any tricks for staying warm in the winter?

Happy Monday, All!  Stay Warm!

Gracey

Shop the Look:

Old Navy leopard sweater

Similar skinny jeans

Enzo Angolini "Saylem" boots

** 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.

Hip Buttons

I thrifted this blouse last month.  The tags are cut out, but I’m pretty sure it’s from the 80s:

How can I tell?  Well, there were shoulder pads, which I removed, the color scheme is questionable at best, and there are hip buttons.  Ridiculous, gold-accented, non-functional hip buttons.  I seem to have a vague recollection of the 80s being a time when they put buttons on everything (much like the early 2010s being a time when they put birds on everything).

I also think it might be from the 80s because I have no idea how to style it.  I’ve found that a lot of the clothes I’m viscerally drawn to but don’t know what to do with are from the 80s.  Basically, clothing love – styling ideas = 80s.  And today’s blouse definitely fits that equation; I adore it and have no idea what to do with it:

I knew I had to layer the top over something, in this case, a black tank (Target), otherwise we’d have an “oh, hey there, boobs” moment for real.  But, aside from that obvious piece, I had no idea what to do with it.  I thought at first that I needed to go with skinny bottoms to balance the blouson effect of the blouse.  That turned out to be a surprisingly horrible idea, so I did the opposite; instead of skinnies, I decided to go with a wide leg jean (Banana Republic).  I also added platform booties (Nine West via TJ Maxx), a vintage moss agate necklace (Lil’ Gypsy Vintage) and a vintage Monet bracelet (Red Fox Vintage).

And I think it worked.  Of course, I have no idea how I’ll wear it next time around, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Pants Weather

I’ve been so busy lamenting the fact that it’s not yet sweater weather, that I forgot what kind of weather it is.  It’s pants weather, people:

Earring Close Up

Pants weather for me is the very small window where it’s not hot but it’s also not raining.  (I don’t like to wear pants or jeans in the rain because they take too long to dry after the morning commute).  And the weather right now is just perfect.

Is it white pants weather though?  Eh, not for some, maybe, but I’m good with it.  These particular white pants are Gap Always Skinny jeans and this is my first time wearing them on the blog.  I’d been looking for white jeans for a couple years, but they’re all so tight and see-through, that I couldn’t find a pair I liked.  And then I saw a tip on a blog (I wish I could remember which one) that suggested sizing up on skinny jeans for a more relaxed look.  

And I think it worked.  I like these jeans and I like them with this lemon-yellow silk tee (Dana Buchman, thrifted).  I also added gray snake platforms (Pierre Dumas “Chic-1” via Piperlime), a bead and chain necklace (Nordstrom, v. old), a thrifted cuff and vintage turquoise earrings.  Sure it seems a little summery, but I’m actually planning on wearing lemon yellow all fall, so we’re just going to pretend it’s a good transitional outfit.

Shop the Look**:

Gap Jeans

Similar blouse

Pierre Dumas shoes

Similar necklace

Similar earrings

As you may have noticed, I’ve added a new “Shop the Look” section to my posts.  I’ve had enough interest from readers in finding exact or similar pieces to what I wear, that I thought it might be a good idea to add this feature.  I want you to know that, that in adding this, I did become affiliated with a couple of monetizing networks, so clicking on the links could result in my being compensated.  You can read more about that on the Disclosure tab I added to my blog.  And, effective immediately, I will also include a disclosure statement on every post where clicking on the link could result in compensation for me.

Holy smokes, this was wordy, so I’m going to stop here and wish you all a Happy Thursday!

Gracey

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

Pinspiration: Stripes and Tropical Florals

One of the trends I loved most this summer was bold, tropical prints.  That love led me to Pin this picture:

Image via stylecaster.com

Pattern mixing with a tropical floral?  Yes, please!

When I first Pinned this look, I didn’t have the pieces to recreate it.  But then, during my Nosh Opping Expedition, I saw the perfect jacket (with a matching skirt) at a local Goodwill.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t buy it, what with the shopping ban and all, but my friend Alex, being the best friend ever, later went back and bought it for me! 

And so, it is the result of my friend’s generosity that present to you my version of the above Pinspired look:

My jacket is vintage, thrifted and gifted (thanks, Alex!!) and my striped tee is Old Navy.  Cocoa-colored short shorts don’t exist in my wardrobe so I wore rolled jeans (Gap Always Skinny, sized up) instead.  And I added a patent belt (Nine West), pointy-toe pumps (thrifted), a turquoise bracelet (gifted) and coral earrings (Crafty Wonderland).

Here is a close-up on the print on my jacket:

 

Now if I can just find a way to wear the matching skirt…

Happy Thursday, Everyone!

Gracey

Simple, Yet Effective

If I were to describe my style, I wouldn’t use the phrase “simple, yet effective.”  No, I enjoy my bells and whistles (and tassels and prints) way too much for that.  I would, however, use “simple, yet effective” to describe this outfit:

You know what wasn't simple (or particularly effective)?  Getting these pictures taken.  My sister took them and first I got photo-bombed by our porch cat, Elizabeth Swan:

And then my sister took pictures of me explaining things:

No one knows what I was explaining.  Something tiny, clearly.

So, yes, the outfit is simple, but I don't think it's boring.  Sure, it’s just jeans and a blouse, but these jeans are awesome (Banana Republic) and the blouse (Gap) incorporates color, print and a wee little almost-peplum.  I added a rust-orange beaded necklace, because orange and purple totally make sense, wedge booties (Nine West via Piperlime) and a vintage bracelet.

Truthfully, I don’t know howI’d describe my style.  Probably something like “Color, Color, Color, Print, Print, Print.”  Yeah, that sounds about right.

What about you, Reader Friends?  How would you describe your style?

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

P.S. A porch cat is a cat that moves onto your porch and has kittens.