My Inner Liberace

You may find it hard to believe, but Liberace was not, in fact, my inspiration for this outfit:

I was actually inspired by a couple of other bloggers (Kendi of Kendi Everyday here and Sarah of Just Take a Bow here) wearing shirts as jackets and thought it was something I’d like to try.  But, I had to find the right shirt and during my search, my inner Liberace apparently came out and I ended up with this fascinating bit of awesomeness:

I’m aware that it’s a bit (or a lot) ridiculous, but I still maintain that it’s also a bit (or a lot) awesome.  And crazy; awesome or ridiculous, it’s definitely crazy.  And because my aesthetic is often “in for a penny, in for a pound” I decided to compound the crazy by wearing the shirt-as-jacket (thrifted) over a printed, ruffle front blouse (Wal-Mart).  I added wide leg jeans (Gap), Mary Jane wedges (Corso Como) and a leopard belt (?), because if there is anything this outfit needed, it was another pattern.

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Gracey

Gracey and the Chrysanthemum Coat Dress

I don’t know if you guys noticed this or not, but a lot of thrift stores combine their vintage clothes with their Halloween costumes during October.  Keeping that in mind, and keeping in mind that “Halloween” items are now 50% off at Goodwill, I thrifted this chrysanthemum coat dress for a mere $6.50 last weekend:

Now you may be thinking, “Gracey, what’s that peeking out below the hem of your awesome chrysanthemum coat dress?”  Well, lemme show you:



Well, hello there, Pleated Skirt.



Yep, I layered the coat dress over a cream pleated skirt (vintage, thrifted) so the skirt would flash when I walked.  I also wore a black turtleneck (Gap), black tights (Spanx “High Waist Tight End Tights” via Nordstrom) and black booties (Nine West “Peekaboo” via Piperlime).  And I then I belted the whole shebang with a patent leather belt (Nine West via Ross). 

I’m hesitant to say this coat dress is my favorite thrifted item ever, but it’s definitely in my top 10.  I love the fabric and I love that it’s handmade, which I know because the tag says is that it was “Especially handmade by Anne.”  So, thank you, Anne, wherever you may be, for making this awesome coat dress and for donating it for me to find.  You’re the best.

Also the best?  Meagan of Spunky Chateau for hosting the Thursday’s are for Thrifters link party.  Thanks, Meagan!

I have tomorrow off for Veterans Day, so I won’t be posting again until Monday.  I hope everyone has a lovely (and hopefully long) weekend.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

A Hot Mess in a Striped Sweater

I, and my outfits, have been photographing like a hot mess lately.  Take this outfit, for example:

I look like a hot mess in a striped sweater.  My skirt (vintage, thrifted) is crooked and my navy tights (Nordstrom) look black.  I have no complaints about my sweater (American Eagle Outfitters via TJ Maxx) or my booties (Nine West via TJ Maxx) though, so that’s something.  And my hair is respectably big today, so I guess that’s something as well. 

I think it's because I've been distracted with work.  But, no excuses.  Instead, I'm going to embrace it; that's right, folks, big hair and crooked skirts is just how I roll.

Happy Wednesday, Everyone!

Gracey

EBEW: Tights of Color

Being the least crafty person in the blogosphere, I was forced to skip the Everybody, Everywear DIY challenge.  But there was no way I was skipping the tights of color challenge.  Not that I need a reason to wear these teal tights:

These tights are definitely some of my favorite.  I paired the tights (Hue via Macy’s) with a black sweater dress (Madison Leigh via Macy’s) layered over a print skirt (thrifted & re-fashioned, also worn here).  I added black wedge booties (Nine West “Peekaboo” via Piperlime) and a vintage belt (thrifted). 

I think this belt has the coolest buckle:

It’s oxidized* brass and was in this condition when I found it.  Instead of trying to clean it up, I sprayed it with clear spray paint to protect the oxidation and to keep it from rubbing off on my clothes.

Want to see more tights of color?  Visit Everybody, Everywear and enjoy the rainbow.

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

Gracey

Full Disclosure: I think oxidized is the right word, but I’m not a scientist (I don’t even play one on TV) so if I’m using the wrong word, please let me know in the comments.

Take Four: Fall Accessories from Coast to Coast

Hello, Dear Reader Friends!  I hope everyone had a lovely weekend.  Even though it’s Monday (boo), I’m excited because today’s post is the next Take Four post – and we’re talking about fall accessories.  Accessories in my closet generally consist of either shoes or scarves.  And while scarves are perfect for fall (and anytime, really), I decided to go with shoes for today’s Take Four post.  In particular, these Seychelles booties:

I chose these booties because they incorporate two big trends for this fall; chunky heels and menswear-inspired.  But, the best part is that they also incorporate tassels and fringe.  I love tassels and fringe.  I wore the booties (Seychelles “Clue” via Nordstrom) with a goldenrod bow blouse (Gap) layered under my cranberry Mr. Rogers cardigan (vintage Jantzen, thrifted) with a grey midi-skirt (vintage, thrifted) and grey Swiss dot tights (Hue via Macys).  Sadly, this color combination photographed like I am Ronald McDonald's personal secretary, but I swear it was more flattering and less fast-food-empire in person (no, really, I swear!).

But, enough about me. Want to see some other fall accessories in action?  Of course you do!  In which case, might I suggest a visit the other ladies of Take Four?  As always, they are Kelsey of Charming Pumpkin, Karla of Frugal Big Girl and Bekah of Matters of Merrymaking.  Try it; I think you’ll like it.

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Gracey

I’ve Got This: Houndstooth

Houndstooth reminds me of the late 80s/early 90s; specifically, it reminds me of a pair of houndstooth stirrup pants from Victoria’s Secret that I coveted with all my heart.  That association makes me a little hesitant to embrace this fall’s houndstooth trend, but, as it turns out, it’s still something I’ve got in my closet:

I actually have a couple of houndstooth pieces in my closet and have for a couple of years now, but, don’t worry, no stirrup pants.  In fact, both pieces are skirts, one A-line and one pencil and today I wore the houndstooth pencil skirt:

I paired the skirt (thrifted) with a teal top (Nordstrom) under a men’s cranberry cardigan (vintage Jantzen, thrifted), a black faux-croc belt (INC via Macy’s), black tights (Spanx “Tight End Tights” via Nordstrom) and burgundy shoes (Naya “Jada” via Nordstrom).  Full disclosure: I copied this color scheme from Katha Strophe, whose blog, Kathastrophal, I’ve just started reading, but she said it was okay.

Also, it’s Thursday and I think we all know what that means.  That’s right, today is the Spunky Chateau Thurday’s are for Thrifters Link Party.  And, of course, I’m still linked up to the 260 Days, No Repeats “I’ve Got This” challenge.  Basically, it’s a pretty link-tastic day.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

I’ve Got This: Midi Skirts

As a tall person, I LOVE that midi skirts are a thing now.  I’ve been squirreling them away since last fall which makes them yet another on trend item for this fall about which I can say “I’ve got this.”  Today, I’ve “got” a vintage, blue midi:

Because the skirt (thrifted) is pretty lightweight, especially for our increasing cold weather, I layered it over footless tights and over-the-knee socks (Nordstrom), and added a wool v-neck sweater (thrifted) and faux-lace boots (Kenneth Cole Reaction via Nordstrom).  I like it, but think that it needs a belt. 

This is one of those outfits that is ridiculously comfortable and therefore bamboozled me into believing that it looked good.  And, lest you think I don’t bother with a mirror and depend solely on how an outfit feels, it’s also one of those outfits that looked fine, good even, in the mirror but photographed schlumpy.  But, not irredeemably schlumpy; I’ll try it with a belt next time and I think that’ll do the trick.

Today’s Takeaways?  When in doubt, belt it.  And, if your socks pull your regular tights down, try wearing socks over footless tights – my footless tights haven’t budged an inch today.

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey