Inspired By: The Braided Bandit

The other day, Hannah of The Braided Bandit wore an adorable combination of a cropped plaid jacket and a floral blouse.  See?  Adorable!

At the time I didn�t think I�d be able to recreate the look because I didn�t think I had the right pieces.  Happily, I was wrong:

As I was poking through my closet this morning, I found this gifted floral shirt (thanks, Mom!) and a cropped plaid jacket (vintage via Goodwill) of my own!  I paired my floral and plaid with skinny jeans (Old Navy) and black flats (Hive & Honey via Piperlime).  And I also added a black statement necklace, vintage bracelet (via Red Fox Vintage) and my new black & gold stud earrings that I won from Sarah at Just Take a Bow and bonnilu.

Thank you, Hannah, for the inspiration!  And thank you, Sarah and bonnilu for the awesome earrings!  And thank you, my Dearest Reader Friends, for visiting!

Happy Friday, Everyone!

Gracey

On Today's Citizen Newspaper

Kiki's designs

Solange Knowles in African Prints

African attire

Le Sportif

This outfit feels kind of sporty to me, what with it�s combination of rugby stripes, plaid and lace-up shoes:

Could I, in fact, play sports in this?  Hell no.  Unless, of course, �hobbled running� or �falling over� are sports, then I�d be a world champion for sure.

I like to think I�d also be a world champion at pattern mixing; I love the plaid skirt (vintage via Goodwill) paired with the striped sweater (Gap via Goodwill).  I also added a thrifted belt, Nine West booties (TJ Maxx) and burgundy tights (Hue).  It wasn�t actually cold enough for tights today, but I hadn�t shaved my legs (it�s winter, people, and I�m single) and I needed someplace to tuck my sweater.

Honestly, I don�t know how other bloggers tuck their sweaters and manage to remain so svelte.  Without the tights I looked like I was smuggling sausages in my undies.  I�m still a bit lumpy with the tights, but those could be Gracey-lumps, not sweater-lumps, so who knows?

Do any of you have any advice for tucking sweaters without looking like a smoked meats smuggler?  Or is it just foolhardy to try?

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Double Denim Rides Again

Get it?  Because I�m in double denim and a riding jacket.  You�re welcome.

Corny puns aside, I feel like a cattle baron�s widow in this outfit.  Like my husband was killed by outlaws and I have to manage our ranch and our 30,000 head of cattle myself.  This is what I�d wear in Abilene to negotiate a selling price for this year�s cattle:

Because, really, nothing says �shrewd negotiator� like a denim shirt (Caslon via Nordstrom) and denim skirt (thrifted) paired with a riding jacket (Ralph Lauren, thrifted).  I also added a studded belt (Michael Michael Kors via Nordstrom), goldenrod tights (Nordstrom), riding boots (Born Crown �Sosie� via Nordstrom), garnet-and-cameo earrings & an equestrian scarf (Echo, thrifted).

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

Gracey

 

Esha Jay rocking Kiki's Fashion Kitenge Skirt

Swahili Fashion Week 2012 Launch

And I have been nominated for The  Swahili Fashion Week 2012 Awards.On the Category of Female Designer of the year 2012,Please Vote for me

 Dress:BCBG,Bag:Aldo,Shoes:Berskha

 Jennifer rocking Kiki's Fashion kitenge pants

 Kiki n Jenn

Jenn,Mustafah n Kiki

Kiki.Jenn n Eskado

Pumpkin Legs and a Secret

Here are the pumpkin legs (no, really, someone actually referred to them that way):

Luxury Rebel "Yuma" - Image via 6pm.com

And here is the secret: I don�t always dress to flatter my figure.  

Okay, I guess if you�ve followed my blog for longer than a day, you�ve already noticed that figure flattery isn�t high on my list of sartorial priorities.  I would just rather be comfortable and colorful (i.e. happy) than worry about conforming to some physical ideal that I don�t naturally possess.  Magazines are full of tips on how to dress �taller and thinner� but I�m not convinced that�s the best goal to have.  At least not for me.  I am the height I am (which, granted, is pretty tall) but I�m also the build that I am and I don�t always want to have to disguise that.

Which isn�t to say that there aren�t clothes out there that make me look taller and thinner andmake me happy.  I�ve found a few pieces that fit the bill.  No, all I�m saying is that if something makes me happy, like pumpkin legs, slouchy sweaters and  colorfully printed skirts, I�m still going to wear them, whether they are flattering or not. 

Unflattering?  Perhaps.  But also happy.

What about you, Reader Friends?  How high is figure flattery on your list?

Gracey