80s + Plaid = Love

This sweater is one of those fabled plaid pieces I thrifted this summer in anticipation of cooler weather:

Sweater: vintage, similar   Scarf: DIY   Jeans: Banana Republic   Boots: Nine West "Darsy"

 Well, cooler weather has arrived, and I finally (finally!) got to wear my beloved plaid cardigan.  And it was a delight.

Except that the super-low-v neckline gave me a bit of trouble.  It's not as though the girls popped out and waved at folks, but I could feel them thinking about it.  I tried to mitigate their overwhelming friendliness with a scarf, and I think that worked, but I was awfully warm all day.

I tell you, Friends, it's a rough day when a gal has to choose between sweating and flashing people.

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Eye of the Tiger, Foot of the Leopard

Is there a rule about mixing your big cats?  I mean, if I'm wearing a tiger tee can I pair it with a leopard shoe? Or is this look a fashion faux pas?

 

Hah!  I'm just kidding; this outfit is clearly a great idea.  I say the more big cats the better!  I figure if I'm going to be a cat lady, I may as well be a big cat lady.

Really though, I love this combination of the tiger tee (Bobeau via Nordstrom) with the tweedy blazer (thrifted vintage, similar) and the ankle zip skinnies (Banana Republic).  And I think the leopard flats (Nine West, similar) and tiered chevron necklace (Hive & Honey via Piperlime) are the perfect finishing touches.

I mean, could I have used a bracelet?  Sure, but I'm still pretty darned happy with it as is:

 Also, lest you think when I say "eye of the tiger" I am referring to Katy Perry, let me disabuse you of that notion right here and now.  Below is what I'm referring to when I say "eye of the tiger," you young whippersnappers:

Yes, that song is amazing, thank you for noticing.

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Rock of Ages

If you follow me on Instagram (button in sidebar if you're interested), you know that I went to watch Rock of Ages on Saturday night.  This is what I wore:

I was trying for more rocker-/Desperately-Seeking-Susan-80s this time around.  To be honest, I was a bit worried it was more hooker-80s than rocker-80s but I think it was okay.  It was definitely well out of my comfort zone, but it was fun too.

Luckily for me, I have awesome friends and family, so they dressed up too and we all got photobombed by the waitstaff at El Gaucho.  Because they are both attentive and hilarious:

L to R: The awesome ladies from El Gaucho, me & my tummy, one of my moms, my sister and Alex.

We had an awesome time and if you haven't seen the show, I highly recommend it.  It's fun and funny and they encourage singing along!  And if you ever get the opportunity, eat at El Gaucho; the food is as amazing as the staff.

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Tough Cherub

I am, admittedly, obsessed with scarf-print blouses.  This is the latest addition to my collection:

Yes, those are cherubs on my chest.  At least I think they are.  I can�t see any wings though so maybe they�re just naked babies.  But, we�re going to call them cherubs because �Tough Naked Baby� is just a ridiculous title for a post.  

In addition to the maybe-cherubs there are also gryphons, urns, some floral elements, and on the back?  Well, on the back, there is a big ol' eagle:

Why?  Presumably because nothing goes with gryphons and babies like a big ol' eagle.  Whatever the reason, it results in a hilariously awesome shirt, so I�ll take it. 

In addition to my fabulously ridiculous shirt (thrifted via Goodwill), I also wore my trusty black skirt (thrifted via Goodwill) and a collar necklace (Nordstrom).  I �toughened� up the look with black boots (Vince Camuto via Nordstrom) and a studded belt (v. old JC Penney).  

Tough cherub indeed.

Happy Wednesday, All!


Gracey

Xanadu

As most of my long-time readers know, I go to 80s Prom at McMenamin's Kennedy School every year.  I usually talk more about it in the weeks leading up to it, but was I busy trying to figure out how Polyvore works (I've almost got it) and it kind of snuck up on me this year so I didn't mention it.  But, it was last Friday, and it was fabulous.

Those of you who saw sneak peeks of my look on Instagram may have already guessed, but this year's theme (in my head) was Xanadu:

Yep.  Nailed it.

As usual, I went with my partner-in-crime, Alex.  Her theme was polka dots:

She too nailed it.

Also per usual, we practiced our best Billy Idol sneers:

What's that?  You think we nailed it?  Thank you, I do too.


And that was basically my weekend.  It was wonderful.


I hope you all had a fabulous weekend as well.  And a Happy Monday!

Gracey

Bringing Huaraches Back

I've decided that I'm bringing huaraches back:

And I'm feeling pretty darned smug about it.

Pockets!!!!

Why?  Because they're super comfortable, huarache is a fun word to say and they look good with my striped dress (c/o eShakti):

See?  Stripes and huaraches; a match made in heaven.  And when you add in a neon peach belt and this gorgeous necklace...

Image via TheHangingGarden Etsy Shop; click here to get your own.

It's like heaven is a place on earth.


Yep, you guessed it, it's Belinda Carlisle time:

My band, Neon Peach, would totally cover the heck out of this song.

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

I Blame Madonna

 

Okay, I realize that some of you make look at today's outfit and say "Sweet baby Jesus, Gracey, more blue?  If I wanted to see this much blue, I'd go stare at the ocean."  To which I say, firstly, that if you have an ocean in staring distance, go have yourself a good stare; it's good for you.

Secondly, I blame Madonna.  After I uploaded that video yesterday I had to watch it a couple of times because 80s Madonna is a national treasure.  And then, of course, the song was stuck in my head and as a result I couldn�t think past the color blue when getting dressed this morning. 

Still blue.  Still true (sure, why not?).  This time in the form of a thrifted silk blazer (via Salvation Army).  But, this time with a printed maxi dress (eight sixty via Nordstrom Rack) and some boots (Gap) to mix it up.  So, you see, this is nothing like what I wore yesterday.  Additionally, these aren't the droids you're looking for.

And that, folks, is how you pretend you didn�t accidentally repeat the same color palette two days in a row.   Smoke and mirrors and Jedi mind tricks.  Works every time.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

True Blue

No, not the Madonna song*, the pants:

I have been looking for some summery skinnies as most of my skinnies are dark colors and/or corduroy.  I have a coral pair but wanted a pair in the blue/green family.  Unfortunately, all I could find were pastel colors.  I say unfortunately because my thighs hate pastel skinnies, and, to be honest, I don�t love them all that much either.  Happily, I was able to find these lovely true blue skinnies at JC Penney the other day:

And the color is perfect.  It�s summery without being pastel.  It pairs well with my favorite neutral, gray.  And it looks great with neon:

*Okay, fine, the Madonna song too:

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Shop the Look:

jcp �Sophie� Perfect Skinnies 

jcp Slub Sweatshirt 

Coconuts �Casey� flat (also available in neon yellow)

** 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.

 

Rorschach Floral

Lovely blogger friend, Megan Mae, wore a wonderful watercolor floral blouse the other day and it reminded me that I had a watercolor floral blouse of my own somewhere deep in the recesses of my closet.  Found it.  Wore it:

Wore it, in fact, with a vintage blazer, gray skinnies and black heels.

Interestingly enough, this outfit is a pretty fair representation of our weather lately.  It was gorgeous for about a week, so our trees are blooming in pink and white, like my blazer and the background of the blouse.  But, the past few days it's been raining and gray like the flowers and the skinnies.

Of course, now that I look at it in photos, I think maybe they look less like flowers and a bit like Rorschach prints.  So we'll call it a Rorschach floral.

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Gracey

Black and Baroque

Aside from the unfortunate placement of some of the design elements, I rather like this Yves St. Clair vintage blouse:

Although I have a well-documented affection for scarf-print blouses from the 80s, I wasn�t sure about this one because it�s not very colorful.  But, I do love the pattern (baroque nipple shields aside) and really like it paired with black skinnies (a.n.a via JC Penney) and animal print wedges (80%20 via Piperlime). 

I also added a filigree heart necklace (Modcloth) that I think works well with the pattern of the blouse:

 

I know, it�s not terribly spring-y look, but as they say, if it�s not baroque, don�t fix it.  And, in my opinion, this outfit doesn�t need any fixing.

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

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.

 

Double Denim and Rose Gold

The weather is supposed to warm up to 44 degrees today so I thought I�d give denim another shot.  A double dose this time, with some rose gold:

As of this writing it is still only 34 degrees and I am cold.  Because denim is cold.  I don�t know how cowboys do it.  But, hopefully for the ride home my combination of a denim shirt (Caslon via Nordstrom), polka dot skinnies (Wit & Wisdom via Nordstrom), rose gold sweater (Remain via Nordstrom) and boots (Enzo Angolini �Saylem� via Nordstrom) will be warm enough.  It certainly wasn�t this morning.

Heh.  I just realized that everything in this outfit is from Nordstrom.  Well, everything except the earrings:

They are 80s cloisonn� and are from my mom.  Thanks, Mom!

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Shop the Look:

Similar Wit & Wisdom polka dot skinnies

Similar denim shirt

Similar coated rose gold sweater

Enzo Angolini �Saylem� boots

I couldn't find any cloisonn� earrings like mine, but there are tons on Etsy (like these, these and these)

** 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.