Like A Real Blogger

I feel almost like a real blogger today:

 

Layers?  Check.  Awkward skirt length coupled with awkward boot height?  Check.  Blogger bun (sans the sock)?  Check.  

Of course, I should probably be wearing a statement necklace, probably the J. Crew Bubble, instead of my tasseled pendant.  And I probably should have tripled the guest list to my arm party.  And I�m missing a clutch to hold across my body.  Oh, and I should probably be staring pensively into the distance instead of smiling.

But, really, those small missteps aside, I think I came pretty darn close to real blogger-ness today.  The formula?  Loose gray midi dress (thrifted) + open-weave, button-back sweater (Old Navy) + cuffed, heeled boots (Gap).  And of course accessories; mine are a pendant necklace (Old Navy) + bracelets (Banana Republic, gifted and Macys) + earrings (Target).

Happy Friday, Everyone!

Gracey

The Hunchback of Santa Fe

I love the colors on this jacket, and I adore the print, but it makes me feel like the Hunchback of Santa Fe:

And that, I imagine, is why I�ve never worn it, even though it�s been in my closet for at least a year.  I�ve attempted to wear it several times, but it�s never been quite right.  And today is no exception.  It�s just not quite right.  I like the colors of the jacket (thrifted) with the color of the blouse (Nordstrom).  And I like the skinny jeans (Gap) with the platform sandals (MRKT via DSW).  And I like the red-orange necklace with the blouse and the jacket.  But, I don�t like the jacket.  The fit really just isn�t right; it gives me hunchy, bunchy shoulders and my shoulders don�t like that at all.

So, it�s gone.  I�m actually going to give it to a co-worker who saw me in it today and liked it (yes, even on me).

I think we can consider this progress.  Sure, I still have too many black skirts, but I no longer have an ill-fitting, multicolored jacket or a bunch of drop-waist skirts.  So, sure, yes, let�s call it progress.*

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

* I will be doing a post on my progress (or whatever) fairly soon (hopefully), so stay tuned (please).

Bright Blazer, Laced Booties

You all know that brights are sort of my thing, right?  And that I love me some orange?  Well, out of all the shades of orange that I wear, I find coral to be especially delightful.    All this means that, in my estimation, this blazer is pert near perfect; it�s not just bright, it�s bright coral:

I paired my coral blazer (thrifted), with a white, embellished tank (Design History via Ross) and lagoon skinnies (Gap) and added lace-up, heeled booties (Nine West via TJ Maxx).

Given the brightness of this jacket, I�m taking Tammy at Silver Style up on her kind invitation to link up to her Trending through the Decades series.  This week is all about brights, and there are some amazing looks showcased, so stop by if brights are your thing too.

And have a Happy Wednesday, Everyone!

Gracey

The Discomfort Zone

It�s not often that I leave my comfort zone to traipse around in my discomfort zone.  But, today I did:

Yes, people, that is a sweater dress.  With bold horizontal stripes.  Just writing the words makes me think, no, never, I couldn�t possibly.  And yet, I did.  And how I did it was to add pieces that are well within my comfort zone:

Although I think it�s good to sometimes take risks in my personal style, I don�t like to take too many because I don�t like to be uncomfortable in my clothes.  I don�t like them to pinch or bind, but I also don�t like to be mentally uncomfortable.  I don�t want to have to worry about what angle someone is viewing me from or whether the cake I ate yesterday is going to start pregnancy rumors.

So, yes, this dress (Old Navy) is a bit more body-conscious than I�d usually go for, but I made sure I bought an XL so it�s not super tight.  I added the blazer (Gap) and my security blanket burnt orange scarf (Nordstrom) to disguise the cake baby.  And I wore faux-lace up boots (Kenneth Cole Reaction) because I�m tall and maxi dresses are a little less maxi on me so used the opportunity to show the boots.  And security blanket aside, I do feel quite visibile in this dress, so I've linked up to Visible Monday over at Not Dead Yet Style.

But, enough about me.  What about you, Dear Readers?  Do you have any tricks for trips to the discomfort zone?

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Rust, Plum and Wrinkles

Do you all remember all the way back to last Friday when I mentioned that my office doesn�t have a dress code but that I still try to keep my casual outfits for Fridays?  Well, the key word there is try.  Some days a girl just wants to wear jeans.  Today was such a day:

As it turns out, today was also one of those days when a girl just didn�t want to iron.  The result?  Rust, plum and wrinkles. 

Curious how to achieve this look on your own?  Pair a clean-but-wrinkled plum and rust polka dot tee (Gap) with wide-leg jeans (Gap) and a clean-but-wrinkled cardigan (Old Navy).  Add cognac booties (Nine West via TJ Maxx), a rust colored scarf (Nordstrom) and coral and Peruvian jade earrings (Crafty Wonderland purchase).  And there you have it; rust, plum and wrinkles.  Easy peasy.

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!  I�ll see you all tomorrow with less wrinkles and more hair-brushing (probably).

Gracey

Pleats and Plaid

Alternately titled: More Things That Go with Orange

I think I�m breaking one of the cardinal rules of style blogging in that I�m wearing the same scarf I wore yesterday again today:

But, hey, is it my fault that orange goes with everything?  Of course not; I�m just taking advantage of that fact (yes, Erin, it�s a fact) by pairing my favorite scarf with everything I possibly can.  Today I paired the scarf (Nordstrom) with a handmade pleated plaid skirt (vintage, thrifted), gray wool sweater (thrifted), tights (Spanx via Nordstrom) and what are apparently my new favorite booties (Nine West via TJ Maxx).

It has gotten very, very cold here in Oregon lately causing me to shift my aesthetic more towards function over form.  I generally try to maintain both in my outfits, but during the winter, the weather forces me to become increasingly practical.  For example, wool sweaters and cashmere scarves help keep me warm during my freezing bike commute.  And the tights both help to keep me warm, but also dry quickly if I have to ride my bike in the rain.  Which, this being Oregon, I usually have to ride my bike in the rain.

How about you, Dear Readers?  Does the cold weather increase the functionality of your outfits, or are you still all about form?

Happy Friday, Everyone!  And have a fabulous weekend!

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:

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Well, hello there, Pleated Skirt.

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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