Neutral Layers

As most of you know, I'm just not that into neutrals.  But, I love layers, texture and patterns which is why I think this outfit works for me:

The turtleneck  and boots add a bit of color, but otherwise, my outfit is dependent on layers, texture and patterns for interest.  The cream sweater has a non-standard stitch, the gray skirt is a diamond pattern and the gray tights are herringbone.

I even layered my necklaces:

So, yeah, even though this outfit is mainly neutrals, it still feels like me.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Get the Look

Similar skirt

Similar sweater

Exact Naya "Virtue" boots

Similar moss agate necklace

Waking Up a Winter Wardrobe

The other day, Angie, of You Look Fab, listed her four ways to liven up a winter wardrobe and it got me to thinking about how I like to wake up my winter wardrobe.  Especially now when the days tend to be short, dark and cold.

Sparkle and Shine

A couple of years ago I was firmly against daytime shine.  I liked to save my sequins for special occasions and couldn�t figure out how to incorporate them into my every day wardrobe.  This winter I�m all about daytime shine; incorporating sequins, rhinestones and metallic into my every day looks.  Whether you wear a little, or a lot, daytime shine is a great way to beat the winter blahs.

Nine West "Darbie" boots

Gap tee

Gap glitter belt

Brights

Angie advocated bright coats and accessories in her list, but I�m advocating brights in general.  I love wearing brightly colored pants, sweaters and yes, accessories, during the winter.  Even when it�s freezing out, brights bring a smile to my face.

Banana Republic Blue Bow Skirt
Gap legging cords
 Banana Republic colorblock scarf

Texture 

This time a year, you�re probably wearing a lot of knits.  I know I am.  And I know that can get boring.  But, if you look for texturally interesting pieces, it can alleviate some of that boredom.  Honeycomb, cable knit and popcorn stitching can all add interest to basic knit pieces.  Fuzzy sweaters are also a great option in a delightfully 80s way.

Eyelash Plaid Cardigan

Echo open stitch infinity scarf

Kyi Kyi Pom Pom Hat

New Neutrals

Black is a very present neutral in my winter wardrobe.  But, I also like to mix things up with new neutrals.  This year I�ve been wearing a lot of navy and gray but I also think camel, cream or even olive could work as a winter neutral.  

 Gap legging cords

Leith infinity scarf
Banana Republic Plaid Fringe Scarf

What about you, Reader Friends?  How do you wake up your winter wardrobe?

xoxo,

Gracey

Monster Boobs

I�m afraid that this top:

Makes my chestal region look like the chestal region of Roz, from Monsters, Inc.: 

Image via disney.wikia.com

 I know I should steer clear of clothing that makes any part of my anatomy look as though they belong to a saggy-chested monster, but I just can�t quit this sweater.  It�s warm, I think the draped aspect is cool (in spite of what it does to the girls) and I like the color.

I also like how it looks in today�s outfit:

I think the moss green of the top works well with the neutral layers and with the shiny layers of the necklaces.  

 

I guess what I�m saying is, monster boobs be damned, folks, I like this sweater, and I�m going to keep wearing it.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Get the Look

Chevron Necklace

Lonna & Lilly Tassel Pendant

Marc by Marc Jacobs watch

Similar draped sweater

Vince Camuto Midi Tube Skirt

Spanx Tight End Tights

Born Crown Boots

 

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

Day 2: Black & Blue & Neon Too

For Day One of the Perfect 10 Remix Challenge, I wore stripes.  For Day Two, I wore solids:

And for Day Three, I�m planning on mixing stripes and a solid.  Just kidding, I have no plans for Day Three.  I prefer to go where the morning takes me.

And, on Day Two, the morning took me to this look:

This look being a navy blue sleeveless tee (Gap, similar) paired with a black, pleated skirt (thrifted, similar).  Yep, that�s right, black and blue.  But, with neon too, in the form of my neon yellow necklace (Target) and some neon blue studs that you can�t see because of my hair.  I finished the look with a multicolored belt (Target), some studded cuffs (Nordstrom) and my trusty Rieker shoes (thrifted, exact).

I have to say that I actually picked the rather staid, non-psychedelic items I chose for this challenge on purpose.  I like color.  A lot.  All over my body.  All the time.  Oddly enough, not everyone feels the same way, and, as a result, there is a school of thought that says you can have a small, neutral capsule wardrobe with maybe a couple of accent pieces but that otherwise depends on accessories to add color and interest.  I, of course, think this is a bunch of hooey.  

But, still, it�s an interesting concept, isn�t it?  So, I figured I�d use this 10 x 10 challenge to try a toned down palette, like black and white and navy, but with strong accent pieces, like neon.  So far, it hasn�t been terrible, but, it�s only Day Two.  By this weekend I may be sleeping in my printed dresses because I miss them so much.

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Knotted

As you know, I love me a striped shirt; I even recommended them in my wardrobe workhorses post.  And this vertically striped shirt is definitely one of my favorites.  So, I was pretty excited to find another way to wear it; knotted at the bottom:

It's pretty over-sized so I usually wear it tucked, but today I undid the last button and tied it up.  I like that it alters the shape of the shirt into something more interesting than a straight-across hem.  ?

In addition to the striped shirt (vintage, thrifted), I am also wearing another of my recommended wardrobe workhorses; dark pants.  In this case, a pair of black twill skinnies (Simply Vera Vera Wang via Kohl's (similar here)).  I added a neutral statement necklace (c/o Maurice's) but colorful shoes (Nine West via TJ Maxx).

And I don't mean to be smug, but I'm pretty sure this outfit totally justifies the inclusion of these items on my list. 

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

For the Birds: Inspiration Monday

For those of you who don't know, the lovely ladies of Two Birds have a link-up every Monday of looks inspired by celebrity outfits.  This is January Jones and she is today's inspiration:

january jones

I don't usually participate in Inspiration Monday because I forget and/or don't have the right pieces and am not creative enough to make it work with the pieces I do have.  Today though, I had everything I needed; leather, denim and lace.  Oh, and bitchface:

Okay, it's not the epic bitchface of January Jones, it's more like the suggestion of bitchface or like I'm thinking really hard, but it's the best I could do on the face.

And this was the best I could do on the clothes:

Instead of being all sad-faced that I didn't have similar pieces, I used the pieces I had in similar fabrics.  My lace (sans the black bra (next time though, next time)) is my lace sweatshirt (Macy's).  My denim is jeans (Old Navy Mid-Waist Rockstar Skinnies) instead of a jacket.  And my leather is just the boots (Luxury Rebel via Piperlime) instead of pants and boots.

And, frankly, I think I nailed it:

I'm the one on the right.  I know, it's confusing.

Happy Monday, All!  And thank you to Two Birds for hosting and January Jones for inspiring!

Gracey

Black, White and Brown

I know the combination of black, white and brown doesn't seem very springlike, but I think this outfit is actually almost summery even:

I love a  stripe pretty much any time of year, but they definitely say summer to me.  And black and white is classic.  I paired today's black and white striped tee (Old Navy) with a full, brown skirt (vintage, thrifted via Goodwill).  I also added a wide black belt (JC Penney) and my ankle strap flats (Hive & Honey via Piperlime).

See?  Practically summery:

Just like our weather.  It's been gorgeous here all week and it looks like it will continue through the weekend.  So excited!

Happy Friday, All!  Have a wonderful weekend!

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