June Wears Leopard

I feel a bit like June Cleaver in this dress.  Of course, in my version, June wears leopard:

But, just a touch; like a leopard belt.  Just enough to prove she�s edgy and can do more than make meatloaf.

Of course, I don�t make meatloaf, or anything really, and I didn�t add the belt for edginess.  I added it because I�ve decided that pairing leopard with polka dots is my thing.  Well, one of my things.  Other things that are my thing include pairing leopard with green, owning too many coats and gesturing a LOT when I talk.  

Here�s an example of that last thing:

I think I was demonstrating that my hair was slightly better now.  Maybe.

This is actually what the majority of my photos look like on any given day.  I�m always flailing about with my hands or using them to demonstrate just how small something is.

But, I digress.  So, yes, today I did my thing and wore my polka dot dress (Coldwater Creek, thrifted) and I did pair it with a leopard belt (thrifted?).  I also added yellow platforms (Franco Sarto �Fylan� via Nordstrom Rack) and some bangles:

Is it the most fashion-forward outfit ever?  No.  But, it makes me feel as though I could slap an apron on and make something if need be.  Therefore, it gets full points for inducing delusions of domestic grandeur.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

The Replacement Shoes

This was not a good summer for my shoes.  My blue suede platforms broke, my leopard peep toes are years old and starting to fray, I ruined the soles on my ankle boots falling down some concrete stairs and the linen straps on my espadrilles gave up the ghost:

The thing is; I�m hard on my shoes.  I use my heels to put my kickstand up, I ride my bike in the rain so my shoes can get pretty wet, and, let�s be honest, I�m not the most delicate flower in the blogosphere, so my shoes have to contend with a not small amount of weight.  I do what I can to protect my shoes against wear and tear, but they do eventually wear out.  Which means Mama needs a new pair of shoes.  Or four.

Luckily for me, I�ve added all of these to my shopping list.  Because, after my admittedly brief, but still grueling, shopping ban and closet purge this summer, I am actually doing better about sticking to my list.  And, because I am getting rid of the shoes I�ve replaced, I�m also following the (admittedly half-assed) one-in-one-out policy I�ve implemented.  Yay, me!  

Even more luckily for me, Nordstrom Rack had a clearance sale over Labor Day weekend and I was able to score two pairs of replacement shoes for under $50.00.  I bought the yellow pair I�ve been wearing the past couple days to replace my blue pair, and I bought this pair to replace my espadrilles:

I paired my new sandals (BP. Shoes) with a new-to-me thrifted dress and added a thin belt (Steve Madden via Ross) and a vintage bangle.  I know these shoes don�t resemble the pair they replaced that much, but they had everything I was looking for: they�re two-tone (black and natural), they�re strappy (T instead of ankle) and they�re comfortable.

Enough about the shoes though, let�s talk about the dress for a bit.  I love this thing:

Not the print so much � I have no idea what it is.  But, I love the cut and the fit.  And what I really love are the possibilities of this dress.  Because it buttons from hem to neck, I think it will be extremely versatile.  I can�t wait to layer it over, under and next to things all year round.

Happy Friday, Everyone!  Have a great weekend!

Gracey

Saturation Point

The title of this post has nothing to do with this dress:

I love this dress.  I wasn�t entirely sold on it when I first saw it and was still sort of iffy when I tried it on because I worried that it might be too matronly.  And perhaps it is, though I like to think the random yellow cuff keeps it fresh.  Either way, I absolutely adore it now.

In addition to the random yellow cuff (Mississippi Street Fair), I also paired the dress (vintage Liz Roberts, thrifted) with nude platform sandals (Banana Republic �Natalie�), a skinny belt (Gap) and square wooden earrings (Last Thursday vendor).

Image via Banana Republic

I especially like this dress because the skirt is secretly pleated and therefore secretly awesome for riding a bike in.  See?  Secret pleats:

Oh.  You really can't see very well, but trust me, that skirt is pleated.

Awesome as they are, the pleats also don�t have anything to do with the title of this post, so I suppose I should get down to it. 

�It� being the fact that my closet has reached it�s saturation point.  I have too many clothes.  My closet is stuffed to the gills and my poor dress armoire can�t possibly hold another dress.  In fact, this dress didn�t even make it to the armoire; it went straight from the laundry room to my what-I-think-I�m-going-to-wear-tomorrow hook. 

I blame Target and the thrift stores.  For example, both Value Village and Salvation Army had 50% off sales this weekend, and of course I had to go.  And I of course I had to buy some new vintage dresses and now I have too many clothes.  And Target?  In the past couple of months, I think I may have single-handedly helped my neighborhood Target reach their sales goals.

No more though.  I�m being forced into a �use it or lose it� situation with my closet.  So, I�m going to stop shopping (although I reserve the right to possibly shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale) until I�ve worn and/or gotten rid of every item currently in my closet.  Random 70s wear and sequined dresses aside, of course.

Wish me luck!

Gracey

P.S. If you�re lucky enough to still have room in your closet, there is still time to enter my eShakti giveaway, here.