Burgundy and Orange

Burgundy and orange are one of those color combinations that look fabulous to my eye even if they don�t exactly make sense on paper:

I am especially fond of the plummy burgundy (which, yes, I call oxblood when I want to seem on-trend) of this turtleneck (Gap) paired with the bright, tangerine orange of this skirt (vintage via Goodwill).  I also wore a cream, cashmere sweater (Forte Cashmere via Ideeli), black tights (Spanx via Nordstrom) and snake platform pumps (Pierre Dumas via Piperlime).

Also, I didn�t realize it until today, but I�m a turkey decal away from being dressed like the Virginia Tech 2012 Russell Athletic Bowl Helmets.

Helmets:

Gracey:

And, in Great-Intent-Shaky-Execution News, I also wore this metal filigree necklace from Old Navy: 

You can�t see it in the other photos because there isn�t enough contrast between it and the turtleneck, and because my hair is in the way, but, I swear that I wore it and that it added pretty much nothing to the outfit. 

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

Gracey

P.S.  You're welcome for all of the football helmets I share.

Shop the Look:

Similar skirt

Similar turtleneck

Similar sweater

Spanx Tight End Tights

Similar Shoes

I couldn't find a similar necklace, but they have these in-store at Old Navy.

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The Best Thing about Prints

Of course, the best thing about prints is that they don�t have to stand on their own.  You can accessorize the hell out of them if you want.  Or, you can even pair them with more prints:

You can probably guess which I prefer.  Yep, it�s true, I love mixing prints and patterns.  In part because it�s such a challenge for me; I really never know how it�s going to turn out.  And that, I think, is part of the fun.

For today, I mixed two graphic prints; the checked pants (men�s vintage, thrifted) and the diamond tunic (Old Navy).  And then, because I was on a role, I added a third print with my flats (Nine West via Piperlime).  Is it lunacy?  A little bit, perhaps, but I�d absolutely wear it again. 

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

A Passel of Printed Pants

One of the spring/summer trends I was most excited for this year was printed pants.  Apparently I was so excited that I ran out and purchased a whole passel of them.  Seriously, the Printed Plains in Nosh Opping is filled with printed pants.  Like this pair here:

I can�t help it; I really do love a printed pant.  I especially love the teal color and the irregular black dots on this pair.   I think the irregularity of the dots lend the pants a sort of leopard look from far away, and that�s always fun.  I paired today's printed pants (LOFT) with a tangerine top (Old Navy), espadrille wedges (Corso Como via Piperlime) and a few bracelets.

This is my fourth, and last, I think, pair of printed pants in The Giants Closet.  The other pairs include a pastel floral pair:

Vintage Ralph Lauren

A palm-printed pair:

Thrifted silk

And a checked pair:

Vintage men's golf pants

I don�t know why I have so many, but seeing them all in one place, I�m glad I found them.  They are all, except for this LOFT pair, thrifted, and this pair was less than $10.00, so it�s a trend that I was able to find for not a lot of money.  However, I still recognize that I have enough pairs of printed pants to last me so while I�m not getting rid of any, I also won�t be buying any more once my expedition is over. 

How about you, Reader Friends?  Are you fans of the printed pants trend?

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

FBFF for May 25th

Today's FBFF Questions are all about summer trends.  Katy Rose of Modly Chic has asked us what we are loving for the upcoming season.

I�m actually loving pretty much the same trends for summer as I was for spring.  Weather-wise there isn�t a huge difference between spring and summer weather in my part of Oregon so my summer wardrobe is essentially my spring wardrobe but with more sandals.

Here are some things I can�t wait to wear this summer with sandals.

Tropical Prints

I�m amused as all heck that tropical prints are back.  I like them because they�re kitschy and I love the kitsch, but I also like them because they�re so easy to thrift.  In fact, I�ve already worn a thrifted, tropical print piece this year:

Printed Pants

I�m sort of obsessed with this trend.  As I mentioned before, I know I probably shouldn�t wear printed pants given the size and militancy of my thighs, but darned if I don�t love them.  I�ve thrifted a couple of pairs, including these that I�ve already worn this spring:

Oh, look, more tropical print.  Well, I warned you...

Tangerine

It�s the Pantone Color of the Year and, in my opinion, for good reason.  It�s just so frickin� vibrant.  See?:

Coral Belts

Okay, this isn�t a trend, except in my wardrobe, but I love my skinny coral belt.  I�ve worn it multiple times and will definitely be wearing it all summer long:

Neon

It took me a little while to get on board with neon last year, but I�m glad it stuck around for another year.  I have a few pieces in my closet, mostly neon pink, mostly thrifted, and I can�t wait to wear them.  I�d also love a pair of neon shoes, like one of the pairs below.

Heart and Soul �Pasquale�:

Image via Piperlime

Or even a pair with just a little bit of neon, like these:

Lucky Ballerina Flat at Alloy (image via Alloy)

How about you, Reader Friends?  What are you looking forward to wearing this summer?  Maybe something from eShakti?  If so, don't forget to enter my giveaway.  And, Schoolmarm Style is hosting an eShakti giveaway, too, so visit Kathryn for even more chances to win!

Happy Friday, All!  Have a wonderful weekend!!

Gracey

Not Dressed For Spring

No, I am not dressed for spring. Because it doesn�t feel like spring.  It�s cold and rainy and feels more like autumn.  So I pretty much just dressed for autumn:

I paired an autumn-hued skirt (thrifted and crookedly hemmed by yours truly) with a black long-sleeve tee (Old Navy) layered under a lightweight black sweater (Target).  I added leggings (Old Navy) because I�m not kidding, it�s seriously cold and riding boots (Born Crown �Sosie�); ditto on the cold thing.  The scarf (v. old) was also added because it�s cold.

I do think it�s supposed to warm up this weekend and hopefully stay warm for a bit, but if I show up in 18 layers again on Monday we�ll know that didn�t happen.

Speaking of the weekend, mine is going to be super-busy.  Actually, May is going to be a super-busy month in general.  I have speed dating, brunch, concerts, dancing, more brunch and, of course, 80s prom (send me your pictures; you know you want to (yes, Lynne, you)).  This weekend is speed dating, dancing and/or drinking, a slumber party and brunch, all of which I am totally excited for.

How about you, Reader Friends?  Do you have any plans, exciting or otherwise, for the weekend?

Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Pattern Mixing 101

I think a lot of people shy away from pattern mixing because two patterns close together can be unsettling to the eye.  I don�t mind being unsettled or unsettling, but can understand how pattern mixing is an acquired taste.  So, today I am demonstrating one of the easiest ways to mix patterns in an outfit.  It�s Pattern Mixing 101:

Photo via Piperlime

For today's lesson, I paired a striped tee (Jones New York via Ross) with abstract floral flats (Nine West �Fascinate� via Piperlime) and dark jeans (Gap Real Straight).  I also added a vintage turquoise-colored bracelet for a little color in the top half of the outfit.

Now, let�s break down why this works: 

One, if you�re going to mix patterns, it really is best, especially at first, to keep the patterns in the same color family.  In this case, although my shoes are a lovely shade of tangerine, the pattern on them is the same color as the pattern on the top (or at least close enough for government work). 

Two, the stripes and floral aren�t at all jarring because they�re not close together; instead they separated by the expanse of the jeans. 

Three, it works because I believe it does; seriously, a little confidence goes a long way.

So, how about it, Reader Friends; if you don�t already mix patterns, does this help you get started?

Happy Friday, Everyone!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Gracey