Sunburn, Rain, Rain, Rain

Sorry I didn’t get around to posting a WeeCap this weekend, but I’ve included it all here in a super-sized post.

I had Friday off and it was gorgeous.  I think it got up to the mid-70s which we haven’t seen yet this year.  I love the sun and had nothing else to do so I spent the entire day (seriously, like six hours) sitting in the sun and reading The Help.  I know the book came out two years ago, but I just read Water for Elephants recently too.  I don’t worry too much about reading something as soon as it’s published – I’m pretty confident I’ll get around to it eventually.  The Help was a lovely book though and I absolutely suggest it to anyone else who hasn’t read it yet.

On Saturday, I realized I was a bit sunburned but the weather was back to being sort of rainy and not very warm so I couldn’t do any more damage.  I decided to do some damage to my checking account instead and went thrifting most of the day.  I actually didn’t spend that much, but realized that I may have a slight obsession with gold clutches and day dresses.

For Saturday’s thrifting, I wore my olive skinny jeans (GAP), pink ditsy floral tank (Frenchi via Nordstrom), oatmeal cardigan (Eddie Bauer, thrifted) and my pale gold flats (Kenneth Cole Reacation):

On Sunday I did some more thrifting, realized my obsession with day dresses may be more than “slight” and did a little laundry.

For Sunday’s thrifting, I wore lightweight wide-legged pants (GAP), an orange, striped tee (Old Navy), bronze sandals (Target) and pink drop earrings (Alberta street vendor):

My sister took my pictures on Sunday and insisted that we try to perfect our jumping shots.  Perfect they are not, but you can't say we didn't try our best:

Today it was supposed to get all the way up into the high 50s (exciting, no?) and rain much of the day, so I just gave in and resurrected the riding boots (Born Crown via Nordstrom):

I wore them with a red jersey dress (Banana Republic) layered under a navy cardigan (Urban Outfitters) and a studded belted (Michael Michael Kors via Nordstrom).  Basically, I now realize that I’m probably going to need these boots to get me through the summer – it’s a good thing I like them. 

Also?  Bloomers:

I love bloomers.

I hope everyone had a lovely Monday and didn’t have to ride their bikes home in the rain (luckily I missed the promised storm, although it is raining pretty hard now).

Gracey

A Stripe-y, Persimmon-y Friday

A better-late-than-never daily outfit post for Friday, May 6, 2011

It’s overcast and misty in Oregon today, so I wore my persimmon-colored coat to combat the gloom:

And I think it worked.  Well, the coat and the bright purple azalea behind me.  It’s hard to be too upset with Oregon’s hit-or-miss sunshine when the flowers and trees clearly benefit from all of the rain.  And, of course, I’m also in a good mood because 80s prom is tonight.  Nothing cheers a girl up like giant puffy sleeves and some blue eye shadow.

In spite of its cheering powers, I’m saving the blue eye shadow for tonight – today I’m just rocking the blue stripes.  This navy and white striped tunic (Old Navy) seems like the perfect fit with this coat (thrifted) – I always want to pair the two.  Today I wore them with some cropped skinny jeans (Bandolino via Macy’s), my Born Crown boots (Nordstrom) and my multi-stripe scarf (unknown).

Happy Friday, Everyone, and have a wonderful weekend!

Gracey

FBFF for May 6: Shoes, Shoes, Shoes

This week for FBFF, Katy of Modly Chic has asked us to talk about shoes.  I'm not a shoe-aholic, but I didn't have to force myself to write this post either.  I really do believe that shoes can make or break an outfit. 

What is your go-to pair of shoes?

In the fall and winter, I wear these Born Crown riding boots almost constantly:

I wear them with skirts, with dresses and over skinny jeans.  They are ridiculously comfortable and they go with everything.  They weren’t inexpensive, but my cost per wear is probably down to pennies now.

It’s a little different in the spring and summer – I have several pairs of sandals, peep-toe flats and wedges that I wear fairly regularly.  Although, I’d have to say my favorite pair is actually this pair of bronze sandals that I got from Target years back:

They were less than $20.00, but I absolutely love them.  Like my Born Crown boots, they are super comfortable and, I’m convinced, go with everything.  I’m actually considering getting these resoled because they are just that comfortable.  It may seem silly to resole a $20.00 shoe, but it seems sillier to buy a new pair that I may not love as much.  I’ll just have to see what the cobbler says.

What goes into your shoe buying decisions?

I consider form, comfort/function and cost when buying shoes.  I will not buy or wear a shoe I consider ugly.  Workout shoes are a bit different because I don’t care what they look like, but for my every day shoes and special occasion shoes, I need to like how they look.  However, if they are beautiful shoes, but supremely uncomfortable, I won't wear them.

The combination of function and comfort are a big consideration for me.  I need to be able to ride my bike and comfortably walk around all day in my everyday shoes.  For special occasion shoes, it depends on what I’m doing.  Am I going to be dancing or just going to dinner?  I have shoes that are comfortable in either situation.

Cost-per-wear may be my number one consideration when buying shoes.  If it’s a shoe that I will wear at least once per week over a couple of seasons, I’m willing spend more money than on a special occasion shoe.  Especially because, in spite of my best efforts, I don’t go to that many special occasions.

The majority of the shoes in your closet are what color?

Black, I think.

When it comes to shoes what are your favorite brands and why?

Most of my shoes are all different brands – I’m not devoted to any particular brand and will usually just wear what I like.  The brand I have the most pairs of are actually BC Shoes – they’re comfortable and inexpensive, both of which I like.  I also own a couple of pairs of Born Crown boots – they make lovely flat and low-heeled boots that work well with my calves.  I would like to get more Corso Como shoes – I’m a big fan of the padded foot bed they offer and like their styles.  Aside from that, though it depends more on shoe than the brand.

If price wasn’t an issue, you’d own which shoe?

Probably these Gucci beauties:



Gucci S/S 09 (Photo from Style.com)



I know they are a couple seasons old, but I just love the combination of the bright orange patent with the wood platform.  They look so fun to me.

WeeCap: April 30th and May 1st

This is the recap for a gloriously sunny weekend in which Gracey goes to a rummage sale, goes on a coffee date, spends time with family, goes on a dinner date and that was just Saturday!  On Sunday, I spent the whole day doing nothing.  A little reading in the much-hoped-for sunshine with the dog and nothing else.

Saturday, April 30th

This is what I wore to a rummage sale to raise money for my nephews' school and then to my first date:

I wore Flirt Skinny Jeans (Old Navy), with a brown tunic (New York & Co via Ross) and a black knit blazer (Liz Claiborne via Goodwill).  I love yellow with black and brown and actually wanted to wear yellow peep toe flats with this outfit, but it was raining very hard on Saturday morning.  So, I went with my low boots (Target) and accessorized with my yellow scarf and a yellow bangle instead.  I added a brown wood bangle to tie in the brown elements in the outfit, and a turquoise wood-beaded bracelet to pick up the turquoise stripe in the scarf.  And, because you can't go wrong with a pop of turquoise.

Later that evening, I went on a dinner date, and changed into this:

For date # 2, I wore my Wide-Leg Trouser Jeans (GAP), a black tunic (JC Penney), black Vince Camuto wedges (via Ideeli), and accessorized with another trio of bracelets: vintage turquoise beads (Portland vintage shop), black glass and clear glass (Macy's).  I also wore large silver hoops and carried my new favorite clutch.  It's vintage eel skin and I thrifted it for a mere $6.00!  It's fabulous, no?

I have to say, both dates went very well.  Both men were very nice and for the most part, conversation with both was easy and natural.  Deciding what to wear was a bit difficult, but I was ultimately very comfortable with both outfits.  I didn't feel like I had tried too hard, or that I didn't try hard enough, both of which were concerns of mine going into this.


I hope everyone had a lovely weekend!

Gracey

P.S. I will be posting more details on the actual dates on my other blog, The Mingling Single, if anyone wants to hear more.

A Return to Tights

Daily Outfit for Friday, April 29, 2011

So, apparently Mother Nature is mad at me for daring to go bare-legged on Wednesday and for hollering about how I refused to wear tights any more.  Because today?  Today I had to wear tights:

It was freezing this morning, you guys.  For the first time in awhile I could see my breath and had to wear my gloves on my ride in.  Needless to say, I am NOT very happy about it, but I hate being cold, so tights it was.  I wore my grey tights (Nordstrom) under my fuchsia skirt (Target) which I paired with my navy and white striped tee (Target) and grey cardigan (GAP).  I also wore a pair of thick, OTK socks (Nordstrom) and my riding boots (Born Crown “Sosie” via Nordstrom), because, yes, it was that cold.

I wanted to put away some of my winter clothes this weekend, but to be honest, I’m a bit afraid to do so.  I’m convinced that as soon as I do, it’ll snow.  I guess I just need to quit complaining about the weather, and maybe it’ll finally get nice. 

Does anyone have any big plans for the weekend?  I’m going on a couple dates tomorrow (yes, plural) as a result of my online dating.  I’ll let you all know how they go.  I also want to visit the Saturday market and I think Sunday I might be going to a movie and/or shopping with a friend.  It should be a fun, if maybe cold, weekend.

I also want to say again how much I appreciate you all taking the time to read and comment on my blog.  And welcome to any new readers – I do hope you’ll stick around for a bit.

Happy Friday, Everyone!

Gracey

Monday Blues (and Browns)

Daily Outfit for Monday, April 25, 2011

Today was a strange day, weather-wise.  Although you can't really tell from these pictures, it was crazy-windy here today.

For part of my ride I was riding into a headwind so strong I felt like I was trying to peddle through quicksand.  It was hard going, but the idea of slow-motion bike riding is hilarious to me and actually made me laugh out loud during some of the windier spots.

At least it wasn’t terribly cold.  I was warm enough in my skinny jeans (Old Navy), tunic (via Galore), cardigan (Old Navy), blue scarf (H&M) and boots (Target).  I wanted to wear a skirt today, but the wind completely killed that idea.  I’ve only had my skirt blow up once while riding, but that was enough.  I try to avoid that at all costs now; I'm sure you understand.

I hope that everyone had a lovely Easter weekend!

Gracey

Preppy Pattern Mixing and the Sunshine Award

Daily Outfit for Thursday, April 21, 2011

I feel so preppy in this outfit.  I suspect it’s not “true prep” and like my grunge look it’s probably my own special brand of prep…

… but I do feel preppy – I think it’s probably the striped Foxcroft shirt (thrifted).  I don’t wear button-downs very much (maybe ever), but I do like it paired with this zigzag-patterned skirt (Mossimo – thrifted).  I think the skirt helps make the shirt more fun than a plain skirt would.  I would have loved to have worn my orange sandals with this, but it is still not warm enough for bare legs, so I wore my trusty Born Crown boots (Nordstrom).  (That’s right, bare knees two times this week.  I told you I was a total Billy Bad Bottom).

This outfit, like Monday’s Prim and Proper outfit, was sort of fun for me because “preppy” is not an aesthetic I subscribe to very often.  The bright colors appeal to me, but it’s just so buttoned-up (dare I say repressed?) which I don’t love.  Again, I think it has a lot to do with how I view myself, which is more footloose and fancy free than prep usually indicates.  Truthfully, I think I am probably less of a free spirit than I’d like to be, and that buttoned-up repression is more my speed, but I’m in denial about that.  So even though prep does have the benefit of bright colors and the occasional whimsical print, I don’t think I’ll make this my go-to look.

In more exciting news, the ever fabulous Claire from Spinning Threads awarded me the Sunshine Award.  Thank you, Claire! 

As part of the award, I get to award it to some other bloggers.  So, here they are, 12 blogs that make me smile: From the Rez to the City, She’s Addicted to Clothes, Steffy’s Pros and Cons, Well Curated, The Chronicles of Lady K, Northeast Chic, Basic Cravings, dash dot dotty, Diversions, Rags Against the Machine, Destrehan’s Daughter and Lovely Apidae.  The rules say to choose twelve, but I could easily choose twice as many.

Tips for Giants: If you have a long torso, tucking your shirts in can be difficult.  A few tricks I use are wearing tunics (or short dresses) as tops – they’re actually long enough to stay put.  Or wearing high-waisted skirts (or pants) – these are getting increasingly easy to find in retail stores, and thrift stores are a great source.  And, finally, what I did today; I’m wearing DKNY Smoothies which are like lightweight Spanx in that they don’t cut off all circulation in your body, but still provide some assistance in sucking it in on those days you don’t feel like it.  They’re great.  They are also great for tucking not-so-long blouses into – this blouse didn’t come un-tucked once today.  If it's still tights weather for you (for which I am sorry) try tucking your blouse into your tights.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

P.S. If you write “preppy” enough it loses all meaning.  True story.


P.P.S My camera broke today so I had to borrow my sister's which was difficult for me to work with and caused me to over-photoshop.  I have one coming, but you'll have to bear with me for a bit.

Puffy Plaid

Daily Outfit for Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Even though this skirt is a mite puffy, it’s also plaid, and in my book that gets extra points.  Also?  Pockets:

Like yesterday’s skirt, this skirt is thrifted.  In fact, the majority of the skirts in my closet are thrifted because my preferences run towards full and knee-length and regular retail shopping often doesn’t work for me.   In stores, especially before this year, it seems like the only thing I could find were mini-skirts, or pencil skirts, or my personal favorite, pencil-minis.   None of which are good for bike riding; so I thrift a lot of my skirts, which works well for both my wallet and my lifestyle.

I paired my puffy plaid skirt with my chambray tunic-as-shirt (Old Navy), skinny leather belt (Gap) and Born Crown riding boots (Nordstrom).  This outfit is a little bit tougher than yesterday’s, but I think the skirt sort of ruins any dreams of real toughness, and I’m okay with that.  I really liked this outfit and as we established yesterday, I’m not all that tough, so I think this is good. 

In other news, you may have noticed that I let my knees out today.  They fussed a bit that my ankles have been having all the fun.  And it’s true, my ankles are party animals.  But, I didn’t want my knees to get jealous, so I turned them loose today.  They were a bit chilly but happy. 

At this rate, we might actually see some tights-free leg within the next couple of months.  Dare to dream, right?

Happy Tuesday, All; I hope it was a great one!

Gracey

Friday, Friday, Friday

Daily Outfit for Friday, April 15, 2011

It’s Friday.  You probably knew this, but just in case you didn’t, I’ll help you out and let you know by putting it all over this post.  Because I’m a giver like that.  You’re welcome.

Yep, it’s Friday, and boy, was I dressed for it:

Super-comfortable dark layers with a pop of color.  That’s what I like to wear on Fridays and that’s what I wore today.  Black leggings (Target), black jersey skirt (Target), raspberry l/s tee (Gap), black cashmere sweater (thrifted) and flat black boots (Chinese Laundry via Piperlime) worn with my lovely new scarf (Nordstrom). 

The scarf is a very lightweight wool which will eventually be too warm (as long as the weather heeds my threats from yesterday), but it was perfect for today.  I love the orange, purple and pink color scheme and think it’s perfect with my predominantly black outfit.  All of the colors look great against black, but the pink in the scarf also picks up the pink of my tee.  Win, win.

Really, I’m so very happy it’s Friday.  It’s been a hectic week here at work and I’m exhausted.  I’m staying in tonight and sleeping in tomorrow, and then Alex and I are going shopping to get her a prom dress.  My little sister and I found hers last night and it’s AMAZING.  Black velvet, teal satin and a giant butt-bow – we’re all going to 80s prom next month.

For my fellow Oregonians – are any of you going to the McMennamin’s Kennedy School 80s prom on May 6^th?  And for my non-Oregon readers, do you guys have 80s proms were you live?  If so, have you ever gone?

Happy Friday, Everyone!  As always, thank you all so much for reading – blogging would be completely boring you!!

Gracey

Flannel and Angst: Gracey Goes Grunge

Daily Outfit for Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Today is the Everybody, Everywear maxi challenge.  To see what everybody else wore for the challenge, get thee to Everybody, Everywear.  As for me, the last time I wore a maxi dress, I went bohemian; today, I went grunge.  Well, at least my version of grunge.  It's Gracey-grunge:

  

I think it’s the color of the dress that inspired my grunge-y look for today.  I layered it under a purple and black striped tee (Rebecca Beeson via Bluefly), which I in turn layered under a semi-sheer black sweater (Target).  I topped it all off with a sweater coat (Esprit – v. old), infinity scarf (Steven Madden via Macy’s) and some appropriately grungy boots (Born Crown via Nordstrom). 

Grunge was not really my thing – even in the 90s – but I feel like I’m pulling it off.  I think the colors (or lack there of) are good, the scarf is a cheeky nod to flannel, and the boots, while not Doc Martins, are derivative of the style of Docs.  The best part though?  This cuff:

I mean, how angst-ridden is this?  I think it’s brilliant.  It was a Christmas gift from my sister years back.  She got it for me after I’d fallen in love with it at a craft fair.  It’s a ribbon woven through some pleather with the word “peculiar” sewn on, and I think it’s perfect for my grunge revival.

I did hear a rumor that grunge was coming back.  How do you all feel about that?  Are you excited for the return of flannel and angst? 

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Just Go With It

Daily Outfit

Sorry there was no Weecap from this weekend.  Fun was definitely had, including what has to be the most raucous jewelry party ever, but I’m afraid I didn’t take a single picture of it.  You’ll just have to trust me when I tell you it was crazy fun.

Today was sort of rainy and gloomy and ordinarily I’d fight that with bright colors, but today I just went with it:

I think that I’m still too tired from this weekend to fight the weather.  And it’s not that I’m not wearing any color, just not a lot.  The olive jeans (Gap), brown boots (Born Crown via Nordstrom) and oatmeal cardigan (Eddie Bauer – thrifted) are all neutrals, so the only color is in the tunic (Angie via Ross) and it’s a pretty low-key color.  But I’m having a pretty low-key day, so I’m not complaining.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Monday!

Gracey

Take that, Miss Hannigan!

A Daily Outfit Post

Apparently I own not one, but two, purple pencil skirts, both of which are closet orphans.  I decided to let the second one out to play today:

Goodbye Work!

Hello Weekend!

I have had this purple pencil skirt for probably two years now, and have never worn it, for the same reasons I never wore the other one.  It’s impossible to ride my bike in this and purple is just not a color I wear very often.  I also find pencil skirts to be a little bit formal, which I am decidedly not, and that also makes them hard for me to wear. Right now some of you are probably wondering why I have two purple pencils skirts when I don’t wear purple or pencils skirts.  Maybe I was trying to branch out?  I don’t know.  Don’t judge me.

So, today’s challenge was to wear this short, purple pencil skirt (I drove today), pair it with something that wasn’t black, and integrate it into a more casual outfit.  To that end, I paired the skirt (Ann Taylor Outlet), with a grey tee (Target), marigold cardigan (Tulle), yellow and plum Swiss dotted grey tights (Hue via Macys), cream and striped scarf (???) and riding boots (Born Crown via Nordstrom).  And I liked it.  Another orphan saved from the clutches of Miss Hannigan.

In other news, it was very sunny here today, but it was also only 32 degrees when I left the house this morning.  So, nice try, Mother Nature, but I am not bamboozled by your sunshine.  I’m still in tights and boots.  Speaking of which, these tights make my legs feel gross to the touch.  They feel like they’re covered in Black Swan-level goose bumps because the dots are woven in, not printed on top.  Sexy, no?

Creepy goose legs

Does anyone have any exciting plans for this weekend?  I’ve got a birthday party for a nephew, will be hanging out with my much-loved friend, B., going to a jewelry party at Lori’s and staying over with Jenny.  Busy, busy, busy.

Have a lovely weekend, Everyone!

Gracey

Better With a Belt

Daily Outfit

The last time I wore this dress, we all agreed that it needed a belt.  This time I wore the suggested belt:

And I liked it.  I considered a braided leather belt, but then I saw this fabric belt and thought it would tie the dress (thrifted Eddie Bauer) and cardigan (Gap Outlet) together nicely.  And I think it worked; which is funny because it doesn’t have any blue or purple in it.  But, I actually think that’s nice because it goes but it’s not matchy-matchy.

Today was a very random day, full of random thoughts such as: my hair is driving me crazy.  I'm growing it out but I really just want to chop it all off, straighten it, or wear it in a constant pony tail.  I also pondered my pictures and the fact that I always pose the same way, so I changed it up a bit but mostly only because I had crazy eyes in all my head-on shot.  Also, this dress makes my chestal area look rather large, but in truth, it's not.


Which brings me to the main point on my pondering - how real is blogging?  And does it matter?  I mean, you might see this post and think I'm a happy, large-chested, frizzy-haired person.  Only part of that is correct.  Does that matter?  Or are blogs like any other form of entertainment where you just accept what's given to you even though you know a murder can't really be solved in two hours or less?  And if it is just entertainment, shouldn't mine be more entertaining?  More razzle dazzle and less of an indie flick.  I mean, is the goal to strive for blockbuster status, or to keep showing at Sundance every year?


I don't know.  I think I'm still under the weather.


Happy Tuesday, All!


Gracey

And Then There Was Friday

Daily Outfit 4/1/11

So, today was a day without much inspiration and I dressed accordingly:

Yeah, it’s not awesome.  And certainly not as exciting as yesterday’s bright and stripe-y dress but few things I own are.  I guess this outfit could even be construed as boring.  It is, however, very comfortable which I feel should count for something.  I mean, really, it’s an outfit made of comfort.  Leggings?  Comfort!  Striped tee?  Comfort!  Sweater dress?  Comfort!  Flat boots?  Comfort!  Summer-weight cashmere scarf?  Comfort!  (And in case you were curious: Target, Target, Target, Chinese Laundry via Piperlime and Nordstrom).

Still bored?  Perhaps I can distract you with this bit of awesomeness: I found a new blog today, called Insulted By Authors, and it’s lovely and hilarious and well-done and hilarious.  I have a link over there in my Thinky Blogroll, but you can also get there from here.

If that’s not enough, I don’t know what else I can do for you, except to promise to get my Santa Fe pictures up this weekend.

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend full of rainbows and puppies (or whatever distracts you from boring Friday outfits)!

Gracey

The Tumbleweed Aesthetic

Daily Outfit, 3/30/11

In honor of my trip to Santa Fe (photos are forthcoming, I swear) I am renaming my wrinkle-flaunting, comb-flouting Hot Rumpled Mess aesthetic to the Tumbleweed Aesthetic.  I’m even wearing a tumbleweed-colored cardigan for the debut of the new name:

Accompanying the cardigan (Old Navy) is an appropriately wrinkled silk tunic (Banana Republic), wide-legged jeans (also Banana Republic), boots (Kenneth Cole Reaction) and a multicolored-striped scarf (???).  I have wanted to try hot pink and brown together ever since I saw model Dree Hemingway wearing it – I like it, but I think it’ll be even better paired with a tomato red skirt like she did.

Sorry it's such a short post - I had a sleepy and distracted day today.  The first day back from vacation, even a short one, is always a bit weird for me.  I am putting together a longer post, with pictures from New Mexico, that I’ll put up as soon as I finish.

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Hot Rumpled Mess

I’ve decided my new aesthetic is hot rumpled mess.  I tried it out today and I feel like I nailed it:

What did I wear to pull off this look?  Well, I wore some navy cords (Gap), tucked into my Born Crown riding boots (Nordstrom), topped with a blue blouse (thrifted) and a brown cardigan (Old Navy). I accessorized with a thin brown belt (Gap) and my blue scarf (H&M, not pictured).

I wish I could say that I look like this as the result of a long, stressful day at work, but I actually left the house looking like this.  It’s true that today was long and stressful, but it’s also true that I’ve given up on brushing my hair or ironing.  Not that I did much of either before, but now I’m embracing my natural state of dishevelment.  See how happy it makes me?

In other news, it’s raining in Oregon, Jazzercise kicked my heinie last night, and I haven’t even started packing yet for New Mexico.  It’s not unlike me to wait until the last minute, but I always forget something because I do wait.  I’m trying to get better at planning ahead.  So far, I haven’t made in progress with that goal.

How about you all – are you planners when it comes to packing for trips?  Or do you throw some stuff in a suitcase the night before, and hope for the best?

It’s Thursday, All, we’re nearly there!

Gracey

Ditsy Used Car Salesman

Daily Outfit, 3/23/11

I have an affinity for loud jackets.  Like used car salesman loud.  I don’t know why, but they make me happy.  With the way this week is going, I need all the happy I can get, so I wore one today:

I am struggling with getting clear pictures lately  - maybe if I stopped dropping my camera...

I paired the plaid jacket (Ross Dress for Less) with a ditsy floral sleeveless blouse (Old Navy), some Long and Lean jeans (Gap), my blue scarf (H&M) and brown boots (Mossimo/Target).  My thighs love these Long and Lean jeans, and have agreed not to secede.  For now.  (They’re always tossing around veiled threats).  Also, I am going to donate yesterday’s jeans – my thighs thank you all for talking some sense into me.

I’m actually pretty pleased with this jacket and blouse together.  If you want to try pattern mixing but haven’t yet, something like this is a good way to go about it.  The pattern on the blouse is tiny, so it doesn’t clash with the larger pattern of the jacket.  And, something that is key when pattern-mixing, the two pieces share a dominant color – in this case blue. 

This week continues to lack awesomeness, but at least there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  I’m going to Santa Fe, New Mexico to visit friends for four days beginning Saturday.  I’m very excited – I haven’t been before.

Anyone out there from Santa Fe?  Anyone visit Santa Fe before?  Is there anything I absolutely HAVE to do while I’m out there?

Thank you all so much for reading and I’m sorry for the blurry pictures - I've been more rushed than usual!

Gracey

I Like Orange An Ocelot

Daily Outfit, 3/21/11

Something about this shirt invites puns like no other.  I resisted last time, but no more.

I’m sad this outfit didn’t photograph very well, because I really liked it in person.  Suffice it to say it didn’t look (at least I don’t think it did) as lumpy and dumpy in person as it does in the photographs.  And no, I didn't realize my waistline was uneven until it was too late.

I like pairing animal print with brights; for me it’s more fun than pairing it with black.  I know it’s not for everyone and neither is orange (in spite of my best efforts), but for me, orange and ocelot are just perfect together.  So, today, I paired my ocelot blouse (Matty M via Nordstrom) with my orange jersey skirt (Banana Republic), cream “footless” tights (v. old), studded belt (Michael Michael Kors via Nordstrom), angel wing earrings (Albert St. vendor) and riding boots (Born Crown via Nordstrom).

How do you pair your animal print?  Do you like it paired with brights?  With other prints?  Or do you go the more classic route?

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey