Turquoise and Lime

The scarf is the entire point of this outfit:

I love it.  I think it flatters my skin tone like nobody’s business and what’s better than turquoise and lime?  Besides, of course, turquoise and lime with a pop of orange.  And will you look at that, I’ve given you a pop of orange.  Just don’t say I never do anything for you.

In order to let my ridiculously fabulous scarf (Echo “Ornate” via Nordstrom) be the focus, I paired it with black cropped pants (Banana Republic) and a white tee (Target).  I added cognac accents with the shoes (BC Footwear) and the braided belt (thrifted).  And, of course, the coup de grace, a pop of orange in the form of drop earrings (Alberta street vendor).  As an added bonus, I think the orange earrings tie in quite nicely with the cognac accents, proving once again that orange goes with everything.

And because we’re all big on full disclosure and transparency (no puppet regimes here, Katie) I have to admit that Rebekah (of The Mixed Up Files…) wore a pair of black trousers, a white tee and a bright scarf the other day and I loved it so much I basically copied her.  Because sometimes that’s just how we roll here at Fashion for Giants.

Happy Wednesday, Everyone!

Gracey

Militant Lace

As I’m sure you all know, today is Everybody, Everywear’s Lace Challenge.  And I’m sure you all heard that the US Army has decided to do away with the black beret (What?  You haven’t heard?  I’m shocked; this is big news, folks.).  What may come as a surprise is that the Army is currently taking suggestions on how else to better their uniforms.  Personally, I would have kept the beret.  So chic.  But, I figure if they can’t have berets, they can have lace!  This is my suggested overhaul of those boring, drab uniforms:

I did, in fact, keep the olive drab because, frankly, it’s one of my favorite neutrals.  But, I like to think I spiced the uniform up in other ways.  I paired my olive skinnies (Gap) with a lace tee (The Limited) layered over a grey tee (Target) which gives it a sort of camouflage effect (try squinting with one eye).  I am obviously demonstrating the dress uniform, so I wore some mushroom-colored wedges (Bamboo via TJ Maxx) which can be replaced with some cute boots when one is not on the parade grounds.  I added some bangles (thrifted and Nordstrom) to show how well this look would go with a bandolier of bright brass bullets and my crystal and brass pendant necklace (Special) in lieu of dog tags.

Oh, and I can finally move my arms (hooray), so I finally washed my hair.  I am going back to the weight lifting class tomorrow, but I’ll be sure not to overdo it this time!

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

P.S.  None of this is true.  Well, some of it.  Today is the EBEW Lace Challenge and they are replacing sexy Army berets with boring Army caps, but really, the rest of it’s completely untrue.

Casual Thursday

Daily Outfit for Thursday, May 19, 2011

Today is my Friday and it’s sunny out and work is driving me batty so I dressed casually today.  Possibly too casually, but I just can’t care:

For Casual Thursday (it’s a real thing), I paired my green pants (NY & Co via Ross) with a  possibly too-large yellow-striped tee (Old Navy), bronze sandals (Target) and turquoise earrings (gifted).  I love green and yellow together but I really do think this tee is a bit too large.  I seem to remember trying on a smaller size though and it being too body-con for my tastes.  I probably should just not have purchased the tee if my choices were either too big or too small, but it’s yellow (!) and striped (!).  It’s hard for me to say no to that combination.

Our offices are closed tomorrow so I will not have a daily outfit post, but will try to include Friday in my WeeCap for this weekend.  Hopefully we’ll have good weather for our three-day weekend, but I don’t know.  Although the weather is absolutely glorious today, I’ve heard both that it will and that it won’t last through the weekend, so we’ll see.  Fingers-crossed!

Happy Casual Thursday, Everyone!

Gracey

Sheer Plaid-ness

Daily Outfit for Thursday, May 12, 2011

Sorry about the lack of a post the past couple of days.  On Wednesday I entered day 3 of a migraine and was forced to throw in the towel and stay home.  And yesterday Blogger decided to be down all damn day.  But, I’m feeling better and Blogger is feeling better and today we’re back with bad puns for everyone.  You’re welcome.

For my triumphant (just nod and smile) return to work I paired my semi-sheer plaid shirt (Old Navy) with my “regular” length Flirt skinny jeans (Old Navy), a pair of  platform sandals (Target) and pink drop earrings (Alberta Street vendor).  I feel like I should be going digging for claims (yes, in heels) instead of to work, but some days I just don’t feel like trying.  Today was one of those days.

Also, I really don’t have much to say, in spite of my absence.  I mean, I found out that platform sandals are hard to ride a bike in but rather comfortable to wear around, so that’s something.  And Oregon weather continues to be weird – I guess both May and June are supposed to be “wetter and colder than usual.”  I’m not really looking forward to that, but at least I’m no longer forced to wear tights.  And it’s Friday, so that’s pretty fabulous.

Happy Friday, Everyone!

Gracey

This week has been brought to you by the letter P

Daily Outfit for Friday, April 22, 2011

I was getting ready to title this post "Peachy Keen" in honor of my peach-striped sweater, when I realized that would have been the fifth title beginning with the letter 'P' this week.  I've been Prim, Proper and Pleated, Puffy and Plain, a Pretty Shiny Copycat and done some Preppy Pattern Mixing.  And today I'm wearing Peach:

I paired my peach and white striped sweater (Old Navy) with my olive skinny jeans (Gap), silver Sperry Topsiders (via Ross) and clear blue belt (Old Navy).  If yesterday's look was my attempt at preppy, today is my attempt at the tomboy look.  I was physically comfortable in this look, but it's not an emotionally comfortable look for me.  With my height and size I am hypersensitive about appearing mannish in any way and rarely try anything androgynous. And frankly with my "curvy" build, I don't think I pull it off well anyway.

I liked this look well enough though.  I don't think I looked mannish (right? right.) and even though I'm not sure androgyny is right for me, it's an aesthetic that appeals to me on others so I try it every once in awhile.

How about you, dearest Reader Friends, are there any looks you admire but don't dare try?

Happy Friday, Everyone!  Have a wonderful weekend!!

Gracey

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

Green Pants, Part 2

Daily Outfit for Wednesday, April 13, 2011

After the muted colors of yesterday’s grunge look, I wanted to wear something more spring-like.  Unfortunately I was exhausted from speed dating last night, and all I could come up with was this:

The good news is: I actually like it.  It’s super comfortable and the colors are very spring-like.  Do I look a little bit like one of those giant talking flowers from Alice in Wonderland?  Indubitably.  But, that’s a small price to pay for finding yet another outfit that incorporates my green pants.  Along with the green pants (New York & Co. via Ross), I wore a pale pink blouse (Sunny Leigh via Nordstrom Rack), my coral cardigan (Gap) and black and silver flats (Mossimo/Target). 

I also wore on of my favorite vintage bracelets; turquoise glass beads on a silver coil with rhinestone dangles:

I apologize for the short post today – I didn’t get home until late last night and am really too tired to do much more today.  Don’t worry though, I promise to put more effort forth tomorrow.

Happy Wednesday, 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

Weecap: April 2nd and 3rd

Out of the gate, I have to tell you this Weecap only contains one outfit, but I think it's a good one.  I went out Saturday for an oil change and to get a new phone, but otherwise was in most of the weekend battling a cold (darned airplanes).


Saturday, April 2nd

It was sunny most of the day Saturday and I took advantage with rolled cuffs and a short-sleeve trench:

I thrifted this coat a few weeks ago, but it hasn't been warm enough to wear it, but finally Saturday it was and I was thrilled.  It's such a pretty persimmon color and you know how much I love orange.  I love the coat so much, I actually built the rest of the outfit around it.  I paired it with a navy and white tunic (Old Navy), olive skinny jeans (Gap) and black and silver flats (Target).

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and thank you all for you kind comments on my Santa Fe photos.  I know I'm not the best photographer, but I wanted to at least share some of my experiences there.

Talk to you all tomorrow,

Gracey

Ms. Green Pants

Sure it doesn’t have the same ring to it as Mr. Green Jeans, but we can’t all be on Captain Kangaroo.  Also, I’m not a man and these are not jeans…

Yes, that's right, a visible bra strap - because I'm classy like that.

…they’re pants.  Green pants that I really don’t wear often enough, but thought they might be a good transitional item for spring.  The pants are “Tall” from New York & Co (via Ross) which means they’re just long enough for me to wear with flats.  I paired them with a bold floral print top (Old Navy), peacock cardigan (a.n.a/JC Penney) and some neutral flats (Kenneth Cole Reaction).

I like the fit of these pants, but I’ll be honest, green pants are hard for me to style.  I don’t wear a lot of green and have no idea what compliments it.  However, I remembered our conversation from last week about pairing items based on the colors in a print and once I spotted this blouse in my closet, it all came together nicely.

I apologize for any dog hair on today’s outfit – my dog was extraordinarily affectionate this morning (usually he’s just sleepy) and this cardigan collects dog hair like it’s trying to be on an episode of Hoarders.

Also, I still haven’t packed and I leave tomorrow.  I think I know what I’m wearing on the plane though, so that’s some progress.  And, although I’ll be taking pictures in Santa Fe, I won’t be posting anything or viewing any blogs (sad face) while I’m there.  But, I’ll be back Tuesday evening though and will start catching up with everyone and everything.

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

Gracey

Welcome Back, Color

Daily Outfit, 3/7/11

Even though my week of neutrals was strangely successful, I was missing color so I decided to add some back to my life.  I have actually had this outfit in my head for a couple weeks now, but needed the weather to cooperate.  And it finally did.  It’s sunny today and not terribly cold.

So, I wore this:

 

 

The skirt was thrifted and is handmade from a houndstooth-printed fabric, with a high-waist, wide waistband and full lining; basically, it’s perfect for me.  I paired it with my violet tights, a violet turtleneck (Old Navy) layered under a notch-collar cardigan (Jones New York via Ross) and accessorized with a croc embossed faux-patent belt (Macy's) and my black booties (BC Shoes “Swear” via Piperlime).

I have to say, that this Monday was much, much better than last Monday.  The ride in was wonderful; it was sunny, there was no wind, the lining on my skirt didn’t tear and no raccoon eyes.  It was definitely a much better Monday, all around. 

How about you all?  How was your Monday?

Gracey