Tunic and Skinnies

While I wouldn’t say that I have a uniform, per se, a tunic and skinnies is probably as close as I get:

It’s just a really easy look for me on days when I need easy, but don’t necessarily feel like wearing a dress.  Today was one of those days, so I paired a dolman-sleeve tunic (Angie via Ross), layered over a lace-trim cami (Old Navy), with “regular” length Flirt skinnies (Old Navy) and a pair of wedges (Bamboo via TJ Maxx).  I added a watch and a bracelet and I was done.  Not the most inspired look, perhaps, but I think the tunic adds enough interest so that it’s not the most boring look either.

Now, I’d like to say a word about dolman sleeves.  I love them.  I have several pieces with dolman sleeves (my dress from this weekend, for example) and they’re just great.  Especially for someone with my broad shoulders – a dolman sleeve gives my shoulders a bit more room to move around, which I love.  I hate feel constricted in my clothes so these really work well for me.  Also, as my bloggy friend Erin has pointed out, they have a fabulous sense of drama.  And what girl doesn’t love drama, right?  Right.

Today’s Takeaway?  If you don’t already love dolman sleeves, crawl out from under that sartorial rock and give them a shot.  They’re comfy and dramatic.

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Gracey

T-Shirt and Skirt, T-Shirt and Skirt

I have become mildly obsessed with wearing T-shirts and skirts over the past couple days; so much so that I practically wore the same thing two days in a row.

On Monday I wore this:

I paired my vintage poppy pleated skirt (thrifted) with a grey tee (Target), my increasingly ubiquitous cuff (thrifted), vintage “fringe” earrings and black platforms (G by Guess via Piperlime).

And, today, this:

This pose is so ridiculous, I had to include this picture.

I wore a blue vintage circle skirt (thrifted) with a black and white striped tee (Old Navy), a silver necklace-as-bracelet (gifted, I think) and black sandals (White Mountain via Macy’s).

They’re not exactly the same, but they have a similar feel to them.  A feel that was prompted by some advice in the latest In Style to pair pleated skirts with a casual sweater and boots.  I love my pleated skirts, but never thought to dress them down and was excited to try a new way to wear them.  I tried it Monday with my favorite poppy-colored pleated skirt, tying the tee at the side both to help define my waist and to add to the casual feel.  And I really liked it.

In fact, I liked the look so much that I decided to try a variation on the theme today.  Today’s skirt isn’t pleated, but it’s very full and a length that, like with the pleats, tends to make me want to dress up instead of down.  But, today, I paired it not only with a tee (this time tied in the back to define the waist), but with flat sandals.  And again, I like it.  I know the proportions are a bit tricky, but for some reason, I think it works. 

Could I be delusional?  It’s possible.  Maybe I’m sun-addled from the trip to the beach.  But, for whatever reason, I like these looks and will probably continue wearing variations on this theme for awhile yet, you lucky ducks.

No takeaway for today, instead I wanted to let you know that I and several other bloggers, are showing the world our shorts over at Fabienne’s blog, The House on the Clouds, today.  So, get your minds out of the gutters and go take a peek!

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

P.S. Ferge and I tried to take a picture of me twirling to show off the skirt, but it did not work.  At all.  It just made me dizzy and sort of nauseous and this is all we got:

Again, yes, it's ridiculous, but it's all I've have to show for all our efforts.

Too Much Togetherness

During the summer my thighs suffer from too much togetherness.  They get all hot and sweaty and angry and begin a series of minor border skirmishes against each other.  Sweaty, bickering thighs are no kind of fun, so sometimes I like to separate them to get them to behave.  The warmer weather has caused an increase in hostilities lately so today I’ve slapped my thighs into some shorts (a sort of penalty box for them, if you will):

And, as much as my thighs hate these shorts (and hate them they do), they admit that in this heat the penalty box is better than being in close quarters with each other.  Today, I paired the shorts (New York & Co via Ross) with a sheer blouse (Olivia Moon via Nordstrom) layered over a white tank (Old Navy).  I also added cognac sandals (Jeffery Campbell via Nordstrom), a couple of bracelets and large silver hoops (Nordstrom).  It’s simple, cool and helps limit thigh-fighting.

Today’s Takeaway?  Angry thighs are like children; sometimes you have to separate them so they stop fighting.  

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

Gracey

Summer Whites

It finally (finally!) got warm here in Oregon last week, getting up to the low 90s this past weekend.  I know that’s not nearly as hot as most of the rest of the country, but it’s warm enough to make me resort to linen and semi-sheer clothes:

I don’t usually wear a lot of white – it’s often too see-through for my tastes, and I’m mad clumsy so I usually ruin it.  But, I just can’t see myself pedaling home this afternoon in the heat in anything darker or heavier, so white it is.  I paired a white linen blend skirt (Ann Taylor) with a white and fuchsia printed blouse (Old Navy - also seen here), nude platform sandals (Target) and this vintage turquoise beaded bracelet (Ray’s Ragtime):

Even though I’m forced to wear easily-stained whites, I’m definitely not complaining about the heat.  I love the sun and relaxed outdoors much of the weekend.  Including my trip Friday night to a local winery (Kathken Vineyards) to listen to music.  It was a great night; the wine was delicious (we had the Syrah), the company was fabulous and the music was just delightful.  And the view?  Can’t be beat:

I hope you all had a lovely weekend as well.  And happy Monday!

Gracey

I Blame the Cardigan

This outfit doesn’t feel quite right to me, for which I blame the cardigan:

I think it’s the length and the poof of the sleeves – they’re giving my arms a complex.  Which caused my thighs to complain that if another part of my body had a complex then how would they (my thighs) get the attention they so desperately needed?  I talked them down by reminding them that A-line skirts are their friend so they didn’t have anything to worry about here. 

And really, they don’t.  This skirt sees a lot of use because the A-line is probably the most flattering cut for my particular shape.  Conversely, I never wear this cardigan (I can remember wearing it only once before) and now I know why.  I had actually placed it in the donation pile, but thought I’d give it another go-round before deciding for sure.

Today I paired the skirt (vintage, thrifted) with a floral tank (Old Navy) and the now-reviled cropped cardigan (August Silk via Ross).  I added my MRKT platform sandals (via DSW), a skinny brown belt (Gap), some green and floral bracelets and hot pink drop earrings (Alberta street vendor).  I thought the cardigan would work to today to cover up the spaghetti straps of the tank and it did, to an extent.  I mean, they’re covered, but it’s not terribly flattering.  So, the cardigan will be going to a new home and I’m confident I made the right decision.

Today’s Takeaway?  Don’t wear things that make your arms angry, no one likes angry arms.  Or, if you prefer; always give items one last shot before ousting them from your closet, there will be fewer regrets that way.

Happy Wednesday, Everyone!

Gracey

Three Years Late

So, do you guys remember two or three years ago when “double denim” was all the rage and all the cool kids were wearing it?  Well, I just finally got around to wearing double denim:

Does this mean I’m finally cool?  Yes.  Well, probably.  For my first foray into double denim, I paired dark denim walking shorts (Macy’s) with a chambray tunic (Old Navy) and pewter sandals (Lovely People “Gilda” via Ideeli).  Although this outfit is a bit USPS, it was very comfortable and I quite liked it.  And now I can cross double denim off of my imaginary fashion bucket list, which is good news.

Also good news?  It’s Friday!  I’m super excited for this weekend because I have plans filled with art fairs, blues music, dinner with friends and drag queens.  It should be fabulous; and yes, I’ll try to remember to get pictures of the fabulousness.

What about you all?  Anyone have any big plans for the weekend?  I hope you all have a great one, whatever your plans!

Gracey