Blue Nile Giveaway

This is my new vintage sweater dress:

I love it because I can pretend it's teal in certain lights, because it looks fantastic with orange tights and because... buttons: 

Buttons!

But, enough about the dress, let's talk giveaway.  

Although you can't see it, because my hair decided to eat it, I am actually wearing this Blue Nile sterling silver branch necklace:

Branch Necklace in Sterling Silver - image via Blue Nile

Isn't it lovely?  The fine folks at Blue Nile were kind enough to send me a necklace and sent another for one of my readers.  It's part of their "Get One, Give One" campaign for the holidays.

But, because I love my Readers, I've decided to give away m personal necklace as well, so everyone will have two chances to win.  You can either keep it for yourself or gift it to a friend or loved one; they make perfect stocking stuffers!

So, how do you win?  It's easy.  Just follow Fashion for Giants either with Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin' (see the buttons on the sidebar) and leave a comment below saying you've done so.  I will choose two winners on Friday evening so make sure you check back Saturday to see if you've won.

Happy Monday, All!  And good luck!

Gracey

Teal Abyss

So, the color of these pants is Teal Abyss:

And that kind of makes me laugh because it's an awfully dramatic name for a pants color.  It reminds me of this movie (oooh, drama). But, I appreciate that LOFT went for the drama instead of just calling it "Dark Teal" or something boring like that.

I also appreciate that LOFT made these pants at all because they're kind of fabulous.  They have a fairly high, wide waistband, so they're super comfortable and they hold their shape pretty darned well.  Also, they're teal and I'm big on teal this fall:

 Best of all, they come in Tall; although not in this color anymore.  But, they do have limited offerings in Tall in other colors and you can still get Teal Abyss in regular lengths and I recommend them for everyone; giants and non-giants alike (just make sure you line dry them).

In addition to my teal abyss pants (LOFT), I also wore a mustard sweater (thrifted, similar (tall & plus available)), black pumps (Gentle Souls "Rhemsical") and a tassel necklace (Old Navy, similar).  I thought the tone of the pants worked well with the sweater and both colors seemed perfect for a clear but cool fall day.

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey 

SIA: Woman of Substance

Today, I am linking up to Salazar's blog, 14 Shades of Grey, for this week's SIA Challenge.  As soon as I saw the piece Salazar chose, I knew I had to participate:

Woman of Substance - Octavio Ocampo

In spite of all the blue in the piece, I was drawn most to the combination of cream, green and orange-y yellows.  So, those are the colors I used in my outfit:

For this outfit, I paired my green, knit pencil skirt (vintage via Vintage by the Pound) with a cream blouse (LOFT), yellow sandals (Franco Sarto via Nordstrom Rack) and a yellow necklace (LOFT).  I also added a leopard belt because, well, I'm sure the artist meant to put of leopard in the inspiration piece.  Probably.



All in all, I loved the inspiration piece and I love my resultant outfit:

To see everyone else's inspired looks, please stop by 14 Shades of Grey and take a peek.

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

The Yellow

I really liked this outfit and I think it's the yellow:

Dress: Thrifted (similar)   Scarf: Nordstrom (similar)   Sandals: Ella Moss via Piperlime (similar color)   Cuff: Street vendor (similar)

It's one of those things that may not make sense originally, but I think it works.  I mean, I love yellow with gray and with turquoise so adding a bit to an outfit that's predominately gray and turquoise really does make sense.  Also, my friend Ferge hates the yellow (it confuses her) so I'm pretty sure it was the right choice.

That's right, folks.  There's a tip for getting dressed in the morning: wear what your friends hate.

Happy  Friday, Everyone!

Gracey

When Squirrels Attack: Part Deux

For some reason, squirrels hate me.  I don't know if they think I'm a tree and are trying to nest in my admittedly nest-able hair, or what.  But, today, this happened:

What caused such look of terror on my normally smiling face?

Well, I'll tell you.  What happened was I got attacked by this little, blood-thirsty killer:

Notice the straightened tail for maximum aerodynamic attack speed.

First he rushed me from the right, then tried to sneak back up on me from the left.  You can see in this next picture he tries to pretend he's minding his own business, but he is totally eye-ballin' me:

Sneaky little bastard.

But, enough about the killer squirrel.  Let's talk about the clothes.  This is what I wore:

 

Isn't that blouse fun?!!  I love it.  It's bright and colorful and I think the large-scale print is pretty cool.  To balance the delightful brightness of the blouse (thrifted) I decided to wear dark bottoms.  And to balance the wide-leg of the pants (Banana Republic) I decided to wear platform sandals (Franco Sarto via Nordstrom Rack).  I finished the look with black accessories.

Happy Thursday, Everyone!  Watch out for killer squirrels!

Gracey

Emerald & Animal

I know I came out as being anti-emerald when it was announced as the Pantone 2013 Color of the Year.  But, I don't hate it (mint, I hate).  I just don't love it.  Which is why this emerald silk blouse doesn't get much wear:

In addition to my poor orphaned blouse (Oscar de la Renta via Salvation Army), I wore skinny jeans (Old Navy "Rockstar" mid-rise), animal print booties (80%20 via Piperlime), a cuff (Macy's) and a necklace (Nordstrom).

I don't know why I don't wear this blouse.  All I can say is that green is just not a color I gravitate towards. What about you, Reader Friends?  Are there any colors you just don't wear?  Do you actually have rational reasons for not wearing them?

Happy Thursday, Everyone!

Gracey

Shop the Look:
Similar emerald blouse
Exact skinny jeans (Tall available)
Similar animal print booties
Similar collar necklace (BaubleBar invite)
Similar patterned cuff

** Disclosure: Actions taken from the hyperlinks in this blog post may yield commission/compensation for the writer. Please see the Disclosure tab for more details.

Spots, Dots & Par-rots

I'm wearing spots, dots and par-rots today:

I've often yammered on about how I love animal and green together because something something jungle.  I continued that "jungle theme" with my new (to me) parrot brooch:

So green.  And parrot-y.  (Not parody, parrot-y; if it were a parody of a parrot, it'd be Conan O'Brien in a parrot mask or something).

I found the brooch in my favorite local vintage shop, Lil' Gypsy Vintage, and thought it would be perfect with my animal spotted cardigan (Anne Taylor via Goodwill) and green dotted pants (LOFT).  I also added a vintage Monet bracelet (via Red Fox Vintage) and my cap toe wedges (Bandolino via DSW).

Yay!  Jungle!  Sort of!


Happy Thursday, Everyone!


Gracey

P.S. if you haven't entered my Shabby Apple giveaway, today is the last day to do so; don't forget!

Shop the Look:
Similar green dotted pants (Tall available)
Similar spotted cardigan
Similar cap toe shoes
Similar vintage parrot brooch

** Disclosure: Actions taken from the hyperlinks in this blog post may yield commission/compensation for the writer. Please see the Disclosure tab for more details.

Gettin’ Matchy With It

I’m not usually known for being matchy-matchy, or for matching at all according to some.  But, when I was gifted this vintage necklace this weekend (thanks, Mom!) I knew I was going to match the heck out of it:

 And match it, I did: 

I’d actually already planned on pairing these emerald cords (Lucky Brand via Marshall’s) with my bright blue sweater (thrifted via Goodwill) and velvet flats (Old Navy).  Adding the necklace and some gold bangles (Nordstrom) just seemed like the right, if obvious, choice.

But, don’t worry.  Tomorrow I’ll be back in a color combination that makes no sense to anyone.

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

Gracey

Shop the Look:

Similar emerald skinnies (plus available)

Similar blue sweater (plus available)

Similar teal flats (patent or fabric)

Similar enamel necklace

** Disclosure: Actions taken from the hyperlinks in this blog post may yield commission/compensation for the writer. Please see the Disclosure tab for more details.

 

2013 Color of the Year: Emerald

Although I swear I’d heard a rumor that the Pantone Color of the Year for 2013 was going to be a rather boring blue, it is, in fact, Emerald.  Pantone 17-5641 Emerald to be exact:

While I’m happy it wasn’t a boring blue (seriously, does anyone else remember hearing that?) I’m actually not all that thrilled with this year’s color of the year.  I think it’s beautiful, I think it’ll look good on pretty much everyone and it’s certainly not boring, but in general, emerald just isn’t my thing. 

But, dedicated online shopper that I am, I was still able to find some things I like in this bright emerald:

Infinity Scarf:

Image via marianavail Etsy shop

Cowl-like scarves are having a moment.  Get this one in emerald and you're doubly on trend.

 

MEK Skinny Leg Jeans:

Image via Nieman Marcus Last Call

I love green pants.  I don't have any, but not for lack of trying.  I'd totally wear these.

MIA "Vena" Ballet Flat:

Image via Amazon.com

If I do buy anything in this shade it would probably be shoes and I like the simple shape (and the price) of these flats.

Halogen "Dash" Scarf:

Image via Nordstrom.com

I love the navy, aqua and terra cotta with the emerald.

I definitely wear any of those pieces, but if I had my druthers, I’d prefer dark emerald to bright emerald. 

Here are some things I like in dark emerald:

Oregon Ducks Helmets:

Go Ducks!

I just put this in so I could brag on the fact that we won the Fiesta Bowl this year.  And because the helmets are pretty.

Pour La Victoire "Ravel" Ankle Boot:

Image via Amazon.com

I adore differently colored heels on shoes; I think they're so fun.

Ilaria Ranieri Pumps:

Image via yoox.com

Although I'd certainly wear the bright emerald flats above, my heart belongs to dark emerald pumps like these.

A & Ro Gabby Chevron Print Cardi:

Image via Piperlime

I actually own this cardigan and although the shape is weird and the buttons are superfluous, I really rather like it.

Treesje Crossbody "Breeze" Mini Bag:

Image via Bloomingdales.com

I don't carry small bags (where do you keep your book?) but I am mildly obsessed with, and so would make an exception for, this one.

What about you, Reader Friends?  What are your thoughts on emerald?  Bright?  Dark?  Not at all?

Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

** Disclosure: Actions taken from the hyperlinks in this blog post may yield commission/compensation for the writer. Please see the Disclosure tab for more details.

Bonus Footage: Gracey Goes to the Opera

Last Saturday, I went to see Don Giovanni at the Portland Opera with my best group of girl friends, Alex, Jodi and Erica.  We went to dinner at Gracie's and dessert at The Driftwood Room, both in the Hotel DeLuxe, before the show, and it was delicious.  After we ate, we had to rush across town (I like to linger over my champagne cocktails) to the show, but we made it and saw a fabulously modern rendition of Don Giovanni.  It was my first opera and I'm hooked; I'll definitely be going back.

For my inaugural opera, I wore this:

I found this dress for under $10 at my now-defunct local Salvation Army.  As soon as I saw it, I knew I'd found my opera dress.  I paired my opera dress (vintage, tag says Styled by Linda Jane), with fishnets (Target), a vintage fur (also $10, at a garage sale), Franco Sarto pumps (via Nordstrom) and a vintage clutch and jewelry.

The earrings are vintage, via Ray's Ragtime, the bracelet is vintage, via Red Fox Vintage, I can't remember where the ring is from and the clutch is also vintage, also Salvation Army.

Alex also wore vintage:

She borrowed my vintage pleated dress, vintage clutch (thrifted) and belt (Target).  She is also wearing leopard heels (thrifted), opera-length bejeweled gloves (Lil' Gypsy vintage), her mother's prom fur (so cute!) and her grandmother's vintage jewelry.

This weekend, I'm (sadly) not doing anything so fancy.  I'm heading up to a football game at Portland State, looking for a button for my new vintage coat and going to the Chart House.  Even though I did go to school at PSU, I don't think I'm going to root for them.  Instead I'm going to root for myself to stay warm and dry.  Go Gracey!

Happy Saturday, All!

Gracey

Easy, Colorful and Pants-y

It’s still Pants Weather here in Oregon, so I’m still wearing pants:

(Shop the Look**: Polka dot pants, I couldn't find a similar blouse, but I love the idea of using this striped scarf to create a similar look with a plain blouse, mustard cardigan and blue wedge sandals)

I wear these pants a lot.  I think they are, outside of a couple of pairs of shoes, the single item that I wore the most this summer.  Which is good.  I am trying to be more conscientious about buying clothes I willwear instead of clothes I could wear.  And I don’t just mean something I’ll wear once either; I want to have clothes that I can and will wear multiple times.

In addition to the oft-worn pants (LOFT), I also wore what’s rapidly become an oft-worn blouse (vintage via Vintage by the Pound).  I can’t seem to resist this blouse, because well, stripes and a bow, people, stripes and a bow.  I added a yellow cardigan (via my Mom), blue wedges (Franco Sarto, thrifted) and a few bracelets to complete the look.

And I liked it quite a bit; it was easy, colorful and pants-y; which is perfect for a Monday.  Especially this Monday.  I did master the Peter Pan in pole dancing class yesterday, but I am very sore and physically tired today.  Luckily I’m not back to working out until Jazzercise tomorrow.

How about you, Reader Friends?  How was your weekend?

Gracey

P.S. Sorry for the photo quality, we took them at a later time than usual and I was too tired (lazy) to figure out the lighting.


** Disclosure: Actions taken from the hyperlinks in this blog post may yield commission/compensation for it's writer. Please see the Disclosure tab for more details.