Dress Like A Wasp's Nest

I feel like a cocoon today.  Or a wasp's nest, what with all my gray, lumpy layers:

Which isn't to say I don't like this outfit.  I actually really do.  It's cozy as hell and it's as comfortable as pajamas. And it's successful deployment of a maxi dress in cooler weather, which is something I've struggled with in the past.

What it's not, is figure-flattering.  I know as a blogger I'm supposed to be demonstrating how to dress in the most flattering way (Right?  Isn't that what I'm supposed to be doing here?), but I just can't do it.  You want to wear something that swallows your shape?  Go for it.  Dress like a wasp's nest, if you want.  I totally support that.

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Summer Maxi

People swear that maxi skirts and dresses still keep you cool in hot weather.  I was skeptical (so much fabric!) but, I thought I'd give it a try today:

I paired my black maxi (Target (similar, tall available)) with a black and white striped tee (Old Navy (similar)) and brightly colored sandals (Ella Moss via Piperlime (similar color)).

I also added a braided belt (thrifted) and a vintage squash blossom necklace:

Via Lil' Gypsy Vintage (similar here)

And, I have to admit, wearing a maxi was pretty okay for most of the day.  Right up until I got on my bike to ride home.  Riding a bike in a maxi skirt is never great.  Riding a bike in a maxi skirt in 90+ weather is even less great. But, I will say that the maxi was a great choice for the air conditioned office; my legs often get chilled and they didn't at all today.

So, the final verdict?  Maxi's are pretty great for summer, as long as you're not trying to ride a bike in them:

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

I Blame Madonna

 

Okay, I realize that some of you make look at today's outfit and say "Sweet baby Jesus, Gracey, more blue?  If I wanted to see this much blue, I'd go stare at the ocean."  To which I say, firstly, that if you have an ocean in staring distance, go have yourself a good stare; it's good for you.

Secondly, I blame Madonna.  After I uploaded that video yesterday I had to watch it a couple of times because 80s Madonna is a national treasure.  And then, of course, the song was stuck in my head and as a result I couldn’t think past the color blue when getting dressed this morning. 

Still blue.  Still true (sure, why not?).  This time in the form of a thrifted silk blazer (via Salvation Army).  But, this time with a printed maxi dress (eight sixty via Nordstrom Rack) and some boots (Gap) to mix it up.  So, you see, this is nothing like what I wore yesterday.  Additionally, these aren't the droids you're looking for.

And that, folks, is how you pretend you didn’t accidentally repeat the same color palette two days in a row.   Smoke and mirrors and Jedi mind tricks.  Works every time.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Proof of Life

I just want you all to know that I am still alive.  I know there were rumors that my sinuses had kidnapped me and were holding me for ransom until they were free and clear and I’m here to tell you that those rumors are true.  But, we’re making progress on the negotiations and my captors have offered up this proof of life photo to show I haven’t suffered too horribly at their hands:

You can almost see today's date...

That’s right; I actually made it in to work today after being out for nearly a week.  I am feeling slightly better, but I still can’t breathe through my nose and I’m still exhausted, so I basically wore pajamas to work:

 (Similar maxi dress, similar boots, similar cardigan)

I know everyone says that wearing a maxi dress feels like wearing pajamas, and it’s true.  They’re kind of great like that.  They’re also kind of great because they’re an item that can work well into fall, as long as it’s not raining.  Trust me, you don’t want to ride your bike in the rain in a maxi dress or skirt; they’re another item that takes forever to dry.  

Happily it’s still not raining here in Oregon, so I was able to wear my super-comfy maxi (Gap) which I made a little more autumn-appropriate with a bright yellow cardigan (gifted) and faux lace-up wedge boots (Kenneth Cole Reaction, v. old).  I also added a belt (thrifted) in an attempt to give myself some sort of waist being as I haven’t worked out in over a week now and have a midsection that appears to be made of pudding.  I have pudding abs, people; it’s not cute.

Pudding abs and mouth-breathing aside, I’m very happy to be back to work and back to posting nonsense.

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

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Pleats and Stripes and Silly Concerns

I don’t think this outfit photographed very well, but I loved it:

I swear it’s more flattering in person, but, I could be delusional so maybe “swear” isn’t the right word.  Really though, I felt great in this today.  After all, I found another way to style this pleated skirt (thrifted).  I’m wearing yet another bow blouse (vintage LeeMar via Vintage by The Pound).  AndI got to wear my Hive and Honey flats (Piperlime) again.  Basically it’s an outfit full of things I love: pleats, stripes, bows blouses and ankle strap flats.  

Also, I know it’s supposed to be some sort of fashion taboo to wear ankle straps with long skirts, but I think it worked.  Even if it hadn’t, I’m glad I tried it.  These poor flats languished in my closet for a long time because I was afraid the ankle strap would make me look stumpy.  I know that sounds like a silly concern for a giant, but I like being tall; I don’t want to look shorter.   Once I figured out that they don’t chop me off at the leg though (probably because, as Mia pointed out, the strap is essentially the same color as my leg) it was on.  They are super comfortable and while I know they’ll work with above the knee dresses and skirts, I wanted to experiment with other items too.  

Remember, it’s okay to experiment, even if it doesn’t always go well.

Gracey

EBEW: Color Blocking

Today is the Everybody, Everywear Color Blocking challenge.  So I wore blocks of color:

Because I think you haveto for it to be “color” blocking.  I mean, can you even color block with neutrals?  I don’t know, but I think probably not.  So, blocks of color it is.    

My blocks are a cobalt maxi skirt (Target) and a citron tank (Old Navy).  I added black sandals (White Mountain via Macys), a silver fringe necklace (Jessica Simpson via Macys) and a few bracelets (handmade, handmade, Macys).

To see how other bloggers blocked their colors, make sure you visit Everybody,Everywear.

And have a Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

The Summer Sweater

This sweater is another item from The Giant’s Closet that I really like, but am pretty clueless on how to style:

I bought it because it seems like a great summer sweater with its sheer stripes and butter yellow color.  And then I remembered that it seems weird to me to wear sweaters in summer.  And then I remembered that I never know how to style lightweight sweaters.  I gave it a try today though and paired the sweater (thrifted) with a floral maxi skirt (Target).  I added a braided belt (thrifted), black sandals (White Mountain via Macys) and an amber necklace (local artist).  

And I liked it enough that now I think maybe I can style it so I’m going to keep it around, at least for a bit.

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!  I hope you all have a fabulous, and safe, Fourth of July!

Gracey

Loose and Lazy Stripes

I was out rather late last night for Last Thursday (I’ll post pictures tomorrow) so I just wanted to be comfortable today.  Hence this rather loose and lazy (slatternly?) outfit:

I layered a loose, striped tee (Target) over a loose, striped maxi dress (Gap), added flats (Target), a multi-colored scarf (Nordstrom) and a silver cuff (thrifted).  It was like wearing stripe-y pajamas, which is just what I needed after a late night of tipsy tomfoolery.  Seriously, this is so cozy and comfortable; I’m definitely keeping all of these pieces in The Giants Closet.

Happy Friday, All!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Gracey

In the Valley of the Duplicates

Over the next two weeks I will be exploring an area in The Giants Closet called the Valley of the Duplicates.  So far in the Valley of the Duplicates, I have discovered seven white skirts and eight black skirts. 

Yes, I own eight black skirts.  Sure, they are all of varying lengths, fabrication and style, but it’s still eight black skirts.  Which, if I’m honest, seems at least a bit excessive.  So, I will be wearing, tossing or wearing and thentossing all of those skirts over the next week or so.  Starting with this black maxi skirt:

I paired the skirt (Target) with a cobalt tie-front blouse (Old Navy) and pewter sandals (Lovely People via Piperlime).  I also added a cuff (thrifted) and yellow hoop earrings (Nordstrom)

This skirt is one of my more recent, pre-Nosh Opping Expedition purchases from a time when I was single-handedly keeping my local Target afloat.  In my defense, I had a black maxi skirt on my list for some time so it wasn’t an impulse purchase.  But, I did also have seven other black skirts in my closet at the time, so, yeah. 

Still, I think this one’s a keeper.  As a giant it can be hard to find maxi skirts (and dresses) that are long enough, but I think this one works.  Also, it’s super comfortable, so, yes, this one stays.

Tomorrow, I will bring you Black Skirt # 2.

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

The Discomfort Zone

It’s not often that I leave my comfort zone to traipse around in my discomfort zone.  But, today I did:

Yes, people, that is a sweater dress.  With bold horizontal stripes.  Just writing the words makes me think, no, never, I couldn’t possibly.  And yet, I did.  And how I did it was to add pieces that are well within my comfort zone:

Although I think it’s good to sometimes take risks in my personal style, I don’t like to take too many because I don’t like to be uncomfortable in my clothes.  I don’t like them to pinch or bind, but I also don’t like to be mentally uncomfortable.  I don’t want to have to worry about what angle someone is viewing me from or whether the cake I ate yesterday is going to start pregnancy rumors.

So, yes, this dress (Old Navy) is a bit more body-conscious than I’d usually go for, but I made sure I bought an XL so it’s not super tight.  I added the blazer (Gap) and my security blanket burnt orange scarf (Nordstrom) to disguise the cake baby.  And I wore faux-lace up boots (Kenneth Cole Reaction) because I’m tall and maxi dresses are a little less maxi on me so used the opportunity to show the boots.  And security blanket aside, I do feel quite visibile in this dress, so I've linked up to Visible Monday over at Not Dead Yet Style.

But, enough about me.  What about you, Dear Readers?  Do you have any tricks for trips to the discomfort zone?

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey