Fresh for Fall – Tasseled Scarves

Adding a scarf to your fall wardrobe is probably not the most ground-breaking suggestion I’ve ever made.  But wait.  I’m not done.  What I’m actually suggesting is adding a tasseled scarf to your fall wardrobe.

What’s that?  Mind blown?  Yeah, I figured as much.  

Seriously though, while scarves for fall may not seem fresh or new, tasseled scarves do feel new.  Everyone owns printed scarves and fringed scarves and printed scarves with fringe.  Adding a tasseled scarf to your wardrobe adds interest and an injection of “now” for the new season.

Below are some tasseled scarves that I think would be fabulous additions to any fall look.

Anthropologie “Scotia” Tasseled Scarf

Scotia scarf (image via Anthropologie)

This scarf has everything, in the best possible way; stripes, subtle sequins and multicolored tassels in a palette that will work all year round.

Mango TOUCH Printed Tasseled Scarf

Mango TOUCH print scarf (image via mango.com)

Obviously you’re going to need a scarf with orange in it for fall.  Obviously.

Muk Luks Guatemalan Tasseled Scarf

Muk Luks scarf (image via Amazon.com)

This scarf is cool.  Like you picked this scarf up in a market in the Andes cool.  And the color palette is gorgeous.

The Limited Tasseled Infinity Scarves

Both of these scarves make me very happy; you really can’t go wrong with leopard or plaid for fall. 

Anthropologie Tradewinds Tassel Scarf

Tradewinds Tassel Scarf (Image via Anthropologie)

Not interested in putting a riot of colors near your face?  Then, for you, I recommend this Anthropologie scarf.  The palette is subtle and sophisticated but not boring.

Michael Stars Hummingbird Tasseled Scarf

Hummingbird scarf (image via Nieman Marcus)

Come on, folks; it’s hummingbirds and tassels.  Hummingbirds.  And.  Tassels.  ‘Nough said.

So, what do you think, Reader Friends?  Are you a fan of tasseled scarves?

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

DIY: Put a Tassel on It

I loved the “global chic” trend this summer and especially loved all the tasseled sandals on the market as the result of the trend.  I did not, however, want to buy a new pair of sandals that I knew I wouldn’t get much use out of.  As much as I love “global chic” it’s not exactly my daily aesthetic and I didn’t think the cost-per-wear would be low enough to justify new sandals.  Instead, I decided to put a tassel on some sandals I already own… leading to my very first DIY!

 

I’m going to show you how to turn these:

 

 

Into these:

First, you need some sandals.  I chose my Jeffery Campbell pair because they already have a sort of casual/boho feel to them.  And the t-strap is the perfect place to put some tassels:

 

For tassels, I purchased some faux-leather ones on Etsy at Bohemian Findings for less than $5.00.  I was able to message the vendor requesting two of each color and specifying the colors I wanted.  In addition to tassels, you will also need small (3/4” or 7/8”) gold-tone safety pins:

 

 You will need three tassels and four safety pins per shoe.
 

Step 1 – Put one safety pin on each tassel.

 

 

Step 2 – Attach the first tassel to the sandal.

Step 3 – Attach the rest of the tassels to the shoe.


As you can see, instead of attaching my tassels to a buckle, I attached them to a cross-strap so they’d hang where I wanted them.  But, you can certainly attach them to a buckle or other hardware.

 

Step 4 – Repeat on the other shoe.

 

Step 5 (Optional) – Once all three tassels are on, attach the fourth pin crosswise, so they’re grouped together.

 

 

Step 6 – You’re done.  Wear your newly tasseled shoes as you see fit.

I wore mine with all-white for yesterday's Two Birds' Inspiration Monday.

 

Note: I chose to put my tassels on the front of my shoes, but they’d look equally cute hanging from the ankle.

 

And there you have it, my very first DIY.  As you can see, it’s both cheap and easy! 

 

Happy Tuesday, All!

 

Gracey

Inspiration Monday: Olivia Palermo

Today, I’m joining up with Two Birds and countless others for Inspiration Monday.  Our inspiration today is Olivia Palermo:

 

 

I have to admit that I don’t really understand who she is or why she’s famous.  Is she famous?  I don’t think she has a sex tape, so probably not.  Anyway, what I do know about her is that she can definitely dress.  She always looks on trend without looking like she’s a slave to trends.  Take the above outfit as an example; she’s doing the “global chic” thing, but she’s doing it her way.

 

And here I am, doing it my way:

 

 

 I almost didn’t participate today because I don’t have a white dress (not for lack of trying though; I just canNOT find one I like).  And then I remembered that I have a white skirt (Ann Taylor) and a white shirt (Gap) so I wore those in lieu of a dress. 

 

I finished the look with some layered necklaces and some self-tasseled sandals (Jeffrey Campbell via Nordstrom):

 

 

 

I STILL want a white dress, dammit, but I think this’ll do in a pinch.

 

Happy Monday, All!

 

Gracey

That’s the Spirit!

Today is the Everybody, Everywear Back to School Challenge.  Having not been in school for years (don't worry how many, it's not important) I decided to show my school spirit by wearing the colors of my alma mater, Washington State University:

According to our fight song, we're supposed to "win the day for crimson and gray"*:

So I paired a crimson pleated sweater skirt (vintage, thrifted) with a lightweight gray sweatshirt (Old Navy) and tasseled booties (Seychelles “Clue” via 2011 NAS).  I then realized that in my attempt to go “sporty” I looked like an old-timey cheerleader, so I quickly added a turquoise and silver necklace.  Because, let’s be honest, you can’t do cheers in a squash blossom necklace (vintage via Lil’ Gypsy), you’ll knock your teeth out.

In addition to the turquoise necklace, I also wore my new turquoise earrings (vintage via Lil’ Gypsy):

Looking at my outfit, I think it’s unfortunate WSU’s colors don’t include turquoise.  Don’t you think this uniform would look better with a pop of turquoise?

Image via Fresh University

Like the numbering.  Or the helmet.  Oooh, a turquoise helmet would be sooo pretty.

Even though my team doesn’t have pretty helmets, I have spirit, yes, I do.  I have spirit, how ‘bout you?!  You do?  Well, then, make sure you’re linked up over at Everybody, Everywear!

And have a Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

Gracey

*Our fight song also says we're the "best in the West," but that hasn't been true for over a decade.  Sad face.

Like A Real Blogger

I feel almost like a real blogger today:

 

Layers?  Check.  Awkward skirt length coupled with awkward boot height?  Check.  Blogger bun (sans the sock)?  Check.  

Of course, I should probably be wearing a statement necklace, probably the J. Crew Bubble, instead of my tasseled pendant.  And I probably should have tripled the guest list to my arm party.  And I’m missing a clutch to hold across my body.  Oh, and I should probably be staring pensively into the distance instead of smiling.

But, really, those small missteps aside, I think I came pretty darn close to real blogger-ness today.  The formula?  Loose gray midi dress (thrifted) + open-weave, button-back sweater (Old Navy) + cuffed, heeled boots (Gap).  And of course accessories; mine are a pendant necklace (Old Navy) + bracelets (Banana Republic, gifted and Macys) + earrings (Target).

Happy Friday, Everyone!

Gracey

Rough Going in the Land of Nosh Opping

I am beginning to dread what I believe is the months of exploration I have left in the Giant’s Closet region of the Land of Nosh Opping.  Although I’ve been here for a mere three weeks, it feels like three months.  And I can certainly see why they don’t get a lot of tourist dollars in Nosh Opping.  The weather isn’t that great, the terrain is inhospitable and the government is really strict on the whole no shopping thing. 

I know that the more quickly I get through, or get rid of, all the items in my closet, the more quickly I can return to the land of retail and joy, but it’s been rough going to create outfits with new pieces each day.  This was the fourth look I tried on today:

And it was such a struggle fording the river and climbing the hill to get here (my mule, Maurice, was once again of little help), that I’m not even sure it was worth it.  I know I like the pieces of this outfit, but I’m not sure it all works together.  I believe the hardships of this expedition may be causing me to lose perspective. 

What I do know is that I like, and plan on keeping, all of these pieces.  I like the top (vintage, thrifted) though I think it could be less boxy.  I also like these pants (vintage men’s pants, thrifted) and do like the top with them.  And, the shoes are great (Jeffery Campbell via Nordstom) though perhaps not with this?  I don’t know.  Did I mention the food here sucks?

But, what doesn’t suck is the fact that today is Friday and it’s sunny and I’m going to the Doug Fir to listen to Guy Dilly tonight.  I’m very excited.

Happy Friday, All!  Enjoy your weekends!

Gracey

Put a Stick Pin in It

This dress is too big.  It always has been but I usually belt it.  Today, though, I decided to put a stick pin in it:

Which was surprisingly really very easy.  I just gathered the excess fabric to the left and worked a stick pin through the folds.  I did have to try it a couple of times to get it where I wanted it, but I’m really pleased with how it turned out.  Here is a close up (please to ignore the lint):

I layered the dress over a striped tee (J. Crew), added cuffed boots (Gap), polka dot socks (Target), a tassel necklace (Old Navy), Nikki Jacoby earrings and a cuff (thrifted). 

Also, last time I wore these boots, a side-view was requested, so here that is:  

And I think that’s it for me.  I have a pretty busy weekend planned, including a Stone in Love concert.  Stone in Love is a very good local Journey cover band and they are so much fun to watch.  We are watching them at the Star Theater in Portland and here is a video from last year's show at the Aladdin:

Happy Friday, Everyone!  Have a wonderful weekend!!

Gracey