paint it black

so i'm very guilty of not blogging in a long, long time and have no good reason as to why. but i'm back--and in black. this winter, i've found myself wearing a lot of black. not sure why. maybe it's the cold, maybe i'm feeling like i need new wardrobe options and wearing all black is just easy, but somewhere in the midst of all this funereal apparel, i've gotten the most compliments on my painted black days. true that i'll typically wear one bold accessory with the otherwise monochromatic ensemble, but it still strikes me as bizarre every single time. last friday, i wore a black michael stars v-neck tee, a black on black houndstooth skirt, black tights and black boots. the accessory was a gray (see, still black, just less black) infinity scarf wrapped around twice with a brooch (yes, i did steal that idea from kayla k). many compliments resulted. this friday, i'm wearing black cropped skinny pants and a drop waist black sweater dress/tunic with a black chunky belt slung low on the hips. again, receiving compliments on the ensemble. to me, most of my more colorful outfits are so much more thoughtfully composed and much more effort was involved, but perhaps it's all perception. does the one bold accessory and the simplicity of one color draws people in? is this an end of the work week ramble? perhaps. but up for discussion if you like. and in summary, i'm back, often in black, and i'll try to be better at more frequent posts.

lovesies, g

geological

i had doubts about this combination, but i'm really liking it now. it reminds me of the crazy colors you see near hot springs & geysirs - deep red/orange iron formations, dark blue water, and bright green algae.

happy friday, friends!

inspired by

i recently started an inspiration board in my sewing room and a theme has developed as the fabric swatches, favorite art prints, and catalog tear sheets are tacked up next to each other. deep gold, rich blue, and soft mint is the color coupling du jour.

ps: i've been drooling over the pencil skirts (in stunning, saturated colors) at j.crew this fall...and my lovely husband surprised me with this one for my bday. love it. love him.

where did november go?

obviously we were all wearing horrible color combos or something... :) i've got one for today. the photo color's not the best, but oh well. yay for this awesome color skirt i found at urban in london!

primps and hose

So, not a good picture, but last weekend this girl had to primp it up and chose to wear my favorite hose for a friend's wedding. the picture is husband flicking a leaf off said double fishnet hose, but i focus on the color palette and ignore the rest. a j.crew olive green taffeta with a serving of etsy knitted eggplant at shoulders and two sueded hive and honey eggplant feet. creamy pearls neutralized and accessorized.

JAILBREAK!

hi friends, here's a fun topic for us to discuss: preconceived notions of certain color patterns and combinations. whenever i wear stripes, like today, i don't get, "grace, how trend-appropriate of you!" from my husband. instead, i get, "JAILBREAK!" ruffles are pirate, and there's some sort of "yarrr" comment. yellow and black is a bumblebee. orange and black is halloween, etc. does this happen to you?

that aside, today's outfit features gray (which i'm currently obsessed with) white, and a pop of red.

happy tuesday!

easing into autumn.

i've been neglecting my blog-baby. to catch up, here's yesterday's recipe:

• 1 part navy, slim & cropped, with scuba seams
• 1 part pleated chambray
• 1 part ruffled teal
• ...and just a smidgen of mustard

mix & enjoy.
happy thursday, friends!