Tag Archives: scarf

April 20, 2015 · 9:38 pm

Skater Skirt and flats

I started putting this outfit together, scarf-first. I wanted to wear this patterned scarf. So I grabbed some solids and let the scarf take the spotlight.

Cardigan: Swapped
Tank: Target
Scarf: Boutique in Portland
Skirt: Swapped
Tights: Target
Shoes: Beyond Skin

Gray and olive aren’t colors I usually mix together, but I really like they way it looks. I usually stick with warmer tones (khaki, tan, brown) when I wear olive. But the grey is fresh–plus, the colors in the scarf pulls it all together.

My Beyond Skin bowtie flats worked well with the short, flirty style of the skirt. These shoes were my “reward” for my contribution to a Kickstarter. They fit perfectly and go with practically everything. Score! Beyond Skin is a UK-based ethical shoe company. They’re animal-free (no leather) and work closely with factories in Spain to make sure people aren’t exploited in the making of these shoes either.

I’m joining the Visible Monday, Style to Inspire, and How I Spring link-ups today. See what everyone else is wearing!

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Tagged as fashion, scarf, skirt, style, thrifty fashion, tights

March 30, 2015 · 11:56 pm

Black and Red Maxi Skirt and Nicora John Boots

Today, I’m starting from the bottom up.

Vegan boots: Nicora John
Skirt: Fred Meyer
Top: Gifted
Scarf: Herbivore Clothing
Faux leather jacket: Aeropostal

My new Nicora John boots are my favorite thing ever! They go with everything and are quickly becoming part of my “uniform.” These are handmade in LA, in an eco-friendly factory (solar panels anyone?). NJ is keeping the craft of shoemaking alive in the US, while working exclusively with textile leathers (meaning they’re all vegan). I can’t say enough great things about this company.

I found out Nicora John is doing a fundraiser to upgrade their factory, increase production, and lower costs.

Turns out there are next to zero shoe manufacturing facilities left in the United States available to emerging shoe companies, which forces them to outsource. The USA has lost 70,000 jobs in the show industry since 1979! And unregulated foreign-made shoes often lack animal welfare laws or labor and environmental standards.

There are so many reasons to support Nicora John. Plus, these boots are comfy! I’ll be getting the Willow boots next. So cute!

Okay, up to the skirt. This skirt looks red, but is actually a fine red and black striped fabric. I saw it on clearance and couldn’t resist (even though I’m trying to stick to my shopping goals of supporting USA-made and/or small businesses–it’s hard to break old habits and shop in a new way!).

I wore my new skirt with a scarf (purchased in a small shop), so maybe that evens things out. Scarves are my favorite way to dress up an outfit (and stay warm).

I think a faux leather jacket goes with just about anything. I wear mine all the time–with jeans, pencil skirts, dresses, and long skirts. This quilted version has a nice texture and is my go-to jacket.

I’m linking up with Style Elixir, Rachel the Hat, Penniless Socialite, and Rhea Etcetera–check out what everyone else is wearing!

7 Comments

Filed under Ethical, Fashion

Tagged as boots, faux leather jacket, infinity scarf, jacket, nicora johns, scarf, skirt, stripes

March 13, 2015 · 8:46 pm

Safari Jacket with Scarf and Jeans

No, I’m not heading out on safari, but I am wearing a handy safari-style jacket. I found this in Vancouver, and as soon as I checked to make sure the sleeves were faux leather, I bought it.

Jacket: Bedo
Jeans: Suzy Shier
Sweater: Express
Scarf: Bebenoir
Boots: Novacas
Tote: Crystalyn Kae

It works well with lots of outfits, but this time, I paired it with a bright sweater and scarf with a bird motif (Put a bird on it!).

I’ve been trying to shop locally, buy sustainably, and support fair trade brands. I find these types of articles last longer, even though they often cost more–so it evens out. Of course it will take a while to convert my wardrobe to the ethical closet I want it to be, but with each outfit, I try to incorporate such pieces.

For this outfit, my Novacas boots fit the bill. Made in Portugal, from green (non-leather) materials, the company prides itself in good working conditions and fair wages.

My tote is glazed fabric and handmade by Crystalyn Kae, so it counts too (made in the USA, small business, sustainable, and ethical). I love her work and I’d encourage you to check out the line. She was one of the first brands to reach out to me to review a product, and I fell in love with her bags.

I’m joining the Penniless Socialite, Rachel the Hat, and Happiness at Mid-Life for link-ups. See what everyone else is wearing!

7 Comments

Filed under Ethical, Fashion

Tagged as boots, Crystalyn Kae, fashion, jeans, scarf, style, vegan

December 12, 2014 · 8:57 pm

Plaid and Stars

On our recent visit to New York, my parents and I visited Beacon’s Closet, a trendy, second-hand shop with a few locations around town. My dad got a great Hawaiian shirt, my mom bought a velvet top, and she found me this Yves Saint Laurent star appliqué t-shirt.

Top: YSL via Beacon’s Closet
Pants: LEI
Pleather boots: Coconuts via swapped
Scarf: Fred Meyer

The stars on the t-shirt are tone-on-tone so it didn’t seem too busy to mix patterns. I took a chance by adding a scarf with elephant motif. The reason it’s not too overpowering is because the color palette is minimal. Sand, wine and black.

After a dry summer with dormant grass (I had to mow only the weeds), my grass finally turned green and started to grow. Now that it’s cooler, the grass isn’t growing, but it’s still green. Perfect! I’m waiting for the last of the leaves to fall off this tree so I can add a single, red Christmas ornament–an homage to the Charlie Brown Christmas tree!

I’m linking up with Miss Papelicos, Passion for Fashion, Favorite Fashion Friday, and Happiness at Midlife. See what all the others are wearing!

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Filed under Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as boots, fashion, plaid, scarf, style, thrifty fashion

October 16, 2014 · 7:44 pm

Tent-striped Skirt for Fall

Here’s another #tbt to last fall. One of the few outfits I neglected to post.

Top: Old Navy
Skirt: H&M
Tights: Roots Canada
Pleather boots: DSW
Scarf: Gift from Marion
Ring: Gift from Mom
Vinyl bag: Snap Designs

I loved the wide, black and white stripes on this skirt (yes I got the same one in a cat pattern–I just couldn’t decide). This one had a dramatic, circus-tent look.

To offset the dramatic pattern, I wore all black. But I still needed to inject a bit of color into my look. I chose a lovely mauve scarf that my aunt sent me all the way from Germany. My yellow bag is the complementary shade to purple so they work well together.

Last fall was the point when my hair was the longest it’s been in a decade. I’ve had pixies and bobs and finally got it this long before getting trim after trim until my hair is short again. I can never decide!

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Tagged as fashion, scarf, skirt, stripes, style, tights

May 20, 2014 · 9:10 pm

Faux Suede Skinny Jeans

I few weeks ago, before the cherry blossoms blew away in the wind, I debuted my new, faux-suede skinny jeans.

Top: Old Navy
Pants: Swapped
Boots: Urban Outfitters
Scarf: Fred Meyer’s
Cuff: Etsy
Trench (below): Swapped

I picked these up at a clothing exchange earlier this year. They’re so soft and, well, suede-like. A great example of how you can get the look and feel without the actual skin. Plus, these are stretchy and machine-washable. You can’t say that about suede. I picked up the same brand and style in gray corduroy too. I don’t know who dumped these terrific pants, but thank you!

I paired my pants with a simple long-sleeved t-shirt and threw on a scarf. I like the subtle elephant pattern of this scarf.

Nothing says spring like a trench coat. I threw a patterned coat (also from an exchange) over my outfit. It color-coordinated and introduced another pattern, which I like.

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Filed under Ethical, Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as fashion, scarf, style, thrifty fashion, trench coat, vegan

April 24, 2014 · 8:06 pm

Houndstooth Scarf and a Wild Surprise

My mom recently sent me a couple of neat scarves (and one for hubby). I got this houndstooth number and a leopard one; hubby got a Blackwatch tartan scarf (but I might wear it too).

Sweater: Swapped
Skirt: Swapped
Tights: Roots Canada
Boots: DSW
Scarf: Gifted

I wore my scarf with a bright pink sweater I picked up from a clothing exchange.

Halfway through my photo shoot, I heard a strange rat-a-tat-tat.

I looked up and across the street, hammering on a cell tower, was a woodpecker!

What a beauty. I believe this guy (or gal) is a pileated woodpecker.

I love eyeing wildlife–especially in the city. It’s amazing how many neat animals drop by. From rabbits to crows, they’re all so fun to watch. I’ve even seen raccoons. Hubby’s even seen a full-grown buck and two coyotes (we live near a greenbelt). I admire all the species who work hard to eke out an existence and raise their families.

After my nature experience, I picked up my purse–an amazing Susan Nicole number that I won in a raffle at the Walk for Farm Animals last fall–and headed off to work.

I’m joiningtwo linkups today: Lena B. Actually for Passion for Fashion and Style Elixir for Friday Fab Favorites. See what all the others are wearing!

13 Comments

Filed under Fashion

Tagged as animals, boots, fashion, pileated woodpecker, scarf, skirt, style, sweater, thrifty fashion, wildlife

February 16, 2014 · 9:40 pm

Stripes and Khaki

Here’s a blast from the not-so-distant past. A striped, floral and khaki number I wore in the fall and never added to the blog.

Top: Marshall’s
Pants/belt: Macy’s
Shoes: Payless
Scarf: Shop in Portland

I’m looking for spring outfit ideas and this will work now, just like it worked in October. In fact, in Seattle, it works about nine months of the year. There’s only a few months in winter when open toes are too chilly for me. Even in summer, a light 3/4-length top and loose pants are fine, especially in the evening. Only the red leaves on the tree date these pictures.

I squeezed in a bit of pattern mixing with my floral scarf, and the red in the scarf picks up the color of my shoes. These shoes are so comfortable! The platform means the heels isn’t as high as it looks, and the pleather is soft and not at all sweaty.

I’ve worn these pants a lot! Definitely got my eleven dollar’s worth. They were on sale in the junior’s department and even came with the belt. I wanted a loose, casual look so I went up two sizes.

My grass is still green–we’ve had rain and only two days’ of snow this winter–but my herb garden is asleep. I can’t wait until spring so I can cook with freshly picked chives, parsley, basil and rosemary!

What parts of spring are you looking forward to?

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Filed under Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as fashion, khaki, red shoes, scarf, stripes, style, thrifty fashion

November 8, 2013 · 11:01 am

Floral Dress for Fall

I picked up this Tucker for Target dress at a clothing exchange last spring. My friend never wore it because it was too short for her 5′ 11″ frame. I get it! It’s short on me and I’m barely 5′ 7″.

Dress: Tucker for Target via swapped
Jacket: Swapped
Tights: Target
Pleather boots: MIA
Scarf: DIY
Belt: Swapped

But with tights, I feel covered up. I didn’t wear this with bare legs in the summer, but it’s a fun fall dress. And with the black background, the floral seems seasonally appropriate.

I paired the dress with merlot tights this time. There are so many colors in the dress that I can wear lots of different tights with it: forest or marigold are my two next choices.

You might recognize my scarf. It’s one of the DIY t-shirt scarves I made a few years ago. I liked the light blue and how it played with the wine and denim.

Without my jacket, the dress is obviously summery, but I’ll just keep layered and keep on wearing my summer clothes into winter.

Do you make “out of season” clothes work year-round?

I’m joining two link-ups today: Passion for Fashion at Lena B Actually and Friday’s Fab Favorites at Style Elixir. Check out what everyone else is wearing!

13 Comments

Filed under DIY, Fashion, Hot and Cold, Thrifty

Tagged as boots, dress, fashion, scarf, style, thrifty fashion, tights, upcycling

June 20, 2013 · 2:26 pm

Springtime Scarf

Considering the official start of summer is tomorrow, I’ll stop posting shots with tights and scarves. The rain did come back today, and tights are not out of the question, but these pictures are a few weeks old. I sold these shoes earlier this week. Proof that I’m sitting on my photos!

Top: Swapped
Skirt: Swapped
Scarf: Swapped
Tights: Target
Shoes: John Fluevog

I’m happy to have sold them (even though I love that heel) because now I have money for new shoes. I’m replacing all my leather shoes with non-leather ones. Fluevogs do have vegan styles from time to time but nothing intriguing at the moment. Sigh.

Other than a shoe splurge that I’ve now partially regained, this is a thrifty outfit. I’m particularly smitten with the scarf. It’s light enough for warmer weather and has a neat combination of colors: olive, wine, yellow and gray.