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Corks + Caftans

Freedom from the sneaky [closet] hate spiral.

May 28, 2010 19 Comments

[If you dig these AJ Morgan sunnies from Seventh Door, go get ’em and get 15% off with code ‘corksandcaftans’.]

[Gryphon metal sequin mini skirt + T by A Wang + Burberry slings + Seventh Door sunglasses.]

Thanks to the complete, trans-inducing hotness over at fadetoblack (in particular, this post, meow), I found these awesome sunglasses that are making me love all of my clothes again. I’ll take her hair, too.

This is sort of a remix of yesterday’s post. One statement piece, super simple basics, and a ton of jewelry. I think it’s a formula that works for me but I was losing faith in. I’m drawn to simplicity in dressing that still manages to make a statement. Maybe that’s why I’ve never been to the ModCloth website before in my life—never even clicked on that sucker. I’ve seen one printed dress/purposely ugly romper, and I’ve seen them all. But that’s just me; I’m skittish.

Also, and this is a shout to Robin: this is totally Kate Moss-inspired. I really want some low, black cowboy boots and a creamy cropped lace boudoir jacket to wear with this.

If I could wake up in the morning knowing I could do whatever I wanted all day long—no work, no desk and chair—this is how I’d dress. But with more black eyeliner. I notice that, when I’m standing in front of my closet at 8 am, staring dead-eyed and scratching my butt, I’m too pissed off at the fact that I’m awake to put on anything I like. Rob says I sound like a gruff, drunk Russian man when I answer his sweet, good-intentioned questions in the morning.

“Sweetie, can I pack you yogurt?” “Skkkrvnnantrovich, ftsdsdddsss [sic] ghhhIdontknowssstchev, bah, vhrah.”

I punish everyone around me during these lovely morning moments, including myself. [For more on this, see Sneaky Hate Spiral.] My head is like, “No! You will not enjoy your clothing this day!” so, many days, I put on something I hate, like a Pavlovian response to the alarm clock, grab some 8-year-old flats from the “To Goodwill” bag with a missing heel and charge out the door. [I’ve been known to change at lunch, when some blood sugar facilitates a sweeter disposition.]

I purposely slept in these bangles last night so I wouldn’t have an excuse not to put them on this morning. But these glasses just add my brand of polish to whatever I throw on. Thanks, Seventh Door!

More road trips this weekend. I’m packing sequins and caftans, turning my phone off, and wishing you all incredible holidays.

-Carey

Filed Under: Threads Tagged With: fadetoblack, Gryphon, Riedel, Rose wine glass, Seventh Door sunglasses, shopbop.com, T by Alexander Wang, vintage jewelry

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Comments

  1. Mariona says

    May 28, 2010 at 10:04 am

    You have a very interesting style, a mix of elegant and trendy.
    I love the glasses, the skirt as it has combined with the shirt.

    Reply
    • corksandcaftans says

      May 28, 2010 at 10:27 am

      Thank you very much for your kind comment.

      You know, I’ve always been sort of shy getting dressed—I think I shy away from overtly sexy stuff, which has translated to my putting things together in a weird way that tones down aspects of one bold piece. It’s just the only way I’ll walk out of the house in most of the things I own! So I’m glad it comes across well 🙂

      Reply
  2. Megan says

    May 28, 2010 at 10:38 am

    Laura and I have that same closet discussion quite often actually. Getting dressed in the mornings is really no fun.

    The shoes are usually the problem. I love all my shoes – I buy cute shoes to….wear them. But for some reason, early in the morning, I cannot fathom wearing cute shoes. I look at my wedges and heels and think nope, no way. Then I choose a pair of old navy thong sandals and am bored with myself two hours later.

    Anyway, Gryphon has always been a favorite of mine (from afar). Still don’t own anything but I feel like my life would be way more glamorous if I wore Gryphon all the time. Cause you look glam, girl!

    Reply
    • corksandcaftans says

      June 1, 2010 at 11:18 am

      I’m the same way about shoes. Plus I usually tend to be overdressed in my office anyway. I need better inbetween shoes. If you find any, let me know. These leather flappy JCrew flip flops make me look pretty turdish.

      Reply
  3. Megan says

    May 28, 2010 at 10:46 am

    Oh I also have to p.s. that we also had a similar discussion to what you wrote about modcloth. I could go on but feel that I may be shot down with a bolt of blogger lightening if I continue…

    Reply
    • corksandcaftans says

      May 28, 2010 at 10:52 am

      HAHA! I’m worried I already have been for saying that, and I just don’t know it yet. I think all those girls tend to look really cute, it’s just not me. I get overwhelmed by the 80s florals and lose my cool.

      Reply
  4. kater says

    May 28, 2010 at 11:00 am

    omgskirt. I love it, and I’m envious as ever of your aaamazing gams!

    Never quite sure what to make of modcloth. It *should* appeal to me, and some of it does, but occasionally I’ll zoom in and feel a little dubious about the materials, and I tend to wrinkle my nose at some of their prices. Why spend my pennies there on something vintage-inspired when I could hunt around and find something actually vintage (and sometimes a bit cheaper)? I don’t mean to bad-mouth it, it’s a lovely site, I’ve just never been enticed enough to buy (and I’m fairly certain I’m in the niche they aim for).

    Reply
    • corksandcaftans says

      May 28, 2010 at 11:10 am

      Well, there! You basically put my feelings into words, since I wasn’t organized enough to myself. So thank you!

      Great, great point. Exactly. The vintage is out there. I’ve also always been quality over quantity; I may have a lot of clothes, but most are 5+ years old. And MC is so heavily involved in supporting bloggers, the PR person in me tends to shrink away in skepticism.

      And I could easily get sucked in by the prices. I stalk things for months before I buy (like this skirt, ended up at $60–ahh) but I know I could have thrown that $60 out with the morning coffee if I’d been trolling MC and feeling like I needed a trendy pick-me-up.

      Thanks for your comment. Very well said. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Holli says

    May 28, 2010 at 12:00 pm

    Oh, what a great post…and some super fabulous style too! I feel like I’ve been in somewhat of a style slump and I do believe you may have just inspired me right out of it. A lot of what I’ve been seeing lately in the blog world is simply just not me, modcloth included. Anyay, I don’t think I need to say anymore because you just said it all perfectly…the blah mornings, the statement piece, quality vs. quantity, etc. I’ve been enjoying your blog A TON! Wine and style and two of my favorite things on the planet:) Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  6. KC says

    May 28, 2010 at 1:53 pm

    You and your sparkly skirt are really glamming up the building I used to work in. I see it in a whole new indigo light now. Out with the memories of eating it on the ice on those stairs in the background, in with Gryphon goodness. I like the new sunnies, too.

    Reply
  7. robin says

    May 28, 2010 at 2:19 pm

    Ahhh…..the Kate Moss conundrum. If I could run around all day dressed like that I would. You look amazing as is, but you’re right a kick ass pair of low cowboy boots (the golden goose pair have been on my wish list forever) and a bed jacket would definitely amp things up the Miss Moss way.

    BTW, what do you think of her spring line at Top Shop? I like the blue and white stripe shorts, but the term “hot pants” scared me off because I like to keep my shorts three inches or longer like you. There was also a pretty leaf print maxi dress and lace trimmed blouse that I liked. Other years (sorry Kate) I feel like the line has been a little too trashy/cheesy, but this year I think things have toned down a bit. What I really would like to see is how she would wear these things herself.)

    Reply
    • corksandcaftans says

      May 28, 2010 at 2:38 pm

      I love the suede shorts (worry re: shortness, so would probably wear them with tights in winter), love the silk/lace jacket/top, love the lace shorts, and there’s a short print dress I loved too—like leaves. Some of it is pretty expensive!

      Reply
  8. mickie says

    May 28, 2010 at 5:17 pm

    ok…you are just too cute!
    great legs! and i just love so much that you are always holding a glass of delicious wine. gosh. :0)

    Reply
  9. becca says

    May 29, 2010 at 7:04 pm

    I heart reading your blog. Found it by accident and am a daily reader…xo. becca

    Reply
    • corksandcaftans says

      June 1, 2010 at 10:47 am

      You are awesome. Thank you so much for the sweet comment—and C+C loves your by accident findage. stay in touch!

      Reply
  10. Carrie says

    May 31, 2010 at 3:02 pm

    So glad you like the sunnies!! They’re one of my personal faves, too.

    GREAT BLOG!

    xo, carrie

    http://www.seventhdoorblog.com

    Reply
  11. Jamie says

    June 1, 2010 at 8:45 am

    i love this look. the sequins with regular shirt. i have sequin shorts that i need to wear more – do it find it itchy though?

    and ps, you always rock the awesome jewelry. LOVE.

    http://workyourcloset.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • corksandcaftans says

      June 1, 2010 at 10:42 am

      thanks, dude! This skirt actually isn’t itchy at all… the sequins are metal so have a lot of weight to them, but they definitely don’t have that edge plastic ones do. I want to see those shorts!

      Reply
  12. DaisyLine says

    June 23, 2010 at 4:57 am

    nice photos 🙂 great outfit!

    http://daisyline.blogspot.com/

    Reply

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Forward Observer for the Donut Squad. I write and drink things in Richmond, VA

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