HOW TO WEAR BLACK AND GRAY AND NOT LOOK DRAB
I am still so tired this morning after being out on the town last night. Lol! I mean, I didn’t get home until around 10:30 pm and I was afraid I was going to turn into a pumpkin. The problem wasn’t that I stayed out too late the problem was that I couldn’t wind down after I got home. I bet some of you can relate to what I am talking about. I do this when I go home (to my parent’s house) also. Once I drive the 5-hour trip to get there you would think that I would be worn out and ready for bed but instead, I will be up to 2:00 am in the morning.
If you read my blog post yesterday, then you know I went to a R+F corporate-led event in Johnson City, Tennessee. This was my first experience at a corporate event and it was so exciting. The drive to Johnson City is 2 hours for me but this is a drive that anyone in my area is used to making. This is the drive that we make on a regular basis to go to a mall shopping. I know for some of you this is hard to comprehend because you might have 3 malls in a 30-mile radius. But, for us country bumpkins, a shopping experience takes time and preparation. You get up early, drive the two hours, shop all day long, and then drive the two hours back home where you will collapse in your bed. 
For someone who doesn’t (didn’t) wear a lot of gray or black, I am sure wearing a lot of it this fall and winter. Yesterday’s look was gray and today’s is gray and black and tomorrow’s has the very same color palette also. Lol! I have said many times on this blog that I tend to go in spurts and I will wear the same color over and over. One time it was mustards and golds and one time it was different shades of purple. It looks like it is the color gray this go-around. This top is over a year old and I must not have ever worn it before because it had the tags still attached. I don’t know why I haven’t worn it before because I LOVE the outline in black. You talk about slimming, this is a perfect top to help you look thinner. The only thing that would have made it better is if the black had also run down the sides of the top. That would have made you outer edges disappear and you would look 10 pounds lighter. Of course, you would still have those 10 pounds but you wouldn’t look it. Lol!
For my accessories, I went with a little bling. The gray and black are striking but also boring. I added the Stacey bling aurora borealis earrings to draw some attention to my face. These are 1.25 shimmery studs and they are just beautiful. The necklace has a cross with the same aurora borealis stones. The Lizzy necklace comes with an attached cream colored fabric tassel but I removed it. The tassel didn’t always match the outfit I was wearing (like this one) but the cross would go great with the outfit so I took a pair of pliers and pried open the jump ring and took it off. I still have the tassel and the jump ring if I ever want to reattach it at a later date. The aurora borealis bling bracelet is the Flynn and the gray bling bracelet is the Ezra. The Corey bracelet is the only jewelry that I am wearing that is not shiny or covered with rhinestones. I wanted to add a differently textured bracelet to break up all the matchy, matchy. I ended up liking how the bracelet changed up the look but what do you gurls think? Yay or nay?
Was there a show called “True Confessions” or something like that? Anyway, the reason I am asking is because I have a confession to make. I didn’t end up wearing these ankle boots with this outfit! ? Instead, I ended up wearing the pair of tall black knee boots that I have on in this post. Once I had taken the pictures and uploaded them to my computer I wasn’t happy with the look. I changed shoes and SHOULD have taken more pictures but I was running late. Remember how busy I said I was? Well, that is just an excuse and I could have taken more pictures but I was just being lazy. Oops! I told you it was true confessions. Even though I didn’t wear this pair today, I still love this pair of ankle boots by Marc Fisher. I have really become a fan of this brand and I have many many pairs of shoes from him. This pair looks more “hip” and “youthful” because of the crossing leather straps, the silver buckle embellishments, and the block heel. These have a “rocker” chick look to them.
The black pants are Pixie pants from Old Navy. You gurls know that I am a fan of Old Navy and I am particularly fond of the Pixie pant style. This pair has the spandex material in them so I always size up when that happens. They still fit plenty tight and they don’t sag as the day goes on. That is VERY important!!!
Excuses. We all make them. Joe’s nickname (by an ex-girlfriend) was “old excuse-o.” Maybe that is why she is an ex. Lol! Anyway, here is an example of the same situation and the difference is a person’s mindset.
Person 1: I can’t do it. I have 3 kids, a husband, we’re backed up on bills and credit cards, working 50+ hours per week… it’s just not realistic.
Person 2: I HAVE to do it. I have 3 kids, a husband, we’re backed up on bills and credit cards, working 50+ hours per week… this is something I have to do for my family to get out of our current situation.
The fundamental difference between 2 people with the same circumstances is that one uses their circumstances as an excuse and the other uses their circumstances as motivation. Don’t be person 1. Let your circumstances drive you to do something different. 2018 is a NEW year! Nothing will change if you change nothing.
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Can you share details about your bag? I love it in grey!!!
Love your blog and I’m so glad that I found it! You’ve inspired me to try to get away from the old jeans and tee shirt every day and dress nicer. I totally understand about having to drive a good distance to a mall or shopping. We, too, have to plan our entire day when we go to the nearest “big city” to shop. It can be exhausting . . . . but fun! Thank you!
I am glad that you found my little blog, Sally. Remember, there is nothing wrong with jeans and a t-shirt but it would look nicer if the jeans or t-shirt had some unique details on them AND that they fit you nicely! Add a few accessories and you are all set!
I love this outfit! My first thought when I saw this was “sexy” in a conservative way!! Love the top, boots, jewelry…and mixing up your layering of bracelets is awesome!!! You’ve got great style…and I’m now a fan of Pixie pants from Old Navy too. Thank you for keeping us gals fresh and stylish.
Tania, I just finished your sister’s second book, Hope in the Holler, after seeing it on your site here. It is absolutely fabulous! I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait for her THIRD book!
GREAT!!!! I am going to share this with her. She will be thrilled to hear this. Even though it is written for 9-12-year-olds, it is wonderful to read at any age.
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. The gurls are the best!
I love this top, where can I get it?
Minha, the top was purchased at Ross Department store and the brand was SPENSE.
I always look for your pictures on Pinterest first when I’m stumped on putting an outfit together. Thanks for all the tips!
I’d love to see your red boots and a red necklace with this outfit. You are so high energy and the additional color, even if it’s a little, would match YOU to this outfit. Just my humble opinion!
You are right, Jane. I believe that adding red to this outfit would look great!
I love this outfit! We only have one mall and it’s kind of pathetic except we do have a Bath and Body Works which I love.
Hello. My name is Sheila Walls. I was looking to change my style up grade a little. Feeling ugh what should I do. I turn 50 just lat years and about to come into 51. Which I love. When I came across your Blog. I got hooked. Love it. Keep up the good work. I thank God I found you. You give great idea. And I that God every day as well God Bless. Keep it going.
This is a great look. Makes you look slim and sleek. I love it. When I am traveling, I stay with one color palette, usually black or blue and take colorful scarves and jewelry to change up the look. This would definitely be a travel piece for me. A bright scarf would totally change this look! Thanks for all your inspiration.
Not can I relate about “country bumpkin” and having to drive 2 hrs. to a mall! But I make a day of it and have fun shopping and eating somewhere fun that we don’t have in this small town! Cute outfit and it would look great w the booties or knee boots!
First, I don’t know how you manage to write a blog EVERY DAY! I write every other day and it is a challenge! And I don’t know where you keep all of your clothes! Even if a lot do get repurposed. Love the top today!
Love the outfit today. It looks very slimming and classy! I completely understand about “unwinding”. We go to hockey games that are over an hour drive from our home. We usually get home around 11:30 and I am still looking at the clock at 2am. My hubby is in dreamland within 30 minutes. Opposites attrack?
Love this “clean-lines” look on you. You’re right. Very slimming! And I would never call this “drab”! Love the smaller amount of jewelry and I agree with the other reader, who is not a fan of the gap above the boot. It would look sleeker without it. Nonetheless, this outfit is a hit!
Hi. Love the sweater. Living in Eastern KY I know what you mean about driving 2 hours to a mall. I go to Lexington if I want to really shop. There’s a few boutique shops locally but sometimes it’s fun to spend the day away in the “big city”. Enjoying your blog as usual. Don’t know how you do it all. Makes me feel lazy. Lol!
I live on a farm and joke that we are at least an hour from everywhere. I have to drive at least an hour to get to a mall, even farther to get to the “good” mall. By the way, i love gray and black. You look great! Thanks for your inspiration.
Love the outfit. What brand is the top and where did you get it?
I would be nice if we could order the cloths you wear. Any chance?
Great outfit, I think the Booties looked great and proceeded to order the Marc Fisher with the quilted detail. I also love his shoes. Black, grey and blue are my travel uniforms. My husband calls it my New York look. Accessories and jewelry most definitely turn drab into sophisticated and fun like you show so beautifully 😉
Love! and I completely understand about the boot change as I have often planned everything out just to put it on and think “mmm, maybe a different pair?” and then changing at the last minute after you walk around thinking about it. It’s only one day of many and I am sure it was just as cute with tall boots.
You are a magician with gray and black. Instead of drab—abracadabra—BOLD!
Two thumbs up on the bracelet. Great choice for the outfit. I like either boot style really and feel you can pull both off. I wear a lot of gray and black so the outfit resonates with me. I think your coloring and hair counters the darker outfit colors and really makes your face pop! Best…Kathy
Where did you get purse ?? Love that❤️❤️❤️
Did I miss the info on the PURSE? That’s the star of this outfit – LOVE it!
I love this outfit! You look amazing.?. Please share the brand of the top. I want to find something similar.?
I love black and grey and I would agree with your choice to switch up the boots:) The booties are cute but I am an old dog and not a fan of the “gap” where the jeans end and the top of the bootie begins. You look great in this one! and HEY, those lashes…good genes or lash serum? Do you have to trim them often? LOL
Thanks, Judy! I realized that I wanted something different after I looked at the pictures. My lashes were none existent until I started using Lash Boost from Rodan + Fields. I will message you about it.
Ok, great! I currently use Lash Boost but have tried others including Monat, Revitalash etc. They all work to varying degrees 🙂
That top looks so good on you! I know you said it was bought about a year ago. Was it from a boutique or a major store? If you don’t mind, can you share the brand? Thanks!
Christine, the top was by a brand name SPENSE and I purchased it at ROSS Department Store.