How do you stay slim?

I get this question or one very much like it every day. I realize that many people honestly do not know what to eat from these exchanges.

In the spring of 2010, I was about forty pounds overweight. It was a few hours before the stiffness left my joints after getting up in the morning. I did not sleep well, and I often had migraines and sinus infections. I had to take several expensive medications and was facing the possibility of three scary surgeries. I did not wear heels anymore because my feet hurt all the time.

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Now when I get up in the morning, there is no pain. I am ready to move well immediately. I am rarely sick, but I did get the flu this past winter. Other than that, I haven't even had a cold in years. I no longer take any medications or have migraines or sinus problems.

The only difference is that I changed my choice of food. I eat various vegetables, grains, seeds, nuts, and fruit. I do not eat meat or processed foods. I avoid all processed vegetable seed oils, cheese, and all dairy. Instead, I drink water with lemon, hot tea (with no sugar), and an occasional glass of wine.

The weight came off in about six months. Then, of course, I go for a long brisk walk when the weather is nice.

My inspiration for eating this way came from reading the book "Eat to Live" by Dr. Joel Fuhrman, which helped me learn what foods to eat and why. It isn't a diet. It is the way I choose to eat for the rest of my life because I really enjoy sleeping well, feeling great every day, and having lots of energy. Wearing size 4 jeans is just a bonus. 

               

Black and Blue

Black jeans are a winter uniform for me.

It was warmer than anticipated on Sunday. The scarf was removed within a few minutes.

I found this quilted faux leather jacket on sale last week when we visited Dillard's in Asheville. The sleeves and back are a very soft knit material.

The cobalt blue shirt is from Express. It is one of their Portofino shirts. The gray quilted bag is also from Express. The black jeans are from Chico's.

It was great to take a walk through Johnson City’s Memorial Park campus on this sunny warm winter day.

The suede and reptile print black boots are by Vince Camuto from Nordstrom.

The Doughboy statue honors all those from Washington County who gave their lives in World War I and II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Details Make The Difference

Layering can keep you warm and add some pizzazz to your basic pieces, but subtle small details can make the difference between fabulous and frumpy.

When we attended church with my family recently, I wanted to wear a dress, but it was too cold to wear my one winter weight dress with mesh sleeves alone. I added this silver chain link necklace from Stein Mart to tie in with a silver Travelers cardigan from Chico's. The dress is also from Chico's.

The sleeves are the most interesting feature of this dress. The ruching at the waistline makes the hemline a little less than perfectly smooth. When I added the sweater, I covered the sleeves and the ruching. Adding the sweater took the dress down a few notches and made it less stylish. This is not a look I will repeat. A better, more polished look would have been to wear a slim-fitting skirt with a sharper hemline and slim-fitting top in the same color as the silver cardigan. Limited time forced me to just go with this look.

When I added a top coat and bag, the look was saved. Coat from the Loft. Calvin Klein bag from T.J.Maxx.

This is another gray and black layering look that worked much better than the dress example above. The pants are straight and narrow, but they are not leggings. The top is in a similar fabric as the pants but loose-fitting. The cardigan has crystal sleeve details, and it is long enough to cover the bottom. If I were petite (less than 5' 4"), I would opt for a shorter cardigan. The slimmer leg pant keeps the loose-fitting shape of the cardigan from making me look heavier.

Showing my ankles and pushing up the sleeves a bit lifts the eye and makes me look a little taller and a little thinner. When it isn't freezing cold outside, I always do this.

Here is another version of silver and gray layering with black. This cardigan's longer length would not be good for a petite woman since so little of my legs are showing. The goal for a petite woman is to show as much leg length as possible. A jacket or sweater should end just below the waistline so that only half of the bottom shows. Great fitting tailored pants are essential for the petite woman. A wide-leg pant with a boxy jacket can make any of us look heavier and shorter.

Your choice of a base color may be brown or navy, or even burgundy, but you can see from these examples how effective it can be to use the various tones of the same color to layer.

Details extend to how you tie your scarf. If you are petite, a smaller scarf in a solid color or with a smaller print can be wrapped simply around your neck so that it isn't too long. A bulky scarf tied once at the neck with long ends hanging freely adds bulk to give you an overall barrel shape.

Dressed For The Weather

Last evening we attended a surprise birthday party for a dear friend held at an upscale restaurant.

It is raining and cold, so that calls for dressing in warmer layers. I am wearing a wool Carlisle jacket, which is quite a few years old. The straight leg black pants, as well as the necklace, are old from Chico's. Due to the rain, I also wore my oldest pair of Nine West booties a few years ago.

I always believed that I should not wear a turtleneck because of my round face. I bought this one online when it went on sale at Chico's because I have two sweater coats that should be worn with a turtleneck due to their keyhole necklines. I am so glad I did! They are so warm, and I don't mind how they look with an open jacket or a necklace.

Have you proven yourself wrong on something you didn't think you could wear but found you really liked it once you tried it on?

Be sure to check the previous post to this one. You have a chance to win the Covered Perfectly top of your choice.

Covered Perfectly Giveaway

It's no secret that I love to wear Covered Perfectly tops!

The V-neck top is one of the newest additions to the line. When I posted this picture on Facebook, they sold out in just two days, but they do have more now. When you combine a V-neck with three-quarter sleeves and a longer length, you know that top is going to be a winner.

The tops are indeed fabulous, but vests and jackets, as well as other items, are also included in the line. Please note that the faux fur vest above is almost sold out now.

The buttery soft MicroModal tops are perfect for layering.

Three-quarter length sleeves are one of my favorite slimming secrets. Most of the tops in the Covered Perfectly line do have them.

The draped front top is one of my favorites to wear for evening attire.

A pop of red always feels right!

The cold shoulder tops are perfect when the weather is warm, but you don't want to show the whole arm.

The soft flowing fabric can be worn with dressier jackets and sweaters, and very casual denim jackets. They are so comfortable you will feel like you are wearing your PJs!

I have enjoyed wearing Covered Perfectly tops since the company launched in 2013. The items are all made in the USA!

The giveaway is now over.

Studded Tweed and Faux-Leather Jacket

One of my all-time favorite end of season sales is at Dillard's in Asheville.

I bought the jacket on Saturday while we were there.

I am wearing it here with a white tank and black jeans from Chico's. The black suede and reptile detail boots are by Vince Camuto from Nordstrom.

Today was my much-needed haircut appointment. Allison did a great job, as always.

Photos by Mr. Mickey in his backyard.

Fun In The Winter Sun

When the sun finally breaks through the clouds, a day in Asheville is essential.

Even with the wind gusts, it was a warm and beautiful day with full sun and a crystal clear blue sky.

Earlier in the day, we had lunch at one of our favorite places, Carmel's at the Grove Arcade. These adorable young people sat at the table next to us. We struck up a conversation and had a lovely visit with these three friends.

I am wearing an Adrianna Papell sweater with a faux leather sleeve trim from Saks off 5th. The necklace was a gift from Mr. Mickey. The turtleneck top and leggings are from Chico's. The boots are from the Saks collection. The bag is Calvin Klein via T.J.Maxx. The sunglasses are Kenneth Cole Reaction via T.J.Maxx.

Let's talk about leggings for a moment. They should come with a warning tag! I could actually see the label (at the waistline!) through the leggings on one unfortunately chosen outfit. Underwear was in full view a few other times. The bottom should be completely covered when you wear leggings because they are NOT pants.

Animal Print Boots

I've been ordering and sending back animal print boots for about six months. This is the fourth pair. As Goldilocks said, "These are just right."

I wore these calf hair ankle boots from Saks Off 5th with black jeans from Chico's and a cream color blouse and Chico's. The minus the leather jacket is from Express.

I started out with the collar of the blouse over the jacket's collar, but each time I moved, it slipped back underneath. I will wear the blouse alone with jeans in the future.

The oversized woven black clutch is also from Saks Off 5th.