A Break

I will be in Los Angeles for a while, so I will leave you with this casual look.

A lightweight chambray shirt with slim-fitting white jeans is a timeless look that works for me on almost any casual day.

I paired this Chico's chambray shirt with white J.Jill ankle jeans and Rampage tan platform sandals from Belk. The darker brown belt is from Calvin Klein. Large silver hoop earrings, a silver statement ring with a blue tourmaline stone, and a silver and gold coin charm bracelet complete the look.

Have a wonderful week!

Shake Rattle and Roll

Whenever we are in Abingdon, VA, Foxglove Antiques is one of the first places I visit.

There are so many items here for the home and garden that make my heart sing.

I am visiting with Karen McClanahan, the beautiful owner of the shop. I only purchased a couple of books today. After downsizing a few years ago, I now have to curtail my purchases. Otherwise, I would have needed a truck today.

As Karen and I were chatting, another store owner popped in, and the conversation turned to shoes.

All of the items offered at Foxglove Antiques are top-notch and include many periods and styles. It is such a pleasure to see all of the elegant pieces. 

My look today includes a silver necklace and a long cardigan in silver and white from Chico's. The jeggings are from Ann Taylor. The tank is by Peck & Peck from Stein Mart. The bag is from Express. The sandals are by BCBG from Macy's. The sunglasses are by Tommy Hilfiger from T.J.Maxx.

We were in Abingdon to attend "Shake Rattle and Roll" at the Barter Theatre. This show is a fabulous tribute to Elvis Presley by Scot Bruce and his extremely talented musicians. This was such a great performance! It was a packed house, and everyone had such a good time.  Scot did an awesome and respectful tribute that was funny at times but brought tears to my eyes at others. Just as Elvis did so many years ago, I saw him perform with my girlfriends as a teen in the seventies.

We attended the matinée performance of "Shake Rattle and Roll" and later had a wonderful dinner at Figaredos Bistro on Main Street.

Choosing Accessories Tips

How do you decide which accessories to wear with your look?

My method of getting dressed follows. I often wear white pants and a white tank in summer because it is the coolest base color to wear. Next, I decide which shoes look best with the pants I am wearing, keeping in mind where we are going and how much I will be walking. I often wear heels if we are going out to dinner or to some event that involves mostly sitting. I do enjoy my heels, but I don't normally wear them for a full day of shopping, for example. 

Next, I decide which jacket I will wear. This light-weight Travelers jacket from Chico's is a couple of years old. It has strong Asian inspired details such as a Mandarin collar and bamboo-shaped buttons. Even the fabric makes me think of a beautiful hand-painted silk kimono. These details led me to this Asian inspired silver and black tassel necklace, which is also old from Chico's. Because this necklace is such a bold statement piece, I wore smaller silver and crystal hoop earrings and two silver and crystal rings only.

Wearing too many accessories can take us in the wrong direction. Simple, understated items with one or two bold dramatic pieces can pull your look together and show your personality.

The jacket colors include black, white, silver, gold, and taupe, so I chose this evening clutch via Saks Off 5th, black and gold hardware with a burnished gold/taupe color body. I always carry a small clutch to dinner as opposed to a bulky daytime bag.

The nude sandals are old from Belk. The color continues the unbroken line of white/pale tones from head to toe, making me look taller and leaner. For example, if I had worn a pair of black platform shoes, they would have been too bulky in scale for the delicate jacket and pants. The black shoes would also have visually cut me off at the ankles, making me look shorter.

  

The fabulous slim-fitting smooth front pants are by Mesmerize from My Fair Lady.

Goodbye Summer

The fall season is fast approaching. That means layering and jackets, but I am creating the illusion of layers with this fabulous tunic from Chico's for now.

The asymmetric hemline and alternating layers work very well with these NYDJ cropped jeans. I always look for a longer tunic to wear with these slim-fitting soft pants since they fit almost like leggings.

The necklace is from Monkee's of Johnson City. The shoes are by Kenneth Cole Reaction via Dillard's.

Flare Leg Jeans

Putting on these flare leg jeans took me back to my teenage years for a moment. Mini skirts do too, but I won't be going there!

I bought these flare leg jeans at Chico's online. I wish I had bought the tall length because I would like to wear platform shoes with them. When doing so, the pants should almost cover the shoes. These are too short for me to do that.

The waist is also higher than we have seen for the past few years. I am pairing them with a shorter, more fitted white jacket from Express because a longer, more boxy jacket or tunic would look mighty frumpy with these pants. Remember fitted over full or full over fitted to keep your look balanced. Always be willing to try a new shape or trend if it works for your body. Change is good. It keeps your look fresh and youthful.

Peace and love!

Weekly Q&A - Foundations

Wearing the proper undergarments can make a huge difference in the way clothes look on your body. 

After I posted the photo below, I was asked many times about the bra I wear style. The one that supports and fits my body best is this one from Soma. Click here for more info on this bra.

Do you keep bras too long, washing and wearing them too many times, as well as purchasing the same size year after year?  Your bra size can change with as little as a five-pound weight loss or gain. 

When I found the great fitting hard-working bra pictured above, I went to a Soma store and tried on about seven different styles until I found the one that fit my body shape, including my breasts' actual shape. This bra has a tiny bit of padding at the top of the cup to fill where I need it, not at the bottom of the cup where I certainly do not need it. I continue to get fitted for bras every year. Our bodies are constantly changing.

Yo-Yo dieting throughout my life has given me skin that is less than taut. When I wear clothes that are more body revealing or fabrics such as jersey knits that are less forgiving, I always wear a body slimmer such as the one shown above from Macy's. Control and contouring are not my goals. I wear this garment simply to give me a smoother look under my clothes. These also come in a longer thigh length style like the one shown below.

Visible panty lines are never acceptable. This style of panty from Soma is the one I wear every day.

My legs are not going out in public in a dress without stockings at almost sixty years old. I don't care what the trends are!

My favorite stockings of all time were a gift from a blog reader who sent me 8 denier pantyhose from Paris. This style from Wolford is a close match.

Foundation garments are possibly the most important part of your look. For example, an ill-fitting bra can ruin the look of a very expensive blouse. Wearing beautiful lingerie makes you feel confident and elegant. Great fitting lingerie that smooths and lifts is not a luxury; it is imperative for me. I will budget for the right pieces to make sure all of my other clothes look and fit the way I want them.

Clara Sunwoo Tunic

I fell in love with this cut-out sleeve tunic from Clara Sunwoo as soon as I saw it. 

All the Clara Sunwoo pieces have styling details that make them stand out. The colors are vivid, and the line is made in the USA.

The fabrics have movement, and they flow across the body without bringing attention to those jiggly bits I would rather not share with the world. I felt so confident when I wore this tunic with white pants and nude sandals to brunch on Sunday.

A Splendid Day

September is right around the corner, but our weather is already turning much cooler. Bring out the jackets!

 

Mr. Mickey and I took a drive up to Blowing Rock, North Carolina, to do some shopping and have lunch at the Six Pence Pub. We love their vegetarian black bean nachos. 

The flowers in the park draw the most beautiful butterflies, which have my attention below.

Today I wore white jeans and a silver tank from Chico's. The biker-inspired jacket is old from Stein Mart. The necklace is by Erica Lyons from Belk. The shoes are by Ralph Lauren from Dillard's. The bag is from Express.

I also stopped visiting my favorite guys at Finely House Couture, where Mr. Mickey bought the crystal and silver hoops for me. This clutch by Lilly Pulitzer got my attention immediately.

I love shopping in this little pedestrian alley off of Main Street. There are lots of flowers and benches to take a break on.

We took a drive north on the Blue Ridge Parkway for a change of scenery. We landed here at the beautiful Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia. Wild ponies roam free here, but we didn't see any during our stay.

Quintessential Style

How many books do you read in a week? 

I normally read at least one book, but I have been known to read as many as five in a week. Reading is my favorite escape during my downtime. Since the early '90s, I rarely watch TV.

I must tell you about a book I recently read, "Quintessential Style" by Janna Beatty with Sharon White.

Some of you know that I have been working on a book of my own; however, after reading this one, I realize all of the things I wanted to share with you have been succinctly stated here. It includes everything you need to know to create the right style for you and your unique personality and body.

I enjoyed this book so much I put it back on my nightstand to read again. It is worth a second read as I slip off to sleep.

You can purchase the book at any of the links at the bottom of this page of their excellent blog.

Marmi Shoes!

I recently wore these MARVA VANELi cork sandals to dinner, and I got so many compliments!

They are so comfortable and lightweight as well as very feminine. I am happy I decided on these sandals because they will be the ones I wear each time I know I will be walking or standing a lot. I love my high heels, but I don't wear them for the whole day anymore.

You can find these and other cute, comfortable shoes at Marmi Shoes.

The tank, pants, and necklace are from Chico's. The cardigan is old from Stein Mart.

How to Wear a Hat

Do you enjoy wearing a hat? Blog follower and lovely friend Joanne looks excellent in her hat and maxi dress.

Blog follower Charlene looks fabulous on her way to race day activities in her wide-brim hat.

A hat can make a fashion statement, keep you warm, keep you cool, and help you avoid skin cancer. 

Women often tell me that they don't know how or when to wear a hat. I learned a lot about wearing hats from my long-ago friend, "The Duchess." When I was in my mid-twenties, she lived across the street from me in a grand townhouse. She wore a hat every day. I snapped this photo on a hot summer day. She was wearing a white linen blouse and a black linen skirt with spectator pumps, and a straw hat with a black satin ribbon. She was about eighty years old here. She knew the world was her stage, and she dressed for her performance every day!

Here are the simple rules "The Duchess" shared with me so long ago. 

1. Never wear a hat on the back of your head like Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. It should rest on your forehead so that you can look someone straight in the eye without having to tilt your head back.

2. A lady never removes her hat. (Hat head is not a pretty sight.) Only gentlemen should remove their hats indoors.

3. The brim of your hat should not be wider than your shoulders.

4. Do not wear a large hat to the theatre or any other event where it might block someone's view of an important event. (Manners first.)

5. The crown of your hat should be higher if you have a round face. Avoid styles such as cloches, which will make your face look more round. 

6. If you wear a hat in the evening, it should have a veil.

7. Keep the rest of your look relatively simple. A hat makes a statement on its own, so large earrings, glasses, and a necklace will be too much going on in the same place.

In the 1950s and early 1960s, women even wore hats to cocktail parties!

Try on hats in front of a full-length mirror to make sure the shape complements your face shape and that the fit and proportion are correct for your body. It should rest comfortably on your head, not on the tops of your ears. There should be about a 1/4 inch space above the top of your ear and the hat.

The color can be a different accent color, or it can blend with what you are wearing.

Wear straw or some other lightweight, breathable material in summer. Wear felt or wool in winter to keep you warm.

The fedora style I am wearing below is perfect for my round face because the crown is high, and the brim is smaller. I have owned many hats in my life, but I enjoy wearing the simple menswear-inspired ones most.

If I am outdoors for long periods, I always wear a hat. I have experienced skin cancer and hope never to have to go through that again.

The Capsule Wardrobe

Today's special guest is Dr. Carol Walsh.

5 Keys to Building a Fabulous Capsule Wardrobe

Building a wardrobe capsule is a fabulous way to maximize your wardrobe, expand your creativity, and save significant time and money. With just 10-12 pieces of clothing, you can easily create 3-4 weeks of stylish and fun new outfits. Unlike my minimalist friends who encourage you to downsize to just 10, 20, or even 30 pieces of clothing, I LOVE clothes and have WAY MORE than 30 pieces. However, to successfully wear everything I have in my closet, I’ve created mini-capsules. Mini-capsules take the stress out of that “what am I going to wear today” syndrome most of us feel every morning when we walk into our closet. If you want to get more wear out of your clothes and make getting dressed in the morning exciting and fun, follow these five (5) steps to build your own wardrobe capsules.

1. Choose a Theme – There are several ways you can go with this one. If you work in an office, you may want to create a few Work Capsules and Weekend Capsules. If you work for yourself or from home, you may want to create themes based on your favorite styles like Casual Chic, Boho, Romantic, Urban Edgy, or Sporty Casual. By following a theme, you’ll avoid defaulting to your favorite yoga pants and sweatshirt because you just don’t know what to wear.

2. Choose a Color Scheme – The key to a capsule wardrobe is the ability to mix and match your selections. This is much easier to do if you work within a particular color palette. The picture provided above is a perfect example. The core color scheme is red and yellow. Denim, white, gray, and black are actually neutrals and can be worn with any color scheme, so these neutrals serve as a secondary scheme. You can always start with a neutral color like black, brown, navy, or gray, and then just add pops color, like fuchsia, green, or violet, to add dimension and interest. 

3. Choose a Fun Print or Pattern to Build Upon – You’ve got to incorporate a fun and exciting pattern or print into the mix. This could be animal print, florals, stripes, paisleys, or an ethnic print. In the picture above, I built this capsule around that beautiful ethnic print midi-skirt. From the skirt, I determined the theme (classic chic) and color scheme because I pulled the corresponding colors from the skirt. Also, don’t be afraid to mix and match your prints and patterns. The rule of thumb is to ensure the colors can be found in both garments.

4. Choose Your Accessories – Would you bake a cake and not frost it? Of course not! The same is true of your outfit. You should NEVER wear an outfit without some type of accessory. Try a statement necklace, a few dainty dazzlers, layering bangles, or a fabulous scarf (you can actually use your scarf as the fun print or pattern to build upon). Accessories can also add to your outfit theme and will assuredly take ANY outfit from boring to amazing. Also, don’t forget to add a fun clutch or handbag and fabulous shoes. You can add up to 2 handbags and 3 pairs of shoes to any particular capsule. 

5. Create a Style Notebook – Once you create your capsule, do two things. First, lay everything out on your bed and take a picture. That way, you’ll remember which outfits made up your particular capsule. Second, be sure to stand in front of the mirror and take a selfie of what you’re wearing. If you’re rotating through 10-12 pieces of clothing over the course of 21-30 days, it’s easy to forget what you put together on day 8. It’s absolutely ok to repeat a look, but you’ll want to make sure you’re recreating it purposefully and not accidentally. You may also find ways to improve upon a previous outfit if you remember how you styled it before. 

Finally, have fun! Creating a capsule wardrobe is like putting a puzzle together. It takes a little work to see which pieces go together, but when you’re done, you get to enjoy the masterpiece you’ve created. Once you’re done with one capsule, launder, repair, and/or you’re your clothes to the cleaners. You’ll also want to assess which items are not working for you anymore and determine if you want to donate or replace one or more pieces. This will keep your wardrobe fresh and up-to-date. 

Have fun!

Meet Janet M. Hayes

I will be spending a lot of time ordering products and preparing my warehouse for the busy fall season this week. In my absence from the blog for a few days, friends will be sharing some interesting tips with you. Enjoy!

I was so inspired by a letter from Fifty, not Frumpy follower, Janet M. Hayes. She is a 52-year-old finance professional living with her husband and her elderly mother in Omaha, Nebraska. She is a CPA currently employed at West Corporation as a Senior Vice President and Assistant Treasurer.

  

She loves to provide healthy meals for her family of three and included some pictures of meals from the past couple of weekends and her trip to the farmers’ market.  She tells me that she has very high energy, which she attributes to healthy cooking, including everything from scratch and very low sodium.  

She spends time on the weekend planning and preparing meals so that she can still come home after a long day at the office and provide a healthy meal for her family. 

Cauliflower “Potato” Salad

I large cauliflower steamed and chopped

2 large celery stalks, diced

1 small red onion, diced

2-3 hardboiled eggs, peeled and chopped

1 cup Greek Yogurt

2 tablespoon Olive Oil based Mayonnaise

2 tablespoon Low sodium sweet pickles, chopped or pickle relish

1 tablespoon yellow mustard

salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste (optional)

paprika and parsley, for garnish

Steam Cauliflower for approximately 7 minutes (can steam in the microwave with a bit of water). Do not overcook. Cool to room temperatures and add remaining ingredients.  Chill for several hours to allow flavors to absorb. Garnish with paprika and parsley and serve just as you would potato salad

Oven Roasted Beets with Feta and Walnuts

Heat oven to 400.  Wash beets well and wrap in foil (easy clean up too)

Cook, undisturbed, for at least 45 minutes (it could take much longer for larger size beets), until a thin-bladed knife pierces one with little resistance. Beets may cook at different rates; remove each when it is done.

Allow cooling.  Slice or quarter depending on size.

When ready to serve, splash with a good amount of Organic Balsamic Vinegar, toasted English Walnuts, fresh Rosemary, chopped and crumbled Feta Cheese.

Stuffed Bell Peppers

4 green bell peppers, tops removed, seeded, and halved

1 pound ground turkey

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tbsp. chili powder

1 tbsp. ground cumin

1/2 onion, chopped

1 cup sliced mushrooms 

1/2 red bell pepper, chopped

1/2 yellow bell pepper, chopped 

1 cup fresh spinach

2 Cans No salt added Diced Tomatoes 

1 Jalapeno, cored, seeds removed (if you like mild salsa, only use ½ jalapeno)

½ yellow onion

1 cup cilantro 

2 garlic clove

1 tsp salt (optional)

1 cup cheddar, Monterey, or other cheese (optional)

Drizzle the peppers with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and roast in the oven at 375°F for 15 to 20 minutes until they start to soften.

Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Cook the turkey until no longer pink and add the remaining ingredients except cheese, cooking until the vegetables are tender.  Fill the peppers with the meat mixture, top with cheese, and place in the oven until the cheese is melted and warmed through.

Garnish with sliced avocados, Greek yogurt, and cilantro

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Janet ran her first half marathon at age fifty and her second at age 51 and is looking forward to many more. She spent her 50th birthday running and working out with her husband, celebrating their health.  

She included some photos of that day and the fun she had with a hula hoop showing off that she could still perform high kicks from her days as a professional cheerleader.

Most of Janet's professional wardrobe is from Ann Taylor and Talbots.  She wears suits to work every day and loves to be fashionable. Her weekend look is very stylish also!

Janet supports my efforts with this blog and would like to help to promote the message of good health also.  She would like women our age to know that they can enjoy good food and good company while making healthy choices that will contribute to their vitality and help them enjoy life more.

I hope Janet's message inspires all of us to start enjoying an active and healthy life.