Happy Thanksgiving!

Mr. Mickey and I were among the guests at the home of my sister and her husband for the family Thanksgiving feast today. I am most thankful that I did not have to do the cooking!

This picture is from earlier in my breakfast nook wearing black So Slimming Ponte pants from Chico's. The long sleeve purple tee, purple sweater, and silver necklace are also from Chico's. The short black Nickels boots were from Belk last year.

Sitting by my sister's wood-burning fireplace is a great place to be on a cold, snowy day!

Mr. Beasley is perhaps the most pampered stray ever! 

He is not amused at having all these loud people in "his" house.

Let the feast begin!

I hope you were also able to spend time with family and special friends today.

Dinner with the Wine Club

After a long busy week, we always look forward to date night on Friday. This evening, we enjoyed a special dinner with friends at the beautiful home of our wine club members. 

The gold necklace, metallic copper sweater, and wheat-colored tank are from Chico's Fall 2013 line. The black pants and low heeled shoes are old.

Enjoying the bouquet of a lovely Veramonte Ritual Pinot Noir from Chile. Cool night air coming off the ocean allows the grapes grown to result in a wine with a bright fruit aroma and flavors of black cherries, blueberry, raspberry, and plum.

Rick graciously conducts our wine club gatherings. He humbly shares his vast knowledge of wine, peppered with stories of his travels worldwide to visit vineyards. It is always a pleasure to be in his company.

It was so nice to spend the evening with dear friends and get to know some new ones a little better.

Ming Wang at the Symphony

Saturday date night included dinner at our favorite restaurant and a night at the Symphony. I wore a fabulous jacket from Ming Wang.

Founded in 1986, Ming Wang is named for the designer and co-founder, Ming Wang, who has been designing knitwear exclusively for over 30 years. She strives to create garments that flawlessly transition from day to night for many years to come. I am now a fan! This jacket was so comfortable to wear and beautifully made with individual square stones sewn on the edges.

Ming Wang pieces are crafted with a specialized yarn so that the entire collection is wrinkle-free, machine washable, fade-resistant, and travel friendly. Their signature product, structure knits, and dresses, pants, and other accessories, are available in hundreds of boutiques all over the US, as well as Dillards, Von Maur, and online at Nordstrom.

Dinner at Gourmet and Company included a dessert of apple bread pudding for Mr. Mickey and a Grand Marnier for me.

The Symphony performance was fabulous, as always, but I must confess, I was so tired after two weeks of moving and cleaning I may have taken a small nap during it.

Rain on Date Night

It was raining, and the restaurant was super crowded, but we forgot about all that as we visited with our dearest friends.

I am wearing shades of gray, topped with a sapphire boiled wool jacket from Chico's. Note that I wear black and white animal prints. The gold undertones of most brown animal prints do not complement my cool skin tone.

The Santa Project

Last evening we attended a fundraiser that is near and dear to our hearts.

Each year at Christmas time, Mr. Mickey becomes Mr. Santa for about fifty underprivileged children in our area. In November, a group of our friends gathers for a wine and cheese fundraiser for the project.

Each child is given a winter coat, shoes, an outfit for school, and a toy. The family or guardians are invited to a pizza party just before Christmas. Santa visits with the children and gives them their gifts at the party.

I always enjoy catching up with my sweet friends Una and Lee.

My friend Dianna is a follower and big fan of Fifty, not Frumpy. (She is wearing a Chico's sweater and necklace.) Thank you, Dianna, for your kind words.

The evening was a huge success, and it was great fun visiting with everyone. To top off the evening, we saw a big black bear as soon as we entered our neighborhood tonight. It was so beautiful! Hopefully, it will safely find its way back to the mountain where it belongs soon.

Stay at Home Date Night

During the past week, I was very busy getting settled into my new home, so when Mr. Mickey asked what I wanted to do for Wednesday date night, I suggested a pot of homemade vegetable soup at my house. Sometimes the comfort of staying home on a cold night to have soup and a glass of wine is the best date night of all.

Today I wore a beautiful new Winter Silks cardigan in a red heather color. The heather effect makes the red appear more rose in color, but I feel certain I will be buying all the colors. This cardigan is so soft and comfortable, not bulky at all. I paired it with old items from my closet. The long silver necklace has a rose beaded tassel. The loose-fitting tank top is white, and the wide leg tweed pants are gray. The low heeled short boots have been with me for years.

The Haircut

I visited Hilton Head Island, South Carolina for a few days last week. (It was eighty-two degrees!) While there, I had time to do something I have been needing to do for a couple of weeks. 

Before

Before

As you can see from the before pictures above, I was way past due for a haircut. I have been so busy lately, that I could not take the time to visit my regular stylist at home. 

Erica Warren is a stylist at The Hair Designers in the Village at Wexford on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. She was so kind to work me into her busy schedule on Saturday. She did a great job! My hair has never looked so healthy.

After

After

Erica is a magician with her styling brush and blow dryer!