Beat The Heat!

Dressing in hot weather can be a challenge.

I don't care for knee-length sundresses because they show my legs and never flatter my shape. I am much more comfortable in a soft, breezy oversize top with slim white pants with a smooth wide waistband. Dressing for comfort has to include personality as well as the weather.

Let's face it; I will be hot no matter what I wear when it is ninety-eight degrees. My comfort level includes how covered I am, more so than the temperature. I would not be at all comfortable in a skimpy dress with tiny straps.

For me, a typical summer workday look includes a soft tunic by Clara Sunwoo from ShopMyFairLady.com. The fabric isn't clingy or hot, and it always drapes beautifully, so the Clara Sunwoo tops are a favorite summer look for me.

The white pants are by Renaud. The putty color sandals are old by Kenneth Cole Reaction.

If I wear a print, it is usually an abstract geo print in subtle colors such as this one. But, again, personality has to come into play as you get dressed. Ruffles and bling are also details that do not reflect my personality.

Brunch With A View

Sunday is a great day to visit the Omni Grove Park Inn.

We often take the beautiful drive along Highway 26 to Asheville just to have brunch at the Inn. 

I enjoy this meal so much because a whole room is devoted to vegetables and salads during their Sunday brunch. I load my plate there first. If I go back for anything else, it is just to have one small taste of less healthy options like potato casserole or baked mac and cheese. These are my secrets to keeping my weight about the same for the last five years. The foods I eat most often include fresh leafy greens and other colorful vegetables and fruits. I never eat until I feel stuffed. I usually eat only two small meals a day. I never eat beef or pork or commercially processed foods, but I may occasionally have a small piece of wild-caught fish.

My look for this day included a top by Clara Sunwoo and the Janet style pants by Lior Paris. Both these items are from ShopMyFairLady.com.

The original Grove Park Inn was built more than one hundred years ago!

The underground Spa was completed just a few years ago. We always enjoy spending the day there!

The view, the flowers, the service, and the ambiance at this resort are always a joy to experience.

There are two massive fireplaces in the Great Hall. One of them is wood burning, so this cart is used to bring wood during the colder months.

The view from our table by the window is always spectacular, no matter the weather.

My top matched the art on display near the Great Hall.

My necklace and Lilly Pulitzer clutch bag are both old from Finely House Couture in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. The shoes are by Gianni Bini from Dillard's earlier this year.

One of my all-time favorite places to shop is Shop My Fair Lady on Reseda Boulevard in Tarzana, California. On a recent trip to Los Angeles, I was able to stop by for a quick visit one afternoon. My sweet friends Jon and Julie Rick are the owners. They offer lines that are both comfortable and flattering at any age and something appropriate for any occasion.

Julie is wearing an over-sized Art Print Blouse by Dilemma. I am wearing one of my favorite Clara Sunwoo tops with open shoulders. Jon looks handsome no matter what he wears!

Try Something Different

I have found a formula for getting dressed that works for me, but I have fun trying out new silhouettes.

Each time palazzo pants are in style, I am tempted to try them. I love the idea of wearing them in warm weather instead of a sundress. They are cool and comfortable and breezy like a sundress, but your arms and legs don't have to be on full display.

When you find the right top and shoes to wear with them, they are very flattering.

These pants work so well for me because they have a smooth wide waistband instead of a gathered small elastic one. The latter would add twenty pounds visually. The fabric is a very forgiving lightweight knit that skims the body but shows no jiggly bits. 

The black platform shoes are sturdy and easy to walk in. I do not wear high heels with palazzo pants because it is too easy to get the heels caught in them as you are walking.

Silver, blue and white is a classic warm-weather pairing for my cool skin tone.

We were on our way out to dinner this evening, so the little silver box clutch was appropriate. A small straw clutch and a wide brim straw hat with flat silver sandals would make this look more appropriate for the daytime. The hemline of the pants should almost touch the floor. 

I am wearing a size extra-small pants here, so if you buy these, go down a size. The top is a size medium.

The box clutch and sunglasses are old from T.J.Maxx. The shoes are by Kenneth Cole via Saks Off 5th.

The top and the palazzo pants are by Clara Sunwoo via my friends at ShopMyFairLady.com.

The Shopping is Great!

During my recent visit to speak on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, I slipped away for a couple of hours on Monday to go shopping.

I love to explore Saks Off 5th while on Hilton Head. You never know what treasures you might find there. I purchased a couple of pairs of shoes (no surprise there), a large square silk scarf, and a long asymmetric hem dressy tank top.

An Instagram follower once mentioned that she can never put together a look when she shops there. I always search for unique pieces that fit my style and work with the elements I already own rather than looking for an outfit. 

My closet is arranged in departments so, I rarely wear the same things together in the same way.  If I have a few good looking pieces that all work interchangeably and a variety of accessories, I can go anywhere. I know many women who purchase only outfits but always tell me they have nothing to wear.

Whenever I travel, someone will always comment on how little I take for a three or four-night stay. For example, when I go to L.A. in a few weeks, I will take black, white, and denim pants, four different tops, flat sandals, heeled sandals, some jewelry, and scarves to change the look of the combinations.

My rule is that all the tops must go with all the pants. This formula gives me possibilities for creating several different looks even when I travel by plane with only a small carry-on bag. 

Each time I have visited the Copper Penny store in Shelter Cove, I have found a pair of stylish black pants that will go with everything else in my closet. This store also has a great collection of shoes, jewelry, handbags, and clothing.

Shelter Cove Towne Centre in Hilton Head is a great new shopping area being built where the old mall once was. I love this concept! It is set up with tree-lined streets so that you can park in front of the store you want to visit, and there is a park overlooking the harbor for relaxing with the kids. There are several excellent shops, including a French bakery, numerous restaurants, several clothing stores, gift shops, and many more places to shop or take a break.

The new Birdie James boutique is also located in Shelter Cove. This shop offers a collection of classic staples. Sadly, I missed the grand opening by a few days on this visit, but you can be sure I will be going there as soon as I return to the Island.

I enjoy the sport of looking for a few well-chosen pieces to add to my collection. Most of my shopping is done online these days due to my busy schedule, but I enjoy being able to visit stores when I travel to see all of the colors and textures in person. I also enjoy watching people and studying what makes them look like a success. I have learned a lot simply by watching the women whose style I admire and borrowing tips from them.

I hope that's what you do when you visit my blog. Take the information that is helpful to you and make it your own. We can look fabulous at any age, any size, or on any budget.

On this brief shopping trip, I wore pieces that easily slip off when trying on items. The sandals are from last year by DV Dolce Vita. The pants are by Tribal. The Clara Sunwoo tunic was purchased from ShopMyFairLady.com. The BCBG bag is old from T.J.Maxx. The necklace is from S.M. Bradford, located in Harbour Town on Hilton Head Island.

Take A Scarf

A couple of weekends ago, we stayed at the Inn at Biltmore Estate.

I took a few basic pieces to mix and match, as I always do when we travel. This packing formula serves me well, and I can fit everything into a small carry-on bag.

A scarf can make all the difference when you dress in solid basics. It adds texture, pattern, and colors to pull the whole look together.

The white Evan Picone trench coat is old from Stein Mart. I wore it over a large square silk scarf by Versace from Saks Off 5th last year. The scarf adds the punch of a pattern to tie the white tank and dark wash Klaveli ankle jeans together.

When we went down to breakfast on the second morning, I wore a black Clara Sunwoo mesh sleeve tunic over white pull-on pants by Tribal. I tied the scarf onto my BCBG bag (old) from T.J.Maxx. The shoes are by Vince Camuto from last year.

As we were having breakfast, I became too cold, as I often do in the air conditioning. The scarf served me well as an additional layer. Large square silk scarves are so versatile.

New Jeans

We recently spent the weekend at the Inn at Biltmore Estate.

We had a delicious brunch in the Dining Room on Saturday. I wore a Clara Sunwoo tunic sent by ShopMyFairLady.

These Klaveli ankle jeans with a split hem were discovered while I was shopping at the Paris Apartment Boutique in Knoxville last month. This style of pant is available in about forty colors and different styles too. I appreciate the simple flat front zipper, which makes them great to wear under smooth fitting tops.

The shoes are by Vince Camuto from last year. The bag is also old by BCBG via T.J.Maxx. The Balmain sunglasses are from Saks Off 5th.

We enjoy the elegant decor and the fabulous gardens on the grounds of the Inn.

A fresh rose on every table is a very nice touch!

We spent much of the day exploring the grounds of the Estate and shopping in the village.

To Necklace or Not

My friends at ShopMyFairLady have discovered a new casual line for us.

They sent me this navy blue crinkle cardigan by Focus recently. I am wearing a size medium over a size medium Clara Sunwoo mid-length tank top. The ankle skimmer jeans are old from Chico's. The BCBG bag is old from T.J.Maxx, as are the Kenneth Cole Reaction sunglasses. The Jessica Simpson sandals are old from Nordstrom (I think).

I wore a short necklace rather than a long necklace because this look needed a more structured lift to counterbalance the length, texture, and form of the jacket and the longer hip-length of the smooth tank. 

Many people ask me about the rules for wearing a necklace. What length? When to wear a necklace and when to not? What style? I base that decision upon the item I am wearing near my face. If the jacket is structured and dramatic like the jacket I wore in the post for yesterday, I let it stand alone. I wore a simple pair of small wide crystal hoops paired with bracelets and a bold watch to finish the look because a necklace would have detracted from the jacket. Accessories should complement, not clutter, your look.

I wore this necklace, which is structured and bold, for the same reason I didn't wear a necklace yesterday. It complements the texture and flowing nature of the cardigan. The same flowing shape and length in a necklace would have been too much flowing in one look. It would have visually pulled down my face, whereas this short more structural necklace lifts the eyes to my face.

I got dressed in minutes right after my morning run because I had to be at my warehouse on concise notice, thanks to my adorable accountant. I am wearing practically no makeup, and my hair is still wet from the shower. You will likely never see a more unplanned photoshoot! I got out of my car, handed Mr. Mickey the camera, and said, "Quick, take some pictures!" We were both super busy. (Conveniently, our warehouses are side by side, and we share a back parking lot.)

This Focus cardigan is light as a whisper! I love that it can be worn with any of my jeans and a tank top to look polished and put together while remaining cool and comfortable. It will become a summer staple for me this year.

Later in the day, I went to my favorite sushi place for a quick lunch after all the urgent tasks. There is a beautiful young Japanese girl who is often our server there. She barely speaks any English at all, and yet she told me, "You look so elegant!" I hugged her and almost cried. I certainly did not feel elegant, but her sweet comment made my whole day.

Page 700

We spent a lovely weekend away at The Inn on Biltmore Estate.

On one of the evenings, I wore a black Clara Sunwoo tunic with Lior Paris straight-leg pants to dinner.

The Clara Sunwoo tunic has a sheer mesh panel down each sleeve.

I carried the white trench coat by Evan Picone via Stein Mart because I inevitably will be cold before the evening is over.

The suede fringe sandals are by BCBGeneration via Saks Off 5th. The reptile texture box clutch is from S.M. Bradford on Hilton Head Island.

Mr. Mickey purchased a new friendship ring for me while we were shopping in the village.

I am always captivated by the fresh flowers and plants in the lobby of the Inn.

The blog now includes seven hundred pages. It has been a pleasure sharing with you what I have learned over the past five years.