Relaxing At Home

If you stop by to visit me on any cold-weather Sunday afternoon, you will find me reading by the fire.

Currently, I am reading four books, which means there are books, stacks of magazines, and readers to be found beside every comfortable chair.

"Thank Me" frame style is shown here.

Mr. Mickey asked me to go with him to pick out his new glasses last week. It has been several years since I have bought prescription glasses because readers are all I need to wear. I didn't realize how expensive prescription eyeglasses have gotten. Wow! I could have eleven pairs of stylish readers for that price.

Bob Frapples is this frame style.

Eye-bobs is an excellent line of stylish, high-quality readers. They are very comfortable, and they arrive in a nice protective case and with a glass cleaning cloth. They recently sent me these two styles to try, and I like them very much. They are lightweight and very comfortable to wear. I love the larger lenses! All the types offered on their website are very modern looking.

Bob Frapples is the name of the frame below, and I chose the navy front with blue denim trim. 

This is the Bob Frapples frame style.

Thank Me is the name of the style shown below. I chose the black front with matte gunmetal trim.

This is the Thank Me frame style.

I always look for glasses with a square shape to flatter my roundish face.

The question, "What do you wear at home when you aren't going somewhere special?" is one that I often get. When I have a few hours to myself during those rare times, I put on something soft and comfortable and curl up with a book. Since early childhood, I have been an avid reader. 

The old cashmere cardigan I am wearing here is my all-time favorite from J.Jill. 

The slip-on style shoes are old by Sperry.

These soft crepe pull-on pants and the relaxed tee are both by Fabrizio Gianni. If you love fabulous basics that can be worn dressed up or down and worn for almost any occasion, these pieces are well worth the investment. The Fabrizio Gianni items are all made in the USA.

You will see these black pants on me often! Made from a luxurious stretch crepe, these pants can easily be dressed up or down. (As you will see in another post coming soon.) Mr. Mickey snapped these photos as we were relaxing before a long drive across the mountains for a special dinner date.

For those of you who asked. My hair is still silver/gray. Some lighting makes it look otherwise.

I mostly read to learn more about something that interests me. These are the four books I am reading right now.

Three In One

Sometimes when we experience three seasons in one day here in northeastern Tennessee.

On this particular morning, it was thirty-two degrees. In the afternoon, we enjoyed seventy-two degrees.

I started the morning with layers. The stretch denim jacket was sent to me by Fabrizio Gianni. I am wearing a Covered Perfectly cascading vest as a scarf. I love the flexibility of this piece! It can be worn belted, tied in many ways, left open or wrapped around your neck, and threaded through the armholes as a scarf. (The video below shows how I did this.) I have also worn this vest under a long sweater so that it looks like a scarf peeking out when I am freezing. Make sure to pack at least one of these on your next trip. You will thank me later!

My layers served me well today! I experimented with different lengths of layers and with cropped ankle pants with flats. I almost always shy away from that combination.

This week on the blog, I am breaking all my personal styling rules. Today I broke my rules of never wear cropped pants with flats and stay away from boxy jackets. Another rule is not to wear anything with a high neck. When I am cold, all bets are off! I just recently started wearing a longer top with a shorter jacket. I really like the slimming way that combo looks.

This little video shows how I made the Cascading Vest into a scarf.

Breaking Rules

Do you have personal rules for dressing that you don't even think of breaking?

I thought it might be a fun exercise to break all my own styling rules in this week's blog posts.

I haven't worn shorts in about twenty years. They don't fit into my lifestyle, and I feel very self-conscious about my left leg's technicolor veins. For the same reason, I rarely wear dresses.

These Bermuda length polka dot pull-on shorts by Tribal Sportswear are so cute that I decided to try them. These items were sent to me by a site that has since closed down. 

The shorts are nicely tailored with comfortable slits at the sides, and they end at my best skirt length, which all work well for me. When the occasion calls for something more sporty or casual, this look will serve me well while maintaining my personal style.

Above, I paired the look with a black vest sent to me by Fabrizio Gianni, but the more casual look without the vest is another option.

Flats are another wardrobe item I rarely wear. I do not find flats comfortable most of the time. When I purchase them when they would be more appropriate for the look or the event, I search for a foot flattering slim style that shows the top of the foot and pointed toes.

Black Olive and Caper

I have always loved the color olive or caper as neutrals on other people. When I wear that color near my face, I look ill.

These comfortable soft, casual pants are by Fabrizio Gianni. This caper color is as close as I get to khaki because that is another color I cannot wear well. Since I have a cool skin tone, I try never to wear warm or golden undertones near my face. If you know the colors that work well with your skin tone, you will find it so much easier to put together a flattering wardrobe. The colors and tones will look good on you, but they will also work together well.

It took me about three minutes to get dressed. I was on my way to the bank and my office to sign checks on Friday. Even though this is an easy casual look, I was appropriately dressed for all the stops I had to make and even to join a friend for lunch later.

That is why I share these tips and inspiration photos with you. I want you to have the same confidence and ease of getting dressed each day.

One way to determine which tones of color would look best on you is to study your veins. If the veins on the inside of your wrist look green, you have warm golden undertones. If your veins look blue, you have a cool skin tone. If the veins look neither blue nor green, you are a lucky neutral who can wear almost any color.

My sandals were by Vince Camuto from Belk last year.

Vest Love

For the longest time, I never wore vests. In the past few years, I have fallen hard for them.

This edgy, blazer style black vest is from Fabrizio Gianni. I am still working on putting together my wardrobe for my upcoming travels. This will be the perfect third piece for warmer climates. I have become very fond of sleek fitting vests because they can give a jacket's slimming look without being too warm or adding bulk.

Fabrizio Gianni supplied the vest and the necklace. The opinions are my own.

We shot these photos on a mild day last week. At this moment, we have six inches of snow on the ground, and we are expecting another foot of snow.

The necklace set is also from Fabrizio Gianni. I love the lightweight and delicate silver and gray colors of the Swarovski crystals and tassels. It also looks great against a black background. Winner!

The perfect straight-leg jeans were supplied by J.Jill. I call these my Goldilocks jeans. Not too tight, not too long, not too distressed, just right! 

The shoes are old by DV Dolce Vita. The Calvin Klein bag is old via T.J.Maxx. 

The perfect for layering under everything tunic is from Covered Perfectly. 

(I purchased this one.)

I now invest only in pieces of good quality and basic design in the few solid colors I truly enjoy wearing. That means I can pair these pieces together in many combinations. This simple tip has helped me to build a great wardrobe that serves me well for any occasion.

Sweater Weather

I have gone a little crazy with red sweaters. Black is suddenly being overtaken by red in my closet.

Do you go through stages of being drawn to a certain color when you shop? I love shades of red because it goes with every pair of pants in my wardrobe.

At the end of the season last year I bought this sweater from Chico's. I am glad I did because I love the length of it with these Fabrizio Gianni leggings.

The bag is by Zac Posen via Saks Off 5th. The shoes are by Vince Camuto via Dillard's.

Brunch in a Blazer

Getting dressed for the day can be quite a challenge at this time of year. It may be thirty degrees in the morning and then seventy degrees in the afternoon.

My solution to the widely fluctuating temperatures is to top off my look with an elegant cashmere wrap. This luxurious dark grey heather one is from J.Jill.

I wore it across my shoulders during the coolest part of the day. I appreciate that it stays where you put it.

We spent the day in Asheville on Sunday, where we enjoyed a fabulous brunch at the Omni Grove Park Inn's Blue Ridge Artisanal Buffet.

While we were having brunch, I didn't need to wear the wrap. The blue blazer is by Tahari via Saks Off 5th. The silver lace tank top is from Chico's. The ivory pants are from Fabrizio Gianni. The bag is from Express. The suede shoes are by Vince Camuto.

My jacket was draped on the back seat so that it wouldn't wrinkle on the long drive over the mountains to Asheville. Wrapped in cashmere is a great way to travel! I will always take this one with me when I travel by plane. The neutral color goes with everything, and it isn't bulky, but it is warm.

I am often asked about wearing white pants in winter. I do wear white pants and blazers at any time of year if the weather is dry. That old rule of no white after Labor Day is, thankfully, outdated now.

Whether you just drape the wrap around your neck once or cross it over your shoulders, it is perfectly comfortable and elegant.

When I get dressed, the weather is my first consideration. Appropriate for the event is my second. Third, on my checklist is if the look is attractive on my body type.

Fabrizio Gianni Knit Top Giveaway!

Adding pieces that work well with other elements in my wardrobe is always my goal when shopping.

This jersey knit top by Fabrizio Gianni has my favorite 3/4 length sleeves and a lovely flattering neckline. The gray and black reptile print is very current. The knit fabric is exceptionally soft and comfortable. Fabrizio Gianni items are made in the USA.

In this post, I wanted to show you a few of the ways I will wear this top and jeans combination. It is one of the beautiful knit top styles you can win this month.

A black linen moto jacket and open toe edgy boots just beg for Fabrizio Gianni super stretch legging jeans and this reptile top from Fabrizio Gianni.

Flat slippers and a large woven scarf can totally change the jeans and top's look and attitude.

A Guess bag with studs and a smooth, shiny silver cuff, and one bold silver and crystal ring complete this look.

Wearing the top and jeans with flat ankle boots creates a chic casual look for running errands.

A lightweight vest in a very different fabric can add another generous layer to the look.

These tops are more fitted and figure-flattering, so they are perfect to wear under jackets and vests.

I am pleased to sponsor giveaways from some of my favorite vendors. This month I am joining with Fabrizio Gianni to provide you with the chance to win a fabulous jersey knit print top valued at $85.

Please check my blog often because I announce all contest winners here, and you will need to email me afterward to give me your shipping address.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fabrizio Gianni Giveaway!

One of my most reliable sources for pants that are great fitting and comfortable to wear has long been Fabrizio Gianni.

A favorite military-style jacket is also by Fabrizio Gianni. I really appreciate the quality and classic styles they offer, and all of their pieces are made in the USA!

I love the rich look and versatility of colors such as olive, mushroom, and caper; however, those colors are not flattering to my cool skin tone. My solution? Wear those colors away from my face and pair them with a color such as navy or white, which works well with my cool coloring.

Styling a short jacket with a longer tank is a fresh, youthful way to wear layers. Add an animal print clutch, one bold silver ring, cognac shoes, and that's all the accessories I need with this look. Remember, bold buttons count as an accessory!

I cuffed these caper color pants to show the top of the shoe. I could also easily wear them long with boots later in the season since they have a slight boot flare cut. These pants are soft and comfortable, and the fabric is very supple, but it keeps its shape. These are also great pants for travel!

I am so happy to sponsor giveaways that some of my favorite vendors allow me to offer you. This month I am joining with Fabrizio Gianni to offer you the chance to win a fabulous jersey knit print top valued at $85. 

I have the reptile print top, and I will be showing you that one tomorrow, along with the Rafflecopter code to enter to win the print top of your choice.

Please check my blog often because I announce all contest winners here, and you will need to email me afterward to give me your shipping address.

A Rafflecopter Giveaway