Focus

On a recent sunny Saturday, we had lunch in Jonesborough at the Cuban-inspired restaurant, The Dining Room.

The Dining Room is moving eight miles west to downtown Johnson City later this year. Planning for a November grand opening, the menu will remain the same as The Dining Room, but the restaurant's name will change to “Sabores,” which is “flavor” in Spanish.

I have often been asked how I keep my weight the same while eating out so often. I also get questions about what I order when we dine out. At this particular restaurant, I order the grilled portobello mushroom sandwich with a side salad.

Most places will be happy to prepare a meatless dish for you. I always stress that I do not want potatoes, rice, or pasta. I often tell them no bread. Vegetarian does not mean pasta with oil, cheese, butter, and cream.

If I am dining with a group and everyone is ordering three or four courses, I won't hesitate to order three different small salads with dressing on the side. Many nicer restaurants offer more than one type of salad. I always order the ones without meat. I rarely finish everything on my plate.

We never eat at fast food places.

When I travel, I carry raw almonds or walnuts or some organic trail mix and a piece of fruit. I buy a bottle of water after I get through security. I never take the food and snacks offered on the plane.

This comfortable casual Saturday afternoon look includes a super lightweight white shirt with pockets by Focus via ShopMyFairLady.com. The shirt is almost sheer, so I am wearing a camisole under it to not show through the Jag Jeans. I bought the Jag Jeans from The Fig Leaf in Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

The platform shoes were by Rampage via Belk last year.

The fun clutch bag is from one of my other favorite shops, Carriage Trade Antiques and Blowing Rock. When I bought this bag, Mr. Mickey questioned my choice because he knows I rarely buy anything so memorable. After seeing it paired with many of the solid separates I love to wear, he gets it.

I saw the attractive lady shown below as she was going into a store and asked if I could take her picture for the blog. She had a great asymmetric hairstyle that was very short in the back.

Jonesborough is the oldest town in Tennessee. 

Jonesborough was established seventeen years before Tennessee was granted statehood in 1779.

I hope your weekend adventures take you to beautiful places with excellent food!

I always share where I get the items I am wearing if I can remember. The source is often ShopMyFairLady.com because they carry so many of the lines I find comfortable and fit with my style.

Walk A Mile

Our Mother's Day celebration included a fabulous meal prepared for our family by my sweet sister.

I carried an old BCBG bag and wore jeans by NYDJ and sunglasses by Kenneth Cole Reaction, all found at T.J.Maxx. I rarely go there anymore, but I got lucky on those visits. The plain white tank is by Peck & Peck via Stein Mart.

The oh so comfortable waffle texture casual jacket is by Focus, and it was sent to me by ShopMyFairLady.

The color and texture of this jacket are not typically found in my bag of tricks. My usual choices include smooth surfaces, bold, saturated colors, and sleek lines. I made this work for me by making sure all the other elements were structured and plain.

The sandals are from last year. They are by Vince Camuto via Belk. I found them on sale at the end of the season, so I bought two pairs. I know I will wear them often because they go with everything. Last year, I wore out a similar favorite style by Jessica Simpson.

The statement necklace is from an elegant store in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. This estate piece immediately captivated me! 

We always visit Finely House Couture and Carriage Trade Antiques when we are in Blowing Rock. You never know what unusual treasures might be waiting there. Our friends who own these shops possess impeccable taste.

This video is in response to a challenge I received from someone who commented on a Facebook post.

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.