Transition to Spring

Our temperatures may start out in the morning at forty degrees, but it might be seventy-five by mid-afternoon. What to wear?

A trench coat can be the perfect topper during seasonal changes. I look ill in the typical tan trench coat, so I have a short black one and this white one for my cool coloring. I found this one on a sale rack at Stein Mart a couple of summers ago. It is by Evan Picone, and the black one is from Express.

This tank top by J.Jill was the perfect addition to wear with my gray cashmere sweater. Wearing classic simple tanks and sweaters in neutral colors layered with a pair of nice jeans is always a flattering and comfortable casual look for me. Both these items were supplied by J.Jill. I wore them with jeggings and a necklace from Chico's. The bag was by Ralph Lauren via T.J.Maxx last year.

I started out the day in my usual heels. These are by BCBGeneration via Saks Off 5th. When I know I will be walking a lot, I take a cute pair of flats with me for later in the day just in case. These animal print flats with a patent leather toe cap are by Rockport.

When Mr. Mickey stopped by to snap these photos for me, he brought these beautiful white flowers and the perfect anniversary card. It is the same one I gave him! We have given each other the same card on the same day several times during the ten years we have been dating.

Like a River

If you enjoy shopping or hate to get rid of anything, you probably have many items in your wardrobe.

Your closet should be like a river. If things are flowing in, some things need to flow out. It becomes overwhelming when there are too many choices, so I end up wearing the same thing all the time.

The guidelines below are used to help me determine when it is time to let go of something. I try to wear all the clothes in my closet in regular rotation. If they do not pass the test below, they get put into a to-go bag.

1. Is it a good quality item and not showing any wear?

2. Does it fit well and reflect the woman I am now?

3. Do I feel really great when I wear this?

4. Is it a style that flatters my shape?

5. Does it work with other items in my wardrobe?

Using these guidelines to purge as I dress daily means I do not ever have to spend a whole weekend purging my closet. It is a maintenance step that saves time and keeps my wardrobe from overflowing with items I put on and then take off never to wear.

This white stretch cotton crew-neck tee was supplied to me by J.Jill. I love the feel of this tee on my skin. It can comfortably be worn with or without the jacket. It is a great basic!

The jacket is several years old and starting to show its age, so it is on the way to Goodwill today. The little animal print bag is one that I found at Ross a few years ago. That, too, will be in the to-go bag.

The shoes are by BCBGeneration from Saks Off 5th. The jeans are by NYDJ, but I recently found them at T.J.Maxx for just $29.99! I only shop T.J.Maxx at the beginning of the seasons for the best selection.

I hope your weather is also becoming more spring-like each day!

Layer Like a Boss

Multiple thin layers keep me warm without running the risk of looking like the Michelin Man.

On a recent Saturday, we visited old downtown to see some of the new projects. An exciting renaissance has begun in Johnson City!

From November to April, I am usually wearing a minimum of two layers. I started this look with a thin gray tank camisole from Saks Off 5th. Next, I added a great looking striped button front tunic from J.Jill. The cashmere scarf/wrap is old from J.Jill. 

I bought the distressed faux leather jacket from my friend Myra's boutique, The Charlemont in Kingsport, TN. The ankle jeans are from Chico's. The bag is by Zac Posen, and the boots are by French Connection, both via Saks Off 5th.

I once avoided wearing longer layers under shorter pieces, but I learned that if I use a soft, unstructured longer piece under a more structured shorter piece, it always seems to work out well.

Each time I go to the J.Jill website, I find it difficult to narrow my selections to stay within my budget. I want them all!

I decided on this top because I know I can also wear it in warm weather without a tank, white jeans and sandals.

Shown below without the outer layers.

Styling Tip

I fell in love with this fabulous J.Jill tunic as soon as I saw it!

This top was provided by J.Jill.

I have a weakness for soft, easy pieces that flow across the body and look great with jeans. If the item can be worn for three seasons, even better!

This color is called Gala, which will go with every pair of pants I own. That makes this tunic a very wise purchase.

The ankle jeans and the wide silver cuff are both old from Chico's. The boots are old by Ralph Lauren, and the bag is old by Cole Haan, both from T.J.Maxx. 

Buying classic items with a simple design means that you can wear the pieces for years to come and in many combinations.

I will wear this top with white jeans and nude sandals many times this summer. It looks great with most of my scarves and all of my fun cuffs and bracelets. I can also wear it with the sleeves long and layer a jacket or cardigan over it. 

We moved the furniture around a bit to shoot this short video and take these pictures for you. I hope my tips inspire and help you get dressed with ease.

A Drive In The Country

After a hectic week, I look forward to long lazy Saturdays with no particular schedule.

On this beautiful day, we stopped in Jonesborough to walk through town and enjoy the sunshine before continuing our journey through the countryside to visit the Amish store. I like to go there a couple of times a year to buy most of my food in bulk. I stock up on dried beans, rolled and steel-cut oats, flax seeds, lentils, and various spices.

I was growing very weary of dressing for cold weather. Our morning started out with temperatures in the 30s, but as the afternoon progressed, I removed my short black trenchcoat and pushed up my J's sleeves. Jill cashmere tunic. It was pure bliss to sit in the sunshine for a moment and enjoy temperatures in the mid-60s!

J.Jill supplied this tunic. 

The opinions are my own.

Today I wore flat BCBG Leather Loafers and short soft crew socks from Ralph Lauren. The dark wash slightly boot-cut slim fit jeans from Loft are the right style for this type of flat shoe. 

When I wear flat shoes and socks, I chose a pair of pants that just touch the top of my foot and have a slight flare at the leg opening. The socks should match the pants. I like to keep the same tone to elongate the leg. For example, if I had worn tan loafers, my legs would have looked shorter. 

I am often asked how I decide which shoes to wear with each pant style. I will write more about pairing shoes with pant styles in tomorrow's blog post.

Jonesborough is the oldest town in Tennessee. It is always a treat to go for a walk there on warm sunny days.

Rolling meadows and the foothills of distant mountain ranges provide breathtaking views along our journey.

My early childhood spent on a farm in the western North Carolina mountains means that brief glimpses of farm life always bring me joy. These horses left the meadow at full gallop when they heard this farmer's truck arrive. They knew that dinner was about to be served.

The Nolichucky river winds lazily through the valley, creating prized fertile farmland.

I hope you have enjoyed sharing part of our peaceful day with us.

Traveling to Warmer Climates

Are you on your way to a warm-weather vacation or maybe a cruise? When I am lucky enough to head south or out to L.A. during the winter months, this post shows how I pack for the trip.

A shirt that buttons all the way down the front and is generous enough in fit not to gap at the bust when closed is a great find. I love the option of being able to wear a shirt open as if it were a jacket with a whisper-light tank top in summer. This shirt, tank, and pants are all from J.Jill.

The cuff bracelet above is from S.M. Bradford on Hilton Head Island. The sandals were by Dolce Vita via Nordstrom last year. The tote bag was from T.J.Maxx last year. The straw hat is several years old. 

I only look for items of good quality with simple classic details that are not memorable or trendy. I always try to invest well to wear my items for several years instead of just one season. Please note that I have been wearing J.Jill items for several years, so some of the things I am showing you might not be available now.

Denim and white with tan accessories have been a life-long favorite color combination. 

A note about sandals: I look for the type that has a strap at the back so that they stay on. I am not a fan of flip flops of any style. I wear those only on the day I have a pedicure.

These slip-on sneakers are by Sperry. They would be perfect for a day of shopping.

Fit has become much more important to me as my body ages. Sixty is a whole different ballgame than fifty! I now look for tops and jackets that skim the body and fall nicely from my shoulders.

Linen has always been one of my favorite fabrics to wear in the heat of summer. It wrinkles, but as my friend, The Duchess, used to say, "They are rich wrinkles, just go with it."

There aren't many other fabrics that breathe or feel more comfortable in the heat and humidity. Wear a stunning piece of jewelry and awesome shoes with linen for a more polished look.

The video below shows the items I would take for a five-day cruise. You might also take a bathing suit and a cover-up, a sundress or skirts. (I rarely ever wear those items, so in the interest of being totally honest with you, I only included things I would actually take.) 

The key is to take things you can mix and match for different combinations that are appropriate for the occasion. (The same as my wardrobe at home but on a much smaller scale.)

These products were supplied by J.Jill.

Cranberry Season

Cranberries are so good for you! Did you know they have Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Iron, Vitamin B-6, and Magnesium? The moment I saw this cranberry-colored cardigan, I knew it would be good for me too.

I have to admit I have gone a little crazy for J.Jill items lately. Their December collection includes so many items that fit with my personal style.

I have already worn this cardigan a couple of times. The color is so rich, and the fabrication is exquisite. I can literally wear it with almost everything in my wardrobe.

It is shown on the J.Jill site with a turtleneck in the same color, but I love that it looks good with almost every top I own.

The Perfect Dress!

I value items that can be worn in several ways, so there are only a few dresses in my closet.

This very versatile dress from J.Jill is one that I can wear alone or layered for different looks.

On this windy day, I wore the dress with black Spanx tights and long boots from Vince Camuto. Next, I added a necklace from Chico's a couple of years ago and a long faux leather-trimmed vest from Chico's.

This J.Jill's dress can also be worn with leggings and short boots, as it is shown on their site.

The Circle of Red

I am very proud to be a member of The Circle of Red and Go Red For Women in the Tri-Cities for 2016.

Go Red For Women is doing everything we can to fight heart disease in women. We’re providing life-saving information to women of all ages and ethnicities, we’re increasing gender-focused medical research, and we provide a tight community of like-minded champions who have banded together to form an unstoppable army against heart disease in women.

We held our kick-off meeting last evening. I wore a red tunic sweater from J.Jill with black pants by Loir of Paris from a boutique in Knoxville called The Paris Apartment.

After five or cocktail attire need not mean an uncomfortable slinky dress (you already know I am not a lover of dresses). A fabulous pair of great fitting pants, with a luxurious sweater and sexy shoes, and I am ready for an evening event.

I love the option of a shawl worn across the neck with the ends flowing down the back for an evening wrap, which is ready when you need a bit extra warmth.

My most important message to you is to take care of your body by eating a mostly plant-based diet and get some exercise every day. Heart disease is the number one killer of women; it kills more women than all forms of cancer combined, killing more women than men. Heart disease victims often don’t even know they have it, so they don’t get treated or make healthy lifestyle changes.

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.