Cool Little Number

Dressing in this hot weather is a challenge for me. We don't usually have temperatures in the 90's for more than a few days. However, this summer has been very different.

Thankfully, I bought a few pairs of Clara Sunwoo palazzo pants from ShopMyFairLady.com earlier this year. They have gotten a lot of wear this summer. These are the coolest and most comfortable pants I own. I always go down in size because they do run large. These are extra-small.

This Covered Perfectly top with a square neckline is the right proportion to wear with palazzo pants. I have tried many other tops with them, but this one is cool and comfortable and slimming simultaneously. I am wearing a size medium.

The sunglasses are old from T.J.Maxx. The sandals were from DSW earlier this year. The bag is old from Express.

Rituals

Do you ever just do nothing for the whole day? Yesterday was one of those rare Sundays that included nothing more than reading the paper, taking a nap, then going to visit my parents.

My sister and I honor a long family tradition that includes taking the time to visit our parents on most Sunday afternoons. (As we did with my grandparents and great-grandparents as children.) We call them almost every day to ensure they are both well and don't need our help with anything.

Going for a long walk and then watering the shade garden typically happens at daybreak but not today. I also fill the birdfeeders and put fresh water in the birdbath before I start my usual workdays. I worked seven days a week for many years. Taking these little breaks for something less taxing helped to keep me sane.

Personal rituals and traditions give me balance and ground me. For example, giving thanks for all that I have and exercising always starts my day positively.

On hot summer days with nothing special planned, I always wear something breezy and comfortable.

The cool, soft, comfortable top is by Focus, and the khaki pants are the "Lize" style straight-leg pants by Lior Paris, both via ShopMyFairLady.com. They offer most of the clothing lines I enjoy wearing with always excellent service included, so I remain loyal to them. The sandals are old from Nine West.

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.

A Perfect Day

We spent part of Saturday afternoon exploring the mountains of North Carolina on our way to dinner.

I wore a royal blue top by IC Collection and white pants in the Janet style by Lior Paris, both from ShopMyFairLady.com, earlier this summer.

The shoes are old by Charles Jourdan via Saks Off 5th. The chain bag is old from Express.

The cutout details in both the front and back at the shoulders make such a difference on a hot summer day. The tops are indeed cooler because of them. I love the swing and texture of the flattering fabric.

At the end of a beautiful day, we enjoyed another perfect meal at one of our all-time favorite restaurants, Artisanal.

Five Years!

On July 16, 2011, I started a Facebook page to share what I wish I had always known about nutrition and style. I was so excited when I reached one hundred followers! Today there are more than twenty-eight thousand of you.

I was a lifetime yo-yo dieter whose weight might fluctuate by as much as fifty pounds in one year. There were times when even my extended family members didn't recognize me if they hadn't seen me for a while. Reading the book "Eat to Live" by Dr. Joel Furhman taught me what to eat and why. 

After my weight and health issues were under control, it was time to tackle my frumpy style. That is still a work in progress, but it is fun to share what I learn with you.

To celebrate my fifth blogging anniversary, Mr. Mickey took me out to dinner last evening. I wore a new tunic by I.C. Collection over old Mesmerize pants; both are from one of my favorite places to shop, ShopMyFairLady.com.

The bag is old from Saks Off 5th. The shoes are old by Nina New York. The necklace weighs about fifteen pounds (only a slight exaggeration!), and I bought it at S.M. Bradford at Harbour Town Yacht Club on Hilton Head Island last year. The nail color is OPI "Dutch Tulips."

Even though I have several red tunics, I wanted this one because it reminds me of a mullet hairstyle, all business up front, and a party in the back.

We visited Gourmet and Company, which is our favorite restaurant in Johnson City.

My dinner was the fabulous heirloom tomato salad with grilled peaches.

Mr. Mickey had the spring garden salad with benne brittle and grilled wild salmon.

Here is what happens when I see a tiny baby praying mantis on the wall during a photoshoot and totally forget what I am supposed to be doing.

Mr. Mickey says that he no longer kills bugs because of me. Great compliment!

All Is Well

Severe storms passed through our region on Friday evening. Countless trees were torn apart or completely uprooted by high winds taking power sources with them, which means many thousands of people are still without power on Sunday morning.

For all those who wrote to ask, we are safe and well. We sustained very little damage in our neighborhood.

We had reservations for dinner on Saturday night, so we decided to keep our plans. We anticipated that it might take a lot longer to reach our destination because of all the roads' debris.

Teams were out in force before the break of dawn to start clearing the damage and trying to restore power as quickly as possible.

We were more than ready to have a day away from the stress of life after this somber and frightening week. As we drove through the mountains on our way to Blowing Rock, North Carolina, I could feel the release of tension.

Something calming about looking out over endless green mountain ranges fills me with a sense of peace and gratitude.

We forgot to take the camera with us when we parked the car earlier in the day, so we had to take a few minutes before dinner to snap some photos for you. We always try to shoot looks at the beginning of our day before I become too rumpled looking. Today you see me after a day of shopping, visiting with friends, sitting in the park watching people, and riding around in a convertible.

There are many things I like about owning a capsule wardrobe of basics. Most of all, I appreciate that when I don't have the energy to come up with a special look, I can just put on something and go without giving it too much thought.

It is always a lot cooler in the mountains, so I have learned to wear layers whenever we go that way. Today I wore a jacket by IC Collection via ShopMyFairLady.com. (It is on sale now!) The layered V-Neck tank could have been worn alone if I had gotten too warm during the day, but that did not happen. The tank is from White House|Black Market. The pants are the Sasha Style by Lior Paris via ShopMyFairLady.com.

My accessories included small silver wide hoop earrings with tiny crystals, sunglasses by Balmain via Saks Off 5th, and a stack of silver bracelets.

The shoes are old by Bar III via Macy's.

After seeing so much damage all day, I was relieved to see that this little flower garden spot behind a store in Banner Elk had survived unscathed.

Red sky at night, sailor's delight.

I always share where I got the items shown if I can remember. The source is often ShopMyFairLady.com because they carry many of the lines I find comfortable and reflect my personal style.

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.