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.

Classic Casual, My Way

Give me the perfect white shirt and a softly faded pair of jeans, and I am ready to attend any casual event.

It's no secret that I am a lover of the classics. From music to home decor and handbags, I am drawn to the elements that withstand the test of time.

When I began my search for the perfect summer handbag, I knew it needed to be classic, versatile, and durable. I am not interested in disposable fashion. I prefer to invest in one timeless, well-made piece that I can carry for several summers. When I saw this one from J. McLaughlin in Town and Country magazine, I knew it was the one for me right away. I was thrilled to learn that they had just opened a store in Blowing Rock, North Carolina!

Sometimes all you need is the perfect white shirt to get the day off to a great start. This one has enough substance to be worn layered over a slim-fitting tank, which is the perfect way to wear a classic white shirt with my button challenging figure.

The blended, smooth fabric looks crisp and feels comfortable. Sheer, lightweight fabric isn't as forgiving or soft flowing over a tank. I like that this shirt holds its shape to keep me looking freshly turned out all day.

No jiggly bits in sight! Success!

The cuff and faded ankle jeans are old from Chico's. The BCBGeneration sandals are from Saks Off 5th.

Today I am using my new light tent for the first time. This lighting system was a gift from my friends at Fabrizio Gianni. Now I can shoot detailed accessory close-ups for you even at 4 am! I am grateful to the whole Fabrizio Gianni team for this very thoughtful gift.

The earrings and dome ring are both from B'Dazzled in Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

Cali and York sent me the perfect white shirt. I am wearing a size medium over a white Clara Sunwoo tank top supplied by ShopMyFairLady.

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.

Stripes

I love the look of stripes but rarely find a style that flatters my inverted triangle shape.

I wore this look to brunch at the Grove Park Inn. Later in the day, we attended a Chamber Music concert by The Harlem Quartet.

The IC Collection line is made in the USA and sold at ShopMyFairLady.

The pants are by Lior Paris. I am wearing a Clara Sunwoo tank under the jacket. The bag is old from Express. The French Connection shoes are old from Saks Off 5th.

Wine, Women and Shoes

On Saturday, I had the pleasure of working with my dear friend Krista who owns Monkee's of Johnson City. 

Krista asked me to spend the day modeling and visiting with the attendees for a Wine Women & Shoes® event to benefit the Wellmont Foundation.

The legendary Virginian Golf Club was the location for the special event. My personal attire for the day included a royal blue Clara Sunwoo top from ShopmyFairLady.com. The cigarette leg white pants are by Renuar, and Purple Poppy provided them.

The necklace is from S.M. Bradford on Hilton Head Island. The shoes are from last year, and they are by Vince Camuto. The bag is from Express.

I loved seeing my sweet friends again and meeting loyal followers of the blog. It was thrilling to hear "I follow your blog!" so many times during the day.

It was an honor to be in the company of hundreds of generous women who donated their time and money to help others who might not afford the early detection necessary to outlive cancer.

I made a great discovery today when I met Alexandria W. Alli from F&W Style. She is the designer of a fabulous line of handbags of excellent quality. The rich colors and textures are so classic and elegant. I will be buying several of her designs!

I modeled an emerald cape sleeve dress with black leggings accessorized by a hand-beaded necklace and carried a small beige clutch bag. These items are from Monkee's of Johnson City.

Several of the young women who modeled with me on this day are breast cancer survivors.

Proceeds from this event will help the Wellmont Cancer Institute improve access and affordability for breast cancer screenings.

Wine Women & Shoes® sophisticated events feature SHOEMMELIER-style wine tasting, auctions, fashion marketplace, and often a fashion show created for women who enjoy fine wine, great style, and female camaraderie – all to support a noble cause.

Nothing New

Do you style items in the same way each time you wear them?

I have tried this IC Collection jacket closed in the past, but it looks better with my face shape when worn open. The convergence point creates a high round mandarin collar when it is closed, which is not a good look for me. I am wearing it here with a low scoop neck tank from Chico's. The jacket would also look great with a column of white or gray as the base. 

The IC Collection jacket was provided by ShopMyFairLady. The IC Collection line is made in the USA.

The fabulous pants were provided by Fabrizio Gianni. They are the perfect pants for travel. The fit is comfortable, and the fabric looks fresh even after a long car ride. The pants are also made in the USA.

I wore these shoes with this look because they relate so well to the jacket design. The shoes are by Bar III via Macy's last year. The watch is by Michael Kors via Nordstrom. The clutch is old from T.J.Maxx.

IC Collection jackets are works of art. I appreciate the architectural elements such as high-low hems and asymmetric fronts with ornate focal point buttons. The luxurious fabrics are comfortable and flattering. These are the pieces that stay in my wardrobe for a long time. I wear them again and again. 

These flowers were in the Crown Plaza lobby, where we stayed on our recent visit to Knoxville. I wore this repeat look to dinner at the Orangery.