Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort

Ready for another adventure in the mountains of North Carolina?

Another item from our bucket list has been crossed off. On Monday, we visited Harrah's in Cherokee.

Having visited Cherokee, North Carolina, it's hard for me to comprehend the changes on the Reservation during childhood summers. Until a few years ago, it had remained virtually unchanged since the 1950s.

 I was hoping to see a bear today.

Mr. Mickey's lunch.

 

My lunch.

We do not gamble, so there were only lunch and a bit of window shopping and people watching for us.

The white waterfall cardigan is old. I thought it might be cold in the building; I was right!

The scarf is old from Stein Mart. The layered tank is old from White House|Black Market. The bag is old by BCBG via T.J.Maxx. 

The chino pants are new from NYDJ. This style is the Marilyn Straight. They run very largely! I am wearing a size 2. I washed and dried them hoping they would shrink. Today, I am taking them to the tailor to get them hemmed.

Khaki and White

When the day calls for dressing in a casual summer look, I am at a bit of a loss. Dressing for dinner or a special event is much easier for me.

Without a jacket, I feel underdressed, but I am forced to look for a suitable alternative when the temperatures exceed ninety degrees.

Considering this look's casual nature, I am wearing minimal makeup and a simple watch with one small ring. Too many accessories and bold makeup would seem out of place.

I have always loved the classic summer color combination of white with khaki, but khaki pants have always been challenging for me to get right. The secret to my success with these is not too tight with a straight leg and not too close to my skin color.

The whisper lightweight white tunic is old from J.Jill. The lightweight khaki pull-on wide waistband pants are so comfortable on hot days. They are by Lior Paris from ShopMyFairLady.com.

The sandals are old by Born Shoes. I appreciate that they are the same color as my pants to help my legs look longer.

Caution!

You will rarely see me carry a crossbody bag. The reason is that when worn, as shown above, a lot of unwanted attention is directed right to the girls. That strap pulled between your breasts by the weight of a bag hanging at your side or slightly behind you is like a beacon saying, "Look how big my chest is!".

I bought this little crossbody bag to wear on very casual days when I just need keys, cards, and a lip balm, and I want to keep my hands free. I am always careful to make sure it rests on the front of my hip so that the strap is not pulled tight. This bag is from White House|Black Market.

Mamma Mia!

We visit Abingdon, Virginia, a couple of times every year.

My travel day look included a navy whisper-light cardigan by Focus over an old tank by Peck & Peck via Stein Mart. The olive color pants are old from Fabrizio Gianni.

The bag is old by BCBG via T.J.Maxx. The shoes are old by Gianni Bini from Dillard's.

Abingdon is only a short drive from Johnson City but far enough to feel like we got away from it all for a few days.

The Martha is always our home away from home in Abingdon. It is an elegant place to relax on the porch and watch the world go by, get a massage, or have dinner.

On Friday evening, we had an excellent meal at the Tavern, a short distance from the Martha.

The clutch is from Cloth, the boutique at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina. The French Connection shoes are old from Saks Off 5th.

We occasionally enjoy a piece of wild-caught salmon for dinner.

The moss-covered building which houses the Tavern dates to 1779!

On Saturday morning, we enjoyed a Continental breakfast in Sister's American Grill, the restaurant at The Martha.

After breakfast, we took a stroll around the grounds before going down to the Spa for our massages.

I wore my Last Tango cold shoulder top from Purple Poppy over white Lior Paris Janet style pants during the early part of the day.

I had so much fun exploring the grounds of the Martha after a gentle summer afternoon rain with my camera in hand.

One of Mr. Mickey's favorite things ever is deviled eggs. Sister's American Grill makes some of the best ones ever! So that's where we had a lovely evening meal on Saturday.

I wore the white pants again with the white tank top from day one with an old blue cardigan from Saks Off 5th. It has a sheer panel at the lower back.

When we travel for a short distance and stay for one or two nights, I take only a few pieces that can be mixed and matched. I will only be dressed in the elements for a couple of hours, so they can be switched about easily, wearing the pieces in rotation on different days at different times.

On Sunday, we had an excellent brunch at the Harvest Table in Meadowview, Virginia, before attending the afternoon showing of "Mamma Mia!" at the Barter Theatre. 

We thoroughly enjoyed the play! If you get the opportunity to see this musical, do. You will not be disappointed.

Later in the afternoon on Sunday, we also walked through the craft show booths at the Highlands Festival. My favorite booth was the Dreamland Alpaca Farm Store, where I got to pet an Alpaca for the first time. They have the sweetest temperaments!

Casual Day

What do you wear when you are just relaxing at home with your family?

On Sunday, I wore an old Breton striped tee from Chico's with white jeans by NYDJ, which I found at T.J.Maxx last winter. I have the most successful shopping at T.J.Maxx when I go in at the very beginning of the season as they are just getting in new inventory. I look for everyday basics when I shop there.

The sandals are by Vince Camuto from last year. I am holding my favorite Lancôme 'Shine Lover' Vibrant Shine Lipstick in color Unconventional. We were on our way over to visit with my parents, so I didn't need a handbag, and I am wearing very minimal makeup.

This is a typical look for me when I am relaxing at home during the summer. It is an easy casual look that I can run errands in too.

I would wear this top and pants with a jean jacket and flat nude or silver shoes for another casual look in cooler weather. If I wanted to dress it up a bit, I could wear it with a navy blazer and khaki pants. Having a core wardrobe of flattering basics means you can layer and wear the pieces in a year-round rotation appropriate for the weather or the occasion.

Black and White Geo Print

If you find a print or pattern in my wardrobe, it will be a stripe, high contrast geo print (geometric pattern), or an abstract one in bold jewel colors.

My new favorite cascading vest from Covered Perfectly is the perfect print for me. This high contrast black and white with abstract spots is one of the new items introduced last month.

When I travel, I always take one of these vests with me. They take up no space in your luggage, and you can wear them in many ways to change the look of basics.

I am wearing the vest here over the white simple comfort top. If you wear tank tops, it wears beautifully over those on a hot day to give you a little coverage. I hate showing off my middle in clinging tops, but I don't mind showing my arms.

When I strolled out to greet Mr. Mickey wearing this, he said: "That is one of the best looks you've worn in a while." He loves this combo!

This video shows you how I wear the cascading vests and shares some tips for traveling light.

Salon Visits

Do you dress up a little to visit your stylist?

For my most recent appointment with my friend Myra, who is also my stylist, I wore jeans with a nice jacket and a layered tank top with animal print booties.

My logic has always been that if you dress nicely in attire that represents your style well, you will be more likely to get a cut that makes you happy. This holds true, especially if the stylist has just met you.

Hairstyles are the accessory we wear every day. Never underestimate the power of a good cut and a color that is complementary to your coloring.

I always arrive on time or even a few minutes early, considering my stylist and everyone else who has scheduled time with her for the day. Respect for my stylist and the other patrons includes dressing for the visit, showing up on time, leaving my cell phone in the car, and always speaking in a low voice. For many of us, this is one of the few times we get to relax and be pampered. I never want to interfere with a woman getting pampered!

The BCBGMAXAZRIA Bowie jacket is from Saks Off 5th, as is the draped crossover top and the French Connection animal print ankle boots. The ankle jeans are old from Chico's. The chain bag is old from Express.

Styling tip for the day. Wear a short jacket with a longer top to look more slender.