Chico's Event!

Thank you for all the wonderful birthday greetings! I spent the weekend being spoiled by Mr. Mickey.

On Friday afternoon, we arrived in Asheville just in time for lunch at Carmel's in the Grove Arcade.

During the first part of day one, I wore denim jeggings, a winter white tank, and a long jacket with three-quarter sleeves and zipper details with a multi-color stone necklace, all from Chico's. The sandals are by Sam Edelman. The bag was made in Italy. I found it at T.J.Maxx a couple of years ago.

You are invited to visit Chico's near you this week. I will be modeling in a fashion show at our local Johnson City store on Thursday evening from 4 to 7 PM. Several other stores across the country will also have special events this week. On Saturday, September 19th, I will be available from 2 until 4 PM in the Johnson City, TN location to share customized style tips with you. Check with the Chico's near you to find out what fun they have planned.

Flare Leg Jeans

Putting on these flare leg jeans took me back to my teenage years for a moment. Mini skirts do too, but I won't be going there!

I bought these flare leg jeans at Chico's online. I wish I had bought the tall length because I would like to wear platform shoes with them. When doing so, the pants should almost cover the shoes. These are too short for me to do that.

The waist is also higher than we have seen for the past few years. I am pairing them with a shorter, more fitted white jacket from Express because a longer, more boxy jacket or tunic would look mighty frumpy with these pants. Remember fitted over full or full over fitted to keep your look balanced. Always be willing to try a new shape or trend if it works for your body. Change is good. It keeps your look fresh and youthful.

Peace and love!

Saturday Adventure

It was the perfect day for taking a long drive into the beautiful mountains of Virginia to visit with dear friends who moved there a couple of years ago.

Our weather is a bit cooler now, so I am wearing jeans, a tank, and a necklace from Chico's with a white denim jacket from J.Jill. The bag is from Finley House Couture in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. The sandals are by Rampage via Belk.

I was glad I wore the jacket. It served me well on the long drive through the country in a convertible.

I was so happy to see my sweet friend Vicky. We are pictured in her fabulous new store called Missing Pieces, located in Damascus, Virginia. I had so much fun shopping there! She had some beautiful antique pieces and unique treasures from all around the world.

Vicky and her husband have been lovingly restoring this fabulous one-hundred-year-old home by the river for a couple of years.

This is the screened-in porch entered from their elegantly appointed kitchen. The view is of a large wooded island in the middle of a river. Vicky has done such a great job decorating their beautiful home.

We did, indeed, feel welcome!

This is the seating area, including a fire pit and a grill out by the river. That island makes the perfect neighbor!

The fountain is original from the early 1900s!

I can't wait to sit by a crackling fire while listening to the river rushing by.

To my utter delight, these wild baby ducks and their mom came running to me because they knew I had crackers in my hand.

When they finished eating their cracker crumbs, they sat down at my feet!

If you would love to spend a weekend in a beautiful town that is almost as it was a hundred years ago, I highly recommend Damascus, Virginia. 

Several hiking trails pass right through the town, including the famous Appalachian Trail. A unique biking experience can be had on the Virginia Creeper Trail, which is also located here. For these reasons, this is known as a Trail Town. 

Many quaint Bed & Breakfasts are found here. There are also several lovely places to eat and shop. It is located just a few minutes from Abingdon, Virginia, which is also one of our favorite towns to visit.

Coral Red with White

On Saturday, we drove over to Asheville to do some shopping and have lunch. 

I wore white ankle jeans and a white tank along with a coral red casual jacket, all from Chico's.

The shoes are by Kenneth Cole from Dillard's. The bag is by BCBG from T.J.Maxx.

I bought the necklace at Chico's a couple of years ago. The main coral red bead in the necklace matched the color of the jacket exactly. I love it when that happens! Great planning, Chico's!

Lunch at the Bistro at Antler Village at the Biltmore Estate was great as usual.

We drove the little blue convertible this weekend and rode with the top down most of the day until a threat of rain came rolling down the mountainside.

We stopped at one of the first Ranger Sation/public rest stops they ever built on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We were literally on the top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere, North Carolina, just before a huge rainstorm came. I was approached by this beautiful lady named Amanda, who said, "I follow your blog!" That made my week! I love it when I get to meet those of you who enjoy what I share. Thank you for coming up to say hi, Amanda!

Here comes the storm! Time to put the top up and nap for most of the way home. Thanks for driving safely, Mr. Mickey.

What Do You Eat?

That question comes my way so often, I decided to share more information about nutrition with you today.

The items I am wearing here are all from Chico's, including the necklace.

The Cynthia Rowley shoes were old from Belk last year.

I was also unsure what to eat before reading the book "Eat to Live" by Doctor Joel Fuhrman. After I started making better choices at every meal, it took me about six months to lose forty pounds. Better health was my goal, but weight loss was certainly a plus.

I drink more than a gallon of filtered water each day. Sometimes I add lemon, lime, or cucumber.

Breakfast is usually this hot cereal recipe, topped with whatever fresh fruits are in season.

I try to eat all these items daily.

At least an ounce of raw seeds and nuts.

At least three fresh fruits.

A large bowl of green salad.

A large serving of steamed greens.

A cup of dried beans cooked in water only. (Add the spices and herbs of your choice afterward.)

I also eat tomatoes, peppers, onions, mushrooms, herbs, and garlic on most days.

I normally have only two meals a day. If I am very active on certain days, I will have another salad or some fruit or some raw almonds later in the day. I eat breakfast at about 6 every morning. My lunchtime is around 2 on most days.

It is important to let your body rest by sleeping well for about seven or eight hours and not eating all the time. If you graze or snack often, your body is constantly working to digest food.

I take a brisk walk around my neighborhood each morning for about three miles. I move around a lot during the day as well. I do not watch TV but rather read a book to unwind before bed.

 

Never eat in front of any kind of screen! You will likely eat a lot more than you think you have. Use your good china and set a place for yourself. Enjoy your food and take your time eating it. Stop to chew well and breath deeply as you eat. 

In the photos above, Mr. Mickey and I are on our way to dinner. We eat out a couple of times each week. I normally order a salad with dressing on the side, a glass of wine, and if I am starving, once a week, I will have a fish entrée such as grilled wild-caught salmon with vegetables. We sometimes also share a dessert.

Shopping in Blowing Rock

On a recent beautiful Sunday, we took a drive up to Blowing Rock, North Carolina, to have lunch and spend the day shopping.

This is the Episcopal Church on Main Street. The grounds are always so serene.

I wore a white tank, white jeans, and a long flowing sheer vest, all from Chico's. The necklace has the same colors as the vest, and it was also from Chico's a few years ago.

I got tired of the wind whipping the vest around, so I tied it low in front.

The shoes are by Calvin Klein.

Meet For Drinks

Mr. Mickey returned from his Tennis trip a little early, so we had time to go to our favorite restaurant and have a glass of wine since neither of us was very hungry.

We enjoy visiting with others while we sit and chat over a glass of wine. We always see people we know but haven't seen for a while when we sit in the courtyard or the lounge of our favorite restaurant, Gourmet and Company.

For this casual evening out, I wore leggings from the Zenergy Collection at Chico's. They have a wide waistband, which is very comfortable. Get a size larger if you buy these; they run small. I also wore a Microfiber Contemporary Tank under the jacket, both from Chico's. I don't work for Chico's, nor do I get any compensation from them. I actually shop there because the clothes are of excellent quality and they always have the basics I enjoy wearing and some statement pieces that will work well with my existing wardrobe.

 

Covered Perfectly Giveaway

When the wind is blowing, you just have to go with it.

We are on our way out to dinner. I am wearing a black-draped front top from Covered Perfectly under a duster from Chico's. The earrings, cuff, pants, and belt are also from Chico's.

The bag and sunglasses are from T.J. Maxx, and the shoes are from Saks Off 5th.

Accessories can enhance or detract. In the case of this draped front top, I wear larger earrings with movement and a cuff instead of a necklace because of the neckline's shape. Wearing a belt and a necklace at the same time can create too many horizontal breaks. Overdoing the accessories can definitely make you look dated. Wearing two or three stunning accessories makes a much more current statement than wearing all the pieces in your collection at once.

Silver and Gold

A wild pair of shoes call for a subdued look otherwise.

The simple black dress is part of the Travelers Collection from Chico's. There is a gold side tie detail at the faux wrap waist.

The cuff is also from Chico's, and it features a gold-colored gemstone mounted on a smooth silver cuff. The ring and clutch are several years old.

The Sam Edelman shoes are all business up front, but there's a party going on in the back.