Dinner With Great Friends

At the end of a very long Yard Sale day, we joined dear friends for a delicious meal at Gourmet & Company.

The wind was blowing another storm our way, so we had to hurry the photo session. 

This is me with four hours of sleep. Not a pretty sight. 

I receive some comments so often, I thought I would address them here today.

1. "I can't afford to buy that." 

The items I show you were often purchased from a sale rack at the end of the season. This is a great way to expand your basic wardrobe without breaking the bank. I show you general suggestions for what to wear to specific events and how to put together a look from items you may already have in your closet. If not, you can keep the ideas for the next trip to the store you do like to shop in.

2. "What if I am 68...72... whatever age?"

In my opinion, the looks I show you are timeless and can work for women of any age with a little tweaking to show your own style. 

3. "I can't wear heels."

This is an easy fix. Just wear a heel height that is comfortable for you in a similar style. 

4. "What do I wear to a summer wedding?"

 The look above is excellent for any warm-weather evening event. The jacket gives some coverage and style without making you feel too hot. Look for similar open weave designs, sheer mesh, or some other vented fabric that adds style and coverage but not weight. You can wear these toppers over tank dresses or tank tops with a skirt or pants to give your look a bit more polish.

I hope my tips are helpful to you. The items I am wearing today are all old from Chico's.

A Warm Day!

On winter Saturdays, we often go out to lunch and then run a few errands.

The early afternoon was enjoyable, with temperatures in the mid-sixties.

It was great to shed the coat and heavy clothes, if only for a few hours.

The long gray fringe cardigan is from Saks off 5th from their own label. The white tunic blouse is from Express. The coated ponte leggings only look like leather. They are from Saks 5th Avenue. The long gray and silver necklace is from Chico's. The gray Calvin Klein Saffiano leather bag is from T.J.Maxx.

I always pair leggings with a long tunic or jacket, which totally covers my bottom. If it comes to my knees... even better!

From The Heart

What were your 30's and 40's like? 

Those were the saddest two decades of my life. I cried a river and spent most of that time working two jobs and was usually alone. Shortly before I turned fifty, my life changed dramatically. That's when I met Mr. Mickey at a neighborhood Christmas party. He is my best friend, strongest supporter, and the greatest adventure partner ever. I stopped coloring my hair and lost more than forty-five pounds after a lifetime of yo-yo dieting. (I've kept it off!)

Some may say that at almost 58, I should be wearing elastic waist pants and comfy shoes. I think not! This is the best time of my life, so I am going to dress for the occasion. While I love the current trends and street style looks the younger crowd wears, I will be making that look my own in a more polished and sophisticated way.

Our little pocket digital camera doesn't take the best pictures, but it is always handy when we need it. The not so great quality pictures have prompted some of you to ask if I use Photoshop. I don't, and these pictures prove it!

Since hair and makeup are also a part of the look, I thought I would let the camera come in close for a change. 

I like a clean blended natural look for makeup and hair. I don't want anything to look as if I tried too hard. The eye shadow colors are always the same, just a little more dramatic for the evening. The lip color will be redder if I am wearing a red top. Otherwise, the lip color will be very close to my natural lip color.

Makeup is all about enhancing your best features. Obviously, I have not had any work done. Not that there is anything wrong with that, it just isn't for me. 

When I wear a dramatic necklace, I wear small earrings. If I wear bold earrings, I skip the necklace. I wear sunglasses almost all the time when I am outside. (Blue eyes are sensitive to bright light.)

If you are going through a tough time right now, please believe me when I say there will be a better day. Keep your head up and move on to the next chapter. The best years of your life may be coming up.

Friday Date Night

Black and white with a pop of red continues to be a favorite combination.

The statement necklace is enough all on its own, so my earrings and ring are small. Turning up your collar and wearing three quarters or turned up sleeves helps make you look taller and slimmer. I always wear a platform or higher block heel shoe with cropped or ankle pants to make my legs look longer than they are.

The lightweight jacket and tank are from Chico's. The pants were from Coldwater Creek last year. The necklace was a gift from Mr. Mickey. The shoes are BCBGeneration from last year. The clutch is Kenneth Cole Reaction via T.J.Maxx from last year.

The Handbag Search

For several weeks I have been searching for a light neutral handbag for summer such as the style I carried in this outfit photo from Sunday.

I was coming to the conclusion that I might have to pay up to $150 to find a style I liked when my sister told me to check out the bags at Tuesday Morning. (Really?)

I found the one above by Nine West and another faux alligator skin shown below for about $20 EACH at Tuesday Morning. Thanks, Sis!

I also found a lovely woven texture and cream faux leather combination one earlier in the week for about $35 at Stein Mart.
 

The lighter colors and more delicate fabrications of summer bags mean they might not last for more than one season of use. When I know the item I am purchasing will not be a long-term addition to my wardrobe. I cannot justify spending a lot of money on it.

These clutch bags were purchased last year at T.J.Maxx. If I am going out to dinner or brunch, I don't carry a larger daytime bag. These clutches get less use, so they last for much longer than one season. Timeless styles that will still work for me in the future are always good choices in clutches.

I store handbags on shelves in a rarely used guest room closet stuffed with tissue and dust covers if the bags come with them. 

This is another Nine West bag I purchased last year. Each time I carry this bag, I use neutral shoe polish to clean and protect it. I like to wear this style of bag with platform sandals and Capri pants. That's an outfit I often wear in the heat of summer instead of shorts (never!). This is a youthful style that balances well with that look. It also can be carried in the crook of the arm or on the shoulder.

Your handbag can pull together your look and add that extra touch of elegance to serve a purpose. A handbag can also make you look silly or sloppy. 

Consider scale and balance when shopping for a bag. For example, if you are six feet tall and weigh a few pounds more than you would like, a small top handle bag will not be a good balance for your silhouette. Instead, look for a larger bag that you carry on your arm or shoulder if you prefer that type.

If money were no object, I might purchase this bag. (I don't think everything in my wardrobe added together would equal the price of this bag.) This is the Cognac RL Gold Spectator 40 Calfskin Tote by Ralph Lauren. It is $5,030!

You can see how the style, shape, and color influenced my choice of bags in the first three images. I often look at the high-end designer styles that appeal to me, and then I go searching for the version that matches my budget.

I hope that these tips help you to find the right summer bags for you. 

Have a wonderful week!

Transition into Spring Tips

A fitted or cinched waist jacket over wide-leg trousers can be a flattering look for our mid-life figures.

The white fitted tank top gives you a smooth line beneath the cinched jacket. The V-neckline of the jacket flatters the face and allows space to show off a statement necklace, which also draws the eyes up to your face. The pops of color from accessories allow the winter jacket and pants to transition into early spring. At this time of year, when you are longing for spring, but it is still snowing and twenty-seven degrees, you must get creative if you want to stay warm. 

The wide-leg pants can be worn with flats or low wedges to avoid getting high heels caught in the material as you walk. When wearing black and white or shades of gray, it is uplifting to add brighter colors in a tank top, which shows at the neckline and ties in with the accessories. 

Always balance a fitted top over a more flowing bottom or vice versa, a fitted bottom under a flowing top. If you show, cleavage don't also show legs. Balance sexy with sedate to avoid the dreaded Cougar Effect. A dignified woman never wants to appear that she is on the prowl.

Wearing a fitted jacket allows you to have a feminine silhouette while hiding the tummy. Avoid boxy jackets since they add volume and are dated looking. Rather than hiding your tummy, they make you look big all over.

Tomorrow is March 1, 2013, which means I will be announcing the blog's winning follower. One randomly chosen follower will receive the book "The Best of Everything After 50" by Barbara Grufferman, a long string of large glass pearls from Chico's and gold silky evening bag. 

Good luck!

     

Thanks for reading! 

I hope you have a great Thursday.

 

Nice Legs!

Would you dare to go out in a dress with bare legs?

What's in your sock drawer?

For daytime, I always wear pantyhose with dresses, skirts, and dressier pants. My own preference is to wear Hanes® Silk Reflections® sheer pantyhose. The color "Barely There" is very close to my own, and they are not super tight or shiny. I always have an unopened package of both "Barely There" and "Jet" on hand. I wear sheer black in the evening with black pants and black shoes. If I wear any other color of shoes, I wear nude hose. (For example, black hose with silver shoes looks so wrong.)

Nude means the color of your skin, not the name on the package. You may have to experiment to find the color that is right for you. Be sure to check the color of your legs in natural light. This rule also applies to wearing nude shoes and finding the perfect neutral nude bag. If you match your skin tone, you will be able to wear these neutral items with most of the colors in your closet.

These shoes from my closet show the wide variety of tones that could be considered nude. The shoe second from the right happens to be the color closest to my own skin tone, so it is my perfect nude.

I get regular pedicures and wear open toe shoes and sandals in warm weather, but I rarely wear a dress. If I do, it is longer than knee length, and the shoes are the main focus. 

With jeans or any casual pants, I wear crew socks in a tone close to the pants' color. For example, navy with dark wash jeans would work best. Crew socks are the best length for me since I have thick calves. If I wear trouser socks, the band at the top may show through the pants' line. The pant leg often drags or clings to the trouser socks as I move, so I no longer buy those. 

If you sit down and cross your legs and the pant legs ride above the top of your socks, showing bare legs, you might want to consider wearing tights instead. Opaque tights are excellent for added warmth in winter. They look great with boots and shorter skirts too!

At this time in our lives, bare legs in a dress can be the wrong look for us even if we are toned and tanned. I often see women over forty in the entertainment business being interviewed on some late-night show. The ones who show up with bare legs never look quite as polished. 

The skin is made up of 3 layers - the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. As we age, the supportive tissue layers become thinner, so the upper skin layers sag and become thinner and dryer. We also often have issues with veins that show through thinning skin after forty. 

I feel more confident and well dressed, wearing proper foundations, including the appropriate legwear.

Column Dressing

Column dressing is using color to create a long slender illusion.

  

I often use this dressing technique to appear taller and slimmer. Choose a top and pants in the same color and a topper in another color. A topper can be a sweater, a jacket, vest, or a blouse left mostly open or even a large scarf draped across your shoulders. 

 

Add accessories that tie into the color of your topper to look really polished and put together. Looking at the pieces already in your closet in a different way can often give you new combinations.

Thank you for reading and for all your kind comments. I hope you have a great day.

Red Jeggings

Saturday was a beautiful day! 

For shopping and running errands, I wore red jeggings. Yes, me in jeggings! (They are leggings cut like jeans.) I found these at T.J. Maxx. I wore them with Ralph Lauren cognac brown booties (via T.J. Maxx) and a blue Tencel material tunic from Coldwater Creek. 

The suede animal print bag is more than twenty years old. Proof that if you buy timeless classics, they will serve you for many years. I normally do not wear a shoulder bag, but this small style is good for hands-free shopping. 

I purposely kept all my other accessories minimal and in a gold-silver combination. The large face watch is from Stein-Mart, and the large silver with gold hoops are from B'Dazzled in Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

Thank you for reading! I hope you have a wonderful Sunday.

Autopilot Dressing

Last evening we attended the Jonesborough Progressive Dinner, a wonderful holiday ritual for Mickey and me. The event occurs in the oldest town in Tennessee, which is only about eight miles from my home. 

We take a tour of several historic homes throughout the town and have one course of the meal at each home. There is live music, and the owners are there to tell us about the home's history and architecture. Along the route, one of the Historians is on board the bus to tell us about the building we are about to visit and its relation to the town's history.

Knowing that we would be going in and out of the weather and in various settings, I opted for layers that could be peeled off as necessary. 

During the small amount of time I had to get dressed for the event, not one but two dear friends phoned. Friends always take priority, so of course, I chatted with them while getting dressed, which means I had a total of three minutes to actually think about what I was wearing before Mickey arrived. This thrown together at the last minute look carried me through the evening, but it isn't a winner in my eyes. Let's talk about why.

A better look would have been to button the jacket most of the way up, with only the scarf's top fold showing at the neckline. The open jacket and flowing scarf add too much width to my torso, which doesn't balance with the fuller leg tailored pants. Autopilot dressing means I don't have the extra few minutes it takes to apply a critical eye to what I've put together. The upside is that I accomplished what I wanted to by wearing festive layers that could be removed as needed but remain appropriately dressed for the event. (Wearing red is about as close to a Christmas sweater as I will ever come.)

The pants are from Chico's and the red long sleeve tee is also. The jacket is from Geiger. The shoes are from Ros Hommerson. The scarf is something I picked up at Ross, and the evening bag is from T. J. Maxx.

Thank you for reading. I hope you have a great week!

Come as you are... Really?

Our society has become so very casual that we now see grown women at the Post Office in pajamas and fuzzy slippers. Would you really want to run into your boss, your potential client, or your high school rival in your pajamas in a public place? It takes only three minutes to get dressed for running an errand if you have a couple of planned outfits hanging in your closet together and ready to slip into. You will be glad you took the extra minutes to put on actual clothes when you have to look someone in the eye and speak to them whether you know them or not. 

You say you are more comfortable in jeans and a tee? These three looks are built around jeans and a tee. You can look really nice and well put together no matter what you feel most comfortable in. 

As our American Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I am so grateful for the chance we have had to get to know each other over the past year. I look forward to sharing more with you in the coming years.

Evening Attire

Last evening I walked the red carpet with Mr. Mickey by my side. The cameras were flashing, and there was an adoring crowd. 

OK, it wasn't THAT red carpet, but it was fun!

We attended the 'Spirits of the Season' gala for the American Cancer Society, after which we attended the November performance of the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra. The evening's events allowed me to view all ages and sizes of ladies in their evening finery. 

Try to remember that if it isn't appropriate for your age and body shape or size during the day, it doesn't magically become so after dark. I saw dresses that were too small, too short, too plunging, and too shiny for the women who chose to wear them. Some ladies seemed to be wearing every single piece of bling they owned, and if that wasn't enough, they also wore glittery eye shadow. Oh my!

Many of my friends who attend these functions regularly were also at both events.  I noticed that there was a common thread uniting all of us. We were dressed in attire that was devoid of excess glitter, extra bling, or plunging necklines. There wasn't a bare back or arm among us. I dare say none of us rushed down to the local Pageant Boutique to buy a special dress for this event. We looked attractive, comfortable, and appropriate for any evening event. 

Dressing well includes being comfortable. If you look silly in your skin tight satin dress without the benefit of proper foundation garments at home, you will not look better when you get to the event. 

I strongly believe that you should combine the clothes you already own to make them work for any occasion. You have seen some elements of my recent looks before, which proves I make investments in clothes and shoes that can be worn many times in different combinations to earn their worth. 

Your attire at any event should reflect a confident, well-dressed woman who is comfortable in her own skin. I would prefer to look as if I've been here many times and it's no big deal instead of "I'm wearing my daughter's slinky prom dress with four-inch heels I can't walk in."

You may also be attending parties and special black tie events this season so remember these tips when you do. Be comfortable. Maintain your dignity. Be true to yourself. Look special and elegant. Have fun!

Friday Date Night

Friday is always date night for us. We get dressed up and visit our favorite gourmet restaurant. Even if we just share an appetizer and have a glass of wine, it is a ritual that we both enjoy very much. It is our time to relax and share the events of the week, our hopes and dreams. One must always have dreams!

This week I wore a jacket I bought earlier this year from the half-off sale rack of a swanky boutique in Asheville. It is now too big for me, but I layer it with a tank to make it work. Here I'm wearing it with wider leg black crepe trousers and a black tank with a draping neckline, which is a bit dressier than a form-fitting one.

Animal Print Vest

The weather was unseasonably warm for late October so my outfit for date night included lightweight layers and black sandals. 

The long sleeve black tee is from Chico's. The pants were by Anne Klein in a wonderfully smooth heavy knit fabric from my fabulous haul at Ross yesterday. The animal print flowing sheer fabric long vest is from Coldwater Creek. I love these vests as a third element. They can be worn as a scarf, a wrap, or a vest and serve as a year-round accessory. I've found them at Chico's and Coldwater Creek in several color combinations.
 

The necklace is by Erica Lyons from Belk. The black sandals are from Stein Mart, and the pewter clutch is by Kenneth Cole Reaction via T.J. Maxx.

Thanks for reading! I hope the rest of your week is fabulous.

The Formula

Do you have a formula for the way you dress? 

Long ago, I realized that if I wore smooth flowing fabrics in a soft palette of colors, I would be able to layer items or combine them in different ways to create outfits for many occasions. 

My closet includes basic pieces that can be worn with different accessories to elevate them from daytime work wear to elegant evenings with friends. I won't buy a wardrobe of clothes which serve only one purpose (such as evening wear). A silk blouse I might wear with jeans to run errands during the day can also be worn with a black pencil skirt or crepe pants for dinner with friends. Accessories are the key that makes these combinations work for me.

Large scarves, wraps, or shawls are a great way to add dramatic color and 'temperature control' as is often needed at this stage of life. Sunglasses are a daytime staple for me. I never leave without them. Earrings with a button top and dangles or hoops are much more flattering than those little wires that pass through the hole in your ear. A large link bracelet or a stack of bangles (or both!) are great accessories to add to almost any outfit. If I wear a statement necklace, I balance the drama by wearing minimal other accessories. 

Structured handbags and clutches are much more flattering than big shoulder bags that make you look lopsided and sloppy. 

Interesting but comfortable shoes are a must! Life is way too short to wear boring shoes. 

This is my formula for shopping and getting dressed every day. These tips serve me well and have helped me get ready for any event for most of my adult life. 

If you have high contrast coloring, such as dark brown eyes with an olive skin-tone and dark silver-gray hair, and a bold, outgoing personality, your formula might be very different from mine.

I hope that sharing my ideas for dressing will help you put together easy, fabulous outfits so that you can get busy enjoying life.

Wearing Tights

I love the look of chunky booties with tights and a pencil skirt for daytime in the cooler months. When the proportions are right for you and the skirt isn't too short, you can still turn heads in a good way.

 

Proper fit is always important but especially so in a skirt. If the skirt is too tight or short, you will not be comfortable or appropriate. Wearing a skirt with tights during the day in the cooler months is a great fresh look. Tights are opaque legwear that allows us to get away with so much more than sheer stockings would. I normally wear sheer black stockings for the evening only. Wolford makes the top of the line tights, which are well worth the investment. (They create lots of other fabulous items we need too!)

Here I've paired a graphite skirt with a loose-fitting graphite long sleeve tee and a scarf. The scarf brings in the other colors to add. Burgundy is the color for us! It's very flattering to the face and can be worn with all neutrals.

Long Sweater Vest

When the evenings start to turn cooler, I find that a long sweater vest is an extra layer that works for me. This one is from Chico's. It's a soft tone of blue-red that isn't too bright. I've paired it with a crossover tee in black and tailored gray slacks. When I want to try something trendy like these fun wedge boots in black, I look for a cute inexpensive option. I found these at Target. 

We were on our way out to dinner, so I switched to a small black and gold leather clutch bag. I'm wearing a red bangle with gold medallion details and gold with silver hoops.

Layers are Great!

Fall is in the air, which brings out the sweaters and jackets. This can be a great look for all figure types if you use layers to your advantage.

If you have long, lean legs, you can wear leggings or straight-leg jeans with almost any boot type. Just remember to balance the slender bottom half with a layered longer top half. 

Create a long slender line with one color in different tones. Add color around your face with a scarf and a long cozy sweater.

If you have a few extra pounds around the middle (don't we all?!), remember to keep those first layers smooth and sleek. The sweater may have to come off as the day gets warmer, so I normally wear a large scarf as well. Later in the day, it will be the outer layer I drape across my shoulders when I have to take off the sweater for the afternoon.

Petite Layers

If you are petite (5' 2" and under), a cropped cardigan or jacket and tailored pants will likely work better for you. Wear a smaller silky scarf and carry a more tailored messenger bag. The best jacket or sweater for you will end at your hip bone or just below your natural waist and close in a V shape. Steer clear of double-breasted closures.