It's All About That Base!

An overwhelming number of selections in my closet is just that, overwhelming. A carefully edited version of my wardrobe serves me well. When I add something new to my collection now, it is only to replace something starting to look worn.

A simple tank top and straight-leg pants in crepe knit fabric fit in beautifully with my edited version of a wardrobe that works for every season and all my life events. They replace the two similar pieces I have been wearing for three years. 

I can never find the right thing when I go emergency shopping for a particular event. I prefer to have on hand the pieces I can mix and match to create the appropriate look.

Necessities for me include a great fitting pair of pants and a black tank top. That is often my starting point for any look, other than in the blazing heat of summer. 

It's All About That Base!

When you start out with a great base, you can add a scarf, a vest, a cardigan, or any jacket style. Even a jean jacket and flats can work with your base pieces. Black serves me well, but perhaps brown would be a better choice for your coloring. My point is that if you have great fitting base pieces made from high-quality fabric, you can wear them many times and in an endless variety of ways.

I knew these pants, and this tank was perfect for me the moment I slipped them on. Don't you just love that feeling when you put on an item of clothing, and you know without any doubt that it is right for you? My new rule is that I have to feel confident about something before it gets added to my wardrobe.

One of our favorite traditions includes joining friends for dinner, as we often do on Friday evenings. It is so good for the soul to enjoy a perfectly prepared meal and visit those we love.

For me, the evening is even better because I did not have to prepare the meal and clean up the kitchen or stress about what I was going to wear. That is why we so often entertain at Gourmet and Company.

My necklace and the box clutch are both old from S.M. Bradford. The string jacket is old from Chico's. The shoes are old by French Connection via Saks Off 5th. 

Why I Won't Be Trendy This Fall

This past weekend, I discussed an article with Mr. Mickey which detailed some of the 2016 Fall trends. He asked me which of those I was going to wear. My answer was, "None of them."

From Winter 2015

The body of the jacket I wore above is bulky, but since the sleeves are sleek faux leather and I wore it open with a slim fitting black low neckline top and slim-fitting pants, this textured jacket worked for me in this case. If the sleeves were also bulky and I belted the jacket, I would look twenty pounds heavier.

While I enjoy wearing classic pieces on most days, I also appreciate the spice of an occasional edgy or trendy piece thrown in for good measure. The most important question to ask when adding something new to your wardrobe is always; "Will this look good on me?" Regardless of styles or trends, the first consideration should always be if the item flatters your coloring, shape, personality, and height.

I never follow a trend just to look current. If, however, the trend flatters me, I might consider it. Great style means knowing what looks good on your body. That means understanding how to use texture and proportion, style the pieces, and what tones complement your complexion.

Below are a few of the Fall trends that I will not be worn with an explanation as to why not.

Statement Chokers

I have a roundish face and a short neck. I should never wear anything that makes my neck appear shorter, and my face appears more round.

The Cape

I carry most of my weight front and center, so a cape would make me look like I was wearing a tent. If I wear a double-breasted jacket, I will rarely, if ever, close it.

Tan Colors
Tans and beiges make me look ill because I have cool coloring. I enjoy wearing trench coats, but I have a white one and a couple of black ones. Never a tan one.

Ruffles
Just no! Ruffles, lace, and gathers do not go with my personality. They add volume, usually around the face or bust, where I certainly do not need it.

Golden Brocades
Gold tones will never allow me to look my best. I do have a ruby and black brocade jacket that I may wear again if the occasion arises.

Puffy Jackets and Coats

Why on earth would I ever wear something that makes me look like a bumblebee?

Faux Fur Coats

Faux fur will always look better on the hanger than on my body. Fur adds volume. If you weigh 90 pounds, with a small bust, and you are six feet tall, you might look good in a faux fur jacket with skinny jeans. Any type of fur will always make me look like a huge marshmallow.

Shearling Coats

Shearling is by nature a dull warm color and bulky. Like corduroy, suede, and tweed, shearling is stiff and adds volume. I need to wear sleek, silky, smooth surfaces that add no bulk to my frame.

I use myself as an example in these "thinking out loud" posts. I hope these projects will help you to determine what looks best on you and what serves your needs for your lifestyle.

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.

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.

The High Country

Saturday was the perfect day to be in Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

I was dressed up a bit because we were in Blowing Rock to enjoy dinner at Rowland's at the Westglow Resort and Spa later in the evening.

Blowing Rock is one of my favorite places in the world! The panoramic views of mountains always fill me with a sense of peace and wonder. When we explore neighborhoods there, we always find a house or a garden that takes my breath away.

The tank top is from White House | Black Market. The shoes are old by Gianni Bini from Dillard's. The wicker clutch bag is by JMcLaughlin. The Balmain sunglasses are from Saks Off 5th.

I was beyond thrilled to see this beautiful owl along our way down the mountain! 

Easy Pieces

At the end of a twelve-hour workday, I just want to take a long bath and go to bed. On this particular evening, I had a date with my favorite gentleman, so getting dressed in five minutes was next on my busy agenda.

You rarely see me in full makeup and a well-planned look here on the blog (or in my daily life). This look is certainly no exception!

These days, I feel a strong urge to simplify and uncomplicate my life, so I have been clearing clutter from my home and closet this year. Do you do that too occasionally? It feels great to look around and see only the things that bring me joy or that I actually use.

The rings were gifts from Mr. Mickey. The earrings are from Target.

My white jacket and the belt are old from Chico's. The scoop neck black tee is from White House|Black Market. The Tribal pants were a gift from Copper Penny in Hilton Head. The bag is old from Express. The shoes are old from Vince Camuto.

For The Fur Babies

Giving back to the community is imperative to me. That community includes the pets that become a part of our family and also those that get discarded.

Last evening we attended the Dogwood and Cattails Ball to benefit the Humane Society of Washington County.

It was great to see so many of our friends who also came out to help support the animal shelter. Our shelter is a no-kill organization. No matter how long it takes for an animal in our foster program to find a home, it will remain in our program until the best possible home can be found. Thanks to this program, 1300 healthy, happy animals have been adopted into loving family homes.

The Oustanding Animal of the year was awarded to a special dog named Arabela, who serves our country by disclosing improvised explosive devices (IEDs are simple bombs made and used by unofficial or unauthorized forces).

I fell in love with a sweet pitbull named Chloé!

Chloé was rescued from a very inhumane breeder situation and given a loving forever home. She showed her gratitude with kisses, snuggles, and a tail that wagged non-stop.

Rather than buy another ball gown that I will never wear again, I used old items I already had in my closet. This year's ball's theme was based upon the Great Gatsby, so I went with separate pieces that sort of reflected that theme. 

The simple knit tank dress with a side slit is a couple of years old. The tuxedo-style jacket is old from the Travelers Collection at Chico's. The little evening bag is many years old. The shoes are old by French Connection via Saks Off 5th.

Favorite Looks for 2015

Looking back over the blog posts for 2015, some looks stood out as my style and comfort favorites.

Fun in the Winter Sun

Studded Tweed and Faux-Leather Jacket

Black and Blue

Weekend Fun!

Jewels of the Vineyard

Fabrizio Gianni Jeans

Friday Date Night

Wearing Long Tunics

Dressed For Dinner

Covered Perfectly Vest and Tunic

Les Misérables

Casual Elegance

Out On The Town

Fifty, not Frumpy Anniversary!

 What Do You Eat?

Trip to the Beach

Eat Smart Even On Thanksgiving!

Spirits of the Season

The Comfort Zone

As I edit my wardrobe and shop less, my style has evolved into comfortable and easy.  A combination of mostly solid neutral color pieces that fit my body and personality makes up a wardrobe that serves me well. Unique accessories add the finishing touch that makes each look my own.

I hope that these examples have helped you to create your own wardrobe of easy, comfortable looks. More importantly, I hope that my healthy eating tips have encouraged you to make better food choices. Fashion is a fun way to express yourself, but a strong and healthy body is priceless.