Birthday Celebration!

The new website is at http://susanafter60.com/.

Mr. Mickey treated me to a wonderful weekend away at the Westglow Resort and Spa to celebrate my 60th birthday. I wore a tank top and jeans with flat shoes for traveling. 

The Westglow is situated on the top of a hill overlooking fabulous mountain ranges from every angle.

We stayed in the Grand Master Suite during this visit. Every elegant room in the mansion is decorated with different fabulous antiques.

I turned 60 this year. When I was much younger, I would have considered that a depressing thought. However, now that I have arrived, I feel as if my life is just beginning. The difficult training part has been successfully completed, and now I am ready to start enjoying my life.

I found the white linen-like jacket on a sidewalk sale rack at Stein Mart last month. It is by Calvin Klein. The Michael Kors jeans were also purchased at Stein Mart last year.

The gray tank top is a couple of years old from Chico's. The scarf is by Halston Classic, and I think I got that one at Nordstrom. It is a large chiffon square that I folded on the diagonal to form a long thin scarf. Then, I just draped it around my neck for a pop of color and pattern.

The bag was from Express last year. The shoes are by Circa Joan & David via Saks Off 5th.

When I purchase simple basics in solid colors, I can wear them in various ways and for years to come.

This will be the final post on this Fifty, not Frumpy blog site. You can now find me at SusanAfter60.com. 

Scarf Tricks

It is my 60th birthday month!

There will be celebratory dinners, spa visits, lunch with friends, and weekend getaways. Last evening we enjoyed a special dinner with our dearest friends.

It was a real challenge to take photos in front of the bank near my house due to the whipping winds. We try to take photos before I get all rumpled from sitting in the car; that's why our backgrounds are often the same.

A few subtle changes in my style will come about in the next season of my life. Scarves will be added to my look a lot more often. Wearing a scarf in colors that flatter your complexion is an easy way to add color and pattern without wearing a print over your whole body.

Black, white, and denim are my neutrals and the largest blocks of color in my wardrobe. None of these colors are especially flattering close to my face. The good thing about my base of neutrals is that I can pull in small doses of the colors that are more flattering. 

The basis of great style is taking suggestions from trends or outfit ideas and making them work for your shape and lifestyle.

I have been collecting colorful scarves and tanks for years. Wearing a tank (over the correct *bra) with a color-coordinated beautiful silk scarf tied simply near my face can make almost any combination of base pieces work together.

*The bras that work best for me are the Ultimate Shapeez Bra for long-line smoothing.

When all else fails, go across the street inside the Post Office to take a closeup without the wind whipping your hair all over your face.

The shot above includes the portrait area. Keeping the scarf in this area avoids adding more bulk to my bust.

If I am wearing a larger scarf with more texture for warmth, I will tie or wrap it so that it hangs in smooth straight lines rather than adding more fluff where I am already "fluffy." 

Subtle makeup, a simple hairstyle, not too much jewelry, a soft, supple silk scarf in vibrant jewel tones, and less stress are all elements that I plan to enjoy in the coming years.

The long duster cardigan is from White House|Black Market. The tank and the pants are old from Chico's. The shoes are old by Sam Edelman. The earrings are old by Brighton. The ring is a long-ago gift from Mr. Mickey.

My scarf tying techniques are always simple and easy. This one is a long rectangle shape, so I wrapped it around my neck twice and tied the ends loosely.

Fun In The Sun

On Saturday, a Mercedes-Benz car show was held on Shelton Vineyards, located in Dobson, North Carolina.

Sitting in the shade and visiting people was a popular way to pass the time between looking at beautiful cars.

I borrowed one of Mr. Mickey's hats and wore a black tank with old white jeans from Chico's. The bag is from Uno Alla Volta. The hand-painted silk shawl is by Tina Gleave at the Silk Squirrel. The flat silver trim sandals are old from DSW.

I do not usually stroll through a park when it is ninety-two degrees so getting dressed for this event was a bit of a challenge for me. I knew that the air conditioning would quickly become too much for me if we went inside, so the shawl was a welcome addition as we were having lunch.

After looking at every car, petting every dog, and visiting with lots of car owners, we rested for a moment before starting out on our next adventure for the day.

If you grew up in America during the sixties, you probably watched The Andy Griffith Show a few times. I was born in North Carolina, where Mayberry was supposed to be located. My family always felt as if this show was starring our people.

The beautiful little quaint town of Mount Airy is best known internationally as Andy Griffith's birthplace and the inspiration for the fictional community of Mayberry on the show. 

Regarding the tone of the show, Griffith once said in a 'Today Show' interview that despite a contemporary setting, the show attempted to emulate nostalgia. "Though it was shot in the 1960s, it had a feeling of the 1930s."

Shopping in "Mayberry"!

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.

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!