Another Snow Day

These photos don't show just how much snow is coming down, but in the last five minutes, the paperboy's footprints have almost totally vanished.

I stood on my back deck to take these photos. This is the closest I have been to the outside in three days. We do occasionally get snow, but the sub-zero temperatures are making driving very dangerous. Most of us are not accustomed to driving on icy roads here in East Tennessee.

The snow and frigid temperatures mean I am going to be staying home for a few more days, but that does not mean I stay in my PJ's all day. I take a shower, get dressed, and put on makeup every day. I feel more productive and prepared for the day when I follow my usual routine even when it isn't likely I am going to leave the house.

My look for today includes my favorite cardigan from Ronen Chen with a cream tank and ankle zip jeans from Chico's. The cardigan was also worn here.

 

The shoes are old Alfani Allegra Step N Flex flats from Macy's.

... and the snow is still falling.

Pop of Red

We had to run a few errands on this cold and windy Valentine's Day, so I added a red scarf to celebrate.

The black Geiger coat looks great belted with a wide braided black leather Michael Kors belt. It was so much warmer worn this way with a slimmer silhouette.

I bought the felted wool hat in cream color from the artist who made it while shopping in Asheville a few years ago. I love that the brim can easily be formed into various shapes, and it can be folded to pack.

The boots are old by Vince Camuto via Nordstrom.

The boyfriend jeans and a red long sleeve tee underneath the coat are from Chico's.

Be My Valentine!

Staying in on this cold winter holiday weekend was our first thought. However, when our best friends returned from a month in Arizona, we wanted to have dinner together and get caught up.

Mr. Mickey showed up with chocolate-covered strawberries, flowers with a teddy bear, and a card. Isn't this the perfect card for me?

Wearing the warmest items of clothing I own resulted in another all-black look. The necklace and handbag give the black background points of interest.

The straight leg black pants and turtleneck top are from Chico's. The jacket is by French Connection from Saks Off 5th. The necklace was a gift from Mr. Mickey. The bag is from Ross. The suede and reptile texture boots are by Vince Camuto from Nordstrom. The trench coat is from Fabrizio Gianni.

Into The Wind

Our temperatures have been very pleasant lately but oh, that wind.

When I saw this little frayed edge white denim jacket at Chico's, I just had to have it.

It will be a summer basic since it can be worn over almost anything when we are in over-air-conditioned spaces such as restaurants.

Some of you have asked for more pictures showing my hairstyle. This is the back after using Wen hair care products for only a couple of days.

This video shows you how my hair is cut.

Old With New

Few items in my wardrobe have survived my various closet purges after weight gains and losses over the years.

About twelve years ago, I lost a lot of weight and bought this tea-length chiffon fully lined skirt at T.J.Maxx. A couple of years later, I gained the weight back, but I kept the skirt because it has an elastic waist, so I thought it might still work when I needed to dress for an evening event.

I have worn the skirt several times, but this sequined pullover from Saks Off 5th is my favorite. The pullover is from their private label Saks Fifth Avenue RED.

This Gieger of Austria black coat is another oldie but a goody. I bought this when I was heaviest, so I had the sleeves altered and will hold on to it for a few more years. When I invest so much in a piece, I have difficulty letting go of it. Thankfully I have kept the weight off for several years by eating primarily fruits and vegetables.

These earrings arrived in the mail just minutes before I started getting ready for date night.

They are indeed works of art! One of my highly talented clients, Victoria Timm, created the earrings. She makes the most fantastic jewelry! You can see more of her work here at her Etsy store.

We saw this well-dressed, beautiful lady as we entered our favorite restaurant, Gourmet & Company. She graciously allowed us to take her photo. 

We always skip the big going out to dinner nights such as Valentine's Day. This was a special going out night for us instead. After a fantastic dinner, we attended the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra performance. Dr. Chih-Long Hu performed with the Orchestra and received three standing ovations for encore solo performances.

Mr. Mickey loves these shoes, so he kept saying, "One more." He was afraid he didn't get a good shot of the shoes. (He is so dedicated to creating an exciting blog for you.) The shoes are suede from Saks Off 5th. I am wearing Hanes hosiery.

Sunshine In Winter

When we have sunshine and sixty degrees in February, we must go out and enjoy every moment of it.

We stopped to snap some photos in Blountville, which is a small nearby historic town.

I am wearing ankle jeans and a red military-inspired blouse from Chico's. The French Connection black blazer is from Saks Off 5th. The calf hair ankle boots are also from Saks Off 5th. The Michael Kors bag is from T.J.Maxx.

Making New Friends

This week, I read an article stating that one of the most difficult things for people in their fifties was making new friends.

At this time in our lives, there can be many changes that take us away from familiar environments. It might be that we retire from a job we have had for many years. Perhaps children leave home, and you become an empty-nester. A marriage may end by choice or by the passing of a partner. It may be that you move to a different neighborhood to downsize or a different state to escape the cold.

As you enter into this new phase of your life, how will you make new friends?

As always, I will use myself as an example. I have experienced several start-overs in my life, and I am an introvert, so it was even more daunting to make new friends.

Just last year, I moved into a new neighborhood when I decided to downsize. During the first month, I was invited to attend a neighborhood women's breakfast. At first, I thought, "I don't have time to do this!" but I put my chores aside, got dressed, and went to breakfast. I met several ladies who have become friends that I look forward to often seeing during our frequent get-togethers.

Volunteer to help. You will meet like-minded people. For example, if you are interested in music, volunteer to help your local Symphony, get involved with a school program, or start one at a nursing home.

Go to a place of worship. Talk to people and attend any other classes they offer there. Get a part-time job at the place you like to shop most. Even if it is for only one evening a week, that is one night you get to dress up a little and be around people. Make the most of every minute! Smile and talk to everyone you see.

When you are speaking to someone, give them your undivided attention. Ask about them. Look at them, not around them. Don't plan what you are going to say when they stop talking.

It isn't all about you. I see this a lot! As a blogger and as a woman who is very active in my community. I interact with people every day who only talk about themselves, and everything they see relates only to them. This makes me want to run away screaming!

Drop all negative thoughts. You know that person who, when you say, "Isn't this a gorgeous day?" will respond, "Yeah, but tomorrow it is supposed to be cold and rainy again." Look at the positive side. If you don't have anything positive to say, be silent and move along.

To have a friend, you must be a friend. Be someone that people are happy to see and talk to. Get out of your house and be a part of something greater than yourself.

Find a project that helps those who are less fortunate than you. Make a difference in someone else's life. Share what you know. Share what you have. Be a mentor. Read to people in nursing homes or write letters for them or just listen to them. You may learn important things about yourself in the process.

Before the end of the month, you will have met new people and helped many people. Soon you will start to be included in more and more events. Friends will come along with your efforts, and you will have a full life again. True friendships are like a good marriage. They develop over time if you give them a chance and your best efforts.

Please share your own success stories in the comments below. You may be helping someone else who is struggling to adjust to a new way of life.