The Biltmore House

A magical way to enjoy a beautiful spring day in Western North Carolina is to tour the Biltmore House and Gardens.

My sweet friends Dottie, Patricia, Mary Jane, and I spent part of the day viewing more than 45 costumes from the popular PBS Masterpiece series Downton Abbey® showcased in America's largest home. The Dressing Downton exhibition displays costumes in groupings throughout the house inspired by the fictional show and real-life at Biltmore. Ranging from servants' uniforms to lavish evening gowns, the award-winning costumes reflect how world events—the sinking of the Titanic, World War I, the Jazz Age, and women's evolving roles—influenced fashions.

The Conservatory left us in awe! We were not allowed to take pictures inside the house, so I made up for it in the gardens.

I wore an asymmetric hem black knit top from Chico's with white jeans by Kut from the Kloth via Dillard's. The necklace is from Belk. The shoes are by Rockport.

Wearing Long Tunics

There is always a trick to wearing trends and making them work for your body type.

I love wearing white pants since I do not wear shorts or skirts. That being said, not any old pair of white pants will always work. I have several lengths and fits of white pants, and each serves a purpose.

Nothing makes me feel more feminine and well put together in summer than a long flowing tunic in a vivid color such as red, turquoise, fuchsia, cobalt blue, black, or white. Add the punch of a few pieces of bold jewelry, and I am ready for any event.

The trick to not being overwhelmed by a long tunic is to wear slim fitting jeggings or cropped pants that are not too short. They should stop at the narrow part of your calves. A nude shoe with a bit of wedge or heel always helps to balance out the longer top.

The top is from Chico's. The pants are from Ann Taylor.  The shoes are by Nine West. The earrings are from Stein Mart.

Balance and proportion are always key when putting together a look. If you are petite (5' 4" or under) and want to wear a tunic, it should not be longer than your fingertips while your arms are straight at your sides. A little shorter will likely be even better. Never wear wide-leg pants with a tunic.

The Dogwood and Cattails Ball

When the invitation states Black Tie there is always some trepidation in accepting.

For the gentlemen, there is no such hesitation. They can wear the same tuxedo for many years and always look dashing.

For ladies, there is a long list of considerations. Where did I wear this dress last? Do I show my arms or not? What color do I want to wear? Do I need a jacket? Is this neckline too low?

My beautiful friend, Anne Reel, and her husband Jim sponsored a table and invited us to join them. This is the first year we have attended this ball, but it was so much fun we now plan to attend every year.

The Dogwood and Cattails Ball benefits the animals of the Humane Society of Washington County's Spay/Neuter Assistance Fund. Adoption and fostering program and the emergency medical fund for animals.

The theme for this year's Ball was Mardi Growl, with New Orleans Mardi Gras music, food, and decorations.

 

There were many handsome and well-behaved dogs in attendance but this serval cat from the Brights Zoo in Limestone, TN captured my full attention. A serval is a medium-sized African wild cat.

He was so playful and tolerated his tuxedo quite well.

To give you an idea of his length, his human is about 5'6"!

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We took this photo to show how the dress looks without the jacket. I could have easily removed it at any time during the evening, but I did not. The dress is by JKara from Dillard's.

Friday Date Night

We often get together with friends on Friday nights, but it was just the two of us on this night. We had a salad for dinner with a glass of wine to discuss our plans for the weekend.

I wore a deep blue brocade swing coat in a lightweight knit fabric with a black tank and dressy ankle pants. All items are old from Chico's. The shoes are by Sam Edelman via Nordstrom last year.

The necklace is by one of my very talented clients, Kathleen Mannix. She combined vintage pieces with some of the components from my website VintageJewelrySupplies.com to create this one of a kind necklace.

J.Jill's Linen Collection

As the weather gets warmer, our search for comfortable clothes always becomes more of a focus.

This beautiful linen big shirt from J.Jill will be worn very often this summer.

It can be worn alone or with a tank as a lightweight jacket.

The shell buttons, rounded hem, and gusseted side vents make it very updated and feminine.

While I lived at the beach for twenty-five years, I wore J.Jill items frequently. They have so many perfect pieces for an easy casual lifestyle, and the quality is always excellent.

J.Jill's May Collection

What do you wear to a pool party?

Whenever I know I will be outside in the warm, humid air of the south for any length of time, I wear a hat, sunglasses, and loose-fitting, soft, lightweight garments. Tip: When wearing a hat, keep all of your other accessories minimal and away from your face.

This beautiful navy and turquoise knit maxi dress from J.Jill is perfect for a party by the pool or sightseeing on a hot day.

The side slits offer comfort and ease of walking without showing too much leg.

Mother's Day

I am blessed to still have both my parents. Spending part of the day with them and preparing the evening meal on Mother's Day was an extraordinary time.

Mother and I are above, and that's my sweet father below.

I wore white cropped jeans with an aqua tank and a watercolor print sheer top for this casual family time. The cuff and clothing are all from Chico's. The shoes were by Jessica Simpson via T.J.Maxx last year.

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.

 

Summer Shoes

Hundreds of you have left comments on the blog mentioning that you cannot wear heels. I am asked daily for sources and suggestions for attractive, comfortable shoes with low heels or wedges.

I shared the photo above on Facebook yesterday. Several people asked about the shoes. They are by Anne Klein iFlex, and I found them at T.J.Maxx earlier this year.

Shoes can send your otherwise great looking outfit right over the edge and into the river of frumpy. Imagine a cute top and jacket worn with jeans, and then you get to the feet, and there is a beat-up pair of trainers.

If you must wear "tennis shoes," as many of us women of a certain age refer to those comfy shoe-muffins, look for the sleek styles in colors such as black or silver-gray, or tan. You can also add bright colors to show your fun personality. Some of the more up to date styles blend nicely with streetwear now.