Animal Print Heels

Friday evening is the perfect time to unwind and relax over a leisurely dinner with good company.

The long jacket with a black tank and leggings are from Chico's. Normally I would not wear leggings with heels, but these have a texture like the heavier Travelers material from a few years ago.

The Chanel inspired bag is from Express.

The Guess animal print and leather shoes are from T.J.Maxx. The ring is from B'Dazzled in Blowing Rock, N.C., and the octagon shape sterling silver with clear stones earrings are old.

Ming Wang at Dinner

Our weather is still cool and rainy so for Wednesday date night I brought out the mink scarf and a Ming Wang jacket worn over my Adea tank.

The jacket is from the 2013 Ming Wang collection. The wide-leg slinky knit pants are from Evan Picone via a great sale at Dillard's earlier this year.  The mink scarf was a long-ago gift from Mr. Mickey.

The Steve Madden heels are from Nordstrom and the small evening clutch is from T.J.Maxx. The rings are from Stein Mart. (The square stone is purple like the jacket.) The black and silver earrings are from B'Dazzled in Blowing Rock, NC.

Wear It Wednesday - Jeans

Jeans are one of my all-time favorite items of clothing. That being said, they provide a lot of frustration for me as well.

The jeans I am wearing above are the least favorite pair in my closet. The trendy gray/brown "dirty" tint to the wash and the slouchy fit is not flattering.

Mr. Mickey and I were going out for bagels and coffee, so I thought I looked OK until I saw this picture. The jeans are now in the To-Go Bag!

Trends in jeans are not always a good idea for us ladies of a certain age. These Junya Watanabe jeans are $1,165!

While they might look cute on an eighteen-year-old, they certainly would not be right for this fifty-eight-year-old.

These Atlantic Sea dark wash jeans would be a much better choice for most of us.

The slim straight leg allows me to wear heels or flats with them—jeans by Chico's.

If you wear loafers or other flats or perhaps boots with your jeans, you might enjoy a boot cut pair of jeans. Note: I wear athletic shoes with jeans or yoga pants ONLY when running or walking for exercise in the neighborhood. 

These jeans are Levi's.

In most cases, jeans with a jacket or a nice sweater are perfectly acceptable in most situations. I would never wear jeans to a job interview, to a court date or a business meeting, to a gallery opening, or to the symphony. Nor would I wear them when giving a dinner party, to a wedding, or a funeral.

Some of my favorite jeans are Talbots, Chico's, Not Your Daughter's Jeans, Michael Kors, Kut from the Kloth, and Levi's. I look for straight legs, a dark wash, and no embellishments. When buying jeans that stretch, I buy a size smaller than I normally wear. After I have them on for an hour, I am so glad I did.

I usually add a third element, such as a jacket, a vest, or a cardigan, when I wear jeans. I feel more appropriate and also much more comfortable.

Not all my jeans are blue. I love black jeans most of all, but I do have lots of white and on occasion, I have worn brown or red. The tone on tone patterned jeans below was out of character for me, but I like them.

Speaking of white jeans or white jackets... I wear them all year long in dry weather. No white after Labor Day is an incredibly outdated fashion rule.

The Fabulous Adea Basics

Adea equals well-made basics that last. 

On this rainy evening, I wore my Adea black tank with black leggings and a muted gold swing jacket.

I tried many different items over this tank and found that everything floated across it with no clinging at all. The fabric is buttery smooth, and sleek. It is so comfortable against your skin you will forget you are wearing anything at all. The straps are wide enough to hide your bra straps, which is always a necessary feature for me.

The camisole was so comfortable throughout the whole evening. It did not lose its shape at all.

This fall, Adea is launching a new, reversible camisole! Wear it as a v-neck or a scoop neck, whatever your outfit or mood requires. The reversible camisole will be available in two lengths, standard, and tunic lengths, for more layering choices and is made from Adea’s long-lasting, breathable, wrinkle-resistant fabric. The inch-wide straps also offer coverage for most bra straps, so the camisoles work as tank tops too. The Adea reversible camisole is a must-have wardrobe essential for women – travel with it, wear it to work, lounge with it at home as a v-neck one day, and scoop the next! Made in the USA and Italy. www.myadea.com

These tanks, camisoles, and layering tops made from Italian-made fabrics transform into timeless silhouettes that contour to your body for a modern, feminine fit. They are soft, machine washable, and include UV protection 50+. Adea uses an intelligent, stretch microfiber that gives all of their products the luxurious feeling of a second skin. Great for lounging at home or when you're busy at work, for running around town or around the globe, these pieces will become an indispensable part of your wardrobe. 

After adding some carefully chosen accessories, I was ready for our evening out.

Mr. Mickey and I had dinner at Gourmet and Company and then attended the first performance of the concert season by our Johnson City Symphony Orchestra, celebrating its 45th year.

#CosmopolitanChic

What do you pack to go on vacation?

I pack the same capsule wardrobe I normally wear, including three colors that work together.

Black and white with accents of blue include pieces that can be worn together in various combinations that will serve me well for a three-day stay at the fabulous Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

I may be having dinner at Scarpetta, a modern Italian restaurant by award-winning chef Scott Conant, shopping at All Saints Spitalfields, or attending one of the shows at Marquee, but I will always be comfortably dressed in items that reflect my personality and taste.

MarketPlace

I recently learned about a wonderful organization that helps low-income women in India learn how to run a business.

MarketPlace: Handwork of India is an innovative fair trade, not-for-profit organization that combines the experience of running a business with various support programs designed to effect real, meaningful, and lasting change in the lives of low-income women in India.

The organization works with 480 artisans organized into 14 independent co-operatives, which produce high-quality women's apparel and home decor. As they learn to be in charge of their own businesses, women learn valuable skills and earn a living and support their families. Programs offer educational and enrichment opportunities designed to help the artisans overcome personal, cultural, and financial obstacles.

In MarketPlace's comprehensive and creative organization, economic development is only the first step for these brave and resourceful women.

This beautiful jacket is from their current collection. You can see the whole catalog by clicking here.

This short video shows how the lightweight jacket looks from every angle.

Cinderella's Black "Crystal" Slippers

One of the reasons we love to go to Artisanal in Banner Elk is that you can be dressed to the nines while blending in with the other patrons.

In my late 20s, I started collecting key pieces in black to wear to special events. The reasoning is that I have always felt confident and stylish in black, but moreover, the items work together so well.

I'm wearing items purchased over a span of about twenty-five years.

The Draped Front top is Covered Perfectly. The sheer layered asymmetric skirt was found at T.J.Maxx about ten years ago. I bought the velvet and faux fur trimmed Erté inspired evening coat from one of my sales reps in about 1989 when she also represented my jewelry line.

These Sam Edelman shoes are my most recent purchase. They are undoubtedly the most fabulous pair of shoes I have ever owned!

The clutch is from T.J.Maxx a couple of years ago. The earrings and ring are old from Stein Mart.

Winter blew in on sporadic gusts of wind during the night. We awoke to the first frost of the season in the mountains today.

I was a little girl in 1965 when I saw Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella with Lesley Ann Warren for the first time. I dreamed of the day when I would find my own Prince and go to the ball wearing a beautiful gown. Nearly fifty years later, I have at last found my Prince, and I get to wear my black "crystal" slippers if not to a ball, then certainly to dinner.

Patterned jeans and a leather jacket?

I feared that the two items of clothing that would no longer work for me are skinny patterned jeans and leather jackets. As soon as I saw these flocked animal print jeans at Chico's, I wanted them, but they had already sold my size.

Alas, it was meant to be! When I stopped in there yesterday to see what was new and have a look at the sale rack, there was a size smaller than I normally wear. I decided to give them a try, and they fit!

The white tank and faux leather-trimmed cardigan/jacket were purchased at Chico's earlier this year.

The woven leather belt is by Michael Kors via T.J.Maxx. The cuff is old from Chico's. The ring is old from Stein Mart.

Now for the exciting news! We have worn out several digital cameras during this blogging adventure, including the one we are using now. We have a new up to the minute camera on the way! Better quality pictures will be showing up soon.

Mr. Mickey took me to the Blackthorn Club for a relaxing dinner on Friday Date Night.

A Special Evening

As the sun was going down, the top-level of a parking garage was a great place to shoot photos on this beautiful evening.

We visited Wellington's at the Carnegie Hotel for dinner last evening.

My go-to look for eveningwear is a black tank over black pants with some sort of interesting jacket. As mentioned in the post from yesterday, the pants' cut and style dictate the cut and style of the jacket I pair with the pants. Opposites are more attractive.

All clothing is from Chico's. The jacket is from last year.

The satin evening sandals are by Kenneth Cole Reaction via Dillard's last year. I wish all shoes were this comfortable!

The bold statement necklace is from Chico's earlier this year, and the small hoop earrings were from Target last year.

The ring is old from Stein Mart, and the bag is so old I don't remember where I found it.

My tips for getting dressed for a special evening include not wearing too many colors or accessories. If black isn't your color, wear one color that flatters your complexion with a jacket or wrap in a color that contrasts but complements the base color. 

I hope my suggestions help you to easily get dressed for the special events of your life. Mr. Mickey and I never wait for a special day to celebrate. Our reason to get dressed up and celebrate this evening? It was a beautiful fall Wednesday evening, and we are alive and well.

Covered Perfectly V Neck

There is a new style of top from Covered Perfectly. Have you seen it?

It has a V-neck and three-quarter length sleeves and the longer hem length we all love.

This one comes in four colors. You can buy this top here.

The material is as soft as butter and drapes across the body beautifully.