Success!

When you send me emails sharing that you have lost weight, your blood tests are better, you can now play with your grandchildren, or you are no longer diabetic, I am reminded why I continue to share my life with you via this blog.

In 2009, I was so uncomfortable at one hundred and eighty-three pounds, I could barely squat down to visit with this hungry little squirrel looking for a handout. Notice how carefully I cropped the picture at that time so as not to show my girth. I was in denial! 

Fast forward to 2012 on another visit to Brevard, North Carolina. My fashion sense and confidence are improving, and I have lost more than forty pounds.

It was easy to slip into the habit of eating mindlessly and then dressing in whatever was stretchy and comfortable every day. I lived this way for a few years, and my health suffered greatly because of it. (Not just my physical health but my mental health as well.) I had so little confidence that I didn't even want to leave my home. I was deeply depressed for several years.

If you have visited my blog before today, you know that I now have lots of wonderful friends, loads of confidence, and a fun-filled life that I could not even imagine ten years ago. Being healthy, both physically and mentally, has allowed me to fully enjoy life and overcome the depression that dominated my life for several years. 

Sharing fashion tips and style inspiration is a fun part of publishing this blog. I like everything in my closet now, and getting dressed for any occasion is a snap. My style has evolved as I research and share with you what I learn. Dressing this almost sixty-year-old body with style and grace is an entirely different project than dressing my thirty-year-old one. I firmly believe that the most important thing I share with you is the inspiration to learn to eat to properly fuel your body for your best health.

I will continue to share what works well for me and use myself as an example. I hope that you will also be inspired to find what works well for your body and that you can start to enjoy better health and more joy-filled life.

At the link below is a new hearty soup recipe I recently found. I added it to my collection of basics and enjoyed this one as my late day meal. I often add frozen or fresh vegetables near the end of the cooking time. The grain farro is a wonderful substitute for pasta. (I soak the farro along with the dried beans.) I also experiment with the ingredients and spices to add variety and new flavors according to what looks good at the grocery store on the day I visit.

The Melis Family Minestrone

Brunch at The Inn At Biltmore

We always enjoy the weekend brunch in the Dining Room at the Inn On Biltmore Estate.

The drive along Highway 26 from Johnson City to Asheville is always a pleasure.

Anyone who has ever traveled this scenic highway likely remembers this fabulous house along the way.

The mountains seem to change colors depending upon the time of the day.

Photo from the website for the Inn on Biltmore Estate.

There are always beautiful fresh flowers to greet you when you arrive at the Inn on Biltmore Estate.

At this time of year, there are so many Christmas trees you will quickly lose count!

A fabulous gingerbread house was on display in the lobby.

I normally find something I have been searching for while shopping at the Marble Lion located inside the Inn.

I love this view from the Library Dining Room.

The perfect way to spend a sunny winter afternoon, sipping champagne with Mr. Mickey while reading the New York Times.

My style tip for today is to pair something edgy with something classic. This rather plain cardigan with tiny red rhinestones on the sleeves is from Chico's last year. On its own, it could be considered rather plain, dare I say frumpy. When I pair it with faux leather leggings and spicy cut out booties, it serves as an elegant touch that makes this look more appropriate for my personality. I feel more comfortable and true to my style when edgy touches are mixed with my classic pieces.

The silver necklace and top are from Chico's this season. All the other items are old, but you might find something similar in your closet or in the stores where you shop if you would like to copy my look.

Leather and Lace Jacket

Black leather jackets are fun to wear, and they go with almost anything, but they might be too harsh for your coloring. If you have soft golden coloring or paler colors look better on you, you might enjoy something on the lighter, softer side.

This jacket offers great possibilities for you! The combination of lace cutouts and faux leather makes this the perfect softer look for those who want the edginess of a leather jacket but not the harshness of black.

The sleeveless turtleneck sweater was a gift. The ankle jeans are from Chico's. The shoes are by Halogen via Nordstrom. The bag is by Cole Hann via T.J.Maxx.

Dressing For Holiday Events

In December, I always get lots of requests for ideas for what to wear to holiday parties and other events.

My formula for getting dressed for these events isn't that different from the rest of the year. The secret is held in how you put your basics together to make them appropriate for the event. I never rush out to buy something for a special occasion.

Look carefully at each of the items I am wearing. The sweater is usually worn with a pair of faded jeans and short black boots. The black pants are ones that I wear when I want to look a little more special. I wear these Covered Perfectly tops all year round with every type of look. They are genuinely the best tops for layering with jackets, sweaters, and ponchos or vests. They don't add bulk to your frame, and they are made with the most luxurious knit fabric ever. 

We met our friends for dinner before we attended the Symphony last evening. I got dressed in five minutes, with virtually no stress. If you have great basics that serve you well, you can always put them together in appropriate ways for any event. Accessories change everything!

I am wearing a vintage Ralph Lauren sweater with a faux fur collar over a Covered Perfectly long sleeve simple comfort top and Lior Paris black pants.

I bookended my look. That means I repeated the coppery brown tones of the faux fur collar in the copper beaded shoes, which are also several years old. The colors near my face are repeated in the colors of my footwear. That is called bookending. It can also mean wearing shoes in the same color as your hair. This trick pulls a look together and balances it so that it always seems to work well.

The reptile texture clutch bag is from S.M. Bradford Co. Hilton Head Island. My hair is almost hiding the silver earrings with small crystal stones. Two blingy crystal rings are the other accessories that make this look special for an evening look.

The Garden Club Luncheon

My dear friend, Rose, invites me to attend her garden club luncheon each December. I enjoy spending the day with my sweet friend and all these other beautiful women so very much. 

The fabulous elves are my friend Shirley and her beautiful granddaughter, McKenzie. She has been a member of the Hill & Dale Garden Club since she was three. Each year McKenzie gets to choose what she and her grandmother will wear. It is always a treat to see how they are dressed!

There is always live music to set the tone for the day.

Rose makes everyone feel at ease with her sweet smile and polite manners. My necklace is from S.M. Bradford Co. on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

The garden club President is shown below. Isn't that a great sweater?!

Love her fabulous hair!

So many treasures! How do we decide?

Laughter with friends is the greatest gift of all!

This lady looked so regal.

My beautiful, inspiring friends Sandy and Susan.

This petite lady stands less than five feet tall. Proper proportion makes the look of a tunic over leggings and boots very successful for her.

Fun sparkled boots!

This is my beautiful friend Ann. That smile reflects her inner beauty as well.

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After the luncheon, Rose and I visited one of her favorite boutiques, the Galleria in Bristol, Virginia, located at 100 Linden Square Drive. When we walked in, this lovely woman came up to tell me that she had been following Fifty, not Frumpy, since before she moved to this area from Pennsylvania. Thank you for coming up to say hello, Leigh. I hope your event is lots of fun!