Open House

Our dear friends Ben and Natalie held an open house for the holidays last evening.

Where to put your blush...

Dinner, Symphony, and Ballet

It was a perfect holiday evening for us. We had a long leisurely dinner while visiting with friends at our favorite restaurant, Gourmet and Company.

The tree was set up right behind our favorite table, so this was how Mr. Mickey saw me this evening.

Mr. Mickey was looking dapper as usual! His 1940s Hickok cuff links are part of his vast collection of Mickey Mouse antiques and collectibles, of which there are more than 3,000 rare pieces. In his previous home, he had a museum to showcase some of the collection. This lifetime collection is being offered for sale in its entirety.

 

Each time I see this friend of a friend, we talk about shoes. This time we were wearing a very similar style.

Mr. Mickey was a happy man when he heard that this bread pudding made from croissants was on the dessert menu. Bliss!

The Johnson City Symphony has been performing for forty-five years. Their Christmas performance is one of the most popular. The words to many favorite Christmas carols are projected upon the giant screen above the stage so that the audience can sing along. During intermission, the poinsettias are removed so that young ballerinas can dance for us and the final performances.

The stained glass windows in Mary B. Martin Auditorium, Seeger Chapel, were decorated with wreaths and candles.

Retired Judge John L. Kiener was appointed to the judgeship years ago by Mr. Mickey's efforts while active in East Tennessee politics.

That's my sweet friend, his wife, Belinda Kiener.

My look for this evening includes a double-breasted wool jacket from Talbot's a few years ago. Tailored slacks and clutch via Saks Off 5th. The shoes are by DVF from a few years ago. The statement necklace is from Chico's last year.

Blue Moon Dinner Theater

We enjoyed an evening at the theater with a group of friends on Friday.

We attended the Blue Moon Dinner Theatre to watch a funny play about how we celebrate Christmas worldwide.

I often wear all black for the evening. Whenever I wear all one color, I vary the textures for added interest. The shoes are suede, the pants have a texture almost like a grosgrain ribbon, the long tunic top has a silky rayon texture, and the mink fur vest adds yet another texture.

The fur vest was a long-ago Christmas gift from Mr. Mickey. Earlier in my life, I dated a man for a couple of years who never once gave me a gift. When I opened this beautifully wrapped gift, I cried.

As is also my custom, I wear subdued jewelry and carry a small clutch with evening attire. The suede heels are Italian made from Saks. They are very comfortable. This was the first time I wore them, and we walked several city blocks. This fact speaks volumes about the quality of shoes.

The clutch is from T.J.Maxx. The crystal detail silver bracelet and crystal earrings are from Nordstrom. The rings are items purchased during my travels.

Mr. Mickey is counting down the hours until he can get his hair and beard trimmed. It's almost time for his Santa gig!

We have the most fun friends in town! My friend Millie and her partner in life, Don, kept us laughing for the whole evening.

I wore a black trench coat draped across my shoulders for the long walk to and from the theater. Johnson City has a thriving nightlife, so parking is a rare commodity at times.

Layers For A Cold Morning

When the temperatures drop into the 20's it is officially cold here in East Tennessee.

Mr. Mickey and I attended a surprise birthday lunch for one of his long time friends today.

I am wearing a long sleeve tee in silver gray with a low slung belt over denim jeggings from Chico's. The long light gray sweater is from T.J.Maxx. The red, black, and gray tartan ruana sweater is from Foxcroft. The over the knee boots are by Vince Camuto via Belk. The fur-trimmed gloves were a long-ago gift from Mr. Mickey's wonderful daughter, Regina.

Hill & Dale Garden Club Brunch

It's that time of year when my sweet friend Rose invites me to be her guest at the Hill & Dale Garden Club Christmas Brunch.

There were so many beautiful and yummy looking items in the auction this year!

It's great to visit with friends we haven't seen for a while and have a mimosa while shopping for gift items in the auction.

As always, there was beautiful music and carols to set the mood.

My dear sweet friends Rose and Mitzi.

Girls do love their shoes!

The red blouse is from Express. The black faux leather-trimmed ruana wrap is from Carlisle Per Se. The waxed jeans and the gray bling sleeve cardigan are from Chico's. The boots are from Nine West via Saks Off 5th.

Wear It Wednesday - Hair and Makeup

Many of you have asked for more suggestions for hairstyles and makeup tips, so I will share a few of my personal successes and failures in general. 

(Sometimes, a bad example is a great teacher!)

Let's review: Hair too short, and the bangs need to start further back. There is too much going on around my face. Smaller earrings and one less collar sticking up and no scarf would have been better, but the jacket is also too bulky and boxy. That dark smudge of eye shadow underneath makes me look harsh.

At 54, I felt as if I was dressing up as an older woman instead of embracing who I am and letting my personality show by wearing what I am comfortable in.

Wispy bangs that are too short and brows that were not filled make me look older than my 55 years. I should have left off the earrings.

There isn't anything from that look that is working. This navy jacket worn with jeans and the sleeves pushed up might work but not in this dowdy get-up.

My hair is way too short above. I am wearing too many knit items. At this age (56 here), I need more structured clothing and softer makeup, and longer, less neat hair.

I am more true to myself with long full bangs and softer, more blended makeup. The black trench coat from Express and simple black heels work with everything, including these Chico's boyfriend jeans.

I'm four years older than the first picture, but I am now a lot more confident and comfortable in my skin.

Now for the makeup tips.

• I never put brown on my face... contour powders or bronzers just make my skin look dirty. A bit of rose blush high on the cheekbone is enough.
• A dark lip color on me is too harsh. A color close to my own lip color to give a bit of color and rich moisture is much better. 
• No lines, shadows, or even mascara on the lower lash line. I wear liquid eyeliner, but I put it under and into the upper lash line only, then follow with a smudge of a dark shadow on the top of the lash line and progressively get lighter as my shadow reaches the brows. Blending is the most important part!
• Another eye shadow trick: My eyes are fairly close together, and as we age, the area at the inner corners becomes darker, so I wear a lighter color on the inner third of my eyelid, a little darker color on the center third, and the darkest color of all at the outer third of my eyelid.
• I don't wear a foundation, but I sometimes wear a tinted moisturizer with a high SPF sun protection.
• Remove all makeup and sleep with clean skin. I put on moisturizers only when I wake up in the morning. Otherwise, I will have breakouts.

I get a facial about once a month. I drink lots of water and eat mostly fresh organic fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, seeds, beans, and an occasional glass of wine. I try to get seven (more like five) hours of sleep every night. Those are my skincare tips.