Mamma Mia!

We visit Abingdon, Virginia, a couple of times every year.

My travel day look included a navy whisper-light cardigan by Focus over an old tank by Peck & Peck via Stein Mart. The olive color pants are old from Fabrizio Gianni.

The bag is old by BCBG via T.J.Maxx. The shoes are old by Gianni Bini from Dillard's.

Abingdon is only a short drive from Johnson City but far enough to feel like we got away from it all for a few days.

The Martha is always our home away from home in Abingdon. It is an elegant place to relax on the porch and watch the world go by, get a massage, or have dinner.

On Friday evening, we had an excellent meal at the Tavern, a short distance from the Martha.

The clutch is from Cloth, the boutique at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina. The French Connection shoes are old from Saks Off 5th.

We occasionally enjoy a piece of wild-caught salmon for dinner.

The moss-covered building which houses the Tavern dates to 1779!

On Saturday morning, we enjoyed a Continental breakfast in Sister's American Grill, the restaurant at The Martha.

After breakfast, we took a stroll around the grounds before going down to the Spa for our massages.

I wore my Last Tango cold shoulder top from Purple Poppy over white Lior Paris Janet style pants during the early part of the day.

I had so much fun exploring the grounds of the Martha after a gentle summer afternoon rain with my camera in hand.

One of Mr. Mickey's favorite things ever is deviled eggs. Sister's American Grill makes some of the best ones ever! So that's where we had a lovely evening meal on Saturday.

I wore the white pants again with the white tank top from day one with an old blue cardigan from Saks Off 5th. It has a sheer panel at the lower back.

When we travel for a short distance and stay for one or two nights, I take only a few pieces that can be mixed and matched. I will only be dressed in the elements for a couple of hours, so they can be switched about easily, wearing the pieces in rotation on different days at different times.

On Sunday, we had an excellent brunch at the Harvest Table in Meadowview, Virginia, before attending the afternoon showing of "Mamma Mia!" at the Barter Theatre. 

We thoroughly enjoyed the play! If you get the opportunity to see this musical, do. You will not be disappointed.

Later in the afternoon on Sunday, we also walked through the craft show booths at the Highlands Festival. My favorite booth was the Dreamland Alpaca Farm Store, where I got to pet an Alpaca for the first time. They have the sweetest temperaments!

My Eureka Style Moment

Last week, a reader asked if I could remember my aha or eureka moment that brought about a pivotal change in my style.

The photo below was taken before my aha moment. My style took a nosedive after I turned fifty-five and lost more than forty pounds. I had no idea how to dress anymore, and going shopping was a total nightmare. I didn't like all those bright colors and patterns, but that was what I saw on the other women in my social circle and in every store I visited. It didn't feel right for me, but I kept telling myself that's how women my age dressed, so I kept buying those pieces that weren't reflective of my personality. I wanted to dress age-appropriate without having a clear picture of what that meant.

Taken in 2013

(While this look might be OK for some women, it isn't me. My hair is too short and too fixed. I am wearing too many accessories. My pants are too short to be worn with a jacket.)

I do indeed remember my eureka moment! It was during the summer of 2014. I created a new board on Pinterest when I saw my first photos of Emmanuelle Alt and the other women who are styling editors of Vogue Paris. I was captivated! 

These women looked so effortlessly fabulous and timeless. I was inspired to study their way of dressing in solids with simple accessories and understated hair and makeup. The less is more way of putting yourself together for the day feels so right for me.

Taken in 2016

(I am wearing a Covered Perfectly Simple V Tunic with Jag Jeans above. The shoes, bag, and belt are all old.)

The very next time I shopped for shoes or clothes, it was so easy to block out the clutter of prints and bright colors. I was able to rid my closet of those patterns and bright colors and hone in on the colors and shapes that fit well with my personality.

Each time I pack for a trip or get dressed for the day, I am thankful that I found my style formula. I feel much more confident in clothes that fit not just my body but my personality as well.

I shop now to replace something that is starting to look worn, but I am so much happier with my wardrobe. Both my budget and time are more abundant, allowing me to go out and enjoy my life. That's why I share my personal style evolution. I wish you the same freedom and confidence.

Shop Your Closet!

Carefree dressing means something different for everyone. I like the concept of having a few versatile pieces that all work together and can be worn dressed up or down to serve my needs.

Have you had to change the slices of your wardrobe pie over the years?

I have a very busy social and work-life right now. I do not attend many casual functions or relax at home very often. That means my wardrobe pie may be sliced differently than yours. 

For your clothes to serve you well, you need to be realistic about your life. For example, if you have a closet full of office-appropriate garments that you never wear anymore because you have retired, maybe it is time for a good purge.

I have purged my closet several times since I lost forty-five pounds a few years ago. I certainly didn't get it right at first!

I now own mostly separates in solid colors, and I hang them in my closet by type. My tank tops are together from lightest to darkest. My blouses are hung together lightest to darkest and so on. When I walk into my closet, it is easy to "shop" for the day's look. 

I also similarly store my accessories and shoes to tell at a glance what I have to choose from.

As I am getting dressed, I think first about the weather. I never wear white or light-colored pants on a day that might include rain. The pants will become permanently stained from splashback as you walk. Thankfully that silly rule about not wearing white after Labor Day has been put to rest.

Shop for the colors that flatter your complexion and silhouettes that complement your shape so that the items work together.

This old top from Chico's is an excellent example of a piece that I have worn in many ways. I like it because of the simple neckline and unique hem. The three-quarter-length sleeves help me appear taller and slimmer. The asymmetric hemline also breaks up the horizontal line so that the eye is not drawn to the hip area, nor does that break line cut my body in half, making me look shorter and broader. Wearing a dark color on top visually minimizes my largest half.

This top fabric is also three-season material, which means I can wear it for most of the year.

This same top could be worn with slim black pants and heels with fabulous jewelry out to dinner or a formal function.

I could just as easily pair it with faded jeans and a pair of flat sandals to be worn to a casual function.

When the elements of your wardrobe serve you well, you spend much less time saying, "I have nothing to wear!" and lots more time living your life and looking great while you are at it.

That's why I share what I have learned. I hope my tips prove helpful to you as you build a wardrobe that works well for you.

Casual Day

What do you wear when you are just relaxing at home with your family?

On Sunday, I wore an old Breton striped tee from Chico's with white jeans by NYDJ, which I found at T.J.Maxx last winter. I have the most successful shopping at T.J.Maxx when I go in at the very beginning of the season as they are just getting in new inventory. I look for everyday basics when I shop there.

The sandals are by Vince Camuto from last year. I am holding my favorite Lancôme 'Shine Lover' Vibrant Shine Lipstick in color Unconventional. We were on our way over to visit with my parents, so I didn't need a handbag, and I am wearing very minimal makeup.

This is a typical look for me when I am relaxing at home during the summer. It is an easy casual look that I can run errands in too.

I would wear this top and pants with a jean jacket and flat nude or silver shoes for another casual look in cooler weather. If I wanted to dress it up a bit, I could wear it with a navy blazer and khaki pants. Having a core wardrobe of flattering basics means you can layer and wear the pieces in a year-round rotation appropriate for the weather or the occasion.

A Perfect Day

We spent part of Saturday afternoon exploring the mountains of North Carolina on our way to dinner.

I wore a royal blue top by IC Collection and white pants in the Janet style by Lior Paris, both from ShopMyFairLady.com, earlier this summer.

The shoes are old by Charles Jourdan via Saks Off 5th. The chain bag is old from Express.

The cutout details in both the front and back at the shoulders make such a difference on a hot summer day. The tops are indeed cooler because of them. I love the swing and texture of the flattering fabric.

At the end of a beautiful day, we enjoyed another perfect meal at one of our all-time favorite restaurants, Artisanal.

Cocktails in the Courtyard

What do you wear while visiting with friends over cocktails in a courtyard when ninety degrees at eight in the evening?

I chose a very lightweight knit tank dress and chiffon cascading vest from Covered Perfectly with minimal jewelry and sunglasses.

Metallic leather is considered neutral. I always enjoy wearing silver sandals since they bookend with my silver hair. (Bookending is repeating the same color at the top and the bottom to pull a look together.)

If I had worn black sandals, I would have looked even shorter. I attempt to make myself look taller and thinner by avoiding numerous horizontal color breaks.

This vest is one of the most versatile items I have ever owned. This evening it served as a light, elegant top layer. I would never feel comfortable wearing this tank dress on its own, but I do enjoy wearing it often as a first layer.

Filmy lightweight layers have been components of all my most comfortable looks this summer. They are soft, feminine, and elegant without making me feel even hotter.

The sunglasses are by Dolce and Gabbana. The silver and black earrings are several years old. The shoes are old by BCBGeneration.

A reader asked me this week why I don't show more new items on the blog. I rarely go shopping anymore, and I stopped accepting products to review because it became too overwhelming.

I hope that sharing how I put together my basics in different ways will help you build a wardrobe that serves you well no matter the price or number of pieces you own.

Dressing For The Heat

When hot weather comes, I reach for a hat.

A hat is the most essential part of any hot weather look since I can't look my best with dripping hair plastered to my head.

I am wearing a packable hat, which is several years old from Betmar.

Tips for wearing hats: I always need to choose a hat with a high crown and a wider brim. Hats that fit close to the head, such as ball caps and cloche style hats, do not flatter my roundish face. A woman who has a long thin face and neck would look great in a cloche style.

The brim of your hat should not exceed the width of your shoulders.

The hat should rest comfortably on your forehead with no bangs showing, not on the back of your head. I comb my bangs back with my fingers, put on the hat, and then brush the lower part of my hair toward the front with my hands.

Ladies do not remove their hats while dining, but a gentleman should always remove theirs and place them on an empty chair (never on the table.)

Loose-fitting light-colored clothing that flows across my body is also most comfortable in hot weather. I rarely wear a sleeveless top, but when the temperature rises to 100 degrees, it is time to reach for my most minimal clothing and sunscreen.

These palazzo-style pants are old by Clara Sunwoo, and I found them at ShopMyFairLady.com. If you buy Clara Sunwoo pants, you would be wise to go down in size. They do run large. I am wearing an extra small here.

The BCBGMAXAZRIA draped blouson top is made from lighter than air layers of almost sheer fabric. It is from Saks Off 5th. I am wearing a size medium.

I love to wear a draped surplice top because it hides the jiggly bits. If I wear a jacket, I layer it over a much more fitted tank. There is something to be said for balancing the visual weight of the pieces you layer.

This look would also be great using a loose-fitting maxi dress or a sundress with flat sandals. I am wearing old black platform sandals by Charles Jordan here. The wicker bag is from J.McLaughlin.

Sunglasses are another essential element of this look since I am not wearing makeup other than a bold red lip. The sunglasses are by Dolce and Gabbana.

Makeup running down my face or smudged around my eyes is not a good look. On days when I know I will be mostly out in the heat, I skip the other makeup and just go for red lips.

I color in my whole lip with a lip liner, then add a layer of lip color. Next, I blot and reapply the color, then blot again. The idea is to stain my lips rather than have the color sliding around and creeping into lines and creases.

Hats make a bold statement, so sunglasses are the only other element near my face. Earrings, a necklace, sunglasses, and a fancy hat all worn together looks a bit too eccentric. I also like for my hats to be unadorned and almost masculine in style.

Confidence is the best accessory!

Navy and White

Navy with white has been one of my favorite color combos since childhood.

Classic, simple pieces that can be layered and endlessly accessorized are the essential elements of my wardrobe.

As a young girl, I saved all of my babysitting money to buy my school clothes at the beginning of each year. This practice taught me always to invest in separates that could be worn together and in different ways. I rarely stray from that formula.

I have a roundish face, so straight lines are my friend. That means I love the square neckline of this new top from Covered Perfectly.

A dressier look for this top includes nude heels with a small chain bag and simple jewelry.

For a casual look, I changed the accessories to flat sandals, a hook belt, and a fun handbag.

I will also wear this top with scarves, jackets, and vests this fall. Khaki, gold, silver, white, gray, green, tan, orange, or peach are some of the colors that combine well with navy.

Many of the items I show you on my blog are old. If the items are current, I will always provide a link so that you can buy them. This fabulous top can now be purchased online at Covered Perfectly in several colors.