Into the Clouds

As my sister and I drove away from Johnson City, heading for Roan Mountain State Park yesterday, we had plans to wander around the trails and take some photos. It was a hot summer day with temperatures near ninety.

All that changed as we approached the mountain, which is only about a forty-minute drive from my house. Dark clouds gathered, and the rain began to fall.

Hoping for better weather after lunch, we traveled on to Fosco, North Carolina, where we enjoyed a delightful lunch at Eat Crow. Mr. Mickey and I had planned to eat here many times but had never been there yet. I highly recommend it!

The weather did indeed improve after lunch, so up the mountain, we drove.

As we neared the top of Roan Mountain, we were completely engulfed in clouds. As a child, I took great pleasure in reaching out and passing my hand through a cloud when we would visit the park on such days.

We continued our hike, and the clouds began to disperse.

I have always loved roaming this park alone with my thoughts. This craggy forest has remained mostly unchanged for millions of years. Some rare plant life is only found at more than 4,000 feet above sea level on rock outcrops.

A few years ago, I gave away all of my hiking and camping gear and boots since this is something I so rarely get to do now. On this day, I made do with what I usually wear to walk in my neighborhood. Knowing the temperatures would dip on the mountain, I took a jean jacket with me. It was indeed sixty-five degrees there.

My sweet sister is always well prepared for any outing.

I hope you enjoyed seeing some of the photos from our wonderful Sister Day in the mountains.

Beat The Heat!

Dressing in hot weather can be a challenge.

I don't care for knee-length sundresses because they show my legs and never flatter my shape. I am much more comfortable in a soft, breezy oversize top with slim white pants with a smooth wide waistband. Dressing for comfort has to include personality as well as the weather.

Let's face it; I will be hot no matter what I wear when it is ninety-eight degrees. My comfort level includes how covered I am, more so than the temperature. I would not be at all comfortable in a skimpy dress with tiny straps.

For me, a typical summer workday look includes a soft tunic by Clara Sunwoo from ShopMyFairLady.com. The fabric isn't clingy or hot, and it always drapes beautifully, so the Clara Sunwoo tops are a favorite summer look for me.

The white pants are by Renaud. The putty color sandals are old by Kenneth Cole Reaction.

If I wear a print, it is usually an abstract geo print in subtle colors such as this one. But, again, personality has to come into play as you get dressed. Ruffles and bling are also details that do not reflect my personality.

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.