Symphonic Mischief

We attended a black-tie optional fundraiser for our beloved Johnson City Symphony Orchestra last evening.

The event took place in the Johnson City Country Club's ballroom.

Marilyn Robertson served as the President of our Symphony for the past two years. She worked tirelessly to promote and keep our Symphony funded.

Sarah was our entertaining mime jester for the evening!

At the end of the evening, some of the mystery bags had not yet been sold, so Mr. Mickey and I bought them all.

I wanted this kayak so badly! I lost the fierce bidding war to a lady who lives in Canada. She and her husband plan to buy a matching one so that they can explore all the coves in the bay near their home.

The beautiful Johnson City Country Club is more than one hundred years old. There are many crystal chandeliers, columns, ornate fireplaces, and a beautiful wooden dance floor in the ballroom. The grand bay windows overlook the terrace and the rolling hills of the golf course beyond. I have been attending events in this beautiful building since I was a young girl. It never ceases to soothe my spirit to be in this grand space.

Charlie is the club's current manager.

My look for this evening included a fabulous jacket by Damee from ShopMyFairLady. The double collar has wires inside the edges so that you can adjust the ruffle effect. I bought it last year, but the weather turned cold before I had a chance to wear it. This jacket is an elegant example of the type of sheer topper that I often wear over tank tops in warm weather to remain covered but still keep cool.

This easy type of dressing serves me very well all year round. The simple black tank top is by Clara Sunwoo via ShopMyFairLady. It has a neckline that can be worn with the V or the scoop in the front. The travelers pants are from Chico's. The suede fringe trim sandals are by BCBGeneration via Saks Off 5th. The box clutch is from Cloth, a boutique located in the Grove Park Inn Resort. I added small crystal drop earrings, two fun bling rings, and a crystal link bracelet as accessories.

Very Casual

On rare occasions, I get to stay home by myself for most of the day. If the weather permits, I go for a long walk in my neighborhood. I always make an effort to get dressed for the weather and the event. I take into consideration my comfort on a psychological as well as a physical level when I get dressed or purchase any clothing. I have one pair of flip flops that I only wear after a pedicure. You will never see me in them at any other time.

Below is a typical example of a casual stay home look for me when the weather is cool. I have many tank tops that I throw on with a pair of jeans and then add a cardigan of some sort. This cashmere cardigan is one of my favorites of all time. It is from J.Jill. The jeans and the tank are from Chico's. The shoes are from Rockport.

Early in the morning, when the sun is just coming up, you will often see me walking in my neighborhood. I might be wearing leggings and a tee with slip-on shoes and a jacket. This jacket is from J.Jill. The top is old from Cali and York. The shoes are by Rockport.

If the weather is a little warmer, I choose a lighter weight jacket such as this one from J.Jill. I am quick to get a chill in the air conditioning, so I always have a jacket or sweater on hand. The tank top is likely from Chico's, and I think the jeans here are from J.Jill.

Another great casual look includes leggings or jeans and a super soft, comfortable top from Covered Perfectly. I love how these tops can take you from casual and comfortable to nearly any event. This piping top has strategic stitching and trim that makes me look slimmer and taller. The leggings are by Hue via Dillard's. The shoes are by Rockport.

On a cool fall day, you may see me going for a longer hike to enjoy the foliage. I am wearing faded but never torn jeans with a long sleeve navy tee from Talbot's with an old quilted jacket from Dillard's. The very comfortable khaki ankle boots are from Antelope Shoes.

My favorite form of exercise has always been going for a long walk alone with my thoughts and nature.

A three-quarter length sleeve tee and white ankle pants with a pair of New Balance walking shoes are my heat of summer go-to walking attire. Keep in mind that I also walk early in the morning to not be in full sun. I had skin cancer in the past, so I am careful not to go out in the sun without protection.

Black Olive and Caper

I have always loved the color olive or caper as neutrals on other people. When I wear that color near my face, I look ill.

These comfortable soft, casual pants are by Fabrizio Gianni. This caper color is as close as I get to khaki because that is another color I cannot wear well. Since I have a cool skin tone, I try never to wear warm or golden undertones near my face. If you know the colors that work well with your skin tone, you will find it so much easier to put together a flattering wardrobe. The colors and tones will look good on you, but they will also work together well.

It took me about three minutes to get dressed. I was on my way to the bank and my office to sign checks on Friday. Even though this is an easy casual look, I was appropriately dressed for all the stops I had to make and even to join a friend for lunch later.

That is why I share these tips and inspiration photos with you. I want you to have the same confidence and ease of getting dressed each day.

One way to determine which tones of color would look best on you is to study your veins. If the veins on the inside of your wrist look green, you have warm golden undertones. If your veins look blue, you have a cool skin tone. If the veins look neither blue nor green, you are a lucky neutral who can wear almost any color.

My sandals were by Vince Camuto from Belk last year.

Tiny Space Packing

When my partner in fun (Mr. Mickey) says, "We are going away for the weekend in the Roadster," the challenge begins.

The first order of business is to check the weather for Blowing Rock, North Carolina, and then choose the weekend colors. They must interchange and look great on their own for any occasion. Black and white, with silver-gray, always seem to work well for me.

For our first weekend trip of the year to Blowing Rock, I wore coated black jeans from Chico's, a surplice wrap style black and white top, and a white cropped moto-style jacket both from White House Black Market. I would only wear this cropped jacket layered over a long, lean top such as this one. The reason is that I have no backside (no "junk in my trunk" at all), and I do not wish to show off that fact.

Since there was no room in the car for more shoes, I wore these booties, which are old from Nine West via Saks Off 5th. The sunglasses are old by Michael Kors. The small bag is old from Express.

My all-time favorite place to shop in Blowing Rock is Finley House Couture.

They offer a fantastic collection of beautiful jewelry. The earrings shown below were my Easter gift from Mr. Mickey.

Finley House Couture is also known for its fabulous collection of handbags and totes.

Below, I am surrounded by bright summery prints from their collection of beautiful clothing.

If you enjoy shopping in elegant surroundings with the best of service, you will love Finley House Couture as much as I do.

Mr. Mickey and Mr. Mark always have so much fun visiting and laughing together.

On to the next shop!

I discovered a great new line of jeans/leggings called Jag Jeans at The Fig Leaf. They are styled just like a pair of jeans, but instead of that big button, zipper, loop combination that shows under every single top I wear, there is a smooth wide band. I nearly squealed with delight when I tried on these jeans!

Mr. Mickey is keeping watch over my stash as I shop for more treasures.

When we were exhausted from all of my shopping, we checked in to the luxurious Westglow Resort and Spa. The mansion was constructed in 1917 and was originally the summer home of famed artist and writer Elliott Daingerfield. 

Our view from the Portico Suite balcony.

Rose petals on the bed, along with a personal note from the manager.

The gorgeous light fixture in the suite above.

On the second day, my look to wear for dinner included a silver/gray sweater and pull on more dressy pants; both are old from Chico's. The Evan-Picone white trench coat is old from Stein Mart.

The living room of the mansion is enormous but so warm and welcoming.

The grand staircase, as seen from the entry.

The view of the sun setting from the Portico.

We shared a beautiful chocolate dessert after dinner.

I am sitting in front of the fire after a brief walk after dinner.

The view was very different on Sunday morning!

As we departed the next morning, the mountain wore a thick shroud of fog, and there was a light rain falling. The bellman loaded everything back into the snazzy car that looks like it is going fast even when parked.

Men will also suffer a little for fashion. This car looks great, but it is difficult to get in and out of, and there is no room for luggage. On the plus side, if the weather had been a little nicer, we would have put the top down to enjoy the warmth of the sun. We will look forward to that next time.