Friday Date Night

Black and white with a pop of red continues to be a favorite combination.

The statement necklace is enough all on its own, so my earrings and ring are small. Turning up your collar and wearing three quarters or turned up sleeves helps make you look taller and slimmer. I always wear a platform or higher block heel shoe with cropped or ankle pants to make my legs look longer than they are.

The lightweight jacket and tank are from Chico's. The pants were from Coldwater Creek last year. The necklace was a gift from Mr. Mickey. The shoes are BCBGeneration from last year. The clutch is Kenneth Cole Reaction via T.J.Maxx from last year.

Another Sweater

A longer lightweight sweater over a tank and slim fitting pants is one of my favorite combinations for an outfit. Add an interesting long necklace and I'm ready for a dinner date with friends.

The pants, sweater, and necklace are from Chico's. The sweater is now on sale at Chico's. The tank is from Stein Mart but I love the way Chico's tanks fit and also how they look after you wash them a few times so I have become a loyal fan. You will see lots more tanks from Chico's here!  

The clutch is old from T.J.Maxx. The shoes are old from Kohl's.

It's Greek to Me!

The town of Weaverville, North Carolina, is just a short pleasant drive across the mountains from Johnson City.

 

 

Mr. Mickey and I especially enjoy the Stoney Knob Cafe, one of several excellent restaurants there. They offer a menu of American, Greek, and European cuisine.

 

They serve the most awesome focaccia bread and olive oil dip before dinner. Supreme olive oil is poured over fresh herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta. We could make a meal from just that and a glass of wine. It really is over the top good!

I haven't worn these Vince Camuto shoes very much this year, so I wanted to style an outfit around them for our Saturday date night before summer slips away from us.

 

Weaverville is a surprising little town with sidewalk cafes, art galleries, gift shops, excellent pottery galleries, and the Well-Bred Bakery & Cafe, where we stopped in to pick up a fresh-baked loaf of wheat bread.

We have already picked out the next restaurant we will visit in Weaverville. We have heard great things about The Glass Onion, and their menu looked really interesting.

Voted one of the top 200 Salons in America, Aabani Salon is also located here in Weaverville.

There was still plenty of time after our meal to take the ten-minute drive into downtown Asheville. We had an after-dinner Scotch and water at a sidewalk cafe where we sat for more than an hour watching all the people passing by. We also really enjoyed visiting with two lovely women sitting at the table next to us. We make new friends wherever we go!

The lightweight jacket and matching tank are both from Chico's. The side zip ankle pants are from Talbots. The clutch and Oscar de la Renta sunglasses are from Stein Mart. The awesome coral cuff was a gift from my sweet friend Lois.

A Week of Sweaters

Our evening temperatures are now dipping into the low sixties, so I am starting to see women wearing jackets and sweaters when I run early morning errands.

I love the look of lightweight layers whenever possible. Summer clearance racks are a great place to find those featherweight sweaters that can be worn almost all year round. Add cute shoes, a scarf or long pendant necklace, sunglasses, and a nice bag to look great for any errand, even if you start out with a tank top and jeans or khaki pants.

Sweater from Chico's

This week I had the last of my summer Doctor appointments. I get all the tests we should have done at this stage of life in July because I am too busy to sit still that long at any other time of the year. 

As I was waiting for my turn in each office, I kept looking up to see women studying me. I noticed that almost all the women I saw in the near sixty age group wore a "uniform" of Mom-jeans, a dull-colored tee shirt, and shoe muffins (tennis shoes). I was wearing the first outfit idea above yesterday. I will be turning 57 next month, but I refuse to wear the "uniform"!

Travelers Sweater from Chico's

One Button Knit Sweater from Ross

Chanel Inspired Cardigan from Dillard's

Knit Jacket from Coldwater Creek

Navy Cardigan from Target

Waterfall Cardigan from Ross

Waterfall Cardigan from Ross

New Shoes in Wine Country

I fell in love with these shoes the moment I saw them!

After trying on several outfit options from my closet I knew I didn't have the right pieces to wear with them on a July evening. Below is the outfit I almost settled on but I knew it could be better. Off to Chico's we go!

The shoes are edgy and modern so the red jacket is too conservative and subdued to wear with them.

When I saw this sweater and necklace I knew they were the right pieces. The gold cuff was just the icing on the cake.

When we arrive at our favorite restaurant there is always a valet attendant to open our doors. The service at Artisanal is superb!

We stopped at the Banner Elk Winery on our way home from dinner last night. Many people do not know that there are some really good wines coming from North Carolina.

This fire pit and pond beyond are in front of the tasting house and gift shop.

This is The Villa, a luxury Bed and Breakfast on a hill overlooking the winery.

The bag is from Stein Mart. The shoes are from Nordstrom. All other items are from Chico's.