Nouvique Necklace on Date Night

Kathleen Mannix is one of many extremely talented designers who create amazing works of art using items from my company. She recently sent me one of her beautiful creations as a gift! I had so much fun styling an outfit for date night to showcase this gorgeous necklace.

The fabulous necklace is a one-of-a-kind sculptural piece that incorporates vintage items and components from my company, including the stunning Swarovski pendant. To see more of the work of this acclaimed artist, visit her website at Nouvique.

When I wear a glamorous statement necklace such as this one, I let it take the spotlight by keeping all the other elements of my look very sleek and neutral.

The tank, pants, and jacket are all Travelers from Chico's.

The clutch bag is from Stein Mart. The shoes are from Macy's.

The Glass Onion

Mr. Mickey and I often turn dinner reservations in a nearby town into a day trip full of other activities. Saturday was one of those days.

I dressed for a warm day in the city, followed by dinner at a restaurant we haven't visited before.

We spent part of the afternoon in Asheville sipping a beverage at a sidewalk cafe, watching the local characters. This is one of our favorite street performers. He plays, sings, and dances all at the same time.

Sister Bad Habit is always a fun one to see zipping about.

These performers made their own instruments to create their haunting melodies. We bought one of their CDs they were so good!

We shopped in the Grove Arcade, which has an amazing entrance. Gargoyles are a recurring theme throughout Asheville.

The flowers on many of the streets were amazing!

This is an apartment building across the street from The Grove Arcade.

As twilight approached, it was time to take Asheville's short drive back to Weaverville for our dinner reservations at the Glass Onion.

We tried several different items from the menu, and each was a great delight to the eyes and the palate. 

We shared a delightful dessert of a profiterole filled with lemon cream and topped with blueberry reduction. It was so excellent!

The husband and wife (this is Natalie with me) owners have always been head chefs at fine restaurants in New York until they decided to take the plunge and open their own restaurant here in the western North Carolina mountains. We are so fortunate that they did!

We loved the casual elegance, wonderful food, attentive service (but not too much), and visiting with the other diners around our table. It was a lovely and entertaining evening centered around exceptional food. We look forward to returning very soon to try some of the other entrees.

The white ankle pants are by Jones of New York. The tank, cardigan sweater, and necklace are from Chico's. The bag is from Stein Mart. The sandals are by Bjorndal from Rack Room Shoes.

Everyday Elegance

As our weather becomes cooler each morning, I often reach for a sweater and jeans on casual days.

This timeless combination can easily become frumpy if we aren't careful. I try to remember these tips whenever I wear or buy a sweater.

Color: The color should be flattering to your face, and it should look nice with jeans or khaki pants.

Fabrication: The knit should be so fine that you can ball it up in your hands. No big cable knits or ski sweaters unless you want to add bulk to your upper half. (Not I!) Many acrylics and other man-made fabrics pill and add too much bulk. Look for cotton, cashmere, or other fine gauge knits.

Buttons: I like a cardigan style sweater that has a V-neck. I only button a couple of buttons at the center, if at all. I also look for a style that falls straight rather than gathered or banded at the bottom, and I normally push the sleeves up. 

Crews and V necks in a pullover type sweater can also be a great addition to your wardrobe. You can wear them with a scarf, a vest or a jacket. I look for a neckline that falls below my collarbone in a fine gauge knit that does not add bulk, fits loosely, and ends at the top of my hip rather than below my bottom. If a longer sweater is worn with loose-fitting jeans, the look is too bulky (think frumpy). 

Layering: In warmer weather, I wear sweaters with a tank top and an interesting necklace or lightweight scarf. I layer them with a thin long sleeve tee and a long scarf for contrast and added warmth in cooler weather.

Storage: Fine knit sweaters can easily be stretched out of shape if you hang them on a hanger. It might be a good idea to invest in one of the storage solutions shown above, which can be purchased at Bed Bath & Beyond. These units can be added to the bar in a closet where there is room for them. A top shelf in your closet or a bookshelf nearby might be another storage solution. You can, of course, store sweaters in a deep drawer in your dresser.

Add sunglasses, a nice bag, and comfortable walking shoes along with a favorite pair of jeans, and I am ready to spend a Saturday looking through antique stores, having brunch at a sidewalk café, browsing through an old bookstore, or a stroll through the park checking out an art show.

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.