At Last!

The storm of the century made me stay home for a couple of weeks, but last night we were so happy to be back at our favorite restaurant for dinner.

I have posted in the past about wearing black and how it isn't always flattering for everyone. If you are like me and have invested in an abundance of black in the past, there are ways to make it work for you. Here I've added a bright aqua scarf and gemstone ring in the same color as accessories.

All of the pieces of this outfit are a couple of years old. The boiled wool jacket is about ten years old! I love that it has black embroidered details on the collar. The cuffs can be turned up, and it has one decorative button closure, so I wore it with a long sleeve black tee from Chico's. The black knit pants were a find at Ross a couple of years ago. They are by Tahari.

The scarf is a very soft gauze in color I know works well for me. The shoes are low heeled with tiny gold-trimmed bow detail. The bag is Kenneth Cole Reaction from T.J.Maxx. 

My wardrobe is made up of pieces I like to wear and that I feel comfortable in. I am motivated to buy new pieces if I believe they can be worn for several years with many other pieces in my closet. Classics changed with accessories has been my secret to dressing well for many years.

About three years ago, I lost more than forty-five pounds, so I had to give up almost all of my wardrobe. As I replaced those items, I once again looked for classics that could be worn in many combinations and several seasons.

Jeans and A Tee... At My Age?

If you were also in high school in the early seventies, you might be like me in that you find the ultimate comfort is that "uniform" you wore for much of that time.

Occasionally I still see one of my high school friends wearing the same look we loved at seventeen but a Harley tee and faded out jeans with shoe muffins (athletic shoes) will not work for me anymore. Comfort now has to do with more than just how it feels on my body. I want to celebrate that I have been on a tremendous journey for these past forty years. I have traveled the world, owned several businesses, lived in great cities, and learned volumes since I graduated from high school in 1974.

My Junior Class Picture 1973

I still wear jeans and a tee quite often, but my comfort zone now includes great fitting dark washed jeans, a slim-fitting tee with a scoop, or V-neck with a nice jacket or open cardigan sweater. Knowing my body shape is key to putting together comfortable outfits. There is a "sweet spot" between mid-hip and mid-thigh where I like my jackets to end. They should be neither too short, showing all of my flat bottom, nor too long, making my short legs appear shorter. 

The jeans should fit my body, neither too tight nor sagging in the back. Dark wash looks more appropriate and much better with most of my jackets, but I have one faded pair of classic Levis, which I wear with flats and a navy blazer on sunny fall days. The NYDJ cropped jeans I am wearing below remain one of my summer favorites also.

Autumn of 2013

I hope that sharing my inspiration sets from Polyvore and explaining why I make certain choices helps you put together great outfits that make you feel confident and comfortable. Here's to our next forty years!

New Flat Shoes

When I mentioned in an earlier post that I was starting to wear flat shoes more often for daytime, I was amused at the howls of protest from some of you. I have worn heels for most of my adult life, but now, two and a half years away from my sixtieth birthday, I am starting to invest in flats because my feet recently started letting me know it's time.

I found these Enzo Angiolini® Liberty Loafers at Appleseeds. They were one of the first pairs of flats I purchased. Not all flats are created equally. These looked like just the right style for me, but I will be wearing them around the house for quite some time to break them in. They are a bit narrow where they are stitched together at the ball of the foot.

These Hush Puppies Dalby Moc Flats are super comfortable. (I used my Christmas money from my parents to buy three pairs of shoes from Macy's. Thanks, Mom and Dad!)

I also bought these Alfani Women's Allegra Step N Flex Flats from Macy's. Love them!

These Aerosoles Clean Slate wedge heels in brown are also from Macy's. I haven't worn them yet, but they feel comfortable from just trying them on.

These are Vince Camuto animal print flats from Nordstrom.

A Family Gathering

For a very casual gathering of extended family, I wore jeans and a long-sleeve tee.

The tee, jeans, and necklace are all from Chico's. The boiled wool jacket is from Appleseed's. 

The Coach bag was purchased at their outlet store in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, last summer. The shoes are from Macy's, and they are worn with beige Hanes pantyhose from Target.

The gathering was hosted by my beautiful cousin Rhonda in her fabulous new home by the lake. My mother and I enjoyed watching the gulls and blue herons and geese from the huge windows that offer a panoramic view of the lake. 

Mickey and I had to stop on the road leading away from their home to wait for about forty whitetail deer of all ages and sizes to pass in front of and around us. I was thrilled to be part of that surreal scene.

I hope your new year is filled with happiness and great style.

Rain in Abingdon

That's Rain the restaurant, not the weather. Last evening we had dinner with my sister and her husband at a wonderful restaurant in Abingdon, Virginia. 

 We had temperatures in the seventies today!

I was captivated by this view along the way, so Mr. Mickey stopped so that I could snap a picture for you.

I wore a Ming Wang jacket with black crepe pants and a black tank from Chico's. The shoes and bag are old.