Fabulous New Print Vest!

I am so excited to announce the arrival of the new animal print vest from Covered Perfectly!

I have worn these vests in many different ways in several videos and here on the blog. I love this great piece's versatility, so I always take one with me when I travel.

I got so many compliments when I wore this one last Friday. These vests can be worn tied, belted, layered, as a scarf, and even as a blouse. They have been a lifesaver for me during the heat of this summer because they hide my least favorite parts, but they are light as a feather.

These cascading vests look great worn with any of the simple comfort tops, but I have also worn them over dresses and even a bathing suit as a cover-up.

This new style just arrived, so grab yours before they sell out. These prints are often limited editions.

Aging Gracefully

Many have asked how my style will change in my seventh decade.

Owning lots of items isn't appealing to me anymore. For example, I much prefer three or four excellent quality bags that are the correct size and shape for my body.

Style experts tell us that matching your handbag to your shoes ages you ten years. 

Another change in my choices has occurred this year. I find that I am buying more flat shoes and attempting to wear them more often during the day. (I do not find them comfortable yet since I have almost always worn heels.)

Scarves soften my neckline and take the emphasis away from a less defined jawline. They add a punch of color and pattern to my classic neutrals and keep me warm.

Three-quarter sleeve jackets are perfect for the transition seasons. I have blue, black, and white ones for this reason.

The jacket, tank, and straight leg faded jeans I am wearing are all old from White House|Black Market. The shoes are old by Dolce Vita.

Straight slim leg pants with a jacket will still be my uniform because that silhouette flatters my inverted triangle shape. 

The scarf I am wearing here is about five years old. I have worn it countless times. 

If the weather is too hot for a scarf, you will see me switch to a necklace. If I am wearing the scarf just draped around my neck or under the lapel of my jacket to give my look pattern and color, I may also wear a necklace. I never tie my scarves in a complicated way, and I try to achieve straight lines or a V-neckline with them.

I will continue to be willing to try new things. This year I discovered that I like the slimming effect of a short jacket over a longer top. The learning never stops!

An open mind tempered with wisdom can be an essential attribute. There is indeed an art to aging well.

A wardrobe of great looking sunglasses is necessary for me. I wear them every day.

The last item I agreed to review for the blog arrived this week. I loved it so much I immediately bought the black one and a silk scarf from Uno Alla Volta. 

Their name means one at a time® and describes how their artisans lovingly create each treasure. Taking things uno alla volta is at the core of their philosophy for living a meaningful life.

The bag I fell in love with is by Alessandra. She handcrafts each ''borsa verde'' or green handbag, uno alla volta, at her workshop in Florence, Italy. Born into the leathercraft business, Alessandra has the highest standards for materials, workmanship, and style. A certificate of authenticity is included.

My philosophy in my sixties will continue to invest in quality and enjoy it every day. You have earned it!

The bag was sent to me by Uno Alla Volta.

Surprise Party

Our weather has started to turn cooler, and the rain has fallen for a few days. So it is beginning to feel a little like autumn in the mountains. 

On Saturday, we joined my extended family members and friends to surprise the 60th birthday party for my cousin's sweet husband.

Mr. Mickey and I always make a fun day out of every such event, so we drove up early in the day to share a light lunch at "Eat Crow" and then spent the day shopping and visiting with friends in Blowing Rock.

One of the other Eat Crow patrons drove up in a white Lamborghini. He and Mr. Mickey became fast friends.

The surprise birthday dinner party was held on the patio at Joy Bistro in Boone, North Carolina. The food and service were excellent! We highly recommend it.

Rhonda and I were the only cousins rocking the heels!

Larry is also a car lover who owns a Classic Pontiac Trans Am, so this extraordinary birthday cake made him very happy.

In keeping with the Ralph Lauren jacket's distressed softer color, I wore a cream-colored tank and khaki pants with similar colored heels and a woven straw clutch. Unfortunately, all the items are more than a year old.

I hope that the looks and tips I share inspire you to build a wardrobe that can be mixed and matched and enjoyed for years to come.

It's All About That Base!

An overwhelming number of selections in my closet is just that, overwhelming. A carefully edited version of my wardrobe serves me well. When I add something new to my collection now, it is only to replace something starting to look worn.

A simple tank top and straight-leg pants in crepe knit fabric fit in beautifully with my edited version of a wardrobe that works for every season and all my life events. They replace the two similar pieces I have been wearing for three years. 

I can never find the right thing when I go emergency shopping for a particular event. I prefer to have on hand the pieces I can mix and match to create the appropriate look.

Necessities for me include a great fitting pair of pants and a black tank top. That is often my starting point for any look, other than in the blazing heat of summer. 

It's All About That Base!

When you start out with a great base, you can add a scarf, a vest, a cardigan, or any jacket style. Even a jean jacket and flats can work with your base pieces. Black serves me well, but perhaps brown would be a better choice for your coloring. My point is that if you have great fitting base pieces made from high-quality fabric, you can wear them many times and in an endless variety of ways.

I knew these pants, and this tank was perfect for me the moment I slipped them on. Don't you just love that feeling when you put on an item of clothing, and you know without any doubt that it is right for you? My new rule is that I have to feel confident about something before it gets added to my wardrobe.

One of our favorite traditions includes joining friends for dinner, as we often do on Friday evenings. It is so good for the soul to enjoy a perfectly prepared meal and visit those we love.

For me, the evening is even better because I did not have to prepare the meal and clean up the kitchen or stress about what I was going to wear. That is why we so often entertain at Gourmet and Company.

My necklace and the box clutch are both old from S.M. Bradford. The string jacket is old from Chico's. The shoes are old by French Connection via Saks Off 5th. 

Khaki and White

When the day calls for dressing in a casual summer look, I am at a bit of a loss. Dressing for dinner or a special event is much easier for me.

Without a jacket, I feel underdressed, but I am forced to look for a suitable alternative when the temperatures exceed ninety degrees.

Considering this look's casual nature, I am wearing minimal makeup and a simple watch with one small ring. Too many accessories and bold makeup would seem out of place.

I have always loved the classic summer color combination of white with khaki, but khaki pants have always been challenging for me to get right. The secret to my success with these is not too tight with a straight leg and not too close to my skin color.

The whisper lightweight white tunic is old from J.Jill. The lightweight khaki pull-on wide waistband pants are so comfortable on hot days. They are by Lior Paris from ShopMyFairLady.com.

The sandals are old by Born Shoes. I appreciate that they are the same color as my pants to help my legs look longer.

Caution!

You will rarely see me carry a crossbody bag. The reason is that when worn, as shown above, a lot of unwanted attention is directed right to the girls. That strap pulled between your breasts by the weight of a bag hanging at your side or slightly behind you is like a beacon saying, "Look how big my chest is!".

I bought this little crossbody bag to wear on very casual days when I just need keys, cards, and a lip balm, and I want to keep my hands free. I am always careful to make sure it rests on the front of my hip so that the strap is not pulled tight. This bag is from White House|Black Market.