Dinner At The Orangery

The Orangery is a legendary French restaurant in Knoxville, TN. We always make plans to eat there when we are in town.

The Orangery story began in 1971 when a young enterprising businessman named Kristopher Kendrick realized that Knoxville's elegant ladies needed an equally elegant place to enjoy lunch. Kristopher named his restaurant The Orangery (after Marie Antoinette's greenhouses in France).

The Lobster & Mushroom Crepes was one of our top five meals ever!

Throughout the evening, we enjoyed performances by Judye Russell Brackner on a Steinway piano in the lobby.

This lovely lady with me is Glo, the manager. 

The building includes other businesses, as well as the restaurant. The common area reminds me of a small street in Paris.

I am looking forward to visiting again when Décor is open for browsing.

The Orangery features a large spiral staircase from a pre-Civil War mansion, marble from Park Junior High School, paneling from the board room of United American Bank, and gates from the former Fulton Mansion on Lyons View Pike.

The BCBGMAXAZRIA jacket is from Saks Off Fifth. I am wearing it with a silver-gray long sleeve tee with black coated jeans from Chico's. The Nine West shoes are from Saks Off 5th.

Mr. Mickey and I wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Wear It Wednesday, Get Dressed

On a recent weekend getaway, we stayed at the Crowne Plaza Hotel as we normally do when we go to Knoxville.

On Sunday morning, we dressed to go down to the hotel restaurant to have tea and enjoy the breakfast buffet, which includes many fresh fruits.

The dark rinse jeggings are from Chico's. I wore them with a black long sleeve tee from Kohl's. The vintage St. John Country jacket was given to me by my dear friend Mitzi. The calf hair d'Orsay animal print shoes are by Sam Edelman via Nordstrom.

Fabrizio Gianni Trench Coat

I've wanted a trench coat for years.

The typical tan color trench coat is certainly not the right color for me, so I tried on red, but that was limiting and memorable. A black trench turned out to be the right choice for me.

This Kelly Trench Coat was recently sent to me by Fabrizio Gianni. It is on sale right now at their site. I love that this clothing is made in the USA!

Mr. Mickey recently attended a Knoxville meeting, so we decided to make plans for a long weekend getaway.

The temperatures were mild, but the sky was overcast, and it rained for much of our time away. That doesn't stop us from exploring and enjoying the architecture.

The rainy weather gave me the perfect opportunity to wear my new trench coat.

We enjoy looking at the buildings in the old part of cities, and if any interesting shops or restaurants are open, we will often stop in for a visit.

Not very many places were open this Sunday morning, but the facades were unique, and the windows were decked out for the holidays.

One of my favorite rainy day things to do is drive through older neighborhoods to admire fabulous homes surrounded by beautiful lawns. (Now that I no longer have to maintain one of those lovely lawns, I can admire them happily from a distance.)

When we left my home earlier on Saturday morning, it was much colder, so I wore the trench coat with my suede and reptile boots. When the fall weather is mild, I enjoy wearing my cut-out and lace-up booties, but I go for the closed-toe versions with warm socks when it is freezing.

Did I tell you Mr. Mickey went shopping again? This is his newest baby. Isn't she a beauty?

This fabulous weekend tote was also sent to me by Fabrizio Gianni.

Before I started showing you my recent gifts from Fabrizio Gianni, I wasn't aware of this company. Now that I have some of their products I must tell you the quality is superb. I am a big fan of this company and have already placed an order for a jacket.

Fabrizio Gianni Ballerina Flats!

Approximately one million of you (I never exaggerate) have asked me why I don't wear flats.

I normally do not find flats to be comfortable because they do not offer enough support.

I recently wore these Chanel inspired Fabrizio Gianni flats during a quick weekend getaway, and I was happy to find that they are very comfortable. They did not pinch or rub my feet, as is often the case with flats.

They are also very stylish!

The tan and black version of the flats is offered for fall/winter.

These Fabrizio Gianni ballerina flats just may be the shoes that change my mind about wearing flats. Thank you, Fabrizio Gianni!

Red Jacket Giveaway

I found this knit jacket at Nordstrom a few months ago.

I love the way it jazzes up a pair of faded jeans.

After I wore it for a total of three hours, I found that I am allergic to the fabric. (Made from polyester, rayon, and spandex in Mexico.) It has a decorative large brown button closure.

So this means I am giving it away! My loss, your gain.

The brown long sleeve V neck tee is old from T.J.Maxx the faded jeans are from Chico's. The Vince Camuto boots are old from Nordstrom.

 

If you would like to have this size medium red lightweight knit jacket, please send me an email with your name and address to Susan@FiftynotFrumpy.com. 

On Monday, I will ask Mr. Mickey to choose a winner at random.

Congratulations to Debbie Strickland! 

She is the winner of the jacket.

Wear It Wednesday Makeup Tools

How often do you wash your makeup brushes? How long do you keep your mascara?

After I apply my makeup on Friday mornings, I wash my brushes and my Beauty Blender Sponge.

A bath in warm soapy dishwater and a thorough rinse under running water is followed by laying everything out on a clean towel to air dry.

I store brushes on my dressing table, far away from the bathroom. All sorts of bacteria live in the bathroom, so makeup and applicators do not belong there.

I throw out mascara, eyeliner, and eyeliner pencils every three months. Bacteria builds up on these products, and I don't want to chance an eye infection.

Once a year, I throw away old eyeshadow and blush. Makeup changes as it gets older and bacteria grow, so it's good to start fresh.

Never pump your mascara wand into the tube. You cause it to dry out faster.

I recently added this lucite organizer to my dressing table. I love having all the items I use most often at my fingertips.

My dressing table is this little antique desk I bought when I lived near New Orleans a few years ago. 

My parents gave me a small bench.

The best lighting I have ever gotten from a makeup mirror comes from this one by Ott.

I also use this type of mirror with 5x magnifying on one side.

The few minutes you spend putting on makeup each morning should be comfortable and pleasant. Your makeup should enhance your beauty, not cause health problems. 

This is the type of mirror I pack to take with me for travel. I sit in front of a window to put on makeup if possible.

What tips would you share for storing and keeping your products safe to use?

Fabrizio Gianni Jacket

I am featuring another great item sent to me by Fabrizio Gianni.

This lightweight stretch jean jacket has become one of my favorites. I have worn it a couple of times already.

The soft fabric conforms to your body, and the cut is very feminine, unlike many of the very boxy jean jackets I have tried.

Fabrizio Gianni creates high-quality items that are made from superior fabrics right here in the USA.

ICU Readers

ICU Eyewear recently sent me some great readers to try.

I like the lightweight frames and the larger lenses very much. They also come with a protective cover so that they don't get scratches while not in use.

Both styles are modern and comfortable to wear with a 1.25 strength.