Saturday In Abingdon

Located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Highlands, Abingdon, Virginia is home to historical attractions, many musical events, fine lodging, and dining. Here you will find the Barter Theater, the Martha Washington Hotel and Spa, the Heartwood Artisan Gallery and so much more.

For our day in Abingdon, I wore gray side zip pants from Talbots, a twill fuchsia jacket, a white tank top, and a chiffon animal print scarf all from Stein Mart. The bag is by Tignanello.
 

The Heartwood Gallery showcases the work of the finest regional artisans including furniture makers, potters, jewelry designers, fiber artists, and many more.

When we have plans for dinner in a neighboring town I usually dress for the daytime activities but take with me other shoes, jewelry, a jacket or wrap, and an evening clutch to switch to for dinner.

 For daytime, I wore low wedge comfortable black Alex Marie shoes from Dillard's last year. I had my hair cut again on Friday but I haven't had time to "customize" it yet. Do you do your own texturizing around your face? I invested in a pair of texturizing shears years ago. They are more forgiving if you just can resist trimming the front of your own hair when you are past due for a cut. 

Barter Theatre was founded during the Depression by an enterprising young actor named Robert Porterfield. He and his fellow actors found themselves out of work and hungry in New York City. Porterfield contrasted that to the abundance of food, but lack of live theater, around his home region in Southwest Virginia. He returned to Washington County with an extraordinary proposition: bartering produce from the farms and gardens of the area to gain admission to see a play. These days they are happy to accept cash or credit cards instead of a pound of potatoes for entrance.

The Martha Washington Hotel and Spa across the street is one of our favorite retreats and places to enjoy fine dining. 

There is a grand piano in the main floor ballroom of The Martha Washington Hotel. I read music but I can not play by ear or memory.  I am in awe of those who can.

I've switched to a different fuchsia double-breasted jacket, Ros Hommerson shoes, blingy jewelry, and a small leather clutch for dinner. This jacket is also from Stein Mart. 

Relaxing in front of the fire in the library at the Martha.

More bling and a small leather clutch for the evening.

The Spa is world-class... so is their fine dining restaurant "Sisters at The Martha". 

 

 The first course... lobster fritters and a lovely Sauvignon blanc.

Wednesday Date Night

Today's temperatures were so mild that only a light jacket was required, and the sky was the most fabulous blue all day. Date night was equally perfect!

The snow is gone now, and there was no rain, so I could wear my favorite booties from Nordstrom. They are by Vince Camuto, and they have sky-high heels with a gold-trimmed platform. High heels are still my guilty little pleasure! I feel so feminine and special when I wear them.

Tip: I never wear light-colored pants in wet weather since it causes dark little water drop stains on the backs of your pants as you walk.

The necklace is one of my own designs. The ring is old from Stein Mart. The bag is from T. J. Maxx from a few years ago. I always buy unique evening clutches when I find them. For less than twenty dollars, you can really upgrade your look for the evening. 

I was sold by the belt detail construction on the back of this jacket. It visually cinches in the back for a more feminine silhouette. This jacket was purchased a few days ago at Coldwater Creek from their fabulous end of season sale. The pants are my favorite side-zip style from Talbots, also from the end of season sale. I'm wearing a sleek long-sleeve slim-fitting black tee under the jacket. Foundation tees or tanks made from thin silky material are great to wear with jackets when only the neckline shows. I wouldn't wear them by themselves since they hug everything a bit too much, but they are perfect as a foundation.

Since my top half is a full two sizes larger than my bottom half, I often wear a dark color on the top and lighter color on the bottom. This helps to visually balance my body.  
 

Dinner was the perfect ending to the day. That's goat cheese and arugula salad with Pinot Grigio I'm enjoying. We talked nonstop for two hours while enjoying our meal at our favorite restaurant in town, Gourmet and Company. When you are in Johnson City, be sure to stop there for dinner. The first entrée on their menu is vegetarian and named after Mickey!

Snowed in ... again!

Another snowy weekend means I am mostly staying inside and waiting for the storm to pass.

I had plans to wear something much more exciting today. However, a pending snow storm changed those plans. I've heard the way to make God laugh is to tell him your plans.

I am in my old reliable layers and easy to walk in Clarks shoes with my wet weather faux fur hat. Mickey was taking me out for a quick lunch before the roads got too dangerous to travel. 

Snow fell for the whole afternoon. I woke up to several inches of snow today. It's so beautiful, but absolutely no fun to drive in.

This is my back yard view from the side street after our last snowstorm a few weeks ago. 

What do you do when you are snowed in?

On this evening, Mickey and I sat in front of the fire with snacks and Scotch and waters, listening to piano music playing in the background. (Those are my favorite linen napkins with antique French postcard scenes on them.) I don't own a TV, so we read, talk, share our dreams, laugh at our silly jokes and make plans for when the warm weather returns.

Column Dressing

Column dressing is using color to create a long slender illusion.

  

I often use this dressing technique to appear taller and slimmer. Choose a top and pants in the same color and a topper in another color. A topper can be a sweater, a jacket, vest, or a blouse left mostly open or even a large scarf draped across your shoulders. 

 

Add accessories that tie into the color of your topper to look really polished and put together. Looking at the pieces already in your closet in a different way can often give you new combinations.

Thank you for reading and for all your kind comments. I hope you have a great day.

A Stroll Through Old Town

The oldest town in the state of Tennessee is Jonesborough. It is about seven miles from my home. Today Mickey and I went for a walk in the town square. It was an overcast day, but a few of the pictures we took turned out. 

Jonesborough was founded in 1779, 17 years before Tennessee even became a state. Can you guess what those steps are for? They represent the steps that were once used to allow passengers to board the stagecoach as it stopped on its way through town. 

 

That's the courthouse behind me. Mickey's office was once located there.

The town has many shops and restored homes. There is a town museum which includes a log cabin and a one-room school-house. Jonesborough is the home to the International Storytelling Center, which holds the annual National Storytelling Festival on the first full weekend in October. 

 

Today I wore a burgundy long sleeve tee with a waterfall cardigan from Ross in the same burgundy tone. The gray side zip pants are from Talbots. The short boots are Nichols from Belk. The bag is old by Nine West via T.J. Maxx. The statement necklace was a gift from Mickey a few years ago.

After a stroll about town in the cool air, it was time for the short drive back to Johnson City for dinner at our favorite Carrabba's Italian Grill. We are such regulars that members of the wait staff often come to our table to visit with us even when they are not our servers for the evening. 

We hope you have a great week!

Window Shopping

After a week of snow and ice, the sun finally showed up today! Early in the morning my neighborhood was encased in ice but the sun soon melted it all.

  

When the weather finally allowed safe passage, I was eager to leave my home for the first time in a few days.

Mickey took me out to lunch and we ran a few errands. It was so good to see sunshine!

I'm wearing straight leg heritage fit jeans and a white tunic blouse from Talbots with Ralph Lauren booties via T.J. Maxx. The red bag is Tahari via T.J. Maxx. The tunic length sweater is from Ross. The animal print chiffon scarf is old. Layering for warmth can be tricky because it adds so much bulk to our silhouettes. To balance this effect I wore the slimmest jeans I have with boots that have a higher heel.

There will be no outdoor dining today!

  

Isn't it wonderful to have a best friend? That's my sweet Mickey with me in this photo.

We both have a weakness for chocolate desserts. A couple of times a month we share one after a light lunch of salad. This way we don't have to give up life's small pleasures.

 

A Sunny Sunday

Mickey and I often take a drive over the mountains to Asheville, North Carolina. It's only about an hour from my house but there's much to see and do there.

 

We walked around that corner behind me and into the artist-owned Mystic Masala Gallery where I found a great necklace.

 

Many of the buildings in Asheville have an Art Deco design. This is the Flatiron Building and in front of it is this sculpture of an iron...

 

  

I'm wearing the new necklace here. The pants are Peck & Peck from Stein Mart. The denim blazer is old from Dillard's. The red long sleeve tee is from Talbots. The red bag is by Tahari and the booties are by Madden Girl.

  

On almost every corner there is a street performer.

This lady sounded so much like Tracy Chapman. 

They were all really good!

The Early Girl Eatery on Wall Street was made famous when Rachel Ray did a segment of one of her shows here. We also had a great meal there today!

Your table is ready! (Mickey's piano keys scarf was the hit of the day. He got lots of compliments!)

We can never be this close to The Chocolate Fetish without stopping in for dessert.

 

 Awesome truffles to share!

New Hair Cut!

I was inspired by my sister's recent new hairstyle, so I visited her stylist this week. After a couple of years of having the same look, it's fun to change the lines a little. 

I have fine thinning, naturally wavy hair, which I stopped coloring after I turned fifty.

The stylist called this a modified wedge.

This is a wash and go look that was styled wet and gently lifted at the roots with my fingers as it dried naturally while I applied my makeup. If I move it too much as it dries, the result is frizz. I never have a lot of time to spend on such things, so my cut needs to be one that works with my hair's natural tendencies. 

I like this cut because it provides a bit of sculpting at the nape of the neck since I never want to add bulk there. The crown is lifted, and the bangs are messy but not puffy. Bangs can either flatter your face or make you look stuck in the 1980s. This cut also flatters my round face and draws the eye upward.   

Thank you for reading my blog and for all your kind comments. I hope you have blue skies this week.

Warm Weather in January!

It was seventy-five degrees here in the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina yesterday!

Mickey and I took a drive over the beautiful mountains to Asheville, North Carolina, yesterday. It was much more like a Spring day.

He sat patiently waiting for me while I shopped for hours. Our afternoon included a late lunch 'restaurant hop' through Asheville.  We had an appetizer at Carmel's and then took a stroll down the street to have lunch outdoors at The Laughing Seed on Wall Street. After another stroll, we had divine chocolate truffles at The Chocolate Fetish. 

I had to go looking through my closet for something cool to wear that didn't look too summery. These great fitting side zip pants are from Talbots. (I bought five pairs of this style of pants on the same day!) The off white tank is from Ruby Rd. at Dillard's. The cardigan is old from Target. The large square silk(like) scarf is from Ross. The sunglasses, short boots, and bag are a few years old.

Thanks for reading! I hope you have a beautiful Sunday!

Animal Print Jacket

Life is finally getting back to normal after the holidays, immediately followed by all the issues associated with launching a new website for my company. I was so ready for this Friday date night!

This was such a busy day I didn't have time to do much more than touch up my makeup, change shoes and slip into this jacket. During the day, I wore black low wedge shoes and a purple three-quarter sleeve thin knit sweater.
 
The animal print jacket is made from a wonderful lightweight metallic material. I wore it with a white silky tee and a tribal-inspired necklace by Erica Lyons from Belk. The gray slacks are from Talbots. The evening bag is by Kenneth Cole Reaction. The shoes are BCBG. The large face watch is from Stein Mart. 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for reading!