Art in The Park

A favorite summertime trip for us is driving up into the mountains and spending the day in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. This was one of the Art in the Park event weekends.

I wore white ankle pants and a white tank top from Stein Mart. The shawl scarf is from Chico's last year. I received many compliments on it. 

These smartly dressed women from Winston-Salem stopped me in the park to ask me where I found the scarf. It was so much fun chatting with them! 

Later in the day Mr. Mickey and I stopped by the Shops on the Parkway so that I could visit the Chico's outlet. The ladies also came in while we were there. They were looking for a similar scarf so we got to visit again.

You will always find me checking out the jewelry at art events!

The event was even larger than in past years.

I just had to show you a picture of Mr. Mickey's snazzy new summer shoes. Aren't they the cat's meow?

 

Tip for warm weather event dressing: Wear light colors with a sheer blouse, scarf, or tunic for a bit of coverage and colorful style. Of course, sunglasses are a must. These are by Vera Wang from Kohl's. The bag is from Stein Mart and the shoes are by Adrienne Vittadini from T.J.Maxx last year.

Details Make The Look

Our Friday date nights are usually spent with a group of friends having dinner laughing and talking until late in the evening.

The look for this evening includes a fuchsia linen-like jacket from Stein Mart with a cotton knit tank in cream from Dillard's and tan side zip pants from Talbots. The sandals are by Kenneth Cole Reaction via T.J.Maxx. The clutch is also from T.J.Maxx last year.

This mixed metal statement necklace has served me well with many different looks. It is lightweight and versatile. I found this one at a gallery in Asheville, North Carolina but you can find similar ones in T.J.Maxx, Stein Mart, Kohl's, and other such department stores.

These bone and brass bangle bracelets relate to the natural shell buttons on the jacket. I found these at a shop in New York a few years ago.

The handbag and shoes are from T.J.Maxx. I always change to a smaller clutch bag for the evening.

Manicured hands and feet, as well as makeup in complementary colors such as the deep, rose-colored lip butter I am wearing all work together.

Many years ago one of my friends pointed out the reason I can pull off so many different looks is that I start at the hair and work it all the way to my toes. (I was in my thirties at that time.) I still think about how each piece relates to each other as well as to my size, shape, and coloring. For example, if I had worn fuchsia high heel sandals with this outfit it would have had a totally different and less polished effect. The jacket has a casual attitude that needs toned down accessories in a more neutral palette.

Have fun combining your own unique looks today. I hope you have a great weekend.

Thank you for reading!

The Grand Opening

Last evening we joined dear friends to celebrate the Grand Opening of their design and furniture gallery.

The Property Experts is a full-service interior design and remodeling company with a retail store called Home Store in downtown Johnson City, Tennessee. 

They are located at 207 N Boone St, Suite 2000.

We enjoyed heavy Hors d'oeuvres and wine as we visited with old friends and looked at all the fabulous furniture and decor. My mind was reeling with ideas! 

I was enthralled by this light sculpture, which I would name "Threads of Gold."

Afterward, Mr. Mickey and I visited our favorite restaurant's lounge area to share an artisan cheese plate and another glass of wine.

This evening's outfit includes straight-leg pants from Stein Mart last year with one of their black tank tops. The long sweater vest is from Chico's last year. The shoes are by Vince Camuto. The clutch bag is from T.J.Maxx. 

Pack Square on Sunday

Sunday morning is a great time to stroll around Pack Square in Asheville, North Carolina.

There are bronze sculptures and fountains throughout the park in the midst of 1920's 'skyscrapers' and huge gargoyles jutting out from the top of the Jackson Building.

Another view of the Jackson Building. Read more about the wonderful Asheville architecture here.

During the Great Depression, so many despondent people jumped from the top of this building, a target was installed on the sidewalk. 

 

The corporate office for Biltmore is located here in the square.

One of the bronzes along the way. This one is dedicated to childhood.

As Pack Square's public space ends, there is a huge fountain that always has many people gathered around sitting in the sun or playing with their children in the water in warm weather.

 

After our walk, we had a wonderful brunch at one of our favorite Pack Square restaurants. Posana Café also has sidewalk dining, but we ate at our usual window table inside to watch the passers-by, who often smiled at us. 

 

Today's dress is by Chaps, and the sunglasses are Vera Wang, both from Kohl's. The sandals are by Kenneth Cole Reaction via T.J.Maxx.

Thank you for reading about our weekend getaway for Mr. Mickey's birthday. We love sharing our adventures with you, and we hope you can also get away for a fun weekend soon.

Dinner on the Terrace

Saturday was warm and sunny, making it a great time to have dinner on the Sunset Terrace at the Grove Park Inn.

Later in the evening, I needed that jacket I am holding. You've seen it before here.

This was my view at dinner.

This was Mr. Mickey's view.

The Legendary Grove Park Inn Golf Club

The Grove Park Inn celebrated their one-hundredth year in 2013. If you haven't been there recently, you will be amazed at all the updates and renovations underway. They have added new restaurants and lounges, and the great hall and the Sunset Terrace have all been renovated. We are looking forward to staying there again soon to take in all the new things to see and do. Their Spa is world-class.  

"Top 20 Resort Spas in the U.S."
-Condé Nast Traveler 2013 Readers Poll

I wore a navy knit wrap dress from Stein Mart, which you have seen before here. This time I paired it with studded sandals by Kenneth Cole Reaction via T.J.Maxx and a longer silver link necklace. Since the necklace is quite bold, I am wearing simple diamond stud earrings. 

Thank you for reading. I hope you have a great day!

The Albemarle

A three day weekend away is as close as we ever get to an actual vacation.

 

During this getaway for Mr. Mickey's birthday, we stayed at the fabulous Albemarle Inn located in Asheville, North Carolina.

 

The one-hundred-year-old house and the grounds were so amazing!

The staircase was fantastic... this shows only half of it.

We had breakfast on the sun-porch each morning.

The gardens were a delight to the senses.

The Corinthian columns spoke to my Scarlett O'Hara soul.

The dress is by Dana Buchman from Khol's. The shoes are BOC last year from Stein Mart. 

Thanks for reading! 

This is the first of several posts I will share this week. There is too much to share in just one.

The Olde Farm

In celebration of Mickey's birthday, dear friends treated us to dinner at The Olde Farm last evening. 

Since we were going to be dining in the more casual venue at the Party Barn, my outfit is black pants from Chico's and a lightweight wrap style top from Coldwater Creek. The shoes and necklace are from Stein Mart and the clutch bag is from T.J. Maxx.

This is the Party Barn on the grounds of The Olde Farm. 

Thank you for reading. I hope you have a great day.

Soft Surroundings

A few weeks ago, I received this luxurious bijou blue tunic from Soft Surroundings. Today was the first day it has been warm enough to wear it. I paired it with white ankle pants and a white tank. The tunic is as soft as butter!

The white tank top and ankle pants are by Peck and Peck from Stein Mart. The shoes are by Vince Camuto. The sunglasses are Vera Wang from Kohl's.

Mr. Mickey's birthday is tomorrow, so my staff had a little party for him at lunchtime today. Isn't this an awesome cake? He has a huge collection of Mickey Mouse antique toys. We never tire of that sweet smiling face. Happy Birthday Mr. Mickey!

Thanks for reading! I hope you have a great evening.

The High Country

North Carolina's High Country is only about an hour and a half drive away from my home. Yesterday we took a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway to the town of Blowing Rock and stopped for dinner at one of our all-time favorite restaurants.

The weather was perfect, with clear blue skies and warm sunshine. It allowed me to wear one of the dresses I found this week. This navy and white wrap effect dress is by Dana Buchman via Kohl's. The Vera Wang sunglasses are also from Kohl's. The handbag is from Stein Mart. The sandals are by Kenneth Cole Reaction via T.J. Maxx.

The churches in the village of Blowing Rock have the most beautiful shade gardens!

We love to dine on the terrace at The Artisanal in Banner Elk. The amazing view of the manicured grounds, including the woods beyond, is so peaceful and serene.

This is the view from our table. 

You can almost see the creek just on the other side of those steps.

This evening we both had the wonderful Alaskan halibut with wasabi foam.

The diners at the next table were a wonderful Italian family. This is the grandmother with their adorable grandson. Note that he is also abiding by the rule that gentlemen must wear a jacket. As the family raised a toast, he also raised and clinked his sippy cup with them. He was so well behaved. Obviously, he was well accustomed to fine dining even at the ripe old age of two and a half.

This is the hostess who always greets us with a hug. 

She is so beautiful! My rosy cheeks are a result of too many glasses of Chardonnay. The Italians kindly sent me another glass when I had already had enough, but I graciously drank it as well.

Note the sculpture of the horse behind us. The artist created it with twigs and branches of trees. The theme throughout the building and grounds is one of a barn on a farm. There are two other life-size horse sculptures on the grounds as you enter. A spot set aside for helicopters to land for special arrivals by diners who normally reserve the wine seller for dining in complete privacy is also a spot set aside for helicopters.

The restaurant was built by the Diamond Creek Golf Club owner, a private gated community nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains on over a thousand acres. 

As we leave the restaurant and approach the main road, we see the Sugar Top Resort. It is perched at 5,000 feet above sea level on Sugar Mountain. This structure brought about the Mountain Ridge Protection Act of 1983, which prevents a building, structure, or unit from protruding more than 35 feet from the crest of a ridge.

I also asked Mr. Mickey to take me to the top of Beech Mountain to show me the chalet he built there in the early eighties.

Thankfully I remembered to bring a light cable knit navy cotton sweater with three-quarter sleeves. The temperature at my home today was 88, and the temperature on Beech Mountain was 59 when this picture was snapped.

Daylight has still not faded even at 9 PM on the top of Beech Mountain.

 

I slipped on these nude heels by Impo and my navy cable knit sweater to have dinner.