Dinner and Fireworks!

Our dear friends live on a hill in a grand house. We often spend the evening of the 4th of July with them.

Each time I visit my friend D., I get a least one great idea. This evening it was that large cut glass flower vase behind my head on the mantle. Instead of flowers, she added a candle inside!

When I came home I immediately got out the biggest vase I have and added a Glade candle in cashmere wood scent.

 

This is my beautiful and extremely talented friend D. with me on one of the terraces overlooking her north gardens. It is very difficult to make grand double-height rooms feel warm and welcoming but D. accomplishes this task so very well. Each room in her home is an absolute delight to the senses.

This was a really delicious banana pudding made by one of the other guests. It is a fourth of July tradition here in the south!

I am wearing a beautiful navy blazer from Dalitika over a white tank top from Coldwater Creek. The multistrand blue-green necklace is from Stein Mart. The red pants are Nine West jeggings and the shoes are by Adrienne Vittadini both from T.J.Maxx.

This beautiful lightweight navy blazer with a sheen to the fabric was a gift from Dalitika. I got lots of compliments on it!  This jacket will be one of my favorites for years to come.

Happy Independence Day!

On this Independence Day, Mickey and I were asked to ride in a parade in the neighboring town of Elizabethton, TN.

 

We were told that we would be driving for one of Duck Dynasty stars, but it was "Elvis" who rode with us through town because the fellow portraying a member of the show "Duck Dynasty" said a pickup truck would be more his style.

This is truly one of the nicest young men and best fathers I have ever met. His son is in the picture below. What a great family! It was an honor to meet them and spend part of the day with them.

Our new friends walked behind the pickup truck, gave out candy to all the children, and posed for pictures with the Duck Dynasty fans.

Mr. Mickey said, you need to see my Mickey Mouse watch. He has one of the largest collections of antique Mickey Mouse toys in the world. Did you know he was named after Mickey Mouse?

We needed to dress in red, white, and blue for the parade, so this is my patriotic look for today.

I am wearing a Tencel chambray tunic from last year over a white tank top from Coldwater Creek. The red pants are Nine West jeggings, and the shoes are by Adrienne Vittadini, both from T.J.Maxx. The hook belt is by Chico's.

Shopping Tips

If you have cool summer coloring, this is a great time to shop the sales.

Sweet Mr. Mickey took me down to Sevierville to shop in the huge Tangier Outlet Mall on Saturday. 

This is the palette of colors that look best with my own coloring. These colors are most often sold in the summer months, so that is when I do the bulk of my shopping for clothes. I dress in lightweight layers for most of the year, so this formula works for me.

Do you study your own coloring to guide you in finding what looks best on you? There are now several different programs that help you to identify your best colors, such as the original Color Me Beautiful system. Do a Google search for color analysis, and you will get several results. Knowing exactly what colors look best on you makes shopping and getting dressed so much easier.

Earlier last week, I found this Coach bag at the outlet in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. It was priced at $428, but after the sale and another discount they offered that day, I got it for $119.99! I like this bag because it is a smaller size and a neutral color. I also like it because the logo is so small. I do not care for items emblazoned with logos. 

The sandals are by Bjorndal from Rack Room Shoes. I found these on the same shopping trip.

   

 

The dress is by Dana Buchman from Khol's.

As the temperatures have started to climb into the 90's I am embracing low sandals with lightweight sleeveless dresses. I did take a navy blue shrug sweater and higher heeled neutral sandals to wear to dinner on Saturday, but it was never cool enough to require the shrug.

Fleetwood Mac!

On Monday evening, Mr. Mickey and I went with our closest friends to the Fleetwood Mac concert at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina.

We arrived a few hours early so that Mitzi and I could go shopping and have dinner before the concert. Since the arena is located in the financial district, the shopping choices were dismal, so we opted for a long walk and sightseeing instead. 

Charlotte has undergone a tremendous revitalization since my last visit. It is a beautiful, clean and safer city.

There were sculptures, waterfalls, fountains, art installations, green spaces, parks, and flowers in all the numerous plazas and on every street in the area we walked in. 

A storm was starting to blow in as we walked to dinner later in the evening before the concert.

The flowers in this plaza were amazing!

Did I mention it was windy?

This was one of our favorite bronzes.

Safe in our seats at last!

It was Mick Fleetwood's birthday!

Stevie Nicks at 65 still looks wonderful. Her haunting voice is so unique. Lindsey Buckingham sang, played an amazing solo or two, danced, and never left the stage for the whole concert, which lasted for almost three hours. He has incredible energy! John McVie was his usual subdued, extremely talented self.

The sets and additional screens that dropped down at times were fabulous. It was so amazing to watch Lindsey Buckingham's fingers playing that guitar.

The next day there was time for another quick walk around the area before breakfast.

Banner Elk

We often drive up to Banner Elk to have dinner at our favorite restaurant, Artisanal.

Banner Elk is a lovely village on the way to the high country of North Carolina.

This crazy stone wall winds all up and down the hills leading to Eagles Nest. Driving through the countryside you will see many gated communities that feature luxury log homes and fabulous mountain retreats. 

This is the gatehouse of Eagles Nest and one of the smaller log homes in the background. As you approach the top of the mountain the homes become more and more fabulous, such as this one. 

One of my favorite college campuses can be found here in Banner Elk. Lees-McRae is located near the heart of the village. 

Stone buildings and beautiful gardens can be found throughout the campus. 

I am sure many black bears have wandered across this campus over the years.

I am sitting with a bronze of the founder of the college.

This is the front porch of the historic rock house.

The main street of the village is lined with flowers and punctuated with this bronze statue of a baying elk.

Mickey's entree was so pretty!

My after dinner Grand Marnier was quite lovely also.

I am wearing a blue Traveler tank and pants from Chico's. The deep fuchsia jacket is from Stein Mart.

The Nina evening shoes are several years old but I had not yet worn them. They have tiny light topaz color rhinestones on them.