Wear It Wednesday - Hair and Makeup

Many of you have asked for more suggestions for hairstyles and makeup tips, so I will share a few of my personal successes and failures in general. 

(Sometimes, a bad example is a great teacher!)

Let's review: Hair too short, and the bangs need to start further back. There is too much going on around my face. Smaller earrings and one less collar sticking up and no scarf would have been better, but the jacket is also too bulky and boxy. That dark smudge of eye shadow underneath makes me look harsh.

At 54, I felt as if I was dressing up as an older woman instead of embracing who I am and letting my personality show by wearing what I am comfortable in.

Wispy bangs that are too short and brows that were not filled make me look older than my 55 years. I should have left off the earrings.

There isn't anything from that look that is working. This navy jacket worn with jeans and the sleeves pushed up might work but not in this dowdy get-up.

My hair is way too short above. I am wearing too many knit items. At this age (56 here), I need more structured clothing and softer makeup, and longer, less neat hair.

I am more true to myself with long full bangs and softer, more blended makeup. The black trench coat from Express and simple black heels work with everything, including these Chico's boyfriend jeans.

I'm four years older than the first picture, but I am now a lot more confident and comfortable in my skin.

Now for the makeup tips.

• I never put brown on my face... contour powders or bronzers just make my skin look dirty. A bit of rose blush high on the cheekbone is enough.
• A dark lip color on me is too harsh. A color close to my own lip color to give a bit of color and rich moisture is much better. 
• No lines, shadows, or even mascara on the lower lash line. I wear liquid eyeliner, but I put it under and into the upper lash line only, then follow with a smudge of a dark shadow on the top of the lash line and progressively get lighter as my shadow reaches the brows. Blending is the most important part!
• Another eye shadow trick: My eyes are fairly close together, and as we age, the area at the inner corners becomes darker, so I wear a lighter color on the inner third of my eyelid, a little darker color on the center third, and the darkest color of all at the outer third of my eyelid.
• I don't wear a foundation, but I sometimes wear a tinted moisturizer with a high SPF sun protection.
• Remove all makeup and sleep with clean skin. I put on moisturizers only when I wake up in the morning. Otherwise, I will have breakouts.

I get a facial about once a month. I drink lots of water and eat mostly fresh organic fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, seeds, beans, and an occasional glass of wine. I try to get seven (more like five) hours of sleep every night. Those are my skincare tips.

The Progressive Dinner

One of our favorite holiday traditions is attending the Progressive Dinner in Tennessee's oldest town, Jonesborough. This event is sponsored by the Heritage Alliance of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.

This year we visited five different historic locations while having one course in each location.

Each of the buildings has been lovingly restored and decorated beautifully for the holidays.

Musicians performed at each location.

At least one beautifully decorated tree was always part of the decor.

The main course was served at the McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School.

Mr. Mickey and I always request a vegetarian entree.

The students are so talented!

We shared our table with a lovely family from Knoxville. Both parents are physicians, and the daughters were so delightful.

Some of the homes we visited were built in the late 1800s.

We adore the Jonesborough Novelty Band!

For an exceptional treat this year, we heard Jonesborough Mayor Kelly Wolfe perform "I'll Have A Blue Christmas." Elvis would have been proud of him!

More holiday events to follow!

This evening I wore a black jacket by French Connection from Saks Off 5th. The leggings are by Fabrizio Gianni. The boots are by Nine West via Saks Off 5th. I also wore a long-sleeve red tee from Kohl's with a red scarf from Target.

In The Wine Cave

We had a wonderful time with our Wine Club friends at a tasting held in the Wine Cave at the Carnegie Hotel in Johnson City last evening.

It was great to visit with my friend Vicki again.

Mr. Mickey is also known as Santa at this time of year.

The BCBGMAXAZRIA jacket is old. The old straight-leg pants and the black sheer sleeve top I wore as a first layer are both from Chico's.

Our temperatures were mild with no rain this evening, so I am still rocking my lace-up booties.

The shoes are by DV by Dolce Vita from Nordstrom. The nail color is Thrill of Brazil from OPI. (In honor of my friend Spencer, who is returning home for a Christmas visit from his ongoing project in Brazil.)

The silver and onyx John Hardy hoop earrings were a gift from Mr. Mickey. The silver and quartz ring was purchased during one of my travels (designer unknown). The very old beaded edge chiffon scarf is my touch of holiday cheer. The favorite Kenneth Cole Reaction clutch is old from T.J.Maxx.

Wear It Wednesday - What Was I Thinking?

In my late forties, I suddenly became fashion-challenged as I struggled to dress appropriately for midlife.

Honestly! Why did I even buy that top or skirt... much less put them together. I was close to my heaviest here, so wild prints and a gathered gauze skirt were the last things I should have been wearing.

This is my Queen Mum look. All that's missing is a pillbox hat.

This is another type of "What was I thinking?" That five-bedroom house and all that landscaping were way too much for me to maintain. I am so delighted I sold it earlier this year!

When Mr. Mickey and I first started dating, I was forty-nine and wanted to dress appropriately for my age and circumstance, but I had no idea what that meant. I was wearing a chartreuse green wool jacket from Talbots with a brown mock neck sweater AND a ribbed white sweater vest. What was I thinking? Green is a horrible color on me! My hair color didn't complement my skin tone either.

This was a sad attempt at casual attire gone woefully wrong. I put so many hours into my company during those years, I didn't take time to think about how I dressed anymore.

At last! I found my fashionable voice and now feel comfortable in my skin and my clothes. I learned a lot in the last decade. 

I'm happy to share my experiences (even the mistakes) in hopes that it helps you.

Covered Perfectly Faux Fur Vest

On a recent, very windy Sunday, Mr. Mickey and I took a walk down to the lake.

Covered Perfectly sent this beautiful faux fur hooded vest and coral tunic for me to showcase here on the blog.

I paired the pieces with black jeggings and animal print trimmed shoes. The combination of faux fur with just a touch of animal print gives any look instant glam.

This is the back view from Mr. Mickey's home.

I wore the vest belted with a wide woven black belt, but it looks great unbelted.

Fifty, not Frumpy readers receive a 20% discount using FNF20 at  Covered Perfectly!