Dressing For You

I have purchased many courses and programs to learn the best shapes and colors to complement my own coloring, flatter my body shape, and reflect my personality type.

Understanding your beauty and working with your natural tendency can make your shopping trips so much easier, and get dressed each day a pleasure instead of a frustrating chore.

I've learned which types of jewelry, tops, necklines, and even the finishes of jewelry and shapes of handbags fit my personal style.

Simple Beauty Minerals

Have you tried Simple Beauty Minerals?

I received samples of some of their products, and I have been using them for a couple of weeks.

The skin balancing lotion leaves no residue on your skin at all, and my skin feels soft and luxurious after I apply the lotion. I appreciate that there is no fragrance.

The mascara has a fresh, clean minty fragrance, and it goes on easily without clumping. It also comes off easily at the end of the day with no flaking in between. I have thrown away mascaras in the past simply because they smelled bad new from the packaging. 

I am also wearing a sample of their Simple Beauty Minerals for the face. They are incredibly pure, high-quality minerals, handcrafted in small batches, here in the United States.

There was no makeup trapped in the laugh lines at the end of the day. That's one of the reasons I don't normally wear face makeup. I do not like the texture that it adds to my skin. Sometimes it makes every fine line show up even more. As you can see from the photos, the minerals are light and fresh looking on your skin with no powdery look.

The Covered Perfectly Photo Shoot

Pauline Durban, the Covered Perfectly owner, invited me to come out to Los Angeles to model in the photoshoot for her new spring line. I have long admired her clothing, which is perfect for so many of the looks I show on the blog, so I jumped at the chance to be part of this project.

After getting to know Pauline this week, I must say she is a master of designing smart looking clothes and putting together a great team of people to get things done most effectively.

After picking me up from LAX Airport, we visited her production facility to pick up new products for the shoot. Then we were off to her office to set up the sequence of loading all the products and supplies she would need at the studio the next day.

The Covered Perfectly line of clothing is made in the USA, and the fabrics are woven and dyed right here also!

On the day of the photoshoot, we were up before dawn. Everyone met at the Flashaus Studio for a full day of shooting.

The first order of business was to get me ready for the camera and bright lights since I was the first model to arrive. Lex Majia was the makeup artist who made the magic happen.

This is one of the many looks I modeled. I love the flexibility since it can take you from work straight to dinner. Both the vest and top are from Covered Perfectly.

Have you ever spent nine hours changing clothes every five minutes, in high heels, standing just so, holding in your tummy and your chin up while smiling your prettiest smile?

Modeling for the Covered Perfectly spring photo shoot was such a wonderful experience. From the spacious and well-appointed studio to the very talented makeup artist and wonderful photographer, everyone was so professional and genuinely supportive and kind.

With Nichole Alex, the beautiful and very talented photographer who helped us all look our best while showing the clothes to their best advantage.

Shawna and Tammie were two of the gorgeous models I worked with.

Michelle Renee was also one of the beautiful ladies I had the pleasure of working with. She is pictured here with Pauline and me.

At the end of a long and very productive day, there were lots of hugs and more than a bit of sadness as I said goodbye to this exceptional group of women.

Rockport!

I traveled to Los Angeles last week for a photoshoot.

Mr. Mickey took me to the Tri-Cities Regional Airport before dawn to catch my early flight.

Rockport sent me these beautiful and very comfortable flats just in time for my trip.

I was amazed to see so many great styles on their website. They have added so much variety in the past few years.

These smart looking flats are both stylish and supportive. I walked several miles in the Atlanta airport wearing them for the first time and found them very comfortable.

We have often discussed how difficult it is to find flats that are both supportive and flattering to the foot on the Facebook page. I am thrilled to have found these. I know I will wear them often.

This beautiful style is also available in nude for the summer season here.

REJUVA Legwear

It was a great week for me!

Here I am at the Tri-Cities Regional Airport in the wee hours of the morning. I am on my way to Los Angeles! More about that later. 

I am wearing Rejuva compression knee highs with flats for this trip. I sat on planes for many hours and then walked for long distances in the airports during this trip.

I have experienced a lot of discomfort and swollen feet and ankles after such trips in the past. At the end of this day, I had no such swelling, thanks to these knee highs. They are both fashionable and very comfortable.

If you dislike wearing the usual style of compression legwear, I encourage you to visit the Rejuva website to learn more about Kelsey, the young woman who started this company. She wanted more stylish choices in the compression stockings she must wear after a blood clot in her leg at only 21!

The Junior League Fashion Show

The Junior League of Johnson City collaborated with Belk to raise money for their charitable endeavor to support children's services and encourage literacy. During the past two years, they have raised more than $35,000 to better the community.

Amy Lynn, whom you met when I modeled for Chico's on her TV show a few months ago, was the MC for the evening.

I modeled a Jones of New York jacket over white jeggings with Michael Kors shoes and a Michael Kors bag.

Mr. Mickey was the biggest hit of the evening! He modeled a look from Tommy Bahama.

Walking in the finale. 

Posing with some of the models after the show for the many photographers. That's Miss Johnson City to my right and Miss Historic Jonesborough to my left. All of the ladies were such a pleasure to work with.

A big thank you goes out to Mr. Mickey's daughter Regina, our photographer, for the evening.

The Versatile Jean Jacket

Until Chadwicks of Boston sent me this great fitting jean jacket, I had never owned one in blue denim.

The style is offered in several colors, including this one in Indigo Denim.

I thought it would be fun to show you some of the ways I plan to enjoy wearing this versatile jacket.

First, I paired it with a long black mesh hem tank and khaki pants.

This is the same look with flats for those of you who like to wear them.

Then I tried it with a white long sleeve tee and colorful ankle pants.

I rarely wear a bold print. I keep all my other accessories, such as the smooth cuff, clean and sleek with no other patterns or texture when I do.

The jacket would also work for an out to dinner look when dining in the courtyard at our favorite restaurant. Here I paired the jacket with a V-neck black tank dress and heels.

Next, I paired the jacket with all white and pops of turquoise.

When I layer a short jacket over a longer shirt, I only use one that is very soft and flowing to add the least amount of bulk.

Date Night

We had a lovely dinner date night with our best friends on Friday evening.

I wore those excellent SlimSation pants I told you about earlier this week. My friend and I were discussing them at dinner. She purchased every color they had at the ladies' shop down the street from the restaurant, and she also said she loved the way they fit, wear, and wash.

The silver-gray long sleeve tee is old from Chico's. The studded knit and the faux leather trim jacket from Dillard's last year. The shoes are old by Steve Madden. The quilted gray chain bag is from Express.

We had a great discussion about the price of clothing on Facebook this week. I quoted Helen Mirren, who said: "You can spend a dollar on a jacket in a thrift store. And you can spend a thousand dollars on a jacket in a shop. And if you saw those two jackets walking down the street, you probably wouldn't know which was which."

I hope that the outfit ideas I share inspire you in many ways, even if we don't shop in the same stores. You should be able to find something similar in thrift shops, consignment shops, and even tag sales. Don't get too hung up on brands. I make an effort to look my best every day regardless of my budget. My whole wardrobe costs less than just the jacket some of the stylish women I admire might be wearing.