Khaki and Black

Khaki pants can be the perfect casual element.

When we go out to dinner with friends to a very casual restaurant, I find that a nice pair of khaki pants will usually serve me well. Denim sometimes seems too casual, and black always feels dressed up even when the pants are jeans.

Last night I wore a great pair of sleek pull-on khaki pants from Fabrizio Gianni. The wide waistband and no zipper mean the waistline is smooth and flat. 

The black V-Neck top is by Tahari from T.J.Maxx. The necklace is several years old from Chico's. The jacket is by Peter Nygård from Dillard's.

The shoes are old by Louise Et Cie from Nordstrom. The bag is from Finley House Couture in Blowing Rock, NC.

When I invest in pieces that fit well and are of good quality, I can enjoy wearing them in various ways over the years. Solid colors make it easy to mix and match.

Chico's Event

Our local Chico's store recently had a full week of special events. I was asked to model in the store on Saturday.

I loved meeting and helping some of the clients who came in to get tips. We talked about how to use the correct texture and style of accessories to complement your personal features.

For example, while the scarf above is lovely, the bold, sleek silver necklace is a much better choice for my cool coloring and rounded features.

By the end of the day, we were all exhausted!

I was so happy to see my sweet friend Rose Sorrell!

Black and White with Reptile

Last night Mr. Mickey and I had sushi at Ming's Aian Cuisine here in Johnson City.

Do you like sushi? They have excellent fresh and beautifully presented rolls. This is a photo from their Facebook page. We had about half this much!

I was busy all day with meetings, another fundraiser, and other projects, so I wore black ankle pants and a mesh hem black tank with an antique white boyfriend blazer and jewelry, all from Chico's. The shoes are from Nordstrom.

The quilted chain bag is from Express. The sunglasses are Kenneth Cole from T.J.Maxx.

I will be modeling for Chico's in the Johnson City store on Saturday again. Please stop by if you can! I don't work for them, but I love their clothes and accessories, so I am often asked to model for the local stores.

The Women's Fund Luncheon

The Women's Fund of East Tennessee recently held our 4th annual luncheon at the Cherokee Country Club in Knoxville, TN.

The Women's Fund's mission is to be a catalyst to transform the lives of low-income women and girls in the East Tennessee Foundation's 25-county service area.

Through the grantmaking process, the Women's Fund seeks to fund exemplary programs that address skill attainment in two focus areas: 

Life Skills and Education, and Work-Related Skills

Congratulations to the grant recipients for 2015.

The Women's Fund award was created by world-renowned glass artist Tommie Rush.

Michelle Witten and guest speaker, Jason Witten, Brenda Wood, and Coach Phillip Fulmer.

Some of my beautiful friends are Mary Powell, Ann Reel, Kay Clayton, and Carol Transou.

Sweet gentleman friends, Doug Sizemore and Rab Summers.

This year I wore cobalt blue with black with silver jewelry, all from Chico's.

A Bit of Sunshine!

Many of you have asked for tips on what to wear in warm weather.

Here in east Tennessee, we rarely have the hot, humid weather I experienced while I lived near New Orleans.

This loose, thin, almost sheer blouse is a Portofino blouse from Express. I have them in many colors and wear them throughout the summer with faded jeans, white jeans, and khaki pants. I buy them in a larger size than I normally wear to be roomy enough in the bust. On this day, I was on my way to the grocery store.

The ankle-length slim leg jeans are from Chico's.

The wedge sandals are by Antonio Melani via the sale rack at Dillard's last fall. The bag is by Alberta di Canio, and I bought it at T.J.Maxx last year. The Kenneth Cole sunglasses are also from T.J.Maxx.

Yee Haw!

Fiddlin' on the Greens, a benefit for the Johnson City Symphony, was held at our Country Club last evening.

Earlier in the month, I told you about shopping for cowgirl boots. This is the event I was planning to wear them to; however, none were found, so I made do with short boots that were already in my closet.

We had a fun evening, which included live entertainment by The Wolfe Family Jammers, Oleg Tmofeev, Barry Jove, Elizabeth Painter, and the ETSU Bluegrass Band. Other activities included hayrides, an old-fashioned cakewalk, a live auction, and professional photography by Elissa Wood.

Getting set up for the cakewalk. Members of the Symphony Guild made all these beautiful cakes. I am standing next to my coconut cream cake below.

It was quite a task to make our elegant Country Club look like a barn, but the decorating committee did a wonderful job.

The Wolfe family gets ready for their photoshoot by Elissa Wood.

We are so grateful to Ashley and Steve Grindstaff, who presented this event and do so much regularly to give back to our community.

The crowd enjoyed the barbecue and all the other great food and the excellent live music performed during the evening.

Mr. Mickey is at the head of the table to start the cakewalk.

My beautiful friend Mary Powell invited me to join the Symphony Guild and several other groups when I moved into the neighborhood.

Oleg, the Fiddler, played while participants walked around the table until he stopped playing. We placed our hands on numbers all around the table as we walked.  When Oleg stopped playing, the caller would pull a number from the basket. If your hand was on the number, she called you got to choose the cake you wanted. Then you stepped aside to watch the others compete for the remaining cakes. Mr. Mickey and I did not win a cake, but it was great fun being part of the walk.

Josh Smith is the anchor of WJHL-TV News. He is one of the most genuinely kind and pleasant men you would ever want to meet. We always enjoy seeing him out and about.

I am wearing a blouse from Chico's, jeans from the Loft, and a cowgirl style hat from Target.

I had a sense of deja vu as I looked at these photos, and then I remembered a photoshoot I did more than thirty-five years ago.

Look at that 1970's hair!

New Styles!

I promised you I would show you the new styles of Covered Perfectly soon. I am honored that Pauline Durban, the company owner, asked me to be a model for this new product line.

The new Piping Top was a big hit with everyone!

All these items are made in the USA from fabric woven and dyed here in the USA.

The Wrap Over style looks great, and it is super comfortable!