Dinner on Saturday

Last weekend we visited the more than 100-year-old Omni Grove Park Inn located in Asheville, North Carolina.

These photos were taken in the Palm Court atrium floor located above the Great Hall of the Inn. It was a very dark and rainy day, so finding enough light to take good photos was challenging.

We like to dress for dinner. Life is theater, and I always want to be dressed for my part!

Even though it appears from these photos that I am dressed in a sea of black, there is a lot of textural interest that isn't showing up.

I always add different textures when wearing a monotone look. Monotone means wearing one color from head to toe. It is a way of looking longer and leaner, but you will want to add interest to these looks. 

I am wearing a sequined black sweater with a low double-breasted blazer, both old from Saks Off 5th with sleek ankle length dressy slacks that are old from Chico's. 

The jacket and the shoes are by French Connection.

From this close up shot, you can see that there are several different textures and details in this combination. The bag was purchased earlier in the day at Cloth, the boutique on the Inn property.

This last photo was taken by one of the fireplaces in the Great Hall. These fireplaces are so large that a man can stand up in them. Notice the large logs in the cart behind me. It takes two men to load them onto the andirons, which were hand-forged in Asheville and weigh more than 500 pounds each.

The Grove Park Inn Getaway

We love to stay at a resort where you can valet the car and just stay on the property for two or three days. Last weekend we visited the more than 100-year-old Omni Grove Park Inn located in Asheville, North Carolina.

You can easily spend the whole day being spoiled in their fifty million dollar SPA.

There are several excellent restaurants as well as shops, and many historical exhibits throughout the property.

These photos were taken in the Palm Court atrium floor located over the Great Hall. Mr. Mickey was looking dapper as usual!

We spent the early part of the first evening in the great hall. It is great fun to watch people and listen to live entertainment while sipping our favorite beverages. Later in the evening, we heard the dueling pianos in Elaine's downstairs.

The Charles Jordan shoes from Saks Off 5th are my new favorites! The gray fringe sweater is old. The bag is from T.J.Maxx. The tank, pants, and necklace are old from Chico's.

A New Giveaway!

Some of my all-time favorite and most comfortable looks include Covered Perfectly tops. They are great for layering or to wear alone.

This month Covered Perfectly is giving away the top of your choice to one lucky Fifty, not Frumpy follower!

Violet Simple Comfort

Draped Front

Red Simple Comfort

Color Block Top

Simple V

White Simple Comfort

 Cascading Vest, worn as a scarf above and as a vest below.

The winner of the Covered Perfectly top of your choice is Patty Burton Kaad from Chicago. Congratulations Patty! Please send me a private message on Facebook or an email at Susan@FiftynotFrumpy.com to claim your gift.

This giveaway is sponsored by Covered Perfectly, which is a small woman-owned business. (Thank you, Pauline, for doing this for my followers!) Covered Perfectly designs, including the fabric, are made here in the USA!

Fifty, not Frumpy followers can get a 20% discount on up to two items! Use the discount code FNF20 when you check out at Covered Perfectly. Only one discount can be applied per order. There are several styles to choose from, and the discount will apply on up to two items; after that, you can take advantage of the buy 2 get 1 FREE special!

Time Away

My vacations are taken in small slices since starting my company in 2000.

We enjoyed a couple of days of rest at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina, during this windy and rainy first weekend of October. The hurricane off the east coast brought strong winds and lots of rain, even in Asheville. That means the lighting was dismal for the whole weekend unless I wanted to stand in the rain for a photoshoot. Which I did a couple of times!

My color selections for this weekend included gray, black, and white. All of the pieces were mixed and matched, which made for very light packing.

The gray jeggings and silver-gray tank top are from Chico's. The faux leather jacket is from Stein Mart. The Calvin Klein bag is from T.J.Maxx. The boots are by Nine West via Saks Off 5th. The black and gray animal print scarf is so old I don't recall where I found it. Even if I show you pieces that may no longer be available because they are old, perhaps you can find something similar in a shop near you or online if you want to copy the look.

Later in the week, there will be more photos of our peaceful weekend away.

Tomorrow I'll be telling you about a new giveaway for one lucky Fifty, not Frumpy follower!

How To Cruise Without Gaining Weight

Mr. Mickey and I are off on another fun-filled weekend getaway, so I asked my friend, Donna Hull, to share more cruise/vacation tips with you today. 

(Note: her tips work for me every day!)

Don’t Gain Weight on Your Next Cruise.

On January 4, 2015, I boarded a cruise ship for the 64-day journey of a lifetime. After months of healthy eating and plenty of exercise, I stepped onto that ship looking and feeling good. At the end of the voyage, I stepped off a ship that served gourmet food and endless pours of wine and champagne; having gained less than 5 lbs, and I still looked and felt good. How did I do that? 

A big thumbs up as I arrive on Silver Spirit. I made my weight loss goal with exercise and healthy eating.
 Now to keep up those good habits on the cruise.

First of all, let me clarify—it’s not about the weight. The main focus should always be on your health. But being able to fit into clothes at the end of the cruise is definitely a bonus. And staying slim while having fun is a double bonus. My healthy cruise strategy allows for both, and I’m happy to share it with you.

Develop a plan of action

Celebrate your health by bringing the exercise habits and sensible eating you practice at home along on the cruise. Do not follow the thinking: “This is my vacation, so I can eat anything I want.” Splurging occasionally is fine; overindulging on a nightly basis is not.

Create an emergency plan of action. If you splurge one night—and you will—know which measures you’ll take the next day to offset that splurge. Don’t wait until the cruise is over!

Pack a tape measure to record measurements every three days. As soon as you notice creep up, double down on self-control, eating habits, and exercise.

Print out a list of positive affirmations that inspire you. Tuck them into your purse. When temptation strikes, read an affirmation from the list before giving in. One of my favorites: “I feel and look great when I’m eating healthy.”

A hiking excursion in Dunedin, New Zealand, is a great way to work off calories and have fun!

Stay active

• Vow to use the stairs for the entire cruise

• Locate the gym and use it

• Take a fitness class

• Practice a water aerobics routine in the pool or swim laps

• Walk the outdoor track

• Walk the outdoor track for 3 laps after each meal (or at least breakfast and lunch)

• Book the most active shore excursions available

• Dance the night away

• Wear a step-counting device. Don’t go to bed until you’ve reached 10,000 steps. Hint: dancing will really up the step count, so boogie down. 

Eat (and drink) smart.

Frequent the buffet for breakfast. You probably won’t find Susan’s power porridge, but there are enough fruit, nut, and grain selections to create a cold version. Many cruise lines also offer protein smoothies.

Revisit the buffet at lunch. You’ll find plenty of ingredients for salads or fill your plate with fruit and hard cheeses. On my cruise, I preferred the small desserts at lunch to the ones served at dinner. I enjoyed a couple of bites and then walked off the calories in the afternoon.

Turn down appetizers in the lounge in favor of a bowl of nuts. Bonus points if they’re unsalted.

Fill your stomach with lots of water before starting an evening of drinking and dining. And I substitute club soda, and cranberry or pomegranate juice served in a champagne flute for my first evening drink. It’s fizzy and looks pretty in the glass.

Think of dinner as an event. Focus on the ambiance, conversation, and dinner companions rather than the food.

Ask for small portions or a half plate at dinner. And skip the bread and starches.

Choose low sodium options whenever possible. My experience is that cruise lines over salt their foods.

Take advantage of the plentiful seafood offerings usually found on ships but ask for sauces to be placed on the side of the plate.

Savor your glass of wine and decline second pours.

Enjoy dessert but stop at 3 bites. Did you know that after 3 bites, your taste buds have been satisfied?

Substitute a decaf skinny latte—a green tea skinny latte is even better—for dessert or order from the low cal dessert menu. Yes, ships have them.

No drinking alcohol after dinner. Sip water instead.

Listen to your body. Suddenly switching from a lean, healthy diet too rich foods filled with fat and calories leads to health problems. Indigestion, heartburn, constipation, headaches, lethargy, and sleeplessness are signs of immediately getting back on the healthy eating train.

Swimming with stingrays in Moorea is my absolute favorite cruise excursion. I giggle every time they bump into me. It’s another fun way to stay active and work off calories.

Final tip: Once you let your guard down, it’s easy to overindulge. Concentrate on fun rather than food and drink, and you’ll return home a healthy cruiser. That’s how I did it. You can, too.

Donna L. Hull writes about active travel for baby boomers at My Itchy Travel Feet, The Baby Boomer’s Guide to Travel. This cruise lover has spent over 300 nights at sea.

An Artistic Touch

Do you enjoy wearing basic pieces with an artistic touch? 

I knew this Covered Perfectly tunic would look great with jeans the moment I saw it. It's always good to take a tee and jeans to the next level. Even when I am dressing casually, I put some thought into what I wear.

This is the Covered Perfectly Limited Edition "In Spirit" top. The artistic design on the right side is by world-renowned artist Mindy Seeger. It is made in the USA from luxurious MicroModal fabric that feels buttery soft against the skin.

There are just a few of these fabulous tops remaining, and there will be no more when they are sold. Don't miss out!

Fifty, not Frumpy followers can get a 20% discount on up to two items! Use the discount code FNF20 when you check out at Covered Perfectly. Only one discount can be applied per order. There are several styles to choose from, and the discount will apply on up to two items; after that, you can take advantage of the buy 2 get 1 FREE special!

Suede Trench Coat

A trench coat is one of those pieces that always feel stylish and elegant. Create one from supple faux suede in taupe, and I am absolutely smitten!

I wore this fabulous trench by IC Collection from My Fair Lady to brunch on Sunday. Everyone, even my fashion-challenged Dad, complimented me on my coat.

I enjoy the mixing of textures in subtle colors. For example, I am wearing a long layered crepe tunic in black over faux leather front leggings and a crystal bead and gold chain necklace, all from Chico's. The coat's faux suede relates to the suede and animal print touches on the shoes, which are old from Nordstrom. The woven front black leather clutch from Saks Off 5th shows well against the faux leather of the leggings and contrasts nicely with the coat's suede.

The roll-tab sleeves are perfect for this time of year when the weather is just barely cool enough to need a coat. The hems are not finished, making the coat a bit edgier, but this also gives it a smooth hemline.

The epaulets and a back overlay are other lovely details that make this coat special.

We had brunch at the Blackthorn Club, which is always beautifully decorated with abundant flowers for each season.

There are so many fabulous pieces at My Fair Lady. I had a tough time choosing what to buy when I was there earlier this month. Thankfully, their website is easy to shop from. Jon and Julie, the owners, and their very professional staff are extremely patient and helpful.

Cleaning Q & A

I enjoy questions and comments from readers so much. Obviously, you do, too, because those are always popular posts. Here is a new suggestion for a topic from Peggy.

Good morning, Susan:

I read your blog daily and greatly admire all that you do.  A suggestion for a future topic would be caring for all the wonderful clothing you wear so well.  For example, laundering washable pieces and undergarments ... how and how often.  Dry cleaning other pieces ... how and how often. 

Keep up the fabulous work; you are a beacon of positive vibrations! 
Thank you!
Peggy 

I can tell you from experience that washing rayon and some other man-made fabrics won't always turn out well. I liked the tunic above a lot until I washed it and accidentally put it in the dryer. Now it is a small shirt in the to-go bag in the attic. Always read the care labels for appropriate cleaning tips.

Use the proper setting on your machine for the load. For example, my machine has a hand wash feature that I use to wash delicate bras and underwear items. I always hang those items to dry in front of a small fan on a rolling rack overnight.

From the Container Store

My rolling rack gets used for many different tasks, such as sorting items and putting together looks when I am packing for a trip. I use it to keep up with the items I need to do a review on. It is my hanging bar as I take items out of the dryer and then transport the items from the laundry room to my walk-in closet and hold items to air dry. I found mine at Home Depot, but you can also get them at The Container Store and lots more big box stores.

Fine knit fabrics such as MicroModal tops from Covered Perfectly and Ponte knits should always be washed inside out on the gentle cycle and then hung to dry. This prevents the items from pilling and or shrinking.

I love to wear white jackets and lightweight pale cardigans. I get them professionally dry cleaned at the end of the season. I leave these items on that famous rolling rack for a couple of days to air out before putting them back into their place in the closet. I always check pieces in natural light for stains or needed repairs before I put them away.

I always use a lint brush on the shoulders of every garment before I wear it. Isn't it amazing how much dust can find its way into a tiny room?

Items with trim such as feathers, velvet, faux or real leather or fur, suede, or reptile trim should be professionally cleaned as needed. 

Tip: Remove ornate buttons such as the one on the tuxedo jacket above before taking the item to the cleaner. Fancy buttons do not like to go to the cleaners! I sew them back on after I pick up the garment.

Jackets in dark colors can be worn a few times without dry cleaning, but at least once every season is a good idea. When an item is stained, I take it directly to the Dry Cleaner to explain the origin of the stain so that they can appropriately clean and have the best chance of removing it.

Garments that rarely touch your skin, such as coats and ruanas, can be cleaned once a year. My personal rule: If worn against my skin, such as pants, first layer tops, and underwear, it gets washed each time it is worn.

I turn jeans and other pants inside out and wash them in cold water. Then turn right side out and tumble dry for just a few minutes, if at all. I then hang them up to finish drying.

I clean shoes, wallets, and bags every season with black or neutral shoe polish, which cleans and protects the items.

Scarf Season

Cooler weather brings the addition of scarves to my look. In the humid summer weather, I switch to necklaces.

My favorite scarves are oblong and made from silk. Handpainted scenes from nature make them even more desirable.

My tying methods are simple and sleek in keeping with my style as a whole. The more fussy and complicated the tying becomes, the less likely I will feel comfortable wearing it.

My favorite tie is to fold the scarf in the middle lengthwise. Wrap the length of the folded scarf around your neck and pull the ends through the loop formed by the fold. These first three photos prove the versatility of this easy tying method.

Other simple ways to wear a scarf include wrapping the ends around your neck twice and letting the ends hang in front at uneven lengths. (Straight across lengths draws attention to the width of the area where they both end.)

Drape the scarf around your shoulders and let one end hang down in front and one in the back.

 

This fabulous silk shawl is from Tina Gleave at the Silk Squirrel. She is an incredibly talented artist who paints on silk. But, I have fallen in love with her affordable line of gorgeous silk scarves, shawls, and ponchos, all printed with her colorful paintings. She now offers an affordable line of quality silk reproductions done by a respected textile printing company. The resulting pieces have a great depth of color and the silk used has a wonderfully fine, floating quality.

My Exercise Routine

Many of you have asked about my exercise routine and how I keep my weight down, so I will tell you all about it today.

I have been a fan of taking walks since I was five years old. I used to roam the hills of our farm in North Carolina every day. No matter where I have lived, I have always found a safe walking route away from traffic in a nice neighborhood.

 

I may go for a short walk around the lakes two or three times a day. (My neighborhood is built around four small lakes that flow into each other.) Some days I walk briskly about three miles around my neighborhood or on the greenway trails near my home. If the weather is cold and wet, I might go for a walk in the mall or at the shopping center near my home, which has a long sidewalk protected from the rain.

This isn't a routine that requires planning, unique clothes, or equipment other than comfortable shoes, so this form of exercise fits my needs perfectly. I am wearing a fabulous Covered Perfectly top and Perfect Fit Leggings with flat Rockport shoes here.

When I was younger, I spent hours in the gym, in exercise classes, and in dance classes but at this busy time in my life, going for a walk fits into my routine much better.

When my mind gets cloudy from tons of administrative work, endless figures, and countless emails, I get up from my desk and go for a short walk. I visit neighbors and their dogs for a few minutes and get my blood flowing with a quick walk around the lakes. When I return to my desk, my head is clear again, and my hair smells like fresh air.

When I go to the grocery, I never look for the parking spot closest to the building. I park far away and walk briskly to the building and also while I am inside.

I use a small blue and white teacup so that I have to keep getting up and walking to the kitchen to get more tea or water. I go to the bathroom upstairs rather than the one right outside my office door.

The point is that I do not sit still for hours working, watching TV, or reading. I get up and move around often. I stretch many times during the day. Again this is no particular routine; I just bend from the waist, slowly touching my toes and reaching for the ceiling and then side to side. The movement is always slow and comfortable.

I drink lots of water with lemon and or Braggs apple cider vinegar. I wait until I am actually hungry, and I never eat until I am stuffed. My meals include mostly fresh plant-based foods. I think of food as fuel, not entertainment. When I eat something that I enjoy very much but know is not suitable for my body (cheese comes to mind), I will occasionally have a small piece. The second half tastes the same as the first, so a small bite savored is better for your mind and body than consuming a large portion without enjoying it thoroughly.

On this beautiful day, I wore a very soft and comfortable piping top from Covered Perfectly. This is a growing but small, woman-owned business. Pauline, the owner, and designer, listens to our requests for styles that flatter our bodies and serve our needs. The fabric and the whole line is made here in the USA. All the models for this company are over forty (in my case, way over forty!)

Fifty, not Frumpy followers can get a 20% discount on up to two items! Use the discount code FNF20 when you check out at Covered Perfectly. Only one discount can be applied per order. There are several styles to choose from, and the discount will apply on up to two items; after that, you can take advantage of the buy 2 get 1 FREE special!

Splendid September

September is such a beautiful month here in east Tennessee and our surrounding mountains.

Last evening we celebrated all of the September birthdays in my family by having dinner together at the fabulous Artisanal restaurant in Banner Elk, North Carolina.

The black tank, jacket, and pants are part of Chico's Travelers Collection. I wore suede D'Orsay pumps from Sam Edelman with silver and crystal earrings and bracelets. The small clutch is the same silver-gray as the jeweled button on my velvet trimmed tuxedo jacket.

This is the Knob Creek Brethren Church, the first Brethren church in Tennessee, being established in 1799. It is very close to my home, and I have photographed it on several occasions over the years because it is surrounded by such beautiful trees that are now starting to take on their splendid fall colors.