The Most Versatile Vest!

This is the new cascading vest from Covered Perfectly.

I appreciate that there are so many ways you can wear them!

Belted or not. Tied or not.

I took this gray leopard cascading vest with me on our recent weekend away. Since I was going away for such a short time, I packed very few pieces to take with me. I am so glad I took this. I started to wear it as a vest for breakfast.

However, I added a cashmere sweater from J.Jill over it because it was rather chilly that morning. I actually liked the look since the sweater is as long as the vest in the back, so it just looked like a long scarf.

I also wore it as a neck scarf to dinner later that evening.

This video shows you a few of the ways you can wear these versatile cascading vests.

The Weekend Away Part 2

The rain was falling for most of the day, but we didn't let that stand in the way.

Shopping is a sweet luxury for me. Especially on a rainy day, I love to look around in unique stores and antique shops. Fiddlehead Designs is a really fabulous florist in Cashiers. You can buy orchids, cut flowers, or live plants for your home and gardens. There were also tables, urns, and pedestals to add the perfect touch to your summer home.

Later in the day, it was time to have lunch in Madison's and enjoy our view of the Wine Garden at the Old Edward's Inn.

The Wine Garden is a lovely place to spend a warm summer afternoon enjoying lunch and its lush surroundings, market umbrellas, and patio-side waterfall.

The jeans I am wearing are by French Dressing Jeans. I must tell you they are the most comfortable jeans I have ever worn. These are the LOVE Premium Denim - Olivia Slim Leg in black. I wanted the ankle style because I wear statement shoes that balance my look most of the time. On this rainy day, I wore them with a white tank and a short denim jacket from Chico's.

We stayed in one of the cottages at the Innisfree Inn Bed & Breakfast this weekend. The Inn overlooks Lake Glenville near Cashiers, North Carolina, where it is the only accommodation awarded the 4-Diamond designation. It has been awarded this coveted honor for exceptional excellence for 22 consecutive years. The Innkeepers are retiring soon, so the exquisite property is now for sale.

On Sunday, I wore a soft gray sweater from Chico's and the same denim jacket. Those French Dressing Jeans were so comfortable for the drive home. They keep their shape in both the knees and the behind. I have owned many pairs of black jeans, and I am usually disappointed when they change shape and fade as soon as they are laundered. These stayed true black when washed. French Dressing Jeans are so worth the investment because they keep looking great, not just the first day and the first few hours of wearing.

Weekend Retreat

Mr. Mickey and I enjoy leaving the city on Friday morning and driving away for a weekend retreat.

When we started dating almost ten years ago, getting away for weekend trips to the mountains or a larger city or even the beach was one of the things we heartily agreed was important to each of us.

We thoroughly enjoy exploring cities, trying new restaurants, searching for the best gourmet chocolate, admiring small southern towns' architecture, and driving down winding country roads just to see where they lead.

This past Friday, we stopped in Brevard, North Carolina, on our way to our weekend getaway. We walked around the small downtown area and read the menus posted in a few restaurants' windows before wandering down an alley to the Square Root. It was a delightful out of the way place that we enjoyed very much. I had a black bean burger with sweet potato chips, which were quite good. Mr. Mickey enjoyed a salad with plank grilled salmon. Across the alley was Downtown Chocolates, so we were careful to save some room for chocolates afterward.

The town of Brevard is straight south from us and at a lower elevation, so their weather has remained quite a bit warmer than ours.

Since this was a restful weekend retreat with nothing special planned, I brought just a few pieces of clothing that I mixed and matched for easy packing and dressing.

I wore this elegant grey cashmere open cardigan from J.Jill a couple of times over the weekend. Shown above with Chico's jeans, a grey tank from Saks Off 5th, and flat Halogen shoes from Nordstrom.

On the cool, rainy Saturday night out to dinner at the fabulous Orchard Restaurant in Cashiers, North Carolina, I layered the cardigan over another thin grey sweater from Chico's and a cascading vest from Covered Perfectly worn as a scarf. The boots are from Saks Off 5th.

These fabulous black jeans are by French Dressing. They fit very well without being uncomfortable, and they maintain that fit all day. The color stays jet black when you wash them.

I will be sharing more looks from my minimal weekend wardrobe tomorrow.

Style Show at Monkee's of Johnson City

The Washington-Unicoi-Johnson County Medical Alliance is a volunteer group comprised of physician spouses located in Johnson City, TN. They recently held a fashion show and social hour at Monkee's of Johnson City. It was an honor to be asked to model in the show.

I am with my beautiful friend Krista who owns Monkee's of Johnson City above, and showing my first look in the show below.

Members of the Medical Alliance are committed to promoting health education and health-related charitable endeavors in our community. Spouses and widow(er)s of practicing, and retired physicians in our area may join.

With increasing demands on medical practice, physicians and their spouses struggle to find and maintain a work/life balance in a medical marriage. Alliance members exchange information and provide support and friendship to each other.

Angel Cardigan

Sometimes leggings, a cardigan, and a tank are all you need to look polished and put together on a busy morning.

The leggings are made from a thick supportive dense knit, and they have a shaping waistband that I love. I wear them often for these reasons.

The cardigan has a great shape and texture. I received many compliments on this look, and it was very comfortable all day.

The necklace is by Erica Lyons from Belk. The tank is from Stein Mart by Peck and Peck. The bag is by Ralph Lauren via T.J.Maxx. The shoes are by Gianni Bini from Dillard's.

Fabrizio Gianni Knit Top Giveaway!

Adding pieces that work well with other elements in my wardrobe is always my goal when shopping.

This jersey knit top by Fabrizio Gianni has my favorite 3/4 length sleeves and a lovely flattering neckline. The gray and black reptile print is very current. The knit fabric is exceptionally soft and comfortable. Fabrizio Gianni items are made in the USA.

In this post, I wanted to show you a few of the ways I will wear this top and jeans combination. It is one of the beautiful knit top styles you can win this month.

A black linen moto jacket and open toe edgy boots just beg for Fabrizio Gianni super stretch legging jeans and this reptile top from Fabrizio Gianni.

Flat slippers and a large woven scarf can totally change the jeans and top's look and attitude.

A Guess bag with studs and a smooth, shiny silver cuff, and one bold silver and crystal ring complete this look.

Wearing the top and jeans with flat ankle boots creates a chic casual look for running errands.

A lightweight vest in a very different fabric can add another generous layer to the look.

These tops are more fitted and figure-flattering, so they are perfect to wear under jackets and vests.

I am pleased to sponsor giveaways from some of my favorite vendors. This month I am joining with Fabrizio Gianni to provide you with the chance to win a fabulous jersey knit print top valued at $85.

Please check my blog often because I announce all contest winners here, and you will need to email me afterward to give me your shipping address.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fabrizio Gianni Giveaway!

One of my most reliable sources for pants that are great fitting and comfortable to wear has long been Fabrizio Gianni.

A favorite military-style jacket is also by Fabrizio Gianni. I really appreciate the quality and classic styles they offer, and all of their pieces are made in the USA!

I love the rich look and versatility of colors such as olive, mushroom, and caper; however, those colors are not flattering to my cool skin tone. My solution? Wear those colors away from my face and pair them with a color such as navy or white, which works well with my cool coloring.

Styling a short jacket with a longer tank is a fresh, youthful way to wear layers. Add an animal print clutch, one bold silver ring, cognac shoes, and that's all the accessories I need with this look. Remember, bold buttons count as an accessory!

I cuffed these caper color pants to show the top of the shoe. I could also easily wear them long with boots later in the season since they have a slight boot flare cut. These pants are soft and comfortable, and the fabric is very supple, but it keeps its shape. These are also great pants for travel!

I am so happy to sponsor giveaways that some of my favorite vendors allow me to offer you. This month I am joining with Fabrizio Gianni to offer you the chance to win a fabulous jersey knit print top valued at $85. 

I have the reptile print top, and I will be showing you that one tomorrow, along with the Rafflecopter code to enter to win the print top of your choice.

Please check my blog often because I announce all contest winners here, and you will need to email me afterward to give me your shipping address.

A Rafflecopter Giveaway