Second Love

We recently spent the weekend at the Inn on Biltmore Estate.

On our last evening there we had a lovely meal in The Dining Room.

Earlier in the day, I shopped in the Marble Lion, a boutique located inside the Inn, where I found this intricately embossed faux leather jacket at half off! If shoes are my first fashion love, then certainly jackets are my second.

I am wearing a surplice wrap top from White House Black Market with Travelers Pants from Chico's. The suede Sam Edelman shoes are a couple of years old. The handbag is from Saks Off 5th. 

This textured faux leather jacket is by Erin London. I almost didn't even try one on because the medium size had already sold. I was delighted that the small fit perfectly. It pays to ignore the tag and just try on what appeals to you.

Occasionally we have a small piece of grilled wild-caught salmon for dinner. 

This was a special evening, so we also shared this beautiful crème-filled flaky phyllo dough and tart cherry dessert.

These flowers were on the front desk. Turning to face the lobby in all its grandeur.

Frumpy to Fabulous

I recently spent almost twenty-four straight hours in an airport or on a plane. Watching people is my favorite thing to do when I am in such public spaces. I find myself guessing things about the journeys and the lives of the people I see there.

I believe that how you present yourself to the world and how you carry yourself tells a story. My heart went out to all those women I saw who wore something very similar to the sad look below.

It showed on their faces that it had been many years since they had made themselves a priority. I recognized these women so quickly because I was one of them a few years ago. 

It was customary for me to get up and put on anything to get me through the day. If I could zip the pants, they were good enough, and if the shirt (sometimes a man's tee shirt from K-Mart) covered my tummy, that would do. If it was cold outside, I put on a jacket but didn't think about it if it went with anything else I was wearing. I was too tired and sad to care about what I looked like anymore.

Something unexpected happened when I changed my diet to correct health problems. I started to lose weight and feel a lot better, physically and emotionally. I began to care about my clothes again. I began to enjoy putting together outfits and looking for just the right jacket. My outlook on life improved, and my spirits lifted. I felt like going for a walk and working in my flower gardens again. I smiled more and slept better because I was happier and much healthier emotionally and physically. More importantly, I could now do more things to help others because of my improved health and attitude.

Below is a typical, very casual look for me now. I might be staying at home because it is snowing and cold, but I still get dressed. I am now acutely aware of how it lifts my spirits to get dressed and take some time for myself. These days I never spend the day in a man's tee-shirt over sweatpants. That would be very depressing!

The red turtleneck top was supplied to me by Fabrizio Gianni. The Allison Daley vest from Dillard's is several years old, and the ankle-length jeans are from Chico's. The boots are a couple of years old by Ralph Lauren via T.J.Maxx. 

Breakfast At The Inn

We recently spent the weekend at the Inn on Biltmore Estate.

There is a lovely breakfast buffet in The Dining Room each morning. 

Our table by the window provided a beautiful view of the majestic mountain ranges. There is always a fresh red rose on your table and, in our case, champagne. 

Cheers!

I wore coated jeans and a silver-gray tank from Chico's with a Ralph Lauren polka dot silk scarf from Stein Mart and a Ralph Lauren jacket from Dillard's.

Vital, Vivacious, and Visible after 50

Andrea Pflaumer, the host of the video series Vital, Vivacious, and Visible after 50, recently interviewed me for the series.

Andrea Pflaumer is a former dancer and dance writer and, as a freelance journalist in the San Francisco Bay area, has written extensively about shopping and fashion. 

She is the author of two books: Shopping for the Real You: 10 Essential Steps to a Better Wardrobe for Every Woman – Fashionistas, Fashion-Phobes, and the over 50, and She’s Got Good Jeans, including how to shop for, where to find, and how to style the perfect jeans for your body. You can buy her books here on Amazon. She blogs here and posts regularly to her style and color archetype Pinterest pages here.

Most Recent Trip To L.A.

Modeling for Covered Perfectly is such fun!

This photo was taken at the local airport as I began my twenty-three and a half hour journey. Tornado warnings throughout the south caused long delays at every stop. I did not look like this when I arrived in Los Angeles!

For travel, I wore a white jacket found on sale at Stein Mart last year. I paired it with an old silver-gray tank and ankle jeans from Chico's. The flat bow detail shoes are by Vince Camuto via Saks Off 5th. The black Coach tote is about thirty years old. The luggage is from T.J.Maxx.

I am filled with anticipation and excitement each time the city of L.A. comes into view.

The very talented makeup artist Lex Mejia made me look camera-ready even though I was still jet-lagged from two days of very little sleep or food.

I wore the red Simple Comfort top in size large to show up for work on the shoot day. (The tunic was supplied by Covered Perfectly .) I normally wear a medium if I want to layer a jacket or cardigan over the top. I have been wearing this top for about three years, but it still looks new. I machine wash it in cold water and hang it to dry.

The poster behind us is used at trade shows.

It was such a great pleasure to meet Colleen! She won the contest to model and spend the day with us at the shoot. She is a natural!

All of the models were delightful to work with!

The lovely lady below is Kimberly. She volunteered to help for the day. Pauline has such a great group of friends!

We are both wearing the Zebra Cascading Vest over the black Simple Comfort tunic.

On Saturday evening, many of her friends gathered to celebrate Pauline's fifteenth birthday. (Can you figure that one out?) She is the owner and designer of Covered Perfectly tops, which are made in Los Angeles.

I wore the Draped Front black top, supplied by Covered Perfectly, with leggings to the party.

It was an exceptional treat to get to know Maria, Pauline's long time friend who now lives in Spain. I almost learned to understand the Essex English accent while I was there. They were such delightful roommates!

I wish you many more birthdays, my dear friend!

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. 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.

Downtown Asheville

We enjoy Asheville for its exceptional dining and shopping options, street musicians, people watching, and unique Art Deco buildings.

I wore the black version of the draped blouson BCBGMAXAZRIA top from Saks Off 5th with the perfect leggings from Svelte. The gray faux suede jacket is old from Saks Off 5th as well.

The small reptile bag is old and the booties are old by Nine West both from Saks Off 5th.

Have a beautiful week!

The Dining Room

We typically dress for dinner. It makes the evening special and more enjoyable for us.

We had reservations in The Dining Room on Friday and Saturday nights during our stay at The Inn on Biltmore Estate this past weekend.

The fresh flowers throughout the hotel are always captivating.

I wore a Ralph Lauren tuxedo jacket trimmed with black satin lapels. The pants are by Lior Paris. The shoes and bag are from Saks Off 5th Avenue. The draped surplice neckline top is by BCBGMAXAZRIA also via Saks Off 5th Avenue.

Weekend Away

We love to spend the weekend in Asheville, at the Inn at Biltmore. They have a very nice Spa, shops, several dining options, a piano bar, and a library.

Mr. Mickey also owns a company, which means our vacations are typically taken in three-day increments. Since the weather was predicted to be warm and pleasant this weekend, we decided to take advantage of it.

My look for traveling and stopping in downtown Asheville for lunch included an impressive pair of Svelte leggings, my I.C. Collection faux suede trench coat from ShopMyFairLady, a silver tank top (coat not removed), and a large square silk scarf by Versace from Saks Off 5th.

Svelte supplied these leggings. The opinions are my own.

The wine-colored bag and the Nine West booties are from Saks Off 5th. Despite having a high heel, these boots are very comfortable. They are perfect to wear with leggings.

We had to stop for Canadain Geese crossing the road on the way to the Inn.

The view from our room on the fifth floor. I never tire of seeing mountains!

I wore this brand of leggings from Svelte.com for the first time this weekend. I love the way they fit and flatter my figure! They are well worth the investment. I will be taking these with me to California later this week. They will be perfect for the photoshoot for Covered Perfectly!

Svelte supplied these leggings. The opinions are my own.

These leggings have a built-in tummy control panel. Svelte products are made of highly stretchy knit fabric that holds you comfortably but firmly. I put leggings in the same way I do pantyhose to keep the seams strong and straight. To preserve the shape, color, and size, they must be machine washed cold or hand washed and hung to dry. Do not put them in the dryer. These tips apply to all fine knits.

Flashback

After I stopped eating fast, easy, convenience food from a box, bag, or can and focused on eating whole food plant-based meals; I started losing weight.

2008

I was in a lot of pain when I weighed 183 pounds. That pain came from the arthritis inflammation in my hands, feet, and back, so I was very inactive. I remember thinking this is what it feels like to be old. I believed that was the way my body was going to feel from that point on. I was deeply depressed, and it showed in what I wore and how I carried myself. I gave away all of my heels and bought ugly flat shoes that are supposed to be comfortable. My feet still hurt!

2009

A few days after plants became my only source of food, I started to feel much better. Soon I felt like going for long walks, working in my flower gardens, cleaning my whole house in one day, and anything else I wanted to do. The pain melted away. I was amazed!

My spirits lifted because I felt better than I did when I was in my 30s. I gave all those flat shoes to my mother and started buying shoes and clothes that better reflect my personality. It didn't happen right away, but I found my style chops again after a couple of years. (For some strange reason, I believed those horrible print tops hid my rolls and jiggly bits.)

If we go out to eat now, I order a salad with a side of steamed broccoli or some other vegetable, and I ask them to hold the salt and butter. We will always order the vegetarian entree when there is one offered, and we often visit restaurants because they are vegetarian and share an entree often.

I eat some variation of this for breakfast almost every morning. My late lunch sometimes looks like this.

I get questions almost every day about how I managed to lose weight during those hormone shifting menopausal years.

Honestly, all I did was change my choice of food. There was no radical exercise regime. I didn't take any pills or get on any food to order programs. I still don't take any medications!

The book "Eat to Live" by Dr. Joel Fuhrman gave me guidance on what to eat and explained why. The most important thing to know is that you need a variety of colorful, fresh, organic, local, and in-season vegetables and a few berries. My diet includes leafy greens, and other vegetables, mushrooms, onions, berries, seeds, nuts, and ancient whole grains every day. I eat this way 90% of the time.

I still enjoy a piece of dark chocolate, a glass of wine, or a decadent dessert on occasion but not every day. I also know that only a few bites are enough. I don't need to finish the whole dessert. 

2016

I have maintained my weight loss since 2011. No diet or pills. No gyms or classes. No calorie counting or obsessing about food.

I hope that sharing my example helps you to achieve a happy, healthy body as well.

Layer Like a Boss

Multiple thin layers keep me warm without running the risk of looking like the Michelin Man.

On a recent Saturday, we visited old downtown to see some of the new projects. An exciting renaissance has begun in Johnson City!

From November to April, I am usually wearing a minimum of two layers. I started this look with a thin gray tank camisole from Saks Off 5th. Next, I added a great looking striped button front tunic from J.Jill. The cashmere scarf/wrap is old from J.Jill. 

I bought the distressed faux leather jacket from my friend Myra's boutique, The Charlemont in Kingsport, TN. The ankle jeans are from Chico's. The bag is by Zac Posen, and the boots are by French Connection, both via Saks Off 5th.

I once avoided wearing longer layers under shorter pieces, but I learned that if I use a soft, unstructured longer piece under a more structured shorter piece, it always seems to work out well.

Each time I go to the J.Jill website, I find it difficult to narrow my selections to stay within my budget. I want them all!

I decided on this top because I know I can also wear it in warm weather without a tank, white jeans and sandals.

Shown below without the outer layers.

Styling Tip

I fell in love with this fabulous J.Jill tunic as soon as I saw it!

This top was provided by J.Jill.

I have a weakness for soft, easy pieces that flow across the body and look great with jeans. If the item can be worn for three seasons, even better!

This color is called Gala, which will go with every pair of pants I own. That makes this tunic a very wise purchase.

The ankle jeans and the wide silver cuff are both old from Chico's. The boots are old by Ralph Lauren, and the bag is old by Cole Haan, both from T.J.Maxx. 

Buying classic items with a simple design means that you can wear the pieces for years to come and in many combinations.

I will wear this top with white jeans and nude sandals many times this summer. It looks great with most of my scarves and all of my fun cuffs and bracelets. I can also wear it with the sleeves long and layer a jacket or cardigan over it. 

We moved the furniture around a bit to shoot this short video and take these pictures for you. I hope my tips inspire and help you get dressed with ease.