Layered Look!

One of my favorite tops for easy casual dressing is this new style from Covered Perfectly. I have worn it many times already!

It appears to be the perfectly coordinated layering of two tops, but it is one very flattering lightweight piece.

This top is one of the new styles that sold out so fast, I never even got the chance to tell you about it.

The details of a piping V-neck and bell sleeves along with the layered hem make me feel ten pounds thinner and that many years younger. The first time Mr. Mickey saw me in this, he said, "Oh that one is my favorite!"

On this warm spring day, I wore it with black jeggings from Chico's and flat sandals with a gold chain detail by DV by Dolce Vita from Saks Off 5th last year. The clutch bag is old from T.J.Maxx.

Salon Visits

Do you dress up a little to visit your stylist?

For my most recent appointment with my friend Myra, who is also my stylist, I wore jeans with a nice jacket and a layered tank top with animal print booties.

My logic has always been that if you dress nicely in attire that represents your style well, you will be more likely to get a cut that makes you happy. This holds true, especially if the stylist has just met you.

Hairstyles are the accessory we wear every day. Never underestimate the power of a good cut and a color that is complementary to your coloring.

I always arrive on time or even a few minutes early, considering my stylist and everyone else who has scheduled time with her for the day. Respect for my stylist and the other patrons includes dressing for the visit, showing up on time, leaving my cell phone in the car, and always speaking in a low voice. For many of us, this is one of the few times we get to relax and be pampered. I never want to interfere with a woman getting pampered!

The BCBGMAXAZRIA Bowie jacket is from Saks Off 5th, as is the draped crossover top and the French Connection animal print ankle boots. The ankle jeans are old from Chico's. The chain bag is old from Express.

Styling tip for the day. Wear a short jacket with a longer top to look more slender.

Page 700

We spent a lovely weekend away at The Inn on Biltmore Estate.

On one of the evenings, I wore a black Clara Sunwoo tunic with Lior Paris straight-leg pants to dinner.

The Clara Sunwoo tunic has a sheer mesh panel down each sleeve.

I carried the white trench coat by Evan Picone via Stein Mart because I inevitably will be cold before the evening is over.

The suede fringe sandals are by BCBGeneration via Saks Off 5th. The reptile texture box clutch is from S.M. Bradford on Hilton Head Island.

Mr. Mickey purchased a new friendship ring for me while we were shopping in the village.

I am always captivated by the fresh flowers and plants in the lobby of the Inn.

The blog now includes seven hundred pages. It has been a pleasure sharing with you what I have learned over the past five years.

Compassion

Do you have a mission?

Beyond sharing style tips and encouragement for eating more plants, I want to make a difference in lives. I have experienced not knowing where I will be sleeping tonight or when my next meal might come. 

I was fortunate that when my time of need came, there was a wide circle of friends who offered shelter and helped me through the toughest time of my life. I know that the worst decisions ever made can be followed by the best ones.

It is now part of my mission to help women in need by being a part of several projects which offer a hand up through temporary shelter, training, and education.

J.Jill just launched its new "Compassion Connects Us All" social campaign where every time you use the hashtag #JJillCompassion, the brand will donate $1 to the Fund up to $350,000.

The lightweight J.Jill linen tote bag with an artisanal floral print at the front was designed to help women in need: 100% of the net proceeds from the sale of the exclusive Compassion Fund tote bag support to community-based organizations that help disadvantaged and homeless women become more self-sufficient.

J.Jill has donated more than six million dollars to over sixty organizations across the country.

All of the elements in this look were provided by J.Jill.

J.Jill's deep blue cardigan is lightweight, making it the perfect warm-weather topper to take with me everywhere. Air conditioning quickly becomes unpleasant for me, so I always take a cover-up of some sort with me, even in summer.

The perfect weight three-quarter sleeve tee is very nicely made. The design details make it more flattering and feminine than most tees.

The white comfortable cropped jeans are also from J.Jill.

Cognac has always been one of my favorite colors for neutral, go with everything leg-lengthening sandals. These Corso Como® for J.Jill stacked heel sandals are the perfect summer shoes.

The Women's Fund of East Tennessee Luncheon

Yesterday I joined some extraordinary women at the Cherokee Country Club in Knoxville for our 5th annual luncheon for the Women's Fund of East Tennessee.

The Women's Fund is a catalyst to transform the lives of low-income women and girls in East Tennessee. I am very proud to be in the Leadership Society. 

As an organization, we learn about the needs of women and girls in our region and determine focused funding areas with the greatest long-term impact. We explore and recommend grant recipients based on area organizations' proven success and their ability to create positive, transformative change.

Together we analyze the outcomes of our investments to ensure accountability and success.

Mr. Mickey snapped these photos for you at the World's Fair Park, where we went for an early morning stroll. The Sunsphere can be seen in the background. It is a hexagonal steel truss structure, topped with a gold-colored glass sphere that served as the symbol of the 1982 World's Fair.

Later in the morning, we visited one of my favorite establishments in Knoxville, The Paris Apartment. It is a delightful place to shop for clothing, accessories, gifts, and fabulous items for your home. You can also enjoy lunch with friends in the French style bistro and tea room.

I wore a navy blue set by IC Collection, sent to me by ShopMyFairLady.com.

The crystal hand-beaded tassel necklace was also sent to me by ShopMyFairLady.com.

We always look forward to attending events at the elegant Cherokee Country Club overlooking the Tennessee River.

It was such a delight to visit some of the other women from Johnson City who attended the luncheon.

Our collective efforts significantly contribute to accomplishing great things for women and girls in our region.

With my dear friend, Carol Transou, above. She introduced me to The Women's Fund several years ago.

If you are in Knoxville during the springtime, don't miss the chance to drive through some of the beautiful neighborhoods where stately older homes stand sentinel over the river surrounded by breathtaking azaleas in full bloom. Too soon, it was time to begin our long drive back to Johnson City.

The look I wore today would be perfect for any special event such as attending a wedding or any more formal gathering. It is very comfortable and yet elegant at the same time. This set is available in black as well as the navy I am wearing. The top has side pockets! The photo below was taken in poor lighting, so the navy shows as black. 

Bonus shot!

Considering the sheer mesh details on the pants' legs, I chose to wear minimalist nude sandals by Sam Edelman via Nordstrom last year. For the same reason, I did not wear bracelets or a watch, which would have only served as clutter. 

Summer Leather

Our evening temperatures still dip into the forties, so dressing for going out at night requires warmer clothes.

We had a lovely dinner with friends on a recent chilly evening.

This fabulous faux leather jacket is by I.C. Collection via my friends at ShopMyFairLady.com.

This is the type of faux leather that you can wear even in summer. It is made using small strips of faux leather meticulously sewn to a mesh under the fabric, as shown in the detailed photo below.

I.C. Collection is known for its artistic button closures and fine details. This jacket did not disappoint!

The asymmetric hem that dips low in the back is so flattering and timeless.

I wore a long-sleeve Covered Perfectly Simple Comfort top with slacks from a couple of years ago under the jacket. 

Fifty not Frumpy followers can get a 20% discount on up to two items for a limited time! Use the discount code FNF20 when you check out at Covered Perfectly. There are many 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. Hurry! Those long sleeve tops are going fast!

The shoes are by French Connection via Saks Off 5th. The clutch is from the boutique, Cloth inside the Grove Park Inn Resort. I always wear Chanel No. 5 in the evenings.

Oh Those Pants!

The endless blue sky and warm sunshine beckoned us to the mountains on Saturday.

We had reservations for the early seating for dinner at Rowland's in the Westglow Resort and Spa in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. We had a fabulous weekend there recently. That was such a lovely experience we decided to join them for dinner again. We will be seated at table eight in the sunroom as often as possible in the future. Rowland's offers the ultimate fine dining experience. We award it five stars!

I wore those fabulous Fabrizio Gianni pants I told you about in yesterday's post.

The light gray tank and ecru longline blazer are both old from Chico's. The necklace is from SM Bradford in Hilton Head, located in Harbour Town Yacht Club.

The rings are from B'Dazzled in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. The Balmain sunglasses and clutch bag are both from Saks Off 5th. The shoes are by BCBGeneration via DSW.

When I wear a bold statement necklace like this one, I turn down the volume with all the other elements of my look.