Come What May

If my ferns get much bigger, the UPS driver won't be able to find my door!

We decided to drive over to Asheville, NC, for a late lunch/early dinner yesterday.

We shared a vegan Reuben and the hummus trio appetizer at The Laughing Seed. We love to eat there!

Mr. Mickey is always snapping photos.

As we walked out onto Wall Street, people were running by in white dresses. Lots of them! You never know what might be going on in the town of Asheville. We know to expect anything!

We learned from one of the runners that this was a wedding party beer scavenger hunt game. Running through downtown Asheville in ninety-degree heat in a white dress, searching for clues about where the beer is? This couple has some excellent friends!

For an afternoon in Asheville, I wore an old black Portofino blouse from Express a couple of summers ago. The white pants are from White House|Black Market. I learned years ago to buy my white pants very early in the season because they sell out fast. The bag is old by BCBG via T.J.Maxx. The Sam Edelman sandals are from earlier this year. The earrings are old from Chico's. The sunglasses are by Dolce & Gabbana.

We celebrate every little milestone of life, so happy ten years and five months of being my date, Mr. Mickey!

Into the Clouds

As my sister and I drove away from Johnson City, heading for Roan Mountain State Park yesterday, we had plans to wander around the trails and take some photos. It was a hot summer day with temperatures near ninety.

All that changed as we approached the mountain, which is only about a forty-minute drive from my house. Dark clouds gathered, and the rain began to fall.

Hoping for better weather after lunch, we traveled on to Fosco, North Carolina, where we enjoyed a delightful lunch at Eat Crow. Mr. Mickey and I had planned to eat here many times but had never been there yet. I highly recommend it!

The weather did indeed improve after lunch, so up the mountain, we drove.

As we neared the top of Roan Mountain, we were completely engulfed in clouds. As a child, I took great pleasure in reaching out and passing my hand through a cloud when we would visit the park on such days.

We continued our hike, and the clouds began to disperse.

I have always loved roaming this park alone with my thoughts. This craggy forest has remained mostly unchanged for millions of years. Some rare plant life is only found at more than 4,000 feet above sea level on rock outcrops.

A few years ago, I gave away all of my hiking and camping gear and boots since this is something I so rarely get to do now. On this day, I made do with what I usually wear to walk in my neighborhood. Knowing the temperatures would dip on the mountain, I took a jean jacket with me. It was indeed sixty-five degrees there.

My sweet sister is always well prepared for any outing.

I hope you enjoyed seeing some of the photos from our wonderful Sister Day in the mountains.

Beat The Heat!

Dressing in hot weather can be a challenge.

I don't care for knee-length sundresses because they show my legs and never flatter my shape. I am much more comfortable in a soft, breezy oversize top with slim white pants with a smooth wide waistband. Dressing for comfort has to include personality as well as the weather.

Let's face it; I will be hot no matter what I wear when it is ninety-eight degrees. My comfort level includes how covered I am, more so than the temperature. I would not be at all comfortable in a skimpy dress with tiny straps.

For me, a typical summer workday look includes a soft tunic by Clara Sunwoo from ShopMyFairLady.com. The fabric isn't clingy or hot, and it always drapes beautifully, so the Clara Sunwoo tops are a favorite summer look for me.

The white pants are by Renaud. The putty color sandals are old by Kenneth Cole Reaction.

If I wear a print, it is usually an abstract geo print in subtle colors such as this one. But, again, personality has to come into play as you get dressed. Ruffles and bling are also details that do not reflect my personality.

Mamma Mia!

We visit Abingdon, Virginia, a couple of times every year.

My travel day look included a navy whisper-light cardigan by Focus over an old tank by Peck & Peck via Stein Mart. The olive color pants are old from Fabrizio Gianni.

The bag is old by BCBG via T.J.Maxx. The shoes are old by Gianni Bini from Dillard's.

Abingdon is only a short drive from Johnson City but far enough to feel like we got away from it all for a few days.

The Martha is always our home away from home in Abingdon. It is an elegant place to relax on the porch and watch the world go by, get a massage, or have dinner.

On Friday evening, we had an excellent meal at the Tavern, a short distance from the Martha.

The clutch is from Cloth, the boutique at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina. The French Connection shoes are old from Saks Off 5th.

We occasionally enjoy a piece of wild-caught salmon for dinner.

The moss-covered building which houses the Tavern dates to 1779!

On Saturday morning, we enjoyed a Continental breakfast in Sister's American Grill, the restaurant at The Martha.

After breakfast, we took a stroll around the grounds before going down to the Spa for our massages.

I wore my Last Tango cold shoulder top from Purple Poppy over white Lior Paris Janet style pants during the early part of the day.

I had so much fun exploring the grounds of the Martha after a gentle summer afternoon rain with my camera in hand.

One of Mr. Mickey's favorite things ever is deviled eggs. Sister's American Grill makes some of the best ones ever! So that's where we had a lovely evening meal on Saturday.

I wore the white pants again with the white tank top from day one with an old blue cardigan from Saks Off 5th. It has a sheer panel at the lower back.

When we travel for a short distance and stay for one or two nights, I take only a few pieces that can be mixed and matched. I will only be dressed in the elements for a couple of hours, so they can be switched about easily, wearing the pieces in rotation on different days at different times.

On Sunday, we had an excellent brunch at the Harvest Table in Meadowview, Virginia, before attending the afternoon showing of "Mamma Mia!" at the Barter Theatre. 

We thoroughly enjoyed the play! If you get the opportunity to see this musical, do. You will not be disappointed.

Later in the afternoon on Sunday, we also walked through the craft show booths at the Highlands Festival. My favorite booth was the Dreamland Alpaca Farm Store, where I got to pet an Alpaca for the first time. They have the sweetest temperaments!