Abingdon, VA, is only an hour from Johnson City, and it is a lovely drive through the countryside if you take the Old Jonesboro Road. However, we avoid interstate driving when there is another option. On this sunny but windy Friday evening, our destination was Foresta for another long-awaited delicious meal. Since we arrived a few minutes before our reservation, we parked in front of St. Thomas Episcopal Church to attempt outfit photos. Unfortunately, wind and photography rarely mix well. Jeans Here (I’m wearing a size 27) Similar Top Here (I wear a size medium.) I’ve shown you all these items ..read more

Getting dressed quickly has become a necessity for me. I may get a call in the wee morning hours or late at night asking for my immediate assistance. Caring for elderly loved ones who want to remain independent for as long as possible means that help is often needed urgently. I am surprised how often I’ve thrown on these pieces to run out the door. Even when I have messy bed hair and I’m not wearing makeup, I feel presentable enough to show up in ER if necessary. I also reach for this combo when I’m not urgently needed. A great fitting and smartly tailored blazer can make even yoga leggings a ..read more

Be true to yourself. Wear what makes you feel confident, sassy, and vibrant. If an all-black look makes you feel like the CEO of your life, go for it. If high heels are more comfortable than flats, rock them. If a black (faux or real) leather moto jacket puts a little strut in your step, wear it often. Fashion should be fun, and personal style is just that… personal. So don’t let anyone dim your light or break your spirit. We haven’t come this far to fade quietly into the background. So be fabulous in your unique way. Never compare yourself to others. In truth, your life, health, and circum ..read more

Many of the garments in my wardrobe can be worn during three seasons. However, I wear them in different combinations according to the weather. For example, red and navy feel classically springtime. An elevated casual look might include faded jeans with a red blouse and a summer wool navy blazer. But those same pieces can be worn in many different ways. For example, I’m showing you a look I might wear to brunch on a cool but sunny spring day in these first photos. The red heels with a sculptural heel, nude bag, and belt are slightly more formal, contributing to the more elevated attitude. No ..read more

We’ve just returned from a delightful stay at a vineyard with elegantly appointed lodging and a fine-dining restaurant. The occasion was the seventeenth anniversary of our first date, so we decided to celebrate properly. Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards is in southwest Virginia’s beautiful rolling green hills. We were greeted with a 2019 Nicewonder Vineyards Chardonnay to sip as we relaxed by the fire in the lobby. My day of travel look included comfortable elements that would easily mix, match, or layer with all the other pieces I brought. The red is sold out now, but here is the blazer. Sim ..read more

Grooming, skincare, and makeup are integral elements to looking our best no matter what we are wearing. A full face of makeup isn’t always necessary, but sunscreen, moisturizer, and a little lip color can make a big difference in our confidence. Classic basics in neutral solid colors can make even a tee and jeans look elegant if you add a few styling details. The elements of my look for our casual Friday lunch date are basics with a twist. The jacket has bold silver snaps with a more streamlined silhouette than the usual trucker jacket. The sleeveless tee has an eyelet detail at the neckline ..read more

The temperatures climbed into the high seventies on Wednesday, so my look required no layers. I had a lunch date with gals I hadn’t seen in ages, followed by an afternoon of errands. My necklace is several years old. A similar one is here. Use the code SAS10 for $10 off any one item at Beauty in Stone Jewelry. Simple tops with a round neckline benefit from adding a bold long necklace. The resulting V cuts the expanse of fabric across a full bust. A V-neckline or long necklace also makes the wearer look taller. When I wear a bold necklace, I always pair it with tiny earrings. The jeans are here ..read more

Cold rainy days don’t interfere with our weekend fun, so we dressed for the weather on Saturday and headed to The Bristol Hotel for brunch. The hotel is one of our local favorites all year round, and the rooftop bar in summer is a lovely place to spend an afternoon. Black straight-leg jeans and a cashmere sweater with a leather-trimmed blazer provided warmth and durability. However, I don’t wear pieces that are too precious in rainy weather since light colors and delicate fabrics will likely be ruined. Photo from The Bristol Hotel website. Photo from The Bristol Hotel website. Photo from ..read more

Beyond wearing the current styles and eating with optimum health in mind, there is another intangible aspect of remaining active. A positive attitude leads to a better quality of life. The beautiful sunny weather and warm temperatures meant wearing white jeans and suede booties was safe. A white tee, a dark navy wool blazer, and a brightly colored silk scarf completed the look. The small rose-taupe bag held everything I needed for the day. All the elements in this look are a couple of years (or more) old except for the booties here. (I also have them in smooth black leather and have worn th ..read more

Denim is a favorite fabric for pants, jackets, and shirts, so I wear jeans several times weekly. The styling options are unlimited, and they are very comfortable. Sharing how I styled jeans this week might be helpful. The temperature was around seventy degrees, with mostly sun each day. I avoid jeans with more than 2% elastane since too much stretch looks sloppy after a few hours. The slight bootcut or flare style is most flattering for my shape. Structured fabrics, such as denim, are much more flattering on my legs than pants made from soft, thin, supple materials. Tuesday Shirt – (Similar ot ..read more