One of my favorite quotes is, “Life is a journey, not a destination”—Ralph Waldo Emerson. I love to pop into an antique store or walk around a park I happen upon in my travels. I never set a goal to get there in less time than Google Maps initially stated it would take. Think of the joy we might miss along the way if we never leave ourselves open to possibilities. A couple of years ago, Mr. Mickey and I were on our way to lunch in Abingdon, VA, as was the case many times before. I saw a sign for Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards, which we had not yet discovered. He knew from experience that a d ..read more

One of the benefits of a curated wardrobe that suits you and your lifestyle is that you will be prepared for any event using what you already have. Even if I wear black pants and a white shirt often throughout the year, the textures make them appropriate for the season. I wore an open-design layered top from White House Black Market about five years ago. A similar top is here. I paired it with black linen trousers and strappy sandals for a summer evening out. The small bag, made of wicker, raffia, and bamboo, is perfect for summer evenings. The only new piece in this look is the black linen ..read more

What do you wear when the day includes a lovely lunch in a nice restaurant and a long walk in a fabulous garden? Remember, it’s July, so the temperatures will likely be over 90F. I opted for a button-front linen-blend dress here. A similar small handbag is here. The espadrille wedge sandals are here. My sweet friend and Mr. Mickey’s famous cousin recently asked me to join her for lunch at Leo’s Italian Social. We planned to walk around the North Carolina Arboretum afterward. Rebecca is a best-selling author, and you can find her books here. I always wear a hat when I plan to be outside in th ..read more

My love affair with linen continues as we celebrate Mr. Mickey, aka The Dude’s, 90th birthday month. (His license plate reads ‘Hey Dude.’) Each of his various circles of friends has given him nicknames, so he has several. His upbeat personality always makes people feel comfortable and happy. Evenings at higher elevations can be much cooler, so I always wear or take another layer. I topped my linen-blend dress (here) with a short denim jacket from last year. A similar denim jacket is here. The sunglasses are here. All of my jewelry is several years old. The shoes are from last year, but these ..read more

Elizabeth asked: “You always look so polished and comfortable in your outfits. I have reached a point where I can’t wear heels of any height because of hip and back issues. So, my outfit can be spectacular, but my footwear mars the effect. Do you have any suggestions?” An almond-toe slender shoe in the same neutral tone as your leg or pants can look elegant. I tested my theory when I visited my friend Jo’s garden this year. We were going out to lunch after the tour, so I needed to be dressed for both events. The weather was sunny, with temperatures in the high 80s, so I wore a white linen shi ..read more

Mr. Mickey will celebrate his 90th birthday this week, which calls for a special evening with beloved friends. Our looks are coordinated as a couple, but we do not dress alike. As always, Gourmet and Company in Johnson City is our venue for any special evening. Their attention to detail, impeccable service, and excellent food make them the perfect restaurant choice for large or small celebrations. The fellows have been great friends for more than forty years. I feel fortunate to have known and loved these wonderful people for almost nineteen years. At Gourmet and Company, the food is alw ..read more

Hot weather can be challenging when you want to look polished and put together. Even though I’ve purchased a few items in anticipation of summer, we are still in the frosty morning stage. However, you might enjoy a sneak peek of what I will wear later. Linen is always comfortable for hot weather, so I purchased a navy linen blazer and some linen tops. The blazer will look great with white jeans as well. I bought a size 10. It is not fully lined to allow for airflow and comfort. The blazer is here. Sling-back shoes with a low heel or flats, if you prefer, are very on-trend. I found mine here ..read more

Our choice of clothing, hairstyle, and other appearance details are considered a means of nonverbal communication. Since I am naturally reserved, I’ve always especially enjoyed putting together my outfit no matter what the day might hold. It’s so easy to let my outfit do the talking! For example, today’s first look is one I wore to take Mr. Mickey for a thyroid biopsy. (Thankfully, benign!) Have you noticed that you feel incredibly comfortable when you wear something authentic to your style? The black jacket worn as a top is about three years old. I bought it and the jeans from Banana Republi ..read more

As a young woman building a wardrobe for her return to civilian life, I believed I couldn’t afford anything but drastically marked-down items. After wearing a US Navy uniform for the previous four years, I was clueless on so many levels. My uniform experience taught me a lot about the versatility of neutral colors and high quality, but let’s be honest. I craved colorful, modern fashions. I wanted it if the garment was a bold color, had big shoulder pads to go with my big hair, and reflected the style trends of the early eighties. Because of my minuscule budget, I thought sale racks were my on ..read more

A denim jacket is often mentioned as a must-have in capsule wardrobes. However, in many cases, the item shown is a classic-style trucker jacket. If you are a little top-heavy like me, that style may not be your best choice. My jacket is a couple of years old. This year’s version here has a frayed hem. The jeans are here, and the tank is here. A similar belt is here. The shoes are here. My bag is a few years old, so a similar small black bag is here. The sunglasses are here. I wore the look above to enjoy a late lunch at Riverfront Seafood in Kingsport. Mr. Mickey pointed out that about half t ..read more