early this spring, i posted my top 10 classic essentials that seamlessly transition to spring. featured first on that list was a little black dress. it’s a classic item that every woman should own. but given the current circumstances, when and where would you even wear an LBD? well, as i’ve said before, and i’ll say again, dress up when you’re feeling down. sometimes you don’t need an excuse for dressing up a little. so today, grab a table for one, and join me for a cocktail in my backyard. we’re talking a little black dress for spring and summer.

LBD

it’s simple. it’s classy. it’s chic. it’s timeless. what more is there to say about a LBD? just the sheer amount of variations of it makes it one of the more versatile items you can own. and with the appropriate outerwear, you can wear one spring, summer, fall, and winter. i’ve featured this item countless times over the years, and i never get tired of doing so. the temps are warming up here in Athens fast. we had our first summer-feeling day yesterday: 85 and fairly humid.

it was the perfect day to put this black shirtdress on. every spring/summer i’m on a mission to add more dresses to my closet.they’re one and done, chic and oh so comfy once those temps start to rise. even though this adorable dress from Ann Taylor just arrived it’s currently out of stock, don’t worry, i rounded up a few similars for you that are just as cute. (similar dress 2, similar dress 3, similar dress 4, similar dress 5, and similar dress 6.) and how fun are these sandals from Banana Republic? you know i love animal print, and this pair of snakeskin sandals really make this outfit.

a table for one

it can feel like we’re running out of silver linings right about now. who else has exhausted their Netflix queue? even though i LOVE to cook heading to a restaurant sounds so darn good. and maybe we’ve reread all of our favorite books. then again, maybe not what with all of the Netflix binges. but our frustrations might run deeper than having exhausted things to do. and even though we’re keeping our chin up, platitudes might not carry the same weight as they were a few weeks ago. and that’s OK. today, just remember, we have each other. it’s been a while since we’ve done a check-in. when you’re done reading today, add a comment and let us know how you’re doing. a kind word, even from a virtual friend, goes a long way.

a little black dress for spring and summer

yesterday, i gave you a tour of my remodeled porch. today, i’m sitting outside on my patio. i gave you a brief glimpse of it yesterday, and another one today. continue to stay tuned this summer as we’re continuing to give it a facelift. and i have to admit nothing brightens my day more than sitting outside on a glorious spring day with the bees buzzing, birds chirping and flowers blooming.

happy friday, gang! i hope everyone is headed into the weekend with their heads held high—we made it through another week of physical distancing and staying home. earlier this week i talked about dressing up when you’re feeling down to perk up your mood and give you a healthy distraction. well, we are continuing that idea here today on fridays with oscar. my outfit today is a departure from my typical casual friday OOTD, as of late. we’re going a little more formal. but if that feels like a lot of work right now, not to worry: we’re keeping things super simple with our recipe and cocktail today. ’cause who says you need a party to whip up a cheeseboard?! so join us and see how to make a cheeseboard, as we are grazing on meats and cheeses and sipping a low abv cocktail: an elderflower spritz, today on fridays with oscar.

outfit of the day

i am picnic ready today with this adorable gingham skirt from Talbot’s. it’s great that warmer weather is coinciding with my knee surgery because it is so much more comfortable to wear a skirt or shorts!

a sleeveless white sweater is perfect for these spring days when it’s not too hot to wear a knit top. a sweater shell is a timeless classic. it’s so versatile, i recommend everyone have at least one in their closet. it can be worn over a button up as a vest, or alone when the weather is right.

the large check gingham skirt makes a bold statement – it’s fun and playful, just perfect for spring and brightening my mood. my blue suede slides are a fun contrast to the red in my skirt. they are topped with colorful gem-like baubles and sparkles. their whimsy makes me smile every time i wear them. pax is here today, hoping for a tasty bite!

gingham skirt | cable mock neck | similar sandals

how to make a cheeseboard

putting together a charcuterie platter and cheeseboard is a great way to clear out the cheese drawer in your fridge! it’s simple to put one together and it can be an easy dinner. if you want something more substantial than crackers, you can put out small slices of bread and condiments to make finger sandwiches.

whether it’s just you at home, or you have family in your home with you, putting out a cheeseboard is a fun change-up to the normal dinner or lunch routine. the cheeses on our board today include manchego, a blue brie, and a semi-soft cheddar. when selecting cheeses, it’s nice to have a variety between harder cheeses and softer cheeses. our meats include a spicy salami and prosciutto. it’s also nice to include a variety of crackers. we have a lavash cracker, Triscuits and Raincoast Crisps which have dried fruits and nuts baked right in.

round out your cheeseboard with fresh fruits like grapes, veggies like carrots. nuts and cherry tomatoes also make great snacks for your board. don’t forget to include some condiments if you like, maybe mustard or a fruit preserve. salty green olives stuffed with feta made it on to our board today, but pickles are a great option too.

elderflower spritz

to go with our “no recipe” cheeseboard, we have a low alcohol cocktail that is perfect for sipping in the afternoon on a warm day, an elderflower spritz. you can make this as low alcohol as you like by changing up the ratios: add more soda water than wine and a dash of elderflower liqueur. we have some elderflower soda, but you can use plain soda water and a little extra elderflower liqueur to taste. but however you build your spritz, the idea is simple: a little wine, a little soda, a splash of liqueur and that’s it – a refreshing, flavorful cocktail that’s fun to sip in the sunshine.

2 oz sauvignon blanc

2 oz club soda (or other soda water)

1.5 oz St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur

Pour wine then liqueur into and ice filled glass and top with soda water, stir to combine.

fridays with oscar

in the coming weeks on the blog i will have more mini-home tours of my home for you, as we’ve made a number of changes lately. we will have more health and wellness, and updates on my knee surgery recovery. you can also look forward to more videos on youtube and plenty of how-to’s and classic style tips and tricks. i hope that we continue to be a place where you come to have a distraction from your worries and stresses. we are here for you, at style at a certain age. oscar, ollie and i wish all of you a happy and safe weekend.

gingham skirt | cable mock neck | similar sandals

if you’re looking for more spring fashion, make sure to take a look at some of my top picks.

the world around us is changing quickly. no doubt. but i want us all to stop and take a deep breath. on Monday, we talked about dealing with uncertain times. that uncertainty continues to grow, and it can be unnerving for sure. but as a child of woman who went through the Great Depression and World War II, i’m here to remind us that the resolve of the human spirit is in the time of crisis is a historical constant. we will get through this. together.

i committed to bring you escapism in the coming days, weeks, and months. as we head into spring, i thought it would be fun to take a look back and see how some of my fashion choices from previous springs have held up. so join me today for a spring and outfit retrospective.

dress it up

this fit and flare dress from Talbots is the perfect dress to ease me into warmer weather. and the best part about a dress is that it’s one and done. just add shoes, handbag, and a few baubles, and you’re ready to walk out the door in no time flat.

beth from Style at a Certain Age wears a fit and flare dress, kitten heel sandals, and a black clutch handbag

how to transition to spring

spring can sometimes be tricky in regard to “what to wear.” while the calendar states that it’s spring the temps might not cooperate. that’s when the basics come in handy. it’s these wardrobe staples that help ease us into the next season. today i’ve chosen to wear white denim and a chambray shirt. easy enough, right? but there’s still a chill in the air, so a jacket is a must. a pair of booties wouldn’t be a bad idea either to keep those tootsies warm.

beth from Style at a Certain Age wears white denim, chambray shirt, suede jacket and booties

in the pink

a pair of white denim is the perfect choice for a cool weekend vibe. i paired them with a botanical tulip camp shirt. the pantone color of the year, purple, is in play with this vibrant tunic. and i couldn’t resist adding a pink v-neck sweater for an infusion of springtime color. anyone else likes to go up a size or two with a sweater? that’s a style tip i utilize now and then for a relaxed look. i also love to casually tie sweaters around my shoulders. this is an easy way to add color and an extra layer at the same time. later that evening the winds picked up while dining al fresco. guess who popped on her v-neck to stay warm? don’t forget the key to transitional spring outfits is layers.

everlane ecru denim, ann taylor floral blouse, j.crew italian cashmere sweater, ann taylor suede pumps, ralph lauren belt, ralph lauren handbag

in the navy

i tried my best to keep this OOTD somewhat spring-like with a nautical navy blue blazer. if the buttons on a blazer aren’t to your liking, you can always switch them. this is an easy way to update any item in your closet. blue jeans are a wardrobe staple 365 days a year. when in doubt as to what to wear on a casual day this blue jean mama reaches for a pair. plaid is seen everywhere this spring and summer, so a plaid shirt was a no-brainer. and leopard? well, it’s a neutral, so i added a leopard belt for contrast. notice how it ties the suede booties into the mix. to add a little pizazz to my style uniform, i grabbed a camo backpack from Patricia Nash. now i’m off and running and ready to brave those stiff winds.

j.crew skinny jeans, j.crew plaid shirt, banana republic navy blazer, banana republic suede booties, patricia nash backpack