who are you? probably one of the most basic questions; and probably one of the most debated ones throughout history. i’m not a philosopher, so i don’t and won’t have any deep answers here. but today i’m thinking about the idea of self-expression through style. as a reader recently pointed out, when a life event like a death happens, you’re gonna reflect on who you are in some form or another—like it or not. and this week since i’ve talked about career and trailblazing women through the lens of fashion, i thought i’d turn it inward: how do we express ourselves through fashion, especially as we age?
fashion foot forward
fashion can say everything about us; or it can say nothing at all. that’s the beauty of it, really. every morning, we can wake up with the intent to express to the world a myriad of different aspects of who we are simply with what we wear. it’s powerful. through simple outfit choices—basic color combinations—we can express confidence, intelligence, and social-awareness.
it will come as no surprise to you that one of my go-to looks is preppy. it has been my entire life. over the years, i’ve talked about that aesthetic on the blog here, here, and here. i’m a generally cheerful and optimistic person. i’m deliberate and mindful. this is what preppy conveys to me. and this is doubly true as i’ve gotten older—more confident in who i am and the fashion choices i make.
today i’ve put together a perfectly preppy autumn outfit. i’ve gone with a mixture of Talbots, Ann Taylor, J.Crew, and Nordstrom. (Make sure to check out J.Crew‘s sale.) i’ve got on a perfectly plaid coat that Ann Taylor can’t keep in-stock. so i’ve got a similar coat from Talbots for you.
as i’ve said numerous times this week: nothing says fall like plaid. and plaid is in a big way this year. i’ve paired the coat with a pair of skinny jeans from Ann Taylor. we’ve talked a lot about denim this fall, and make sure to check out the different types of sported below.
the weather has finally turned here in Athens. it’s getting chilly outside. yesterday on the blog, it was all about blazers. today, it’s all about coats. as i mentioned, Ann Taylor can’t keep this plaid one in-stock. so i’ve got a similar coat from Talbots for you. i’ve also compiled a list of fall coats and their variations i’m currently loving. and make sure to stay-tuned to our YouTube channel. more on jackets soon!
part of the preppy style is a good pair of penny loafers. so easy. so stylish. so comfortable. if you need to be on your feet all day, get a pair. your tootsies will thank you. and they pair so perfectly with a skinny pair of denim.
if you missed our Monday’s post, i put together a large selection of fall bags. today i’ve got a simple leather tote. super simple, but super practical. you can grab a similar tote at Nordstrom.
all right, gang! hump day is here. we’re halfway through the week. today, talk to me about your personal style and aesthetic. what does it say about you? what do you want to project with it? have you maintained and developed your style through the years? or has it changed? has it evolved, or are you totally rethinking it? leave a comment below. your outpouring of love, support, and interest is always an inspiration to me.
lately, i’ve been talking a lot about the “changes”. as many of you know, there have been a lot of changes over here on the blog. this summer jr. style joined us as our new cameraman and videographer. he’s helped me revamp our YouTube channel. we’ve introduced several new series, including fashion flash, style secrets, and fashion squared. my daughter in law, kelly, has also joined the blog and helped redesign our aesthetic across all of our channels. but as you know, although change is good, it can be exhausting. thank goodness it’s Fridays with Oscar! so let’s all kick back, relax, and jump into fall with pumpkins, pumpkins, and more pumpkins. hop into a comfy fall outfit and enjoy a pumpkin spice cocktail and savory pasta with Oscar and me.
fall fashion: outfit of the day
the weather in Athens is finally turning. after a record heatwave, we’re headed into a cool(er) weekend. since it’s Friday—and since the name of the game is to relax—i’ve chosen a comfy halogen sweater purchased at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale in July. similar sweaters are available here, here, and here. fall fashion and style is just as much about comfort as it is chic elegance.
to offset the length of the sweater just a smidge—and to keep my lines clean—i’ve chosen a pair of high-rise toothpick jeans from J. Crew. you can see the same denim styled differently here and here.
animal prints are in this year in a big way. anyone who follows this blog knows how much i love them. and i’ve given the outfit a little oompf by pairing it with a pair of laney wedges from Talbots (see how i’ve worn prints this year here and here.) wedges are a great alternative to heels as they give height but also have extra support for your tootsies.
last week, i refreshed my porch for fall. if you missed it, you can catch it here. today, i’m moving inside. i put together a tablescape for fall inspired by a pumpkin patch. i hope that it will get your creative juices going in preparation for Halloween and Thanksgiving.
notice that i’ve mixed glass and steel pumpkins with fresh ones i picked up from Trader Joe’s. much like floral design, mixing synthetic with organic creates visual interest.
how fun are these pumpkins? you can pick up a similar mercury pumpkin here and here and a similar glass one here and here.
and these place settings just the cutest? fall cannot be complete if your home and wardrobe are not replete with plaid. you can find the placemats and napkins at Pier 1.
entree: pumpkin alfredo with butternut squash ravioli
kelly chose our entree this week. it’s a pumpkin alfredo with butternut squash ravioli. i picked up the pasta from Trader Joe’s. (stay tuned for my upcoming post on how much i love, love, love TJs.) but the alfredo sauce is totally homemade. and it is d-e-l-i-s-h.
i can tell you with certainty that of all the recipes we’ve rolled out over the past few months, this one was the biggest hit with my kiddos. my oldest could not get enough. he ate more than his share, and is asking for more next week!
in case you missed it, last week i made an apple cider mojito. in the spirit of fall—and pumpkins—this week i’ve got something totally new and totally fun: a white pumpkin cocktail. this is a rum based drink with almond milk as a mixer. (but you can imagine substituting the almond milk for regular milk and/or cream.)
this cocktail looks almost as good as it tastes. it’s 5PM somewhere, isn’t it?
all right, gang! that’s a wrap for this week. it is my hope that with all the changes you may or may not be going through this fall, that you too are finding some time to relax. carving out time for ourselves is important. what does that look like for you? do you throw on a movie or pull out an old book? do you go for a hike in the park near you, or do you prefer a friday afternoon cocktail? let me know in the comments below.
oscar, jr. style, kelly and i wish each of you a lovely weekend! cheers to friday.
travel summary: new york city
i’m an empty-nester. all three kiddos have been out of the house for a long time now. and while two out of the three are here in Athens with me, i’ve got one that lives in New York City. i try to get out to see him once or twice a year. as some of you may have seen on Instagram, i went to visit him this past weekend. and what a fantastic trip. so many places to go, and so many places to be. (we went to see Chicago on Broadway!) but while i was there, it struck me that so many of you are taking similar trips this fall. i know traveling can be stressful: packing, getting to and from the airport, and taxiing in an unfamiliar city can be time consuming and overwhelming. whether you’re going with spouses for a weekend getaway, visiting (grand)kiddos across the country, or traveling for business, i wanted to give you some travel tips & fashion ideas for your fall journeys. so today’s post is all about NYC travel tips and fashion.
travel outfit of the day
deciding what to wear on a flight can be tricky. overdressing can be uncomfortable, especially on long flights. but i like to be stylish—even at the airport—so underdressing isn’t an option. i take the Goldilocks approach and aim for the sweet spot right in the middle. for my flight to NYC, i sported a denim boilersuit you can grab from Nordstroms and a pair of Tretorn ny lite sneakers. super easy, super comfy, and super stylish. not a lot of moving parts in this outfit, which is exactly what we’re going for, especially when we consider going through airport security.
when going for a weekend trip, i pack light. (you can read about how i pack my carry-ons here.) two bags this weekend: an under-seat suitcase created for Macy’s and a suede satchel you can pick up from Talbots. bags, including suitcases, are accessories that can take your outfit to the next level and really make it shine. the red color pop from the satchel contrasts perfectly with the cool denim and really makes the entire outfit pop. stay tuned to how i styled this ootd for nighttime. it’s another NYC travel tips and fashion
night outfit of the day
if you want to keep your weekend suitcase small and are committed to packing light, think about reusing your travel outfit. swap out your sneakers for heels and spruce up the original outfit with accessories and/or layers.
whether you’re heading out for cocktails, dinner, or a movie pair this outfit with this a simply sleek leather clutch, and you’re good for a night on the town.
with mr. style gone, i have to travel alone. without someone to help share the load, i’ve got to be prepared. below, i’ve compiled a list below of the things i think about before, during, and after a trip. all are obvious, but all are worth reminding ourselves every time.
packing. packing is planning, and planning is packing. have the right suitcases and bags for the right trips. are you going for a weekend getaway or a two week stay in Europe? different locale and durations have different requirements. and remember always that suitcases are investments—they’re worth the upfront cost. if you’re in need of inspiration on how or what to pack, check out some of my older posts here, here and here.
your wallet. seems obvious, but how many times have you walked out of the house without your ID, keys, credit card(s), and/or cash? it happens to all of us. you don’t want it to happen to you, especially if you’re leaving the country. always double and triple check whether you have at least your ID—drivers license and/or passport—and a credit card. that way if you get stranded, God forbid, you can head to a branch of your bank, hotel, and/or embassy and resolve the situation as painlessly as possible.
phone & apps. you’ve got your phone, but did you forget your charger? you’ve got you charger, but do you have a backup battery supply? our phones have become such integral parts of our lives, it’s not only frustrating when they’re out of juice, it can be scary, especially when we’re in an unfamiliar city. also, it’s worth checking whether you not only have all of the necessary apps for your trip, but that they’re properly configured too. uber, airb&b, delta, google and/or apple maps, expedia, etc. apps are there to make our lives easier. however, don’t get caught in a situation where you’re trying to grab an uber in L.A. only to discover that you’re credit card information is wrong and you don’t have service.
know where you’re going and what’s available to you when you’re there. are you going to Brazil or some other country that requires a travel visa? does your cell carrier offer international travel plans, or will you have to buy a burner phone when you land? does your airb&b have wifi, or will you have to find a local coffee shop to check email? these are all questions that you should ask your self well before you land in your destination city. do some research about where you’re going and what they have to offer. knowing is in fact half of the battle.
have a plan. from the initial stages of packing to a list of bars and restaurants you want to try when you arrive—plan your trip. some of you are over-planners. some of you fly by the seat of your pants. i’m somewhere in the middle but am always on the lookout for new travel tips, tricks and hacks. do you have any that i forgot? add them in the comments below.
more NYC travel tips and fashionoutfit ideas
i would be remiss if i didn’t give you a breakdown of the outfits i wore in NYC. below, you’ll find i’ve laid them all out—literally on my table—in the hopes that it will provide you with inspiration for your fall travels. remember, one of the keys to traveling is layering. temperatures fluctuate wildly, especially in transition seasons like fall and spring. airplanes are cold, and stepping out of the airport in Atlanta can be extremely hot. one way to be prepared is to design outfits with multiple layers: t-shirts, sweaters, jackets, and the like.
all right, gang, it’s wednesday! time to put a smile on someone’s face including your own.
many of you know, mr. style lost his battle to cancer in july. the outpouring of love and support from you, my readers, was moving. it forever changed me. and in reading through your emails and comments, i was particularly struck by the fact of just how many of you have dealt with or are dealing with cancer. i don’t think there’s a single one of us who does not have direct experience with this heinous disease.
it would be impossible to put into words what we all have gone through in our own individual battles; at least in any meaningful sense. but i do know that even when we feel powerless and like we cannot go on, we must—and do—wake up each and every day and continue our fight.
when Talbots reached out to me to partner against the fight against breast cancer, i immediately agreed. breast cancer is something that affects 12% of women a year. i know statistics can be abstract and impersonal, but i want you to think about that for just a second.
1 out of every 10 women you know will be directly affected by this disease in their lifetime. women like you and i; our mothers; our sisters; our daughters; our aunts; our cousins; women from our jobs; from our book clubs; from every aspect of our lives will face their own personal battle. and that battle will forever change us and everyone we come into contact with.
today, i’m proud to announce that i’m working with Talbots to raise money to support women in their personal battle against breast cancer. Talbots partnered with six internationally renowned female artists to create a limited-edition collection of one-of-a-kind scarves. In the spirit of helping women, Talbots will donate 20% of the net proceeds from each scarf sold from September 23, 2019 to October 31, 2019 in support of the Susan G. Komen Breast Care Helpline.
i’m wearing Caroline Melis’s scarf. designed in Cagliari, Italy this scarf displays lotus petals opening, one by one, to represent strength and determination. and it’s exactly our individual, but more importantly, collective strength and determination that we must trust in to see us through our darkest moments. it’s important to continue to fight against breast cancer.
today—maybe more than any time i can recall in recent memory—i want to hear from you. no doubt our battles with cancer are highly personal. but if you’re willing to share, even in part, i know it will serve not just as inspiration to me, but for others as well. and don’t forget we aren’t in this fight alone. i love the fact that Talbots is helping with the fight against breast cancer.
september has come and gone. can you believe that? i want you all to know that we have big things coming this fall and winter. with junior style and my daughter-in-law Kelly, we’re planning big expansions to both the blog and the YouTube channel. so stay tuned!
but before heading into october, i wanted to give you all a recap of where we’ve been this past month. below, i’ve compiled by top 5 posts of september as chosen by you my readers. as an extra bonus, i’ve also put together a top 10 list of my favorite items from this month.
for the past fifty years, we’ve been told to cut calories and exercise more. right?! wrong. while exercise is key to staying active our diet is the most important factor to aging well.
if you want to lose belly fat over 50 there are a few things to consider. first, balance your macros. many of you might be wondering what macros are. they’re better known as carbohydrates, protein, and fat.
another key ingredient to lose belly fat over 50 is intermittent fasting. FASTer Way to Fat Loss first introduced me to this concept. what is intermittent fasting?
i have been shopping at Banana Republic for all things fall. it’s been a minute since i’ve purchased anything from this iconic retailer that was a favorite of mine all through the nineties and into the twenty-first century. but in recent years Banana has been hit or miss for me. but recently i went on a spree.
this shopping spree proved to be a success with several items landing in my shopping cart. i’m sharing wide-leg jeans that are on-trend for fall. if you are looking to update your wardrobe in a jiff, look no further than an updated pair of blue jeans.
it’s an easy and inexpensive way to look modern and chic because we all know a great pair of denim will take you anywhere in style. personally, i’m loving wide-leg jeans and the high-waist. it’s a refreshing change from the skinny or straight jean.
on my YouTube channel, i introduced a new series where i select five items from a specific brand. this is an easy way to incorporate trends into your existing wardrobe that helps our outfits stay current and fresh. this week i went shopping at Ann Taylor. you can watch the YouTube video or read the entire post here to see what i recommend.
it’s first call for fall with one of my favorite brands – Talbots. and let me be the first to say i wanted “one of everything, please,” from their new catalog.
while checks are on-trend this season and i chose a gorgeous check blazer with a muted color palette. there’s something to be said about a tried and true staple. like a pair of indigo navy pants that will serve me well season after season.
Talbots spoke to thousands of women and discovered that despite a closetful of options, women only wear the same six pairs of pants. again. and again. and i know why!
‘cuz when you find pants that fit you well you will buy them in every color under the sun. nine-in-10 (90%) women said that when buying a pair of pants, they care the most about comfort. and i quite agree! read the entire post here to see why.
it’s full steam ahead into fall which means we’re trading in our flip-flops and sandals for loafers, boots, and booties. today, i’ve put together a list of my top 10 shoes for fall and winter. but if you only owned one pair of shoes, it would have to be black pumps. they go with everything.
don’t forget there are a variety of heel heights to choose from. so pick a height that your tootsies will thank you for.
see my entire top 10 list by reading the post here.
it’s friday, gang! summer is over, and fall is here. out with the old and in with the new. as an (adopted) southern woman, that means a mandatory refresh of my porches: front and back. i love the gold undertones of fall leaves that give the oranges, the reds, and the yellows their subtle but unmistakable shimmer. out go any remaining semblances of lazy summer days, and in come any and all combinations of this color palette: whether it be the fall harvest—pumpkins and cornucopias—or spooky, but always fun, Halloween skeletons.
my long time followers know that i love to decorate. i openly admit it. and i got that love from my mother. growing up, our basement was filled to the brim with decorations for every holiday and season: spring, summer, fall, and winter. and as a child, i would await the changing of the seasons in anticipation of my mother to out boxes full of decorations i hadn’t seen in a year.
now, i don’t want to scare anyone. the holidays aren’t upon us. yet. but there’s nothing wrong with getting a little jump start in preparation for the craziness that will surely ensue. so today, instead of giving you a new recipe to try, i’m going to show you my fall porch refresh. i hope it will inspire you to pull out your box of decorations and create some memories with your (grand)kiddos.
starting with the front porch refresh, i’ve scattered a variety of mums in my planter boxes. the subtle reds and yellows provide a nice backdrop for my Pièce de résistance: a bouquet of skeletons. isn’t it fun (and a bit spooky)?
although i’ve streamlined things a bit this year, and taken a more minimalist approach, you can imagine going full-blown. for a color pop, head to your local nursery and grab some celosia or goldenrod. scatter them amongst a healthy dose of pumpkins, squash, and other harvest favorites and you’ll be feeling fall in no time. and of course, i haven’t even touched on the endless possibilities Halloween decorating affords us…
and if it’s still 91 degrees where you are, keep it breezy with this sleeveless collared top (old, similar here) and comfy joggers from Ann Taylor Loft (old, similar here and here). as for footwear, i elevated the casual look of the joggers with snake print cap toe slingbacks (old, similar here and here).
i’ve streamlined the back porch refresh this year as well: i rotated my decorative pillows, pulled out a beautiful wool blanket, and a surprisingly simple, yet elegant centerpiece for the dining table.
as soon as temperatures start to drop, the back porch will become my most trafficked room, especially now that most of my kiddos are in town.
in preparation for the many dinners and late night conversations we’ll all enjoy, i’m sitting down to try a new cocktail: a fall-inspired apple cider mojito. the crisp, minty flavor takes the edge off the sweetness of the cider—a true juxtaposition of tastes.
and although i don’t have a recipe for you this week, i’d thought i’d try something new. i’m giving you my top 4 kitchen accessories i currently can’t live without. let me know what you think in the comments below.
silicone splatter screens are great because they stay cool to the touch. this one is nice because it folds for easy use and storage.
i get a lot of use out of a fine mesh skimmer, because it serves multiple purposes. it’s perfect for skimming fine particles out of soups and sauces, and it also works great to scoop small pastas like tortellini or ravioli out of boiling water.
silicone spatulas have replaced virtually all of the wooden spoons in my kitchen. they are great because they don’t conduct heat and won’t scuff up my nonstick pans. they are also the perfect tool for getting every last drop of batter or sauce out of a pan or bowl.
peeling garlic is even more annoying than chopping garlic. but this super simple gadget makes quick work of getting your cloves peeled and ready to go.
all right gang, another week in the books. but before you go and enjoy that apple cider mojito, let me know some of your fall memories in the comment section below. did you unpack Halloween decorations with your mother or grandmother? what sites and smells do you have floating around your kitchen this time of year?
i have to admit it’s been loads of fun partnering with Walmart this year with their We Dress America campaign. it’s fantastic to see a variety of brands accessible on one site – Walmart.com. there’s something on tap for anyone and everyone on your shopping list: women, men,children. hopefully, you’ve had a chance to check out a few brands available online at Walmart.com like EV1 from Ellen DeGeneres, Levi’s, Time and Tru, and Sofia Jeans by Sofia Vergara to name but a few. this time around, it’s all about fall fashion with Walmart.
in three of my previous Walmart posts, i tried Sofia Vergara jeans on for size and was quite happy with the fit. in for a penny in for a pound my mother always said. so i decided to add a pair of stylish on-trend frayed hem jeans to my collection. there’s no easier way to keep your outfit fresh and current than with a pair of modern blue jeans. the fit is true to size as i’m wearing my typical size eight. and they fit like a glove.
considering the calendar states it’s officially autumn it’s time for fall fashion with Walmart. time to reach for a knit mock neck poncho that’s perfect for those cooler temps that are headed our way. this comfy knit poncho comes in black and grey too!
every outfit needs a chic handbag to pull the outfit together. but instead of the tried and true hobo bag or satchel, why not add a camo tote into the mix? this one item adds the spit and polish a casual weekend outfit needs. the camo tote has a top zip closure, two interior slip pockets perfect for your phone, and one interior zip pocket. perfect for a shopping expedition. totes can handle lots of shopping bags stuffed inside.
all right, gang, are you ready to take a look at the new fall arrivals available at Walmart.com? i thought so. check out Scoop an iconic brand exclusive to Walmart.com with affordable prices.
a big thank you to Walmart for this sponsored post. and thank you, lovely readers for supporting the brands that allow me to bring you fresh ideas.
the weather finally broke last week dishing up cool mornings and evenings. in fact, one morning it was so chilly i even slipped on my sherpa-lined slippers! it’s been several months since that happened. if my tootsies are cold, i know fall is on the way.
this weekend was busy for yours truly having announced my three-month partnership with Easy Spirit. if you missed that post catch up on the buzz here. and saturday evening found me tagging along to an outdoor concert featuring Hank Williams, Jr. (he’s a spry seventy!) and Kid Rock. it was loads of fun, and the weather was perfect. nothing like sitting under the stars listening to music. and let me tell you both Hank and Kid Rock are on their A-game when it comes to performing.
no, i didn’t wear a turtleneck to the concert. but i have been shopping at Banana Republic for all things fall. it’s been a minute since i’ve purchased anything from this iconic retailer that was a favorite of mine all through the nineties and into the twenty-first century. but in recent years Banana has been hit or miss for me. this shopping spree proved to be a success with several items landing in my shopping cart.
last week i sported a blue leopard print shirt that sold out in a nano-second. this week i’m sharing wide-leg jeans that are on-trend for fall. if you are looking to update your wardrobe in a jiff, look no further than an updated pair of blue jeans. it’s an easy and inexpensive way to look modern and chic because we all know a great pair of denim will take you anywhere in style. personally, i’m loving wide-leg jeans and the high-waist. it’s a refreshing change from the skinny or straight jean.
this leather crossbody handbag is large enough to hold all of my essentials – keys, phone, lipstick, credit cards, and cash.
the embellished plaid shoes are from last year J.Crew. but they have an updated style for 2019 with a pointed toe.
can you believe monday morning is knocking on our door? before we kick off a new week stop by and let me know what your weekend looked like. on the way home from the concert saturday night we listened to the Bulldogs beat Notre Dame! sunday afternoon found me at the movie theater watching Ad Astra starring brad pitt. it’s profound. but why not? it’s set in deep space after all. but at the same time it’s very relatable and i loved the ending. happy monday, ladies!
dinner. a time for family. a time for friends. a time for everyone to gather around no matter what—good day or bad—and share. whether you have time to cook for one, for two, for three, or for more. whether you call takeout or delivery, or whether you get dressed up and go out—dinner time is a sacred time.
if you’re a regular around here, you know i have a passion for food. and for cocktails. and for family. the combination of all three is essential to who i am. they’re all passions of mine.
and in this day and age, it’s a cliche, but to combine all three around the dinner table—it’s hard. i know. our lives pull in all directions: up. down. left. right. this way and that. sometimes it feels darn near impossible to make time—time for the things and the people we love.
it’s important—more than important—to carve out time a few times a week and reach out to those that matter most. it could be a friend you haven’t spoken to in months or family member that you have—doesn’t matter. reach out and invite them to dinner.
order a drink. and then an appetizer. and then an entree. after you’ve eaten your fill, talk. talk and connect. or reconnect. whatever you need to do. do it. whoever it is; whatever the story, use dinner as an excuse to talk about the little and the big things.
use it as an excuse to…
tonight, we’re going out to dinner. the three of us: my oldest and his wife and myself. we’re going for prime rib. (and the appropriate sides.) and, of course, we’re going in style.
because it’s only wednesday—not the weekend i’m going chic, no doubt, but slightly subdued. the outfit i’ve chosen is perfect for any (semi-)formal occasion.
let’s start with the classics: a pair of black slacks that fit like a glove from Kobi Halperin. they’re a staple in any closet. they pair with anything. and i mean anything. dress them down or up. tonight, i’ve paired them with pattern—a beautiful black checkered sleeveless shell from Ann Taylor (old, similar here). many of you might remember this tweed jacket from Talbots seen here and here. and sooo many of you asked about this suede handbag last seen here and here. good news! there’s a current rendition of both the handbag and jacket available. so get excited!
but any colored pattern will do: the slacks serve as your foundation—your accouterments if you will—and the patterned sweater—or blouse or shirt—you can think of it as your main course. splurge.
all right, gang. i want to hear from you. tell me about your last dinner out—or in. who was there? what did you make? or what did you order? did you have an opportunity to connect? or reconnect? or something in between. recipes or stories. i want to hear it all in the comments below.
