Fine Art + Food + Fashion...

The lovely town where I live holds an annual event each April in its quaint, historic downtown: Art Walk.  It's laden with art exhibits, performance arts, creatives selling their wares and scads of special events--including the Fine Art + Food + Fashion luncheon. 

This soiree is one of my faves.  Check out prior posts from past years' Fine Art + Food + Fashion luncheons here and here. The outfit featured in this post is what I wore to last Saturday's event.  As you can see from our tickets, a pair of sneakers is the logo for this event.  Guess what I wore with my dress?  Yup, I wore my sneaks (smile).

Cardigan: Tommy Hilfiger

Maxi Dress (worn as skirt): Christopher & Banks (older and gifted)

Scarf: Old Navy

Fedora: Old Navy

Handbag: Sole Society

Sneakers: Converse

Sunnies: Helix via Kohl's

Men's Watch: Pulsar (gifted)

Bracelet: Fossil

Earrings: Vintage Monet

This year's event was extra special.  My lovely daughter-in-law, Amanda (Yes, that's her in the photo below!) traveled from Michigan to join me for lunch and time strolling downtown amidst the town's artsy celebrations.  Afterwards, we joined up with Mark and our oldest son Andrew (who enjoyed a father-son outing during the luncheon) for dinner at a local pub.    Fine art + food +fashion + quality time with loved ones = one spectacular day.

Joy, peace and all the best! T.

On Life Balance...

Isn't the gorgeous grove of trees featured in these photos magical?  There's something else I adore about these pics, though...  It's the lovely interplay of sun and shadows--gently gracing an early evening in the springtime.

I've often said some of life's best lessons are brought about by nature's glory.  That evening's simple interplay of light and shadows reminds me of the necessity for balance--in all things.

Over time, I've found I can balance even the busiest of days in the office.  Some of my favorite ways to do so are to simply step outside for a few minutes to savor a bed of tulips in bloom, walk across the hall to brew a cup of herbal tea, and to gift myself a quick, solo lunch date to grab a chocolate-banana soy smoothie.

Journaling from home, before my busy work day begins, is a luscious way to ensure myself balance.  And, post-work yoga classes and walks outdoors after dinner--those work well, too!

Cardigan: Chico's

Jean Shirt: Piace Boutique in Bloomington, IN

Belted Skirt: White House Black Market (thrifted with original price tag still on it!)

Tights: Simply Vera Wang via Kohl's

Shoes: Anne Klein

Jade Necklace: Vintage (bought at an antique store in southern Ohio)

Watch: Geneva

Silver Link Bracelet: Hubby's

Sunnies: Nine West

Handbag: Kate Spade Saturday

Share with me your thoughts on achieving life balance.  I'd love to hear them!

Joy & peace! T.

BTW, I've linked to the Two Birds' blog Inspiration Monday.  Drop by, and check it out!

Art is Everywhere, Everything...And, That's Fab!

Last Sunday, Mark and I ventured out to the Toledo Museum of Art to see their exhibit on the Louve's Tuileries Garden.  In a word, it was "fab!" Makes me want to pack up, today, and head to Paris (smile)!

As I'd noted earlier this week, I'm deeply craving more art--as of late.  Needless to say, this exhibit certainly helped in feeding said need.

Coco Chanel once said, "Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening."  Well, the same goes for art.  It's not just in a museum or on a wall.  Art is in our skies and on the streets.  It's all about the ideas we have, how we live each day and what occurs in our lives (and our reactions to said life occurrences).

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/c/cocochanel402562.html#JE78kELEfBGkp7ah.99

As I look at these photos, I am awestruck by the emergence of leaves on the trees in the foreground, the beauty of the museum's architecture and even the lovely brick walkway I'm standing on.  It's all art--as is what I've chosen to wear and how I spent my day last Sunday.  Yup, art is everywhere, everything...and that's fab!

 Silk Blouse:  Charter Club (thrifted)

Jeans: Calvin Klein

Belt: J Crew

Shoes: Target

Handbag: Vintage Rooney and Bourke (Capital City Antiques, Frankfort, KY)

Animalier Shawl: Boutique along Lake Erie

Men's Watch: Pulsar (gifted)

Pendant: College graduation gift from my grandparents

Where do you find art in everyday life?  Please share as I'd love hearing about it!

Joy, peace and artful living to you!  T.

The Grace of Having Writer's Block

Featured in this post are the last of the pics from my recent anniversary getaway in Louisville, Kentucky.  When I sat down to write, today; truly, I had no specific idea what to write.  You see, I had writer's block...

Here's the grace and glory of this: it gives me an opportunity to:

• be okay with that fact;
• not judge myself;
• boycott any drama surrounding said writer's block
• assess whether I am in need of ways to enhance my creativity (e.g. a solo artist's date);
• give thanks that writer's block is my only real problem right now; 
• pull out my journal and write away;
• etc., etc., etc.

The benefit of having writer's block (when it's not made into a big deal) is that (somehow) it reverses itself.  Don't you agree?

Scarf: Coach (gifted)

Top: Nautica

Chinos: American Eagle (and older)

Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff

Sneakers: Converse

Sunnies: Dollar Tree

Men's Watch: Pulsar (gifted)

Bracelet: Fossil

Wishing you a day laden with creative expression, grace and glory!  Joy & peace, T.

Living + Loving Art...

Not sure if it's the emergence of springtime, or what... But, I'm feeling an increased need to embrace art as of late.  Sure, I seem to do this a lot anyway; nevertheless, I want to do it even more so, and mindfully.

The lovely mural featured in this post is displayed in a sweet courtyard in the downtown area of the city where I live--right across the way from our fave restaurant--where we generally dine on Friday evenings.  This past Friday, I realized I'd never taken the time to stop and truly enjoy this lovely piece of art; so, this week (post our dinner date), I did (smile).

Later, at home, we decided to watch a charming Dutch film (set in Italy) featuring subtitles.  We enjoyed it while sipping wine we had purchased the prior weekend at a little winery in the foothills of Kentucky.  Now, that's what I call living artfully!

Yes, living artfully means enjoying lovely art and creating beautiful things...  Yet, it also includes taking time to simply live well.  The glory of living well is that it is defined by each of us, individually.  Living well could be a walk in nature, breakfast on the patio or journal writing at dawn.  It could be anything you deem it to be. The important thing about living well is to do so with intention.

Jacket: Westbound via Dillards

Top: L.L. Bean

Belt: Thrifted (no brand)

Skirt: JCP

Tights: Simply Vera Wang via Kohl's

Heels: Rampage

Handbag: Sole Society

Sunnies: Firmoo

Men's Diamond Watch: Elgin (yard sale snag!)

Bracelet: Fossil

Statement Necklace: Bought at a charity auction

What's an artful evening look like to you?  Would love hearing about it!

Joy and peace, T.

BTW, I'm linking to the Two Birds' blog on Monday--along with others wearing heels and femininely dressed in black! :)

A Long Weekend=A Better Monday...

Mark and I enjoyed an extended weekend away (last week) in celebration of our 33rd wedding anniversary.  We headed to Louisville, Kentucky--savoring plenty of sightseeing in the city, yummy dining, antiquing, wine trailing and playful exploring of the lovely hills and blooming countryside outside of town.  Our last night away, we stayed in our beloved Bloomington, Indiana--the charming home of our college undergrad alma mater.  I had no idea how much I needed a few days away--until I took them!

Monday arrived way too early.  And...it arrived with a jolt, too--rain and heavy winds abounding...
Before I left the house that morning, two of my hot roller clips broke.  On top of that, I feared (since they were no where to be found) my bag of hair accessories was likely left behind in one of the hotel rooms where we had stayed.

My first thoughts were those of frustration. Then, I quickly told myself things had been lost--not loved ones.  That truly changed my perspective!

Pulling out of my driveway in the pouring rain, I soon realized both the trash and recycle bins had blown over.  The perfectionist in me wanted to stop (rain, wind and all) and turn them back upward.  I decided not to, though. It wasn't how I wanted to start my Monday (arriving late and soaking wet to work).

Interestingly enough, I returned home that night to find my dear hubby had righted the upset trash bins upon his return back home, and put them away for next week. We had a good laugh about the garbage not getting picked up.  Later, that eve, I found two replacement hot roller clips stored in my dresser drawer, and thereafter realized I had simply failed to unpack my bag of hair accessories from the luggage (versus leaving them behind in Indiana).

Scarf: Consignment Shop (along Newbury Street in Boston)

Top: Talbots (consigned)

Jeans: J Crew

Sneakers: Converse

Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff

Sunnies: Dollar Tree

Watch: Michael Kors

Rose Gold Link Bracelet: Vintage via Etsy

Stone Bracelet: Gift Shop in Nassau

No doubt my restful, long weekend helped me balance out an (um) interesting Monday!  Ever have one of those? I'm guessing you have (smile)...

Joy and peace, T.

On Women and Rivalry...

The Saturday before last, I attended a Zonta Area meeting.  This fab event took place at the local college campus--where I enjoyed great fellowship, team building exercises, and wonderful guest speakers--all of them delivering women-focused messages of inspiration.  I adore events such as this!  Don't you?

The first speaker of the day was my fave!  Her talk was centered around the subject of women and rivalry and how women sometimes trip each other (versus assisting each other) in their quest for success.  She also discussed how women will also often sabotage themselves through actions that only serve to set them back.

Two reading resources she recommended were:

• Susan Shapiro Barash's Tripping the Prom Queen: The Truth About Women and Rivalry; and
• Susan Nolen-Hoeksema's Women Who Think Too Much: How to Break Free of Overthinking and Reclaim Your Life.

I've placed both of these on my "must read" list!  In fact, I've already purchased the second of the two.

Blazer: Peace of Cloth

Blouse: Forever 21

Skirt: Merona (consigned)

Tights: Simply Vera Wang

Booties: Nine West

Handbag: Fossil

Sunnies: Firmoo

Art Deco Glass Pendant: Vintage via Etsy

Men's Watch: Pulsar (gifted)

Belt: Fossil

This is a subject matter that deserves far more than one, brief blog post.  Nevertheless, I wanted to bring it forward as it's one worthy of attention. Don't you think?

Joy and peace, Friends!  T.

Digbabies Blouse Review/Things I Dig...

I dig...

• full-moon nights
• sipping java while I write in my journal, early in the morning
• holding Mark's hand while walking at night in the cool springtime rain
• sipping a glass of dry rose wine from my patio on the first warm evening of the season
• cuddling with my adopted pet tabby cat
• sharing a heartfelt laugh with my amazing adult children
• savoring a weekend getaway (We just returned from Louisville, Kentucky!)
• anything with hearts on it
• the color blue...

The folks at Digbabies recently asked me to review the lovely blouse featured in this post... Isn't it sweet? The brand is Topshop, and I honestly couldn't be any happier with it.  Its quality is topnotch, and even though my blouse was sent to me courtesy of Digbabies, the listed price simply could not be beat.  This same blouse is also available in a yummy shade of red, too.

Digbabies offers free worldwide shipping.  And, another great feature... Unsatisfied goods can be returned.

Digbabies' diversity of product is massive.  They offer everything from jeans to dresses to accessories to sweatshirts.  Many of their pieces have a definite vintage touch--which I personally adore!

 Blouse: Topshop via Digbabies

Jeans: Liz Claiborne via JCP

Belt: Banana Republic

Heels: Nine West

Handbag: Leather Satchel Co. via Asos

Sunnies: Helix via Kohl's

Statement Necklace: Purchased from a talented artist friend

What is it you're digging these days?  Would love hearing about it!

Joy and peace, T.