Fashion Files and a Link Party!

Week 30!

Welcome back for this week’s edition of the Fashion Files, hosted by Amy and me! If you don’t know Amy, her blog is Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa. I hope it’s a beautiful world wherever you are! There are a few extra photos this week because I got away for the weekend. It was a much needed break, and I loved almost every minute of it! My daughter, oldest granddaughter, and I went to Asheville, NC. We went to Christmas at Biltmore and had such a good time. I may write a separate post about it, but I’m not promising anything.

Let’s get this party started!

If you’re a fashion blogger, this is the place to be. It’s the day of the week where I talk about the things I wore last week and what I did as well as anything I might have bought. It’s also the place where you can tell us about what you wore, what you bought, what you wished you’d bought! Please tell your friends about our link party because we’d love to see it grow and grow! I am fairly sure I made it to everyone’s posts last week and commented on them. Please continue to link up with us! Life has got to slow down sometime right? So, on with the show! Huzzah!

Last week’s looks…

Tuesday – I had a dentist appointment to have new retainers made. I bet that made y’all chuckle! I had braces when I was in my 30s and kinda regret it now. My bottom teeth were extremely crooked. Unfortunately, my parents couldn’t afford orthodontia when I was a kid. I had four teeth pulled because, as the orthodontist put it, my teeth were too big for my mouth! Now, all those gaps had to be closed, but no one told me the kinds of problems orthodontia in your adult years can cause. Long story short, your bone has “solidified” by that time. Moving your teeth can and, in my case, definitely did, shear off your roots as the teeth are forced through that solid bone. Then, add to that I had ceramic braces on the top and was told to brush very well so I did. I have pretty severe gum recession (TMI, I know) and some bone loss. I have worn retainers since I was 34 when those braces came off. I had a gum graft while I was still teaching, but that was more for mobility issues with my teeth than to rebuild gums. After that, I quit wearing my bottom retainers because the gum graft had to heal and was a bit tender once healed. By the time I could wear my retainer, my teeth had moved a bit. I also have bruxism as a side effect of an anti-depressant several decades ago. I only took it for a couple of months, but that side effect has lasted decades. Anyway, I now wear Essix retainers at night to prevent more grinding away of my teeth. Now, that’s a long story, and I apologize. The little doohickey they use to make the retainers is all computerized. The dental assistant used this tool to move all around my teeth and create a 3-D image of my teeth. My retainers will be made from that. I wore jeans and a tee shirt, but I forgot to snap a photo. In the afternoon, I worked more in the kitchen trying to put some things away. I don’t want to put things back on the counters until we do the backsplash. I may have to do that just to get the stuff out of the primary bedroom.

Wednesday – I’ve mentioned before I’m in a group of docents who go on little art excursions. This time we went to a summer home of Eli Lilly’s located in Fishers (my oldest lives there). It’s located on the grounds of Conner Prairie. I remember going there (Conner Prairie) with my kids on field trips. And, when I was a teacher, this was one of ours. The bus ride was about two hours each way, but it was worth it for the experience. Anyway, the Eli Lilly…not the founder of Lilly Company…his grandson…and his wife bought this place and decided it would be a nice summer home and the perfect place for some of their Asian art collected over the years. The name of the home is Shen Ho Shih which means “House of Sylvan Harmonies.” We learned about why these particular Lillys bought Asian art as well as the history of the home (they didn’t build it). They did, however, begin Conner Prairie with the idea of preserving the land and opening it up to people. The home itself isn’t that amazing (other than the ceiling of the living room). A lot of the home isn’t even really restored. The upstairs is off limits due to being too dangerous. I don’t think the organization running Conner Prairie has any immediate plans to renovate it, either. They did build an immense event space off the back. It would be a gorgeous place to hold a wedding reception or even get married there. I was just so surprised because I had gone to Conner Prairie so many times and had absolutely no idea this place even existed. We had lunch there, and I caught up with one of my docent besties. We haven’t seen each other since August! I wore a fun pair of “tulip” shaped pants from Tulip Clothing along with a white tee and an old military styled jacket from J Jill. I wasn’t really sure what we were going to do so I wore a pair of my Sambas from Adidas. When I got home, I worked a little more on cleaning things up. I really need to get busy on the backsplash and call it a day on the kitchen! I had bell practice in the evening.

Thursday – Y’all!!! I am such a naive person. I think I mentioned our church fall retreat is usually held at a Lutheran church camp. But, the date we need has already been reserved for next year. So, we’re pivoting and planning a one day retreat. Several of the women had already toured the home of this couple who have two homes (le sigh), and they let some organizations use this house for small events. The steering committee decided we all needed to tour it to see if it would meet our needs. When I say I am naive, I mean I am naive. I honestly had no clue people live like this! This house is only about five or six miles away from me, as the crow flies. It is huge! I’m not going to say a lot about it except to say I can’t imagine what their lake home is like. This house is going on the market, I guess, in a few years. It wasn’t really to my taste, but I was still flabbergasted at the sheer size, the fixtures, and the grounds. Oh, the grounds are just fabulous. This girl misses mature trees and lots of open space. This place had it in abundance. It’s not that I want (or need) a house that size. It’s just knowing that people actually live like that…like I said, I’m naive! And, wouldn’t you know it? I just plopped on a wig, threw on a sweatshirt and some jeans. Nigel had physical therapy in the afternoon. I started my packing for my weekend getaway. I always make a packing list to make sure I don’t forget anything. Then, I take the list with me to make sure I don’t leave anything behind. Our luggage is in the attic, and I didn’t feel like climbing up there. I used three different duffle type bags for my stuff. I dropped my little buddy, Jack, off at the boarder, and Thursday night felt so lonely without him by my side. While he will be my last pet, I love the little guy dearly.

Friday – Hallelujah!!! A few weeks ago, my daughter asked me if I wanted to go to Asheville to visit the Biltmore. Now, the Biltmore ranks up there on my list of favorite places. I first went there when my kids were little. We went with my mom. My daughter had just the barest of memories of going. I was nervous about leaving Nigel for the weekend. I had all his meds in containers, indicated when he should take them, and put in a place he could easily access. I asked him not to use his cane or try to shower over the weekend. He gives himself a sponge bath when necessary. Anyway, we left my house around 8:00am! I had gotten up at 6:00, showered, got all make-upped, and was ready by 7:30! I’m here to tell you…wearing wigs cuts so much time out of my prep time! For the drive itself (about 7.5 hours), I wore a pair of Old Navy joggers and an asymmetrical top (also ON). We took my daughter’s “car” which is way more comfortable than my little Civic! I read a little, but we spent a lot of time catching up on things I’ve missed over the years. We stayed at really cute little AirBnB in Hendersonville. We got there, unpacked, relaxed just a bit, then changed and drove into Asheville. I just love Asheville. I saw a tee shirt that said “Asheville – the Paris of the South!” And, I would agree…not that I’ve been to Paris. It has so many cute, little quirky shops. We spent a long time in this one large building which housed several different vendors. I meant to go back to pick up a windchime, but we ran out of time. We made reservations at Tupelo Honey. Right outside is this little public area. On Friday nights, they have a drum circle. Anyone with any kind of percussion instrument just comes and plays, leaves when they’re done, and everyone else just sits there and listens. Or, in our case, stands there and dances! My granddaughter got a groove bone from her dad while my daughter and I are just pathetic. I had changed into a pair of grey Talbots jeans, a white tee, and a navy velvet jacket with beading from J Jill. It’s funny because both Angie and Jodie had written posts about how to wear a statement jacket! And, there I was wearing one! After having a bite to eat (love the biscuits at Tupelo Honey), we headed back to the house. I’m pretty sure all three of us slept really well.

Saturday – I was a bit surprised at how chilly Asheville was, but I shouldn’t be because it’s in the mountains. It’s also November! We headed back into Asheville for a bit more shopping. We were surprised that many of the shops didn’t open until 11:00. Our reservations at the Biltmore were for 5:30, but we needed to get to the entrance by about 4:30 or so. We had decided we wanted to get there even earlier to see some of the gardens. More on that later, though. My granddaughter is really into vintage. In fact, the jacket/blazer she wore that day was one Nigel bought me when I was a Junior or Senior in high school. I had kept it and a corduroy jacket. A claimed both when I asked if she wanted them! There was a vintage/estate jewelry store she wanted to check out, but it was one of the stores that didn’t open until 11:00. Y’all know what store opened at 10:00? April Cornell! The store had moved since Nigel and I had last been to Asheville so we used the map app to try to find it. I can use those when driving, but walking is a whole different set of problems! We eventually ended up there but not before dropping into a couple of other fun little shops. I bought two dresses (here and here). By then, we knew the jewelry store was open so we headed back that direction. The jewelry in those cases was exquisite…and priced accordingly! There was an aquamarine ring that had a woman’s face carved on it, a two carat solitaire, and so many other gorgeous pieces. My granddaughter wanted to look at a pair of opal earrings…the cost was five digits! Needless to say, we didn’t buy anything there. I did, however, buy a pair of earrings Friday night at the large building. They are roses…actual roses! They are small rosebuds not quite open and are preserved in a resin. I was tempted to buy so much at that place. We ate lunch in an old Woolworth’s building (the sign was still on the side of the building). We ate at a soda fountain which was not original to the building. We walked around a bit more before deciding to head back to the house and change for the evening. Unfortunately, the parking lot where my daughter had parked was just stupid. There, I said it! She drives a relatively large SUV but not huge. As she was backing up, her warning system told her to stop. She realized the car behind her was immediately behind her. Both cars, mind you, were parked legally! After we all panicked a bit, between the three of us, we got the car out and were on the road. I don’t know how long they were there, but there was a couple watching us. I keep wondering if we won’t be the stars of a viral video showing how to get out of a parking space! My daughter was a rockstar because I would have just melted into a pile of I can’t do it goo. For the Biltmore, I wore my fun pants seen here with a black turtleneck with large paillettes. I didn’t want to go full on Christmas, but I wanted to be festive! I also wore my Sambas because there is a lot of walking at the Biltmore…both in the house and on the grounds. Kellyann, my daughter wore on of your WalMart blazers! My granddaughter wore a beautiful dress she’d gotten for her Senior photos. We arrived at the Biltmore with about 90 minutes before our entrance time. That gave us some time to look out at the gardens. There were two problems to that…the sun was going down and blinding us and the gardens are kinda bare right now. So, we killed lots of time in the various gift shops. Finally, we were allowed inside. The Biltmore is a grand old dame, and she just gets more glorious with age. We didn’t have a guided tour which I think is a big mistake on their part. When we’ve gone years ago, there used to be a docent or tour guide. They would have lots of cool little anecdotes for rooms or objects. Now, you get a little gadget that tells you about the room or interesting things about the life there. My favorite room has always been the Winter Garden. It’s a gorgeous wooden conservatory built right in the middle of the house where you enter! If I could have a cup of tea, some nice little cakes, and a warm throw, I’d just stay there for hours. I’m going to stop with the gushing now because I could truly go on and on about the Biltmore. It cost $5million dollars to build and took seven years. That would be between $150 and 180 million in today’s dollars! Unfortunately, we had parked in one of the lots the trolley didn’t service so we had to walk back to our car. It wasn’t the walk (though my knee was bothering me after climbing up and down so many stairs); it was the cold. I don’t know what the temperature was, but we were all shivering! We arrived back at the house, and unwound. I packed up my bags and curled up in my bed to read for a bit. I was asleep pretty fast!

Sunday – Our original plan had been to go back to the Biltmore (our ticket was for two days) to tour the grounds, but we all agreed we wanted to get home earlier. The grounds really were asleep for the most part. We left around 7:45 am and got back to my house around 3:45 in the afternoon. We spent most of the ride talking. A worked on a homework assignment during both drives. I still can’t wrap my brain around her being a Senior. I wore an old pair of Loft jeans and my pomegranate Garnet Hill sweater. And, yes, I was at McDonald’s when I had A snap a photo! I always unpack and put things away as soon as I get home. It’s just one of those chores I don’t want to put off for a long time. I had hoped to get caught up on reading blogs and commenting, but that didn’t happen. Do you have a small case of the blues after travel? I surely do, and this time it hit fast. I think it’s because I was just so happy being with my daughter and granddaughter and catching up on their lives. It was also because I haven’t been anywhere since I went to Ireland in 2023. I know that’s such a first world problem, but it’s my truth.

Monday – I had so much to accomplish during this day. I had to drive to the county seat to pay our property taxes. Then, I needed to pick up salt for our water softener. Nigel had physical therapy so he needed a shower. I also had to pick Jack up from the boarder. Then, in the evening, I had Bible study. I had to put the finishing touches on this post as well as write the 10 on the 10th post! Oh, I forgot…I did get most of my poetry and painting tour figured out during our road trip. My granddaughter helped me pick out poems for the paintings I’m using. It’s next week, and I’ve never done one before. I hope it goes well. I’ll let you know how it goes! I plopped on another wig, threw on one of my beloved tunic ON sweatshirts and another pair of Loft jeans. I did add makeup for the Bible Study.

In between…

I’m still knitting, but I think I’m nearing the end. The box of yarn is nearly empty so, either, I’m going to be short yarn because my tension was off. Or, I’m close to being finished. Then, I have to put it together, figure out the back, and I’ll have that project done. We finished “The Gentlemen.” It’s been renewed for another season but hasn’t started filming yet. We watched an episode of “War,” and I think that’s it for tv. I am reading Goodbye, Mr. Chips and am really enjoying it. I also have Size 12 is Not Fat. on my Libby app as well as reading Bright Lights, Big Ass by Jen Lancaster. I think I’ve mentioned her before, but she has ties to the school corporation where I taught. Her family moved to that county when she was in middle school, I think. Anyway, her memoirs are hilarious and quite raucous! Yes, she drops the f bomb like crazy but is so averse to nudity and female parts, she hyperventilates! If you’re looking for a good read, try Bitter is the New Black. That’s her first book, and I didn’t even realize it was a memoir until I finished it and really looked at the cover.

What I purchased…

Surprise! I didn’t buy any wigs though I was sorely tempted a couple of times. I did buy the two April Cornell dresses (the mushroom one is on major sale right now). I also bought some more Makenzie Childs pumpkins on clearance. I ordered a cashmere sweater from Talbots when they had some sale, but I will return it. The colors do nothing for me. I ordered Nigel some joggers and new socks. Remember that sweater kit I talked about last week? Well, Yarn.com had a big sale on the yarn, so I ordered the yarn separately. I bought the pattern from Rowan, and I will start it after I finish my blanket. I saved more than $100 on the yarn so I call that a win!

What to link up…

Please link up your favorite fashion posts, old and new. Please take the time to visit some of the other bloggers. I’m sure they would appreciate it, and please let them know you are visiting from our link up! I really do thank Amy for being my co-host! Feel free to show us what you’ve been wearing, what you’ve bought, returned, or just thought about. Maybe you could share something you’d love to have but never will for whatever reason. You can tell us…we’ll understand. Tell us about your shopping habits. Do you enjoy thrifting, reselling, or online shopping? Just write a post about fashion of any kind. You could even do a review of an awards show. There are always awards shows, it seems! And, remember, even if you’re a movie reviewer, a baking blog, a book lovers blog, a blog that’s anything but fashion, I’m betting you get dressed. Snap a photo, write a little about it, and link it up! You really don’t have to dress up, either…take a look at my Sunday outfit! Thanks, my friends, for linking up and spreading the news!

First Name

Last Name

List choice Marsha’s Blog

Email address:

Leave this field empty if you're human: