OK, so I may be a girly-girl. And I love being feminine. And I love pretty things.
Yes. This would be Me in all my girly glory!
But I’m not a fussy dresser.
This could be because I wore uniforms to school for many years.
I pretty much still dress like this–except I go bare-legged with a mighty fake tan!
Or it could be from the words of my mother who always said that it was far better to be under dressed for the occasion rather than to be over dressed.
And I get that!
It means dressing appropriately but not over-the-top. It also means not dressing like you just rolled out of bed.
This is not what is meant by Day-Into-Night. This is purely Sleepy Time Ensemble! Nobody should be wearing a get up like this outside of their home. Not now. Not ever. Never!
And, with age, I’ve become a bit more relaxed about my day-into-evening dressing.
Back when I was younger, I would literally spend hours mulling over what I would wear to attend an event or special occasion. It would be worse when an event was directly after office hours.
I’m not lying to you when I tell you that there were times when I took a change of clothing to the office.
Over the years, I’ve become more chill.
When Bonaparte and I have a date night, it is on the weekend. It is the very rare weeknight evening if we must attend an event.
So, when we do go out in the evening, it is after a busy day of being out and about running errands, shopping and whatever else pops up.
And during those weekend days, I’ll wear jeans. I love jeans—and I swear to you, I love them now more than when I was younger. They are no fuss, they are simple and can change from casual to elegant in a matter of minutes!
My daytime look can be as simple as a white tee, very casual skinny jeans and sneakers. Hair up and bit of makeup.
Classic weekend look–white tee. Skinny Jeans. Sneakers.
My bio hair piled up on top of my head.
..or a plaid shirt layered with a sweater. It’s all good for daytime.
My nighttime look is also simple with the addition of a Chanel-inspired Lady Jacket, a touch of darker eye makeup, a simple clutch and heels.
Quick change artist, I am. Less than five minutes to change shoes, add a jacket..
...plop on a head of fake hair, freshen makeup and add a clutch to match the heels…
Ba-da-boom. The look is complete.
Another great day-into-night look. During the day loafers or sneakers. At night. Red heels. Fake pearls. Mo’ makeup and this time, my bio hair!
For the most part, it’s as simple as a change of shoes.
If I do wear a dress while out for an event, you can rest assured it will be simple and comfortable with plenty of allowance for dancing all night and running back and forth to the open bar!
Lots of big fake hair, a simple black dress and a very inexpensive skinny necklace purchased during a major J. Crew Factory sale are the beginnings of another day-into-night look during the work week.
This dress? It’s by Tiana B. This dress is so old that I cannot remember if it was purchased from QVC or TJ Maxx. I think I paid twenty bucks for it and it is over ten years old and still going strong!
I really, really like the look of a thin chain or two with this dress. It’s very delicate. Something of which I am not!
You know, I’m not much of an accessory person. I have my scarfs which I wear mostly to hide turkey neck.
Probably my most important accessory. The scarf. It does a stellar job hiding my turkey neck!
And it occurred to me while writing this post that even though I have quite a bit of costume jewelry, I don’t wear a lot of it –with the exception of the fake pearls.
My good jewelry consists of my diamond engagement ring, my diamond band, the pearl ring Bonaparte gave me when we started dating and pearl drop earrings from Bonaparte.
The lighting was horrific yesterday! Or perhaps the pearls were so lusturous that they didn’t photograph well. But other than my diamond ring and band, this is the extend of my “good” jewelry!
I realized that I could need a simple gold bracelet, or earrings or a necklace.
But the fact is, I’m pretty picky when it comes to good jewelry.
I noticed of those ads that WordPress provides at the bottom of a recent post—it was from a jewelry company. AUrate. So, I clicked.
The photograph was pretty intriguing. The simple bracelet. The simple ring. Very nice.
And this is what I found: The company was founded by two women who were besties at Princeton. OK. Now I feel a six-degrees-of New Jersey here. I lived in the next town over—Pennington and spent a lot of time in Princeton. I wonder if they ever went to Hoagie Haven on Nassau Street?
Sophie Kahn and Bouchra Ezzahraoui, the two young founders of Aurate. It’s wonderful to see a company started by two young women. It’s very empowering.
All the jewelry is crafted in New York City. Now I’m getting misty-eyed and my mascara is starting to run. To think these two women started a company in my old home town.
They give back. For every piece of jewelry that is sold, a book for an underprivileged child is purchased. That, to me, is a very kind gesture and I hope these two women keep up the kindness.
AUrate’s jewelry is not budget-priced. However, there are a few people in my family to whom I will be dropping hints at for an item or two when next Christmas rolls around.
This open flower necklace, at $250, is not only beautiful and different, but it’s very reasonably priced for gold jewelry. I have never seen an “open” necklace but I love it! It’s simplicity with an edge! Take a look at the necklace offerings!
The photo is really small, but here’s how the necklace looks on. Is this the perfect day-into-night piece or what?
Seriously—this stuff is nice!!! It’s right up my alley of simple and classic. And the jewelry is very appealing to women of all ages.
I’m also really quite fond of this Black Stones bracelet. At $150 it is affordable for gold!
But back to the point. The items AUrate has to offer are the perfect jewelry for day-into-night. Or night-into-day.
This Asymmetric Pearl Ring is another item that I really, REALLY like. I’m loving this open concept in jewelry. This is a new classic with a bit of a modern touch! It’s fabulous!
Remember. We are at an age where fussing isn’t conducive anymore. We’re over that. It’s time to concentrate more on the great times we are having rather than spending hours over what we are going to wear. We can look great in minutes—no matter what time of day or night it is or where we’re going! It’s all in our attitude!
Here’s my favorite song to get me in the mood for a great night out! “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas. This song always makes me happy!
YOU are LOOKING MIGHTY SKINNY young LADY!!!!!!!!!
YOU are a QUICK change artist TOO……………..
ALMOST time to pull out that FLOWER CROWN!
XO
Hi Elizabeth!!! You’re right!!! It is time to pull out the flower crown!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️️💖🌟🌹🌹🌹
I love that gold jewellery! As I get my older I’ve paired down a lot of my good stuff by amalgamating!! Yes, I gathered all the dribs and drabs of gold that is never worn ( hello single earring hanging around the jewelry box…your mate has run off never to return or the skinny chain bracelet that is never worn) Anyway gathered it all together took it to the jeweller and traded up for one really great statement piece. A custom made ring to replace my engagement ring which I developed an allergy to ( literally, a nickel allergy to the white gold) used the diamonds from that as well ( I am not sentimental and my husband likes the new combo engagement wedding ring…after forty years I call it my long service award!) I look at all the jewellery I’ve amassed over the years and the pieces that I wear regularly I can count on the fingers of one hand. So why not recycle the stuff? I learned this lesson from my mother in law…rather have a few really good, easy to wear pieces that I love. You look great in those jeans BTW!
Momcat! That is a GREAT idea!!!! I love the way you think!! Thank you for the jeans compliment!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Loving that checked Chanel-type jacket.
Have been binge-reading your blog, it makes me laugh… so much to love. How fab that you met Bonaparte on Match.com (I’d love to meet a Frenchman) and he used to drive a 2CV just like me…how I loved those cars. Are you off to France this summer ?…I hope so!
You’ve inspired me to try more moisturiser, cream blusher and that blurring cream (god knows it’s proper name?) for my sun ravaged face.
Bonne journée x
Hi Fiona! Yes!! It’s been over 13 years since we met! I’ll tell you, he came along at a bad point in my life and helped me tremendously! And yes, we leave mid-June for France and will be back in the beginning of July. I can’t wait. We will be in Theoule and it’ll be beach and pool as nd relaxation!!
Hahahaha. My sun-ravaged face is constantly being slathered with moisturizer!! I was a very bad girl in the sun when I was younger and I’m paying for it now!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
PS Thanks for the link to the French music post…I left you a comment there. xxx
Cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are looking fantastically sleek and I absolutely love the Lady jacket (and is that the “Oona scarf”? – gorgeous). I am a natural born magpie, whereas my mother is the complete opposite – I adore looking at jewellery and stuff but I have learnt to NOT acquire most of it. I suit certain things and admiring and Pinterest-ing stuff is one thing, wearing it is another. After my jewellery cull a couple of weeks ago I am now on a mission to wear and appreciate what I have or get rid, so someone else can wear and enjoy it. It is strangely liberating and not the big wrench I thought it would be – especially as I have made quite a bit at glass and jewellery classes
Hi Juliet!! YES. It is the Oona scarf! I’m glad she hasn’t tried getting it back–but I’ll be she’s resigned herself to the fact she isn’t! Are those Lady Jackets great or what?????
Wait!!! What kinds of jewellery did you make? ONG, I would love to see!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
If they didn’t go to Hoagie Haven, I bet they went to PJ’s Pancakes! LOL. Another shoutout from the ‘hood.
Sweet Jane!! PJ’s Pancakes!!! Ahhh memories! I miss Nassau Street! The kids went to Princeton Pediatrics and we would always end up grabbing a bite at one of the places in the ‘hood! I miss that area!! A lot!! That’s too funny!!! How much time did you spend in P’ton?????XOXOXOXO!!!
I’m in the Pennington/Princeton area all the time! It’s a great area.
Two words. Sumo Sushi on Main Street in Pennington. My kids and I had many fun dinners there. They went to Central High. My kids are always telling me that after leaving NYC, they moved to the greatest place to grow up. XOXOXOXOXO!!!
Hi Catherine I sent you a long message on Instagram last night but I think I must have forgot to press send so here it is again. We ate at Reading market and loved it – fulfilled all our expectations of US diner food and great atmosphere and cheap for the quality. The market is about 50% cheaper than DC. DC is so expensive and I was so shocked at the prices when we arrived from Sydney but do understand that DC is a bubble. Saturday night we just walked to the old town (we stayed at the Marriott which was good) and ate at the National Mechanics which was good for the price but nothing particularly special. Loved the building and the atmosphere. We know that Philly is known as a food city but we tend to only do fine dining for special occasions or restaurant week. The art museums are very good and there is a lot of street sculptures which are by great artists. I saw Ulta but did not venture into any shops as Richard is not keen.
You can transition easily from day to evening as you have great legs and good feet. I have horrible wide feet and hate looking at them in strappy sandals so alas evening wear is always torture for me. One of my posts that disappeared into the ether was about how great you looked in shorts and how much weight you have lost. I really like the jewellery on this post particularly the open necklace. Your song brings back many memories as it was very popular when my daughter was in her last few years of high school – though I did not know it was the Black Eyed Peas.
Yvonne! Did you have macaroni and cheese at Reading Terminal? Did you try a Cheesesteak? Did you have Philly Pretzels (my faves–with lots of mustard)? I’m very familiar with the Marriott because when Oona competed in Irish Dance, the Regionals were held there every Thanksgiving weekend! The Barnes Foundation, The Philly Museum of Art and the other museums are very good!
I’m glad that you had a great time. Hopefully next time you are in Philly, we can meet up!!
Oh..and speaking of music, I was listening to the Ray Davies See My Friends CD. He does duets with various singers and groups. It’s interesting because it isn’t my favorite CD by any means but Spoon does a knock out rendition of See My Friends!!! XOXOXOXOXOX!!!
Richard had a Philly cheese with provolone not whizz for lunch on the Sunday. No mac and cheese because I don’t like it though used to make it from scratch for my son. We had breakfast at Pearls Oyster Bar for breakfast which was eggs bacon but had fried potato. I’m very squeamish about breakfast so fried potato was as adventurous as I get. I like pretzel and mustard with drinks as had that in Washington and didn’t know it was a Philly thing. Definitely would love to meet up next time we come to Philly. I just checked out the Ray Davies See my Friends. Will play the whole album on YouTube. Played Waterloo Sunset with my favourite Jackson Browne and loved it. Richard will hate it. Cheers
Yvonne. I’ll be siding with Richard. I’m not a fan of Jackson Browne’s. Not since I found out he abuses women. I have a thing about that. But I still love the Kink’s version of Waterloo Sunset better. Ray Davies has such a sweetness when he sings it. My favorite cut on that album is “See My Friends” Will love to hear what you think of the rest of the cD!! XOXOXOXO!!!
I love Sumo! I feel like I’ve paid the mortgage on that place and on Vito’s in the past 8 years!!!!!
BTW I just bought a pair of 1822 jeans at TJ Maxx. They are wonderful. Great suggestion.
Jane. Where do you live? I feel like I know you and I’ll be we have mutual friends! Vito’s. Please! During Lent I would live for the Fridays when he sold pasta fagioli. My kids still argue with people that the best pizza ever is from Vito’s! I spend a lot of time there after Little League games!!
Aren’t those 1822 jeans the greatest??? And for $19.99!!!!!! Xoxoxoxo!!!
I live in Yardley, Bucks County. My kids have all gone to the Pennington School for Middle School and High School. My husband’s family lives in Chester and Montgomery Counties so you and I definitely spend a lot of time in the same zip codes!!!
My goodness, Catherine! I have been in the Princeton/ Pennington area several times in the last few weeks! Drove thru to go to New Brunswick to see Engelbert, then to Princeton to see a good friend’s daughter’s college choir perform! Funny how dome things change do much and others so little. And btw, you look fabulous!
Jackie. You had me at Engelbert! OMG. I love him! How was the concert???? Princeton never changes–but has Engelbert???? Thank you for your compliment! And you made me very happy with your visits to my old homestead!!! XOXOXOXOXOXO!!!
Oh man, I wish I’d known! Yes, his voice is still amazing, he’s only lost a bit of range and power. I do need to take the 5 someday to go and wander around Princeton again. It’s been awhile.
I love these easy transitional outfits! You look fabulous in every one. Scarves are my best accessory, too. I like them to hide overabundant cleavage!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Hi Shelbee!!! Thank you so much!! Yeah. I find scarfs to be multipurpose tools. Hiding turkey neck, hiding overabundant cleavage (not in my case), keeping warm in between hot-flashes, and the most important of all–if you don’t have a tissue handy…….xoxoxoxoxo!!!!