SixtywithStyle

When days grow cool and nightfall arrives earlier we need another layer of clothing.  Lucky us! We can add some great outerwear pieces to our outfits.  I love fall for this very reason.  Our wardrobes are no longer limited to pieces that keep us coolest.  Jackets and coats are an essential part of my closet here in the Midwest. As a result, it is necessary to own a variety of styles to suit various occasions.  I have selected some of my favorite options for fall that suit my style, personality and age. You may have noticed from past posts that my style lends itself to a more tailored, classic look. I also find my wardrobe pieces don’t date as quickly that way. However,  I do like fashion trends and try to incorporate them in a more classic way.

Today I am sharing some fabulous choices for that extra layer this fall!

 

A leather moto jacket is always on trend.  Instead of forking over the big bucks for real leather, try a faux leather jacket.  I absolutely LOVE the “liquid leather” jackets offered by Clara Sunwoo. They sport a moto style in a more tailored way.  You may have seen them worn on the TODAY Show by Hoda Kotb in a couple of different colors. I own the two styles of these jackets shown below!

This black “liquid leather” Clara Sunwoo jacket is also available in camel, merlot, cobalt and plum.

Here is another flattering  “liquid leather” jacket. It’s offered in the rich brown shown or charcoal.

 

This wrap coat offers an easy, elegant style.  Dress it up or dress it down.  Wear this fashionable coat for every occasion. I purchased this for my daughter and may need it for myself as well!

 

Don a Barbour jacket  for everything from running errands to attending football games!

 

Shoo away those fall showers with a sharp looking trench coat.  This one is available in khaki, navy and black!

 

How about a cozy outer layer in faux shearling? This jacket is ADORABLE! Shearling is another big trend this fall. Wear this jacket so many ways – with jeans or paired with a skirt and tights.

 

Before we pull out our full length heavy down coats, we want a lighter alternative.  Enjoy this packable, compact, ultra light down coat.

The menswear trend is very popular this fall and plaid coats are a huge hit.  I must admit some of them look like something our grandfathers would have worn years ago.  I found this more tailored plaid version and fell in love with it.

 

When just a light layer will do, a cashmere wrap is the perfect option.  The greystone heather color of this one works with everything.

 

Let’s embrace this cooler weather with the varied options of an outer layer! I hope my choices have inspired you to add some fun wardrobe pieces to celebrate the beauty of autumn!

XO,

Linda

Sometimes it just feels good to step it up a bit on a weeknight! I did just that with a great recipe I clipped from the Chicago Tribune last week. Yes, I still read the old fashioned newspaper.  I just love my morning newspaper and a cup of coffee. I know, I’m digressing. Anyway, I fired up my Sonos speakers with some jazz music and set about preparing my selection. Okay, at least Sonos are from a new generation.

My choice was pork stuffed with kale and apple accompanied by sauteed carrots. The recipe appeared in the Tribune as I stated, but it seems to have originated in the Washington Post.

I first sauteed the apples, onions, garlic and kale with olive oil in a large skillet. The smell is heavenly!

I removed the sauteed items to a bowl to cool, wiped out the pan, and seasoned the pork.  I took a small knife and sliced into the chops all he way to the bone, creating a pocket to hold the stuffing I had just created. I then stuffed the pork with the apple and kale creation and returned it to the large skillet. Flipping these babies was a challenge with all that stuffing.

I then removed the chops to a plate and tented with foil to keep them warm. The same skillet became the choice for a fabulous sauce of  dijon mustard, wine, broth, and paprika. Once the sauce boiled and thickened we were good to go.

I plated the chops and added some sauteed carrots.  Everything looks delicious on beautiful white plates. I love my Apilco Traditional dinnerware! Add some french striped  linens and voila!

 

 

A Cabernet Franc from Tabor Hill nicely complimented the flavors of pork, apples and kale. Yummy!

Overall, this cozy weeknight dinner proved to be a success. I seriously doubt this will happen very often, but it is nice to step it up on occasion!

Cooler temperatures and the falling of leaves gives us permission to take all our booties out of hibernation.  I personally love booties.  For some reason, they seem to be comforting to my older feet. I like the ankle support and varying heel heights available. So, I rejoice when I can pull them out of my closet.

Every fall, various stores offer us a fabulous selection of new booties.  The biggest trend I am seeing this year is the pointed toe.  But don’t despair if a pointed toe isn’t for you, there are plenty of options with other toeboxes.

 

Including a variety of colors and a mix of leather, suede, or  even fabric will offer you options for just about every outfit.  Consider a heel height and style that works best for your personal needs.  Booties are offered in low heels, block heels, kitten heels, and high heels to name a few.

Pictured below are some of my favorites this season!

 

I just purchased this great pair of  black suede kitten heel booties. They are SO comfortable.  I can see them with jeans, a skirt or dress and tights, and dress pants. The low heel makes them perfect for everyday wear, and the pointed toe provides an updated look.

 

 

Think about adding some rich brown booties in leather.  It lends itself to ankle length jeans or a cute pair of leggings.  I could also see them with a tweed or plaid skirt. Consider these booties for all colors in your fall wardrobe.

These brown suede booties are serving me well this fall. I love to wear them with a pair of distressed jeans. They are perfect for casual days and the low heel allows me to wear them without worry of foot pain.

 

 

Sometimes we just want to wear a higher heel.  I LOVE these! The block heeled booties have a stretchy shaft to allow for a sock type fit. The block heel and pointed toes are both current trends and provide more stability and comfort than a thin heel. Pair these dressier booties with lots of looks including black dress pants or dark denim.

 

 

Another block heeled option in leather.  I have a pair very similar to these and have worn them to death! These have a 3 1/2 inch heel, which is about as high as I go these days. I find them very comfortable because of the ankle support.

What would fashion be like without a good animal print? Beautiful leopard print booties are calling my name. I envision a great pair of jeans and a perfect black cashmere sweater with these beauties.

 

The choice of fabulous booties for fall is endless. I have barely scratched the surface, but I hope some of these options get your creative juices flowing. Celebrate autumn with some new footwear in the form of booties!

 

 

 

Remember the days of thick luscious eyebrows that needed to be tamed regularly with tweezing, waxing, etc.?!   Well, no more for me.  My eyebrows seemed to have thinned to the point of no existence.  Our eyebrows help define our face and when well shaped, act as an eye-lift. Emotions are conveyed by our eyebrows’ subtle movement. I want mine to be visible. I am always on a quest for the best way to restore mine to mimic the brows of my youth.

Why do eyebrows thin as we age? I certainly am not a medical expert by any means, but I did do a bit of research. My research has concluded that there could be many contributing factors. A visit to your doctor could be in order to rule out a thyroid deficiency, vitamin and nutritional deficiencies, or a form of dermatitis.  It is also likely it could be the result of hormonal changes we experience as women, such as menopause.  Additionally, I  know that I tended to overpluck and overgroom in my younger days. Pair any of these scenarios with the aging of hair follicles and we end up with thinning eyebrows!

Fortunately, we have tools at our disposal to replicate those beautiful full brows of younger years.  So, what are our best options?

To begin with, if you are still plucking, threading, waxing, etc., try to do it with less frequency, avoid overdoing it, and avoid going over the top of the brow.  Only groom between the eyelid and lower section of the eyebrow. Give the eyebrows time between each grooming to fill in a bit.

 

Give microblading a try.  This is a semipermanent way to define brows that looks more natural than regular tattooing. A pigment is added under the skin with a small handheld tool.  The technician adds the color by drawing small hairlike strokes to mimic eyebrow hair. There is some aftercare required and brows will need touchups about every 6 months to one year. Please be sure to visit a professional technician for this procedure as it is a form of tattooing. The results I have seen are excellent. However, it is a rather costly undertaking and requires diligence after the procedure in protecting the newly tattooed area.

 

My very favorite product for brows right now has to be this Estee Lauder Brow Multi-Task pencil. It offers a three-pronged approach to give you full, natural looking brows.  Choose a shade slightly darker (one to two shades)  than your hair color for more definition.  Below is a description of how to utilize this great product.

 

Another brand that has developed a fabulous reputation for brows is Anastasia Beverly Hills.  I have used their products as well and highly recommend them. I love this pencil.

I have not used this brow pomade, but know others who have. It also gets rave reviews.

 

Our eyebrows help define our face and reveal our emotions with movement. I like when mine are visible to express how I’m feeling! I hope these ideas allow you to better define your eyebrows and convey the inner you.

I adore the beautiful colors of autumn! People seek out special drives to view the changing landscape.  Designers find ways to use the color palette of fall in their clothing and accessory lines.  One of my favorite ways to incorporate autumn colors in my wardrobe is with a handbag echoing those colors.

 

A rich burgundy color is a beautiful compliment to any fall outfit.  It works well with black, grey and brown. I pair it with animal print also. Here are some of my favorites.

Carry all your essentials in this roomy and well priced tote.

 

This gorgeous  shoulder bag incorporates the quilted and chain strap trend.

I have this versatile crushed velvet clutch. It’s fun to carry with jeans to add a bit of unexpected color.

 

What would fall color be without introducing a rich shade of mustard yellow? This color pairs particularly well with grey and black.

 

A bucket bag is a popular shape this fall. Enjoy this one in a spicy mustard color.

 

This super fun bag nods to one of this season’s biggest shapes for handbags – round.

 

One of the most versatile colors for handbags in general is a rich brown.  Wear it with basically anything and everything. This holds especially true for fall.

 

This luscious tobacco brown suede handbag has fall written all over it.

Okay, how can you ever go wrong with this bag for any season?!

 

The biggest surprise in handbag colors this fall is a deep forest green.  I must admit it is by far my favorite. It is wonderfully neutral and works with most everything. I especially love it featured with all black clothing. Can you imagine how festive it will be carried during the holiday season?

 

 

My favorite handbag of this year! When I saw a photograph of Megan Markle carrying this amazing bag, I wanted it immediately.  I love everything about it – color, shape, tassel and more.

 

Because I can’t get enough of the DeMellier of London handbags, this one is a great hit as well.

An envelope clutch is the perfect companion to any outfit for a night out on the town.  I have this clutch in nude and just may also need it in deep pine.

 

Are you inspired by the palette of fall? If so, I hope this small sampling of colorful autumn handbags inspires you to introduce some color into your handbag wardrobe.

 

In the late 19th and early 20th century women wore coats referred to as “dusters”.  These were useful in protecting their clothing while riding in open motorcars on the dusty roads during that time period.  Our cars are no longer open and roads are usually paved, but the duster has survived to live on in the  fashion world.

Often, long cardigans are referred to as dusters.  Typically they are at least knee length and open in front without buttons. When something has the description of long and lean attached to it, I’m all in! I love the versatility of dusters.  They are a perfect layering piece useful for all seasons.  I’ve worn mine in the summer to fight off overzealous air conditioning and on a cool fall day as outerwear.  Wear them with a tank top or a turtleneck and scarf underneath.  They also can add a finishing touch worn over a dress. To achieve the long and lean look, pair them with a heeled shoe or boot.

 

These three dusters are part of my current wardrobe.  They provide endless styling options. I always try to purchase classic styles of clothing that can be worn with current pieces in my wardrobe and in a variety of ways. Below are just three options of how I choose to wear them.

When wearing a longer sweater like a duster, I like to layer it with a longer scarf worn loosely around my neck.  I continue the lines with a longer necklace.  The necklace is one from my collection.  I chose slim fitting black pants to keep the look lean. I prefer to keep my layer underneath shorter to elongate my legs.  The sweater and coordinating turtleneck are from last year, but a very similar style of both is available in 6 awesome colors!

scarf/turtleneck/duster/pants

 

This black duster I have styled in a more casual way.  I wear this with dark skinny denim.  The necklace is one of my own but lots of tortoiseshell necklaces are available. I’ve indicated a similar one below. I tied the blouse for two reasons. 1.) It provides a more relaxed look and  2.) It allows the long lines of the sweater to elongate my frame and the shorter tied top to lengthen my legs.  I love the fabric and price point of this cardigan available in 3 colors!

cardigan/blouse/jeans/necklace

 

When I first saw this long cardigan I knew I had to have it.  I love everything about it – the beautiful fall color, the heavier knit, and the way it falls on my body.  Here I am showing it with a sleeveless flowing white top.  I have a fun little novelty necklace shown here which is an acorn – so cute! I’ve added a Burberry bag that I have had for 20+ years. A similar style is indicated below, or add a warm colored brown handbag of your choosing.  Classic purchases never go out of style! I wear this look with jeans.

sweater/top/denim/handbag

 

I hope I have inspired you to “dust it up” with a few of this season’s dusters.  Add one to your current wardrobe. You won’t regret it!

 

 

 

Having spent a good portion of my life in Michigan, I am always drawn to its natural beauty and plentiful lakes.  Fortunately, Southwestern Michigan is less than a two hour drive from the city of Chicago.  My husband and I chose to make that drive this past weekend to celebrate our 30th Anniversary. Yikes! Where does the time go?! Miraculously we encountered little traffic which made the drive rather pleasant.  We had picture perfect weather all weekend.  The fall colors have not arrived yet, but we experienced the glory of crisp air and bright blue skies.

 

 

The beaches in southwestern Michigan are beautiful!  The weather was a bit cool for swimming, but walking along a beach is one of life’s best activities.

Southwestern Michigan has numerous wineries well worth a visit!  Our first stop was Tabor Hill Winery.  Tabor Hill, Round Barn, and Free Run wineries (all local to the area)  share the same owner. We chose to have brunch at Tabor Hill.  The food and wine are excellent,  and we were able to sit outside and enjoy our meal.  They offer a farm to table menu providing lots of delicious options.  I chose a Chardonel wine (yes you read that correctly – not Chardonnay)  Chardonel is a hybrid grape originating from  Chardonnay and Seyval grapes. I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Tabor Hill describes it as a Chardonnay hybrid grape variety with a floral bouquet and bright citrus flavors that give way to melon, lime and refreshing lemon on the finish. I paired that with a delicious egg benedict dish which featured arugula, fabulous hand cut bacon and a marvelous hollandaise sauce.  Bill chose a dish featuring duck eggs. They taste the same (of course I had to try them) but appear to be much larger than chicken’s eggs.

After lunch we toured the winery.  We began in the vineyard and viewed everything used in the process for crushing, storing, aging, bottling, corking, and labeling.  Throughout this tour we tasted 6 different bottles of wine! (remember I said tasted – not finished! Lol!) We ended the tour sampling a prepared hot mulled wine perfect for the upcoming holidays.  Click on  Tabor Hill  for more information on their wines, menus, etc. 

Some of the vineyards also have orchards in addition to wine.  Above are some freshly picked apples.  We discovered these while exploring the award winning wines offered by Lemon Creek Winery.

More than two dozen wineries call this part of Michigan home, clearly too many for one afternoon.  We have a great reason to return another time! Anyway, time to head up the road to our destination for the evening, St. Joseph.

This part of Michigan is also fondly referred to as “Harbor Country”. Various harbors located along the coast of Lake Michigan shelter beautiful yachts. Bill is yearning for the one shown in the background here at the Harbor Shores Resort Marina in St. Joseph. But alas it is registered in the BVI. I’m sure it will set out for warmer waters soon.

 

We checked into our hotel for the night, The Inn at Harbor Shores. My interior design experience allows me to appreciate the beauty of interior spaces.  I don’t like themes, but appreciate when a space reflects the feel of the area.  Here shades of blue and original artwork are showcased throughout the hotel as a nod to its location.

We enjoyed dinner in the casually comfortable restaurant, Plank’s Tavern.  I savored my well prepared Mahi Mahi.  We shared a fabulous lemon flavored cheesecake for desert.  Thoroughly full and sated from our afternoon of wine tasting, we retired for the night.

 

 

We rose early to tackle the Jack Nicklaus designed Harbor Shores golf course.  This course has served as host to the Senior PGA Championship and will continue for 2020, 2022, and 2024. What a spectacular golf course! Yes, there are a lot of sand traps! Part of the course is built into the dunes along lake Michigan.  The varied terrain of the course makes it unique.  Holes 1-6 are inland, 7,8,9 are dunes courses with views of Lake Michigan, 10-13 are in woodlands, and 14-18 are in river terrain. We played with two delightful gentlemen,Bill and Greg, both local to the area.  There were a lot of laughs and cheers as we made our way around the course.  I can’t say it was my best round ever, but surely a memorable one.

Our mini tour of Southwestern Michigan came to an end with the conclusion of our round. I know there are much more exotic places to visit, but I hope you give Southwestern Michigan a try.  Hopefully you will learn to love it as I have!

 

What a magnificent animal! I have always loved the beauty of these big cats.  Maybe that explains my obsession with all items even hinting at leopard.  This applies to clothing as well as home decor.  The good news is that leopard and all animal prints are huge this fall.  Yay for me!

An important thing to note about leopard is that a little bit goes a long way.  Restraint is the key word here.  I pulled a leopard print scarf out of my closet last week to ease into fall.  I’m wearing it casually with a black tank dress and denim jacket.

There are so many fabulous ways to add a little bit of leopard to your fall wardrobe.  Start with a scarf. This one is available at Nordstrom by Sole Society here for only $29.95.

If you feel a little more daring, try some leopard shoes.  I’m showing mine off here, purchased from J. Crew a couple years ago.  Animal prints truly are timeless.

 

 

I love these shoes that are offered at Nordstrom by Steve Madden for $89.95.

A bold move would be wearing a great leopard shirt.  I recently purchased this one from Chicos during a sale.  The shirt currently sells for $89.50.  I love it as it can be worn so many ways.  Try it alone untucked with a pair of  jeans and black mules for a casual look.  Dress it up tucked in with black straight leg pants or a black pencil skirt and a pair of heels. If the leopard blouse seems too much on its own, then wear it under a long black open front cardigan or a denim jacket.

We can’t forget about accessories when talking about leopard.  A handbag is a perfect way to add a touch of leopard without overdoing it!  I particularly like this bag offered at Talbots for $149.  It has such a classic look.

 

For those of you who are truly daring, go for the coat. These are definitely very in for fall and winter. (faux fur of course!!) Check out this one at Nordstrom by BB Dakota for only $120. I just love the shape and style of this coat.

 

Lastly, I can’t resist a good leopard pillow to add to any sofa.  Leopard is a neutral, so don’t be intimidated adding it to your decor.  Both the leopard and tiger pillows are available at Williams Sonoma Home.

 

I could continue to go wild for leopard! (Ha Ha!)  But seriously, I hope I have inspired you to unleash your inner animal and add a little leopard to your life!

 

 

Move over Napa! Not really….but I tasted some great wines yesterday.  Geneva, an idyllic suburb near Chicago, IL,  hosted the “Festival of the Vine” this past weekend.  Wine distributors showcased wines from all over the world.  My husband and I were on the lookout for unusual wines. (Not necessarily  something exotic but fun)  I’ll share in a bit what we selected.

When we first arrived the weather was on the cool side so I had on a jacket and scarf. I kept my look simple with a lightweight black mockneck turtleneck and a silk scarf, jeans and comfy loafers.  All these items are from Talbots last year. They have similar items available this year.

It was glorious fall weather here in the Midwest and a perfect day to enjoy all that beautiful downtown Geneva offers.  So many of the little shops and restaurants are just as beautiful outside as they are inside.

After plenty of walking around and way too many sips of wine (yum!), we decided to head home with our four selected bottles.  The load was getting heavy to carry.  Here are the wines we decided on.  The descriptions are how they were listed at the tastings.

1.  Sand Point Merlot – flavors of bright cherry, vibrant raspberry, toasty oak and soft tannins.
2. Tinga Reo Reserve Claret Red Blend – savory aromas and flavors of chocolate and honey roasted pepper. Dry with medium body.
3. Rich and Creamy – creamy vanilla oak accents and a softer, more elegant flavor. Think butterscotch and toffee flavors.
4. Crema Fina –  fabulous after dinner drink with vanilla, almond and hazelnut flavoring served by itself, with coffee or in a cocktail.

Time to crack open one of these bottles and enjoy!

 

“Fashion fades. Only style remains the same. ”    Coco Chanel

Welcome to Sixty with Style!  I am a woman who is 60 years young embracing everyday life.  As a creative soul, I am always looking for a new outlet.  My career started in the corporate world and evolved to include experiences in the fashion, beauty and interior design industries. I’ve also always loved the creativity that writing provides.  So….. a lifestyle blog is my new outlet.  Please join me as I share my thoughts on all aspects of style for a woman 60 years young.