Hats off!

I got the pleasure of going home to Atlanta to see my mom and dad. Had some fun with some friends. Enjoyed my time with my dad and lots of quality time with my mom. She's a knockout.

Here we are at the Americas mart in Atlanta on my way to my jeweler.

My jeweler, Melanie Harlin of Harlin Diamonds.

At dinner with my sweet friend Kari Wells.

At Atlanta Hartsfield on my way back to Texas.  Totally digging my new Hermes cashmere reversible scarf!  

Halloween Fun

My husband and I were invited to a Halloween party. The theme was TV couples any genre any TV channel. Shannon and I went as Kaitlyn and Kris Jenner. This was so much fun because he really got into it. I just wanted to go all glammy!

We won the costume contest!

NYC

Here I am at the metropolitan museum of Art in Central Park.  Love this place.  

My grey romper, Jessica Simpson wedges and my favorite Chanel bag (nicknamed "Nelly") and Louis Vuitton scarf.  

Glam Slam

Bear had a baseball tournament this weekend and I got to wear my nubuck Tori Burch wedges with my Tori shorts.  A royal blue batwing blouse completed the look.

Jersey and Jessica

I love maxi dresses!  I have never been able to wear a spaghetti strap dress without trying to hide my bra straps.  Big boobs are a blessing and a curse.  

This last year was hard.  I gained a lot of weight and couldn't figure out what was causing it.  I ended up spending my shopping dollars on XL clothes.  Which is fine.  I've been a plus sized girl before.  But, I finally narrowed it down to a medicine I was on for my fibromyalgia.  As soon as I stopped taking it the weight just fell off.  And for the first time it fell off my boobs!  Now I can wear a strapless bra and all the spaghetti straps I want!!!  First time in my life!!!  I feel free.  No hurtful shoulders by the end of the day from trying to hold up double d's.  I'll take my 34d's and be happy...

So Honey asked me to go to dinner with him for date night.  I was wearing a jersey knit maxi dress, with, you guessed it, spaghetti straps.  We have had such bad weather here in Texas that I've been forced to work around the house and not get out as much as I usually do.  I was wearing something super comfy and cute around the house.   So when he asked me to go I put on a long grey cardi and my favorite new Jessica Simpson retro strap wooden platform shoes and my gorgeous royal blue suede Neiman Marcus clutch and I was ready in less than 5 minutes.  That's amazing considering how long it takes me to get ready.

Point is that I had taken a nap in that jersey dress earlier in the day, and now I was going to dinner in it.  I love how it hugs your body and how soft the fabric is.  I sleep in my maxi dresses all the time.  My friends think I'm crazy to sleep in my expensive clothing.  But it's just so comfortable sometimes!  

This one was white, grey, and royal blue diagonal jersey knit with spaghetti straps.  At the last minute I threw on a long grey cardi to have a sleeve because of the rain.  

My hair got drenched.  Twice.  Hence the messy bun on my head.

My husband took this picture while we were at dinner.  He said my eyes were the same color as my grey sweater.   "See" he said.  And showed me the picture.  I changed it to black and white for my dad.  I have to take selfies for him everyday.  

My Mom and Dad are still in Atlanta.  My sister was in Atlanta before she passed in November.  She is the one who taught me how to do my hair and make up.  I taught her about clothes and shoes.  One year I was a guest of four different gentlemen in the same season at prom.  Heather, my sister, did my hair and make up for all of them.  We were both modeling at the time and I wore the same dress to a prom that I had worn in a fashion show.  Those were the days of vogueing on the runway.  I could kill it. The other models killed it.  We were kind of the "it" crew of our town.  Seriously.  Our fashion board was known.  Those were the days of my sister and I against the world.

That's me in the middle and my sister is the second from the left.  God I miss her. 

Here we are in Vegas watching Celine Dion for her 40th.  And also at the penthouse of the Cosmopolitan.  She got to meet Celine that night.  She did my hair and make up.  She loved to play with me.  Trying different looks on my eyes and lips.  She was a very talented make up artist for Chanel.  She ended up starting a beauty bar in Buckhead.  World class beauty services, all in one stop.  I was very proud of her.

Plum Perfect

I'm wearing a delicious aubergine jumper today.  It has a metal accent right at my throat.  

I love a good jumper/romper.  So effortless to get dressed in one.  Top and bottom covered at the same time looking flawless!  

Then I got dumped on by a huge rain shower.  Ran home, grabbed my hat and trench and went out in this rain to rescue my son's scooter from school.

Had a tee time at DSW today.  Looks like I got a hole in one!  Cutest shoes in the store, now they are in my closet!

Chanel and YSL

Just a shot of my Chanel watches...

The coin necklace set in gold is of Alexander the Great.  It was found in a terra cotta pipe near his childhood home.  It is a collector piece given to me by my parents.  One of my real treasures...

Beach chic?

I had to go to a social function at our country club this evening where the attire was beach chic. I've never heard of that before, and considering it was really freaking cold outside, I opted for my black Jessica's and not sandals.

SHOPPING CORNER

Black asymetrical zip front leather trimmed vest, white button front silk tunic, damask pattern leggings.  Black Jessica's.

THE WEATHER REPORT

It was super cold and windy!!!

JEWELRY DARLING

Not any jewelry, just a baby pink and black silk scarf with Chanel written in white.

The difference between need and want...

My husband says that I don't know the difference between need and want.  I can usually find a need for the things that I want.  I guess to me they are one in the same.  Does that mean he's right?  Don't tell him that...

SHOPPING CORNER

Color blocking is really hot this season.  I have a chiffon sleeved, color blocked, zip up.  I love the bright blue on the cuffs.  It has a Mondrian esque feel to it, making it feel super modern.  I paired it with a slightly see through black T and a pair of dark grey drawstring pants that are gathered at the ankle.  Love these pants. Super cute and comfortable.  Very in right now.

Silver sequined stack espadrille wedges on my feet.  My sons favorite pair of my shoes.  I wear them to his baseball games.  They are good luck!

THE WEATHER REPORT

Our weather has been bipolar lately.  I think that's why I got so sick.

THE MAKE UP COUNTER

I wore a nude face today.  When my son took this picture he said I needed to put more of my face on.  Everybody is a critic!

Pretty in Pink!

My beautiful daughter is going to the Sadie Hawkins dance at her high school tonight.  When I found out that she had a date and was going I was super excited for both of us.  Her because she was going and me because I was going to help her pick out THE DRESS.   

That night she had dinner with her dad.  She spilled the beans to him that she wanted to go with her girls, and I wasn't part of the equation.  He told her to let me down easy, that my feelings would probably be hurt.  He was right.

I felt like she put a stake through my heart when she said she didn't want me to go shopping with her.  I mean come on!  That's totally in my wheelhouse!  That is the one thing in my life that I know I can do right.  

I gave it some thought and decided this was a rite of passage for teenagers and let go of any hurt feelings. I relinquished having control and agreed...

Fast forward two weeks later.  I get a call from my daughter.  She needs me to take her shopping for THE DRESS.  She and her girls couldn't make schedules sync up.  

I tried to contain my overjoyed self.

I could have at least kept up the cool facade.  I would have been fine, but my jumping up and down while screaming gave me away.

I told you that story, so I could tell you this one...

My darling daughter and I were going shopping for - THE DRESS.  Before my giddiness could set in, she sat me down to go over the rules.  She only wanted black and/or gold.  That's a period. And...

1.  Nothing long

2.  Nothing with sparkles (How am I going to do this?  Shudders at the thought of nothing sparkley.)

3.  Nothing with ruffles

In my head I thought "dear fashion God's, does a dress like this even exist?"

I did my best to bring her everything she asked for.  I was doing a great job.  We put some dresses on hold and were on our way out of the store when she did a 180 in front of me.  It almost gave me whiplash.

I could see her dreamy eyes staring at something.  And it looked like that something was wonderful.  

Imagine my surprise when I saw what it was.  

And isn't she?  Pretty in pink.

Born to Shop (Someone knows me well)

I had an amazing day.  Now that sunshine is back on the radar, I feel like a new person.  My daughter and I were driving home from school today and she said "OMG the pavement is so shiney!"  It looked like the street was made of silver.  "That is called REFLECTION!  It's from the sun." I said with a Cajun accent on re-fleck-shun.  She went on about how crazy I get, and the foreign accents that come out at random times.  I'm pretty good at mimicking people.

I did a Barack Obama once that left us both in stitches.  I was so dead on that it left an awkward silence between us and all we could do was burst out laughing.  

SHOPPING CORNER

One of the trends happening now is the collarless jacket/blazer.  I wore a white one today with a black lapel (Massimo), black/grey leggings with lace pattern and silk button down blouse.  Around my neck is a really cute CC scarf with lipstick cases all over it.  I wanted to wear a saucy pair of sandals but my feet need a pedicure and a tanning bed.  If I would have had my tootsies out today they would have been what caused that re-fleck-shun.  (Said in a Cajun accent.)

Instead I wore my trusty black Jessica's.  Pedicure for me tomorrow, stat!

THE WEATHER REPORT

Look at what is in my forecast! Those little yellow circles represent all the sun that is coming my way.  Happy dance!!!

THE MAKE-UP COUNTER

Holy Smokes and Bikini-Tini by Benefit.

JEWELRY DARLING

The "Born to Shop" scarf pin was a sweet gift from my buddy Melodee.  Here we are together.  I just adore her.

Wearing my boyfriend jeans, don't tell my husband

Oh boyfriend jeans, how I love thee.

Let me count the ways...

I'm in no way a fashion expert.  I know what fits look best on me and I tend to stick to them.  Boyfriend jeans are a staple in my closet.  They are cute with ANY type of shoe and look great dressed up with a tailored jacket or dressed down with a t-shirt.  Rolled up or down it's hard to find a more versatile piece to add to your closet.

There was one pair I ended up donating. The reason?  My husband.  I walked out wearing my getup one day and he looked at me curiously and said "What kind of jeans are those?"  This was an out of the ordinary question for him to ask.  He never asks me what anything is that I wear.  So I said, "They are my boyfriend jeans."  He quipped right back, "Then you should give those back to your boyfriend."  And into the donate bag they went...

SHOPPING CORNER

Boyfriend jeans (Ana), grey Nicole Miller tunic with sheer detail in the shoulders and sheer cutout in the back, black quilted stack booties (Steve Madden), lavender/grey/blue scarf I got in Paris, black leather jacket.

THE WEATHER REPORT

YAY!  The sun came out today.  I am looking forward to this weekend when it's going to be sunny and 70.

JEWELRY DARLING

Silver necklace with grey stones,  my favorite stacking bangles, black knuckle ring, silver and leather cuff.

THE MAKE-UP COUNTER

Black charcoal eyes by Lorac.

Feeling aDIORable

Day 20.

I'm feeling so much better!  Today was a good day.  I was ready to get back into the swing of things.  I got to visit to my awesome doctor (see below), and now I'm waiting for Grey at baseball practice.  Not even crappy weather could keep me down.  

SHOPPING CORNER

Black leather and knit leggings, cream silk tunic (Massimo), mushroom colored fur trimmed sweater, patent stack pencil heels (Carlos Santana).

THE WEATHER REPORT

THE MAKE-UP COUNTER

I was feeling aDIORable today.  I took a break from my daily Chanel fix.

JEWELRY DARLING

I wore gold because my Chanel scarf is pink with gold trim.  I ended up dripping coffe on it!  

I snagged some cute layering necklaces.  Alone they seem chincy, but together they make a statement.  

ARM CHARM

A beautiful patent clutch by Cole Haan.

CELEBRITY SIGHTING

DR. SAM LAM

http://www.lamfacialplastics.com/

I have the best and most dapper doctor who treats my migraines with Botox.  I see him every three months.  He is always dressed to a perfect T.  Besides being a daring dresser, he is an accomplished author and amazing surgeon.  When I left his office today he had one more surgery to do then he was off to be interviewed for Night Line.  

I had a revolutionary procedure done to stop underarm sweating.  We were on Good Morning Texas to talk about it.  See the video at the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7LuvYO_KIw

COSTUME CHANGE

It's my anniversary.  Well not technically, yesterday was, but my Honey was out of town.  We celebrated tonight with dinner out.  We took the Ferrari.  I had to dress for the occasion.  

SHOPPING CORNER

I was so casual getting dressed this morning that I felt like I had the day off!  It was nice.  But tonight I had to turn up the heat.  

We opted for Uncle Julio's so I didn't need to get super dressed up.  I kept it simple with black damask leggings and my cobalt blue tunic.  Does this formula sound familiar?  Day to night!!!  Add some saucy footwear (my favorite black Jessica's) and black leather jacket and I was set.  For some extra panache I wore...wait for it...a silk scarf.  Just stick to the formula and day or night you will be put together for any occasion!

Now I'm off like a dirty shirt.  Enjoy your evening.  We are turning the phones off.  Who am I kidding we've got KIDS!

Prissy/Practical

Per special request I have been asked to devote some time on this blog to Mom's on the go.  Mom's who need to be comfy casual.  No heels... 

So here goes!  

Confession... 

I do have flats in my wardrobe.  I do have many BCBG track suits.  I do have comfy casual pieces for hanging around the house.  That's just not how I usually roll.  

But today I will bear sore arches (my feet hurt in flat shoes) for the sake of my Mom friends.  It is possible to be prissy and practical.

If your go to pieces are usually gym clothes and you do not go to the gym, I can help you.  If frumpy should be your middle name and you are stuck in a fashion rut - do not despair.  The first step is admitting you have a problem.  I can take it from there.

We can do this one garment at a time.  Starting with sweatpants.  You know what I'm talking about.  The pair that are so worn, it looks like you could fit yourself and your kid in the rear end.  Your 10 year old kid.  The time for those pants have passed.  You don't even need to donate them.  Just throw them out.

(I'm not judging here.  Don't walk away with that feeling.  I am trying to help!)

Replace them with a pair of black leggings.  Trust me, they are JUST AS COMFORTABLE and they go with just about everything.  Put your tennis shoes back in the closet.  Replace them with a cute ballet flat.  Find a blouse/tunic that is long and loose.  You can add a belt for a more pulled together look.  Or just keep it simple.  Add a scarf, or a statement necklace and you are out the door.  Prissy and practical!

Follow that formula and experiment with your look.  Branch out from the black leggings and try a denim pair.  Mine are white today.  They are made from cotton, rayon and polyester.  Which makes them comfortable because there is some stretch in them but they still retain their shape after wearing them all day.

Invest in some cute scarfs.  They can be bought for next to nothing and add charm and personality to your look.  Today I am wearing a Louis Vuitton in silver, black, pink and yellow.  You don't need a luxury brand, Target has knock off Alexander McQueen skull motif in lots of colors.  They add an edge to your outfit.

I hope this helps!  Email me your questions... hollyulmer@ tx.rr.com

SHOPPING CORNER

White denim leggings (Massimo, Target), white premium t-shirt (Massimo, Target), silver/grey loosely woven dolman sleeve sweater (BCBG), silver studded ballet flat (Target).  Louis Vuitton silk scarf.

Photo credit - my son Grey.

THE WEATHER REPORT

JEWELRY DARLING

Keeping it simple in white gold hoops and my wedding ring.

THE MAKE-UP COUNTER

Brows, lashes and nude gloss.

ARM CHARM

My big black Chanel bag.  Perfect for a mom on the go.  Room for everything.  A snarky girl once called it my "Mary Poppins bag", witch.

THROWING SHADE