Wearing white on date night is just right

 

It was date night last Friday night. Kind of a special date night as Russ was taking me out for my birthday. We love Central Market in Petaluma. It’s a favorite. What made it even more special was that my son, Trevor, was playing jazz that evening at Corkscrew Wine Bar which is right next door. Dinner, jazz, family…I mean that’s just the best!

 

 

The night before, Thursday night, I had celebrated with two girlfriends who brought presents. (Fun!). One of them gifted me a beautiful new bangle. The other girlfriend nearly gasped when I pulled it out of the gift bag. “You dare to buy accessories for Brenda?” she said. That might seem daunting but my friend got it right! I was in love at first sight.

When it came time to get dressed for our Friday night date night, I had to create an outfit to go with it.

 

 

I love the soft blush color of the chunky bangle. It’s not quite white and it’s not quite bone. It’s a mystery color. I love the inlay of the blond wood. It reads so light and fresh. So how would I put clothes around it? The answer was white, all white. I put on my white linen trousers and layered two tops on top. The first top layer is a Vince long-sleeved easy piece, kind of a fancy t-shirt. The front of it is silk, the back is rayon and linen.

Over the top of that one I layered a knit piece by Sarah Pacini which is slit on the sides all the way to the armpit. These two pieces are meant for each other as they’re unwearable on their own. The Vince top is too sheer in front and the Sarah Pacini one is not only slit to the armpits but also very sheer. They are both loose, as is the pant, and the combo felt luxurious.

 

 

I decided to mix the new bangle with a cluster of gold ones by Patti Crandall (purchased at Studio Collections Jewelry in Sonoma) plus a lucite Alexis Bitter bangle that also has a light feeling. I added my “B” necklace (a gift from Patti Crandall). I went with a tan clutch bag.

 

Flashback to Thursday

Now here’s the bonus. Back up with me to the hour before meeting my friends for dinner on Thursday night. I was in Nordstrom. Erin was there with a friend Teresa who I adore and haven’t seen for a long time. They were going to be in the makeup department so Erin and I planned my surprise visit. After the hugs and kisses and the “Oh, I’ve missed you!” parts, I eavesdropped on Teresa’s makeup lesson until I had to leave. I decided it would be prudent to use the restroom first.

I walked down the aisle that has hats and scarves and this gorgeous white scarf leaped out at me. It had texture galore including metallic threads running through it. It was long, full of body, and so luxurious. Well, I had to have it. Right. Then. I wasn’t sure when I’d wear it but I knew it was a perfect ingredient for me. It looks like a million bucks but it only cost me $48 bucks. A deal.

It was perfect for my Friday night outfit.

 

“Can I wear it tomorrow?”

Earlier this week I blogged about my “Can I wear it tomorrow” shopping mantra. My new bracelet and scarf, both acquired on Thursday, were in the rotation by Friday. I LOVE that!

One last detail. At dinner someone came over to our table as she was leaving. “Are you Brenda Kinsel?” she said. “I follow you on Instagram!” She told me she loved my outfit and in my head I told me, “I love your outfit too!”

When Russ and I were leaving the jazz club, I was in heaven. I was in love with Russ, my son, the gorgeous summer evening, being outside, jazz, friends, Instagram, my whole beautiful life.

I think an outfit can set you up for a wonderful evening. Do you? Please share!

 

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