Bristol is twenty-five miles away from my home in Johnson City. It is a twin city because it is in the state of Tennessee and also Virginia. The state line runs down the middle of its main street, State Street. We spent a fun Saturday exploring the town and enjoyed an early dinner at Eatz on Moore Street.
We snapped the above photos on the grounds of the old Sullins College. It was a former Methodist, female, junior college in Bristol, founded about 1868 and named David Sullins, a Methodist minister. It ceased operations after the class of 1976 graduated.
This young male deer was munching away in someone’s yard in the middle of town. It always amazes me to see woodland creatures adapting to life in the city.
Mark & Lisa Canty own and operate Eatz, a restaurant serving southern-style comfort food. A few doors down is the studio where Kenny Chesney made his first self-released demo album at the Classic Recording Studio. Around the corner is the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.
The white ankle jeans are by J.Jill here. The Clara Sunwoo top was from My Fair Lady last year. I am wearing the Ultimate shaper here from Shapeez.com. The sunglasses are by Oscar De La Renta.
The shoes are by Treasure & Bond here. The tote bag is by Dooney & Bourke here.
We ordered items to share from the vegetable selections. In the south, macaroni and cheese is a vegetable. (Just kidding!)
Collard greens require good vinegar and some hot pepper sauce.
I’ve never been to a church supper or a family gathering that didn’t include at least one serving dish of banana pudding. A warm brownie with ice cream is the ultimate comfort food.
The second half tastes the same as the first, so I switch to sipping water after that.
I do enjoy your travels along with the foods of the area. Interesting and things to remember traveling in the state.
J, Jill jeans are great and navy looks terrific on you.
I LOVE the shoes with the outfit and the fact that you have a pop of color with the purse. So CUTE! I can always depend on you Susan to show us appropriate wear. I have a friend moving from south Florida to Johnson City so I’m going to share your blog posts with her. Hoping for all good things to come her way…..Have a good week and thanks for the posts!
White pants, a loose top, sandals and a pop of color in the accessory. This formula will get one through the hot days of summer.
I just found your website through Pinterest. We are the same age and going through exactly the same things – body changes, letting things go, pre-retirement thinking. It’s nice to see someone else going through the same things and “talking” about it. I have friends who who are aging and changing but don’t seem to want to talk about it – they are firmly set in denial. :). I’m letting the heals go, but like you, love the wedges. Keep up the good work!!
I enjoyed shopping for back to school clothes at King’s in Bristol each summer when visiting my grandmother. Fun memories of standing for just a moment in the middle of the street with one foot in each state. 🙂 I’ve had my eye on that bag for the longest time… do you find it to be heavy on your shoulder after a while?
It isn’t heavy, because I only carry the essentials for the day. I love the durability and pop of color.
Love your description of your dinner at Eatz, especially the part about mac & cheese. What I really loved about the meals we enjoyed when we visited “the South” was the delicious cole slaw. It seems like the same recipe is used throughout many states. I am an northerner (and I mean really north) but when the summer turns on here, the humidity is horrid. I know it’s difficult where you live as well and I wonder how you can cope with pants that cling (I require bare ankles) and shape wear. Any suggestions? Keep up the great work!
You will enjoy the wide leg crops more than the straight legs.
Down Home cooking is not a friend! It stays down South but so good on the journey. That’s what I love about the South:)
I repent after each trip but carry the memories of eating with family and the joy we shared. Thank you for the reminder!
Norma C
Great post and I love the pop of color with the purse also! I did not the light colored wedges as I have been struggling with what shoe to wear with white thinking it had to be white! I like the idea of wedges, also. Wish I had your willpower on the second 1/2 of dessert tasting the same as first half so switched to water. I will try that.
This is what I love about your posts. You cover everything from why you do things differently as the years pass to mindful eating. You have made me so much more aware of not just what I wear, where I shop, how I eat, how to apply makeup, how to organize, how to decorate, how to pack, etc., but just how to be. And that is priceless.
Hi Susan, love the tour so many places I’ve put on my list. I’ve never worn J Jill jeans not a store nearby. Those look fantastic, do they retain their shape after a few hours and what style are they called? Thanks Judy
I added a link directly to them in the text. Click on the word “here” after J.Jill.
Susan, what are your thoughts on shoes to match the top such as navy shoes with that outfit instead of nude?
If you have long thin legs, it can look ok. I always wear nude shoes with white pants to make my legs look longer than they are.
May I mention the unmentionables….thanks to you and Shapeze I am looking great! Only complaint is its hot here and I need one to wear with bare shoulders. Looking now! Thanks for the reminder.
It’s so fun to see that you visited my hometown of Bristol! I haven’t lived there for over 35 years but still love to visit family there.
Are wedge shoes easier to wear than heels?
They are more stable, but I find high heels much easier to walk in. The comfort level depends on how much your foot is arched in the design.
I love your humor!
The place looks amazing. The food looks delicious. I love your outfit also.
Love your outfit. Red or navy flats if one can’t wear your lovely shoes would look sassy with this outfit.
Your hair looks gorgeous. I am currently on a 3 month outback caravan trip in queensland australia and determined to take off my bothersome 5 kg. Wish me luck because i want to wear my “waiting at home” skinny white jeans like yours. Sigh.
Nice casual outfit. I am trying to strengthen my ankles so I can feel more secure in wedges and low heels before I get to an age where I feel I must abandon them completely. There is a town next to mine in Maryland that is half in Delaware, called ( appropriately) Delmar. The main street is also State Street, and though it is a very tiny town, their motto is “The town too big for one state!”
I had the most delicious ‘bounty from the sea’ dinner there in Delmar many years ago. I recall trying softshell crabs for the first time there also. That is a beautiful area.
Those asymmetric tops are a boost to any wardrobe, such an easy piece to wear yet a good canvas on which to style.
I loved seeing the foods of the south, and to hear of the interesting ways to serve staples, like vinegar on greens!
Hugs, x
Hi Susan! Is the color of the Dooney and Burke purse Salmon or Persimmon? Thank you!
The color of my bag is Salmon.