Clean lines and classic styles in neutral, primarily solid colors allow me to embrace the minimal aesthetic. Minimal does not only mean a small number of pieces hung in a tiny space.
This is a look I wore to try a new (to us) barbecue place. Even if we don’t order meat, the collard greens, cornbread casserole, and baked beans can make a delicious meal.
I embraced a few trends to modernize the basic jeans and sweater combo I’ve worn for years. Strappy flats, burgundy color, and a touch of animal print with a black leather jacket are popular trends for fall 2024. The bag is here, but nothing else is new.
Personally, I think the storage solutions for your needs were brilliant. Some folks might have stacked up boxes or heaven forbid, clothes baskets. ha! Kindness and good manners are a sign of a lady. I did notice that the shoe storage rack is the same one I just purchased for the Farmer’s closet.
Good morning Susan !
I sincerely appreciated your sharing your closet and storage ideas with us. I picked up several good ideas that I can use in my home. I have a lot of clothes, When you are the same size for many years and have to have different types of clothing you have a lot of clothes. I still have some work clothes, suits and dress pants because I can wear them for many events. I live in Michigan so I have cold and warm weather clothes. Then I have the things I wear most of the time, jeans tee shirts and sweaters.
I believe anyone that lives a real life has things. So thank you for showing us your life. You are so generous with your time and sharing yourself with us. Thank you !
I look for a new post from you everyday because I always enjoy what you have to say and I always learn something from you.
Susan
I’m always amazed at your grace towards the rude “ladies” here. Anyone who has downsized knows the storage and organization challenges that entails. No one in their right mind would toss perfectly good flattering clothes.
I’ve followed other fashion bloggers and I’ve seen pretentious and that •ain’t• you.
I’m a plus-size woman who has followed you for years and have adapted your principles and outfits to suit my size and body shape – I’m forever grateful for your advice.
Keep on doing what you do, and remember “ Illegitimi non carborundum!”
Well,gosh, you are a fashion blogger! No one wants to see what we, in reality, wear everyday. ( in my case old jeans and a long sleeved t for gardening.). Your ideas for dress up occasions are always great. There are so few of those left in life anymore, that new ways of combining old classics are much appreciated. I have far fewer clothes, but that’s my choice. We all have to be ourselves in this life. You get one; make it a good happy one if you can. And to the rude ones- be kind to people. Don’t hide behind a cloak to say things you would never say to a person in front of you. (And if you would say it, why?) sheesh!
Hi Susan,
Thank you for taking the time to share your lifestyle blog with us. I look forward to your post whenever you post. I am 63, 4’10”. Though SOME of your styles doesn’t fit my short stature, I still find your style very tasteful and classy. I have learned so much about styling simple outfits from your blogs. I now have an overflowing box of silk scarves, ha ha. I’m sorry that your last post attracted some negative comments. It seems these days that some people feel they need to air their negativity. What happened to “if you can’t say something nice, say nothing”? Keep up the good work that you do to help others live a more stylish and healthier life. I love your blog.
Regards,
Christina
Congratulations 1000 posts remarkable accomplishment. You are beautiful and kind. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Brad. I hope you have a lovely weekend.
I did purchase (from your link yesterday) the hangers for tank tops and sports bras. It did free up a couple of inches n my closet. I ordered two sets. Thanks for the tips! I do have a box outside in the garage ready for donations and now that is is fall, I will be added more fall items to it.
Well said, Susan. Debbie
I appreciate the time and consideration you put into your posts. You’re the 2nd blog I look at every day. And your articles (and accompanying photos!) are always helpful. Keep up the good work and thank you!
Please don’t let the negative comments discourage you, those people are free to stop following if they so choose. Your posts have helped me many times and I look forward to them.
Thank you for openly and honestly sharing your journey! It’s why I love your posts and focus on intentional consumption.
Blessings!
I am so amazed at your ability to share tips that can change our total look. It is most often something I just don’t think of, so I appreciate your giving us continued ideas for updating my old look. I love that something as simple as a burgundy t-shirt or top can change the total look to a trendy outfit.
Thank you!
Gee, Susan, I’m sorry people feel the need to gripe about your choices! You’ve given us such good insights about our clothing choices and, although, I still LOVE my Johnny Was prints, I appreciate your recommendations about basic pieces and how to put them together in a coherent way with class and eloquence.
You are so kind to share so much of your life with us. I certainly appreciate it! Some people in this era we are living, seem to have discarded or perhaps never learned basic good manners. On the other hand, your blog continues to demonstrate living your life as you wish with grace. I’m all for it! Congratulations on 1000 blogs! Wow! I believe I’ve read them all and am still learning and enjoying every time you post. Have a lovely week!
Hi, Susan! The black jacket is beautiful and looks gorgeous on you. I also love the handbag. I have only recently embraced leopard prints. I have two pairs of shoes with this print and like the spark of interest it adds to an outfit. From your closet blog, I was thinking outside the box and ordered the pant hangars for my garden flags. It makes it easy to see what I have and keeps everything neat. Thanks for all you do!
Ignore the negativity. I always look forward to your posts as you share your fashion and lifestyle ideas. Keep on keeping on!
Hi Susan, I follow you from Canada and you have changed my life! I’ve watched your story and lost 60 lbs, started to wear scarves & cashmere, appreciate fine dining and take care of my clothing better. You are someone who has done us a great service by sharing your tips, and 1000 blogs says it all. Congratulations to you, keep up the great work, and say “meh” to the naysayers. Just know that I belong to a huge audience that appreciates you!
People, please be kind! It’s a really good thing to be kind!
I guess I shouldn’t be appalled in today’s environment that you received negative comments. Those thoughts never crossed my mind as I read your post. What a gracious, kind response you gave. Actually, I got some good ideas as we are in the process of downsizing to a smaller home. I bookmarked several items for purchase once we are settled in our new home so thank you for sharing.
Congratulations on 1,000 posts! I have a rolling rack near a backdoor we rarely use. We have a small house with small reach in closets. This summer, I started using backs of closet doors for purses and shoes. Why have items we can’t find to use?! The tank top holder is something I want to add. My tank top holder was difficult to remove the garments from. Yours is longer and won’t scrunch them too close together. Glad to hear you have looked at the large number of positive folks versus the negative ones. After spending all of July decluttering and reorganizing, it was super refreshing to see your closet post. We are empty nesters and still never enough storage space. Yet, we changed our mindset and we’re using our stuff NOW.
I lost track of you for a while. You re looking very sharp and beautiful. I am 73. Lightened my hair, but haven’t gone grey. Your hair looks pretty a little longer.
What a kind comment to those who are less than kind. Thank you for sharing
YOU are fabulous! Don’t listen to the haters, my dear one. I’ve recommended your site to many over the years and we all love your posts. Thank you for taking the time to take pics, model outfits, and spend countless hours posting on your site. You are appreciated!
Love ‘ya,
Debbie in Crossville
Hi Susan—Internet culture has spawned critics in every field. Why do they think their opinions are valuable or that anyone cares what they think? Criticism is disappointing and hurtful, but I hope you’re able to ignore it and move on. I have followed your blog since the dark days of Covid and continue to look for you every day. You are my friend in Johnson City. I very much appreciate your work.
You are always kind, thoughtful, and generous with your style and nutrition tips! And I thought your real-life storage ideas were quite perfect…as is Mr. Mickey for graciously inviting you to live in his home. Don’t allow haters to take away from all you truly have and kindly share! Kristie
I read where you said that you received some negative comments on Love Your Closet. Unfortunately, that is what happens when we are totally honest when sharing. You could have edited your post as they do when they stage homes for sale and only show what fit in your closet. I appreciate that you showed the reality when not everything can fit in the home’s standard storage space. Collecting clothes and accessories is each person’s prerogative. I have experienced that same type of criticism when I share everything, which has made me hold back. Don’t let that happen to you, stay yourself and remain open, there are many, many more of us who appreciate you.
Wow! Just wow! After reading this post I had to go back to the previous post and read the comments. Unbelievable!! No appreciation for the time to research, write, photograph, and publish each post. How people can feel the right to criticize blows my mind. I for one am grateful for all you do and all I have learned from you.
I have followed you since the very beginning and have enjoyed every post. Thank you.
I thought your storage ideas were very creative and ‘out of the box’. At this stage in life we should all live more as we please, as long as it works for us & doesn’t hurt anyone else.
I adore your newsletters and look forward to them every week. I’ve learned so much from you & appreciate you sharing your personal adventures, your generous, encouraging nature & your words of knowledge & wisdom. Thank you!
Wendy Dunbar
I LOVED your closet ideas! I have already incorporated one idea and want to try more. I don’t usually comment, but want you to know I appreciate your hard work. Thank you for your Informative, positive ideas.
❤️
I live on a very restricted retirement budget and had to start over a few years ago, so I rarely buy from your links. BUT I love your advice and have gone with your “buy the best quality you can afford” approach ( at thrift stores, consignment shops, and got one thing you wore on clearance!). SO, keep sharing! Thank you.
I enjoyed seeing how you organize your clothing in your house according to what pleases you the most and works the best for you on your previous post. I have quite a collection of clothing and am very leery about downsizing. Aside from letting go of some top styles that I have realized do not compliment my body type, I have kept lot of the classic clothing. I am also glad I kept some accessories and a few classic styled clothing items that were popular, went out of style for a few years, but are now back in style. At this point in my life, I enjoy the freedom and confidence to make my own decisions about items in my house and how I organize/display them. I’m glad you have shown us how you have this confidence, also!
This look is gorgeous! I love the jacket and found one similar that I love! As for rude comments, I’m surprised anyone has time for that or has the idea they can say what they want. I’m sorry this happens in this forum. We’re all here to have fun and get ideas! Thank you for all of your insight and help!
I’ve followed your posts for years and truly appreciate all your work and inspiration!
I loved your post yesterday and found your suggestions very helpful. I was AMAZED that you have just a simple reach in closet and a rolling rack for most of the clothes you usually wear other than the jeans. So given your limited space I think you are very clever in how you have organized everything. Maybe it was your shoe and bag collection that people were reacting to but you don’t need to apologize for loving interesting shoes, bags and accessories. Those are the things that set you apart and the teaching tools for your blog. I look forward to continuing to learn from you.
I like this outfit. This is what I would wear most places. I do love the jacket. Can you share any information about it?
I bought it from Mango.com last year.
Susan, I have learned so much from you and have appreciated your classic style. I have been honored to be invited into your beautiful home. You be you! Thank you for everything you have shared.
Congratulations on your 1000th post! Looking forward to many more! I have recently seen more gold toned buttons on new clothing and I wear white gold/silver toned jewelry because it flatters my skin tone. I have sometimes changed out the buttons. I was wondering if you could address this in a future blog.
I rarely change the gold buttons. It is okay to mix metals in an outfit so I don’t try to match hardware with jewelry. That can seem a little like we are trying too hard.
Thank you for all your post. They are very helpful. Please continue.
Thanks so much for sharing your life and fashion sense with us!
You look younger and younger! I love the outfit, especially those cute shoes!
Congratulations on 1,000 posts Susan! That is amazing. I have posted a second comment on yesterday’s post. I won’t write it all again here but my main message was and is: You are full of grace Susan.
Sorry, some people can be so unfeeling. I’ve turned a spare guest room into my closet, I haven’t seen your closet post, but I’m sure it’s very useful, as mine is. Keep posting dear Susan. I’ve followed you so kind I feel like I know you!! I’m west of you in Cookeville, TN. ❤️❤️
1000 posts, Susan! Congratulations and thank you for helping me to think about clothing, accessories and my health over the last several years, since 50not frumpy. You are the epitome of grace and elegance. Be well.
I found your storage solutions to be innovative, neat & tidy & accessible. I always learn something useful from your posts. I appreciate the fact that you share your life with us. Thank you.
Congratulations on your 1,000th post! What an achievement! The very thing, I appreciate most about you, is your uncommon willingness to share transparently. How rare and unusual in this day when the general population can easily eviserate you with a few strokes of a keyboard. You have a courage that most people lack, and a graciousness that is an expression of your spirit which can’t be learned. Please don’t let the naysayers have the last say! You are truly a rare and precious jewel. I’m very much looking forward to your next 1,000 posts!❤️
You are very kind, Linda. Thank you for the lovely comments.
Truly! Well said. I, for one, can use all of the “classy” help I can get. Thank you for all of the ideas and tips, Susan. I pray you and Mr. Mickey are well.
It’s easy to be judgemental and honestly you are willing to share your ideas for us to glean from and apply in our lives. Thank you for what you do and being gracious.
Congrats on your 1,000th post! Time flies! I love all your posts — always check in first thing in the morning! I always learn something new. You are right — kindness an manners are in very short supply these days!
As always, your posts are so informative. You’ve let us into your life and home in such a generous way. When I dress in more solids, using different textures, and accessories, I always feel more put together and sophisticated. Thank you!
Congratulations on hitting 1k posts!
Seeing your emails in my inbox is the highlight of all the communications I receive – thank you for sharing your life with us 🙂
Hey Susan,
I’m sorry for the rudeness or meanness some responded with after your last post. While I do things differently than you, I very much respect your orderliness and efforts to help us organize our things so that dressing and style are more effortless. That, to me, is the bigger picture. Keep it up! Don’t let these turkeys get you down. It saddens me that people feel they HAV E to express their (angry) feelings. Many adages come to mind: “If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all”; a motto from Rotary Club is “Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Is it beneficial to all concerned?”; and of course the Golden Rule “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.
I hope you can drop these from your blog, but if not, please delete their emails or at least, don’t read them. They obviously don’t want to help.
You’ve done a great job and, thanks to you, my closet looks way better than it has in decades. Plus, I waste much less money buying clothes that I’ll seldom wear or don’t look good on me. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
A loyal fan…..
Susan, I just had a question about your hair. Do you color it or are you just letting it gray gracefully. In either case I love how it looks. I’m debating whether to go gray or not. If mine looked like yours, I would have no hesitation to let it gray naturally.
Thanks
Jan G
I stopped coloring my hair when I turned 50.
Treat others as you would like to be treated or another good one is: If you can’t say anything nice say nothing at all.
So sorry for your experience.
Well, I think you had very novel ways to store items. You are very organized. I just wish I was as organized as you are. My things are slightly organized in a way so I can find them easily. But I do have a whole closet where I seldom wear the clothes. A lot of items are for our “winter” here in Florida which is almost does not exist. I love wearing sweaters but usually wear shorts and tops 90% of the year. Soon, we are flying to Boston for a week but I am not having any luck because the temperature is going to be in the high 70s during the day! I have to leave all of my sweaters at home!
Hi Susan, congrats on hitting the 1,000 post benchmark! I, along with thousands of others on this site, really appreciate your tips and expertise. I have ordered from your posts, and have purchased several items from your closet several years ago which are still lovely and current. I enjoy reading your post no matter what the subject is. I’m not surprised that you took the high road. Such class, grace and dignity are qualities you have in spades. Thank you, thank you!
The Love Your Closet column (and comments) was one of those which I wish I had never read. So much was eye-opening for me and not in a good way.
I hope we can move on and not continue stirring.
Let’s learn to listen to all viewpoints.
Although I may have wondered myself about some of your choices in storing clothes where it’s very visible, I think everyone needs to do what is best for them. I really appreciate the tips on different kinds of hangers to use to hang up items!
So appreciate your gracious response to some of the negativity received on storage ideas. Certainly I have significantly fewer shoes and purses etc since I lost half my storage space after retirement but cannot put into words how much I appreciate your willingness to share your experiences and talents in how to simplify and utilize what we have with some accessorizing and supplemental items which is the irony here. Most of us are so grateful that you make space for these things which show us options!!
Hi Susan
I want to thank you for showing your real life present clothing storage. You have shared your life in a larger home and now in a smaller space and in both settings your gracious elegance and charm shine through. I have improved my own style using some of your tips.
With appreciation and respect,
Susi
Love this style!!….
Dear Susan,
My goodness, the audacity of some people! It was shocking to read how some came across in such a condescending way about a “storage/organization” post. Please don’t let them rob you of “your” joy and the joy you bring to so many others! Living in the northeast where we have four different seasons to dress for, it doesn’t take long to acquire a wide variety of clothing options for the wide variety of weather conditions and/or other needs we might have. In fact, just today, when I started the day out very early to an outdoor sporting event, it was in the low 30’s, brr . . . and, I dressed accordingly in one outfit and by midday it was almost 70 and changed clothing to adjust. Being recently retired, my clothing needs have changed but, when I was working, I needed a wide variety of outfits for the various different seasons, work events, etc. While at first glance my “closets” looked like I had a lot of clothing, I really didn’t. I was fitting four seasons in them. I think you’ve done a tremendous job at organizing especially given that you came from a larger home where the closets were all yours and now don’t have the space you once did and that’s ok as you and Mr. Mickey have a nice arrangement all worked out.
On another note, you look fabulous in this outfit and I love how the purse compliments it. I hope you and Mr. Mickey enjoyed your outing along with good food and drink. I’m sure it felt good to get out and about to a fun place after the past couple of days.
If you would kindly remind me of the style of jeans you are wearing, that would be most appreciated.
Enjoy your weekend!
Blessings.
Thank you! Those are straight-leg classic jeans from J. Crew.
I, for one, thoroughly enjoy every post. Keep it up please.
I looked at your previous post about the closet. You are very creative! Looks just like what would think you would have.
Please ignore the nay sayers! You are doing a great job with your blog. You certainly can’t have 1 closet!
I want to thank you for your tip on hanging a sweater inside out so the bumps don’t stick out! I thought that was the best tip ever! Thank you,enjoy reading and following you.
Lynn
Congratulations on your 1,000 post! I have enjoyed and learned from them. Thank you for keeping your blog up and running! Here’s to the next 1,000 posts!
I very much appreciate your last post! I got some good ideas from it for finding some more space in my new smaller place. Always enjoy your posts and your ideas. I’ve learned a lot from you! Thank you P.S. once again I am copying an outfit from one of your posts!
My goodness. It would take me hours to explain to someone the multitude of things I have learned from you, Susan. I 100% agree with all the ladies who said if you can’t say something nice, keep it to yourself. It seems the internet gives people the nerve to say rude and hateful things they ordinarily would not say to someone in person. Delete these people from your list and move on. Nobody wants to hear from a rude person with no manners, which is lacking in our society. Susan, the help you’ve given so many of us far outweighs the Karens. I appreciate every post you send and save them all. Enjoy your weekend,
Susan, congratulations on the 1,000th post! Thank you for sharing your closet storage solutions with us. I admire your organization and feel grateful that you are willing to share your personal solutions. I am sorry that there are critical and rude people who don’t know how to behave. You are generous and full of grace. Thank you for keeping your blog both real, and in good taste.
1,000 posts! Congrats! I have loved them all. You are so kind to share your great ideas with us. I don’t understand why some people are so negative and rude. They must be so unhappy. I hope you can do 1,000 more post.
Hope you and Mr. Mickey are well. Take care and enjoy your life. Thank you.
Sounds like some readers got a little huffy. I appreciate your posts. I take them in the manner there offered. I use your ideas that I choose to, and don’t worry about the ones that don’t work for me.
Thank you for sharing. I always enjoy your posts
Susan,
Do you depend upon dry cleaning for most of your clothes? Do you have someone to professionally press your things…blouses, jeans, tees etc. ?
Are you hearing anything regarding Beauty Counter products returning?
Thank you, Jan Glover
I rarely dry clean jackets or wool pants since I never wear them for more than two or three hours at a time. Spot cleaning and airing out are sufficient. I iron or steam everything on my twice weekly laundry days.
Celebrating your one thousandth post with you!
You amaze me with your grace to unnecessary and rude comments. Thank you for each and every blog post that you put so much of your time and talent into for us to learn and hopefully live by. I love, and copy, your style often. Thank you!
You are fortunate to look fabulous in primary colors. Especially black. They just seem to be more polished. I would love some tips for those of us who need warm colors. One thing I frequently do is wear black slacks or jeans with warmer colors on top. Black pants and a teal silk blouse with pretty jewelry is my go to dressier look.
I admire women who look best in olive green, paprika, brown, ivory, and tan. Those colors are so rich and elegant. They blend beautifully in outfits and look fantastic with gold jewelry. Celebrate wearing these lovely colors!
Love your posts — thank you!
THANK YOU SUSAN, for sharing your life with us! Thank you for the manner in which you share… Similar to friends talking at the coffee shop. Unlike ALL The other bloggers I have followed, it is obvious, your first objective is not to make a sale. Women I respected 10 years ago began blogging with a heart for the people who followed them. Those same women, I feel, have since been lured into recommending products and clothing that are inferior/poor quality, just to make a sale. I appreciate the way you provide advice, experiences, and good health tips. Thank you again for staying true to the goal you set years ago. You are appreciated.
I’m so disappointed to hear about the judgemental comments you received. I happen to find your posts extremely helpful. I so look forward to them in my email each week.
Well said!
Hi, Susan. I am a faithful reader but rarely comment. I can’t believe that readers were rude about how you store your belongings! I found your suggestions helpful but that’s beside the point. You share your thoughts and experiences to help others. If people don’t find them useful they should simply move on. Thank you for continuing your blog. I’ve been following you for many years and continue to get inspiration from your ideas.
I’m sorry you were criticized. Your posts are always enjoyable. I hope to pick up hints in my minimalist way, too.
I believe your space is your space. You live there and if it pleases you (and Mr. Mickey, of course) that’s all that matters!
Hi Miss Susan!
I always appreciate your tips and guides to the topics you share! You go to great lengths to explain and help folks.
I was thinking this week about how much I miss shopping with your boutique and occasional offerings from your staging. Perhaps you’d consider a tutorial on various ways to tie the bigger scarves you sold. I’m 100 lbs lighter than when I bought them so I can now feel comfortable tying scarves closer to my neck.
Your influence, encouragement, and hope that you shared helped me feel I could make a big weight loss a reality. You’ve helped me love myself a little more.
Many thanks, Sheila
You comment brings me so much joy. Congratulations on reaching your goals!
I appreciated you showing how you solved your storage issues. I have some of the same problems your gave me some good ideas‼️I always enjoy your posts and look forward to them …. Be Blessed.
Dear Susan, Having read your blog for some time now, in my mind I pictured you having fewer clothes in your closet. It was reassuring to see that you have a classic wardrobe–punctuated with panache!–but not necessarily a small amount of clothing. I am in the process of reevaluating my closet and will feel just fine if I don’t get rid of 75% of what I own as long as I assess each piece carefully. Congratulations on your 1,000th post!
Susan,
Your posts are so comforting and down-to-earth—a rarity these days among social media influencers! Downsizing is much more difficult than I anticipated and you have managed beautifully.
Don’t let the mean girls get you down! There are so many more of us who enjoy your posts and sage advice.
There are always the negative Nellies. Please just skip over them.
We don’t share the same aesthetic but I would never criticize your openness to allow us into your home. You are grace personified
Dear Susan, I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your blog. I always take away something to think about and use whether it applies to a healthful diet, how to put together a simple, but interesting, outfit, simple makeup, or, like today, ideas for organizing a closet. Thank you.
Also, when I first heard the news of the disaster that struck Asheville, I had to stop to check on you. So glad that you and Mr. Mickey are okay, and keeping all those who lost so much in my heart.
Congratulations Susan on your 1000th post. I have followed you for many years, back when we were in our fifties! We are separated in age by only a few months and I love all the advice you give me. Some ideas don’t suit me as I’m not the same shape as you but I pick and choose from your great ideas. I even visited areas around where you live when we were in the US visiting from Ireland because of your lovely photos and recommendations. Please ignore the few negative people and please continue doing what you do best. Sharing your life with us all on here. Wishing you many more posts, into our seventies Susan! Best wishes Sharon from Ireland xx
Congratulations Susan on your 1000th post! What an achievement Susan and you have done this through good
times and bad times and through challenging health issues.
Are you and Mr Mickey going to celebrate as he’s been such a part of your blogging journey . I wonder what socks
he would wear to celebrate 1000th !
Warm wishes,
Pamela U.K.
We celebrated with a dressed up lunch at Gourmet and Company. I’ll share more about that later. Thank you, Pamela!
Congratulations on your 1000 th post. Please keep them coming.
hi Susan, I have been following you for a couple of years now and find your posts always inspiring. Thank you for all you do. Blessings to you and Mr Mickey.
Hi Susan, I hope my comment to your last post Love Your Clost, about my minimalist wardrobe was not taken as negative or critical of your wardrobe. It was not meant to be! What I was trying to express was that your principles of dressing – finding your style, limiting colours and prints to maximise the range of outfits one can create and using accessories to finish an outfit have been so helpful to me. Your many examples of how to change or style up an outfit has been inspiring and has taught me so much., Whether one has a closet of 30, 300 or 3000 items, or how one chooses to store them is down to personal choice, in my opinion. PS Congratulations on your 1000th post!
Posting a negative comment is rude and uncalled for. If you don’t like it, don’t read it !!
I think you are amazing and so stylish. Thank you for posting the interesting articles and for sharing your interesting life with us. I really look forward to receiving your articles.
Hi Susan
I hope my comment to your last post Love Your Closet, about my minimalist wardrobe was not taken as negative or critical of your wardrobe. It was not meant to be! What I was trying to express was that your principles of dressing – finding your style, limiting colours and prints to maximise the range of outfits one can create and using accessories to finish an outfit have been so helpful to me. Your many examples of how to change or style up an outfit has been inspiring and has taught me so much., Whether one has a closet of 30, 300 or 3000 items, or how one chooses to store them is down to personal choice, in my opinion.
PS Congratulations on your 1000th post!
Im sorry people were so rude. Thank you for helping us in so many ways. I so appreciate your advice. Love, Susan
Your post re clothes storage was fascinating and helpful. Your comments in the post were subtle: good for you! They obviously did not understand that you do not live in a large place. Would some of those you were referring to have reacted the same if you were offering storage ideas for something they enjoyed: books? food? antiques?
1000 posts! Congratulations!
And congrats too on that very chic outfit. I love the whole thing and especially how good it looks with flat shoes as I do so envy you when you wear heels, knowing I just can’t do it anymore.
Susan, I have to say one of the things I really appreciate about your posts is that they rarely if ever ‘sell’ anything. And that you graciously give links if folk ask. It’s so nice to read a blog without ‘influence’.
I also want to say that my husband and I have been following your food choices for 3 weeks now and we’re finding the whole thing much easier than we thought. The only difference is that we do have a bowl of warm porridge, organic natural yoghurt and fruit for breakfast. So thank you for the guidelines.
You do rather have extraordinary grace under fire. I hope my comment wasn’t misinterpreted on that last post. I meant I just don’t have many clothes, nothing more.
I found yesterday’s post informative and helpful. We’re in the middle of master bedroom/bath/closet renovation and the timing of your post was perfect in helping guide my closet build decisions. For every less than nice commenter, you have a bunch more that appreciate what you do. Thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing. It has been a great help for me.
Congratulations on your 1,000th post! Those who criticize and have their own agenda are not going to be missed. We love what you do and many of us are improving the way we dress thanks to you.
So sorry you’ve been critizised so hurtfully.
Stay strong.
Regards,
Carolyn Watt, Qld, Australia
This is a great look! My favorite question from the last post: Does a person really need that many clothes? Susan’s answer: Yes.
Bravo!
I love what you do, your continuing good grace, easy style, and relationships within fashion and family. You are a stellar example of gentle kindness, what a pity the world works to erase this. You are appreciated!!!
Cheers,
Be
Oh my—I am so sorry that anyone would criticize your posts. I have been impressed by your willingness to share how you are dealing with the aging process, showing how your fashion/style choices change to accommodate physical changes as well as practical lifestyle changes such as downsizing. You are a lovely, gracious woman who is kind enough to share your wisdom on matters that can be difficult. Please ignore the inappropriate comments and know that there are many more readers who admire and appreciate your posts.
MLP
Since I am someone who moved into a smaller space with very limited closet space I appreciated your ideas of storage. The shelves will make the most of what I have. I always enjoy your posts. Thank you.
You are always inspirational. You have shared so many tips that I have tried . I look forward to seeing your new blogs. I have closet problems, dilemma and I use my master bedroom bath to store some shoes etc. I moved from MA to NC and I have a semi walk-in, in my 1995 house , so had to get creative
My friend introduced me to your site when I was on my cancer detour ( 2016 mb stage IV, 26 weeks red devil chemo, lumpectomy and 6 weeks radiation). I lost my thick blonde hair which grew back sparsely and white ,, gained a lot of weight ( meds keep it on) so I really needed a boost. I’m very grateful for my husband 2 sons and 6 grandchildren. As a former teacher I still like to always look well put out, no matter where I go.. I think everyone should always try to look their best, and try to incorporate new items and donate old, never want to look dowdy! As Taylor says the haters are gonna hate, so please keep your fans up to date and continue your fabulous tips. You and Mr. Mikey stay well and keep enjoying life!,
God Bless, Mimi
Congratulations on your 1,000th post!!! I look forward to your blog and the way you show us classic styles with a touch of current trends.. Love today’s look, it’s right up my alley. Thank you!
Congratulations on your 1000th post! I very much enjoy your content and look forward to reading the posts. I love the photos and suggestions you make on following trends that work for individual body types. The information has helped me dress more elegantly and I feel more confident & comfortable. I am sorry that you have been subjected to such negative rude behavior.
Always enjoy reading your posts and hoping your nearby area is seeing some recovery from flooding
You are the epitome of classy. It is such a pity that social media empowers those with no class or manners to spread their negativism around the world in 10 seconds. Your life and everyday activities resonate with me becsuse of the many commonalities. I do find new ideas and looks that work for me. I refer to you by first name and speak of your life and post as if you are one of my friends. When the hurricane ravaged the area where you live, I said ” Susan lives there, I hope all is well”. I look forward to your posts and make sure to read them in my “quiet time” when I can take my tine. Thank you for sharing your life with us , as well as your classic styling.
It is an honor to be considered one of your friends.
Good morning from the Ozark mountains! I appreciated the last post so much, great ideas and storage solutions. I have to say, I was appalled at folks criticizing YOUR choices, in YOUR closet, in YOUR home. It seriously bothered me that entire day, manners and constraint seem to have fled many. You show such grace dealing with such. Have a pleasant day!
Dear Susan
Thanks so much for sharing your tips- I find them most enjoyable, helpful and interesting. I really appreciate your insights and the glimpse into your world.
Much love
Nancy
I just love your leather jacket. It looks butter soft!!! I rarely see you wearing burgundy. You should wear it more often. It looks great on you. Now your shoes . . . I have the same heel height dilemma. I need to wear lower heels but I still want my shoes to look pretty. I found that pointed toe shoes just don’t suit me. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I enjoyed seeing your storage solutions for your clothes and accessories. While all the clothes my husband and I own fit in a 9 foot closet, your post offered solutions to preserving and storing them in a way that we can use to keep what we have longer. And while we do not travel in a lifestyle that is upscale such as yours, we are all one community with experiences and ideas to share. Thank you.
Congratulations on your 1000th posts. I have read every one of them. You have always been gracious in the face of negative comments and I think the majority of your readers adore your blog. The anonymity of the internet has allowed people to speak their minds without worrying about being civil or kind. You, on the other hand, are modeling more than clothes. You model grace and civility. You can only hope that the negative ones will learn from that as well.
Thank you for often including your destination in posts. I focus on this to get ideas for combinations for my own events and destinations.. it is very fun and helpful!
Susan, You were so thoughtful to spend that time giving us such practical and useful suggestions for organizing our wardrobe. You look terrific for your “barbecue” date. Thanks for helping me over the years. Congratulations on reaching 1,000!
Susan,
Congratulations on your 1,000th blog post! I’m very impressed (but not surprised) that your followers have grown to be so many. In honor of both, yesterday I dressed in a “Susan” inspired outfit. We were headed out for dinner, with a quick stop first at Trader Joe’s for a few grocery items. I wore light wash jeans, a black blazer, white blouse with black knitted vest over it. Red suede pointed toe block heels and a small red leather shoulder bag with black trim completed the look. In the store, two different young ladies approached to tell me how much they liked my outfit! They were young enough to be my granddaughters! As we age, it is easy to become invisible; but this proves to me that the effort to present myself well is worth it.
Ha! Sorry that some of your readers became unglued! Please know that you are very much appreciated — not in small part due to your impeccable good taste and manners. And kindness. Congrats on the thousandth post, and thank you for letting us in to your life.
(I am searching for the perfect pair of straight leg jeans and having a miserable time of it — I know you have addressed this before, and will hunt for your past advice/suggestions. Again, thanks for all you do!)
Hi Susan! I have learned from you that just because I am 68 I don’t have to dress like an old lady. I’ve enjoyed your posts . You have showed us that we can still be attractive at any age. By the way, I’d like to share something someone once told me. Always check your rear view before leaving the house. It’s amazing that some outfits that might look ok from the front view look awful from the back!
I loved your closet organizing ideas too. Just keep on keeping on!
When I first saw your column, I thought, “Uh, oh. Susan is not reading the room.” You were not showing items as in a retail store, these were YOUR clothes and accessories. With inflation in the clothing market being what it is, and so many of us on retirement and struggling financially, it is hard to view a blogger’s excess and be excited about the “problem” of having a small closet. A column of single outfits is aspirational. An in your face blog of racks loaded with clothes and shoes and every available surface covered in handbags hardly leads to warm, fuzzy feelings, when you wonder how long your car is going to hold up and are you going to be able to get the grandchildren Christmas presents when groceries are so high. This was just my first thought when I read the column, and I thought, obviously Susan and Mr. Mickey do not have these problems, but the “problem” of a small closet is hardly a problem at all. You are entitled to enjoy your blessings, but displaying them and talking about “organization” almost certainly was going to elicit less than positive remarks. Just a kind friend pointing out what to me was obvious from the get-go. Many of us are widows and no longer have the comforts we once enjoyed. Peace.
Good Morning Susan, I’m sorry some choose to be negative. I personally purchased the tank tops hangers. I downsized my living space & retired afew yrs ago. Adjusting my wardrobe is still a work in progress. Not all of your solutions would work for me, but that’s not the point of your posts.
Have a wonderful day
Michele
Been a follower forever, congratulations!
Congrats on the 1000th post! I bet I have read them all. Thank you!
What works for one might not work for another. Doesn’t mean it’s wrong, just different. And we should all embrace the differences in each of us. If we were all the exact same, what a boring place the world would be. AND, some need to learn the art of being kind. Like Mama said, if you can’t say anything nice, then just don’t say anything. A blessed day to you and Mr Micky
LOL! I don’t doubt folks flipped out over your storage solutions, which are unique.
Please continue to post. For such a low key blogger who doesn’t try to push products on people, I’ve probably been inspired to purchases from your posts than any where else. You show how clothing items can work to improve your style. Thank you.
Thank you for being so open and sharing all your ideas! I really appreciate it.
Wow, Susan, 28,000 subscribers and your 1,000th post, that’s an amazing accomplishment and dedication right there. I hope that the ruder followers are a very small %age of your audience. I rarely comment on your blog but thought I should thank you for all of the helpful information that you shared. It looks like there are some positive comments on this post thankfully. Actually your last organization post gave me some ideas on how to cleverly store some of my shoes and accessories!
Personally I thought your storage solutions were an inspiration. I have been struggling with limited storage and I am going to put some of your ideas to work for my clothing. Thank you as always for sharing.
Congratulations on your 1000 post. Please continue to post as it is very useful and positive. You make very good suggestions and share many good ideas. Some people enjoy making negative comments. I am never sure why people feel the need to do this.
Thanks again for your posts.
Congratulations on your 1000th post! I look forward to your emails. Just ignore the haters. They need to get a life!
Susan.. Thank you so much for sharing your life, ideas, styling choices etc with us. I am so sorry to hear that people leave mean and thoughtless comments on the wonderful messages you share.
As a woman in her 70s with an evolving style and an eventual need to downsize, I so appreciate all of your ideas and personal choices/solutions.
Please know that there are many of us who love what you do and who benefit greatly from it. Please keep it coming!
Thanks…..Terri
Dear Susan,
Sorry to read that some of yr readers criticized you over yr collection. Envy, pettiness, jealousy, and lack of kindness seem to prevail in our society today.
To Susan’s followers: please remember that good manners & consideration of others lifts you up & makes one feel better about oneself .
Cindy
.
You look youthful & lovely with your hair that length. Your hair also looks so thick! Do you take collagen or use any special product?
I take Caltrate 600+D3 Calcium and Vitamin D Supplement Tablets and eat plain yogurt daily. I’m not sure if that has anything to do with my hair but it does feel thicker now that it is longer.
Congratulations on your 1,000th Post!! It is quite an amazing achievement. I’m sure I haven’t seen all 1,000, but have enjoyed the many that I have seen and read. Thanks so much for inviting us into your life and home, and for providing gentle guidance and suggestions on how to look great, feel great, and use what we have. I very much look forward to your emails and sharing a peek into your life. You have garnered a supportive and warm community, and hope it stays that way.
I am so sorry that some people were rude to you when you go to a lot of trouble to be kind and answer peoples’ comments and concerns in a serious fashion. I did not read the comments about your storage methods but can only imagine…I know it can take a tough skin to be a blogger because some folks will take it as a license to criticize everything you do, but I hope the overwhelming sentiment has been positive! Thank you again for all the practical help you provide those of us trying to navigate looking not-awful as we age!
Susan, you always inspire me to pay close, careful attention to my clothing choices AND look at myself in the mirror before leaving the house. At my age it’s easy to 1. Wear the same things on repeat 2. Impulsively buy “outfits” rather than pieces that are interchangeable.
You are an inspiration and I am thankful that I found you Please keep posting ‼️
Thank you!!
I enjoyed the Love your Closet, great ideas for storing items and keeping things in site. My handbags were the first things I rearranged, SUCCESS
Congratulations on your 1,000 posts. That’s wonderful and you have been very helpful in your suggestions. That is why I like your posts, you don’t push us in a certain way to purchase certain items. You give us ideas.
Now let’s move forward from all the negativity of last week.
Sorry to hear that so many people were so ill mannered about your last post. Unfortunately faceless communications seems to give people the idea that they can impolite and rude.
I love the black flats you are wearing in this post. Care to share the brand?
Thank you. Those shoes are by Jeffrey Campbell. I found them here but they are almost sold out now.
Lovely as always! I always like a touch of black in an outfit, You look very ‘on trend’. Thank you for all your ideas – I look forward to your articles every week. You’ve helped me make changes to my wardrobe that have made for a more classic look – less prints, more classic quality clothing.
Is weird how we toss good manners to the curb when we see something online we don’t care for or disagree with. I think you stated it elegantly and succinctly when you said that no one does this (if they have any manners at all) when they are invited into someone’s house. If they do, they’ll find themselves unlikely to be invited back.
I picked up some usable ideas for dealing with my clothes in a small closet. Thank you. I had already discovered and use a couple of the same ideas. I will keep in mind the others – just in case they are needed. – Janet
I appreciate all of your posts — they are always from the heart and I have gotten so many good ideas over the many years that I have followed you. As always, thank you for sharing! You are appreciated!
I have been following your posts for two or three years. I must say I am disappointed that you make a minimalist post the day after you show how you have your clothes strewn all over Mr. Mickey’s house. A clothes rack in the foyer and a boutique display on the dining room table is way too much.
I enjoy the inspiration that your posts provide. Thank you.
Susan,
Congratulations on the 1000th episode. I truly love each time you post and read it all. I do not store my belongings like you do but to each there own and if it works for you-do you!
Melissa
Don’t pay attention to the rude comments. You are certainly entitled to organize your belongings in your home the way that works for you, Others can organize their belongings any way they like. I think you look younger and prettier every day.
Your sharing is appreciated. I am in a similar situation after selling my house and moving in with a gentleman friend in a two bedroom condo. Your style and lifestyle are similar to mine. Thank you for your time and energy. Have a great day.
I find your organization and storage ideas inspiring I really appreciate your photo seeing your home and lifestyle. Ignore the critics. Please keep sharing.
Susan, I appreciated your last post. I enjoyed seeing the unique ways you use to store your items. I personally have a bit of a storage problem, and appreciated any advise I can get. Thank you,
Hello Susan, thanks for the opportunity to talk in your comments section. As a fellow clothes lover, I have enjoyed most of your 1000 blogs over the years. You have given me good advice and fresh perspectives on numerous things which I appreciate. Please don’t ever quit!
I enjoy fashion and have collected some lovely articles over the years. They serve me well and I would feel ungrateful and wasteful if I threw them away simply for the sake of an imaginary, perfect “wardrobe”number. Living in a four season province necessitates distinct and different wardrobes for each as well. A summer purse does work in a snowy winter with a parka! Lastly, I have found that the quality and craftsmanship of older wardrobe pieces far outweighs what is found in some newer products. Buttons in particular are not what they used to be. (Good pants were lined, hems were not merely serged edges!). So, hanging onto good quality clothes has been wise. My wardrobe is huge. It brings me delight. It works for me. I have the luxury of a big house. Thank you for sharing so many good ideas for storage, they are helpful, no matter the circumstances one lives in.
I, for one, appreciate all of the incites you share with us. After reading yesterday’s post, I ordered the pants hangers for my abundant collection of scarfs (I haven’t quite downsized that part of my wardrobe. Seeing their beauty hanging in my closet just puts a smile on my face every day.) Thank you sharing everything you have learned along the way. Your posts are something I look forward to every time I see them listed in my email. Thank you!! Erica B
I love your content, and as someone else living in a small space, I found some great ideas in your last post. Thank you for continuing to share your strategies and style with us!
While I don’t agree on all your choices, I do agree that if its what makes you comfortable that’s what you should wear. I respect your choice and that’s why I follow your blog. I do get a lot of ideas from you and have been complimented on how nice I look. Now if I could just get those food choices down.
I enjoy your postings they help give me some direction for the new seasons.
Your closet ideas of organizing is inspiring thank you for sharing.
Congrats on your one thousand postings.
Susan
I’ve followed your post for many years and please remember all the positive comments you receive. Please don’t let a few negative comments stay in your mind.
I am so sorry that some responses have been unkind to you!! We are all different and make decisions that are best for us.
For me, I always appreciate seeing your outfits as it gives me ideas for what I can wear. You have a wonderful sense of style and clearly understand what looks good on you. I also enjoy your posts about food, especially what you normally eat. I haven’t eaten meat for 5 years and feel and look better for it!
Thank you for sharing your lifestyle on this blog!
In all your posts, you remind us to wear what we feel comfortable wearing and what best suits us in our own place in life. There are some of your choices I can’t wear or feel comfortable in but you always give us something to think about in every post you do. To me, the majority of your clothing choices are perfect for you and something I too can wear. I have a huge portfolio of many pictures I took to remind me why I liked your picture and how best to apply accessories with the outfit. The SUGGESTIONS on how you arrange your clothes and choices where you put them fits your place and some of them I also can incorporate in my place in which I am thankful for the ideas you give. Thank you for working so hard to give the majority of your bloggers new insights and ideas to use as well as insights to new trends and how to incorporate some of those ideas into our own existing wardrobes. I for one have learned a great deal from your blogs and continue to learn something with each new blog you do.
Clara from Iowa
Congratulations on your 1,000th post! I enjoyed reading your post so much, and especially enjoyed your last post regarding tee hangars! That is just what I need! I am addicted to clothes and I am always searching for storage ideas, as it can get overwhelming!
Many thanks for all of your efforts, and here’s to thousands more posts!
Helen
I am sorry to hear you had some bad apples commenting negatively on ideas you were good enough to share. No good deed goes unpunished, eh? Although I do not often comment here, I always appreciate your suggestions and personal input. And I am certain most of this group feel the same way. So feel free to roll those eyes, Susan, and give yourself a well deserved pat on the back!
Cheers, Jo
I thought your “Love your closet” post was Great! That was truly out of the box solutions! I’ve subscribed for several years and I must say you are an inspiration to me through your posts on wardrobe, and all areas of personal care.
Keep posting, I love your content and am inspired by you to keep making changes in my diet & exercise plan as well as refining my wardrobe and skin care routines. Blessings to you & Mr Mickey.
Hello Susan,
I’ve been inspired by your posts many times and found the one on clothing storage so helpful. It’s enabled me to think outside the box in my own situation. I moved to a retirement community as a widow and then met a very nice single gentleman. Rather than live in two separate homes, we decided to marry and he moved into my home. It has two small bedrooms with closets, plus an 8’ hall closet and a small guest closet by the front door. You can imagine how much I had to change my closets around. I did considerable purging and donating and enjoy the freedom of owning less.
In particular, I thought your idea of using a seldom used table as a boutique display was a genius idea! I’d love to be able to see my jeans at a glance. I would totally implement that idea in my (now “our”) own home except for the fact that the dining room table is used every day. Perhaps I can clear the top of my dresser and use it for that purpose…
Oh yes, I also appreciate your posts on good dietary choices and healthy eating.
Keep the posts coming. I always enjoy them. Judy from Pennsylvania
You do you Susan. Your closet did look very small. This is your business so you have a larger collection of just about everything than the average bear. Our closet is bigger and I give my better half a generous 1/3. LOL. He has recently lost over 100 pounds and is now interested in dressing well so there may be some changes. Our new home is small so other than dressers there is little space to store clothing ( or anything else for that matter) Downsizing can be tricky.
I can see how having everything out and visible would make it easier to assemble outfits. Have a wonderful weekend!
Susan, I read your post in regard to your closet and wonderful ideas on organizing. They were wonderful ! I wanted to thank you for opening yourself up to us. I know so many people who enjoy their collections and value what they mean to them. No one has earned the right in this life time to judge. I believe that we all have areas that are maybe a little over the top to other people. So be it! Your posts are always so informative and I look forward to them. When my mother passed away, it was my job to go through her closets for my dad. They were impeccable. I thought of her when I read your post.
.
Dear Susan,
I was completely taken aback by the negative feedback on your storage post. I found the info very helpful. Living in the northeast means lots of clothes to handle the changing seasons. I do have a tip to share. I hang necklaces and belts on an old back of door men’s tie holder. Congratulations on no. 1000.
It never fails to surprise me how thoughtless and hurtful people can be online. As others have written if you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all. I really appreciate your blogs. Seeing how you store your clothes was very helpful. Never knew there was such a thing as a tank top hanger. Ordered mine this morning. If you can’t see your clothes it is easy to forget what you have.
Congratulations on reaching 1,000 posts. Looking forward to the next 1,000.
I am so sorry some people were critical and rude about your previous post. That is unacceptable and makes me wonder what ever happened to good manners. Thank you for handling it with grace.
I LOVE your posts.. Your previous post on arranging your wardrobe gave me some great ideas. I collect sweaters and people would gasp if they saw how many I have. But if fashion brings you joy in this crazy world, why not? And us ladies of a certain age have accumulated some very treasured items that we just cannot part with. Thank you for your wonderful ideas.
I cannot believe people sometimes. Why do they care about your choices? I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how you care for your things. I am not nearly as careful with my things and I should. I needed that post. Thank you!
Hi Susan, I always like to read your comments that offer so much kindness and generosity of spirit.
We live on one small world with so much wonderful culture and nature to inspire us in food, fashion and understanding of others.
Here in the UK all the news channels covered the devastation of storm Milton. There remains a deep concern for the people affected and prayers go out for their continued care.
Our concern for others is universal, despite wars and conflicts in interests.
I love the way you anchor your comments and ideas on fashion, outings and food with that universality.
Thank you for all your posts.
Aileen Goodwin
I’m sad about that reaction, and your need to defend your choices. I live in an older home built an era when fewer clothes were necessary so clothes storage solutions interest me. I appreciate that you shared your solution.
I am always looking for storage solutions since my husband and i down sized several years ago. I love seeing how others store their clothes, shoes, etc. Your solutions were very informative. I am working on letting go of items that I’m attached to but will never use again, it’s freeing but difficult. One thing i have stuck to, if something comes in something must go out. Love your blog and your honesty.
Hi Susan, I’ve been reading your posts for years and love your attitude as well as your style. I was thrilled to hear you moved in with Mr. Mickey and thank you for sharing with us your storage solutions. There is no need for negative energy, so please keep doing what you do and bravo for you!
I am always thankful for all the knowledge you impart.
I enjoy every one of your posts. I am sending you a hug.
You are a blessing & pure class.
Congratulations on your 1000th post! You continue to look great and educate! No rhyme intended!
I’m sorry that people continue to think they have a right to express their opinion. They have a right to their opinion but NOT a right to express it on someone else’s format.
Perhaps you will want to write a few posts on manners! The South is known for their manners.
In the meantime please continue to do what you do so well.
Susan, I’m sorry to hear that some people left unkind comments to you regarding your post on how you organize your clothes. I found it interesting and helpful. I might not choose what you to do it your way, but that wasn’t the point as most intelligent people know!
I have never written to you, but I appreciate your blog and your openness with your passions.
Thank you for your post on your storage techniques yesterday. I loved the post and it gave me many ideas to try. I have a LOT of shoes and too many items that are similar.
Hello,
I would gladly welcome you into
my home to organize my clothing and accessories!
You are both creative and organized. Great combination!
Congratulations on 1000 post I have enjoyed several of them. I’m sorry some folks tend to attack people they don’t agree with. I did read your post and scanned the pictures. I’m amazed you were able to organize so many items. Thank you!
Thank you for your posts, and your generous sharing of tips and tricks with clothing and style. My budget is far smaller than yours, and my home is in a remote area where the lifestyle is extremely casual, but you inspire me to do my best with what I have. One can be tidy and stylish in any situation. Everyone needs something to care about, some area of control, and the only good place to start is with personal hygiene and style. You show us how to do that and how to aspire to beauty, simplicity, and order at the centre of life. The ‘self’ is all we have to offer the world. Everything flows from that centre. Keep up the good work, Susan.
Susan, I always look forward to your posts. I have learned so much from you. I just want you to know how much your posts are appreciated.
Hello Susan-
Thank you for the storage tips. I also use many storage ideas and will be adding some of yours. I like things organized – it works with my personality .
And I love the black leather jacket. I plan to use this look for casual outings.
Thanks for all the ideas you bring to us and keep them coming!
Have a good week! We can all be happy that NC and TN are coming back strong!
Judy Rains, Mooresville NC
Dear Susan,
I do not understand those who have to criticize others. This is what I have to say is that I enjoy your articles and
helpful ideas. They have helped me through a time that I needed inspiration.
Thanks again,
Diana
Hi Susan! I love your posts, and loved the one about how you store your clothes. Some of the comments were so unnecessary! If we are blessed to be able to own a large wardrobe, there are always storage dilemma’s. I loved seeing your solutions. I’m currently trying to work out some of my own storage problems, so your ideas were so helpful.
This post is great too. The simpler we keep it, the better, imo, as we age. I have recently given away shoes and boots with too high of a heel for my aging back. I’ve also gotten more “brutal” with clothing items that I was keeping, but really don’t look that good on me. I took your advice a while ago about solid tops vs patterned tops. It’s so much easier to coordinate a look with solid pants and top, and then adding a colorful scarf to coordinate, of which I own many!
I think out of all the blogs I read, yours has been the best and most helpful to me in culling a beautiful wardrobe that I love to wear! Keep blogging…and thanks Susan.
I confess when I saw your storage and organization post, my first thought was, my goodness, her stuff is all over the place! Then I quickly realized that “my stuff” is all over my home as well. We just have different stuff. I have learned that I am happiest when my home is functional to me; it may not work for someone else, and that’s fine. I enjoy your blog for many reasons, not least being your kind and gracious manner. Keep sharing all the parts please. Bravo!
I’m so sorry to hear about the unnecessarily rude people.
I love your site…congrats on your 1000th post!
Love your new hairdo. I’ve followed you for a good while and I remember when you did some blogs on your hair style and products. I see you changed your mind on longer hair. Last year I decided to grow mine out. It’s almost down to my bra line in back. I like it. My husband actually ask me to grow it out. I’m 78.
I want to say how sorry I am that people were critical of your last post. Please ignore them! You have made a huge difference in so many of our lives and give us confidence to dress in age- appropriate ways. Since I found your blog. I have learned better ways to do my hair, make- up and shop. Even eat! Keep up the good work and remind yourself that there are thousands of people who are grateful for your help.
Thanks,
Sue
Wow!!!I will just say…I love your outfit and your hair is wonderful on you at that length.
I have always found that most of negative remarks in a person’s direction are from those who are jealous…
Hi Susan, congratulations on your 1000th blog. As well as 28000 followers it just shows how your blogs are valued. I for one make sure I try to read them every evening. Your outfit is fabulous I also like to wear my burgundy top with my jeans. My husband did not quite understand that I comment on a blog from the United States. I told im I feel like I have a friend although we will never meet personally.
Keep safe and well.
God Bless
ELIZABETH SA
Congratulations on your 1000th post! That’s great. i always love to see what you wear, where you go and how you spend your time. Praying for your and Mr. Mickey’s contied good health! God bless! Helen
Congratulations on your one-thousandth posts – all given with generosity to us.
I am very sorry that you came under criticism for you last post. It seems that some people think their own choices are the only way and others are just wrong. They are probably not able to grow with new ideas as they are inflexible and in a fixed mindset.
Thank you for giving us new ideas. I always find them well thought through and inspirational.
Carolyn
Wear more burgundy Susan! It looks wonderful on you!
And I hope you’re able to block those who are rude and unruly. You are always gracious and generous and there are plenty of us out here who appreciate you.
I have no idea what comments you have referred to, you showed us how your wardrobe is organized in a very minimal space. I am puzzled though that you have such a small space allotted to you, necessitating the need to spill over onto the dining room table. You moved into Mr. Mickey’s home, so why isn’t there a bedroom space with closet? None of our business of course, just puzzling .
I have an office space which was the smaller of two bedrooms. The closet used to hold his blazers, so he also had to downsize to accommodate me. We have worked out a beneficial partnership in many ways.
Hi Susan,
Wow, to think you have done a 1,000 posts that is truly a HUGE accomplishment. I know you always make things happen. Give yourself a big warm hug. I think you are one in a million.
I did see your clothing, shoes, etc blog I did not respond. My thought was, what a smart use of limited space. I guess you had some rubs coming your way. I’m sorry to hear this. Out of all the people you deserve nothing but kudos for everything you do and share. I was raised on, “if you can’t say anything positive, don’t say anything at all.” I hope the un-called type of comments did not hurt your feelings. I’m sure it makes you pause, and wonder do I really want to do this anymore and put myself out there, and this is what I get back. I feel for you. All I will say in the nicest way possible. You deserve better, WOMEN CAN BE TRICKY.
Wishing you a WONDERFUL week.
Sending you a warm hug to a special Angel.
Congratulations on your 1000th post. I have learned so much from your posts since stumbling on them about 18-24 months ago. Regarding your closet post, I hate that you had so many negative comments on it. I have been trying to streamline my closet with clothes that fit my personal style, body shape, and coloring. Your post has been very helpful in that journey. I’ve also lost about 40 pounds in the last 2 years. I was most drawn to the fact that your closet appeared to be black, grey, white, and demin with a few pops of red. I’m hoping I can eventually narrow my closet down in colors; it currently looks like a rainbow!
Congratulations on your one-thousandth post! I found your blog only recently and I love it. You’re a source of inspiration with your fashion and lifestyle sense, providing great examples and tips on how to put an outfit together and care for our wardrobe. Plus makeup tips, diet ideas, travel adventures, and the day-to-day of daily life. Keep up the great work!
Thanks for your no nonsense and kind approach to dressing for yourself and body type. The first few steps of a fashion journey can be scary but you’ve made starting one less intimidating
I enjoyed your previous post! And you gave me a truly laugh out loud moment when you said, some people became unglued! That just made my day. Some of the negativity and snarky comments boggled my mind. Maybe some jealousy? Whatever the case, you are so full of grace, class and style.
I’m so sorry that some people were unkind regarding your storage choices. I was impressed by how organized you are and vowed to organize my closet!
I have always dressed in classic styles and sometimes feel that my clothes look boring. Reading Susan After 60 affirms my style choices. Thank you so much!
I love your posts. Sorry that people are so mean and inconsiderate. I, for one, enjoy seeing new and unique ways of doing things. You are beautiful and inspiring. Thank you!
You go, girl!
Sorry that there were so many negative comments. While I personally do not have the collection you do, I did admire how you cleverly arranged their storage. I am in the process of clearing out shoes so that I can have less in my closet and to keep the ones I wear. I will make room for other shoes that suit me better. Can no longer wear fun heels but I enjoy looking at your collection.
Hi Susan
Many congratulations on your 1000th post – you are clearly doing something right!
People can be so rude and post nasty things that they would never dream of saying to you in person. Take no notice of them, you are certainly better off without those sorts.
Many others who have blogs clearly work for different companies and their blogs are littered with advertisements. Yours is advert free and you always explain why something works for you and your storage solutions were very informative.
Please do not get disheartened Susan, keep up the brilliant blog and I look forward to congratulating you on your 2000th post! Best wishes.
I’m so sorry that some readers have been unkind. You certainly don’t deserve that. I have always found you to be gracious and considerate in your blog. It is a shame that in today’s society the loudest and most vocal are the most unfeeling. I enjoyed that post very much. Please don’t let it slow you down. You are an inspiration. Thank you!
Susan I’m so sorry you had experience the “keyboard warrior syndrome.” Keep doing what you’re doing. There are those of us who appreciate you! I am trying to take your advice in buying less but more carefully. Rather than just random purchases I don’t buy anything unless I know what I can wear it with a couple of things I already have. Shoes are an issue. I have such bad feet I really struggle to buy anything other than tennis shoes. I just hope the rest of my outfits look good so people don’t notice my shoes!
I am so sorry that anyone would criticize your post. We all need to give each other grace.
I always get something positive from your posts
Thanks to your wardrobe share, I decided to keep a few more clothing items, & use ingenious spaces as you demonstrated. In Australia’s coolest island state we have four distinct seasons – sometimes in one day. So while I sort seasonal attire, some must be handy to layer. Again your wardrobe share was most welcome, with ideas gleaned. Congratulations on 1000th post.
Congratulations on your 1,000th post! Quite an accomplishment & I enjoy every one!
Susan, you did a wonderful job showing how to organize. As a professional storage designer, I see LOTS of clothing in closets of all sizes and shapes. If fact, if people just learned to purge their closet of clothing that no longer fits, or is unflattering, or just is never wore, then one would have more space. This is true if you have a small space or a large room used for a closet. Following your advice, one can learn to let go of clothing and find flattering pieces that will suit them for years to come. You are truly an inspiration to me and many readers. I have followed you for quite some time and find you the definition of a classy lady with style. And congratulations on the 1000th post!
I appreciate your posts and understand how hard it can be to downsize. We moved from a 3500 SF home in Denver to a small, 1000 SF home in southern IN 7 years ago & I’ve had to learn to store some things I love & decorate seasonally and move clothes from storage to closets seasonally also. It can be done! Thank you for your positive post.
Susan, I found the criticism you received a little humorous. I thought to myself…do they not realize they are criticizing someone who is a fashion blogger for having too many clothes. Compared to the one other blogger I follow, I would venture that you probably have about a fourth of the clothes that she has. I appreciate that many of your posts do not feature new items and I spy many items on repeat. I would also guess that having many of your items easily accessible and visible helps to give you inspiration and subject matter for new posts. I love to change out my handbags to coordinate with my outfit. My current storage situation is not convenient. Your post has given me the inspiration to remove them from the boxes they are currently in and bring them out in the open for easier access. I have a few I’ve not carried for a while because it was going to be such a hassle to get them out.
I agree with Joy M. regarding the criticism. We retired and moved to Santa Fe six years ago. Letting go of my working wardrobe and transitioning to a retirement wardrobe has been a process. Santa Fe is very casual and the seasonal changes are more significant than our previous life in southern California. I don’t need an overloaded closet. I love my super casual at home wardrobe, but I need classic seasonal basics to wear when we are out and about. Thanks for your lessons about building a basic out and about wardrobe.
Thank you for all you do for your readership. We enjoy your fashion tips, ideas, thoughts and seeing all of your travels. You are a joy giver! ❤️Blessings to you! Safe travels.
Thank you , Susan, I have followed along enjoyably fo a very long time
Oh my gosh the cute handbag is sold out! And, I can’t believe people! Let them come unglued! It’s nice you share your ideas!
I appreciate all your posts and willingness to share with us honestly. I’m sorry some of your readers responded unkindly. I love your ideas for style, storage, and minimalism. I’m trying to get away from shopping bc of sale or trend and shop for what I really need—A work in process. God bless you!
Sue Williams
Land O Lakes, Florida
You look great! Love this!
Regarding your last post and the responses generated, I am appalled at the rudeness some people displayed. I think you were very kind to share your system with your readers and don’t feel this is excessive at all. Keep up the good work! I love your suggestions.
I love your style and your newsletters! Sorry for any criticism that comes your way. May all our appreciation bury that in the dust where it belongs.
I love all your post. Keep writing them please.
Congrats on your 1000 posts. After reading the comments isn’t it good to know that there are far more kind & positive people in this world. Think on that. Love your blog & your kind and gracious ways
Thank you Susan for your informative and interesting emails. I look forward to receiving your mail.
Thank you for everything that you share. I loved some of your storage ideas.
Congratulations on your 1000th post! I always look forward to your newsletter. Here’s to 1000 more. Thank you for all.
As usual, this (and the earlier post) epitomises kindness and good manners. Best wishes from Sydney Australia
Oh, Susan! I have followed you for many years and have picked up sooooo many excellent dressing and styling tips. I am sorry some of your readers became critical about one of your posts. Yours is not the only site which has, as of late,seen an aggressively critical review. Maybe after the election drama the masses will returned to some standard of civility. You and Mr Mickey are my heroes.
I am sorry you received criticism! Society really feels entitled behind a screen, right? I really appreciate you letting us into your beautiful home and life.
Thanks for sharing your closet last week. It has inspired me to tackle my own space. I appreciate the links you provided where I could purchase some of the items. Could you also provide a link for the hangers? Thanks so much
Dress and shirt hangers are here. Pant hangers are here. Sweater hangers are here. Coat and blazer hangers are here.
Didn’t mean to offend with my comments……..but I’ve honestly never heard of anyone displaying clothes and purses on a dining room table. A lovely armoire, buffet, or cabinet in that room would “house” those items beautifully.
I’m just making do with what is here. It is all very portable.
Susan, I enjoy reading your posts and I must say I sometimes pick up fashion tips. You display clothes from vendors I know about, but don’t regularly shop from, which is good.
We are all different. I wear heels infrequently. I suspect flats aren’t flattering on me, but that doesn’t mean I go out and copy you because you are probably right, heels are more flattering.
I would probably lose a lot of weight if I ate no meat and only organic vegetables and stopped eating each day at 11 AM. Especially if I followed your rule that one bite of dessert is as good as the whole thing. I enjoy reading out it, but it isn’t what I’m going to do.
I was surprised at all of the comments I read about your wardrobe storage. I don’t entirely know why everyone can’t lighten up and enjoy reading about someone else’s life and leave it at that.
Congratulations on the 1,000 posts. I have enjoyed them since I’ve joined. Thank you also for reminding people that you are simply showing people your lifestyle, clothing choices and helpful hints. No one is forced to read or see your posts.
I’m sorry that some of the people that responded back to you were less than polite. I’m glad I didn’t read those comments but sorry that you did.
Hope your parents and Mr. Mickey are well.
Patty V
While not many of us have such a large wardrobe, it seems downsizing would create a storage dilemma for you. I am sorry others criticized you on your choice of storing your wardrobe.
Loved your sharing of how you stored your clothes. Gave me great ideas how to organize mine. Thanks for all your posts.
Nancy
I eagerly look forward to your posts! I gather so much information from – how to put an outfit together — to healthy eating. Thank you!!
We all try to make the best use of space according to what we need. I love the “movable” storage racks you have. It certainly adds to the space one needs. And I too like everything in site as I don’t forget what I have … because I have bought items I already own. Your way may not be my way – and mine not yours … but we can learn from each other and pick up a few tips that can improve our lives.
Please keep Posting … I love them.
Sincerely, Georgieanne
Congratulations on your milestone posts! I love the burgundy top you are wearing in the photo. That is also one of my accent colors. I have several things arriving this week to help with storage in my closet that I took from your previous article. Love the ideas! Keep on posting Susan. The “unglued” are the minority and so rude.
The cut of your jeans is perfect…would you share the brand?
Those are the straight-leg classic fit jeans from J.Crew last year. They have sold out of most of that style, but the link to all the other straight-leg styles is here.
I love what you’re wearing in this post! It reflects what I call my “uniform.” Pants/jeans plus top plus layer for the win. I figured out that my 12 bottoms, 30 tops, and 16 layers make … wait for it … 5760 outfits. Actually more, counting variations with jewelry, shoes, and scarves. LOL. Playing with outfits is such fun and your advice is always golden. Thank you.
P.S.
Speaking of golden, the tank hanger and scarf hangers are on their way! Can’t wait and perfect timing. It’s still 85 degrees here, but I nonetheless I am packing away spring/summer and moving to fall. Hope springs eternal, right?
Congratulations on your 1000th post! As a recently retired, and just turned 60 years young, I find you site helpful and wise. Keep ’em coming.
You are appreciated!!
I’ve enjoyed your posts for so very long. You are more elegantly, classically beautiful than ever. Love your hair style. I would like to find a jacket like the one you are wearing in this post. Do you know where I could purchase one?
Esther
The leather jacket is from Mango.com last year.
Surprising how many people have such negative comments. The rest of us truly appreciate all your hard work. You inspire us to try harder. I look so forward to your blogs. Keep up the good work!!
Congratulations on your 1000th post. I think I may have read every one of them as I have been following you for years! And, I have learned so much from you. You handle everything with much grace and kindness, and I applaud you for that. Others should learn this from you! Our world would be a better place!….As someone else said, after all you are a fashion blogger!!! Keep up the great work. You benefit many!!!
Thank you, Leigh!
Read your posts every day! And enjoy all! I am 92 and still need advice! And especially interesting , to me, was the use of rooms that no longer are serving their original purpose—- like the dining room. I live close -Jefferson City -so, like your posts on places, restaurants, and attractions. Don’t ever stop blogging until I’m at least a 100!
I enjoy your posts every time! I am 92 and still need advice!……..And especially did I like your idea of repurposing a room from its original purpose-the dining room. I live close-Jefferson City, so like your posts on places, restaurants, and attractions. Please never stop until I’m at least 100 years old!
Could you please tell me if you purge your wardrobe regularly? BTW, I completely agree with you about the need for kindness and good manners. Congratulations on your thousandth post!!
I regularly donate things that don’t fit correctly or suit me anymore.
You always look so sharp and your clothes well put together. I do have to chuckle when you say you have minimalist wardrobe, especially after you just showed us how you store your clothes. I am not criticizing just chuckling. You go girl!
I have been following you for several years and always look forward to each post. You are an inspiration to many of us. Please disregard a few bad apples. You always shine. You always look beautiful. If I can please be honest about one thing…and its the pointed toe shoes. I could never wear those with these wide feet of mine. Thinking of you as you care for your elderly parents. Kindest regards, Millie
Hello Susan
Just want to thank you for all your style help. Your blog got me started on reinventing my personal style for this semi retired phase of my life and has been a great source of inspiration since then.
I wonder if you have any ideas on styling red items as we approach the colder weather?
Kind regards from Scotland
A sprinkle of red accessories can add a much-needed lift in the gloomy, wet winters. I’m glad I have red leather gloves, a red turtleneck, a sizeable red cashmere scarf, and a couple of red bags. They make dark neutral combos look more intentional and lively.
Congratulations on your 1000th post. Personally, I love your new “space”, but then I’ve always been a romantic. You are looking good after your time of health troubles, keep up the good work.
It is a shame you received negative comments about your closet solutions. I found many of your solutions quite creative. While I do not have as many clothing and accessory items as you, I do experience less storage since moving to a smaller home and you provided me with several solution ideas. Thank you for your continued inspiration.
Susan you have been responsible for helping me streamline and leave my “comfort zone” old
rut to see new combinations. Thank you for that and your organizational skills.
Were you married when you attained the five-bedroom house? Even working 3 jobs, that boggles the mind that you could afford that spacious of a home on your own if you were left with nothing from your exes. Just confused here.
The divorce happened in the late 90s. I bought my last two houses by myself. I started a business that is still successful 25 years later. Mr Mickey’s youngest daughter purchased it from me in 2019.
I always enjoy your blog, whether it’s fashion ideas or the beautiful area you live in, or how you style and store your things. I’m so sorry some people came unglued at you and had the bad manners to criticize how you manage things in your home. I think you’re brave to share your life with others and I appreciate that you do.
Blessings,
Christine
Hi Susan
I would just like to say thank you for inviting us into your home and showing us your storage ideas. It has given me a new way at looking outside the box (wardrobe) for my storage problems.
Thank you again for inviting us into your home.
Kind regards
Karen
I love this look on you! Thanks ,as always, for your post.
Thank you, Susan for this wonderful newsletter. I appreciate all the information you have shared. Most of the information you share is very useful. What does not work for me I leave alone, nothing more needs to be said except gratitude.
In Joy & Gratitude,
Debbie
Thank you, Debbie!
Susan, you are amazing. I have never seen so many clothes in such small spaces. Your organization is wonderful, and I will take away a few suggestions. As always, your ideas and style are classic. Thank you for sharing.
Susan, I stopped getting your posts for some reason. Please add me to your mailing list again. Thanks in advance.
We are still having issues with some newsletters going into spam folders, but we are working on it.