We moved my Grandmother into a retirement center back in the late 1980s. She lived alone in her home for many years after my Grandfather passed and like many elderly adults, the time simply came for her to go to a community that would accommodate her with healthy meals, medical support and most importantly, social stimulation. I’m not sure she was thrilled at the idea of leaving home, but my Mom and her brothers helped to give her a beautifully decorated apartment that was large enough to house her jewelry dresser and walk-in closets to fill with her shoes and clothes. As I’ve told you before, I come from a long line of fashion-loving women! 

My grandmother enjoyed watching television, especially wrestling and soap operas. That filled her time along with playing Bridge and trips to get her hair and nails done. She normally ate breakfast in her apartment. But lunch and dinner were the times she looked forward to the most. Every week, we took her out to lunch. One of her favorite spots was Trios, which is still in business off Pineville-Matthews Road in Charlotte. Even in her 80s, my Grandmother could rock an outfit. She always had her makeup done well (she had beautiful porcelain skin) and preferred pantsuits and monochromatic sets. But it was the jewelry where she really shined. She loved a good necklace or two. Bracelets, matching earrings, for sure. I’m not kidding when I tell you she had an entire dresser of jewelry that was organized regularly by colors and materials. She kept each piece in its own little box. Every drawer was filled with stacks and stacks of boxes. Even weeks before she passed, she knew where every single piece was. At dinner, she delighted in the compliments her fellow residents and the staff paid her. I would even go so far as to say she had a spring in her step when she entered that dining room. 

Now that we are all spending much more time at home, dressing for dinner is something our family has tried to do a few times just for fun. Early on in the pandemic my sweet kids realized their Mom was cracking up. Like many of us, I felt stripped of my time and my social life. I was a grump! The three of them got together and gave me a menu for dinner that night. They told me to dress like I was on vacation. In other words, get out of the leggings, take a shower and actually put on makeup. They prepared a feast and served us in the dining room. About a week later, my husband and I decided to return the favor and surprise them for dinner. We ordered a few lobsters, grilled some steak and thought we won the dinner surprise. Until we didn’t. We forgot that one of our kids hates seafood including lobster. We had to redeem ourselves a few nights later to be sure she too was happy with her meal surprise. Chicken piccata and mashed potatoes were on the menu that night. The girls and I dressed up all three nights. My son, however, did not feel the need to do the same except when his sisters made him wear the Hawaiian shirt on their night. 

Now that things are opening back up, I hope you are venturing out to your favorite restaurant spot, dressing up a bit (in your matching mask of course) and appreciating the whole experience again, at least until 10pm here in North Carolina! I know I am.

Oh By The Way, here’s some outfit inspiration for your next dinner out or a dinner at home. And be sure to accessorize like my Grandmother did. Perhaps it’ll add a little spring in your step.