My Sister Teresa’s Unpretentious But Spectacular Ageless Style
My younger sister, Teresa Cunningham used to look up to me when we were little and now I look up to her! She took care of my mother in her declining years, keeping up her quality of life all while running her successful marketing company in San Diego. Teresa has an unpretentious but spectacular ageless style. And she has a joie de vivre that captivates everyone around her. Hard to believe that she will be 60 years old this year!
Cindy Hattersley asked us to fill in for Ageless Style while her usual partner, The Vintage Contessa takes a break. I am excited to find out who Cindy is featuring this month! The link is at the end of the post.
How would you describe your style, Teresa? “Unpretentious But Spectacular Ageless Style” was my idea.
It’s so nice to be featured on Classic Casual Home (especially since, as you know, I gave you the name suggestion for the blog)!
I am not a slave to trends and I try to work with my body type and feet problems (bunions and the dreaded hammertoes). That said, I like to be comfortable, relaxed, and a little sparkly. My wardrobe is eclectic to include weekend casual, business-appropriate, evening, and wedding dresses.
I’ve also been known to rely on you, Mares, and my other close friends, to borrow clothes on occasion! The teal dress I am wearing is my friend Christine’s and my friends, Anne and Liz had the idea of putting a brooch I had onto a silver chain for a necklace.
What are your favorite accessories?
A good handbag (from Louis Vuitton to good finds at Marshall’s) and a good pair of glasses can elevate any look. My friend, Tammy bought me a gift certificate to Warby Parker seven years ago and I still order from them!
You were one of the first people I know to go natural with your hair color (way before Covid). When did you let your hair go to it’s natural color. How do you take care of it?
I inherited my dad’s premature grey hair in my 20’s and by the time I hit my 40’s, I was struggling with highlights and lowlights. So I reached out to my long-time hairstylist, Basil Scofido, with whom I had lost touch. He welcomed me back and said, “Let’s embrace the white!”
So we did with some highlights in the beginning and regular glaze treatments. Within 2 years it was mostly grown out and now I just get cuts every 3 months.
Purple shampoo helps if it gets brassy. Kristin Ess is good. And Oribe Bright Blonde Essential Serum (Amazon or Sephora – you pick) is a really nice option.
What beauty products do you love?
My favorites are when a girlfriend buys one of their favorites for me as a gift! Mary Ann got me this Sunday Riley CEO Vitamin C Rich Cream and I love it.
Linda gave Thrive Mascara Liquid Lash Extension to me. So good. It doesn’t smudge toward the end of the day.
I’ve been using Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation for almost 20 years.
What are your favorite color combinations?
Even before my hair went white, I liked wearing a white blouse or a black sweater. I still like white and black but find softer colors like pale pink, cream, and camel work well with my complexion.
What advice do you have for women over 50?
Have fun! We learned from the best – our parents were still laughing until their very last days on Earth!
Thank you, Teresa, for all your great advice. See why I am so proud to call her my sister?
You may also like Classic Casual Fall Ageless Style.
Please check out Cindy Hattersley’s Ageless Style guest here.
How fun to feature your sister and her style! I love how complimentary you are of each other. You are so lucky the two of you remain close and you get to see her often even though you live on opposite coasts.
Yes, Lynn…love my sister!! I know you love yours too.
What a lovely homage to your sister – how lucky you are to have each other. Would you please share the designer/manufacturer of the beautiful borrowed ice blue dress she is wearing? I’m looking for a dress for an event in October…yes…shopping has begun! Thanks for your beautiful blog posts!
Hi Tea – Mary Ann was way to kind to me in this post! The dress was from Nordstrom (Nanette Lepore) but probably not available anymore. Maybe try Nordstrom Rack by now?
Wow Mary Ann – you must be reading my mind! I was just thinking the other day about how beautiful your sister’s hair is and wondering if she had any special products she used to care for it. I used the opportunities of retirement and moving to a new state to grow out my natural white/gray hair. So thanks to Teresa for sharing her shampoo recommendations. She looks beautiful! I am trying to embrace my natural color but I must admit that every time I see one of your posts after having your hair done, I reconsider going back to coloring my hair. Yours looks lovely!
If my hair looked like Teresa’s color I would, too. Mine is still over half dark…and not pretty so I lighten it to blend in with the gray. I’m curious where you retired to, Nancy?
We moved to Wake Forest, NC just outside of Raleigh. We are building a home which has always been on our bucket list. Hoping to move in by May. It’s been a year of many decisions!
Wow, stunning post!! Do you have any info on your beautiful pink dress – love the color!
The rose-colored dress that I am wearing is by Max Mara Weekend. Thanks!
Teresa is beautiful, just like her big sister! She has wonderful style and her white hair is gorgeous. Lots of great tips and can’t wait to try some of her beauty products. Thank you for showcasing her.
Thank you so much, Gail!!!
love this! i’m seriously contemplating embracing my gray completely. thanks for the inspiration as always xoxo
I would do it if I had good white hair like Teresa!
Your sister is gorgeous. Wish I was brave enough to go natural with my hair.
I think my style is similar to hers and would love to know where that fabulous turquoise dress is from!
Hi Maureen! Thank you so much for your kind words! Christine’s teal dress is Nanette Lepore (Nordstom), but by now now avail – except maybe on Nordstrom Rack?
Theresa just glows! Beautiful hair, skin, smile! Love her style too!
What a compliment, coming from YOU, Annie!
Mary Ann what a fun post. Your sister is a beauty just like you. She sounds like a lot of fun and has her priorities straight! The white hair is stunning on her and so is that dress. I like her simple routine and it clearly lets her natural beauty shine through. She looks barely 40. Love this.
OMG – I love you, Kim!!! Way too nice!!!
Hi Mary Anne and Teresa,
What a great story about style and sisterly love! 🙂
I know this is a bit off topic but as a single, working woman, taking care of of my 80yo Mom, I would love to know more from Teresa about how she balanced her social life, work life and care for your Mom. My Mom has been a widow for almost 17 years and though she lives independently, she relies on me the most of my siblings (oldest child!). We are very close and I’m lucky to have a flexible job but still it’s a challenge some days.
Thanks again for a great post, as always!
You are a good person, Julianne! Call in the troops! Right, Teresa? She had my brothers, sister-in-law, and me when she needed us.
Yes, as Mary Ann indicated, we had a village contributing and supporting. Mom had been a widow for nearly 30 years until her death at 96 years. I am the youngest child but never married and I was working from home – so it made sense for us to be together as she started to decline. But I won’t lie – it was really challenging getting her to all of her appointments (doctors, hearing aids, hairdo’s, nails, etc) even with a flexible work schedule. Then she always wanted to go to lunch or have me watch a couple of shows with her during dinner so it was hard to get my work in. So whenever family volunteered to sweep in and help, I took them up on it even though I was a little jealous that they got to go have fun with her. But I wouldn’t have traded my time with her for the world. It was a privilege and an honor to be with that precious little lady every single day of our 15 years of living together. But Julianne – make sure you find ways to get some time for yourself. My social life was challenging. Although, I have never dated much anyway, so it didn’t really change anything for me. And my girlfriends loved coming over to the house for sleepovers with all of our dogs! When Mary Ann was there, she would suggest that I go to a casino for a night (which she hated and I loved) and I always took her up on it! Good luck and God love you – your mama is a very lucky lady to have you! So sorry for the long response!!!!! 💕
Loved this post….you are both so very lucky to have each other!
Thank you, Janie – we hit the jackpot! If you can’t tell, I love a casino, but Mares loves a good Home Goods store!
Such terrific women, beautiful in every way, including their gracious hearts. Miss you both❣️
We love you, Lisa!
WE LOVE YOU TO BITS, LISA!!!
So fun to meet your sister, Teresa. We hear so much about your visits to her on the blog and now we know more! You two have the same, beautiful and infectious smile. I’ve been reading a lot of posts about woman who have embraced their silver hair … and I’ve been considering transitioning to my natural color. Whatever it might be at this point. Possibly a surprise. Anyway, I appreciate the knowledge and products wisdom. Teresa looks amazing and I see why you two have so much fun together! xo
You always make me smile, Juliet!!!
Me, too, Juliet – thank you so much!!!
Very stylish and pretty!!! Love the sweater and puffer!!!!!
Thank you, Karen!! Borrowed from my friend, Tammy!!!
Mary Ann,
Your sister is lovely. How lucky for you to have a sister. I enjoyed hearing her thoughts on the questions you gave her.
You and your family obviously have some great genes to give you the charm and beauty you all prossess.
xo,
Karen B.
I liked hearing her answers too, Karen!
Aw, thank you, Karen!!!
Hi Mary Ann,
You two are real beauties! So nice that you are close. Isn’t it great that you both look up to each other?!
Wow her hair is gorgeous, and Teresa has a beautiful smile and very approachable style.
Nice post, keeping it in the family!
Xo Heidi
You are so sweet, Heidi!!!
Thank you, Heidi! I am so lucky to have such an amazing big sister! She couldn’t get rid of me if she tried!!
Your sister Teresa is absolutely beautiful. I can see that God was extra generous when he gifted the good genes to your parents. She has the most beautiful smile, she reminds me of your mom a lot.To Teresa’s friend, that turquoise dress would make a wonderful birthday gift to her😉.
Ha! I think so too, Li!
You are too sweet, Liana!!! Thank you! And I will mention your brilliant suggestion to my friend, Christine – but I know that I can alway borrow it from her as well as a plethora of other fun options she has! 👗
Mares – You are way too kind to me. Thank you for being the most amazing big sister EVER. I love you to bits!!
Mares – You are way too kind to me. Thank you for being the most amazing big sister EVER. I love you to bits!!
You are both beautiful, stylish and youthful! Her blue dress is gorgeous! I really enjoy your posts – thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks, Laurie!!!
Your sister is beautiful, just like you! I really enjoy reading the style series, and getting ideas and tips from other ladies. Thanks Mary Ann!
Thanks, Karen!!!
Thank you, Karen! But all of my tips come from my girlfriends – including Mares!
Loved the article. You’re both stunning.
Too nice, DeDe – but thank you!!!
Proud of both of my fantastic sisters!
Nay
Aw, Nay – you so, so lovely!! Love to my biggest sister!! (as in order of birth, not size!!)
Loved this post!!!! TC looks beautiful, as always. You both are.
You are beautiful, Kareen!!!
Ditto, Kareen! You are beautiful inside and out!!
You are blessed to have each other. As an only child, I really appreciate other people’s siblynes.(spelling,sorry) You are so fortunate to have each other to rely on
Yes, Susan. We are lucky!!
I feel SO fortunate to have Mary Ann as my big sister!!
Beautiful women run in your family. Loved this post. Your sister offered some great tips and looks great in each outfit pictured. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thank, Kathy!!
I was embarrassed, so thank you for your kind words, Kathy!!
So lovely to meet you Teresa and l love your incredible style !!
Thank you for your kind works, Francesca! I felt silly doing this for Mary Ann, but it was actually kind of fun!
Theresa is beautiful, and look at her million dollar smile. She just radiates LOVE. Mary Ann, you are both
so pretty. Wow, Theresa even pulls off her gorgeous white hair so well. I can see why she get compliments
where ever she goes.
You just know when a daughter looks after her mother in declining health it speaks volumes to me that they
have a heart of gold.
It’s so nice that you look up to your sissy, I am sure Theresa looks up to you. Your daughter is blessed to have
“two of you” in her life, it does not get any better than that.
Thank you for sharing.
So true, Katherine!!
Thank you, Katherine!! I feel SO blessed to have shared so many beautiful years with my mama and to have had Mary Ann supporting me every step of the way!!
Mary Ann your sister is fabulous, you are both so beautiful and stylish! Teresa’s hair is stunning! I wish I could embrace the white/gray but I am just not ready yet. Love her style and her attitude and her beautiful smile.
Me too, Elizabeth!!
Really enjoy this interview. You are both beautiful ladies!
Thanks, Doreen…you are so kind.
I just adore Teresa’s style. I am so glad you interviewed her. I have been trying to twist her arm for several years. Nothing like a sister to coerce her. Teresa, you need to steal that turquoise dress…va va voom! I love the lavender puffer outfit too. The first time I met Teresa I thought she was one of the most beautiful women I have met. That hair is absolutely to DIE for. Well I will shut up. I am one of her biggest fans.
You could have convinced Teresa eventually, Cindy! But I just started photos of her when we were travelling together 🙂 Thanks for inviting us.
You are too kind, Cindy!!
Your sister looks fabulous!! So stylish and what a beautiful smile. This has been fun.
Yes, Jennifer, she does have a beautiful smile…and a great laugh to go with it!
Well, more like a LOUD laugh – you wouldn’t want to sit next to me in a quiet restaurant!
Christine’s teal dress looks fabulous on your sister.
I love to borrow stuff, Mari!
Your sister is wonderful! Great to feature her. Am really loving her black walking shoes she has on with her jeans. By any chance would she share who makes them?
The shoes are by Via Spiga (Nordstrom–or Nordstrom Rack by now). Good luck!
Thank you Mary Ann! We all loved meeting your sister. Great fun.
😊