I know that I promised you another 3-dresses suitcase today – rest assured that it’s all queued up for Tuesday. (Monday is our regularly scheduled “1 Month, 1 Outfit” post). But my news was so exciting that I couldn’t wait for you all to hear, literally.A few days go, I was interviewed by the lovely and charming Betsy Talbot, romance author, and co-author of An Uncluttered Life website and podcast. She and Warren, her husband, left their “real” jobs a few years ago to travel, and have now settled down in Spain, where they continue to educate the world at large about how to make life simpler and more satisfying… (I highly recommend the podcasts – I binge listen to them when I’m running!)
Anyway! As part of their “Life Lab” program, they included an interview with ME!!!! It was so simple – talking with Betsy is like chatting with an old friend that you haven’t caught up with in a long time. I think that the results sounds sort of intelligent, and kind of sensible…
At any rate, if you’ve always wondered what I sound like, in the digital flesh, here’s your chance to hear.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/life-lab/Conversations/Life+Lab+Discussion+%233+-+Janice+Riggs.mp3
I hope you like it… (sudden, almost overwhelming nerves just set it…)
must push the Publish button…. nerves…. nerves….
love,
Janice
Congratulations. The interview is great.
I'm glad you pushed the button- great to hear your voice, a good interview too :)
Loved it! If I were to design a new best friend, she would be exactly like you.
Loved it too Janice! Fascinating to hear more about your background and how you made the move to blogging fulltime.
xxGaye
Dear Janice, you are so unpretentious. Thanks for the interview. A new perception. Chris Australia X
Great interview!
And delightful to put a voice to you! Chris ??X
I thoroughly enjoyed the interview (& hearing your voice). I can't wait for your book (no pressure)!
Wonderful interview.
Your speaking voice matches your blogging voice perfectly =)
Just had to say CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!
Now I'm off to listen. I know it will be great ?
What a great interview! Your description of how you would like to be perceived (friendly, uncomplicated…) fits with my vision of myself in retirement. It's wonderful when the right choice of clothing reflects just who you want to be. I'll look forward to your book.
Is there a transcript anywhere? I would love to find out what all you said, but I'm so much more of a reader than a listener…
– Kaci
Was lovely to start my day with you! I think you should find a way to incorporate stars into the cover of your book. Seems to me they are your signature style (and followers of the Vivienne Files can smile knowingly!). Also, please consider using watercolor illustrations in lieu of clothing photos – I would so miss seeing the clothing choices you have in mind for each of your heroines. Perhaps something similar to the illustrations in Benda Kinsel's Fashion Makeover: 30 Days to Diva Style? Can't wait for the official announcement that your book is ready for print!
Bravo! Excellent interview! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I start every day with your blog and very much appreciate all the effort you put into producing such wonderful pieces. Thank you!
Kathy
What a delight! Great to hear your spoken voice, Janice, after all these months of attending to the voice and style and creative energy transmitted visually on your blog. And, yes, the sense of camaraderie with your interviewer is truly remarkable; in fact, a few times I had trouble telling whose youthful, perky voice I was listening to!
Janice,
The ladies above have said it all ! I just want to my hearty and well deserved congratulations to all of the other kudos ! The day is incomplete if I don't start it with you and your creative brain ! Thanks for all you do, you make a difference ! Big hugs !
Please put the word "add " in there between to and my. Need to edit better before hitting the publish icon !
Oh, Janice, you are so true to yourself! Your beautiful voice resonates your creative, concise, logical approach to a wardrobe plan as well as life. It's such a joy bringing you into my morning thought process each day.
You are the best,
A faithful fan,
Pat
That's really cool! Congratulations!
Wonderful! I so enjoyed listening to the interview and your voice! Congratulations!
This is fantastic! You are so good! I've been a podcast accro for a long time (how to deal with living overseas) and I can say you nailed it. Now I have another to add to my feed.
Congratulations!
Well done and who knows what might be next…this may open many doors of opportunity.
I loved listening to this and hearing your voice – particularly appreciated your telling us about your background and how you got into 'the Vivienne Files' and can't wait to see your book when it comes out. Thank you so much!
Well, first off I cannot think of anyone I would rather listen to on this subject than you. Thank
you for giving us the link. The interview was really nice. It seemed as though we were all sitting around a cafe table, sipping our Latte, and chatting. Your work and insight into this subject is amazing. Thanks again, be well, enjoy life, and keep helping me to not look like a doof!
Your voice is fresh and gorgeous. No surprise of course. Well done! Thanks for sharing.
I listened to most of the conversation this morning, but missed a few key points. Will listen and enjoy again at the track!
Love this!
1) My feminist self was thrilled by your comment about how women are supposed to spend their hard earned $$ (less than what a man is earning)(especially if you are a woman of color) on meeting external conventions of looking perfect. Love how your work is all about subverting that standard and all about women (&men) wearing what they like and makes them feel good.
2) So excited for your book project! It sounds like you have lots of considerations in mind. I hope that whatever works make the final cut, there will be lots of art by female artists. As a female artist, I often find myself wishing that art books were more representative of women's contributions to art.
3) Totally love Betsy's discussion of her lifestyle in Spain (sounds dreamy!) and her reverse-birthday party. Brilliant!
4) Really enjoyed your description of your style as "English school boy" and how your superman t-shirts bring people joy.
5) You have a great voice! Love hearing your story about your journey into writerdom. Very inspiring for a young creative starting her own journey. I am an a similar creative-professional environment where you have to look like (love your description) a "cool adult" and I have a hard time figuring out how to do that in a way that fits my own sensibilities and my shoestring budget.
6) Liked how Betsy talked about your site not showing any people & having timeless clothes- even as a 20-something, I don't particularly resonate with capsule / style blogs that skew trendy / "now" and feature exceptionally young and beautiful and thin woman. I always think, in 10 years, this is going to look so dated! Never on your site though. :)
You are a natural!
Thoroughly enjoyed starting my day with this interview. Great job!
Oh Janice! This was wonderful. I am one of your readers who followed you here from your post in the chat group! I too saved all the original Vivienne Files from that group. I've read you daily ever since. I look forward to your posts and couldn't be happier for you. Your interview was delightful. Congratulations!
Loved hearing about your book project. I hope you'll consider working with an illustrator or street style photographer or something since you can't use clothing images like you do on your blog.
I will buy anything you write. I will get so much more out of a style book if there are style visuals, not of everything but enough to give me style to think of.
I love that you will be writing about the elements of style-color, fabric, etc. I find that's missing or too light in many photo oriented style books. We will all be excited when your project comes out into the world. So glad you're writing.
Janice,
Well done! You sound very professional and relaxed. No surprise, of couse.
Thanks for doing this. You sound like the friend I've been waiting to catch up with. :-) Brought back memories of the day I first found TVF and didn't come up for air for hours. Hugs!
You sounded relaxed and composed and confident. Great job – the sky's the limit! – nancyo
Loved the podcast! It was great to listen to while I knitted — such a lovely conversation.
What a great interview, Janice! I had to wait all day to get back home from all my errands and listen- finally! As others have said, you have a really lovely voice, warm, feminine and approachable. And what a great story of hoe The Vivienne Files came about… So there really was a Vivienne! And I finally "got" the idea and desirability of having a "uniform" that reflects one's personal style. No more will I think that there is anything wrong with looking the same all the time. For me: knit tops -always boatneck or high wide v-neck, swing cardis , small scarves, small gold jewelry, and simi-wide leg pants I make myself, oh, and wedge shoes and boots. What freedom! We can be ourselves! So much gratitude for all you do. Wow – 8 hours of work for each post! It definitely shows.. What dedication! I hope you are compensated for all this financially.. How can we help? Janice Collins, Washington, DC
What a pleasure to listen to two such sensible, interesting, intelligent women! Thanks for sharing, Janice.
Christine
This was such a wonderful, articulate interview – thoroughly enjoyed it and cannot wait for the book!
Janice, the interview was lovely & seemed "so you"….though we've never met. I agree with the above comment that it was like listening to an old friend & getting caught up on things! Looking forward to reading your book and starting my day w/TVF.
Barbara in CA
Wonderful! Wonderful! Great interview- so glad you were invited! Hugs to you!
Brava, Janice, it was lovely to hear your interview!
Robyn in Tasmania
Lovely, lovely interview!! What a pleasure hearing you (audibly) express your "fashion philosophy". I continuously learn so much from you, Janice. So grateful for your chic wisdom! xo Tsipi
Ooooh, I LOVED listening to this and cannot wait for your book. Perhaps you have already answered this but are you still in touch with Vivienne?
I'm not – we lost touch ages ago. Maybe she'll hear about this and get in touch with me!
hugs,
Janice
Hi Janice,
Great interview. I loved hearing your voice. You sound just like you read. Very smart, classy, and friendly. I loved hearing all about your fashion and life philosophy. I have often wondered who Vivian is and just hadn't got around to asking. Love your blog and am looking forward to your book. It sounds lovely.
Let me add my voice… I very much enjoyed the conversation. And your voice sounded very much like I expected it.. go figure. Much success on your books.
Hi Janice,
Great interview. I loved hearing your voice. You sound just like you read. Very smart, classy, and friendly. I loved hearing all about your fashion and life philosophy. I have often wondered who Vivian is and just hadn't got around to asking. Love your blog and am looking forward to your book. It sounds lovely.
It was delightful to put a voice to your words. Feeling like I've known you such a long time, you sound just like I've imagined. I pictured myself crocheting while listening to my two friends talked about a subject interesting to the three of us. Thank you so much for sharing this part of yourself. –Deb in KY
Thank you for sharing the link! I enjoyed hearing your voice and the story behind how you came to name your blog the Vivienne Files. I also enjoyed your unpretentious yet intelligent philosophy of how to dress. Of course, I had clues from the blog, but this long conversation filled in a lot of holes and now I feel I know you better. I have dabbed in looking at over fifty fashion blogs, but they were not really relevant to my lifestyle, and yours is the only one that I still love. You have converted me to button up cardigans, and V neck sweaters, and wearing scarves with striped long sleeve tees! You have made getting dressed each day so much fun, and so much easier! Thank you and keep up the ideas from your endless imagination!
Just as completely spiffy and up-to-date from 7 years in the future! Did yr book come to fruition ?
I keep changing the basic premise of my book! Now that I take care of my mom, I don’t have the time to devote to writing that I would want, to write a book. But I have ideas; some day it will come to fruition!
hugs hugs hugs,
Janice