Oh. My. Goodness….If this somehow became mine, I would wonder WHAT in the world was going on, and then I would indeed build my entire wardrobe (and that of my bodyguards!) around it. What a beautiful piece of jewelry…
Boucheron Lotus Flower Brooch
But even if one is not destined to own this, it can still certainly be used as a style focal point, or inspiration. The colors are straightforward enough:
Yes, I included the black of the background; I think it serves well as a foil for the diamonds, sapphires and emeralds.
So she’s heading home for a long winter holiday weekend. She doesn’t wear lavish, or amazing clothes – mostly things that are readily available. But in her mind, she remembers the brooch, and it changes everything about how she carries herself…
Cowl top – L.L.Bean; paisley scarf – Lands’ End; sapphire earrings – JCPenney; watch – Porsamo Bleu; handbag – Merona; black velvet jeans – J. Brand; parka – L.L.Bean; waterproof boots – Blondo
Even if she’s just wearing jeans and a tee shirt, the choice of colors, and the careful attention to accessories, reminder her that the beauty of the brooch she so admires can be carried with her everywhere. It just requires a bit of creativity, and discipline. Nobody else realizes…
And she was clever enough to realize that malachite and lapis can be the same colors as emeralds and sapphires, and she can have jewelry that makes her heart sing without missing a rent payment!
Plaid scarf – Lands’ End; green sweater – J. Crew; malachite earrings – Lagos; silver pendant necklace – Simon Sebbag; lapis bracelet – Neeru Goel; rings- Vince Camuto; black sequined cardigan – Billie & Blossom; black skirt – MICHAEL Michael Kors; white cardigan – J. Crew; sapphire tee – Lands’ End; crystal-trimmed ballet flat – Ugg Australia; blue loafers – MICHAEL Michael Kors; black jeans – L.L.Bean
This is everything she has with her for the long weekend. After even the most STRESSFUL family meals, seeing these things in the closet remind her of who she is, and of the beauty that she cherishes in the world.
Even though she only packed six pieces of clothing, she has plenty of options for getting dressed each day:
I’m staying home for Thanksgiving this year, and going out to a restaurant. I’ll be breaking, just a little bit, out of my fashion comfort zone!
What are you doing?
love,
Janice
Dear Janice,
Why she has this beauty piece (brooch) if she did not stylish it with her travel wardrobe. To start from the jacket, I think that black wool 3/4 coat with nice place for brooch would be more suitable. Than comes black turtleneck. LBD is necessity for this brooch also. Earrings yes and no other jewelry besides brooch to keep the eye on the upper part of body. White soft scarf around the shoulders with brooch to keep it in place. Brooch is really beautiful. And wardrobe in my opinion has to be polished as you like to say.
Best regards, Maja
I like to have one piece, but beautiful piece, my story piece, my value piece… my passport.. my brooch forever..
Thanks Janise for bringing us your ideas.. Maja again
My impression from the story was that our character didn't actually own the brooch, just saw it, loved it, remembered it, and used it for inspiration.
– Kaci
Oh beautiful. Every bit of it.
Ooooh, these are my colors… Add a little purple and I'm good!!!
Lovely, lovely!!!
This is lovely. And because inquiring minds want to know… Just how much does this lovely piece retail for?
According to the Sootheby's sale records from 2011- http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2011/magnificent-jewels-and-noble-jewels-ge1102/lot.416.html $6,378
sorry 63,798
The brooch is lovely, what a wonderful inspiration for selecting a wardrobe. Sapphire and to a lesser extent green are colors that I often wear. I have quit a few blues in my closet – lapis, sapphire, cobalt, Prussian and of course navy.
The sinuous style of the brooch reminds me of Louis Comfort Tiffany's stained glass.
What are you doing that's out of your fashion comfort zone on Thanksgiving, Janice?
– Kaci
These are my colors and I wear them every day. In fact, I'm sitting here in a black watch robe! Thank you for all the work you do. And my Thanksgiving will be at home, cooked by me, and with my family. I will be thankful for every minute of it.
So nice to finally see an ensemble that doesn't contain grey! This one, I can work with. Love your work!
Lovely as usual and…… practical (except for the exceptional brooch)
Lovely as usual and…… practical (except for the exceptional brooch)
The brooch — SWOON!! And thank you for showing the combination of accessories and casual clothing. This is exactly the level of style I aim for. Glad to have some examples.
A good reminder that we can "have" a style talisman without actually owning it. I think Canada and the USA are the only countries in the world that celebrate Thanksgiving. And we Canadians celebrate it in early October. Our family had a big dinner together with all the trimmings.
Deb from Vancouver
Deb – I've often thought that we should move our November Thanksgiving to October. Actually I'd like to rearrange several holidays. Halloween should be in September, Thanksgiving in October and then we'd have 2 months before Christmas. Although the downside of that is that the stores will then start playing Carols in October. I guess I can't win.
I agree with all of your holiday rearrangements!
As for our Tgiving plans, we expect it to be much as usual — a carb-fest blend of northern and southern food traditions at my parents' house, with about 20 family and friends, a working jigsaw puzzle, a couple of photos of everyone at the table just before we pray, and lots of conversation and laughter. It's the exact opposite of a tense family meal, and I am so thankful for that. We are blessed beyond measure.
We don't celebrate thanksgiving in Australia and I have supposed it ito be a North American thing (but could be wrong) -something to do with the Puritan founders?
My husband and I moved the date of our wedding anniversary, which was in the first week of December. It's a difficult time for us because so close to Christmas it's hard to get a quiet table in a restaurant (Australians do big cheerful friendly/office/club celebrations from late November onwards). We also had various family birthdays around then. So we moved our date to the second Saturday in July. No need to remember a specific dare, and a time of year (mid-winter here) when we need something fun to look forward to. It works a treat!
Robyn in Tasmania
So happy to see this booch, I am especially pleased to see a very, very fancy piece serve as inspiration for clothes that are polished but casual. I tried my own hand at this, as a more full wardrobe, but ended up a bit more office-y: http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=182670095
Thanksgiving will be at a restaurant for us, since this is the first year we are over a thousand miles from either of our parents. We just couldn't work out how to make a turkey (or parts of one) & sides and not end up wasting food. Best wishes on your Thanksgiving, we are all thankful for your work on the blog!
Anne, Cornish game hens!
Amy, I haven't seen those in the store since I was a teen! But you're right, they would work perfectly.
What a beautiful thing! These colours are what I've chosen for my summer wardrobe here in Perth, Australia – officially starts 1 December but very hot already. I was 65 this past July 4 and decided it was time to stop colouring my hair after 50 years! I bought myself diamond studs to celebrate and I'm really looking forward to wearing these different (for me) colours. I can also hint to my DH about malachite and lapis jewellery.
We stay home for Thanksgiving and I cookcookcook. This year, my stepson and his daughter and four mathematicians from China (two men, two women) are joining us.
Beautiful travel wardrobe! I could swap out the green for red and be good to go! I would also swap the skirt for more pants but that's just me. :) My family will be here for Thanksgiving. Lots of work but I can't wait! I have 4 grown kids and 10 grandkids! We have a lot to be thankful for this year. Blessings to you and yours Janice!
I am making shrimp and grits and tiramisu. And an apple pie. And maybe onions with a blue cheese sauce.
My husband should be back in town late Thursday evening. He had to drive to Florida to pick up the remains of his parents' things – they died this summer and he has spent the last several months dealing with their estate. We probably will not shower or change out of our PJs – we will eat and watch movies and that's it.
I love everything about this!