December 22, 2023
The shortest day of the year certainly puts many of us in the mood for a little treat – just something to brighten up the long, dark night…
You in the Southern Hemisphere – enjoy your long day and warm weather!
So for this post, I just cruised through all of my usual favorites to see what caught my eye…
Image – NY Post
My favorite place to look for accessories is ALWAYS Wolf & Badger; they represent a ton of small designers, and always have things that won’t be seen anywhere else…
It didn’t take long for me to spot some lovely pieces:
Peacock earrings – Latelita; turquoise moon and star earrings – Latelita; black & gold ring – Glamrocks Jewelry; gold & CZ earrings – Scream Pretty; carved amethyst earrings – Artisan; fleur de lis club pendant – Artisan
Of course, it wouldn’t be The Vivienne Files without a few things from J.Crew! I had to share this cropped hoodie, in one of everyone’s favorite shades of blue… And the plaid jacket and skirt are just enough out of the ordinary to appeal to me! (yes, there are plaid pants too!)
White jeans? In January? These look like a comfortable, flattering cut…
And yes, they’ve already got linen clothes in stock! Sigh…
“Harbor View” cropped hoodie – J.Crew; plaid jacket – J.Crew; plaid skirt – J.Crew; white jeans – J.Crew
The longest night of the year can be very beautiful….
Photo – Cool Material
I love my sweaters from Alex Mill – I have the polo style sweater in black, and it’s a regular in my rotation…
Fair Isle cardigan – Alex Mill; “Winter Sky” sweater – Alex Mill; “Frost Blue” cashmere polo sweater – Alex Mill; crocheted cardigan – Alex Mill
If you really wanted to bring a spark to your winter wardrobe, and plant a seed or two for next summer, this might be one way to do it:
I would buy at least 2 of these pieces, along with a solid garment in the same shade…
Isn’t this photograph stunning?
Image – Walking Mountains Science Center
Brooches! Anthropologie has TONS of brooches! I tend to forget about Anthropologie because I think that it’s only for younger people, and that’s WRONG…
Moonstone heart brooch – Atelier Mon; blue moon crescent brooch – Atelier Mon; butterfly brooch – Mignonne Gavigan; paisley brooch – Anthropologie; pearl pointed brooch – Atelier Mon
Maybe bright blue doesn’t bang your shutters – how do you feel about teal? I could easily be tempted to stock up on these pieces…
Neptune Blue cashmere turtleneck – Orvis; Mineral Blue flannel shirt – Orvis; Neptune Blue print-trimmed sweatshirt – Orvis
I remember windows like this from childhood…
Image – North Country Public Radio
If you’re looking for a scarf that doesn’t cost $500 (yes, they exist!), and for one that nobody else will have, Wolf & Badger is a wonderful place to look:
Purple & gold scarf – Kargede; floral scarf – Katchmagic London x Lamberty Munich; blue & white scarf – Kargede
Maybe what you really long for is a statement garment – something for festive nights, or for warm vacations…
silver blouse – Julia Allert; kimono jacket – Lora; green jungle print tunic – Carvalho Couture; pink linen dress – NoLoGo-chic
And lastly, I share my travel dream with you:
Image – Travel & Leisure
Yes, Monday’s definitely Christmas, but I will be here with the 6 new paintings for next year’s “month at a time” wardrobes!
love,
Janice
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Thank you Janice. As usual, the photos are just stunning. Terrific way to end the week. I am most drawn to the Orvis teal items. Although teal does not have a home in my wardrobe because I find all the different shades of teal too much manage, I do love the color. I looked at a couple of the Wolf and Badger earrings, but way too much for my pocket book! Looking forward to Monday.
What a different, but great post today! I love the art and all your selections, especially Wolf and Badger. Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Happy Holidays Janice! Thank you for all these beautiful items at a very beautiful time of year.
Love the white jeans. Wear them all year. They feel more cheerful in the winter to me than wearing black or traditional blue denim jeans. I put on my winter jumpers in white, and various shades of grey along with my patterned fair isle jumpers in mixture of white grey and black. For a change if mood i also use otherr colours with white. Sometimes muted beige green or pink, other times bright blue sage green. this year i bought a tangerine orange vee neck jumoer in the softest wool which i intend to wear with everything I have. It will go with the teal, dark chocolate brown and beige bottoms in my wardrobe.. haven’t had this particular shade in over 40 years. Not since my godmother gifted me her cardigan. When I was about 18 years old.
Happy Christmas to you all. Being Irish we don’t usually say happy holidays but enjoy your holiday whatever you call it.
Charming post. Loved your photos and your flashback to a prior Paris trip. Merry Christmas to you and have a lovely break.
I enjoyed the 2015 Paris entry. I would enjoy your comments on what is good looking about the fashions you see today on the street and in the stores. The Paris fashions don’t seem much different than what we wear today, except for the Bermuda shorts and tights (which I wore in college in 1964). Have a nice holiday.
Aaaah. I remember the beautiful Pendleton plaid Bermuda shorts. We wore ours with wool pullovers, knee socks and nice leather loafers. We fell in love with a brand of loafers in the Old Maine Trotters brand. They were versatile, durable and classic. I was also a devotee of plaid, pleated skirts by Pendleton or Bobbie Brooks. SO preppy.
The photo of the night sky above ice is truly stunning. I’m sure you could put together a capsule inspired by it.
I can get very excited by bright blue and by interesting brooches. And scarves! Always scarves.
The Walking Mountains Science Center photograph is breathtaking!
I am looking forward to seeing the paintings for the 2024 wardrobes. Happy holidays, everyone!
I am smitten with that photograph as well! Happy Winter and Blessed Holidays!
Merry Christmas! I’m looking forward to the great unveiling Monday, and hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family.
Stunning photos! Merry Christmas to all. Thank you Janice. Can’t wait to see what you’ve lined up for us to enjoy.
What a lovely butterfly brooch! And the winter sky jumper; such a beautiful colour. And the teal, of course. I happily mix shades of teal, same with navy, solely based on whether it’s pleasing to my eye. It may be a clash for others, but never mind! Janice, a very Mere Kirihimete aka Merry Christmas to you and your family, along with heartfelt thanks for your work.
I love the dots and stripes! I’ve been working on my wardrobe and I seem to gravitate towards polka dots and stripes more than any other patterns. And the blue is so happy. I do love vibrant colors.
Merry Christmas and thank you for the lovely photos. Today was my family’s Christmas lunch. It was wonderful, but I felt sad coming away from them. These pictures helped.
i wonder if it is possible to get the effect of that first photo (sunrise/sunset) without any orange or yellow? pink red purple a white/cream can get us so far.
Thank you for a beautiful post. The photos are stunning. Wishing you and all your lovely followers very happy holidays, whatever you celebrate, and a beautifully curated new year.
Merry Christmas, Janice! The Walking Mountains Science Center photograph is stunning! My favorite items are all the teal ones from Orvis. I can’t wait till Monday to see the 2024 paintings!
Wishing everyone a blessed Christmas. In the UK, it is a holiday – only essential and emergency services operate. Most shops and businesses are closed. I hope Janice, that you enjoy the ‘holiday’ with your family. Six scarves can well wait till Wednesday.
Ah, it’s already finished and scheduled for tomorrow morning! But I appreciate that you’re thinking of me…
much love,
Janice
I agree with Beth T.
It’s the same in Ireland as the UK nobody works except essential services.
No need to rush the 6 scarf post
Enjoy the holidays with your family.