January 8, 2024
Flu still lingers, but I had enough “oomph” to spend some time looking at this beauty:
Technically, this should be called “Start with Wallpaper!” because that’s what this is… I will maintain ’til my dying breath that you can choose (or find) your favorite colors almost anywhere.
Maybe not in garbage, but I’m not ruling it out!
My thinking here, from the very beginning, was that beige and denim/chambray would be this heroine’s neutrals, and the green and lilac would be her accent colors. But I suspect that using beige and green as neutrals, with blue and lilac accents, would also work…
The colors I’ve chosen are for those who don’t feel strongly about the duality of “warm/cool” colors – if you really prefer warm colors for your neutrals, then the green and beige are your choices!
So many ways to do things…
I’m picturing our heroine preparing a travel capsule wardrobe for a few weekend trips – maybe visiting public gardens, or special art exhibits, or family events. I know that many of us can’t picture traveling with light colored pants, but others never have a problem…
Fleece jacket – L.L.Bean; earrings – Kate Spade; lilac sweater – L.L.Bean; bracelet – Petit Moments; cashmere scarf – Cheeky Goats; weekender bag – Urban Expressions; stone twill pants – L.L.Bean; shoes – Hey Dude
Some days will be warm and lovely – others might be more chilly. Our heroine pack a range of things, including the coolest quilted sweatshirt!
Chambray dress – L.L.Bean; pearl earrings – Nashelle; pearl necklace – Ettika; Aran cable poncho – Echo; lily pad green tunic – Lands’ End; ivory quilted sweatshirt – Lands’ End; scarf – Artifact; chambray pants – L.L.Bean; sneakers – Dolce Vita; crossbody bag – Madewell; tights – A New Day; ballet flats – Dolce Vita
When everything is chosen, she stashes it all together in her closet – some lovely Friday morning, she will be able to pull out her capsule wardrobe and get ready to roll!
How will she wear these beauties? I have a few ideas…
It has FINALLY snowed in Chicago, so looking at spring colors was a cheerful pastime…
love,
Janice
p.s. Are you on the Echo Scarves mailing list? If not, you’re missing their ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL use of images from The Vivienne Files in their emails! I was thrilled. Gobsmacked. Overwhelmed!!!
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This is really pretty. In a bit of serendipity I am wearing stone pants today with a sage sweater. I am on Echo’s mailing list, but have not received their latest? Waiting for the unveiling of more 100 scarves.
I can vouch for the Hey Dude shoes. I have them in light gray, and they are super comfortable. Easy to wash per instructions and look like new afterwards.
One daughter in law and I are the only family members who don’t own any “Dudes”. All 12 others LOVE them!
Janice, I’m so glad you are feeling better! And that Echo is featuring you in their emails! You deserve the recognition for the high quality of your work. I’ll just have to subscribe to their emails now. I’m loving the use of lavender lately. I’m considering adding it as an accent color to my navy/grey/white/seafoam green/jade green/light blue wardrobe. I do need another accent color, don’t I?
My city now has snow too after a prolonged bout of unseasonal warmth. Now that we have snow, I too am dreaming of spring. This was just the thing this morning.
Echo- Welcome to the Janice Fan Club!
Scarves are essential, as you’ve shown us for a decade+.
Today’s capsule is a delight for travel…has anyone else discovered how much they love the versatility of metallic colored shoes? I especially like them for sneakers or loafers to give them a comfort/posh/dressy-but-casual vibe.
Yes love them!
This is lovely and it includes denim! And I’m so excited they featured you!! Your capsules are great :) The only thing I would say about today is based on the long sleeve/warm cozy tops she has I would put regular jeans in instead of chambray pants. They might be a little too lightweight. But that’s an easy switch if you prefer it. Hope you continue to improve. We just got snow today too! :)
Hi Kristi, I notice Janice has included some fleece lined tights beside those chambray pants. I think this might be the workaround for those chilly days. I didn’t see them the first time but I always go through the pics a few times just because they are so much fun!
I do see the fleece tights now, good catch! :) I think that would make your clothes work harder all year, but personally (as an apple/inverted triangle shape) since tights roll right down off my waist, I’d just wear real jeans.
Janice went back over Echo emails – where did they feature you? I”m not seeing anything. And I would so like to!
I think I’m thinking of Instagram – for the LIFE of me I could have sworn that they were in emails too, but now I can’t find them!
I’ve been running a fever – is that a good excuse?
If I turn them up, I’ll post a link. Right now, I’m just going to sit in a corner and ponder my growing detachment from reality….
hugs
Janice
Here’s one of them… I saw at least one more… https://www.instagram.com/p/C1uh759Ouzm/
So exciting!! :)
It was January 4th, and it was called “Style these Echo100 scarves” – one of you actually sent it to me!
I didn’t receive it directly because I wasn’t on their mailing list; talk about an omission…
Hope you can find it. If not, check out their posts on Instagram. Many of their posts are multiple images, and sometimes, the images after the first one are all from The Vivienne Files!
I’m still pretty stunned by it all,
hugs,
Janice
Oh gosh. Silly me. I did see that and didn’t even register it was your capsules. wow. some super fan I am! I don’t even have the excuse of not feeling well/running a fever. Just not paying attention.
Their Instagram has been really good about mentioning The Vivienne Files, and me, regularly. The staff with whom I’ve been in contact have been tremendously nice and flattering…
hugs,
Janice
I love this soft pallet! I can’t wear creams and beiges near my face but this blend of colours is pulling me in.
I’m Your devoted follower and I love this palette, but this time I would change proportions a bit. I would suggest green AND blue as core neutrals, including shoes, with lilac accents and just a touch of beige (as jewelry or a scarf?). This moody, darker but still gentle palette would match this wallpaper and winter conditions better. But that’s my bias, it’s below zero where I live…
“Maybe not in garbage, but I’m not ruling it out!” — that made me laugh 😂 one person’s garbage is another’s treasure, right? Anyway, stay warm in the upcoming snow.
It doesn’t snow in Chicago! The idea….
hugs,
Janice
OK, the content is depressing, but the colors are great: https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2016/201610/NEWS_161009778_AR_0_NHDLIZEKHXYD.jpg?w=1101
Blues, greens, creams, a trimming of orangey-red—I could go for a capsule in these colors.
Janice,
Healing thoughts are in their way !
Starting with Wallpaper is a new one. Wallpaper has somewhat fallen out of favour but I do love it for defining spaces. Perhaps the penchant for open plan makes it easier to use large expanse of paint in a limited palate which unifies the whole space. Patterned wallpaper is also tricky to put up, though it can be used as a feature. I read recently that as a result of the pandemic, people are seeing the value of smaller rooms with doors to close for privacy. I think a mixture of the two would be ideal. Contemporary interior designers are using wallpaper and wall murals to create a thematic space.
I love the lilac and blue but there is too much green for me. Sage green looks sludgy on me, so my preference would be light teal but as an accent not as a neutral. I’d have to have a patterned top/shirt to bring the colours together. In fact I do have a Liberty-style floral blouse that I does just that. I wear it with blue teal trousers and a lilac cardigan.
So pretty, glad to hear you are on the mend.
So pretty, glad you are feeling better.