The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

The Vivienne Files - Page 204 of 270 - Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

Love to you All

Every day, not just today, look for ways to inject more love into everything you do.

Every conversation.

Every interaction.

Every email.

Every glance at a stranger.

Become the person known for radiating love (and therefore peace) to the world.

I love you all, and appreciate everything you bring to the world,

Janice ... View the Post

From Desk to Dinner Party: Cardigans go Solo

December 24, 2013   Sometimes, the easiest way to prepare for an evening out is to take a moment behind closed doors, slip out of your blouse or tee shirt, and button your cardigan (not quite all the way up!) over bare skin.  If your cardigan is lightweight, not at ALL scratchy, and buttons up far enough for you to be comfortable, it's a great option to consider wearing it on it's own.  Add more festive footwear, and some beautiful jewelry, push up your sleeves a bit, and smile!  

  Even if you are a VERY casual person, sparkly shoes and a serious necklace will elevate your jeans to an evening-appropriate ensemble.  

  love, Janice ... View the Post

From Desk to Dinner Party: Incorporating Metallics in a Neutral Wardrobe

December 21, 2013  

Some people just don't feel comfortable wearing bright colors, or colors that extend much beyond their chosen neutrals, and they've been despairing that there was no way for them to be sufficiently dressy for after-work activities.  My suggestion - don't underestimate the effect that a metallic colored or finished top can bring to your everyday clothes!These, again, are three of the "suit-like" looks that I used a few days ago.  (I am NOT doing this because I'm lazy - I'm trying to show the inherent versatility in neutral basics.  Some people think I'm taking the easy way out...)

Starting with the cardigan or jacket, and the pants, a neutral pair of comfortable work shoes are all you need for ... View the Post

From Desk to Dinner Party: Incorporating a Gem Tone into Neutrals

December 20, 2013   Many of you ask me about incorporating a brightly color blouse or shirt into their neutral wardrobe, particularly for evening events.  So I'm using the same basic "suit" type garments that we've seen before, and bringing in bright red, emerald green, and ruby...   Note that, while it's tempting to echo the color of the accent in shoes or another accessory, it's not strictly necessary.  So long as your accessories are festive, your look will be coherent and beautiful.   More tomorrow!  

  love, Janice     ... View the Post

In Which I do NOT buy Something, but Rather Choose to Sell…

December 19, 2013

Too much stuff!!!  I'm plagued by it...  I want to sell these four scarves, to start...  Send me an email at heviviennefiles@gmail.com and we'll talk...

What actually got me started on the selling was a recent decision I made NOT to buy the charcoal grey skirted leggings that I'd been coveting for weeks.

When I was getting dressed, just a day or two ago, I grabbed my wonderful grey wool pants from Pendleton.  I've had them for quite a while, and they're wonderful, classic, high-quality, and I don't wear them nearly as often as I should...

And then I realized that I also own a pair of grey "slouch" pants from Eileen Fisher.  Wonderful pants...

AND, I have a grey wool Pendleton ... View the Post

From Desk to Dinner Party: More Silk Blouses

December 18, 2013

When combing through your wardrobe for something to use as the "key" piece in a day-to-night transition, remember that most of the focus will be on your face, especially if you're sitting at a dinner table.  Look for the key ideas of shine, sparkle, shimmer, any kind of texture-y interest, and don't forget that sleeveless often conveys a sense of occasion...Velvet pants are among my favorite garments - I wear them all fall and winter, for regular days as well as festive moments.  This mix of brown and black is a great opportunity to wear smoky quartz jewelry...

  A beautiful lace blouse is comfortably businesslike under a knit blazer, but can stand alone with feminine dash after business ... View the Post

From Desk to Dinner Party: Silk Blouses

December 17, 2013   If you know you have to go straight from work to a nice dinner, it's easy to plan ahead so that you can look special without having to do a complete change of clothes.   First off - even if you wear jeans, a nice silk tee shirt can spend the day under a cardigan and a scarf, but then can stand on its own with a gorgeous necklace and festive, but still comfortable, shoes.  

  A beautiful blue blouse (that matches your eyes?) looks perfectly serious and businesslike under a cardigan during your business day.  But lose the cardigan, pop on some dazzling earrings, and a slightly dressier shoe, and you're ready to go.   If you have any reason to believe that you're going to have to ... View the Post

The Winner of the Novica $25 Gift Certificate

This morning, last Monday's post had exactly 100 comments!  I love the tidiness of that...

And the winner is comment #40:

Sue - from the most excellent blog "Over 60 and Over Here"!

Sue, send me an email and I'll send the code for your gift certificate.  And you MUST blog about your purchase - I'm dying to know what you get.

Thank you, everyone, for entering.  Novica is a really worthy place to buy something beautiful... ... View the Post

Petrol Black and White for Uncertain Weather: A 12-Pack for Mostly Warm Weather

December 16, 2013  

You probably remember that we started last Friday with a core of six garments that would be suitable for a long weekend, and then on Saturday, I expanded the capsule travel wardrobe to a 12-pack, for cooler weather.  Now I'm going to do basically the same thing, only oriented toward a much warmer visit...Again, six carefully-chosen garments:

Shorts - I like white, but you could easily choose black or petrol. A great printed tee shirt that includes all three of your colors. A beautiful fluid top in your accent color, and A skirt that combines your accent color and either of your neutrals. Another top - dressier than a tee shirt - that can be worn with either of your neutrals, and A ... View the Post

Petrol, Black and White: A Twelve-Pack for Uncertain, Mostly Cool, Weather

December 14, 2013  

 Yesterday we packed six garments, for a short week or long weekend, and for uncertain weather.

 Today, I'm assuming that we know our trip is going to be longer - up to two weeks or more, and that we know that most of our weather exposure is going to be colder. So in addition to the original six garments we packed, I'm adding six more carefully chosen items, and a few accessories.  The clothing items are chosen in pairs - sort of like adding outfits, but with an eye to being sure that we can use each item in a variety of ways.

Another pair of pants is very important in cool weather, so black jeans are my first addition. With the black cardigan, it's a long line of black that can have ... View the Post