October 31, 2018
She’s not quite like anybody else in her office… and she uses that to her advantage! She first really showed her skills during a trip to a client back in January. Since her success was so complete back then, she was then sent to her firm’s most difficult client in April. The firm became so dependent on her to handle clients that she had to fly straight to a contact signing from her August vacation. Happily she manages these situations well!
So she wasn’t particularly stunned when she received a bonus at the end of the fiscal year. Well, maybe she was a little bit surprised – it was a pretty substantial bonus!
After some thought, she decides that she’ll save most of the bonus, but that she’s going to take a long weekend to her favorite city! And she’s going to do some shopping before she leaves…
She starts with her favorite painting, and her color and style guidelines:
She found the most wonderful coat… and built a travel outfit around that:
square pearl earrings – L.Erickson; sunglasses – DIFF; velvet top – Eileen Fisher; frilled round scarf – Rundholz Black Label; cuff bracelet – Alexis Bittar; tote – Vince Camuto; ponte knit jeans – NYDJ; coat – Eileen Fisher; boots – Mephisto
She’s only going to be gone a couple of days, so she packs a simple dress to wear for dinner, and then a couple of sweaters and another nice pair of pants…
And nifty pajamas!
dress – Lafayette 148 New York; earrings – Alexis Bittar; bracelet – Alexis Bittar; necklace – The Met Store; pink cardigan – Twin-Set; velvet pants – J.Crew; small square scarf – Emilio Pucci; green cardigan – Closed; mules – Nordstrom Signature; bag – Botkier; pajama top – Morgan Lane; pajama shorts – Morgan Lane
She wants to be certain that she’s going to have enough outfits, so she sorts out her “daytime” clothes and gives them a good review:
She knows that she will love looking into the armoire in her hotel and seeing these pieces! And her outfit options are sufficient for a long weekend, even if she’s not able to return home on her scheduled day. (travel plans are always subject to change…)
Wouldn’t a nice long weekend – fully paid – be wonderful? Where would you go? For me, New York or Boston might be lovely…
love,
Janice
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I think I would go to Florence. It’s been a while…
I love the number of colors–of course one would not wear two cardigans together (unless it’s unexpectedly cold) so why not have very different colors?
Those slides are gorgeous, but I fear my heels days are over. Winter is easy enough with tall boots that have flat heels, and I guess summer is OK with sandals or ballerinas. But I never feel truly dressy without heels, yet I no longer can walk any distance in them. Do others face the same dilemma? I would love to know how to counter it, especially as a rather short, not-fat-but-not-thin figure. How to look dressy, including in a dress, while wearing flats.
shoes. sigh. I find that if I stay with heels that are no higher than 1.5 inches and have a heel cup, I can wear “heels.” Slides are a no go and a heel strap may work depending on the cut. Good luck!
There are a number of companies now that make insoles for high heels meant to tip your weight back off the ball of your foot. I’ve found those very helpful in the past for walking & standing for long periods. (I’m a lecturer, among other things.) For a city break like this (oooh, New York. Or maybe Savannah), I’d just pack a pair of slimline trainers and save the pretty shoes for dinner.
That coat… oh my.
I know. Eileen Fisher can ALWAYS tempt me…
hugs,
Janice
Those mules look very stylish, but the toe box is too narrow and would just irritate my already enlarged big toe joint (aka bunion). A chunkier version with a squared heel and wider toe box would be better for me to walk in but would probably need to be styled with jeans or trousers. For dressier occasions and even dancing (haven’t done that in a while!) I tend to opt for a 2 inch heel, T-bar type shoe or similar shaped style with straps that cross over the centre of the foot. I prefer a closed toe and heel as I tend to fall out of them if I have too many straps.
For a long weekend away I would go to a city in Italy, probably Rome or Florence. I’ve been before, but there is always so much to see and do and I would wait and spend my bonus there if I needed a new outfit or accessories.
Super cute dress!
I love the way the Pucci scarf pulls together such different outfits. Dreaming …
My long weekend away might take me from my small regional town in Tasmania to Melbourne, the nearest big city. Art galleries, concert halls, quirky lanes with cutting-edge restaurants and specialty shops. But then again, a comfy cabin in a rainforest or by the beach, with beautiful walks, a stack of books and some gourmet picnics, also appeals. Hmmm, choose the scarf and let it decide!
Since I work in Boston I think my jaunt would be to Chicago!
I appreciate how the accessories and textures – that coat! The pattern on the black tee! – pull in the modern geometric aspect of the art. When I look at art as inspiration now, I think I can “do” the colors to some extent but it is that… vibe? Style? Aspect? that I miss in bringing it to clothes. Thank you for teaching us! What a joy to look at your translations!
Looking for the vibe is the hardest, but the most fun, part. It motly requires patience, and a sort of focus. I’m still learning!
hugs,
Janice
I love the velvet trousers, Janice – the contrast in texture between those and my favourite black leather jacket would be awesome!
As to shoes … I’ve had to go a full size bigger for the sake of my feet. And no more than kitten heel height. I like that you don’t really suggest anything much higher …
I am spending part of this weekend attending a conference in your city(!) and find that I really need to make an excuse to come back to Chicago to really see the sights (and maybe at a warmer time of year!) – nancyo
oh, and I like this wardrobe! But I’d absolutely have to put a short or long sleeve tshirt under those sweaters – either black, white, or matching color. – nancyo
Oh PLEASE let me know if you’re in town – I’d love to have a meal with you and get to know you better! This applies to all of you – if you’re in Chicago, let me know ahead of time so we can get together!
love,
Janice