August 21, 2020
Ultimate Job Security…
She’s a little bit steamed right now; she doesn’t want to travel, but that ONE office that always has issues with their computer network… is having… you guessed it…. ISSUES WITH THEIR COMPUTER NETWORK.
She tried to talk them through the fix. She drew pictures. She wrote checklists. She photographed the computers in THEIR office and put little notes on the photograph to show them what to do.
Not happening.
So she’s headed there… against her best judgment and preferences. And she’s seeing red…
(okay, maybe it’s orange!)
She loves her new bracelet – the knot charm reminds her of the linking and integration that she loves so much in computer networking. So she’s using these colors to cheer her up on her trip – and maybe convey just a little bit of how… hot under the collar? she is!
Silk tie-dyed mask – GISY; Cecelia scarf – PJ Studio Accessories; mismatched earrings – Madewell; merino turtleneck – GAP; quilted riding jacket – L.L.Bean; tote – Lands’ End; watch – Ronius; khaki cotton pants – L.L.Bean; crossbody bag – Dooney & Bourke; loafers – Italeau
Realistically, she’s only going to need to be in their office for 10 minutes. It’s THAT easy to fix. But while she’s there, she’s going to meet with someone – anyone! – to try to improve the technical prowess and confidence in that office.
antique white canvas shirt – L.L.Bean; stud earrings – Ariva; linen face mask – Face My Mask; drop earrings – Bhavesh; necklace – Carolyn Pollack; long-sleeved tee – L.L.Bean; chai spice brown sweater – Banana Republic; scarf – Nordstrom; twig corduroy pants – L.L.Bean; cardigan – L.L.Bean; camel suede flats – Steven by Steve Madden; boots – Caslon; shirtdress – Uniqlo
If she has to travel, she’s staying for a couple of days. It makes zero sense to fly there and back on the same day. Well, it makes no sense to make the trip AT ALL, but she’s lost that debate!
She’s not terribly concerned about how she dresses in the office, except for her normal desire to be lovely and distinctive! But, because she’s a professional and has self-respect, she packs wisely, and makes certain that she will be able to dress nicely while she’s there. It’s important that she dress warmly, because the area where the computers are kept is COLD…
She’s taking herself out to dinner the first night that she’s there, and maybe the second night too! Once they see what these little visits of hers cost their office, they might learn to do their own stupid system repairs….
love,
Janice
p.s. Just 2 years ago, we shared a Project 333 Wardrobe in navy with light blue and pink accents – so pretty!
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Wow I love those colors!
I like dark orange, but my complexion can’t take it – the nearest I can get is a pink coral (a bit like a watermelon). So for me, I would build the capsule around the smokey quartz, silver grey and soft white beads and add a few of my coral pink pieces to add interest.
I always felt sorry for our IT guys, who were called upon frequently to sort out our server and latterly our emails. There’s nothing more stressful than going into work after a long commute to find that all your emails past and present have disappeared. I’m so glad I don’t have to put up with that anymore.
By the way Janice, on my computer the links to the bracelet doesn’t seem to work.
Love the colours although not on me! The storyline is hilarious…been there done that but for software. Lol
Thanks Janice for a morning smile and visual delight
I too really love the colors. I used to wear orange – not so much any more… going gray changes EVERYTHING (or maybe it’s just getting older). hahaha remembering back when I was in IT and on call 24/7. Going out in sweats in the middle of the night and scraping snow off my car to get downtown. I loved it. Wouldn’t want to be doing it now though – not with a family. I just love your stories Janice. Thank you and everyone have a good weekend!
Anyone who can fix IT is a hero/heroine in my book. However, people should be able to fix the basics. I often used to have to talk people through using online catalogues, databases and websites.
I was usually the one to clear a blocked photocopier or change a toner cartridge without getting black ink dust on me, usually when I was wearing a white shirt!
I love the variations in tones of this wardrobe, though I can’t wear orange or beige. My purple and grey capsule has similar variations in tone so all the pieces meld with one another to give me loads of outfit variations.
Thanks for the look-back. I’m going on holiday in two weeks, so I’m mentally packing possibilities but they do include navy, pink and light blue.
The two main pieces are a white, navy, pink and light blue plaid shirt and a navy scarf with pink and blue butterflies. I shall also wear my new floral and butterfly watch. Having the 4×4 wardrobe suggestions and the accessory ideas will make the job easier. My final choice is all dependent on our activities and weather but probably mainly trousers, jumpers and waterproofs!
My daughter is 25 today, which has made me think back to what I was wearing when I was 25 in the 1980’s. I had several pattern matching skirt and top combinations, lots of floral, velvet and cord dresses and skirts mainly from Laura Ashley and Vivien Smith. Jumper dresses, satin blouses and fluffy jumpers. The jumpers had split collars or crochet lace edging. I didn’t really wear trousers as I couldnt get them to fit my shape or short legs. I also wore lots of square scarves, tied numerous ways or across my shoulders with a scarf ring or brooch and I wore earrings every day.
Now I wear trousers all the time; skirts and dresses are for special occasions. My preferred scarves are long to loop round. I wear necklaces, rings and bracelets every day. Earrings are worn for special occasions and I have several watches to choose from. I still love floral patterns, lace, velvet, satin blouses, fluffy jumpers but more mix and match outfits. I like a bit more sparkle too.
I can relate to our heroine’s annoyance! Thanks for the engaging story line this morning!
Mmmm, such lovely colours (that don’t at all suit me)… they remind me of those perfect fall mornings, a little nippy with rosy trees and golden light and the delight of a stolen few moments with a coffee whose warmth is welcome to the hands. And our grumpy heroine gave me a good chuckle, thanks!
These are indeed beautiful colors and happily they suit my warm complexion! This grouping has some essentials that I really need to add to my wardrobe. Thanks for the link to merino turtlenecks at Gap. Since Coldwater Creek went out of business, I’ve been looking for another turtleneck sweater supplier but never thought of the Gap. Also, I love the ivory shirt from LLBean, but the link goes to the Gap turtleneck.
Dear Lyneisa,
I fixed the link for the canvas shirt – I get these links all jumbled up sometimes!
thanks for letting me know,
hugs,
Janice
A gorgeous wardrobe and an amusing story…a nice start to the day! I am surprised how much I like this palette, but like Sharon, I would need to use my coral-pink items in place of this vivid orange/rust to suit my own coloring.
The tie-dye scarf and mask are such perfect pieces to wear with this bracelet, echoing the striations in the stones. (The scarf is also available in a teal colorway that is definitely worth a look!) The tassel loafers are waterproof (!)…I love the “ice” color. I am reminding myself I already have a perfectly nice pair of taupe-beige smoking slippers and do not need these loafers…
Lena’s recommendations about planned-out re-wearing of tops has me looking at this wardrobe in a different way from my usual…I’m seeing how such a strategy could be implemented for a work travel capsule as well. By being intentional about selecting tops/sweaters that layer each other and choosing the order in which I wore tops as the bottom layer next to the skin, I could wear them more than once before washing. For example, wearing the orange T under the beige shirt, letting the beige shirt air out, then wearing it later underneath the maroon pullover, letting the pullover air out, then wearing the pullover next to the skin next time…etc. I can only wear a top one day as the bottom layer so I always end up packing a bunch of tops. (I know that laundry service is a thing, but I also am extraordinarily controlling about washing in cold and air-drying my clothes *just so*, so I don’t use a laundry service.) This is a strategy with wider application than I initially realized.
Also that navy/pink wardrobe with the floral prints is right up my alley! LOVE.
As the wife of a tech guy who very often comes home with similar stories, I must say that I giggled through this entire post. Lovely wardrobe choices for this heroine, by the way, and I LOVE that you paired that dress with those awesome boots!
I LOVE this palette of colors, and would wear this collection all year long!
Hi Janice,
I’m writing with a big thank you. Because of a new job, an international move, logistics weirdness, and quarantine requirements, I will be living out of a suitcase for up to five months, (yes, with changing seasons) without the chance to buy anything new. I’m almost two months in now, and my Janice-inspired capsule wardrobe is performing admirably. Thanks for the terrific inspiration and examples.
Shari
How interesting! I’d love to know more about the size and contents of a 5 month suitcase wardrobe. – nancyo
I think that the whole world is craving color as much as I do.
Very nice! I would need to use watermelon instead of orange. Plus all the pants would be skirts only because I don’t wear pants at all.
I love the colors!!!
LOOOOOVE the colors!!!
There’s ALWAYS that ONE office that will not get it. I’m the IT that cannot get through to the people. It drives me crazy! It’s E-A-S-Y–T-O–F-I-X their issues. ALWAYS. Next time, I’ll definitely pull out my orange/red for them. FLAME ON! XD
I love this wardrobe, but absolutely cannot wear one item in it, lol! Would enjoy seeing this repeated almost item for item in a cool-color version. – nancyo
You got me. The PJ Studio scarf is scheduled to arrive this week. It’s my flame coral orange! (Or at least my computer thinks it is. We’ll see!). I’m going to use it to brighten my Zoom calls this winter. :). And yes, of course I used your link. Thanks for finding it for me!