March 15, 2019
This is really exciting – one of my genius technical helpers here on The Vivienne Files ALSO makes jewelry. (don’t you just hate these creative types?)
And she’s going to make a special bracelet, each month, for US, here at The Vivienne Files!
Here’s the first one:
Fierce Focus – African turquoise and cherry blossom jasper bracelet – Fierce Lynx Designs
How gorgeous is that?
So I’m thinking about warm weather, and lakes, and beaches, and summer homes…
My color scheme is this:
And I’m planning a wardrobe that you can pull together and then leave at the beach house until at least May or June. My plan is to wear super-light colored clothing, so that it feels summery. But I’ll also make certain that our heroine has a few warm garments – spring evenings aren’t always warm!
First up, some basic pieces in stone – that color sort of between grey and beige that is so versatile. If you don’t like the idea of a stone camp shirt, you can, of course, substitute one in white or one of the accent colors!
fleece – Patagonia; camp shirt – Lands’ End; pants – Lands’ End; shorts – Lands’ End
And when the weather begins to feel even slightly warm, I want to wear something white! Yes, a sensible heroine will also include blue jeans, and a pair of dark shorts (maybe…), but this is a bit of fantasy, and a bit of what you wear at the beach house when you’re indoors more than out…
tee shirt – L.L.Bean; sleeveless top – L.L.Bean; shorts – L.L.Bean; cropped pants – L.L.Bean
At this point, I like to always pause to access where our heroine is going to go from here…
Time for accent colors! Yes, there are 3 different shades of green here, but since none of these pieces will be worn together, it doesn’t matter that they match… (and the dress comes in a handful of prints!)
green top – Boden; peach sweatshirt – Madewell; dress – Lands’ End; green tee – Lands’ End; v-neck tee – Madewell
This wardrobe looks pretty fun, to my eyes. And yes, I moved the shorts into the middle column for no good reason except to make more space for the dress! The columns here don’t really represent anything essential:
Our heroine will need a few accessories, but really not much. It’s important to be disciplined if you’re planning to leave this wardrobe on site for the warm weather – you don’t want to wake up some morning to get dressed for work and realize that your favorite “Item X” is at the shore…
earrings – Kendra Scott; beige canvas shoes – Toms; white sandals – Cole Haan; tote – Helen Kaminski
This should all fit in a modest suitcase, shouldn’t it?
Most of the time, until summer vacation, our heroine is only going to be at the summer house for 2 nights at a time, so she doesn’t really need an endless array of outfits. Still, let’s see what’s possible…
So get thee to Fierce Lynx Designs to see what our friend Alison has created!
Do you ever have to leave a mini-wardrobe somewhere? I’ve currently got quite a substantial stash of clothing in Florida; I find it very convenient to be able to travel with nothing more than toiletries and my computer!
love,
Janice
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Love these colors for spring and summer. I like that you have chosen pants that are relaxed with a comfortable waist. Sturdy, long lasting brands. Excellent.
Oh my goodness! What a gorgeous piece of jewelry! I never would have thought to build a wardrobe around a piece of jewelry. The neutrals is not my colours, but I can see this working with navy and/or grey too.
I’m always surprised at how much more I love a wardrobe if it’s in “my” colours! This is beautiful. We have a caravan, which we use for usually several extended trips during the warmer months. I keep a few things in there that I only ever wear in the caravan. LindaM
I love the idea of an appropriate wardrobe just waiting for me at a fun destination! Also love the bracelet! Just a note- I have decided not to buy anything else from LLBean- I have had two poor experiences with customer service poor responses and I was treated in a rude and dismissive manner-luckily there are lots of other options.
I’ve got a version of this wardrobe for summer and I really enjoy it. It’s soft and pretty but practical.
Bought the bracelet before I even looked at the wardrobe; so pretty and those are “my” colors! Then I looked at the wardrobe and … it’s too neutral-heavy for my taste. I’d keep the white, treat the peach as a “neutral” (stone looks fairly awful with my skin-tone) and add in more green, coral, and rose (that raffia bag is amazing). This is an exciting collaboration; looking forward to seeing next month’s bracelet!
Lovely wardrobe! I have a beach house abroad where I spend the summer months. I leave clothing, shoes and accessories permanently there, but pack with me some dressier options for dining and some replacement items. Since I don’t go to the beach house for 10 months of the year, forgetfulness happens and I found myself packing identical or very similar items of clothing already at the beach house. One solution I found that helps is laying all the clothing on the bed and lining shoes and snapping a picture for reference for next year. Elly
What a gorgeous bracelet. I immediately went to the Fierce Lynx site to buy it and it’s sold out! Bummer! And I just love this beautiful wardrobe. My colors! The Stone color with the grey undertones is so perfect and any accent can be added! How exciting that a custom bracelet will be designed each month. Congratulations, Janice. Can’t wait for next month’s design.
Janice Collins Coyle, Washington DC
I believe you can buy it in fierce lynx web site.
I love when you do that thing with pajamas that can be worn as clothes…. any leads here?! Just a thought!
Very pretty!
More of these need to be made. Sold out already and gone forever!
I agree, Nina. I wonder if we could place a special order for more – maybe they could be produced if enough of us want this bracelet. Just a thought. Maybe Janice could send a plea.
Janice Collins Coyle, Washington, DC
I agree with Nina and Janice Collins — what a lovely piece ! And that Land’s End dress — so pretty !
Please see my comment below to sign up for the bracelet if you’re still interested.
This is exactly the dream wardrobe I am working towards this Summer, with the addition of a couple of navy pieces. I’m going to Spain for my daughter’s wedding, so PLEASE could you find a few dressy pieces and accessories, which would round this out to a 4×4 wardrobe?
Love the bracelet, but I am too late. The idea of leaving a small suitcase of clothes at the cottage or vacation destination is very appealing. But I would make some substitutions. I don’t see a second layer for the dress. And the short shorts are so not happening for me. So I would remove the shorts, the white tee and the minty top and add a cardigan and another tee shirt to make a sweater set and add another flowy knit top with ¾ sleeves. And my stone or greige bottoms might be dove gray instead. Still pondering the color of the button front shirt. I love how your choices get my juices flowing.
Hi Penny. Please see my comment below to sign up for the bracelet if you’re still interested in the bracelet.
Dear Janice, Add me to the list of ladies who really want that bracelet! I could use it with most of my spring wardrobe, which bears a remarkable resemblance to the capsule you designed. I have one question though. Where’s the scarf?
Hi Margaret,
Please see my comment below to sign up for the bracelet.
Charming! And a collaboration to look forward to in future months. Congratulations to you both!
This bracelet is marvellous ! The association between the stones, and the detail in silver, I think…with the colours choice.
I’m very enthousiastic about this new collaboration : I already guess that it will be a success, both for the choice of styles, their association, than for commercial aspects (it is important also !).
I’m certainly going to buy this bracelet, or another one of the collection : they are all incredibly beautiful !
I just hope that it won’t be too much expensive for sending to France…
Hi Helene, I used to live in Belgium and still have many friends there. I’ve already shipped a few bracelets to Europe and the cost is not too high. It depends on the actual weight but it normally works out to under 20$ Canadian for a small package.
Beautiful! There are several on that site that are tempting me (fortunately the limited edition one isn’t my colors, so I don’t have to be sad about it being sold out!
Wonderful idea! I’m looking forward to this monthly feature ?. I looked at the bracelet designs, which are lovely. I was excited to see they were around $30 or so, a price point that is within reach for me. I struggle with clasps, though, so I’m hoping in the future there will be some stretchy designs.
I really like the wardrobe and palette too although I would choose cooler toned versions of the accent colors.
I love fashion jewelry and often build my outfits around a particular piece. My daily outfit inspiration is usually something I love that I haven’t worn as much as I would like. It could be a scarf, purse, jacket, piece of jewelry, or even shoes.
Dressing has once again become a creative outlet that sparks joy in me. Thank you for your contribution to that, Janice.
Many of my designs, like Fierce Focus, are stretch bracelets, both single and wrap, so no clasps to fight with. Also, if you see something on the sight that does have a clasp, I may be able to adapt it for you.
This bracelet is absolutely beautiful. And the best part is it is made in New Brunswick, Canada where live! I did not know about this company until your post. Thank you so much for showcasing one of very talented local artisans!
Oh my goodness! You ladies are AMAZING! I’m Alison, the maker behind Fierce Lynx, and my shop exploded yesterday! We sold out so quickly. I wasn’t expecting this kind of positive response as I just started my shop in December. I hate the idea of so many of you being disappointed by missing out on this bracelet. I’ve spoken with Janice about releasing some more of the Fierce Focus bracelet and she’s game, so if you can be patient while I order more supplies and make some more, I’m willing to fill your orders.
*If you haven’t done so already, please go to the bracelet page Janice linked above and sign up to be notified when it is back in stock (you’ll see a red tab on the side of the page). That way I can see how many of you are interested and email you as soon as I’m made more. Thank you so much for your support of a brand new handmade business. I’ll be very busy filling your orders next week!
So perfect for a carry on suitcase and a hot weather cruise!
I love that Stone colour. It’s what I’ve always tried to describe as an icy taupe and it’s such a great cool toned “beige” that’s so much easier to wear than a true beige for my skin tone.
It goes so well with black, navy, grey & white. I have a wonderful Calvin Klein Saffiano leather tote purse in that shade with silver hardware and it goes with everything. Ditto an open front waterfall “suede” jacket.
Perfection. I love the soft green & rose accents and that dress is one I’m seriously looking at adding.
Per your ? as to leaving a few clothes anywhere.
I currently use my fully packed carry on suitcase that way. We have elderly relatives, and we like to be able to go see grandchildren at the drop of a hat. And we enjoy last minute deals on a cruise.
So I always have a minimal but adequate toiletries and makeup kit with my TSA liquid allowance bag all packed.
I keep a small packing cube with underwear and socks in each bag, mine and his. A bathing suit plus some nice Sam Edelman leather flip flops for poolside or hotel carpet.
A second medium size packing cube: In winter I have a pair of black pants, black tank top, cream top and a V neck thin wool pullover sweater. Summer it is navy.
Since I use grey year round & black in fall/winter plus navy spring/summer I am guaranteed to have a small coordinated wardrobe for up to a week when added to whatever I’m wearing. (I hand wash as needed)
I keep a pair of pearl earrings and a couple of scarves in different colours I’m enjoying so if I go out without anything last minute I always have something in my pack.
Phone charger, ear buds, ear plugs & silk eye mask along with 3 weeks worth of Rx plus a mini first aid kit & sewing kit.
This is also an emergency kit as we live in a forest fire evacuation prone area.
So I always have a tiny address book and a paper copy of our medical records etc plus a flat pouch with the passports and Nexxus cards (TSA pre check). They don’t take much space but it saves any last minute frantic search for passports and means you can call family even if the cell phone died, or tell a foreign dr what you need. Oh and our glasses Rx. In case.
When we cruise I change the number of clothes, accessories and underwear but makeup and toiletries stay the same. It means I don’t forget stuff & it’s easy to pack.
I love this!
hugs,
Janice