October 12, 2020
It Didn’t Take Long…
When she was initially invited to the cathedral for a long weekend of leading tours, she carefully chose her color palette…
and she packed a very pretty travel capsule wardrobe. She has a bit of a crush on the Choir Director, and is happy for a chance to spend a few days hanging about…
jasmine earrings – Wadarat Supasirisuk; Mask – Riah Fashion; Lace mask – Cosabella; navy sweater-blazer – J.Crew; rose earrings – Sasithon Saisuk; neon seamist cashmere sweater – J.Crew; earrings – Michael Krainer; navy v-neck cashmere sweater – J.Crew; Summer dream scarf – Radical Chic; scarf – Liberty London; watch – Armitron; mint pendant – Rosaspina Firenze; periwinkle silk blouse – Joie; pink shirt – BP.; navy corduroy pants – L.L.Bean; washable white silk shirt – Frame; navy tights – J.Crew; navy pleated skirt – Uniqlo; navy pants – L.L.Bean; tote – Longchamp; evening bag – Jessica McClintock; floral loafers – Sam Edelman; ballet flats – Clarks; lace loafers – Blue Bird Shoes
Well… it was wonderful. The tours were among the best that she’s ever given – the participants were all VERY interested in what she was teaching them, and there weren’t an excessive number of “know-it-all” guests…
And dinner with the Choir Director was… magical. Amazing. Better than she could have hoped…
So when the members of the Congregational Committee asked if she could come back in a few weeks, and stay through the entirety of their Anniversary Celebration, she jumped on the chance to return!
For a brief moment, she considered changing out everything that she had packed, but she realized almost immediately that this would be silly and wasteful. Anybody who doesn’t love you because you’re wearing the same clothes you had on a few weeks ago is nuts…
So she sticks with her beautiful navy and pastels theme, and adds in these goodies:
Blue topaz earrings – Komang Wijayana; floral bracelet – Aoy; Fair Isle sweater – Boden; light blue scallop-trimmed cardigan – Boden; masks – Nordstrom; light blue striped shirt – Treasure & Bond; pastel striped shirt – Rails; pink wool blend turtleneck – Maje; navy boiled wool skirt – Boden; scarf – Kate Spade; navy lace skirt – Garcia; navy velvet flats – Athena Alexander
MORE SKIRTS! Well, yes. She’s going to be in a Cathedral, after all. Even though she doesn’t work for them, she will be representing them, in a way. She wants to be respectful…
And she wants to look pretty, too!
When she settles in, the night before the festivities start, she double-checks her wardrobe to make certain that she has everything she needs. Clean undergarments? Enough clean tights to get through a day or two without doing hand laundry?
Something to stop her voice from quivering every time the Choir Director walks through the nave while she’s speaking?
She can’t sleep, so she grabs a notebook and a pen, and starts to plan all of her outfit possibilities. It’s not something that she usually does, but she’s feeling a need to be in control of something…
“Here, let me put my Cathedral Staff pin on your cardigan – this way everybody will know that you’re official…”
Are they pinned now? She feels like a school girl…
love,
Janice
p.s. Eight years ago, the simplest of Common Wardrobes got an accent punch from a BIG bunch of dots….
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Happy Monday! This continues to be a very lovely wardrobe. BTW, I did order those floral pants you featured last week in The Foxes episode. They are thin – so not warm, but so lovely! Like wearing pajamas! I absolutely adore them. Once I get them hemmed I see them cropping up in all sorts of combinations. AND perfect for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day when I want something “special” but also comfy. Something to be said for sticking to defined colors – even if I sometimes get bored with them. For example, I’m wearing Red – AGAIN – today.. sigh….
That being said (wearing red) I do have on the soft blue Iris scarf by P.J. Studios – something else I might have picked up while reading one of your stories :)
https://www.wolfandbadger.com/us/iris-soft-blue/?result_index=24&query_id=0c42f38f84e5af4b891218f29a9debce
The Choir Director loitered outside the front of the cathedral. “If anyone asks, I thought I heard a thrush calling from the trees, and I’m hoping to catch a glimpse.” But of course, the desired viewing was not of a bird, but an even more lovely creature…the Tour Guide. And 30 minutes later, there she was, walking along the path and smiling at the scenery, a beautiful vision with her silver hair catching the sun. When their eyes met, the Choir Director’s heart leapt up, and oh my…yes…there appeared to be an extra sparkle in the Tour Guide’s dramatic blue eyes. Hands shaking and voice vibrating with nervous excitement, the Choir Director approached closely: “Here, let me put my Cathedral Staff pin on your cardigan – this way everybody will know that you’re official…”
Excellent! I’m going to retire and hand this over to you!
hugs,
Janice
Haha, thank you, but by popular demand, we are keeping you! :)
Swooning!?
Please excuse my presumption; I could simply not resist considering this moment from the Choir Director’s perspective.
Janice, thank you for making my eat my words…that Fair Isle sweater is stunning! The “lacy stripes” effect is just lovely, and I like the subtle vibrancy it brings to the pastels in this wardrobe. And the Kate Spade floral scarf…well, I might even prefer it to the peacock one, it’s just that gorgeous and cheerful.
And I have to say, our heroine’s mask game is first rate. I appreciate seeing masks incorporated into the wardrobes and outfits here. As a person with a not-great immune system, I would love to see masks stick around after COVID has run its course…not as an everyday precaution, but as something we do to protect our fellow citizens when we are out and about with a cold or flu or other contagious illness.
Belovedest and I were just talking about masks yesterday, and we agree that we can picture ourselves wearing them, at least in some situations, for the rest of our lives. Airplanes? The subway? Heck yes!
hugs,
Janice
I can well see us wearing masks and social distancing until at least next summer. After that I would certainly wear a mask in autumn and winter to protect against the normal cold and flu viruses, let alone a 3rd wave of Covid. I’m hoping that the big lesson that will come from this is to stay at home if you aren’t well and employers should be banned from insisting that you do.
What a perfectly lovely way to start the week. This is a lovely story with a perfectly lovely wardrobe. I really hope this has a happy ending…
My pink Fair Isle jumper has a ‘blue and grey lacy stripes design’. Its very delicate and would fit in very well.
The blue Boden cardigan with the scalloped yoke is stunning. It also comes in a suitably seasonal colour called Conker which is very lovely too. As a result, I have decided to keep out, for this season, a mid-green cardigan with a crochet yoke. It does go with a couple of my shirts and I don’t seem to wear it in summer.
However, I would add in a thick navy jersey skirt, dress or top and skirt that includes a floral pattern with blue and pink flowers with green leaves – possibly impossible to find such a thing now but charity shops might do. I might even add some pink shoes or a pink and blue bag.
This weekend, I swapped my summer clothes for my autumn/winter ones and it’s all very pleasing. I still have far too many clothes, according to certain members of my family. Although, having had a good sort out before packing them away, everything now coordinates and looks very pleasing. The dark neutrals are navy, dark grey, houndstooth, and token black velvet. The light neutrals are light grey and ivory. The dark accents are – burgundy/wine, dark teal/petrol blue, deep fuschia, plum/purple. Light accents are light to mid-tone blue, jade, lavender, and various mid-toned pinks – orchid, cameo, geranium. Apart from light blue, my accents are mid to dark tones.
The look-back was an interesting idea and perhaps one you might consider exploring. If I had to choose a signature look it would be floral and/or a bit of sparkle or coloured pearls! In winter add faux fur and velvet. I’ve just bought a lavender scarf with silver threads running through it. I love looking in the accessories at this time of year – I’m mesmerised.
Ohh pink shoes would be lovely, or maybe silver for a bit of sparkle.
I usually look at the MWF posts to start my day, but I am enjoying the further adventures of the tour guide in the evening.
I have been packing for a road trip today. We are driving from Arkansas to Idaho to visit our daughter there. 4 days in the car, 2 days in the outdoors and 4 days driving back. It isn’t the ideal vacation scenario but considering we are not going to be at home and get to see her after 4 1/2 months, I’m not complaining.
I have planned out my travel wardrobe using many of the ideas on here to minimize items of clothing and that will mix and match well. Lots of layers. It will be a 30+ difference in temperatures from here to there. “Burr! ?
Solid long sleeve T-shirts and comfortable but stylish pants as a foundation with plaid tops for layering and interest, and a couple of vests for warmth. I even laid out my pieces on the bed to be sure I didn’t miss anything. I thought about taking a picture of my collection in all of its beauty.
This trip I’m trying out a tactic I did when my kids went to church camp in elementary grades but have never done for myself. I packed each day’s pieces in a separate bag. Every other day a fresh pair of pants,T, and plaid top but the other days are just a fresh T-shirts. Thankfully we have laundry facilities midway through to reduce the amount.
Anyway, thank you for all of the tips over the years. I feel more prepared.
NoW to get back to work. To get MY beloved’s bag packed. Sometimes I think he married me more for my packing abilities than my cooking skills. ? That’s fine. He keeps me fed, I keep him clothed. A good match. ?
My husband finds and packs his stuff in one bag half an hour. I just check it over to make sure he hasn’t forgotten anything crucial. Meanwhile, I take a couple of hours and fill at least three bags! He is also a whizz at packing a huge amount of stuff in the boot of the car which is just as well really! ?
I’m also the one who packs the trunk (or boot) of the car. I’m better at seeing things spatially. (I loved playing Tetris in the ‘80s)
Isn’t it fascinating how we match up with our opposites. My advice to newlyweds is: in a few years when the new wears off and the other person is getting on your nerves, be deliberate in remembering it was your differences that attracted you to them and appreciate how those opposites can balance each other out. Like your husband can quickly pack a small bag to leave plenty of room for all of your bags to take! ?
Have a lovely time! We just went through a crazy amount of intricate logistics to get together as a family after 6-9 months (and no plans to be together over the holidays). The time with our daughters, son in law, and granddaughters was worth it! I packed a pretty small capsule and only wore about half of it because we went almost nowhere once we were in place. – nancyo
I usually take a lot of extra things just in case something gets messed up or spilled in but this time I’m just taking one extra outfit. I’m trying to work on not living in fear and worry. Being reasonable prepared and wise in preparation; but I have learned through the past months there are some things that are important and need to focus my energy on and the rest is just out of my control and/ or not as impactful as I imagine. A messy shirt in the car for a few days is not a big deal. 2020: the year of new perspectives ?
Travel safely!
hugs,
Janice
Bring a good fleece to Idaho and a warm hat. It’s a bit chilly here right now. And cozy socks make a difference!
Well! This time I have to click on nearly every link to learn more about the items. This is such a pretty palette and navy is so wonderfully functional.
Estou simplesmente amando seu trabalho! Cada post mais inspiração para meu novo guarda-roupa. Parabéns! ???
Nad, de São Paulo – BR