Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature
October 24, 2024
I'm home - I was in the hospital, because it turns out that (1) I have COVID (which I certainly picked up when I went to the hospital the first time, to have my ribs checked...) and that (2) I have SEVEN broken ribs, not three. Turns out that broken ribs don't show up as clearly on an X-Ray as they do on a CT scan.
But I don't have pneumonia. And that's important, and good. So I'm hanging onto that thought!
love,
Janice ... View the Post
October 21, 2024 Normally Neutral She usually wears ivory and black. Every day. With nothing else added... So this scarf has some appeal, right from the start!
She recently made a mistake (there are really NO mistakes?), and ordered a pair of brown shoes instead of the black that she would obviously have preferred. But she found the brown ones to be fetching, so she just picked up a brown handbag, and a pair of earrings, and called brown "an accent color..."
So NOW, this scarf really appeals!
This could have all stopped RIGHT THERE... but she sensed that she was ready for something new...
A RED SWEATER???? Her friends will be so shocked - it's worth wearing, just to see their faces!
So when it came time to pack ... View the Post
October 18, 2024
She's going to the whole Homecoming thing - the game, the pre-party, the actual dance, (which is allegedly SUPER casual...), the brunch. Her friends persuaded her, and so she's happy to be going. But she doesn't want to paint her face, wear some outlandish hat, or just in general do anything that might look foolish!
Her school colors are navy and forest green. She loves them. And she's been using this painting to inspire her wardrobe for a while, so she's in good shape for having things to pack.
These are the colors that she uses for her wardrobe... After a few minutes, she makes the decision to NOT pack anything in periwinkle blue. She's always tempted, but too many colors in a travel capsule wardrobe might be ... View the Post
October 16, 2024
It's come to my attention that nobody can leave comments! I don't know what's wrong, but I've having the smart people look into it... So sorry for the technical difficulties....
love,
Janice
It's tempting to think that all heroines are strong personalities, with a touch of bright flamboyance around all that they do. But in fact, many of us are quiet, low-key, and don't get noticed right away! And that's splendid...
Today's heroine thinks of herself as a moon, in that she reflects the brighter (but sometimes TOO bright) light of others.
Her painting inspiration for her weekend homecoming trip:
She has soft ashy-colored hair, and light but clear and bright blue eyes; her colors for the weekend will ... View the Post
October 14, 2024
I realized in New York that few people gets dressed up for everyday life - at least not in Chicago or New York! Sneakers and sweatpants are practically a uniform...
Today's heroine is going for a weekend sporting event. It could be a track meet or something else that goes on for a couple of days, or it could just be a single sporting event, like a football game. Or rugby. Or American football. You get the drift!
She wants to look like she had a clue getting dressed, but also like she acknowledges the inherently relaxed and somewhat cold nature of the environment into which she is plunging herself. Supporting family, friends, or just your favorite team is always interesting...
Her inspiration:
She's ... View the Post
Broken ribs. Three of them...
I feel a little bit vindicated, because this much pain HAD to be something broken, didn't it?
Thank you - so very much! - for all of your kind messages. They keep me going...
lots of love,
Janice ... View the Post
I've been in New York.
I managed to fall Saturday night, and am now struggling to move around.
We are heading back to Chicago, a day late...
Tomorrow will be dedicated to an emergency clinic visit, and some pain medication. I hope!
Love,
Janice ... View the Post
October 7, 2024
Yes, this is MY Project 2025... Nobody's rights get tramped in this project!
FWIW, I'm flying back from New York today. I had intended to have a normal wardrobe post ready for today, but on Thursday before we left town, my computer decided to refuse to "scrub" the background from images of garments and accessories. I can remove backgrounds by hand - I used to do it every day - but I just couldn't face it...
So I'm showing you the 20 paintings that are in the running to be included in next year's wardrobe plan!
Chime in with opinions, thoughts, criticisms, etc. Bear in mind that I am morally obligated to include a range of color palettes in this program each year - I don't want to do six paintings with black as ... View the Post
October 4, 2024
Have you started autumn shopping? I'm NOT buying anything this fall - I don't have enough space in my closet for what I already own! These closets are not working out as I had dreamed...
But let's see how our heroines are doing - they always inspire me!
We are inspired by the above painting, although it isn't working out as I had envisioned - it turns out that shades of blue don't work as nicely together as I had originally thought! Nevertheless, this wardrobe is pretty cool...
As of the end of September, she had these tops:
and these bottoms:
She has some great jewelry, and scarves:
And all of the essential bags & shoes:
She can always find something useful, though!
This ... View the Post
October 2, 2024
Let's check in with what the "Start With Art" heroines have been buying!
This month, we're starting with this heroine and this painting. The more I look at this painting, the more I appreciate it - especially the essential touches of black in a painting that is mostly warm colors. Sometimes, you just want to have some black in your closet...
First up - let's look at her wardrobe as of the end of September. I've divided these into two images, so that we can actually SEE the garments:
Hmm... no dresses, no skirts. That's this heroine's preference, and I can support this! I have a couple of friends who may have legs, but I've never seen them, so I'm only assuming this is true...
And now her accessories - ... View the Post
September 30, 2024
Have you been forced to start going back to your office? I hear from heroines all the time who are suddenly expected to be their office two or three days a week, and who are NOT amused...
Two issues I hear often:
Business clothes from the "before" days just don't fit, or don't suit, and Quite a few people have received promotions (sometimes multiple promotions) in the interim, and feel that they should dress to a higher level than before.
SO... let's start with this very lovely scarf, and see what we can do! If you're only going to an office twice a week, you really only need a small wardrobe...
I saw four accent colors right away, as well as white...
Even at this late date in the world, I ... View the Post
September 27, 2024
Perfect for autumn:
She can take some time off this fall - what a luxury! A little photography, perhaps?
Her packing will have her blending into the forest!
It's not her usual style, but she couldn't resist the cardigan...
Everything else was simple. Her two orange sweaters aren't as much alike as they seem to be; she knows she will wear them both!
She gives everything a careful "once-over" before she packs... Socks? Clean undies? Pyjamas?
The most important thing that she checks (well, not as important as underwear!) is that she has what she needs for at least a few outfits:
How many of us make it out into nature during autumn?
love,
Janice
p.s. Ten years ago, we ... View the Post
