The Vivienne Files

Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

The Vivienne Files - Page 204 of 268 - Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

My Present for Myself, and a Giveaway for You!

December 9, 2013

I've been meaning to get a new silver chain necklace for years - I had a beautiful one that was stolen about 10 years ago, but I've just never seen one that had "whappage" - that quality that causes something to stick in your mind...But I've spent a lot of time looking at Novica recently for jewelry to show you here, and in the course of all that looking, I saw this simple yet appealing critter:

Since I've been linking to so much Novica jewelry, I wanted to know for a fact that their things were nice - high quality and good value.  After receiving this chain last week, I can vouch for this company without reservations - this chain is heavy, meticulously finished, and came packaged in a way that you don't get ... View the Post

Neutral Accessories: Earrings, Part 2

December 7, 2013   I love the subtle colors of some of these earrings - the brown diamonds are unexpected, and low-key, but very appealing...  And once you learn that certain semi-precious stones are perfect for your neutral color choices, your hunt for jewelry can be much more focused.   A couple of earrings here are gold, withOUT a stone of any sort, but I chose them because they felt like they had the right... aura?.. for the neutral in question.  Some colors are just plain difficult to find!  

love, Janice ... View the Post

Neutral Accessories: Earrings Part 1

December 6, 2013

Silver stud earrings - Chen Fuchs, grey pearl stud earrings - Majorica,  grey star stud earrings - Esther Greville,  grey and gold studs – Samira13, blue quartz studs - Judith Ripka,  tassel earrings - jenny jenny,  lapis studs – Barbara Rybarova, silver and lapis studs - Boticca  

Inverted diamond earrings – Q, squared studs – Dorothy Perkins, pearl drop earrings – Novica, blue topaz earrings – Novica, crystal pave earrings – Loft,square earrings – Ann Taylor, spike stud earrings – Luis Morais, pearl stud earrings - Novica  

Half-moon earrings – Novica,  Olive studs – Otte NY, green amethyst earrings – Ice.com, tourmaline drop earrings- Ylang23,  blue topaz studs ... View the Post

Quarterly Shopping: 4th Quarter 2013

December 5, 2013

I discovered when I was on my seemingly endless road trip that I wore the same earrings for 11 straight days - the earrings pictured above.  I love that sort of thing - when I find something that's so perfect that I don't mind constantly wearing it...Since the beginning of October, I bought the earrings, a striped sweater, and a new pair of grey pants to replace the pants of years gone by that collapsed from fatigue.  Belovedest bought the terribly beautiful scarf for me...  I already adore it.

I don't have the charcoal skirted leggings yet - they aren't going to be in the store for 2 weeks, but they're my last purchase for 2013.  The link for the skirted leggings takes you to the black version, which are ... View the Post

Small Changes that Make a Big Difference

December 3, 2013

Now that my mother is living in a nice warm climate, I've repossessed some sweaters that I have given her over the years. My  favorite is this Irish cardigan, from the Blarney Woolen Mills...

But I didn't like the wood buttons.  There's nothing particularly wrong with wood buttons, I just didn't like them.  So I changed them for bone buttons.

I'm much happier now...

Sometimes you just have to really look and think through why you're dissatisfied, and take appropriate action.  This was a $10, 20 minute fix.  I now have a cardigan that I will literally wear for the rest of my life.

love,

Janice ... View the Post

Plagued by the Muchness of Sameness

I don't imagine that it surprises you to learn that I look at literally thousands, if not tens of thousands, of garments and accessories each day.  Of course I peruse most of these online while I'm building beautiful vignettes to share with you, but I look at them nonetheless.Why do I have to look at so much STUFF every day?  Because the vast majority of it either (a) looks like most of the other things I've seen, or (b) looks cheap, poorly made, poorly photographed, and utterly unworthy of your attention.  Often, I see clothes that qualify for both (a) and (b)... the true losers of the wardrobe world.

What can we do to combat this infinite sameness?

1.  Don't give in to it.  Buying basics is wise and often a ... View the Post

Thanksgiving Irony

Today, in the US, we're supposed to take a day off and reflect upon our many blessings, and the abundance of our lives.

Tomorrow, we're supposed to go buy stuff that we really really need.

Maybe, tomorrow, try to remember how contented and comfortable you feel today, and sincerely question what you're buying.

love, Janice ... View the Post

How to Pack for a Long Weekend: Yellow and Grey

November 27, 2013  

If you can wear yellow and grey well, I must heartily encourage you to do so - these colors are always so delightful to see together.  The citrine jewelry is particularly fun, and not blindingly expensive.  Sunshine and clouds together...As always, if you have trouble with the links, PLEASE let me know.  I'm not always sure what goes wrong, but I'm always eager to fix things!

Cardigan – Uniqlo,  earrings – Novica,  pants - Hallhuber, tee shirt- Uniqlo, watch – AX Armani Exchange, scarf – Nordstrom,  loafers – Mazzarina, Coat – Mint Velvet,  bag – Briggs and Riley    

Flannel shirt – Frank and Eileen, sweater – Uniqlo,  scarf – terracotta New ... View the Post