Eclectic Joy

66 Comments

• Toban replied 6 years ago

  Lovely how your capsule is coming together. Lots of versatility. I especially like the asymmetric color-block sweater and the Kooba bag. The Kooba bag has an interesting shape and details that add a lot of personality to a black bag.

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Thank you, Toban. One thing I learned from a 30x30 challenge last spring was that I need versatility so have tried to work it in. One of my goals with this challenge is to learn how much versatility I need this time of year, especially with color and pattern.

• replied 6 years ago

  Joy -- I am speechless with delight.  That first ensemble is swoon worthy.  I especially love the black trim.  WOW.  

• Elizabeth P replied 6 years ago

  LOL Sterling, "swoon" was exactly the word that came to my mind when I saw Joy's outfits! 

  This capsule really is coming together nicely, Joy.  You are living proof that versatile does not have to be boring.  I find my versatile IS boring... so I need to pay more attention to you!

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Sterling and Elizabeth, this capsule building is hard and this one includes some happy accidents. I tried pulling what I thought I wanted in this capsule, but then came the christening and I wanted to wear that skirt that I also elite Sunday, and Angie's post with a plaid shirt. Neither the skirt or plaid shirt were in the 30x30 in my mind, but I decided to leave them. The plaid shirt is providing some needed color and pattern. The skirt and other pieces I wore with it the first time will lighten things up and force some creativity.
  Thank you for your comments. I had never thought before of wearing the skirt and black/white sweater together.

• Katerina replied 6 years ago

  Oh Joy, I LOVE the first outfit. The asymmetric sweater is genius and the outfit is great on you. I can even picture it with white jeans. You are brilliant! You have such a great sense of style. Thank you for inspiration. 

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Katerina, I am thrilled to have your opinion. You are very kind. It did seem like the first outfit gave me the look of some curves, always a good thing.

• Brooklyn replied 6 years ago

  I love your first outfit sooo much.

  I am coming straight over to steal that asymmetric black and white jumper.

• SarahD8 replied 6 years ago

  Adding my voice to the chorus of praise for outfit #1. Love seeing that beautiful pale skirt again. With the sweater, it almost looks like a color-blocked dress. Love!

  And, I continue to be utterly charmed by your thoughtfully deployed fun socks, as in #2.

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Brooklyn, guard dog Maggie will be patrolling.
  I just realized that I have not done a current update of 30x30 items:
  Tops: ( all sweaters in this category are pull-overs)
  1: floral mixed media sweat shirt
  2: burgundy merino wool turtleneck
  3: black wool sweater
  4: EF charcoal grey merino sweater
  5: EF bone sweater
  6: Laundry white wool turtleneck
  7: EF light olive merino sweater
  8: EF red merino sweater
  9: plaid shirt

  Bottoms:
  10: Jeans, burgundy
  11: jeans, olive
  12: jeans, blue (Paige)
  13: jeans, black skinny
  14: jeans, EF white
  15: EF grey wool pants
  16: EF bone skirt
  17: leather skirt
  18: jeans, grey. (Kut)

  Indoor Toppers:
  19: black/white mixed media vest
  20: red LE vest
  21: EF burgundy wool cardigan
  22: Bobeau taupe topper
  23: EF bone jacket

  Added this week:
  24: black/ white cashmere color block sweater
  25: light grey cashmere sweater

  This challenge I have not included coats, footwear, or accessories such as scarves.

• karen13 replied 6 years ago

  More love of #1. You do black and white so beautifully. 

• replied 6 years ago

  This is great collection of items.  You still have SIX open slots and it is already January 16th.  I concur with others, you are a Queen of Capsule Building.  Good use of color combined with basics.  Every WIW that I've seen has been so unique that I would never know you were working from a limited, select wardrobe.  

  I am going the exact opposite of you.  I seem to be building a capsule and then tearing it down.  

• Mainelady replied 6 years ago

  The word of the day: swoon! Outfit #1 is 100% swoon worthy. I love the black and bone on you! Outfit #2 is also a winner. The plaid and the bright red are great colors on you. I would wear outfit 2 in a heartbeat. I want to wear outfit 1, because Ithink it is dreamy. Sadly dreamy outfits are not called for much in my world.

• jussie replied 6 years ago

  That capsule is great- not boring at all. Soooo many possibilities with it.

• Mirjana replied 6 years ago

  OMG, I am smitten with your first outfit, love, love so much. You have a great collection of items and you really combine them fantastic.

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Day 16: Inspired by Sterling today I am adding a light grey cashmere sweater for testing. Grey jeans, snake loafers and snake bag complete the outfit. Going out, I will sub grey booties got the loafers because snow and ice. To limit the scratchiness of the sweater, I am wearing an EF light grey tank underneath. It is a favorite in a wonderful fabric of silk with a bit of cotton. I hope not to get blood on it from injections. Hair has not been styled or makeup applied. I could not find my dark pearls but am wearing a necklace with grey beads from DS.
  Added: Halogen grey cashmere sweater.

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• tanstaafl replied 6 years ago

  All of these looks are great. The first one in white and black is really striking, though weren’t you cold with bare legs?

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Tanstaafl, I have on nude stockings for warmth. In fact, they are too dark for my skin tone in winter.
  Sterling, you have a great capsule going with lots of slots before you get to 30. I wish that I were finding more to donate. Maybe that will start happening more. You are accomplishing your goal of learning.
  Thank you, Mirjana and Karen. I will be repeating #1, maybe for a concert this weekend.
  Mainelady, your outfits are certainly swoon-worthy on you. Are you getting more snow?
  Jussie, from past challenges I have learned to build in lots of possibilities.

• Emily K replied 6 years ago

  Ooohh...I'm loving your black and white sweater, but also the plaid shirt and quilted vest--the red and plaid look so warm and cozy this time of year.

• Katerina replied 6 years ago

  Your day 16 outfit is also very good. The sweater is lovely, perfect colours for you and well chosen accessories - you look fab. What strikes me is how perfect the proportions of your outfits are - they are always so well balanced.

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Thank you, Emily and Katerina. Proportion and balance are something I need to learn, so I am thrilled that these outfits look porportional. It is a cold day, so I have been happy with this outfit and feel the sweater has a place in my closet for days like this. This "dry clean only" sweater is going to be hand washed and air dried because it now smells like baby spit up. We will see how that goes. I think it will be fine.

• Barbara Diane replied 6 years ago

  #1 is perfection, and better on you than the model. 

• Angie replied 6 years ago

  Loving Day #16's outfit. Pearl grey is KILLER on you, Joy. 

• Mainelady replied 6 years ago

  I love your day 16 outfit, too! The colors are beautiful on you and your accessories are the perfect compliments. Your sweater looks so soft.... o wonder a little baby wanted to snuggle with you. Thank goodness for hand washing!

• Aurore replied 6 years ago

  The first outfit is incredibly elegant and flattering, and the second one is very classy and casual. I love both!

• Toban replied 6 years ago

  Lovely mix-and-match capsule and a lovely color palette. I like the sweater in #16's outfit. Perfect pairing with shoes.

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Thank you so much for your comments, Barbara Diane, Angie, Mainelady, Aurore, and Toban.
  Day 17 and a busy day with shopping and preparations for a late afternoon class. I plan to wear from the capsule, the black skinny jeans and EF bone sweater and probably black booties (thawing and refreezing means slick spots and grippy soles). Find for bootie is similar.
  ETA: I ended up wearing both scarves at different times during the day. I also added the soft EF bone jacket in late day. I liked the idea of this outfit better than the actual outfit, maybe I should not have worn the black booties or the top looks too short without the jacket? What do you think?

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• Bonnie replied 6 years ago

  Your outfits have been truly inspiring and I am really liking your choices for Day 17. 

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Thank you, Bonnie. I am hoping to get a photo to add and am rethinking the scarf for something warmer this morning.

• SarahD8 replied 6 years ago

  That scarf is so scrumptious, what a sophisticated palette for this outfit. I see above that you may not be wearing the scarf after all but I do hope it comes out to play soon!

• Mainelady replied 6 years ago

  Day 17 is another great combo! Making boot and scarf selections due to changing conditions can make it take a little longer to get dressed. Sometimes when I decide I need to alter my plan and reach for something sturdier or warmer, I discover a great pairing I haven’t used before. That is always a nice surprise. I hope you have a chance to wear that yummy scarf soon.
  Yes, we are getting more snow today, so schools have been cancelled for today. At least this storm is producing light and fluffy snow.

• Katerina replied 6 years ago

  Day 17 combo is fantastic! The colors are so beatiful together and the scarf is gorgeous.

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Sarah, Mainlady, and Katerina, the scarf I have in finds is very special as DS1 bought it from the weaver in Cambodia who was on a river bank. DS was trying to steer the boat while the boat's owner baled water out of it. He had signed up for a river cruise. Some cruise. I am not sure what scarf I will end up wearing yet, but probably that one. It is a heavy silk.

• replied 6 years ago

  Joy -- I am not certain editing should be one of your goals.  Your wardrobe is obviously gorgeous.  You dress stylishly for a myriad of different purposes.  Your clothes fit you to a T.  You are achieving your Challenge goals wonderfully.  But since you mentioned you were "testing" the grey sweater on Day 16, what were you testing and what did you ultimately decide?  

  I agree with Katerina.  You really do achieve a wonderful sense of balance and proportion.  

• Helena replied 6 years ago

  So chic! I love that bold red on you.

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Sterling, I was testing that grey sweater to see if it made me happy. Do I want to keep it? I liked the color, style and fit, but was it too warm, too scratchy? Why hadn't I been wearing it?
  I decided that it did make me happy and warm. On a cold day it was not too warm or scratchy. Obviously my baby grand-daughter did not find it scratchy. I decided that it is a keeper for this time of year...the fashion equivalent of a pot of chili.
  Thank you, torontogirl. It helps to know that red looks good.

• Windchime replied 6 years ago

  I love all your outfits here, Joy! The EF bone skirt has been a brilliant purchase for you; you've created so many wonderful outfits around it over the years. It looks amazing with the asymmetrical sweater and scarf here.

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Windchime, this challenge is forcing me to find new ways to wear this skirt other than just with whites.

• Dianna replied 6 years ago

  Joy, I loved all 4 outfits, but my favorite one is the with the "pot of chili" sweater.  You look amazing in light grey.

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Day 18 was a repeat of the earlier outfit of blue jeans, plaid shirt, and red vest. This time I wore black wool socks and old LeCanadienne booties, oh, and red underwear. It worked well for the stock show and lots of walking. I am learning from this challenge that bright underwear sets make me happy.
  DGS was more impressed with the heavy machinery than the animals, although the milking demonstration was memorable enough that at home he tried to milk the dog!

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• Mainelady replied 6 years ago

  Joy, of course day 18 is a fab outfit! You have found one of your happiness factors! Pretty underwear! I have a friend who only wears colorful matching bras and panties, because they make her so happy. Go Team Underwear!

• SarahD8 replied 6 years ago

  That red looks fantastic with your hair, and I love that you’ve picked up the blue in the plaid with your handbag!

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  I have found one of my deep winter happiness factors...bright undie sets.
  Yesterday was red, today is orange! I bought them for summer clothes in case bra straps show but am happy to wear them for color, though hidden, in winter. Besides, the bright colors do not show through the heavier fabrics.

• Angie replied 6 years ago

  The animal print scarf is AMAZING with your hair, Joy. 

• LaPed replied 6 years ago

  I LOVE that asymmetrical colour-blocked sweater on you. The bold graphic look really suits you. 

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Thank you, Mainelady, Sarah and Angie, for your helpful comments.
  Day 19: The plan is Babysitting, Dogwalking, washing clothes, ironing, straightening up the house. I am adding another piece to my 30 just because I wanted to wear it now. Black merino wool EF assymetrical sweater. Today I am wearing it with dark burgundy jeans, burgundy stone necklace, burgundy and metallic socks, my olive coat, dark grey ankle boots. I need to make some finds later. Photos of outfit. I will still try for one with the olive coat. Sorry they are so dark. It is hard to see the black cardigan. I tried s close up of the bottom in 4.

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• Katerina replied 6 years ago

  Joy, it seems I have missed your day 18 outfit, I am sorry. It was a bit crazy at work these past few days. The outfit is fab as your outfits always are! Lovely bag! Fun with pretty underwear.

  Your day 19 outfit is also wonderful. Asymmetrical black sweater sounds great - look forward to see it. Lovely combination of the necklace, jeans and belt - perfect with a black sweater. The necklace is really, really chic.     

• replied 6 years ago

  For a 30 x 30, you have shown an amazing variety of style, silhouette, and color.  I bow down in awe.  

  I'm glad the grey sweater worked out for you.  

• SarahD8 replied 6 years ago

  Those different shades of burgundy together are just divine!

  I love the idea of an olive coat with this. I’d love to see a pic with coat on if you get a chance.

• tanstaafl replied 6 years ago

  I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one who gets happiness out of wearing pretty underthings. I actually try to match them to my outfits, even when there is no chance that they will show.

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Photos of today's outfit have been added to my post for today. I will try to get better lit ones and included a close up of the sweater bottom in 4.
  Katerina, the necklace was made by my talented niece. She has moved on to intricate beaded items.
  Sterling, I learned from the last 30x30 challenge that I needed variety, and adding items as I go has helped. I found that I am really depending on the floral top and plaid shirt for some relief from plain pieces. My original thought was to go all dark neutral with lots of texture like including my furry vest. Is does not look like that will happen, as I don't think there will be room for it.
  Sarah, I will try to get a picture of the coat with this outfit.
  Tanstaafi, I added a photo find of the orange under things for you. What fun to try to match them to your outfits!

• Katerina replied 6 years ago

  Wow, that sweater is gorgeous, I would really love to have one just like that. The outfit is beautiful, you look fantastic.
  Your niece is very talented. Do you have other pieces she has made?

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Katerina, I have one other piece that my niece made and hope for one of her beaded creations. She makes things mostly for herself. I am happy that you like the sweater. I love these assymetrical hems and hope they stay in style and do not look dated.

• Windchime replied 6 years ago

  Day 18--What a stylish and fun grandma you are! (even your underwear).
  I'm very impressed with the variety of outfits and silhouettes you have created with 30 pieces.

  Also, thanks for the smile when picturing your grandson attempting to milk the dog!

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Day 20: Saturday casual. Dark olive jeans ( look black in photo), light olive EF merino wool sweater. I am wearing aqua loafers to decide if they are keepers or not. That will be a separate K/R post. Please over look the unruly hair which was washed but not styled.
  I am liking the olive sweater more than I thought I would and I want to add some yellow (besides the yellow underwear I am wearing today). I feel comfortable but feel that this outfit needs something. Suggestions?

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• SarahD8 replied 6 years ago

  I like the light olive and dark olive combination very much! Yellow sounds like a great idea. Maybe a long pendant necklace with a yellow stone? The cross seems a bit small but would be great as part of a layered necklace look. I think that solid tunic sweaters often need a necklace with some oomph. Or a scarf?

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Thank you, those are excellent ideas, Sarah.

• Debbie replied 6 years ago

  I love everything. I agree that the olive top needs a longer necklace. You have excellent style and I can’t wait to copy some of these.

• Katerina replied 6 years ago

  The olive jeans and sweater look excellent together and they fit you perfectly. Having seen your other outfits and your style, I agree that I something might be “missing”. Some yellow accent would be perfect - maybe a scarf or a necklace? A long or chunky necklace might also be nice to this outfit. I think that red would look very good with olive colours too - perhaps a brighter tone of red?

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Thank you, Debbie and Katerina, for your ideas. Since I do not have a scarf in yellow, a did shop my closet and found a long necklace with aqua and a taupe that looked olive with this outfit. I was still wearing the aqua loafers so it was not bad and made me want to experiment with olive and aqua/turquoise.

• JAileen replied 6 years ago

  Joy, I love your red vest outfit. Have you been wearing your ice grip boots much? We haven’t had any snow to speak of. I wore my winter hiking boots yesterday because it was so chilly. But it’s been very dry, unfortunately.

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  I have worn those winter hiking boots only 3-4 times this season so far, sometimes for warmth because I can wear thick wool socks with them. This snow should help the drought a little. The viability is such that we cannot see the mountains today but they have been dry most of the winter. Everyone here is hoping for lots of March snow.
  View of deck pillar below. It looks like it has another inch on it now.

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• Lynn replied 6 years ago

  Joy- I thought I have commented earlier on your thread but apparently not :(.  You have a fabulous wardrobe and a great sense of style. I have enjoyed seeing all of your outfits. I particularly liked day 17. The scarfs are just beautiful. 

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Lynn, I kept adding to this thread all week. Today I start a new one for week 4 of the challenge, which gets even more challenging as we get nearer the end of the month. I am finding that what I've NOT added to my 30 is just as telling as what I have worn.
  I hope that your knee is healing well. Be sure to do the PT faithfully when you get to that point.

• Toban replied 6 years ago

  I've enjoyed catching up on your outfits this week. I love the versatility of your capsule and the variety of colors. You are excellent at remixing them and for trying different color combinations. I really liked the olive top on you. The Burgundy necklace was also fantastic.

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Thank you so much, Toban.