They're all so pretty AND one-of-a-kind. Especially that gorgeous jacket. Get ready to be seriously complimented whenever you wear it.

totally love the blouse and jacket. you will get TONS of use out of that jacket.

Lovely!

You did fantastic! I especially like the white blouse and the jacket. The shape and color of that jacket are stunning on you!

Wow, thanks everyone! I'm so glad everyone liked the jacket.

Jenanded, it came from Veronika Maine. I have been trying to buy more of my wardrobe from there, as they are Australian made and lovely quality. The downside is that they are pricey, but that may actually help me to limit myself to things that I love.

Fruitful, that's a great epiphany. I struggle with footwear. Are you going to show and tell?

Oh yes Veronika Maine, I should have guessed ^_^... Wear it with EVERYTHING I think its divine and looks lovely on you... Their sales are pretty good if the sizes are left. Also sign up to the store near you as they will text you if they are having snap reductions in this retail market...

Sharon, thanks for sharing where the loot is from! I haven't seen Veronika Maine stuff lately, but I like the way you think. I'm wanting to ease myself into buying from places I trust for quality and ideally that would be Aussie made, and I like the idea of limiting to things I love even if it's a bit more expensive. Buying those boots (even though they were a super score at 50% off) means I will have to put off buying something else for now but that's okay if I really treasure the things I have and they don't sit unworn and unloved.

I will post about the boots. A bit hot to wear them today though

I went to this really exxy boutique store one time - think I decided to 'go quality' when I had a major weight loss (last time ha ha ha!)... Anyhow given this shop had $1500 tshirts, the woman said to me, actually for most people, you have a couple of sets of plain but good basics and then one or two FABULOUS pieces and just wear em into the ground. It sounds so counter-intuitive, but echoes that French 'Elegance' book where she lists an entire wardrobe from work to functions to events in half a page. However, she does list the summer wardrobe of cheaper and cheerful cottons and linens which she said only last a season... (thats us in Aust I think!!!). Anyhow, end of story was that I bought this lovely velvet NZ designed jacket (FAR less than the tshirt price I quoted!!!!) and literally wore it just about every day with everything from jeans to work, travelling etc. Alas I did put weight back on and finally decided to consignment store it as can't stand having things I don't wear (it had been going to go to the grave with me I loved it that much!!) and the store woman told me another woman wore it to go to her first singing gig audition where she needed something spectacular. Thought of a total love piece with your green jacket so hope it too has a colourful life - no pun intended!

Jen, I love your story about the boutique and the jacket - right down to the end where you allowed it to be loved by someone else rather than storing it as a museum piece (almost brings a tear to my eye!).

I love this philosophy and I am so excited you mention the "Elegance" book (I recently got an old copy and read it alongside Parisian Chic).

I am really between the minimal French ideal (or our ideal of the French ideal) of wardrobes and the more maximal American one (that seems to be about freedom to try lots of things) and find I learn from both, but am at a point where that restraint and selectiveness is more attractive to me.

Sharon; Please, please post more pics of your fabulous emerald jacket. I want to admire it from all sides and live/wear vicariously!

Fruitful, oh yes I swing too... Last time I lost weight (am I sounding obsessed at the moment), I literally had a minimalist core wardrobe very carefully thought through and bought what really went together etc and I ALWAYS had something to wear/felt great. ITs right now when its all weed-y that actually sends me nuts. I agree its our TAKE on what french women wear lol! Its become quite a phenomena. I have tried to work it out when I was lucky enough to be in Paris (and tried to hang where there weren't tourists!)... and really there are not many pretty women, but they are tiny, and there certainly is a look that is hard to put your finger on... I notice other European women lookhave some of the same but the looks are different in various areas. A few things I notice, very natural looking hair but its obviously been done in its own way because its not like mine when its not done!!, very little makeup, very little jewellery etc. I was blown away by the women in Milan who are all in all a lot taller than Spaniards and French. Again slim though with that no makeup/hair look. A perfectly coordinated outfit (and it was HOT when i was there so their 'suit' might be linen pants and matching jacket/top but it was like a 'suit' not a daggy tshirt with the linen pants like here, and ONE piece of jewellery. Might be an earring, OR a ring, OR a necklace. Even getting off the plane etc etc these women (and men for that manner) had that same clean, groomed, simple but stunning look. Should we go live there for a while and OBSERVE! Mind you I thought the stuff in the shops was very cruddy (Or Louis/PRADA etc in the big shops but normal people werent there anyhow)...

Fascinating about Europe, Jen! I'm particularly intrigued by the natural makeup/hair look you saw. And minimal jewellery.

Sharon, great choices! That emerald jacket is to die for. May I ask where you got it? You look fabulous in each of these pieces.
Edit... Just saw its VM