Desyn

Myrtle, The Turtle

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Viljoen) — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 00:09:00 +0000

Friday August 22, 2025

After several years of absence in blogging, let's see if I still know how?

Colorful turtle tag along Pensacola Beach - and for those who do not know my middle name is Myrtle -

Greetings to the Turtle, V.

Getting back at it

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Viljoen) — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 21:56:00 +0000

I know it's been years since I blogged but I think it's time to do it again, Will be fun to see what I blog about these days, V.

Returning to Visuals - The Florida Keys!

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Viljoen) — Sun, 20 May 2012 15:30:00 +0000

As some of you may know, I got laid off from JCPenney. I see it as me been "one in the hundreds" that the company decided to part ways with. So, now what do I do? Prior to becoming a Shoe Supervisor with them, I worked for JCPenney as a Visual Merchandiser for 7 years and I absolutely loved it. Not only do I have a degree in the field, I simply enjoyed the thought process of deciding "what goes where and why"; "what will best work for your audience" and then the placement begins.

Samples of what I did over the years:

Training: Handbag Associate on the placement of aisle merchandise

Visuals: product placement

Clearance Merchandise: Making sure that the product is placed for the customer

I also loved interviewing fashion industry players on the Red Carpet when I lived just outside of Los Angeles.

LA Fashion Awards: Fred Segal

California Market Center - Sourcing New Lines

So why the Keys?
Initially, I was going to move back to LA.
But after my first visit to Key West, I knew that I could live there. The living expense in LA is extremely high and so it is in Key West. There are a lot of similarities between these two cities and since Key West is closer to me, I've decided to go there. I will be one more person who has decided to make the Keys their home. If I was able to make it in LA, I should be fine in Key West. I'll keep you all posted on how I market myself as a Visual Merchandiser for my new location. Greetings, V.

Mannequins - are an intricate part of visuals - I donated mine when I left LA - what do you know, I'll be needing them again -

She's no longer a bride/wife (1997 - 2012) - all the more reason for me and a change in location - -

Pretty and scenic in the Keys

And yes, bikes and more bikes in the Keys.

Till my next post everyone, V.

Yesterday - Gram's Place

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Viljoen) — Sat, 19 May 2012 22:15:00 +0000

Yesterday, I decided to go to Gram's Place to listen to some music. In photo above, you can see the green ring that I wore to complement my outfit. As is true to Gram"s Place, they had music there last night. Steve Vaclavik and the Woeful Ones delighted us with their unique sound.

While I was listening to the music, these wooden chairs caught my eye. The style of the chairs reminded me on the ones during my early years at school. Next I went to view the creative flow of Resident Artist, Leigh Rose's, work in the Amsterdam Room.

True to form, tulips made the list as she continues to leave a feel of Amsterdam on the walls of the space. It's a wrap - now onto focusing on my life and the things that need my attention, V.

Long Dresses

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Viljoen) — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:24:00 +0000

Recently, I got two long dresses to add to my wardrobe. It turns out that I love the flow of the fabric and the ease that a long dress offers.

While in the Keys a few days ago, I got these fun, skimmery sandals. They are gladiator styled shoes with three ankle straps and they turn out to be extremely comfortable.

See this bird that came by my back porch this morning.
Readers have a great weekend and enjoy Mother's Day - V.

Reflecting -

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Viljoen) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 23:02:00 +0000

This week was steady. I'm glad it's Friday. Time for me to reflect and just keep all the pieces of my life together. At work we had "Best Price Friday" again which now happens the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month. In photo above, I bought these converse babes for $18.00 as oppose to the usual $40.00.

My divorce date is set for May 15, 2012. Hopefully, that will be it and his chapter of my life will come to a close. It looks like I will be fine as I continue to reflect on where my life and I are going. Till my next post. I need to get back to blogging again on a continued basis. Break a Leg - Have a great weekend, V.

Jeans at Work: JCPenney

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Viljoen) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 03:28:00 +0000

Things at JCPenney continue to change. Now we are allowed to wear just about anything to wear. Gone are the days of restricted dress code. The latest change at JCPenney involves our ability to wear jeans to work. See photo above of me in my skinny jeans with converse sneakers which is also now allowed with the updated guidelines.

An associate from another department did the same at work today: jeans and sneakers. We'll have to see how the customers respond to the "new and improved" JCPenney minus it's coupons. Will keep you my readers posted - later, V.

Music & Skinny Jeans: Gram's Place

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Viljoen) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 22:25:00 +0000

Guitars: intrical part of Gram's Place.

Yesterday, I decided to go and listen to music at Gram's Place. When deciding on what to wear, I went for my skinny jeans. Here's an image of what I decided to wear with the jeans:

Gram's Place reminds alot of Don Pedro's in Cape Town, South Africa. The energy is laid back, easy and sensuality is in the air. While at Gram's Place I took some images with my cell phone. As you view them, you can tell that it's time I bring out my other camera. Will keep you posted. Images from last night:

Audience @ Gram's Place listening to the music.

The stage is light with colorful lights
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Now that I have more than one pair of skinnys to wear, I may just wear skinnys again when I visit Bruce Holland and his staff @ Gram's Place. It's a wrap, V.

Jeans for the Lady,

Best Prices: $15.00 for Boots @JCPenney!

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Viljoen) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:29:00 +0000

Given the changes that JCPenney had made at their stores since February 1, "Best Price Friday" has been a huge hit. We were busy on Friday ..............and here is the set of boots I bought for just $15.00. These boots were originally $100.00.

Let's see what I buy on the next cycle.
To my readers, have any of you stopped by JCPenney lately? The retailer has gone "fashion forward". It's a wrap - till my next post, V.

Best Prices: JCPenney!

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Viljoen) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 05:42:00 +0000

With the changes on the salesfloor at JCPenney, "Best Prices" is a term that will now replace "Clearance Prices" for the customer.

Tomorrow, we will be having merchandise that are HUGE DEALS.
In photo above, the cocktail rings are $1.00.
Women's clothes: $2.00
And then women's boots: $15.00 a pair.
These are all items from last season.
Come and stop by the store. I'll be at JCPenney, Port Richey, FL.
Best V.

Red Shoes: Valentine's Day 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Viljoen) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 04:20:00 +0000

See these pretty red shoes that I got from JCPenney. I initially got them for Valentine's Day but needless to say I went with comfort and wore black wedge booties instead. Happy Valentine's Day to all. Till my next post, V.

Love, peace & sandy toes

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Viljoen) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:25:00 +0000

Tank top I got at St Pete beach.
V.

I love the Beach - Sunset Beach Park, FL.

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Viljoen) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:24:00 +0000

The other day I discovered this new beach - Sunset Beach Park in Tarpon Springs, Florida. It's a small, intimate, little beach with just a handful of people. As I was deciding which images to capture, I saw the writing "I love the beach" on the sand. And needless to say, I just had to capture the phrase. Hence the photo above.

What's a visit to the beach without "sunset images?"

My cousin wanted me to post a photo of me. So here goes. This one I took the same day at the beach.

Enjoy the weekend, V.

My Dreads - Changing Them or Not?

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Viljoen) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:43:00 +0000

Okay, so here's the deal. I have had my dreads for a few years now and I'm starting to think that I may have to cut them off and do something different with my hair again........................I'll keep my readers posted on what I decide about my dreads. Photo above was taken yesterday after work. Best V.

Tights for 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Viljoen) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 04:43:00 +0000

I have always had an interest in textured, graphic tights. I used to love viewing the tights that the Look of London had on display when they came to MAGIC. So, now I finally decided to give "textured tights" a chance. I'll keep you all posted on how I wear them. Best V.

Gold Wedding Dress

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Viljoen) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:48:00 +0000

In photo above the gold wedding dress has amazing. Even though it's a wood carving, the gold glimmer made me think of how glamorous the real dress was. Image taken at Thai Restaurant, New Port Richey, FL.

Design at Gram's Hostel - Tampa, FL.

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Viljoen) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 01:47:00 +0000

The design elements at Gram's Place Hostel in Tampa, Florida was electic, interesting and "going down memory lane" for me. Photo above which was at the front jazzuci section of the location, reminded me of my times in both Amsterdam and Key West, hence the photo I captured.

The Country Room

For my stay at Gram's I booked into the Country Room. When I decided which bed to claim as mine, I went for the bed that had the window just above the bed. In life there's nothing like natural light.

For further info on Gram's Place: http://www.grams-inn-tampa.com/
It's a wrap, V.

Sharing Images

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Viljoen) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 22:05:00 +0000

Xmas at The Pier and The Postcard Inn St Petersburg, FL.

Giving Back - Salvation Army

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Viljoen) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:37:00 +0000

This time of the year it's always good to clean out our closets. I just did that and donated my old clothes to the Salvation Army. V.

My Birthday 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Viljoen) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:26:00 +0000

Birthday cake from a colleague. Dec 16th

A few days ago I had a birthday. At work I was suprised with a birthday cake, the birthday song and best wishes. Happy Birthday to me as 2011 remains to be a bitter sweet one. At this rate, it looks like my divorce will be final in 2012. Greetings V.

Diane von Furstenberg: Paris

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Viljoen) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 02:57:00 +0000

DVF continues to inspire women around the world.

Joanna Berdzinska: Makeup Artist

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Viljoen) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 06:13:00 +0000

Makeup Artisit, Joanna Berdzinska has ideas on the flawless outcome of makeup on our skin that I'd love to apply. Here are some her "do's" that I plan to follow:

Take time to find a foundation that perfectly matches your skin tone.
Plan to wax or tweeze your eyebrows before an event.
Limit the coats of mascara applied to two.
Inorder to keep your skin looking fresh, Berdzinska recommends Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist.

For more on Berdzinska's work - PROwen (Jane Owen)
or http://www.jbmakeup.com/

Shoe Ornament: 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Viljoen) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 02:12:00 +0000

Sometimes it brings a smile to my face when others know what I like.
At work an associate introduced me to the "shoe ornament" that I since bought.

Soon it will be Xmas 2011, V.

The Water - NPR

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Viljoen) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:25:00 +0000

I'm getting use to my new place.

Just spent a short while along the water.

Images are from my new surroundings. . . Later, V.

IFB Conference 2011: NYC

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Viljoen) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 14:51:00 +0000

Indepedent Fashion Bloggers will be having a day conference during New York Fashion Week, September 7th at Mac & Milk Studios. And then they will also be having a similiar one in London on September 16th. Are any of my readers going to either? It is so exciting to see how the world of blogging has expanded over the years. V.
Links:
IFB NYC
IFB LONDON