Brushstrokes

The party dress is one direction in which organza and tulle can be taken. For most of us the daytime means routine, composure, propriety.. A night out on the town is the perfect occasion for aspirational dressing, when personalities can manifest themselves through fashion (among other things). Colors, energy, freshness and a splash of romance, Dolce and Gabbana were onto something special in 2008..

I am flying back to Vienna tomorrow morning. I'll be there for a week and then it's off to Bulgaria to start work on some fantasy creations of my own.

Loves,

Vera

Ray of Light

So throughout the next couple of days I'll introduce some of the concepts that simply fascinate me. Raf Simon's SS08 collection for Jil Sander is a definite forerunner in my inspiration list. Minimal-monochromatic, fluid and loose.. unconstrained, uninhibited and free. These give me an idea of what it would be like to be wrapped up in light. The sheer organza and tulle are almost otherworldly..

What I'm thinking is this.. some lining for decency, paneling for shape and you have this vision translated into something completely wearable and still thoroughly fantastic..

Photo Credit: TFS

Maxi Dresses

When it comes to spring and summer, there are several pieces/silhouettes/concepts that fascinate me. One of them is the maxi dress. I found these magazine scans on TFS a couple of months ago, and they portray exactly what I mean.

Considering how androgynous style is becoming, long dresses have been cast away as something too definitive in their femininity . Or too constrictive, since they're closely associated with either formal affairs or the beach. But I'm not talking about anything Cavalli-esque. When it comes to daywear, I've never been a fan of clothes wearing the person. I'd rather have it the other way around with natural fabrics, solid colors, an easy flow.. And a biker or safari-jacket on top for a bit of whimsy in the city.

Rest of Trip

So the afternoon on the 11th we spent in LA. I've been to LA a couple of times and I don't like it very much to tell you the truth. There is too much going on, all these merged neighborhoods. It seems to me that the only way to enjoy the city is if you're in the industry. Music, film or fashion industry that is.
The next day (last Sunday, the 12th) we spent in Santa Barbara. It's a gorgeous town.






Then we headed to San Francisco. Passing San Luis Obispo we took the coastal highway. The scenery took my breath away. If you ever have the chance to take that drive, please do. It is amazing. The wine country is simply spectacular. We passed through San Simeon and stopped at a small vacation town called Cambria where we had some pies. Homemade pies, just like in the movies :). Unfortunately we missed the last tour in Hearst Castle, so we'll leave that experience for next time.














We spent the next day in San Francisco. Definitely one of my favorite cities. We went to Chinatown for lunch. I wanted to do something authentic, and the menu in the restaurant didn't have a word in english. We weren't exactly sure what we ordered.. and lol once the food arrived.. well let's say it was a bit too authentic for my taste.




Last stop was Reno. Unfortunately the battery on my camera was out by then. Overall it was a great trip. Gave me some ideas for next time..

If this post came through as a little.. rushed, it's because it is :). Time to put the traveling behind, and the fashion forward.

Loves,

Vera

Laguna Beach 04.11.09

So after spending half the day Friday enjoying the island of Coronado, we headed up the PCH (what an incredible scenic drive) to Laguna Beach. Yesterday I said that much of South Cali is 'beautiful but contrived'. Laguna Beach is a prime example that there's nothing wrong with being contrived. Job well done, this place is incredible.

P.S. I got this scarf on sale at Dillards (10$ down from 78$, score!)

San Diego - Coronado 04.11.09

So on Friday we spent most of the day in the Venetian (won a 100$ playing War yee!). We headed to San Diego in the late afternoon so we didn't make it there until 2:00 a.m.. I've been to Southern California a couple of times but I'd never made it further than Anaheim, so it was my first time in San Diego. It is one of the most beautiful cities I've been to, very idyllic and downright tropical.

Saturday morning we got up and went to the farmer's market next to Little Italy. Breakfast was super good. After that we took a drive around the old town and headed across the bridge to Coronado. We went straight to the beach.

Next time I go to San Diego I'll make sure I have at least a week there, I'd go the Zoo, Sea World and do a day trip to Tijuana. SoCal is BEAUTIFUL but much of it is somewhat.. contrived, skillfully put together so to say. San Diego's nothing but authentic. Too bad I was busy driving and didn't have the chance to take good pictures of it.

Las Vegas 04.09.09 - 2

What's Vegas without the nightlife? A friend of mine hooked us up with a table and bottle service at Blush in the Wynn Hotel & Casino. That was super sweet of her since a night out on the town does not come cheap in Vegas. I wore my mummy dress :). The positive reaction this dress has gotten has meant the world, thank you guys so much for the sweet comments and emails.

xx

Vera

Las Vegas 04.09.09 - 1

The next day, among other things, I met up with an old friend who lives in Vegas (pictured is my boyfriend, not the friend). Wore my favorite polka-dotted dress..

Las Vegas 04.08.09

Las Vegas is one of my favorite cities in the world. I go at least twice a year and it never fails to deliver. I love the food, I love the shows and I love the shopping. When it comes to the gambling, I mostly stick to the penny slots. And lower-minimum roulette :). The only card game I like playing is War (the dealer deals you and him/herself a card, the higher wins). It's super simple and super fun. I don't do blackjack, because I've never won playing it and I don't do poker because I don't know how :).

So we (myself, the boyf and a friend who flew in from Austria) arrived in Vegas after a 6 hr drive from Salt Lake City on Wednesday (the 8th), checked into the hotel and since the weather was nice enough we went swimming. Later we had dinner and started making our way accross the strip. I won't bore you with random Vegas shots. The first two pics capture the view from the suite. No Vegas experience is full without a floor-to-ceiling panorama of the strip :). The third is of me in Bellagio, very tourist-y, I know.

Voyage, Voyage

A week has gone by and my roadtrip has come to an end. I left with the funny notion that I'd be able to update the blog on the move, but getting around to it turned out next to impossible. This is how it went:

Pocatello (Idaho) - Salt Lake City - Las Vegas - San Diego - Laguna Beach - Los Angeles - Santa Barbara - Cambria - San Francisco - Reno - Pocatello



View Larger Map


I will tell you all about it and start posting pics up tomorrow.

Loves,

Vera

Blue sky

Summer's right around the corner :). Took my reading outside today and had some fun in the sun with my dogs.

Hope you guys enjoyed some nice weather as well where you are!

Loves,

Vera

The Great Outdoors

So here I am back in Idaho. I used to hate this place. It's hard to adjust when you're 14 and dragged to the prairie against your will :). But now I love it. It's authentic.
Anyway, so since I've been back I've been, among other things, reading books, trying to study, finishing up some of my pieces and eating everything in sight. Everything.
Next week I'm going on a roadtrip, I'll let you know more about it in a couple of days. Since traveling is a big, big part of my life, and this blog is a reflection of me, my posts are bound (at times) to be more lifestyle than fashion-related.

I'm wearing my step-father's shirt and vest and my chicana 'queen of hearts' t-shirt. Simón!

P.S. Check out the first pic, there's deer around my house haha.

Going Live

Last night was a lot of fun and Rudolf ended up being a lot more entertaining than I thought. Here I present to you Marlene and our first video collab. It's goofy and sort of fun lol, so if you have 30 sec, feel free to check it out.

Man, I decided I was a little hungry after the musical last night, and instead of the usual glass of GV, opted out for a doner kebap.. still paying the price for it. Anyway, haven't packed yet so I better get on it since the taxi should be here in about 30 min.

Talk to you from the other side,

V