BEAUTY + BANGS

ph: ELLE España

Does this not make you want to reach for the scissors?
I've always had a love/hate relationship with bangs. This makes them look so tempting!

Get the look...

Marriage

Sometimes marriage is kind of hard.

Right before I got married, I had a dear [married] friend tell me "Victoria, you and Heath are going to fight a lot when you first get married. And that's okay. You are both adjusting to living with someone else and trying to figure things out and if you fight a lot, it doesn't mean you shouldn't have gotten married. It's normal."

And I remember thinking to myself, No, we have known each other for a long time and we have seen each other at our worst. We are going to be so happy and never fight! 

HAHAHAHAHAHA.

Okay I don't know what I was thinking... Seriously. Not that H and I fight 24/7, and not that we aren't happy..... But yeah. We fight. A lot more than I originally thought. And most of the time, it isn't ever anything big. Most of the time it's little disagreements where we get mad at each other and then 5 seconds later we are apologizing and making up.

I guess I forgot to put into account that 1. I am extremely sensitive and emotional, and 2. He's a boy. Seriously--most of the time when we're "fighting" I'll say something like "I'm mad that we're fighting again" and H will be like, "Wait, we're fighting?" Boys, I swear...

Like I said earlier, most of our fights are because I'm overly sensitive and H isn't. Take last night for instance.... We are sitting in bed, and I am eating top ramen while H is trying to figure out how to log into our Verizon account. He doesn't know our zip code.

V: How do you not know our zip code?
H: I don't know... What is it?
V: Wow, for someone so smart, you can be kind of stupid sometimes. [Yes, I admit... I probably shouldn't have said that. But he seriously always knows everything. And really, it baffles me that someone wouldn't know their own zip code!]
*Silence*
And then I proceeded to drop my brand new iPhone 5 into my bowl of ramen. And H rolled his eyes and I picked it up, and all the juice was dripping off of it... and then I dropped it in the bowl of ramen... again. At which point H says, "Oh, and you're calling me stupid?" [Totally deserved that one.]
And then I stormed out of the room mad and washed off my phone. And when I came back, I faced the wall [instead of him] and sighed angrily every 5 seconds until I fell asleep. WHICH YOU SHOULD NEVER DO.

And then about 20 minutes later, I wake up to H snuggling up behind me and kissing me, saying he's sorry. And then I apologized, and everything was magically all better.

So yeah... H and I have little fights all the time. And sometimes it makes me sad and sometimes I look at other married couples and think Oh, I bet they never fight! and guess what? I'm wrong. It's normal. And it doesn't mean you don't love each other or that you have a bad marriage. Because I know for a fact that H and I have an amazing marriage. I just happen to be extremely sensitive about everything!

I don't think it matters if you and your spouse/significant other fight, or how often you fight... I think what's really important is what happens after the fight. I think that in any relationship, it's important for you to be able to let go of your pride and admit you are wrong. Before I met H, I had a hard time admitting I was wrong. I was prideful. But when H and I were dating and engaged, I had to learn to apologize first. [Because most of the time, what we were fighting about was my fault. Or because he didn't even know we were fighting...haha]

One of my favorite quotes is this:

This is something that I have to remember every day in my marriage. Yeah, H and I will probably argue about little things for the rest of our lives, but it doesn't mean that we don't love each other. And if we can learn to forgive and forget easily, our lives will be so much happier.

Anyway.

I'm no expert on marriage, but this is something that I feel very strongly about, so I thought I'd share!



Oh, and PS--

I need to talk about my amazing new blog design! Rylee Blake spruced up my blog and I am so excited about it! [Now some of you may judge me for paying someone to do this for me, but HEY. I seriously tried for so long and watched/read so many tutorials, but I could never get it exactly the way I wanted it! So I felt totally justified in paying someone to make it perfect. And I personally felt like it was affordable, too!] Her services and pricing are listed here. [And she even has some awesome tutorials!]

Thanks so much Rylee! :)

Plaid and stripes ...

                                                                                    CLICK TO SEE MORE

                                                                                      shoes: mango,
                                                                                      pants: bershka,
                                                                                      shirt: zara,
                                                                                      blazer: zara,
                                                                                      scarf: koan,
                                                                                      beanie: zara man,
                                                                                      sunglasses: raen,
                                                                                      belt: h&m,
                                                                                      watch: michael kors,
                                                                                      ph. Maja

Okay, I know it's not so interesting to look at the same background but two more posts made for Elle, and we will continue with the regular outfits! :)
In this one, it's all about stripes and plaid, which mix I adore!
Do you like it?

p.s. don't forget to join the Giveaway post Here!

Pause from work

 

 It felt like Spring today, the sun was shining so beautiful, but there was melted snow everywhere, puddles and mud. Horrible. And I remember that two nights ago it snowed so beautifully, everything was white..Strange. 

Can't take too much time, I have to work, so, see you soon! 

 Wearing: New Yorker shorts, thrifted shirt, Stradivarius blazer, Bershka coat, Deichmann boots, vintage bag, Parfois turquoise rings, H&M other rings.

 

THREE NEW WAYS TO CARRY YOUR HANDBAG

Posted by Bethan Holt, Junior Fashion Editor at Large

Weird and wonderful ways of holding bags is no new fashion phenomenon. Take a second look at any catwalk show and you will see that a very specific strategy for the holding of accessories has been masterminded so that it is elevated beyond its mere status as a constructed object to become a kind of ideology. This week, there are some updates to report in the world of handbag placement trends. Pay attention...

1. VICTORIA BECKHAM'S "GIANT BAG AS A CLUTCH"

The neatness and petiteness of a clutch bag has made the whole handbag holding dilemma far simpler since they became acceptable for daytime use. However, the ever practical Mrs Beckham has thrown a spanner in the works this week by visually suggesting that we take a giant, structured leather holdall and pretend it's a clutch. It looks quite awkward and would probably only work if your bag contained only tissue paper.

2. THE ONE SHOULDER RUCKSACK

Did you hear Melanie talking about rucksacks on Radio 4 on Tuesday? If you did, then you'll know that the coolest way to carry the coolest bag of the moment is to sling it over one shoulder, rather than going the whole preppy hog and hoiking it up on both shoulders. It may look nonchalant, but this method is actually the most practical, allowing quick access to your worldly goods. See Cara Delevingne.

3. THE ACROSS THE BODY IN FRONT OF THE BODY

There's no doubt that a bag with a cross-body strap is a life friendly option, leaving hands free for holding hands, drinking tea and the such. However, if you have even a trace of boob, they tend to be extremely unflattering, nestling into your cleavage and creating all sorts of awkward folds and creases. There's an ingenious solution to this issue- to place your bag at the front of your body so that it frames your torso rather than cutting it up.

A clever caped showgoer (via refinery29.com)

Arizona Muse at the shows (via harpersbazaar.com)

NUDE NAILS | BURGUNDY TIPS

ph: Shopbop Shoptalk | Vogue UK

Love this simple nail inspiration. A burgundy tip looks great over bare nails or over a layer of nude polish. To get the look, try this burgundy + this nude polish.

ps- how great do the nails look with that Pamela Love ring + 3.1 Phillip Lim clutch?!

Sheinside Giveaway ...

                                                                                       CLICK TO SEE MORE


Hello lovely people! I have great news for you today! New Giveaway thanks to Sheinside.com!
You have a chance to win $100 gift card to spend on their website!
Here are the rules:

1) Register on Sheinside.（Click the following link to register on sheinside.com

http://www.sheinside.com/login_register.php）

2)Like the Sheinside Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/Sheinside) 

3) Leave a comment here with the Product link of your favourite  piece and leave your email address and

4) Follow my blog in the easiest way for you (Bloglovin', Facebook page or GFC ) .

That's it! 

You have seven days ('till next Wednesday, sixth of February) to join and participate!

Good luck!

                                                                    ....................................................................

Zahvaljujući Sheinside.com sajtu, narednih sedam dana imate novu priliku da se prijavite i učestvujete u Giveaway postu! Ovoga puta, biramo jednog pobednika koji će osvojiti vaučer od $100 a može ga potrošiti na njihovom sajtu!
Potrebno je da:
1. se registrujete na Sheinside.com sajtu (ukoliko već imate profil ne morate ponavljati ovaj korak),

2. 'Lajkujete' Sheinside.com stranicu na Facebook-u (Ovde)
3. Ostavite link do vašeg omiljenog komada sa Sheinside.com sajta u okviru komentara ispod ovog posta, kao i email adresu koju ste koristili pri registraciji i

4.  Pratite moj blog na vama najlakši način (GFC- sa desne strane bloga, preko Bloglovin`-a ili da lajkujete Facebook stranicu).

Igramo se do sledeće srede (06.02.), kada će pobednik biti odlučen pomoću random.org sajta!

Želim vam puno sreće! :)

HOORAY FOR HOUSE OF HACKNEY

Posted by Bethan Holt, Junior Fashion Editor at Large

Today you should definitely pick up a copy of The Guardian, or head to the site to read Melanie's article all about how Made in Britain fashion is getting back in its groove, with everyone from ASOS to  Mulberry getting in on the action. During our research, I spoke to Frieda Gormley who along with her husband Javvy is the mastermind behind House of Hackney. If you haven't seen their stuff before, then be prepared to fall in love with their eccentrically British, fabulously printed aesthetic which plays out on everything from eiderdowns to lampshades to pyjamas and dresses.

Javvy M Royle and Frieda Gormley, creators of House of Hackney

This isn't just about looking like a brilliant blend of traditional English with a fresh twist; one of Freida and Javvy's founding principles is that everything should be Made in Britain. "When we started House of Hackney, the idea was so British that it was of paramount importance for us to manufacture in Britain" Frieda told me last week, "we spent six months driving around the UK, visiting factories and artisans". If that's not dedication to the cause, I don't know what is. It's not like Frieda and Javvy came at their business without any understanding of what they were letting themselves in for. Prior to setting up House of Hackney, Frieda was a buyer at Topshop where she worked on a project to create a collection of tailoring with Manchester factory, Coopers and Stollbrand so she knew all about the benefits and challenges which come with working with UK factories. She says one of their biggest problems is that they just can't do volume, which is perhaps why the recent Made in Britain revival has, on the whole, been one of niche, artisan products. Javvy had worked as a designer which means they had a dream team set-up for their business from the very beginning.

A room of Dalston Rose

A lovely summer dress in Dalston Candy 

There was never any intention to do fashion, despite that being their background. It was all about filling the gap they saw in interiors for a brand which wasn't minimal and bland, as had been the general trend for so long. When they began in 2010, the print revival in fashion coincided with what they were wanting to see in interiors. And so they created Dalston Rose which has a hint of the Toile de Jouy about it, with its blue and white colourway but with a more freehand English rose pattern. Then there's Hackney Empire, a collage of curious animals including badgers, bird and koalas. House of Hackney works with Stead McAlpin, a printers in Cumbria where the number of employees has risen from 45 to 150 in the past three years. Their look makes me think perhaps of Oscar Wilde's drawing room? Or an imagined version of Marie Antoinette's English country home?

A Hackney Empire boudoir

Wear the print: Hackney Empire bomber and joggers 

It wasn't long before the call to do fashion came, from none other than Opening Ceremony. "We launched early in 2011 and a month later they were asking us to do clothes" Frieda says, somewhat knowingly. There must have been some awareness, having come from the fashion industry, that what they were doing would attract attention from those quarters. In some ways, it reminds of the Laura Ashley story, a cool young couple making a modern version of something with heritage appeal and quickly branching out from fabrics to fashion. Frieda and Javvy work with the "inspiring" Jenny Holloway to produce their fashion collection, which will hit ASOS next week and is already stocked at Lane Crawford and Liberty. Barney's have also shown an interest. Holloway believes in fair conditions and a happy workforce. What Frieda loves most is that "everyone who works there is like us and their salary is going back into our community" which is a good way to sum up why Made in Britain makes so much sense.

A couple of years later and House of Hackney is going from strength to strength. We can go to them for anything from a big furniture or interior design commision to a pretty scarf or tea cup. What's more, Frieda and Javvy are more dedicated than ever to doing their bit for bringing manufacturing back to the UK. As Frieda puts it, "Javvy and I are really passionate about British manufacturing. We want to go beyond House of Hackney. Our medium term plan is to help factories get better at those bigger volumes and also to perhaps open our own factory. From a social point of view, we want to inspire people".

Outfit post - Tonight

Hello everyone!! I can say that today was my "epiphany" day!
I have never been more aware of who I am and what I'm meant to
do and that's my dear readers pretty awesome feeling.
I hope that every one of you has this same feeling going on.
I'm going to the gallery Galleria 4-kuus, here in Helsinki tomorrow
to meet my curator and talk about the press release and some other
small details regarding the upcoming exhibition.
Also, hopefully next week my art work will be up online for sale at
Agora gallery's webshop Art Mine.
I'll keep you posted :)

I'm just super positive and excited about life right now like I've never been
before and I hope that you get some of my positivity by reading this
post. Lots of love to everyone and keep on rockin' girls :)

I'm wearing: Shoes - Stuart Weitzman, Jeans - Mango, Top - Mango,
Clutch - Accessorize, Necklace & bracelet - COS, Ring - Deni design,
Jacket - Zara

WHITE + BRIGHT

ph: Style Lovely | Chic to Chic

Love this mix. Throw on a white, flowy dip-hem button up, cuffed white denim, a few bracelets, a simple black clutch, a great pair of bright, yet simple statement heels + you're set!

Get the look...

Pink

Today I'd like to show you the outfit which could be both for day and for evening. It's a great solution when we want to go to restaurant, movies or theatre immediately after we've finished work. I combined the rose, flared, knee-length skirt with the black, leather jacket. The two-coloured, silken scarf makes the whole thing more vivid. What do you think of such a combination?

Dziś mam dla Was propozycję stylizacji zarówno na co dzień jak i na wieczór. Jest to bardzo dobre rozwiązanie, kiedy od razu po pracy wybieramy się do restauracji, kina czy teatru. W zestawie tym połączyłam różową, rozkloszowaną spódnicę do kolan, z czarną skórzaną kurtką, ożywiając ją dwukolorowym jedwabnym szalikiem. Co myślicie o takim połączeniu?

Skórzana kurtka: United Colors of Benetton

Spódnica: Art Fashion 

(projekt własny)

Torebka: No name

Szalik: Pure Silk

Buty: Kazar

Biżuteria: Bijou Brigitte

Lakier: Inglot nr.362

GETTING SPORTY WITH STELLA MCCARTNEY

Posted by Bethan Holt, Junior Fashion Editor at Large

There are plenty of brands around who you may think are trying to sell you a pair of shoes, or a jumper but really it's all about the life. Ralph Lauren and his wholesome all-American good life comes to mind as a classic example.  But if there's one woman who represents a perfected version of modern life, and can sell you must of the stuff you need to look the part, then Stella McCartney is your woman. Obviously, if you're going to look good in your strapless jumpsuit then exercise should be a key component of the Stella way of living, hence her almost decade long collaboration with Adidas. With that in mind, I popped over to Stella's Adidas store on Brompton Road to have a peek at the new Spring/ Summer collection and meet the woman herself.

Stella and I

"It's so much easier to lie on the sofa watching TV and eating a brownie" is one of the first things Stella tells us, "this collection is really about encouraging and inspiring something which isn't always so easy". The store is dotted with pieces which look almost too good to get sweaty in; icy blue metallic shorts, leopard print jackets, ditsy English garden florals and a very appealing tennis dress called The Barricade. On the walls, are zinging, psychedelic campaign images with models doing back flips, leaps and sprints. It really does make you want to get up and go.

"These are the pieces women deserve" Stella McCartney

It's easy now to take for granted that us girls have plenty of choice when it comes to really stylish yet technical and functional sportswear. But it was Stella McCartney's Adidas hook-up which really spurred on the world of sport to play fashion catch-up. It all began with a respect for the technical prowess of sportswear. "I wanted to do a sneaker on the runway, but I've never been a huge fan of fashion sneakers. I like sneakers to be technical, then bring fashion to it" Stella says. And so, women finally had something really desirable to wear when they exercised, rather than apologetically throwing on their boyfriend's musty old t-shirt. There's still progress to be made though Stella insists, "women in sport are totally undervalued. Men drive the industry, they have more investment. Football is king. These are reasons to encourage women to do sport".

Multiple collections, forays into many sports and one Olympics design job later, Stella's outlook is still pretty empowering. She uses words like "bold"and "celebrate" in reference to the latest offering. "Let's not apologise for anything" is the mantra. Her own latest exercise obsession is paddle boarding, so naturally she's catered for that. "I love that you're just outside, experiencing nature. If you get a chance to paddle board outside in the freezing cold Thames it's pretty delightful" she enthuses, though perhaps we should wait until it heats up a little for that foray?

Stella McCartney for Adidas SS13. All about "the real joy of working out"

"I'm over feeling ashamed that you might bump into someone you know when you're running.
When I run I want to feel like if I run into someone, I'm proud of the way I look" Stella McCartney

There are elements of Stella's ready-to-wear which have crept into the Adidas collection, despite efforts to keep them quite separate over the years. The Resort collection leopard print, the SS13 ditsy florals and popping bright colours, but all given a techy acid makeover. McCartney denies that sportswear being fashionable is any new thing, "there's always been energy in sportswear. I don't think it's just now. Think of the 80s. At some stage everything ends up on a runway. It's always been part of what I do". The added benefit of an Adidas x Stella McCartney product is that it will be infused with technology like Climacool or Techfit or some cutting edge new invention like water-free dye. It's a level of functionality which you don't see on most brands. And ethics, which we all know is a huge part of the no fur, no leather Stella life. But not even she is completely flawless; it was up to Adidas to teach her about the harmful effects of PVC.

In case you live on Planet Zog, you will be aware that it was Stella who was responsible for Team GB's kit at last year's olympics, all those slinky racing suits and peplum podium jackets. However she's actually just like you (maybe) and me (definitely) when it comes to what the Olympics meant. "My memory of it is more just experiencing it, like all of you guys. It was so surreal that I'd worked on it and when I watched it, those were things I designed. It was just too huge and surreal to think of it that way". Luckily, she's up for doing it all over again too, "I'd love to do it again, I'd do it forever and ever".

Images courtesy of Stella McCartney/ Adidas. Visit the Stella McCartney for Adidas store at 97, Brompton Road.

Today I...

 

 I just love those jeans and I can't get enough of that cut, but I have to or I'll ruin them in this weather. I walked a lot today in search of a place to shoot, my feet were tired and wet, my hair got frizzy, I was cold and I got moody. Winter sucks for photos, that's the truth! 

I went today to get the photos from my project, (can't wait to make a selection and post them here) and I sat at the pastry shop eating a chocolate croissant (someone's gonna get fat soon); it was just a delicious moment! Those kind of moments that fit in your life perfectly.

Now I am working on some details, so stay tuned for news. 

 Don't forget to enter the MsDressy GIVEAWAY HERE!

 

Wearing: New Yorker jeans, thrifted sweater and belt, Georgia scarf, Meli Melo bag, random brand coat, MiniPrix boots.