Summer Where Art Thou

No one wants summer break more than teenagers, especially because the anticipation of traveling will become a temporary reality.  Even if the only traveling done is going on a short road trip, getting away from the normal is not only thrilling but necessary in order to keep from going absolutely crazy!  These outfits are to help me to start planning for my upcoming adventures while I visit my family in Europe this June and July.  

Dream on by vomitonmyface featuring Fornasetti

NLY Trend black romper, $42 / Only hearts bra / Victoria s Secret gladiator flat / Jigsaw pocket bag, $250 / Ray-Ban adjustable glasses / Tattly tattoo makeup / Byredo fragrance, $160 / Fornasetti drinkware, $330

Also, I found out how distracting Polyvore can be today.  You can follow my Polyvore at vomitonmyface if you would like.  Yes it is a strange username but hey there are some good posts, so don't judge the sets by the username!

Summer where art thou by vomitonmyface featuring Miss Selfridge

Athena Procopiou boho chic top / Free people top / Zara boyfriend jeans / Topshop black sandals / Clare V overnight bag / Miss Selfridge necklace / Rag Bone fedora hat / The Row cat eye glasses

And so I leave you with these sets and this beautiful quote to think about as you are fantasizing for the upcoming summer heat.

     “Travel is little beds and cramped bathrooms. It’s old television sets and slow Internet connections. Travel is extraordinary conversations with ordinary people. It’s waiters, gas station attendants, and housekeepers becoming the most interesting people in the world. It’s churches that are compelling enough to enter. It’s McDonald’s being a luxury. It’s the realization that you may have been born in the wrong country. Travel is a smile that leads to a conversation in broken English. It’s the epiphany that pretty girls smile the same way all over the world. Travel is tipping 10% and being embraced for it. Travel is the same white T-shirt again tomorrow. Travel is accented sex after good wine and too many unfiltered cigarettes. Travel is flowing in the back of a bus with giggly strangers. It’s a street full of bearded backpackers looking down at maps. Travel is wishing for one more bite of whatever that just was. It’s the rediscovery of walking somewhere. It’s sharing a bottle of liquor on an overnight train with a new friend. Travel is “Maybe I don’t have to do it that way when I get back home.” It’s nostalgia for studying abroad that one semester. Travel is realizing that “age thirty” should be shed of its goddamn stigma.” 

                ― Nick Miller

Nina vs New York City

 ...this summer. This summer came and went without barely any notice of it.  All that is left are memories and photographs tainted with my hopes and dreams for the future.  The only exciting event worthy of explanation is the one hell of a trip to The city, The big apple, The jungle that is New York City.

For one thrilling week of my life I had the privilege to leave behind the confides of the cookie cutter town in which I live to actually learn from experiences and lectures that are relevant to me.  Well relevant to the fashion industry.  Through LIM college I was given up and close encounters with different aspects of the business.

For instance, on the third day day during the program we had a field trip to The Knit Resource Center in the garment district.  While there we were able to talk to the Manager, this amiable woman who instantly made you feel like you were part of their tight knit family.  She really opened up my mind to product development and went in depth of what she really does.  What makes this company so unique is their mission. They work with designers to solve their issues with any items involved with knitted materials and also to provide samples of the designers vision.  They truly are what transforms the idea in to reality.

While on the tour we visited an archive of thread and yarn and everything else you could imagine.  It was all categorized by which designer had used them in the past and which designer still owned all the materials.  I immediately gravitated towards the sticky note labeled with the infamous name of Alexander Wang.  What lied before me was fluorescent gold.  Our kind tour guide laughed at our astonishment and kindly gave us a demonstration of how the thread worked and also explained the obstacles that came along with it.  Often times she referenced to Mr. Wang as "Alex".  At this point I felt sick because she is on a first name basis with a man I adore and hope to have the pleasure of working with in the future.  And also because it isn't everyday you get to hear this enthralling gossip.  Then came the time when we saw it illuminate and brought to life.  I kid you not I was in such shock of what was happening in this cramped closet that I couldn't even speak when I was able to touch it.  Part of me wanted to rip off a piece of this infamous thin glow in the dark thread and take it back with me.  But another part of me wasn't ready to take the risk of going to jail.  So yes, my love for Mr. Wang and his ease of infusing modern beauty easily made The Knit Resource Center the highlight of my week.

Throughout the week I tried to accomplish as many tourist things that I could do while trying to look like a native.  The most difficult proved to be transportation.  Navigating public transportation and walking around city blocks are extremely difficult to the average suburbian, even my iphone5 was lost.  By the end of the week I was still unsuccessful at catching a taxi, very uncivilized of myself.  However without my friend Christina I would have easily never made it out of the city.

Below are some pictures of my favorite memories  

Entertaining myself on the plane with Grace Coddingtons: Grace A Memoir

                                 

The first real view of the city

Peaceful evening in Central Park

A break during the first class of the day in Bryant Park 

"She's got the city in her eyes"

My partner hard at work

A little tour on top of the Empire State with the good old mom

This was kind of a big deal

                                       

Arguably the best meal I have ever eaten in the chicest French bistro

                                     
                                         

                                         


That week was the the feeling you get during turbulence on an airplane.  At first its unsettling and it feels like your stomach is going to soar out of your body, yet odd enough you can handle it and are craving for more of the rush.  The rush that is life, that is experiences, that is more than you have ever had.  That is when you you know that you are ready for the world beyond the suburbs.

            -Nina

Review: Zara Ballerina With Ankle Strap

At first glance one can immediately tell that there is something magical about these ballerina flats.  They aren't your average shoes that you can pick up from the nearest Payless.  They are unique in every way, the look channels a time of subtle sexiness from the 1920's, with nude colors and eye-catching gems that flaunt your legs.  Whenever I close the ankle clasp I immediately have a new sense of identity.  Gone is the dorky suburban raised girl and instead there is a new me, there is an essence of Daisy Buchanan from The Great Gatsby.  If I am ever in need of a pick me up, my go to is a swipe of Chanel Rose Comete lipstick and these glimmering flats, within moments my spirits are raised.  Which is quite ridiculous honestly!

On another note, these beauties are composed of almost all goat leather.  This was my first purchase from Zara that was of this material and I am pleased with the great craftsmanship that Zara upholds.  The soft pale goat leather is incredibly durable and withstood a One Direction concert without a dent or scratch on them.  The sole is 100% rubber which makes it as easy to walk in these as it would a pair of Nike's.  All in all there are only positive things to be said.  If you think otherwise you should highly question your brains ability and then go to your closest Zara to bask in all its glory.

When I purchased these Zara Ballerina Flats in late April the price was 90 US dollars and with tax the total came to an astounding 96 dollars, which is a bargain if you ask me.  However now they are on sale on the Zara website for a whooping 50 dollars!  Because of the lasting quality, timeless appeal and the versatility of these flats I have decided to purchase a second pair for when the leather gets completely worn out and the sole pulverized under my barbaric feet.  I assure you I am not crazy, just crazy for these shoes. 

    With Love,
                 Nina Xx

Gem Encrusted Ankles

About a month ago I went to South Beach Miami with one of my friends.  We were on a mission to get these dungarees from Zara.  After the two hour drive, the frantic rush searching the store, and annoying the workers; we were disappointed beyond belief when we were told that they were all sold out!

Luckily my friend was able to find short dungarees in her size!  For a couple of months I had been eyeing a pair of nude flats that Rose Huntington-Whitley wore(as seen below).  So when I saw those shoes in the store I was almost shaking at the epitome of its perfection.  They are almost identical! 

I have to say that I am extremely pleased that they are produced with such quality care and materials that most Zara products have.  Another positive thing about these shoes is that they are easy to break in.  I wore them once for a half hour and they adjusted right to the shape of my feet without any discomfort! They really dress up an everyday outfit and make it special and they were definitely worth every penny! Pictures with a full review will be posted soon, currently on a tight deadline for school but feel free to leave comments or ask questions!

-Xx Nina