VEGA is the eldest daughter, who is soooo very creative and intensely interested in style & fashion and quality literature.

WANTS TO VISIT: Morocco, Turkey, Scandanavia, Ireland, & Central America.

16 February 2014

Hey guys!

I apologize for the inconsistency of my posting, but I don't have constant access to a computer available, and sometimes I simply forget.

Anyway.

Todays' post is about something dear to my heart - music. This is often my escape, and a way to express my feelings in a relatively straightforward way.

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Radio.

In New Zealand there are about 70-ish stations, a few are country wide, but a lot are regional/amateur/university etc.

Frequency finder here

Some are available to stream here

We as a family listen to Life FM, but as our own musical libraries have expanded, we tend to listen less.

I enjoy NewstalkZB (talkback, sport, current affairs), and Radio New Zealand Concert (classical, opera, jazz, etc.) . I used to listen to Radio NZ National, but I prefer NewstalkZB for (often hilarious) un-politically correct views and opinion!

I have not researched the availability of overseas radio here, but I know that it is certainly an option with good internet access.

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Free New Zealand music.

We have a lot of small bands that rarely get radio play, or the recognition that they deserve, and I think that is one reason I would listen to Life FM, as they actively encouraged the spread and advertisement of fresh, new music.

Take for instance Avalanche City; you might remember the song Love Love Love? Well that was them. Life Fm found that they/him (multi-instrumentalist Dave Baxter) had a free album. So they spread the word, people came, and soon he was playing on the big pop stations like The Edge.

Another thing that they do is the Kiwi Download, a free song every couple weeks or so.

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My favourite bands; this simply can not be a complete list, as I am always finding more that I love!

 

David Crowder Band; specifically their album A Beautiful Collision.

Marianas Trench; I adore these guys' sound, it's so varied, from high-energy pop-punk, to heart felt ballads and violins. Josh Ramsays vocal range is incredible, and so is his hair. (To be honest, I saw his hair and decided to give the music a try - because occasionally I'm shallow like that.)

Anberlin; Sadly breaking up after releasing a final album at the end of the year, these guys really provided the music for my childhood, and I love them to pieces. We had the amazing opportunity to actually meet them back in Aug '13, and sometimes I can't fathom that it really happened. Started in 2002, they have 6 albums out to date, and I can safely say I know 85% of all the song lyrics. Their sound has changed over the years, mostly alt-rock, with Vital being their rockiest. Did I mention I love them?

Anchor & Braille; the side project of Stephen Christian (of Anberlin). This is my relaxation music, yet the lyrics are profound and meaningful.

mewithoutYou; an indie/alt rock band I stumbled across through their collaboration with Hayley Williams of Paramore on the track "A Foxes Dream of the Log Flume" They have an interesting sound that has spoken (sometimes yelled) vocals over rampant guitar, often in a form of poetry or allegory.

Regina Spektor; I adore her skill on the piano, and her witty, thoughtful lyrics.

Kimbra; our home-grown sweetheart, I really hope that she releases another album soon.  THERE IS A NEW ALBUM!!!! She just finished it a few days ago XD

Hurricane Kids; another NZ band, this power-pop group is upbeat and fun.

Linkin Park. If you don't know them, just look them up, they're a well known rock/rap group.

Fall Out Boy. Ditto.

Hmm. That's all I can think of at the moment, but I'll probably post this and then realise I've forgotten a band that you absolutely need to know!

 

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Songs for the road; these are songs I think of when I think of traveling!

Jack Keroauc - Brooke Fraser

You Belong to Me - Jason Wade

Dare4Distance - Nevershoutnever

I Wonder If It's Me - Abandon Kansas

Strange Town - Neon Horse (awesome video BTW)

And for some reason whenever I hear Definitely Maybe by FM Static, it sounds like the soundtrack to a road-trip video y'know?

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And lastly, I couldn't talk about NZ music without mentioning Parachute.

I think it's the largest Christian music festival in the southern hemisphere, and keeps getting bigger. Held in the end of January it attracts music lovers from all over, with local and international acts.

Aaaaaaand I've never been. #bucketlist

 

Well, it's a sweltering 32 degrees indoors, and I'm supposed to be looking after Kita.

So...Bye for now

Vega

New Zealand - North IslandNew Zealand - South Island

What is the genre you enjoy the most? Have you looked for similar artists?

31 January 2014

Hey!

One of the places I go for inspiration is Lookbook, a community for fashionable guys and gals around the world (literally, all over the place)

It is kind of a sophisticated, fashion forward social networking site if that makes any sense?! (minus 397,164,745 filters on images. This is mostly real photography!)

Anyway, I thought I'd note some definite trends that interested me:

1. Plaid. It is everywhere. This is not the 90's. This is not the grunge era. You look weird with a random plaid shirt tied around your waist. I like plaid, but everyone is wearing it. And it doesn't make your roots any cooler.

L. to R. Evilish Q., Maryann M., Holynights C.

2. Big floppy black or maroon hats. Wool for winter, straw for summer. Now this trend I actually enjoy, it reminds me of the 70's, bell-bottoms, velvet, and long layers. Only problem is that generally the hair is long, wavy and down, which just doesn't sound easy to maintain. But for those with short hair, there is hope. If you have a fringe, then place the hat tilted up like a halo, then it looks sweet.

L. to R. Rachel-Marie I., Jordan W., Ebba Z.

3. Candy coloured hair. Candy-floss pink, sky blue, and red ombre.

L to R. Lua P., Amy V., Victory H.

4. Leather look jackets, skinny jeans, and mini skirts.

L to R. Natasha N., Elin H., Eugenie G.

5. Round sunglasses. Originating early/mid 2012 from the Hipster/Indie Tumblr movement. I'm on the fence about these, sometimes they look great on people, sometimes they just look really weird. Depends on the face shape I suppose.

L to R. Giacomo V., Zoe S. Tess L.

6. Super straight long hair. Inspired by Lorde and her "grunge" or "hipster" style, this look is characterized by the hair, the big hat (see 2.) and dark/black lipstick. What I don't get is the accompanying photography; okay, we get that what you're wearing is 'dark', but that doesn't mean that there has to be underdeveloped pictures, in places like your toilet. Though it's nice to know you have one, we were so worried.

L to R. Holynights C., Brianna K., Violet E.

7. Pastels. I don't know what I think about this. I like the pale-flowers-type colour way, but this is also a trend that easily looks insipid and washed out. Especially when worn with black. Yuck. 

L to R. Anna Mour, Liz H., Noor G.

8. There also seems to be a small boho-ethnic vein running through, generally displayed in embroidered or beaded sweaters and such.

L to R. Alanna D., Ebba Z. Olga B.

9. Boyfriend jeans. ARGH. I do not like these at all. They make girls look short (because they usually cuff them) and fat. And why do you wear them with stilettos? Just...why?

L to R. Erica L., Maya L., Ria M.

10. Shirts with small stamp-like designs (actully reminds of me of Elsa Schiaperellis lobster dress from the forties) This would be a cute DIY to do, just take a button down shirt, a stamp, and fabric paint. Carefully use the stamp, coat with paint, and apply.

L to R. Mayo W., Annika V., Toshiko S.

 

People picks:

Girls

Annika Victoria. I originally came across Annikas' blog on Tumblr, The Pineneedle Collective; and I adore her sweet, wholesome almost Classic Lolita/kawaii style. Combined with her studying to be a scientist, she also sews, does DIYs and wears a myriad of rainbow coloured wigs. I like.

Adriana Gastelum. Adriana is someone who epitomises the sophisticated - but a little sexy, city woman; pairing classic pieces with daring prints and cuts.

Rachel-Marie Iwanyszyn. One of my favourites. Rachel combines casual, laid-back, fun, and eclectic styling with a gorgeous head of hair and that uh-may-zing hat. (Though looking at it, it also reminds me a bit of Puddleglum. Yeah, I'm odd.)

Alanna Durkovich. Exquisite boho pieces are thrown together with sporty, grungy, indie streetwear. And having blond hair with blue ends is just the icing on the cake really.

Maria Rondinella. Think Maria, think biker grunge+preppy+hippy = 60's princess

Angela Rozas Saiz. My inspiration go-to fashionista for bohemian chic. I first saw her through random pictures floating around Pinterest, and found her blog Madame De Rosa. Although it is in Spanish, the pictures speak for themselves, and I would (almost) kill to have her wardrobe (and her cheekbones, and her legs! Ugh!)

Sophia Mayrhofer. A incredibly well dressed Elizabeth Taylor look-a-like, Sophia has a wonderful eclectic style that never seems overdone.

Samii Ryan. A jewellery designer by trade, Samii has a neat streetstyle combining Goth, punk and -of course- loads of gorgeous bling.

Guys

Jesse Maricic. A slick 21st century gentleman, Jesse has a fantastic blend of old-world style and new-world flavours. Expect the unexpected.

Filippo Bologni. Only 20 posts, and I'm hooked. Preppy and simple, yet well thought out, Filippo makes dressing well look so easy.

Mika Kailes. Who doesn't admire a guy that can wear a floral shirt, plaid, denim and a scarf, and still look good (read: amazingly good-looking that is)

Drew Scott *cough* CUTE *cough* But seriously, this dude looks great, with a refined casual approach. I especially like this post: "Saturday School"

Ira Giorgetti Looking suspiciously similar to Nathan Sykes, Ira has the prepster/hipster trend down pat.

Andreas Wijk. Sporting smart casual wear, and an enchanting smile, Andreas has made a noticeable mark on the Lookbook world.

Erwin Bloemendal. Rocker meets Indie meets Boy-next-door, Erwin combines piercing blue eyes and chic (am I allowed to call it that?!) hair for devastating effects. (Though I have to say, I preferred it dark as opposed to his currant blond. Oh well.)

(Please note. I find most of these guys rather very handsome, especially Filippo - since he's around my age - But I still try to be unbiased...'Try' being the operative word.)

 

So I hope you liked this post, and maybe it'll inspire you to try something different. I won't judge you even if it's a little plaid ;)

 

Feel free to comment below on how I'm so wrong, and totally unhip and behind the times. But just remember, I was the cool form of uncool before uncool became a thing.1

Fashionably yours

Vega

 

Rhett & Link. Epic Rap Battle: Nerd Vs. Geek

Of the above trends, which do you like? What do you dislike? Why?

24 January 2014

Easy Kaftan Dress DIY

Hey!

This week, I wanted to show you a pattern/DIY/tutorial thingie from my wardrobe. 

This kaftan/dress/tunic is flattering, versatile, and -most importantly- super easy.

Now, I originally got the idea and some instructions from the blog Sweet Verbena but when I had made a couple of them (I have had so many compliments on them too!), I observed that the steps were a bit loose, that it would benefit from them being more detailed.  I'm also quite a visual person, so I like diagrams. Don't get me wrong, I have altered things, so it isn't plaigerism, but that's where I started.

The basic explanation of the design is this: a rectangular pillow-slip that because of the fabric, drapes and hangs in a Greco-Roman manner, especially when belted. 1

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You'll need:

Approximately 1-2 hours of your time

A calculator (not really necessary, but good if you're lazy, or it's too late to be thinking)

A tape measure

A sewing machine (or if you have a lot of patience, do it by hand - I made one this way, as our machine died)

A ballpoint sewing machine needle (pretty important)

Pins

Light knit material (Jersey to you Americans) 148/152 cm wide, probably about 1.5 metres (read tutorial to work out exactly how much, one of mine I only needed 1 metre)

WASH IT BEFORE USE. That way it gets rid of gunk and dust, and does any shrinking it needs.

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Download the Knifty Kaftan tutorial PDF

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This is my first go at a DIY tutorial, so there maybe bits I need to explain/display better. If you can't work out how I got what I did, feel free to ask in the comments below.

 

Vega 

 

I realised after I made the PDF that all the sketches I drew had belts! I didn't include a tutorial for a belt though. Maybe I'll do one later.

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