Total Getaway.

Exactly a week ago to the hour, I was packing my bag and running off to borrow a tent for a little weekend camping trip with my friends (& best travel companions) Monica and Vanessa!!  It was only a 30-hr vacation, but I have to say it was the best 30-hr escape I've had in a lonng time! Since we got back both Vanessa and I edited together our own J.T. road trip video, compiling our own video footage and photos.  It's pretty cool watching both to see the different footage!! So watch, enjoy, and then make a trip to Joshua Tree yourself :))

The Lorax from GoldenGirl Olive on Vimeo.  V is for Olive Blog

Clearly, we had a particular soundtrack to this road trip because Vanessa and I did NOT conspire to both use songs from Foster the People.  But I will take credit for introducing them to my latest obsession!!

One of the main purposes of this trip was to visit this place called the Integratron that Vanessa had seen featured in a documentary.  Built back over a magnetic field back in the 40's, this acoustically perfect building was scientifically designed to heal and nurture the body through sound.  Our curiosity was sparked and the little hippies inside us were psyched to explore what they refer to as a "sound bath."  I am a skeptic of many kinds, but the Integratron was super rad and after a 30-min sound bath and baby nap my friends and I emerged from the dome feeling renewed inside and out!  Anyway, I highly recommend you check it out if you haven't heard about it.

Hope you have WONDERFUL weekend!!

See MORE Photos AFTER the jump!!

Shoe Makeover :: Studs & Stripes

BEFORE

AFTER

So if a leather shoe becomes dirty, you have three options 1) clean it or get it cleaned 2) have it re-dyed or 3) make it more awesome.  I went with option numero tres.  I was so pleased with the outcome, I had to share it with you guys :)

The Process:

[1] take original shoe, and sketch up an idea

Behind the process and MORE pictures after the break!!

foreign films and fashion.

Uschi Obermaier

Lately, I've been immersing myself in an array of foreign films (mainly French) while working in my studio.  I would love to speak French, and when I studied, the hardest thing was learning the tongue.  So, I figure if I'm more immersed in it, maybe it will be easier to pick up.  Of course I have no idea what's really being said because of my poor movie-watching skills when working, but I figure just listening can't hurt.

Last week I watched Eight Miles High (Das Wilde Leben).  I wouldn't say it was the greatest movie by any means, but I loved the style.

Achim Bornhak's film about the famous German model/muse Uschi Obermaier.  An icon of the 1968 movement in Germany and a rock and roll vixen with a gorgeous head of hair. Known for seducing men like Mick Jagger and Keith Richards; she travels the world wearing the most beautiful clothes or sometimes none at all, and dances like an ethereal goddess of music.

fashion homework.

Whether your a designer, stylist, store owner, etc, etc, you know you have to be aware of what's happening on the runway.  I have been a little behind on my homework, but last night I spent a good four hours clicking through the runway of an abundance of designers and taking notes.

I feel knowledgeable again.  However, from a designer stand point (in my mind) as soon as it has hit the runway, it's old news.  Well, it used to be this way - I saw a lot of repeats on the runway from previous seasons.  Bright colors are still being embraced (which I am happy to see), tailored trousers, there was still an abundance of fringe (still a fav), the patterns got a little funkier, and lots of crisp white along with an array of neutrals.  While some designers took a minimalist approach (Chloe, Derek Lam, No.21, The Row), which I believe is carrying over from fall, others like Vera Wang and Dsquared2 took the opposite road.  Some fresh trends to the scene, that I was very pleased to see, included the three-quarter-length skirts (lady-like dressing is back), the use of sheer and silk materials (I do love the sheer skirts), and the pops of coral red!

Here are some of my favs, but check my other blog for my complete review.