INDEPENDENT FASHION BLOGGERS (IFB) CONFERENCE

Different Perspective

Rebecca Minkoff Crossbody (Here) | Zara Faux Leather Jacket (Similar Here) & Peplum Top | Citizens of Humanity Jeans | Express Necklace | Michael Kors Watch

You know when the holidays are here when you can’t get those Christmas songs out of your head or you stop your car at every house that’s lit up with Christmas lights and stare as if you’ve never seen it before. (Or at least I do.. haha) This Christmas definitely feels different to me. My grandmother just recently recovered from her brain surgery this past month and thankfully she is doing good. Actually she’s doing so good that she left to Puerto Rico to spend Christmas with her sisters. It was definitely the hardest thing I have had to deal with in a while because, well she’s my bestfriend, my number one supporter and my inspiration. Seeing someone you love go through something as scary and delicate as that kind of procedure really changes your perspective in life. As I get older, I am definitely getting a sense of just wanting to spend more time with my family rather then worrying about what gifts to get everyone. It’s traditional in my family to get together and cook pasteles. Pasteles are made in huge batches and usually takes about 6 people or more depending on how much you make. If you aren’t Latin American, then you may not know what I am talking about. I will do a separate post on this so I can explain it all to you guys. What do you do with your family for the holidays?

Photos taken by Juan E Martinez

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Es fácil de saber cuando se acercan las Navidades cuando no es posible de sacar canciones de Navidad de tu cabeza, o paras al frente de cada casa que esta iluminada con luzes por afuera y mirar fijamente como si nunca has visto nada como eso. (Por lo menos eso es lo que yo hago…jaja) Esta Navidad definitivamente es diferente para mí. Mi abuela recien recupero de su cirugía cerebral  el mes pasado y Gracias a Dios está mucho mas mejor.  En realidad, ella está  haciendo tan bien ahora, que se fue de vacaciones a Puerto Rico a pasarse la Navidad con sus hermanas.  Fue sin duda una de las experiencias mas dificil para mí, porque bueno, ella es mi mejor amiga, mi principal apoyo y mi inspiración.. Tener que ver a alguien que quieres pasar por algo que da tanto miedo y es tan delicado tanto como ese procedimiento cambia tu perspectiva sobre la vida.a sobre la vida.  Segun pasan los años,  definitivamente estoy sintiendo que  quiero pasar más  tiempo con mi familia mas que estar preocupandome por cual regalos comprar para la familia. Es tradicional en mi familia de juntarnos y cocinar pastels. Pasteles se hacen en lotes imensos, y por general toma 6 personas o más, dependiendo de cuantos  se haces. Usualmente terminamos hablando y riendonos sin fin hasta que venga la noche. Que hacen ustedes con su familia para las Navidades?

Las fotos tomadas por  Juan E Martinez

Grand Central Station- The Whispering Gallery

Angelica: Zac Posen Bag (Similar here) | Zara Shirt and Faux Leather Jacket (Similar here) | Express Wax Coated Pants (Here & on sale!) | Giuseppe Zanotti Ankle Boots (Here) | All Saints Necklace (Here) | Michael Kors Watch

Juan: Zara Denim Shirt, Tshirt (Similar Here) and Wax Coated Pants | Michael Kors Watch | Worn with Clarks

There's places in New York City that you can continue to visit and the feeling that you're there for the first time will never get old. We decided that this past weekend we'd spend our time doing some shopping and acting like tourists in Grand Central Station. With the holidays here, we enjoyed walking around, snapping photos and watching the New York holiday festivities such as the light show on 5th ave. When you're at Grand Central Station, knowing how much history is involved, you almost wish they never remodeled it and left all of its previous designs along with what's left of its incredible architecture. So of course we acted as children when we got to those famous four corners, known as The Whispering Gallery. Its where you can whisper into the low ceramic arches and hear each other on the opposite side. We probably looked crazy standing in a corner facing the wall, but hey who cares! We have decided to start HIS & HERS outfit posts as a new feature on the blog. My boyfriend and I, both value each others opinions when it comes to something we might experience together or something as simple as our fashion sense. So I find it important that people realize that fashion is all about the way you want to express yourself and what makes you feel good. I believe in him and we compliment each other since we do have very similar interests in fashion. He's really into what's modern and in trend before its actually in trend whereas I always throw in my vintage opinion. For example, my recent obsession with everything from the 1920s and probably overdo-ing this old-fashioned finger wave hairstyle. I am this close to cutting my hair but I tend to get mermaid legs when I get close to serious.

Big news for the blog, we have a new collaboration coming up, unfortunately until its in ink I cannot give too many details but for now just stay as excited as I am. AND if you don't know already, the blog is going BILINGUAL, so please welcoming our new member to the Vivir Moderno Team, our translator, Natalie :) Hope you guys are having a wonderful week! Let me know how you feel about all the changes coming to the blog.

Photos taken by: Juan E Martinez
(I took the ones of him, look who else has photographer skills haha)
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Hay lugares en la ciudad de Nueva York que puedes visitar y la sensación de que estás allí por primera vez, nunca envejecerá. Decidimos que este fin de semana lo pasaríamos haciendo algunas compras y actuar como turistas en la estación deGrand Central. Con las fiestas aquí, disfrutamos caminando por los alrededores, tomando fotos y viendo las festividades de  New York tales como el espectáculo de luces en la 5ta Ave. Cuando usted está en la estación Grand Central, sabiendo lo mucho que hay de historia, casi desearía que nunca lo  hubieran remodelado y dejaran todos sus diseños antiguos, junto con lo que queda de su increíble arquitectura. Así que por supuesto actuamos como niños cuando llegamos a las famosas cuatro esquinas, conocido como la Galería de los Susurros. Es donde usted puede susurrar en los arcos de cerámica  y escucharse entre sí en el lado opuesto.Probablemente pareceríamos como locos estando allí de pie en una esquina mirando a la pared, bueno, pero a quien le importa! Decidimos comenzar un equipo de vestuario llamado  ÉL y ELLA como una nueva característica en el blog. Tanto mi novio como yo  valoramos la opinión de cada uno referente a algo que experimentemos juntos o algo tan simple como nuestro sentido de la moda. Así que me parece importante que la gente se dé cuenta de que la moda es todo acerca de la forma en que uno desea expresarse y lo que te hace sentir bien. Yo creo en él  y nos  complementamos mutuamente, ya que tenemos intereses muy similares en la moda. Él está muy interesado en lo moderno y de boga antes que realmente llegue la moda mientras que yo siempre tiro  mi opinión por lo clásico y antiguo. Por ejemplo, mi reciente obsesión con todo de la década desde los 1920s y probablemente exagerando el  peinado llamado (finger-wave) ondulado de dedo. Estoy tan cerca de cortarme el cabello, pero tiendo a tener piernas de sirena cuando me acerco al momento serio de hacerlo.

Una gran noticia para el blog, tenemos a alguien que pronto se unirá.  Desafortunadamente, hasta que no esté por escrito, no puedo dar muchos detalles, pero por ahora sólo quiero que estén tan emocionados como yo. Y por si no lo sabia, el blog va BILINGÜE, así que por favor  demos la bienvenida a nuestro  nuevo miembro del Equipo de VivirModerno, nuestra traductora, Natalie :) Espero que ustedes estén pasando una maravillosa semana! Déjenme saber cómo se sienten acerca de todos los cambios que se avecinan en el blog.
 Fotos tomadas por: Juan E Martínez. (Tomé las de él, mira quién más tiene habilidades fotográficas, ja, ja)

Time flies by..

Photo credit : Juan E Martinez
Graphic designer: Angelica (me)

Something a little personal.

I've been taking a graphic design class recently just because I wanted to spread my creativity out a bit more; especially for future projects for the blog and such. The instructor requested we create a photo montage of something we've done, represented us and stood for something meaningful all at once. This November, will be a two year anniversary of my road to becoming a stylist; Beatriz Lubrieta from Ford Models was my first job in wardrobe, hair and makeup! As an aspiring model myself, you need to perfect your craft, learn your body and understand how it moves. I find that studying ballet and other forms of dance when I was younger helped me understand my body movement as I got older, but after experiencing a couple of injuries, I found myself losing touch. This was especially around the time I became very persistent on starting my career. I definitely wanted to finish college first, make my family proud, especially since I would be the first out of all 11 children to graduate college. Big deal from where I come from. Now, as 23,  being just around the corner, the anxiety builds and I worry if I've missed my mark.  Its not something that just comes naturally, its a job and it takes dedication, consistency and most importantly, passion. As you all know, I am all about positivity and living life as if you are in charge of your journey and then your purpose will manifest itself. So I have come to just believing that my time just hasn't come, but  I feel it getting near and I am excited. I write this to you guys because when I was younger I always hid my dreams from everyone because when I did mention it, people jumped at the chance to shut it down and tell me it was impossible, too hard, or that I wasn't good enough, or that I was too old-- I was this and that.. blah blah blah. Of course it hurt and it took a second to jump back from it but I didn't listen. I just kept trying and pushing those people who weren't behind me or didn't support me out of my life because they obviously didn't belong. If you have these kind of people in your life and you find yourself feeling as if negativity is just surrounding you, push it out. Move on with your life to a more positive route and I promise you, it changes in an instant, you start feeling better and your focus is dedicated to solely your dream. Thank you - to my family and all of their unconditional support, my boyfriend who I love so very much, to all those who follow me, having been there from the beginning or not,  thank you for your kind words and of course the inspiration you bring me. Im excited for this journey and hope you guys will stick with me so I can make you all proud! Have a wonderful day!

Meeting with Patricia Chang

Photo taken by : Patricia Chang

Jcrew Chevron Sequin Shirt | H&M Skirt & Clutch | See By Chloe Booties | Michael Kors Watch, Earrings & Ring | Aldo Bracelets | Rayban Sunglasses

love.love.love the month of September. You get the perfect warmth of summer leaving us but a nice, cool breeze allowing you to mix and match long sleeves, knits and skirts all in one. This sequin shirt is one of my favorite pieces that I have ever purchased from J.crew. Its really really delicate in terms of not trying to ruin the sequins when taking it off, so my advice : wear it with a ponytail or bun. Meeting with Patricia Chang was definitely a highlight of New York Fashion Week. She is a incredibly talented NYC based designer whose new Spring/Summer 2013 collection is whimsical yet sophisticated and feminine. I now have a lot more time on my hands so expect to be seeing an overload of outfit posts, especially since Fall is my favorite season next to spring!

                                                                 Photos taken by : Juan E Martinez

PATRICIA CHANG AT MERCEDES BENZ FASHION WEEK DAY 8

                         

Patricia Chang 'miss cinnamon' Dress & 'large bot' Necklace (borrowed) | Giuseppe Zanotti Boots | Aldo Clutch | Michael Kors Watch | Ray Bans Sunglasses

It was such a pleasure meeting the lovely and beyond incredibly talented New York Based Designer, Patricia Chang this MBFW. I was so fortunate enough to borrow some of her pieces from her Spring/Summer 2013 Collection with a whimsical robot theme. Having previously been a part of the design team for Marchesa and then freelancing for Alice & Olivia, Elizabeth and James and Naeem Khan to name a few, Patricia has gained the knowledge and experience that has led her to collectively put together pieces that are sophisticated yet feminine. Her collection has been recently featured on a few of my own favorite and inspirational bloggers such as Nicole Warne from Gary Pepper Vintage, Peony Lim, Wendy from WendysLookbook, and Krystal Bick from This Time Tomorrow. And its no suprise this skilled designer is getting press in some very familiar places such as Elle, Marie Claire, Vogue.com, Vogue.co.uk, Vogue.mx,  Fashionologie, Style.com, Because Magazine, and The New York Times. 

Besides being a devoted cat person like myself, she takes complete pride and devotion in her craft. Her creations are so individually intricate and beautiful that its almost as if each are telling its own story and I admire her for that. The designs are so exquisite, making you realize how truly detailed she is and allowing your mind to appreciate the many hours put into each piece from the sharp tailoring to each and every single bead. After getting to know her a little bit more I realized that she is just like anyone else with a dream, all it takes is heart and dedication. I am so excited for the many more amazing collections Patricia Chang has in store for us and am truly grateful for this new friendship. 

I was really excited when June Ambrose noticed Patricia Chang's emerald green 'large bot' necklace and decided to interview me for more details, it couldn't have been a funnier interview. She called me a label whore because I decided to pair Giuseppe Zanotti boots with the dress, until she realized so was wearing a pair too! haha. I really cannot wait to see how that interview turned out. I was fortunate enough to meet inspiring and gorgeous Miroslava Duma. I am in love with her haircut, thinking of chopping mine - thoughts? I was also lucky enough to catch Peony Lim right before she headed off to London that night, those fushia Manolo Blahniks are to die for!

Photos taken by: Juan E Martinez

MERCEDES BENZ FASHION WEEK DAY 7

Zara Shirt | H&M Pants | Giuseppe Zanotti Boots | Pour La Victoire Bag | All Saints Necklace |  Michael Kors Watch | Ray Ban Sunglasses

I was able to meet with these two lovely stylists,  blogger Joy Adaeze and Elizabeth Gilpin.

Photos take by : Juan E Martinez