Empire State of Mind

(Top Shop shirt dress, Vintage coat, Steve Madden boots)
While shopping in American Apparel I noticed one of the girls who worked there checking me out...Turns out she wasn't checking me out she was checking out my coat and offered to literally buy it off my back!





I didn't notice this cute girl with an afro..I initially was taking a photo of something else.






(LF Stores lace blouse, Urban Outfitters bralette, Jeffrey Campbell wedges, Nordstrom skirt)






Long overdue photos from my trip to New York this past March and it was breathe taking as always. I'm such a cheese-ball whenever I try to describe how much I am absolutely in love with this city. Each part of NY has so much to offer all in it's own little ways. I appreciate every bit of it! I can be inspired to the max by just simply sitting in a park. I love walking everywhere til my feet fall off it gives me the possibility of coming across different people. The city is filled with eclectic fashion choices from Men in suits carrying briefcases to divas in amazing heels strutting to work coffee in hand. The Plastics and I spent 5 wonderful days roaming the streets in the concrete jungle. I always leave lovesick and wanting more.

African Print

(Vintage wrap skirt, Thrift Store top, Aldo wedges, Parlez Vous OPI? nail polish)
ROCR photography

I've been bugging my mother to search her closet for any remaining items of clothing she had from the past because she seriously had out of this world-amazing-to die for apparel. This wrap African print skirt was one of the few things that she found. Oh the joy of authentic vintage especially when it comes from yo mama!

Bare Belly

(Kaitlyn skirt, Thrift Store lace bralette)


Via WhoWhatWear

Inspired by WhoWhatWear's Bare Midriffs post. A little belly never hurt anybody! Showing just enough but not too much! Always addicted to crop tops and midriffs especially for this spring/summer season. R.I.P feather hair extensions they fell out one day at work such a sad day! I am seeing girls in the O.C. rocking them from left to right, a spring hair trend that is taking over. I had doubts about this smurf blue nail polish I purchased at Forever21 but it's grown on me and I love the contrast against my coral skirt. Don't ask me why but I almost never have all my finger nails painted. It's a miracle when I can paint every single nail note the one finger nail without paint.

Necklace on my head but don't call me a NecklaceHead

(Thrift Store sweater, Dolce Vita Dolcetta harness boots)
ROCR PHOTOGRAPHY

I can never find affordable chain-like headpieces so it was time to be inventive and create my own. I transformed my gold rose necklace into a "that-will-have-to-do" headpiece. Because it will have to do until I find the perfect one. Sorta feel like an Egyptian goddess when I wear it. I am still breaking in these Dolce Vita boots, got these bad boys on my trip to New York. Finally a boot with a harness!

LMN gets Up Close and Personal

(Channeling my inner animal, furs galore and fun with my mother's vintage lace/velvet high cut leotard. Make up done by little miss Jaydeesticking with all nude tones for that raw natural look.)

These mega awesome photos are the second set the gorgeous Melissa De Mata took when we shot at the beginning of the year. She informed me that she wanted to feature them on Light Meets Night along with a Q&A. I've never been asked personal questions having to do with fashion or really took the time to give it some thought. It was really refreshing to actually read my responses and be confronted with the truth. I feel like these photos were a great reflection for me about being confident. Confidence is key if you don't believe in yourself then why should others? Thanks again for the way beyond rad feature LMN!

Here's a tid bit from the Q&A
Check out the rest of my interview with Light Meets Night HERE.

LMN: What is your personal fashion philosophy?

JV: Fashion to me is my biggest form of self expression. It’s an obsession pouring out of me, running through my blood. An addiction, I can’t turn it off even if I wanted to. Each day I have the constant need to create. People are always going to have an opinion about your style and choice of clothing-whether it’s negative or positive, but as long you stay true to yourself and love it… F what they think! They say dance like no one’s watching… I say wear whatever the hell you want! Wear what you want, whenever you want, however you want-wear it with confidence!

LMN: Who are you top 5 icons (fashion or not) right now?

JV: My mother- PAST and PRESENT

Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen- I’ve admired them ever since I was little ( I have them to thank for my cornrow twisties/ butterfly clips craze!) They are innovators and constantly revamping themselves it amazes me!

Abby Lee Kershaw- I am digging her Model Off Duty looks. She throws things together in such an effortless way.

Lykke Li- Her music is honest and pure madness! She has a dark soul. She performs with strong emotion and dances so weird I love it! ( gahhh I want to see her live!)

Christine Centenera- Fashion Editor of Harper’s Bazaar Australia. She’s lady like but still has that funkiness edge.

“These are the girls who don’t really follow things. To be honest, we like freaks. They make their own rules, and as a result they become some sort of icon because they become leaders- as opposed to outsiders. I think that’s so interesting. People who make their own rules usually feel kind of alone, left out, but in reality they become leaders. They become what everyone else follows.” -Lazaro Hernandez designer of Proenza Schouler