Vinny the riveter’s vintage finds!

Posted on January 25, 2012 by

Yesterday was one of those “never waste a minute” kind of days where I made the most and the best of my day. My day started with me running to the Salvation Army in Hells Kitchen to shoot for a project that is in the works. I cannot announce what it is until it comes to full fruition. Hopefully it will, I have my fingers crossed. We shot for most of the day the best part about it was that I was able to THRIFT and meet other thrifters like darling Patrice Williams who is not only a fellow thrifter but a blogger as well! Patrice runs the blog “Looking fly for a dime” and I suggest you all check her out! Patrice knows her vintage, why? because as soon as I walked in the door she had a vintage 50′s robe at hand that I was drooling over for hours until we made a trade. She happened to like a purse I had in my cart and I must say..I wasn’t going to miss that bag..but that robe…I would’ve missed it had she not been so generous in giving it up. I absolutely adored her and can’t wait to thrift with her again. I ended up with a garbage bag full of goodies that I can’t wait to wear and I have photos inside to prove it! I also invited my friend Tim who is my old coworker from Billy’s Antiques so we could catch up after thrifting and grab some grub. He ended up leaving with a bag full of stuff too. We snuck in a little fun photo shoot of my outfit before leaving the building as Tim usually takes my pictures (he is such a good friend :) ). I definitely dressed for my thrifting occassion in a “Rosie the riveter” outfit I can’t wait to show you! After an exhausttting dayy of shopppinngg ;) we headed on over to BBQ’s where we had some good-ol-fashioned southern food and what a perfect way to end the day than a big plate of food and a strawberry daiquiri. More details and photos inside! Continue reading →

Posted in FASHION, FASHION ON A BUDGET, MY LIFE, PINUP, PLACES TO GO, VINTAGE FINDS!, WHAT I WORE TODAY | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Vintage cat-eye glasses!

Posted on January 22, 2012 by

I am addicted to vintage cat-eye glasses and have become an avid collector of them. These are my new finds as of recent. However, finding the right pair is tough because you have to try it before you buy it. Many people shop for vintage specs through ebay and I have done that and learned that what you see is not always what you get. Vintage specs from the 50s and 60s were made in a variety of sizes but most run fairly small. Shopping on ebay, I ended up with a bunch of cat-eye specs that were way too small for my face and had to sell them. My suggestion to anyone looking for really great frames is to attend flea markets or thrift stores where you can actually try them on. The best part about buying specs at flea markets and thrift shops are the prices as well (depending on where you go). I like to find mine at flea markets in deserted towns, places that have boxes full of them. If you aren’t afraid to wipe the dust off, you may find the perfect pair of vintage specs at the perfect price. Some of my vintage glasses cost as little as $3! The most I have ever spent on a pair of glasses was $50 just because the lenses and condition was perfect and didn’t need work. I got most of these specs restored and re-lensed at Luxeye Optical in Williamsburg Brooklyn. I have good vision so I got regular lenses for just $30 and they sometimes finish the job the same day I bring them in. All of my vintage glasses end up costing me less than $50 which is less than most expensive thrift stores and online shops may sell you- with warped lenses and screws that may be loose. Save your money vintage mavens and go on a treasure hunt at your local vintage flea markets and get some vintage specs restored at a great affordable optical shop like Luxeye Optical. I am sure you will hit the jackpot like I did!

Here are some photos of me in some of my new specs <3When I bought these 25% of the handle was broken at the tip, didn’t care..At $3 you wouldn’t care either. They are still broken but not really noticeable. :) These are really cool despite the leucite turning a little yellow from the age, I bought them anyway. The blue brows of these specs are simple but classic. $5 specs + $30 lenses = $35!I bought these in pristine condition for just $5, they have a tiger strip design within the leucite that was irresistible. I mean look at them, they are amazing! They came with lenses that had a not so crazy prescription but I bought new lenses anyway. $35!These were a little more expensive at $20 and had no lenses at all. However, I fell in LOVE with them and they are actually my favorite out of my collection because of the intergalactic marble design. These ended up costing me $50 after I got them re-lensed.

There you go, you don’t have to go spending tons on a pair of glasses that fit your pinup personality. It is worth being patient and searching for a deal!

Happy thrifting!

XOXO

Posted in ACCESSORIES, FASHION, FASHION ON A BUDGET, PINUP, VINTAGE FINDS! | 10 Comments

Yumna Al-Arashi’s “Internet Bitch” Styled by V.V!

Posted on January 21, 2012 by

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of collaborating with Yumna Al-Arashi, a very talented photographer and a good friend of mine. Her passion for photography couldnt’ be a better marriage because her fun and quirky personality shines through her work. Yumna is a whimsical gypsy who enjoys traveling all over the world capturing beauty, art, and those precious moments when one connects with nature. This woman is brilliant beyond measure and I cannot wait to see her continue to flourish. Many of my favorite photos of myself were shot my Yumna and I feel fortunate that I could now lend my expertise in styling her model for this new project she was working on called “Internet Bitch”. The whole concept of this shoot is self-explanatory. Many of us allow technology to run and ruin our lives like a bad addiction, But if you learn how to make technology work for you and not against you, the possibilities are endless. With that said….

“Don’t be technology’s bitch. Make technology your bitch.”

Inside is the finished project of Yumna’s “Internet Bitch” along with behind the scenes footage and more details about the shoot. Must be 18+ to view photos.

Continue reading →

Posted in ART, FASHION, STYLING BY VV | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Winter Wonder Woman.

Posted on January 19, 2012 by

I have to say, winter has been pretty good to us out here in NY and even though we have had cold and brittle days, it hasn’t been so bad. However, on this day…NY was brick city and I had a very important casting to attend so I had to bust out my vintage fur coat, thick sweater, jeans, and Michael Kors boots. I had to look my best for this casting and I can’t let winter stop me from dressing up so I like to wear really cool coat and hat ensembles. This happens to be my favorite. I actually bought my hat separately at a vintage flea market upstate. I was ecstatic when I realized it matched my vintage coat. Though they are similar, my hat is from the 60′s and my coat is from the 50′s (I only buy vintage fur). Two of my favorite eras :) . I found my coat at Beacons Closet in Brooklyn about a year ago and nearly died when I found it because it reminded me of a coat one of my Barbie’s sported in my childhood days. I was even more excited about the condition of the coat considering it was so old. It gets better because I couldn’t believe the price! I mean $50? Are you for real? I had to have it and it is one of my most treasured vintage finds to date. hear more about my winter wonderland outfit along with more details inside!

Continue reading →

Posted in FASHION, FASHION ON A BUDGET, VINTAGE FINDS!, WHAT I WORE TODAY | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Coppelia & the Boom Boom Room.

Posted on January 16, 2012 by

The other night, my girl Maria and I wanted to have a night out on the town. So we first stopped by Coppelia, a cuban restaurant I am newly in love with that exudes old Cuba to it’s finest. I was in LOVE. The walls were adorned with paintings and photos of Cuba, classic cars, flags. There were also old-fashioned mid-century dining tables and GOD..the food was so delicious. I ordered a Cuban sandwich and I have been craving it ever since. I am very picky about my cuban sandwiches and I have to say this is hands down one of the best I have had in this city. The service was lovely as well. I actually plan to return on Wednesday with my friend Danielle and I can’t wait. After we got some grub we were off to the Boom Boom Room at the Standard hotel to meet up with my friends Andrea, Nina, and Nazir. It was nice to zone out at a beautiful venue and enjoy drinks and a good conversation. I haven’t been out in a while so I definitely dolled myself up in a vintage dress that had been collecting dust in my closet. I was so happy to finally put it to use. It was a really good night..Check out more details and photos inside. Continue reading →

Posted in FASHION, PLACES TO GO | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

V.V models Mode Merr 2012 Collection!

Posted on January 15, 2012 by


A few months ago I had the pleasure of modeling for Mode Merr again. This time I was modeling their new 2012 collection and couldn’t be more thrilled. This is such a wonderful company to collaborate with because it supports and dresses women of all sizes. The rockabilly culture needed a brand that catered to all types of women; a quality brand that is affordable and makes women feel beautiful and powerful whether you are a size 0 or a 14. Mode Merr was definitely a relief for fashionistas all over the world who were sizes XXS and XXL. Angela, the designer and mastermind behind Mode Merr definitely knows how to design and create clothes perfect for the female figure. It was lovely to link up with her again. It was also nice to shoot with Mitzi Valenzuela of Mitzi & Co again, she is a very talented photographer and very cool to work with. Don’t even get me started about my girl Josephine Love who did hair and makeup…I was sooo impressed with her ability to work with my hair, something that is so hard for many stylists to manage. I am usually sketchy about hair and makeup people because I feel like most of the time they end up making me look like someone else that isn’t “me” and it makes it uncomfortable to model. So most of the time I take on those roles myself. But Josephine was amazing, she made me look and feel beautiful. From my hair to my eye lashes, I still felt like myself and was able to model comfortably in Mode Merr’s fabulous new 2012 collection. Everything was perfect and I was drooling over the entire collection so much I wanted to run off with the clothes while I was still wearing them lol. Check out the pieces I modeled inside! Continue reading →

Posted in FASHION, MODELING, PINUP, PRODUCT REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

V.V x Metro Pcs New Ad Campaign

Posted on January 13, 2012 by

Many of you have messaged me all over the net asking if you saw me in the new Metro Pcs commercial and yes it was me! Sadly I cannot post the 60 second video because Metro Pcs said something about licensing rights. However, here is a screen shot one of my friends (thanks Chris!) managed to catch of me. I am the designer of the commercial pushing a clothing rack of clothes in my 1950′s outfit with my little lucky bowtie. I am really shocked at how many of you even noticed me since I am only maybe 2 seconds of the commercial lol. Overall, I am stoked that you guys recognized me and will let you in on a little secret…This may not be the last time you see me on TV this year. I have a feeling something huge is brewing but can’t dish details till it comes into fruition!

To see my previous post on what I wore for this commercial click here!

XOXO!

Posted in PRESS | Tagged | 12 Comments

Sergeant Vinny!

Posted on January 12, 2012 by

The other day I made plans to meet up with my girl Maria for din din. I swear, I would much rather go out to eat with my girl friends than party any day. Don’t get me wrong, I love to dance my little butt off, but whats better than food and a good conversation? My  girls and I EAT. It’s what I love about them the most. They aren’t the “oh, all I had was a cigarette and a fruit cup for dinner” type of girls..and thank god for that. My girls aren’t afraid to throw-down 2 slices of pizza with a side of fried oreos lol. This time we ditched pizza for The Meatball shop in Williamsburg Brooklyn where I enjoyed a nice classic pasta with a side of spinach and Maria had a sandwich. This place has great service and the food was DELISH. We also shared a desert, a vanilla ice cream half snickerdoodle half-brownie sandwich and we were loving it. I definitely see us going there more often, it’s a really cool spot to eat over a good convo. But before I met up with Maria, I was at the nail salon getting my nails done, then killed time around the area visiting some shops I haven’t been to in a while. One being Buffalo Exchange where I found a few cute pieces. Check out more photos and details inside.
Continue reading →

Posted in FASHION, FASHION ON A BUDGET, MY LIFE, PLACES TO GO, VINTAGE FINDS!, WHAT I WORE TODAY | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Come to the IFB Conference!

Posted on January 11, 2012 by

I will be attending the Independent Fashion Bloggers Conference and would love to meet all of you fellow fashion bloggers come February. I attended last year and had a wonderful time, check out my post.

Get your earlybird tickets now!

See you then!

XOXO

Posted in EVENTS | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Vinny will be in Vegas!

Posted on January 11, 2012 by

Just booked my flight to Vegas for the Viva Las Vegas rockabilly weekend. I will be in town from 04/03-04/08 dolls and greasers. For bookings please email vvmgmt@gmail.com.

See you all there!

XOXO

Posted in EVENTS | 2 Comments