Tuesday, December 18, 2012

//FLASHES of FLURO


Hi guys! Val here, back from my mini Asia trip which consisted of Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.

It was such a nice experience and such a great time to journey with so many different people, especially my friends and family who loved on me and pampered me so much.

Just a few stylist posts to get us started up again. Sorry the blog and the buttons are a bit messy, still trying to find the time to sit down and fix it up with Vess (hopefully soon!). The top and the necklace are both bought from Bangkok, Thailand. I think the place I bought them was Platinum fashion mall, which was massive. Never before had I ever seen so many rows and hangers of clothes, shoes, bags and necklaces. Seriously, shoppers paradise. 

The great thing about Bangkok, is that everywhere you go, the styles are different. But I did notice there was a great popularity for collared shirts and denim shirts in both Thailand and Singapore.

Thus being the fashionista that I am (more like opportunity optimiser) I decided to invest into a denim shirt and the fluoro, just in case it really hits off in Melbourne!









One more exciting news story; is that my wonderful friend Emerald helped me buy a new lens! A 50 mm, F1.4 for my CanonD 660. And wow, it's amazing. Usually to get such a great blur effect (sorry, my photography slang is lacking!) I have to stand so far back and zoom like crazy, but with this fixed lens the large aperture makes it so easy to obtain the soft feathery look and such a great shot.

I also love how the lens, being a fixed lens, is so much smaller and lighter to carry! 



Keep looking at B.P.S and I'll be posting and updated you with interesting stories and pictures from my travels. 

For what's the worth in photos, when you can't share the memory with anyone?

Thankyou for letting me share my memories with you!

-keep stylish-

v&v

Sunday, December 9, 2012

//CURIOUS & CURIOUSER

Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”
~Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland


It's a nice warm summer night in Melbourne and it's the absolute perfect time to be setting up a 'catch up' blog post. So to keep you'all up to date. Val is currently enjoying a holiday in Bangkok! I do miss her, but I miss my camera a lot more! (joking!) But I am sure that when Val return's she is going to share some amazing shots and amazing clothes! Cannot wait for her return!

So I thought that I could just really update you with what I've been doing since Val's been off attending our wonderful cousin's wedding and shopping in bangkok! Unfortunately, I won't be able to provide the amazing standard of photos that V&V usually do. But I'll hopefully interest you with... word pictures? So I as listen to a rad playlist of Matt Corby and Israel Kamakawiwo 'Oke, I'll look back to the weeks gone by and update you with my happenings!
Read on to an installment of Curious Adventures with Vess! Featuring lovely friends, movies, cafes, melbourne and design!

1. Pitch PerfectOn Monday I got to watch Pitch Perfect with my awesome work friend Amy! Having both worked in that day, being able to chill out and watch a movie was totally amazing. SO Pitch Perfect. It was pretty rad. Think Glee mixed with She's The Man. Loved the humour and the singing, and absolutely loved Rebel Wilson. She had the best one liners in the whole movie! And I supposed I enjoyed the accapella, as somehow it was portrayed as not being lame, but truly as inspiring sport!


2. KinFolk cafe MelbourneVisited this really lovely little cafe with Thu and Emily which Em foundWith a cosy interior with wooden chairs, large branches painted on the walls and with little bird paintings scattered around, KinFolk leaves an impression. But what truly earns KinFolk's warmth and comfort has to be their philanthropy work! All the waiters work as volunteers ass the proceeds of KinFolks revenue goes to fund four different areas, from homeless to work in Ghana. That just blew me away. Located near Southern Cross Station on Bourke Street, do wander in and support this amazing cafe!




3. POM POMAlso on that day, I had a peek into craft victoria. They had a lovely window display with gorgeous pom poms, and with the festive season coming up, it seemed like the perfect craft project. amazing Emily came through again and linked me to a fantastic tutorial that taught it just so well! So last Wednesday I attempted it (whilst Thu and I watched Ruby Sparks) and here are the results!


4. You've Got the Jam
We had our final break up for our youth group this year! It was on the perfect night, for that day we had to endure 37 degree weather! It thankfully set the pace for a lovely summer night perfect for outdoor soccer, a trampoline, a bbq and for an outdoor cinema! The movie of the night was Space Jam and I swear, the more times I watch it, the more things I notice and my appreciation of Bill Murray just escalates. Anyway, it was a really great night, I loved just how having a projector and a blank white sheet could bring on fun times.


 4.The BIG Design Market
Definately a major highlight of my whole week! So great! There were a ton of stall holders who were just so fantastic! I really want to dedicate a bit of a post on this, and it's getting a bit too late for little ole me who has to work tomorrow morning! So I will leave you with a little snap shot of it and a full run down of the market will come tomorrow. It was so much fun and I was overwhelmed by the talent, design and craft that was present there.


That all for today friends! Will update you on the market tomorrow and give you a different 'keep stylish' post. With the lack of cameras at my house at the moment, (all the pictures in this blog post are heavily editted iphone photos!) I think that I have to showcase some of my favourite outfits of the past week in a different and creative way.

with love!
-keep smiling-

v&v


Sunday, November 25, 2012

//RED



Hello there friends!

It's been absolutely stunning weather here in melbourne, we are definately enjoying the sun shine! 

Just wanted to share with you some more photos/outfits from the shoot that we did with our cousin Veryon. It was a really interesting shoot to do in the park, because Veyron really need to work with the lighting conditions to get it "just right" and I think she did an incredible job!

In other news, Val is currently in Singapore! She has gone a well deserved break to go and attend our cousin's wedding. Perhaps she will blog some photos from her trip! 

So with just one part of the v&v pairing, I'm determined to make her proud! So I'm currently working on changing up our blog layout and also getting a FAQ and About us page up. So if you want some answers, send us some questions! I'll do my very best to keep you interested! 

Christmas is around the corner! 



-keep stylish-

v&v

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

// LOVE never FAILS



Again, here are more pictures from the wonderful wedding of Nichola and Daniel. Before I go on, I need to mention the wonderful talent and skill of my dear, dear friend Emerald. She is always Vess and my, 'right hand man/gal'. Someone to chat, eat and have adventures with. She's such an amazing person who I can always count on. I mention her, because she helped me shoot this brilliant wedding. It's such a blessing, because she came and spent the whole day with me, even though I only gave her less than a couple of days notice.

To be honest, it was quite a long day, but looking back on the photos, it was totally worth it. Capturing the moments of pure joy on so many people's faces and to be apart of someone else's amazing story leaves me with such passion for people and for God and his creation. Even now, more than two weeks after the wedding, looking back on many of the photos brings me such joy and happiness of the people I met and things I experienced. 




Hopefully through some of these photos you can get a sense of the sincere yet playful love between Daniel and Nichola. Seriously, both their faces, literally lit up by ten times once they saw each other for the first time that day. As the beautiful bride was given away by her proud father, the indescribable happiness on both their faces brought tears to mother's eyes and smiles on everyone's faces. 

The ceremony began once the bride entered the room and the bridal party and the bride and groom simply settled into their places and allowed the magic to happen. Another fab part of the day was that one of my dear friends from uni, Stefan, who is also close friends with Nichola and Daniel, was a massive part of the day, helping drive people everywhere, getting the cake, organising the carpark, setting up for the reception and giving a spongebob inspired speech. (You can see him in the above picture giving the speech!)



We took some shots at the venue of the ceremony, but unfortunately, due to booking reasons we had to vacate the place pretty much immediately after they finished their ceremony. But we were blessed enought to be able to take a couple of lovely group and family shots. I am literally in love with the brides maids and their dresses. The colour red is so striking and the lace gives it such elegance and glamour. (Totally something i would wear again!)

Since we couldn't shoot more at the venue we proceeded to the reception (which was held at Daniel's and Nichola's new house) and proceeded to take some more shot at the park, just behind their house. Despite the overcast weather, I think we got a couple of great shots. Throughout the whole time, Daniel and Nichola were so caring to one another and everyone else around them. Checking if we were okay and if each other was okay, they didn't let the rain or the wind deter them from their special wedding day. 




Home made food, do it yourself icecream and legendary pavlova by the father, made for a perfect and close knit reception dinner. As most of us, were awake since early in the morning, we seemed to have unconsciously skipped lunch and were famished by the time dinner was served. 

It was seriously such a perfect day, and after talking to Nichola later on, I can't believe the number of amazing God provided blessings that occured on the day. For example, their wedding rings were gifted to them, the ceremony venue was hired at such a reasonable price, their wedding photography was provided(we more than happily provided our services free of charge) and each side of the family blessed and encouraged their marriage.


And I have to mention Isaac, another one of our friends, who let Nichola know that I was keen to take photos at her wedding. Truthfully, without his little side comment, I'm not sure if she would have known to approach me, to ask about videography/photography!

God is good!



Included a final picture!

From the left; Emerald, Val (me) Nichola, Daniel, Isaac, Stefan


-keep inspired-

v&v





Saturday, November 17, 2012

//WEDDING BLISS








1 John 4:16-19 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.  We love because he first loved us

May I present the first set of photos from the wedding of Daniel and Nichola. Two wonderful people, who my darling friend, Emerald and I were so blessed to meet and take photos for. I have always, always, always wanted to do some wedding photography of some form, may it be pre-wedding photos, couple photos or photos on the actual day. 

Well, by God's amazing blessing and grace, we were able to have a chance at wedding photography. 

This couple were so amazing. And their love for each other and their friends and family is just too infectious. Have you ever gone somewhere, where everyone is so friendly, nice and welcoming and you are left with warm fuzzies in your belly. Or you are hit with a sense of disbelief at the number of amazing people that exist in this world? This was one of those days. 

Even though Emerald and I attended the wedding as 'official photographers' we were blessed, accepted and treated as part of the family. Fed, welcomed, involved and loved, it was like God's kingdom here on earth where his children just accepted and love one another with no strings attached. But honestly the love between Daniel and Nichola, which is just so centred on Christ and his love, brought such peace and joy to my heart when watching them interact with their family, guests and one another.


Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined myself photographing a wedding and making such amazing friends. I can only pray and wish my future wedding can be the same( but don't jump to any assumptions, thats still a very long way for me yet!) where, it's not just about the couple getting married, but people can leave feeling more blessed and encounter the love of Christ at the same time. 






This is just a snippet of some of the pics from the day, 

I'm hoping to make another spread in the next post and include a few more details about the couple and about how the day went! 


-keep inspired-

v&v




Thursday, November 15, 2012

//VINTAGE LOVERS

 



 
 
Hey there lovely friends!
 
So to date, we have been doing some photo shooting with our wonderful cousin Veyron! She had a media assignment of photoshooting "twin bloggers" (aka us!)
 
So we have a really great time running around the park whilst Veyron attempted to art direct the two of us. It's hard to get both of us looking serious! At least one of us will be pulling a silly face! It's exciting to have photos on our blog that feature our clothes with us together!
 
The actual dresses that we are wearing are from various areas!
1-The green dress Val is wearing is vintage gifted from our beautiful aunt in Singapore
2-The patchwork patterned dress I'm wearing is from our grandma in Malaysia, the collar is so amazing! It's like a large bib that goes around the neck!
3-The red floral dress I'm wearing, was also given to us from our grandma, I believe that it's vintage as well! (not sure the dates though)
4-Checkered dress Val is wearing I bought with Jess at a vintage shop in Paris. 10 Euro and the Aussie Dollar was ridicously strong that day. One of the best days of my life!*
5-Blue polka dot dress Val is wearing, I bought from a small vintage shop in Venice that me and Glonaida stumbled on whilst we were wondering around! Looks amazing on Val. Peitet and proper
6-Val and Emily bought me this gorgeous black and white polka dot dress from Camberwell market. I have a lot of fondness for it because I know they selected it just for me!
 
*I actually saw a girl try on this dress when I was in the shop in Paris. I saw her wearing it, and I thought it was just gorgeous! I wanted it on the spot, but she was obviously trying it on. So I kept on shopping around this store, but later I looked to a rack and I saw that dress just hanging there! I quickly grabbed it, tried it on and then I knew I had to take it home with me.
 
Describing to you where each of these treasures came from, really makes me happy thinking of the significance they hold. Also, knowing that they are vintage dresses, the fact that they were once significant to someone else just makes it just that much more wonderful. 
 


Have a stunning day
 
-keep stylish-

v&v





 

Thursday, November 8, 2012

//STARS AND STRIPES


 
Hey there guys!
 
It's been an absolutely lovely day in Melbourne, with the sun shining and birds tweeting. It's refreshing nice and definately relaxing! Today has been a gorgeous one, with Val and I both having some time to sit and just edit photos and spend some time together.
 
A big shout out to all our friends doing exams, and those finishing up. All the best, and know that you've got this, don't be scared but approach with peace and hope! You'll be amazing either way, think of the big picture! ;)
 
Anywho, onto this outfit, first thing to get out of the way, It's Val! Finally a picture of Val on our blog, it's been a long time coming. But it's happen! Don't you worry, more of her will undoubtly be here. Her outfit here is just way cute! The jumper that she's wearing I actually bought in Paris, it's a favourite because of the really gorgeous colours and stripes.
 




Speaking of stars and stripes, Mr Obama, president for another four years! Exciting times ahead I suspect. We shall soon see!
 
Check out Val's shoes, bought from Glassons for only $5, they have a really cute picnic sort of vibe to them. Seriously lovely and very nice. Comfy too I suspect? Ah, with spring coming around the corner there's all these new trends coming out! Anyone sporting the florals or the fluro? 

 
And just one last shot of Val's air borne feet. Hey, if you swing your head back and fort really quickly between these two photos. It's a diy gif.


-keep stylish-

v&v

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

//DESIGN ELEPHANT TIME

Hi there everyone!

How gorgeous has our blog been looking?! And it's all creditted to Val's absolutely stunning photography skills. (so much talent!)Well, exciting times have been afoot. The bright pink elephant that you've seen popping up an around our blog recently has just been sold for $8000! It's incredible as every cent of that is going to the zoo to assist in it's mission of animal conservation!

It feels just a touch strange knowing that we won't be seeing that elephant again, (and the fact someone bought it!) so I needed to respond to this sudden news with some more elephant news!


I've had many people ask me how I came up with the theme for my elephant and it's patterns. And I've explained to people a few times, but quite briefly and quickly and with a touch of embarrassed humbleness. So here I go explained the full wait of this large tale!

It all began in my illustration class at Monash Uni, taken by the great Ned Culic. One of our briefs was to present two design solutions to this elephant problem.  As a grounds for producing the design, I went to the Zoo's website to get an idea of what sort of theme they would be interested in. I came across the endangered animal's page and spotted the orange bellied parrot. It sparked my interest in representing the zoo's conservation message.



Additionally, I was inspired by an image that saw in Banksy's Film "Exit Through the Gift Shop". He presented an elephant painted in a wall paper pattern against the same wall papered wall. I loved how the pattern looked on the elephant, giving it a striking visual aesthetic. (using visual language essay lingo now! oh no, way too boring, back to basics!) SO inspired by the bird, and the ideas on wallpaper, I started sketching out this bird!



Originally intending to create stencils of the birds and stencil it around the elephant, I actually made a more grungy stencil like image of the birds. But then I drew a little sketch of the soon to be elephant pattern:


From there it was just a matter of getting the line work neat in illustrator. And getting the colours right!

I eventually submitted this final version that held the idea to represent the endangered bird by having a multitude of them on the elephant emphasizing the beauty of them in a flock and the need to not forget them!

I also submitted this one which was a pretty rushed job that I'm glad wasn't chosen.



From here, Ned took some away from our class and consequently some were liked and chosen by sponsors. It seems like a decade ago since Ned called me and said that I won an elephant. I was with Val attempting to study in the our local library! 
Also in my illustration class was the amazing Brian and Sarah, who's designs were also chosen and subsequently painted and auctioned! Those two are so talented and just incredible! 

So there you have it folks. From the idea to the design. 

From the design to reality...

Well, you'll have to ask Val for that one. ;)
 
-keep smiling-

v&v


//ZARA collection


The Zara collection continues.


Here are a few more pictures from my very short visit to the adorable Zara. 

Watching her run around and around and around, makes me want to sprint around as well. To enjoy and simply be free to wander and explore. But I do quite enjoy being human though, especially having the capacity to create, make and be inspired by the world. 

Speaking of creating, I'm hoping that I'll be able to get my creative juices, flowing by completing many of my overdue craft projects. Such as filling up/hanging up the photo frames in my room and creating cards!  



Vess squeals everytime I show her these pictures. 

The cuteness factor does not fade. However, Zara is growing ridiculously fast. 

If I ever get a puppy, I think I'll take a snapshot of her/him/it each day, just to have a timeline of its growth. 



\

I've got some other exciting photos to show you guys as well. Two exciting things; 
1. Our Mali which we painted for the zoo's 150th birthday was auctioned and raised $8000 for the zoo. 

2. I had a go at some wedding photography for a friend last week. Seriously an exhausting but magical day. 

Can't wait to share it with you guys! 



And yes, I will get around to making that 'About/Contact / FAQ" page soon! 


-keep smiling-

v&v