You are a painter.

top - ℅ Sugarlips / skirt - DIY (instructions here) / boots - also seen here

Something I wrote exactly 2 years ago, but it still applies today: "“I am no painter,” Michelangelo wrote in his journal after an excruciating workday that he had spent creating the spectacular fresco of Adam and God on the ceiling of Sistine Chapel. This artwork had been taking Michelangelo a long time, and he felt tired and discouraged.



Now we all know how absurd this statement of his has been because Michelangelo’s work has been admired for centuries. However, at that point it seemed like reality for him. What is the reality for people now? Often there are moments when we feel like there is nothing we can offer to this world, nothing that would stand out, and the creative spirit within us is just something we wish we had. But will this also be the reality after years? Or maybe when you look back at this time everything might seem in different colors?”



PS. This week I have the honor to be Sugarlips Style Icon which means I’ll be styling a couple more beautiful pieces from Sugarlips on here and you can check out my page and picks on Sugarlips website as well. Hope you enjoy it!!

Statement Earrings / DIY Video

turtleneck - ℅ Sugarlips / shorts - vintage CK / shoes - vintage / earrings - DIY (video below) / beanie - H&M

For a while now I’ve been thinking about starting doing videos for B E A C H & D R E S S, and I’ve finally found the courage so here it is - my first DIY video. Enjoy!!



So what do you think? Do you like videos in blogs? Would you like me to incorporate more videos? And if yes, what would you like me to talk about? Feel free to comment or email to beachanddress@gmail.com !

MUCH LOVE, DARLINGS!!!





PS. Never underestimate the comfort of a seamless turtleneck and vintage shorts. Oh yes.

MMM with H&M Part II / Interview with MMM creative team

Me: What were the sources of inspiration for your collaboration with H&M?

MMM: The collaboration is a series of re-editions of Maison Martin Margiela garments from various seasons since we were founded in 1988. It features pieces from the first collections right up to the present day, with each piece specially labeled stating its year and season of origin. The collection acts as an archive of some of our most important garments, and the pieces have also been chosen so that together they create a complete wardrobe for this winter.

Me: Was there anything your learned during this collaboration that was different from how you usually work or perceive things?

MMM: The collaboration was different for us in that we have never before made re-editions of our own garments. In each men’s and women’s collection we feature “Replica” items, which are faithful reinterpretations of vintage garments we have found which we believe should be given a new existence. This will be the first time we present re-editions of our own work.

Me: What helps you keep pushing the boundaries with your designs?

MMM: The focus of our creative team is the constant investigation of the main themes of the house. We have no interest in trends, or in the wider movements of the fashion industry, but are just interested in the pursuing our own themes. It is this constant process of continually challenging ourselves which keeps us going.

Me: In your opinion, what is minimal dressing, style, fashion?

MMM: The dictionary definition of minimal is “characterized by simplicity and lack of adornment or decoration”. The word “minimal” is often used in fashion to describe much work which isn’t actually minimal. We prefer not to describe our garments in any way, but to let them speak for themselves.

Me: Is there anything you always advise to everyone?

MMM: We always prefer to let the people follow their own path rather than advising anything.



Shop MMM with H&M collection starting November 15th at select H&M stores. 

Read Part I - Interview with Margareta van den Bosch

Indian Summer

top - Glass Boutique + DIY (post here) / pants - vintage / sandals - Dolce Vita

Sometimes words just don’t fit.

Love you!

MMM x H&M Part I / Interview with Margareta van den Bosch

Photos courtesy of H&M

Last night was a magical night in the fashion world (and my world) as MMM with H&M collection was launched at a beautiful historical building in the New York City's financial district. The launch was exactly what I would have expected from a strong visionaries and creators - stunning location, dance installation to present the clothes and to make everything even more surreal - confetti rain. Unfortunately, I was not there, BUT I do have something very special to share with you. Thanks to some very cool people at Polhem Latvia, I had the privilege to conduct a small interview with one and only Margareta van den Bosch. I don’t think any more introduction is needed. Enjoy!

How would you describe your
own style and does that influence your designs for H&M?

I have always believed in the importance of personal
style, and of mixing together different influences to create a style that is
truly your own. This has become even more important to me in my role as
Creative Advisor at H&M, meeting all the different designers we have
collaborated with and learning about the essence of each particular brand.

In your opinion, what is
minimal dressing, style, fashion?

Minimal dressing is about purity in design, reducing
everything down to its essential few details. What’s interesting is how
minimalism changes with time. In the 1980s and 90s, minimalism was very strict
in its terms. Miminalist clothing had to be completely without decoration.
Today, this is not the case. A woman can wear a minimalist dress of great
purity, and match it with an extravagant piece of jewellery. It’s all about
finding the right contrast.

What prompted you to
initiate a collaboration with MMM and what are your expectations?

Maison Martin Margiela are one of the most important
fashion brands of the past three decades. They have influenced all of our
wardrobes, and created some of the most iconic pieces in recent fashion
history. I am thrilled that Maison Martin Margiela have agreed to create
re-editions of some of these pieces in collaboration with us. I hope that
fashion lovers around the world will love the opportunity of owning some of
these iconic designs for themselves.

What is one "a-ha
moment"/ piece of wisdom that you have learned while working in the
fashion industry or life in general that keeps you going?

Each designer collaboration proves to me how at the
heart of every successful brand, there are creative people who love to design
and create the most amazing garments. No matter what the look of the clothes or
the feel of the brand, creativity has to be at the heart of everything.

We are all already
day-dreaming about spring. What are your favorite trends for SS'13 that we will
also see at H&M?

I can’t wait for SS13 either! I think there’s a real
sportiness that’s becoming more and more important, made even more exciting by
the decoration and cut which makes this sportiness more feminine, and more
romantic. It’s a really thrilling mix.

Stay tuned for MMMxH&M Part II as more photos and an exclusive interview with the MMM team will be posted!

nowhere

jacket - ℅ Sugarlips / jeans - Bullhead 

Sundays for me are day of rest. Sometimes I have to force myself for this day to be the day when I’m not allowed to check my email or do anything else work/business related. I think the best benefit is that on Monday I cannot wait to be doing something again. Maybe that is the whole point of it. At least one day of rest helps us not to burn out.

Anyway, yesterday my husband and I drove to Cincinnati to see his parents and relatives. It was a beautiful day, and this is what I wore. I’m not a big fan of colors, as you may know so sometimes it’s hard for me to take pictures outside. If I do have to pick colors - they are cool tones.

What are your favorite things to do on Sundays? What helps you recharge for the new week?

Much love.

dark shadow

sweater - vintage Docker’s / skirt - H&M / leather pumps - vintage / clutch - Vintage by Fe via Bloggers Wardrobe

Last night was all about nineties chic with an oversized sweater, mini and classic kitten heels and clutch. Makeup - nude lipstick, bleached eyebrows and a dark grey eye-shadow from Bare Minerals.

What is your favorite way to style the oversized sweater?

As always, much love!!

BAHAMAS CRUISE and an outfit / GIVEAWAY

Bikini - Bjorn Borg via Bloggers Wardrobe / husbands Surfer magazine / plastic bag - Chanel

Fall is a time often associated with holidays. Halloween, Thanksgiving and then Christmas and New Year’s is just around the corner. Some of you might be planning a vacation, but where to? As a big thank you for being here and just being awesome in general I want to help you out with that one. I am GIVING AWAY A *4 DAY AND 3 NIGHT ROUND TRIP CRUISE PLUS 4 DAY AND 3 NIGHT STAY IN GRAND BAHAMAS for 2 adults.

Yeah, B E A C H & D R E S S is finally taking you to the beach. And if that was not awesome enough, I have partnered up with Bloggers Wardrobe, and the winner will also receive a bikini from Bjorn Borg (picture above). For an obvious reason - you’ll be on a boat!

To enter, all you have to do:

- be a follower of B E A C H & D R E S S on Google Friend Connect 

- like B E A C H & D R E S S on facebook

- comment on this post with your name and email address

For extra entries:

-share this post on facebook and tag @beach and dress

-tweet this blog post. use #BADcruising and @karinadej (BAD stands for Beach And Dress, obviously)

(please post an extra comment here if you have made an extra entry)

The winner will be randomly selected and announced some time in the beginning of November.



This giveaway is open internationally, however, keep in mind that you will be leaving from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA and the planes, trains and automobiles to get there are up to you :)



*This trip only requires a processing fee, plus miscellaneous taxes, and 60 days advanced notice. Valid 1 year so you don’t have to hurry :)

This giveaway has now been closed.

Congratulations to Marissa Poon!! Check your email, babe!!!

the face

jacket - thrifted (also seen here)  / pants - thrifted / bag - DIY / ear cuff - ebay

Keeping my promises - here’s my fanny pack incorporated into an outfit. This is what I wore yesterday to church and then after while hanging out with friends. I was not disappointed one bit, served as a big pocket that never had to be removed. I can easily get used to the comfort of not carrying around a purse.

How was your weekend, babes??

The Fanny Pack Comeback / DIY

Big attachable pocket, fanny pack, bag. This is what I’ve been working on for about last 45 minutes. Maybe less. It will be a great accessory, make my outfits look a little more layered and also be super practical. You can expect an outfit post incorporating this soon, but until then - have a lovely weekend, my beautiful babes!!!

MMM Grey Leather Garment / DIY

shoes - DIY (instructions here)

When I saw this beautiful grey leather piece as a part of MMM SS’13 collection, I could not wait for spring to recreate something similar. As you can see, I’ll be wearing it in various ways - as a dress and a skirt. Also since this leather looking fabric (vinyl) is a bit stiff and thick and the cold weather is right here, I’ll be wearing it over a shirt as well. I don’t think I have to explain how I made it - one long seam and a long, thick strip as a belt.

white linen

linen shirt - thrifted / skirt - ℅ Sugarlips / leather harness - DIY (instructions here) / boots - Nine West

    My button-ups and I have a very special relationship. Especially if the button-up is white, made out of linen and I have a new black skirt from Sugarlips that is not only super classy, but also very comfy because of the jersey material it’s made out of.

Also, did you notice my safety pin ring? Jenni of I Spy DIY made it for me at the IFB Con during her DIY session. Thanks beautiful lady!