WHITE / outfit and words

jacket - H&M (gift from a friend) / top - thrifted
/ denim - vintage + DIY (see DIY post here)
/ boots - vintage

Happy Easter, babes! All white seemed like the appropriate attire today. If you have been reading my ramblings for a little while you might have noticed that I’m very open about my beliefs. Even though this may not be the actual date, and even though we have made up an enormous amount of unrelated traditions, today and every day really is the day I celebrate my God raising from dead and covering my disgusting sins. His love is bigger than we can comprehend and available for all. I hope this day is filled with joy for you!

JUST DO IT / words

I know it has been a bit quieter around here than usual. Well, the reason is that a big move is coming up. Soon enough I won’t be posting from Cleveland anymore so a lot of preparation is in place.

And now is the moment for me to get all gushy and tell you to follow your dreams and not let fear stand in your way. Fear is just a feeling that has no substance on it’s own. When something is not done just because of a doubt if it would work out, we never even give ourselves a chance to achieve our goals. You know what they say, JUST DO IT.

I’ve been, however, updating my instagram pretty regularly (@karinadejesus__), and here are a few shots.

Happy weekend, you babes!

Vintage Love / OUTFIT and WORDS

Photo by the super talented Peter Larson

I just had to share this quick photo Peter snapped of me after a test shoot we did recently. I am wearing another vintage gem gifted by the same friend that found this jacket for me. Vintage is my absolute favorite to wear for several reasons. First of all, very often vintage garments are crafted a lot more carefully and using higher quality fabrics (genuine leather in this case) than high street clothing or even some designer apparel as mass production often reduces the quality of the initial design. Second, I do not believe many other people will have the same jacket (who am I kidding, I’m pretty sure I’ll never run into anybody with this jacket on…), and last but not least, reusing clothes equals recycling and not cluttering our world with just more and more stuff. And just look at that detailing! This jacket has such character, a life story of it’s own.

Add Value / WORDS

Today I just want to share a quick thought by Seth
Golding. In his article “The Cost Of Neutral” Golding states: “Not adding value
is the same as taking it away.“ 

click on image for source

(If you follow me on twitter, you probably already saw me tweet it) 

You can read the whole text here and see this statement in a business setting type of context, but I would like to ponder on it a bit more in a setting that is very dear to us – style.



I’ve always thought that clothes and trends should not dictate our identity, but even more so they definitely should not hide it. I feel like this statement by Seth Golding sums it up perfectly. If your outfit is not adding value to your presence, attitude, confidence, it is probably taking it away. There is no such thing as being neutral; everything we do is a statement so why not make the best statement possible?!



Fashion month is coming up, and I’ll be taking time this week to evaluate my wardrobe and put together some outfits I can wear while in NYC. Sometimes I tend to get a bit too comfortable with just a few garments in my wardrobe and don’t push myself to take it up a notch and come up with a variety of ways to style them, thus I’ll be taking some time to refine my style. Just because we feel good in our clothes now, does not mean we cannot feel even better! It is about bettering ourselves constantly in every aspect of our lives, including style.



So how about we challenge ourselves? Even if you already are the most stylish person on the planet earth, is there anything you can improve this week? Is there anything you can do to refine your looks?  Let’s not stay in the same spot and let the cost of neutral creep up on us! Let’s be the best we can be!

Minimalism Explorer / WORDS

source

Minimalism. If you have been reading this blog at least for a little bit, you know, that is something I like to associate myself with. However, I feel, there should be a clarification on what I mean by the “m” word here on BEACH&DRESS, and why I like to say that I am a minimalism explorer, not straight up minimalist.



While looking at many blogs, I have noticed that minimalism has become some sort of a trend, thus it made me think about all the different ways minimalism is being perceived. This word is used with having a white tee, dressing monochrome (especially white), or just casual. Some associate it with dressing everything down only to bare essentials or just having no prints. Some think they are the real minimalists (they apply the original definition) while the others just try to copy them. The word is definitely overused. But who am I to judge?



All I can do is share my perspective with you, and as I said in the beginning, why I feel as minimalist explorer not minimalist. For me it’s more or less about lifestyle. I like a lot of open space and no clutter at my home, I enjoy having things I actually need instead of useless stuff that collects dust. I enjoy finding several uses for one object, and remake and reuse something that might not be good for serving it’s original purpose. For me minimalism is about setting a concrete food budget, sticking to it and cooking healthy meals at home instead of having pantry stuffed with junk and OVEReating out every day because I’m too lazy to cook. I like to research how to make my own laundry detergent and then discover that a lot of the same ingredients can be also used for dishwasher detergent. Clothes - they should be something I’ll be able to wear for years. Timeless. This is where some people might say I’m not minimalist because sometimes I like something that is not stripped down to it’s bare function, but as long as it’s timeless for me, it works. Of course, I sometimes fail at all of these quests for non-consumerism, thus I don’t think I’ll ever be able to announce myself a minimalist. I’m just an explorer  who’s reaping the rewards of occasional minimalist lifestyle successes.



Why did I share all of this with you? So you know what you can and cannot expect. So you know if you can relate, and so you don’t have to question me when I say the "m" word and wear big earrings or wear 1987364 layers. I’m just an explorer on a quest to avoid consumerism.



What are other concepts people often interpret in different ways? How do you feel about minimalism trend? Can it be a trend? Can it be categorized - fashion vs. lifestyle?

I’d love to hear from you!

 

Saturday Night DETAILS

Last night was a very lucky thrifting night for me. I scored these pointy black boots with quilted top, mixed metal ring and earrings that my husband says look like shower curtain rings. I haven’t worn earrings in a long time, especially not this big, but I really like the fact that they are white and so tacky. Also today during Blogbrunch Judith shared something that really stuck with me: “identity, not identical”. As long as I stay true to my simple identity, it’s ok to venture out and put on some huge earrings. I don’t have to always look identical. So yes, these are going to be the details of my tonight’s outfit. I will also take on Robin’s Monochromatic Make-up challenge. Some of you are already joining me and I’m really excited about that. Those who are just now finding out about it, join the fun and share! Also, what do you like to do to sometimes step out of your normal style?

Happy Saturday, babes!!

Merry First Blizzard !

hoodie - NIKE / coat - thrifted + DIY (here) / beanie - husband’s high school

I hope it has been merry for you and yours, my loves!

We are snowed in so I’ve been embracing my old Nike hoodie with a beanie and a long coat. I really like the way my “dressy” coat contradicts with the hoodie… and I’m also embracing something that caught my eye on Marc Jacobs Spring 2013 runway. Can you guess what? After holidays are over, spring is just around the corner!! (My thinking during the FIRST snow-storm of this winter)

Also, I’ve had the honor to guest blog for IFB! Read my article on why your income follows your personal growth here. 

Much love, babes!!

°N Style Magazine / Interview

     

Photographer : Duo Blau / Stylist: Malin Lindqvist
/ Makeup & hair: Hanna Birgersson / Retouch: Johanna Widblorn Hilli /
Model: Nike P (MIKAs Agency)


Photos  - ℅ Soffía
Theódóra Tryggvadóttir

Strong yet minimal styling, goal setting mindset and courageously stepping out of the box are just some of the characteristics that describe °N Style Magazine and it’s editor-in-chief Soffía Theódóra Tryggvadóttir, thus it seemed natural to share the magazine with you. Read my interview with Iceland native now living in NYC Soffía and keep pushing.

1. What motivated you to start Nordic Style
Magazine?

My drive to be independent and work with beautiful
and inspiring things motivated me to start the magazine. Every time I visit the
Scandinavia and Finland the fashion always amazes me and I have multiple times
wondered why fashion from this part of the world doesn't get more exposure. The
Nordic countries are known for its designs and have been for a long time. But
it is evident that fashion is on the rise in Scandinavia so I wanted to
participate in the growth and do my part in giving Nordic fashion and design
more exposure.

2. How do you set goals for yourself?

I have always been a big goal setter since I was
just very young. I set short term and long term goals for my personal life,
work and school, which I adjust according to where I'm headed. From the first
day when the idea for the magazine came about I made goals for the first year
of the magazine and then what we want to achieve in five years time, I hope
some of the goals will come true. Goal-setting is an important
tool to let you keep going and aim for something. If you don't know where you
are heading or trying to head, you just go through life aimlessly and most
likely achieve less than your potentials.

3. How do you overcome challenges?

I just keep on going. I don't think I have ever
quit something that I have started because it was difficult. I like challenges
and I like overcoming them, I just try not to let the challenges overwhelm me
and prefer not to think about how difficult things can be. It helps just to
have faith in yourself and that you are confident that you can achieve what you
are going for.

4. How do you perceive minimalism in fashion and
lifestyle?

For me minimalism is obviously not overdoing it in
how you express yourself or live your life, letting fashion pieces or design
pieces own its space. Make something wonderful from what you've got. Minimalism
in lifestyle is I think what the Danish like to say "at hygge sig",
just relax, enjoy the moment and don't worry to much. I actually find that
hard to do.

Check out °N Style Magazine website and read
the first issue right here!!

DESIGN your joy

sources are all pinned here

First off, I want to warn you. The more you’ll close your mind, the less you will like this post. So before you read this, decide if you’re going to be open and try to get something out of this for yourself or be all “judgy”. If you are the case NO2, don’t ruin your mood and day, and just skip to the next blog post in your reader. :)

When being in an industry such as fashion or really any creative industry, one can have very high highs and super low lows. One day, week, month you are a part of it all, in the middle of action, creation and adoration. Cloud 9, I’d say. Then a few days pass, and everything gets quiet. If you are in a creative position and always striving, you know how that feels. It can get pretty depressing. In a video with Coco Rocha, Zac Posen shares a very simple reality. He says, “Fashion is interesting. People love you one minute, they don’t like you the next minute.” So how do you go through these times where you are feeling that the world is spinning without you?

I am not religious (the word religion actually means “back to bondage”), but God IS my NO1 priority. So as I was reading the Bible and praying the other day, something came to my mind. “My joy comes from the Lord.” Obviously, I had read that before, but this time it really hit me. My God is never changing and always trustworthy. And if He’s my priority, and He is never changing, and if I put my joy in Him, then I better make sure my joy never changes as well. So no matter how high or low I’m feeling, I should always be joyful, because my never changing God is the source of my joy.

Now how can you apply this if you are not a believer? Look at your priorities! Is it family? Appreciate it! So maybe today the fruit of your hard work and creative passion are not showing. It’s ok! You know they will tomorrow, you will be on your high again, believe me. Everything always ends well, deep down you know it. However, today is the day you will find something in your life that is not changing, that really matters and gives you joy.



PS. Those of you that are still questioning the reason of this post on a so called “fashion blog”, please remember that I’ve always said that as cliche as it sounds, what is going on on the inside is what really affects the outside, and I care about your over all well being. Let’s DESIGN our clothes, styles, and LIVES! Heated comments are always welcome ;) I love you!

Design your LIFE / Different DIY

image source

Counting today, there are 38 days left in 2012. In the beginning of this year we set ourselves goals. At least a lot of us did. Now, I feel, is a good time to look back and evaluate what we have accomplished, what we still need to accomplish and start planning for the next year. Holiday season is a time when everyone just wants to enjoy, party and spend. And I’m not saying these things are bad, they can actually be very energizing (enjoying and partying, not so much spending) if executed correctly, but too much of that can cause us lose focus and and wake-up on January 1st with a lot of regret. Last night my husband and I were craving pizza. Well, actually, we were hungry, and we thought that pizza would be the best way to satisfy our hunger instantly. However, instead of ordering pizza, we decided to push ourselves and cook a healthy meal. Why? Because pizza would make us fat and broke. Same as pizza, jumping into the holiday spirit and forgetting everything might provide us with instant gratification, but it will not last. Let’s not be fat and broke this holiday season, but instead push ourselves to spend some quality time with our families and friends, and accomplishing our goals.

To look back at my year and set new goals I’ll be using a template posted by Hillary of Dean Street Society (she also had an article on IFB). Thanks so much for inspiration, Hillary!!

- learned to be thankful

- signed with 2 modeling agencies

- saved up enough money to not work most of the summer, but instead…

- … develop my modeling portfolio

- … double my blog’s traffic

- … contribute to my husband’s school payments

- … make an investment

- attended NYFW, IFB Conference, and FSTS seminar

- developed new contacts

- traveled to San Francisco, NYC (x3), Moscow, Los Angeles and Puerto Rico, and enjoyed time with family in Atlanta and Cincinnati 

- gained more focus for my blog and redesigned it

- figure out how to put more focus on other people through what I do 

- help people achieve financial independence

- figure out how to help the elderly in Latvia

- move to NYC

- sign with a modeling agency in NYC

- make modeling and my blog my main income streams

- learn how to be an awesome, super supportive and more caring wife

- go back to Latvia to see my family

- develop a clothing line

Few things to remember the 38 days left in this year and next year:

“Nothing becomes dynamic until it’s specific,” Dani Johnson. Even though I have set these big goals, that is not enough. I have to set specific dates by which they will be achieved and figure out exactly how I am going to achieve them. That leads me to other thing Dani has said: ”Look at people that have what you want and do what they do.” I will be learning, learning, learning from successful people, and I will be investing in my skills.

If you need more encouragement and a clearer vision for how to push these 38 days, I highly recommend this audio.

So what did you get done this year? What will you do the next 38 days and next year?

If you decide to answer on your own blog, please, let me know!! I want know more about you :)

Be your best, babes!!!

PS. You might wonder, why I am posting all this on a fashion blog. Well, since the beginning of the blog, it was never intended to be just a fashion blog as one of the categories always have been “words". It’s not enough that we design our styles, looks and clothes. We have to design our lives. Also, I have disclosed some goals to you that are very personal so I really count on you being discreet and open to be honest with me as well. 

“A” line skirt / Outfit

jacket - ℅ Sugarlips / skirt - handmade / sewing machine - vintage Singer

“A” line skirts is something that has gotten a lot of my attention this season. They are not very flattering, especially if knee-length or longer, but for some reason that is exactly what I like. Yesterday my mom was nagging me about my bleached eye-brows (again), and something she said stuck with me. “Why are you trying to take away from your beauty?” was a question she asked and, to be honest, I didn’t have an answer. I never thought of it that way, but I guess I am somehow attracted to things that in our world might be perceived as unattractive and maybe even ugly.  Why is that? What do you think? Is there something you like that the majority of people might not agree with?

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!!

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

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!

time

top - DIY (here) / watch - Triwa (via Bloggers Wardrobe )

When you do something you like, time passes by so quickly. It’s never enough time. I remember being in high school and wishing my time away - on Mondays I’d already be waiting for the Friday. Then one day I realized that this way I’m wishing my life away. I will never have that Monday back again so why wish it away? On that day I made a decision to only do things that are worth my time and do not make me wish it was already the next day. Since then time flies. Deep thoughts again.. Don’t wish your life away! And now it’s time for me to go pack because we are leaving for NYC, and then Moscow in just 2 hours. I’m excited and a little nervous. But over all very thankful. To you, my friends!! Thanks so much for all your sweet comments of support!! To Triwa + Bloggers Wardrobe for this beautiful watch so I can catch my time, to my husband and my dad for this trip that we are about to encounter, and above all to my God.

Much love to you!!



PS. My Russian readers, I’d be super stoked to hear from you if you have any suggestions on what are the must see, must go places in Moscow :)

leather+skirt ( part I )

top-DIY(instructions here)/skirt- H&M/sandals-Sam Edelman(via Nordstrom)

For a while now I have been living by faith that my desire reveals my design and destiny. We all desire to succeed in some areas of our life. And you know what? We are designed to! “Desire reveals design and destiny. An eagle was designed to soar, and it has the desire to soar. The eagle was perfectly designed for it to soar. It was not designed like a chicken. It doesn’t have the desire to cluck around the ground on the ground…” (Dani Johnson) What are your desires? Do they reveal what you were designed for? Most likely they do so go for it and don’t look back!

Much love to you, babes!! Make it a beautiful week! This outfit is just something I can wear all the time. And as you can probably predict from the title - there will be a part II .