A Typical Dinner

Four people sit at a table. They know each other well, and the conversation flows with ease and laughter. They are celebrating the life in each of them.

One person misses her friends so much she can barely tolerate her own mere existence. Her home is far away, her family is untouchable, and things mock her as they mirror what she knows.

Another person, a man, is conflicted. Does he love her or is he in love with her? She is too young and too distant but when she reads his letter, maybe she will know. He needs to know if there is hope, because he can’t cling to what can never be. Yet he will always be an optimist, meaning that he may always be alone.

She is the loudest of them all, but that is because she doesn’t know how to “play it cool.” She wants to be liked by these people, but she may be causing the opposite effect. She always does this: she laughs too hard, or her facial expressions are too much. Everything is too… too… too…

Finally the one who must be the belle of the ball. She keeps everyone on his or her toes with her charm, and the other three people see what she is. Beautiful. Funny. Captivating. She sees what lies within herself however. Underneath the frail surface of her skin are different adjectives: Insecure. Bashful. Scared.

Four people sit at a table. They know each other well, and the conversation flows with ease and laughter. They are celebrating that life is still in each of them.

-V

Artist of the Month Pt. 2: Zona Style

Hi guys! Happy Saturday! I know I said this would be up Friday but let's just say some Target hide and go seek got in the way, so sorry! Anyways, Here are some pictures we took, all the editing are done by Antony. I really like these pictures, what do you guys think? 

I personally really like Antony's style, it is preppy and stylish but not over the top. The colors he chooses for his looks all work together very well and there is always a subtle pop of color which I like. There is always his trusty khaki pants and jacket, and that, is all a guy needs. A few pieces of staple and a few basics and color pieces to put each day's look together. 

Some of his favorite brands are: Penfield, Ball and Buck, Gant, J Crew, Topo Designs and 

Saturday Surf NYC 

-D

Necklace: F21

Coat: J Crew

Dress: Random Market in the Jing

Boots: Lauren by Ralph Lauren

Belt: tobi.com

Sweater: Bass

Denim Shirt: Pull & Bear

Watch: Fossil

Bag: Hanii 

Jeans: H&M

Shoes: Target

Artist of the Month: Denim x Zona

Photo by Denim; Editing by Antony Ohman

Hi guys! This is Denim here and I am really excited for this new project we are going to start doing called Artist of the Month! I might come up with a better name but that's what it's going to be for now. This month, I am so honored to introduce you all to one of the best photographers I have ever met, Antony Ohman, also known as Zona! Not only his work is amazing, he also have great style and below is some Q&A that we did. 

Denim: Describe yourself in 5 words.

Zona: Trill 

D: What camera do you use? Lenses?

Z: I have a bunch of cameras. Right now I've been borrowing a friends Canon 7d for a lot of shoots while I save up for a 5d Mark II. With the 7d I mostly use a 50mm f/1.4, I've always been a huge fan of prime lenses. I really enjoy shooting 35mm also and for that I use a Yashica t4, Nikon EM and sometimes my Polaroid. 

D: When and how did you start investing in photography? Is there a "first time" story?

Z: Not particularly. I went off to Italy for a month by myself during my sophomore year in high school and my Dad was brave enough to let me bring his DSLR along with me for the trip. I shot a few thousand photos during this trip and soon realized that I really enjoyed taking photos. As High School went on, I started taking photography more seriously and would bring my camera everywhere to capture moments spent with friends and sights that I found to be worth capturing. I took an AP 2D Design Class last year with a concentration in Photography and I absolutely hated it. I don't believe that Photography can be taught in the classroom, but only by practice and thats why I didn't attend an art school to study photography. 

D: What are you studying/ doing in college to pursue your career? Is your plan after college being a professional photographer?

Z: I am a Communication Arts major with a focus in PR and Advertising. I would really like to continue with photography, however there are certain types of photography (wedding) that I'd like to stay away from. My ideal job as a photograph would be as an Editorial Photographer for a newspaper or magazine. 

D: Who is your role model in life? Who is your favorite photographer?

Z: I don't have a particular role model or specific favorite photographer. There are so many great, young photographers out there and it's their work that I generally admire. To name a few of those guys, Evan Tetreault, Bryant Eslava, Grant Heinlein and Jack Davies are among some of my favorites 

D: Rank in order of importance when taking a picture: lighting, composition, tone of color, object, whatever else you consider when you take photos. I don't know enough.

Z: Lighting is definitely huge, I'm a big advocate of using solely natural light in my photographs. Composition and subject is what makes a photograph for me however. I really enjoy shooting people in all types of situations and locations rather than just a landscape photography. 

D: Describe who you want to be in 2 words. 

Z: Yung Zona 

The next post is going to be about his style specifically and it will be up on Friday! Stay tuned.

Check his work out @ antonyohman.us

-D

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tamburix/3128183211/

Christmas. The time of year in which we all complain about the cold then beg the skies to snow. We spend money on gifts for our parents then write “cash” on our wish list. We cut down a tree and bring it inside the house then take some lights and put them outside the house.

            I’m being facetious of course, but really, the holiday season makes people talk about Christmas, and only Christmas. There is something in the air besides a bitter chill as gifts slowly build up under the tree and nativity scenes appear in front of every church. No one listens to anything but Christmas music. Red and green is suddenly ok to wear constantly. I don’t know, I guess it just makes us all happy to have this beautiful, sparkly holiday that can only be present in our lives only once a year.

            Where am I going with this? I’ve come to that awkward point in my story where I need to find some purpose in what I’m thinking. Who says I need to actually give one, sole purpose though? How about I simply list possibilities.

            This is an easy one, the Jesus Card. With this one I would start preaching to the choir and telling all of you how we need to focus back on the birth of Christ as we go about our Christmas decorating, baking, and shopping. This is a fair point, but not one I feel like making right now.

            Community through recognition of the togetherness among each other as we work towards a common goal. Did that sound ridiculous enough? I hope it did, because it is. We don’t need a holiday to unite us, we merely like having the holiday there because it’s really lovely and incredible. Also, no school or work during Christmas, what could be better?

            Maybe I could discuss this being a perfect ending to any year. Sometimes you just have a bad year, and snowflakes, angels, music, and hot cocoa are really what you need to help end it. Then there can be New Years Day, and you can start anew with resolutions you probably won’t keep.

            Have I listed enough things? Can we get on with our December celebrations now? Go read some Dickens, maybe cut snowflakes out of coffee filters. Create a Michael Buble Christmas Pandora list. Make a snow angel, convince your friends to go ice-skating, leave a Christmas surprise in someone’s mailbox. This delightful season won’t last for long, so enjoy it enough that you can ride the high of Christmas cheer until next winter.

            Merry Christmas,

Velvet

P.S. Velvet is a fantastic Christmas material. Just in case you were wondering what to wear in the next few weeks.

Outfits #2

Dear all,

It is Thursday! I cannot wait for the weekend to come for some thrifting and some serious paper writing.. BUT we though we'd brighten your day up just a little with this outfits post. Our first one was quite loved so we decided to compile 3 days of outfits into one giant post for all of you :)

Enjoy!

Day 1 

Sweater from tobi.com

Skirt from random market

Scarf from Gap

Earrings from tobi.com

Socks from F21

Converse

Bag from Target 

Blazer from United Colors of Benetton 

Jeans from Aeropostale

Necklace from Macy's

T- Shirt from Gap

Hat form bp Nordstrom's 

Shoes from Mia

Cuff from Forever 21

Day 2

Pea Coat from J Crew

Scarf from Gap

Chambray shirt from Pull & Bear

Sweater from Marshall's

Collar chain necklace from F21

Socks were thrifted

Boots from Lauren by Ralph Lauren

Blazer from Hinge 

Bustier from Maple

Shoes from Charlotte Russe

Day 3

Studded Tweed Jacket from Marshall's

Dress from F21

Stockings from H&M

Usual Watch from Fossil

Silver Chain Bracelet from F21

Belt from tobi.com

Ear cuff earrings from tobi.com

Isabelle Marant Style Wedged Sneakers from F21

Sweater from Tommy Hillfiger

Fringe pants from Hue

Ring was a gift

Check out V's post on Accent Nails yesterday!

Boots from Madden Girl

- V&D

Accentuate

   If you ever try learning another language, you quickly figure out that the accent is key. Italian with a Russian accent is just confusing, don’t roll your r’s when speaking Chinese, and if you speak French with a southern accent, the French will give you a nasty look and throw some white flags at you.

   Similarly, accents are a necessity when adding a little color to your nails. I know that you have all seen them somewhere –Pinterest, Facebook, etc. But really, they can be so much fun, especially if you have a wide variety of nail polishes to choose from. Seeing as Denim has an entire drawer full that I can raid, I have been changing my nail color every week. Here are a few combinations I’ve tried:

   Don’t be afraid to get adventurous! I’ve seen many different ways to do cool stripes or Christmas themed nails (which may make an appearance later!) and it usually isn’t too tricky to jazz up your nails. I'm also partial to making the accent nail be the ring finger, but any finger would look good.