Sunny Day Real Estate

Hello, it's been a while since my last style post. I was a lot better at the before, and I apologize. I'm hoping the next time I get back to Vegas I can bring back my tripod! And then I won't have to bother Chris anymore. We walked home after dinner; he was holding our leftovers and took two photos as fast as possible. HAHA!
Missoni for Target blouse (gifted from Melissa!) | F21 shorts | World New Zealand shoes | gold watch gifted from my mom | H&M purse

I wasn't in New Zealand when the Missoni riots broke out. This was a nice surprise when my buddy in NZ gave this blouse to me. She said it was more me. We swapped more clothes later! I love bold prints.

This blog has gone in many different directions. Today, I really wanted to blog about all the old music I've been listening to lately. When I was a teenager, I grew up listening to punk, pop punk, hardcore and emo. Today, I couldn't stop listening to Sunny Day Real Estate which is so fitting since I now live in Seattle!

Some of my other old forever favourites bands from that time were Saves The Day, Lifetime, Kid Dynamite. I want to make a 90s/00 playlist. I also want to share a summer playlist loaded with all the Brit pop/indie/shoegaze/nugaze airy music that I also love.

xo
jv



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New Zealand Wedding

In March, I took photos as a second shooter at my friend Maggie's Samoan/Niuean themed wedding. It was the first Pacific Island-themed wedding I've ever been to. I say that- as that's exactly what the groom asked me! (I went to a Maori wedding in 2010 where they sang in Maori, served a hangi and did several hakas! It was also held inside the Destiny Church. Needless to say, it was an amazing experience. Although, I'm unsure if Maori people consider themselves as Pacific Islanders but Polynesians.)

As the second photographer, I captured so, so, so many tender and memorable moments. My favourite part was when the wedding party stepped outside the church. Everybody was hooting, howling and grinning ear-to-ear. I met Maggie's bro who was the videographer, who's also an amazing photographer. Turns out he's a prominent Australian contemporary dance choreographer who travels around the world for dance companies. It was inspiring just being in his presence. This day was so inspiring.

The wedding continued on with several cultural traditions like singing, chants, dances, Nieuan cloths rolled out where money was collected. Apologies as I don't know what it was called, but it was a Nieuan tradition! There were Hawaiian, Tahitian, Samoan, Cook Island and Niuean dances! And then eventually the bride's family ended the reception with an amazing hip hop dance. The people at this wedding were so enthusiastic about dancing. I honestly want a CD mix of the fun Samoan dance music I heard that day. I can see why our friend Jeff had such a great time in Samoa dancing there!

Here are a few of my favourites that I was fortunate to catch:

Dream Spaces

I love living in the city, but it comes at the expense of small apartment living. I wish we lived in a wide open space. I'm excited with the possibility of owning our own property one day.

 We haven't decorated our apartment yet. These are all ideas that I adore from afar.
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xo
jv

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What Happens in Vegas... Funny Faces

It's imperative that funny face photos are taken whenever I touch down in Vegas. I don't know what it is about that place. The (lack of) water, the desolate desert in general, people in Vegas tend of have an extremely laid back sense of humor. Extremely uninhibited west coast vibes! This is why I love these people so much.

I cried into laughter and started having convulsions because of this.

Don't ever let anybody talk crap about where you're from. I am determined to break down every stereotype wrongly sent my way. I had a good life and opportunities there. My friends were amazing too.

xo
jv

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