a prairie girl who collects passport stamps.
We all know that winter can take a toll on our bodies. Thankfully, winters in Christchurch are typically crisp yet sunny and it's easy to get by with clever layering, a thick pair of socks and a quality winter coat. Having dealt with -30 degree weather back in Saskatchewan, I don't find Christchurch winters unbearable [...]
It's not quite spring in New Zealand, but today has been unseasonably warm (16 degrees!) and I've been dying to wear this skirt since picking it up in LA. It's from Reformation, one of my all-time favourite brands. All their pieces are made from super sustainable materials like rescued deadstock fabrics and repurposed vintage clothing. [...]
Throughout the first few years of my career, I wore mostly black. I still mostly reach for neutral items for their wearability and longevity, but every so often I'm drawn to something printed. This floral Olivia dress by RUBY is one such item. Ever since I saw it in store, I knew it would fit [...]
Where do fashion designers find inspiration and who do they credit with their creativity? Kate Sylvester shares the artwork that influenced her past and present collections and her ongoing love affair with lingerie. You've surely seen Kate's newest collection, A Muse, inspired by Picasso's genius, his paintings and his muses who created the evolution of his work. Kate feels [...]
I've always admired New Zealand designers for their focus on creating quality fabrics and wearable garments. I admire the ethical means and methods by which they produce their clothing. Many Kiwi designers still make their own fabrics and garments in-house. Others work closely with factories and mills overseas. Speaking to a handful of the country's most respected designers, I learned [...]
How about a bit of real talk to kick off today's blog post? If you're wondering why my background is beginning to feel a bit repetitive, I'll let you in on a little secret: I've been using this sensor feature on my camera where I wave (quite aggressively) in order to take a photo. It doesn't catch my [...]
Most of us are expected to network a handful of times in our professional and personal lives. Whether you've recently moved to a new city or you're gunning for a new role at work, networking is a part of life. And as much as networking freaks many of us out, it's a necessary way to shake up your [...]
1. Lorde's alternate universe in her new Team video. 2. Thai Iced Tea and Massaman curry from Khao San Road 3. These over-the-knee socks from American Apparel. 4. Toronto's Christmas Market in the historic Distillery District (they have samples of mulled cine and hot scotch cider!) 5. Travelling. I am planning something for 2014 already. [...]
Chicago's been on my list of must-see cities since my family visited (sans moi) a few years ago. Granted, I was living in New Zealand at the time, so passing up on a few North American trips didn't seem like such a big deal. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to visiting the Windy City! I'm especially [...]
If you're not yet following me on Instagram, please check out my account: vanessaortynsky. Natalie and I getting ready for the ceremony! My boyfriend, Nick and I grabbing a midday coffee following the wedding ceremony of two of our closest friends, Kirsten and Steve. Jake and I love tapas, especially snow crab pogos! Mary, one of [...]
