For a Behind-The-Scenes look at the Resort 2013 Lookbook shoot!

Coming soon…

Whether you’re in the market to sell off some amazing designer duds (weeded out from your spring cleaning because the hubby barely has any space left for his wardrobe) or you’re in the market to dig for some high-end pieces at lower prices OR you’re just in the mood for some retail therapy, INA is the place to go.

New York has a million great consignment stores, and if you’re someone who has a passion for this kind of shopping, you have your favorite place, too. For us, it is INA. There is everything from your classic Chanel - to funky vintage floral boots - to statement pieces like the Chloe animal printed coat below.

While in the Nolita store yesterday, we snapped some pics of a few of our favorite things.

A view from across the street - It is always bustling with chic shoppers

Their jewelry case has some great finds!

LOVE this Fendi bag paired with this Chloe coat!

 Yes please - an architectural beauty!

 Had to take a pic of the back of this Marni red leather jacket..

No words for this Richard Nicoll dress…or chic armour, is more like it

The shoe wall for all of you shoe-fanatics :)

Had to try it on this little Versace number, just for the beautiful pleating action going on in the back

Balenciaga platform heel - perfect for summer and rougher terrains.

Almost purchased this Derek Lam jacket, sigh!

Last thing I saw was this phenomenal bag..

Thanks to the lovely staff, for topping off the experience with their great enthusiasm about every piece in the joint! Will go back to visit our friends here soon enough!

http://www.inanyc.com/

After a fun trip, swing by Café Gitane or Café Habana (two cool spots on either side of the store) for some people-watching and good food!

xx

Summer is just around the corner and if you’re anything like us, you probably feel like “April showers bring May flowers” got reversed.

In anticipation for Memorial day, when it becomes socially legal to start wearing white again, (we don’t believe in this, mind you) here are some tips to look bronzed and beautiful, no matter what surprises the weather has in store for us.

1.       Scrub off that winter skin with the lovely skin buffer body scrub The Original Brown Sugar Body Polish by Fresh.  It seems our friends at In Style agree!

2.       Tan Towels are a miracle-worker!! Careful around the hands, ankles and feet!

2.5   Nars Illuminator. Amazing, last-minute way to get your glow on, without worrying about streaks or stains. Just use anywhere on your body before getting dressed, as if you were putting on your lotion. It is lotion + bronzer in one.  

3.       Nars Laguna Bronzer – the greatest bronzer known to womankind – looks like you’ve been on the beach for a week, even when you, in fact, look like a ghost.

4.       Hot Pink lipstick – this summer calls for us to amp things up a bit! We love MAKE UP FOREVER’s Rouge Artist Intense Satin Fuchsia and for a hott hot-pink gloss, use Bobbi Brown’s Cosmic Pink.

5.       To top this beginning-of-summer-look off, throw on our favorite dress - the embroidered organza dress from the VB Spring 2012 collection. It’ll show off your stress-free tan and makeup!

Bonus ** If you need a good beach-babe gift, we love the Nars Beach Lover set

Here are the quick links to our tips!

1. http://www.fresh.com/bodycare/body-exfoliator/brown-sugar-body-polish

2. http://www.sephora.com/plus-self-tan-towelette-for-face-body-151medium-to-dark-skin-tones-P259944?om_mmc=Googlepla&_requestid=42976&cm_mmc=us_search-_-GG-_-pla-_-{keyword}&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=1250901

2.5 http://www.sephora.com/body-illuminator-P284307

3. http://www.sephora.com/bronzing-powder-P12790?skuId=537878

4.http://www.sephora.com/product/productDetail.jsp?skuId=1261452&productId=P268702&keyword=P268702%20Rouge%20Artist%20Intense&_requestid=530124   

4. http://www.sephora.com/lip-gloss-P270542

5. http://veronicabeard.com/items/the-embroidered-poncho-dress

Bonus http://www.sephora.com/beach-lover-P310317

One of the few nights a year that both Fashion industry insiders and outsiders experience shock-and-awe, both good and bad, while style-gawking over the glam-clad designer duds that make the cut and a cameo in the spotlight at the glamorous Met Gala!

Check out some of our personal favorite looks on women who rocked it this year!

~ VSB’s Favorites ~

1.       Bianca Brandolini d’Adda – She is just over the top 60s-70s Italian glam – Gorgeous!

2.       Anja Rubik – Holy double-sided tape! Only she could rock this dress!

3.       Karolina Kurkova – She looks like a gold Oscar statue. She has the MOST incredible body. The dress reminds me so much of Kate Moss’ dress at the Met 2009.

~VMB’s Favorites ~

1.       Camilla Belle – Besides the fact that her dress was incredibly body conscious and flattering, wearing colors like nude or silver, it creates a blank canvas for striking features.  I love her dark hair, eyes and burgundy lip and love that her hair was back as to not compete with the details of the dress. 

2.       Rosie Huntington-Whitely  –  Such a sophisticated dress that exudes confidence.  I love the sparkle and color.  Again, she wore her hair back as to not compete and it doesn’t hurt that her face is gorgeous!  With a dress this color, you either have to go with a nude lip or a shade that is very close to the color of the dress. She wins!

3.       Karlie Kloss – she looks amazing in the effortlessly-chic sort of way! She looks as though she didn’t try at all.  I love the inset lace! The dress has a bohemian feel in its drape while staying sophisticated and stunning!  Gorgeous!!

4.       Heidi Klum – The dress is perfection and I love the subdued color of the lace.  I wish she put a little more definition on her eyes with either a bright spring lip or just a stain to complement such a dramatic dress but she is perfect any which way.

xx VSB & VMB

Go to vogue.com for these images and more..

1.         Shop at Vermillion.

2.       Visit ANY of chef, Ashley Christensen’s restaurants to try her amazing dishes.

We were lucky enough to conquer both during the fantastic brunch event that Vermillion hosted for us!

To Ashley Harris, the lovely owner – Thank you! We love you, and all of the other Vermillion ladies, but OH MY GOD, THE FOOD!

Thank you to Ashley Christensen for your delicious skills in the kitchen. We are still talking about your food, and how there is no way to top the delectable bites at the brunch bash, or the drinks, for that matter. Please write your cookbook ASAP or call us with some recipes! Thanks.

This was the line-up:

Deviled eggs…to die for.

Pimento cheese sandwiches.

Crab & avocado bites.

And, drum-roll please…

Bourbon punch – drinking on the job has never been so delightful.

And, of course, we have not forgotten the Banana & peanut butter pudding. There are NO WORDS!!

Check out some snapshots, below!

Visiting with the brilliant Ashley Harris

The Fall 2012 collection on display

The scrumptious bites we all loved!

More treats…

Thank you to all the gals who came out for the exquisite event!

Love,

VSB & VMB

Just in SF for our trunk show at Saks! It was one of those extra beautiful SF days that makes me proud to be a Cali girl, and sad that I don’t get home more. Loved catching up with some of SF’s finest ladies!

 See Pics Below ~

My beloved sister, Alexis, and I took a minute to chat – She is always the hostess with the mostest

Vanessa Getty – Looking gorg as always, in a VB linen short suit

More amazing hosts – Susan Dunlevy, Sabrina Buell, Allison Speer, Katie Traina and Alexis Traina

Last of the fabulous hosts, but most certainly not least  - Kathryn Lasater and Carol Bonnie

xx VSB

When it comes to travel, who better to ask about the ultimate travel uniform than one of our jack-of-all-trades, Veronica Miele Beard, who hopped down to Dallas last week for a fabulous and fun-filled event at the extravagant Stanley Korshak. For those who are not familiar with the Dallas uber-luxe shopping hub, it is 60,000 sq. feet of pure shopping joy. Not only is the outside a sight for sore eyes, but inside is as well, with a team just as lovely as the store. When asked about what she wore to travel for the day, Veronica M explained that the VB wide leg denim is her go-to look for travel, and big enough of a statement for the likes of Dallas. (We all know they love their denim, and who doesn’t this season?) If you’re looking for comfort while looking ever-so-glam, these are the jeans for you: http://www.veronicabeard.com/items/the-70s-jeans !!

The event was hosted by Dee Dee Hoak, Paige Slates and Veronica M’s friend, Kathryn Beach, who all know what it is like to have a serious scroll of priorities on a daily basis. Veronica M came back to NYC talking about what amazing ladies she spent time with, while at the event.  They reminded us of who the typical Veronica Beard girl really is: busy, chic and in need of ease in her wardrobe.  Kathryn Beach, for example, is the president of Baby Bespoke, which provides beautiful, functional cashmere and knit outfits for beautiful babes. Check it out here:http://www.babybespoke.com/ . Goes to show, no matter the age, there is a huge demand for the harmony of functionality and style in what we wear! While the event really highlighted how women from different cultures and societies all come together for their love of the VB wardrobe, what stood out even more was the admiration we have for women who have taken their passion and created lifestyles around it.

Stanley Korshak’s owner, Crawford Brock, has three rad daughters who have grown into integral players for the family biz. Leigh, Laura and Helen Brock all bring something special to the company and provide a look into the enduring allure of the store, as the next generation of owners and buyers. Veronica M also got to spend some time with Jordan Sinclair, VB’s buyer for the store and a huge supporter of our brand. We are just as much a fan of hers as she is of ours, which is always the best relationship!

Let’s be honest, Dallas is A TRIP no matter the occasion, but when Texan, cool chicks, who love to support our brand, put aside their busy schedules (social events, PTA meetings, business lunches and general daily madness, alike) it makes for the perfect party! A big thanks to everyone involved, both our old and new friends!

Snapshots! 

Welcome to Stanley Korshak!

Veronica M and Stanley Korshak’s fantastic owner, Crawford Brock

Two of our fave looks from the Fall 2012 collection

Veronica M (middle of the pack) with some of the event’s lovely ladies (left to right) - Paige Slates, Kathryn Beach, Dee Dee Hoak, Leigh B Friend

Models wearing two looks from the collection

There is nothing better than fashion, great food and a glass of champagne.  Saks used this trifecta on Tuesday in NYC to raise money for City Meals on Wheels.  They set the stage for a fantastic panel discussion involving some of the most fashion-forward (not to mention some of our favorite gals): Wonder-woman celeb stylist Annabel Tollman, Il Cantinori’s own Nicola Kotsoni, and the Veronicas with NY Mag editor, Jenny Kang, moderating.

A party as fabulous as this one always has a solidified message lingering but this time around, it was front and center, and only fitting for everyone to share what it means to have fashion and family among the staples in their lives. Yes, we all love our families, jobs, apartments, and lives…well maybe not all of us, but at the end of the day, we all need to celebrate who we are and what we do.  It defines us… fashion takes us through the course of our day and the complexity of every woman’s life is why it needs to be made more simple.  It’s why we make the clothes we make and it’s why all women can inspire others…

Jenny Kang  asked us questions about our personal style and how we can all ooze confidence, effortless elegance and the “I-can-handle-whatever-you-throw-at-me” kind of attitude. For some, that may be spiked 6-inch heels and for others that may be a feminine tweed suit. For VMB, it means taking 10 minutes out of her energizer-bunny mornings to gather her uniform for the day. We like to mix it up depending on who you are… creating your own look with our clothes. It is a lifestyle for women who want those 10 minutes to have fun and dress up (or dress down) but also want to make sure that your wardrobe is easy, not complicated and intimidating!

Thanks to Saks, the lovely leading ladies and Il Cantinori  (our kitchen away from home) for a night to remember, with some bubbly to boot. Enjoy some snapshots from the event ~

Our very own Veronicas

Frank Minieri, Il Cantinori owner, with the Veronicas

VMB chatting it up with Nicola and Annabel

The lovely Jenny Kang

Molto Buono:)

Not only is Claiborne Swanson Frank an accomplished photographer and VSB’s sister, she’s also a proponent of wearing VB staples with panache. Check out Vogue’s ode to her Big Apple aplomb—in which our fur-trimmed blazer takes center stage! 

Ever since its inception, we’ve been obsessed with online trunkshow, Moda Operandi. We’ve only just finished showing fall 2012 (and spring has barely sprung in N.Y.C!), but the forward-thinking crew at M.O. has already snapped and styled our collection for next season. Take a sneak peek at some of our favorite looks (below) and click through to pre-order everything from the luxe driving jacket to the blood-orange swing dress—a surefire statement piece all year round! The sale ends Mon., March 26 at 5 pm EST! 

All photos courtesy of Moda Operandi

While a perfectly tailored suit is always chic, John Carter star Lynn Collins looked sinfully glam in our deep navy tux (worn with Bulgari jewels and Roger Vivier heels) at the flick’s Moscow premiere. “A tuxedo on a woman will always rise above a dress code,” says stylist Annabel Tollman, who vowed to dress Collins in the look after spotting it during our fall/winter campaign shoot. “Whether the invitation is for long or short, black or white, the Tuxedo doesn’t give a hoot, with its Helmut Newton sex appeal and garçon manqué irreverent attitude.” Pardon her French! 

“Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right” - The Grateful Dead

Sometimes, on a crisp February afternoon, everything looks extra perfect.

Like a turkey burger with all the fixins from Westville…

…beautiful watersnake detailing from Reed Krakoff…

…or street art to rival the greats.

Don’t you just love New York?

UK bred stylist-to-the-stars Annabel Tollman is practically the Mayor of New York’s West Village. More impressive than her discerning eye and encyclopedic knowledge of the history of fashion (she is a Central Saint Martins grad, after all), Annabel has a certain je ne sais quois when it comes to endearing people. Everyone who is lucky enough to meet her is unfailingly touched by her elegance, poise and zest for life… and it’s hard to miss in the Q&A below! Get the scoop on the upcoming fall 2012 RTW campaign, styled by Ms. Tollman and starring Elettra Wiedemann. 

What tricks of the trade do you apply to styling yourself during Fashion Week? 

If I am travelling, I do a personal fitting and try on all my options in advance. Otherwise during NYFW, I just jot down what I think I will wear on each day. The day of Carolina and Oscar de la Renta is the ‘Lady’ day, but weekend shows are a bit more casual!

 The FW12 shoot was a family affair! What was it like working with team VB?

It was lovely working with the Veronicas and Claiborne Swanson Frank, who shot the imagery. I sort of felt like one of the family too! Everybody was very straightforward and honest and collaborative—no politics at all, which was refreshing.

          What can you tell us about this behind-the-scenes shot? 

The space was really dark and all mirrored and just spoke of decadence. A perfect setting for wearing a tuxedo with nothing underneath! I love a great navy tux and am actually putting this on one of my actresses for an upcoming premiere. I also plan on ordering it myself and will wear it with a camisole and some really great silk pumps.

What’s your favorite VB piece for fall? 

I love the blazers with fur collars; that accent just makes them so luxe and glamorous. The Prince of Wales check suit is a total must-have. I’d wear it separately or together, for the country or the city. I also love the tuxedos (so much so I’ve said it twice)!

As you may have noticed, the VB site has undergone a bit of makeover thanks largely in part to Gillian Schwartz and the creative team at Schwartz & Sons.

Interesting fact: Gillian and VSB went to boarding school for a moment many years ago and were reunited over 15 years later.

From the rebranding to the art direction of our spring/summer campaign, we have seriously positive vibrations about this organic partnership. (Gillian and Co. have worked with everyone from Hunting Season to Steven Alan, J.Crew and Vena Cava!)

Gillian even helped us conceptualize this season’s VB girl (below): an educated New Yorker who moves to the Golden Coast, but is very much at home wherever she lands—be it Malibu, the Joshua Tree Inn or Hollywood!

Seems like Katie Couric and Brandy got wind of our secret weapon: the VB Skinny dress! With ponte side paneling, this woven sheath boasts a seriously slimming effect and is the perfect antidote for winter blahs.

While celebrating Today’s 60^th anniversary on Jan. 12, Katie winterized the style with opaque tights and sleek accessories. Days earlier, Brandy amped hers up with a Louis Vuitton shopper, chandelier danglers and serious peep toes for a New York night out.

A wardrobe staple, The Skinny is still available online at farfetch.com for $595.