bikinis and passports

it was about time ...

2011-08-26T09:21:00.001+02:00

Ok, so we all knew I wouldn't be able to keep this a secret until Monday, right? :) Some of you might not understand my excitement all that much, but I am beyoooond excited ...

I am finally moving to my own domain!!!

http://bikinisandpassports.com

After blogging for over a year and a half now I thought it was about time that I got a little place on the world wide web to call my own. I hope you guys like how it turned out, I absolutely adore it!!

We are still working on some last minute changes over the weekend and inserting a few more pictures. So please bear with me until Monday.

Also, if you are a follower via RSS Feed or Google Friends Connect, you have to re-follow the new site in order to receive updates. As far as Bloglovin' goes, we are trying to move those followers. I'll keep you updated :)

For all of those that are sweet enough to include me in their blogroll. If you could please update your links, that would be amazing!!!

XOX Vicky

cha - cha -cha - chaaaanges.

2011-08-25T10:12:00.000+02:00

Good morning lovelies!! I just wanted to check in really quickly and let you know that I will be m.i.a. for a few days. Big changes are happening around here and it is going to take a little time to get everything situated. But next Monday better and prettier things await :) I am so excited!! I hope you'll like it as much as I already do! While I will probably not know what to do with myself without blogging the next few days, I leave you with some of my current favorite remedies against the blazing heat that has hit Vienna. Happy summer, my loves!!

XOX Vicky

PS. be sure to follow me on FACEBOOK, where I will be uploading outfit previews and lots of pictures all weekend while I can't blog :)

sail away with me, honey.

2011-08-24T08:31:00.000+02:00

There is something so magical about sailboats, pretty lakes and gorgeous houses. It always puts me in a dreamy mood. These pictures were taken last Monday in Loosdrecht. The striped shirt is quickly becoming one of my go-to pieces. Don't you just love when you buy an item just because it is on sale and then it turns into a favorite piece?

Chloe K. top

H&M blazer

Coal 'n Terry vintag CK shorts

Zara flats

Ray Ban sunglasses

XOX Vicky

all ears.

2011-08-23T09:35:00.001+02:00

Ever since I had the top of my ear pierced when I was 16, I have been wearing the same diamond stud in it. It is simple, subtle and timeless. But lately I've been wanting to try a different option as well. I don't want anything too crazy, but I just feel like it would be fun to change it up every once in a while. I found a great little piercing here that seems like it would still be "me" just a little cooler with the second crystal in the back of the ear. What do you guys think?

{this is the tiny diamond I am currently wearing}

{this is the one I am thinking about getting}

{I also like the rings, like Sienna & Ashlee are wearing}

XOX Vicky

**Images via: 1, 2 & 3

the perfect lazy sunday.

2011-08-22T08:59:00.003+02:00

Sleeping in. Having a late breakfast on the deck at Urania. Wearing a bathing suit and summer dress all day. Laying in the sun. Occasionally dipping into the pool to cool off. Enjoying gorgeous views over all of Vienna. Sushi for dinner. Iced chai lattes for dessert. And all of the above in great company ... Now that's what I like to call the perfect lazy Sunday ♥

{the view from breakfast}

FCUK jersey dress

Palmers bikini

Steve Madden sandals

Zara bag

necklace: HERE

Mango sunglasses

How was your weekend? Was the weather as amazing as in Vienna?

XOX Vicky

PS. I have been super bad about answering your comments lately :( If you guys ever have any personal questions, feel free to email me. I usually get back to those within 1 or 2 days.

from rome.

2011-08-20T08:39:00.002+02:00

For those of you who saw on my Facebook page that Sonja brought me back a gift from Rome, here is a better look. It is a gorgeous pleated skirt in a powdery pink with pretty lace trimming. I adore it!!!

XOX Vicky

OOTD - new sandals.

2011-08-19T08:46:00.002+02:00

Yesterday I spent the day with Sonja. The weather was exactly like summer is supposed to be, hot temperatures, everyone eating ice cream and we were sweating like crazy. But we had fun!! I purposely put together an outfit that allowed me to wear my new sandals from Bali. I love the detailed beading and how soft and comfortable they are.

H&M dress , headband and belt

Zara crochet vest

Free People bag

Mango sunglasses

sandals: a gift from Sophie, bought in Bali

Ps. If you follow me on Facebook, you already got a sneak-peak of a present that Sonja got me on her trip to Rome. I can't wait to show you what it is, I am absolutely in love!!!

XOX Vicky

roadtrippin'.

2011-08-18T09:56:00.000+02:00

During the past week I have spent 3000km in the car. That's a LOT!!! Trust me :) Yesterday Mike and I drove back to Vienna from my parents' house. Since the weather was absolutely gorgeous and we didn't feel like sitting in the car and missing out on all the sun we decided a quick stop by the lake was necessary. While we were trying to find a nice place for some iced-coffee we stumbled upon a boat rental place and couldn't help but rent one of those small electric boats. We had so much fun cruising around the Mondsee (translates to "Moon-Lake") by Salzburg and having a huge and entirely unnecessary portion of ice cream afterwards. Unfortunately my camera's batterie died in Holland so all I have are cellphone pictures with a severe lack of quality. But the lovely Victoria was at the same lake a few weeks ago and snapped some gorgeous pictures, you can find them HERE.

PS. how gorgeous are my new sandals? Sophie brought them back for me from Bali where she spent the past month. I am crazy in love with them!!!!

XOX Vicky

fashioncamp 2011.

2011-08-17T22:39:00.001+02:00

Hi pretties!! Just a super quicky post before I head off to bed. Mike and I spent most of the day in the car, traveling back to Vienna. On the way we made a little pit-stop by a gorgeous lake. I snapped some pictures with my phone which I'll show you tomorrow. For now I wanted to share a short video that came out today. In September the FashionCamp Vienna will take place again and I definitely can't wait. This video is a little teaser for it. Can you spot me in the video? You can find the outfit that I was wearing that day HERE :)

XOX Vicky

Laren & Amsterdam.

2011-08-16T09:01:00.000+02:00

While we are packing our bags right now to head back to Austria, I wanted to leave you with a few more impressions from the weekend. Due to the fact that we've been to the Netherlands and Amsterdam multiple times we didn't really do any sightseeing since we've seen most of it already. However, we did spend our Saturday in the beautiful little town of Laren and Sunday in Amsterdam. Mostly just looking at all the shops and sitting down for late lunches and long coffee breaks with the family. So relaxing!!

XOX Vicky

the birthday party.

2011-08-15T13:27:00.001+02:00

On Saturday my aunt celebrated her birthday and I am so happy we made it through the long drive to be a part of it. They had an amazing tent set up in their backyard, lots of mouth-watering food and a great DJ. The perfect combination for an even more perfect birthday party. During dinner there were lots of fun performances and afterwards some of the tables were moved aside so we could dance the night away ... that is until the police showed up because the music was heard 2km away :)

{my brother, Robbi, & I}

{everyone came dressed in red & white which looked amazing!!}

{the party tent in my aunt's backyard}

{pretty tables}

{the chefs hard at work, preparing the delicious dinner}

{close-up}

{my gorgeous mommy}

{my cousins & uncle after their performance}

{tiramisu... YUMM}

{dancing}

XOX Vicky

OOTD - holy holland.

2011-08-14T12:01:00.001+02:00

We spent the day yesterday shopping around in Laren, a super cute little village, having a late lunch and then taking a quick nap before the party. The night was soo much fun!! I'll have to show you some pictures soon but whenever my family gets together it is a guaranteed good time!! Here is what I wore during the day:

H&M blouse

7 For All Mankind jeans (Roxanne)

Zara flats & belt

Stephan & Co. necklace

Juicy Couture bangles

MK watch

Etsy bracelet

PS: How gorgeous is my aunts backyard where these pictures were taken? Basically my dream!!

XOX Vicky

where the tulips grow.

2011-08-13T11:41:00.001+02:00

Good morning lovelies ♥ After a drive from hell ... 14 hours of slow moving traffic and rain, we finally made it to Holland late last night. Luckly there was some yummy food and red wine waiting for us and we ended the day on a good note with our family and friends at 2:30 in the morning.

Today is the big birthday celebration. The weather isn't particularly amazing but it'll be a great night no matter what. We started the day with a delicious breakfast at our hotel, which included the most perfect little dutch pancakes. I'll show you guys better pictures of my outfit later on.

{our view from the breakfast table, the hotel is right by a little lake}

{mini dutch pancakes: poffertjes}

XOX Vicky

chuck-a-roo.

2011-08-12T08:58:00.002+02:00

While I love my ballet flats and sandals, I have been looking for a pair of shoes to wear with some simple jeans for more casual days while running errands or sitting through lectures. Sophie bought a pair of converse chucks a few weeks ago and has been loving them, so I'm thinking I may have to go for them as well :) The ones below are what I have decided on. Now I just need to go and hunt down my size! (and maybe start a little d.i.y. project to add some studds?!)

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4

XOX Vicky

OOTD - sweet tooth.

2011-08-11T08:26:00.003+02:00

Yesterday I had a wonderful afternoon, spent with Anna in Vienna's first district. We met up at ODC for some of their amazing pastries and a big cup of coffee. Everything was so delicious and we had a ton of fun chatting away about blogs, bracelets, favorite restaurants, apartments, muffins ... life.

For some reason the weather has been weird and I was pretty cold even though I wore tights with my shorts. Ughh this summer really isn't all that but I am still hoping for a few warmer days in the late summer. Today I am off to Holland until next Tuesday for a big family party. So excited to see everyone and to spend a few days with my loved ones!

H&M shorts

Zara blazer & flats

Lily White top

Moschino letter belt

MK watch

cupcake necklace (a gift from friends)

mixed bangles (H&M and Juicy Couture)

XOX Vicky

waiting for the mailman ...

2011-08-10T15:19:00.000+02:00

I spent my afternoon yesterday doing some pre-fall shopping. The weather hasn't been as sunny as you'd expect for August, so I might as well be getting my autumn wardrobe ready, right? Almost everything is Zara, except for the girly sandals with the bow, those are from Purefashion.eu. Can't wait for the mailman to drop off my goodies :)

Now I am off to meet the lovely Anna at Orlando di Castello for some coffee and dessert ♥

Wishing you a fabulous Wednesday!!

XOX Vicky

pure energy.

2011-08-10T08:52:00.001+02:00

Lately I've been subbing my morning lattes and oatmeal for an energizing smoothie to enjoy after my workouts and I totally love it. It is super easy and takes less than 5 minutes. Just mix everything in a blender, top with almond slivers and serve with a side of fresh fruit. (I love melon and blueberries)

XOX Vicky

girls just wanna have fun.

2011-08-09T08:44:00.001+02:00

Two more pictures of my sister, Lotta, and I on Thursday and Friday night. I didn't get a chance to take outfit pictures but at least you get a little peek from these pictures. Can you tell the necklace I bought 2 weeks ago is already a daily piece in my wardrobe? I love it so much!! Totally makes a simple top look glamorous.

necklace: Stephan & Co. (bought at Nordstrom)

XOX Vicky

Friday's breakfast & outfit.

2011-08-08T09:05:00.003+02:00

Last Friday we spent the morning having a lazy breakfast at Naschmarkt. (You already got a preview in the previous post.) The weather was surprisingly warm and sunny and it was a nice change to eat breakfast outdoors. I'm usually not big on breakfast and am happy with my morning latte and a little oatmeal but every once in a while an omelette and other breakfast goodies are fun.

Since we had some appointments scheduled before and after breakfast I wanted to look put together but in a fun and girly way. This is actually what I wore before changing into this, hence the same shirt, sandals and bag :)

A&F t-shirt

Free People beaded skirt

H&M braided belt

Asos necklace (available HERE)

Aldo sandals

Zara bag

MBMJ sunglasses

XOX Vicky

bits & pieces of my weekend.

2011-08-07T08:53:00.004+02:00

I know it is only Sunday morning but it feels like my weekend started Thursday night this week, when my sister got into town. We went out to a really nice dinner with Mike and then for drinks after. Friday was spent eating a late breakfast, shopping, frozen yogurt for lunch, more shopping, sushi for dinner and drinks later on at Palais Kinsky. And Saturday wasn't much different :) Coffee at Starbucks in the morning, walking around town, lunch at Vapiano, preparing some Etsy orders while enjoying some coffee with my daily muffin and then a lazy night in front of the TV. Totally amazing in my books!! It's nice to take a few days off sometimes but today definitely calls for a long run, lots of push-ups and some healthy meals.

How has your weekend been so far?

XOX Vicky

OOTD - sister act.

2011-08-06T09:14:00.002+02:00

Thursday night my sister came to Vienna to visit us for a few days. It's been so nice being able to spend more time with just her and catching up on everything that's been going on in our lives. Between eating way too much, sipping on cold wine on a warm summer night and shopping all day we've had so much fun ... I really don't want her to go home!! I'll have a collection of our weekend together in tomorrow's post and today I have yesterday's outfit for you.

A&F t-shirt

Forever XXI skirt

Moschino letter belt

Zara bag

Aldo sandals

**I can barely take these off, been wearing them non-stop because I love them so much

MBMJ sunglasses

Topshop ring

MK watch

XOX Vicky

tel aviv beach.

2011-08-05T08:44:00.001+02:00

I am constantly getting asked about what places in Vienna I can recommend. And while I am by no means an expert, I have slowly developed my list of favorites that I always love to recommend to my readers. Tel Aviv Beach 2010 is definitely one of them. It's part of the Neni Group, so they serve the same delicious iced tea, hummus and freshly baked pita bread as the restaurant at the Naschmarkt. But what makes it extra special is the wonderful location right by the Danube Canal, the sand and beach chairs and the great music they play with live d.j.s on most nights. Definitely a great place to visit on a warm summer day in Vienna. Here are some impression from our Tuesday spent there:

XOX Vicky

blueberry-oatmeal-muffins.

2011-08-04T08:28:00.005+02:00

On Monday I picked up an adorable cake stand while Mike and I were at Ikea. I've been wanting an elevated platter for cute baked goods for quite a while. It just looks so pretty to displayed on the dining table. After a few weeks of not much time spent in the kitchen I was super excited about finally having a reason to bake a little something on Tuesday. Even if it was just for the purpose of using my cake stand for the first time. Most of my previous baking has been all about the famous cupcake, but this time I felt like trying something new. I also wanted to make sure I made an at least somewhat healthy snack to be sitting in the middle of the table since it is a temptation every time I walk by. After doing some research I came across this recipe and decided to go for it. I did however make some minor adjustments; I only used 3/4 of everything since I only wanted to make one batch of 12 muffins rather than 16. I also used a little less sugar than what they called for and only all purpose flour, no whole wheat flour since I didn't have any. Other than that I stuck to the recipe and have to admit, I am pretty smitten with the outcome. With these babies "only" counting 190kcal I might just have one or two for breakfast instead of my regular oatmeal tomorrow.

{I really like the way tulip muffin wrappers look so I decided to make my own following these instructions}

XOX Vicky

OOTD - when the sun comes out to play.

2011-08-03T10:01:00.001+02:00

After my first 2 days back in Vienna had been kind of gray and rainy, I got super excited when the sun came out yesterday. It was an absolutely gorgeous day with temperatures of 27°C (86°F) and Mike and I decided to make the most out of it. He had to work but luckily Tel Aviv Beach by the Danube Canal has WiFi and so he was able to get his emails and phonecalls done while I invited Sonja to come and join us. It was so nice to chat about what we had been up to these past few weeks while sipping on some delicious iced tea and getting a little sun. At 6pm a d.j. started playing some very nice tunes and we got to watch the sun set over the water. I'll show you more pictures of the location on Friday, in my opinion it is a definite must if you are in Vienna in the summertime.

Swoon romper

Love by Design cardigan

Aldo sandals

MK watch

Juicy Couture bangles

Tory Burch sunglasses

XOX Vicky

casual monday.

2011-08-02T08:50:00.000+02:00

Since I have gotten back to Vienna the weather has not really kept up to my California standards. But still it is nice to be back and I am definitely fine with getting used to the comfort of home and evenings spent cuddeling with Mike again. Since he had no business meetings scheduled for the afternoon yesterday, we took the opportunity and headed to Ikea to get a few things for the apartment. Good thing about a million other people had the same idea... On our way home we stopped at Naschmarkt (one of my favorite places in Vienna), a big outdoor market with amazing little restaurants. We had a lovely casual dinner at Neni, which I always love for their hummus. And their homemade iced teas and lemonades are nothing short of amazing.

Today I have so much fun stuff planned. The weather is supposed to be getting better but just incase it isn't I have prepared a full to-do list to keep me busy. Including baking some healthy blueberry-oatmeal-muffins for my newly acquired cake stand, having one of my besties, Sonja, over for some coffee, sending out some Etsy orders and going to the market to get some fresh flowers for the living room.

XOX Vicky

girly celebrations.

2011-08-01T08:24:00.000+02:00

So sorry for the lack of posts these past few days. With trying to pack all my stuff, saying goodbye to my bestie, a 14hr flight and my first day back in Vienna, for once blogging wasn't at the very top of my to-do list. But I should be back to my regular schedule as of today :)

If you follow me on Twitter you may have seen a few pictures from our girly celebrations last week. My good friend Whitney had her birthday and Alex and I threw a little mini party to celebrate with her. It was just 4 girls but we had so much fun sipping on bubbly, eating mini cupcakes and spending the day out in the sun.

XOX Vicky

at the beach.

2011-07-29T18:31:00.000+02:00

I can't believe it's already been over a month that I've been living in Hermosa Beach. And that I am going back to Austria today. Some of you are probably wondering why I am going home sooner that originally planned. It's kind of a long story but it involves a boyfriend that I miss more than words coud ever describe, a fun birthday in the Netherlands with the whole family that I don't want to miss and working for free ... you get the picture, right? :)

Even though I am insanely happy that I get to see Mike and in about 24hrs., I am also super sad about leaving my bestie and the beach. It's been an amazing month and I have definitely had the best time out here. But now I am ready to go HOME ♥♥♥ and enjoy the rest of my summer in beautiful Vienna.

XOX Vicky

hair: greek gooddess.

2011-07-28T09:25:00.000+02:00

Since many of you seemed to like the hairstyle I wore last week, I wanted to show you guys the tutorial video that I used. I found it on Anna's blog a while ago. If you try this out you'll see how easy it is, it literally takes 5 minutes of your time, a cute headband, some bobby pins and hairspray and you are good to go. The headband that I used is made by Lipsy, ordered from Asos. They have sooo many more cute ones, I am definitely stocking up on some of these!!

If you follow me on Facebook, you probably recognize this picture. It was the first night I tried out the greek goddess hair-do. I didn't curl the hair, just dried it after washing. And it also works great with long hair like mine. Just a perfect little up-do in general, totally love it!! :)

XOX Vicky

egg white salad.

2011-07-27T08:43:00.000+02:00

Since I have been busy working at my internship 4 days a week there seems to be less and less time for cooking proper meals. So instead of splurging on burgers to-go I have been trying my best to create meals that don't require much time in the kitchen but are still healthy and fresh. Here is one option that I had 2 nights ago and really liked:

XOX Vicky

OOTD - striped cherry pie.

2011-07-26T08:35:00.006+02:00

As I got up to go for my run yesterday morning, the sun was already out, shining bright in the blue skies. Perfect change after a gray and mostly overcast Sunday. So of course I couldn't resist wearing my new shirt and necklace, they just seemed so summery. And what better way to pair them than with my white skinny jeans and lipstick that matched the stripes on the shirt? :)

Chloe K. top

Tally Weijl white skinny jeans

Steve Madden sandals

Stephan & Co. necklace

Michael Kors watch

XOX Vicky

all this & brains too.

2011-07-25T08:37:00.000+02:00

Even though I mostly shopped for Mike, my family and friends on Friday, I also managed to treat myself to a little something. I've been looking for some comfy Victoria's Secret p.j.s for a while but didn't like any of the weird prints and neon colors. Totally fell in love with the little doggy-print, though. And the "all this and brains too" slogan is pretty funny if you ask me :) I also picked up a cozy sweater to wear with it, I'm actually cuddled up in it right now, ready or bed.

The striped shirt and necklace are from Nordstrom. I love how the top is a little sheer but loose fitting and longer. I feel like it can be casual with a pair of cut-offs and swimsuit underneath or kind of dressy with a blazer and statement necklace.

XOX Vicky

laguna, shopping & sushi.

2011-07-24T09:13:00.000+02:00

Hello lovelies!! I hope everyone is having an amazing weekend. Mine has been pretty great so far :) On Friday I drove down to Laguna Beach. I spent the day shopping (mostly gifts to bring home) and visiting one of my best friends from when we lived here, Alyssa. For dinner I met up with my mom's best friend and her family to have a cocktail, some appetizers and lots of laughter. What a fun day!!! Saturday was spent at the beach in Hermosa. The weather is absolutely perfect right now!! For dinner I went to sushi with Alex and Michi, a friend from Austria who happens to be visiting L.A. right now. It was crazy delicious.

{ <3 Laguna Beach}

{trouble!!}

{yumm, Michi's 'tokyo combo'}

{my 'california combo' ... amaze-balls!!}

{Alex's 'oishi roll', wrapped in cucumber}

{on our way home from dinner, tired but happy}

XOX Vicky

crème-white.

2011-07-23T09:15:00.002+02:00

When Alex saw me get ready for work on Wednesday she said I looked like "her little german princess" :) I just recently discovered this hair-do through a tutorial video and absolutely love it. You would not believe how easy it is and looks so put together. I paired the girly headband with my new sheer and lace top, my favorite military blazer from Zara and some simple black skinny jeans.

Lily White top

Zara blazer, bag & flats

Cheap Monday black skinny jeans

Lipsy headband

vintage charm necklace

XOX Vicky

230 forest avenue.

2011-07-22T08:17:00.000+02:00

On Wednesday, Alex and I headed down to Laguna Beach after work to celebrate her mom's birthday. We went out to dinner at 230 Forest Avenue and had so much fun, not to mention that the food was insanely delicious!! After dinner we walked over to the Pageant of the Masters. Unfortunately they were super strict about taking pictures. I wish I could have snapped a few shots for you to see, but my favorites were definitely the Alice in Wonderland pictures!! I have a post with my whole outfit coming up tomorrow :)

XOX Vicky

OOTD - beach on Sunday.

2011-07-21T08:47:00.002+02:00

Even though this outfit post is a little late, I still wanted to share it with you since it includes one of my purchases from last week. I loved the idea of this cropped, light-weight knit top on the hanger and love it even more when worn. It is so easy to throw on over a bathing suit but also looks cute with a white tanktop underneath and some skinny jeans. I may even try it with a simple longsleeved top under to wear into the cooler seasons of the year.

Rubish cropped knit top (via Nordstrom)

d.i.y. cut-off shorts with lace

Victoria's Secret bikini

H&M necklace

MK watch

XOX Vicky

new jeans.

2011-07-20T09:13:00.005+02:00

It seems that I always spend my Monday's shopping in Santa Monica :) That's probably because Alex and I love going to the 8pm yoga class at the YogaCo on 3rd Street Promenade and I usually go there right after work and have about 2 hours to kill before class. Perfect time for some shopping, right?! I've been looking for a good pair of skinny jeans for a while and was finally successful. I wanted a fairly simple pair that I could wear casual with a flowy top and sandals but also a little dressier with heels for a night out. I'll show you some outfit pictures soon, here is just a first glance.

XOX Vicky

the weekend in pictures.

2011-07-19T09:48:00.000+02:00

It was such a nice and relaxing weekend. We had lovely breakfasts and dinners out on our deck, enjoyed some sun at the beach, had amazing cookies that our roomate made from scratch and spent Saturday night creating some delicious cocktails.

{iced coffee in the sun}

{yummy & healthy salad with turkey, cranberries and crumbled feta cheese}

{what a lovely way to end the week, dinner & sunset with my bestie}

{hello hermosa beach :) }

{gorgeous Alex}

{watching the sailboats go by}

{beachtime!!}

{love my new bangles for the summer, basically haven't taken them off since I got them}

{surf 'n turf dinner on Saturday}

{the roommate working his magic}

{best cookies ever!!}

{making cocktails}

{strawberry daiquiris}

What did you do this past weekend?

XOX Vicky

OOTD - beachtime.

2011-07-18T08:32:00.002+02:00

We officially survived carmageddon weekend. It was actually pretty funny because the roads were basically empty all weekend since everyone was super scared of crazy traffic. I have a fun little collection of pictures from the weekend coming up in tomorrow's post. For now, here is what I wore to the beach on Saturday. I ordered this dress just before heading to California and love how light and summery it is.

T.F.N.C. dress (ASOS)

Victoria's Secret bikini

Steve Madden sandals

Juicy Couture bangles

MBMJ sunglasses

Zara bag

XOX Vicky

more girls night.

2011-07-16T09:31:00.000+02:00

Just a few more random impressions from our girls night out last Saturday. Amazing sushi, delicious drinks and lots of laughter. But that's what best friends are for, right?

{my boo}

{uhh-mazing sushi for dinner}

{outfit}

{a glass of wine at sashi}

{lovely bar & lounge area at sashi}

{out of this world drinks at rok sushi, I had the strawberry/basil lemonade with sake and elderflower liquor, on the right}

XOX Vicky

OOTD - love that pink.

2011-07-15T08:57:00.004+02:00

Yesterday I chose to pair a fairly simple and light colored outfit with some pink lips. I just bought this lipstick a few days ago and it was my first time trying it. I was surprised by how pretty the color turned out to be and how easy it was to apply. This will be a new summer favorite for sure!

On a completely different note, this weekend a 10-mile section of the 405 freeway here in L.A. is being closed and traffic will be an absolute nightmare Friday through Monday morning. That's why Alex and I have come up with the brilliant plan of not touching our cars all weekend and getting a little tan down by the beach while sipping on iced coffee. Sounds kinda good, huh? :) I'll be sure to take lots of pictures!!

Zara shirt & belt

Tally Weijl white skinny jeans

Love By Design cardigan

Forever XXi necklace

Juicy Couture bangles

Michael Kors watch

Etsy bracelets

XOX Vicky

at the bead store.

2011-07-14T13:05:00.000+02:00

Whenever I go to the bead store I am basically in heaven. I could seriously spend hours in there. Last Saturday I was actually in there for over an hour picking out some amazing new beads and charms for my Etsy bracelets. I already made one over the weekend that I am absolutely in love with.

I've gotten lots of questions in the past about where I buy my supplies. It's kind of hard to say since I basically stop at any bead store that I pass by and usually end up buying something. So most of my pieces are put together with beads from all over. One of my all time favorites, however, is OC Beads in Laguna Niguel. It is gigantic and there is almost too much to choose from. They are a little pricey but I've found the cutest charms and key pieces there. Here is a little peek at OC Beads and the bracelet I made on Sunday.

you can find more pictures of the bracelet HERE

If you guys would like special orders, now would be a really good time since I am close to OC Beads and can basically get / make anything you would like. Just shoot me a quick message and I'll let you know about all the options.

XOX Vicky

monday through my phone.

2011-07-13T08:55:00.000+02:00

For me, Mondays always set the tone for the rest of the week. If you get a good start it seems easier to get things done and manage time wisely. To share some of my day with you I put together a little collage of what I did. Alex and I got up early to work out and grab some coffee. Then I headed off to work and for lunch I enjoyed some sun on our rooftop deck. After work I drove to Santa Monica, did a little shopping, went to an amazing yoga class and shared some shrimp ceviche with Alex at La Sandia. A pretty amazing day in my book. I'll show you better pictures of the 2 tops I got soon.

XOX Vicky

OOTD - girls night out.

2011-07-12T08:53:00.001+02:00

On Saturday Alex and I had a girls night out and I decided to wear my new top from Nordstrom, paired with my fusia Aldo heels. The color of the little flowers on the top matched the heels perfectly :) Since we just had some sushi for dinner and drinks after I wanted to look put together but not too fancy since we live really close to the beach and the dress code is pretty casual in most places around where we live.

Liberty Love top

Cheap Monday jeans

Aldo heels

Asos bag

Michael Kors watch

vintage charm necklace

XOX Vicky

new.

2011-07-11T09:06:00.000+02:00

After the little preview of my shopping goodies from yesterday I now have some better, detailed pictures for you guys. Even thought the original reason for going shopping was the MBMJ bag (I didn't find the style I wanted) I came home super happy and with some amazing purchases.

{I've been searching for a slightly oversized white watch for a while now and totally fell in love with this MK one.}

{I love the pearly and gold details but that it is simple at the same time.}

{I am usually not a big fan of Juicy Couture but these bangles were just too cute to pass up}

{love how the packaging is so adorable and girly}

{and they are the perfect addtion to the new watch on my wrist :) that's actually the reason I got them}

{my key chain at home is more or less falling apart so I went for this Henri Bendel one. I love color combination of white, brown & gold}

I also got a super cute top which you will get to see in tomorrow's outfit-of-the-day post.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend,

XOX Vicky

ultra girly manicure.

2011-07-10T08:41:00.001+02:00

I've seriously been having the best weekend. I told you about my day off on Friday already, which was so nice and relaxing. After the beach I actually went and got a gel manicure. It's not like acrylics or fake tips. Its just a gel nailpolish that stays on for about 2-3 weeks. For some reason I felt like a super girly manicure and ended up with corally pink with gold sparkles. Which I totally LOVE!! What do you guys think about it? I'm usually a do-at-home manicure kinda girl but 3 weeks of cute nailpolish for 17$ sounds like a pretty amazing deal to me :)

Last night Alex and I finally got to have a real girls night out. I have lots of pictures from dinner, our new favorite drinks and my outfit coming up so stay tuned! Ohh and did I mention that I did some amazing shopping? A little preview is at the bottom of this post ...

{Micheal Kors, Juicy Couture, Henri Bendel & Nordstrom}

XOX Vicky

friday at the beach.

2011-07-09T08:32:00.000+02:00

Since I only work Monday through Thursday, I took the opportunity to go down to the beach on my day off yesterday. It is literally only a 2 minute walk from our front door to the sand. On the way I stopped at Tammy's to get some iced coffee to-go. They are said to be famous for their gigantic breakfast muffins but by the time I got there around 11:30 they were already sold out. Which must be a good thing.

After the beach I went and got a gel manicure. Have any of you had that done? It's supposed to stay on for 2-3 weeks without harming your nails. I can't wait to show you some pictures. I got an über-girly color combination: corally pink with gold glitter. Love it!!

XOX Vicky

grocery shopping.

2011-07-08T20:46:00.000+02:00

Today I have my day off and I have a busy schedule planned out. (If you count leisure activities as being busy.) I got up early and skyped with my mom and sister. It's so much fun to not only talk but also see eachother even tho there are thousands of miles between us. Then I got dressed and went grocery shopping at Trader Joe's. I love their baby spinace lettuce and hummus. Those are always in the fridge. I made myself some yogurt with stawberries and bananas for breakfast and now I'm heading down to the beach for a few hours, grabbing an iced coffee on the way. Hopefully Alex will be home from work around 3 so we can plan something fun together. Tonight I want to go on a run by the beach and then possibly enjoy a glass of wine on our deck. Life isn't too bad :)

XOX Vicky

wishlist - MBMJ.

2011-07-08T08:36:00.000+02:00

For a while now I've been wanting to get a nice, timeless leather bag. I'm really not too picky but I do have a few things that I want to keep in mind. I want it to be big enough to function as my daily bag and fit things like my camera and huge wallet. I also want it to be leather. I don't really want a pattern or print on it since I think I might get sick of it too fast. Keeping those things in mind, I've found a few options which would work. Since I don't want to spend a few months worth of rent on a bag I think Marc by Marc Jacobs would be a good price category. The collage below features 6 of my favorites, what do you guys think? Which is your favorite? Do you have any other bags you would recommend?

1. Lady V

2. Classic Q Shop Girl

3. Dr. Q Francesca

4. Classic Dr. Q Lil Ukita

5. Dr. Q Lil Ukita

6. Classic Q Francesca

There are 2 bags that I am currently leaning towards, I'll let you know what those are on my Facebook page later today.

XOX Vicky

OOTD - second day at work.

2011-07-07T08:29:00.000+02:00

Yesterday I had my second day at my internship and I really like what I am doing there. I'll be able to tell / show you guys more of what I do there next week. Even though today was super nice out, I decided to wear jeans and bring a blazer along since I met up with a friend for sushi and some frozen yogurt after work. Once the sun sets it can get a little chilly, especially down by the beach. Here are just a few snapshots that I took after I got home (hence the tired face).

Lush top

Zara blazer, scarf & moccasins

Seven For All Mankind jeans

Forever XXI bracelet

XOX Vicky

celebrating the US of A.

2011-07-06T09:06:00.002+02:00

Alex and I had such a wonderful day spent in Dana Point and San Clemente for the 4th of July. After driving down from L.A. in the morning we got ready and headed down to the Dana Point harbor around 11. We met up with one of Alex's friends who has a boat and had people over to celebrate. They had a full BBQ part set up on the dock and even had a floating jaccuzzi in the water. There were delicious drinks, amazing salads and yummy ahi-tuna sandwiches. I was too scared for my camera to get broken or dropped in the ocean so I didn't bring it to the harbor. But around 2:30 Alex's mom picked us up and we went to some family friends who have a house directly on the beach. It was a really beautiful but mellow afternoon and I could not have imagined a better way to spend the day. Here are some impressions from the afternoon by the beach.

{how cute is all the themed food?}

{gorgeous place to spend the day}

{my bestie since we were 13!!}

{rosé champagne & strawberries}

{as the sun was setting we all got red glow-stick necklaces, loved it!!}

How did you spend the 4th of July? Hope you guys all had an amazing weekend.

XOX Vicky

PS. for those of you that are asking what exactly I am doing at my internship, I have a post coming up with details later this week. I had my first day yesterday and loved it!! So much to tell you guys!

OOTD - 4th of July.

2011-07-05T16:27:00.000+02:00

As most of you know, yesterday was America's Independence Day which is definitely one of the biggest holidays of the year. We had so much fun and I will show you how we spent the 4th in tomorrows post, but for now I have some pictures of what I wore for you guys. Of course we tried our best dressing up in the colors of the flag - red, white and blue. Here is what I came up with:

H&M top

red bathing suit top borrowed from Alex

Coal 'N Terry Calvin Klein vintage cut offs

Mango sunglasses

Zara leopard flats (later on I wore sandals)

mixed bangles

**I know many of you asked about those sunglasses. I got them on sale at Mango about 6 weeks ago and went back to see if they still had them but they seem to be all sold out. Sorry :(

XOX Vicky

beverly drive.

2011-07-04T17:15:00.004+02:00

Saturday was a gorgeous day in Southern California and while Alex was busy at work I decided to use the time to shop around a little. Most of you probably know Beverly Hills because of Pretty Woman and Rodeo Drive. While that is definitely a must-see if you're ever in L.A., I prefer (can afford) shopping one street over from Rodeo Drive, on Beverly Drive. You can find some really nice stores there and the things are actually within a reasonable price range. Here are some of my favorite shops and what I ended up getting.

{where Alex works, they seriously have the most amazing yoga & workout clothes!!}

{I found some amazing lace & sequin shorts at club monaco but left without them :( }

{so in love with these fusia colored suede pumps from Aldo. I also bought a pair of sandals but they had to order my size so I'll show you next week.}

{obsessed with the moroccan oil products}

{left my moroccan oil in Vienna, so I got the smaller travel size for now. can't live without this stuff}

{why am I not capable of leaving this store without getting something??}

I also found this great nail polish in a really pretty light pink that you guys already saw on my Facebook page. The color is called "white lavender". I just couldn't resist adding a little glitter to this girly color.

The last thing I shopped was an adorable cardigan which I'll be sure to post soon as an outfit-of-the-day.

XOX Vicky

OOTD - shopping in beverly hills.

2011-07-04T09:18:00.002+02:00

For shopping around in Beverly Hills on the weekend I wore one of my current favorites that you guys have seen many times before, my black H&M maxi dress. (seen as a skirt here & here)

I was super comfortable but also felt put together at the same time. Don't you just love those kinds of outfits? To spice it up a little I wore my feather earrings which where quite the attention-getters. I got complimented on them everytime I walked into a store. That's one of the things I love most about Americans, if they like something they're not affraid to say so just because you're a stranger. It put a smile on my face every time someone said something about the earrings.

H&M maxi dress and belt

Asos feather earrings

Michael Kors watch

mixed bangles (mostly H&M)

XOX Vicky

PS. The shopping / purchases post is coming up in a few hours :) 2 posts today since I have been slacking the past few days!

working out & unpacking.

2011-07-03T08:46:00.005+02:00

Hello pretties!! I am so sorry for not posting in a while. I've been so busy trying to organize everything here; unpacking, filling our fridge with groceries from Trader Joe's, getting my phone set up, ...

Anyway, I feel like I have everything figured out now and am ready to be back on my regular posting schedule :)

Other than getting things organized I've been working out with Alex, who is basically like my own personal trainer and pushes me to do some amazing workouts. Today I spent the day shopping in Beverly Hills. I got some really cute stuff and have a post coming up tomorrow with my purchases and favorite shops in the area. So be sure to stay tuned, I promise I wont go m.i.a. again!!

{6 a.m. and ready for our workout}

{beautiful sunrise in Santa Monica}

{no make-up and a little tired}

{my half of our closet}

XOX Vicky

my home for the summer.

2011-07-01T08:48:00.000+02:00

Hi lovelies!! I finally made it to my home for the summer. I went straight from the airport down to Laguna Beach to pick up my car and then drove back up to our place in Hermosa Beach, met up with Alex and then we went to dinner with her family. After dinner Alex and I had a glass of wine on the deck and enjoyed the gorgeous sunset. It all seems so unreal still!! Tomorrow we're getting up at 5am and going to bootcamp at 6am ... starting off the summer right! Sooo tired right now, so here are a few first impressions and some of my packing process in the middle of the night before leaving.

{the gorgeous view from our deck}

{packing, packing, packing}

{super tired but so happy to finally be here}

XOX Vicky

higher.

2011-06-30T09:06:00.000+02:00

As you guys are reading this post I am probably flying somewhere over Europe heading towards LAX. I am so excited for my summer in California to start and can't wait to hug my best friend in a few hours ♥

Even though I am super happy about my plans for the summer, these past few days have also made me realize just how much I adore Vienna and all the wonderful people I have met here. On Tuesday Victoria and her boyfriend had Mike and I, along with Sonja over for some dinner and wine on their rooftop terrace. It was such a fun, easy-going and relaxed evening! The view from up there is stunning and Mike is already on the hunt for a place just like theirs. Who knows, maybe he'll have moved all my stuff by the time I get back from California :)

{my favorite bloggies that have turned into amazing friends!!}

{our beautiful hostess}

{what a view!!!!}

Tonight I have plans to go out for dinner with my bestie, Alex and her family to celebrate her sisters 21st birthday. Can't wait and hopefully my jet-lag wont start acting up. Be sure to stay tuned for the next post, it'll be a sunny one :)

XOX Vicky

Thank you, Victoria, for the group pictures of us girls.

OOTD - lace, gray & a touch of leopard.

2011-06-29T11:22:00.000+02:00

On Monday, Mike and I went out to dinner and snapped these pictures on our way. Lately I've really grown to love the combination of a super feminie lace piece with a little edge, in this case torn-up jeans. Of course I couldn't resist wearing my new ring out right away :) so I threw that into the mix last-minute.

Today I am trying to squeeze in a last minute study-marathon, then I have to take my exam at 4:30 pm, come home and clean up the apartment, pack for L.A. and then hopefully have time for a nice dinner with Mike before I leave at 6am tomorrow.

Zara lace blouse, blazer, leopard belt, flats & bag

A&F jeans

Mango sunglasses

ring from HERE

H&M bangles

{after dinner we passed the cutest vespa ever!! I WANT ONE!!}

XOX Vicky

PS. tomorrow I'll be in LA. wehooo!! I'll be adding lots of pictures to my Facebook page so be sure to join the fun :)

manicure madness.

2011-06-28T08:50:00.002+02:00

I've gotten a few requests in terms of what my favorite nail polish is, how I do my nails and where I buy my supplies. While I was supposed to be studying for me English Literature exam yesterday, I found it much more entertaining to do my nails in "too hot pink to hold 'em" and document the process for you guys. To me, d.i.y. manicures are fun and I feel like they turn out just as good as at the salon, if not better. Not to mention that with the money you would usually spend on one professional manicure you can buy at least 2 new shades of nail polish. My favorite kind of polish is O.P.I., I have found those to stay on the longest. However, everyone's nails are different and that's why certain brands work better for some people than for others. I suggest trying a few different brands with colors in similar shades and finding the one that works best for you. All my supplies were bought at planet beauty (nail polish) and local drug stores (nail polish remover, file, ...).

{chip skip, natural base coat, too hot pink to hold 'em, top coat}

STEP 1 - get rid of all old nail polish and clean nails, trim nails with a clipper if necessary

STEP 2 - use a nail file to shape your nails as wanted

STEP 3 - carefully cut any excess cuticles with a special cuticle cutter

{nectarine mint antibacterial soap from bath&body works}

STEP 4 - thoroughly wash hands with soap, getting rid of all the dust from filing

STEP 5 - dry of hands, especially nails, completely

STEP 6 - choose a pretty color, the above are my favorites for the summer

STEP 7 - apply the chip skip to all nails

**this step can be left out, I just feel like the manicure lasts longer if I use it

STEP 8 - apply the base coat to all nails, this makes the surface nice and smooth for the actual color

STEP 9 - apply 2 or 3 coats of your favorite color

STEP 9 - use a small brush or Q-tip and some nail polish remover to clean off any polish that went on the skin around your nails

STEP 10 - apply some glitter to one nail, you can find the instructions HERE

**obviously this step can be left out if you don't want the glitter on your nails :)
STEP 11 - apply a top coat to all nails, adding a glossy shine

{the result}

For more of my favorite colors and polishes, be sure to join my Facebook page.

XOX Vicky

summer wardrobe.

2011-06-27T08:59:00.000+02:00

Over the past few weeks I have been keeping my eyes open for cute pieces that will add to my summer wardrobe and can be worn in different ways and for different occasions. Even though I have been trying to NOT shop until L.A., I made an exception for a little ASOS order last weekend. Well, their huuuuge summer sale started a day AFTER I placed my order :( I wish I would have waited a few more hours to place my order since some of the items I ordered were actually marked down a lot!! But lucky for you, you can still make the most of the savings :) Unless you couldn't wait, just like me! I also scored 2 amazing skirts from H&M on sale 2 days ago so I guess that made up for it. I'll show you those soon.

Here is what I ordered:

{love this ring, available HERE}

{a necklace in the same style as the ring. I don't plan on wearing them together but love the style!! available on sale HERE}

{I'm all about the lace or crochet details right now, thats why these 3 made their way into my shopping basket. I may return one of the white dresses since they are pretty similar. available HERE, HERE and HERE}

What are your Must-Haves for this summer?

PS. On my way to the post office right now, the mailman just dropped off a little yellow slip informing me that a package was waiting for me. Let's hope its these goodies!!

XOX Vicky

in 4 days ...

2011-06-26T08:48:00.011+02:00

... I'll be back in sunny California. To be perfectly honest with you, it hasn't really hit me yet. I am totally focused on my exam that I have 10hrs prior to leaving for the airport and haven't even giving the whole packing process a single thought.

(ok, that might not be true since I've been preparing my summer wardrobe for weeks haha)

While I am more than excited to be reunited with my bestie and living right by the beach with her, I am kind of terrified of being away from Mike for such a long time. I am such a baby when it comes to my family and boyfriend. But I know I will have an amazing time and hopefully learn a ton at my internship, so lots of good stuff ahead to keep me distracted!

Here are some pictures from our trip to Laguna Beach over Easter that I just found on Mike's phone:

{one of my favorite spots to work out in the morning}

{morning workouts with mommy & a view of the Dana Point harbor}

{lycee martini & yellowtail sashimi at Mosun in Laguna Beach}

{after the beachwalk with the family}

{3 arch bay}

{morning bliss}

{top down in our mustang}

{visiting our old neighbors and their breath-taking view}

{Santa Monica pier}

{happy hour at La Sandia in Santa Monica}

{happiness}

XOX Vicky

yumminess at home.

2011-06-25T12:03:00.000+02:00

One of the many perks of visiting my parents is definitely the huge refrigerator that is always full. And of course my mom, the best cook ever!!
Last night she told us she was preparing "just a small italian dinner, nothing fancy" ... obviously her "small" must mean something different than mine :) I'll let you be the judge!

{goat cheese wrapped in bacon}

{arugula salad topped with oyster mushrooms and the goat cheese}

{beef carpaccio}

{italian focaccia}

{melon & prosciutto}

XOX Vicky

all over lace.

2011-06-24T08:43:00.006+02:00

If you have been following my Facebook page, you've seen me post lots of my inspirational images. And lately I've found myself especially drawn to anything consisting of lace or crochet. To me, it adds the perfect amount of girliness and a special vintage vibe! I've been searching the whoooole wide web for something pretty and came across this site: www.very.co.uk . They offer a ton of different dresses, inlcuding lots of amazing cocktail dresses and I've managed to narrow my choices down to these 4. What do you think? Which one is your favorite?

and here are some of the images I was inspired by ...

{via: Hakunamatata}

{via: Sabo Skirt}

{via: My Blomquist}

XOX Vicky

Editor's Note: post in association with "very.co.uk"

ra'mien for lunch.

2011-06-23T09:08:00.003+02:00

One of Mike's favorite places for an easy lunch is ra'mien. And it is quickly becoming one of my favorites as well. Every time we've gone so far I tried something different and ended up loving everything. The rice bowl with shrimp is spicy but delish, the noodles with veggies are super stuffing and if you like fish, the rice bowl with salmon filets and teriyaki sauce is an awesome choice! Over the weekend we even managed to go there for lunch on Saturday AND Sunday ... I think that speaks for itself :) If you're ever in Vienna I can highly recommend this place to grab some casual but delicious asian cuisine. The meals range between 7 - 10€ and you get huge portions. I'm a pretty good eater but I can hardly ever finish my meal when we eat there.

{we always split the Gyoza as an appetizer}

{my noodles & veggies with teriyaki sauce ... totally forgot to take a picture before digging in}

{Mike's spicy rice bowl with duck & additional shrimp added. He LOVES that combo.}

Seven For All Mankind jeans

Asos top & clutch

H&M blazer

XOX Vicky

vintage calvin klein cut-offs.

2011-06-22T09:10:00.006+02:00

A while back I stumbled across some great vintage cut-off online. I've been in desperate search for the perfect pair since last summer and just haven't come across the right one. Even though I was totally uncertain if they would even fit I went ahead and ordered a pair. Well turns out the fit perfectly. (At least in terms of size.) BUT I am not sure about the length. They are great in the front but I do find the bootie a little revealing :) What do you guys think? I think they'll be fine for going to the beach in L.A. this summer but not so sure if I should walk around Vienna with these on ... might cause some unwanted attention, if you know what I mean!!

Coal N Terry vintage shorts

vintage tank top with lace (found in my mom's closet years ago)

Swarovski crystal studs

If you follow me on Facebook you already got a little preview yesterday :) Be sure to join for lots more pictures and inspiration.

XOX Vicky

OOTD - girly with studs.

2011-06-21T09:11:00.000+02:00

Since I only gave you a little peek of the outfit I wore to the blogger event at MIST stockholm I decided to take some more proper outfit pictures for you guys. I played with a super girly dress and blazer but added a little edge with the studded heels and my favorite clutch ever. I have had these shoes for such a long time, worn them a ton and LOVE them. But for some reason they were acting up on Friday and I got the worst blisters ever and one foot was actually covered in blood by the time I got home. How weird is that?!

Zara dress, blazer & heels
clutch available HERE
Forever XXI rings
Thomas Sabo ring

XOX Vicky

a little help.

2011-06-21T00:09:00.000+02:00

So today I have a special little favor to ask you guys :) I recently entered one of my favorite images from the blog for a contest with Nikon. They are giving away lots of amazing prices, including a BOMB camera!! If any of you have a second, I would really, really appreciate your votes. The slogan says "I am a blogger" :) I usually never take part in contests like this but my sister told me about it and I think it's pretty cool. There are lots of amazing pictures taking part!

You can vote HERE

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

XOX Vicky

PS. this picture was actually taken by my sister and I have to say it is one of my all-time favorites ... she captured the lighting perfectly!!

healthy oven omlette.

2011-06-20T08:46:00.002+02:00

Since I always love discovering new healthy recipes on other blogs and websites I thought I would share one of my go-to lunches at the moment with you. Its super easy to make and with barely 280 calories an ultra low-cal option. Because of all the vegetables and protein this will keep you full for a while. Even though eggs are a really good source of protein, the yellow of the egg is actually pretty high in calories. Thats why I only use one whole egg and 3 egg whites. If you prefer using all whole eggs I would only use 3 since 4 might be a little much for one person. By using 3 whole eggs you're at about 380 calories, which is still really good for a lunch or dinner! Obviously you can also use other vegetables than what I used. Sometimes I add zucchini or mushrooms, whatever my fridge has to offer.

XOX Vicky

OOTD - lots of dots.

2011-06-19T08:59:00.000+02:00

The weather has been pretty warm and summery lately and on Thursday we had 90°F and lots of sunshine. After class I met up with Mike and we went on a little stroll through the 1st district. The weather was the perfect excuse to enjoy some Kurt for dinner :)

On days like Thursday I realize how much I really love Vienna. The city has some of the most beautiful architecture I have ever seen and even though I have lived here for 3 years now, I still feel like there is so much more to discover.

Ellison blouse

Urban Outfitters skirt

Zara moccasins & bag

H&M belt

Mango sunglasses

Forever XXI earrings

XOX Vicky

EVENTS - mist stockholm.

2011-06-18T10:40:00.003+02:00

A while back I got a very sweet email from Stefanie of mist Stockholm Austria, inviting me to a blogger event they had planned. So yesterday I met up with Sonja and Victoria and we joined the other bloggies of Vienna for a night of blue bubbly with raspberries and LOTS of make-up.

The newly opened mist Stockholm store here in Vienna is the first in Austria and I have to say, the selection is very impressive, if not a little overwhelming. Over 200 eye-shadows, tons of different glitter and my favorite: LOTS of amazing false eye-lashes. For the next themed party, I will definitely be investing in some of those!! The founder of the company is a make-up artist himself and that clearly translates to the entire line of make-up. But see for yourself :)

{the eye-shadows that matched my dress}

{Sonja and Maria busy testing}

XOX Vicky

OOTD - silver lining.

2011-06-17T08:36:00.003+02:00

Sequins make me happy. It may be a girly thing but I love things that sparkle and on Wednesday I really needed something glittery!! For my statistics exam I decided to get out my favorite sequin cardigan, hoping it would bring me luck. And that it did!!

I have to admit that I can be a bit of a drama queen when it comes to exams. I always tell everyone that I probably failed and did horrible when in reality everything went pretty smoothly and I end up passing... poor Soph got a big dose of that on Wednesday but she managed to cheer me up quickly with a big portion of frozen yogurt. Whining about exams really is something I dislike about other people but for some reason I'm not any better ... Grrrr!! I'll try to leave the drama at the door with the next exam :)

H&M short and shirt

Zara cardigan and sandals

earrings from HERE

ph: Sonja P.

XOX Vicky

KURT - pure frozen yogurt.

2011-06-16T08:24:00.005+02:00

FINALLY: frozen yogurt in Vienna!!

One of my favorite things about California is definitely Yogurtland ... I managed to go there 8 times in 12 day, I think that says it all! Recently I heard lots of talk about a certain new frozen yogurt place in Vienna but then a super sweet reader (Thank You, Kristen!!) let me know about another place in the 1st district - Kurt, which just opened 2 weeks ago. Obviously I had to stop by right away. If you follow me on Facebook you already saw a little preview yesterday.

Yesterday seemed like the perfect occasion to grab some fro-yo :) After finishing my statistics final Soph and I met up with Sonja and we all decided to skip lunch, just to have an excuse to go for the biggest size available.
The yogurt is delicious, the toppings are super fresh and the place is decorated beautifully. It almost feels like a little boutique. The colorful tables outside are the perfect place to spend the afternoon with your favorite girlfriends. So far I am really impressed and will probably be back VERY soon!!

{my choice: pure yogurt & peach with white tea yogurt topped with strawberries, chocolate chips, homemade granola & mango}

XOX Vicky

OOTD - stripes on a rainy day.

2011-06-14T10:00:00.000+02:00

The weather has been a little too rainy for my taste but I guess it comes in handy when you're stuck studying for a statistics final. This weekend my uniform consisted of my most comfortable jeans, an oversized top thrown on and ballet flats. Yesterday I opted for stripes to cheer me up on a rainy day and the leopard flats are definitely my all-time favorite shoes right now :) I guess it's not hard to tell since I have been wearing them non-stop!

H&M shirt and belt

Diesel pants

Zara flats

Forever XXI bracelet

Michael Kors watch

XOX Vicky

the weekend.

2011-06-13T10:00:00.000+02:00

A weekend at home is always pure bliss for me. Especially if it is a long weekend!! I went on 2 morning runs with my mom and our puppy. We had late family breakfasts. Went out for a nice dinner with friends. My dad made me adorable little price-tags for my Etsy bracelets. The garden is in full bloom and all the tables are decorated with gorgeous flowers. Made the best of a rainy weekend with summery drinks. Mommy cooked up some delicious Wiener Schnitzel. Lots of chocolate for my dad on Father's Day. Had a wonderful Sunday BBQ with my in-laws, followed by coffee and cake. And somewhere inbetween I tried studying for my statistics final on Wednesday.

How was your weekend?

{wiener schnitzel.}

{gorgeous peonies from our backyard.}

{hugo.}

{my new price-tags. thank you daddy!!}

{amazing side-dish: halloumi cheese wrapped in grilled zucchini and topped with cherry tomatos}

{happy father's day.}

{heading out to dinner on sunday.}

XOX Vicky

feeling inspired.

2011-06-12T09:25:00.000+02:00

It's Sunday and I am feeling inspired!! I'm sure most of you have a folder somewhere in the depth of your hard-drive that collects things and images you love, want to recreate or simply adore looking at. Well I decided to make a little collage out of my current "inspiration" folder on my desktop and here it is ...

cut offs . feathers . pretty curls . boho chic . pink . adorable pastries . lovely table settings . beautiful home decorations . light pink and summery shorts . ysl arty . being in love . the perfection of too many pillows . rosie . wrap bracelets . new york city . black&white . . .

XOX Vicky

at the stable.

2011-06-11T16:13:00.000+02:00

Yesterday my mom, brother and I decided to watch my sisters showjumping practice. I am super proud of her and she does an amazing job but I really don't like watching her. I get so nervous and scared for her!! Horses are such big animals and those jumps are not exactly what I would consider small. She's fallen off at competitions before and I am so happy I didn't have to see that since I would have probably had a heart-attack!! None the less I managed to keep my nerves somewhat under control yesterday and took the opportunity to snap some pictures of her in action :) And I even managed to get close to some horses. (Even though it was very entertaining for the rest of the fam!)

XOX Vicky

PS. You guys can check out a super funny picture of me, demonstrating how exactly I feel about horses HERE :) enjoy!!

teddy bear.

2011-06-10T08:08:00.000+02:00

Hello pretties!!! I got home to my parents house for a long weekend last night and found my one of my cute teddy bears waiting in my little princess bed :) My sister and I spent the evening watching the Germany's Next Topmodel finale and then I did a little bit of studying.

Today I plan on having a nice breakfast with my parents, doing the 100-workout, getting a little more studying for my statistics final done and taking outfit pictures with my sister. Hopefully I'll have those later tonight for you guys. Until then, wishing you all have a wonderful Friday. Yayyy, weekend coming up <3

XOX Vicky

summerlovin'

2011-06-09T08:40:00.003+02:00

Recently, many of you have asked me what my plans for the summer are and I haven't really given you an answer to that :) Well today I'll fill you in!!

I've been so undecisive about what to do this summer. I really wanted to travel AND I wanted to do an internship. Then at the beginning of May the perfect opportunity came along ... an internship for social media and marketing in L.A. :) I didn't really tell anyone that I applied since I thought my chances were pretty slim. Well turns out my interview via skype went really well and they loved my blog and I ended up getting the internship. (If you follow me on Twitter, you already knew that.)

I had to figure out a place to live, find a car to rent so I can get to work and I had to get my flight booked. I just wanted to finalize everything before sharing with you :) After lots of planning I finally have everything set up and will be taking off 3 weeks from today!! I still can't believe it! I'll be interning 4 days a week for 6 weeks. The office is located right on the boardwalk in Venice Beach ... so amazing!!!

I'll be living down by the beach in the area of Manhattan Beach / Santa Monica with my best friend Alex for the 6 weeks of my internship. She is one of my oldest and closest friends and I am beyond excited to spend some quality time with her this summer. We already booked bootcamp classes by the beach and bought a membership for a yoga place right on 3rd street promenade in Santa Monica.

Now I just have to figure out a way to pack Mike into my carry-on suitcase and take him with me :)

Phewww, what a long post!!! I'm so excited about the summer and can't wait to share my experience of living in L.A. right here on the blog with you. Also, make sure you "like" my Facebook page for more frequent updates :)

XOX Vicky

June 7th.

2011-06-08T08:55:00.006+02:00

Although yesterday was pretty busy, it was still such a fun day. I had to leave for class at 8am (too early if you ask me) and got home around 12:30. Mike and I grabbed some chinese food to-go for lunch between 2 of his meetings. With him working so much I'm really learning to appreciate every second I get to spend with him. After lunch I met up with Soph and we got some errands done. I really wanted to try the new limited edition Nespresso coffee, so I went and got some of that. On our way we passed a beautiful flower shop. Afterwards we went to the gym for a little work-out and then I quickly went home and got ready for dinner with Mike. We went back to CapaTosta for some yummy italian food. I adore the atmosphere there!! Outdoors on a summery day, live music and the smell of pizzas backing in the oven ... heavenly! While we were at dinner I got some great news :) ... I'll clue you in tomorrow!! And to finish a perfect day, Mike took me to Dachboden (a rooftop bar at the 25 hours hotel) with a gorgeous view over Vienna <3

Zara shirt, leopard flats & bag

H&M shorts & earrings

Mango sunglasses

Michael Kors watch

{stunning view from the bar}

XOX Vicky

it's all in the hair.

2011-06-07T08:31:00.000+02:00

After getting so much positive feedback for the headband I wore a while ago, I decided to go ahead and order one that I'd been eyeing for a while on ASOS. After just 4 days I had it in my mailbox today and totally love it!! I can't wait to show you guys an outfit with it. What do you think? Do you like it?

You can get it HERE.

XOX Vicky