GvN Styleblog

WHAT REALLY COUNTS

2015-04-04T16:30:00.000+02:00

THIS BLOG IS PART OF MY PAST.

IT GAVE ME JOY. IT GAVE ME A CHANNEL THROUGH WHICH I COULD REACH OTHERS BY WRITING AND EXPRESSING PART OF MY CREATIVITY.
BUT IT WAS ONLY ONE SIDE OF MY CREATIVITY.
TODAY, THANKS TO HARD WORK, NEW VISIONS AND A LITTLE BIT OF LUCK,
NEW DOORS HAVE OPENED FOR ME.

IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, I LEARNED
THAT FOCUSING ON ONE'S GOALS AND LISTENING TO ONE'S TRUE CALLING

ARE THE ONLY THING THAT COUNT.

I AM LEARNING MORE AND MORE EVERY DAY.

A PROCESS I HOPE WILL NEVER STOP.
I AM VERY THANKFUL FOR ALL THAT I'VE DONE AND ALL THAT I STILL HAVE TO GIVE, WHICH IS A LOT.

http://giorgiavonniederhaeusern.pressfolios.com/

If Quality Is What Makes Vicky Happy...

2015-02-08T16:34:00.001+01:00

Vicky Bonheur (the second name is the French word for 'happiness') is a Swiss fashion brand specialized in feminine lingerie (beside shoes), one of the main passions of the people behind the project.
Mass production is not what this brand is looking for: the limited amount of pieces they produce goes hand in hand with the search for high quality materials and fair working manufacturer, as Oliver Kaeslin and Edith Reddig tell me during our (btw very pleasant) meeting in Zurich. Quality is what they want to promise. An attitude that I like, since it means that they are taking the risk to give you (and right now me!) their word, that their pieces will last more than just a couple of seasons. I want to see what these super cute handcrafted sets are capable of!

Make a Wish Syrup

2014-12-25T12:45:00.004+01:00

This Christmas I decided to prepare something sweet and dreamy for my beloved ones. Just what one needs
during the magical time of the Holidays.
My "make a Wish Syrup" is made with oranges and cinnamon and makes dreams come true: that is why you have to sip it in your tea or coffee while dreaming ;).

To make it, let two oranges (in slices) and 6 cinnamon sticks macerate in 3 litres of water for one night. Take then the oranges and the cinnamon sticks out of the water, add 2 kg of sugar and let it simmer for about one hour. Wash some bottles, let them dry, and pour the syrup.
The easiest of all self-made gifts.

And don't forget to dream a little dream and make a wish!
Merry Christmas everyone!

Quick Post - New Perspectives

2014-12-17T17:37:00.000+01:00

Not bad Miss Modesta,

not bad at all.

Thank you Note: Home Sweet Home

2014-12-12T09:00:00.000+01:00

It is time for a new thank you note to life.

These last months I've had the luxury to stay more at home, within these four walls I love, both dedicating more time to the things I love to do professionally (writing and editing) and to my personal little things.

I believe that anyone who can state to love his or her home can (and should!) consider himself or herself very lucky.

And I do love mine.

So here is a big 'thank you' to life for all the times I can take care of my plants, have the time to adjust the buttons of a coat, make my own candles, bake my own quiche, read the newspaper or a magazine, try a new yoga position or find the right pants for that certain top, have people coming over to celebrate in a cozy atmosphere (because I managed to cook that recipe I wanted to try in a long time).

So thank you life for this extra time. Thank you for my little flat. And also thank you for the awesome guy I share it with.

P.s. For those of you who have no idea what my thank you notes are, read the first post of this series ;)

Wintery Treats for My Face

2014-12-11T10:15:00.000+01:00

"Immortelle" is the French name of a plant growing in the Mediterranean coasts which is famous for its capability to conserve its beauty even after it is picked. What wonder plant could have batter fitted an anti-aging, brightening serum? That's exactly what L'Occitane must have thought when it created this product. And I like it even more since the plants' essences it contains are organic. I am using it every morning and evening on top of my normal face cream. I like to protect my skin from cold.

UNE has most of its products certified by Ecorcert Greenlife, a French control and certification body approved by the French Government. On their website, they really seem to be willing to be transparent towards the consumer since they write the percentage to which products are made of natural or organic ingredients. The Pearly eye shadow palette, for example, has 99.5% of its ingredients coming from natural origin and 10% of the total ingredients coming from organic farming. For brown eyed gals like me, earthy cold tones are great nuances.

I'll be soon telling more about these "greener" beauty product on MyGloss. BTW, you should check out their page, because today you can win other UNE products on their blog!

I've Got Some Serious Plans...

2014-12-10T15:04:00.002+01:00

Holidays are coming, winter is letting us feel its presence outside and days are shorter and shorter ...

Well, I have some serious plans for these calm wintery evenings:

a warm plaid to cocoon myself in, some nice old and new books, dark organic chocolate, a cup of nice smelling tea and candles all around me.

Does it sound like a good plan ;)?

Lama and alpaca wool blanket - Custom made for Rothirsch in the south of Germany by the company Alpenwolle. BTW: Rothirsch is a small nice shop with exclusive uncommon fashion and design products.

After dinner tea - Pukka. It contains organic fennel, chicory and cardamom. A great alternative to coffee after dinner. From Changemaker.

Dark chocolate (70%) - Cru Virunga by Original Beans. This organic milk-free chocolate takes its name from the Virunga National Park in Congo and supports the cause of the gorillas which live there). From Changemaker.

Silk pillows and golden oriental lantern - From Globus.

Chest - From a thrift shop near the Zurich airport (Brockenhaus Sammelsurium).

Almost There! - Pascal's Movember

2014-11-19T15:16:00.002+01:00

As you know, my BF and I are sustaining Movember this year. Look at his moustache! Gorgeous! "I look like a porn star from the '80s" he says. Well, the new style's working: at the office people started to ask him why he changed his look and one colleague decided to join the Movember action.

To all the Mo Bros and Mo Sistas out there:

Hold on! You're almost there!

Find out more at http://www.movember.com

Following the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Days Zurich for the CdT

2014-11-17T07:00:00.000+01:00

Following the most important fashion show of the country for a newspaper was definitely a dream come true. That's what happenend to me last week at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Days Zurich (don't know if you remember but I went to work there as a dresser years ago, when the event was still called Charles Vogele Fashion Days).

Since my priority was to write for the Corriere del Ticino, I did not want to "steal the spotlight" and chose not to publish anything on my own blog first.
However, since I made some pictures of the opening show, which was starring Max Mara (which desappointed because instead of the new S/S 15 collection showed in Milan in September, they proposed their current F/W 14-15 collection again), Lala Berlin (fresh, light and feminine), Julian Zigerli (crazy, pop and colorful menswear), Lug von Siga (sexy and funky modern boho), and Bibhu Mohapatra (almost artistocratic, with, here and there, some modern and ethnic touches)I will post here the link to the article that was published on both the paper and its online page today and, of course, I will now share some of my own pictures from the show.
In the video, my favorite show of the evening, namely the one by the young brand Lug von Siga.

LUG VON SIGA

JULIAN ZIGERLI

BIBHU MOHAPATRA

MAX MARA

Hello Sexyness!

2014-11-09T16:37:00.000+01:00

Embracing sexyness by wearing lace, transparencies and pieces that let you play with your imagination: that's something I enjoy about being a woman. Adding a luxurious skin (read massage) oil to the package is what I like about being in a relationship ;)!
And now, candle light please!

Panties - Anais (@Amorana.ch)

"Sein nu" bra - Agent Provocateur

Massage gel - Skin Addiction, The Supreme Silk Touch by Bijoux Cosmetiques (@Amorana.ch)

Ready Steady Movember

2014-10-21T16:03:00.001+02:00

I didn't think it was possible,

but I am actually jealous of anybody who will be able to grow a moustache this November.

The super cool awarness campaign against prostate and testicular cancer, Movember, is back. And so will be the testosteronic moustaches on the mature faces of conscious men all around the world.

That's probably one of the - hopefully - last traces of my Oedipus complex (my dad has a moustache), but I kinda like "bros" with hairy faces.

I'll see you in Nov..., sorry, Movember guys ;)!

The "mo bro" code:

1.Once signed up at movember.com, every "mo bro" has to begin the 1st of Movember with a clean shaven face.
2.For the entire month of Movember a "mo bro" must grow and groom a moustache.
3. Don't fake it. No beards, no goatees, not fake moustaches.
4. Use the power of the moustache to create conversations about men's health and to raise funds for prostate and testicular cancer.
5. Each "mo bro" must conduct himself like a true gentleman...

Find out more at http://www.movember.com

Psst! Women can support the Movember cause too! I just signed up as a Mo sista!
Check out how on the official Movember website!

YSL: The One and Only in Two Different Movies

2014-10-14T15:13:00.000+02:00

Yves Saint Laurent: one big artist, two different biographical productions launched within a year.

Oh la la!
Watched the first. I still have to watch the one lauched in the trailer above. And I kinda have to, since only the first one officially got the green light from Saint Laurent's life partner Pierre Bergé. Ah, holy curiosity!

The iPhone Diary

2014-09-09T12:26:00.000+02:00

If you think about it, there's no better diary than our smart phones.

We capture whatever gives us an emotion into pictures and then edit those images through apps so that they can mirror even better what we were feeling at the moment we took the picture.

The human mind functions, thinks and understands the world around it in images. This makes pictures the most immediate codex we can use to communicate.

No wonder that we treasure so much the pictures we keep in our smartphones then. I even know people who take pictures of old printed pictures to keep them in their cell phones too.

I had a look at the picts in my iPhone and sorted out those made in the last months that I like the most to share them with you. I "discovered" that I am much of a flower person and that I definitely have a thing for fluffy clouds and suggestive skies. And then of course there is the love for fashion details (some of the pictures above are from a fashion show in Lugano by Addy van den Krommenacker) even though I haven't been taking so many pictures of my outfits and I haven't been very selfie-obsessed either lately.

What do you have in your smartphone? It could tell a lot about you.

Meet My Vienna - Impressions from a short trip

2014-08-10T14:36:00.000+02:00

I just spent four days full of fun and... sugar (oopsy!) in beautiful Vienna.

Here are some of the impressions.
Hope you will enjoy!

@ the Newspaper

2014-08-07T09:49:00.003+02:00

Yes, I've been absent in the last weeks. But it was totally worth it.

Below, you will find some of the reasons why.

I know you will understand ;).

Find out more new articles on my portfolio!

The Canyoning Experience

2014-07-06T21:44:00.000+02:00

This is the definition of what I experienced a couple of days ago by the online Oxford dictionary:

canyoning /ˈkanjənɪŋ/ (also canyoneering) The sport of jumping into a fast-flowing mountain stream and allowing oneself to be carried downstream at high speed.

And this is what it looks like:

I surprised my BF with a canyoning tour to celebrate his birthday (the old chap is turning 32 tomorrow). We had our canyoning adventure in Ticino (Switzerland), where we both come from: it was so great to discover new beautiful natural places from our own native region. Watching the world from a mountain stream (in this specific case, the Boggera) while the flow is literally carrying you downstream as if you were a drop of water was amazing.

All in all: Best water park ever ;)!

Pictures by GvN Styleblog & Swiss Challenge

Hair Therapy Session(-s): the Results

2014-06-21T12:34:00.003+02:00

As promised, I am back with the results of my Bonacure hair therapy session, which I will now officially call sessionS, since I haven't stopped using the Bonacure Repair Rescue products since the test. It's been eleven days now (with a hair wash routine every 2-3 days), and I notice that my hair is glossy, nourished, and healthy. Let's be honest: not that my hair was an absolute catastrophe of split ends and dehydration. But as one can tell when some products are damaging one's hair, I now can certainly state that Bonacure is definitely not one of them, on the contrary. I hope you can see how my hair now shines on the picture above. What do you think?

Henkel and Schwarzkopf state that they have not made any test involving animal experimenting since the 1980s. Since March the 11th 2013, the EU law has forbidden animal testing for all cosmetic ingredients. Henkel & Schwarzkof are following the given rules.

Summer Evenings

2014-06-14T15:23:00.001+02:00

***

Sandals on my feet, my shades on my nose, a lake, fresh drinks and vibrant food.

That's what I am talking about!

***

Hair Therapy Session

2014-06-10T23:44:00.001+02:00

BC Bonacure is a new hair repair therapy for hair issues such as damaged, colored, dehydrated, fine, mature or unruly hair.

I tested the line for damaged hair, which in my opinion is the best preventive treatment to avoid split ends. The results? Follow the nex posts!

White Memories

2014-06-09T12:54:00.000+02:00

Some memories in the freshest color of all:

-Tenebris Jewelry's

-Sea beauties

-Candid embellishments

-Delicate orchids

-Friz the friendly fish

-London elegance

-Sicilian handmade lace

Thank you life for these candid white moments!

Swap it Baby! Impressions from the annabelle Swap Event

2014-05-18T18:05:00.000+02:00

Who said that recycling can't be chic?

That's certainly not what annabelle, one of the major magazines in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, thinks about it. In fact, it organized its third swap event yesterday at Kaufleuten in Zurich.

I was able to follow the preparations and collect my impressions and even find some new cute dresses.

Here is how it worked: every swapper brought her unworn but still impeccable clothes, shoes or other accessories and a team of experienced fashion professionals assessed and divided the pieces into three categories (street, cool, and luxe) depending on their condition and value. For each garment that was handed in, a chip (the currency of the event) was assigned accordingly to the three categories.

A real win-win-win situation for everyone: for the old owner, the new one, and the environment.

*An expert at work while choosing the pieces to be swapped. The LBD was in!*

In addition to the hundreds of swappers who came to exchange their clothes, also fashionistas of the showbiz and fashion industry have shared their private treasures worn during TV shows, interviews or on the red carpet.

One did not have to bring her own clothes to take part at the swap, as just after it, there was also the option to buy great second-hand clothes and accessories. A portion of the proceeds will be invested in the annabelle charity project to build a maternity hospital in Tanzania. I call this a win-win-win-win situation!

*The calm before the storm: everything is perfectly ready to welcome swappers and buyers*

In the loveliest corner of all, Virginie, DIY expert for annabelle and blogger, was transforming some of the clothes from the swap party and upcycling them into new creations. I am looking forward to see what she has done with the pieces she was working with at the event.

During the entire afternoon, professionals from Maybelline and Schwarzkopf took care of the guests' hair and beauty. The DJ and Café de Paris provided good mood for everyone.

*At the register - exchanging the own chips for new found treasures*

*Some of the goodies I took home with me from the event*

Freedom is Blue

2014-04-22T18:21:00.001+02:00

***Freedom is blue***

Dreaming is Making with Caseable

2014-04-19T11:15:00.001+02:00

Caseable produces hand-crafted unique custom covers made in Berlin and Brooklyn for your smartphone, laptop, MacBook, tablet, eReader, and Kindle. All cases are crafted from recycled materials (two thumbs up!). Beside the many great ready made designs, Caseable turns the tables and let you be the designer.

With a user-friendly customization tool, it's simple to create personal designs. Take a look in the artist collection series, where they offer designs by artists from all over the world. You can choose among the given disigns and add your personal touch or upload your images and work with them to style your electronic devices for a perfect combination of protection and style.

I chose to create my smartphone case starting form a picture taken during my vacation in Brazil in 2012. I first uploaded the picture and then added a text in the font and size that I wanted. Absolutely easy and fun! What do you think of my design?

Flowers for Dinner

2014-04-13T12:16:00.000+02:00

Spring has finally arrived and with it my desire for recipes which reverberate my love for the loveliest of all seasons, especially if they include flowers. I actually am the daughter of what you could call a herb whisperer. My mom is a real expert in the use and cooking of wild herbs and flowers (she wrote the book Erbe selvatiche dal Ticino alla Valle d'Aosta) and taught me how to recognize a couple of herbs, what's their healing property and how to intergrate them in my dishes.

I used some of her teachings for a dinner's first course: a salad with fennel, mashrooms, dandelion (flower, stalk and leaf), primroses, speedwell and vetch flowers, the last four ingridients being picked by my mom and I on Mount Bré (Switzerland). I accurately washed the plants and vegetables (except for the mashrooms) and cut the vegetables and the dandelion's stalks into slices or tiny pieces. I then mixed the ingredients, added my favorite salad sauce (salt, pepper, dill, olive oil, apple vinegar, honey and mustard) and spread some more flowers on the top for decoration. Doesn't the salad look lovely in the picture above? Believe me, it's also very tasty! However, should you not like bitter, do not exaggerate with the dandelion's leaves and stalks: they are extremely healthy but quite bitter.

The second course was stuffed zucchini flowers. To prepare this dish, I stuffed the flowers with a fennel, parmigiano and egg musse, topped them with a slice of cheese and chilli threads and then baked them. My boyfriend absolutely loved them.

Let me know if you tried these recipes or if you have any suggestions for variations and additions!

I am now leaving for a run in the woods. Gotta soak up some sun! Enjoy this enchanting spring too!

Say "Sweet"! Easter Giveaway with Max Chocolatier

2014-04-03T21:24:00.002+02:00

Family tradition is the key to Max Chocolatier's quality:

the chocolate brand owes his name to a small boy who often forgot to lick off telltale traces of the chocolate he loved to eat.

The exclusive recipes for today’s chocolate delicacies, in fact, come from Max’s grandfather, who mastered the art of conjuring up priceless works of art in “brown gold” many years before.

Max’s father too, company founder Patrik König, recalls that no Sunday would have been complete without grandfather’s “Gugelhöpfli”.

Today’s fine, handmade chocolate products from Switzerland owe their success to these childhood dreams and vivid family recollections. Since 2009 Max Chocolatier’s expert team has been awakening Grandfather König’s original recipes to new life on the Lake Promenade in Lucerne.

Natural, biologically grown ingredients and cocoa beans purchased from fair-trade plantations guarantee the quality of these masterpieces in chocolate, pastries and ice creams, none of which contain preservative substances. Max Chocolatier regards “hand-made” and “natural” as synonyms for quality and precision. Even the badges embossed on to the pralines and chocolate bars are shaped and applied by hand.

And to create the perfect all-embracing experience, Max Chocolatier managed to create the most cute packaging: a sugar sweet joy for tongue and eyes!

Max Chocolatier and GvN Style Blog want to please you with a cute and delicious Easter bunny. Comment below and/or on GvN's social media channel and indulge in Swiss sweetness. You have time until April 14th!

By the way: Max Chocolatier’s cow Pralina is waiting on the slopes of the Seewlialp in the Swiss canton of Uri to pose for a photo. Just in case you need some extra Swiss flair...

Say “sweet”!

Pictures - courtesy of Max Chocolatier