Fashions fade, style is eternal

Heading to MetroDolls!

2010-03-17T16:58:07Z

Have you made plans to attend the MetroDolls Garden Party Event? It's taking place on April 25, 2010 in Woodbridge, New Jersey and benefits a very worthy cause, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization!

MetroDolls has invited me to attend this luncheon and I was pleased and honored to accept. Horsman will be donating a one of a kind Vita for their live auction as well as a doll for their raffle.

See all the details on their web site http://www.metrodolls.com/

I hope to see you all there!

Snapshots from IDEX!!!

2010-02-17T00:11:07Z

I just arrived home from an absolutely fabulous trip to Florida. My appearance at IDEX was a great success and it was so exciting meeting so many of you! There are so many photos to share. I hope you enjoy them all!

Elements

Expressions

Goth Collection

Weekend Collection

Wig Collection

And my gal-pal Rini's display!

Fabulous Furnishings!

2010-01-24T17:37:57Z

A few weeks ago I showed you the wonderful chairs I found and today I have more exciting furniture finds - three elegant, glass-top tables! I had to have all of them and when you've seen them, you will too.

This is the Penthouse Collection Fleur de lis Coffee Table

The Fleur de lis Side Table

And the Horsman Side Table

Aren't they dreamy?

Express Yourself!

2010-01-23T18:27:18Z

Every girl has her own range of emotions and expressions and I’ve never been one to hide my moods!

Coming early this Spring, Vita Expressions celebrates the glory of these feminine charms with four new expressive face plates. Two of them have removable eyes that can be positioned in many directions to achieve a flirtatious side-glance, a dubious skeptic’s look, wide-eyed innocence or any emotion a girl like might feel!

Each Vita Expressions boxed doll includes two faceplates, a pair of eyes, a wig (and OOH, I do love wigs!), my favorite urban outfit and kicky-fun, glittery sneakers. Interchangeable faceplates and eyes in different colors are available separately so the customizable, creative fun is limitless!

I just know you want a peek at my new looks and I do love making my readers happy.

The Vita Joy face plate is perfect for those happy moments!

Vita Lust has seductive, bedroom eyes and a pretty pout!

Soft, sweet Vita Rapture is my most tender of expressions!

I'll give you sneak peek at the fourth face plate, Desire. Bare-faced, but beautiful! Pictures of the fully made up Desire look are coming soon.

If you’d like to visit me in person, I’ll be in Orlando for IDEX from January 28-31, so make sure to stop by the Horsman booth and say hello!

Interior Decorating!

2009-12-07T21:35:55Z

When setting up house, what girl doesn't want the most stylish furnishings available? I've been shopping and have found the perfect pieces. The Penthouse Collection is chic, modern and classic too!

These lounge chairs in dynamic black and white provide the perfect setting for relaxing solo evenings or high-style cocktail parties.

And I just couldn't live without this delicious red Blossom Chair! It's an art piece AND a funky, functional furnishing!

Urban Adventuring!

2009-11-30T17:07:50Z

The holiday shopping season is underway and I love shopping! Stylish as ever, loaded down with new loot and enjoying the excitement of the day, I took a quick break to enjoy the artwork in Ann Arbor's Graffiti Alley!

You just never know who you'll meet when urban adventuring! This day I was treated to an impromptu dance concert by a local Michael Jackson look-alike! Good thing I was wearing my dancing-boots!

Modern Doll Convention Report!!!

2009-11-03T00:39:38Z

Vita's back from her exciting appearance at the recent Modern Doll Collectors Convention in Albuquerque! The luncheon was a smashing success. All in attendance were wowed by the three dolls released for the event and now that the secret's out, Vita would love to share!

First, the souvenir doll, limited to fifty, the heavenly Vita Divinity

The centerpiece doll, limited to twenty-five, sweet confection Vita Cotton Candy

And the oh so dramatic companion doll, limited to one hundred - Vita Licorice

There are a very few of these special ladies left for purchase. Get them here, before they're disappear!

http://www.moderndollcollectors.com/shopping.html

Vita goes to the Modern Doll Convention!

2009-09-21T19:23:03Z

Summer is drawing to a close, but that doesn't mean that Vita is ready to hibernate. In just a few short weeks, Vita will be hosting her first event at The Modern Doll Collectors Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The event will be held October 14th through 17th. The Horsman, Ltd. Urban Sweets Luncheon is the place to be on Friday, October 16!

Of course Vita will be there in her sweetest incarnation yet, accompanied by principal designer, Dorinda Balanecki, who will present an inside view into Vita's creation and a sneak peak at Vita's future!

Three irresistible, exclusive, new dolls will be presented at the luncheon as well. Details can be found on the Modern Doll Collectors website here:

http://www.moderndollcollectors.com/

Would you like a teaser? Vita knows you would and is thrilled to provide!

See you there!!!

The Grand Debut!!

2009-09-01T14:34:50Z

For all of my faithful readers, I have the happiest news imaginable today! The first releases of the Vita doll are winging their way to happy homes! All of the first wave of dolls are leaving the warehouse today and should be in owners' hands some time next week.

All of my friends at Horsman thank you for your excitement about this exceptional doll and hope that you will love Vita as much as the Urban team does!

San Francisco Adventure

2009-07-31T23:35:26Z

A San Francisco adventure is the perfect vacation for a girl like Vita! So it was off to the west coast for a week of urban exploration.

Chinatown is a great place to begin exploring, so it's off through this famous gateway we go!

Nestled between Chinatown and North Beach is Jack Kerouac alley, a historic and scenic location, and a quiet place to duck away from the crowds.

Vita's favorite North Beach hangout is the Cafe Trieste, where the perfect cappuccino is always only moments away.

No visit to the City by the Bay would be complete without a visit to Pier 39's most famous and beloved residents.

The Japanese tea garden in Golden Gate Park is a beautiful oasis of tranquility.

For locals and tourists alike, the cable cars are THE stylish way to travel!

But vacations, sadly, do have to end, and Vita will be flying home tomorrow. Watch this place in the near future for an update on Vita's appearance at the Modern Doll Convention!

The Perfect Shoe

2009-07-07T15:47:03Z

All fashionistas know that the perfect shoe can be the key to the success of an ensemble and no one is more aware of this than Vita! From sexy spikes to funky boots, Vita's shoe wardrobe has all the versatility a girl could ever need. Let's take a peek into Vita's closet.

The most spectacular ruby slippers any girl could want - these spikes were created especially for Hot Hot Hot!

Tosca Diva perfection in bold yellow with a bit of bling

For those casual days, a simply elegant pair of black flats is the very thing

Who says weekends need to be lazy? These Mary Janes from the Weekend Collection provide a touch of high style

Did somebody mention boots? Vita has a chic boot for any occasion!

Anything but basic - mod white and contemporary Urban Weekend black

Marvelous metallics! Here are the orange, combat style boot from Urban Edge and a very high glam, silver thigh high

Vita LOVES shoes! And with a collection like this, who wouldn't?

It's Elemental My Dear ...

2009-05-30T15:38:22Z

I know a secret! Should I tell? Because we're such good friends, I'll let you in on the news. Vita's working on four new looks based on the most elemental properties in the universe, Earth, Wind, Fire and Water, and to do this she's asked the Vita Design Team to mine all of the artistic gold they possess.

For the Vita Elements series, Vita will be re-imagined in the fantasy role of each of these Elements:

Earth designed by Dorinda Balanecki

Wind designed by Kurt VanBuskirk

Fire designed by Melissa Windham

Water designed by Steve Skutka

You want a sneak peek, don't you? Here's a look at Melissa Windham's concept drawing of Vita as Fire!

The Vita Elements are expected to be available some time this autumn!

Introducing a new friend!

2009-04-29T15:25:24Z

Every fashionable girl would love to have a personal coterie of designers and Vita is a very lucky girl. The newest designer to enter Vita's circle of friends is Kurt Van Buskirk, who's created the Urban® - Weekend Collection. This wonderful collection should be available this summer.

Vita can not wait!

You want to see the outfits, don't you?

Well, you know how it is with new designs - they're top TOP secret until just the perfect moment.

However, I can offer you a peek at this talented artiste, shown here with Vita's best gal-pal and creator Dorinda Balanecki.

The many faces of Vita!

2009-04-01T03:15:12Z

Smart girls know it's important to be versatile, and Vita is a very smart girl, moving easily from a fresh daytime look to evening glamour and even after hours, club-kid edge!

Daytime can be dynamite in blonde, brunette or redhead! Gal-pal Melissa Windham designed the perfect palette for each hue!

Whether it's a Night at the Opera or cocktails with the In Crowd, Vita is ready in glamourous signature looks!

Tosca Diva by Melissa Windham

Hot Hot Hot! by Steve Skutka

I think the one I like best is the fun, funky look my best friend Dorinda designed just for me - Edge - isn't it perfect?

Back to the Big Apple

2009-02-28T02:51:40Z

I'm home again after my trip to Orlando. Florida was grand! Not too warm, unfortunately, but the sun was a bright and welcome change from grey New York winter. IDEX was a fantastic time. I met so many wonderful people and the trip was a great success! Doesn't the display look marvelous? There are examples of Vita in every mood and mode - every inch the most poseable fashion doll ever!

And for the inquiring among you, my brand new user pic is my new Hot Hot Hot look designed by my good friend Steve Skutka! It's so much fun to glam up for a night out on the town! Who says winter needs to be colorless and cold?!

I resolve ...

2009-01-20T17:49:39Z

It's a new year and everyone seems to be forming their resolutions. I've given it some thought and I've settled on a few. So here are my commitments for 2009!

No more bottled water for this girl! Instead, I promise to fill my own reusable container from the filtered tap in my apartment. It's just seems the ecologically responsible thing to do.

Shop smarter! Buy those quality garments and shoes and even the little luxury items, but pass up on deals that seem too good to pass up, but that I don't really need.

Read more novels. Take the time to read everything from serious literature to chick lit, if the story is well-crafted and the writing is solid.

They're simple resolutions, but they're ones I can live with and that I think will improve the quality of my life.

In other news, I just booked a vacation to sunny Florida. I'll be attending IDEX in Orlando this month! Stop by and see me if you're attending as well!

Oh! And this is delicious too -- I have INK! The new issue of Fashion Doll Quarterly is just hitting the stands and in its glorious, glossy pages is a feature on moi! Be sure to check it out online and pick it up on the stands!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

2008-12-22T15:56:55Z

I really love Christmas time. Say what you will about Christmas in New England, but for me, the best place in the world to spend this season is in this crazy city. The shopping is without equal, the mood is buoyant and excited and alive. The city is decorated so beautifully. I think I'll always be just a little bit star-struck by New York, and that feeling is never more potent than during the Christmas season.

Most of my shopping is done. All of my out of town packages have been mailed. My mountain of Christmas cards are in the post. It feels good. Accomplished. I decided to reward myself with a little Me Time today. I treated myself to a guilty pleasure of a lunch from one of my favorite hot dog carts, then did just a little bit of window shopping today - never mind the cold and the snow. That's what cocoa is for!

Oh and this was the best part of the day. As long as I've been here, I never took a carriage ride in Central Park. Sure, I know it's usually an activity for tourists, but the horse was as beautiful and snowy white as the fluffy mounds on the ground and the carriage was decorated with holly. I just couldn't resist! My driver, Mario, settled me under a thick, woolen blanket and toured me around the park, telling stories about the city while I sipped cocoa in the early evening dark.

I feel like a princess today and it's wonderful!

Over the river and through the woods ....

2008-11-28T01:12:36Z

I went home to the Midwest to visit family for Thanksgiving and imagine my surprise at waking up to a winter wonderland!

It's been nothing but pampering, food, family fun and more food and I'm loving every minute of it! I think I can take a few more days of this before heading back to the city.

Tomorrow ... 4am shopping with Mom and Grandma! I wonder if I can get it all done by noon.

Away to Hong Kong!!!!

2008-11-03T15:27:23Z

I'm in beautiful Hong Kong for meetings and it's a dream come true. I've always wanted to visit this fascinating city, and now that I'm here, the experience is incredible. Hong Kong is alive twenty-four hours a day and the energy is positively infectious. Here's the early morning skyline from my hotel room window:

Who wouldn't want to wake up to that?

I love the food here and the shopping .... oh wow, the shopping is amazing, and all of you KNOW how much I love to shop. More than anything, though, I'm loving getting out among the wonderful people of Hong Kong. I feel so alive on these busy MongKok streets.

The grand debut!

2008-09-27T22:16:23Z

This weekend I jaunted down to St. Petersburg, Florida to make my big debut at the Modern Doll Collector's Convention. It's been an exciting journey, and even more great things are still to come, but for now, here I am, decked out in fine style and ready to meet the world!

Special thanks to my pal, Melissa Windham for the glorious make-up!

And to Doug James for the dreamiest ensemble a girl could have!

And of course, to Dorinda, for bringing me to life! You did it, darling!

Art on a very grand scale

2008-08-28T18:57:06Z

Sometimes when you live in a city like New York, you let every day chaos get in the way of doing the fun things. I’ve been dying to see Olafur Eliasson’s aquatic art project, The New York City Waterfalls and the best vantage point was from the water! So it was off to Pier 16 for a tour to view each one.

I have to say, my favorite waterfall of all is the one erected at the Brooklyn Bridge. My photography’s not the greatest, but I think I captured some of the beauty of this waterfall.

I’d really love to go back after dark to see the Waterfalls lit. Maybe over the weekend, with the gang!

A Very Special Day

2008-08-09T19:46:37Z

*cue the Beatles Birthday song*

Okay, I’ll admit it, I love my birthday, even if it means that time marches on. Age will never be my enemy!

I have an exciting day out with the girls planned. What woman doesn’t love a spa day? I know I do, and Rini, Rene and Yiu Mei are treating me to a day of pampering at Serafina, my favorite spa in the city.

I hadn’t known this about Rini, but she absolutely adores wigs. I’ve always been curious, so one of our stops will be wig shopping. Color me whimsical, but I think something pretty and pink would be fun for clubbing. Maybe I’ll follow girlfriend’s lead and treat myself to one as a happy birthday to me gift!

Later tonight we’re all meeting at Strikes, the newest midtown hotspot, a bowling alley in a neon-lit nightclub! I can’t wait to see Rini in her new outfit. She’s always so perfectly retro-chic in every setting.

Do birthdays get any better than this?

A long awaited event ...finally!

2008-07-23T16:19:40Z

I'm so excited! Aunt Jeannie is visiting the city. I've been planning this trip for months. Her flight gets in at seven and I have reservations at the best French bistro in the city. Tomorrow we'll be shopping until we drop -- Fifth Avenue and all of those cute little boutiques in the Village, Soho and Chelsea. I think we'll just do sushi for lunch and save our calorie budget for cupcakes and cappuccino later in the day.

It's always been Jeannie's dream to see Shakespeare in the Park. I haven't told her yet, but I'm taking her to see "As You Like It" on Friday night. She's going to be so surprised.

Now, if only the weather will hold out. Nothing dares rain on our parade this week!

A perfectly planned surprise

2008-06-26T17:19:30Z

New York summers are brutally hot. It seems like the air never moves. I can’t count how many iced green teas I’ve had in the last week, but they’re so refreshing with a sprig of mint and a drop or two of agave syrup. I think it’s become my new summer drink of choice.

June 30^th is my very good friend Rini's birthday! I’ve been planning her party for weeks, but shh, don’t tell. It’s a surprise. I’ve had to lure Yiu Mei and Rene into the conspiracy. The menu will be a parade of delicious small plates -- tapas, sushi and those delectable, miniature burgers. And the cake is a lemon and blueberry fantasy. Yum!

No one loves shoes more than my pal Rini, except possibly me, that is! Having that in common definitely makes gift shopping fun. I think this year something shiny, high heeled and very, very red would be just about perfect!

Look out world, Vita has arrived!

2008-05-14T19:36:28Z

So, okay, I finally caved and started one of these journals. I know, kind of silly, but who doesn’t need a creative outlet? If I don’t update often enough, I’m sure I’ll hear about it from those of you who pressed me into this, and I’ll do my best not to disappoint.

Now, onto the news! I’m taking delivery on my Mini today. *big grins* It’s red. Of course. The convertible, sport model. Of course again! It’s a ridiculous luxury considering what parking costs in this city, but I’ve wanted a Mini since I saw ‘The Italian Job’ as a kid and now I’m finally going to have one.

Gallery opening in Soho tonight. One of my clients, but I’d go anyway. I wonder if I should take the car.

Definitely going to wear those new Manolos. They match the Mini!

Today, life is good.