SLIDER

Mexico PT 1: Boca de Tomatlán

I tend to be thrilled by places I'm not exactly familiar with, this mixed with a healthy fear of the unexpected, always makes for an interesting adventure. I read about Boca de Tomatlan, a sleepy fishing village nestled in between the jungle and the beach, and my curiosity got the best of me. I coughed up the 9 pesos it took to hook a bus ride from Puerto Vallarta to this mysterious place. Windy roads blanketed with greenery occasionally giving sneak peeks of the ocean, taunting me with it's deep aqua color. The ride eventually ended with the bus driver signaling my stop and there I stood in this quaint Mexican town sticking out like a sore inquisitive thumb. Instantly greeted by stray dogs, and locals that were just as curious of me, as I of them. Hiking through thick lush green hills that wound along the ocean with not a soul in sight, the only sounds were the ocean waves and my occasional I just walked into spiderweb screams. Finally landing on the secluded cove of Colomitos beach, a picture perfect slice of heaven that I literally dove right into. Lying around on this picturesque beach, home to a waterfall that tumbled down from the jungle behind and created a small river that lazily flowed by and into the ocean.  Afternoon swims and sun tanning were followed by lounging on the deck of the Ocean Grill, a restaurant tucked away hugging the ocean and is only accessible by boat. Eating fresh mahi mahi while sipping margaritas, perhaps the best ginger, lime, tequila concoction I have ever layed my lips on. As the sun began to set I hitched the water taxi back into town, and was ecstatic that I let my curiosity lead the way to this Mexican paradise.

 


 


Shooting NYFW with Michael Costello

After a detox of fashion week I decided it was high time to dive into the hard drive, and the countless images so patiently awaiting. Curiosity and Michael Costello, are what ultimately made the decision.

I couldn't shake visions of this perfectly constructed dress in a stunning shade of blue. It was cut so close around the chest I was sure a boob was going to pop out and photo bomb. These dresses were much too smart for that, constructed in ways to cinch, tuck, hold and clutch areas that sometimes need the extra help. The type of dress you put on and instantly provides the Cinderella effect, but in a much sexier way. Off on the hunt for this vision of beauty dancing in my mind. I was determined to find this dress that was buried somewhere deep in data/jpeg-land. I couldn't wait to ogle the rest of the treasures Michael Costello sent down the runway.




Vietnam PT 3: Hanoi & Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

I'll start of by comparing Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, and will state Hanoi is Ho Chi Minh on crack. This charged city had me buzzing, making me solider through the heat and heavily populated streets, covering only a small portion of this massive city. Filled with alleyways that ended up being endless mazes, leaving me meandering, lost, both scared and excited to see where the road would lead. Morning walks lay witness to animals being butchered in the street in order to prepare the street food we would later be contemplating. The sun beat down violently, making ladies that sold fans to sweat drenched tourists very prosperous. Nights spent on streets filled to the brim with locals, tourists, beer, and lightning storms that were frighteningly beautiful. A road trip was squeezed in so I could lay my eyes on Ha Long Bay, deemed a World Heritage Site for reasons one has to witness in person. The massive beauty of Ha Long Bay complimented my time in Vietnam and was the cherry on top of this most impressive trip.

p.s. they couldn't get over my hair!

Vietnam PT 2: Hoi An, Vietnam

I've shared a few stories of how the locals in Vietnam were thoroughly confused by me. Language barriers failed to curb their enthusiasm. This curiosity opened up precious interactions, adding  evidence to just how amazing this place is. I hear the broken record playing every time I describe a place I visit as magical. Is it the fresh eyes on new ground, everything is amazing thing? Could be. Or sometimes it is what it is, magic. Hoi An encompassed a big heart in it's people, the sun tannin' weather to the insanely charming geographical location. Extending my stay every night proved the hold this place had on me. Morning bike rides through rice paddy fields that eventually led to beaches that demanded you hang out all day. Afternoon naps no doubt because of too much sun and beer, if such a thing is possible. Evening strolls through Ancient town where too many food choices lead to breaking all diet rules, and the custom-you-can-make-hanbags-galore shops left me in a stupor.

P.S. It's magic...

Vietnam PT 1: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

First impressions are everything, and impressions of Ho Chi Minh city slapped me in the face immediately upon arrival.  5am and the sleeping pills administered during flight had me in a rested fog. My driver, an overly enthusiastic man with a sly smile I wasn't sure I should trust, led me out into the sweltering heat and off we went.  Vietnamese coffee has a reputation of being rugged so I chalked his hype up to caffeine energy. We zoomed through motorbike infested streets and avoided incident by, like everyone else, laying on the horn. The sound of the city was amazing in itself and the visual seemed almost unreal. Mr. Energy insisted on playing a song he felt would stoke us both out... The radio drowned out the buzz of the city and there we were lip synching a techno remix of Happy Birthday through a rear view mirror. Stimulating and photo rich, this place was like an awesome birthday present and heaven to my camera. I spent hot and humid days walking the streets and capturing life in this lively, lovely city.

P.S.  This city was strikingly colorful, however I couldn't help but shooting in black and white as well...


© VINTAGE SLANG • Theme by Maira G.