Meet the Models - Session 2

The next model that we're about to introduce is definitely beautiful but to top that she has an adorable humorous personality that makes you love to be around with. We enjoyed working with her and look forward to continue to work with her in the near future.

Please meet...

Sonia Chopra
Any nickname?
Believe it or not people used to call me Sony Playstation growing up...

What's your favorite color?
I'm a purple person. My bridesmaids are definitely wearing purple at my wedding.

What's your favorite food?
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am OBSESSED with sushi.

How long have you been modeling for?
I have been continuously modeling for one year as of October! I did a couple shows when I was 16, but now I'm pursuing it alongside school.

Are there any models out there that you look up to?
Alexandra Ambrosio from Victoria Secret, who wouldn't buy whatever she is wearing?

One of your favorite modeling projects that you have done?
I really loved shooting for LHC Couture, and doing runway shows for Shekhar Rahate (FUN FACT, we got to perform with Jay Sean before he was famous)

What is fun and rewarding about modeling?
I absolutely love fashion and working with all different sorts of people. I've made such good friends throughout this past year. It doesn't hurt that I get to get all dolled up every once and a while either..

Do you have any wacky beauty tip?
I have some pretty weird beauty tips haha..
I freeze my eyeliner so that it doesn't crumble or smudge at all... it goes on 100% perfect.
I use Vaseline as an eye makeup remover.
I use a mix of egg whites, milk, and olive oil on my hair once a week as a deep conditioner.. it helps my hair grow faster and stay stronger. Weird, maybe. But I swear it works!

Do you see yourself continuing to pursue fashion?
I'm planning to transfer as a junior to UCLA next year to study Communications, but I plan on continuing to model down in SoCal.

What is something that people may not know about you?
I'm one of those people who always has to be busy! I have four part time jobs and take a full load of classes.. I love what I do so it's not anything I will regret.

Three words friends would describe you as....
I have been called a hopeless romantic, a workaholic, and a goofball on several occasions.

Photoshoot by Michael Vidales
Foral Paris 2011 Collection - isn't she cute?
Fashionista Bridal Photoshoot
Lolita In Paris Fashion Show
Photoshoot for LHC Couture/LHC Couture Bridal 2012 Collection
Fashion Week 2011

Embrace Fashion Show

Thank you Sonia! We love your tip about using Vaseline as an eye makeup remover - it works really well :)
xoxoxo

Busy Schedule

We've been busy bees here at Embriven...

1. working on new stuff to bring to the table
2. trying to finish up the shop - promise to have it up as soon as we can but don't have a date yet...hang tight.
3. personal projects - ahhh, lots going on
4. we have a 9-5 job to work around with
5. will have more sessions of the Q&A with the models up soon

Meanwhile, you should check out this Orla Kiely lookbook. Such an out of the ordinary one but we love all the dresses. Enjoy!

Meet the Models - Session 1

We were so blessed to have such wonderful and talented models to be a part of the Embrace Fashion Show. Not only do they all look stunning on stage but they are as beautiful off stage. Each and everyone one of them has their own unique character and style that will draw your attention. We thought it would be fun to do a small Q&A session with some of the models so that you can get to know them a bit.

Allow me to introduce to you...
Alexandra Loeffler aka Ally
What's your favorite color?
Right now, I'm really attracted to this rusty camel color.

What's your favorite food?
I love Thai food!

How long have you been modeling for?
I've been modeling since around 2008.

What do you find most challenging in modeling?
The most challenging part of modeling for me is trying to stand out and not blend in with the thousands of other models out there.

What made you want to start modeling?
I started modeling mostly due to the insane amount of people telling me I should. It has always been in the back of my mind as something I would want to try, but school has always come first for me. But as soon as I stepped out on the runway for the first time, I fell in love.

Are there any models out there that you look up to?
I think Adriana Lima is simply gorgeous.

How would you describe your style?
My style is inspired by vintage looks. I get most of my retro wardrobe from thrifting. I like to keep my look classic and timeless then edge it up with some more modern pieces.

What is one of your favorite modeling projects that you have done?
One of my favorite shows would have to be the most recent Bay Area Fashion Week simply because of all the great people I got the chance to work with.

What is fun and rewarding about modeling?
I get to play dress up! It's every little girl's dream.

Any advice/secrets on how to take the perfect photo?
My advice is to be natural and have fun. Stop worrying so much about looking perfect.

Ally modeling for E.J.O. 2010 Fall/Winter collection

Men's Clothes Photoshoot
On the runway at Bay Area Fashion Week
Sacramento Fashion Week
Embrace Fashion Show

Ally has this sweet innocent look when I first met her and no doubt her character plays into role. This sweet girl definitely knows how to rock the stage when she's up there! Thank you Ally for your time!
xoxoxo
Make sure to check back to meet the other models.
-Athena

Show Off Your Pink - Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Can you believe it's October?! There's just so much to this month and one that I hold dear to is that its the Breast Cancer Awareness month. I know we're all used to seeing brown, orange, tan, and yellow during the Fall, but you can definitely mix in some pink with the right style and accessories. Here are my "I love pink Items"!


Balenciaga Fall Fashion

Secret Keeper Bag by Anthropologie

Pink Leica Camera

Pretty in Mink Dress from Modcloth

Pink Cropped pants by Zara

Pink Nail Polish by Essie


Pink Hunter Boots

When I see the color pink, it reminds me of all the inspiring women who's gone through and are going through a tough battle. In my opinion, no matter the outcome in their lives, they are all winners in my eyes. Pink demonstrates the strength, courage and bravery these women carry with them.

xoxo,

Dora D.

For your amusement...

For those of you who didn't know...I'm from California (grew up there) and just moved to Minnesota over two years ago. I'm enjoying it so far. My husband sent me these little fun facts the other day and I thought it was pretty funny and so I wanted to share with you.

Cold is a relative thing ya know

At 65 degrees, Arizonans turn on the heat. People in Minnesota plant gardens.
At 60, Californians shiver uncontrollably. People in Minnesota sunbathe.
At 50, Italian & English cars won't start. People in Minnesota drive with the windows down.
At 40, Georgians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves, and wool hats. People in Minnesota throw on a flannel shirt.
At 35, New York landlords finally turn up the heat. People in Minnesota have the last cookout before it gets cold.
At 20, people in Miami all die. Minnesotans close their windows.
At 0, Californians fly away to Mexico. People in Minnesota get out their winter coats.
At 10 below zero, Hollywood disintegrates. The Girl Scouts in Minnesota are selling cookies door to door.
At 20 below, Washington DC runs out of hot air. (Ya think? Nah.). People in Minnesota let their dogs sleep indoors.
At 30 below, Santa Claus abandons the North Pole. Minnesotans get upset because they can't start the snowmobile.
At 40 below, ALL atomic motion stops. People in Minnesota start asking, "Cold enough for ya, eh?"
At 50 below, hell freezes over. Minnesota public schools will open 2 hours late.

Hahaha...this is close to being true. I'm pretty sure the Minnesotans enjoyed this :)
xo - athena

fun.fun.fun.

so I got to hang out with this lovely lady last Friday and it was a lovely time. We've known each other since junior high and things have never changed between us. No matter how far we are our friendship has always been the same. Henry Ford said his best friend brings out the best in him and I got to say Linh has done that with me throughout the many years of our friendship. Love this girl so much!

in down town Minneapolis


I took her around the Twin Cities and did a little one day tour - got a lot done in one day. We had breakfast at the Grand Cafe in Minneapolis - it has a vintage, European feel to it. My new favorite place - thanks to my mother and father-in-law :)


The food was yummy...mmmm


Surprisingly, the Digs shop that my sister-in-law loves is right next to the Grand Cafe. Very cool place!

BTW, Linh is a fabulous makeup artist! She has been a trainer at MAC and Bare Escentuals for many, many years. She did tons of wedding makeup and was the lead makeup artist for the Embrace fashion show - and a couple other shows. I'm hoping she will have her own blog about makeup pretty soon to share the world about her talent!

xo - athena
p.s. we're working hard to get our shop up...please check back for updates

a happy Thursday

Today is such a happy Thursday for me because I get to hang out with one of the most special person in my life for a couple of days! My best friend, Linh is in town visiting me and I just couldn't be happier. This end of the week is a great start for my weekend :) We just had a great dinner and tomorrow will be a day out full of fun and shopping - just like the old days. Yipee!

because i'm so happy i have to share this super cute and super fun video from the fine frenzy with you! cute video! cute song! cute outfit! don't you think?

A Fine Frenzy - Blow Away by AFineFrenzy-Official

♥ - athena

Why Go Vintage?

"The irony is that vintage is actually what all of the new stuff in stores is made to look like anyway. In a world where everything's accessible and ubiquitous, vintage is the way to personalize your look. Plus, with vintage, you're pretty much guaranteed that your buy will last. Every decade has something to offer: A little black dress from the '50s or a great jersey oneshoulder disco dress from the '70s are signature looks that will last forever." -Cameron Silver

An excerpt from Vintage Shopping 101 by Cameron Silver. Read here for the full article on Marie Claire. One of the tips that Cameron Silver gave in the article that I strongly agree with is to not dress in vintage from head-to-toe. I never find myself wearing everything vintage...it just doesn't feel nor look right. As much as I love vintage clothes - and everything - I still want my outfit to be up-to-date. Mixing a vintage piece with a modern item will give you a unique look that no one else has and still puts you in today's trend.

xo - athena

Fairy Tale in Fashion

Can you guess what fairy tale this fashion shoot is?

(click on photos for larger view)

You guessed it! It's Alice in Wonderland. This was featured in Vogue magazine a while back (my guess is in the 90's). I used to have a hard copy of this Vogue issue (lost it ever since I've moved) and I love it because it has one of my favorite models, Natalia Vodianova playing Alice. Alice in Wonderland was not my favorite fairy tale as a kid but I would still watch it a lot because I was trying to figure out the story. To me, it wasn't a story that was in order with the beginning and an end but the story was everywhere. As a kid I thought it was a mystery fairy tale or a puzzle that I had to try to figure out...yeah, a little naive :) Anyhow, I do think it is one of the most creative fairy tales with a lot of imagination. Creative enough to be able to do a fashion photo shoot!

Happy weekend!♥ - athena