THE CITIZEN INDEX

Friday, July 20, 2012

Blooming with Helga, the FINALE


So my Portland adventure has come to an end. In it, I got to follow a dream, which was to meet face to face someone I most admire, and make some wonderful new friends. I got to glimpse an awesome and culture city, and get a little clearer on what I get from blogging and relish some benefits of it. Thanks to some special sponsors, this adventure was made possible. Thanks to you, dear friends and readers, this adventure was made more enjoyable. I don't want it to end, and perhaps there's a part of me that fears that when I stop relating to you my meeting with Helga, the experience will end.

But it doesn't really have to. Does it?


I'm wondering if it can be the beginning.


Here are some things I learned from my little adventure.

1) To make things happen, you make things happen. In the words of Nike: JUST DO IT.
The fact that I got to meet some one I admire who lives on the other side of this planet, makes me feel so fortunate! In the past, I would have just wished to do it, then settled back into my daily routine. Lately, I've been a woman of action, so I figured out what I needed to do to be able to make this happen, and I got it done. 

2) People who are comfortable with themselves, are also comfortable with you. In meeting Helga, G-Star and Krista for the first time, I was struck with how genuine and real and warm they were. All share a way about them that put me instantly at ease. Thinking about it, I recognize that each of them are very comfortable in their own skin, and so it's easy for them to totally accept others for how they are. I'm a bit intense, loud talking and scattered, not to mention full of all sorts of anxieties, but I felt accepted by them, as is, and could relax and be myself and enjoy the day. They were such wonderful company!

3) It is important pack smart when traveling. Wearing my breathable, wrinkle free Karina Dresses made me feel appropriate dressed and comfortable in all my tourist activies, and kept my travel bag light and easy to transport.


4) Fashion gets Meta. The age we live in is as much bubble up, and trickle down when it comes to fashion influences, but it is also peer-to-peer. Thanks to the internet, personal style blogs and other networks of sharing real life style, our fashion is influenced by more than designers dictating what's in and what's out- we now can find real life people we can relate to, and be inspire by their style. The new celebrity is now the non-celebrity. Helga and Krista have more influence on my style choices than Prada, Marc Jacobs or a fashion magazine like Vogue. 

I could just as easily reference a look by my peers, my fellow style sisters than to imitate high fashion look from the past or present. Celebrity is curling in on itself- we now refer to each other, rather than a movie star or fashion model in an inspired look. When we were shopping, Helga, Krista and I kept pulling dresses of the racks and saying things like: that is SO Desiree, or Vix, or Sarah! We all nodded and understood the (very personal) style reference. 

5) I need to get out more often! As in travel, explore and learn about new places. This world is an interesting place.
Blooming with Helga: Life feels fantastic hanging with the gorgeous Helga. Frocks c/o Karina Dresses
I never would have dreamed when I started this blog a few years ago, it would take to the places that I've gone. I've got to do some pretty fun things, and meet some incredible people because of this blog. In the last month alone, I've been fortunate to meet fellow bloggers that I've long admired, and make some new friends. This is a pretty good life. I'm lucky to be surrounded by supportive and positive people, and if you're reading this, and rooting for me, please count yourself among them. THANK YOU.

Photo Credits: Photos taken by G, Helga, Me and Krista. Used with permission.

26 comments:

Content Director - Strong Female Leaders said...

This is such an uplifting post. Love your little lessons. I totally agree that people who are comfortable with themselves are comfortable with you.

Beauty and Fashion in Seattle | Cheap Makeup Reviews

Miss Simmonds Says said...

I agree, this is so uplifting. I would dearly love to meet all of you and I'm so tempted to start saving for flights to somewhere. Blogging has helped me so much, I now I have so much more confidence in what I wear and what I wear is much more outlandish than it was before. you're all inspiration - and when I met Vix and Lakota, no both occasions we were picking up various items and saying who we could see wearing them!

Kitty said...

Waaah! I wanna go to America too, and meet you, and shop, and do all that fun stuff!

But seriously, love your heartfelt words, you are so right, blogging is a wonderful medium that allows women of all sorts of personalities and styles to find common ground and frolick gaily upon it (so to speak).xx.

Hang T. Tran said...

Great adventure Bella! Your dress and leopard jacket are so stylish and comfortable.
I totally agree with all your points especially the 4th one ^_^

I hope to meet you some day soon my friend!

Big kisses
Hang

Anonymous said...

I love to read your adventures and I really hope to meet you all one day...I love fashion, but most of my inspiration comes from other bloggers like you, Helga and Krista!I'm not surprised that you feel like knowing each other and spend a wonderful day like old friends!
xxxxx

Unknown said...

I love this so much Bella - I love seeing these pics of you guys together - and you describe so beautifully what we all feel. I agree re style influences... I am much more interested in and influenced by you and Helga, Vix, Desiree, Dora, Curtise and others - particularly since I never read fashion mags. Such a great post - thank you! Sarah xxx

Patti said...

This is the best: "To make things happen, you make things happen." So true, and your tale is so inspiring. Thanks for sharing all this with us.

Susan B said...

Wow, you've just outdone yourself with this post. Gorgeous pictures (love especially the one with you and Helga on the grass) gorgeous thoughts, and bloggers making connections (YAY!).

Curtise said...

YES YES YES! Nothing to add really. Love seeing you all together. Wise and true words, my friend. xxxx

Vix said...

What a fab read, I feel quite emotional now!
Until I started blogging I thought it seemed a weird, narcissistic kind of pastime and how wrong I was, I've found women just like me the world over.
Meeting Curtise and Clare was just like spending time with girls I've know for years and we did the same, picking up clothes in chazzas and saying "Helga, Krista, Bella, Sarah, Sacramento....."
It won't ever end 'cos even if we can't afford to visit there's Skype! xxx

squidword said...

such original and stylish ladies! amazing pictures! you all are gorgeous! definitely an inspiration!
mychoicesaremystyle.blogspot.com

Lynn Hasty said...

So much fun to meet blogger friends in real life! I have had that sort of meet-up just a couple of times, and it was very special. It's a special kind of connection. Glad you had such a swimmingly good time!!

xoxo
Lynn a.k.a. Dylan

Krista said...

Bella you are getting me all teary eyed over here! I agree with everything you said about how wonderfully supportive our community of blogging girls are. I think you nailed it when you said that when you love yourself as you are it's easy to loves others as they are. I think you are an incredibly brave woman to move all the way up here from CA, and then even braver to take that bus to Portland and hang out with us. I admire your strength and your uniqueness, all balled into a woman with a fabulous sense of her own unique style.

I wuvs you!!!
Krista

Comtesse de ferveur said...

You know what? I'm going to come back to this life-affirming post again and again I feel. You are an inspiration too, Bella! xxx

SeƱora Allnut said...

whouu, well said, sister!, your wise words are so inspiring and you really rock!, and your Karina dress is so pretty and perfect on you!
And you're so right about blogosphere, because fabulous blogger ladies as you are the Stars on my personal firmament!!
besos & estrellas

Anonymous said...

Rosebud--You've inspired me to "just do it" as well. Stop being envious and just make it happen. I've loved this series and now only wish that mag cover was a reality!

Jean at www.drossintogold.com said...

Wow. I wish I'd been there. My son, daughter-in-law, and grandson live in Portland. I'd have been there in a heartbeat. It looks like you had a fabulous time. It really is amazing to meet other bloggers face to face. I also channel certain blog-people, many of whom you mentioned.

Let me know when you've got another soiree in Portland!!

Ulla-Marie said...

As a zoo of cool women. What a nice post in every way!

Heather Fonseca said...

What a great series and a fabulous trip it looks like you had. I love meeting other bloggers. It's so much fun!

Style Mentor™ said...

Fabulous! I can FEEL all the fun and connection! :-)

The Closet Shopper said...

Stripes and leopard print. Super cute. You look so happy and adorable.

xo,
Tracy

Fashnlvr said...

I love your striped dress. I am so glad you got the opportunity to experience Portland!

Mutzii said...

This almost made me teary eyed! And I'm listing you now in my GFC since I love to read about posts that talk about not just fashion/style but also their personal ones..

xx
Mutzii
http://www.dressupmutzii.blogspot.com

doradadama said...

I adorar this kind loving post.
You all look so fabulously happy together. that Helgita magazine cover is sensational.
besotes

Unknown said...

How I wish I could be as adventurous as you. Your leopard jacket looks fab!

lasophia said...

Just do it! So true. That was a big point I learned from this speaker I heard at the bloggers conference I went to. And I completely agree with u on number 4. My style inspiration comes from other bloggers. Not no boring celebrity or trend. Viva las blogueras!