THE CITIZEN INDEX

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Blooming with Helga, Part 2


Blooming with Helga, part 2: When Bloggers Meet

Last post, I left you on a cliffhanger- I recently made a pilgrimage to Portland, Oregon, to meet the vint-tastic fashion blogger from New Zealand, Helga of Helga Von Trollop. You probably know, Helga is one of my all-time favorite bloggers, and tops my list of The 6 +40 Bloggers I Can't Live Without. Well, inside the sexy walls of the Jupiter Hotel, I got to meet this lovely woman, and her cool-as-feck consort, G-Star, and we made plans to spend a day together, doing what fashion bloggers do best: meet, eat, shop, and blog.
The meet-up started in the lobby-


Helga and G had already met and hung out with a splendiforous creature, free spirit, pink obsessed and vintage wearing Krista of Peetee's Palace.  Krista, a former Cali girl, now living in Portland with her hubby, and Peetee graciously played tour guide and offered to show us the sights of this unique and charming city. 




Helga, Krista + Bella in a Karina Dresses sandwich

And show us the sights she did. You do know that "sights" to vintage addicted fashion bloggers are pretty much thrift + vintage shops, right? Yup, Krista took us to some pretty great shops- mostly the thrift shops as we are all lovers of a great bargain. Then she took us to a swell eatery, called the Observatory, where we ate and drank, and laughed ourselves silly. Then off to more thrift shopping, and then to Krista's place for dinner + cocktails and to meet some more bloggy friends.

At this point I want to share some images of what it's like to hang out with fashion bloggers. There's an unusual amount of smart phone usage- me, constantly checking in on foursquare, Instagram, and twitter, while Krista and Helga made great use of their camera phones.



Even in the midst of fun, there is always room for a photo op!

Observations from the Observatory: Amidst snacking + imbibing, Helga finds a moment to snap a picture.

And speaking of observing, you can read Krista and Helga's post about the meet up. I'm going to include some posts that don't involve me, as it was the Helga tour, and I know you'll want to see as much of it as possible! 

Krista published a series of posts regarding Helga's visit. You can read about her experiences HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE. Krista's posts are probably the most comprehensive of the group, so if you haven't already, I highly recommend you check out her posts.

Helga's posts can be seen HERE and HERE.

Hands On: In meeting Style and Soul Sisters, Helga and Krista, I felt an instant rapport.

Perhaps the most important part of meeting Helga is the hardest to convey in a single post. Because this is not about what happens in a single meet-up or instant, but the continuous connection and community we create with each other via our blogs. As G noted over coffee, Helga found an group of supportive people who cheer each other on, which is not only pleasant but rare, especially in the world of fashion. Where some girls must deal with catty comments, back stabbing friends and behind the back eye-rolling, we've been lucky to craft together an international community of style and soul sisters who inspire us to dress our best while being true to ourselves. Style beacons like Vix, Desiree, and Judith  make a better case for dressing for fun than any under aged waif in a Vogue editorial.



"It has changed my life," Helga said in regards to blogging. "I live in a town that is fairly small, people don't dress the way I do, and in blogging I've met such a great group of people who appreciate my style, and  they inspire me." Through the connection of the internet, we've been fortunate to stumble across others, who have a style to share, and by doing so, give us the motivation to dress up as ourselves, and shine in our own circles. Our connection may have started by liking an outfit, but it has blossomed into something much more meaningful: real friendships. It was incredible the way we all fell into each other, not an awkward moment through out the day, it felt as if we had already met, had known each other for years. When I said this, Helga piped up: "Darling we do know each other! We know each other through our blogs!


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25 comments:

Vix said...

I love this so much despite being insanely jealous of being left home alone whilst you lovelies got to have so much fun!
It's so fabulous to meet other favourite bloggers, like Helga says we do know each other so well, we probably visit each other's blogs more than our real-life friends.
Come here next! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sara Kristiina said...

Looks so much fun! I want to meet up with great bloggers (including you) too! I hope that some day, would be great ! :)

Anonymous said...

This part is even better!!!
Such a great day, the video is so funny and it's a pleasure to listen to your voices!! Great post!
xxxx

Patti said...

The video is making me smile all over : > What a glorious time, Bella, doing all the *most* fun things in the world. You are so right about the friendships formed via blogging, I treasure them!

Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping] said...

Vix is so right about spending more time with some blog friends virtually than with friends in real life! I've seen Krista and Helga's posts on your meet up and I'm another one who's envious. Looks like you all had the best time!

Shybiker said...

Very cute. Glad you had fun. There's nothing better than connecting with others who get us.

Forest City Fashionista said...

So true what you and Helga pointed out about finding a supportive community, and that in a lot of cases we do spend more time "with" each other than we do with other people in our real lives. I am so thrilled, and grateful to have found all of you!

thorne garnet said...

I wanna go to Portland! Haven't been there since 1978! Ha,ha...I was 5(+18 years). It was beautiful!

The Style Crone said...

I was smiling throughout this entire post! The three of you are vibrantly beautiful as you play together, eat together, shop together. I agree with Helga in that this supportive community has changed my life! The world needs more healing self expression.

Krista said...

Bella I love this post and the video at the end a treat for sure! I can't wait to come play up in your area, I promise to get up there soon. Thanks so much for coming down it would not have been the same without my sweet Bella! You rock sister and I agree, blogging rules and has changed my life by letting me know I am not alone, there is an entire army of us out there!
Loveyalots~
Krista

Curtise said...

It's true, blogging and the wonderful women I've found through doing so, have been life-changing. Cheesy - but true!
Love the pics, and how happy everyone looks, and the video is priceless. Look at Helga slapping her own arse - who wouldn't?! xxxx

Thrifted Shift said...

How fun! Love that dress on you, too!
--Vivienne

Lisa said...

Hi Bella...please take a look at todays blog post..I've nominated you for an award


http://waltzerl.blogspot.com/2012/07/a-surprise-award-nomination.html

superheidi said...

Hahaha, awesome ladies!

propriatress said...

Ooooh Officially Jealous! I'm so glad lots of pictures were taken and shared....I always have a good time in Portland too....

Pam @ over50feeling40 said...

So much fun!! Loved the post about it!

Helga said...

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!!!

It's always weird to hear oneself!!!
Gawd,I feel teary,it was SUCH A GREAT DAY!!!!! I love you gals......more,please MORE!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Beryl said...

Sounds like such a cool time! When Helga says that she lives in a town where no one dresses like she does, I hope she knows that she (and you, Bella) are enjoyed and appreciated for your style by lots of people who don't dress like that. I may never wear Hot Pink Cowboy Boots with Flowers, but I am mighty glad someone does and that they share them with me on their blogs. You rock - Beryl

Anonymous said...

Helga's American accent is hilarious!

Miss Simmonds Says said...

I love hearing all of you talk! it's fantastic! xxx

Anonymous said...

Jealous Jealous Jealous!!! I am all alone here in the wasteland of western Maryland!
looks like ya'll had an amazing time!
Tamera

mispapelicos said...

I am sooooooooooooo happy for you, and jealous, then I am happy again, then jealous, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I want to hug you all at once, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Stacey said...

I'm glad that you all had such an amazing time! You all look so happy in every single photo, and it is so good to meet people that see the world the way you do.

Penny-Rose said...

Great post - you all look so happy.

doradadama said...

I love the little vid in the end amor.hearing your voices and Helgita's American accent and slapping the hell out of her ass while G hombre runs to the car.
besos