Heartbeats.

I was searching for ideas, concepts, anything visual to inspire me and ignite my imagination.... and Wow did I find it! We modern Gypsies at CV have been on this kick of Embracing Love in every way possible.... sounds cheesy, but it's true!

 So I stumbled upon this incredible site that literally almost took my breath away. 

It is ode to the gloriousness of all women in the universe. 

 Heroines, a website dedicated to the project of embracing women in their skin; our wholeness, our perfectly imperfect flaws and our courage to be exactly who we are beautifully. 

Heroines from everywhere can submit their stories and pictures of what it's like being them by showcasing everything that we are and are constantly becoming.

How R A D I C AL

(It's like sharing secrets and whispering them into the universe of infinite love)

::through:: 

self expression

style 

and 

skin. 

 a celebration of embracing and acknowledging 

who we are right now.  

So this is what's inspiring us.... feast your eyes out because we are all so fierce! 

 As one of my old, dear friends once said to me, "We are forces to be reckoned with!" 

Hope you all are having a beautiful start to your week! 

now come visit us on Elizabeth Street!

xx

From the Gypsies at CV...

It is indeed, finally Fall!

The air is crisp, the sky has transformed into muted pastels and everyone is out and about and we've just received our Last Fall Delivery!

So, come and get it!

Ridiculous Velvets in Aztec burn-outs and jewel tones, Sandwashed charmeuse, Romantic Florals, Sparkly Lurex and lots and lots of Pleats!!!!

FASHION'S NIGHT OUT CELEBRATION

:::: :: :: :: : : : : >>><<< : : : : :: :: :: ::::

COME CELEBRATE WITH CYNTHIA TONIGHT!!!

S U R P R I S E S

COTTON CANDY COTTON CANDY COTTON CANDY

ROCKIN' JAMS BY OUR FAV DJ

VEEV COCKTAILS...mmm..mmm..DELICIOUS

and 

KEEP CHECKING BACK WITH OUR B L O G to SEE WHAT'S STREAMIN' LIVE on the ELIZABETH block and CV

:::

ALWAYS

LOTS AND LOTS 

of 

L.O.V.E

FROM ALL OF the CV TRIBE

 

EarthQuake Survival Kit

So, I'm pretty sure we all felt a bit shaky after yesterday's shake-rattle-and-roll! After all, we don't live on the West coast.... so what is this business about earthquakes?! I know we only make beautiful dresses in rockin' tribal prints and electric colors, but we still know all about S A F E T Y! And want to make sure our tribe of CV Loves are well equipped with what to do when confronted with catastrophe and surviving mother nature! 

: : : S U R V I V A L K I T : : :

(Experts recommend that you should be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least three days. Store your household disaster kit in an easily accessible location).

we all know we need the B A S I C S: 

1. Food & Water

ie; 

Red Vines

Milk Duds

c h o c o l a t e

Cafe Habana Burritos

and 

Lots of Red Wine

along with a MARTINI SHAKER and/or WINE OPENER

2. MAGICAL F O R T and/or T E N T supplies, ie; sheets, blankets, rope and flashlight

3. SEQUINS SEQUINS SEQUINS and ::: ANYTHING ::: that GLITTERS

4. a Beautiful BOY to hold close

and last but certainly not least,

number.....

5. our CYNTHIA VINCENT A R M O U R!!!!!

XOXO

CV TRIBE

><

SoMEoNe just couldn't wait to get in for F A L L ! ! !

 

 It looks like Fall's on a ROLL regardless of the

80 degree weather!! But c'mon, we all know were getting a little bit tired of these hot and humid days secretly wishing for the leaves to slowly start changing into that golden caramel color that signifies that Fall is underway!

So come on into our NoLita S T O R E on Elizabeth Street and check out our BRAND NEW FALL pieces!

  It's time to think about vibrant hues, bohemian prints and some very much missed chunky sweaters!!!!!!! Not to mention our amazing and much awaited for Fall Shoes and Handbags! 

LET THE FALL FRENZY BEGIN!

  Much 

L o v e 

from the CV gypsy den!!!!!

All Journeys Must Come to An End - Fez, Morocco

Chapter Four - Until We Meet Again

One of the highlights of my trip to Fez was a trip to two villages right outside of the city.  Some friends of my best friend Nina took us on an hour long road trip through some serious rain, but it was so worth it.  I was especially taken with the village of Sefrou and the amazing cooperatives of women and artisans creating some seriously beautiful crafts.  I felt like a total foreigner because these villages do not receive many tourists so I definitely got the stare down, as my friend Cassi did while wearing her Chanel ballet flats in muddy terrain.  It was pretty hilarious if I say so myself.  Below, some photos of villages we ventured to.

A weaver's studio in Sefrou.  They weave some of the most beautiful wool blankets I've ever seen complete with stripes and pom poms at each corner.  Stunning!

All donkeys all the time

Selling fresh mint to make mint tea

Fell in LOVE with all of this colorful yarn hanging from a doorway

We visited a cooperative with various artisans.  This studio focused on ceramics, and that's one of the guys smoothing out the clay.

Hand painting cups that are about to be fired

Vases

Ceramics on display

The kindest, more adorable man making blankets all day long

This was a women's co-op that made necklaces made from caftan buttons.  Amazing.

Me (third from the left) and my crew with one of the women in the co-op

Leaving the beautiful village of Sefrou

I leave you with two photos of the magical city of Fez.  So much beauty and inspiration.

This wraps up my Moroccan adventure!  I hope you've all enjoyed some photos and words from my journey and I hope to meet you again after my next adventure in...Mexico City.

xo Joanna
www.kneelandco.com

And the Journey Goes On - Fez, Morocco

Chapter Three - It's all about the Food

I can't talk about Morocco without talking about the food.  It deserves its own blog post and delicious photos to go along.  My best friend Nina recently moved to Fez from Los Angeles and has become quite the local in just the two months that she's lived there.  I was lucky enough to experience the best of the best in the food department thanks to her knowledge and expertise on which bread vendors to visit, which fava bean soup stop we should hit, and which roof top dinner party to check out.  But not only did I get to experience eating out on the streets of Fez, I also got to experience what Moroccan home cooked meals are like.  Nina's housekeeper/nanny/superstar, Noura, cooked up a storm for us nearly everyday.  Fresh sardines, pasta with olive oil and herbs, beet salad and more - makes me hungry just typing all of it.  And, it didn't hurt that she made me coffee with milk and sugar every morning.  So dreamy.

A typical Moroccan breakfast.  A variety of breads, mint tea, coffee, and fresh orange juice.  This is my friend Nina hanging out at our friend's riad.

Hi, I love you.

The art of the mint tea pour

This is a bread called malawi (bottom) made with onion, cilantro and cayenne pepper

A meal cooked by Noura.  Holy cow.

Fava bean soup.  This is THE JAM.  It's typical street food but this spot in particular was known for theirs.  Pureed fava beans with olive oil, then you top with cayenne pepper, cumin, and salt.  They leave bread on your table for dipping.  So delish.

This photo does not do this bowl of couscous justice.  It's massive.  It's divine.  And it can be shared like this...

That's me on the far right having at it.  I'm not shy.

We stopped by a very well known antique shop in the medina and were invited to have lunch with the owner.  His wife had cooked up a fish tagine, eggplant with tomatoes, and a side of fava beans.  This was probably my favorite meal I had in Fez.

This is how tagines are cooked.  They sizzle in a clay pot!

So I might have been a little hungover when I stopped by this street food spot.  This lovely man cooked up fresh cut fries and potato fritters then topped it with an egg and some cheese, and then stuffed it inside bread with hot sauce. I know, most amazing hangover food EVER.  It was magical.

Stay tuned tomorrow for the last of Morocco! - Joanna
www.kneelandco.com