Monthly Archives: July 2012

A Vespa Story from Fellow Israeli Blogger, Treppenwitz.

I’ve sent a shout out to a fellow Israeli Blogger Treppenwitz, who knows the joys of getting around Israel on a vespa, a while back here on the blog. In that post, I mentioned a little video he uploaded of his driving through J-lem’s Old City on the ‘pa. Today I wanted to share a very lovely story of his about kindness, women on scooters, and what happens to cute outfits worn on vespas in reality. I’ve included his story below and be sure to check out his blog!

This photo comes from Treppenzitz’s blog and was taken this past March when a great surprise happened in the country: SNOW!

From Treppenwitz.com,

“Being someone’s knight in shining armor: 

I had a meeting in Tel Aviv not too long ago, and to get there, I had to take my scooter onto a fast moving highway called the ‘Ayalon’.

At one point I found myself following a nicely dressed young woman riding a little retro looking scooter.  Read more

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So fellow scooter gals and LadyVespa, shoes. Shoes! By this point, I've done a good number of posts about being a responsible women rider, who wear responsible clothing and gear (yadda yadda yadda). Although I feel this piece is needed to balance all that safety gear information out and give some other examples. We all know how these following shoe choices would be absolutely fabulous to wear out on little rides around the city! These heels were made for us,

Of course, walking in these heels are a different story, but sitting on a vespa and riding around looking cute is fairly easy! (They call me "Grace", and in the heels in these photos below, I'd mostly be sitting down than trying to walk in them.) Whatever you choose to wear on your vespa (and feet) is up to you, but if you were able (without thinking about real world limitations- mainly funding) to own the shoes of your dreams, which would they be? Below are some designer heels that I would love to own and wear out in Tel Aviv someday on the 'pa, if I didn't have to think about the price tags that adorn them:

Favorite of favorites:  

Christian Louboutin Picks And Co 120mm Crystal Pumps.

(Source: Picks and Co.)

Oh lord yes, please. These shoes are from this past Spring collection, but who cares: they are fierce and beyond fabulous. There is a black version, but for some reason I like these a bit more. Everyplace I've seen comments about these shoes say that the photos do not even begin to do them justice in the detail and quality. I do have a bit of "beef" with the man behind these red sole shoes, Christian Louboutin, himself. He makes shoes for a group of people he seems to completely dislike. If you look at the shoes alone, you can tell that the creator doesn't consider the women who will be wearing these, as these things are not going to be made for much walking at all. I consider myself to be a complete human, and being able to move in shoes I wear is a part of that complete existence. So, yeah, these shoes are amazing, but there is a bit of hesitation for shelling out this amount of money towards a designer who hates me and isn't interested in my health (or any of our health, as women who wear his shoes) whatsoever. Whatever, the shoes are delicious. Screw the man behind them: red soles for everyone, especially when they are this divine.

(Okay, maybe I was too hard on the guy, but he doesn't like women: 'Comfort Is Like a Sad, Puffy Woman'. If you are creating things for women (high fashion or not), you should at least support the idea that we come in various sizes and shapes. This would include that fact that we have various ideals of what style is and that we deserve a right to choose "comfort" fashion items if that is our cup or tea. Respect.)

Second choice: 

TESSA: Add some sparkle to your Autumn/Winter wardrobe with these 100mm heel sequin detailed Mary Jane sandals.

(Source: Jimmy Choo.)

These new Fall beauties are just that: beautiful and classic. Now, I haven't seen any of these choices up close and can't vouch them then yet in that respect, but from the photos online they seems pretty okay. I prefer the Choos to the above brand, as it seems this fashion house thinks a little more about the comfort of the women who will be wearing their shoes. Bravo, I say. I have a few more from Choo that need to be included just below (links only),

Last, but not least: 

Alexander McQueen, Leather Skull Knee-High Boots

(Source: www.neimanmarcus.com.)

I know these are boots and not heels, but these must be included on my list. The thing with heels is that you most likely won't wear them but for special occasions, but when you purchase boots for riding it just makes all kinds of sense. That way you can trick yourself into a little splurge, as you will most likely be wearing those babies just about everywhere city and out of the city on highways and the like.

To note: those ankle boots, even if just for city rides (shorter rides), make me a bit nervous. I worry about my ankle more in these than even the highest of heels, which seems goofy but is nonetheless something that I think about. They don't really offer much support at all for your left and seem to make rolling you ankle even more likely than a heel (with some ankle support) would provide. Just be aware of the limits of whatever shoe choice you end up riding in and know their benefits (beyond looks) and their limitations! (A cute ankle boot, just for fun:  Alexandre Birman, Python and Suede Bow Ankle Boots.)

(Source: http://portraitsofelegance.net/category/street-style-2/) 

General Tips: 

  • If you are going to buy these fancy shoes for riding, know that the sole (red or otherwise) will show wear faster than just walking in them. Try your best to care for the shoes and know that if there is an accident, well, both your feet and those shoes are done for.
  • Boots are the best and safest bet! You can splurge here, as you will most likely be wearing these out of every ride, multiple times a day. I am a bit of a modest and responsible buyer, so I tend to think that investing in good boots that are a little bit fancier is okay.
  • You can also store your “city shoes” in a bag or in the vespa seat storage and change out whatever “highway shoes” for those when you arrive to your location. This is an excellent way to get in all your fashion choice, without being reckless on the highways in 5in heels.
  • Take care of yourself and have fun! The visuals and looks you’ll get with these types of shoes on will be funny, to say the least. You’ll come home with tons of new numbers, too.

For you readers, here are some questions and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments:

Which designer shoes do you adore and lust after?

Which could you see yourself wearing around, be it a daydream or reality, in the city? 

Which brands are your favorite and do you think are the most practical for women riders?

Any thoughts on these matters are greatly appreciated! 

Happy riding, y’all! Have a great, lovely day!

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Gustav Klimt's Tree of Life, with Vespas. 

I won't go into more of this than I need, but I cam across a video clip of the Craig Ferguson Late Night Show that has really stayed with me, since viewing it last night. Last nights show was already pre-recorded, but Craig decided that he needed to address the recent event and he did so in a very touching and masterful way. The story is on Jezebel.com and you can view the link by clicking here, Craig Ferguson Forgoes His Monologue for a Soulful Rumination.

Upon reflecting on my last post, which was published about 24 hours (or so) before this tragic business, I believe that something inside of me felt that those word were needed. Not exactly those words, but that the intentions they were seeking that needed to be pushed out into the world and, I hope, gain some traction in what needs to happen without our world. We need compassion for another and to honor the fact that we are human and that there is value in that single fact. If we forget this, what becomes of us? As Craig Ferguson put it best, "We're all diminished by this". 

If you want to read more about the updated status of those who were hurt during this terrible act, please click this link. I will not address certain other aspects of this event, as I believe the focus should be on the people who were hurt or lost their lives. We should honor them instead of give all the attention to whatever is beyond them.

UPDATE: I wanted to also include this story, that I just read and is important, here that is also taken from Jezebel: The Shining Knights of the Aurora Movie Theater.

I, being the fiery redhead I believe myself to be, would personally like to honor the life of Jessica Ghawi (click link to read more about her life). She is also a Texan Redhead, but I don't think I even begin to measure up to the greatness that she brought to the title, "fiesty redhead".  Her story is absolutely one of complete fate and random happenstance, as she somehow narrowly cheated death about a week before in Toronto. She reflected upon this tragedy in her own blog:

"I was shown how fragile life was on Saturday," Jessica, who went by the last name Redfield professionally, wrote. "I saw the terror on bystanders' faces. I saw the victims of a senseless crime. I saw lives change. I was reminded that we don't know when or where our time on Earth will end. When or where we will breathe our last breath." -Taken from NPR article.

She will be greatly missed, not only now by her close friends and family, by all a nation whose lives she touched by her charm and love of life.

Rest in peace, Jessica.

Thank you, for reminding us to embrace life and to honor it with all of ourselves. 

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Charming West Texas, you give me faith in humanity. Updated.

A short tale of a small, West Texas town and the happenings of a woman on a scooter: 

There are some moments that you are able to be a part of that restore your faith in humanity, at least for a little bit, now and then. I admit that most of the time, I find myself in a bit of a hurry and adopting those “city slicker” moods when I come back to this area fondly referred to as “West Texas”. It is a charming area, where people still find time to stop and chat to one another before they go on their way. Of course, everyone here is more and more “busy” being modern and in a rush to get anywhere else, but they still have moments when that old-time charm creeps into their bones and takes over for a moment. These are the memories of Home I’ll always cherish and never cease to amaze me when I am able to bear witness to them happening in today’s world.   Read more

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Vespa Finds: Cute little vespa ad from the other side of the pond!

Going to partake in the Olympic events over in London? Why not do it via vespa?!

“Betta Getta Vespa.. The Games are Coming!”

This little cute video has been making its way around the facebook vespa world early today and after watching it, I wanted to share it here with you all. The style is in the vain is a cartoonish Mad Men and has a touch of vintage flare: a perfect way to celebrate the vespa, if I do say so myself! Make sure to watch it, if you adore vespa but have yet “joined the dark side” and become an owner.  Read more

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Shooting Vespa Backdrops:

flowers do the job just fine.
This backdrop setting was one that I happened to pass everyday out on rides back in Israel between Rehovot and day trips throughout the countryside. I decided one day that this little fuchsia dream must be used as a framework for some photos with the vespa, and I am happy I decided it must be so as the photos all turned out great! I miss these rides and long for them every time I see a rider out on the roads. 

"If I were a flower.. I would be a sunflower. To always follow the sun, turn my back to darkness, stand proud, tall and straight even with my head full of seeds."  -Pam Stewart.

 Sunflowers are one of my favorite flowers because they emit such bold feelings of happiness and joy. When you see them, you cannot help but smile and cheer up! They are also calming for me, while at the same time elicit great joy and energy from their admirers and myself. They are also such enigmas in certain contexts and can even seem a bit foreboding sometimes. My favorite context, or visual and use of these flowers in the movie, was how they were presented in Everything is illuminated. I adore this movie and, even more so, the book.

Although I had to kind of manures the 'pa to get this shot and the others I took that day, it was work the sweat and slight discomfort in the dirt field. I enjoyed this little, unexpected stop very much on my ride that day. (Note: Always drink plenty of water in this type of weather and fierce sunshine: I had to rest in the shade after this little photo shoot, as the heat was too much for little 'ol me. Sunscreen, a must. Sun hat, a good idea.)

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It's what sunflowers do."  -Helen Keller.

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And a fun photo, with little set up or talent involved from this weekend, 

This is just a fun, little photo I took this weekend while I was at my mother's house in West Texas. The little, well "LONG-body", black dog is my Bella Bird. She is a mess, but so much fun and has my whole heart! I missed her very much while over in Israel and couldn't wait to see her upon my return. Someday I plan to bring her back with me- when I can make sure she will be safe and sound on the flight home.

 I am currently getting together all of my older camping gear for some upcoming camping plans around the Grand Canyon and California area in September. This is when my Israeli partner comes to visit the states for the very first time and I want to show him the best of the best! (We can only see parts of the West Coast this trip, as we only have about a month on this trek.) I am very excited about this trip and have been very busy planning our details out today. I want to show him "the best" of my country and as much of it as we can see in the short month that we have to travel around. I hope I pick the right places.

 ** * If you are in the L.A., Vegas, Grand Canyon, or New Orleans area and would like to try to meet up, please let me know! I'd love to meet some of you great people!! Or if you have any recommendations for these areas, that would be rather lovely also. (We are visiting the following states: New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, California -mostly the area around the Pacific Coast Highway, maybe Colorado, Louisiana, Tennessee -Memphis mostly, Elvis fans!, and Northern Texas areas.) Any trip tips/ideas or friends that wanted to meet up, we would be delightful to plan something on this adventure throughout the country! Also: I know that my partner will miss speaking Hebrew, so if anyone wants to chat over some coffee in Hebrew with us, that would also be great!

Just let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions, as we have time before these travels begin in the start of September. You can leave a comment below or shoot me over an email, Izevel1923@gmail.com* **

Otherwise, I hope all of you wonderful folks are having a great summer and enjoying the good life-

wherever you are! 

Cheers and happy riding.

P.S. If you still haven't "liked" RoxyVespa over on the facebook, please do so: RoxyVespa FB Page

. Thanks y’all.

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Shalom from Chicago! The perfect vespa metropolis, it seems.

Chicago, a city of wonders. 

I’m always taken aback, when I find myself visiting the lovely city of Chicago, by its charm and diversity of life. I remember saying once upon a time that this city is the place to be: watch yourself, Manhattan. Of course my friends teased me for thinking such atrocities and saying them aloud, but every time I come back here I only realize how accurate my statements were back then.  This city really does have it all… and maybe more. As the photo above displays, Chicago also have a very diverse vespa community that I wasn’t really aware of. I was here last summer, but I don’t remember seeing near as many vespas running around and parked on the streets. This makes me very happy and makes a great deal of sense for getting about this  sprawling city (if public transportation is a bit too taxing on your nerves).  Read more

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