Dedicated to Helping the Animals
Michelle Garza
Career: Degree in International Business
Country: Mexico
Instagram account: @shethecreaturee
#GratefulwithMyLife
My name is Daniela Michelle Garza Garcia, I am 22 years old and I’m an animal lover that lives in Monterrey or also known as the city of the mountains in Mexico.
I think I am a blessed person for having a family that loves me, supports me and above all that has taught me good values, thanks to that I am the person I am now. What I am most thankful for is that they have taught me to love and respect animals, thanks to that I now have my little blessings (Lady and Tobi) that brighten my day to day.
#AnimalLover
For as long as I can remember I have always had a great love and appreciation for animals, whenever I saw an animal, I would run to pet it or give it something to eat and help it if I could.
Thanks especially to my Tita Lupita (my paternal grandmother) that love for animals became stronger and more special. Since I was a little girl, I always lived surrounded by pets and my Tita taught me to treat them with love and respect, she taught me that they also have feelings and that they are more intelligent than we think.
#MomOfTwo
In 2009 my little Lady came into my life, an adorable Chihuahua, I would never have imagined that 13 years later she would still be with us and that she would become one of the most important beings in my life, it’s funny because in my family my mom is the one who doesn’t like the idea of having pets but she is the one who spoils Lady the most, she says that Lady is the princess of the house.
Tobi came into my life one year ago on October 3, 2021, after seeing a publication where they had commented that a dog had been run over and had been lying in the street for several days in bad shape without moving, I decided to go and help him. With my dad’s help we rescued him and took care of him until he was healthy, at the beginning we didn’t have the idea of keeping him but with time we fell in love with him and decided to make him part of the family.
Now he is a little dog that will never be cold or hungry again, now he has a family that loves him and takes care of him. They are more than a pet for us, they are another member of the family.
#StudentLife
I am currently in my last semester of my International Business career and I also speak 3 languages. I did half of my career online because of the Covid-19 pandemic, in the middle of 2019 the school suspended classes and a week later we resumed them with the online modality. Since the classes went online my life is very calm, I have more free time, I can spend more time with my family and give more time to my dogs.
During my free time I love to enjoy time with myself, I love to have a relaxing day where I can put on a face mask while watching a movie, a tv show or listening to music and of course with my puppies next to me cuddled up while eating lots of delicious food.
I also love to help animals, I know that my purpose in life is that at some point I can dedicate myself to help the animals that need it most, my love for them is inexplicable, for me animals are the most important thing in this world as well as nature.
#BeConscious
I truly believe that the most important things in this world are animals and nature, the most beautiful things in this world are thanks to that.
That’s why I always try to be conscientious in my consumption and try not to waste so much, as well as help animals whenever I can.
I know it is easier to be indifferent and ignore everything that happens around us about it but if you manage to create small habits that make a difference you will be helping the world and the animals to preserve their home and above all our home which is the earth.
Back to shoes
1. Which style of shoes do you wear a lot in your daily life? Why?
When I used to go to classes every day, I preferred to wear tennis shoes because I used to walk a lot and for me, they are the most comfortable shoes for the day to day. But after trying VIVAIA’s shoes I think I could wear any type of their shoes because they are really comfortable.
2. What factors do you consider the most when purchasing shoes and why?
When buying shoes, what I consider most important is that they are comfortable and of high quality. I consider comfort as the first factor because I have very thin and small feet and they usually hurt me after a few hours of use and quality is important to me because good quality shoes tend to last longer.
3. How’s your understanding of fashion and eco-fashion?
For me fashion is something subjective, it is a trend adopted by people during a certain period of time and what fashion does is to define society, what it wants to express through clothing.
Eco-fashion is something I personally prefer because I think it is a more environmentally friendly form of consumption and at the same time you satisfy your consumption needs. They usually have a low ecological impact on the materials used and usually are not linked to current trends, always tend to have unique and original designs that make them stand out from other fast fashion stores.
4. What does a nice pair of shoes mean to you?
A good pair of shoes for me should not necessarily be expensive, but that you can wear them for hours and you will not notice any discomfort, as well as you can get them dirty but still clean them and they will look like new and will not lose their shape after a few uses.
5. If you could describe yourself as a shoe, which type of shoe would it be?
I think I would describe myself as a mules because they are shoes that I consider relaxed but they can be fun and you can wear them for almost any occasion and they look good and fit well with any outfit you wear.
6. Where have you been by wearing VIVAIA? How was it? Anything particular feels from our shoes? Just share your feelings with us. What’s the biggest difference compared to other shoes?
I have worn VIVAIA shoes basically everywhere, at home, at school, on trips, etc. I can say that I have worn all types of VIVAIA shoes and they are all quite comfortable, I have never felt tired with any of them and I love the quality they have because even though I wore them for days in a row they still look like new and they are easy to clean. I could say that once I used Regina boots when my boyfriend took me to a hill and I could walk comfortably over rocks and dirt even with heels.
That’s why I prefer VIVAIA shoes over others, I was surprised by their comfort and quality, they have definitely become my favorite shoe brand, so much so that I can say I have more than 15 pairs of VIVAIA shoes.
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Falling in Love with Food
Carol Clayton
Career: Vegan Food Blogger: Recipe Developer, Food Photographer, and Cooking Instructor
Country: USA
Instagram account: @vegeta.full
Website: www.vegetafull.org
ABOUT ME
Hi! My name is Carol and I’m so happy to meet you! I live on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula in WA state with my husband Todd. We are surrounded by tall evergreen trees and all sorts of small independent farms. As a vegan food blogger, I spend my days immersed in all things plant-based. My greatest joy is teaching other people how to create delicious vegan meals that they are really proud of. Cooking is truly art you can eat! Vegetafull is my happy place where I share recipes, food photography, and offer in person culinary experiences. If I’m not cooking up a storm in my retro kitchen, you can find me getting my shoes muddy on the Olympic Discovery Trail or traveling to visit my 4 grown children.
I found myself by falling in love with food. We all love food, it’s a common bond. But there was a lack of confidence in my daily decisions about what to eat. “Is this good for me?” “Where did this come from?” “Is it really sustainable?” were questions that flavored my food with hesitation. After years spent cooking at home with my youngest daughter, who is now a vegan chef in Manhattan, I had the courage to give a few vegan recipes a try. This unexplored landscape was so exciting and new! Could food made entirely from plants taste deeply flavorful and satisfying? The answer again and again was yes. I came to trust the food like you would a faithful friend. It was good for me, it came from the ground, it was sustainable. Becoming vegan led to a sense of peace that didn’t exist before.
#feedpeopleplants
I just had to share this love with the world by starting a food blog and Vegetafull was born! This took me on a journey to learn food photography, recipe writing and development, and ultimately cooking instruction. I’ve traveled internationally to learn with other photographers, created recipes for commercial production, been featured on the cover of Thrive Magazine, and educated over 100 students in the past 2 years. I am filled with gratitude and hope every day, and I strive to share that feeling of joy I found with others.
I feel the simplest way to create positive change is to start with small doable acts that you can accomplish every day. By reaching for the oat milk or buying a plant-based burger at the drive through, you are changing the world!
The happiest day of my life was my wedding day. Just look at that smile! Todd and I met working as volunteers at our local marathon so it was an easy decision to get married at the start of the race and run in our wedding clothes. The whole town cheered us on as we ran. Our picture was in the paper, and I felt like a celebrity! All these years later we still run together as a family. The unity of movement and a shared goal have strengthened our family and created some of the funniest and most cherished memories.
I am a full-time vegan food blogger which is more like a lifestyle than a career. I feel this is the benefit of doing work that you love! My degree is in art which has translated well to food photography and styling. Every time I fire up the camera and shoot a recipe, art comes into play. The lighting, colors, props, and mood of the photo ultimately capture the spirit of the recipe. Beautiful and delicious-looking photos invite others to take a chance and create something new.
Fortunately, we eat every day so there are boundless recipes to create! Much of my inspiration comes from our local farmer’s market where I am also a board member. The fresh produce practically calls my name as I walk by the stands. Cooking is a magical practice where you transform ingredients into something exciting and new. It doesn’t have to be complicated to taste like love.
If someone asks what my favorite part of food blogging is, I can answer without hesitation: Teaching cooking classes, and workshops, and planning culinary excursions. The positive energy of a small group of folks filled with excitement and anticipation of learning something new is the best feeling in the world.
Outside of working with food, I drink up as much of our beautiful peninsula as I can. Running on The Olympic Discovery Trail and swimming in Lake Crescent connects me with the land that gives so much to us. Todd and I also prioritize spending time with our 4 adult children who each live in a different state.
#vegetafull
It all comes down to one word: compassion. At our core we are all compassionate creatures. Looking through this lens helps me shape my decisions about everything; what to eat, what to wear, and how to interact with others. I’ll never be perfect, and that’s okay, but the motivation to touch others in a positive way fills me with energy.
I truly feel that what we eat is one of the most powerful choices we can make. Vegetafull, in a word, embodies the idea that you can have a full heart and a full belly, all by eating plants.
Christmas Recipes prepared by Carol
Vegan Heirloom Tomato Tart with Basic Cashew Cream
I’m so proud of this recipe that features the bounty of our local farms. There really is nothing better than biting into a vine-ripened heirloom tomato baked on top of herby cashew cream that’s cuddled in a flakey crust!
Creamy Vegan Cacio e Pepe
This recipe goes to show that you can be vegan and have it all. It’s rich, creamy, full of bright peppery flavor, and is *insanely tasty*. Think sophisticated mac n cheese, in the best way possible.
Avocado Chocolate Mousse
If you’ve never had avocado chocolate mousse, prepare to have your mind blown. This is one of the most requested and well-loved recipes by my community. I served it to a catered dinner for 40 last summer and no one could believe it was vegan!
Back to shoes
1. Which style of shoes will you pick while you are cooking? Why?
I love fuss-free shoes to cook in that I can slide on and off and clean easily. My trusty old pair of Birkenstocks is usually what I wear.
2. What factors do you consider the most when purchasing shoes and why?
When purchasing shoes, comfort comes first. I had surgery on my left foot a few years back and have been focused on foot health ever since. Shoes must be big enough so you can wiggle your toes and comfy enough to stand in all day long. Of course, I want them to be flattering too, so fashion is part of the decision. I’m more concerned about quality than price.
3. How’s your understanding of fashion and eco-fashion?
Fun fact: my husband and I co-own a shoe and clothing store! I retired from my store 2 years ago to start my blog, but we still talk about products all the time. It’s exciting to see that major brands and smaller brands too are developing zero-waste shoes made from fabric scraps and recycled shoe soles.
4. What does a nice pair of shoes mean to you?
A nice pair of shoes means that I can slip them on and wear them with confidence. They should feel like an extension of my body that’s helping me perform at my best.
5. If you could describe yourself as a shoe, which type of shoe would it be?
I would definitely be a running shoe. They are the most comfortable footwear next to bare feet! It used to be a habit for me to write the date of purchase with a sharpie marker on each pair so I could track how many miles they had on them. A really good pair will hold up for 800 miles!
6. Where have you been by wearing VIVAIA? How was it? Anything particular feels from our shoes? Just share your feelings with us. What’s the biggest difference compared to other shoes?
I chose the Vera Square-Toe Heeled Oxfords because they are dressy but practical too. They’re warm enough to wear in winter when paired with thick socks and dressy enough for a holiday event. It was 35 degrees at our local tree farm where we did the lifestyle shoot and my feet were happy and cozy the whole time!
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We use durable upcycled materials in a strong knitted design in all collections. Some collections are machine washable, while others are non-washable. For specific cleaning methods, please refer to the product details page.
Do not wash the shoes with other clothes, shoes, especially light-colored items.
Please follow the suggestions above to make the shoes last longer.
Machine Wash Available Shoes:
Remove the insole.
Put them in a wash pouch and toss it in the washing machine.
Add a gentle detergent (a harsh one may affect the surface of your shoes)
Wash on ‘delicate’ with cold water (never use hot water – it can affect the color and shape of your shoes).
Leave them out to air dry (never use hot air – this can affect the shape of your shoes).
Replace the insoles and wear them again!
Machine Wash unavailable Shoes:
After slightly wetting the upper surface, gently brush it with a soft-bristled shoe brush or toothbrush. Be sure to brush lightly or you may damage the shoe’s surface due to scrubbing too hard.
If you want to clean a specific part of your shoes, add alcohol to a soft cloth and gently wipe the area.
If necessary, use a cleaner specifically designed for textiles to clean the surface of your shoes if a deeper clean is necessary.
Our shoes were not suitable for machine wash, please avoid soaking your shoes entirely in water – it will damage the midsole beyond repair.
Store your shoes properly and keep them in a dry condition which will help them last longer. Please stuff with newspaper overnight and let them dry naturally once your shoes get wet. You were recommended to insert more structured items to keep the shape.
Water Proof Shoes Cleaning:
Moderate to mild dirt: Use a soft brush to gently wipe the vamp to remove dust.
Dirt Stains：Apply the mild solution to a soft-bristled brush and brush the dirt stains.
Wash soles：Use a hard brush to scrub the sole stains with cleaning foam.
Wash laces：Remove the laces and wash separately.
Dry the surface of the shoes and air dry, after drying, place them in a shoebox or in a cool place.
Name: Lizzy
Country: Ho Chi Minh City, Vitenam
Career: Teacher
Instagram: @lizzybennetpham
We Just Need to Find the Right Time for Each Activity
And We Will Be Fine
We Just Need to Find the Right Time for Each Activity
And We will Be Fine
When talking about Lizzy’s career life.
She said, “I officially graduated from my university in February, 2021 and started to work full-time in March, 2021. I have always loved to work in the education in- dustry. Luckily, after I graduated, a senior introduced me to my university and after an interview, I got a job! Because I always wear nice clothes to work, some col- leagues once said I made the office more colorful and intersting! Well, I took it as a compliment!”
“About my part-time job, I have been teaching since I was 18. I teach children from 8-15 years old how to read a book and how to write essays. I really enjoyed it. Watching the children grow up and become more mature everyday is one of the most wonderful things I have ever experienced.”
Lizzy’s Career life
# books: my house is surrounded by books. You can find books everywhere, literally everywhere!
# walking: I enjoy walking so much. I always walk to work and to my shooting locations (if they are not too far). In my opnion, walking is a romantic activity, just like in Jane Austen’s novels. It really calms me down.
# night: I am a night owl. I know stay- ing up late is not a good thing to do but my brain works better at night.
“We just need to find the right time for each activity and we will be fine!”
“It’s actually not very balanced laugh. It’s extremely hard to do so many things I like at the same time! My tip is to know what is truly important and what isn’t, then you find the right time for each of them. I am very serious at work. I work in the office from Monday to Friday. I take photos on Saturday or Sunday mornings. I read at night, before going to bed or when I have free time. You see, we just need to find the right time for each activity and will be fine!”
Lizzy describes her life and lifestyle by using 3 hashtags #books #walk- ing #night. She usually feels relaxed about some simple things. Like, “It is raining outside. I am sitting next to a window with a book on my lap. I wear a lovely linen dress. There is a cup of boba milk tea on the table. Then I’ll read the book, drink the milk tea. And I feel relaxed. Or it could be a sunny morning. I wear a cottagecore outfit and go to the park. There, I find a seat beneath a big tree. I slowly opened a classic book and read. Sometimes I can hear the birds singing. Peaceful moment, you can call it so.”
Clothes can tell our stories and can really change our moods!
Lizzy is also a Vintage & Cottagecore lover. She was interested in vintage fashion when she was a child. She said “I like seeing people dressing in nice clothes, it makes me happy. When I wear a vintage or vintage-inspired outfit, I feel great and confident. That’s who I truly am! Clothes can tell our stories and can really change our moods!”
But when she grew up, she realized how the fashion industry has been polluting the Earth. The more we buy, the more we waste. And the more we waste, the more our environment be damaged. She recommend that “if we can not stop buying new things, we can surely choose what to buy and which brand to support. We should buy less, choose well and make it last (that’s my motto). Buying second-hand/vintage items; renting, swapping clothes can also reduce the amount of clothes that ends up on landfill. Be- sides, I think investing in timeless, good quality, eco-friendly products is one of the best ways to solve the problem.”
Back to Shoes
– What style of shoes do you wear daily or at work? Will it he your favorite vintage style? And why?
– I love wearing flats, simply because I walk a lot. I need something comfortable at the same time so a pair of ballerina flats is always a great choice! They are actually classic and iconic, too! Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly used to wear them very often.
– What factors do you consider the most when purchasing shoes and why?
– Comfort, durability and versatilty.
I used to dance bballet so I know how important our feet are. They have to support our body(all day long) so they should also be supported(and taken care of) in a right way. As I walk everyday, I don’t want my feet to hurt. I always choose my shoes carefully, I pay attention to the fit to make sure they are comfortable.
A durable and versatile pair of shoes will be your best friend for a long time. You don’t have to buy new shoes very often. And the less we buy, the better.
– What does a nice pair of shoes mean to you?
– High quality shoes are like an investment. They will not only serve you for a long time but they will also save you a lot of money. Imagine, 9$ shoes from a fast fashion brand might look like cute and trendy, but they won’t last. They can probably make your feet hurt and make you look cheap!
Whereas, a nice pair of shoes will complete your outfit in a good way. You will feel more confident and beautiful – that really makes a good impression!
– If you could describe yourself as a shoe, which type of shoe would it be?
– Wow I love this question! How interesting! Let me think… Huhm, I’m not sure but perhaps I would have been a pair of ballerina flats. It’s timeless, pretty and perfect for vintage style as well as cottagecore style. It’s comfy, easy to wear with every outfit. You know, something like the Bella, Margot or Odette shoes from VIVAIA.
– Where have you been by wearing VIVAIA? How was it? Anything particular feels from our shoes? Just share your feelings with us. What’s the biggest difference compared to other shoes?
– To be honest, I wear my VIVAIA shoes to everywhere I could, from my university to the park, from book- stores to supermarkets. I even wear iat ap ana ae a Rte lew 21g them to the beach once I have to opportunity to do so!
Sometimes it’s hard to take care of some shoes because they are made out of leather of PU leather. But VIVAIA shoes are are washable so I can wear them freely without worry- ing the rain/water might ruin them! They are great for me because in Ho Chi Minh City, it can rain unexpectedly.
From my experience, VIVAIA shoes are absolutely magical. I have regular/wide feet so it’s hard to find shoes that fit me nicely. Usually new shoes can create some blisters but VIVAIA shoes are completely different. I could walk in them right away without any hurt (I walked at least 3km that day)! And have I mentioned they come with the softest insoles? I have to say “thank you” to VIVAIA for giving me the opportunity to walk on a cloud!
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Interview at the International Brazilian Artist Geovana Clea
Name: Geovana Cléa
Country: Brazil
IG: @geovanacleaofficial
Geovana Cléa born in Brazilian in 1977. She studied art and the Italian language in Florence during the 90s and currently resides close to Milan.
For more than twenty years, Geovana presented her work internationally across various art stages, among many: New York, London, Amsterdam, Russia, Brazil, Montecarlo, Basel, Milan, Lisbon, and Paris.
Along with numerous exhibitions, Geovana presented four of her paintings at the 54th Biennale di Venezia and later won the prize of jury at the National Salon des Beaux-Arts since 1861 at the Louvre. This Salon is better known as the “salon of the impressionists” of Paris.
Geovana is also present in two literary publications and is an immortal member of the Academy of Science, Literature, and Arts of Sao Paulo, Brazil, where she was appointed a chair and later a gold medal in 2015 for her exceptional artistic career. In recent years, Geovana funded her gallery (EOTW Gallery), and was part of various collaborations with well-known Italian luxury designer brands of furniture.
“Geovana Cléa is abstract expressionist and naturalist”
She aims to recreate the natural effects of the Earth through her colors. She is deeply in love with water, woods, gold, crystals, quartz and other type of rocks. In truth, these elements can be seen in all of her creations, reflecting the strong influence of Geology in her creative process
Geovana Clea is an exclusive artist for the Italian luxury brand Giorgio Collection, or simply GC for GC, is an idea collaboration since the refined creation inspired by natural elements blend just perfectly with the luxurious Italian Mobilla of Giorgio Collection
This is luxury firm of refined taste, class, and indisputable elegance ini the international furniture scene.
I consider myself lucky to have a profession Where I can work with my hands, mind, and heart.
Like most, if not all artists, the start is always a big struggle. People often regard art solely as a hobby, underestimating its potential for a worthy and dignified career. I consider myself lucky to have a profession where I can work with my hands, mind, and heart. Art has great power in surrounding everything with beauty, just look at theatre, cinema, music, painting, or sculpturing. To be frank, I couldn’t imagine the world without it.
After an international career that lasted more than 20 years, with many exhibitions, interviews, and international partnerships, it can happen that you just start being regarded as a public figure.! never decided to be an influencer, it just happened to be the case, but at the end of the day, I am an artist.
I have many works that I love, but I would pick one I dedicated to my home-country I called “Think Brasil’. It means a lot to me because inside you see rivers, the sea, forests, and the sky of my land. It is a piece that I exhibited for the first time in Paris, at the National Salon des Beaux-Arts at the Louvre, which was first led by Renoir. Then it was also presented at the 54th Biennale di Venezia.
However, with Giorgio Collection I also have a partnership with Swarovski that allowed me to create works that were inspired by rivers, waterfalls, marbles, e precious minerals as you can see in “Stardust”, “Black Forest”, and “Quarzi and Black”.
They are available at the Italian design brand of luxury furniture, design and art Giorgio for example, in the stores at Harrods in London or Casa Ricca in Moscow, among many others in the world.
Mother nature is wonderful, we have displays of nature around us at all times, from seas to rivers, waterfalls to rocks,marbles, mountains, trees, flowers, snow. It’s almost like a daily show, sitting in front of all of us at all times. It seems so simple to the point where many take it for granted and ingore its beauty.
As I said, nature inspires my work tremendously. I am from the Sertao region in Brazil, a dry land full of cactuses, rocks, sand, and the river San Francisco. Maceio, the capital of my region, on the other hand, made me fall in love with the sea. walking around the coast drinking coconut water while watching surfers cut through the waves.
Now that I live in Italy. I’m looking for the same things, and even if they are a little different. There are signs of nature all around and that’s enough for me. Nature helps me stay with calm and it is a constant source of inspiration.
Back to shoes
What style of shoes do you wear daily?
I love comfortable shoes!
What factors do you consider the most when purchasing shoes and why?
I think comfort and design. I want to wear something that suits my taste and possibly personality. Comfort though is also essential, I mean who likes to wear uncomfortable shoes.
If you could describe yourself as a shoe, which type of shoe would it be?
A decolté or that beautiful black Vivaia boot that I have and love!
What does a nice pair of shoes mean to you?
I could name dozens of the ones you make!
Anyway, I love decolté with heels that are not too high,
How’s your understanding of fashion and eco-fashion/sustainable fashion?
As an artist inspired by nature, but also a former model during my early youth, I love fashion, style, simplicity combined with elegance. I think it’s great that you value preservation; why use leather? Yes, it will be valuable, but taking life and turning it into apparel feels like denying someone the chance to live in this beautiful world. For the same reason, I have been vegan for two months now and if fashion followed the same path many animals will be able to live longer.
Where have you been by wearing VIVAIA? How was it? Anything particular feels from our shoes?
I used them for the first time to take a tour in the center of my city, Milan, from the Duomo to the Vittorio Emmanuele Gallery, where I also had fun walking spinning on the bull’s balls (a tradition in Milan that brings good fortune). Then the Scala Theater, the beautiful Brera Academy of Fine Arts, and at a fantastic Italian caffé in the Scala bar in via Brera, famous for having a design that recalls the theatre and the art galleries in the neighborhood. That area of Milan is famous for art, design, and fashion.
With my beautiful Vivaia boot, I felt very comfortable. I was so happy with them, they were elegant but felt like walking barefoot, and yet, thanks to their softness and tasteful design, I was wearing a very elegant boot, moreover, eco-friendly. The best thing is that I walked for hours yet my feet didn’t hurt a bit.
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