Author Archives: Andrew Villagomez
Must See: The LINQ & Its High Roller Ferris Wheel In Las Vegas
The High Roller, the world’s tallest observation wheel, has officially opened and has been lit up for all the Las Vegas Strip to vast in its neon glory. Standing at 550 feet, it changes the city’s skyline just as the London Eye did 14 years ago over across the pond.
As part of The LINQ by Caesars, it is the key concept in the project of an outdoor area that is now filled with (and will continue to add) new activities, shops, dining options and nightlife. The LINQ will span more than 300,000 square feet, with a pedestrian mall running about one-third of a mile from Las Vegas Boulevard to the High Roller.
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Outfit: Pattern Play
Showing you how to use trends from New York Fashion Week, my friend Ben and I styled him with a bold oxblood biker jacket over some power pattern clashing featuring a mini floral print shirt from Club Monaco and a fun butterfly jumper from Topman LTD. Ben’s slick-backed hair was perfect, adding that extra cool factor to the look, and we accessorized with shades from Warby Parker and Hudson’s brogues.
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Must Have For The Smart Traveler, Tumi’s Alpha 2
Kicking off our new Must Have series, Tumi welcomes an upgraded collection to the luxury travel brand. The Alpha 2 line is a collection of 19 products smartly designed for a lighter and spacious journey with each trip taken, and if you’ve owned a piece from the previous Alpha line, you’re in for over 30 upgrades to the design—depending on the style selected. Noticeable upgrades include:
- Tumi’s lightest ballistic nylon, which they introduced 30 years ago are known for.
- Reinforced frames with heavy duty, lightweight stitching and impact resistant corners.
- Newly designed 360° wheels that are recessed into the body of suitcases to provide more stable navigation and a little extra room in the interior.
- Three height options for the lightweight, aircraft-grade aluminum handle.
- A durable and stealthy Lever Lock Expansion System, which can securely provide two-stages of expansion—with up to two and a half extra inches of packing space. #winning!
Pictured above is the Extended Trip Expandable 4 Wheeled Packing Case, selected for its two toned color option (to make an extra statement while traveling) and as it is one of the luggages with all the upgrades. Though if the color choice becomes available for the International Expandable 4 Wheeled Carry-On option, that would be my pick a the must have from the collection. See more of Extended Trip option below:
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Street Style: The British Musician
In this street style feature for Out magazine, wandering Midtown I spotted a musician named Miles visiting from London. You can always count on a Brit to show you the right way to pull off almost any headgear, which Miles pairs it with a quilted leather jacket and light wash jeans.
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John Varvatos’ Detailed & Versatile Artisan Acqua Fragrance
The third fragrance from John Varvatos’ Artisan collection, the Artisan Acqua is one you’ll want in your collection for more than the Mediterranean-inspired light, but versatile scent of citrus blended with spices and herbs. Visually appealing and making summer that more desirable, the packaging is a clear flask-like bottle that has a beautiful hand-woven rattan cover over it with an antique cooper cap and tag—showing the same detailing Varvatos gives his clothing.
Citruses in the scent include tangelo, mandarin and paradisamide (a fruit note of guava and passion fruit with a little bit of grapefruit, rhubarb and cassis), and greens take over with the heart notes of clary sage, lavender, coriander, toscanol and others. The scent is fresh and light, allowing you to use it during the day or for a night out, and would pair well with either the casual look of jeans and a tee or with a crisp dress shirt, tie and trousers. 4.2 oz, $84, John Varvatos
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Get ‘The Great Gatsby’ Look – Catherine Martin’s Gatsby Style Formula
With Oscar Sunday approaching, I’m hopeful to see (and pretty much counting on) costumer designer Catherine Martin and The Great Gatsby take home the Academy Awards for Best Costume and Best Production Design. They won the Critic’s Choice awards for both, but I’m also a little biased as I had a chance to chat with Martin herself on designing for the film for an article in Out Magazine, in which she shared her formula for men to get the Gatsby style right: Slim silhouettes, bookish blazers, ties with half-Windsor knots, and fitted waistcoats.
“Waistcoats are a great garment because they control the shirt and give a slender illusion,” Martin also shared. “If you’re slim, they make you look more slim, and if you’re a little less than slim, they help with the silhouette.”
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Music Download: Shakira’s Powerful “Empire”
Shakira has been one of my favorite musicians since “Whenever, Wherever” came out back in my middle school years—2001 to be exact. I’m so excited for her new self titled album to drop this March, and I’m still in love with “Can’t Remember To Forget You” featuring Rihanna, but her second single “Empire” shows off the Colombiana’s rock roots in this much needed power anthem.
Listen to the track below:
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10 Winter To Spring Footwear Sale Favorites To Get Now
Shopping the other day I couldn’t help but notice all the different non holiday-related sales going on. The retail gods must’ve learned it’s my bday this week and wanted to surprise me or something. In case you haven’t had a chance to take advantage yet, or are worried there’s nothing left, here are my favorite on sale boots, shoes and kicks that are perfect for the transition into the spring weather ahead:
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Outfit: Modern Bohemian Techie Style
I fell for this Denim & Supply tribal print pullover my friend and blog model James showed me, and knew I could go two ways with it. Instead of just putting together a full boho look, I decided to dress it up—but still keeping it casual—with a weather appropriate dapper overcoat. Then adding some tech flair via a tech case from Trask (currently sold out, but here’s the spring option)
James’ well groomed hair and scruff also greatly added to the modern effect of this look I styled, but again still keeping it casual with jeans and a pair of TOMS+ camo suede ridge botas (also giving it some light pattern clashing). Shot just as the winter shops in Bryant Park closed up.
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Street Style: Vintage Swag
Getting back to regular posts, in this street style feature for Out magazine I spotted an NYU student and actor sporting vintage finds from The Garage (a weekend flea market in Chelsea) while wandering a post-NYFW Lincoln Square. He pairs a fantastic houndstooth coat he found there with snow-proof Hunter boots and a Tumi backpack.
See the full look on Out.com, and check out more street style on Vee Travels.
Follow Vee Travels and Andrew Villagomez on Twitter and Instagram: @AndyVeeNYC
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