Why I’ve stopped following fashion blogs (and I’m not afraid to say it!)

Thinking of it, it would be maybe wiser to tell you first, why I actually started to follow fashion blogs. It was 3 years ago and I was in my last year of BA, procrastinating, looking for inspiration and most of all (NOT) writing my thesis. There was no Pinterest at that time (which sucked BIG times!!) to help me past the days. So I followed girls, who were as ordinary as I was, but without a personal challenge to write something meaningful. They were challenged differently: to wear and not to write. It was easy to associate with them, because we all were (and I still am) shopping in H&M, Mango or Zara (if I got a scholarship). From time to time they introduced some designer handbag or shoes. It was thanks to the fashion blogs I discovered 7 for all mankind (and I’m eternally grateful!), Equipment (which I still can’t afford) or ACNE (shame on me I didn’t know it before!). I was happy I knew something new, original and tasteful. And when I was shopping I could pick up pieces I’ve seen and liked on these blogs. Easy. But where are those girls now? What are they wearing? I can tell you, that I can’t certainly afford anything I see on fashion blogs nowadays. I still don’t own my Jimmies or Loubies. And I’ve started to have difficulties with affording pieces from Zara (is it only me or are their prices just super HIGH?). Slowly, really slowly, I’m starting to make my point here. The girls, who looked like my next-door neighbor, became popular, glamorous and UNATTAINABLE. It makes no difference for me to follow Kate Middleton or Chiara Ferragni. And face it; Kate is at least royalty! I’m missing fresh style, original ideas and attainability (mixed with affordability). Because it’s not about money, fortune and fame – it’s about being playful, innovative and original. As I am always saying: everyone can be well dressed with pockets full of money. It’s not money who do magic. It’s creativity. And that’s exactly WHY I’ve started following creative blogs! Instead. 

For some more inspiration, I leave you with an article from Garance, who is one of the least fashion bloggers I still do follow: The Other Girls

Enjoy!

PS: Pictures via pinterest

iParis

Do not worry, I am not going to Paris-over-dose-you! This is officially the last post from the city of love and rats. I wouldn't believe if I didn't see on my own eyes that right under the Eiffel Tower the whole rat family was having a dinner from the trash. Well at least now I know why Ratatouille was a rat :)

Wish you all a happy weekend! Mine will be about celebrating as I am 24 and 1/4 today! No, I am not kidding - I am celebrating! x

How new memories were made

First day - we tried to stay cultural. But the second day - there was some serious shopping business for us. Even though most of the times just window-shopping one. But anyway - still fun! After being more than disappointed from Christmas market down from Concorde to Champs Elysee - Gallerie LaFayette and Printemps made it for us! The cutest shopping window with teddies everywhere and a huge x-mas tree in the middle! Wow, we were mesmerized!   Afterwards we strolled some streets with people with big paper bags running everywhere, did some low cost shopping and had pancakes for lunch. My very favorite is goat cheese with walnuts with honey on top - yum! Kit went for more classic version: salmon and spinach - also very good. After the lunch our steps went into the direction of Boulevard Saint Germain and the legendary Cafe De Flore. I didn't even have to persuade Kitty to come and wait a line to get inside of this place where so many influential people dined before us. Coming to my mind just now: Breton, Sartre, Hemingway, Picasso, Prevert,... Later on we met up with Miguel and had a cultural walk in the gardens of Rodin's Museum. Well done for a one day in Paris! - X-mas at Printemps -

- macaroons at Cafe Puschkin -

- X-mas at Lafayette -

- X-mas at Lindt flag-store -

Back to basics - back to Paris

Kitty, Miguel and I met in Paris. 4 years ago. At summer university organized by AEGEE. Big thanks! Because you know what? We're still friends! Together we visited the major capitals of Europe, counting in Berlin, Amsterdam, London and many more with Kitty only: Budapest, Prague, Rome,...
This time we made it back to Paris as Miguel is a smart ass and studies at La Sorbonne. Walking down Boulevard Saint Germain, having ridiculously expensive coffees and enjoying each others company was priceless. And I am thankful for friends like these. So yes, they don't call Paris "The city of love" for no reason at all. I love those two and can't wait to see them again, maybe even in Prague! 
- our everyday breakfast from the little bakery just around the corner from Miguel's flat -

- all the happy faces -

And so we're all full-aged in our family!

Guess what? My little brother just turned 18! And the whole family gathered to support him with candle-blowing :) As you can see from the pictures, he's a big tennis fan and even bigger tennis player. The cake, amazing as always, from our family friend - chocolate with fruits. Refreshing and delicious. But not to put him under the spotlight on his own, our cousin Petra turned 18 - a month ago and this was their mutual b-day celebration.  During this whole day I was constantly reminiscing about my own celebration of this special moment in everyone's life. My friends threw a surprise party for me, which I couldn't believe at all. It was all perfect, special and the pure moment of surprise was just awesome. Sometimes I still look at the pictures we took, see some faces I haven't seen in ages and then talk about them with those who remained.  I really hope that everyone had a special celebration of their 18th b-day and if you're up to it, just share! I'd be over the moon.
- b-day girl and b-day boy -

- unusually in black -

- our first drink as adults -

Predictions, addictions and free choices

A friend of mine posted an article with the catchy title on Facebook. "A PhD with your coffee?" I was immediately interested. After reading it, I was immediately depressed. I could see myself in it - as clear as in the mirror. "Lost Generation" - is it what we are after succeeding at the university? Without a potential of finding a real job? If you told me about Lost Generation few days ago, I would immediately refer to Hemingway. Now I am referring to myself. Is this drive to get as good education as possible already written off? What about the investment into a human capital? Should I try to get a job in a local cafe and become professional in serving coffee before or after I finish my PhD? Those are all the questions which are running through my head and sipping coffee and observing the waiters just doesn't help. I am trying to figure out whether they have a BA in Arts, History or maybe MA in humanities. Or maybe just high school graduation. I am not bold enough to ask. Instead I am trying to take it positively. We all make choices. Each choice has a consequence. And each choice is exactly what we want. So instead of having heavy booths while pursuing a degree in what I like, I chose to enjoy it. Because who says that serving coffee with or without a degree will make me happy? I should enjoy the little perks of my life while I can and start to worry about  paying bills later. Or maybe just next week :) 
You can read full article on The Independent. 

Back to my Saturday's rituals

The city is changing - there're more cars and stress. Less warm days and patience. Leaves on the trees are yellow and there are orange pumpkins everywhere.

People are changing too - they're rushing around in heels and with big bags. Wearing scarfs, hats and cups of hot wine in their hands. 

But something always remains the same. My Saturday's breakfast at the farmer's market, which became our tradition. BIG chocolate or almond croissant and coffee. Can you possibly wish for more? Doesn't matter whether it's summer-spring or autumn, I'll always find it! 

Do you have IT?

Napriek tomu, že v našich krajinách (viď. Česká + Slovenská rep. a Maďarsko) sa pojem "IT-girl" nevyskytuje dlho, nejedná sa o žiadnu novinky. Práve naopak! "IT-girls" tu boli, sú a budú. Ich začiatok sa datuje niekde k zlatým dvadsiatym rokom - pomaly teda budú oslavovať prvé storočie. Definovať samotný pojem "IT-girl" je náročné, nedá sa nájsť v slovníku. Jednoducho TO musíte mať. Pod tým TO ("it") sa môže skrývať nadpozemská krása, odzbrojovací zmysel pre humor, inšpiratívny postoj k životu alebo len nadčasový štýl.  Niekedy je to podobné ako s "x-factorom". Môžete mať silný a krásny hlas ako mala Whitney Houston, ale aj tak súťaž nevyhráte, lebo vám bude chýbať TO. To pravé orechové vďaka čomu vystupujete z radu, fanušíkovia si vás vážia a každý vás chce napodobniť.  Asi najznámejším a zároveň najviac nereálnym "IT-girl" je pre mňa Carrie Bradshaw, ktorá TO má všetko - na nohách lodičky a v ruke martini. Členkami klubu "IT-girls" boli aj Marilyn Monroe alebo Edie Sedgwick. V súčastnosti sa v ňom pohybujú Chloë  Sevigny, Alexa Chung, Olivia Palermo, Sienna Miller alebo Chiarra Ferragni.  L'oreal Professionnel si pre nás túto sezónu tak isto prichystal kolekciu účesov inšpirovaných a určených práve pre "IT-girls". Ambasadorkou tohto projektu sa stala mladá, inteligentná a krásna slovenská spisovateľka Tamara Heribanová, ktorá sa pohybuje v slovenskej smotánke od narodenia, ale aj napriek tomu si zachováva ten správny prístup k životu. A hoci má hlavu v oblakoch, nohy má stále na zemi. Som však presvedčená, že "IT-girls" sa nenachádzajú len na stránkach v časopisoch, kde je najdlhšia veta "info o cene v predajni". Sú to dievčatá, ženy, slečny a dámy, ktoré pracujú, bojujú a milujú všade okolo nás. A možno ich nestretnete každý piatok na párty, a možno nemajú ani značkovú kabelku, ale majú TO, prečo si zaslúžia náš obdiv.
Tamara Heribanová - prvá "IT-girl" L'oreal Professionnel images via 

It starts to be real

Quite frankly, I wasn't expecting this. Frustration. Despair. Hopelessness. In one word: moving. Moving out and moving in. Looking for a flat. Picking the best option. Picking the cheapest one. Picking the pretties one.  After the whole week of answering all sorts of ads and offers - finally it happened. I visited our future apartment just yesterday. It is pretty, has 2 rooms and one kitchen. Even a bathroom! And to all of my surprises it includes washing machine, oven and tv. Because believe me - to have a washing machine is quite a luxury (well, according to all the other flats). In the end I don't know what was I expecting. Don't know why I though it'll be easier. Should have been prepared for it from Berlin. When I spent 2 weeks asking myself why on earth did I come here? To the city where I barely knew someone, where my job was crap and where I couldn't find a place to live?! Well a step at a time. Here I am now. Fighting the same battle in Prague with the slightly difference: I have no crap job. I have no job. YET. But I am sure it's just around the corner :) PS1: Pictures from our flat coming soon! As soon as we decorate it and I bring my whole Blond Amsterdam Collection from home, haha. PS2: Please, find the hidden symbol in this photo, as I was the whole time feeling like a snail without its home. Now it seems that a snail found its home, shell is it.

After

After spending 2.5 hours waiting for the miracle to happen - here is the result. Shorter, healthier and most definitely more fresh!
Those 2 hours were more than rewarding for me. Even though I was going crazy from the constant sitting and waiting, I had a chance to spend it with my hairdresser's daughter - 5 years old girl, dressed up from head to toes in pink (yes, yes, yes - me but little - lol) and she had the most adorable doggie with her - jack russell puppy (yes, little Fikkie - that's for Kitty). The highlight of this cute encounter was when she asked me, whether I was born when there were still back&white movies on tv? I've never felt that old in my life. But luckily, I was born when there were ALREADY normal color movies on tv, 1989 - what a year!
And what about you? Which movies were on telly when you were born? x