Love is All Around

I believe in love...even love at first sight.

I believe in not settling down because you are getting older, or getting married because you've been with someone for a while and it's the next logical step. I understand some people might find the idea comforting....but what will happen the day they discover true love?
Love is a feeling that makes you come alive. That makes even the dullest daily routine not feel that bad because you know that at the end of the day you will come home to that special person, and everything will be alright. Love brings out the best in you and makes you want to become a better person.
Noone should ever settle down for less. Love is a truly magical feeling and nothing can ever compare to it.
Love is breathing happiness through every pore of your body.

Love finds a way to brighten up your day

Love can be found when you least expect it

One year mark

Pack, unpack, pack, unpack...

One year ago, on this day, was the beginning of my new life, aka my european study adventure. I remember sitting on the plane, feeling so perfectly calm, knowing I was doing the right thing. I cannot believe how fast the year went by, but on the other hand, when I think about it, so many things happened!

Between studying, travelling around, living on my own for the first time, having my fair share of bathroom malfunctions (floods, broken toilets, and the like- seemed to be a recurring theme throughout the year), packing, unpacking, making new friends from all over the world, promising to new friends to visit each other in our respective countries, and last but not least, what would life be without a little spice called love (even if it doesn't happen or end the way we would like it to)!

I believe the most important element of my experience, or any experience for that matter, are the people we meet along the way. It's the human contact that shapes and defines the moment, that makes or breaks a situation. Cheers to all these wonderful people, old and new friends, and family! And here's to many more adventures!

Jello shots on Halloween night, also known as the stage of the first bathroom malfunction

Smoking the shisha and bonding with classmates on Student Day

Sushi Night! My first sushi making experience...mmm sushi...

Walking around the city on a winter night, taking pictures, after the first semester ended

With frozen fingers and toes, while being wowed by some of the world's best snowboarders at the Arctic Challenge

Admiring the view- and the line-up- at the Eiffel Tower

Bathroom flood documented

Cheering at a rugby game in Leeds!

Taking a walk along the Thames in beautiful London...

Painted Soviet Army monument during Sofia Design Week

Cheers to the Moon! And to a nice and hot summer

Sunday Bazaar

 Today was not a lazy sunday spent lounging around the house, but rather a relaxing sunday spent at the Culture Beat Pazar (I consider shopping to be a productive activity). This bazaar was mainly featuring bulgarian designers, but was also selling some vintage pieces. My highlight was the origami jewelry made by Emiliya Skotnik. Yes, it might have something to do with my obsession with everything japanese... but also with the fact that her pieces were so cute and original. It was very difficult to choose! I love these gatherings, where we can discover local designers, and find unique treasures. So much creativity under one roof...very inspiring!

Origami earrings and rings

Interesting headpieces

Vintage cameras

Enjoying the sun

Comfy bed in case you need a break from shopping

I want...NEED...a summer bed like this one...!!!

Summer Report

The summer flew by, and for the first time in many, many years I was able to fully enjoy it (i.e. be a bum). This summer was filled with a few trips to the beach, street festivals, and many lazy days, lounging by the pool, or in cafés. I am not ready for the Fall yet!

Mojito on the beach= summer

Hibiscus flowers= summer as well ;)

Colorful cocktails and lazy days

I love the sea and the beach

This cat has been having a lazy summer as well

Relaxing atmosphere with a great view...can't get tired of this!

Something old, Something new

Following the last post, I came across another interesting designer who is successfully mixing tradition with modernity. This time it is a japanese brand from Tokyo, Tsukikageya, specializing in yukata (summer kimono) and all its accessories. The designer uses traditional methods for making and printing the clothing, but creates contemporary and funky patterns. The obi (kimono belts) are available in leather, snakeskin, or decorated with crystals; adding a punk twist to the classic sash.

Yukatas look so light and comfortable...perfect for hot summer days! Another thing to add to my wish list...

Some yukatas and fun patterns by Tsukikageya

All images used in the montage are taken from Tsukikageya's website


Click HERE to read an interview with the designer, Natsuki Shigeta!


:)

Shoes...enough said!

Kimonos are so pretty and elegant but since I don't live in Japan, there aren't many occasions where I can wear them. Therefore I love it when I can find a way to- at least- incorporate kimono fabrics and their colorful prints into everyday life.
The mixture of the old and the new can produce some really interesting results...For example, these lovely, lovely handmade pumps by Hetty Rose... Stilettos covered in vintage kimono fabrics....aaah...I want...!

Hetty Rose: Kimono Collection 3

Summertime...and the living's easy

It's officially summer! Yay for everything associated with the season: sun, heat, beaches, flip flops, cocktails, terrasses, cocktails on terrasses, friends, road trips, and fun music!

Punk is not dead

Camden Town may have become one of my favorite places in London...Colorful shops with huge Doc Martins or Converses above the door, and salesmen with the most fascinating mohawks walking around with signs advertising their shops, are among the first things you will notice. If you keep walking and turn into one of the side streets, you will discover food markets with the most delicious foods from all over the world. I found bubble tea, one of my favorites! A piece of advice, don't eat before you go there...you will want to try a little bit of everything. If you're patient enough to walk through all of the markets' shops offering clothes, accessories, and art work, you can probably discover some little treasures. And weather permitting, enjoying a beer while overlooking the canal sounds like the best way to spend a sunny Saturday/Sunday afternoon!

Camden Town

Voyage, Voyage

Girl Talk

Let's get a little girly and talk about summer and (mostly) shopping. Summer is by far my favorite season, and I just can't wait for flip flop season to be here! I've also always been a fan of Roxy and their cute clothes and fun prints. Today I discovered Quiksilver has launched a Quiksilver for women line. I thought Roxy was Quiksilver's line for women, but apparently this new line is aimed to be more classic, urban, and grown-up than Roxy. They have really beautiful pieces made from the softest materials....the shoppaholic in me just cannot resist this. Quiksilver, why are you doing this to me!!!

A little montage of my favorites...Don't be surprised if you see me in any of these...All pics from Quiksilver's website !

Now all we need is a little sun, warm summer nights, a beach, mojitos...

Highlights from the Highlands

Coming out of the train station, as I was stepping out on the streets of Edinburgh for the very first time, I was greeted by the sound of bagpipes. With a big smile on my face, I thought there is no better way to say 'Welcome to Scotland!' than this ( and of course, on a less romantic note, I also thought how clever that bagpiper is to position himself right by the train station where all the tourists are...but let's not spoil this magical moment!)

Welcome to Scotland!

If you are ever in Scotland, make sure you try some of the local delicacies....first, the deep fried Mars bar! In some places, you can also have other chocolate bars deep fried, so I tried the Snickers bar (which I still dream of!).

For the brave, there is also a dish called haggis. I'm not brave so I didn't try it. But it is a scottish specialty and it consists of sheep organs (we'll leave it at that) mixed with spices. I was assured it was really, really good...but when I know what it's made of, I can't really get past that.

Deep Fried Snickers Bar at Clamshell, Royal Mile street

Grassmarket

Edinburgh Castle glowing at night

Just because they're so cute, a picture of the highland cows!

It's spring!

Sakura

There is a bulgarian tradition on March 1st, where 'martenitsi' are exchanged with friends and family. Martenitsi are bracelets or ornaments made of white and red string, and are a symbol of health and happiness. They have to be worn until spring comes, or until you come across a stork or blooming tree. In the latter case, you have to tie your martenitsa to the tree. Here are my martenitsi tied to perhaps a cherry blossom (sakura) tree or maybe a plum tree....in any case, a blossoming tree :) It's spring in the UK!

More info on this tradition here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martenitsa

My collection of 3 martenitsi tied together

London Love

Umbrellas at Picadilly Circus

There's something about London...it makes me happy. The city has soul. Behind the old buildings and rainy weather, life is vibrant.
Everything seems to be moving at a frantic pace: people walk fast, taxis and double deckers pass you by in lightning speed. In the middle of all this chaos, there's even room for mounted police (with their own traffic lights depicting horses).
There are people everywhere. Lots of people and all kinds of people. From pretty yuppie boys to punks, the city has it all covered.
There is always something happening, wherever you look: while waiting to cross the street, a rollerblader 'flash mob' passes you by in a flash second (some even brought their dogs with them!). Walk by Trafalgar Square, and more than likely, there'll be a gathering or manifestation of some sort (sometimes it's hard to tell what it is for, as everyone seems to be supporting different causes). With so much going on, and so much to see, I don't think I could ever be bored in this city.

Double deckers rushing by

Big Ben and the London Eye

Fashion victims?

When I arrived in England, the temperature was about 0C. I was wearing a winter coat, a hat, and mittens. But when a guy on the street asked me if I was cold, I soon realized that I was overdressed compared to the locals. I arrived on a Saturday, when everyone was going out. The 'going-out outfit' consists of: a short dress, sandals, and no coat. Why not wear a coat in the winter? Is it  because of fashion, because they're resistent to the cold weather, or because they do not want to forget/lose their coat at the bar? (there are coat checks in clubs, and they're fairly unexpensive- and empty).

While I thought it might be an 'England' thing, there was recently an article written in a UK publication about the phenomenon. So I guess not everyone agrees with this type of attire! Click on the link below to read the article and see the pictures of freezing girls (at the bottom right corner of each picture, it is indicated where the pic was taken, and what was the temperature at the time). P.S. I really hope someone helped the girl sleeping in the snow after the picture was taken...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1242198/Youre-going-dressed-like-Snow-joke-did-.html

Out and About in Sofia

Here is a list of my favorite places in Sofia...

*Update! I just updated this list, and added more cool places. Check them out here after!*

The Appartment
This is a really cozy café to hang out with friends. It has different (living) rooms, where you can lounge around. It feels as though you really are in someone's appartment...more intimate than a regular café. Try the kiwi juice and the Himalayan tea!
Address: 68 Neofit Rilski st

The Appartment

Supa Star
A soup place! Everyday they have different soups you can try, and sandwiches. My favorite is the Oriental Lentil soup...yummy!
Address: 8 Shishman st

Lime
A nice modern snackbar/café where you can pick up a sandwich or salad on-the-go, or sit down and eat. The food is really fresh!
www.lime.bg
Address: 40 Graf Ignatiev st

Lime

Kohinoor
Delicious! This is the word that comes to mind when I think of this Indian restaurant. Everything on the menu is absolutely delicious.
www.kohinoor.bg
Address: 3 Han Asparuh st


Hambara
A well hidden but worth finding bar, entirely lit by candles. It feels as though you are in the 17th century, secretly planning a revolution in a dark corner of the bar. Sometimes they'll have (improvised?) live music, which adds to the experience.
Address: 22 6ti Septemvri st

Hambara
(http://night-songs.info/images/gallery/1/hambara2.jpg)

Alkohol
Party guaranteed! There are two rooms: one is a shisha room, and the other is more like a club. The shisha room is very exotic, with separate sections with drapes and couches, where you can smoke the shisha. The 'club' room is nothing special per se, but the music and the variety of music is really good. Try the Tequila gold shots with oranges and cinnamon!
*Update: this place has moved, and sadly, no longer has a shisha room. Check out their Facebook page for more info: http://www.facebook.com/ClubALCOHOL

Cabby chats

Two characteristics seem to define cabs in Sofia: they're yellow, and their drivers are very chatty.

Some will wait for you to say something- anything- and use it as an excuse to strike up a conversation. For example, an innocent "wow there's a lot of traffic today" on your part, can turn into a political debate.

Other, more proactive drivers, won't wait for you to say something first but will take the initiative by asking you questions (some less delicate than others: eg. why is your face so red?), or simply by telling you about themselves (Oh my dear, I haven't slept well in 4 days), or by sharing their political views (a favorite).
I've seen friends who, by the time they walked out of that taxi, had become best friends with the driver. They would have started talking about sports (football), and then, in a matter of minutes, had already moved on to discuss ex-girlfriends and current girlfriends. Never underestimate a Sofia cab driver's conversational skills!

"Come talk to me!"