New York, I love you - Travel Diary Day 1

Top of the Rock

View from our spectacular appartment

Sunny Day on Top of the World

between glass doors

Museum of Modern Art  - Constantin Brincusi

Central Park Zoo

Central Park

It's my first day in New York and I love it so much I can't believe it! 

Waking up with a view of the New York skyline and the Empire State Building from the 37th floor of a skyscraper is breathtaking.  It's so different from quiet little Vienna that it takes my breath away! Especially since it's very strange to hear police sirens all night and look at the skyscrapers seeing the people still working after 12 AM. 

We found the appartment (with the view above) on airbnb and it's much cheaper than a hotel AND it's fantastic. I love it! 

After waffles and coffee at a sweet coffee shop called Europan Cafe, close to Times Square, we went for a walk through Midtown, to the Rockefeller Center and went up to the Top of the Rock to see New York from above (fantastic view!!). After a short walk and a lunch, we went to the breathtaking Museum of Modern Art where I saw some of the most spectacular paintings and sculptures in the world, from Picasso to Monet and Constantin Brincusi. Seeing a picture or sculpture for the first time after growing up seeing only pictures of it is a spectacular feeling which I'm sure you've also had before. 

We then went for a walk through Central Park and through the zoo, where we watched the cutest seals in the world being fed. 

I just love this city and its vibe and its people and can't wait to see what we will experience tomorrow. 

New York, I love you! 

Little Bag Dress

Accessoires: Mango, Dress, Flats, Bag: H&M

I LOVE this bag. It never gets full! It is so big that I can stuff my laptop, my lunch and my favourite book in it and it still has space for my jacket. Since I haven't been shopping in ages, and all my old work bags looked a little bit... old, I can't tell you how happy I am that I finally bought this bag.

So, if you have no money for the LV Neverfull, or don't want to spend the 120 euro Zara tote, get this bag from H&M already! I don't think it will be there for much longer. It won't disappoint!

By the way, this is the other dress I got for only 9 euros! I think I will be wearing these pieces all summer.

Summer is Here

Dress: H&M, Earrings: from Peru, Sunnies: RayBan Wayfarer, 

I initially planned to not buy anything until I go to the U.S., but, since I have basically been on a shopping stop for 3 months and because I still had a gift card at home, I decided to check out the H&M spring/ summer collection. I found this amazing black maxi dress for only 19 euros and I had to have it. It is definitely going into my suitcase for my U.S. trip and into my backpack for my Columbia trip (oops, I revealed my next destination).

Also, I don't know if you can see them in the last picture, but I have been wearing my earrings from Peru non-stop lately. Probably because my Latin America trip is getting closer and closer as well!

I have been very happy with my purchase and never missed an opportunity to wear it. I also bought another dress and a bag, and I will show them to you this week!

What do you think? Do you like it?

Heading to...

via

 

via

 

via

 

via

 

 

Hi guys, I have exciting news for you! I am going to travel quite a bit this summer, and I promise that this blog won't be ignored any more! My first destination, in only a few days is the U.S.! I am so excited about this trip and seeing all my friends there. Don't worry, I will be backpacking through Latin America this summer as well, for those of you who like more adventurous trips. But more about this later.

 

My first stop is New York, where we will be staying for a week. I can't wait to explore this amazing city. And it is quite exciting, because I found a great appartment for the first 4 days in New York, and the view looks spectacular! Can't wait to share it with you!

 

Then I will be going to Washington D.C. for 3 days, and I can't wait to explore the history of the place. Of course, more amazing friends are waiting for me there, and I couldn't be more thankful to them for being so welcoming!

 

And the third and last stop is California! Now, I am REALLY looking forward to that, since I will spend the last week of my trip with my favourite couple and I am very sure that we will party the whole week. Also, I can't wait to go shopping with my friend Emily, who is quite the expert in the field.

 

Needless to say that I've been saving up and not shopping for the past two months, and I intend to go to the US with an almost empty suitcase. Do you have any tipps or recommendations for NY, Washington D.C. or California? 

{EAT} Brunch at Edison

 

You guys know how much I love to eat. So when lovely Nina  invited me to have brunch at Edison in the 8th district by Schottentor in Vienna, I couldn't say no. I had also heard a lot of good things about the brunch there, and was really eager to check it out.

The place was pretty full, and the first surprise was that they forgot our reservation, but were able to get us a table, so it was ok in the end. The brunch costs 16 euros and coffee or tea aren't included, which is quite pricy, even for a buffet.

However, the food is really good and the buffet has both breakfast and lunch dishes, so you can spend a lot of time just eating there. Of course because of my wheat allergy, I couldn't have most of the hot dishes and of the deserts, but there was more than enough for me to eat there. They also kept coming with new dishes and deserts, including salmon, waffles and yummy pasta varieties.

They were out of fruit salad by 12:30, which wasn't really reasonable since the brunch was supposed to end at 4. We were only left with some ripe banana and a sour orange, which didn't really make us happy.

But all in all, I really loved it there and the location is worth checking out.

So if you're looking for a charming brunch place in the 8th district and don't mind a crowded restaurant, this might just be the place to go.
Thanks again Nina and Mirela for the invite.

The New Me

Ok, it's not really the new me, I just died and cut my hair again and I LOVE it. I needed a change, and my hair didn't look nice any more and this is just perfect! It is very close to my natural hair colour, so I don't have to worry about dying it again. I am currently enjoying some quiet days in Romania. How are you?

We Love Handmade Mag No.2 Out Now!

It's here! The long awaited We love handmade Mag - Spring & Easter Edition is out now. I made a lovely wedding fascinator for the edition, since I have been attending lots of weddings lately.
Here it is! What do you think?

I adore every page of it. It makes me even more exciting about spring and Easter, my favourite celebration of the year! And obviously the yummiest as well.  Anna, Kerstin , the We love handmade team and the guest bloggers managed to do an absolutely amazing job and I am really proud to be a small part of it. 

Don't forget to visit the We love Handmade Blog for more details and fun DIY projects and recipes!

New in - January and February Finds

Spring came here in Vienna, and then it left again. But in order to not end up barefoot this spring, I got some new shoes (H&M gift card love).
So, in case you are still looking for some spring basics, or are looking for a good book to read, these are my faves:
1. strapless lace dress from ASOS
2. MIND FUCK - how we block our own possibilities through negative thinking - great, useful book!
3. Jahresringe erzählen - lovely, heart warming book by the former owner of the Hochschober hotel. An absolutely delightful read (post following):
4.  H&M Basic Black Sneakers lovely comfy black basics
5. H&M Flats - I get these every year because I can wear them everywhere without feeling sorry about destroying them. They have been my companions everywhere from sandstorms to the comfy office day.
6. Belkin Iphone running belt. To accompany me for the Vienna City Marathon Training. YAY!
7. Deichmann pumps. I absolutely love these shoes! I usually can't walk in pumps, but I always find some in the 5th Avenue Collection from Deichmann. They are cheap, good quality, and perfect for the office.
8. Top in One-Shoulder Style from ASOS. Very cosy and warm!
9. H&M Basic Striped Tee.
10. Quiet. The power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking. A book about the secret power of introverts. I haven't read it yet, but I heard so many good things about it, that I can't wait to do it. And as I might have noticed, I am an introvert most of the times and was very happy when this book came out telling us about all the wonderful things that we can do!

I hope you are enjoying the beginning of the spring. 

February Highlights

Food

Berlin

Halle - Great Breakfast

Chang - Asia Noodles, Asia Duck

Trips & Culture

Leopold Museum Vienna - one of my favorite paintings

Berlinale - Golden Bear for the Romanian Film - Child's Pose

 Friends

Berlin

Hipsterville - Berlin

I know that I have been a little MIA lately, mostly because I needed to take a break from the blog. I had so much going on work-wise, that I couldn't find the time to blog the way I wanted. But A LOT of good things happened this month so the break was really rewarding, and I have a lot of ideas about the future of this blog.

There will be more food, restaurants and travel posts, and much less pictures of me.

I also want to share a few things with you that really inspired you in the past months and helped me become better in every possible way in the next posts.

So what happened in January? I went to Berlinale, visited a lot of museums, spent time with the best friends in the world, saw beautiful artsy films and discovered some amazing restaurants. 

The Shirt. The Ring. The Boyfriend Sweater.

Clothes from the men's section remind me of the cozy feeling of wearing something forbidden. Of the time I sneaked out wearing your long, warm sweater because last night's dress smelled like smoke. Both of us knew that the best morning cigarette is enjoyed far away from those clothes impregnated with cheap brandy and tobacco. So I put it aside, far away from the smell of your new sweater that, let's face it, never really suited you.

And then I left some traces of ash on your front door just as a discrete reminder of last night. Because I knew you wouldn't clean it up and I'll find it there the next time. Next to the cheap mayonnaise can that I used instead of an ashtray. Or maybe some other girl would find it and wonder who smoked in front of your door.

Everybody looks down on us when we take the subway with traces of last night's lipstick in the corner of our mouths. They call it the walk of shame. I always hated this term.

If there is anything shameful, then it's spending your evening at home, wondering what would have happened if you would have lived a little. If anything can be called shameful, then it's spending your life watching TV shows because you've given up on your own life.

I love wearing men's clothes. I adore stealing them.  

First World Problems

I now own a skirt from American Apparel. And because I am an over-analyzer, this made me ask myself whether I am a hipster!

Here's why I am definitely not one:

I quite enjoy everything that's mainstream. Really.

I don't want to save the world by doing something creative. I am not even really sure the world needs saving any more.

I don't like artists. Coming from an artist family I learned directly from the source that artists are no good. After some failed attempts of romantic relationships with the always unreliable artists, I decided that he was totally right and I will only have one artist in my life!

I listen to music nobody has heard of because I listen to shady Romanian alternative bands.

I'm Romanian and this is the reason why I dress up differently. Grew up with skater shoes, a questionable sense of communist interior decorations and an even more questionable sense of style. But I think I turned out all right.

So I am allowed to buy overpriced hipster stuff from American Apparel. Also, I looked for this skirt in every other store that copies designer pieces and delivers cheap stuff and haven't found it. So here I am, owner of a black chiffon skirt, and soon-to-be owner of a bodysuit that I have been wanting for centuries.

P.S. As you might have seen on Facebook, I am taking it easy with the blog. Wish me luck loves, some big things are happening now and I have TONS of work to do. Love you!

2012 - Blog and Life Highlights

July - birthday in Berlin

It's a little bit late for a 2012 review post. But this is my blog, my life and my game so I will do it anyways.

So what did I do in 2012?
This year wasn't all sunshine and smiles, but I'm sure glad that it's over and that I will get to face a few challenges that will hopefully lead to exciting changes. At least I got the opportunity to truly take advantage of summer in Vienna, the most beautiful summer city in the world.

May 1st - walk on the Donauinsel

I started the year looking over the rooftops of Vienna, blinded by what felt like a billion fireworks all around me. Fireworks make me feel uneasy, because by lighting them we're playing with forbidden images and sounds that belong to war and destruction. What everywhere around the world are rockets and tears, become the ultimate show-off of New Year opulence in countries blessed by peace. Right then I had the feeling that this was going to be a difficult year. I was right.

summer - flower power

I travelled to Barbados, fell in love with the Caribbean and went swimming with the turtles.
I went to Zürich, Berlin and Romania where I caught up with my friends, jumped off fences and fell in love with being away from Vienna.

March - with the girls in Barbados

I picked up casual smoking again and ran my first 10k race. I guess 2012 was the year of contrasts.
I wrote two serious pieces in a magazine.

November - dark and gloomy

I started this blog, the last out of many attempts to publish my photos and writing online. Surprisingly enough, people read my stuff and I got to meet a lot of other bloggers.

2012, I'm happy you're over. 2013 has to be a better, more productive and happier year. I will make sure it will be!