Austria’s Glorious Balls

Every winter, Austria hosts hundreds of classy ball nights – nowhere are balls so romantically formal as in Vienna.

Over 400 of them are staged each winter, strict dress codes, an opening fanfare, the entrance of the debutants and debutantes and the call „Alles Walzer!“ (literally: “Everything is waltz!”) are all part of a classic ball. Balls open usually with a Polonaise and punctuated by speeches, etc.

In the past wearing of masks and costumes was reserved for the nobility. To compensate for this, Emperor Joseph II opened up the dances in the Redoute Rooms in the Hofburg palace to everyone. This allowed the Viennese to copy the courtly customs of these celebrations, something which they retain to this day.

The waltz, being a partner dance, was initially perceived as a provocation, and caused moral outrage. The Vienna Congress (1814/15), meeting in the city to establish the new order in Europe following Napoleon’s campaigns, made it acceptable via the salons.

The balls today have kept a lot of the traditions of the past, while at the same time adapting many modern elements – like performances by professional dance groups and celebrities, charity campaigns, etc. It was a charity ball in the Viennese Hofburg palace that i was at – the 14th Dancer against Cancer Ball. From the opening with the debutants and the „Alles Walzer“, through to the modern dancing performances, the whole show was full of variety.

I am sharing with you some photos from this fabulous event. I was wearing a black and white dress, shoes and bag, trying to blend in with the waltz couple’s monochrome colors.

Skiing is the next best thing to having wings

For me the ski holiday is always a great time – not only is it a great sport, but such an inspiring experience every single time. I think that into the mountains I go to lose my mind and find my soul. Moreover the mountain, the snow , the cold, altogether make me feel alive.

Always when I’m on the mountain, I’m just so thankful to be there! I can’t explain with words the way I feel there on the white slopes – it is a mix of happiness, awe and thankfulness that I get to touch this majestic beauty. 

And in order to be fit, in balance, and flexible I prepare always a well-maintained equipment and outfits to help me make sure that I will have a great time ?. I choose Bogner ski combi, Burton sweatshirt, backpack and gloves, Under armour shirt, a fancy Dior helmet, Michael Kors sun glasses and sock boots, Cygnus and Alpina goggles, Hoxyheads pussycat helmet ears that make your ski helmet a real eye-catcher and neon pink Shawn Mendes double-layered hat in a soft rib knit.

/Skiing is the next best thing to having wings/ – Oprah Winfrey

The magic of the Christmas markets in Vienna

Vienna puts on her best clothes to welcome Christmas and all its guests. So many people visit Vienna for Christmas, and I think I know why – here we have one of the most wonderful street decorations in the world. All the streets are well decorated but my favourite are the chandeliers on the Graben – impressive and elegant at the same time.

But it’s not only the festive decoration on the streets that impress so much – the Christmas markets also offer a great experience. The one at Rathausplatz (the Vienna city hall) is the most visited, but there are so many others that don’t fall very much  behind. Some examples are the markets at Maria-Theresien-Platz, the one at Schloss Belvedere and Schloss Schonbrunn, the one at Karlsplatz, at Unicampus in the 9th, etc.

And although there is no snow (yet), neither are the temperatures too low, the Christmas mood is in the air. With great pleasure I walked through this market, wrapped in one of my all so favrorite teddy bear coats. Underneath I have a checked skirt and the outfit gets complete with comfortable long sock boots and a matching tiny black bag.

Photography by Marg Basarova

Believe in yourself

No matter what happens in the outside world, as long as you have faith in yourself, no darkness can touch you!” – Mehmet Murat ildan

Today I decided to share with you something that’s not just a fashion article but one that is more personal about me.

Some years ago, there was a time when the lack of belief in myself was a big factor in my life. I was not pursuing anything that I wanted to, because I didn’t think I could. Sometimes it can be hard to believe in yourself, especially if you feel like you have something to offer but don’t know how to present it and are reluctant to do it because you’re afraid what people will tell you.

But as the time goes by I have learned that it’s completely fine to try, even if I fail, and to put myself out there and be imperfect, because everyone is worthy and capable to do something they believe in.

I try to set goals for myself and meet those goals. Once I make a goal, I work hard to achieve it. My education and previous work history were very different, but inside my dreams have always been drawing me to fashion.

Staying positive and learning from my failures made me think in the right direction. So, if you did something wrong, embrace it, because you’ll have an easier time to know what is right from wrong.

Today’s post is a challenge for me, too – before I never believed enough in myself and my figure to make a photoshoot in underwear (here in one of my favorite brands “Intimissimi”) – but as you can see I did, because I managed to overcome those concerns in a fashionway.

So, just believe in yourself and follow your dreams! ?

Encourage yourself, believe in yourself, and love yourself. Never doubt who you are” – Stephanie Lahart

 

Photography by Marg Basarova

The first summer fashion weekend, St. Vlas

My summer days in Bulgaria were full of pleasant events and I want to share some of them with you in my blog.

I will start with „The first summer fashion weekend“, St. Vlas, Marina Dinevi Yacht Port. Famous desigers were presented there with brands not only from Bulgaria, but also from abroad. Just to name some: Esil Duran, Sena Design, Karamdaya, Viktoria K with designer Viktoria Krasteva, Miravision, Sherri Hill (she is an American fashion designer and business lady, specialized on evening attire), Wolm, Amarine, Faith in Fatih, Princess by Sonya and Silvana, Marvin Nonis.

The fashion shows were amazing, the presentation great and full of emotions – I am sharing here some shots from the event so you can catch a glipse of it all.

Blogger’s life

People often ask me what is a real blogger’s life like actually and what am I doing all the time. As a blogger I constantly have a feeling I’m doing a thousand different things, 24/7. Those include for example writing articles and concepts, doing market research, taking care of my social networks, discussing outfits, do planning, organising and making my photo shoots, organising my travels, as well as many other things. Yes, the work and the responsibilities are a lot, but I am happy with this, as it also continuously brings me experience and knowledge, as well as many new friends and good contacts. And when you do something with your heart, like I do, things always work out at the end.

Reaching the conclusion that I have to do what makes me happy at my work, fulfils me not only professionally, but also personally – because gaining positive energy from what I do, as well as investing it back, I am able to pass it on to the people around me. I like how i feel after a long day of work – I might be exhausted, but at the same time happy that I have accomplished something. Every new project, each new thing, even if it is just a small step forward, for me is like a big leap.

To round it up: to achieve something good efforts are needed and such efforts require proper attitude – mine is always to give my best for what i love to do.

Photography by Marg Basarova

Carnival in Lanaken and Valkenburg

I want to share with you a great experience I had in the last days in Holland and Belgium – the Carnival. In Holland, Carnival is a holiday mainly celebrated in the south of the country in the the provinces Limburg and Noord-Brabant. The inhabitants take the Carnival celebrations very seriously – they prepare a lot and make it very well organised – they dance, sing and drink, wearing colorful outfits.

Every year the Carnival has its Prince – the Prince of Carnival, who for three days, together with his subjects celebrates the temporary establishment of their Kingdom of Fools. Merrymakers make their way from pub to pub and greet the Prince Carnival with three cheers of “Alaaf”.

In Belgium the festival goes in a very similar manner like in the Netherlands – I had the chance to enjoy the fun at a local street party in Lanaken. Every year people all over France and Belgium celebrate Carnival by dressing up in vibrant costumes, striking hats and masks in a tradition that goes back centuries.

The festival has its origins in the Christian custom of giving up something for Lent. Also known as Mardi Gras, the annual event is staged to mark the beginning of a 40-day period of abstinence. And although the most famous parades are the ones staged in New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro, the people of Belgium are also dab hands at creating a spectacle for the yearly celebration.

An exciting trip to Varna

I would like to share with you my exciting experience I had during my trip to Bulgaria this weekend. I was invited for a business meeting to Varna – a city at the Black sea cost, called the „sea capital“, by the owner of a popular Bulgarian magazine – Off Line magazine, from which I left extremely positive.

Off Line magazine is a popular lifestyle edition like no other in Bulgaria – offering practical advices and information from a first-person perspective. It aims to ease the traveling, but also much more than that – it tells stories about various trip destinations, gives advices regarding shopping and visits to exciting places and a lot of other activities that can fill one’s free time. The magazine includes objective and unbiased reviews of hotels, restaurants and landmarks, services, accessories and a lot more.

Meanwhile I cant miss saying a word about my outfit – my new Parka jacket which is a dream to wear and I love it so much.