FASHIONWAY by Diana Filipova

Carnival in Lanaken and Valkenburg

Posted on März 6, 2019März 7, 2019 by diana

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.

Black is the new white

Posted on Februar 26, 2019Februar 26, 2019 by diana

Bright or dark, black or white – quite simply both.

There are always pretty good ideas how to match black and white, but the question that always stays there is how much exactly black and how much white. My answer to this would be – as much as I feel like it at the time – in such a way that you can’t say if one is more than the other.

This outfit was provoked by this wonderful coat, which I fell in love with. But instead of going for brighter colors for the rest, so the coat can pop out, I decided to dress me all black with the single exception of the white pullover. Black does not detract brightness, it also does not oppress nor gives any negative impression, on the contrary – it can give an outfit character in an original way, namely in a fashion way.

Photography by Marg Basarova

A plaid blanket scarf with winter white

Posted on Februar 22, 2019Februar 22, 2019 by diana

I’m sure many of you already have one, or have at least seen them everywhere. Indoors or out, a plaid blanket scarf could be worn for both its style and warmth.

A chequered scarf is always a nice must-have among the other fashion pieces in the wardrobe – it is comfortable, cozy and very chic. And, a combination with winter white makes for a really a classy look. With a sweater (but not really pure white because of the material), ecru white jeans and a black belt, like in the ones you can see me wearing here, you can be in style to hit off no matter where. The outfit works perfect for a walk, going on a little trip, do some shopping and even at work. You will really look stylish and dressed in a fashion way.

Photography by Marg Basarova

There is only one happiness in life: to love and be loved

Posted on Februar 14, 2019Februar 14, 2019 by diana

Every year on February 14th, people honour their love for one another by spending time together, sending flowers and sharing Valentine’s messages of love. This day of love is a wonderful opportunity to share the love. Do it!

“There is only one happiness in life: to love and be loved.” – George Sand, Author
“Valentine’s Day is the poet’s holiday.” – Ted Koosner, Poet

If you do what you love, it is the best way to relax

Posted on Februar 13, 2019Februar 13, 2019 by diana

It has become difficult nowadays to find time to relax. But relaxation allows us to be more agile in our ideas, have a better mood, avoid illness and spend more pleasant moments with our family and friends. In other words, staying relaxed gives us a better quality of life. It’s also for me very difficult to find the time to relax, but when I do things that I love – like swimming for example, they give me energy to move my work and my tasks forward.

For me when I am satisfied with the work I have done, then I am also feeling relaxed, or also when people around me are happy and content. So, relaxation is way of life – knowing how to live, do your best and combine everything in life.

Quote from Christian Louboutin

Skiing in Carinthia

Posted on Februar 9, 2019Februar 9, 2019 by diana

Carinthia is situated in the southern part of Austria and is called „The land of sun“. In winter it is snow covered and as in most other parts of the country, skiing is the main activity. The mood is more relaxed with a Mediterranean touch as it borders with Italy – nearly everyone down here speaks Italian.

One of the biggest resorts in Carinthia is Bad Kleinkircheim, which is quickly moving up the rankings of the ski resorts in Austria. It has over 100km of pistes, 24 lifts and a slope steep enough to get included in the world cup circuit. There is enough snowfall throughout the season, but the sunny days are abundant as well – as you can see for the several days I was skiing there it was sunny all the way.

The hut at the top of Kaiserburg, situated 2019 meters above sea level, is a notorious one, with the fine views it offers and a traditional interior, as you can see from the pictures. Service and the food quality are very traditional for the region.

Love skiing

Posted on Februar 7, 2019Februar 7, 2019 by diana

I was a 2,5 year old little girl when I started skiing and since then my love for the sport never faded away. It is a great feeling each winter to get on the skis, but it’s also a very good exercise, especially when you are good at it.

This year I was in a very beautiful resort – Bad Kleinkircheim, situated in the Carinthia part of the Alps. I enjoyed every bit of it – from the great weather and fantastically well prepared slopes, to the marvellous views the Alps presented, as you can see on the pictures. I planned to write a lot about it, but no words are really needed when the photos can talk for themselves. It was like a winter tale.

What makes me different makes me beautiful

Posted on Februar 3, 2019Februar 3, 2019 by diana

I have many favourite quotes, but this one from Coco Chanel is in my top ten: „Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself“. That said, I have always believed that being yourself is priceless and it’s what makes you beautiful.

Of course we still have to follow all trends, news and the fashion in general in order to be up to date. But the fashion world is like an endless ocean we must learn to swim in, every season, year, month, week and day.

And what best to fit the winter season than the white, even when it blends into the snow around us. It goes even better with a pair of black boots and fluffy coat, to achieve the always trendy black and white combination. Though high heel boots are not typical for the real snowy winter I like them very much and they make me feel elegant in this outfit, because elegance is not only standing out, but being remembered.

So be you, be different, be yourself!

Photography by Marg Basarova

An exciting trip to Varna

Posted on Januar 28, 2019Januar 28, 2019 by diana

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.

Adding some winter white

Posted on Januar 24, 2019Januar 23, 2019 by diana

It is still winter but I’m looking so much forward to spring that when adding some winter white to my wardrobe I choose not only winter clothes (like a thick sweater and a cap), but also a short skirt and over-knee socks which would be more suited for a warmer season.

But before taking the challenge of wearing white, you should know that winter white is rarely pure white because of the wool material. It’s often closer to ivory or even slightly grayed out white, like ecru. But do you know – it’s worth it – take the challenge to wear white in your winter outfits, that way you will brighten up the gray cold days.

Photography by Marg Basarova