Careful What You Wish For...

Everybody knows this! You would think! ;)))

I mean, yes! We know the saying, but what we don't know is how to put it into practice.
As far as what I think...it's always the same! There are 2 sides to the coin! You might wish for something and it can go great, or it might get pretty ugly (I know, like most of you, that is what usually happens to me too).

Usually, but not always!
I consider myself an extremely blessed person! (no bragging here, just being grateful). I have a great family, I'm sharing everyday with the love of my life, I have fantastic friends and a super-duper atelier that is growing day by day + cats that ... well, love me in their own way.
So, even with all this coolness going on in my life, I did get the chance to say 'Be careful what you wish for...' and BANG! It my with came true in the most horrible way! :))) I'm sure you know what I'm talking about (if you used to read my blog, you'll surely know the story).

But, in the end all is good.
Because I'm a true believer in:

and my personal favorite (because Karma...right? :))))))) ):

But, why am I writing all this now?
Well, I wished for something and it came true!!!!!! In a great way (if you don't count getting old). I wished for freckles and I got them!!!!! Happy Happy!!! Oooh! The joy :D

Yes...very tired (I work a lot and I don't know and really don't want to modify my photos), but with lovely freckles! :D
So, you can see that sometimes, wishes come true with happiness!

Kisses!
Ari

#100happydays (11-20)

This is what made me happy this past 10 days.
Oh...sometimes it's so hard to see happiness, but this project surely makes me try and try. Just like the 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder' saying, the same goes with happiness. Especially when talking about the #100happydays project!

And yes...this times, I have a picture (super one) with my crazy cats!!!

Day 11: I'm really happy to see them empty! It means I have to make more!

Day 12: In colors I trust! In colors I see the world!

Day 13: So what if it's the 13th day?! We're lucky, because we have each other!

Day 14: Welcome to my world! An endless world of fabric!

Day 15: A day spent with friends, is a great day indeed!

Day 16: Because CATS!!!

Day 17: some night are electric!

Day 18: No internet until 9 PM. blissful day!

Day 19: beautiful chaos that is coming!

Day 20: Chatting at CHATBOX Arad

Images: Arina Varga

April Fools!

Fantastic-beautiful-sunny April is finally here!

Joy! Oh Joy! And it's fantastic not just because it's April, but because it's April 1st! The perfect time for jokes and pranks. The day when the world agreed to create a date when smiling and having fun is a must!!! How can you not love today?!

I was saving this for something special and this very moment is simply perfect!
Meet my friend Andreea Ionescu, fooling around in Arad!

Oh, it's great to have friends that can make you smile.
Friends that laugh at you when you trip on the street.
Friends that will try things you like, just because YOU like them.
Friends that will keep your side, even if they know you were wrong to do that in the first place. (talking about the small things...)
Friends that call just to see what's new.
Friends that are still your friends even if you haven't seen them in months.
Friends with great personalities, that you could listen to them talking for hours.
Friends with imagination.
Friends that are creative.
Friends that cook delicious meals.
Friends that dance the nights away.

And I could take this list to infinity! Because I have fantastic friends and am proud to admit it! They are my beautiful crazies and I adore them all!

Happy April Fool's Day everybody!!!
Now, go prank a friend! They will love it! ;)

Images: by Sabina Mladin

Talking Gibberish @ CHATBOX

I did it again!
And this time it was waaaayyyy more fun. Maybe because I wasn't so nervous (last time I was shaking like a leaf) and also, because the audience was way more involved. Asking questions, laughing and all that. Yep, I love it!

At the same event, the other speaker was Sebastian Cojocaru aka. Dj. Sebuh. He talked about the life of a dj, with all its ups and downs (we all know that's how it is). Jokes, music talk, adventure talks...it was great fun.

Me, I told my story. The big one and then my every-day story (that's the little one). I talked about my cats, my obsesion with the internet, this blog, facebook, the #100happydays project etc. You know me, I can talk and talk and talk. Especially when it's about fashion and my job!
I'm pretty sure some of the people there might think I'm crazy...but hey! What's a girl supposed to do?! Act natural and hope for the best (and believe me, it's always great). Smart talk aside, I really enjoyed myself. The people were incredible and the ambiance was friendly!
Yep, I would do it again in a heart beat!

And now, Ladies and gentleman, for your enjoyment, I give you 'ALIENS'!!!!

Yep, I do love to talk with my hands!!! :)))

Photos: Sergiu Daniel Photography
Event by CHATBOX

The Day With NO Internet.

It was horrible!

And while I was banging my head against the walls, I realized I am an addict! Like must of you, I dare to say. And I'm right...right?

Believe me, I work all day and sometimes all night! But the internet is my safety net, my way of socializing and keeping in touch with friends, clients and people I like to know about. Yes, I too have my stocking victims and I think that's simply normal this days. So what if I like knowing what Jean-Charles de Castelbajac had for lunch?! Can you blame me???

Well...here I was. No internet. No way of communicating with my clients. You might say 'Oh, Arina! Do you remember the telephone?'. I doooo!!! But how can I use the telephone when I rely on visual-information so much? Impossible! So I worked non-stop. Trying to keep my sanity! Trying - the key word here.

What did I do:
- sketched a few evening gowns
- looked at all the fabric samples received this past month
- did some sewing
- reorganized the atelier (fabrics/buttons/strings)
- washed all the mirrors (I do have a lot of mirrors)
- managed to meet with 5 clients
- thought about my personal life and where it was going (always a bad idea)
- started to make the plan for the next photoshoot

And that's about it. Then I got home and Virgil got home...so I had someone to keep me company (in other words, someone to stress). All in all, it was a great day! I'm thinking to make every Tuesday - No Internet Day! We'll see how that will turn out...

#100happydays (1-10)

Yep! I'm doing this!
And you can't imagine how hard it is...puffff. But I'll do them all, all 100 happy days.

Actually, you know what? I think taking part in something like this is almost as good as therapy. It makes you (even insists) see the beautiful things in your life. Now, don't panic. Most of my photos are from work. Because I love my job and because I'm a workaholic.

Enjoy:

Day 1: Today is a good day to be a woman! Happy March 8th!

Day 2: It's a sunny day outside, but I'm spending my Sunday in, with old friends .

Day 3: When I work, I make a lovely mess around me :))

Day 4: My favorite accessory in the entire world!!!

Day 5: vices...can't live with them, can't live without them.

Day 6: Too much work makes you do crazy things!...I wanna go outside!

Day 7: Pretty sure Spring is finally here!

Day 8: Sometimes, you just fall in love with a door.

Day 9: Happy to have somebody to love and be loved.
*he's sad 'cause Manchester United just lost a game against Liverpool...

Day 10: Happy Green/Redhead Day!!! :))

Photos credits: Arina Varga

Fashion is Supposed to be FUN

Words of wisdom my friend! Words of wisdom!
Aaand, also my brand's motto...just to put it out there! But I'm sure you already knew that!

The other day, this got me thinking. People know about this motto, they talk about it, really enjoy it, but I don't think they truly believe in it. And that is just sad! Fashion is too diverse, full of different fabrics, colors, different cuts and shapes, filled with glitter, beads and whatever your mind can imagine!

So why take it so serious?! Something that is filled with opportunity can't be a stress factor! And I think that's why people make such fashion-mistakes. They stress too much about it, instead of simply letting it flow and enjoy the ride! ;)

That is why, the other day, I decided to show you all that fashion can be fun!

Of course it's a little crazy! Believe me, I know. I simply decided to go all the way, in order to prove my point and to make you smile! :D Did it work? I know it did! :)) Just like I know you are thinking what I'm thinking (my hair looks like a wig - the same in all the photos!!!)

How, dress up all nice and fancy and go outside to enjoy the sun!
kisses!

Jump! Jump! Jump!

Do you remember the game?
If you are Romanian, or Czech, or something in between, I'm pretty sure you know what I'm talking about. It's the childhood game preferred by the girls (but I remember boys also used ti play..)
THE ELASTIC! (or, in my part of the country, 'the panties')

It was sooo long ago (yep, still getting old) that I really don't remember the rules. It used to be played in at least 3 kids. Two of them used to hold the elastic with they feet and the other used to jump. They they changed places. They wouldn't simply jump, but the had to make all kins of tricks with the elastic. SSSOooo cool!
Also, the elastic would gradually move from being help with 2 feet, to 1 feet. From the ankles, to the knees and even waist and neck (only the pro s could jump that high. Or the older kids)

When it was just me and my cousin, we used a chair to help us play. So I guess you can do it in 2 also :)) You know kids, if the want to do something, they will find a way to do it!

Why am I writing about this now? Now, when I don't even remember the rules?
Don't be mean, I remember things. When I was your age!!! ;) You'll get to walk in my shoes. I'm not worried about that!

Back to the subject. Every morning when I come to work, I go to the kitchen and prepare my breakfast (yogurt and wheat bran -> bleah!), then I come to the laptop and see what happened while I was sleeping. That's how I came a cross a photo/drawing illustrating the game we are talking about.
My day got better! Because if you start the day smiling, nothing can stop you from moving a mountain with a laughter! Agree? :) So, my advice to you: find visual information that can boost your spirit!

But let's get back to the game.
Here are different techniques on how to play! Start practicing because this Summer we might have a competition! ;)

Images: jocuridincopilarie.ro, Belva.ro

Weekend Plans...

The weekend.
It is almost here! Most of us, us the work obsessed during the working week, find the weekend to be the perfect time to get loose, party and simply have a great time with friends. Aaaand, that usually involves alcohol (in more or less quantities).

So, forget all the problems, the calls, the bills. Everything. It's the weekend and nobody will be able to keep you from enjoying yourself (except maybe if you have to work on weekends...buuuu!)

In Romania, we have a saying. If you sneeze once, then twice, people will say 'be in good health', 'God bless you' .. the usual bla-bla. BUT, if you sneeze for the third time then this is what they say: 'Hmm...Today you will party!'. Well...I just sneezed 3 times and one of the seamstresses working with me looked at my face and smiled!
Yep! It's going to be wild this weekend!
And if not, we'll make it! Just so me can confirm the sneezes premonition!

Have funnn!
:***

Comfy Can be Elegant / How to Shop Smart!

Ohhh...it's finally Spring!
Because I'm all about fashion (except the way it affects me...we'll talk about that later), as soon as the sun start warming everything around me, I start thinking about elegant dresses, with perfect shapes and cuts! And when one thinks about that, one sure thinks about the retro designs (or the Japanese patterns...also).
So, I say we enjoy a video from the '40s. IN COLOR!!!

They were simple and elegant and looking perfect. Don't you think? There was a high class when it came to dressing...even for a walk in the park. I wish things would be the same again... I wish that people would start caring more about how they look and understand that the way you present yourself in front of others could be a sign of respect (given to them).

I'm pretty sure you will start saying that not everybody has the money for looking good. People, believe me when I tell you, looking good is not about how much you spend, but how you spend it.

Here are some useful tips on how to look great, on a budget
1. Always be clean and have a clean look!!! I can't stress this enough. No loose hems, no holes in your blouse, no loose seems!!! I think more people should have a home sewing machine, to be able to fix problems like this. They really are not that expensive! BUT, if you don't want to spend on one, just take a needle and a matching sewing thread and start working your fingers on fixing the mess.
It's simply unforgivable to appear in public like that (for man and woman)!
So, it doesn't matter if your clothes aren't the newest. By taking care of them and fixing their problems, you will look great!

2. Be careful what you buy! When it comes to basic pieces I think you could spend more. Because those pieces will be with you for a very very long time (basic pieces are always in...that's why they are called basic). ;)

3. Don't be afraid to check out thrift stores. Other fashion bloggers make a real passion/hobby out of digging for treasures there and they really find them! Don't judge a skirt by the fact that it sits in a pile of fashion wrongs. With a little wash and ironing, it will come back to life!
But! Don't start buying things just because they are cheap! You will end up spending more money (even if you do have more stuff...but you won't wear them!!!). Here too, less is more!

4. Take a look in your mom's or your grandmother's closets. They might still have some great dresses or jackets in there!!!

5. Never-ever buy something that doesn't fit you perfectly!!! If you can't find that perfect fit because you are in between sizes (no worries, most people are), take them to somebody that can fit them for you.
Before doing that, make sure to talk to a seamstress. She can tell you what to buy and what can she adjust, in order for it to be cheap. Being informed it's way easier! For example: you try a pair of pants but they are to big at the waist, fit you perfect on the butt and too long on the leg. This is simple to adjust! Because she only has to fit the waist and cut the length!
Again: when clothes fit you good, you look good!!!

Follow those rules and you will be able to look great, no matter the trends or season.
If you have any questions, I am more then happy to answer them! ;)

Happily Ever After...

I can't really say I've been dreaming about my wedding dress ever since I was little. That simply is not the case and it shouldn't be a problem.
Maybe some of you did and some didn't. Even so, we can all agree that the wedding dress is THE dress.

Me, I'm more on the 'making the dress' side. Because of my job. Oh...well, I never thought I would enjoy making them as much as I do. It's simply a magical experience every time I make one and I'm always as nervous as the bride about how it will turn out.

Believe me, making the dress is an experience in its self!

It all starts with meeting the client.
I don't like pre-making wedding dresses and then simply waiting for a girl to come along an love it. I make them unique, just like my clients! Because I believe that's how they should be. I mean...you'll wear it only once (if all is good) and it should be really special!

So, first I meet the client and we talk. We talk for a few hours. Get to meet each other. I like to know my bride's hobbies, music preferences, adventures and so on. All this things, believe it or not, really help me in making a wedding dress.

After that, I start sketching. More then one model, so she can chose the one she loves most. BUT!!! But I keep in mind her body shape at all times. She must look fabulous on her wedding day, right? :D From those illustrations, together we choose the perfect one for her. The IT dress.

Then we pick fabrics and the process of making the dress begins!

If you ask me, the essence of a perfect wedding dress is in the details!
The small things that will simply make it yours. That's why I love making unique embroideries for them, or other special things. I remember I've once read that the wedding dress is the closest dress to couture!...and I couldn't agree more!

In the end, after many fitting, meetings and so much more, the end result is THE wedding dress.

Now, here is some information about wedding dresses and body shapes. Maybe it will help you. Even so, from my experience, take this as a guide line, not as a must. In order to know what fits you best go see a specialist, or simply try as many types of dresses as possible!

Images: all but the last one Atelier Arina Varga & the last one from SweetPotatas