suit up

This is the outfit that makes me feel so cool! I invisioned wearing these pants with crisp white sneakers, and turns out they're the perfect match. Elegance toned down with a sporty touch is just what I'm into right now. Hope you like!

I can

Ever since I can remember, my biggest drive was the idea of creating something with my own hands. Being a creative soul, it was usually something artistic, but the creative process itself was the most important thing. Since my early days, I used to draw, write stories and poems, I made furniture and sew for my dolls, in elementary school I made my own magazine, with my articles and illustrations, and so on, and so on. Eventually, photography and blogging became my creative outlet. Until some time ago, when I decided to start working on my illustration skills again, after 4 years (I mentioned that on Instagram).

That moment re-opened certain questions. Browsing through illustrations of many talented people, in order to get inspired, I found myself smitten with the feeling that I could never ever be that good. It was a very familiar feeling, that gave me chills and made me doubt everything I do. And nothing made sense anymore. It was the only thing that always used to hold me back - I was resistant to other people questioning what I do - but the moment I start to doubt my own talent, is the moment I give up.

The problem is - looking at someone's masterpiece, we only see the final result. And that is only the tip of the iceberg. What we don't see is dedication and hard work, persistence, discipline, sacrifices. We automatically assume that one is born with that magnificent talent, and we could never reach that level. Eventually, that discourages us from even trying. And reality is - success is only 10% talent, and 90% hard work and sweat and tears. We have to teach ourselves that great things can't be accomplished in one day and with minimum of work. Whatever you set your mind to, you can achieve, as long as you don't give up when the first obstacle appears.

When I look at my favorite blogger's pictures I think I could never be that good. But the truth is - I made a significant progress since I first started blogging. I'm like ten thousand times better now than I was 4 years ago, so why could I not be even better in the time to come? So I try not to compare myself to anyone, and just improve at my own pace. Somewhere in the future I'll be as good as I want to be, and even better. I have a living example of the endless possibilities of human mind in my own house - my mother who made some radical changes and lost 30 kilos (66 pounds) in less than a year. She became a hardcore healthy eater and started a rigorous workout regime, which is the exact opposite of everything she used to be. She educated herself in everything she needed to know - nutrition facts, exercises, human body and it's processes. With no help, just pure determination! Having her as an example, I'm ashamed at the thought of giving up and saying 'I can't do this'. Because yes I can, I can do whatever I want, I can be whoever I want to be. Human mind has no boundaries, I have no doubts about that. It would be a shame not to use those possibilities to reach your dreams.

I just wanted this to be a little reminder to both you and me - whatever you're passionate about - pursue it! Work on that dream everyday, dedicate yourself to make it come true. Work, work, work! And your dream will become reality!

"Stay hungry, stay foolish."

Love,

A.

slit

This skirt is my ultimate favorite garment ever! Ever! Okay, maybe not on a windy day, because it tends to reveal more than I approve. It's incredibly chic, if you ask me, and it's such a statement piece, it makes the outfit. You don't need anything but basic t-shirt or a sweater and high heels (or even sneakers, why not!) and you're good to go!

cheetah

This has been my uniform lately, for the days when I feel too exhausted to wear fancy clothes (which is most days lately). However, comfortable doesn't have to mean plain and boring - that's what animal print cardigans are for!

Comfortable is not good

...and I'm not talking about clothes! It referres to life. Think about it - do you feel too comfortable in your life? It means you're doing it wrong.

It's one thing to be happy and at peace - we all strive for that - and quite another to be lulled into routine. The status quo. Your little box where nothing ever changes and nothing shakes your ground.

'Get out of the box' is a rather abused phrase, mostly by those who are helplessly stuck in their boxes. Sometimes I doubt if people actually know what it means. It means exposing yourself to uncertainty, to the new and unfamiliar, to what we fear. Because it is the only way we can grow. That way you have to raise your game, and widen your horizons. Most people believe that the unknown will be much more painful than what they're already experiencing. Believe me when I tell you, it will not. There is nothing worse than looking back at all the missed opportunities and wasted potential. 'Comfort zones are plush-lined coffins.' 

Of all the things my mother taught me, there is one sentence that stuck in my head, and I never forgot it since my childhood. I'll try to translate it -- life doesn't forgive you for the missed opportunities. I was ten or eleven when she told me that, and ever since it was my motto. I was actually always afraid of missing an opportunity or a chance. It was that fear that pushed me to try, to grow, to jump into the unknown. It was scary, but it felt good every single time. The more afraid I was of something, the more joy it brought me. That is the only way I feel alive.

Don't let the fear of failing at something stop you from trying. By focusing on your flaws and weaknesses, you set yourself to fail. Instead, why not focus on what you're good at, and aim to become better. If you do that, I promise, you'll see miracles happen.

I firmly believe that laziness is the worst of all the flaws. You are not supposed to do what’s easy, but what’s good. Just imagine, if you weren’t lazy, so you went out for a run, at least once in a week. You’d have that dream body by now. Or if you spent one hour every week learning another language. Or practicing your illustration skills. Imagine you spent this weekend studying for that exam instead od sitting in front of tv. These are all small changes, that we are sometimes too lazy to make because we don’t see what they sum up to. And they sum up to amazing things eventually.

So next time you’re too lazy to move your ass and get things done, or you’re afraid – just try to see things from another, longterm perspective. Everything you could do, everything you could become is within your reach. Great things are not accomplished in one day, they take time and persistence and commitment. They take risks, and enduring the discomfort. So get out of that plush-lined coffin!

Do something uncomfortable today. By stepping out of your box, you don't have to settle for what you are - you get to create who you want to become.

sheer

bodysuit - Oysho

blazer - Zara

jeans - Zara

shoes - Zara

bag - Zara

watch - Michael Kors

/ph. Milena/

Classic jeans-and-blazer-and pumps look, but with a little twist. Romantic feel of Oysho bodysuit with see-through sleeves against the rough distressed jeans creates perfect balance of not too girly and not too boyish. Just as I like it!

If the heavens ever did speak...

shirt - H&M

pants - Zara

bag and watch - Michael Kors

sneakers - Adidas Superstar

/ph. Nikola/