Today's Outfit - 01/31

Today the weather was much better, it was a bit cold, but has no rain. So I got back to my colorfull look, to help me feel healthier.

brown boots - local store

mustard tights - Calzedonia

green skirt - Vero Moda

mustard turtleneck - Vero Moda

white cardigan - Mango

necklace - local store

Letter to my Goddaughter

My dearest Goddaughter

(and also my niece)

Tomorrow you will be doing a surgery.
I know that everything is going to be very well. I’ve been invoking the Healing Buddha and the Master Spirits of Reiki to protect you.

I wanted so much to protect you from this world, I wanted to keep you safe from all harm. Unfortunately, that just isn’t possible.

I could write, my dearest sweetheart, many wonderful words to help prepare you for that. But I want to give you something else, so I am writing this letter to share with you some words.

These last years have prepared you for the journey of ventures into the life of an adult. You will pass through many ventures and enjoy the beauty all though, you may feel pain at times, you may think you walk alone at times, but you will never be totally alone, for I your Godmother (also your aunt) will always be with my arms open to comfort you in times of need.

I will always be your friend, who will come to you whenever you call. I will always love you, as you are a part of my soul... As you grow up and move on through your life, so special, please take the time to remember that your Godmother's love is a special love, one that lasts forever.

I'm so proud of you and I want the world to know it.

Lots of kisses and hugs

Get well soon

Godmother

PS - F. also shares these feelings.

Sex &The City

I know, I know that lots of bloggers have already talked about it, and some time ago.

But I like it, so I'm posting...

"They say nothing lasts forever.
Dreams change, trends come and go, but friendships never go out of style."

- Carrie Bradshaw

Today's Outfit - 01/30

Whimpering…
I feel bad, and I want to whimper, therefore…
I think I’m getting the flu. My body hurts, also my throat and my nose is pouring out…
Today the weather was terrible, lots of wind, rain and it was so cold. When I left home to work it was 7ºC, which is low for us.
My workplace at the office has no heating, we are established in a Palace that is part of the museum city, classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1983, so we can’t install air conditioning because of the city aesthetic.
So I had to go with really warm clothes.

Time off, no more whining.

grape pants - other island store some time ago
green turtleneck - Zara
light yellow knitted cardigan - don't remember
purple scarf - local store
black boots - local store

Quote of the Day

Pablo Picasso (1881-1973)

Factory, Horta de Ebbo (oil on canvas, 1909)

"Some painters transform the sun into a yellow spot, others transform a yellow spot into the sun."

- Pablo Picasso

The yellow spot?

With this post, ENC from observationmode, brought us a relevant question - Art or Fashion?

I’ve considered this topic so motivating that I left a “huge” comment with my point of view, and because of that I would like to share it with you, in the middle of some more reflections.

The question whether fashion can be regarded as a form of art begs the question of what kinds of things can legitimately be thus regarded.
Art has not always been what we think it is today. An object regarded as Art today may not have been perceived as such when it was first made, nor was the person who made it necessarily regarded as an artist. Both the notion of "art" and the idea of the "artist" are relatively modern terms.
During the Renaissance, the word Art emerges as a collective term on all sides of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture.
But architecture—like fashion —fulfills primarily a functional dimension.
If we see fashion as a living art form, it is open to multiple readings. A vibrant reflection of contemporary culture, fashion especially in its most avant-garde expression affects us through its intense visual impact.
“And it is upon this capacity of man to receive another man's expression of feeling and experience those feelings himself, that the activity of art is based” that was in one Leo Tolstoy’s definitions of Art.
Anyway here’s what I’ve wrote:

What’s art and what’s fashion?

Who decides what art is or is not? Answers should be geared towards a more flexible understanding of art. In clearer terms, I think art only obeys a plural understanding. The only way to get out of the conceptual bog is to be open-minded and more accommodative than we now are by simply letting people venture in their understanding something that a certain category of people in the academe hijacked.

What’s fashion? A style that is popular at a particular time, especially in clothes, hair and make-up? We also can see fashion as the prevailing manner in dressing, behaving, and living, at a given time or place.

There are still women who see fashion in more intellectual terms, who want it to help them on the road to self-definition. Fashion offers an expression of one’s identity apart from one’s mother or the older generation.

I think that at our days art and design are more closely tied.I think artists do not see the difference between creating an original work of art, such as a painting, and designing a textile pattern that would be reproduced many times over. Each is a valid creative act.

Fashion is part of an aesthetic that is part and parcel of its time. From the chemise and cloche of the 1920s, echoing Cubist concerns, to the evening dresses of the 1930s, with the body-skimming silhouettes and reflective surfaces, each garment has a particular relationship to the art of its time.

I’m sorry this seems to be an essay, and I’m probably boring you all.

In this particularly case my aesthetic sense tells me that it can be a demonstration of bad art, because I don’t like it.

Some people would like to see the worlds of high art and fashion separate.

How do you see it? Should art be removed from the mass world of wearing stuff? Should it be as accessible as possible? Or does it not even make sense to make distinctions between art and fashion at all anymore?

Anything might be art. Art is what is made by an artist.

Today's Outfit - 01/28

I started the week with a very professional look, wearing a suit. I always say that a suit is the easiest way career women can dress. Just put some yellow details to pop out from the gray.

gray suit - mainland store some time ago

white turtleneck - Zara

yellow thin belt - local store

yellow necklace - Parfois

black boots - local store

New Cover of Vogue

Trends Alert!! Trends Alert!!

New Cover of Vogue

My privileged sources search out at Vogue's and sent me the still unknown cover for next month Vogue magazine, that I illustrate you.

Do you recognized who is on that cover???

Ah Ah Ah Ah Ah

DraMandarina from * Beibi Cerata * showed me how to do this fake Vogue Cover.

These Fake Magazine Covers are created with your own picture at MagMyPic.com

Today's Outfit - 01/27

I love Calzedonia’s tights, they are so solid and with true colours, but the ones I have I got from a friend/co-worker who bought them for me when she went to the mainland, but I just asked her to bring me that colours I knew I couldn't buy here, not the regular colours.

So the tights I wore today aren't from Calzedonia, it was supposed that they should be navy blue, but I think they don't seem like it.

This is definitely a weekend outfit.

brown boots - local store
navy blue tights - local store
denim skirt - Vero Moda from long time
navy blue turtleneck - local store
brown jacket - Lanidor
scarf - gift

The Earth trembling

Today I felt the Earth trembling. Yes, it was a little quake which made no damages.
Islanders know that at any time it could happen, but it always take us by surprise, and thinking if a big one is coming.
It’s good that little ones happen, because the Earth is expelling those gases and making its movements smoothly, and not accumulating all for a big Earthquake.
But we all know that our Earth is sick. Dirty air, global warming, polluted waters, and toxic wastes are just a few of the maladies of our very ill Earth.
Some people become accustomed to frequent news of danger to the environment, perhaps even thinking, “That is not of great concern as long as it does not affect me.” Though whether we realize it or not, the wholesale destruction of the Earth's environment affects the vast majority of people. Since contamination of our planet is now so pervasive, it likely already affects more than one aspect of our lives. So, all should be concerned about the health and preservation of our home. After all, where else would we live?
That allows me for a question, “What are we doing for our Planet?”

Today's Outfit - 01/26

Today the weather was very shinny, but it was cold. So comfortable clothes for the weekend.

black boots - local store
grape pants - La Redoute years ago
black turtleneck - local store
black sweater - local store
scarf - gift

Pedro Almodôvar movie

I believe that there are no coincidences.
I believe that people comes into ours lives with a cosmic purpose, even the one that hurts us.
I believe that we must take lessons from our bad experiences.
So I invoked the Healing Buddha and the Master Spirits of Reiki and asked for no fear and to honour and love for all.
I tried to follow the first “Don't be angry” and the fifth “Be kind to others” Reiki Principles.
Now I’m just thinking about Pedro Almodôvar movie Mujeres al Borde de un Ataque de Nervios, at the original.

Today's Outift - 01/25

Obviously we can’t wear new clothes everyday!
And for many and different reasons; economic (it would coast a lot), logistical (it would be need lots of space), environmental (it would spend lots of our planet resources), ethical (it would be an “insult” to the necessitated ones) and I could go on writing.

But one reason to not have a big wardrobe that most of you don’t think about is the lack of places to buy good clothe pieces. And there are so many places in this world like that.

Even here, at my island I feel that.
And I’m a lucky one that can go to the mainland and do some shopping, or can try to buy on-line. (Well, I haven’t very good experiences on buying on-line, I always have to return something, and there aren’t many on-line shops which dispatch to here.)

So, what to do with a not so big wardrobe? It’s not easy! One must be very creative to mix and remix all the pieces. And instead of being something funny it can be painfully if one gets overwhelmed by the pressure of dressing in an exclusive way everyday.

Recognizing that there’s absolutely no need to always wear a different outfit, to always look unique from previous outfits, helps getting comfortable and function very well with a small wardrobe.

So… when one of my outfits will look similar to a previously one can I be forgiven?

Edit: I could post only the pictures of my outfits that I think more stylish and different, or I could dress for the picture. But I mostly post to find my way around, so it wouldn’t be honest for me.

black boots - local store

gray tights - local store

gray pencil skirt - don't remember

dark gray turtleneck - Zara

white cardigan - Mango

red belt - local store

printed scarf - gift

Today's Outfit - 01/24

Today at the office, I had a talk with my chief about some sociological issues. It was a very stimulant intellectual conversation.

Actually me and my husband, who is a social scientist too, usually have those talks, because we always have a sociological perspective about things.

As the study of humans in their collective aspect, sociology is concerned with all group activities: economic, social, political, and religious. Sociologists study such areas as bureaucracy, community, deviant behaviour, family, public opinion, social change, social mobility, social stratification, and such specific problems as crime, divorce, child abuse, and substance addiction. Sociology tries to determine the laws governing human behaviour in social contexts.

So, just what is a sociological perspective? At its most basic, sociology is an attempt to understand and explain the way that individuals and groups interact within a society. How exactly does one approach this goal? C. Wright Mills, in his book The Sociological Imagination (1959), writes that "neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both." Why? Well, as Karl Marx observes at the beginning of The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte (1852), humans "make their own history, but they do not make it just as they please; they do not make it under circumstances chosen by themselves, but under circumstances directly encountered, given and transmitted from the past." Thus, a good sociological argument needs to balance both individual agency and structural constraints.
To be able to do that is to possess the sociological imagination.....

black boots - local store
black pants - Vero Moda
black turtleneck - local store
graphic printed tunic - gift from hubby
red cardigan - Mango
Mother-of-pearl necklace - gift from hubby

Detail of my MOP necklace my husband gave me when we went on our Italian trip

Today's Outfit - 01/23

I'm still feeling tiered... You know it has been very stressful at the office this week. I'm wishing for the weekend as I think I never did.

I want to thank all the sweet ones who gave me some advices and wished me "to get well".

Thank you dears.

The pants I wore today are wide-legs, and I think have a masculine cute. They also have thin brown stripes, that the picture doesn't show. So I decided for a more masculine look, adding the vest, but with a touch of feminism with the scarf.

black pants with thin brown stripes - don't remember
brown boots - local store
brown vest - La Redoute
mustard turtleneck - Vero Moda
scarf - gift

Today´s Outfit - 01/22

It's yet Tuesday and I'm already feeling tired. Today I'm not feeling good, maybe I'm going to be sick... let's wait and see.

Take care.

white coat - local store

purple tights - Calzedonia

black shoes - local store

black and green bag - local store

black skirt - local store

geometric print turtleneck - La Redoute

green cardigan - don't remember

purple belt - local store

Today's Outfit - 01/21

With my last post I wanted to endorse the discussion about trends and those lists that magazines tell us and with some women may find themselves restrained to that.
In and out?
Trends only become fashion when they go on to the street.
Trends are fun to play around with. I like them, because they can be a quick fix for some temporary changes to your style and they are good to mix things up a little. And they can be inspirational.
But I just never let it take all over my understanding of style.
Style is an inner attitude, to find what makes you feel great enough. Put all those cliches aside and being stylish is about looking good. It's also about knowing what to wear right now.
“Elegance is aptitude to be yourself", Coco Chanel once stated. So, if we all can be ourselves, we all can be elegant.

gray dress with black belt - local store

red tights - Calzedonia

black ankle boots - local store

red shirt - Vero Moda

red scarf - gift

In Vogue

As I told you I’ve received my February Vogue magazine. They start talking about Spring/Summer 2008 trends.
Also they have a section named In & Out that I would like to write out for you to read and to give your opinion.

In & Out

Dresses:
In – Toga
The return of one-shoulder toga dresses with drapes and intricate folds and pleats of Classical Antiquity.
Out – Egg

Handbags:
In – Bags
Classics and all sizes they return in limelight, even in smaller versions.
Out – Clutches (I’m in doubt about that)

Skirts:
In – Wheeled; Wide
The volume of the 50’s skirts, with petticoats, kicks the sinuous skirts.
Out – Straight

The 50’s:
In – Feminine
The girl becomes a woman hipper feminine with a touch of couture.
Out – Uniform

Prints:
In – Flowers
Spring opens the way for all type of printed flowers to a fantasy summer.
Out – Tartan

Colours:
In – Bold
The heat would bring the colour, live tones of nature, which overlap in all the black pieces, especially in dresses.
Out – Total black

Palette:
In – Colour mix
The big bet of accessories in patchwork of colours, but always in the same material.
Out – Monochromatic (I’m in doubt about that, I’m thinking of Fendi, Empório Armani, Pucci, Diane von Furstenberg)

Shoes:
In – Mules
With jumps of all sizes are essential for all feminine looks this summer.
Out – With shoe-laces

Belts:
In – Thin
They simply mark the waist rather than corset it.
Out – Bodice

So what do you think are they in or are they out?

Today's Outfit - 01/19

The weather still remains windy and all day rained "cats and dogs". I'm not a huge fan of the oversize trend, I think clothes must fit well. But I was bored and wanted to dress in a rebelled way.

So I thought about the oversize knit trend for F/W 2007-2008, and I stole one of my husband's pullover to make a weekend outfit.

black boots - local store

black leggings - United Colours of Benetton

black shirt - Zara

grey oversize knit pullover - husband's

mustard scarf - local store

Get to know the Art of *Izar

Some time ago, by Christmas time, I was surfing on the net when I stumble on a beauty blog which had a very beautiful drawing in a post.
I instantly felt in love with that draw, that I couldn’t leave without telling something.
I went to see the author’s gallery on deviantArt and I was amazed by that work.
I couldn’t help myself I needed to know more about that person, so I got in contact and she turns to be *Izar, the talent Hungarian girl that I’ve been telling about on the right bar.

Since I think that beauty must be shared with the world, I will present you some of her drawings, all copyrighted of *Izar, and her answers to some questions I asked, to know more about her art world...

Christmas Waltz

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOU AND HOW DID YOU START DRAWING.

I’m a 24 year old Hungarian girl with a university degree in English Language and Literature and a degree in teaching. I have many interests but my three main passions are drawing, English and cosmetics.

I can’t exactly remember when I started drawing, though I think it must have been at a very early age, probably when I was 2 or 3 years old. My teacher in kindergarten realized that I could draw better than the average and so I spent four years in a primary school which specialized in teaching artistically gifted children. At the age of 12 I attended a drawing studio where we drew portraits and also did studies of the human figure. I had learned a lot there. When it came to choosing a career though I decided to go to university and study Humanities. My family and I though it would provide a better living than being and artist but I still regret not following my natural inclinations and studying art.

Moonbathe

WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE ARTISTS?

I love the Pre-Raphaelites (I even incorporated them into my thesis), especially William Waterhouse. Also, I find René Magritte’s art very inspiring: he has such a unique view of the world and all his pieces are like a practical joke played on our senses and our right mind. Auguste Renoir’s masterful representation of shadows and light is also something that leaves me in awe.

There are many artists on DeviantART I have come to admire though the years too:

bri-chan

makani

hito76

kyla79

snapesnogger

Harry In Winter

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

Beside the above mentioned artists? :) Anything that comes my way: my cat, a tree, a landscape, a strange object, the moon shining through the branches, a good book, anything really. What really fascinate me though are the human face and body: there’s really nothing that can’t be expressed with a smile, a look, a raised eyebrow or a turn of a head.

Brook

IN ART WHAT PROJECTS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE FUTURE?

I’d like to attend a drawing studio again to improve my skills when it comes to anatomy: I’m perfectly aware that I have a lot to learn still. I would also like to draw more male characters: I feel I’ve been neglecting them until now. Right now, however, my greatest goal is to draw something beautiful for the two winners of my blog contest. ;-)

Dark Phoenix

WHAT'S YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOAL TO ACHIEVE THIS YEAR?

Since I’m not a professional artist, I don’t exactly have any as of now, but I’m thinking about setting up a prints account on DeviantART and probably doing a few commissions for the first time in my life. I think the latter would be a great challenge, and as they say: “An artist’s got to eat too…”. It’s really a question of how interested people will be in my art though.

Queen of Rain

DO YOU SELL PRINTS AND ORIGINALS AND ARE YOU OPEN TO COMMISSIONS, FREELANCE JOBS AND EDITORIAL WORK?

I haven’t sold anything yet but I was once invited for a television interview for winning a drawing contest and had one of my works printed out as a postcard. (And yes, the former was a wonderful experience! :) ) That’s about the only professional career I have in art. I would sell prints (and even originals) if someone happened to be interested though, and the same goes for commissions, freelance jobs and editorial works.

I would now like to thank The Seeker, first and foremost for her kind words and for being interested in my art at all, and also for providing me the opportunity to tell the world about my works. Thank you Dearest!

When I'm Alone In The Night

Thank you dear *Izar for answering my questions and open your world of art to all of us.

Now I encourage you to check her gallery and if you have any question or are interested in her work, you can contact her.

Today's Outfit - 01/18

The weather was windy and cold. I thought I should wear something that could warm me and also felt comfortable. I was in doubt about what to wear, my professional training (more a refresh) was about to end, but fortunately all people dressed casually like I did.

black boots - local store

black pants - Vero Moda

black turtleneck - local store

purple belt - local store

white cardigan - Mango

purple scarf - local store

rose brooch - vintage

The Reiki Principles

I knew, sooner or later, I would have to do again a post about Reiki, because it is part of my life.
I started talking about Reiki here in this post, when I introduced it.

The Reiki Principles is one of the major tools for human development of the system.

The photograph is of an original print of the Reiki Principles by which I try to live my life.

Like I was told by my Reiki Masters, the original Japanese, found in the manual of Dr. Mikao Usui discovered by Frank Arjava Petter, is the following text, translated by the ex-wife of Arjava, Chetna Kobayashi, to English:

Japanese English

Kyo dake wa: Just for today:

Okoru-na Don't be angry

Shinpai suna Don't worry
Kansha shite Be grateful
Gyo-o hage me Work hard
Hito ni shinsetsu ni Be kind to others

Observe throughout the day, with all your effort, the arising of anger, then look deeper for its true cause.
Observe your mind throughout the day for the arising of worry and restlessness, look deeper at their roots.
Be mindful, each moment of your day, appreciating the gift of life, find the right livelihood for yourself and be honest in your work.
In your day, as you appreciate your life, be kind to yourself and to all beings.

May spirit send you the comfort of the universe and a smile for your hearts.

Namasté

Today's Outfit - 01/17

As I told you today I need to dress more formally. So I wore a black suite, but tried to put some details to make a feminine/masculine look, not so boring. Tomorrow it will be more informal.

I would like to post something else, but I'm short of time, and I just received my February Vogue magazine.

Take care.

Black suit - Ana Sousa
white shirt - local store
black vest - La Redoute
red shoes - local store
red scarf - gift
golden brooch - gift

Today's Outfit - 01/16

Today when I woke up I haven't a clue about what I should wear. I went to the closet and saw those pants. They don't close without a hankie, this isn't the original, because it is animal printed and has some colors difficult to mach. And I wasn't in the mood to think much about it.

So it turns in this... I think we all have our not so good days... I had one of those today.

Tomorrow and the day after I'll have some meetings and professional training, so I must dress more like the "code dress", but I'll try to introduce something dissimilar, to make the difference.

black boots - local store

grape pants - other island store

stripe hankie - Bershka

white turtleneck - Zara

black bolero - local store

vintage necklace - hubby's gift

detail here

100th Post & 7 Things about Me

This is my one hundred post, and I’m celebrating it.

I lap my head around thinking how could I celebrate it. Then it comes to my mind that I could uncover myself a bit.

Since I was tagged by Izar from Binary Star to do this cool meme, I’m going to tell you 7 things about me.

1 – My university degree is in social sciences , and I work at the Public Administration of the Archipelago as a senior, so I’m at civil service.
No matter what I actually do, because I always have a point of view filled up with a social issue on any matters or items of daily life. If once a social scientist at all times a social scientist.

2 – I’m a very sensitive person, so I drop in tears easily if something touches my feelings. I love hugs and kisses, open smiles and laughs.

3- I’m very attached to exotericism and spiritual things. I try to be a spiritual woman who takes time to know herself, her beliefs, her strengths, her weaknesses. Who finds ways to connect with herself each day in prayer, or in meditation or quiet time. Who cares for others and treats others the way she would like to be treated. Who has a belief system, but seeks insight and growth. Who seeks personal peace.

4 – Related to number three, I practice Reiki, I’m vegetarian and I believe in the Universe’s forces.

5 – Since I started to be a teen I struggle with my weight. It seems that the image on the mirror doesn’t mach the image in my head. And I had some eating disorders. But I think I’m winning.
Now I just have 109 kilos… just joking!!!!

6- I don’t like to wake up early. I just start to function well around 10 am. I really love lazy mornings and moonlight serenades. And I think full moon is as beautiful as sun set.
But I also like to swim and the sunshine on the beach.

7 – I like very much travelling. In fact some times I need it; the island can constringe and may set the desire to leave with the certainty of the return.
So I often go to the mainland, since my husband is from there and we go visit his family.
I too have made some trips out of the country. Countries where I’ve been: Canada, US America, England, Spain, Italy, Malta and Tunisia.

Well, I could tell you more things about me, but then I would have to kill you… and that was a big problem!

Now the rules state that I should tag seven other bloggers. I don’t know if you have already done this, if you have it feel free not to, if don’t you’re tagged!

Imelda

La bruja del cuento

enc

olímpiA

Sofia

Mash

Sanna

Today's Outfit - 01/15

Of course I used my new "roasted green pepper" handbag :) But I'm sad because no one told me a thing about it :S

black boots - local store

purple tights - Calzedonia

green skirt - Vero Moda

green turtleneck - Zara

purple cardigan - local store

printed neckerchief - gift

Today's Outfit - 01/14

As I’m a brunette, I think the red and black combo always turns a good one.

black retro style coat - Vero Moda

red gloves - local store

black pants - local store

red turtleneck - Vero Moda

red cardigan - Mango

black belt - Mango

printed neckerchief - gift

black boots - local store

Isn't she lovely…

Isn't she lovely

Isn't she wonderful

Isn't she precious
…………………

Well, I felt like singing the Stevie Wonder’s song “Isn't She Lovely” when I saw it.
But let’s begin for what happens first.
I was walking calmly on my lunch break, by the city streets, when I pass by a shoe’s store that is on sales.
I thought to myself that I should come in and see if they had some purple shoes that I would like to have.
But when I saw it… it was love…
It was half the price, and those green shadows…
It’s not a Guess, a Prada, a Mulberry….
But now it’s mine.
Tell me, isn’t she lovely????

Edit - My husband told me that the color of my new handbag is roasted green pepper *laughs*

Fashion Spiegel Catalogue 1950

What do you think, have the latest trends spring/summer 2008 something similar?

Today's Outfit - 01/12

Today was a lousy weather. It rained almost the time, the wind was strong… it was a typical winter day on the island.

I wore the same pants as yesterday, since I can use them under my boots.

black pants - Vero Moda

brown turtleneck - La Redoute

blue cardigan - SMF

brown boots - local store

brown belt - C&A

scarf - gift

brooch - gift

Now I’m reading…

COASTLINERS

by

Joanne Harris

"You can almost feel the sand between your toes as you read COASTLINERS. And yet this new novel from Joanne Harris, award-winning author of CHOCOLAT, is far from a typical beach read. Set on a small French island, the story revolves around a handful of families that dictate every aspect of life there with the notable exception of the tides. And, as they soon discover, even that power may be within their reach.

COASTLINERS is a potpourri of mystery, romance, and suspense. Readers follow in the footsteps of Madeleine or "Mado," a young woman who returns to her island home to a silent father and a community that is quickly slipping into the sea. An artist whose subject matter has always been the island, Mado returns to Les Salants from Paris seeking a sense of home, of family, of belonging.

Once again exploring the inner-workings of community, of who fits in and why, Harris deftly imparts deep-rooted feelings of loss with those of revenge to the inhabitants of Les Salants, a town where historical feuds fester and faith in a Saint overrides a sense of independent action."

in bookreporter.com, review

Today's Outfit - 01/11

Well, yesterday was a very exciting day, with all people making me fell special, and being tender with me.

Today I fall into the real world, but I was very happy when I knew that I've won Izar's contest. Not because I've won, but because I grab the possibility of having one of her drawings, that I really love, it totally made my day.

The pants I wore today are high waist, it's difficult to see it because of the scarf and because they are black and also is the shirt, but they also have on the line of the hips some strips to hold a belt, that was what I've done today.

black coat - Zara

black high waist pants - Vero Moda

black boots - local store

black turtleneck - local store

mustard scarf - Parfois

blue cardigan - local store

mustard thin belt - local store

Today's Outfit - 01/10 - Bday

Actually today I wore two different outfits. One to go work and the other one to dinner in a fancy restaurant.

I liked so much my husband gifts that I started to ware one of the skirts.

light brown coat - local store don't remember when

brown lacy blouse - Vero Moda

green skirt - Vero Moda

brown tights - local store

brown boots - local store

brooch - gift

I love love chocolate. Since today was a special one I've done my sins and ate a slice of chocolate cake at lunch and brownie with vanilla ice cream at dinner. It was delicious!!!! Now I've to walk several kilometers to burn the calories.

This is what I wore for the evening. Don't know why but the dress seems that has no waist, don't like that photo, but now it's all I can get. (I wore a black bolero over the dress, because it was cold).

red trench coat - Zara

black dress - Zara ( satin ribbon by me)

black tights - local store

red shoes - local store

withe pearls earrings and necklace - gift from hubby

I can say I had a nice day. Had some cell messages, some phone calls, some e-mails, comments in the blog, everybody treated me very well. Ate chocolate, drunk some wine, and I felt it was a special day :)

I want to thank everybody who wished me here a happy birthday, will do it one by one tomorrow, because now I'm a bite tired, it was a very excited day.

So until tomorrow. Thank you all.

I was tagged by Izar, I'll do it latter. Thank you Izar.

My Husband's gifts on my Bday

My husband is a dear one, sweet and romantic. So, I'm going to show you the things he gave me for my Birthday.

A bouquet of red roses

(meaning passion)

A cute skirt from Vero Moda

A black and white inspired on the 60's geometric print tunic with a satin belt from Vero Moda

A green (I think and I hope fake) antelope skirt from Vero Moda

(I was suspicious that I would have this one, because he asked me before if I liked it)

Thank you darling for the gifts

- I love you