What it feels like for a girl...

I thought for a while whether or not to write about this topic, but in the end I decided to write... because it's important to open our eyes to see what is happening around us and learn something.

I've been in contact for three months with a person whom I thought was a boy and whom I treated accordingly... just to find out that the person is actually... a girl. The person presented herself with a short name (e.g. Alex), which is not unusual. If she would have presented herself with the long name (e.g. Alexandra), I wouldn't be writing this post now.

The issue came to light when I saw the name in writing. I was willing to stick my hand in the fire that it was a typo... it seems my hand would have burned badly...

I felt something weird from the first moment I came in contact with the person... because of the childish voice... I even asked: how old are you?
And the look... 100% male: male clothes, male shoes, short hair cut, no make-up.
The only clue... we met a few times in the girls bathroom. The first time I don't remember exactly what I said, but I'm afraid that I said: No problem, I enter the boys bathrooms from time to time, too. The second time I said, with an ironical tone: Caught you here again....
Now that I look back, I feel totally stupid. On the other hand nobody ever caught my attention and the person really looks like a boy. If she really wants to look like a boy, I congratulate her, she does it great from my point of view!

Conclusion.

I have no problem with the idea that a girl wants to be a boy. I would say that I find really admirable how she managed to accomplish this. People don't choose how to be when they are born, but they can choose how to live. If the man was born in a wrong body it doesn't mean that he is less intelligent, less beautiful or less sociable.

We, the "normal", we must understand that in nowadays society it's very hard to be "different" and accepted at the same time. And please assign the idea of "different" with other things too... like autism, like Down syndrome etc...
Try to do an imagination exercise. Put yourself in the shoes of a person who has one of the problems mentioned above. How does it feel? Is not that easy, is it?

T-shirt :: via miniPrix | Jeans :: H&M via miniPrix | Clutch :: via Kurtmann

Sandals :: local boutique | Sunglasses :: Ray-Ban

Home sweet home

One of the things I've always wanted badly was to have my own living space and decorate it on my taste.

To understand some of my background in regard to living spaces pay some attention to the following lines:
- until the age of 18 I lived in the family home, a 3 room apartment, decorated on my mother's taste... I don't want to go into this subject because you know how they say: de gustibus non est disputandum... By the way, did your mother ever moved the furniture around the house 4 times a year?
- at the age of 18 I went to college and lived in some people's home for a couple of years, then another 3 years in a student dormitory... no, I don't want to go into details, but I wouldn't recommend anyone to live in a student dormitory. To understand a little the idea, there were times when we were 7 people in a room ... boys and girls... no comment.
- after college I spent two years in a rented old house, along with two other girls... Basically we were three couples, each one with his room. In summer it was pretty nice... we had an amazing garden, fruit trees, a garden grill, a swing... In winter... we had to make fire in a wood stove. It was romantic to sit in the heat of the wood stove and hear the wood crackles, while sitting in the boyfriend's arms. Nonetheless, the wood purchasing, the fire kindling itself... that's another story... And the noises that could be heard from the attic... I'd better not go there, otherwise I'll risk causing you a nightmare... no comment.
- we bought our on apartment after one year of marriage, when practically we became parents.
- since then 5 years have passed.

The apartment was relatively renovated, but we've done all sorts of improvements to bring it closer to our standards. Finally, I feel that this year we will reach our target completely. At the current time we are in the process of renovation and if the result will match my expectations I will come here on the blog and show it to you. :D

I've told you my story, now it's your turn to tell me about your living places experiences.

Denim vest :: C&A | Top :: C&A | Jeans :: H&M | Shoes :: Futsalworks via miniPrix | Bag :: DressLily

I like matching the bag with the shoes

At first there were the Benvenuti shoes. Practically it was love at first sight. I didn't buy them on 8th March on sale, I bought them 2 weeks later at full price. :|
Then there was the proposal from DressLily to choose something nice from their website and afterwards come here and talk to you about it. Said and done, and the result is the bag I'm wearing in today's combo. It's not leather, but is very well crafted and, from my point of view, has the perfect dimension. It's versatile, both because of the shape and the color. I have the feeling I'm going to wear it very often this Spring.

What's the connection between them? I like matching the bag with the shoes.

This is not my first collaboration with an online shop outside EU and, with all honesty, I'm telling you I've never encountered any problems. Actually, this time I could say it was a better experience since the bag came to the usual postal office and not to the customs postal office. I don't know how is it in your town, but in my town I have to take a day leave to be able to pick up my package. :|

The reason for which the package didn't come at the customs postal office, as far as I can realize, is because it was sent via Rotterdam... that means EU. I don't know how the guys from DressLily came up with this idea, but I'm very glad they did because they spared me a day of stress.

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The site has many interesting and affordable products and I recommend you to visit it.
You should also know that:

• you can make the payment either via PayPal or directly with the credit card;
• the delivery cost is proportional with the weight of the package;
• there are products that have free delivery;
• if you order, ask them to write on the package that it's a gift, to ensure that you will not pay customs duties, in case the package doesn't come via Rotterdam;
• the order is delivered in approximately 3 weeks.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask them, I will respond with the greatest pleasure. Enjoy shopping!

Leather jacket :: Guide Series | Cardigan :: ZARA via Kurtmann | T-shirt :: Reserved | Jeans :: H&M
Shoes :: Benvenuti | Bag :: DressLily

Trend alert - ripped jeans

Ripped jeans became a popular trend in the 80's. Now, 24 years later, they are still a popular trend...
It was a time in my life when I didn't have the courage to wear such jeans because I believed that they didn't represent me. Now, I have 5 pairs of ripped jeans (long and short) and I would wear them every day, if I could.
They are so versatile and can be included in so many combinations... after all, they are jeans.

How do you feel about wearing them? Are you afraid people might think less of you if you wear ripped jeans?

Andy Torres

The day I met Ana...

I remember when I was little, and watched the famous show Surprise, Surprise, I was mostly impressed how they brought face to face, people from different corners of the world, which previously were friends on the internet, and it seemed incredible that they agreed including to get married, without ever having seen each other live. I was wondering how can this be possible? Where does the courage come from?

Even though this story doesn't quite fit in the dramatic terms described above, I identify in some way with the idea.
First of all, Ana and I also met in the online environment, she being established for years in Germany. To be more precise, Dana Rogoz's blog was the one who brought us face to face. At first it was a mutual commenting, until one day when I received an overwhelming email from Ana. For those who don't know the story of this mail I invite you to read it here. This is the 4th most accessed post on my blog.
The basic idea is that Ana is a very talented designer, but because of pragmatic circumstances has failed to cultivate her talent. Ana's drawings encouraged me to launch the Inspired by Zadin project, because due to pragmatic circumstances I also haven't been able to cultivate my talent as much as I would have liked.
Long story short ... both Ana and I attempt to adjust things so that we get someday to earn a living, on our own, from what we love to do most.

So far I have said things that basically you knew, now I'll tell you things you didn't know...
We agreed to meet on Thursday (August 15, 2013). Ana and her husband did such a nice gesture to shorten their Nice vacation, in order to get to meet each other in Paris. I thank them for that.  
I don't think I was nervous. We previously talked on the phone, I knew we were compatible, we knew personal things about each other, we were somehow familiar. The only thing that I knew it was possible to amaze Ana was my height. In fact, she knew that I'm very tall, but it's something else when you get to see it for yourself. I'm used to being the tallest everywhere and I knew that any height Ana would be, the difference of level between us would still be big. Besides the inevitable surprise of the first moment, when we made ​​eye contact, things could not have been any better. Would you believe if I told you that we talked continuously during the two days we spent together and didn't exhaust all topics of discussion?

Blogs are unable to show our essence as humans. Some people might think about her or about me that we are infatuated, or that we are ugly, or that we lack intelligence, or that we are in many ways. No such opinion is relevant until you get face to face with the person. 

Ana is beyond everything a very ambitious girl who knows what she wants from life.
I loved the story of how she met and married her husband Andy, about how she managed to obtain German citizenship, about how she signed up for college, in Germany, about how she practices a job that determines her to work side by side with German men (sometimes a little too malicious), about the adventures of her three dogs, about her Formula 1 experiences (on the German highway), about the "spontaneous" coffee meetings, with Maria (another full of personality Romanian woman, established in Germany), about Europe trips,  about motorcycle adventures, about how she started from the bottom and grew to be a woman fulfilled in all respects...

For now I'll stop here, but I'll continue in the next posting when I will talk to you about the visit to the police station, about coffee spilled on clothes before entering Versailles (whose clothes I'm not saying), about the goodbye picnic on the shore of Seine...

Top :: Topshop | Jeans :: Pimkie | Sandals :: via miniPrix | Bag :: via miniPrix

Things that caught my attention while being in Paris...

Many people have asked me how was Paris?
The best answer that came into my mind was: it's definitely a destination worth visiting.

Paris is, before anything else, a cultural experience. If I were to give an advice to someone who intends to go on a similar journey, my first advice would be don't leave without doing your homework. It's essential to know at least a few details about every main attraction Paris has to offer, because you will appreciate it and observe it differently once you will be in front of it.

Beside the cultural part of Paris, let me talk to you about a few other things that caught my attention while being in Paris:
1. the transport infrastructure. In Paris you can travel by metro, by train, by auto bus, by boat, by car, by bike, etc. The possibilities are endless, you only have to choose the one that better suits you.
2. the architecture of buildings. The buildings in Paris look sumptuous. They are full of sculptures and other architectural details that simply overwhelm you.
3. the number of tourists. Almost every symbol we have visited had a huge line.
4. the prices. I'm sure you already knew that, but everything in Paris is expensive. You cannot buy a simple sandwich with less than 5 euros. Macaroons were around 1 euro each and so were the simple croissants. These are prices from the supermarket.

5. the French people we've met knew English, at least basic, and were very helpful.
6. the bad smell. Paris has a good network of public toilets. Nonetheless, I was stunned by how many times I felt the smell of urine, while walking.
7. the number of beggars. I'm not ashamed to admit, but I saw a great number of Romanian gipsy beggars on the street of Paris. It's their choice and they don't do me honor as conationals. All I can say is that they are a minority and they aren't representative of what Romania really is. Every forest has its dryness.
In Paris we also saw French beggars, with a chair in the middle of the sidewalk, quietly reading a book and having a hood in front for money to be provided.
It seems that begging it's like a job in Paris, opened for everyone who feels able to practice it.

I hope I haven't bored you with these Paris posts because I still have interesting things to tell you. For example, the next post will be about how I met and fell in love with dear Ana from anasfashionworld, the girl who triggered the Inspired by Zadin project.

T-shirt :: via miniPrix | Jeans :: Pimkie | Sneakers :: Cropp Town | Bag :: Reserved

Boyfriend jeans - my way vs. their way

I'm starting this post by thanking and giving a big hug to all the girls who left such beautiful comments on my previous post. Your words made me felt close to you and made me realize that blogging it's not a waste of time. So, once again, thank you! ♥

Today I want to show you in pictures a trend I really love - boyfriend jeans. This may be a common topic of discussion for fashion bloggers, but this doesn't mean I can't offer you my vision over it.
This is not the first time I'm writing about this topic and for those of you who want to know who "invented" the concept and what are the particularities of this piece of clothing here is the article. You won't regret reading it, I assure you!

What's your opinion on this matter, do you own such a pair of jeans?

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I get a good feeling...

The year 2013 is here. Two days have passed, and I already know it will be a better year than 2012 ... How do I know? Well ... Here's the answer:

Oh, sometimes I get a good feeling, yeah...
I get a feeling that I never never never knew I had before, no no..
I get a good feeling, yeah...

What are your feelings regarding 2013?

Jacket::New Yorker / Sweater::New Yorker / Boyfriend jeans::ASOS / Snood, Gloves & Bag::Reserved

Confession

Most times when I do a post I try to write something about my personal life ... it's a blog so this is ok. I'm convinced that many of these writings {epic most of the time} usually are not even read and it seems normal to me ... we live in constant speed and we have little patience to read others whining.
 
On the other hand, sometimes, if there is enough patience to read, we even get to resonate with the experiences of others.
 
The part about me, I want to share with you today, is that I'm going, along with my family, through a rough period, which we are determined to overcome by all means. I'm not victimizing myself and I don't want to draw your compassion. I want to encourage you, if you are going too through a difficult time in your life, to keep your optimism and never stop fighting until the last breath ...

Top::NAF NAF / Jeans::Asos / Shoes::ShoeDazzle via MiniPrix/ Other accessories:: No name

Thank you, Almighty!

I admit with utmost sincerity that since I started writing this blog my style has known an ascension {or so I like to believe}. I no longer buy clothes, but pieces {I do not expect my criteria in terms of pieces of clothing to match all others criteria}.

Until recently I had the feeling that all the clothes in my wardrobe are some pieces of a puzzle thrown in the closet. At this point, I think the puzzle pieces began to merge. It is true that I invested a lot in this chapter in the past few months.

I do not want to sound snob, I'm sure there are many other uplifting things in which to invest money , but what to do if this is my greatest passion?

Every day I'm very grateful that I have a job where I go with pleasure and is paid well enough to provide me, in a more than decent way, the means to satisfy all my necessities: starting with the simple going outs with hubby, to holidays, clothes and even donations.

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life" - Confucius

P. S. I invite you to participate in the the zipper brooches giveaway. They are for free and it will expire in just a week.

Sexy sandals reloaded

I hate to be bragging, but when you get, as a present, that sexy pair of sandals that you have yearned after for so long and you've admired in dozens of photos on the internet, is impossible not to be a bit bragging.

The gift was from my husband, who knows me very well and always knows what I want. I think he tried to compensate a bit for the fact that he was away too long. Just between us, he succeeded a little.

The sandals are simply gorgeous.

Boyfriend jeans know how

First of all, I believe that if someone wants to wear this kind of jeans, has to have the right attitude...

What's the right attitude? I really don't know, but it's the kind of attitude you will see it without knowing it { sounds kinda' funny, but there are things you cannot describe with words}.

Second of all, these aren't the boyfriend's jeans. They are over-sized girls jeans, fitted at the waist, which{as I read} were made popular by actress Katie Holmes.

To detail a little further....

The fit of these jeans is relaxed, and while they sit low but are fitted at the waist, and are loose and relaxed all through the butt, thigh and leg area. Very often these are folded at the bottom into a loose cuff to further accentuate the casual air about them.

If you are not getting a pair of jeans which are classified as ‘Boyfriend jeans’, choose a relaxed fit in a size which is one bigger than your regular size. Ensure that while it fits at the waist, it sits a little lower than usual and the thigh and leg area are loose and roomier. Do not choose sizes which are bigger than one size as they may be too loose fitting and you may end up looking shabby. 

Few tips on wearing these...

Boyfriend jeans are meant for casual wear and so pairing options should be accordingly kept in mind.

• Rolling up the legs to form a cuff (usually  3- 4inches wide) is common with boyfriend jeans. The rolled up jeans should sit just above your ankles, if you are proud to show off your ankles. On the other hand, if you do not want to show off your ankles, ensure that the rolled up cuffs sit just at your ankles.

• Boyfriend jeans, like other jeans have many cuts – from bootleg, to flared and the good old straight. The best cut to go or is the straight cut – the look is simple yet, due to the relaxed fit, it is uniform and eye catching at the same time.
• These jeans are very popular in their ripped avatar. If you prefer wearing ripped boyfriend jeans, try and keep the tops simple – solid color, not too many design features and straight cut. This will help streamline your total look. Do not have very ornate jewelery – a few casual pieces may look great, but again don’t overdo it.
• Belts are a good way to accessorize your boyfriend jeans/trouser and add a touch of casualness to the outfit too, apart from being functional and holding up you jeans. You could opt for single color leather belts or could try for colorful woven / printed belts as well.
• As most of the jeans/ trousers are with rolled up legs, they show your ankles and feet off. Wearing interesting footwear therefore adds to the beauty of the outfit on the whole. You could opt for flat pumps, flip flops, gladiators or wedges, platforms. Extreme looks of stilettos, pointed kitten heels, sneakers and boots are best avoided with boyfriend jeans.

Boyfriend jeans look great on all types of bodies, as the fit is relaxed and casual and does not highlight any particular part of your body. Go grab your pair today and create your own look. Just remember, casual chic is the look to be achieved with this pair of jeans! (the original article can be found here)


So, to conclude, anyone can adopt this trend, but my advise is not to try it if you are not comfortable with this style.

Wear something you look good in and not something that looks good {but not on you}.

Here's my choice for a boyfriend jeans outfit....

 

And here's some other examples of boyfriend jeans outfits that I like. (atlantic-pacific, natalieoffduty, danarogoz)