Scorpion.

Photo: Harpers Bazaar editorial/ tale source: The Kevin Dolan

Scorpion had lived on the East side of the river valley for his entire life, and as he reached his second year, he asked himself what might await on the other side.

He saw a frog sitting calmly by the river.  Scorpion approached carefully, so as not to frighten the frog, but scorpions are a fearful creature after all and the frog withdrew into the water.

Scorpion yelled to the frog, “Frog, I am Scorpion and I would like to cross the river, but I cannot swim!  Can I hop on your back and ride across?”

The frog responded suspiciously, “But you are a scorpion?  How am I to know that you will not just sting me?”

Scorpion thought hard about how he could prove his innocence to the frog.  Perhaps some logic would do the trick!  “My dear frog, if I were to sting you, I would be left in the middle of the river to drown, for as you know, I cannot swim!”

Scorpion’s words were enough to convince the frog, so she agreed to take Scorpion across the river.  The frog swam to the bank and allowed Scorpion to climb atop her back.  Scorpion’s claws dug into the frog’s back, but she didn't mind.

As the frog began swimming across the river, she considered whether this would be the start of a lifelong friendship between her and Scorpion.

 

Just as the frog’s mind was wondering, she felt a sharp pain in her back.  She quickly began to feel her limbs going numb and her swimming began to slow.  She cried out to Scorpion, “Why have you stung me Scorpion? Now we are both going to drown here in the river!”

Scorpion replied simply, “Frog, I stung you because I am a scorpion.”

Some men are like scorpions. This frog wants to live.

Double face love.

Photo by Frederik Heyman

Recent conversation with couple of my friends on trust and relationships got me thinking. Is love really double-faced? How many of us love with fingers crossed in our pockets? How many people is in relationship with one person with a number of B options just a click away in his/hers cell-phone, notebook, Facebook, Twitter or WhatsApp? So when the tough gets going in a relationship you are CLICK gone…and CLICK goes the next one…

I wrote about love and trust in a number of ways in couple of different posts, going through various stages in life. It was quite interesting for me to learn how my own views changed with experience, as I guess there is no other way to learn this lesson but on my own skin.

Here are the couple of posts I wrote on this topic…

Emotional switch

Masks off

Wake up call

Trust

Still, going through my current life stage and relationship I find myself going foolishly and naively all out on a daily basics trying to be positive, loving and thinking that the other person will equally openly and honestly feel and act towards me, with no fingers crossed with no B options CLICK away…does he, do they really do the same?

What should one do when in doubt? Confront for every little thing? Ask rather than assume? Listen to that women instinct or let it go?

When I look back and remember myself when I was a little girl observing my parents well functioning marriage…wearing crown on my head and princess outfit on a daily basis, acting and moving like a confident princess trusting each person from the first day we met – I almost feel guilty telling that same girl with same morals just a bit older now, to be careful, wiser, to step back and act unlike her character in order not to get hurt.

When did double face love got in fashion?

I SPY: Barcelona.

Last 10 days were rather hectic for me, first I spent four intensive work days in Prague which I closed with a great cocktail evening with my friend Bojana who lives there, we sat down at Hilton hotel cocktail bar and hit some rather interesting topics such as: can we really ever forgive and forget infidelity and break up, can we stay friends with our ex, how much do women really sacrifice for love (career, personal growth, dreams etc.) and how often do they really get back in average…cocktails were great, I was really happy to hear opinion opposite to mine and reasoning behind it, I am so thankful to have such a diverse group of lady friends.

Right from Prague work week I flew to Barcelona to support my boyfriend and watch him play, during the day my friend Nina and I went exploring Barcelona, we ate amazing local food, went exploring vintage shops by foot, took the tour with tourist bus and each evening we went to watch our boyfriends game. I tell you, we were more nervous than they were, an hour before the game we could not eat, we couldn’t sleep the night before finals, and we lost our voice while cheering and were jumping of joy when they won the Cup finally after 19^th years of not winning it.  I tell you, it’s not easy being athlete’sgirlfriend.

Lastly, we traveled back couple of hours after the final game together with the team, had a lovely dinner and well deserved day of rest yesterday. It’s back to reality today.

Stay tuned for some more great coverage from Spain.

NYFW day#1: Leather and velvet.

All photos source:www.style.com 

As I wrote in my last post, first thing that came to my mind when I saw the final NYFW FW 2012. schedule was – that’s to many shows! So I was expecting a collection clutter, mix of fresh talent and established designers trying to take a side step to differentiate themselves.

After reviewing the first day shows I noticed couple of trends, obviously dark colors dominated for fall, there was lots of dark leather over maxi skirts and dresses, biker jackets over almost gowns, some lovely velvet gowns by Joshi Tadashi and super cool black velvet trousers with sheer top by Kimberly Ovitz.

BCBG by Max Azria stayed true to their lively color block simplicity, I really enjoyed a number of floaty dresses and office friendly but chic and feminine combinations. Zac Posen did a Z Spoke capsule collection out of which I selected a couple of super cute red dresses – if you read my blog often you are aware of my love for red dresses. J

Also, 10 Crosby by Derek Limcapsule collection was a quite wearable retail collection with lovely details like a camel colored leather skirt and an amazing wool blazer which you can see bellow.

 My favorite collections of the day however was rocker chic Kimberly Ovitz collection – just on the point and styled in the way I would wear them, I also liked couple of leather pieces from Rachel Comey’scollection (knee length skirt and a lovely soft leather t-shirt) I would just love them to be more fitted but all in all quite a wearable collection.

What is your favorite collection from day #1 lovelies?

It's fashion week!

It’s starting TODAY! New York fashion Week FW 2012!

Ouu how I miss the adrenalin rush you get during fashion week in NYC! It is everywhere, on the streets, in media, it’s in the air…its contagious!

Yesterday I was listening in to IFB conference from work, sad I couldn’t be there in person, I will for sure make a trip in the fall, it was organized lovely as usual and I took out couple of really good learning’s on how to improve my blog, I always get really inspired by the creative energy combined and brought together at these conferences. They recommended to download a lovely smart phone application MADE fashion week which makes it so easy for fashion people to follow the shows – thanks for that, really cool app.

There are tons of shows scheduled this season in NYC…I got the feeling there might be many empty seats. What do you think? Should someone (i.e. Ana) make a revision and decrease the number of shows? Don’t we see a lot of repetition and to many average collections lately? What’s your take?

Here is the schedule.

February 9

9am // Nicholas K, Studio

10am // Bcbgmaxazria, Theatre

10:30-11:30am // Kaelen, Box

11am // Richard Chai, Stage

1pm // Honor, Studio

2pm // Tadashi Shoji, Stage

2:30-3:30pm // Candela, Box

4pm // Chadwick Bell, Studio

5pm // Joseph Abboud, Pier 57, W 15th St

February 10

10am // Parkchoonmoo, Studio

11am-12pm // Concept Korea, Stage

1pm // General Idea, Studio

2pm // Rebecca Taylor, Stage

2:30-3:30pm // Brandon Sun, Box

3pm // Rebecca Minkoff, Theatre

5:30pm // Tommy Hilfiger Men’s, 643 Park Ave

6pm // Nicole Miller, Studio

6:30-7:30pm // Katya Leonovich, Box

7pm // Charlotte Ronson, Stage

8pm // Academy Of Art University, Theatre

February 11

9am // Ruffian, Studio

10am // Lacoste, Theatre

10:30-11:30am // Porter Grey, Box

11am // Jill Stuart, Stage

12pm // Son Jung Wan, Studio

2-3:30pm // Rafael Cennamo, Box

2pm // Mara Hoffman, Stage

3pm // Hervé Léger By Max Azria, Theatre

4pm // Vantan Tokyo, Studio

6pm // Tibi, Stage

7pm // Monique Lhuillier, Theatre

7:30-8:30pm // L.A.M.B., Box

9pm // Venexiana, Studio

February 12

10:30-11:30am // Lorena Sarbu, Box

11am // Lela Rose, Studio

1pm // DKNY, 547 W 26th St

2pm // Tracy Reese, Studio

2:30-3:30pm // Joy Cioci, Box

3pm // Custo Barcelona, Stage

4pm // Diane Von Furstenberg, Theatre

5pm // Falguni & Shane Peacock, Studio

5pm // Y-3, Tba

6pm // Carmen Marc Valvo, Nasdaq, 4 Times Sq

7:30-8:30pm // Mathieu Mirano, Box

9pm // Timo Weiland, Studio

February 13

9am // Jenny Packham, Studio

10am // Carolina Herrera, Theatre

11am // Carlos Miele, Stage

1pm // Zang Toi, Studio

1:30-2:30pm // Emilio Cavallini, Box

2pm // Donna Karan New York, 547 W 26th St

3pm // Reem Acra, Stage

5pm // Bibhu Mohapatra, Studio

6pm // Betsey Johnson, Theatre

6:30-7:30pm // Leather Japan 2012, Box

7pm // Prete & Bruno, Stage

February 14

9-10am // Norisol Ferrari, Box

9am // Tory Burch, Alice Tully Hall

9:30-10:30am // J.Crew, Studio

10am // Badgley Mischka, Theatre

11am // Vera Wang, Stage

1pm // Diesel Black Gold, Pier 57, W 15th St

1:30-3pm // Fotini, Box

2pm // Naeem Khan, Theatre

3pm // Dennis Basso, Stage

5pm // Pamella Roland, Studio

7:30-8:30pm // Haus Alkire, Box

8pm // Narciso Rodriguez, Theatre

9pm // Emerson, Studio

February 15

9am // Whitney Eve, Studio

10am // Michael Kors, Theatre

10:30-11:30am // Rochambeau, Box

11am // Nanette Lepore, Stage

12pm // Ports 1961, New York Public Library

1pm // Joanna Mastroianni, Studio

2-4pm // Levi’s, 82 Mercer St

2pm // J. Mendel, Theatre

2:30-3:30pm // Suzanne Rae, Box

3pm // Milly By Michelle Smith, Stage

5pm // Farah Angsana, Studio

6pm // Anna Sui, Theatre

6:30-7:30pm // Nomia, Box

7pm // Vivienne Tam, Stage

February 16

10am // Ralph Lauren, 275 Hudson St

11am // Ralph Lauren, 275 Hudson St

2pm // Calvin Klein Collection, 205 W 39th St

3pm // Calvin Klein Collection, 205 W 39th St

Pre-fall 2012. collections review.

After I have seen every single piece of every single pre-fall collection (and that’s a whole lot of clothes ) I finally selected my absolute favorite designer pieces from pre-fall 2012 season, just in time for the new season coming up in just a couple of days.

So here we go… 

ZAC POSEN

Absolutely mesmerizing collection for me, a hopeless romantic and most definitely a princess in my past life...featuring smart waist diminishing anatomical seaming on a wool crepe sheath with designers current obsession being chinoiserie and the idea of creating European couture shapes out of Eastern fabrics. My very favorite was a form fitting olive color bustier dress with floral embroidery, a floor length velvet backless dress with drama-mama matching gloves as well as dramatic red and gentle lavender color red carpet gowns all modeled by gorgeously feminine Hilary Rhoda. All eye-candies indeed!

MCQUEEN

The love of my life brand - McQueen's pre-fall collection, now under the amazingly creative hand of Sarah Burton, featured a number of gorgeous high-necked Victorian gowns; some with embroidered torsos in floral prints, all in black mousseline, pleated smocked velvet dresses with tulips and cropped pants with men’s wear-like tailored jackets topped with white shirts - all absolutely sustained the legend of late Alexander McQueen’s heritage.

BALMAIN

Balmain’s well known fitted pants and jeans had the rips and wholes replaced with embroidery, pearls and crystals, or loose pajama pants paired with oversized men's proportion jackets – all in all, the collection feel was comfy but also sexy which is definitely what market calls for these days: omfort, practicality and multifunction.

PREEN

Amazing prints and comfy, sportswear and effortless chic feel, all in lovely bright colors: orange and aqua blue is what drew me to this collection. These memorable pieces can be worn together and separately, day to evening, which makes the collection quite sellable. Interesting prints stays on couture side while simple cuts and comfortable feel brings the collection to ready-to-wear customer.

ELIE SAAB

With a previous reputation of a red-carpet designer, this Elie Saab collection carried a bit different theam, more down to earth one, featuring some simple suits and dresses in monoton shades with graphic feel and with minimalist approach. Most of the suits and dresses had a modern, simple and elegant cut. I love the nude, body fitted dress for work! 

 SUITS - YSL, GUCCI AND CHLOE

With many designers I have noticed that collections were created with a modern business women in mind. Who I am guessing has money and interest in today’s economy to buy latest but also practical, comfortable and multiwear, classical pieces like these great suits by YSL, Chloe and Gucci. YSL collection had some interesting bow-neck blouses and matching blazers, bringing back the heel with a loafed from its 2005. Spring collection.

On the other hand, Chloe showed interesting pleated trousers with matching shrunken jackets and cropped sweaters, coats with wide rolled-up sleeves on top of skinny pants. Finally, Gucci decorated simple cuts with pansy print, which has replaced black and gold bugle beads.

DONNA KAREN

 Cropped styles came paired with silk tunics and wool jackets with emphasized shoulders. Mrs.Karen also showed coat-dresses, satin jersey with white jacket worn over a bustier-top jumpsuit, and a big black bow. My favorite was a black and white strapless piece, simple, but red carpet worthy on the right lady!

VALENTINO

„In this moment, when everything is so hard—especially in Italy—it's important to give a good dream“– designer Maria Grazia Chiuri said, referring to struggling economy in Italy. Red is always a good choice! The collection focus was immaculate tailoring. It featured small bows embroidered on the net bodice part of the minidress and gentle lace added to chevrons on the top of a long black velvet gown.

All photos source: www.style.com

Just like a tattoo, i'll always have you.

In elementary school and even earlier I was one of those kids with rich imagination who had an imaginary friend and was always drawing something, in addition, I talked a lot and wanted to be in the center of attention all of the times. Awkward mix, I know.

My mother used to let me draw on the walls in our apartment (one room only) because she wanted to let me think outside of the box and develop my creativity (until I started drawing on other peoples walls when we visited, this is when we had a talk about limitations).

Somewhere in high school, when on top of fashion my other passion was basketball, I loved winning and playing in front of people, I mostly enjoyed offense and didn’t like defense so much, I didn’t like the roughness of it, I preferred to shoot (only) and look good while doing it ;) In high school, basketball was my only focus and I didn’t pay too much attention to boys, but when I did, I liked the tall ones, quiet trouble makers with a rebellious rockerish look (not much changed since in that regard) and …I wanted to get a tattoo. The one that has a meaning for me. My dad said: Fine, get it, but first wait for a year to see if you will change your mind. I did, about 10x in a year.

Recently I started thinking about one again, small one, intimate and emotional, with a meaning for me only, the one that is not to commercial, but not too obvious either. I put together an inspiration board to make it easier to decide. I still don’t have 1 or 2 favorite body spots and a drawing. I love all of these. What do you think? Do you have one? Did you regret it?

“You're still a part of everything I do

You're on my heart just like a tattoo

Just like a tattoo, I'll always have you.”

Jordin Sparks