Kindness is the new black.

"The world is a dangerous place not because of those who do evil, 

but because of those who look on and do nothing." 

                                                                          Albert Einstein 

  This week, as many other I found inspiration for my blog post in regular people's every day acts of kindness which are multiplying as economies around the world tumble down with rapid speed and those at power fail to think of us, little people and continue to think of profit, self gain and failing regulations and processes claim they must follow. 

So while church in Croatia is spending money on advertising to stop basic sex-ed in schools and not allowing homeless people to find shelter in "God's house" so they sleep under the ATM's and on cold park benches; government officials are debating on who's fault it is that snow hasn't been cleaned so disabled neighbor in a wheelchairs with no glows cleans the slow with a shovel, every day people started to pay more attention and take action for their fellow humans in need.

In many  interviews I did journalist asked me to classify this page, my blog as fashion or lifestyle/personal blog and my answer has always been the same, for me, fashion is a lifestyle and my lifestyle includes all life experiences that I go through, my observations of the current environmental, social and political situation as well as love lessons and lyrics that I write thereafter. 

For me, fashion is a form of activism and it should never fail to raise it's powerful, fabulous and creative voice, their following and the power of social media to bring attention to important matters and CALL TO ACTION in order to mobilize and motivate the masses to help those in need. 

“If you wait until you can do everything for everybody, instead of something for somebody,

 you’ll end up not doing nothing for nobody.”  

Malcom Bane

More specifically...here is the most recent case to illustrate my point:

SHOES SIZE 46

 last week in Croatia man who was disabled in war and was short after forgotten by the same country he helped to defend wrote a short note on a little piece of paper and left it on the buss stop in his neighborhood: "I am disabled and poor, if somebody has used shoes size 46, please let me know." One lady who saw his message shared it on Facebook, I as many others shared the same photo. A friend of my boyfriend asked me to call this man so he can donate one of his shoes, so I did. The men seemed a bit shy, he thanked me at least five times and he joked on his own expense, saying how he doesn't feel like Cinderella any more as he got three pairs already.e Facebook page was soon created by the lady who took the photo to help others in similar need of clothing, home appliances and shoes.

Most of the people who are in a desperate need of help like this don't have Facebook or Internet for that matter so the best thing would be to look around you, just look around every day and if you can - help. 

By help I don't mean that you give cash or coins to every single person who begs for it at the corner but take extra clothes from home or other things you don't need, expecially now during Winter cold, look that person in their eyes rather then looking away and passing by them, smile and hand them as a gift what you don't need anyways. Trust me, giving will feel like the gift to you as well!

Did you already help or join any of the organizations to volunteer your time our donate your used clothes or household items ladies? 

I SPY: Fashion alter-ego, Split.

Dina Lijić reporting from Split.

One of my blogs loyal followers and amazingly successful young women currently studying in Italy reported from a very cool event which took place this week in Split, Croatia.

Today, in Split, Croatia the biggest to date Modni Alter Ego/Fashion alter-ego was organized. 

The concept of this fashion event is to present young fashion and accessories designer talents at the informal venue such as coffee or a bar where people could have coffee or a cocktail and meet a friend all while browsing through latest creations of young designer creative forces.

Some of the brands/designers present were: Pink Pig/Chiara izrada nakita/Majin proizvod/Oh, Tiger/TT/Picole Ateljer/ Yo Soi Juanita/Bartolino Hobby Art/Chaindelier/PinPin Bags/ Decoupage stari pazar 3-6/THC/REC&Klaž/Duju design. 

As part of this Fashion Alter-ego event, second-hand clothing and accessories exchange also took place where people could trade or sell their regretted „impulse buys“. 

Dina managed to find couple of amazing pieces here including leather skirt for only 40kn as well as blue short summer pleated skirt for only 30kn.

Split is usually the city which lives mostly during summer season and it falls in winter sleep mode during fall and winter so it is quire refreshing to know that this kind of events started to take place in these out-of-season months of the year. We are excited to see more of such amazing events which are popular among younger generations both in offering and price!

I SPY: Dubrovnik.

Like all the other events in our relationship, meeting my boyfriend parents was no ordinary event.

One of my boyfriend’s best friends invited us to his wedding which was taking place in Dubrovnik where my boyfriend is from, naturally we were to stay at his parents’ house – so this was a premature meet-the-parents event.

Now, since I was arriving from Zagreb and my boyfriend was flying in from Madrid, I was cutting my attendance at Zagreb’s fashion week one day short to be able to attend this wedding and naturally had to have my hair done as well, so I arrived to Dubrovnik few hours before my boyfriend and his dad picked me up from the airport and I had to met his parents on my own.

When I was still in Zagreb I played it cool, no issue, wasn’t nervous…I purchased small gifts for his parents, I felt ready…but…when I landed to Dubrovnik I was nervous as hell.  Thankfully, the moment I saw his dad (looking just like my boyfriend but with gray hair and older) we went for a coffee, he took me to hairdressers and I was at ease.  His parents are very casual, warm hearted and kind – they made me feel like I was at home right away, I was actually a bit sorry to leave so quickly hehe J

Wedding also went well; my boyfriend was very affectionate and considerate towards me the whole night, knowing I don’t know many people there. Overall I felt comfortable; I met all of his childhood friends and had a lot of fun. We even met two little kids, one was a major fan of my boyfriend and a little girl couldn’t stop playing with my ring and my earrings.

The next morning, again, my boyfriend flew to Madrid early in the day and I stayed until later in the evening alone with his parents. Part of the time I spent with them, as I wanted to get to know them better and part of the time I used to meet a friend in the city and walk around Dubrovnik’s historic old town. 

I bought some sugared almonds, took my camera and went exploring.

 During the walk through the narrow stone covered streets an older guy (the city’s oldest barber) invited me to his barber shop in which he was sitting in and smoking with his two friends and told me the story about his barber shop which is more than 50 years old and about destructions it suffered during the war.

His shop is full of client photos, photos of celebrities who visited, naked girl’s pictures, vintage barber equipment and there were also 4 birdcages with various birds in there. His newest bird was a baby pigeon which fell from the nest. Baby pigeon didn’t have a name, so I named him Koko (the guy refused to name him Papito as I originally suggested, he already has Carlos so he said one Spanish named bird is enough).

Did you do meet – the –parents thing already lovelies? Any cool stories to share? J

Sinfully envious! Ole!

Fresh from print FW 2011. Campaign by young Croatian fashion designer brand Envy Room.

Campaign was shot on Croatian coast and it was inspired by the religiousness of Mediterranean women, Spanish culture, Flamenco, passion and sensuality.

Which one is your favorite look lovelies? I adore the long black maxi dress!

Model: Vedrana Linardic;  Photo by Jelena Balic

Shop the collection in Envy Room boutique. Visit their blog where you can see the exclusive story of making of the campaign or their website & chat with the designers via Twitter or Facebook. Amen!