I am extremely happy to be able be the first one to organize giveaway of limited edition ženski rokovnik - company which is the partner of my blog for a while now. In one of my previous posts I have announced this new 2013. edition, so you can read more details about it here.
Ženski rokovnik celebrates its 5th birthday this year after four years of being totally sold out in Croatia. Together with five different new covers in trendy bright colors and one - limited edition fashion designer cover designed by most famous Croatian fashion designer - Aleksandra Dojčinović.
“For our 5th birthday we wanted to dress our rokovnik in most fabulous celebration dress.Choosing Lei Lou for
this occasion was obvious choice for us with her feminine, comfortable and
gorgeously fitting dresses. Lei Lou dress will surely be on the “shopping list” page of each fashionistas Ženski rokovnik 2013.”
Dunja Tadić, ženski rokovnik director
In this post, you can also exclusively take a first look and preview each page of Ženski rokovnik for 2013. imagine my surprise when I first saw that my blog's link was pre-listed in "blogs I follow" section of the planner! I was jumping of joy! :)
3 STEP GIVEAWAY!
Award:You an win one of two limited edition Ženski rokovnik feat. Lei Lou by Alex Dojčinović cover!
Winners will be selected via random.org and will be announced on this blog 2.11. afternoon.
This is international giveaway but planner is in Croatian language.
Duration: 26.10. - 2.11.
In order to participate in this giveaway one must:
1. Like following Facebook pages:
2. Share the link to this post on your Facebook wall.
3. Write a comment to this post with your email address and a link where you shared this post.
For additional entries follow me on Twitter (@la__Kat) and/or share this post on your Twitter.
Ženski rokovnik will be available for purchase on book fair Interliber (13.-18.11.) on promo stand in Arena Centar (25.11. - 25.12.) and starting from beginning of November exclusively in all dm stores in Croatia. The price will be 89,90 kn.
Good luck ladies!
For this post I had a great pleasure to interview a lovely lady photographer, Mrs.Daša Gajić, who contacted me as a follower of my blog and we continued to set a theme for the photographs you will see in this post.
I suggested and Daša agreed to describe a lady through different stages of her life in black and white photography. Daša was kind enough to follow through and put together a lovely portfolio of emotional and real life photos which best desribe a lifetime of a lady in Banja Luka, Belgrade and Venice.
Read through this short interview to meet Daša and her lovely ladies in black and white.
When did you start photographing, do
you consider photography your profession?
Photography was part of my life as far
as I can remember it. I grew up in artistic surrounding, and camera was one of
my first toys. I was part of my first team exhibition when I was 13, but I
never knew or planned photography to become my profession. I was focused mostly
on studying political science, getting my masters degree and with looking for a
“real” paying job, however, my love for photography overcame it all.
In 2010. Photography has become my
profession, while I feel like I learned and grew the most this summer. This
year was an absolute fairytale for me as it comes to photography! My fairytale
continues through this fall as well, true testimonial for this is also this
interview for a fashion blog which I regularly follow and love.
Banja Luka,
Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"This is one
of my favorite street-style photos from Banja Luka, Bosnia.
This lady is
dressed quit stylish,
she is proving that a lady can look elegant even when
riding a bike."
Do you ever think
about fashion when you take photos? How do you define fashion?
I love
fashion, but I don’t follow fashion trends much. Fashion is inspiration source
for me, it is a game, source of joy and integral part of daily life.
As one of
the most amazing fashion designers Dries Van Notes said:
"Coincidence is important,
the convergence of different ideas,
but sometimes you think so much that
at the end it is dead.”
My personal
view of fashion and photography is similar to his, I am trying to find this fine
balance of coincidence and inspiration, I try to enjoy what I am doing, give it
my personal mark and don’t put too much thinking into it.
Belgrade,
Serbia.
"I usually
don’t like to take photos of people from their back, this photo is an exception.
I really like how mum and daughter outfits are matching.
I really think this
little girl will be a true fashionista when she grows up."
Do you think that
a person can learn to be a good photographer or one needs to have that “special
something”?
I think it
is extremely important to learn, to educate yourself, practice and continue to
progress in technical and creative sense. It is very important to follow the
work and learn from other photographers but I also agree that one needs to have
that X factor, “an eye” to catch interesting things at right time on a right
way.
My general
motto is:
“Learn all you can learn, and the forget all you learned so you
could create.”
Venice,
Italy.
"This lady
defines elegance as per dictionary definition.
Her outfit is simple, casual but
sophisticated and balanced."
Do you think that
photography as a format will essentially die out with development of new
technologies and with advance of video format?
It’s hard to say, I
hope it will not, although it is true that more and more photographers are
turning to video format. I still think that the best days of photography are
ahead of us.
Follow Daša's work via her Facebook page and her Streetstyle Banja Luka Facebook page.
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to
fail.”
Benjamin
Franklin
I was delighted to find out that two of my favorite Croatian brands, female planner brand - Ženski rokovnik and luxury Croatian fashion brand - Lei Lou by Alex Dojčinović are cooperating on a limited edition, women only 2013. planner available for purchase already this November, exclusively in dm-stores! Just on time to buy it for Christmas/New Years gift for our girlfriends!
Fashion designer Aleksandra Dojčinović put together an interesting inspiration board for creation of this lovely limited edition cover of Ženski rokovnik.
Photo source: Lei Lou by Alex Dojčinović instagram: @LeiLouByAlex
This limited edition ženski rokovnik cover is launched as part of celebration of Ženski rokovnik's 5th birthday! For five years in a row this unique, customised, women only product has been sold out on Croatian market and is planned to be issued in two times higher circulation in 2013.
Ženski rokovnik is unique planner which is made by women and for women, produced and printed in Croatia and every year updated according to it's previous year users based on comments and suggestions collected on companies Facebook page.
This adorable little planner is different from all other on the market, it has a round mirror embedded into inner side of the front cover, elastic ribbon to hold a pen, it's made in purse friendly size and it's 6 covers including special limited edition one are following latest fashion with their trendy bright colors.
“A goal
without a plan is just a wish.”
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
This year Ženski rokovnik for 2013. is made in format of female magazine with editors letter to introduce you to it's unique new features like: more notes pages, premade lists and reminders like: PMS calendar, reminder and instructions for self breast check, list of books and movies you would like to see, seasonal shopping list, vacation check list, pre-made doctor visits list, favorite blogger list etc.
Other then cooperation with Croatian's most famous fashion designer, company also partnered with Max Factor and with each planner you will get new Max Factor lip gloss and foundation samples.
Stay tuned ladies...there will be more from Ženski rokovnik coming your way ;) Are you still using paper planners? How do you like this one?
Photo: Jure Perišić
Although I support, buy clothes from and follow the work of many Croatian fashion designers, there are a few who really grew on me through years and are really developing into not only creative talents but also a great business people working with many worldwide known brands and companies.
LEI LOU by Alex Dojčinović
This post I am dedicating to my friend, a marvelous business women, practical and creative fashion designer and now a household name in Croatia and neighboring countries - Aleksandra Dojčinović who has developed her brand Lei Lou into a recognizable, luxury go-to brand known primarily by it's comfortable elegance, lovely, simple cut, meticulously tailored dresses with a mysterious dash of sexiness and intelligence to them which women of various ages and body shapes can wear morning to evening daily, while feeling comfortable and confident.
Bellow you can see the romantic inspiration I pulled out of her patterns and fabrics while exploring her collection in the backstage of fashion.hr event for SS 2013. season. In line with Lei Lou brand equity - clothing for real women, Lei Lou capsule collection was modeled by selected Croatian Fashion editors.
When I asked Aleksandra to comment some journalist's statement that she continues to "play it safe" with her collections and she said that "It is the hardest to design a simple dress", which I actually agree with. Knowing her I am sure she can sketch and produce quite comprehensive pieces but as she said: Who would buy it? Who would wear it? - indeed, she wants to design for real women, who get up in the morning and go to work. Lei Lou is here to provide them with all day luxury feel, because this is what ladies deserve.
ENVY ROOM
Another feminine and elegant Croatian brand which I closely follow is Envy Room. Designer duo Vjeko Franetović and Nikica Ivančević can certainly say they know women. Their amazing sense for subdued and mysterious sex appeal has won over the hearts of many women in Croatia and internationally who now became their returning customers.
What I particularly like about this duo is their sense of aesthetics, ability to innovate and reinvent themselves from season to season, generating new trends and bringing fresh approach to Croatian fashion scene inspired by a strong women or particular era in fashion history.
I really enjoy their lacy body hugging dresses with nautical detailing and short peplum from latest collection.
Vjeko and Nikica are indeed just a burst of positive energy and quite a savvy and good looking business man duo, aways well connected personally with their customer through their blog, column, website and social media channels. My favorites are their Instagram: @envyroom and Facebook page.
Envy Room SS 2013.
Envy Room FW 2012.
Photo: Šime Eškinja | Model: Korana Gvozdić
| Make up: Sanja Agić | Hair: Irena Ružić
Which Croatian designers do you follow the most ladies? Who's clothing do you already wear and love?
I get a lot of media requests from various brands to publish some information about their new collections daily, I seldom pick pieces from collections which I really like and present them to you, my lovely lady readers.
After yesterdays post Balancing it all where I was talking about how hard it is for a women today to find a proper work life balance and to find time for herself in her busy daily schedule where 24 hours just doesn't seem to be enough to do it all....I got information about new collection of Clox! It must be a sign! Shoes come to girl''s rescue! In every single fairytale there is a prince, OK, maybe sometimes a horse..but always and I mean ALWAYS there are shoes.
When I was little, you could ask me to tell you back a story about Cinderella or a Snow White and I would not remember the whole story from start to finish and I would probably make it up as I go, BUT I could remember and in details explain and elaborate on her dress, and her shoes.
Once again...as it happens in a fairytale, shoes come to rescue.
CLOX is the first brand of stilettos with working clocks (yes, they tick-tack on your fit). Clock hands are actually legs, running in circles day after day, showing the irony of steps and time and its connection in the life of every modern woman.
Clox collections are produced in very limited editions in a small family-run factory in Croatia, and is available worldwide through the web shop.
Clox woman is never lost. Even when she wanders into The White Forest, she uses her intuition to find the very tree rich in juicy fruits of fashion. Passion Fruit Collection is nothing but a reflection of herself - uninhibited, independent, different. It's made for women who always choose to take the hidden path and dare reach for the forbidden fruit.
Photographer: Mladen Šarić | Model: Martina Marinić | Mia Marić, Igor Manasteriotti
“I, with a deeper instinct, choose a man who compels my strength, who makes enormous demands on me, who does not doubt my courage or my toughness, who does not believe me naïve or innocent, who has the courage to treat me like a woman.”
Anaïs Nin
Even though I just came from a business trip, and I am quite tired after answering emails for a couple of hours now, I still did some house choirs and now, past midnight still felt a need to write this post and I am hoping to get some feedback and comments from you ladies. I really want to know, how do you do it? How do we balance it all?
No matter what your current life situation is, by being a women, somehow you are forced by the society, but also by yourself and your own expectations to balance it all: career, school, work out, make sure you always look good (yes, this takes time),your household, quality time with your boyfriend/husband (while looking good) and maybe kids if you have them. That is A LOT and yes, it can get exhausting.
“No woman really wants a man to carry her off; she only wants him to want to do it.”
Elizabeth Peters
Recently, I had a situation where a lot of things just piled up, I was very physically and emotionally tired, there were big changes happening for me on both professional and personal side as I now moved to a new country and during this transition period I still persuaded myself that I am strong enough to cater to my boyfriend, to get his apartment in order, cook for him twice a day and continue on with my 9-forever pm work schedule which includes my job, my blog and my print column since recently, as well as some smaller tasks which I very much enjoy doing but which still take time.
Even though my boyfriend offered to help me in different ways, multiple times, I refused him without thinking because I can do it all on my own. I honestly though I could. While at the same time building up, slowly but surely resentment towards him for not being more persistent with offering to help me. This is what I realised just when I lashed out at him, saying how he doesn't try hard enough to be a good boyfriend and a gentleman, or to protect me and take care of me sometimes. The truth is, as usual, somewhere in the middle.
To a certain point in relationship, while we were still getting to know each other it was important for me that he knows that I can take care of myself in all possible ways, but that I choose to be a part of the couple, because everything is more fun, easier, more comforting and rewarding when done together. Just as he probably, really, if he loves me, needs to be more vocal about it and show me with not only words but also actions how he feels. Like he said, I should let him help me once in a while.
Most of the times, I think him offering to help would be good enough for me, just to offer, but its not, in my busy work-life schedule, I do need him helping hand and his understanding, in better and worse.
What I really needed to realize is that I do not need to do it all by myself in order to be this great, perfect girlfriend. We could do most of the things together, or he could help me and I should take time for myself to do what I like to do, without a regret or sense of guilt, as this will make me and US happier together.
What I really needed to realize is that I do not need to do it all by myself in order to be this great, perfect girlfriend. We could do most of the things together, or he could help me and I should take time for myself to do what I like to do, without a regret or sense of guilt, as this will make me and US happier together.
“When a woman becomes her own best friend life is easier.”
Diane Von Furstenberg
Did you know that the home country of a tie is Croatia? Indeed, tie used to be a part of Croatian national atire back in the days. Traditional Croatian company known to deliver superiror quality ties, scarves and leather goods - Croata is now modernizing and following trends but staying true to brands origins, Croatian national patterns and motives as well as luxurious materials and hand made stiching they are known and recognized by.
Recently, I had a pleasure to interview the art director of Croata, Mrs. Mihaela Grnović Novaković who told me more about brands creative direction and modern approach brand is taking now in production and promotion.
In one of my upcoming posts you will be able to see multiple ways I wear their star product - maxi luxurious silk scarf as well as some other cool stuff from their collections.
What is your
opinion on how fashion industry in Croatia is developing?
Textile industry in Croatia
and in the world in general is not flourishing now as it was in „golden“ 80's
and beginning of 90's, but growing number and quality of fashion events and
visible enthusiasm of young talented people, designers who work now in fashion
here in Croatia today are definitely promising a better future for this
industry. I actually see social media and bloggers largely
positively contributing to this proces.
Did you ever
contemplate cooperation with any of the young and perspective Croatian fashion
designers?
Croata as you know has our designers;
no we are definitely open for future cooperation with some of the Croatian
designers.
Croata is known and recognized for its overall quality and handmade product. The quality of our product is based exactly on usage of these expensive, luxurious silk fibers in production and finalizing the product with handmade detailing. The process of making a handmade tie is very complex and it requires luxurious fabrics, a lot of experience, brand knowledge and love.
I think there used to be such perception before, more so because of the fact we are using the motives from Croatian national heritage as patterns on our ties and mostly in our special occasion, more traditional collections reserved mostly for weddings.We also offer accesories of fine leather and trendy design.
Do you sell
outside of Croatia as well? How many stores is there in total?
Yes, Croata is sold
internationally as well as on the internet, people are indeed interested and
want to buy recognizable Croatian brand known by its famous motives, historic
brand heritage and quality.
It total there are ten Croata stores and one
Outlet.
How much do
you really follow fashion trends in accessories industry? Where do you get raw
materials for your collections and where do you manufacture?
Of course, we follow world
fashion trends; we visit industry fairs and other fashion events worldwide, for
example in Milan and Paris. We want to be trendy but not in very fore coming
and obvious way like season's hot color or motive as this is not giving brand a
deeper. full story to tell.
We invest a lot of effort in
collection development, from choosing the patterns, production technique,
technological potential and developments of new patterns, final touches and
handmade details with different fibers then base of the fabric etc.
Most of the pieces
in Croata collection are made out of very luxurious and fine silk fibers. We
get raw material from our international wholesale partners but we do all of the
production here in Croatia.
Do you think
that Croata although traditional and well recognized Croatian luxurious fashion
brand is now considered old fashion by general public?
But I do not
think that Croata brand is old-fashion. In contrary, in our new collections you
can still find Croata's recognizable patterns but we have also incorporated
trendy colors and Croatian national heritage elements.
The proof of
this is that we are having more and more younger customers who know what they
want and value the quality our products offer so they go for thin ties with
trendy patterns and colors, trendy and luxurious silk scarves, bow ties in
different colors and patterns from casual tartan to very formal ones.
This season our hero product is large silk scarf made
in couple of different designs, shiny and rich in texture and sophisticated
look which can be worn in number of different ways.
Day before I moved out of
Croatia I had my friend, beauty blogger Ana from Maybe's New Start over for a
short creative session which then extended to a whole day hang out and send off
for me.
Not only we worked together on
a guest post, we were also taking photos, I taught Ana different ways to tie
turban and head scarf while she gave me some quick tips and tricks on how to
apply make up perfectly for different occasions. I was actually surprised on
how much I didn't know and I had so much fun learning from Ana. She really
knows her business.
After our fashion-beauty
session I asked Ana for 5 basic tips on applying makeup, so here they are:
GOOD FOUNDATION.
In order for make up to look
good on you first you need to take proper care of your face. Clean it and
moisturize it daily. If your skin is
oily or mixed never travel without sheer finish press powder or other powder
foundation which will keep the extra sebum (shininess we see on our T-zone
mostly) under control. I use Bobbi Brown – Sheer Finish Pressed Powder (Warm
Natural 6) and for foundation also Bobbi Brown's liquid foundation, Natural 4.
CONCEALER.
After carefully picked
foundation which fits your skin tone, it is important to choose a good quality
concealer. Pick concealer which is one shade lighter from your skin tone and
apply it at the highest spot of your cheekbones and under your eyes, this will give
you fresh and „awake“ look.
With this kind of application concealer
replaces highlighter and gives you more natural look.
BRONZER.
Mat bronzer one shade darker than
your foundation will be perfect for contouring.
Contouring gives your face a whole other dimension which is why investing in
good bronzer is very important. I use Max Factor Sun Frolic (shade: 34) which
won Cosmopolitan Beauty Award here in Croatia last year.
EYE SHADOW.
It is best to start with having good neutral shades of eye shadow as these will go with any skin tones and eye colors. If your eyelids are a bit greasy and your eye shadow sometimes breaks off in little chunks it would be good if you invest in eye shadow primer which is really a foundation for your eye shadow which makes it stay put and it actually makes the eye shadow color more intensive. My favorite palette which Ana recommended and I got is Sefora's best selling pallet – Urban Decay Naked 1.
BLUSH & LIPSTICK.
Blush gives the final touch to your make up routine, best way to apply blush is to smile and apply it lightly and blend well to your cheeks. My favorite blush which I am using all year around is Clinique's fresh bloom allover (colour) in 06 Camilla shade.
Many girls don't wear lipstick daily but apply various colored lip glosses, whatever you choose to use make sure it hydrates your lips and that the color is suitable for your skin tone and the rest of the makeup.
MASCARA.
Ok, this is rather basic.
Everyone uses mascara, but not everyone uses lash curler. Trust me, there is a
huge difference! – said Ana. Definitely invest in good last curler. I am
currently using Cover Girl Last Blast mascara and Mac lash curler.
I was especially looking
forward to learning how to use various make up brushes from Ana. When she
rolled out her brushes on my table I said: Gosh do I need all that! – But
Ana calmed me down with pointing out couple of basic brushes which I can use
for more than one task.
1. FOUNDATION BRUSH.
Do not save on a foundation brush;
invest in a good one because much of the way your foundation looks like depends
on it. The most important is that this brush doesn't soak in to much of your
foundation, that is applies it well.
2. POWDER FOUNDATION BRUSH.
The same as above applies.
This brush you can also use for applying the blush and if you press it with
your fingers it can also be used for contouring.
3. CONCELEAR BRUSH.
If you applied your concelear
with your fingers before, try it with a thin fluffy brush it will make a noticeable
difference, you will be using less of the product and it will look more
natural.
4. COUNTURING BRUSH.
If you do not have a smaller
foundation brush which is often used for contouring, press powder foundation
brush with your fingers to me more precise or you can use a blending brush for eye
shadow as well (4 on picture bellow).
5. EYE SHADOW BRUSHES.
From left to right these are:
pencil brush – brush for precise application of eye shadow, eye shadow brush –
brush for applying of eye shadow on the eyelid, smudge brush – brush for blending
of pencil and eye shadow and blending brush – this brush makes your make up
routine more professional as you will use it to soften up the edges in between
different eye shadows you are using and you can use it for counturing.
With this I really want to thank Ana for her time and patience with me, I had a lovely time and learned a lot!
Do share some of your makeup tips and more about your makeup routine with me, I would love to hear different ways you all do it! I hope you found this guest post useful and will be able to apply some of these tips and create yourself good, strong make up kit just like I did with Ana's help!
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