Inspiration time

I’d like to share with you a small moment filled with inspiration that is part of my favorite self tradition - to take some me time and get recharged and inspired. And what inspires me? Art, always. It could be a drawing, movie, song, photograph, also a magazine page with some kind of innovative graphic design composition or a great piece of writing. It could even be a nice fragrance or a great fashion item especially when I’m watching a runway show because so much design work and ideas and creativity is put in literally any product or project - it’s astonishing. Basically art inspires me to make more art. And it’s a vicious circle of art that I adore.

I usually use my days off work to enjoy and explore quality art and also create some pieces of my own. Last week was no exception and I made my best to devote time to my favorite things. And here are some photos I’d like to share with you.

I have been in love with Vogue magazine since forever. I remember when I was very little and couldn’t read the articles but I loved flipping through my mom’s magazines and getting lost in the beauty of the photographs.

Chanel is a brand I truly love. It’s minimalistic classy concept, the strong women image they represent and empower, Coco’s eternal style, Karl’s new wave of trends - just everything! Whenever I am looking for some fashion inspiration, I know I can trust Chanel in everything. Just look at their couture collections and ads, pure perfection.

David Bowie is one of my favorite artists ever and the reason I say artist is because this man is literally a complete Universe of his own - form his music to his style choices and concept album work and stories, definitely a remarkable individual.

And the best way for me to arrange the inspo space was to add a bit of a mood board feeling with the photos. If you’ve been following me and my blog for some time, you already know that I am a big fan of mood boards. Well that’s because having a visual atmosphere builder that sets the mood is always welcomed and in this case the retro vibe sure is strong.

This actually resulted in me writing two rather jazzy songs which are not my usual style and made me feel that I am broadening my songwriting choices which I find amazing. Hopefully some songs are going to be ready for you soon because I already cannot wait to share them. 🖤

How about you? What inspires you? Do you enjoy creating art and of yes, what type of art?

- Nicole

Любими трендове от 2018 г. - @arockchicklife, @marie.andreeva, @mariamonny

Ретрото - @arockchicklife

Този тренд продължава вече доста време. По-скоро през 2018г. много ясно го виждахме с различни прояви - от атмосферата на местата, където си пием кафето, дрехите, които носим, музиката, която слушаме и все по-често медиите, които следим, за да сме информирани – от социалните мрежи, та до списанията. (П.С. дано от вас има и други освен мен, които още обичат старомодно да четат списание и да разглеждат снимките в него, защото според мен и тук, както и при книгите – изживяването е много различно и по-пълноценно на живо. )

Та защо неусетно сме заобиколени от всичко ретро? Ами, защото трендът за връщане към ретрото е популярен от няколко години, но можем да го видим в пълния му блясък точно сега. Всички модни марки, трендсетъри и дизайнери още веднага започнаха работа в тази насока, но отне време да затвърдят интересни решения с ретро привкус в поне няколко години. И сега ретро дрехи, аксесоари и мебели са буквално насякъде, накъдето погледнеш. Това пък води до супер много направени ретро покупки и докато се усетиш някоя приятелка е сложила ретро барета, а гаджето ти си купува ретро винили.

На първо място при въвеждането на тренда малко по малко, дори анти-ретро хората имат време да свикнат и да ги привлечем към тъмната страна хаха. И така ги печелим с някоя ретро корица на книга, плакат или музикален клип, а после идват първия кожух със светла подплата, някой пост с vintage ефект и готово! :D

Освен това ретро трендът се появява в комбинации с нови модерни тенденции и често е само в детайлите, заобиколен от други изчистени минималистични тренди неща. Така е в дизайна на много мебели и съответно в новите визии на кафета, места за ивенти, книжарници и други готини места, където често ходим.

Да не забравяме и важната подробност, че трендовете са най-често водени и налагани от младите хора. Тук разбира се броим всеки, който се чувства млад и се интересува от култура, изкуство, технологии, мода и т.н., но като цяло това са най-активните хора, и в социалния живот и в професионалните си проекти, които много споделят с приятелите си, обсъждат в социалните мрежи и понякога дори заради професиите си са в ситуацията сами да създават съдържание за медии, дизайн и изкуство. Така трендът навлиза чрез техните интереси, а те бързо бързо го разпространяват навсякъде. А защо те го харесват толкова и „му помагат”? Ами ако се замислим точно за тези хора, които сега са в разгара на кариерата и социалния си живот, леко ретро нещата винаги са приятен спомен за по-младите години или детството и затова са им любими.

Така е и за мен! Смятам, че това е един от най-готините трендове от много време насам. Така че дайте ми да гледам f.r.i.e.n.d.s. и Clueless, да си нося Bowie тениската и сакото с едри копчета, да си чета The Little Book of Chanel и да си мечтая замретро Leica като тези на Brad Pitt, Jude Law и Miley Cyrus.  

- Никол @arockchicklife

Без правила - @marie.andreeva

Ах, тази 2018-та... 

Това определено е година, която ще запомня! При това не само със сърдитото време и неспирните валежи, но и със свободата, която вирее навсякъде. 

Толкова много свобода да бъдем и да правим това, което на нас нас ни харесва! 2018-та определено е годината, чието единствено модно правило беше и все още е -  “Без правила”! 

Не съм очаквала да видя bicycle pants под формата на ежедневно облекло, отворени обувки с чорапи или пък пластмасови шапки, но честно казано - харесва ми! 

Не обичам да се ограничавам и фактът, че най-модерното нещо, което можеш да направиш това лято, е просто да бъдеш себе си, ме радва безкрайно много! 

Ако все пак обаче трябва да говоря за любимите ми неща, които преоткрих тази година, няма как да не спомена плетените чанти и изчистените дълги, ленени рокли! Не знам какво толкова откривам в тях, но може би е точно това, че са просто...обикновени.

Винаги ми носят онова приятно чувство на чистота, семплост и комфорт, и ми напомнят за дългите летни вечери, изпълнени с романтика и красота! 

Не мога да не спомена и факта, че все повече брандове, големи и малки, започват да произвеждат дрехи от рециклирани материали и като цяло да обръщат повече внимание на околната среда, което, разбира се, ме радва безкрайно много

С по-малко думи, за мен лято 2018-та беше една красива, модна приказка, бликаща от индивидуалност и свобода. С една дума - любов! 

- Мария @marie.andreeva

Pastels - @mariamonny

На фона на всички странни разбираеми и неразбираеми тенденции през последната година, има нещо, което не умира вече няколко лета подред, а това са именно пастелените цветове.

През последните 5-6 години гардеробът ми мина през страхотна транзиция от all black през all nude до супер шарен и цветен през лятото, с преобладаващи пастелено розови и сини нюанси и ярко червени, зелени и жълти. Макар никога да не съм се водила от глобалните модни тенденции, не мога да отрека, че се влияя от някои решения на любимите ми инфлуенсъри и трудно устоявам на някои неща, когато всички започнат да ги носят (пустите широки флорални панталони...).Затова е много win-win ситуация, когато на мода стане нещо, което и без това обожавам и нося постоянно.

От години обожавам ментата — дори стените вкъщи са такива — а бледо синьото и бледо розовото са предпочитани от мен цветове не само през пролетно-летния сезон (въпреки че по принцип изобщо не харесвам розовото, в момента имам розова раничка, яке, портмоне и любим панталон) Деликатните сладникави прасковени и розови цветове това лято бързо се превърнаха във fashion statement.

Разбира се, на седмиците на модата през пролетта именно тези цветове бяха акценти на всички подиуми, а много скоро пастелените цветове се превърнаха в тема на деня и във всички модни журнали. Когато обаче съчетаеш пастелените цветове с тропически мотиви, откриваш цяла нова вселена от възможности за цветови комбинации и аутфити (можете да видите какво имам предвид в инстаграма ми – @mariamonny)

Пастелените цветове ми носят много лятно настроение и спокойствие, не си падам по крещящи и натрапчиви цветове (освен червеното) и затова винаги те са били преобладаващи в живота ми (не само в гардероба). Вярвам, че много често една прасковена рокля и ментова чантичка могат да привлекат вниманието много повече от някой ярък цвят, без да бъдат крещящи и натрапчиви.

- Мария @mariamonny

---

Благодарим ви, че прочетохте нашия троен пост, а сега е време да чуем кой са вашите любими трендове от изминалата 2018-та година в коментарите. :)

Let's talk about why girl power matters.

Just a word or two from me about the positive changes in society. ♀ ♡

So let's talk about sex, one of the sexes in specific. Women.

I don't know if you know but we are currently making history. We are living in a time when we're witnessing an almost never seen before wave of empowerment and women supporting women. Which is INCREDIBLE and I just feel so lucky to have a chance to witness it. And what's even better - to contribute to it. Because YASSS sis, you rule, you rock, you can do it, you're strong, you're pretty, you're smart!

Since the dawn of time we've been seeing and experiencing the classic - women tear down women. In any way: in movies, in songs, at school, at work, in life, everywhere - and it's been awful.

But why the damn hell? Why have we chosen to show this? To do this? Why did we as a society ever even create this trend? Since it's just crap!? It has been a major deviation from good and meaningful existance. Thank God we finally found our way out. Through honest pure friendship and support!

So I dare you: call, shout, whisper, text something supportive to another woman! Now! 3,2,1.. progress! <3

- Nicole

Why we should stop being "busy" ♥

Do you know what it is? This a sunrise you miss out while being too "busy"preparing for work, eating breakfast, scrolling through your social media.

Do you know what it is? It can be anything. That one thing you regret missing out. Come on, there's at least one that comes to mind immediately.

Think about all the things you are missing out because you're too busy doing something else which is pretty often more or less meaningless. We've all been kinda stuck in this Fight Club quote lately "We buy things we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't like."

We have started talking about being busy as if it's something great. We have started showing off with not having enough time for something. And we pride ourselves in this, which is the worst. We feel important and valuable, we feel needed here and there, we feel that our lives are full of things. And at the same time we're also kinda honestly sorry that we skip parties, don't call our friends as often as we want to and we don't have "me" time.

You, me, all of us. I'm glad to have finally saw it, and I'm decided to finally fix it.

Because why the hell do we do it? We do it. It's all on us. If there's someone who can change it, it's us. Stop filling up your to do list, tell your friends you miss them, meet them, now, skip a task to go out for a walk, leave your phone at home, wake up earler and have our cup of coffee while watching the sunrise, walk barefoot in the park, watch an oldtime movie. ♥

- Nicole

My new favorite place to shop - NYX Cosmetics

The first ever NYX Cosmetics store in Bulgaria, Sofia opened doors last month and it quickly became one of my favorite places to shop. With great affordable prices and amazing products that I’ve been dreaming of for so long, it sure couldn’t be any better. <3

I couldn’t attend the grand opening of the store since I was at work all day but I made sure to visit it as soon as I could in the weekend. And let me say my visit went very well and took more than an hour haha because I just fell in love with everything and couldn’t stop looking around.

Let’s start with the cool videos playing on the screens inside and outside the store that feature some super talented and Insta famous makeup arists for example my favorite girl Leigh Dickson. Next thing to mention – all the products were so cool and I swear I’ve never seen more shades of makeup ever in my life. Although I still haven’t tried as many as I would like to, I surely will so stay tuned haha.

I bought some very useful and quality products that you’ll see in the photos below. And I also got a contour palette as a present because there was a promo campaign after the opening of the store. I’ve never contoured before because I’m not really into that trend but I occasionally use the highlighters and I like them a lot.

Thank you for reading guys. :) I’d love to hear your opinions on the store so make sure you share them in the comments.

Also do you like NYX in general? What is your favorite NYX product? What other makeup and comsetic brands do you use?

- Nicole

Easy last minute Halloween costume ideas

Not all Halloween parties call for a super expensive and impressive "I'm a special effects specialist who invested a hundred dollars in my costume" kinda look. Sometimes it's just a home party or a squad hang out and you want to come up with a pretty cool costume idea that is also both easy and cheap. And here comes this post to help you out on your important mission.

Below are 4 simple last minute Halloween costume ideas that you already have in your closet. All you need for a great look is to creatively combine some clothes and add some makeup.

Vampire

A trendy and simple take on the classical favorite would feature any black badass outfit. If you have something even slightly vintage looking that's a win but just a little black dress would also do the job. To finish the look add some makeup - smokey or cat eye, red lipstick, some fake blood and fangs and you're ready to party!

Rings: H&M

Liquid lipstick: Essence

Eyeliner: Maybelline

Minnie Mouse

I made this cute headband a couple years ago inspired by the ones they sale at Disneyland. It was a fun diy project, I really love how it turned out and I'm happy to wear at any given chance. I paired it with an outfit in red and black but it'd look even better with a polka dot top or dress.

Leather skirt: Terranova style

Nail polish: golden Rose

Lip pens: H&M

Eyeliner: Maybelline

Party at Gatsby's

Seriously everybody's favorite since the 2013 movie. I can't count how many people I've seen dressed in a 20s inspired outfit for Halloween or some themed party. And the fact that this cool look is so easy to pull off and affordable makes things even better. Any lace, sequined or fringe dress or a dress + top combo works and you can get creative with accessories.

Lace dress: Shein

Seqined top: Terranova style

Wednesday Addams

When we talk Halloween and spooky stuff Wednesday is one of the first characters that pop up in my mind. I love this outfit because it's super easy to recreate and at the same time you know everyone will recognize the character in like 2 seconds because it's a cult movie we've all seen many many times. And let me tell you the red nail polish + black lips combo is a dream come true for everyone who loves make up so have fun with it.

Skirt and blouse: H&M

Nail polish: Golden Rose

Lipstcik: Essence

Eyeshadow: Bourjois

Thank you for reading and I hope my ideas will help you look great this Halloween. Make sure to tell me if you used them as inspiration, what you dressed up as and how you spend Halloween in the comments below!

- Nicole

4 ways to style and wear a band t-shirt

Here are some fresh, trendy and easy to recreate looks. Hope I'm helping you style a great band tee outfit by providing you with some inspo. ❤

#1 Classic black jeans.

Guns n Roses t-shirt: Hottopic. Customized and cut by me :P

Black jeans: H&M

Boots: Tally Weijl

Choker: Dollskill

Earrings: ASOS

Rings: H&M, Forever21, Orsay

Watch: Marc Jacobs

#2 Denim and shorts.

Guns n Roses t-shirt: Hottopic. Customized and cut by me :P

Denim jacket: Calliope

Boots: Tally Weijl

Choker: Amazon Fashion

Vintage Backpack

#3 Badass leather shorts.

Guns n Roses t-shirt: Hottopic. Customized and cut by me :P

Leather shorts: H&M

Boots: Tally Weijl

Choker and Bracelets: Amazon Fashion

Rings: H&M, Orsay

#4 Trendy skirt

Guns n Roses t-shirt: Hottopic. Customized and cut by me :P

Velvet skirt: H&M

Boots: Tally Weijl

Necklace: H&M

Earrings: ASOS

Rings: H&M, Forever21, Orsay

Watch: Marc Jacobs

I've been loving band tees long before it was cool and all over the internet. Now I walk around the street and there are so many teen girls casually wearing Nirvana or Arctic Monkeys tees and it's totally cool for everyone around. But let me tell you it was not that easy to pull off such a look like 10 years ago. After the 80s band craze and everybody rocking band tees all the time it gradually became less and less popular to wear them.

So there I was trying to come up with a cute band tee outfit idea in the 00s. The only people to wear band tees a lot were real metalheads, mostly men and teenboy squads, and it was not really common to see a girl wearing a band tee. Respect to all the few brave girls who proudly started this trend together with me! So yeah, it was a pretty hard task for me to rock a band tee without getting some surprised looks. Who cares tho. It was fun and I was often pairing the outfit with loud rock coming from my earplugs.

But now that it's popular and trendy to wear band tee outfits I gotta say I feel like a queen. AC/DC shirt and a leather skirt? Yes! Stones tee and high heels? Yes please! Every choice is a good choice and the braver the combo the better the outfit.

- Nicole

Alice, welcome to Dolce & Gabbana land (Milan fashion week S/S 2018)

Fragrances: Versace, Calvin Klein, Betty Berclay, Nine West

Nail polish: Golden Rose

Sunglasses: H&M

Rings: H&M

Bag: Michael Kors

Last Sunday Dolce & Gabanna's new collection blessed the runway at #mfw #Milanofashionweek in Milano with royalty vibes, bold prints, metallic elements and overall beauty. Not only did all the outfits look great, but all the details were breathtaking. So I can guarantee you we'll be having a red+gold+queen glam spring and summer of 2018.

Lace, embroidery, sequins and shiny jewelry were the signature characteristic accents of the new collection of the brand. Game card and royalty references were everywhere to be seen - from the runway stage design to the choice of hairstyles and makeup. Dolce & Gabbana rocked the social media game with the #DGQueenOf❤️ hashtag. I watched the whole show live on Instagram and I liked it so much that I seriously couldn't help but rewatch it like twice later haha :)

Here are some of my favorite looks although I can honestly say that all the outfits looked stunning.

Dolce&Gabbana Spring Summer 2018 Women's Fashion Show. #DGSS18 #mfw #DGQueenOf❤️

A post shared by Dolce & Gabbana (@dolcegabbana) on Sep 25, 2017 at 9:50am PDT

Dolce&Gabbana Spring Summer 2018 Women's Fashion Show. #DGSS18 #mfw #DGQueenOf❤️

A post shared by Dolce & Gabbana (@dolcegabbana) on Sep 24, 2017 at 6:07am PDT

Dolce&Gabbana Spring Summer 2018 Women's Fashion Show. #DGSS18 #mfw #DGQueenOf❤️ #DGLuciaBag

A post shared by Dolce & Gabbana (@dolcegabbana) on Sep 25, 2017 at 8:04am PDT

Dolce&Gabbana Spring Summer 2018 Women's Fashion Show. #DGSS18 #mfw #DGQueenOf❤️ #lamoreèbellezza

A post shared by Dolce & Gabbana (@dolcegabbana) on Sep 25, 2017 at 5:53am PDT

Dolce&Gabbana Spring Summer 2018 Women's Fashion Show. #DGSS18 #mfw #DGQueenOf❤️

A post shared by Dolce & Gabbana (@dolcegabbana) on Sep 25, 2017 at 8:54am PDT

Looking back at today’s show #DGQueenOf❤️ #DGSS18 #mfw

A post shared by Dolce & Gabbana (@dolcegabbana) on Sep 24, 2017 at 10:53am PDT

Dolce&Gabbana Spring Summer 2018 Women's Fashion Show. #DGSS18 #mfw #DGQueenOf❤️

A post shared by Dolce & Gabbana (@dolcegabbana) on Sep 25, 2017 at 5:54am PDT

- Nicole