From the Dam with love

After years of bouncing around Europe,  I'm back where it all began. I guess that in order to

appreciate particular places, you need to get there at the right time. I left Amsterdam as a very young adult, here I am now, almost 10 years later,  much wiser and loving every moment of my life here. 

As I was sipping a glass of chardonnay at T Smalle, an authentic little restaurant sitting right on the canal, I met a Canadian couple, who have been coming to Europe each year for the past decade. I asked them which was their favorite city and they said: "So far - Amsterdam". And you know what, I think I agree with them. 

If you haven't been to the "Dam" yet, make sure you rectify this mistake soon and pray for good weather. Even if you don't love it at first, slowly the intoxicating atmosphere will captivate you.

Amsterdam has become the focal point of a cool young crowd, the weather has been fantastic lately, the bistros are full of people and the city has never been so vibrant. Being the smaller cousin of London and Paris, Amsterdam is the good child. It has everything you need without the pressure of a huge metropolis. And if you ever find yourself missing the pressure, it's just a short train/plane ride away. Meanwhile, enjoy the laid-back swag of the Dam. Other than the suicidal bike-riders, everything seems to run at a slower pace, so grab a cone of fries and get going.

If you ever come to town, hit the cool little stores along the canals and visit some of the bars that have been working since the 17th century. History clashes with modernity and it comes alive in exciting new ways. Make sure you get to experience this and don't waste too much time waiting in line for Madame Tussauds.

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How to Wear Pastels in Winter

Originally written for Bitchy Online UK
Our shoes are still full of sand yet fully aware that summer is fading away, we are already dreading the inevitable frosty weather. While the shades of gray may be predominant outside, these need not be reflected in our wardrobes. Fashion dictates that color is not exclusive to warmer months, it can easility transition to winter however the focus is on delicate soft shades – namely pastel hues. Fashion powerhouses such as Burberry Prorsum, Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana (to a name but a few) have all embraced the tender color palette. 

Whether you opt for lavender, butter mint or blush pink, pastels are a breath of fresh air during the cold season and guaranteed to make a sweet feminine statement. Being a city girl with an edge doesn't mean that you should fully suppress your delicate side. You are not sure whether this trend is the right fit for you? Fear not, pastels are open to personal interpretation. You can brave an all-out pastel outfit, be it monochrome or a delicate combo, or you can mix pastels with more conventional autumn/winter colors; you can pump up your neutrals with a touch of candy and you can lighten the harsh layers. Add an oversized pastel coat to an all-black outfit and you are ready to hit the streets radiating warmth and happiness.

If, like me, you are tired of wearing dark colors during winter, you can pair your pastels with …. more pastels or nudes and the end result will provide a wonderful contrast to the bitter weather outside! When it comes to pastels, like anything else, you have to find the perfect balance and style your outfit carefully. Since your goal is to shine on the street and not snuggle in a baby nursery, you may want to avoid too literal interpretations of the trend such as mixing baby blue with pink, for instance. Don't forget to accessorize - rose gold works great with this particular color palette!  

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A day at the beach

Originally Written for  Bitchy Online UK


Hello, August!

After months of working hard, it's the peak of the most glorious of seasons and time to play hard. Sensible people might argue that it's too late for investing in new beachwear but we believe that reinventing your wardrobe is always a good idea.

Beach time is the immediate association that pops in mind while thinking of summer. It's this precious time of the year when we soak up the sun, countless mojito cocktails and perhaps the longing gazes of half-naked strangers.

Whether you are lazying it out on a yacht near the French riviera , building sand-castles with your little nephews, or anything in between, the opportunities to look fabulous are endless. You can undress yourself in a million ways and let your point of view shine. Whether you brave a one-piece or opt for the safe bandeau bikini, remember that attention to detail here is as important as anywhere. Clever accessorizing can add versatility to your look, to ease the transition from sunbathing to evening cocktails at the beach. Add a pair of hand crafted sunglasses and a straw hat and there you have it – an instagram-worthy outfit.

The beach is the ultimate summer runway however it's one of the fun variety. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your playful side so arm yourself with a colorful towel and a few inflatable animals before you venture outside. 
Since we are spoiled for choice, don't feel bad if you can't make up your mind about your beach essentials. Inspiration is found everywhere and if the turquoise waters, powdery sand and palm trees can't inspire your wardrobe enough, you can always sneak a peak at the instagram accounts of our favorite it girls for some quirky ideas.

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Island Adventures

Another trip has come to an end. It is bitter sweet that travelling phenomenon, there's always something you'll miss forever once you leave yet another place. 

I can't deny, after another marathon of driving car rentals,running through airports and sleeping on questionable hotel sheets, I appreciate being back to the comfort of our faithful Merc, couch and the barking of an easily excitable pug. 

This trip was extra special because it involved going back to Greece, which had become my homeland for the duration of the past decade. I stand firm in my belief that "home" is a matter of choice and for me this land of sun, sea аnd scattered vegetation certainly qualifies as such.

Even though I've lived in Greece for years, there's always something new to see and another island to explore. 

This time we drove to Athens, which is quite a journey in itself, involving a 1000-km-trip, crossing the entire country. There are dangerous turns and marvelous views of the sea, simply put, I'd recommend this journey to a friend. 

I have to admit, Athens may be the cradle of Western civilization but it's not among my favorite cities. Nevertheless, there is a good reason I love to go back to Athens: F-O-O-D! My favorite little restaurant, Sardelaki, is right there, in the heart of Glyfada. I guess I'm growing wise (sounds better than old), since food is a top priority of mine and culinary tourism is always on top of my list. If you are ever in town, stop by for possibly the best sardines you'll ever taste. 

As you can imagine, I didn't drive for 1000 kilometers  just for the sardines, as good as they were. Athens was just a brief stop on the way to the strangest place I've ever visited - the island of Karpathos. After an hour of flying over the Mediterranean, we reached a windy island, devoid of vegetation, blessed (or cursed) with an unique topography.
This is an odd place where the main inhabitants seem to be cats and goats. There is so little going on, time is standing still (or least it's passing really really slowly). If I had to come up with a single-word definition of a "traditional Greek island", I'd say "Karpathos".

Navigating Karpathos is a challenge even for the most experienced drivers. Greeks aren't famous for being too safety cautious and this is evident in the picturesque yet dangerous roads, carved along the cliffs that encompass the entire island. I'd attribute the relative lack of accidents only to its minuscule population size (just above 6000 inhabitants) and its remote location, which discourages the less adventures traveler.

I was sad to leave this strange place and I'd love to return, despite my resolution not to repeat destinations. Karpathos is certainly not for everyone. Somehow the surrounding sea has shielded the island from the outside world. There is little trace of the modern industrial civilization, restaurants are family-run, their products are home-grown or they rely on  the catch of the day to feed their customers. You can drive for quite some time, without meeting another vehicle, without meeting a soul, actually (if you don't count the goats that roam the cliffs).
Gazing at the dramatic lunar paysage, offset by the sea, which shimmers in million shades of blue, you may find yourself engulfed in purifying solitude. This tiny self-contained cosmos may be just an hour away from the bustling Athenian metropolis but it resembles nothing familiar. For this reason you may love it or hate but it won't leave you indifferent.

 

      

 








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Bring on the gingham!

With the coming of spring, gingham has taken over the spotlight and ended the reign of plaids.

The charming checked prints may invoke countryside connotations but this need not be the case anymore. Major household names from Derek Lam to House of Holland to Balmain have revamped this timeless classic and turned it into the new stripe.

History serves to prove the versatility of gingham. We can channel the sweet innocent “Americana” from the Wizard of Oz or better yet – the untempered sex appeal of Bridget Bardot. Actually, her look with a full skirt, paired with neutral black and flats couldn't be more time appropriate today. Perhaps due to this latter reference, gingham is reminiscent of Parisian chic and a taste of summer.

Forget the associations with picnic, table cloths and boarding schools. The new gingham with exaggerated prints in fresh colors has a modern touch to it, with just the right amount of nostalgia for the glorious 50s and 60s. It has certainly gone trough a fashion makeover since Dorothy but it has retained its youthful DNA. Trend setters such as Olivia Palermo and January Jones rock the retro vibe in a modern cool-girl-way.

Gingham comes with an additional advantage – you can find it on everything. If you are not sure whether this trend is for you, you can still enjoy a fashion moment with gingham espadrilles, a purse or even sunglasses – the opportunities are endless. I however am on full on gingham mode and prefer to dive into the trend with cool separates – from t-shirts and bomber jackets to full skirts and pants. Served in the right amount, the cross-hatched lines will take you to the streets of a bustling metropolis, rather than to Kansas or rural France.

Gingham prints can be small-scaled of exaggerated. The former is easier to style because it blends from afar. The larger print is certainly more out there and represents a challenge but also an opportunity to truly flash your styling credentials. Pair it with a solid color or be bold and add … more gingham, channel the S/S runways and mix patterns.

It is time to de-minimalise your wardrobe. If you can overcome the associations with school uniforms, you are free to experiment with gingham and let your unique personal style shine trough the checkered print.

p.s. This is straight out of Bitchy Online UK:  it's a great new London-based online magazine. You can find the original article here.

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Hipster Alert: Illesteva sunglasses

Summer mode is fully activated and if you haven't already invested in a cool pair of shades, there is no better time to do so. Even if you have, your eyes will probably appreciate some extra coverage, especially if it happens to be fresh, edgy and ready for some serious beach fun. So do yourself a favor and check out Illesteva.

Designed in hipster paradise NYC and handcrafted in Italy and France, Illesteva are on par with other luxury brands but they are...better. With only 50,000 instagram followers, they belong to a relatively unexplored territory. There was never a better opportunity to make a fashion statement with your shades. Sunglasses, are normally quite conventional, after all, how much imagination can you fit in something so tiny, yet somehow Illesteva manage to push boundaries.

If you are a jet-setter, gearing up for Ibiza or still contemplating Coachella, you've probably heard of them anyways and I am a few years too late.

Illesteva was founded in 2009 by the New York-based designer duo Daniel Silberman and Jus Ske. Drawing inspiration from their downtown environment and background in design, music and photography, they create pieces that are the epitome of contemporary edge. The duo experiment with funky shapes and materials like acetate, bamboo, titanium and natural buffalo horn. This combination ensures a timeless result that you may enjoy forever, provided you keep them in their leather hard case.

Illesteva is already gathering a fateful fan crowd, celebrity enthusiasts include Beyonce, Rihanna, Katy Perry and own very own Alexa Chung, just to name a few. You can find them online at illesteva.com and thank me later.

p.s this little article got published in Bitchy Online UK - a really cool new online managize, which is intended as an entirely girly zone. Check it out! The original article is here

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