This is one of those posts when I feel like analyzing every single detail. You might think I don't know how the aquamarine shade looks like, but that's not the case. I've struggled to show you how this dress actually looks but we had no satisfying results- we even took photos on two different days, and yet this shade of blue stuck, if you want to see the  huge difference, you can find the dress online here , it's exactly the shade you see in the 4th picture and I love it!  The dress is from Sheinside and my, how I love their shop, they make such perfect dresses, with a top quality and cut! (Remember when I was the Gatsby Girl? )

And talking about the dress, it took me quite a while to decide whether I should order it or not. How so? You must have noticed that I mostly wear clothes which emphasize my waist, because of my body type. I love the Empire effect, but I jusn't wasn't sure I could wear this type of dress. Still, I'm happy I took the risk, I feel so amazing wearing it, it reminds me so much of the elegant Greek goddesses.  As we're on the Greek mythology topic, I felt like naming my post after Penelope because ever since I was a child I've admired her strenght and determination to wait for her husband for so many years and I've always pictured her wearing a similar dress.

Now , the background you see, that's a whole different story- I wanted to pose in this enchanting dress  in the park near the Palace of Culture in Iasi, it seemed so romantic and right. Unfortunately, I got a call  and I had to take care of buying a gift for a dear friend. Imagine me, running around dressed like this and having no clue on what I should buy! Once I was satisfied with the gift, I ran to the park only to have the most unpleasant surprise- the sun was up! There were no shadows or places for a shoot in the park. I spotted this corner, a restaurant which was facing the Palace and I got an idea- use the mirror effect. In the end, I got my shooting at the Palace, right?

♪ Avicii - Wake me up ♪

This post's song sums up what I should do right now : wake up , because I've been enjoying and indulging myself too much lately, forgetting that I need to blog and pay more attention to a major thing I've started today.

It's just that it's all so wonderful, dolce far niente, that's what I love most about summer and I can't believe this is my last holiday before university!  Take these pictures for example: one month ago I was struggling to find a little time to shoot for my blog dressed in different outfits and now I have had them in my computer for more than a week. I've always dreamed of a maxi dress with a genius graphic print on it, it's just that whenever I found one, I didn't like the cut or how the tones matched my skin. Imagine my surprise when I found the perfect number at ZLZ, an online clothing retailer. And I say 'surprise' not because of the brand (mind you, they have an amazing selection, I could shop on their site for days), but for the fact that a couple of years ago, I would have never imagined I will find my objects of desire on a different continent and have them delivered to my house in such a short amount of time. I love the fact that the tan/nude shade I love so much is like a canvas, and the triagles frenzy begins from there and how easily you can match this dress to many colors.

♪ Beatles - Roll Over Beethoven ♪

I've always liked to learn about iconic movies, events, books, people and music, and that's why, as most teenagers,  I've been trying to assimilate important things from different cultures and historical events. Just like I know the emblematic songs of Bon Jovi, The Rolling Stones, U2, Elvis, Madonna , I have listened a fair share of Beatles. And, as much as I liked the lyrics and the beat I told myself: "They're great, but I cannot see myself going through a Beatles phase". I was, fortunately, wrong, because I can't imagine how I could have missed so many incredible messages and rhythms! I've been listening a little too much of their albums in these past few weeks, without being able to listen to anything else. How does one get out of a Beatles Phase? ( not because I've run out of songs, it's just that I miss going through all the charts - UK Top 40 is my favourite!).

And now- let's talk about the dotted presence in this post. I'm always on the quest for the right white shirt, as I have to wear uniform at school and as I happen to love wearing white. Somehow this number from Persunmall seemed like such a fun way to sport two trends of this season: graphic prints and black&white combination. The quality of fabric is incredible, and I tought I should make things interesting by matching it with my favourite mint-colored jeans and some nude accents.

The result? Well, you tell me :)

I'm one of those people who strongly believe in seizing an opportunity and creating valuable memories, but this spring was just too much! I can't complain, because so many incredible things have happened to me, but it has been too overhelming. So, in the past three months I had my own mantra: "Work hard now, wait for June". You see, I did the maths (that's the thing about a person who has so many hours of math per week: you start to calculate and plan too much!) and I concluded that I will be free this summer only 3 weeks of June and one in July. 

I found myself craving so much for time: and now that's June and I'm done with all my exams, events and trips, I'm not going to rush anything! I already started reading and I finally saw the HBO documentary: "IN VOGUE: The Editor's Eye" and two romantic comedies (I love a good and deep movie, but sometimes you need a little dullness and sweetness in your life!). Funny thing about these pictures, I wasn't going to publish them because they were taken in May, when I had a blissful weekend of slow living. I was reading and I had my Ipad with me (Whaaat? Don't you read best on the stairs? And how can I stay without my Ipad? )and when my mom saw me she suggested we should take a couple photos "for Instagram" - I know, I love her so much for her brilliant ideas and the fact she puts up with my perfectionism!

You can also see my beloved Chicnova tank top, it has the ideal fabric and the details are charming! This is a simple stay at home outfit and I decided to publish it after all because it matches my current state of mind and also because I wanted to show you that I don't wear feminine dresses and wedges 24/7.  Plus, when I see this look I think of the definition that Beth Meredith and Eric Storm gave for slow living:

" Slow Living means structuring your life around meaning and fulfillment. Similar to "voluntary simplicity" and "downshifting," it emphasizes a less-is-more approach, focusing on the quality of your life "

Still, there's one more thing I'd like to address in this post: my opinion towards the book I was reading at that time, "Can we still be friends?" , written by the editor of British Vogue, Alexandra Shulman:

♪ Fergie- A little party never killed nobody ♪

1. Me and my best friend D. in our best friend's car / 2. Lunch with my best friends , had the best sandwich spiced with tons of laughter and joy / 3. My best friend M. just got her licence and she's a natural! / 4. Me and my best friend S. at a fabulous party / 5. Gifts I, my mom and sister got for my father's birthday / 6. New obsession- there's a new cake shop in town!

Photos taken from my Instagram: marymanaila

Oh well, my past two months were so intense I can't quite sum it up accurately for you. A lot has happened, school proved to be more difficult ( I still got one more important test coming up, fingers crossed) , there were lots of parties, trips, changes and even a public speech was involved (thank God I didn't embarrass myself!). Still, there's one thing I'm certain of : I feel thankful! Thankful I've been able to go through so many interesting things, thankful I have my best friends and such a supportive family. I've also come to realize that there's only one year left of high school, which is thrilling and frightening at the same time. 

Now, let us go back to the best friends label for a bit, because I've been promising to blog about it for ages. When I was little I found the notion of  a 'best friend' confusing. It felt like such a privileged and fancy title, such a weight on my shoulders to pick only one person who I can trust with everything.  But what happens when you find 4 girls who are equally trustworthy, fun , dynamic  and who you can completely trust and relate to?  You are once again, thankful (I know it's not Thanksgiving!), you don't question the reasons why you are so lucky, and just try to make sure they know how much they mean to you! 

Oh, and let's not forget an important detail: you have fun! TONS OF FUN! You create memories, you party, you watch all the good movies and discuss all the interesting books because your teenage years and magical and you have to remember them- even the drama, as "we are who we are because a lot of reasons", written  brilliantly in The Perks of Being A Wallflower.

I find fascinating how I have with different things in common with each one of them, and that's why I have to quote C.S. Lewis :  “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”

Do you have more than one best friend? Do you believe there is such thing as a best friend? And, if you finished high school , do you still keep in touch with your friends?