♪ Little Simz- Protect My Energy♪

I would say that part of me neglecting most of my hobbies (including this blog) has been because of the renovation of our new home. It took 16 months to complete, mostly because we didn't have sufficient funds and we had to take it step by step, but also partly because we both dreamed of some specific things, and we had to compromise when we couldn't afford them in the end. Now that it's finally done, I felt like writing a whole series on the subject, because this blog has always served as my personal diary- it hasn't been all about fashion, like it started, it progressed with my trips, art and music opinions, book reviews, and I love that I have gathered so many stories over time, which I can always read whenever I feel like taking a trip down memory lane. 

And what better way to invite you into our home than starting with the room we usually have our guests in: the living room (also known as the room of compromise). This poor room has served as dishwasher holder, dressing room, artist studio- pretty much everything you can imagine over the last year and so. We both had this vision that one wall would have a vinyl & Vogue storage place and we would have the turntables on top so Adrian can mix and play music. Of course we had to adjust our expectations a bit and chose Ikea furniture- and this shelving unit ended up being our main bookcase for so many months, as you can see in the first photo of this post- we stuffed it with our favorite books while the other books were patiently waiting in bags for a proper bookcase. 

♪ Macklemore feat Skylar Grey- Glorious♪

I've been meditating about a lot of stuff lately, but this happens every single fall I have to leave for university. This post is quite symbolic, because here you have the last summer dress I purchased and wore, the last photos I took with my long hair (head over to Instagram @marymanaila to see my new cut) and the last time I had my bff Simona snap photos for the blog..for the next three months. I can't stand the fact my family doesn't live in the same city as I do (gonna miss my god-daughter so much, she just turned 6 months yesterday) and that my bffs are attending college in Bucharest, but I know it in my heart that it's the best path to adulthood. I value the fact I've been on my own for three years, because it meant stepping out of my comfort zone a lot. And that's the key to growing up in my opinion. I will say there's place for improvement, there were many times I chose to buy a Zara dress instead of buying more expensive ingredients for my meal or the other way around...Being a leo, I'm really impulsive when it comes to buying lavish things and every year I promise I'll be more careful with my finances. Let's see if I can do better this year (although, after becoming obsessed with Benefit cosmetics, I highly doubt it!).

There are a lot of things going through my mind, and it all started from reading Lilly Singh's book "How to be a BAWSE" (twice!). She is honestly unstoppable, I admire how she hustles relentlessly, it's honestly the best motivational book I've ever read. I love following her journey on youtube, she truly is the definition of a SUPERWOMAN. Next on, another movie really touched my heart- "Carrie Pilby". I will admit I pressed "play" on Netflix only out of superficial reasons- William Mosley was on the poster (if you watch The Royals, you know what I'm talking about!) but I was so moved about this movie, and about one major part of it in particular: her favorite book is J.D, Salinger's "Franny & Zooey". I highly doubt there is one reader other than my mom who remembers that I wrote one passionate post about this book and even took photos of it 5 years ago haha. I won't give you any more spoilers, but it's one of those cute young adult movies which melts your heart and makes you realize some important things. On a totally opposite note, I also want to talk about the TV show "The Good Place", because for me it was mind-blowing! You think it's your average comedy sitcom, you watch it because you love Kristen Bell and you're intrigued about the concept: in the afterlife, you either make it to "The Good Place" or the bad place and Eleanor(Bell's character) was sent by accident in the good place- hence the drama and impossible situations. The action builds up, and at the end of season one, you get one major plot twist- like "Who is Gossip Girl" level of MAJOR. I should've expected it from the minute I saw Kristen Bell in the cast haha. To me this was so interesting because the creators of the show managed to turn this cute, funny comedy into a dark & deep show. It really puts things into perspective, I honestly recommend it!

Okay, rant about movies&books over, but I really felt inspired and I wanted to share this, maybe it will help you too. Wishing everyone an amazing weekend, although the weather is not really on our side.

My dear readers, are you still there? I'm alive, I'm just burried in homework and with tons of projects on my hands! Being in my last highschool year has been a crazy ride, and it's only been 3 weeks since it started. I don't even have spare time in weekends (I had to cut two hours of studying Biology just to write this, I'm so not getting any sleep tonight!) and I just feel like rambling and writing!! I have discovered so many amazing things in the past month. 

My number one love for this fall is an app which I have waited for such a long time! I don't know about you, but I feel like the internet has completely changed the ways in which we communicate. Whenever I send a message to my friends I think about the third party which might be involved (we are always logged in on  social networks on our smartphones, so it's easy for someone in your life to get access to your secret conversations) and if I can really trust that friend not to tell/ show anyone. I had fallouts many times because I felt like me and my friends should have deleted a talk from our archieve. We even tried talking in encrypted codes, but it was a big mess at some point and we all got the wrong messages. I resigned and started to tone down my thoughts online and prayed for someone to create an app that left no trace behind. Some amazing people seem to have read everyone's mind and created Frankly! You can send text or photos and once you get the message you have 10 seconds to see it and then it's gone- FOREVER. Awesome much?? And it doesn't stop here, you can create group chats which is ideal because you all know I have 4 best friends, chatting together is so much better. Also, picture this- you wrote something stupid and you want to take it back- if the person hasn't seen it, it's actually possible to do this! I've been using this app for several days now and both me and my friends agree it's the one thing that's been missing online for such a long time- the possibility to write down your actual thoughts, emotions, secrets and be.. frank! The great thing is that you can find it on both App Store and Google Play , I use it on both my Ipad and Iphone.

Another cool thing I've discovered- the burgundy sneakers from Nike. I thought a lot whether I should buy them or not, considering they were so expensive but last week I was so tired and anxious I just told myself I need some retail therapy (I'll try to limit on an Oasis scarf next time I get the urge haha). Joke aside, I LOVE them so much, they have this cool fabric inside- feels like I'm wearing slippers! Also new and beautiful- notice my teal necklace, it's an incredible gift I got from two of my friends who visited Turkey. They really know me- you can never go wrong with a statement golden necklace when it's about getting me a gift! Now, about the pile of book/ magazines - I bought them (& many more actually) in September but it's just too much to handle right now- I miss reading, I miss my blog, I miss you !

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:

"I was crazy about The Great Gatsby. Old Gatsby. Old sport. That killed me."

"The Catcher in the Rye"- J.D. Salinger

 I've always loved F. Scott Fitzgerald's work and when I heard of the glorious movie in the making, with such an incredible cast, Prada outfits and the soundtrack by Lana del Rey, I couldn't wait for its release! The movie was artistic, with all the memorable quotes from the book emphasized, the opulence of the Gatsby-esque parties (okay, maybe Gatsby's house was a little too Disney Palace for my taste!) and with a Carey Mulligan who knew how to shape the affected, delicate yet shallow Daisy. I loved their take on Jay Gatsby, although it's not what I've imagined while I was reading the book. The end was a little too long and the use of dubstep and rap songs at the parties was certainly interesting, although I would have loved more music from that period.

I wanted to wear something which would remind of the fabulous period of flapper dresses, short hair always worn with extravagant tiaras and pearls as the number one choice in jewellery. I think I managed pretty well with my hairdo and that bracelet with little pearls. I love my new SheInside dress so much and somehow the pastel shade reminded me of the easiness in Daisy's life until she met Gatsby again. And while we're on dresses and Daisy, please search online (if you can't make it to the movie) all of her Prada outfits, Miuccia Prada will always be my favourite designer!

Now..why name the post "Gatsby Girl" ? Because while I watching the movie, it striked me that I had a few things in common with the optimistic, hopeless romantic Gatsby :
I'm a dreamer. I imagine so many scenes and I analyze the past events a little too much.
I'm ambitious- Although it takes me a great amount of time to decide what I want, once I set my mind to it, it's hard to stop me.
Perfectionist- Okay, I laughed a lot when Gatsby took care of the tea party where he was going to meet Daisy after almost 5 years- the macarons, the anxiety, the overthinking.
I don't like tragic ends in a book, especially when they happen to such an incredible character like Gatsby, but this book is one of my favourite ones and I felt like paying a tribute here.

“How difficult it is to be simple.” -Irving Stone (Lust for Life)

I had the most incredible 9 days with my cousins. Magical, even Florence worthy judging by the fun & crowded program. Not only the new friends, activities and long walks counted (10 km was the longest, I love a big city!!) but also spending time in my favourite bookstore, Carturesti , with a pleasant company for 3 days in a row. Needless to say, I came home broke but with a bag full of books and with a joy which words cannot properly describe!

You know how you can never be happy with what you have? There I was, having so much stuff to do, yet whinning about how I don't have enough time to read my long wanted book, Lust for Life . I have been searching for this book for a long long time, because Irving Stone's biographical books are INCREDIBLE. I think I have blogged about the 'Agony & Ecstasy' which describes the life of Michelangelo because I was astounded by the amount of history and information it gives.

Well, Lust for Life, the book about the life of Vincent Van Gogh not only has both, but also a breathtaking life philosophy. I barely managed to put this book down, and every 20 pages there would be a quote or a line which would open my eyes and make me ponder about 15 minutes. I keep it everywhere around me , it's an absolute masterpiece and it makes me respect the author even more!

I wore this outfit the very first day my chiffon peach shirt arrived! Now, this shirt has everything I ever wanted : the light color, comfy fabric, fancy cut, feminine allure and a feather print!!! Plus, it matches the book haha. Also, how cute are my navy shorts? I only own 2 pair of shorts actually because I prefer dresses for the summer so special thanks to my best friend S. for being brave enough to get these for my birthday!

First of all, I want to thank you with all my heart for the lovely comments I have received on the Anniversary post. I have read every single one, I noticed some new faces( yes, I have a pretty good visual memory) and I'm also happy to see that some readers have gained courage to share their opinions lately!

As for this post, I'm going to write about two things I adore: books and bags. As Jane Brody pointed out,

You always should spoil yourself with a good read, whether it's a interesting book where you learn about some life experiences like 'Frumoasele straine' is or a couple of Vogues which instantly cheer you up. With all this technology and daily problems we tend to neglect reading sometimes, and it is sad because books bring the wellness of our souls.

I also wanted to show you my most loved bag at the moment!! It's nude and it's from Zara. It was so expensive at the beginning but as soon as the sales started my aunt surpised me and bought this for me! I love it because it has the perfect details and color and the quality is just exceptional.

More photos of some magic reads and the bag: