Geras

After each challenging project, I like to offer myself a treat; a small delight that helps me to recharge my energy and increase my creativity levels. This year I chose to only have a handful of bridal custom works and one of them was Christina’s wedding gown. She was a wonderful customer and I am very happy that I was given the chance to create her gown! She also hired me to come on her wedding day to iron and prepare her outfit and I took the chance to make the most of the trip to her wedding location. I choose Geras village to spend the weekend and enjoy the nature to the fullest. It was such a good idea that I already look forward to the next opportunity! Geras and its surroundings are a perfect retreat for anyone looking for tranquility, relaxation and an authentic bond with the nature.

Weekend in Innsbruck

I returned last night from a delightful working weekend trip to Innsbruck; I love this city and I always look for one reason or more, to travel there!

My Autumn Holiday On The Beautiful Gozo Island - Malta, Part 2

In the first part of this post, I gave  a little description of the Maltese islands and what Gozo means to me: an ideal retreat, a charming place and a tranquil escape from all the polluting factors that I face every day in my home town.

My Autumn Holiday On The Beautiful Gozo Island - Malta, Part 1

Gozo means “joy” in Castilian, the language of one of the powers that ruled the Maltese Islands over the centuries. Gozo, or Għawdex in Maltese, was first inhabited around 5000 BC by colonists coming from Sicily and it is known for its scenic hills and fertile land, that made Gozo the center of Maltese agriculture (fruits, vegetables, honey, wine, dairy products).

Interestingly, despite its small population of 37000 and tiny proportions (eight miles long and four miles wide), there are 46 churches on the island, two opera houses and many other places of historical and cultural interest.

Relaxing Holidays in Malta

I’ve spent all my summer / autumn holidays in the past five years on Malta (on the Maltese Islands); a country that I've discovered through my husband and started to highly like from the first moment I set foot on it. Many friends asked me why (again) Malta for a holiday at the sea? Why not Greece or Spain? The answer is simple, here I feel like home, safe, can identify myself with the culture, it’s entertaining but also relaxing, it’s affordable, charming and so special!

I selected some photos from my first eight days of the holiday; the time I’m spending here is so wonderful!

Sights From The Old Armenian District, Bucharest

This month, I had the pleasure to stay for a full week in one of the nicest studio apartments I ever booked on airbnb. I found it on the accommodation platform by pure chance and I felt very happy and positively impressed from the moment I stepped in. I then discovered little details that completed my joy: very quiet, clean, beautifully decorated and cozy! The location, opposite the Armenian church, opened my interest to discover more about the area, of course, I knew it pretty well, as my school was not far from it, but I learned and saw more than before, a world and culture that the Romanians, in general, know little about. 

Creative Work & Holidays In Switzerland

I've just returned from a one week trip to Switzerland, it was my eighth or ninth journey there and as far as I can recall, this one was the nicest, most inspiring and special. I first started to organize the trip in January when I happily received the positive confirmation of a new project.

Early Autumn in Gozo

My Maltese Summer, Part II

Here is the second set of photos from my travel on the two Maltese islands (Malta & Gozo) ! 

Can't wait to be there again :) 

My Maltese Summer, Part I

I am so happy to share with you some joyful, delicious and relaxing moments I lived this summer. Travelling to Malta is always a pleasure but this time it felt more special and homey as we stayed at the same apartment on Gozo, we met friends and saw again familiar places. I loved to visit open air festivals and beautifully organised art markets, museums, handmade products shops and surprisingly, I've discovered two Romanian stores, too. The sun, sand, sea, flora were a bliss, the weather not too hot and the smells, spices, and tastes were particularly special. I met amazingly friendly people and, who knows, I might even start a very nice & creative collaboration with two shops.

Discovering Sliema: Camilleriparismode

Camilleriparismode is the most artistic, tasteful, original and generally gorgeous showroom and store for furnishings and lifestyle products I’ve ever seen.

I've discovered them by pure chance, while strolling through the charming side streets of Sliema with my husband, when his attention got attracted by their poster, showing a flacon of perfume brand Acqua Di Parma along with the invitation to enter the shop despite an ongoing refurbishment.

Discovering Sliema: The Soap Café

A week before my trip to Malta, I did a short research online, hoping to find a shop/venue that sells organic cosmetic products. To my delight, I quickly discovered the Soap Cafe, which was exactly what I wanted to find in Malta. They locally produce handmade body care products that are free from mineral oils, parabens, SLS and animal fat; nothing is tested on animals.

Discovering Sliema: Chanté

I love to meet creative people, be surrounded by their fascination for any kind of art and their passion to put their ideas, dreams and imagination in practice.
I was never encouraged by my family to develop my imagination and creativity but many other people that felt and thought like me where there, to support me. And my admiration and support goes further to those that I occasionally meet and see that they have a passion for artistry or simply like to follow their dreams.

Greetings from Malta!

I am at the moment enjoying my long awaited holiday, it’s exactly how I visualised it in the last couple of months: I have plenty of free time to enjoy the sea, the sun, the breeze, the food, to read and to see new places and learn about other traditions. In addition, I had / have the chance to meet very nice people!

Sending you a fresh summer breeze from the Mediterranean Sea!

Kisses!

A wonderful visit to Stuttgart

The reason that I visited for the first time in my life Stuttgart is the angelic bride-to-be Claudia. The story of our friendship and collaboration began about a year ago, when she discovered one of my Gentle Fairies & The Golden Flowers dresses. A set of beautiful photos taken by very talented wedding photographer Pia Clodi got published in the first edition of Hochzeitswahn book; I was lucky to have my designs amongst Pia’s work, Claudia bought the book and fell in love with one of the dresses. A couple of months later, in August 2013 she wrote me about her interest in this particular dress and offered to come to Vienna to try on the prototype.

Her visit in October 2013 was an extraordinary experience: I got to know her and her family; every minute was simply filled with positive emotions, tears of joy and excitement!

They all agreed that my signature design is Claudia’s best choice so I started to work on a complete package: the bridal dress, jacket, silk flower headpiece, veil, clutch and sash. We kept permanent contact, the working process has been smooth and pleasant and I am so happy with the final result!

Exsence - The Scent of Excellence

With Luisa Tessadri & Tiziana Terenzi

I discovered “Exsence” when I learned more about my absolute favourite scents house, “Tiziana Terenzi”. I was so happy to hear that they will be present at the fair this year as well! I’ve been counting the days.

Exsence 2014 exceeded my expectations: it was a senses and mind blowing experience! It’s hard to describe in words. To me, it was the first introduction to this fascinating world, I knew very little about the concept and niche perfumery. But once you get to know it, you won’t like anything too commercial anymore, it’s simply addictive.

The meeting with the Terenzi family was very emotional and touching. In fact, I couldn’t believe that they were present at the stand! I assumed that they will be represented by a team but they actually came to get in contact with everyone interested in their amazing creations. They are so warm hearted and fine people! Tiziana is absolutely fascinating, Paolo is very gentle and sensitive, Luisa (from the sales department) is constantly smiling and already feels like a friend. Tiziana’s son and nephew were so lovely! There, I was also introduced to beautiful Isabella Falbo, independent art critic and curator, she was very friendly and interested in my work.

Malta in September, Part II — Valletta

Every time I think of Malta, I get a feeling of joy, peace and pleasure. This September was my second holiday there and I am already looking forward to the next one! We had a wonderful stay in Valletta in a traditional house; our apartment was fully renovated and beautifully decorated. The hosts, Dani and Mario felt to us like friends; Dani is a talented photographer so we happily decided to organize a photo shoot, more details in the next post.

Malta in September, Part I — Gozo & Comino

I have just returned from a wonderful 12 days stay on the islands of Malta, I’m now filled with energy and ready to get back to my atelier’s work, exciting projects and events that will soon take place.

I love Malta, it’s my second trip there and each time it was a real pleasure. This time we divided the stay between Munxar, Gozo and Valletta, Malta it was a wise decision and I would recommend it! The apartments we stayed in were booked through airbnb.com; each was a great choice, the apartment on Gozo was newly built and the one in Valletta had a traditional charm.

The food was amazing, it was hard to stop eating or thinking of the delicious fish, cheese, olives, capers, pastries (pastizzi, qassatat), ftira and sweets... The weather, sea water, fine sand were a real delight...

My Romania Through The Eyes Of Piet Payer

Transfăgărășan

I just returned from my three weeks journey to Romania; I had an amazing time, met new people, saw interesting places and enjoyed delicious culinary recipes.

The highlight of my stay was the one week road trip that I was very pleased to organize and spend with three of the most interesting Austrians that I have ever met. The road trip itself was the best in my life, I laughed like never before, my Austrian friends were a great company and the general mood was so intense and special. I had the chance to travel a lot as a child, my mother organized many trips and camps for her pupils and she was allowed to take me and my sister along; later, starting with the age of 12, I began travelling to different countries, till today I saw 26 European countries and 4 from other continents and I can’t remember that I ever experience a similar joy...

Thank you Erika, Susanne, Piet and Iri!

The Villa And The Park Golescu of Campulung-Muscel

The Golescu Villa was built by one of Wallachia's oldest families, with a history dating back to the fifteenth century. Irina and Elena Golescu, the last descendants of this family, donated their house and all its contents to the Pro Patrimonio Foundation: antique furniture, library, small objects, carpets and paintings. The Villa was built in 1910 by their father, in the neo-Romanian style typical for the region. The property includes a small cottage and annex. The buildings are situated on a hill overlooking the city, surrounded by a terraced park including many rare and exotic trees and plants brought from abroad by the owner of the house, Vasile Golescu.

Source: www.propatrimonio.org

About a week ago I was invited by a very nice lady to visit the Villa Golescu and get an impression. I didn’t expect much, I thought it’s an abandoned house, once beautiful but now a ruin. Most of the beautiful houses and villas in Campulung keep degrading, the owners can’t afford a restoration and despite being considered historical monuments, the government is ignoring the situation.