ARMY GREEN & FOREST GREEN

Usually, the rules of fashion are that similar colours, such as blue or green, usually do not go well together. Unless, however, there are different hues of the same colour. With this theory in mind, I decided to venture into some very unweathered seas: wearing the same colour in different hues. It's not exactly a very adventurous feat, per se, but it nonetheless something I wouldn't have otherwise attempted to do. I usually stick to complementary hues, with flattering patterns, or a pop of colour. This may be partly inspired by the fact that it is deliciously frigid outside. With the temperature regulating around 10 C, this Canadian is feeling so good. Crisp air, cold air, and arctic breeze...it's just how I like it. Although Romania may be entirely different climate wise than Canada, whenever it does come close, such as when it's snowing, or when it's dreadfully cold (or exactly how it should be), or constantly raining, it brings me back to Canada. 

On a side note, I was ecstatic to bring out my favourite hat: my deep purple wool hat. More than that, I like matching my hat with my lips. So with different hues of green and purple, I decided to see how this outfit would play out in the real world. (Meaning, not necessarily circulating on Tumblr or Pinterest.) Fashion isn't necessarily dictated by what the designers make this season, or what your favourite celebrity is wearing, or how people on blogs decided to dress. It's as simple as this: if you like what you're wearing and it makes you feel good and pretty, then wear it.

{ jacket: Joe Fresh; pants: Zara; boots: Ecco; scarf: Sfera; bag: Metter; hat: Target }

FOOD IS LIFE

There is something I noticed recently. Well, actually, it's something I've noticed for a while, but I've really cemented how I feel about this subject: food. I've long seen how food is not merely sustenance that one is required to have throughout the day in a means of survival. It is rather a way of life. I can recall the very time I visited Europe and how people would gather in a restaurant and stay for hours. I can remember thinking, in my inexperienced 14-year-old self, how can people talk for that long? Surely, there must be a time when the conversation ends and people return home. Whenever I visited Zurich, there were clusters of people gathered on the seats and tables outside if the weather permitted such a pleasure, or inside, when the temperature plummeted and the apples of people's cheeks were bright red. People would still gather to talk, to catch up, to discuss important matters, to inquire pertinent information, or to discover whether a romantic interest is worth pursuing. There was just something magical, enticing, and enigmatic regarding the faces of people I would pass that would laugh, drink warm coffee, or politely discuss important subjects over pastries.

Whenever I visited the continent, whether it was for vacation or an extended stay, the food was the first thing that I was always excited about trying and experimenting. The ingredients were different, the flavour was more intense, and the experience was much more savoury. The coffee, the bread (oh, goodness, the bread), the cheese, the chocolate, the pastries, the cold meats, and the croissants. Every country is different, and yet, every country has a particular taste that I have yet to forget. So again, I was entirely ecstatic to learn that by living in Europe would mean constant indulging in delicious foods (and subsequently, constantly exercising self-control). Going out for pizza, grabbing a shaorma, eating a croissant, sipping a Fanta, nibbling on some snacks while with friends...it all adds up eventually.

While going out with small group members, we ventured to a patisserie to talk, get to know each other better, and just simply to hang out in a less obstructive environment. I initially thought that it would last an hour, an hour and a half max. But, oh, I learned that was not so. Lasting longer than two hours, we discussed many things and the funny thing was that it was never about the food or what we're eating. It's the atmosphere that it creates. Drinking a fizzy pop while eating a chocolate mousse cake makes a discussion less stiff and informal. Moreover, it provides a safe place where we can share and talk, strengthening relationships and friendships. It is so common for people to meet and to stay hours while talking over coffee, or a pastry, or a drink. It's a small thing, if you think about it, going out and grabbing a small portion of cake or a cappuccino, but the effect is ostentatiously profound. You disclose information, you sense a more fortified bond, and the time spent is genuinely pleasurable.

As I'm out to get pizza with some of my friends, again, I was under the impression that it would be at most two hours. However, I was severely underestimating two things: how much we can talk about and how much we can talk. So, with this combined and food, it was a recipe for a long night out (no pun intended). Ordering a simple margarita pizza with a Pepsi, the discussion veered from various subjects to a very serious one that included similar opinions from everyone in the group. The restaurant was small in comparison to other restaurants, since it could seat, at most, twenty people. But the owner is related to one of my friends. As a result, he constantly came over to us, explaining what he did that day, how he hand-prepares the desserts, and ensures that all the ingredients are fresh and wholesome. At the same time, a group of men seated besides us were avidly watching a soccer game, cheering when their team scored and jeered when the opposing team scored.

Even going to Carrefour to get some snacks--some biscuits, cookies, and apple-flavoured water--to eat while talking in a park in the evening is not something that should be understated. I would be remiss if I did not add that it was not the fact that we had food, but that we were eating together. Eating snacks together lead to people sharing tales from their childhood, things they aspire to do, and astute observations from everyday life. When people get together to eat, life happens. A normal meal can last anywhere between thirty minutes to three and a half hours. I noticed that people bond over food in a way that produces a profound effect. People laugh, people cry, people share, and people express themselves over food. Food is not just something that we need to survive, but it gives us the privilege of thriving as well.

WEEKEND ADVENTURES // THANKSGIVING

Hello my lovely readers! I apologize for a lack of postings this week. This past week was finals week, so that meant an exorbitant amount of studying, reading, and frantically finishing assignments. On top of that, there was an invasion of mice! The cute little mouse that I grew up seeing on Disney is not anything like it is in real life. The sounds of little paws scurrying on the floor and hearing them move around my room as I'm asleep. Thankfully, that entire episode came to a very quick end. But that, with studying about my psychology courses, took up the majority of my time. This essentially means that my entire week was absolutely without any news, excitement, or events (at least, ones that I have liberty of sharing publicly). I really couldn't wait for it to be the weekend because that meant actually doing something. The thought of being cooped up in my room and not really going out got old quickly.

Then the weekend came.
Oh, thank God. Something to do, people to see, things to talk about, events to go to. On Friday evening, my friends and I decided on a whim to go out and get some shaorma. The sight of being in the town's center and it was relatively empty was a puzzling scene. Usually, centru is filled with people Friday evening, but not this time. Perhaps it was because the temperature drops low at night, but there were few people strolling downtown. The purple, pink, rose, and gold lighting lighting up the cobblestone street was serene and besotting to my eye. The amalgam of the colours produced a vibrant yet drained effect; I just stared at the colours, taking its intensity in. On top of that, I considered the hour. It wasn't even late--it was around 10 pm, but still, only a handful of people were brave enough to brave the not-quite-so cold temperature and enjoy a brisk walk. Regardless, it was nothing for a Canadian, who has braced countless cold evenings, so the Romanian autumn is nothing I can't handle. With our meals in tow, we veered towards a nearby park, because eating them a couple of meters away was a no-no. We should be different and not eat it so close by (because that would mean we're tourists, and God forbid we give that impressions to others). So we went a park instead. The scene before me was something out of a children's novel. Something akin to C.S. Lewis's description of autumn, it was jarringly eerie due the hour, yet hauntingly beautiful. The fluorescent lighting of the street lamps, with its archaic design and dark colour gave the impression of a deserted castle. The park bench is illuminated by the nearby lamp, the fallen leaves paving a path towards the seat. The crinkling of the leaves underneath your foot echoes throughout the park, crunching incessantly as you walk. The intermingling colours of burnt orange, smoky yellow, and vibrant red were hazy under the hazy light. Meanwhile, in the midst of this beautiful scenery, we ate the warm shaorma while discussing pertinent matters. We were the only ones in the park, so we had the liberty of talking about whatever our hearts desired. Precious moments such as this are ones I'll cherish later on in life, pointing out the importance of the location when I recollect because that was where an important moment happened.

{ top: H&M; cargidan: C&A; pants: Zara; flats: Enzo Angiolini; bag: Metter; watch: Tissot }

I should also mention that this weekend was Toamna Oradeana, a 9-day festival celebrating the 901th anniversary of the town. (Yes, you read that number correctly.) The festival consisted of renowned Romanian acts that came to town and attracted thousands of people. It was as if I was crawling through a sea of people. It was exhausting and overwhelming; there were so many people. I'm not a socially anxious person, but the sheer amount of people constantly moving and standing in one place was weird. In addition to the constant waves of people coming and going, there were various stands of food, merchandise, and local artists selling their portraits, photos, etc. There were various vendors selling mititei (traditional Romanian meats), French fries, grilled chicken and beef, and onion rings. Half of the vendors sold kurtos kalacs (traditional Hungarian pastry that consists of sugar, walnuts, or coconut shredding on sweet dough). Traditional Romanian beverages were also available to the masses, including beer, vin fiert, Fanta, Pepsi, etc. You essentially get the picture. So my friends and I sat on the bench indulging in the food while waiting for the concert to start. There were so many people that I struggled knowing where to look. Should I look ahead, left, right, behind me? We last for maybe 15 minutes, until the artist sang her popular songs. After that, we left and started walking around. Realizing that escaping the hoards of people was probably a good idea, we ventured towards a more secluded area. However, this innovative idea (to go to Ciuperca and witness the fireworks) was something that 150 other people thought of as well. Find a parking spot that is akin to a tetris block, we sat in the car and chatted until the fireworks started. Gazing at the plethora of colours exploding in the sky was extraordinary--it was so beautiful. This reminded me of Canada Day, when I would sit by Lake Simcoe and watch the fireworks lit up the sky and reflected on the lake, creating a glassy effect. The firework show lasted 10 minutes and then the evening came to a glorious close. 

On Monday, it was Thanksgiving in Canada. Even though I don't live in Canada anymore, I still like to celebrate many Canadian holidays. For example, having a day every year to remember all the things you are thankful is not a bad idea. It forces you to recollect all your blessings, all the good in your life, and everything that has produced good things. And so, I will introduce you to a family tradition: Every Thanksgiving, when we are sitting at the dinner table, we go around and say what we are thankful for this year.
This year, I'm thankful for: my family, my boyfriend, my friends, the fact that I got to move to Romania (and subsequently to Europe), that God is still working and will continue to work in my life, and that I'm constantly learning something new. It was a good weekend.

What are you thankful for?

NAVY IS THE NEW BLACK

Recently, I heard that a very popular combination to try this season is navy blue and berry. Unbeknownst to me, I wore that exact mix without realizing the season's hottest palette. With the weather settling into autumn, I was quite excited to bring out my darker clothing, so a navy dress with berry heels is an odd combination, with pleasant results. Since the dark palette contrasted the unusually sunny afternoon, I decided to venture a tad out of my comfort zone and decided to layer on a deep mauve/berry lipstick with simple yet natural makeup. Yet the weather strongly contrasts the weather at the moment. Cold, rainy, bleak, and dreary, cooped inside with little desire to venture outside, a wonderful remedy is watching Gilmore girls on Netflix. Regrettably, since Netflix is unavailable in my country (how dare they?), it's a fortunate thing that I have the entire show on DVD. So, without further ado, I leave the world of a rainy afternoon and enter the blissfully strange town of Stars Hallow.

{ dress: Zara; heels: Franco Sarto }