Family and Lisbon

The 10th of January I came back to the beautiful Portugal, and this time I brought my parents with me, which was super awesome - to get 10 more extra days with my family. 

They stayed in Caldas, in a hotel near me, and my dad rented a car so we can see as many things as possible, since I haven't seen the majority of things here in Portugal.We had only 5 days, and those 5 days were my final days in school, which was  a bit tricky cause I was torn between projects and traveling around with my family, but still we've seen some pretty cool stuff. 

The first day we went to see the beautiful Lisbon  we took the tour bus who takes u all around the city and has some stop points where you can go off the bus and explore that particular part of the city and when u are done, u just wait on the station for the bust to come again. It's the best way to see everything and you can use the ticket for 2 days. We didn't had that much time to explore it all, and the weather didn't do us any favors too. 

On the bust you get some earphones which you plug in the seats and then you just listen to the whole Lisbon story that explains everything you see while cruising around with the bus. In the background of the story was playing their traditional music - Fado (which means 'destiny' - 'fate') and it's like a traditional portuguese music that goes way back to the 1820s and it's characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of poor. I got carried away, so I didn't heard the most part of the text, but it's ok, since me and the girls are planing another trip and this time we are gonna stay for the whole weekend! 

Anyways, the music is beautiful, and it completely fitted the weather we were having! We also wanted to try some traditional portuguese food, but somehow we ended up in an irish pub/restaurant where I ate the best salad of my life hahahha

My little jewel <3

My daddy being a total tourist <3

Largest bridge in Europe

Lisbon is really gorgeous, and if you have the chance, you should visit it, cause there are just too many things to see, and you can totally get lost in to it for 4 days I believe, haha. Oh and the shopping, don't get me started on it, it's UNBELIEVABLE haha. 

Colombo is Portugal’s largest shopping center (and in Europe), as well as the largest mall in the Iberian Peninsula. It houses an impressive 420 stores and more than 60 restaurants.But since there was no time, everything was pretty much in a rush, so I think I need another weekend in Lisbon, to see it all + I totally want to dedicate 1 whole day to shopping and taking pictures of fashionable Lisbon people.

We also went to see Peniche, which is on the coast, I believe I already posted and wrote something about it (I believe, haha). My parents were amazed and they fell in love with the sandy beaches but also promised me that they shall never swim in the Ocean (my dad, like me , is very afraid of the sharks ahaha). 

The place they were most impressed by was Obidos. The name means something like 'fortified city' and it is situated on a hilltop, encircled by a fortified wall. 

All around the little place u can see examples of medieval architecture and it's a very popular tourist destination. In March they will also have a chocolate festival, which I am totally gonna see and write about, haha.

My parents described it as magical, as a perfect place to be (once you are older and u want peace haha).

Looks like this
p.s. picture wasn't taken by me, took it from the internet

They had some Christmas thing so those were the left overs I guess, It looked like an elf town

Love you so so much 

The pictures were taken by me, some with my camera some with iphone, and be sure I am gonna make a photoshooting in Lisbon, be sure of that. 

Oh, and my dad was so amused by the fact that Portugal is a 'cock' country, that he bought all sorts of little presents in that shape, haha, my dad <3

Shots time with my family, it was so fun <3

All in all was short but sweet, and it was our first big trip as a whole family, and I enjoyed every second of it, and of-course wish they could have stayed longer. Miss them so much :/

Milano Milano Milano ♡

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HA! My first post this year!So, as I've mentioned, I spent my New Year's eve in Milano with my friends.Me and Viktor took the train from Venice, and even tho 6 hours of traveling sounded horrible, in the end resulted quite fun. The only thing we were considered about was that we would fuck up a station or two - but we didn't, haha!I was once in Milano, for a concert of Combichrist, and from that little I've seen I was left disappointed, but in the end, to be fair,  it was dark and rainy and so on, so it's almost a MUST when it comes to gaving it another try.

And guess what happened? Ofc, I LOVE IT, who wouldn't? And besides it's every-shopping-addicted-girl's dream. My dear Gaja is now studying there so as a milanese student she has an apartment, and I must say it's the cutest one ever, it's so small, but it has everything you need. All the five days we've spent there, we've spent them on feet, going around, admiring the beautiful Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano), going through the 'Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II ', one of the world's oldest shopping malls and named after the first king of Italy, and walking along the 'Navigli' we stopped in some kind of bar where you can also eat, where we had the BEST but also the most expensive hamburger ever, haha. 

Piazza Duomo(mi amur Gaja and I)

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Milan Cathedral (Duomo)

We were passing by this one, and I just had to take a picture, it's adorable

on the inside of the ' Castello Sforzesco'

My dear Viktor and I

And another very important thing to mention - we spent almost all of our money the first day, cause the three of us aint no good combination for the pockets, haha. But must say, it was worth it. I must admit that I had some neck cramps  from all the head turns I did during the day - too many things too see.There is no such thing as 'I came from Milano and I didn't find anything' -no, not possible, even the China Stores are on a higher level with more quality and worth entering.  Gaja took us through most famous alleys, where all the fabulous shops stand, like Dolce Gabbana, Gucci, Prada, and I must say that because of Milano, I have a new respect for Zara - it's enormous and majestic, looks like a palace, haha. So, to resume - about Milan the 2 most important things - you'll eat well and you'll look like a million dollar baby, haha!

Love those Alan Journo headpieces 

Jeremy Scott sunglasses, totally going on my wish-list

D&G fab window, and the employee works in a D&G outfit ofc :D

And of course, we did also some work, as I've said we will. It's too bad we did it kind of quickly, mostly cause of the weather who - once we decided to work - got shitty as hell. The light was great, the problem was the rain and the equipment in the rain. After all, we did manage to make a few snapshots, and here are some pics of it.Enjoy folks ;)

♡

and the new years eve crew, 
with love

Gaja, Manca, Viktor, Viky

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Winter, where are you?

This winter has been very kind to us, but I am not quite sure if I am happy about it or not, since I love winter, and I am a huge fan of a snowy christmas (yes very cliché I know)! This year I didn't feel that Christmas spirit like I usually do, maybe cause I was in Portugal and it was way too sunny (which is awesome ofc), and way hotter than usual. In Croatia not much has changed, besides the sun part ofc, everything here is gray, dark and kind of sad! U can almost call it melancholic! 

So each winter I kind of change my cosmetics. Cause of the wind and low temperatures, your skin gets more sensitive, so u need to get some cosmetics who moisturize your skin , well, it all depends from your skin type. With mine u never know, specially during the winter, once is dry (very dry) other times is more oily. With me it actually depends of how much water do I drink, and again - specially during winter. 

This year Vichy made an interesting winter cosmetic edition to celebrate their 83 years of existing, and it comes in a retro box designed by the famous illustrator Bertrand de Miollis.

So, even from my outfit u can tell that it aint that cold actually (ofc I wouldn't go out with a jacket) haha. I got this gray long kimono shirt from my mother and  it's made from virgin wool by Peter Hahn, a german designer. it's really elegant with a few cuts from the side and in the front - that's why I call it 'kimono' haha! 

I paired it with my red L.A. cap. There is just something about red and gray, I love the combination, it pops! And just because the shirt is fancy, doesn't mean I can't make it a bit more 'mine' - which doesn't mean I aint fancy, just means - I won't wear high heals with a ponytail cause I don't feel like it! haha! 

So that's why I continued down that path, pairing it with some ripped ZARA jeans (yes, I ripped them) and my Catepilar boots, which I adore. And again it gives the outfit a grungy but kinda fancy look! 

This little backpack I bought it via ebay, and all of the zippers were broken, ofc -.-

But still, I fell in love with it, it's perfect. The only problem is that I can't seem to get used to small bags, I feel naked and like something is missing all the time! I actually am more worried to loose things with this small bag than with the big ones, strange huh?! 

I really actually miss  wearing heals sometimes, cause I could make killer combinations with them, but in Portugal the street is just not made for heels (it is made out of little square stone pieces)! I have to get used to it, but since the nights are wilder, I kinda  wanna keep my legs (haha).

My heals have to be more pin up style, or some firm high type of boot, cause my feet are really funny, and not that elegant and small, I mean, it still looks like child's feet, so imagine those in Manolo Blahnik. But I will wear them once, I must! haha

Nevertheless,  I think I kinda found my perfect sneakers, and my little eye spied the ones that Givenchy made - these printed silk-twill sneakers which are amaaaazing! I love everything about them, the print, the heal and very easy to combine! 

I actually have a lot to debate, since I finally got my literature (in english, italian and croatian) and I finally got some time to read and brainstorm! But unfortunately I am in a hurry, cause tomorrow, and by tomorrow I mean in 5 h, I am leaving with Viktor and Gaja to Milano, not just to celebrate New Years eve, but to make some serious business, so be expecting numerous posts, pictures and more adventures! 

And I wish u all happy Holidays and a very happy new year! 

Thank you for all of your emails, comments and 4000 views, which to me is a lot, since I am pretty much new in this! So thank u all for your support and bless u!!! 

much much love, 

Viktoria 

Algarve and filming of the videospot for Brace Yourself ♡

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 So, since I last wrote, a lot has happened, oh ofcourse, I am in Portugal man , haha! 

My dear friend Vasco, who goes to the same school as we do, asked me kindly if I would like to be in a videospot of a hard core band called 'Brace Yourself', they liked my style n looks and said I would fit perfectly in the story.

I must say, I was pretty much excited and honored that they picked me! 

In the beginning I was a bit intimidated when I've herd that I have to make a sexy scene in underwear surrounded by people I never seen in my life + I don't speak portuguese, but ok, u gotta suck it up and overcome all your fears and insecurities (especially when it comes to us woman hahaha).

  I had to go to the south of portugal- Algarve/Faro and the trip didn't started that well at all! 

Everything went as planed, until I realized, one hour before I had to leave, that I've lost my cosmetic bag, and since I was doing my own make-up, the situation got pretty much sketchy for me! But well, it all ended up just fine thanks to my roommate and her boyfriend who kindly helped me.

The trip was very long, and since it started so messy I was sure the rest of it would be like that too, but in the end it was one of the best experience of my life (including Portugal in general hahaha).

So, as I've said it's the most southern city in Portugal, and it is the "capital" of Algarve region. I loved it so much, maybe because it reminds me of my city (Volosko, Opatija), beautiful whether and sunshine all the time, at least while I was there! 

It's too bad we didn't had that much time since there was a lot of work to be done, but guys promised me that we will do it next time but the things I've seen, were pretty much awesome, as you can see in the pictures! 

Now let's go back to the video :)

As I've already mentioned it, the band is called Brace Yourself, and  you can (must!!!) check them out here by clicking on this  LINK, they are pretty great fellas, and very funny ones too, hehe :D

My role was with Jonathan from another portuguese band Devil in Me, who are helping Brace Yourself to get through (if I got it right), which is really nice, since the boys are really trying hard and besides - they are doing it right! 

Vasco Raposo (freelancer who films events and projects like this one) and Henrique Prudêncio (this guy wrote his own play man, great knowledge about movies and has a great camera eye, as I like to say) were behind the whole project, Vasco with the story and directing it, Henrique behind the camera, and the lovely assistant Laura Nóbrega who was keeping track of the time and all the details (thumbs up dear, cause u were all over the place, and u did a great job).

Must say that I've learned quite a lot, especially when it comes to organization - I didn't expect it to be so organized with the great equipment and stuff, specially because they are freelancers, and young, and we all know how those things cost  and people are weird when it comes to borrowing that kind of equipment! 

They had great ideas, great camera movements and great shots! 

And besides, great people and I enjoyed every single second of it! 

Another interesting thing I've seen was a play written by Henriques mom - Ana Oliveira. The play is called Do "Lado Da Verdade" (the side of the truth) and it is about  Sidónio Pais. He was the first  dictator of Portugal. The information about him is still very shady, as people still don't know the truth about him and to this day people still send him flowers to the grave. He implemented the politic police, left his troops during the first world war to starve and to die (most of the corpses didn't comeback to Portugal at all, they were buried right there in Flandres thanks to Sidónio). The people was starving and, sick of all of these things, José Júlio da Costa killed him on the 14th of December in Rossio.

Henrique played the journalist that was interviewing da Costa, and he blow me away, especially cause he didn't sleep at all and still managed to act and after the play to continue with the video-shooting, so thumbs up!!! 

It has been such and amazing, fun and educational experience! I met some great people who I will visit again very soon! Guys u rock, and thank u for this opportunity!

I will post the video when it comes out, and u be sure to check out Brace Yourself, if you are into that kind of music, u will like them fer sure! 

Much, much love,

Viktoria 

♡

picture taken from the highest building, it was breath taking :)

behind the scenes :)

my first morning! 

while waiting I found this little hurt fella, so I kept him company 

In my country we have pigeons wondering around parks, not peacocks ! this is what I call style hahaha 

another one from behind the scenes :) 

Merlin skating :D ( Brace Yourself) 

Pedro and Merlin demonstrating how should  the sexy scene be done 

Merlin has 102 boxes of cigarettes, when I asked why, his answer was ' cause I am crazy' hahaha

Jonathan :D (behind the scenes) 

wakey wakey (behind the scenes) 

Rights and wrongs

since I've got here, well, since we all got here on this journey, we've been all questioning our selves, are we spending too much money, partying too much , working too little, booze n smokes, if something is moral, right or wrong. But if I may say, what is right, and what is wrong? 

Since someone established those rights and wrongs, or let's better say "rules" (our parents, their parents and so on), the world has pretty much changed!

WE've been all questioning ourself so much, some living in fear that they are being judged too much, or what might people say. The truth is, we judge ourselves, cause we have those ground rules in our heads, such as get married, have kids, girls must not behave like this and that, who may have been useful back in the days, but now everything has changed so much. Girls and boys aint what they used to be. Kids are not what they used to be. I am looking around and seeing 14 years old guys smoking, it's not that in my days of elementary school that didn't exist, it's that there were just 2 of them and they were the outcasts. My little sister has a better phone than I, like seriously? :D

But the times has just changed, and so did we, and so did the rules. 

We are taking each others way too seriously, we spend too much time judging and distinguishing right from wrong, and when someone does that to us, we feel hurt and misjudged, but we don't say to ourselves- now u know how it feels!

We should all just chill, smoke one, and stop hating so much. Most of the times when we think someone is judging us or talking about us - it's not true. None cares. everyone has their own lives to worry about, and nobody spends so much time thinking about us, our wrongs and rights, and for those who do spend too much time judging others and living some other life instead of it's own - get a life, read a book, take a walk and chill. 

We just think too much, and live too little.  We should enjoy our days more, do more exciting things, and feel less guilty about it. 

We all will do something stupid we regret, we will sometimes come across like weirdoes or misunderstood creatures, we all will fall but we all will get up.

One thing I learned is that we are not that alone. Just talking the girls here, we all are so different, we have different lives but in the end we all, kind of, fear the same things, such as am I good enough, will my parents be proud, will I ever be able to return them as much as they gave me. We all do have similar fears and in the end we all have similar flaws too. 

So don't be too quick on the judgment trigger cause u might have a brother next to u, and u don't even know about it.

And remember, only u can decide what's good for u and what's not. 

And about my styling, shorts in winter? IT'S DAMN RIGHT!!! why not? haha

My dearest friend Viktor has this obsession with KTZ, the ultimate fashion brand that dresses stars such as Rihanna and Kanye West, and must say, they are rocking it. So thanks to Viktor, I know a bit more about them, and I really totally love them. They understand everything that is nowadays in.

So this shirt is their copy of the PYREX KTZ shirt, the original is way more expensive, and till my bday, I think I am gonna be satisfied with the copy of it! I paired it with this ROMWE cropped t-shirt connected with chains. And ofc, some shorts and high socks with my creepers shoes on my feet! 

I have a little bit of obsession with flannel shirts lately. U can pair them with everything, and it always looks good  no matter if u put them around your waist just as an accessory or just simply wearing it.  But not only flannel shirts, I think I am more attracted to the print lately, to make it more fun and interesting. And if not print? than clean as fuck with some killer shoes! :D Which I still have to get, cause ofc, with the limited airport baggage, I couldn't take my big boots n shoes, but ok, patience is a virtue!! haha!

Photos by Eva Mastnak!