Fashion Trends - Floral Inspirations

Hello my friends!

Saturday today and another Fashion Trend post is up. This time we are going to have flowers in our outfit. As usual three different outfits for different occasions.

Floral prints are always classic in the world of fashion and has been loved by many designers. A fashion trend that will never get old, perfect for every season and time of the day or night, if you wear it correctly. It is true that there are plenty floral prints and it is really difficult to choose what to wear. It is important to choose a pattern that works with your personal taste and style. Flower designs can range from dainty and delicate to big and bold, each kind carrying its own personality and character.

If you prefer a romantic or simple or sophisticated style, try looking for a print that features small cute flowers. Use pastel accessories and create a petite girly outfit. If you're the type to rock statement patterns, a print featuring larger flowers will work best for you. Look for bright colors, vibrant designs and eye-catching details.

Once you chosen the floral print, try to wear it with other clothes in a way that will create a cohesive look. For example, pay attention to pattern's colors, choose one or two, then use monochrome accessories or shoes and the bag of course. If you do not want to have a completely floral outfit, use floral accessories or coats or just a shirt and then combine them with the proper accessories. Because floral prints typically come in multiple colors, you’ll have multiple styling possibilities.

 

Tips:

1. Combine Floral with Neutral Colors

By saying neutral colors we mean black, white, ivory, grey and beige. Ad as with any other print, it is practically impossible for a floral print to not look good with a solid neutral shade. Using neutrals is another styling option to use when you aren't wearing colors found in the actual print. It's also a good "safety" styling method when you aren't quite sure what to wear, but would like to add floral to your ensemble. Imagine what a plus will be to wear a floral scarf or having a floral bag with a monochrome black or white appearance. This outfit will be just perfect for every occasion, for the office, for a friendly lunch, for having a drink with your friends or boyfriend.

1.Bracelet 2.Brooch 3.Earrings 4.Pendant 5.Shoes

2. Use Accessories

Accessories are must for every outfit. Just imagine how many different outfits and styles you can create with the same clothes and different accessories in colors or styles or materials. Even just one accessory is enough to brighten up an otherwise plain outfit. Chain jewelry or accessories in neon or pastel colors can be combined with floral dresses or shirts and will definitely create something unique. For example for a petit romantic outfit, just use pastel jewelry or petit, elegant chain jewels in gold or silver tones. Larger items such as bags, hats and scarves can add some major color to a look, while jewelry and belts can bring in a light dose of floral fun. It’s always a good idea to have several flower patterned accessories in your wardrobe and use them with monochrome clothes or with the right stripes or even with jeans. Even if you don’t plan ahead, a floral accessory is an easy way to add instant style, especially for your office appearance.

1. Earrings 2.Ring 3.Necklace 4.Shawl

3. Wear Floral With Menswear Inspired Clothing

Blazers, straight leg pants and crisp button can look awesome wearing them with floral details. This will prevent your outfit from looking too monochrome and monotonous, and instead create a classy, mature look. You can use this method for office looks, taking care to balance the ratio of neutrals and bright colors.

4. Pastel or Bright colors?

Both… depends of the occasion, from your style and from your mode! Pastel accessories or crochet shawl and with beautiful sandals or ballerina shoes, will give to your floral outfit a tone of romance! Bright colors or even neon colors will transform your appearance and you will definitely be the center of the party. Use your imagination and create a beautiful outfit perfect for yourself!

1.Bracelets 2.Earrings 3.Necklace

Have a beautiful Weekend!

ZOE ENJOYING SPRING!

My little girl enjoying the first rays of spring! :)

Notches In The Lawyer Belt

I strolled into the office this morning expecting a very quiet Thursday. I ended up with a wonderful, awesome, stressful hot mess.

My boss called me at about 9:30 telling me that he was not able to come into the office today and needed my help with something. "Sure," I replied. I assumed that he wanted me to draft a motion or do some legal research on an obscure area of law.

"I need you to cover a mediation."

"Ha ha ha."

"I know I joke around a lot. But I'm absolutely serious."

"Ha ha ha....wait....wha???"

"I need you to cover a mediation. It starts at 2."

"You mean as in 4.5 hours?"

"Yes. It's on the X case"

If you could have turned life into a still shot at that very moment, you would have seen the look of pure terror fall across my face like a curtain. You know that scene in Jurassic Park where the little girl escapes from the upturned car and turns around to find a gigantic T-Rex staring at her? She looked like this:

Yeah. That is exactly how I felt.

Not only have I never heard of this case before, but I have never handled a mediation on my own before. In fact, I had only participated in one, as second-chair to a partner about three years ago. On top of that stress, I was woefully underdressed for a mediation. My light grey skirt did NOT match the tweed suit jacket that I had shoved into my drawer in case of last minute client meetings. Plus, I managed to rip my panty hose the second I walked into the office just half an hour earlier. The second that happened, I just had one of those feelings that today was going to be an interesting day.

I hunkered down, pulled the file, read every report, caught up on pertinent medical records, added up the special damages, and tried to diagram the names of all the parties and participants. Just my luck, this case involved three different collisions and several layers of automobile insurance. I learned what little I could in three hours, packed up the case files, and headed downtown towards the mediation, making an emergency 3 minute stop at Ann Taylor Loft to purchase the first black skirt and pair of sheer hose that I could find, then I barrelled awkwardly down the streets in the rain dragging a 50 pound box of case files on wheels behind me.

But it was all worth it. The mediation was fantastic! There was another party aligned with our interests and the attorney and I sat in the same room and strategized and joked and told stories. The other attorney was very experienced and had good ideas for getting the case settled. He was hilarious and entertaining and even made crude jokes (my favorite kind).

It was a complicated case with a lot of things going haywire. It took nearly three hours before we got the opening demand from the plaintiff. We finally settled the case at 7 o'clock pm (mediation was supposed to go from 2pm to 6pm). And although it was stressful and crazy and unexpected and long, it was such a great experience.

Although the day was full of challenges, I walked out of the room feeling proud and re-energized to be part of the legal profession. The people I spent the day with were not only intelligent and creative thinkers who did a great job of representing their clients, but they were professional in dealing with the case, and, during the periods of downtime, were a blast to chat with.

The topics of our conversations during downtime were so derailed that I one point (in front of my boss who joined us at the end of the mediation), we were discussing potty training boys and, in front of a room full of clients and lawyers, I offered up this brilliant piece of poetry:"If you sprinkle when you tinkle, be a sweety, wipe the seaty."... I groaned internally as I was saying it but, thankfully, the only responses were chuckles and laughs.

At one point in the middle of the mediation, I looked around the table and found myself surrounded by middle age to older men from all walks and cultures. I was by far the youngest attorney present. I was the only female. But as we all sat around talking about our children, parenting, interesting cases, war stories, and the legal profession in general, I found myself oddly at ease. I felt that I had more in common with them than not. And although I was the youngest and most unexperienced in the room, they made me feel as if I was a valuable asset to the mediation and gave me an opportunity to speak my two cents.

So now, I have two mediations under my belt. And while that is not a lot, that is 100% more than yesterday. This is pretty much the only way to gain experience as a lawyer--by looking anxiety right in the eyeball, throwing yourself into the chaos, and one-by-one, adding small notches to your lawyer belt.

SPRING!

Spring is here!!!

The woods are covered with lovely little flowers... each of them a little masterpiece of Nature, small and delicate yet so beautiful and bright! The primulas create lovely patches, some areas are literrally covered with them! So bright and cheerful little flowers! And wood anemones, and violets in both purple and white... Isn't Nature the greatest Painter? :)

Flood Of Chaos

I've scoured online resources. Made several phone calls. Set up meetings (my entire weekend is totally booked). Pulled out my hair. Held back tears. Fought the urge to scream. Resisted the urge to throw in the towel on this whole working mom thing (like I even have a choice...).

This whole childcare thing is so, so hard.

In the past, I've had a team of family member standing by to help me with my kids while I worked. Most recently, my mom has been watching my kids half the week and I've been paying my sister-in-law to watch the kids the other half of the week. Although it is never easy to leave your children with others, having family that I know and trust to be on the front line has been a huge relief and a huge blessing. In fact, I'm 100% positive that my family is the reason I didn't break down and cry every day for the first couple months I left my baby to go back to work.

But now...here I am...feeling overwhelmed, stressed, nervous, guilty as I try to judge complete strangers from their one-paragraph-long craiglist ads. As I interview people over the phone, a part of me is even bitter. These complete strangers get to spend quality time with my sweet children. Not fair. Not, not fair. Why do they get to have all the sweet day-time moments that I have to miss. Why can't someone pay ME to watch my kids.

Today was simply overwhelming. During my 2.5 hour commute, before I even arrived at the office, I stopped to buy overnight pullups for Jacob, I called to make a same-day doctor's appointment for Ryan. I called my husband and my mom to arrange for him to GET to his doctor's appointment. I exchanged emails with my sister-in-law to arrange for last minute childcare for Friday. I have to appear in Court nearly a good 2 hours from my home and I don't even know if I have anyone to watch the kids. STRESS!

Somehow, after I arrived at the office, between preparing letters to expert witnesses, conferences with co-counsel, and finishing touches on a motions, my non-stop work day was interrupted with occasional check-ins to see how Ryan and his fever/ear infection were faring, responding to emails from prospective part-time nannies, and phone calls for a fundraising event I'm helping to plan. At 5:35, I finally snuck out of the office, commenced my 2.5 hour commute home, stopped by my parents' to drop something off, and then finally arived home at 8pm anxious to wrap my arms around my children....only to find out that they were both sleeping. UGH!

When chaos from my home life spills into my work life, I sometimes wonder how the heck anyone lets me be a lawyer. I can't even organize my socks. How the hell can I expect to organize discovery and litigation efforts?

Good thing I have an entire drawer full of price-reduced left-over Easter candy. Cause tonight, I really need it!

GIVEAWAY - Akamatra... the Bow Lady!!!!

What a beautiful and sunny day today in Greece. It really makes me happy…. But on the other hand my mood is really high since I am honored to have in my blog a great friend, a very talented crafter and a unique lady… the bow lady!

I first met Akamatra in etsy  and I fell in love with her creations! Soon, as a lucky lady I am (ha! are you jealous?), I had the chance to meet her in real life too. I do consider her as a friend, a valuable one actually, that I can discuss my problems, having a coffee and share craft ideas or even push her to help me with my blog or etsy shop (ok..I know she is not smiling right now…)… and my next “step” is to convince her to baby sit my daughter!

beige leather bow barrette

Her work is just amazing, romantic, for young girls and unique ladies. But most of all what I like in Maro's work is that you can "understand" and "meet" her by just observing her creations. Every single one is like telling you something about her. Every bow, every jewel or cup cozy just hiding a small and cute story. Her shop is like the Wonderland to me... too many stories, too many dreams, too many feelings!  

Οκ...I have to stop talking.... Please let me introduce you Maro from Akamatra!

neon spike earrings

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I come from a family of makers. My parents made furniture, clothes, toys, food, love and most of all they made homes for us. I grew up in a house where recycling, reusing and repurposing was our everyday fun. I guess I couldn't escape my DNA so you can blame my parents for everything you see in my shop!

Akamatra was born on 2011, when my boyfriend (now my husband) and my cousin convinced me that it would be a good idea to start selling all the jewelry I've been making. As it turns out, they were right!

I love my etsy shop! Having Akamatra has been a life saver. Making jewelry, has kept me sane. Networking inside etsy has also been a wonderful experience! I've "met" many amazing people here and I appreciate everyone who has helped me during these last years!

beaded black ring

I honestly believe that a handmade item carries within the love and feelings of its maker and still has space for the love and the feelings of the person who buys it. In a way, buying handmade helps keep the love flow from one person to another and that's the feeling I am having each time someone honours me with a buy.

Tribal leather necklace

In my shop one will find different styles and diverse types of jewelry since I am a firm believer of change and diversity! So, there are girly and cute jewels and accessories, but there are feminine and chic jewels also. What’s missing are the jewelry that mass production industries and their copycats make! Akamatra is a shop devoted to uniqueness and although modern and in sync with the latest fashion, my creations are unique and cannot be found in the next shop.

 spike bracelet

Having a small business on etsy, is almost a full time job in ways a non seller could not imagine! My time on etsy is on my list of highs during my every day.

I only hope my smile is contagious...

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Akamatra is having her second etsy - birthday this month, so Maro was really nice to offer a great gift to one lucky lady or girl…one of her beautiful bows! Isn't the greatest way to start the new month???




Your choice of an awesome bow



So in order to have the chance to win and choose by yourself your favorite bow, just use the Rafflecopter below and earn more entries. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!

A NEW ENTERPRISE!

As you know, besides being a passionate maker, crafter and jewelry artist, I am a bilingual teacher of Italian and German as a foreign language. I have now launched my own teaching website! Through it I am offering Italian and German lessons via skype to students abroad. This makes it possible for students having limited time to get their lessons directly from the comfort of their own home, and with a native experienced teacher!
EuroLangOnline