Friday 24 March 2017

MARIA x 24


As some of you may already know,  I recently celebrated my 24th birthday on the 5th of March! I had a wonderful day & I wanted to create a special post reflecting on this day.  Here is my most recent collaboration with @serihyhypskyy , a photographer who is based in Lublin and helped me bring my ideas to life! You can check out more of his photography over at www.serhiyhipskyy.com Hope you'll enjoy the shots as much as I enjoyed this shoot! I have concluded that I suck at moody face poses & it doesn't really fit my personality so here is an icy post full of smiles..




 


 



HAT - BILLABONG WOMENS
SWEATSHIRT - BILLABONG WOMENS
JACKET - TAILOR MADE AT KIMMY'S, HOI AN
TROUSERS - ZARA
KICKS - ASICS GEL LYTE V

PHOTOGRAPHER : @serihyhypskyy
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Saturday 4 March 2017

Paris x Eastpak


Travel is something we all tend to do a lot of these days and as the years go by we always do all we can to make it as comfortable as possible. As I've come to find out, luggage plays a vital role here - for the couple of days or weeks it becomes a part of the "portable home" that you take with you wherever you venture. Packing seems to always be a bit of a big deal as it appears that what you'll take with you - will define your personal style for the time that you'll be away. Since we care so much about what's on the inside of our cases - isn't it time to pay attention to what's happening on  the outside? I believe it is - as whenever I travel, I always look for comfort as well as style among my travel accessories. I like for my luggage to be handy, durable and sizeable, yet aesthetically pleasing. I really don't like to have to choose between the two and I think I've finally found a suitcase that makes this possible! 

Last week during my trip to Paris I had the chance to use Eastpaks' new Tranzshell suitcase from their collaboration with Paul & Joe. The Eastpak x Paul & Joe Voyageur collection features Eastpaks' staple styles with the unique design touch of Paul & Joe. The collection includes many travel accessories ranging from backpacks, larger travel cases, holdalls to even smaller vanity cases or bumbags. Personally, I really loved the leopard/camo collection, especially as both of these are my favourite prints that always make their way into seasonal trends every year. Whether you are travelling by plane, car, the eurostar or simply walking - the case passed the test. What's more after wondering the streets of Paris with this the Tranzshell, it really feels like this collab transformed a suitcase into a stylish fashion accessory that adds a tint of nomadic flavour any outift..see for yourself!

To explore the full Eastpak Paul & Joe Voyageur collection head over to:

PS. a big thank you to Alex Socks for the shots!

















HAT - STEFANEL
SWEATSHIRT - FILLES A PAPA
TROUSERS - ZARA
SNEAKERS - NIKE
HANDBAG - MAJE

Photos by @alexsocks & @mariaaaakk
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Thursday 2 March 2017

Let's Getaway - 5 Pragmatic Travel Tips


Bag - Billabong womens

Travel
- something we all do, but can we do it better?
It is no secret that travel has come to dominate our lives. Whether we seek travel as an escape from our daily lifestyle, a route to self discovery or simply a way of fulfilling the expectations of the fast paced 21st century lifestyle - it is undeniable that its come to define the popular culture of today.

Whether you have travelled for years or just days - here are some pointers which can make your travel a little easier (at least I hope so! :) )

1) Research earlier

Before planning any trip research the destination(s) that interest you and learn a little more about them. 50% of the travelling thrill comes from the built up towards it - it's great to have something to look forward to when you're drowning in day to day activities. Hence whether you'll read an article, buy a lonely planet guide or chat to someone who travelled there before - do it! It will only make you feel better & more confident about the destination. My go to is internet research & a Lonely Planet guide - these are great not only once you'll there but you can find out a lot of practical info about the country  or place you're heading to - things such as monsoon season, currency or VISA requirements. It's good to get one of these in advance as it makes all of the admin ahead much easier.


2) Prep

This step basically goes together with research. However apart from all of the theoretical research there may be some practicalities to go along with it. These can be required vaccinations, health checks or things like visiting the embassy for a visa ahead of time. It's good to get a notebook and keep track of vaccination schedules and all other things. You'll find a lot of info on the www.who.int/ith/en/ website. For specific vaccines I always use google or the www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice . Additionally whenever I travel, (being a hyperchondriac Med student) I always consult with a doctor who specializes in travel medicine just to make sure I didn't miss anything. I do always research online beforehand but it's always good to get extra expert advice especially when heading out into the tropics. Finally, it is important to remember that regardless of what sort of precautions you'll undertake something can always happen - it's a risk we all take when travelling afar.

3) Flights

Flight availability, route or price can often make or break an independent (travel company free) trip. In order to avoid that start researching alternative flight routes months in advance. Some ticket prices go up rapidly, some linger at a bargain price for a while - that's just the way it is. When browsing for flights, I often go "incognito" on google chrome in order to avoid additional tracking by companies so that they dont inflate the price. Sometimes long haul flights with long stop overs are unappealing - but if the stopover is long enough and at a cool destination- why not get out of the airport and explore? It doesn't hurt to make the most of your travel even before reaching your final destination.

I always use skyscanner.com ebookers.com & edreams.com - then I double check and compare the prices independently on the airline websites - as essentially it's easier later on with changes if you're booking directly through them (sometimes it is cheaper, sometimes more expensive).




4) Travelling itself

For long duration trip it's good to have a packing list with all the essentials. Don't overpack on things - take only enough for the time you're there - you probably will be using less  than half of these anyway. For tropical destinations I would only recommend bikinis, shorts & comfy lounge wear to travel in (a thin rain jacket is a must too, especially when travelling during the monsoon). I always stock up on anti-emetics, painkillers, anti-mosquito spray and loads of antibac. These are my 'go to' when packing my toiletry bag.

With things like expensive camera equipment or other technology -make sure to have a good worldwide travel insurance. If you're cautious nothing is likely to be a problem but accidents DO happen. It's better to have that extra security, especially when you're taking part in extreme sports or other specific activities such as diving etc - double check your policy covers that.

5) Capture it

These days we all are definitely way too much "on our phones" therefore often living our lives via social media - when absorbed in all of the surrounding technology, we sometimes forget to enjoy the actual moment. However, regardless of this fact, it's good to record our experiences - eg. make movies and later on look back on it all. This doesn't mean you have to be with a camera 24/7 but make sure to choose a day or two when you'll capture some of the essential aspects of the trip - if you don't, you'll only regret it later on. I always take a GoPro when I travel to document my voyages, it's small, waterproof and easy to carry. If you're not the type who likes to carry a huge SLR with lenses - with the abilities of todays smartphones - even a phone is enough to take good quality photos or vids.


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