Extrovert vs Introvert

A funny approach to one's personality :) 

Which one are you?

Thanks Pleated Jeans for the good laugh!

Sunday tune

Hello everyone,

Remember how I posted on Friday this really cool campaign done by Contrex mineral water? Well here's the music they used for the whole thing: Francoise Hardy - Comment te dire adieu.
Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!

Who ever said exercise was dull...

...Clearly did not hear about the 'Contrex experience'! :) 

I've been watching this clip over and over again, having fun every time and not getting bored.  

Heads up for Contrex' brilliant idea!

Enjoy

Weekend atmosphere

Here comes the weekend and I am feeling dreamy. 

I woke up this morning with Antonin Dvorak's Serenade for strings stuck in my head, especially the second movement - Tempo di valse (to be honest with you I went to bed thinking of it). It makes me smile and feel alive every time I listen to it, so I decided to share it with you. :)

The piece was conducted by Daniel Barenboim and performed by the London Chamber Orchestra in 1971.

I had the opportunity to see Barenboim conduct this year at the George Enescu festival and it was exquisite!

I hope you guys have a great weekend.

Take care xx 

The young Victoria

I watched this weekend the historic drama 'The young Victoria' and absolutely loved it. Those of you who haven't watched it yet, do so. It's a different love story than the usual chick flicks and the romantic comedies one finds these days. You won't be sorry.

I may be a hopeless romantic but Sinead O'Connor's "Only you" song is absolutely stunning. 

I can't seem to stop listening to it. :)

Latura cool a iederei

Intotdeauna mi-au placut casele, zidurile, gardurile, podeturile etc. acoperite cu iedera. Am impresia ca parca ar fi scoase din cartile cu basme, basca faptul transforma orice casa nerenovata intr-o oaza de oxigen pe verticala cu aspect simpatic. Asa ca enjoy :)

Photos courtesy of Xena bites back, tubblesnap, Jon Barbour & Favim

My daily moodswing...

...se datoreaza norilor si frigului.

Enjoy! 

Cocoon - Oh my God

Passe em casa

I've had this tune stuck in my head all day long so I thought I'd share it with you and hopefully I will get over it haha :)

Passeeeeee em casa... :)

YOU.

I just stumbled upon this text on lettersillneversend.

Although it has not been written for me I find myself within its lines and hope that whoever will read it will get the same feeling of hope as I did.
Indeed everything will be okay no matter what...

YOU.

You. Yes, you, I am writing this for you.
I know you are reading this. And I want you to know I am writing this for you . No one else will understand. No one else knows. They think that this is for them. But it's not. I am writing this for you.
I want you to know, life...it's hard. Every day can be a challenge. It can be a challenge to get up in the morning. To get yourself out of bed. To put on that smile. But I want you to know, that smile is what keeps me going some days. You need to remember, even through the tough times, you are amazing. You really are.
You should be happy. You are gorgeous.
I know that the weather might not be perfect. You might have to turn your back to the wind or feel the cold nipping at your nose. But you know what, at least you are there to feel it. At least you can enjoy the sun's warm rays on your face. Or that cold February wind biting at your cheeks. You know what that means?
You are alive.
Everything will be okay.

Wishful thinking

Incredibil cat de repede a trecut anul asta - e deja toamna! 

Desi avem parte de vreme excelenta, duc deja dorul zilelor de vara & al celor de concediu, lipsite de orice grija. 

Si pentru ca nu-mi ramane decat sa tanjesc dupa ele pana la anul, astazi as vrea sa fiu aici...

Photo courtesy of We heart it

Stiu pe cineva care...

... este un super violonist!

Din ciclul "Ce prieteni super-mega-talentati am" vi-l prezint pe Giovanni Guzzo, un violonist minunat si un prieten carismatic, pe care te poti baza intotdeauna. Stiu ca inregistrarea este de acum ceva timp (2007) dar imaginati-va cat de bun e acum, 4 ani mai tarziu :)

Despre batranete

Adesea ma lovesc de expresia "Urata-i batranetea". Varstnicii, parintii, pana si persoanele de varsta mea au senzatia ca intr-adevar batranetea este o varsta a chinurilor, a supararii, a inutilitatii, a decliniului general.

Ei bine, nu sunt de aceasta parere!

In mod evident, pentru a ajunge la batranete trebuie sa acumulezi o anumita experienta de viata, o intelepciune la care altfel n-ai avea acces decat din spusele altora sau din citite. Este o noua etapa a vietii unui om si una pe care cred ca ar trebui s-o privim ca o aventura nu neaparat o corvoada. Acest lucru mi-l confirma chiar Andrei Plesu intr-unul din textele sale intitulat "Vechime si batranete", din volumul "Despre frumusetea uitata a vietii". 

Iata cateva pasaje din acesta:

"Din pacate, viata cotidiana valorifica in mult mai mare masura latura sumbra a celor doi termeni (vechi & batranete), pejoratia lor. Batranii incurca: blocheaza culoarele gloriei, impovareaza bugetul familiei si al statului, nu reusesc sa moara la timp. Sunt "vechituri". Sunt "o problema". Si, cata vreme ii percepem ca problema, nu avem acces la nicio solutie. Solutia incepe sa se contureze abia dupa ce schimbam perspectiva, abia dupa ce descoperim atuurile varstei tarzii, tonusul ei subtil, iradierea exemplaritatii ei. [...] A imbatrani e a deschide o poarta spre orizontul vechimii. [...] Si cum altfel am putea descoperi vechimea lumii [...] fara sa devenim vechi noi insine, fara sa imbatranim? Batranii poarta povara intelepciunii, ceea ce nu inseamna altceva decat ca ei cunosc caile lumii, caci ii impartasesc vechimea. Au aceeasi stare cu ea. 

Cand suntem batrani din toata inima, autentici in fiinta noastra, in adevarul prezentei noastre, cu tot ce in ea gravitas si excentricitate, asta se rasfrange, indirect, asupra binelui public si, prin aceasta, si asupra binelui tinerelor genratii. Ceea ce face fin batranetie o ocupatie permanenta (a full-time job), din care nu iesi niciodata la pensie.

A fi batran e o aventura. Sa iesi din cada si sa alergi la telefon, sau pur si simplu sa cobori cateva trepte implica tot atatea riscuri ca o calatorie prin desertul Gobi calare pe o camila. Altadata, cand ne ajutau picioarele, coboram scarile rapid si eram de indata la usa. Acum insa, cine stie cand ne lasa, in mod perfid, genunchii si cand vom rata, la coborare, o treapta. Altadata invatam de la vulpi si soimi; astazi invatatoarele si invatatorii nostri sunt morsele, broastele testoase si elanii innamoliti in malstini. Aventrua lentorii."

Life seen through a lens

I met up today with a mate of mine who's one of the coolest photographers I know. Now, I may not very knowledgeable in the photography field, but I definitely get a positive vibe about him :). I like to think that photography isn't about where you go or who you know. It's about telling stories & getting messages across, about feelings and making the most of every minute spent behind the lens.

So I decided to share some of his stuff (mainly his blog & his website) with you lot. Check out the links & stay tuned.

Everyone meet Catalin Abagiu!
Cata meet everyone! :)

Who knows, maybe some day I'll be able to say "Yeah, I got this friend of mine, he's a member of Magnum and they can't get enough of him..." :)

Inspiration of the day

Un aranjament floral perfect pentru o zi de vineri.

Week-end placut tuturor!

Photo courtesy of  A Cup of Jo

The other face of Dr. House

Hugh Laurie never ceases to amaze me :)

Food for thought

Din categoria "Life is like a box of chocolates..."

Photo courtesy of We heart it

Sunday treat

Nu sunt o impatimita a inghetatei, insa de azi dimineata ma gandesc numai la asta... 

Ca sa nu fiu singura pofticioasa m-am gandit sa va arat cateva imagini cu inghetate dupa care ofteaza papilele mele gustative.

Ah, si o retetea courtesy of Crazy Mother Cooker & David Lebovitz. :)

Ingrediente (pentru cca 1 litru)

- Sucul proaspat stors din 5-6 grapefruits roz ( cca 750-800 ml)

- 150 g zahar

- 60 ml Campari

Mod de preparare:

- Stoarceti sucul din grapefruits si strecurati-l. Aveti grija la samburi ;)

- Incalziti intr-o cratita 250 ml de suc impreuna cu zaharul, amestecand constant pana ce acesta se dizolva complet

- Adaugati si restul sucului, amestecati bine & apoi raciti compozitia in baie de apa rece cu gheata

- Adaugati cei 60 ml de Campari, transferati amestecul intr-o casoleta cu capa & lasati-o la racit in frigider cateva ore. Expertul recomanda peste noapte :)

- Congelati amestecul cateva ore (aprox 40 minute in cazul in care aveti masina de inghetata) 

Photos courtesy of Crazy Mother Cooker & I Heart It

Bine-i mirelui...

Dupa o pauza de mai bine de o luna si un sezon indelungat al nuntilor, revin cu forte proaspete.

Asadar, inchin in cinstea tuturor nuntilor la care am fost vara aceasta (da, am avut 10 nunti) prea-frumosul slagar Phoenix - Nunta.

Too much love will kill you

What's your 30 day challenge?

I like to browse through presentations that people make on TED Talks. The other day I ran into Matt Cutts' presentation. I've heard this theory before yet still found the presentation fresh & funny and above all motivating.

In a nutshell, it takes about 30 days to develop a habit or to get rid of one, depending to the situation. So when you feel your life is dull or stuck in a routine give those things you always wanted to do but never had the chance a shot.

So what big or small, crazy or sustainable or all together idea will you try for the next 30 days?

Matt Cutts: Try something new for 30 days | Video on TED.com

Lanterns

There's something romantic and magic about lanterns...

Thanks Delikatessen & We heat it for the great pics.

Time is of essence

Check out this really cool tune & video by Cold Mailman.

Inspiration of the day

I've just discovered Agnes Obel's amazing voice and decided to share a wonderful song & its lyrics with you.

Avenue

What is wrong at the end of the day

What is really wrong no one dares to say

You know you're wrong when there's only one right

but what is wrong when right is out of sight

Right rode away long ago

Before rescuing wrong from below

I might be mistaken I know

But hey we need to be somewhat 

Foolish, feeble-minded, wrong and senseless

Right rode off long ago, 

There's nothing nothing more you need to know

There's nothing more you need to show

Let us disagree, cause wrong was made for you to be

What is false when we can't hear no more

And there is nothing to cover for

What is wrong in this old wasted game

May right and wrong be one and the same

Right rode away long ago

Before rescuing wrong from below

I might be mistaken I know

But hey we need to be somewhat

Foolish, feeble-minded, wrong and senseless

Right rode off long ago,

There's nothing more you need to know

There's nothing more you need to show

Let us disagree, cause wrong was made for you to be

Cum ar fi...

Sa-ti aranjezi biblioteca in functie de culorile cartilor tale?

Photo courtesy of We heart it

Inspiration of the day

“Life can either be accepted or changed. If it is not accepted, it must be changed. If it cannot be changed, then it must be accepted.”

- Author Unknown but Thanks Belle Maison for the inspiration :) and to We Heart It for the photos

Apasa-l, apasa-l!

Valentin Ruhry a avut ideea geniala de a pune 5000 de intrerupatoare portocalii si le-a transformat intr-o "panza" goala pe care poti scrie mesaje. Imaginati-va posibilitatile :)

Proiectul se numeste "Unititled (Hello World)" si este expus in cadrul Forumului Cultural Austriac (Austrian Cultrual Forum) din NYC. Asa ca daca sunteti prin New York vara asta go see it si sa-mi povestiti si mie cum e sa te joci la toate butoanele alea. :)

Windows on the world

What's your window like?

What's your current read?

One of my New Year's resolutions was to read more. So at the beginning of the year I made a beautiful handwritten list of 100 book titles that I was planning to read. Of course that project didn't go as planned...

What changed? Well for a fact the number of books on my list. Somehow for each book I've read so far I've added other 8 or 10. So now, 6 months into the project, the list has 210 titles and I've only read 15 of them. But that doesn't kill my buzz. :) If nothing else it just sparks up my interest.

Nevertheless the other day I stumbled onto the coolest site ever! It's called What should I read next.  Basically for those of you who lack inspiration in what book to pick up next or who are simply hunting down a good book to read, the site searches according to your favorite reads and authors and suggests similar books. So next time you ask yourself "What Should I Read Next?" just click on the link :)