My Christmas Wishlist For 2016

letters-to-a-christmas-wishlist1. FOREO LUNA Sonic Face Brush (here) | 2. RAPLH LAUREN Backpack (here) | 3. VIVA LA JUICY NOIR  (here)|  4. NYX COSMETICS Contour Palette (here) | 5. FUJIFILM INSTAX Mini 8 (here) | 6. PATRIZIA PEPE (here) | 7. URBAN OUTFITTERS Portable Charger (here) | 8. ASICS Sneakers (here) | 9. SABRINA DEHOFF bracelet (here) | 10. BLOOMINGVILLE Coffee Table (here)

I can’t even recall the last time I prepared a Christmas wish list. Not that I don’t like Christmas – of course I do. It’s undoubtedly the best excuse to spend some cosy time with your family, indulge in delicious food, and receive thoughtful (or not so much) gifts. Still, since I moved out of my parent’s house, I’ve never found it important to decorate my flat and be all christmasy. And why would I? Christmas is about sharing the spirit with your loved ones and enjoying your time together – be choosing presents, decorating your home, or drinking hot chocolate near the Christmas tree.
Well, this Christmas takes on a different meaning for me, as my husband, daughter and I will be celebrating for the first time together as a family. Philip has even prepared a sock (I’ve never had one), where the little elf leaves presents for me to unwrap every single day during December. In Bulgaria people normally give each other presents only on Christmas day, which is why I’m literally buzzing from excitement every single morning to find out what Philip my elf has left for me hehe.
So with my Christmas mood turned up to the max, I decided to put together a Christmas wish list.
Among my wishes is the Foreo Luna Sonic Face Brush (here) – the revolutionary brush that exfoliates the skin without irritating it, removing 99.5% of the dirt and oil, makeup residue and dead skin cells. A dream come true, having in mind that I can’t pay my beautician a visit as often as I’d have liked. I’m also in desperate need of a portable charger (just check this marble-looking one by Urban Outfitters here)as my phone runs out of battery all the freakin’ time! P.S. Urban Outfitters have some great Christmas gift suggestions.
I’ve also been dying to try the new contour kit by NYX Cosmetics (here), as even though contouring is not that in this year, my square-shaped face kinda requires it :).
Aw, and, of course, the FUJIFILM INSTAX Mini 8 (herethat will enable me to take instant photos of Sofia-Malou.
And what about you? What’s on your Christmas wish list for 2016?
xoxo
A.

From ‘Black’ to ‘Happy’ Friday

letters-to-a-mommyIt’s so easy to forget that life is what you make it. I used to read inspiration books, practicing the law of attraction all the time and then collecting the fruits of my labour. And it was great – my life was headed in the right direction and everything was falling into place.
Until all of a sudden I stopped projecting positive thoughts and started living from day to day, focused solely on the day I’d meet Sofia-Malou. Today I often catch myself thinking about the future and being uncertain in regards to what it holds, as if I’ve completely forgotten that it depends solely on how I paint it. It’s similar to when we say that being a mother is stressful. But hey, that quality (stress) hasn’t popped up in my life as a result of being a mommy, conversely it’s a quality that we often end up attributing to that big life change. It’s an experience that comes from within rather than from the outside.
Honestly, reflecting on the past 2 months I can’t say that being a mommy is a stressful experience. I FIND certain aspects of what is taking place stressful such as having less time to work on a blogpost or exercise, but that’s a feeling I’ve created myself and then attached to my current situation. So today exactly on ‘Black Friday’ I challenge myself to begin ‘experiencing more happiness and ease every time I feel I have no time to do my work, because I’m lucky enough spend it on my daughter instead’… and to see the situation as a great opportunity to learn how to be more organised and multi-task even more successfully.
Ultimately, I need to make some small adjustments so that I don’t end up falling into the trap of  ‘creating’ this experience of stress and attributing it me being a mommy.

Believe it or not this applies to every aspect of life. We often say ‘Oh, I just watched such a sad film’ or ‘Have you read this book? It’s incredibly inspiring!’. But inspiring to whom? What you find inspiring might be boring and
inadequate for someone else. No object or situation is the same when observed through different eyes. This explains why in some cultures people cry and wear black during funerals, while in others (think Jamaica) people dance and celebrate the beautiful life one’s had.

And what about ‘Black Friday’? Have you ever wondered why we use the colour of mourning to describe it? Because the crowds on the streets were causing traffic accidents and violence – hence why people attributed a negative connotation to that day.

Today we see  ‘Black Friday’ in a completely different light. It’s a day when you can buy a lot of great stuff on discount – so it’s happy times, eh? So exactly on that day I challenge you to come up with one quality (stress, sadness) that you have attributed to a certain sphere of your life and try to rephrase it until it gets a positive vibration. You have an ‘awful & scary boss’? Or maybe you ‘find him awful and scary’ and have to adjust the way you see him in order to make your life more stress-free? Just think think think! Rephrase and see what happens! (p.s. I’d love to hear your experience of that exercise).

Aw, and let’s not forget, Marieta Petrova is the lucky reader who won a watch by Abbott & Mosley!

And the rest of you who want to lay your hands on a beautiful watch with a marble dial by the Swedish brand use the discount code: letters25 (here) at check out to get 25% off your purchase.

My baby wagon is by Bugaboo Buffalo (here)letters-ot-a-abbott-mosleySpeak soon!
A.

Let’s Match

letters-to-a-familyBeing a first-time mommy has changed a lot of things for me and being stylish is one of them. It’s challenging enough for me to get ready to go out for a walk (changing diapers last minute, breastfeeding, trying to find my keys…mommy brain) so things like perfecting my make-up or choosing a cool outfit are now almost impossible tasks to perform.

During our stay in Bulgaria I took the advantage of Sofia Malou’s aunt and grannies volunteering to entertain her while I was getting ready to go to the city, and spent that extra time I had on figuring out what to wear (to match Philip) and do my make-up.
How vain, right?letters-to-a-family1Philip’s Outfit: Farah Jumper (here) // Only & Sons Blazer (here) //HUGO by Hugo Boss Skinny Jeans (here) // Ray Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses (here) // Royal Republic Boots (here) or Zign Leather Boot (here) // Antoinette’s Outfit: Suncoo Freud Leopard Mini Skirt (here) // Vero Moda Knot Front Blouse (here) // Quay Australia Cat Eye Sunglasses (here) // Public Desire Ankle Boots (here) or Faith Solo Ankle Boots (here) // Jacket by Zara (here)

But that’s the thing. After giving birth my self-confidence has dropped A LOT, with me feeling quite insecure not only about my looks, but about that whole new mommy identity that I’m yet to learn how to carry with proudness. But the biggest impact that identity/confidence crisis has had is without any doubt on my relationship. Even though Philip and I are dealing quite well with the whole new situation, I’ve been getting frustrated and nagging about irrelevant things such as not having enough photos with him or that he had more photos with Sofia-Malou and his friends than with us three as a family. No wonder why Philip agreed to take a few street style photos with me in order to please me.
I was acting Cray Zey!letters-to-a-street-styleThe day before we left I noticed that the dark circles under my eyes had disappeared despite that I was still  breastfeeding full-time and taking Sofia-Malou with me every time we were out. But the fact that so many people were helping me take care of my little girl gave me enough of a break from my mommy duty.
Until all of a sudden I started missing the routine Sofia-Malou and I had established back home *rolling eyes*.
Yep, being a mommy is not an easy thing… I’m still trying to make sense of it… and I guess it will take more than 2 months to get there.
What about you and your confidence after giving birth? I’d also love to hear your thoughts on our choice of outfits.
xoxo
A.

My New Marble Obsession

letters-to-a-abbott-mosley1One of the curses of spending most of my time at home is called ‘online shopping’ and I’m pretty sure some of you newbie mommies have fallen under its spell too. But if there is one single thing I can’t get enough of that’s everything made of white marble with greyish details (very important). If I could have my kitchen board, coffee table, bathroom sink made of marble, oh my – my life would be complete. Okay, I got a little bit carried away here – but you know what I mean.
So there I was surfing the net in hopes of finding the perfect pair of sunglasses and watch with marble detail. It’s a difficult job finding anything with real marble, until, oh, you holy google, introduced me to Abbott & Mosley‘s pieces made of Italian marble. Say what? That meant only one thing – each and every watch is unique. And that’s where I just couldn’t resist the temptation…and here I’m today walking around with that eye candy on my wrist.letters-to-a-abbott-mosley-watchWhen I saw the watch in real life I got immediately  inspired to take a few creative photos some of which you can see above. For more ‘marble’ inspiration visit Abbott and Mosley’s Instagram (here) and FB page (here). And for those of you also keen on marble – make sure to give their pages a like + write your name in a comment below the post for a chance to win one of their pieces. The winner will be announced tomorrow so go go go!
And you?
And you? Is there a piece you’ve recently bought online that you’re incredibly happy with?
xoxo
A.

Travelling for the First Time as a Mommy

letters-to-a-travellingI missed travelling – packing my luggage, choosing my travel outfits, envisaging what I’d be doing while being away. The whole process somehow magically charges me with so much positive energy and happiness that only a day after arriving in Sofia I noticed that the dark circles under my eyes have completely disappeared and my skin has regained its original complexion. Prior to giving birth I had no clue that I would be able to fly with Sofia during the first few months, which made me quite anxious. But surprise-surprise it turned out we definitely could and there we were cosily snuggled on the airplane with Sofia-Malou being less than two months old.lta_travellingVila Faux Leather Pants (here) // French Connection Colour Block Coat (here) or Mango Pockets Wool Coat (here) // Zara Sneakers (here) // Missguided Rock Tee (here) // Quay Australia Harper Cat Sunglasses (here) // Asos Gold Stud Choker Necklace (here) // LeoWullf Anaconda Bag (here) or Pauls Boutique Exclusive Bethany Black Snake Structured Tote (here)

All the warnings that she would be crying a lot due to the high pressure (swallowing is a difficult task for the little babies so they could end up with very bad earache) remained only that. I was nursing her (we don’t use pacifier), while we were ascending and descending and she was joyful all the way to Bulgaria.
I was actually relieved to find out that we are able to travel together and that she tolerates flying at such an early age. My main concern before becoming a mother was that I wouldn’t be able to travel for a long time and will be stuck at home. I was wrong.
It’s all about fitting your baby in your lifestyle, which in my case involves a lot of travelling. The fact that I could fly with Sofia made me so incredibly happy and relieved. It seemed as if Sofia-Malou has also noticed the positive vibes I was giving off and she was smiling and giggling a lot.
I’ll be travelling every few months to break the routine Sofia and I have established at home. Routines make me miserable and the last thing I want is to radiate negative vibes when Sofia is around. What I’ve learned during the last two months is that when Philip and I are happy, so is she. Then it’s pretty essential that we, as all the other newbie parents, engage in doing things that make us happy and composed.lta_travelling2
The outfit I chose for my first flight as a mommy wasn’t that mommy-esque at all. I went back to the 90’s with a sophisticated twist. A pair of faux-leather pants, combined with a punk top and colour-block coat that goes with my comfy platform trainers – perfect for a flight.
What about you? Have you travelling abroad with your little one yet?
xoxo
A.