plant lavender for luck.

photo via Pinterest 1 & Pinterest 2

Talking about luck, I remembered that I always wanted to plant a lavender at home. But not only to attract a good luck. :)
It's very beautiful & also has some powers of relaxing! If you put lavender seeds and flowers in pillow,  it will aid your sleep! Also an infusion of three flower-heads added to a cup of boiling water soothes and relaxes at bedtime. Flowers can be candied and are sometimes even used as cake decorations! How lovely is that, ha?

[...] But there are some things I know for certain: always throw split salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for luck, and fall in love whenever you can. ~ Sally Owens


xoxo,
Ak.

info via Wikipedia

Welcome to the heart of basketball!

photo via azuolas.prienai.lm.lt

Today European Basketball Championship 2011 begins!!!
Did you know, that Lithuania is the heart of basketball? Check it out!
This spring I had an interview with Amber, the symbol of European Basketball Championship 2011! :)
And I really loved his thought that basketball in Lithuania means something more than a game. When the whole family sits on the sofa in front of the TV and when our team gets so decisive points, you all start to scream as loud as you can, your heart beats so strongly and you hear your neighbors behind the wall screaming even louder than you.. it's something you know from your childhood. It's somehow patriotic and I'd like to say holy.
Because at that moment every Lithuanian has given a chance for a hope.

GOOD LUCK FOR OUR TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

xoxo,
Ak.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

photo via cityout.lt & alfa.lt

One friend of mine recently asked me, what was the best Lithuanian movie I've ever seen and I quickly replied "Nut Bread", which I've already told you about.
So today I was thinking about the best Lithuanian play I've ever seen and that was much more difficult to answer.
Lithuanian theater is magnetic, there are many directors (Oskaras Koršunovas, Rimas Tuminas, Cezaris Graužinis, Gintaras Varnas and many others), whose plays travel all around the world and amaze different audience. I love Lithuanian theater myself and I usually go there at least once a month when I'm in Vilnius, so I've already seen over 20 plays (if I didn't forget something!).
It was very difficult to decide, which one is the best, because they all have different kinds, but I think that the most versatile, the one that absolutely charmed me was a play by William Shakespeare "A Midsummer Night's Dream", directed by O. Koršunovas. 

One of the surprising ideas was that during the play all the actors were wearing overalls and they looked like blue-workers, all the same, no matter if someone is the king or the servant. The play shows the time of XVI - XVII century, but suddenly it didn't matter who those people were, what was the time and space, the story was more important than the outward itself.
Another astonishing idea was that every actor during the play had a board and it seemed like they were hiding from the audience, so everyone could use their imagination to fulfill missing pieces with their point of view. The other thought that I had was that every man has some burden of life that they always have to carry out with themselves, no matter who they are or how they live.
There were more ideas that only the audience could answer and all the play was very fun and dynamic, it had some ironic point of view, which you can find in some different scenes.
Here is a short video (I'm so sorry it's Lithuanian, I couldn't find it in English), the acting of Rasa Samuolytė is stunning! [14:14]

xoxo,
Ak.

try something new for 30 days.

photo via Pinterest

The summer is becoming more and more autumnal and while seeing the leaves painting yellow, the evenings getting colder, I couldn't help but wonder: where did the time go?
And at these moments I always start to think about what I haven't done instead about what I did. So I've recently understood that it may be one of the problems of my low self-confidence. I always blame myself and I always feel kind of self-pity for many things. And that's the worst thing I could do. The more you regret yourself, the more you think you can't change anything and in this way you get stuck in a circle.
I've read some articles about self-confidence building and, although this article is not very sensational, I've discovered that I really never focus on gratitude. The problem is that I always feel grateful for something what I did only when I do it perfectly, the way I wanted it to be done. So usually I'm not satisfied with the result. And then I realized only one thing can change this.
A list. Making a list always makes you appraise the things you've done, because you see how much you've reached.
But there was another problem. I didn't have enthusiasm to try something new. When you focus too much on what you want, the mind creates reasons why you can’t have it. This was the question I couldn't answer.
One evening while discussing some topics with my friends, one friend of mine reminded me a good website ted.com, where you can find tons of amazing speeches of famous scientists or other inspirational people. So I've watched some videos and this one I want to share with you.
The video is very short, but you can hear there the most important idea. Try something new for 30 days. When you challenge yourself, you gain more self-confidence and that's the main key to build self-confidence. The interesting fact was that small changes are more likely to stick. So I stopped and thought. I've already did something for 30 days. I've started blogging. And I didn't quit.
It's working! So I have one question left now. What you're waiting for??

xoxo,
Ak.

colors.

photo via Wire Image

Perfect outfit of Rashida Jones! Loooove the colors! Red and pink always looks so bright & lovely, the lipstick is delightful and the shoes are just perfect! Wonderful outfit, I'm charmed of this image!
xoxo,
Ak.

Vilnius for the evening.

Tomorrow I'm going to Vilnius for a few days, so I got an idea to list you my favorite places for the evening if you're ever going to visit this lovely city! So here's the list:

• Vasaros Terasa [Summer's Terrace]

photo via Facebook

This is a very charming place where you can spend a warm summer evening, the atmosphere is very relaxing and nice. Usually you can find there live music playing - from blues to electro, all tastes satisfied!

• Chaplin Terasa [Chaplin's Terrace]
  

photo via Facebook

It is a very similar place to the first one, except the music, which doesn't have such a wide range of taste - the atmosphere is usually fulfilled with electro, techno kind of music, so it's a perfect place for such music lovers to chill out with friends. I love this remix, which I heard it there one evening (26:43 makes me wanna jump & dance!!)!

• Brandy Lounge

 photo via Martyna Jovaišatė

 It is a very small bar in the old town, usually absolutely crowded with friendly & cheerful people. If you find a place to sit somewhere, you're very lucky, but most of the time you just don't want to - the DJ's are playing very moving music and you want to dance all the night!

• Banzai

 photo via facebook

This bar is a bit bigger than Brandy Lounge, but still there isn't much place to dance and it is also usually very crowdy - but on the other hand it shows how good it is. The DJ's play very various music, so it's a nice place to chill out for everyone.

• Gringo

photo via facebook

This is a very cozy pub to sit, to talk and have a drink with your friends. The people who work there are very nice, so you will feel very welcome! The interior is absolutely my favorite - unfortunately, I haven't found much photos, I promise you to show it next time!

• Gorky

 photo via facebook

This bar has also a very nice interior and a cozy atmosphere. On the evenings the DJ's play live music, so you can dance a little, sit a little and relax with your friends.

• Fluxus Ministerija [Fluxus Ministry]

photo via facebook

This is a very free & creative space for the artists. The building has many floors and often in every floor there are some different exhibitions of various artists' works. On the first floor there is a bar and there usually are live music concerts in the evenings. You must always come by, you never know what you may find there!

This is it, for this time, I will let you know about other lovely places I will find! Just come to see it, my chéris!xoxo,
Ak.

have a quiet weekend.

photo via Pinterest 1 & Pinterest 2

Yesterday I had a very stressful day, it was my first practice as a waitress (I've learned to make a latte!!), so today I'm going to stay in my bed with my book - aaaall day long, of course!
Have a calm & cozy weekend, million bisous!
xoxo,
Ak.

a stars death.

photo via thisiscolossal.com

Incredibly beautiful animations by Texas photographer Ignacio Torres from his series Stellar.  

This project began from the theory that humans are made of cosmic matter as a result of a stars death. [...] Their movement serves as a visual metaphor to the spatial link we share with stars as well as their separateness through time.
Check it out, my lovelies!
xoxo,
Ak.

[...] I think if you lifted my heart to your ear, you could probably hear the ocean.

photo via Pinterest

My heart is an ocean, oceano mare, evenly swinging from side to side.. overflowing me from the inside with a high sparkling wave when fatal turn-round hits from the very bottom of it.. at that moment I know, I know which way I got to go.. and then I step aside and listen to it, I hear its waves calming me down, silently throbbing maktub..
Sometimes you have to build a bridge of chance for someone you love.
xoxo,
Ak.

we're all connected.

photo & video via thisiscolossal.com

What a lovely vision of the world, that we often forget! We are all together here, we have the same place to share, the same feelings to feel. Take a care this week, my darlings!

xoxo,
Ak.

All About My Mother

photos via listal.com

I've recently watched "All About My Mother" by Pedro Almodovar and I was stunned.The movie was all about women - loving, caring & incredibly strong. It seemed that somehow this film was about all women in general, the love that they all instinctively have to share, to sacrifice for others who are close to them. It's incredible & amazing movie which leaves you in many doubts - I highly recommend you to watch it, here's the trailer!

xoxo,
Ak.

Manuela: Women will do anything to avoid being alone.
Sister María Rosa Sanz: Women are more tolerant, but that's good.

quote via imdb.com

cappuccino-color nails

photos via thesalonbeautybar.com & Pinterest

This summer I'm in love with cappuccino-color nails! Almost white, but more natural & simple, adore it!
xoxo,
Ak.

“Blessed are those who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.”

photo via Pinterest

quote by Camille Pissarro

"OH JOY! I'M HOME!"

Robbie Williams, my soooooooooooooooooo beloved singer since I was a teenager, is blogging about his experiences on his official site! I used to read it, because I'm so curious, even  if I don't listen to his music as often as I used to do. But I think what he writes is really nice & sincere, so it's interesting to read it. And recently he has added a video blog! You can see his home and hear what is he up to, if you're curious too!
xoxo,
Ak.

"there was a shark behind you."

photo via sheworered.tumblr.com

"A family were on holiday in Australia for a week and a half when husband, wife and their 15 year old son decided to go scuba diving. The husband is in the navy and has had some scuba experience.  His son wanted a picture of his mum and dad in all their gear so he got the under water camera ready to go. When it came to taking the picture the dad realized that the son looked like he was panicking as he took it and gave the ‘OK’ hand sign to see if he was all right.
The son took the picture and swam to the surface and back to the boat as quick as he could so the mum and dad followed to see if he was OK. When they got back to him he was scrambling onto the boat and absolutely panicking. When the parents asked why, he said ‘there was a shark behind you.’ The dad thought he was joking but the skipper of the boat said it was true but they wouldn’t believe him.
As soon as they got back to the hotel they loaded the picture onto there laptop and that was what they saw."

xoxo,
Ak.

info via lolsofunny.com

P. S.

photo via flickr.com

xoxo,
Ak.

[...] she handled her charm with time and slight of hand, and oh

photo via flickr.com

Do you want to go to the seaside?
I'm not trying to say that everybody wants to go
I fell in love at the seaside
I handled my charm with time and slight of hand

Do you want to go to the seaside?
I'm not trying to say that everybody wants to go
I fell in love at the seaside
She handled her charm with time and slight of hand, and oh

But I'm just trying to love you
In any kind of way
But I find it hard to love you girl
When you're far away
Away

lyrics via absolutelyrics.com

xoxo,
Ak.

clothes & prejudices

photo via Pinterest

I couldn't help, but wonder - does everyone has some prejudices that they believe in? I've recently bought a new skirt and as I was walking in the street wearing it for the first time, I got a feeling that I always do while wearing new clothes for the first time. The thing is that if something good or bad happens wearing these new clothes, it will leave a mark and each time I wear these clothes, I will remember it and I will get a feeling that something good/bad will happen again. It is a very silly prejudice that I have, but still I can't help it!
I wonder what prejudices does everyone have of their own everyday? Not to pick the first item on the row on the shelf in the shop? Not to take the last piece of cake on the plate if you're visiting someone?

xoxo,
Ak.

lovely hair for everyday

photo via Pinterest

Inlove with this hairstyle! It looks gorgeous & comfortable to wear everyday, don't you think? Here's some tips!

xoxo,
Ak.

[...] if I’m honest I have to tell you I still read fairy-tales and I like them best of all.

photo via Pinterest

I always have some books in my mind that I know that someday I'm going to read it, so in order not to forget, I'm going to make a list:

• The Brothers Karamazov by F. Dostojevski;
• One Hundred Years Of Solitude by G. G. Marquez;
• The Red And The Black by Stendhal;
• The Night In Lisbon by E. M. Remark;
• 1984 by G. Orwell;
• 1Q84 by H. Murakami;
• In Search Of Lost Time by M. Proust;
• The Beautiful And The Damned by F. S. Fitzgerald;
• Ignorance by M. Kundera. 
  
  Tomorrow I will defenately have a book-afternoon with a cup of green tea by my side!
  xoxo,
  Ak.

[...] oh you look so beautiful tonight

photo via Pinterest

Today is raining here, in Vilnius, but still it's not the reason to stay at home. While showing my favorite spots in Vilnius for my cousin, I felt like exploring some new places, although it is the same city I've already lived in for 2 years.
Strange, how this city can get millions of faces - each time different when you are exploring it with the different person. Sometimes it's breath-taking - you look at it from the top of the hill and you see plenty of different roofs and your friend next to you says how he believes in fate, that we are meant to meet some people that we know now. Sometimes it's lovely, like the moments when you sit in a small cafe in the oldtown and watch smiling people sitting next to your table and your friend sitting next to you says what a delightful weather to be happy.
But most of all I love Vilnius when I'm alone wandering in some quiet little street of an old-town with a warm cup of coffee in my hand, while hearing noises of rushing city somewhere behind and looking to the window-cases, to the trees and to the sky. At that moment I feel absolutely calm and peaceful. This is Vilnius that I'm most close to, this is the face of this city that charms me, my lovely city of blinding lights, which full moon's and dark lonesome sky's evenings sometimes seems unbearable.
xoxo,
Ak.

have a stylish weekend!

photo via Sartorialist

What are you up to this weekends, ma chéries? I'm exploring Vilnius with my cousin, who's visiting us from Germany, so me & my sister are going to show the best spots of the city!
One of my favorite things here in Vilnius is drinking icecold coffee & watching stylish people on the streets - hope you will have a classy weekend too!
xoxo,
Ak.

I wanna go to Iceland

photo via Pinterest 1 & Pinterest 2

If I ever go kayaking again (I'm not sure yet), I wish it would be Iceland! So many breathtaking sights you can see while floating in the water!..
xoxo,
Ak.

rules of kayking

photo via Pinterest 1

During the last trip I've understood three main things about kayaking:

• First, never go kayaking with the girl - even if you are very good friends, you'll never be strong enough (don't believe in Cher) to kayak together and worst of all, it can get too emotional, when two girls are trapped between rocks - screaming is unbearable.
• Second, be ok with the fact that you're going to swear a lot. Don't try to quit swearing before the trip - it's  not going to work out anyway.
• And the last, you have to have a good sense of humor (best - irony) or you're going to cry a lot.

Anyway, I'm really happy about the trip, it was fun, although there were some moments, when I thought I won't make it. But then again, if you can't make it alone, sometimes you CAN make it together with a little help from your friends.
xoxo,
Ak.

may they always be.

photos via Pinterest1 & Pinterest 2

This weekend I had the sunniest trip of the summer! Me & my friends were kayaking down the river for two days and I don't remember last time I've laughed so much! Some friends & two days - that's all you need for the adventures to happen!
xoxo,
Ak.