happy holidays!

Quote by W. E. B. Du Bois
Here's my wish to you for New Year, my lovelies!
P. S. This photo is taken in Salzburg, Austria.
More photos from my trip to Salzburg coming up next week!
xoxo,
Ak.

I'm the last mammoth in this everlasting freeze earth.

photo and info via My Modern Met
For the month of December, artist Dan McCarthy created this stunning glow-in-the-dark poster of the aurora borealis (or the northern lights).
It looks just breathtaking, don't you think?
And this strange little mammoth on the left gives some kind of loneliness to the whole - I remember this lithuanian song (she sings I'm the last mammoth in this everlasting freeze earth), when I look at it.
xoxo,
Ak.

take a walk in Nuremberg.

 photo via Pinterest

Hello, my darlings,
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! Mine was pretty strange as I end up making my dinner with the bottle of wine and jazz music in the background (it always makes me feel like I'm in Woody Allen movie!).
Anyway, I have a surprise for you! I wished you could see how beautiful and delightful Nuremberg is in the evening, so I filmed it while I was walking the main street (Königsstrasse) one evening.
I hope you enjoy it!
xoxo,
Ak.

[..]

photo and quote via Zoe Sees
if there’s no way out, the only way out is to give in.

linksmų Kalėdų!

photo  via Pinterest
photo via Pinterest
It is the first time in my life, when I'm so far away from the ones  I love at Christmas. Skype video call is the best and the worst thing to do for tonight, because, on one hand, it is still kind of the same thing - to sit around the table and talk, but, on the other hand, when the call is ended and I sit in a complete silence in my room alone, my heart becomes so heavy. This sudden moment of silence is something I can not bear everytime it happens.
But like woderful friend of mine said to me - every year is always something different in the family at Christmas and maybe this year it is me, that is the difference.
One thing I definately learned while being here for Christmas - to bake lithuanian cookies we eat for Christmas! I will share the recipe at my friend's blog next week!
And now for you all, I wish a very merry Christmas and never forget to be kind and good to each other everyday of the year.
And more important:
I hope things are beautiful. And if they're not, then I hope you remember this moment right now when they are. Because you've got to hold up each and every other moment to the moment when things are beautiful and say "Look. I told you. Remember this."
Merry Christmas! Linksmų Kalėdų! Schöne Weihnachten! Glædelig jul!
xoxo,
Ak.

schöne Weihnachten!

Hello, my darlings,
I finally decorated my room! Unfortunetely, I didn't find the lights. But! I had the idea to decorate a Christmas tree branch with the ribbons and to buy one special Christmas bauble in Christkindlesmarkt.
And then I remembered that we have a very lovely Christmas bauble at my grandmother's home - a strawberry, that my mother had it since she was 5 years old! So I thought it's time to buy a new one - as a memory from Nuremberg and to make it as a special strawberries' tradition. I searched around all the fair, till I've finally found it!
And here are some photos of my little Christmas tree and my lovely strawberry:
Moreover, my lovely friend Justina send me a cute Christmas sock, which is hanging on my wall and gives more Christmas spirit to my room :).
I hope you're all ready for Christmas Eve tomorrow and have a cozy evening today!
xoxo,
Ak.

holidays' look.

 photo via Pinterest
As holidays are coming, I'm curious - what are you planning to wear on the Christmas Eve?
I found 10 amazing dresses for this occasion, check it out:
      Also, I'd love someday on Christmas or New Years Eve to wear a glittering shoes - these ones are so charming!
      Moreover, glittering nails I find very cool as well (as long as you are not wearing anything else glittering, haha :) ) For example, these green nails looks so adorable!
      Furthermore, I found an article, how to make snowflakes on your nails, check it out, such a lovely idea for Christmas!
      And as I said - I'm not ignoring men as well, so here are 10 things men could were on the holidays:
      It's only two days left!
      xoxo,
      Ak.

        can women and men just be friends?

        photo via Pinterest
        This video is sooooo funny, how differently we think of each other!
        What do you think? Can women and men just be friends?
        Of course, your answer will be different depending on whether you are a women or a man, haha :).
        xoxo,
        Ak.

        finally.

        photo via Pinterest
        It is FINALLY snowing in Nuremberg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm sooooo happy, I can't tell you!!! It reminds me my home and Christmas now :).
        I can't live without snow in winter!
        I think it will quickly melt away, but anyway, I'm satisfied now, because it DID snow!
        And moreover, today is the last day at university - from tomorrow it's already holidays, so it's like a present for me :).
        Don't get cold!
        xoxo,
        Ak.

        Inspiration Monday.

        photo via My modern Met
        photo and info via My modern Met
        This monday I want to know - have you heard about the The World Tree of Hope?
        Every December, thousands of origami cranes adorn a large, 20-25 foot Christmas tree in the Rotunda of San Francisco City Hall. These cranes aren't just there for decoration, they're inscribed with well wishes for the future. The holiday project that began in 2006 has since evolved into a global symbol of unity and hope for a better world.
        I couldn't help but wonder: what's your wish for the world? What would you write on the crane and hang up on this Christmas tree?
        Think about it and have a sincere week!
        xoxo,
        Ak.

        have a delightful weekend.

        photo via Pinterest
        What are you up to this weekend, my darlings?
        I'm planning to search for some Christmas decorations (I definately want some lights!) for my room, because now it looks pretty boring.
        The weather is not very promising, so I guess I will end up writing the last Christmas cards, while listening to this Christmas song by Zach Gill!
        And these Christmas cookies, my lovely friend made, looks very cool, so maybe I will try to make it!
        Have a (de)lightful weekend!
        xoxo,
        Ak.

        Lo-xi-tan!

        photo via Pinterest
        Do you know the very nice shop L'occitane?
        Well, I have one question for you about it: how do you pronounce the name of it?
        Actually, until this funny video, I didn't know it myself!
        Lo-can-tee is my favorite variant, haha!
        xoxo,
        Ak.

        finding a present.

        As I mentioned, I'm posting some tips for finding the Christmas presents! My friends always say that I pick up the best presents, so listen to me carefully, haha!
        Here's the three main tips, you have to remember while looking for a present:
        • The first you should do, when searching for a present, is to think about that person: what does she/he really like? What she's/he's interested in? Think about simple things. Maybe she/he loves sweets - this would be a funny idea (and don't forget to write a note! It always makes more sense for the present with your comment!). Or these marble chocolate candy letters- you can made up your own sentence!
        • The second important thing is to listen and remember what others told you some time ago. Maybe he was complaining, how he forgets everything - a leather notebook can be just what he needs. Or this funny notebook - slow, but steady, haha. There is also one from the keep calm serie. And here's something for someone, who told you about how she/he loves to try new recipes! Maybe you can write the first one recipe from your own experience :).
        • And the third thing was already mentioned, but it's really important: think simply. If your friend loves Paris, it doesn't mean you have to buy a ticket to Paris -a brilliant & funny french umbrella or an adorable Paris calender will make her/him happy as well. And if you know someone, who loves books and wine, it doesn't mean you have to spend the whole day in a book or in a wine store - this bag would be so cool!
        So that's it! And if you're completely lost, there ar always some cool and universal things you can get for everyone - just like these gloves. I would be definately happy to wear them!
        Good luck and don't get cold!

        xoxo,
        Ak.
          P. S. The first photo is of me and my lovely friends last year celebrating Christmas and in the second photo there are all the presents I gave to everyone that year - I looooove packing the presents!

          the new girl.

          photo via Pinterest
          photo via Pinterest
          Today is my favorite day of the week, because every Tuesday launches an new episode for new tv-serie New girl with adorable Zooey Deshanel (for me known from a lovely movie (500) days of summer - have you watched it?)!
          At first I didn't quite understood the point of this comedy, but now Jess is my absolute favourite character! Also, I have to admit I have a little crush on Nick - he's character is so cute, look at his face, haha.
          Moreover, I found this adorable website, where Zooey Deshanel is the co-founder and she writes there sometimes as well!
          I can't wait for the next episode!
          xoxo,
          Ak.

          Inspiration Monday.

          photo via Pinterest
          This monday post is for those, who don't believe that human can fly!
          Espen Fadnes - The World's Fastest Flying Human Being 2010 - with this video wants to show for everyone, what´s it like flying down a mountain at 250 km/h!
          So turn up the volume and experience the sense of flying!
          Have an inspiring week!

          xoxo,
          Ak.

          P. S. how it feels to be free :).

          have an adventurous weekend!

          photo via Pinterest
          Hello, my darlings,
          what are you up to this weekend? I hope I could make it to go to Munich to see the Christkindlesmarkt there this Saturday (I've heard it's absolutely charming! Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is also very adorable!), but the weather is not very promising, so I might end up with writing Chirstmas cards for everyone.
          I have a really nice idea for the cards this year, but I can't tell you right now, cause my friends are reading this blog, haha!
          But don't worry, I'm planning to share some ideas for Christmas presents anyway, just the ones I had last year, so maybe you can get some inspiration for this Christmas.
          And talking about presents - my lovely friends, who I met at university in Lithuania 2 years ago, Sonata and Monika, send me this year the most amazing present for my birthday - a book of Woody Allen (remember this funny parody?)!
          I looooooooove Woody Allen (I even have this delightful print in my apartment in Vilnius!) and I didn't know that there already is a lithuanian edition of his book, so it was a quite surprise for me!
          There are three plays in the book, I've already read one - it's so amazing, I have to share this quote, that made me laugh out loud:

          [Here's one married man tells the other man about his secret romance with another women]
          Fred: What does your psychiatrist say about that?
          Jim: He suggested stopping.
          Fred: And you...
          Jim: I stopped. Seeing my psychiatrist.


          Thank you to my lovely friends! I'm so happy, I will read this book hundred of times!

          P. S. Did I tell you, my secret dream is to watch all Woody Allen movies (have you seen this funny short movie about New York?) and actually it's quote challenging, because there are over 40 movies! But I'm working on it.

          xoxo,
          Ak.

          let it snow,..

          print via Kitten Sneezes
          photo via Pinterest
          While staying here in Germany, I miss snow soooooo much!
          I really enjoy the warm weather here and it's so nice, that it's not rainy and cold (ok, now it's a bit cold, but still not as cold as in Lithuania), but snow - s n o w - is something I can't live without in winter and especially Christmas.
          Each year I write in my diary the date I first see snow in that year. I think this year is going to take a while.. 
          So the least I could do is to have some snow in my blog :).
          xoxo,
          Ak.

          personality.

          photo via Pinterest
           photo via Pinterest
          Today I want you suggest making this personality test we did for one lecture at university (there is a lithuanian version as well).
          I discussed with one of my friends if this test can show your true personality and whether you can change yourself from introverted to extroverted person. Or with who you should get along together..
          I'm curious, what do you think: can we change ourselves or do we always have some basic features of our character that stays no matter how hard we will try to drop it? Is it easier for you to talk to someone, who is similar to you or to a completely different person, who will tell you about lots of interesting things you haven't heard about?
          Here's what I think. Even if we could change ourselves (I'm thinking - yes, maybe we really can), there is no way of seeing ourselves objectively - as they say, noone sees his hunchback. And when we decide how to change, we can't be sure wheter it's going to be better. Moreover, there are lots of experiments made about how the environment we live in build our personality (so, yes, we don't inherit it!), so it also stays as a question, wheter we make the decision to change ourselves or is it just the coincidence of all the surroundings we have experienced.
          As for the second question, I still can't find the answer. Talking to the people, with whom you have lots of things in common always seems easier. But what I think is that only our opposites can really inspire us.
          xoxo,
          Ak.

          balcony conversations.

          photo via Pinterest
          photo via Pinterest 
          While writing the previous post, I understood that for me balconies have some kind of magic.
          I remember all the talks I had with my friends late at night in various balconies and it's some kind of honesty place for me.
          When I'm sitting there, watching the roofs, the trees silently standing before my eyes, when I watch people and cars passing by, it always makes me think about my life, the universe in general, like from the roof perspective. It's like suddenly seeing everything in the same way I see the world from there. And also it makes me be honest with myself and see everything more clearly.
          But even more important - I always had someone, who could listen to me while sitting there.
          And as I remember all those conversations - it's something magical, clear and inspiring. Something can only happen sitting in front of the wide sky, the silent city and something more behind it all.
          xoxo,
          Ak.

          Christmas jumpers.

          photo via Elle
          As Christmas is coming, I'm curious - do you wear Christmas jumpers?
          Like the one on Bridget Jones's diary (by the way, it's one of my favorite Christmas movie!)?
          As I'm always posting some things about fashion only interested for the ladies, I insist on making a change, so from now on, I will definately think about the guys too :).
          The skiing men on the jumper (you can buy it here) in the first picture is so cool, I love it! And for the ladies, I suggest this cute jumper with "painted" reindeer from Antoni & Alison, it's so lovely!
          Don't get cold!
          xoxo,
          Ak.

          haha.

          photo via Uncommon Goods
          This doormat made me laugh, I would definately like to have it!
          This one is also nice.
          xoxo,
          Ak.

          Inspiration Monday.

          photo via Etsy
          photo via Pinterest
          Good morning, my darlings,
          as the weather is getting glum and the Monday is always not helping us to keep optimistic (take a look at these notecards - they're just adorable!), we must found our own ways to keep sunshine at our hearts.
          I've recently read this blog article and today I'm going to share my own 5 tips to turn Monday frown upside down :). Here they are:
          • take a break to have a big cup of creamy latte and the book, you're now reading - just 5 pages, you don't know what a difference it can make;
          • go for a walk to a shop to buy your favorite chocolate or think of a one thing that you haven't eaten for so long just because you have forgotten about it;
          • find some new music - the website All Music can show you some similar artists to those you like;
          • cook something special for the evening - maybe a pie?
          • write a letter to your friend - a lovely email about your last weekend counts as well.
          The beauty of living is always in the details. Have a bright week!
          xoxo,
          Ak.
          P. S. I adore all the works of Blanca Gomez, this Monday print is so lovely! I have three prints (New York, London and Paris) in my appartment in Vilnius as well, they're all so charming!

          Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.

          photo via Pinterest
          Good morning, my lovelies,
          what are you up to this weekend? I don't have some special plans, but I'm really into cooking something new!
          And I've found this nice recipe for breakfast! What an cute way of sharing recipe, by the way!
          I should say that I'm not really a big breakfast-eater, but on weekends I love having long and tasty breakfast!
          The second picture was taken in Berlin, in summer 2010. Our wonderful friend Justė made us this adorable and absolutely delicious breakfast in the balcony, that while looking at this picture, I can still remember that feeling sitting there, eating so tasty sandwiches that just melted in my mouth, drinking white coffee and talking without no rush, just like that :).
          Here I somehow forgot, how I really enjoy weekend breakfast, so this weekend I'm going to make a king's breakfast for myself :).
          Have a delicious weekend, everyone!
          xoxo,
          Ak.
          quote via Pinterest

          smile.

          photo via Pinterest
          I've just watch this amazing talk on Ted, presented by Ron Gutman, the hidden power of smiling.
          Did you know that when we see someone smiling, we start to smile in order to understand the emotional state of the the smiler, is the smile fake or not!
          Moreover, the smiling itself can make us feel better and one smile can generate the same level of brain stimulation as up to 2000 bars of chocolate! How amazing is that, ha?
          And here's something for today to smile about - have a look!
          Have a smily day :).
          xoxo,
          Ak.