*I know this is too long a blog post, but please please please read it as it’s SO IMPORTANT. The introduction is long, but I think it makes sense as it gives you the context you might be in right now. Or, if you absolutely don’t want to read this, it’s OK too, but then please just watch the movie The True Cost. That’s your take-home message for today. Write it down, make a mental note, just watch it.*

About a year ago, I was an avid shopper. I feel slightly embarrassed writing this, because shopping as a hobby is usually perceived as something superficial people do. Now, I wouldn’t exactly call it a hobby but let’s say I left shops with bags full of clothes and accessories at least once a month. I would also window shop out of boredom, curiosity, desire, or sometimes combination of the above. Most of the time I would know exactly what was on display in H&M, Zara, Vero Moda and the like. It went so far that I could instantly say where a random girl on the street had bought each of her items. Whenever I would spot something I liked, I would buy it without blinking an eye, because hey, of course I can afford a sweater that costs €15 or a top that’s less than €10.

#MBFWB: Green Showroom

For the past few years human nutrition and lifestyle in general have been going through incredible changes: it's as if we finally realized eating healthy only benefits us; we realized the good we get from the exercise; we ditched junk food... OK, most of it. (A pizza a month is good for the soul, isn't it?!) But after taking care of ourselves, we also decided to look at the big picture and look after Mother Earth. I've heard of people going vegetarian or vegan not necessarily just because of their love for animals, but because growing plants is more Earth friendly than farming. Recycling is becoming a thing. Sustainability is becoming a thing. So a lot of fashionistas and designers out there decided to take this path too. Let's create kind fashion!

#MBFWB Day 4

Aaand here we go with the fourth and the last day of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin. Honestly? I was kind of sad when the last show was over. The four days were fabulous, lovely, wonderful, hectic, painful (heels!), hazy. I enjoyed the shows, the beautiful people, and the wine! Of course I enjoyed the wine. So after this first experience, I can only express hope that it's not the last! OK, now, who will hire me as a (fashion) journalist?! :)

#MBFWB Day 3

Day 3 of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin was so much fun! I spent it mostly running from one location to the other, sipping wine and eating nothing. No wonder people in fashion are skinny, there was free alcohol everywhere, before the shows, after the shows, but not a single bite could be found. Maybe all the alcohol makes you forget you're hungry.

#MBFWB Day 2

Firstly: I wanted to write about each day in the following night, like I did for Day 1, but obviously, I thought too high of myself. Fashion Week is actually quite exhausting, so coming home every night I only wanted to sleep, just to wake up the next morning and having to leave soon because of the first show of the day. Plus my computer is so infected with I DON'T KNOW WHAT that basically disables me to do anything on the Internet. I spent two hours yesterday trying to fix it, and I thought I had, but now it's back again. I think I'm gonna scream. :( 

On day 2 of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week I only had two shows to attend, so I decided to explore the other things connected to the Berlin Fashion Week, but not necessarily in cooperation with Mercedes-Benz. Not really sure what I’m talking about? Don’t worry, me neither, but the thing is there is this official Mercedes-Benz website, where you can also find info on NY, Istanbul and Sydney Fashion Weeks, because Mercedes-Benz is their sponsor. On the other hand, there is a Berlin Fashion Week website that offers other events as well.

#MBFW Berlin: Day 1 (And a Few Other Words)

{If you're interested only in the IVANMAN and VEKTOR shows, please scroll down, as I'll be sharing some personal insight into the whole me-at-the-Fashion-Week story that you might not be interested in. :) }

Step outside of the comfort zone, they said.

Take a leap of faith, they said.

So I did. I applied for a press accreditation for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin (which is a long name, so I'll keep referring to it as #MBFWB). 

First of all, I didn't want to apply at all. I just shared something about not standing a single chance on Twitter, and then a lovely lady that shares my love for fashion encouraged me to at least try. 

What I Wore Today

Gemma Correll and Jillian Evelyn

My friends know that I'm the one in the circle who follows blogs. We even joke about it and I don't mind - as long as I'm free to get in front of my computer and find out what's new in the blogosphere. I don't really think they get what it is about following blogs that I like, and it's okay - I guess you do know since you're here, right?! Anyway, one of the categories I follow is fashion blogs - not my favorite, but there are some I don't miss, it's a mix of a habit and curiosity. Plus, I must admit that ever since I started blogging myself, I've realised how much effort people put in this and that it's not as easy at is seems - take some clothes, strike a pose, upload pictures, done! And if you're looking for inspiration, all you need to type in Google is "what I wore today" - voila, tons of hits! But there is one that is a bit different - it's a blog by the illustrator Gemma Correll, who chose not to take photos of everyday outfits, but to draw them. She created a flickr group where illustrators post their outfits. I'm sharing my favorites with you today!

Berlin Summer Market

I like clicking "attend" to various Berlin events on Facebook just to keep them there and know what's going on in the city - but truth be told, I rarely actually attend. Most of the times I'm busy, but it also happens that I'm just not in the right mood. Last Wednesday it almost happened that I missed this thing, but in matter of minutes I packed my tote bag and decided I'm heading out. And I was so glad afterwards!

The thing we're talking about here was Berlin Summer Market. Hipster kingdom. Fashion & arts market. Place of the cool kids. It took place at an amazing venue that I'm looking forward to exploring by day, and I will because it's THAT awesome! (What I love about Berlin is that I keep stumbling upon great new places/things, but that's another story.)