On the road again

I woke up with a quote in my mind today: "Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans"

So yeah, was so busy this week, that I didn't even think too much of the fact that today I'm going to Warsaw. Few of you might know, but I have a 2nd job besides my shop. Or better said, it's my first job. 

For 3 years and a half I'm working for a company based in London, UK for which I organise international conferences in telecom. I used to have a love-hate relationship with this job when I was staying in London, but since I moved to Bucharest and opened the shop I started to see only the benefits.

So yes, long story short, today I'm going to Warsaw! 

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Woohoo!

Equinox time

It's that mid point of the year again. That moment when the day equals the night, when in the Northern hemisphere the autumn starts to show it's colour and in the Southern hemisphere spring starts to bloom. Either way, it is a transition point...and we must make the most of it. It is the time to reflect on our life and to make plans for the future.

And this is exactly what I'm doing at this point. I realised late that today is the 22nd, which means the equinox. But whole day long I've been making plans and plans. And it's been such a wonderful productive day. I really do feel that times are changing and good things are coming. 

It feels like a transition moment now though. The shop is not busy, which from a sales point of view is not OK...rent goes on no matter what :(  But, I accept it, and I take care of other stuff which prepare Clou for the glory days that are about to come! I love transition times and most of all I love when I'm aware of them, no panic involved just good thoughts and lots of positive energy.

Today I'm really happy that I have managed to give the shop an autumn look and that I have done beautiful partnerships with wonderful Romanians for the "Made in Ro" section of my website (more to come!). And yes, soon...(won't promise how soon, because this whole technological process is above my understanding!) the website will be in English too! :D woohoo!!

And I got beautiful handmade jewellery from India!! And ... I have wonderful body creams and delicious bio cosmetics from a wonderful lady. 

Let's have a wonderful equinox, full of joy and love!

Big hug!

Roxana

Everything connects.

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I never really knew what I was going to do, where I was heading and which direction. And honestly, I still don't know.

When I finished school and faced the "choose a University" moment, I didn't know either. All I knew was that I envied my colleagues who were soooo sure where they want to go to: law school, medical school and so on. They knew so well. All I knew was that I had to do it and finish it asap. 

So I initially thought that going to a "Marketing and PR" Uni is going to be the good thing for me - I was social, my mom had an advertising agency (which seemed fun) and I could develop my creative side. Well, my parents forced me to go to an economical school too. And I did. 

Of course I ended up finishing just one - the "Business Administration" Uni, the economical school. 

Then, I decided that I had to finish my masters degree quickly too. In Romania the master is 2 years long....too long for me. But in UK it's only 1 year - so that was my escape ticket. 

After finishing my masters I've found myself in the "wtf have I done?" crisis. Why did I do such a horrible thing?! Why economics, why business? Why have I learned so much crap?! I'm A CREATIVE PERSON!!! someone please help!!! ....so there I was...in the oh so discussed "post graduation crisis"...Then the white flag was spotted at the horizon and my shop was founded. With no design background, without any knowledge about the market - I did it.

Stuff and things and autumn.... blings!

Shame, shame, shame....But who's the one to blame?! It's been a week since I got back from Paris and just 10 minutes ago my full energy tapped me on the shoulder and was like "hey you, enough...!"

Paris was a wonderful-exhausting mix of inspiration and energies. The fair, which is not small (at all!!) was again the source of multiple shows of fireworks in my brain. As in....lots and lots of ideas.

When I hear someone saying "OMG, you are going to Paris, I envy you!", I simply feel like going crazy and slap them. :)) First of all, my dear friends, I do not like Paris. Just like that. It's dirty, the french from Paris are rude and oh yes, it smells like poop and pee all over the place. I like the architecture, the fact that it's Paris. But that's it. And secondly, the fair is next to the airport, next to the hotel. So no Paris, just fair.

A s.t.a.r.... to Paris!

Oh what a day! :) A wonderful, fascinating, gorgeous day! Last night it rained and I had such a good long sleep....perfect for the day that was coming.

I woke up with a wonderful news... I've been on TV! Well, I knew I was going to be as I have given a short interview last week, but I totally missed the news on the day. So here are my 30seconds of fame! I do look good on TV, right? And look at my shop!! <3 lovely.

Then, another good news popped in my inbox: My shop was approved on Tripadvisor. It needs some editing (add pics and stuff) but ... it's on! Check it out here.

And the most exciting part of today is that...I'm off to Paris!! yuhuu! Me & mom are going to Maison & Objet to get some super cool stuff for Christmas. I can't wait to see what's going to inspire us!



So, that being told, I do have all the rights to feel like "A star travelling to Paris for the Design Week". Well, 4 days!


Bisou!!!
Roxana

My creativity problem

Well, today I had a problem. A creativity problem. And I don't refer to a lack of creativity but more like a huge surplus. I woke up in a very bubble-ish mood...pretty much with my head up in the clouds. And I kinda stayed there all day long, and felt bombed with ideas. All sorts. Too many. Uncategorised. It's like now I was thinking of peonies, then of tomatoes.
It's a weird but good feeling, I just didn't know where to start today, so I didn't start at all.

I need the classic "sleep on it".

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Roxana

This autumn I harvest happiness

I can't believe it's September already. I really don't understand time anymore. It feels like yesterday I was waiting for cherries and now I'm thinking of Christmas. Well, I'm the extreme kind of person I might say... But as soon as I know it's September I have to think a lot more in advance. I need to plan everything for the shop. And when I say in advance I mean it. I have ordered some of the Christmas products in January. I don't even know what I got anymore.

Chapter 2b: Cluj, Salina Turda and Paltinis

I can't believe how long it takes to go through this whole trip that we had! When I was travelling I didn't even realise how many stuff we've done, how many kilometres I drove, I was just fascinated by everything.
After visiting the Corvins Castle and Prislop, I drove straight to Cluj (and it was quite a long way) so in the evening we just stopped at a pension right cross the street from the Botanical Garden and went to sleep immediately! In the morning we woke up super early (7.30am - which for me is very early) and started visiting the city.
Well, I liked Cluj, I loved the people, I loved the vibe but I think from an architectural point of view I was expecting a bit more. I was looking for that centre area like you have in Brasov or Sibiu. Cosy, with little cafes, pedestrian area and so on. But it was nowhere to be found.
So after few hours of sightseeing (and shopping in outlets!!! there is no holiday without a bit of shopping, right?!) we decided it was time to go to Turda Salt Mine and drive to Sibiu.