"The cutest place I've ever been to" :: Finjak, Vlaška 78

First impression can go a long way! And here you could see how.

Happy Birthday Chocolat 041

This place so close to my heart is turning one today! I can barely recall what stood on its place on the address of Masarykova 25 before it appeared, a bookstore if I’m not mistaken, but I’m so happy that Chocolat 041 took its place.

To cut right to it, it’s because of 30 or so flavors of delicious ice-cream they offer and unique cakes that I’ve

Velvet :: authentic café in Zagreb

Velvet café & gallery, Dežmanova ulica 9.

Oranž Zagreb :: Wine bar & Desserts

I think that official name of this place is Oranž wine bar and bistro, but I mostly think of it as a place to get something sweet. To give you some basic information; Oranž is located at Zagreb's center, in the street of Ilica, on the number 7. You notice how close it is to the main square? It's probably why it settled as a tradition for me and my family to go there for a dessert after our traditional lunch we have together every time we're all in Zagreb. Actually, it's our tradition even when it's just me and my mother. Lunch, then Oranž.

What really drawn us to Oranž in the first place (right after its proximity to main square) is how fresh it looks. The terrace outside is very cousy, although in the busy part of Ilica. It is one of the things I like about Oranž, weather I sit outside on the terrace or inside near that window that overlooks Ilica I'll be happy because I like that view of the busy city while I'm relaxing, completely comfortable. 

And then there are cakes and pastries. It might seem silly, but first two give the big advantage. Regarding the cakes, I’ve tried nearly everything! I’m only too sorry for not taking enough pictures to show you. Nutella cake and Nutella cake with nuts are to go option for everyone who loves Nutella and big dose of chocolate. The second one is very filling and some might struggle to eat the whole piece of cake they get. I did, but it wasn’t too hard ;) It’s now my favorite of all things they offer.

120 days of happiness

There is exactly 120 days till the end of the year (counting today too)! I challenge you to be happy every single day out of those 120. Not just that, I challenge you to try out as many new thing as you can in those 120 days and if you want, share your story here. Send it via email (to isitfrench@gmail.com) or share it in the comments! You can also share a picture of what happened to you to make you happy or your new experience on Instagram (hashtag #120daysofHappiness and @_anamari_). I'll share my experiences but I'd love to feature you too, so please get in touch.

So, as I said 120 days left. That's almost third of a year and thinking back, I'm aware that I didn't use this year to it's max up till now. Furthermore, at one point I felt like my life is passing by and I'm just sitting there and watching it pass, doing nothing. I felt so helpless at that point, but I also knew it's all up to me. I'm the one that let things roll out the way they did. I lost control over what happens in my life because I got lazy at some point. 

Truth is, we can't control everything that happens in our life either, but if we're not happy, guess what: it's all up to us. It's on us to change it! 

The main reason why I got this idea is beacause somewhere in the middle of last December while I was going to my college classes another student stopped me and asked me to help him with his project. I was in a hurry so I reluctantly declined his proposition. However, I kept thinking about his questions for quite a long time.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?

What are your New Year’s resolutions?

The second one didn’t occupy me that much. I don’t really make those because I think that whatever you want to do, you can start doing right away, no need to wait for who knows how long. Although, I do make plans; it’s just a little something that keeps me sane during those intense days, knowledge that I have something to look forward to. It can be a trip, a birthday party, enrolling some kind of course… just predictability of current week can sometimes bring me comfort and happiness and I appreciate it.

The first one however, kept me thinking on and on. Back and forward. I couldn’t remember one crazy thing I did, and I don’t mean stupid at the same time. Just something risky, brave and possibly reckless. Maybe I did do it, I just couldn’t remember. At that point it was that long ago!

So I asked myself: what was the last time you did something for the first time?

That was even better question and much more significant for me. I might have been responsible and rational by character (that rules out doing crazy things I suppose) but that doesn’t mean I can’t learn and try new things. I actually live for learning and trying new things.

Realizing I haven’t experienced anything new (besides some really good cakes) for a really long time, I decided to change it. Answer to my problems was a bucket list. Well, sort of. I wrote down 20 things to do till my next birthday. I didn’t manage to do them all so I wrote down more things and extended my deadline till the end of the year.

There is a third of this year left and I still didn’t do some of those things. Thinking back, I was scared and lazy to try something new, although I’d always feel even too happy when I’d finally do it.

It’s not that I wasted those two thirds all the way, I achieved things I’m proud of, I had fun, I did experience some new things and I was happy, but not as much as I could’ve been, if you understand me.

It’s not that I’m not happy with how things turned out, I am, I’m also very grateful, but... You know those saying people put for Facebook status at the beginning of a new year, like:

This year is a book of 365 pages and you’re the writer, don’t waste any pages.

 There are more of those, and although it’s completely natural to waste some pages too because we are all only humans and learning our whole life how to deal with things, I’m aware that I wasted some pages simply because I chose to.

Waste is a waste, and those are the days that I’ll never get back. Once that thought settled down in my mind, I decided that I want to waste as least as possible days from then on. I also want as many people as possible to live their life to the fullest.

So, for the next 120 days, let’s put each day to a good use: try new things, learn more and be happy.

As for the next post: Don’t be afraid to dream big and why dreams are free, but the hustle is sold separately! It’s much related to this topic.

Read me soon,

Love, A.

Traveling: Zadar (Croatia)

You could say that my vacation begun even before 30th of June, but going off to coast screamed it! I never had that kind of vacation until few years back because my parents didn't really travel much, let alone to some place on the coast. However, I had few one-day-field-trips to coast and those shaped my perception of summer vacation forever. My first visits to Zadar, town on the East coast of Adriatic sea, were probably to visit some relative or to my orthodontist, not to sunbathe, still, when you mention Zadar today i immediately think of sea, sun, beach... in short: summer vacation!

And here is why I find it visit worthy!

History. Probably not the first thing that any other 20-year-old thinks of, but I never really thought much as everyone else did about... well, everything. I always had separate way of thinking and perceiving. When I say history I don't point out its historic moments and development. It's more of what it left behind; streets, buildings, churches... I love that this town has visible history with interesting stories behind that I always look forward to.

City. I didn't grow up in the city. The city I visited often since I was born till I moved wasn't exactly by my standards, but I'm still a city girl. I love the smell of the city, traffic of the city, possibilities of the city, noise... and Zadar has it in certain amount, especially during the touristic season.

Sea. Zadar is on the coast, and summer just doesn't work without sea.

Shopping. It's always better in the city. Zadar has street style stores in its down town and shopping center called Supernova. Although I'm not too happy with current offer, it's still not too bad.

All of these things shape Zadar as attractive summer destination, and it is, but in my opinion it is because of those memories I experienced there.

Sea organ is somewhat musical installation on the coast of Zadar where waves produce musical noise by hitting the shore. When you think about it little further, it's nature playing. And all the while you're walking by the Adriatic sea and watching the sunset over it with islands in the distance.

Gelato/cake shops. I was always somewhat of a sweet-tooth and I appreciate well-made cake very very much. I don't neglect gelatos either, especially during these summer months. Every time I come to Zadar I visit Kavana Danica on the Kalelarga (also known as The Wide Street) to try out something out of their offer. My moms favorite is Ferrero cake which is the perfect choice for all chocolate, Nutella and hazelnut lovers! I like it too, but I'm always experimenting, trying something new and I was never disappointed. Their gelatos are supposedly made by Italian recipe. I am no expert and although I've tried gelatos in Italy too (there are no better than theirs!) I can't really tell if these are up to shoulder with them. However, they are very delicious.

There is also local recommendation for best gelato in Zadar to be in the place called Donat, where you can find people waiting in (fast moving) line for their gelato. I've tried flavors called Don Vito and Hazelnut and was very satisfied. Maybe someone more experienced in tasting could tell you somewhat more, all i can say is that I recommend going there because I enjoyed it (and I would never send you off somewhere with recommendation if I don't think of it as good place to go). Wow, you can tell I like cakes and gelatos, right? hahah

Sunsets over the bridge that connects Poluotok and the rest of Zadar. Just experience it and you'll know what I mean ;) It's nice how the lights from the shore that reflect in the sea complement the sight.

The Queen Jelena’s gardens. They were one of the most beautiful places to see in Zadar and the place of many happenings on social scale in its time. Today, I’d say they are if not the most beautiful sight in Zadar, probably my favorite place that has special atmosphere in the evening and breathtaking scenery during the day.

Breakfasts on the balcony. I guess that's something you might as well have at home, but I just prefer it there. I wake up early while it's not so hot outside yet, make coffee, cut up some fruit to go along with my breakfast and go outside to have it with the view.

To go along with these idealistic things as I see them, Zadar has some downsides too. You might notice them at first visit; however, I've confirmed it over the few years.

I'm not a big fan of the new-build Zadar. I just like the old architecture better and feel like new building went... wrong. I don't really mind it, just my opinion based on my personal taste for architecture.

One more thing is that drivers aren't really polite. I'm not sure if it is a local thing that tourist also follow or it is just something about this place that they don't respect walkers. They NEVER stop to let the walker cross the road on marked place.

There are probably more exquisite places to spend your summer vacation waiting for me to visit them, but I can't describe how happy and blessed I feel to have this summer vacation right here in Zadar.

Where do you go on summer vacation? Where do you travel? Have you ever been in Croatia? 

What do you think of Zadar?

Love, A. 

P.S. All of the pictures are taken by me and copyrighted. Please do not share further without giving credit. XO