CROPPED AMADUES JEANS AND A MAGENTA COAT FOR A VISIT TO MEĐUGORJE

Hello readers and fellow bloggers! In this post, I'll take you to Međugorje in Herzegovina. I'm also going to meditate a bit on blogging and life. You know yesterday I spend a couple of hours tidying up my blog. I browsed my blog archives for a few hours, added links to some old posts, and organized many of my illustrations into collages. I used to post a lot of illustrations posts, but I wouldn't link them up with my other art post nor would I take proper photographs. Some of my old photographs of my art were quite dark, so it was actually hard to see my art. Moreover, a lot of those old sketches and illustrations were photographed in a hurry. Still, it's better than not being photographed at all. I'm glad I managed to photograph so much of my illustration and art work. Not all of my illustration work is good, even for sketches some things posted are super messy. However, if the amount of illustrations I posted over the year doesn't serve as a proof that I have artistic inspiration and drive in me, I don't know what does. 

Art is tough. It's so easy to look at our work, and see only the flaws, especially if you start actually learning about art techniques. For me it's especially true, because it took me years to actually take an art course, and start learning the basic art rules. I always had a drive to create, but as I said, it took me a while to take it more seriously. Now, when I look at all those sketches, I wonder why I didn't take the time to practice sooner. However, it's never too late. 

Progress might seem slow, but who says we have to hurry with everything? It's true that getting good at anything takes time and practice, but we can all spare ten or fifteen minutes of our days. Just because we all have responsibilities, chores and  so on, doesn't mean we shouldn't take that fifteen minutes we do have to better ourselves a little. Fifteen minutes of concentrated work over a course of a few years can bring you impressive results, and so can a number of weekends of hard work. Sometimes progress will have to wait, sometimes it will come sooner than later. The important thing is to keep trying and learning. 

 Another thing I realized is that I used to write a lot on this little place to call my own. I would write these long posts on various topics, from chronic illness, to body perception, to fashion to current topics. I would debate on topics, share my opinions, consider others. I would get philosophical and I would get personal. Somehow with time my post became more orderly, but perhaps also less inspired. 

I found so many art themed posts on this little place to call my own.  These days my posts are more themed and organized, and I'm not sure is that always a good thing. Some of the spontaneity of the early blogging days seems to have been lost. It's easier now to browse my post and find the things I want, but I have a feeling like I share less than I used to. Not, that this is necessarily a bad thing. Everything has its cons and prons. 

It seems that now my post have a formula. I write and post either about literature (book reviews), sustainable fashion (outfit posts), locations (travel post) or art (illustrations). Sometimes my posts are a mix of these things, but almost always there is a sort of formula to how the post is written. I don't brainstorm as much as I used to. Sure, my book reviews tend to be long, but they typically stay on topic, and that's about it. Looking back at my old posts, I have to say that it was fun having a place where I would just brainstorm and write lengthily- not necessarily themed posts. 

However, even if I wanted to do it again, I'm not sure I'd be able to. My blog is no longer written like a diary or a meditation book. Perhaps I don't feel like sharing as much as I did. Perhaps I prefer to keep things a little more simple. Perhaps I don't have the energy for lengthily meditations and reflections anymore. Perhaps there's a place for time and everything. 

I say perhaps because as I write this I realize that my mind is no less busy that it ever was. My mind is still filled with questions, reflections, doubts and occasional conclusions. I write still- but I do it in my head. I don't write diaries anymore, and I don't write my blog as a diary. 

While organized blog with recognizable posting pattern has its benefits, I'm realizing that it wouldn't be bad to open some place to my thoughts again. Of course I won't write my reflections on daily basis, but maybe I need to find a place for writing again. If not on this blog, then someplace else. A place for my thoughts, for my writing, for my doubts, and for my questions. 

LOCATION MEĐUGORJE, A SMALL VILLAGE IN HERZEGOVINA

We visited Međugorje on one of these winter weekends. I don't recall what day it was, Saturday or Sunday. We visit Međugorje very often, and I post about it on my blog very often. Međugorje is a small village in Herzegovina that is mostly known for religious (Christian) tourism. Apart from religious tourism, there's also rural tourism, that could also be described as ethnological tourism. Basically, ethnological tourism focuses more on culture of a certain place. When it comes to rural ethnological tourism, it's connected to rural culture, learning and engaging in traditional cuisine, crafts, and so on. There are number of ethno villages in area surrounding Međugorje. As you might now, I tend to visit these ethno villages fairly often as well. 

The photographs in this part of the post were all taken around the main parish church in Međugorje. 

MEĐUGORJE- A GREEN OASIS OF PEACE AND QUIET- Being sustainable with travel is another great idea if you are looking to make a difference. You can do it by being a local tourist and exploring the areas you would otherwise visit for various. Most of tourists that come to Međugorje village do so for religious reasons as Medjugorje is one of the most visited  Christian pilgrimage sites, but you can also come to enjoy the nature and ethnological tourism. If you're interested in visiting Herzegovina, Međugorje is definitely worthy of a visit. 

Where to learn about Međugorje? Well, my blog is not a bad place to start. I've been an expat in Bosnia and Herzegovina for more than a decade, and during this time I not only visited Međugorje but blogger about it as well. 

So, to see and learn more about Međugorje, you can also visit my old post shot at this location and find more information there. It really is a lovely and peaceful place. Perfect for lovers of rural tourism and fine dining. There are some amazing restaurants in this area! Herzegovina cousine is generally speaking very impressive. 

1.  An Ethno Village to Be....

2. Simplicity (summer outfit post)....

3. Međugorje Mostar- styling cropped jeans

4. A view from hill Križevac

5. Spring outfit Međugorje

6. Međugorje photography

7. Sunday is all about comfort

8. Međugorje winter outfit post

9. DIY post plus a visit to Međugorje

10. How To Wear a Biker Hat?

11. Things to do in Ethno Village Herceg in Winter

12. Cherry Print Dress For a Visit to Međugorje

13. How to style Animal Print? 

14. How to style a blue vintage dress for a wedding in Herzeg ethno village?

In Međugorje, you can also find two ethno villages. One of them ethno village Herceg is an extremely popular destination. 

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2019/01/things-to-do-in-ethno-village-herceg-in.html

Herceg village in Međugorje is a location I visit quite often. I've been visiting this Herceg ethno (located in Bosnia and Herzegovina) village for years. I've seen it grown and I got to say, that was fun. Every time I visit, Herceg village seems a bit larger. 

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2018/02/a-little-black-skater-dress-and-green.html

http://modaodaradosti.blogspot.ba/2016/07/throwback-to-last-summerdiy-necklace.html

             http://modaodaradosti.blogspot.ba/2017/03/spring-is-hereethno-village-herceg.html

http://modaodaradosti.blogspot.ba/2015/03/spring-outfit-post-proljece-odjevna.html

http://modaodaradosti.blogspot.ba/2013/04/etno-village-herzeg-travel-post-etno.html

Besides this ethno village, there's another ethno village that you can visit for free but I'm not sure if you can stay there yet as it hasn't been officially opened.

On this particular day, we walked around and took some photographs. It was sunny, so we even sat outside for a bit. Next to the main parish church of Saint James, there is a smaller church where a mass was held by several priests in what seemed like a number of different Slavic languages. That was very interesting, as from what I understood, this was a mass for pilgrims from different Slavic countries. Generally speaking, you can hear all sorts of languages in Međugorje. Mass is often held in a number of foreign languages. 

Međugorje is a lovely place. Somewhere in its shops you might even find my paintings. A friend of mine once took some of my paintings to some shops to be sold. They disappeared without a trace, and I never found out what happened to them. That's the kind of thing that happened to many artists. I wouldn't say they were terribly valuable, as they were my early works, but still there was value in them, if for anything else than for the canvases and the paint. Anyway, I wasn't very discouraged by that incident, as I know it happens a lot. I learned not to sweat the little stuff. I don't get annoyed over little debts, thieves and things like that. With so many crazy things happening in the world, it's really not worth it sweating over the little stuff. I have so many more serious decisions to make, plans to reorganize and so on. 

SUSTAINABLE FASHION FILES- THE STORY OF MY OUTFIT

HOW I WORE AND ILLUSTRATED IT BEFORE? 

I have actually illustrated a number of items from this outfit, starting with this magenta coat and finishing with this pair of high brown boots. This outfit was all about this pair of jeans. I don't wear jeans often, but I do have some pairs of jeans that I love. This capri pair of jeans from Croatian brand Amadeus is one  of those. Let's break down this outfit!

THE MAGENTA COAT- Bajina bašta, old.  This is definitely one of the most worn coats in my wardrobe. I love coloured coats! I feel like they elevate any outfit. 

See 14 ways to wear this magenta coat here!

See 31 way to wear this magenta coat here!

31) See how I styled this magenta coat with black leggings, a striped scarf and black leggings for a visit to Malta !

32) See how I styled it with loafers, a white shirt and a vintage pink skirt (also for my Malta hikes)

33) I also wore this magenta coat for a visit to Valetta and 34) for a visit to Saint Julian's

35) See how I styled it with an all black outfit high heeled boots in 2024.

This coat is also the most illustrated coat on my blog. I Illustrated it not once, but three times. 

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/05/fashion-illustration-friday-rujiste.html

Back in 2021, this coat appeared in my Fashion Illustration Friday post, a regular feature on my blog where I post my fashion illustrations). I don't post every single Friday, but once and then you can expect at least one posts in this category. Fashion illustration is something that I have always enjoyed and still do.  Even when I was a girl, I would fill my sketchbooks with fashion illustrations and sketches.  

Over the years, my fashion illustration style has evolved together with my art. I think it's only logical that other art projects I do get reflected onto my fashion illustrations. Having taken traditional art courses in the past, I sometimes ended up using traditional mediums for my fashion illustrations. At other times, I would experiment with other more modern techniques and mediums. Moreover, sometimes I would turn my fashion illustrations into something that can be better describes as a fashion painting. Even in my fashion illustrations, I would often get focused on details or work on the face a bit more to make it more personal. Not to mention another regular  feature on my blog (INSPIRED BY...) where I actually illustrate other bloggers. It's been an art journey for sure. 

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/02/fashion-illustration-friday-magenta-coat.html

There was another art post focusing on this coat posted in 2021! This one was even more detailed.

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2022/02/fashion-illustration-friday-stanka.html

Let's us also not forget this fashion illustration from 2022 that featured this coat and a lilac set.

A PLAYFUL DETAIL- BRAIDED HAIR

Hair can be a fun accessory as well.  I like to braid my hair. If you want more braid inspiration, you can visit some of my older posts.

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2024/04/visit-stobrec-with-me-croatia-wiw-for.html

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2020/11/art-update-fashion-illustrations.html

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2020/12/hairstyle-inspired-by-croatian-folkore.html

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2018/03/wearing-floral-crown-but-being-aware-it.html

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2012/12/on-sunny-winter-daysuncanog-zimskog-dana.html

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2013/11/diy-butterfly-necklace-ogrlica-leptir.html

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2024/06/great-essays-in-science-by-martin.html

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/06/art-and-outfit-update-yellow-jumpsuit.html

THE AMADEUS CAPRI JEANS- old

See how I wore these capri jeans before: 

1) https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2018/11/my-favourite-pairs-of-jeans-visual.html

2) https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2024/06/my-spring-alphabet-2024.html

3) https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2016/06/a-good-pair-of-sneakers-is-worth.html

4) https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2019/11/30-outfit-ideas-with-shorter-black-coat.html

5) https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2022/04/plus-30-ways-to-wear-red-blazer.html

6) https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2019/08/what-to-wear-for-hiking-in-summer.html

7) https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2015/05/here-comes-summer-sun-outfit-post-evo.html

8) https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2012/12/are-you-ready-for-winterjeste-vi.html

THE BROWN BOOTS- OLD

I HAVE ILLUSTRATED THIS PAIR OF BROWN BOOTS THREE TIMES! 

PREVIOUSLY ILLUSTRATED-  A LEATHER PAIR OF 

 HIGH BROWN BOOTS - HERE & HERE &HERE

See how I wore them:

1)  here with a leather jacket and a midi skirt.

2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9) Here in this post, you can see me wearing them with eight different outfits. 

10/11/12/13) Here in this post you can see me wearing these high boots with four different outfits.

14/15) Here in this travel post you can see me wearing them with two stylings.

ALSO 

 16)  here, 17) here, 18) here and 19) here.

20) see how I styled them here WITH A GREEN TARTAN JACKET

21) Here I styled them for a hiking look with a shirt dress and sweatshirt cardi ( Malta). 

22- 32) You can see these brown boots featured in ten different outfits in this post.

33) brown boots worn with a lilac skirt and a beige coat recently!

So, I'm over thirty wears with this pair! I mean getting to thirty wears with a comfortable pairs of boots is easy.

THE SILVER CROPPED ZIP UP TOP - New Yorker. I bought this top fairly recently. I hardly ever buy fast fashion items, but this top caught my eye and I knew I'll get a lot of wear from it so I bought it. 

See how I wore it before:

1) silver cropped top worn with a denim skirt with DIY patches, brown boots and a green tartan ski pro jacket

2) with a vintage grey midi skirt, black blazer and a pair of black kitten heels. 

...and that would be the story of my outfit!

A MINI BLACK BAG WITH GOLDEN CHAIN- (from Borsa store in Mostar) 

Is there ANOTHER item in this outfit that I have illustrated before? I realized that actually there is! I illustrated this bag in 2022 when I shared an illustration of an all black outfit (completed with another DIY faux leather necklace). 

In this recent post, you can see half a dozen looks with this bag, and in this one with a golden combo, and in this outfit you can see it worn with cargo pants and an earthy toned outfit. I wear it pretty often, for example it appeared 3 times in this recent post. In this post focusing on 41 ways to wear a white tunics, you can also see 5 ways to style this black bag.  In this post, I wore this little black bag 3 times with a little black dress.   You can also see how I wore this black bag with some recent outfits in Mostar. 

Cheers from Herzegovina!

Thank you for reading and stopping by!