SPRING ON ISLAND HVAR (2 FERRY RIDE OUTFITS)

 Hello dear  readers and/or fellow bloggers! Thank you all so much for your insightful comments on my last post about talent.  In this post, I'll share what I wore for a Spring visit to island Hvar. If you follow my blog, you know that island Hvar often inspires my paintings. While Croatia (and Mediterranean in general) is the main inspiration for  my art, island Hvar has a special place in my heart. 

My Spring break was mostly spent in Croatia.  I spent my Easter weekend on island Hvar. I got there the way I almost always do, by taking a ferry ride from Drvenik to Sućuraj. Sometimes I take the ferry to Stari Grad, or a catamaran to Jelsa, but most of the time (especially when we take our car) we opt for the shortest ferry ride for obvious reasons. Not that I mind long ferry rides. I have always enjoyed all kinds of ferry rides. Perhaps I was a sailor in my past life. Perhaps I'll become a sailor in this life. You never know where life will take you.

Life is full of surprises, some are lovely and some are not. Perhaps we just have to learn to take the good with the bad. I've took quite a few risks recently, and it seems they have paid off- at least for the present. We rarely know what is good for us in the long run. I was always a fan of that Chinese fable about a farmer who lost his horse. Dating back to 2nd century B.C, this Taoist story showcases how unpredictable life is and how hard it is to accurately judge what happens. 

As humans, we're quite short sighted in terms of the big picture and deeper realities of life. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in daily life and taken over by our emotions, mood, instincts and social programming, that we forget what truly matters.  It is important to be present in the moment, because sometimes those little moments can remind us of the bigger and more meaningful things. Sometimes we can better understand something, by not trying to understand it from our confused states, by avoiding overthinking it, and just by letting go and opening ourselves to understanding.

I've gotten a bit philosophical here with my writing, but I think it's appropriate. Afterall, I was feeling quite philosophical while on board of this ferry. I felt meditative and philosophical in a good way. Thoughtful in a happy way. I think the seaside just has that effect on me. It reminds me to think in a different and perhaps even more open way. There is something about seaside that makes my mind wonder in all the right direction. Perhaps I'm simply a Sea Child, forever in love with Croatian coast and seaside. 

We all have places that inspire us, that makes us feel better. Our happy places. They can be real places you can point out on a map, but they can also be imaginary or digital places. This blog for example- my digital place to call my own. A place where I write and share my thoughts. My art. My outfits. My aesthetics. Blogs are fascinating. They are simultaneously a place where we can talk with ourselves and others. Something like interactive books. 

Here is the parable I talked about, quoted from Wikipedia. Like Ursula K. Le Guin, an author I often wrote about, I often find inspiration in Taoism. Good luck and bad luck. Who can truly tell what is best for himself or herself? 

This is the kind of story that can be uplifting both when we're going through difficult and happy times. It reminds me of one Persian proverb- 'this too will pass.' Everything changes, nothing ever stays the same. We make some right choices, and some wrong ones. The others do it all the time as well. Either way, we live with the consequences.  

塞翁失馬 (Chinese) quoted from wikipedia	"Old Man of the Frontier Loses Horse" (English)
夫禍富之 (also 夫禍福之) 轉而相生,	Good luck and bad luck create each other
其變難見也.	and it is difficult to foresee their change.
近塞上之人有善術者.	A righteous man lived near the border.
馬無故亡而入胡.	For no reason, his horse ran off into barbarian territory.
人皆吊之.(also 人皆弔之.)	Everyone [people] felt sorry for him.
其父曰:	[But] His father spoke [to him]:
„此何遽不為福乎?“	"Who knows if that won't bring you good luck?"
居數月,	Several months later
其馬將胡駿馬而歸.	his horse came back with a group of [good, noble] barbarian horses.
人皆賀之.	Everyone [people] congratulated him.
其父曰:	[But] His father spoke [to him]:
„此何遽不能為禍乎?“	"Who knows if that won't bring you bad luck?"
家富良馬,	Now his house is rich in horses
其子好騎,	and the son mounted with joy/loved riding.
墮而折其髀.	He fell and broke his leg.
人皆吊之.	Everyone [people] felt sorry for him.
其父曰:	[But] His father spoke [to him]:
„此何遽不為福乎?“	"Who knows if that won't bring you good luck?"
居一年,	One year later
胡人大入塞,	the barbarians invaded across the border.
丁壯者引弦而戰,	Adult men strung up their bows and went into battle.
近塞之人，死者十九,	Nine out of ten border residents were killed,
此獨以跛之故.	except for the son because of his broken leg.
父子相保.	Father and son were protected/both survived.
故福之為禍,	Hence: Bad luck brings good luck
禍之為福.	and good luck brings bad luck.
化不可極,	This happens without end
深不可測也.	and nobody can estimate it.

MY CAPSULE WARDROBE FOR VISITING ISLAND HVAR

 WEARING GIFTS ALWAYS FEELS SPECIAL

I packed lightly when for my visit to island Hvar. A few dresses and skirts to build my outfits around, then a few items for layering (a neon green blazer, a BW pepita coat, and a black puffer jacket), one pair of black kitten heels and a pair of white sneakers. For accessories, I wore a bright red bag I recently got as a present from my  friend Ivon and a faux red coral necklace I got from my sister-in-law. I love wearing gifted items. They always make me think of people who gifted them.

What to wear for a ferry ride? What ever you feel like. I don't have an exact code I dress by when travelling. Of course, I take the weather into consideration. Most people like to dress comfortable when they travel, and so do I. However, comfort is relative. I feel most comfortable in dresses, blazers, tights and kitten heels. I know that some people do not consider any of these items comfortable, and that's alright. We don't have to like the same things, do we? If we did, the world would be a lot more boring.

As it happens, I quite liked both of my 'ferry outfits'. They both passed the sustainability test as well. Once again, I shopped my closet to create fun travel outfits. You don't always have to buy something new. I suppose that it is easier to shop one's closet the older we get, but really everyone can do it. All it takes is a bit of motivation. Sustainable fashion is not difficult. It's natural and logical in every way. What is not natural is consumerism. 

Here is another ferry outfit I wore in Summer 2021. ....and another ferry styling from 2019. Moreover, here are five travel friendly outfits from 2020.

SUSTAINABLE FASHION FILES- HOW I WORE IT BEFORE?

THE GREEN BLAZER (vintage inherited, from my mother)

1) See it WORN WITH A STRIPED SKIRT AND SANDALS FOR A SUMMER LOOK 

2) I HAVE styled this green blazer with a black skater skirt, a  pink top and matching heels. 

3) In 2020, I styled it with a floral skirt, leopard tights, kitten heels and a green top. 

4) In 2021, I styled it with a yellow jumpsuit and heeled boots.

5) In 2024, I wore it with a lilac skirt, white sneakers and floral dress (styled as a top under the lilac skirt)

6-7) Last worn here in 2024 with 2 SUSTAINABLE AUTUMN OUTFITS 

THE RED MINI CROSS OVER BAG  (gifted)

1) In 2025, I styled this red bag with a maxi green knit dress, biker boots and a beige coat. 

2-3) In this post, I styled this red bag with two ferry outfits.

THE GREY KNEE LEGHT DRESS (old, New Yorker)

I've had this dress for ages.

1-2) TWO MORE WAYS TO WEAR A LONG SLEEVED GREY DRESS 

3) With a flared sleeved jacket and burgundy heels here.

4-5) With two winter outfits here.

5- 23)  See 13 more ways to style this grey dress!

THE BLACK KITTEN HEELS (old) 

1) See how I styled these black leather kitten heels with a vintage midi skirt and a grey top, and a black blazer here. 2-5) In this post, I showed you how I wore these black heels with four black and white outfits. 6) In this post, I showed you how I styled this pair of kitten heels with an olive green skirt and a tartan red alpine pro jacket.

THE GREEN WOOD EARRINGS (gifted)

1-3) See how I wore them with different outfits in this 2025 post.

The Story of My Two Ferry  Outfits

So, I told you the part of the story of my two ferry outfits. Before I start talking about the sustainability of my other styling, let's talk about how I got to wear them. The first one I selected as I was leaving Mostar. I choose this grey body hugging dress because it's amazingly comfortable. It's also a quite flattering piece. So, the outfit with the grey blazer is something I wore for the ferry ride from mainland to island Hvar, whereas the other styling with the pepita (or houndstooth) coat and the green blazer is something I wore on the ferry ride from island Hvar. Both outfits were comfortable and I liked them. However, I guess that the second one is more sporty in tone. The choice of footwear often sets the tone of the outfit. Have you ever noticed that. If you wear sneakers, everything you wear will have a casual and/ or sporty vibe.  Alright, now that we have talked the fashion talk, let's have a look at the sustainability of my second styling. 

HOW I WORE IT BEFORE?

THE BLACK AND WHITE PEPITA COAT (old)

1) See how I wore this grey coat (BW pepita)  with a vintage white sweater, a pepita jacket, a black skirt with a slit, a pair of high brown boots and a burgundy jacket in 2024.

2) See how I wore this grey coat with a pair of wide black trousers, a black and grey vest (borrowed from hubby), a black tie, a white shirt,  fake snake skin pointy dressy shoes and a burgundy bag in 2024.

3-20) See how I wore this grey coat with a black sweater dress and black leggings in 2024 (in this post you'll also find links to a lot more ways to wear this coat).

21) See how I styled it with a grey suit here in this 2025 post.

THE STANKA ZOVKO SKIRT (Ozz brand)

Moving onto other clothing items, it's time to talk about this lilac skirt that is a part of a a lilac set. I have even illustrated this lilac set  in the past!

HOW I WORE THIS LILAC OZZ SKIRT WITH WHITE POLKA DOT PRINT BEFORE? Check out the links below to find out: 

1) OZZ STUDENTS' FASHION SHOW, MENTOR FASHION DESIGNER STANKA ZOVKO

2) FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: STANKA ZOVKO SET 

3)  AN ANNIVERSARY OUTFIT: STANKA ZOVKO LILAC DRESS AND SKIRT

4) WITH A BEIGE COAT, AND A RED BLAZER FOR AN AUTUMN LOOK AND A BOOK REVIEW - MIRKO KOVAČ, GRAD U ZRCALU: OBITELJSKI NOKTURNO 

5) 3 HOT SUMMER OUTFITS (WORN OVER A RED DRESS) 

6) AS A PART OF A SET WITH HEELS FOR A SUMMER LOOK AND A BOOK REVIEW: THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

7) WITH  A WHITE TUNICS FOR  A FAREWELL TO SUMMER FROM MOSTAR

8) WITH AN OLIVE BLAZER AND BROWN BOOTS

9) WITH A WHITE BLAZER  AND PINK HEELS

10) WITH A PURPLE BLAZER AND A BLACK LACE DRESS

11) WITH NUDE HEELS AND A BEIGE BAG

12) LILAC SKIRT WORN WITH A FLORAL RUFFLED MIDI SKIRT, A LB BAG, A NEON BLAZER AND WHITE SNEAKERS (TRANSITIONAL AUTUMN STYLING)

13) LILAC SKIRT WITH A WHITE LACE ROMPER, WHITE BAG AND LEOPARD HEELS

14) LILAC SKIRT WORN WITH A CAMEL COAT, A GOLDEN SCARF AND BROWN BOOTS 

15-16) Lilac skirt worn with a lilac dress and a silver cropped top & lilac skirt styled with black kitten heels, a black coat and a tartan scarf.

THE WHITE SNEAKERS (old, Deichmann) 

I do wear this pair pretty often, but somehow those pictures rarely end up on my blog.

 I wore this pair 

1) in my post with khaki cargo pants

2) white sneakers here with a lilac Ozz skirt.

3) white sneakers with a blue and white dress and a white blazer for an autumn walk in Mostar 2024.

Drvenik and Sućuraj Ferry Ride is One That I Have Taken Hundreds of Time

Fortunately we were not late to ferry and there was enough space. If you are travelling on a busy day or in high season, you might want to come early. However, if you miss the ferry, don't worry. You can just wait for the next one and use the time to explore Drvenik and Sućuraj. 

I'm very thankful for the opportunity to enjoy these ferry rides. For the opportunity to take photographs of this amazing seaside. For the opportunity to have my pictures taken- and for that I thank my husband. Without him, this blog wouldn't be the same.

I took a lot of photographs on these two ferry rides, and many those pictures will end up as references for new paintings. Who knows?

What I do know is that I continue to be thankful on so many things.

Grateful for being surrounded by so much visual beauty.

Some philosophers and thinkers would say that beauty is really in us. That the beauty we witness outside comes from the place within. I  would agree with them. Beauty is within us.

However, I'm still very grateful for the reminders of that beauty that exists within us. For being able to witness such reminders of beauty.

I'm thankful for every moment that my eyes rest on the sea.

 Forever moving, forever beautiful.

Never the same, yet always the same.

This ferry ride from Drvenik to Sućuraj and back reminded me how much I love painting the sea and the seaside. In particular, I  have painted Sućuraj often. Last year I also visited it in Spring time (here). Sućuraj is a place that has been featured on my blog a number of times. I would definitely recommend the island experience (any island) to everyone visiting Croatia. It is up to you to decide whether or not you want to take the car with you. Like everywhere, a car will always give you more possibilities, and it is always good to consider renting a car. The ferry ticket from Drvenik to Sućuraj (Suchuray) is a lot more affordable it being, as I said, a short distance. Typically (and I'm sure this is the case everywhere) the price of the ferry ticket depends on the duration and the length of the ferry ride. You can check out my post about Drvenik here. Have you ever been to Drvenik? If you're a reader of my blog, then you'd probably visited it at least virtually. I've actually taken you to Drvenik a couple of times in the past. For example, in this 2018 post I blogged about Drvenik. This small coastal Croatian village with only 500 inhabitants is located in vicinity of a better known Makarska cit. Makarska is an extremely popular touristic destination and as such needs no introduction, but this little village might escape your notice. First mentioned in the 13th century, Drvenik started its life as a settlement under Biokovo mountain.  The original village was actually located a pretty distance from the sea. Why you might ask? Because of the pirates. It was common practice in those days. You'll find many villages in the Mediterranean area (Spain, Italy, Portugal and so on) that are located miles from the sea. It is only in the recent centuries that smaller settlements started to be build so near the sea. Back in the day, if you were a coastal village or a city  and you didn't have a big ass wall (like Dubrovnik for example) or a mighty army, you were sure to attract pirates. Anyhow, that original 'Drvenik' village was abandoned years ago but you can still visit it if you don't mind a bit of hiking.  Alternatively, you can hang out in present day Drvenik, which is definitely a  more touristic place. 

VISIT OTHER TRAVEL ART POSTS AND TRAVEL WITH MY ART!

#1 PALERMO ISLAND SICILY (ITALY)- There's a story behind every painting and there's certainly a story behind every art piece posted in this travelling art series. 

    #2 BAY MALA STINIVA, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA)- This was a nice scene to paint. I'm not sure have I done these gorgeous colours justice with my painting but I tried. 

   #3 IRKUTSK, SIBERIA (RUSSIA)- This is the only place in my travelling art series that I have painted my haven't actually visited. In my third post, I shared this a watercolour pencil sketch of a place I never visited: a church of Our Lady of Kazan located in Irkutsk, Siberia (Russia). 

 #4  MATEJUŠKA, SPLIT CITY (CROATIA)- The fourth painting I shared is one of a location in my hometown. This watercolour pencil landscape was inspired by Split city, Croatia. More specifically, it was inspired by one of my favourite sights in Split city and that would be these absolutely gorgeous historical stone houses in immediate vicinity of Matejuška port. 

#5 HVAR CITY, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA) For my fifth post in this series, I illustrated a historical Franciscan monastery on island Hvar with watercolours. As some of you might remember, I lived on island Hvar. 

 #6 ZENTA MARINE, SPLIT CITY (CROATIA)For my sixth painting in the series, I illustrated a scene from my hometown and once again it's all about the boats. I distinctly remembering sketching this one.

 #7 ZAVALA, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA) The seventh post in this series was my personal favourite. I love how I captured sea in this post. I still often revisit this painting to admire it. It was also gifted, so it's not available for sale. 

#8 SUCURAJ, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA)In the eight post in this series, I shared a canvas painting of Sucuraj. As usual, I used one of my own photographs as a reference for this acrylic painting. 

#9 MALA STINIVA, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA) For the the ninth post in the series, I repeated a location. It must be a special location, you might be thinking and you'd be right. I'd already illustrated bay Mala Stiniva on island Hvar once, when I decided to paint it again.

 #10 HVAR TOWN, ISLAND HVAR ( CROATIA)- My tenth painting in the series saw me returning to magical island Hvar. In the centre of this painting there is a 12.5 meters long traditional wooden fishing boat and in the background you can see Hvar town (where we first spotted this boat about a year ago).  

#11 JELSA TOWN, DANCE OF THE SAILS (CROATIA)- In my eleventh post in the series, I returned to Jelsa on island Hvar to paint a nightscape. 

 #12 ZAVALA, ISLAND HVAR, (CROATIA)- For my the twelfth post in my series, I returned to Zavala to paint another acrylic seascape canvas. 

#13: SUCURAJ LIGHTING HOUSE, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA) 

The thirteenth painting in the series is more of a sketch. I wasn't completely happy with it and wasn't sure where I went wrong. 

#14: BAY BRIZENICA, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA) - In the fourteenth painting in the series, I depicted island Hvar again and this time a bay that is not widely known. 

#15 BAY LOZNA, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA) #16 BAY VEPRINOVA, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA)- In my fifteenth post in the series, I illustrated bay Lozna on island Hvar. Another sketchbook seascape painting that turned out very satisfactory.  I worked on this painting for about two days. 

#16 BAY VEPRINOVA, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA)- Another attempt at capturing the sea in the small frame with acrylic paints on paper.

#17 BOL, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA)In my seventeenth post, I illustrated island Brač and more precisely to- Bol. 

#18 PLANINICA, (BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA)- Planinica hill in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

#19 SUCURAJ, BOATS AT PORT, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA) -The nineteenth painting in the series was an ambitious acrylic canvas  that was again all about island Hvar. This time I painted boats in a harbour.

#20 BEACH SOLINE,VRBOSKA,  ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA)- In the twentieth post in my travelling art series, I shared a quick painting of Soline beach in Vrbovska.

#21 STARI GRAD, VIEW FROM HOTEL ARKADA, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA) 

-This painting was inspired by photographs taken in April a few years ago near hotel Arkada, Stari Grad city (island Hvar). 

#22 MAKARSKA BOATS  (CROATIA)- Another acrylic on paper. 

#23 ZAVALA  BEACH PANORAMA (CROATIA) - I have put  so much effort into this painting but I think it paid off. 

#24 ŽNJAN BEACH, SPLIT CITY (CROATIA)- This Žnjan painting was painted on plain air which was a fun experience. I don't do a lot of painting in the open but sometimes I do venture outdoors, for example HERE.

#25 JELSA, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA)- I used one of my own photographs as a reference. The medium was acrylic paints on mixed media paper.  

#26 ZAVALA BEACH BAY, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA)- This was a super quick oil pastel sketch and I liked how it turned out.

#27 MALA STINIVA IN SUMMER, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA)-This one is a little different because it's more a drawing than a painting.

  #28 TRAVEL WITH MY ART, BASINA BAY, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA) - This watercolour painting can perhaps be categorized as both destination and fashion illustration. 

#29 TRAVEL WITH MY ART, BAY TORAC AT SUNSET, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA) - In the twenty- ninth post in this destination art series, I painted bay Torac using acrylic paints on canvas. 

#30 TRAVEL WITH MY ART, VALETTA, ISLAND MALTA (MALTA) - In my thirtieth post in my travel and destination art series, I shared an illustration that I made  for and gifted to a friend of mine who lives in Malta. The medium is  water pastels on paper. 

  #31 TRAVEL WITH MY ART : CAPE PLANKA (CROATIA)- This was a commission painting. 

 #32 TRAVEL WITH MY ART: SQUICK ZAVALA SKETCH (CROATIA)- This super quick painting was another painting inspired by Zavala on island Hvar (Croatia). It is not nearly as elaborative or challenging as the last piece I shared in my destination art series. 

#33:TRAVEL WITH MY ART  LOZNA COMISSIONED, ISLAND HVARThis seascape was another commissioned painting of bay Lozna (the second bay next to cape Kabal) on island Hvar. Some of you might remember I have already painted this gorgeous seascape location with acrylics on a A4 mixed media paper. 

#34 TRAVEL WITH MY ART BOTA SURF CENTRE, VRBOSKA, ISLAND HVAR, CROATIA

In  the thirty-forth post in this series, I painted a beautiful spot in Vrboska. I was really happy with how this one turned out. The medium was acrylic paints on paper. 

#35 TRAVEL WITH MY ART : BEACH KAMENJARA, VRBOSKA, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA ) 2023 

An A4 acrylic seascape inspired by a photograph taken by my husband.

#36 TRAVEL WITH MY ART A COMISSIONED CHAPEL PAINTING MOSTAR 2024

This painting took me about three months to finish for multiple reasons. 

#37  A SEAVIEW FROM A PARK (SPLIT, CROATIA)

I used my old photographs as a  reference. I took these two photograph last year while I was walking trough this park.

#38 BUNA CANALS NEAR MOSTAR, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 2024

#39- STJEPAN FORTRESS BLAGAJ (BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA) 2024

# 40  A VIEW FROM MARINE LUČICA, SPLIT (CROATIA)

TRAVEL WITH MY ART #41: SUĆURAJ LIGHTHOUSE, ISLAND HVAR

In this post, I shared an acrylic painting inspired by a lighthouse that is to be found in Sućuraj on island Hvar, Croatia. This is not the first time I painted this lighthouse. I've painted it a couple of times before, sometimes from memory, and sometimes using a photograph as a reference. In fact, I'd shared one such art attempt in this art and destination travel series before. As always, in this post I shared all my previous travel art postings, so you can find that lighthouse seascape as well. Furthermore, you can see other paintings that have specifically been inspired by Sućuraj village on island Hvar. What can I say? The sea and island Hvar remain an eternal inspiration for me. I get lost in the blue magic of Adriatic. 

TRAVEL WITH MY ART #42: DRVENIK, CROATIA

This acrylic painting, showing a view from Drvenik, is the forty-second painting in my Travel with my Art series.   

Now, tell me- what styling do you prefer? 

What do you wear for travelling? Do you take ferry rides, and if yes do you enjoy them?

Do you like sailing? Are you inspired by the sea? 

Do you like travelling? Does travelling make you reflect on life or is it just me? 

Have you done any travelling this Spring? Have you had your Spring break? 

Where do you like to travel in Spring time? Do you have your happy place? 

What have you been up to lately?

How has Spring been treating you?






I had  a really nice time on island Hvar. I didn't get to do everything I wanted. I didn't get to see everyone I wanted to see. However, that's life. We never manage to get everything done. But we try. We do what we can.

My visit to island Hvar reminded me of a number of things:

-how important painting is to me, 

- how much I love the seaside,

- how important are our roots,

- and how crucial is it to keep thinking and asking questions.

Without the right questions, there are rarely any right answers. Sometimes we might get lucky, but we must use our brains for critical and creative thinking more. We do get lazy sometimes, I feel, especially in this day and time. We are all very stimulated and bombarded by information, but without the ability to think and feel critically, are we truly knowledgeable about anything? 

Thank you for reading and visiting!