One-day trips around Sicily: Villa Cattolica in Bagheria

Hello, beautiful souls!

Today I want to suggest one more cool destinations you can visit in one day if you ever find yourself in Sicily and in need of some paintings, photographs, vintage movie posters and killer tiles. Seriously, #tilesgoals.

Coat - Sisley | Sweater - H&M | Jeans - Zara | Boots - Bata | Bag - Pieces via Asos

So yes, if you are in Sicily, you have a free day and want all of those things, you need to visit the museum at villa Cattolica in Bagheria.

But first, chack out my video on YouTube (and remember to subscribe) and read till the end of the post to know some of my suggestions and tips. 

Travel time - Turin -> Milan -> Bergamo work trip

Hey, lovely people!

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that a few weeks ago I travelled to the North of Italy to conduct some interviews for my research. I've already visited Turin once (check out my blog posts about that trip here and here)  and also been to Milan multiple times (I love to write about my complicated relationships with this city so you can check my previous posts here), but have never been to Bergamo.

And even though I was mostly working and didn't have much time to just enjoy my trip, I still manage to squeeze in some fun activities - a cup of cappuccino at the cat cafe, a few nice walks and the visit to the Museum of Cinema (last time we did only the elevator to the top of Mole to enjoy the view).

So let's go!

I came to Turin on the warmest, sunniest and loveliest day and, walking through the city centre with my suitcase, thought how lucky I am to find such a lovely weather up in the North of Italy.


Check out my travel vlog over at my YouTube channel (and remember to subscribe and switch on notifications not to miss any future videos)

Continue to read and see some photos!

Three years later

Three years ago, after a lot of thought, the revolutionary winter and one of many Lufthansa strikes, I finally managed to land in Palermo. 

It was Sunday, April 6. I remember wearing a denim shirt with leather collar, searching for my suitcase for ages, missing the bus to the city and waiting for half an hour in the rays of the warmest Sicilian sun. Oddly enough I didn't have any specific expectations or worries.

It was the beginning of a new adventure, but not more than that. 

 

I had quite specific plans for when I will come back to Kyiv, that included photography, politics, and going back to Thailand for a few months to work on my book. Sicily was one of the great steps on the way to mindful and enjoyable life, but I never planned to stay here more than for 9 months of my EVS project.

#45daysofblogging 26: Last day in Turin - shadows on via Garibaldi

Day 26 - September 12

The last day in Turin was lazy, warm and very good. Perfect for lazy walks around the city, picking up some last minute necessities, visiting Tiger for the last time (oh, I cannot even explain how much I love it!) and cooking a lovely lunch at our friends home. 

#45daysofblogging 24: Turin - days 1 and 2

Day 24 - September 10

In May we went to Turin - the city I fell for hard and fast.

Everybody was telling me that it's beautiful, but I never expected it to also be so comfortable, friendly and artsy (in the best sense of the word). I only do to spend three days there, but I want to come back there again and again, just because I felt so good and comfortable there. Let's put it like this - Turin became the leader of my goal cities for now (while Milan and Rome didn't enter into the competition at all).

How I wear my - boho

This month I was participating in "How I wear my..." again. Of course I did, the topic was boho! I know, I'm super late with this post, but in my defense - I've been traveling, moving houses, studying and volunteering non-stop and now preparing to travel again. Yes, this Sunday I'm going to Hungary for another project and yes, I will try to publish my impressions about my Scandinavian trip before the new one (or during it - I have a long wait in Bergamo).

I love boho and often incorporate its elements into my personal style. I don’t think I can ever be ‘full-time’ boho, but combining certain bohemian pieces with something either edgy and structured or simple and basic is my favorite thing ever. This dress was technically a birthday gift from my co-workers - in the sense that for my birthday I received some money from them and immediately bought this dress as I was in love with it for a few months. When a beautiful piece of clothing waits for you to take it home for such a long time, you know this item is truly yours!

Dress - Orsay; Bag - Lonchamp Le Pliage M in navy; Faux leather jacket - Pimkie; Earrings - from Palermo street vendor.

How I wear my - tote bag

This month I decided to participate in "How I wear my..." round up once again - I'm really enjoying it and the topic was very inspiring. I love totes and back at home in Kyiv I have quite many of them. As now I'm living out of a suitcase once again, my options to chose were limited, but of course I brought my two absolute favorites with me. The fabric one with the sheep print is going to be featured in one of my future posts, so I decided to showcase this one instead.  

Bag - Lonchamp Le Pliage M in beige; Jeans - thrifted; Shoes - Vans Atwood Delux in grey; Faux leather jacket - Pimkie; Colourful aztec print scarf - from Pratunam market in Bangkok; Red scarf - from street market in Kyiv.

Here is my latest love, a Longchamp Le Pliage in beige. Yes, it’s more of a warmer months bag, but we had a very warm winter on Sicily this year and I feel like I’m living through the fourth month of spring now. Also I absolutely adore this bag—it’s perfect for my current lifestyle. As a PhD student I'm going to many seminars, to the library, for study sessions with one of my friends, and this bag always gets very handy - it fits all of my notebooks, planners, pens, as well as some snacks and a big water bottle. 

How I wear my: spring jacket

Two wonderful ladies - Jill of Everything Just So and Adrienne of The Rich Life (on a budget) once again gracefully invited me to participate in their monthly round up "How I wear my...". Please, check out their posts where you can find lots of spring outfit inspiration and get to know more amazing bloggers!

My favorite summer jacket is this light parka/jacket by H&M L.O.G.G. It has been my best friend for many years now - while I was still living in Kiev, when I moved to Thailand (perfect for traveling in overly air-conditioned buses and trains, and also for surviving the rainy season), and especially when I went to live in Italy. It’s light, simple, stylish and functional, and goes perfectly with almost every item of clothing that I have, and this is what defines my current style.”

{outfit post - sisters}

My dear friend came to Kyiv rescently and stayed here for a week. We had a chance to walk for hours, drink tons of cups of latte and talk about The Hunger Games (I usually don't like bestsellers, but this one I absolutely loved). And also she showed me a charming little boutique called Sisters(yes, a girl who's been living in UK and Poland for years showed me a store in Kyiv, I'm as shoked as you are))). I loved the place so much I want to dedicate a blog post to it in future. Also I've bought this cute bolero there and couldn't help myself - I had to style it immediately))

Моя хороша подруга нещодавно приїжджала на тиждень до Києва. Ми з нею гуляли годинами, випили сотні літрів латте та багато розмовляли про Голодні Ігри (я дуже не люблю бестселлери, та цей прочитала за кілька днів, всі три книжки). А ще вона показала мені чарівний невеличкий бутік, що називається Sisters (так, людина, що вже кілька років живе у Англії та Польщі, показала меня крамницю в Києві, я теж у шоці)). Мені настільки там сподобалось, що я хочу в майбутньому написати окремий пост про цей бутік. Я купила там це симпатичне болеро і одразу ж мала придумати, з чим його носити))

  

I wore/Я вдягала:

Dress/Сукня - Topshop (can also be seen here)
Shoes/Взуття - No brand, simple suede wedge booties
Bolero/Болеро - Vesela (via Sisters Boutique Kyiv)

Owl ring and pendant/Підвіска та каблучка з совами - I am (picked by my mom, a huge owl enthusiast)))

Amber brooch/Брошка з бурштином - vintage, belonged to my late grandma

{outfit post - I'm SHERlocked}

Those of you  who loves Sherlock (BBC) as much as I do, can totally understand why I look so excited on this picture))) Ever since the 2nd season's finale there's been a cute urban movement all over Europe - posters, graffities and all sorts of cool things are left by fans and for fans in the most unexpected places) Here's one in Kyiv, 'cause we do believe in Sherlock)))
I wore this outfit for a walk with friends, who were visiting the city, and for my friend's birthday party afterwards. It matched my spring mood perfectly - I caught cold last week, but got better over the weekend and was so happy to feel good again and to have a nice walk on a warm day.

Ті, хто любить серіал "Шерлок" (ВВС) не менше за мене, зрозуміють, чому я на цьому фото така щаслива. Цей класний урбаністичний рух розпочався в містах Європи після закінчення другого сезону - фани лишають для фанів оголошення, постери та граффіті у найбільш неочікуваних місцях. Ось одне з них у Києві, бо ми теж віримо у Шерлока.
Це вбрання я вдягала на прогулянку з друзями, що саме були у місті, та на вечірку на честь дня народження моєї подруги, на яку я збиралась ввечері. Воно чудово відповідало моєму весняному настрою - минулого тижня я застудилась, але до вихідних все почувалась краще, тому було дуже приємно гуляти з хорошими людьми такого теплого дня.

I wore/Я вдягала:

Dress/Сукня - thrifted
Petticoat/Спідня сукня - from my mom's old dress (she bought it in 80th, when we were living in Czech Republic)
Shoes/Взуття - No brand
Belt/Пояс - Oggi

Cardi/Кофтинка - thrifted

Jacket/Куртка - boohoo.com
Bag/Сумка - Orsay

Earrings/Сережки - the masks were a gift from Venice, and the silver studs with cubic zirconias are from KUZ (aka Kyiv Jewellery Factory)

Hope yоu all are in much better health and enjoying watrm days as well)

Сподіваюсь, що ви не хворієте і також насолоджуєтесь теплими днями)

{outfit post - teen leaders}

Last Saturday I've had another meeting with kids from leader school here, in Kyiv. The school is our dear friend, so me and my co-worker are often having classes with their students.

We're telling them about the work of an event-planner, about all the things you need to remember while planning a party and also asking them tocreate they're own event.

I love these meetings. Kids are all so proactive and interested in our work! I always have the best time with them))

I wore:

Skirt - H&M (thrifted)
Grey t-shirt - Topshop
Cardigan - Oggi
Boots - Christian Ley
Sissors necklace - DIY
Pink waistcoat - our uniform from work.

I've been obsessed with pairing this skirt (what an amazing color, right?) with grey t-shirt for a while and I just can't get enough of this outfit)

{outfit post - it's getting cold on this island}

I haven't posted any autumn outfits yet, so i need to change it.
This one is from when I visited Moscow. It was pretty warm in Kyiv, but pretty cold in Moscow, so i had to put om some layers.

Dress - Topshop
Coat - no brand, bought in Metro (love those knitted sleeves, such a cute detail)
Cardigan - thrifted

Boots - Bershka

Tights - Legs Color

Scarf - b.p.c.

Belt - b.p.c.

Bag - no brand

Gloves - DIY

I'm back!

It's been a great and a bit stressful. We've had a great time - wonderful walks around the city, delicius meals at my favorite restaurants, cozy rooms at my new favorite hostel (I've never lived in a hostel before, but this one, called Godzillas, was all I wanted and more - nice rooms, great neighbours, perfect location and a perfect price)), and even a chance to visit PaperWorld Expo.
Also we've almost missed out flights. Yes, plural! I've never ever been late to the airport before, but today we've arrived to check-in desk 2 minutes before the end of registration. I thought I was going to die of a massive heart attack!
Well, we've caught our flight, so right now I'm at home, blogging and drinking green tea from my favorite cup, which was given to me by my perfect Grandma)
I'm going to write more about my trip later and put more pictures, but now I'm just too tired. Hope everyone had a great week :)

Це було чудово та трохи "нервово". Ми чудово провели час - гуляли містом, смачно вечеряли в моїх улюблених ресторанах, жили у затишних кімнатах в моєму новому улюбленому хостелі (я ніколи раніше не жила у хостелі, та цей, що називається Godzillas, був навіть кращим, ніж я сподівалась - гарні кімнати, хороші сусіди, ідеальне розташування та ідеальна ціна)), навіть мали нагоду відвідати PaperWorld Expo.
А ще ми ледь не пропустили свої літаки. Так, у множині! Я ще ніколи не спізнювалась до аеропорту, та сбогодні ми прибігли до стійки реєстрації за дві хвилини до її закінчення. Я думала, що помру від інфаркту просто там, на підлозі терміналу.
Та все скінчилось добре - ми встигли, тому зараз я вдома, пишу блог та п*ю зелений чай з кружки,я ку мені подарувала моя чудова бабуся)
Я напишу про свою подорож більше та викладу фотографії, але зараз я надто для цього втомлена) Сподіваюсь, у всіх цей тиждень пройшов чудово!)

On the Red Square (I was visiting Moscow for 4th time, but I had to take this lame turist picture)))

На Червоній Площі (я була в Москві вже вчетверте, і все одно мала зробити таку попсову фотку)))

girl's new hair

Yes, I've cut my hair. And dyed it again.
Actually, I've had this hair style on and off for a while, but ever since I've started blogging, I was trying to grow my hair longer. Same story - at some point I just stop liking my reflection at the mirror, so I go and cut my hair again.
I love it. I honestly love it. And I love the feeling of freedom you've got once the lenth is gone. So yes,I'm very happy with my hair)

The picture is pretty bad, for what I appologize.

Так, я обрізала волосся)))
Власне, я періодично робила собі таку стрижку протягом кількох років, але з тих пір, як почала вести цей блог, намагалась відпустити волосся. Та знову стара пісня - у певний момент я розумію, що мені вже не подобається власне відображення у дзеркалі. У той самий момент я йду до перукарні і знову стрижуся.
Мені подобається. Мені дуже подобається. І мені подобається відчуття свободи, яке виникає, щойно волосся падає на підлогу. Тому так. я люблю свою зачіску)

Фотографія поганенька, за що я прошу пробачення.

I'm wearing:

Top - Laura Ashley

Cardigan - thrifted

Jeans - thrifted (not visible on the picture)

Bag - thrifted

Sissors necklace - DYI

{outfit post - florals}

While I'm waiting for pictures from last week, when my friends come to visit, I think I need to post an outfit from the week before. Right now Kiev is melting in an unexpected heat-wave, so I can't even imagine putting on a pair of jeans instead of a light dress. It was quite warm then too, but I felt really comfortable in this outfit.

As the last outfit, this one also reminds me a little of what Rachel Zoe wear. Love this floral shirt - it's quite big on me, but really comfortable and a belt can solve the problem of bigger size.

Also - I love how it matches my wedges) It's a bit too matchy-matchy for me, but I've bought the shoes first and then had a huge thrifting luck with finding this dress and this shirt) I'm all for florals this summer, so it was a great coincidence)

Поки я чекаю на фотографії з минулого тижня, коли до мене приїжджали друзі, нарешті покажу вбрання з позаминулого тижня. Зараз у Києві через неочікувану спеку плавиться асфальт, і я навіть подумати не можу про те, щоб вдягнути джинси, а не легеньку сукню. тоді теж було доволі тепло, але у цьому вбранні я почувалась дуже комфортно.

Як і вбрання з минулого поста, це теж нагадує мені те, що могла б вдягнути Рейчел Зое. Дуже люблю цю квітчасту сорочку - вона на мене завелика, але дуже приємна до шкіри, а ремінь легко вирішує проблему більшого розміру.

Також мені дуже подобається, як вона поєднується із взуттям. Можливо, вони занадто вже схожі, але я спершу купила ці босоніжки, а вже потім мені пощастило знайти цю сукню та цю сорочку. Я цього літа люблю квіточки, тому мене дуже порадувало це співпадіння)

Shirt - thrifted

Jeans - thrifted

Bag - thrifted

Bracelets - Topshop and Thailand

Necklaces - handmade and a gift from Afisha magazine

Wedges - Sketchers (I'm wearing them way too often)))

Sunnies - Peacocks

Belt - Rainbow (via Bon Prix)

Owl ring - Seppala, gift from my mom

{outfit post - orange story}

Ever since I've bought this dress I've been obsessing to style it like this, with some flare jeans, wedges and a bit of 70-th vibe. I blame Rachel Zoe))

P.S. - I'm gonna be a bit MIA this week - two of my best friends are coming to visit, from Lithuania and Russia)) I get to see the once a year, for like a week, so I just can't wait. I'm actually suppose to go meet them at the station in about an hour <3 Have a great week, everybody :)

З того самого часу, як я купила цю сукню, я весь час мріяла вдягнути її ось так, з джинсами-кльош, платформами та надати йому присмаку 70-х. Я звинувачую в цьому Рейчел Зое)

P.S. - Цього тижня я ненадовго зник - до мене у гості приїжджають дві мої хороші подруги, з Литви та з Росії. Я бачу їх лише раз на рід, протягом тижня, тому просто ен можу дочекатися. власне. я десь за годину маю зустрічати їх на вокзалі. <3 Хорошого всім тижня)

Dress - Zara

Jeans, bag and belt - Thrifted

Wedges - Sketchers

Amber neclace and earrings - vintage (my paternal grandma gave it to me with a bunch of other amazing jewelry a few years ago)

Owl ring - Seppala, a gift from my mom

Bracelets - Topshop, gifts from Thailand and Germany

{outfit post - time for a tea party}

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First of all - my mom was so happy, when I've translated all of your kind comments to her))) She loves this dress so much) Also she'd corrected me - it was 1976, not 1972. She said, that she was so excited about that dress, that she'd put it on as soon as she pinned (!) the cut out fabric together and ran two stairs up looking like that just to show it to her friend)))

Well, my mom's crazy and it's a family thing)

Second - the autumn is coming! It's not in the air yet, but I think I can already smell it. I love autumn!

I wore this outfit for a walk around city, but I tend to wear it for a lot of occasions - work, going to movies, meeting friends. It's pretty, yet very comfortable, and it matches great with these espadrillas (funny thing - I've bought shoes first).

Also - I think graffiti shot are my thing now. Exibit A, Exibit B, Exibit C)

По-перше - моїй мамі було дуже приємно, коли я прочитала їй всі ті чудові коментарі. Вона дуже любить ту сукню. До речі, вона мене виправила - це було 1976-го руку, а не 1972. Вона каже, що їй так сподобалась ця сукня, що вона, ледве сколовши вирізані шматки тканини булавками, побігла сходами на два поверхи вгору, щоб показатися своїй подрузі))

Так, моя мама божевільна, і це спадкове)

По-друге - скоро осінь! Ще не відчуваєтсья її присутність, але я вже відчуваю осінній запах. Обожнюю осінь!

Це вбрання я вдагала на прогулянку містом, але часто ношу його з будь-якого приводу - на роботу, в кіно, на зустріч з друзями. Вона гарні, але, водночас, і зручна, до того ж чудово поєднується з взуттям (смішно, але спочатку я купила його).

До речі - здається, фотографії на фоні граффіті стали моєю фішкою. Exibit A, Exibit B, Exibit C)

Dress - thrifted

Espadrillas - Skechers

Sunnies - Peacocks

Earrings - made by my mom

Bracelet - gift from Thailand

Owl ring - Seppala, gift from my mom.

{outfit post - my mother's dress}

I've written about this dress once before, but now I have some pictures that can do it justice. My mom made it in 1972 and it's a genuine silk - the most beautiful and luscious fabric known to men.
I love it with all of my heart.
I wore this for the art exibition at PinchukArtCentre and a walk in the park.

Я вже писала про цю сукню раніше, але тепер в мене, нарешті, є хороші фотографії. Моя мама пошила його у 1972 з натурального шовку - найбільш гарної та звабливої тканини у світі.
Люблю цю сукню всім серцем.
Це вбрання я вдягала в собботу, на виставку у PinchukArtCentre та прогулянку у парку.

Dress - vintage, handmade by my mom
Belt - thrifted
Wedges - have them for ages
Bag - Accessories
Sunnies - Peacocks
Owl earring and ring - Seppala, gift from my mom
Owl pendant - handmade

Ethnic festival Art-Pole (Unizh, 2011) - day 1 + an outfit

Finally a spare minute to post pictures from festival's first day. We've been there for only 3 days (most of the people spent whole 6 days), but it still was amazing. Great place, beautiful nature, nice people, good music. It took place in Carpathian mountains, in western part of Ukraine, on Dniester river, near cute little village called Unizh.

Blink

Thrifted top and skirt,

Ostin sweater

Blink wedges

Handmade bracelet

Earings from street vendor

No brand purse

You know like there's always something you just can't do? Mostly because you think you can't, for no apparent reason. Happends to all of us, happends to me all the time.

What's the cure? No idea. The best solution I have is to do it anyway, whether it's wearing short skirt or making a move to follow your dream. It's scary as hell, but who knows - wouldn't it be great if it'll pay off?