Coffee With Lola

Photo by Nuanc.

Happy International Day of Women!!!

The 8th of March is a holiday known as the International Women’s Day. It is a loose mush-mash of Valentine’s and Mothers’ Days, plus it brings along the gift of spring. Although not (yet) celebrated in the US, the International Day of Women has a following in almost fifty countries. Roots of the holiday are political: groups of women around the globe fought to expand (at the time) very limited rights of women, and sometime mid-twentieth century those efforts got recognized by a day. So at the core of 8th of March is advancement of women’s freedoms, and rights in all societal spheres.

What this translates into is a day when you can ask, declare, and demand to be pampered, you guessed it, just for being a woman! (Although I certainly hope you do this on regular bases anyway, and are returning the love upon those who shower you with same!)

Every year, on the 8th of March, my brother and dad bring red carnations for ladies in the family. Such gestures are extended outside the home.  Often people will give small gifts to coworkers, neigbhors, teachers, and friends. Receiving my first flowers had an incredible impact on me. In some sense it validated my own, no matter how small/large, place within my family, and society as a whole. It sent a message to little me, and thousands of other little girls that we are valued, (valued not because of expectations bestowed upon us, but valued by our own existence).

If you are a woman outside those fifty countries, why celebrate the 8th of March?

If we celebrated ourselves enough in our daily lives I would say that we did not need a holiday to remind us to do so.  I do not know one woman who celebrates herself enough though, or a man for that reason! The 8th of March is woman’s holiday with no prerequisites! This holiday honors you whether you are married, single, or have children. It cares not about your religious background, color, or social status.  It’s there just because you were born! Yes, imagine, getting recognition just by being born a woman, considering yourself a woman, or on the way to become a woman!

Most importantly, it is a reminder of the past and women before us who just few decades ago could not achieve dreams similar to ours because the opportunities did not exist! Lastly, the 8th of March is a day to remember you are incredibly lucky, especially if you are living in the Western world! At this very moment many of your neighbors around the world, (some even in your own countries), do not have running water, electricity, or enough food! By acknowledging and celebrating how lucky we are, we are inspired to extend our hands to those who are not as lucky, but just as deserving!

4 things to do on the 8th of March:

1. Be grateful…
Give tokens of appreciation to the women in your life to remind them of the impact they have on you. Take time to thank women of the past for making great strides so that you and I have the ability to choose what we do with our minds, bodies, and families.

2. Go inside…
Take a couple of days and ask yourself important questions: What are your goals for yourself? Are you honoring yourself the best you can? Are you  honoring your life by planting and watering amazing friendships, and relationships in your life? Where do you see yourself within one year? What about five? What are some positive actions you have taken in the past year that have brought you to today? What can you do today to live a glorious life today and tomorrow?

3. Give…
Even the smallest gift to someone counts. If you have kind words to give, give them. If you write great letters, now is the time. If you have a few dollars and can donate, do so. Not everyone is where we are, and this isn’t your fault under any circumstances. However you have the power right now to change someone else’s life even by a smalest gesture. I repeat: you have the power RIGHT NOW to change someone else’s life! How amazing is that?

4. Remember the other half…
Don’t forget the men as they deserve to get as much acknowledgment as women. Greatest thing about equality is balance. Since 1999 the International Men’s Day is celebrated on November 19. So come November do not forget to pamper wonderful men in your life.

<3,
Lola.

THAT WAS THEN

THIS IS NOW

One of my all time favorite mags is Wallpaper as it celebrates my favorite things: Design Interiors Fashion Art Lifestyle. The following spread is from their September 2008 issue, paying respects at architect Carlo Scarpa’s Brion-Vega cemetery. Please forgive my below standard scanning skills. Yours, Lola.

“I have forced myself to contradict myself in order to avoid conforming to my own taste.“- Marcel Duchamp

Photo by Picardie Mouv 2.0

French woman possesses a certain allure. To me she is most well represented in Vanessa Paradis: long contours of smooth skin, innate sartorial expertise, and ballet-like pose. Although I have not been to France yet, I’ve met quite a few French women, and they all seem to posses those qualities. French girls are bread on sensuality of Colette, they are fed with exquisite food, and have a history of equal, but definitely more pronounced femininity. This is a tradition that is equally true of previous generations, and that I foresee will live on. Borrowing from Helena Frith Powell, Debra Ollivier, numerous articles, and my own observations, what follows are tips to awaken our inner French woman.

1. Basics are Key.
How many of you, while watching “Total Makeover” type shows realized most of the women on there could have skipped many of surgical procedures if they did three things:  their hair, nails, and makeup?! There is a great quote by Helena Frith Powell: “There are probably just as many plain girls in France as there are in England and America but they don’t look plain.” I prefer to think we all have something beautiful in us, and I haven’t to this day met a person who did not have something beautiful about them. But I digress. One of the first steps to finding that inner femininity that French express so well is to take care of simple things. Budget out a manicure here and there. Take great care of your face. Pluck those eyebrows. Once you start doing this on regular basis you will notice even more beautiful things about yourself. And once you have the simple, basic beauty look down, it only gets better. But first, you have to remember the basics!

2. Skinny On the Skinny.
French women also have the nutrition down. Most don’t eat fast food, wouldn’t be caught with a soda, and books have been written about their inability to gain weight. So what do they eat/drink? Cheese, meat, vegetables, chocolate, and wine. And they hate exercise! From what I observed, and read, these are their tricks: they prepare fresh food every day, they have three regularly scheduled meals, they eat no snacks, they walk a lot, and they portion their food. If they overeat at a restaurant, lighter meals are on the menu for the next couple of days. And instead of a scale, a French woman will use the old method of measuring weight by tightness of the clothes. What I love about this approach is the lack of rigidity. In most other countries there is a prevalence of women adhering to a punishing regimen to gain the figure of their choice. Food is a pleasure, French know this, and they plan it accordingly. Some of the steps to take toward this type of nutrition are as follows: kick out the chips and snacks, sip wine instead of Pepsi, get a smaller plate and fill half of it with veggies first then add the rest, and enjoy. Take each bite and drown in its tastiness, feel the texture of the food, make love with it, take it for every drip of flavor it has. And always be thankful!

3. As Above, So Below.
Underneath a French woman’s clothes is a matching pair of high quality lingerie. Why would one dream of mismatching when there is such a discipline in a well-made pair that matches? Just as we spend time choosing body washes good enough for our body, we should spend time collecting great lingerie. Yes, collecting! Lingerie is an investment, something one budgets for. Don’t despair if your collection is small at first. You can even start with wearing better lingerie on weekends only, until your collection is large enough to proceed into the weekdays. Lingerie, it is not something you should get only for those showcasing occasions. Lingerie is made with women in mind. It is for you! It is so your body feels loved, and nourished when you put on that perfect lace set.  Start by solemnly swearing you will: A) NEVER, EVER, NEVER again buy just a bra, or just panties, (especially not in bulk). You shall buy them in pair. A matching pair! B) You will take care of your lingerie by hand washing it, and hanging it to dry. (Eager to start your collection? Few suggestions: Agent Provocateur, Victoria’s Secret, La Senza, La Perla.)

4. Feed The Soul.
While the French have a tradition of great literature, what is even greater is their tradition of absorbing this literature. This translates into women who take time to really develop their knowledge of philosophy, literature, music, and the arts. They are unafraid to join any conversation because they have spent time honing their opinions. It is as important to read a book, as it is to find the right face cream. Spectacularly sexy is their love for museums, libraries, and shows. This starts in schools where great philosophers are taught not as easy electives in college, but as a part of regular scholarly curriculum. Luckily for the rest of us, learning is not something confined to school only. We can and should take every opportunity to broaden our intellectual horizons. Start your French reading connection with: Flaubert, Colette, Sartre, & De Beauvoir.  I guarantee it will feed  your mind and soul.

5. Quality Over Quantity, Always.
Their homes are not as big, yet somehow always perfect. Their wardrobes small, but all the clothes fit. Their cars tiny, still they travel far. What, exactly, is the trick? French women always choose quality over quantity. Everything is picked with an eye of an observer who knows what they have been looking for. There are no bulk purchases. There are no “five for the price of one”. If something fits, you don’t need five of each. You choose one that is perfect. Choose the details in your life, so they don’t choose you. Always look for quality. So when you have a few signature pieces in your home, there is no need for unnecessary space fillers. When you build a set of clothes that you love, you won’t need two closets to fit it all. When you decide where to go, it won’t matter what transportation got you there. Don’t despair if you don’t get a hang of it all at once. Quality is something that comes over time, with practice. And if you direct yourself to make conscious choices when you are acquiring something, in time you too will find that the quality of your life has immensely improved.

<3
Lola

Photo by killer blythes.

The following is an excerpt from The Art of Seduction, by Robert Greene.

“Role playing is immensely pleasurable. Its appeal goes back to childhood, where we first learn the thrill of trying on different parts, imitating adults or figures out of fiction.  As we get older and society fixes a role on us, a part of us years for the playful approach we once had, the masks we were able to wear. We still want to play that game, to act a different role in life. Indulge your target in this wish by first making it clear that you are playing a role, then inviting them to join you in a shared fantasy. The more you set things up like a play or a piece of fiction, the better…

Casanova took role playing still further. He traveled with an enormous wardrobe and a trunk full of props, many of them gifts from his targets - fans, jewels, other accouterments. And some of the things he said and did were borrowed from novels he had read and stories he had heard. He enveloped women in a romantic atmosphere that was heightened yet quite real to their senses. Like Casanova, you must see the world as a kind of theater. Inject a certain lightness into the roles you are playing; try to create a sense of drama and illusion; confuse people with the slight unreality of words, and gestures inspired by fiction; in daily life, be the consummate actor. Our culture reveres actors because of their freedom to play roles. It is something all of us envy.”

<3
Lola

(Photo by Sanctuary Rose)

The following visualization technique is excerpted from Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain. Hope you find it helpful as I do.

PINK BUBBLE TECHNIQUE

“This meditation exercise is simple and wonderfully effective.

Sit or lie down comfortably, close your eyes, and breathe deeply, slowly and naturally. Gradually relax deeper and deeper.

Imagine something that you would like to manifest. Imagine that it has already happened. Picture it as clearly as possible in your mind.

Now, in your mind’s eye, surround your fantasy with a pink bubble; put your goal inside the bubble. Pink is the color associated with the heart, and if this color vibration surrounds whatever you visualize, it will bring to you only that which is in perfect affinity with your being.

The third step is to let go of the bubble and imagine it floating off into the universe, still containing your vision. This symbolizes that you are emotionally “letting go” of it. Now it is free to float around in the universe, attracting and gathering energy for this manifestation.

There is nothing more you need to do.”

<3
Lola

Quick Recap: in part 1 of the interview with Miss Irena, we found out about her life, and living in Vienna as it relates to career, lifestyle, and opportunities. In part 2, we find out the juicy!

SEX & RELATIONSHIPS

Lola: Do young people hang out separately or in groups?
Miss Irena: Mostly in mixed groups with both guys and girls.

Lola: Around what age do young Austrians start getting into love relationships?
Miss Irena: Hm.. I like the question. In “my time” it was around 15-16. Now it is around 14.

Lola: What about sex?
Miss Irena: It seems as if the age is lowering. I would say the average is around 16.

Lola: Is sex becoming more casual?
Miss Irena: Yes, although I think that’s a trend in developed countries in the past few decades.

Lola: How is the marriage looked upon in Austria?
Miss Irena: As the divorce rates are high, marriage is not very praised. However, people still do get married and prepare extravagant weddings. Those living in smaller cities get are more likely to marry compared to Viennese.

Lola: What are the weddings like?
Miss Irena: Some people make smaller ones, some prefer something more elaborate. The preparations start at least six months in advance.  Most popular weddings are held outside the city, in the castles, gardens, etc.

Lola: How is cheating looked upon?
Miss Irena: People are quiet and calculating where cheating is concerned. Everyone is bothered with it, and no one wants to experience it!  My opinion is that it happens, but it is not talked about.  One never shares their dirty laundry with the neighbors in Austria.  Everything is discussed between four walls. I cannot speak for every couple in the intimacy of their home, but the statistics are telling us that infidelity happens often, and both men and women cheat.

Lola: Do couples tend to stay together after a huge disagreement or is the divorce the route most taken?
Miss Irena: As I’ve mentioned, the divorce is a regular occurrence. Austrians are less inclined to compromise, and sacrifice, and will often go for something different, or a solo life, if things in the relationship start to bother them.

FASHION

Lola: How important is fashion for women in Austria?
Miss Irena: It’s very important, especially women from ex-Yu who dress really well.  Austrian women like to get dressed up as well, but more casually. Still, when something is fashionable (trend for this winter was black fishnets, black shorts, and high heels), the entire city will go out and buy it. This of course is true for women who like fashion.  Alternative girls, and girls who do not care about fashion (there are a lot of them in Vienna), are completely un-phased by these things. I am speaking here for Vienna, as I do not know about other places.

Lola: How is style different in Austria and other parts of Europe?
Miss Irena: There are a loooooooooot less stores here compared to London, Paris, New York, and “real” world metropolises.  It’s not that there isn’t a choice, everyone can find something that looks good on them, but in the end most girls wear the same things that they bought in similar stores. Everything is uniformed this way.

Lola: Your fave designers?
Miss Irena: Roberto Cavalli, and Versace. Affordable: Zara, Mango.

Lola: Fave Austrian designers?
Miss Irena: I cannot give concrete designer names as Austria does not have a very big fashion scene.

Lola: What accessories could you not live without?
Miss Irena: Earrings, and bags (big and small).

Lola: Fave mag?
Miss Irena: Biggest magazine for women here is WOMAN. I like Cosmo, but Croatian rather than German edition.

Lola: Let’s say you have only $200 budget for wardrobe for the entire next year. What do you spend it on?
Miss Irena: A good pair of boots, few shirts, and accessories.

Lola: Advice for fashionistas?
Miss Irena: Do not run after every new trend as some clothes are not good enough even though they may be popular that month.

BEAUTY SECRETS

Miss Irena: Regular face cleansing is a MUST! I never go to bed with makeup.  Regular caring for the face is also important, with creams that are good for your skin. I go to a cosmetologist who prepares my face cream. Try to stay away from over-the-counter products that you can get at drugstores as the quality is low. Use something you would find at a dermatologist/cosmetologist’s office. High quality makeup is crucial too. I realized it is better to have 10 pieces of high quality makeup than 50 of half-good quality that one ends up throwing away because it went bad. I love peelings (both face and body). It is important to drink a lot of fluids, and to exercise (although I am not very disciplined there).

Lola: Cosmetics recommendations?
Miss Irena: My face cream is Chris Farell - Purell Skin Balancer. It is a cream for oily skin, it smells divinely, and the texture is wonderful.  For body, I use Dove.  As far as shampoos, I buy professional ones, for quality. I like brands Bonacure, and Loreal Professional. I use different kinds of makeup, although I love Biotherm, Clinique, and Dior.  Loreal is also good.  Overall, if you do one good thing for your face, it would be to have a consultation with a dermatologist or a cosmetologist.

FINAL WORDS FOR READERS

Miss Irena: An individual needs to feel hope, love herself, and work on herself throughout her life. Those three things are key! Satisfaction with oneself is the most important thing in life, as without it, one cannot succeed in a career, relationship or a friendship…  a person, then, cannot succeed in any social field without it.  You need to be your own best friend, and strive to know yourself.  I have also come to a conclusion that nothing is eternal, both pain and happiness come, go away, and return again. Life is not one straight line: sometimes you fly, while sometimes you fall. Truly: life is like a box of chocolates - you never know what you’ll get. It is up to us to learn from our mistakes, and to try not to repeat them. I believe in justice, and that everything in life - good and bad - comes back. That is why you shouldn’t ponder “why is this happening to me?” because every event has some meaning. With everything we experience we come out smarter, different, and stronger. Be honest with yourself, and listen to your inner voice. Mine never disappointed me!

Awwwwwwww! It’s easy to love Miss Irena! I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. Please feel free to comment!
<3,
Lola

(The Cathedral)

LIFE IN LAND OF AUSTRIA

It would seem logical our knowledge of life in different countries would expand parallel to the globe becoming smaller. Yet we all could sharpen this image. In an effort to learn more about what it takes to be an Icelander, live in Indonesia, or dance in Canada, CWL is adding a column: „Women Around the World“.  Goal: to interview a young woman from every country on the globe. Motive: to discover her dreams, her life, her country, and of course, her fashion. Secret Motive: to expand the globe by celebrating everyday muti-cultural, successful, sexy women…

First country on the list is Austria, not because of the alphabet, but because the girl I interviewed is so delicious I had to share her with you! We have been friends for over two decades, and I was excited she agreed to be my first interviewee. Without further ado, I present to you MISS IRENA!!!

FIRST THE INTRODUCTIONS!

Lola: Tell us who you are, what you do, and where your passions lie?
Miss Irena: I am a twenty-six years old student of Pedagogy. I also work in the afternoon program of an elementary school. I love to read about politics, religion, and philosophy. My passions include (like most women), clothes, and shoes. I love a fun evening out, and spending time with friends.

Lola: Hobbies?
Miss Irena: I love to read, to watch a good movie, and am about to start practicing yoga soon. I read a lot about it, and it appeals to me, so I’ve decided yoga will be my ‘real’ hobby.

Lola:  Why did you decide to live in Austria?
Miss Irena: I formed my social circle, schooled myself, and integrated myself into this country. I am not sure that I will stay here forever, but currently like living here very much.

Lola: What’s your satisfaction with life in Vienna 0-10 (0=worst, 10=best), and why?
Miss Irena: 7; Vienna strives for complete satisfaction, and there is always a little something that could improve. Especially in Vienna.

Lola: What do you love about the country?
Miss Irena: Austria is a small, but beautiful country. The Alps are very special, gorgeous really, as are the small, soulful towns. Vienna is a good city to live in as there are always some exhibitions, theater productions, and are a lot of places to go out to. There is something for every taste.

Lola: What would you like to see improve?
Miss Irena: I’d love for Vienna to acquire certain characteristics of a big city, like London and Paris - meaning to be infused with creativity (such as fashion, designers, high quality night clubs, and for night life to expand). I don’t want it to sound as if Vienna isn’t a metropolitan, but in my opinion, it is still far from real, worldly metropolitans. Simply, it is not yet boiling with life like other cities.

(Wien)

SCHOOL AND CAREER

Lola: Describe for us the educational system in the country?
Miss Irena: The educational system in Austria looks something like this: all children attend first 4 grades together - sort of like the elementary school. Then comes the division of kids into «Hauptschule» (higher elementary school), and «Gymnasium Unterstufe» (lower level of high school). Both last for four years, and students then transition to a real high school. High school choices are «Gymnasium Oberstufe» (higher level of high school), trade high schools, merchant high schools, economics high schools, and so on. A person can attend university only if they pass high school. Otherwise they have to pass certain subjects to be admitted. The university costs 380 Euros per semester. The admission process for the university practically doesn’t exist except for the programs that are in high demand such as medicine, and psychology. These are not your regular admittance exams, in fact all students are accepted. However the exams select which students can attend classes immediately, and which students have to wait another year for placement.

In totality Austrian system of education is somewhat old comparing to other countries, due to its a certain characteristic of inequality. Children from higher social structures have a better chance for higher quality education.  Children from lower social stratus are encouraged to attend «Hauptstchule» which means there is already a cut; they are already being predisposed to a more limited future. For example not very many of those kids attend high school, nor university. This early selection, at 10 years of age, immediately splits children into two different classes of people.

Lola: Can one change their career if they are dissatisfied?
Miss Irena: The system is somewhat flexible, and you can transfer from one branch to another, but career cannot be completely changed. Most people stay in their own routine jobs/fields.

Lola: What are some popular careers for women?
Miss Irena: As far as trade careers definitely those of the hair stylist and secretary. This is the business choice for many young women, and they educate themselves accordingly. As far as academic jobs marketing, consulting, and economics are popular. This is shown by the number of girls in the field of economics in Vienna. There is also the classic medicine or law road. I mean these are all examples - I cannot be concrete as career is such a personal subject, and every woman would answer this question very differently.

Lola: What kind of annual income can give one a decent life in Vienna?
Miss Irena: I’d say 20,000€/year allows for a good life in Vienna. Average income is about 1,300-1,600€ monthly + 1 pay for summer/Christmas vacation. So let’s say 1600€ is enough for a single person to have a carefree life.

Lola: Do most young people live by themselves, or with parents?
Miss Irena: Most young people live by themselves. Relative move-out age depends from person to person, and whether the young person went straight into the work force at 19, or continued on to the university. If they decided to work they are likely to move out earlier. If they chose to attend the university some students move out right away, and some later during the schooling. Young people who come from the province into Vienna for the university live by themselves, or with roommates. Living with roommates is very popular for students in Vienna, regardless whether they are Viennese or «from the side», «Wohngemeinschaft». This generally involves a big apartment with four roommates, or living in dorms.

RIGHTS & OPPORTUNITIES

Lola: What are the opportunities for home ownership?
Miss Irena: There are many different opportunities. State-owned apartments are somewhat more affordable than renting. Every Austrian has a right for one of those up until the age of 30, as do big families, lower-income individuals, etc… One waits about 1-2 years for these.  There is the regular renting, and something we call «genossenschaft», a down payment while the building is in construction, but once you move in you would pay about 100-200 less than renting. There is a good supply of apartments, but like in most European cities, they are expensive.

Lola: How do women live in Austria? How does the equality play out in reality?
Miss Irena: Women in Austria live well in comparison with many of the world’s countries. Of course this in large depends on the kind of job, and social structure the woman lives in. However, one can say that overall there are a lot of opportunities, and rights for women here, starting with schooling, jobs, and state help for stay at home moms. A big problem is the eventual re-integration into job force once a woman returns from maternity leave. This is something the country is working on though. Some statistics say women earn less than men in certain branches, but in my opinion Austria is one very «frauenfreundlich» country - country good for women.

Lola:  How do other minorities live?
Miss Irena: People more or less live in their own communities. There are no «ghettos» such as in France, but there are migrant neighborhoods. The problem of integration is alive in Austria. It is a complicated issue, one of the egg and the hen. Do the immigrants really want to integrate into Austrian society? Did Austria give them a fair ability to do so? It’s a never ending topic. Other minorities such as people with disabilities, and gays live well. They have many organizations, and are well protected by the state. For example gays have a great status in the society, and the anti-discriminatory laws based on sexual orientation are in practice. However, they still do not have a right to marry, or to adopt children. People with special needs, along with people with disabilities are very well integrated into Austrian society.

(Passage, Museumsquartier)

VIENNA LIFESTYLE & NIGHTLIFE

Lola: Where does one go out in Vienna, and what does one do in their spare time?
Miss Irena: That question is hard to answer globally. «In» places change, but lately there is a popularity of «Museumsquartier» places consisting of a few museums with well known coffee shops, bars, clubs, and restaurants. In the middle of the complex there is generally a park with nicely designed benches. As far as nightlife, there are many discotheques/clubs for every type of music, and public preference.  «Passage» is sort of a hipster club filled to capacity on weekends. One has to wait up to an hour to get in. The entire city goes out there right now, and if a celebrity visits Vienna, this is a place they will visit. Next door is «Volksgarten», one older and well known club with different music every night. Alternative bars and clubs are b72, and Chelsea.

(Danube)

A few months ago coffee shop/bar/restaurant «Freiraum“ (free room) opened. It immediately became very popular. Their philosophy is: «cocktail in the restaurant, steak at the bar, breakfast at midnight, champagne on the old couch». Which means the entire area is a bar, coffee shop, and the restaurant. This innovative idea works very well.

In their free time people visit each other, they go on the Internet, go shopping, or for a walk. When it is warm the Danube has a million possibilities for sports and recreation. The Danube and Viennese have a very deep connection. There is «Donauinsel» , the Danube-Island, where people practice sports, etc.. There are also bars and clubs opened only during summer time;  it is magical to spend an evening in one of those – you have a feeling that you are on the seaside. There are a few international restaurants (Greek, Mexican, etc), and coffee shops (Jamaica, Caribbean, etc.).  All are very well designed, and have become well known with tourists and Viennese alike.

Also, let’s not forget the biggest Open-Air Festival in the world, the «Donauinselfest» happening every June for the past twenty years. It lasts three days, with two million visitors.

(Freiraum)

Lola: Where do you go out to?
Miss Irena: Clubs Volksgarten,Babenberger, and Passage. As far as restaurants/coffee shops I visit Freiraum, and Stylez.

Lola: Additional places you suggest for a tourist visiting?
Miss Irena: Well, there is the classical sightseeing: city’s center, the Cathedral, the opera, few museums, (most definitely MQ - Museumsquartier), Mariahilferstrasse – longest shopping street in Vienna. It is interesting that the greatest shopping center in Europe is here. It is incredibly big and supplied with everything!

Lola: Are there holidays original to Austria?
Miss Irena: No, but we celebrate the February carnival «Fasching». Halloween is becoming more popular by the year. The most celebrated holiday is Christmas. During the time of advent, Vienna holds a huge Christmas market. People go there to buy ornaments for their Christmas trees, sweets, and they drink punch or cooked wine.  Then the season of balls begins, from middle of January until the end of February. This is a huge tradition! There is a ball for everyone: police ball, student ball, bakers ball… Apex of the balls is, of course, the «Opernball», or Vienna Opera Ball visited by the VIPs, politicians, and stars.

(Stay tuned for PART 2 in which we discuss love, fashion, and sex!)

<3
Lola

(Photo by Factory Boy)

Links of the Month is the newest addition to Coffee With Lola. Last day of each month noteworthy links will be posted.

Abundance/ Money Management

Dave Ramsey - check out the ‘we did it’ section for inspiring stories of people who are now debt free thanks to Dave’s tips/theories.
Inspired Money Maker - how can you not love a website whose motto is “how to make money doing what you love”?
Mind-Manual - perfect for those new on the discovery road to abundance.
Prosperity Place - website by prosperity coach Joan Sotkin focusing on both emotional, thought, and practical ways to excellent finances.
Get Rich Slowly -  massive amount of helpful articles on how to save, invest, and prosper.

Design/ Home/ Lifestyle

PadStyle - if you love modern furniture, you’ll get great ideas from here.
ModernDesign - another site with modern design.
Atlantis Home - whether it’s fashion, or home decor, this lady is on point.
Loft Life Mag - great ideas for a small space.
Church or Apartment? - church in Holland transformed into an apartment.

Spirituality/ Consciousness/ LOA

Awareness Blooms - if you ever wondered about intuition, and clairsentience, let lovely Adrianne help you develop them.
MyGenie - Dave Childerley’s excellent site.
Tapping - great site with free EFT videos.
Gary Craig’s Newsletter - this newsletter is full of EFT successes, and tips.
Creatavision - website by Anisa Aven, the most uplifting life coach out there; the site itself is like a vision board.

Style Inspiration

Whatiwore - this stylish, sweet girl makes me want to giggle every time I visit her site.
A Girl Anachronism on flickr - I adooooore Theremina! She makes love to her clothes.
Daily Costume - super cute website for those more creatively minded (some pix NSFW).
Tokyo Street Style - one can never get enough of Japan anything.
Style and the City - one can never get enough of Parisian anything as well.

That’s all for now. Enjoy your sightings!

<3

Lola