Hello darlings, she is back!
As you know, I now live in Amsterdam and since I moved here my life has changed quite a bit. There was no point for me to keep writing this blog because I a) wanted to start fresh and b) I wanted to focus on school.
If you follow me on Instagram and read my captions you know what's been happening and how I've been changing. All my new self discoveries led to a decision to stop my sponsor relationships, stop promoting brands for goodies, and to completely change the concept of my blog.
What's changed?
In the beginning of AMFI we needed to watch a documentary called The True Cost. Even though I'd reduced shopping in fast fashion stores like Zara, H&M and Topshop this film really opened my eyes to become even more radical about what I stand for. If you haven't watched it yet, you really should. It shows how our fast fashion brainwashes us and what are the consequences on third world countries. Heartbreaking but super important to see!
So, I stopped shopping in fast fashion stores. I will not support this dirty and cruel business. I rarely even shop, maybe once a few months in second hand stores. I sold and gave away a third of my wardrobe. Mostly because I've had enough of everything, too much stuff, it's suffocating. Also because I had some leather and silk clothes, shoes and accessories that I no longer want to wear, obviously because I'm awakening, I'm a compassionate vegan. Well, what's interesting is that I went vegan more than two years ago and till recently, I wasn't even thinking about clothes and a broader concept of veganism but food. But people grow and so did I. At this point I'm completely sure there's no way back. I not only want to be cruelty free but I also feel like there's no other choice for me. Everything comes in the perfect moment.
I've been changing my hair colors like crazy. From grey to blue, green, purple. I needed fast changes that complimented my inner changes. To me, it had nothing to do with trends, I'd say more with my current vibrations and according to color psychology I needed certain vibes in my life. In color psychology, turquoise controls and heals the emotions creating emotional balance and stability. In the process it can appear to be on an emotional roller coaster, up and down, until it balances itself. Green is the color of growth, the color of spring, of renewal and rebirth and purple relates to the imagination and spirituality. It stimulates the imagination and inspires high ideals. It is an introspective color, allowing us to get in touch with our deeper thoughts. When I look back I know I intuitively knew I needed these colors on my hair as a color therapy. What's coming next? Natural.
Amsterdam lifestyle forced me to relax in sense of clothing and makeup. If you bike 15km a day in rain you cannot wear skirts or uncomfortable clothes, lots of makeup that will melt. You need to be practical. Firstly, I started sporting sweatpants, than comfy shoes. I don't look really fashionable, thanks to THE GOD aka Jan Brovč, his jackets save my outfit. (And life).
I also kinda stopped wearing makeup. This is so funny coming from me, an ex makeup junkie. I own hundreds of beauty products that don't appeal to me anymore by the way. Last three weeks I've been makeup-free and it feels amazing. I don't promise you it will stay like that, I just do what feels good in the moment and observe the trend in my behaviour. I certainly will no longer support makeup tested on animals, like I kinda did before. To be honest, I didn't care much. I hear you judging. Like I said, I believe there comes a moment for all of us. Maybe not in this life. But I'm positive about it.
What you won't see on my blog anymore: makeup reviews, OOTDs, stuff most beauty and fashion bloggers do.
What I've been using for my skin lately is nothing but an organic shower gel, a handmade natural deodorant by Nelipot, natural oils. Sometimes but very rarely I use an organic face moisturizer. That's it. No special products, as little as possible, as natural as possible. Fuck anti age creams, anti cellulite treatments, anti pimple serums. I'm done with "beauty blogging". Back to nature, guys.
AMFI has helped me a lot on my journey. The first semester was an introduction to fashion where we had to do three projects - inspiration book, style book and prototype of a clothing. It was really challenging to do not only things that interest me but to also get knowledge about design and management. As you know I study fashion branding. Shortly, it's a direction in fashion that works with fashion concepts, trend forecasting, brand development, magazines, advertisements, logos,... Cool stuff! :)
In the second and last semester of this year, we specialised into either design, branding or management. So, as a brander, my projects for this year are tightly connected with developing our own brand. From research of the trends (you will be able to see my Trend Book in the next post THIS WEEK), concepting to 3D presentation and a pitch. What I'm most excited about is the fact that I can work in any direction that interests me. For example, our previous project was to observe the world in various areas such as architecture, art, food, product design, cars, fashion, politics, environment, societal changes, ... and find out what trends are currently forming on a broader, worldwide level. All the information from books, magazines, online sources, interviews, our own research on field was to be formed into 3 trends. I chose to name my trends Downsized, Transparent ethics and Empowering nature. We could approach this project like we wanted. Each of us had a different view on the trends, in the end they really mirrored our inner interests. I think it was an amazing opportunity to finally get some more information about the areas I'm really interested in such as food, spirituality and connection with nature, but in a more objective manner. The trend book will be a starting point for creating a Brand concept.
Q&A
I promised you on Instagram to answer your questions. The fun part :D
"Do you regret going to AMFI, is it still the right college for you?"
No, I don't regret it. The first semester I hated it sometimes, especially the designer part. But I needed to broaden my basic knowledge and just go through different mental processes and ways of working. I really enjoy branding. I see myself growing fast and am totally excited to see where all this is resulting in future. The school gives a huge emphasis on sustainability, innovation and ethics, which is a perfect environment for me to develop my own ideas.
"Do you workout every day?"
No, I don't, I go to yoga a few days per week. I do different kinds of yoga in Svaha studio Amsterdam, Flow, Jivamukti and Ashtanga. Usually 3 times per week. If you're in Ljubljana, you definitely need to go to Agniyoga studio. I sometimes go for a run. I had my bike stolen :( so no biking at the moment, I need to buy a new one so I can bike to school instead of taking the metro.
"What do you eat?"
I'm vegan. I've been raw for past 3 weeks and plan to continue eating low fat raw vegan. The decision came very spontaneously. I was feeling super weak, bloated and in bad mood. I was sick of having these unhealthy cravings and restricting myself. I come from a background of unhealthy eating habits and it's still challenging me sometimes. For me raw isn't a short term diet plan but a way of living. I support any kind of vegan diet (high five for all plant based fellas <3), that's for the planet, for animals. I think vegan diet can still be unhealthy if you eat processed food, fried food, refined sugars, too much fatty food, too much salt. Whole foods is the way to go. High carb low fat mostly. Some feel better with a bit more protein or fats, I cannot say what's best for you, you tell me. I believe that either cooked or raw whole foods do the best for the body and mind. I went raw because I wanted to cleanse my digestive system, have more energy, get clear mind, eat an abundance of ripe goodness.
My guidelines are: I eat when I'm hungry and not on specific meal hours. I eat as much as I want until I'm full. I usually eat 2 fruit meals and a veggie dinner. I don't care about calories though I make sure I stay well nourished. One fruit meal for me is for example 6-8 bananas or 4 big mangoes or 10 oranges. I adapt the size to my hunger. I feel amazing.
For daily posts make sure you follow me on Instagram and Snapchat both @ agneskrown
"How did you change to vegan, living healthy, natural life?"
I went vegans in January 2014 simply because I got a message from my body that it rejects animal products. At that time I was also very into yoga and spirituality and the change came with that too. My diet went from quite unhealthy vegan to clean whole food. It was a process. Yoga has been a part of my life since I was little. As I'm getting older, I'm more interested into mental part of yoga than physical. Recently we with Ana discovered a Slovenian FB group called Uvod v naravno higijeno (Introduction to natural hygiene). I also started following a few raw Youtubers: FullyRawKristina, Sweet Natural Living, Raw Alignment, Brianna JackFruitson, Erin Volentine, Rawsomehealthy, Life Regenerator, 40BelowFruity, Kate Fruit & Flowers, The Raw boy, Jack Abritton and Tannyraw. The change to more natural has come quite recently. I not only eat healthy food but also reduced using of makeup, quitted using chemical cleaning products, I find my piece in nature or in myself. No external impulse triggered me into this, it all came by itself. It all only works when it's authentic and not pressured. I'm still far from being truly natural but it is not even my goal. I want to live life that makes me happy and being an old soul in a modern world I will definitely need to find balance in it.
"Where can I get a vegan choker in Slovenija?"
Jan Brovč is always the answer. Simply order yours via PM here:
www.facebook.com/jan.brovc
"What do you advise new vegans?"
Enjoy the journey! Don't try to be perfect in the beginning, just stick to vegan foods even if it's just a veganized version. Take your time to adapt to it. And of course, spread the passion and love.
"How did you adapt to lectures in English?"
Well, I didn't have a problem with listening and writing, so that was easy. Plus, we help one another in class. I sometimes get shy and anxious when talking in English, but it will get better. Throat chakra balancing you know. :)
"How to start with yoga at home?"
I advise you to take a course, even just to learn the basics. It's so different! Youtube is soooo far away from what yoga really is. Don't mix yoga with yoga-like workouts..
"What's your favorite piece of clothing?"
Either it's a new silver holographic jacket by Jan Brovč or banana briefs that Ana gave me.
"How did you and Ana meet?"
I let Ana answer this. :3
Ana: Long story short (as short as it can be) it was last spring, I had one of many sleepless nights (third in a row that time) and since I was so into my own head and my own world, in the middle of the night, all I did was writing and chilling and listening to music. And of course, snapchatting and scrolling over Instagram. Funny part is, I've seen Agnes before, my friend knew her, they had a few pictures together and one time we even met in person in the city. I came across her Instagram, scrolled a bit, without any intentions what so ever. She just seemed like an interesting creature to me. I didn't even notice anything else. Which is surprising, since the first thing i usually notice is a beautiful face and model-like body (as superficial as it may sound) so there was her Snapchat written in description and I randomly sent her a snap. I think I told her about how giraffes are unable to throw up. Then i sent a second one. And a third one. And a forth one. They were all continuation of giraffe's vomiting story, basically. In my fifth snap, I explained "I know I come across like a psycho, but in my defence, let me tell you.. I am." I don't remember what she replied, but eventually we met, after many all-night conversations. And since I was talking in english, she thought i'm not from Slovenia for about 2 weeks straight, which is hilarious, because she saw me before in my friend's pictures, she was just unable to connect the pieces. (Agnes: I though she was Spanish and had no clue she lives in Ljubljana phahaha). I didn't tell her coz she didn't ask. Thanks to my obviously weird sense of humour (which is my natural way of communication) she was convinced I'm messing with her, while in fact I wasn't at all. A few months later, after we already fell in love, she told me she rarely replies to people's snaps, and I asked her what made her respond to mine. She said "I really wanted to know what the fuck was wrong with you." So i guess it's safe to say, a girl did quite a research on that.
PS: Ana will contribute a guest article soon! She will discuss eating disorders and body image. Woopwoop!
Thank you for reading and sending me the questions. See you soon!
Xx Agnes
