aLaska likes

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

2012-01-09T14:42:00.000-08:00

I know it's been a long long time but I am still around... This New Year's thing always gives me a new push and makes me want to start blogging again! So here I am !!! And 2012 has started off pretty cool! Super excited about aLaska being featured on sanzibell.com !!! Another cool Berlin blog... makes me wanna move aLaska to BERLIN! So let's see where I end up by the end of 2012. I'll promise you one thing: there will be some changes coming up! Can't wait!

Thanks to Sarah from www.sanzibell.com for the cool post!

check out the complete post at www.sanzibell.com
shop the scarves at dawanda

Lebe Berlin!

2011-08-10T12:44:00.000-07:00

Check out what these lovely ladies wrote about one of my tie-dyed aLaska scarves! Really cool blog with beautiful images - made in Berlin ... Thanks for the coverage girls!

check out the complete post at www.lebeberlin.net
shop the scarves at dawanda

TOPSHOP in AMSTERDAM!!!

2011-06-12T13:40:00.000-07:00

Finally!!! Another gap when it comes to fashion in Amsterdam was just closed! Last Friday, Topshop has launched a shop-in-shop in Amsterdam in an amazing store called SPRMRKT. The store offers exclusively the pieces of Topshop's Dress Up, Boutique and Unique collections. The launch was promising and SPRMRKT informed us that new and fresh styles will arrive every week. I guess SPRMRKT has just won another loyal customer...Congrats!!!

More details here SPRMRKT

dreaming

2011-05-28T13:51:00.001-07:00

shopping diaries: best buys

2011-05-28T07:25:00.001-07:00

The perfect jeans, the perfect skirt and the hottest sandals - I'm ready to go home!

modal shawl cardigan by american apparel // ecote herringbone beaded t-back tank top by urban outfitters // silence & noise zipper mini skirt by urban outfitters // marion flat buckle sandal by matt bernson // navajo scarf by urban outfitters // phantom skinny jeans by citizens of humanity

shopping diaries 3: sex + comfort?

2011-05-22T04:35:00.000-07:00

I have just received these rad Matt Bernson flats from Oak Nyc and i am totally in love with them. The ex-construction worker, Matt is based in Tribeca, and designs luxurious shoes, which are hand produced in artisinal workshop factories using eco-responsible materials and advanced comfort-engineering. According to the Matt's website, the motto of the company is "Sex + Comfort"... I'll test them this week and let you know how it goes.

marion flat buckle sandal by Matt Bernson

shopping diaries 2: girls just wanna have bargains

2011-05-18T05:12:00.000-07:00

My second strike during this trip is a rad pair of skinny cargo pants which are basically a rip-off of the j brand skinny cargos. The denim is sooo soft and stretchy which makes it totally comfortable to wear them. And luckily this pair is not too long, so that I will be able to rock them with some high heels. Can't wait to wear them.

Heading soon to one of the few American Apparel outlets!! Didn't know AA had outlets, but apparently there is one in Orlando. Will let you know how it went... stay tuned.

shopping diaries

2011-05-17T04:23:00.000-07:00

Dutch internet providers suck. Seriously. I have moved recently and experienced it myself. Cut off from the rest of the world for almost two months. Okay I have been also pretty busy but no internet sounds like a good excuse, right? Since I am currently on a small shopping trip in the US, I thought there's nothing better than to relaunch with a small shopping diary.

My first treasure that I found right away on the first day, were these rad Marc by Marc Jacobs sunglasses which retail at 290 US Dollars. I'm here with an experienced bargain hunter (yes you know who you are sweetie ;) who shows me the best places to find stuff like this. More to come.

MARC BY MARC JACOBS MMJ 075PS

Feature: Yelena Myshko

2011-03-14T14:47:00.000-07:00

Yelena Myshko is one of the inspiring people I've met through the mixtup market. Yelena, who studied fashion design at the hogeschool voor de kunsten in Utrecht, is a Dutch designer of EurAsian desend. All her designs are just rad and so unique. She's also using lots of leather which I simply adore!
I have decided to share with you the pictures from her nostaliga photoshoot. Looking at them, I feel like I'm back in my childhood caught up in a Russian fairytale. Yes, jack frost, we - the cold war kids - love you all.. forever.

Photography + Lighting + Special Effects
Yuriy Butenko Buterman

cold war kids like me

2011-02-13T12:13:00.000-08:00

Okay. I'm really excited for Wednesday. Honestly. I'm planning to see the Cold War Kids with a bunch of friends. I'm so excited that i'm afraid i'm going to be totally disappointed. Let's see how the influence of their new producer Jacquire King has changed the band. I hope he was having more modest mouse than kings of leon in his mind when working on the 'mine is yours' album with the CWK. I've read quite a few bad reviews for the new album, so let's see how the gig in Amsterdam will be. I'm still positive...

mixtup market

2011-02-08T12:31:00.000-08:00

Two weeks ago i have joined this cool mixtup market that is happening from time to time here in amsterdam. The idea behind this designer market is to give upcoming photographers, painters, fashion designers and jewelers a plattform to show their stuff. So happy I was able to join this event with my aLaska scarves. I met a bunch of creative and inspiring people with who I hopefully keep in touch in the future. And also good feedback on aLaska. Simply a perfect day. Here are some impressions of it...

More information about the mixtup project under mixtuponline.com

MY OAK NYC WISHLIST

2011-01-23T10:33:00.001-08:00

Oak Nyc. Still not really known in Europe. If I had to choose one online shop in the world, it would for sure be oak nyc. The only thing that stops me from shopping more at oak, is the enormous duty that I had to pay for my last jeffrey campbell's. Here are my current oak favourites. The campbell wedges might actually become mine very very soon.. raaaaaaar.

jeffrey campbell
grey alexa fab lace up wedge bootie

oi kotsuhiroi

floating caress ring

harmon
black parka lining

acne

black sheer suede blouse

one for silk - two for a'dam

2011-01-17T11:48:00.000-08:00

There's a place hidden in North Amsterdam that has become my favorite place in the city. Everything about it is just perfect.. the buildings, the lights, the silence. In every corner you'll find new rad stuff. Last time I have found an old warehouse with a massive half pipe on the first floor. Time to go home and pick up my old skateboard. Or even better, get a new one. More to come.

monki allison parka // cheap monday samira cardigan // cheap monday jeans // foals t-shirt // vintage biker boots // all saints alpaca beanie // aLaska silk scarf

black is back

2011-01-12T11:52:00.000-08:00

alexander wang pre-fall 2011. Simply perfect. After a white-in-white spring 11 collection, i'm very excited to see wang back to black. I love almost every piece in this collection. honestly. highlights are for sure all the leather pieces like the long leather biker vest. I'll get ya somehow...

questionable creatures

2011-01-08T03:55:00.000-08:00

recently we have decided to start a small competition for all the aLaska scarf owners out there...We asked everyone to send us a pic of themselves wearing an aLaska scarf. I'm so impressed with the outcome. Check out this one:

Love the sweater. Airplanes rule.

photography: frederic seybicke
model: moritz schell

new year polish

2011-01-01T08:32:00.000-08:00

with all the happy new year wishes and resolutions, i thought i might start the new year with changing my blog a little. pictures are slightly bigger and I made some changes on the header... Thanks to my new toy (nikon d90) the pictures also look way better!
Lately, I was wearing quite a lot my whyred 'star' parka, which is (and has been been for a while) one of the most precious pieces in my wardrobe. I just can't stop wearing it!! and it looks like i will love it forever.

whyred star parka // american apparel circle scarf // h&m faux leather leggings // hilfiger denim biker boots // all saints alpaca beanie

LASER ME

2010-12-19T12:56:00.000-08:00

laser cut details in suede. hell yeah. holding this babe in my hands right now and won't ever give it back...

available at Topshop

reaching the sky

2010-11-25T11:30:00.000-08:00

What a progress. Eva, one day you going to be a STAR! Believe me! Still so stoked about this shoot. This shoot also finally gave me a really cool header featuring the promised floral shirt. Wish I had more of this fabric... any suggestions for a new version?!?

available at: aLaska at dawanda
pictures by Eva Hasel
models: Agnes und Mortiz

I'm so in love but still....

2010-11-09T13:18:00.000-08:00

can't stop listening to these Canadians!!! And Robert Smith's voice gives me the creeps...

inspirational Brother Louis...

2010-09-21T11:36:00.000-07:00

Featured and available at Oak NYC: DOMINIC LOUIS. His collection totally inspires me... I love the fact that his collection is unisex AND that in most of the shots you can see a wicked shawl. Plus.. everything handcrafted in NYC. Respect.

found at OAK NYC
photographer: VICTORIA STEVENS
model: ADAM W & GADIR

what the f*** are pouch pockets???

2010-08-15T12:52:00.000-07:00

Not that I got bored of scarves ( could never ever happen ) but just to extend aLaska a little I started to make some t-shirts. My first shirt is a short sleeve t-shirt with pouch pockets and a wide hem made out of very soft jersey. I also bought some floral fabric, so I really need to try to make a floral version of it!

style: aLaska oversized shirt in dark heather grey
model: Eva Hasel
picture: Eva Hasel

aLaska growing up

2010-08-08T14:14:00.000-07:00

These are some of my favorites from the second photoshoot. I'm especially happy with the tie-dyed one which ended up way better than expected. Right now i'm working on finding the right fabrics in Amsterdam for the third collection ... so much fun!

available at: aLaska at dawanda
pictures by Eva Hasel
models: Franziska Schwerer und Claudia Müller

aLaska is born..

2010-04-04T07:15:00.001-07:00

Searching for the perfect name for my accessories, I came across the beautiful Czech word for love... LASKA. After some brainstorming with my friend, we added a small a for my name et voilà... aLASKA was born! These are some of the pieces from the very first collection. Enjoy. More to come.

available at: aLaska at dawanda
pictures by Eva Hasel
models: Elena Schöndorf und Matteo Capreoli

Slouchy toque #2

2010-03-13T10:58:00.000-08:00

Finally, I finished my second toque/beanie. Since I have used different type of yarn this time, this toque is a little bit more stiff compared to the black one. I'm pretty happy with it, but still need to work on my crocheting speed. Hope you like it!

Coat hangers baby!

2010-02-28T08:51:00.000-08:00

This babe - Nick Cave's sun Jethro - is so INSPIRING!

last three photos by: hedi slimane

V for Vancouver

2010-02-07T10:34:00.000-08:00

Thanks to M&M!

photos: mark cohene

For Daniel...

2010-01-10T23:14:00.001-08:00

If I was..

2010-01-08T21:21:00.001-08:00

... a man, I would for sure adore this lady. Natalie Portman is smart, beautiful and totally misterious. Natalie is on the cover of the February issue of Elle UK, where she explains how she avoids nude scenes in her movies. The reason for this is that she wants to be seen as an artist and not as a sex symbol... mhhh but wasn't she quite naked in Hotel Chevalier? Whatever.. she's rad!

photos: ELLE UK and V Magazine

Aufgewacht von den Toten...

2009-12-21T19:27:00.001-08:00

It has been a while since I have posted something but after 15 months of torture I had to recover first. Today finally I had to share something with the world. Check this out:

This guy was drawn by one of the most talented artists I know: Daniel Brkovic. Okay I'm biased but please check out some of its other stuff at brkov.blogspot.com.

Gothic Beauty

2009-12-08T21:48:00.000-08:00

Natalie Shau is a young illustrator and photographer from Lithuania. She works mainly in digital media and Natalie’s works are mixture of her photography, digital painting and 3D elements. I adore her work that is influenced by fairytales illustrations and Russian classical literature. Some of her illustrations were created for music bands, fashion designers and writers... so beautiful!

photos: Natalie Shau

Rad things like Rock shirts

2009-12-01T21:57:00.000-08:00

I totally adore the style of Pudel's designer Lina Osterman. I have been already blogging about her as the creative mind behind Pudel. In the meantime, Lina Osterman launched her first line under her solo name. And guess what, the collection is very dark with 99% of it being black!!! She uses tuns of studs and leather. Pretty much amazing!

And this is Lina herself in Elle UK. I need this Kiss Tshirt!!!

photos: Lina Osterman, show me your wardrobe

And every night we'll watch the stars ...

2009-11-26T19:53:00.000-08:00

Tonight is finally the night. Heading to see the friendly fires (aka friendly fries). This version of Paris honestly gives me the creeps. I wish the boys were still unknown as they were in October 2008 when I first saw them as the opening band of Lykke Li. But I guess they're simply too good to remain unknown...

I love how the wallpaper in the video matches the background of my blog!!!

Oh oak...

2009-11-19T20:56:00.000-08:00

Since yesterday I'm the proud owner of these babies... I hope it stops raining soon, so that I can actually show them off.

Found at Oak

Bloody work!

2009-11-16T19:44:00.001-08:00

It took some pain and even some blood, but they're finally done!
Any feedback?? Shall there be more studs? Or maybe less?

New project: Studds & Cons

2009-11-09T23:05:00.000-08:00

I totally know what my new project is going to be!! I need to have studded converse lace ups! I haven't decided yet if I want to use my old black cons or if I'm going to buy new grey one's. I bought some big pyramid studds, so I will for sure use those.. Will post the result soon!

Found via I dont like Mondays
and Where did U get that

Playing around with Polyvore

2009-11-02T22:58:00.001-08:00

Massive potential of improvement but I guess it's okay for the first try. It's definitely fun to play around with all the rad stuff that I won't be able to afford in my entire life...

Black makes me happy by alahop featuring Helmut Lang, Marc Jacobs, Channel, Preen and more.

Magical Fashion by Tim Burton

2009-11-01T16:22:00.000-08:00

Inspired by the idea of my friend Marie to be Edward Scissorhands for Halloween this year, I've found this magical pictorial from Harper’s Bazaar October 2009. To be honest, these are the most perfect images I've ever seen!!! Tim will never disappoint me I guess... He's the master of fantastic beauty that makes me get goosebumps. What would be Goth without him???

Rodarte Fall 2009 Collection
[Left: Dress by Tao Comme des Garçons; coat by Salvatore Ferragamo]

Sequined top and gloves by Giorgio Armani; Lace bodysuit by Emilio Cavallini

Nina Ricci Fall 2009 Collection

My version of Edward... Couldn't afford the Rodarte but I hope Tim would still like it!!

Photographer: Tim Walker
Models: Malgosia Bela, Evelina Mambetova, and Sophie Srej
Hair: Malcolm Edwards
Makeup: Sam Bryant
Stylist: Jacob K

Via Tom & Lorenzo

Icelandic crochet heaven

2009-10-27T22:00:00.000-07:00

This week I'm in a bad crochet fever. While looking for some inspiration, I've stumbled upon Björk in a rad crochet creation by the Icelandic Love Corporation. I hope i'll ever be as good as these guys. I must say that the white sleeve reminds me little bit of my sweater!

Via: craftzine

Beautiful combo

2009-10-26T23:34:00.000-07:00

I'm obsessed with this Acne dress!! It looks so simple but still so different.. I love it.

Acne is another good example for the uniqueness and ultimate perfection of swedish designers! Stockholm (or at least Europe) I'm coming..

photos: Acne SS2010
via: Panache

I did it!

2009-10-18T21:19:00.001-07:00

Some weeks ago I have been blogging about this rad H&M Divided Exclusive leather jacket that I couldn't find here in Vancouver...

Finally I found it and I did it! No regrets!!

German Angels

2009-10-08T23:32:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all the German Angels out there who answered my survey about lingerie and Victoria's Secret!!! The report and the presentation for this project ended up to be so much fun. I had a great team and I think we did a good job. If anyone is interested in our study on Victoria's Secret's entry into the German market please let me know ...

And... did you know that Victoria's Secret also sells shoes??! And even some pretty cool ones..

These rad Colin Stuart Victoria's Secret Studded Boots can be found on millions of fashion blogs out there. I'm impressed. I'm pretty sure these would sell in Germany too.. Don't you think?

photos: Polyvore

Alahop crochet dress

2009-09-26T22:17:00.000-07:00

My first alahop dress was initially supposed to be a sweater. Looks like i mixed up cm with inches... yay! I'm still pretty happy with it! I cannot wait to do my next crochet piece...

My dead belgian pony

2009-09-24T21:14:00.000-07:00

I cross many belgian things lately... some of them are pretty cool like my dead pony. Behind this rad name is Raphaël who is a self-taught illustrator from Brussels. I totally love the themes of the illustrations. They could be totally from me...

Photos: My dead pony

Concert a emporter

2009-09-22T22:10:00.000-07:00

Totally shaking my hips. Check out the other split series with Lykke Li. Raw stuff.

Colonial Madness

2009-09-19T21:09:00.000-07:00

First wasn't sure, but know I love them! They just simply look good with everything.. leggings, jeans, skirts ..Sorry for hesitating!

available at Urban Outfitters

IRO my hero

2009-09-17T22:12:00.000-07:00

The French fashion label IRO isn't really showing something new in its fall/winter 2009 collection... and it's still pretty rad! Honestly, I would buy every single piece if it was available here.. check out the IRO website, I had a really hard time picking the nicest pics because everything is so cool!

images: IRO
via: uberding

arctic monkeys in town!!

2009-09-11T23:48:00.000-07:00

I'm hoping to see the arctic monkeys next sunday because I'm totally crazy about their new album Humbug. Although some voices might say their sound has not developed very far from the debut album Mardy Bum, many critics are highly postive. The UK Telegraph calls it even a '...brilliant record, built to last'.

The monkeys have released one single from their new album so far called Crying Lightning. Love the video and the sound:

And love the hair and the light denim jacket:

images: arctic monkeys

Swedish Pudel wanted

2009-09-07T22:51:00.000-07:00

The Scandinavian fashion label Pudel was established in 2005 with head office in London. Pudel's designer Lina Osterman developed a rad unisex line that mixes Stockholm style sensibility with a light touch of London edge -- You'll see tons of black in pudel AW0910.
And, it is affordable!!

images: Pudel

Gwen Stefani and I - Citizens of Humanity?

2009-09-05T15:43:00.000-07:00

Gwen and I seem to have something in common. yay! We both love the Citizens of Humanity Skinny Avedon jeans in black denim. This pair of jeans feels like a second skin on your body, simply amazing!

images: Denimology

Leather leather AND leather!

2009-09-01T21:00:00.000-07:00

H&M's Fall 09 collection has just been launched and I can't stop myself from getting some of their new merchandise!

I couldn't resist this baby:

I couldn't find this studded motorbike leather jacket so far... I know it's somewhere out there waiting for me!!

Should I have waited??

images: H&M

I (don't) know why no ...

2009-08-28T23:44:00.000-07:00

I really don't know why I said NO to Helsinki when I see fashion like this.. The I KNOW WHY NO collection is created by the finnish designer Aino Vainio. Check out some of her pieces. I love especially her knitted stuff because it is a total inspiration for my crochet designs... and in some of the pics you can also check out how awesome Helsinki must be... ENJOY!

images: i know why no
via les mads

Cheap Monday turns out to be Expensive Friday

2009-08-23T18:47:00.000-07:00

Cheap Monday's Fall/Winter 09 collection looks pretty rad. It's cool to see how this brand continues to evolve and offer original, fashion forward, wearable AND affordable pieces. I was lucky to get hold of this amazing bolero jacket. This jacket would go perfectly with the pleated harem style pants... Still thinking of getting those too.

images: cheap monday
via alter brooklyn
available at aritzia

Leon, le king de Vagabond

2009-08-17T23:27:00.001-07:00

One of the few things that I'm missing about Europe is my favourite shoe brand VAGABOND! Vagabond is always one of the brands that comes out with rad shoes to a decent price... Such as the Leon boots:
Of course sold out at Vagabond
Via pause.se

Ala in Wonderland

2009-08-15T11:40:00.000-07:00

I am invited to a very important date March 3, 2010. I'll be sitting in the theatre and watching a movie that combines some of my favorites:

Production: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Tim Burton
Cast: Johnny Depp

It's going to be insane...Check out the official trailer by clicking on one of the pictures

Romper vs. Strampelanzug

2009-08-13T22:47:00.001-07:00

A short rain shower and I feel like the summer has been gone forever. This super cute romper from Family Affairs helps me to stay in summer mood.

Life Is A Ball Jumpsuit by Family Affairs

Shorter version found at Nouvelle Nouvelle.

Aritzia's Fall/Winter 09 Fashion Show

2009-08-06T18:28:00.001-07:00

This Sunday! I'll be there. Can't wait to see the show!

summer styles ... tie dye, bleach and aritzia

2009-08-02T14:04:00.001-07:00

Check out some of my favourites this summer. You'll find of course lots of Aritzia as well as some bleached vintage stuff..

Alahop's slouchy beanie

2009-07-21T07:26:00.000-07:00

This was my first try of a slouchy beanie. The next one has to be way bigger and more slouchy. But I still kind of like it.

A.l.a.

German can be sexy..

2009-07-09T22:45:00.000-07:00

Joanna Petrone would definitely agree with this statement. She has created a jewelry company called ach ach liebling. All jewelry is made by hand in San Francisco. Keeping in mind the modern lifestyles of the men and women, the company's goal is to delight its customers with new and unexpected jewelry as stylish, durable and affordable as possible.

This is the sweetest birthday present I ever got:

jewelry by ach ach liebling
name: ich liebe dich

jewelry by ach ach liebling
name: flying tattoo

jewelry by ach ach liebling
name: gypsy bird

no love lost

2009-07-03T22:25:00.000-07:00

I want to share with you the band that I cannot stop listening to. A colleague of mine from Aritzia has borrowed me a CD as we used to do in the old school times. And it was the best thing that she could have done!

The band is called joy division. This Manchester band was big in the late 70s and pioneered the post-punk movement with their sounds and style. In addition to their success, joy division could be found in the press because of the tragic story of the lead singer Ian Curtis who committed suicide in 1980. After Ian's death, the rest of banded created the band New Order achieving huge success in the 80s. If you are interested to know more about joy division and Ian's story, you should definitely see the movie Control.

My favorite JD photos:

ian curtis

the band

ian's moves

A different world..

2009-06-20T18:12:00.000-07:00

I have just finished my second week of my internship at Aritzia. I have learned so many things about the fashion industry in such a short time! I love it. Most of the stuff I have done so far was merchandising which is divided into a creative and a technical part. I kind of enjoy both sides. I can't wait to start my third week.

A.l.a.

photo: Aritzia

brand: Talula

the best internship ever !!!

2009-06-11T22:50:00.000-07:00

photo: aritzia.com.

photoshop design: moi.

My latest alahop creation

2009-05-14T09:16:00.000-07:00

I've named this hat 'voda', which is the Czech word for water. This hat is actually really simple to make. I'm going to try to do the same hat with black and thinner yarn. Hope you like it!

The famous L'oreal Pixelation featuring Marie!

2009-05-10T21:41:00.000-07:00

The Scientiest - Marie

Director of Photography - Leo

Director and Screenplay - Daniel

Production Designer & Assistant Director ;) - Alena

River is alive!

2009-05-06T13:10:00.000-07:00

I've accidently stumbled across this darling... Anyone interested in buying one with me to split the shipping costs??? It's made by an Australian company called Alpha60 (www.alpha60.com.au). If you're more the Tom Cruise type, then you really have to check out the website...

Alahop is launched vs. New wave of Crochet

2009-05-02T22:50:00.000-07:00

I have finally produced my first Alahop item! It's a crochet laptop case in purple/grew with zipper. Thanks to Marie I was able to include even a lining. Please let me know if you like it. Orders are welcomed ;)

Interview series starts...

2009-04-29T22:50:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,

Tomorrow is finally my Best Buy interview for the summer internship. Please keep fingers crossed that I do a good job!

I'll definitely let you know how it went.

Thanks Dani!

2009-04-27T19:51:00.000-07:00

Let me introduce you to Rainbow. Rainbow likes shopping, fashion and long division. Sounds like me, right?

Victim to fashion vs. Wear for Love/Love for Wear

2009-04-26T17:38:00.000-07:00

As if I could walk out a store without buying something... But at least it looks good ;)

I really really like these jeans. They are made by current/elliott (www.currentelliott.com) and I love how they mention on the jeans: 'A true eighties skinny jean that hugs every curve'. It definitely does...

Can I bring you another size?

2009-04-24T23:21:00.000-07:00

So, two of my three shifts this week are over. Overall, I did a pretty good job and I really enjoy working for Aritzia! Everyday I see new amazing stuff that I haven't seen the day before. So for example this outfit.. tomorrow I'm probably buying these jeans... Love it!

My first day at Aritzia

2009-04-23T07:09:00.000-07:00

Today is the big day. I'm starting to work at Aritzia. I had a short orientation shift last week, but today I'm having my first real shift, where I can actually sell stuff.... Please keep figures crossed for me that I'll be doing a good job... I'm excited!

Here is one of my favorites from Aritzia..

L'oreal E-Strat Competition

2009-04-14T17:28:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

Some of you might know that me and two of my classmates (Bhavna and Nikhil) from India have participated in a competition organized by L'Oréal. This so-called L'Oréal E-Strat competition is one of the world's biggest online business simulation. This international competition is open to undergraduate and MBA students in their final two years of university or business school. In the first round we were competing with 221000 students from 2200 schools representing 128 countries.

Although we didn't make into the international finals in Paris, we made into the national finals, which were organized by L'oreal Canada for the Canadian teams. The top three teams had the task to produce a video presenting their business plan to the L'oreal executives! We did that and became 2nd!!! Now we are waiting for the hundreds of L'oreal products that they've promised us ;)

I have uploaded the video, so please check it out!

Have fun!

MoMA - Museum of Modern Art in New York

2009-04-12T11:51:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my favorites from the MoMA:

Frantisek Kupka.1910

Czech Artist

Girl before a Mirror by Pablo Picasso
This oil on canvas was painted in March 1932 by the Spanish artist

Frida Kahlo.Fulang-Chang y Yo. 1937

Roy Lichtenstein. Drowning Girl. 1963

My favorite artist ever..

Andy Warhol.Campbell's Soup Cans.1962

Andy Warhol.Double Elvis.1963

Okay... that's it for now! Please let me know what to think about it...

Happy Easter!

Alena

Hope there is still someone out there reading this blog !!!

2009-03-16T10:54:00.002-07:00

Hello guys,

I know I have not been treating this blog very well, but I really want to get this started again. Sorry for being so lazy.

Summary of what important things have happend over the last four months:

1) I moved in with Daniel

2) I have a part-time job in the fashion industry (check out aritzia.com)

3) I'm in NYC right now!

So let's start with some pics from my New York trip...ENJOY

TOPSHOP finally opened a store in North America. The first store is obviously in New York. This is the first store where I had to wait in line for over 30 minutes just to get in!!

A wonderful Marc Jacobs store...

The very vintage Mango store.

Time Square & me.

My personal New York's bikes collage

It's over ... at least for a month!

2008-12-11T21:39:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,

oh my gosh.. I don't know where to start. Okay, I will start with the school. All my exams are over now and the last project of my first term finished on December 4th!!

The last project in which we had to come up with a proper business plan was quite tough. Me and four other lovely ladies ...

... have decided to develop a business plan for a clothing store for men called wood (if you're interested where the name comes from, then please ask me individually per email ;). Besides producing our own collection, our store would have offered free styling advice to men.

It was quite interesting to develop the entire business plan, which included for example market research such as an online survey and interviews with men to get some information regarding their shopping habbits. After conducting our market research, it really looks as if there is a lack in the industry and as if this business would be quite successful. During our exams, we did not really have enough time to work on this project, which led to lots of last minute work before the deadline. We worked all night before the deadline at 8am in morning. We have not received our grade yet... If the grade is good, we might really think about opening this store in future.. Of course only if we find some people that are crazy enough to invest in us ;)

After all that stress we had an amazing 'Core no more'-Party in Downtown, which included lots of alcohol and fun... The party was followed by many and many hours of sleep that I had missed in the last three months..

Last weekend, Franzi visited me in Vancouver. We spent two days in Whistler and rocked the slopes. There was not much snow, but still we had lots of fun. Daniel joined us for the first day.

Here are some impressions...

Tomorrow, we are picking up Tanja from the airport already :-) And that means we are going up the mountains again!!! Tanja and me going to be in Whistler for 5 days! I cannot wait to be there again. It supposed to snow all weekend, so let's keep fingers crossed that it comes true..

Merry X-Mas!!!

Yours

Alena

Next exams...

2008-11-10T08:26:00.000-08:00

Hey guys,

here is a short update to what happend in the last two weeks (sorry Kerstin that I'm so lazy ;)

First of all, I have totally forgot to tell you that I'm the captain of the dodgeball team now !!! I hope you all know what dodgeball is?? It's the best sport ever (right after snowboarding of course) Watch this to get an impression what Dodgeball is about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEsgiUBGlLc&feature=related

And here are two of my action pictures:

My teams rocks...

Some air action

At the moment we are number three in the league! The aim is definitely to become number one.. we are quite optimistic ;)

An less exciting issue are my exams. Today I have again two of them: Finance and Organizational Behaviour. I should be fine with Finance, because it is not really new for me. Let's see how it works. Again: Don't forget to keep fingers crossed!

Miss you all!!

Cheers

Alena

P.s. the last two exams went pretty well... :-)

Exams start

2008-10-27T12:16:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,

Sorry that I did not have time to update my blog, but I had lots of work to do in the last few weeks. Today I'm writing my first two exams (Accounting and Supply Chain Management) so please keep your fingers crossed for me okay? These are the two first exams out of eleven..

I will upload some pictures during this weeks, so you can see that I'm actually having also fun besides all the studying ;)

Kiss,

alena

Daniel arrives today !!!!!

2008-10-04T08:49:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,

just wanted to tell you that I'm really happy that Daniel finally arrives today :) I can't wait to see him!

MBA Class 2010 - Sauder School of Business

2008-09-25T12:47:00.000-07:00

Hey there,

I just wanted to share shortly with you my MBA class!

(they forced us to dress up ;) )

Please comment!

Scarlet fever??? what's that?

2008-09-21T23:33:00.000-07:00

Hey my friends,

This is my third week of the MBA core program. And I know you won't believe me, but some of us compare it with hell ;) For all of you that think I'm here on holidays... forget about that!

After the first week of (let's call it...) 'hell', I became sick. After paying $100 to see the doctor for 2 minutes, the doctor told me that I have scarlet fever. For those of you, who have not heard of it, let's try to ask wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarlet_fever.

The reaction of my Mexican friend was: 'Oh I like Scarlet. But more the movie than the book!'. So I showed her wikipedia ;) Although I had to take antibiothics, I could not stay at home, because we had to write assignments almost every day. In the meantime, I am fit again :-)

Here are some impressions what I did in the last few weeks. Have fun!

Waiting for the skytrain coming home from a soccer game.

Gala dinner with our dean!

High ropes course - I love heights!

I'm still alive

2008-08-25T23:39:00.000-07:00

Hey there,

It has been a while since I have published my last post on my blog. The last weeks were quite exciting and busy though.

After the ISP (International Students Program), we have started with the Pre-core moduls, which were on a voluntary basis. These pre-core moduls, that comprised Economics, Quantitative Methods, Accounting etc., was supposed to help us to start the MBA Program all on the same level. Although these topics were not new for me, it was quite challenging to hear that stuff in English! The good thing was, that during Pre-core I could finally meet all my fellow students. All in all, we are 115 students in the MBA Program now. I still have not managed to learn all the names ;)

After two weeks of Pre-Core, we have started orientation weeks, that are quite relaxed.We are doing a lot of team-building exercises. Nevertheless, we are told at least once a day, that the next three to four months are going to be like 'hell'. I hope these guys are exaggerating...

Despite all these 'serious' things, we have find of course time to enjoy ourselves in this wonderful city. Last weekend for example, one of our fellow students organized a big party in his house and invited all students of the MBA program. It was a long long night ;) I was lucky that this guy lives two blocks away from my shack ;)

The other weekend we decided to check out the nightlife in Downtown Vancouver, which was really fun... here are some of the pics we took that night:

Sorry I still cannot get rid of my face ;)

Here are some more pictures of happy MBA students after long, long Pre-core classes:

Besides studying and partying with my fellow students, I really enjoy living at my new place. Kitsilano, which is the area where I live, is such a unique place... I love it! And my roommate Trish is also really cool and easy-going. She helps me a lot in getting to know this city much faster than I normally would without her!

So I wish you all a sunny rest of the week (by the way: it's raining here all the time)!

Don't forget me ;)

Yours

Alena

I've found a place to stay..

2008-08-02T12:40:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,

I know I was quite lazy in updating this blog. But I have had so many things to do last week... these are only some of the things I've done during the week: finding a place, doing a project with two of my classmates, buying furniture, finding the right cell phone contract, trip to Victoria etc..

But the most important thing was for sure finding a nice place in Kitsilano, that is really close to the campus and to the beach!! Check out the following link which shows my place:

Alena's place

I will live there together with a Canadian girl named Trisha. Her parents are originally from Holland, which gives her the wonderful last name 'Van der Star'!!! What a funky name! And she seems to be really nice. Next sunday I will finally move in. Last saturday I've been to Ikea and spend a bunch of money to buy my bed & stuff. This is how the house looks like:

I'm really looking forward to living there and being so close to the beach!

My MBA Program runs quite well. Yesterday was my last day of the International Student Program. This program was made to familiarize international students with the North American university system and the Canadian economy in general. This program ended with a group presentation. I was supposed to do a Presentation about 'Forest Industry in British Columbia'. Yeah, I know this doesn't sound very exciting, but it ended up to be a really cool project. We were divided into groups of three people. I was really lucky with my team: I worked together with a Mexican girl called Alejandra and a guy from Bahrain called Leo. We worked so hard together, that we became really good friend within a short period of time! Both of them are so cool. And our presentation has gone down well... the profs loved our short movie about the forests in BC ;-)

To celebrate the survived presentation, we all went to a pub on campus and had a couple of drinks! This is how it looks like when people from Bahrain, Mexico, Venezuela, Iran, Taiwan and Czech Republic (or Germany) party together:

Wish you all a wonderful weekend! Miss you all!

alena

My first day at UBC...I have survived!

2008-07-28T19:33:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody,

today was my very first day at University of British Columbia (UBC)!!! I was quite nervous, but it turned out to be a really cool first day. Although we had to prepare and present our first assignment already today, it was more the introduction kind of day. If you compare it to Germany, the professors over here seem to be quite relaxed and easy-going. Let's see, how it will shape up for the rest of the week...

Regarding my search for the 'perfect' shared apartment or house, I wasn't really successful yet... so please continue to keep fingers crossed!

By the way, these are (were) my German roommates. Unfortunately, Juliane left last Sunday to go to Indonesia.

Guess what we did?? Exactly, we went shopping :-)

Thanks for all your comments! Sorry for being so slow in answering all your eMails...

Cheers alena

2008-07-25T07:39:00.000-07:00

I LOVE this one...

skyline downtown

my new home

I'm so haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaapppy!

2008-07-24T05:17:00.000-07:00

Just to let you know: Daniel is admitted to Vancouver Film School!!!! His semester starts on 27 October. I couldn't imagine better news :-)

Welcome to Vancouver

2008-07-23T21:58:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody,

Today was finally the d-day or let's say better my v-day. After an emotional goodbye with Daniel, Mum, Tanja & Diana at the airport, I flew with LTU from Stuttgart to Vancouver via Duesseldorf. If I hadn't been so sad, the flight would have been quite relaxed. To deepen my sadness, the airline had the wonderful idea to show three of the most romantic movies ever! After the landing in Vancouver and at least one liter of tears later, everything worked perfectly and without problems: I got my visa within two minutes, all of my luggage was there and my taxi brought me for about 20 Dollars to my new (part-time) home...

The house were I live at the moment is quite comfy and clean. I share it with... yes exactly with two Germans (@Clemens: my German roomie is doing here some research at University to be able to become a PhD in Electrical Engineering - You should join him ;). My forth roomie is a Japense guy, that I haven't met yet. My room is rudimentary equipped, but still nice and unexpectedly large.

After my first shopping trip with the bus (no clothes - only food), which boosted my jet lag even more, I have decided to go to bed early. My other roomies went to bed anyway...

Let's see what tomorrow brings :-) Maybe even pictures...

MISS YOU ALL!

Kisses

Alena

party pics

2008-07-16T15:35:00.000-07:00

a party with mixed feelings...

2008-07-14T13:53:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,

after the birthday and farewell party with Diana on Saturday, I have finally realized that my departure to Vancouver is really close! I look back on this evening with mixed feelings: on the one hand I'm really looking forward to staying in Vancouver, on the other hand I'm gonna miss all of you guys!!! A big THANKS goes especially to my friend Tanja, who has organized the most beautiful present that I have ever received. I'll treasure it in Vancouver, that's a promise! By the way, I'll publish some of the party pics on this blog in the next few days. The rest of them can be checked out on studivz soon.

In the next few days, lots of small things still have to be organized for the trip. I had never thought with how much work this trip would be connected... please keep fingers crossed for me that everything will be done in time.

I'll try to keep you updated about my further preparations. Hope to see or at least hear lots of you guys before I'll leave the country!

Yours Alena