Friendship is reciprocity, sharing, selfless giving, without measuring what is invested and received.  In order to have friends, we must first be ones.

Thanksgiving is coming so I wanted to create a table decor that you could us as an inspiration.

Celebration of this day is broad in The USA, but not so common in Europe.

However, my family and I are planning to mark this day with a nice dinner in a cozy home environment. 

What I most like about Thanksgiving is because it's an ideal chance to give thanks for everything we have in life.

I hope that the decoration I made will give you some ideas how you could set up your table if you're planning to host a dinner.

I noticed that Americans like decorating with pumpkins and other details specific for this time of the year, which adds up to the whole Thanksgiving story.

What I think a good thing to do when decorating for special occasions is to create a good base.

By that I mean: setting up a good tablecloth, plates, flatware and glasses. Then adding up napkins, flowers and candles. Creating a one nice whole, pleasant for the eyes. Colours to use and other decor elements depend on your personal styl...

It was a gloomy day in Zagreb today, but the sun was coming every now and then. It’s been a few days since my last walk in Maksimir and I must admit that I kind of missed it. Finally, this afternoon, my husband and me went there for a walk. I feel recharged :) I’m not sure which season in Maksimir is the most beautiful, but for me autumn has some kind of a mistique beauty. I noticed that the leaves are even more yellow comparing to my previous visit there, which makes the ambient even nicer. If you ever plan to visit Zagreb, my advice would be to go to Maksimir. It's located at the east part of the city. There is also a very nice Zoo inside, where if you ever visit, you will see different types of animals. Until then I want you to enjoy these photos I took today for you so that you could experience some parts of what I experienced.

I was delighted when about 2 years ago in Croatia I met Ivan and heard what he was doing for abandoned children in Kenya. That was when I decided to go there to experience and see with my own eyes everything he was talking about and do what I can to help. Now my wish came true and I'm so happy because of that!

A little more than a week ago, my daughter and I arrived at "Mission in Action" Children's Home near Nakuru. The moment we got there the children had our hearts. So much love, simplicity, modesty and unity in one place - something I never experienced before so intensely.

I can clearly see what it means to sacrifice oneself for others and that is something this big-hearted man Ivan is doing. He was born in Croatia but grew up in Australia where he spent most of his life. One day he visited Kenya and saw the sadness and cruelty that abandoned Kenyan children were going through. Many parents were dying of AIDS and  leaving the children all by themselves. He decided to give up his "goo...

Today was a beautiful day in Zagreb. This morning, my husband and I went to Park Maksimir. On our way back, I took a few flowers from a Magnolia tree.

This Sunday afternoonI wanted to make especially nice with a few details that I used for this little corner. I’ve chosen pink candles that I placed on two golden candlesticks which I bought the last time I was in Switzerland (remember I mentioned in one of my latest post that I was sure I was going to find something nice there? ;)). I placed the Magnolia flowers in a small Rosenthal vase, which was a gift from my dear friends. Pink napkin, white cup with golden pattern and some soft music make this atmosphere whole. Someimes little is needed for happiness. How did you spend your Sunday afternoon?

Lovely, warm and sunny Spring day in Zagreb made me go for a city walk.

It takes only 15 minutes from my apartment to get to the main square. Close to the square there is a market with many beautiful flowers called Dolac. Whenever I go there it feels like my senses are being filled with beauty. Most of the time I buy myself a small bouquet of flowers that always makes everything more beautiful. This time my husband was quicker, so I did not need to buy any ;)

Today I took some photos that I want to share with you. There are many varieties of flowers like tulips, daffodils and other spring flowers, and of course roses are always available, no matter the time of the year.

I hope you will enjoy the photos!

What are your favourite spring flowers?

Many hugs!

Even though spring officially starts next week, it has already arrived to my city. I was especially pleased when I noticed a significant change in the weather after returning from Switzerland. Although I truly enjoyed Switzerland, like every time I visit my best friend, this time I felt really happy when returning home - because I live in a sunny Mediterranean country where spring arrives early. My city Zagreb is awakened and blooming! Days are longer, sun is shining, birds are singing… I feel delighted and excited about life. Also, new ideas and plans are arriving.

Today my husband and I went to Tomislav’s square where beautiful magnolia trees are blooming. We enjoyed the day, like many others who were walking around did.

I am sharing a few photos with you so that you can see what I’m talking about.

I wish you a wonderful weekend! <3

Dear Chic & Antique family, it's been a while since my last blog post. I hope you don't mind and that you've been doing well. I will really try to write more blog posts. Today I felt creative and made this table decor so I want to share it with you.

I've chosen a table cover and table cloth in a red wine colour that I got on sale in Switzerland, which seemed like a good base for silverware that I bought at that same time.

On the table, you can see some things that I received from people who are very dear to me, which, for me, makes this table decor even more special.

A few years ago my friend's mother from Sweden gave me this beautiful teapot which also came with a lovely little milk pot and a sugar bowl. And when all that is combined, it creates a very nice effect and goes well with the rest of the decor elements.

I was really happy when I ran into a crystal candleholder that I bought fifteen years ago and I haven't used it for a long time. It's for a single candle and very simple, yet el...

Time passes quickly. It seems like it was yesterday when I was decorating my home for the last year’s Christmas, and now it’s already time for new ones.

Although it might seem a bit early for Christmas decorations, I did it because of a feature in a Croatian newspaper.

Every year I make my decorations different. Now I decided to go for darker shades of the balls on Christmas tree while combining them with golden details. By doing so, I wanted to connect all the elements in my home which then made up a well-harmonised whole.

I always love the endless classic style when it comes to clothing, so the affection for that style also applies to interior and decorating.

Candles made the whole ambient look more festive, and I think they can never be too much when it comes to holiday decor.

In the centre of my dining and club table, I put some holly that I found in a local market. I was pretty lucky that it had a lot of berries on it, which makes it look even nicer, almost as it was unreal. To that, I...

Dear friends, a few weeks ago I posted a photo of a table decoration that I just made that week. I mentioned that I will write a blog post about it. I am a bit more late than I planned but here is the post now, I hope you don't mind :)

So, as you probably already know I have a passion for table decorations, like for home decorations in general. This time I used soft pastel colours which, I believe, all of the romantics among you love. And I can say the same thing about myself.

For this setting, I wasn’t using many decorating elements but the effect I wanted to create was there. The plain white tablecloth was of a great use as a base where I added some soft pink and beige plates combining with elegant glasses. I’ve chosen to go for simple golden cutlery and golden candlesticks in different heights. In the candlesticks, I've put some white candles that bring a feeling of warmth and elegance. I also lighted an interesting candle which has a shape of a woman’s face sculpture, and around it,...

Photos Iva Juricevic

I always loved seeing a nicely decorated dining table and because of that I always try to do it in a different way at my home. 

The more time passes and the older I get, the more I see that there should not be a special family event like birthday parties, holidays or some kind of an anniversary to enjoy the table decorations. Today I decided to make this day beautiful for my family and me by decorating our table. For this table setting, I’ve chosen blue and white decorations with silver details. I wanted to use these patterned blue-white napkins and cutlery that I got just recently.

Whenever I get a chance, I buy some decor detail that I really like but I always pay attention to how it suits the rest of the decorations that I have regarding its design, colour and material. I was so pleased when, a few days ago in Switzerland, I saw this beautifully ornamented cutlery on sale. It was a love at first sight. I already had an image in my mind how I would combine it with m...

Modern home decor trends often emphasise minimalism. But what about those hopeless romantics who just can’t accept the trend in their homes?

Photo source French Country Cottage 

Here are a few tips on how to decorate your home romantically. Light and fluttering fabrics, lace, white and pastel colours, flowers, ambient lighting, crystal chandeliers… All of those are elements that bring a romantic feel to a home. With a good combination of those elements, good colours and furniture, your home can look as good as its professionally decorated.

Unknown photo source 

This type of style can be applied to any room but you can also choose just one room that could be your special leisure place. Living room is the ideal room for showing your home decorating skills. To create that romantic atmosphere, ideally, you would colour your walls white or beige. The curtains should be fluttering and other decorating elements should be patterned with lace and flowers.

Photo source www.kateforman.co.uk

For romanti...

This time I want to introduce you to a small but wonderful town that is located on the Western side of the Istrian peninsula. Its name is Rovinj. This town is about thirty minutes drive from Pula and because of that, it’s very easy for me to visit it when I’m in Pula.

A week ago I got back home to Zagreb from Istria and my phone is filled with photos from Rovinj that I want to share with you. I was in Istria just at the time when the whole Fifa World Cup euphoria was happening. I have to mention, once again, how proud I am of my country to win the second place. Because of that Rovinj, like the rest of Croatia, was filled with the red and white checkerboard. This time in Rovinj I was walking through the old town exploring little narrow streets and enjoying them all over again. Even though Rovinj is pretty much familiar to me, I always notice some new details that amaze me, like for example this little clothing store next to the sea where the stone stairs lead to.

Narrow streets tiled with...

Mediterranean area is very wide and full of different varieties and because of that, Mediterranean style varies depending on its geographical position.

This charming style can be seen from Croatia, Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Turkey, all the way to Morocco. This type of interior decorating is admired by many, no matter where they live. If you are one of those who love the Mediterranean style, you can apply it to your home or garden easily. The most important thing is to know how to balance the interior and exterior. Bits of Advice I want to share with you will help with that.

Photo from antiqbr

Mediterranean style is full of lightness and naturalness. It’s inspired by the sea, sun, Mediterranean herbs and citruses. Therefore, it’s very important that you use only natural materials when you decorate your home in this style.

Provence, the Southern part of France is known for its lavender fields, olive groves and vineyards. Because of that, the most used colours are lavender, pastel tones...

Even though I live in Zagreb and love it so much, whenever I get a chance I go to the coastline to take some quality rest. It’s hard to specify which coastal town in Croatia is the most beautiful one but I have to admit that to me, Pula has a very special place in my heart. Maybe it’s because of my personal reasons - I lived there with my family for four years and I gave birth to my youngest son Noel there. 

This summer, I visited Pula again and it’s been one week now since I got here. I have to admit that I’m spending some beautiful and relaxed time - exactly what I needed! On some days I visit Rovinj, which is about 30 minutes drive from Pula. It’s nice to have time just for yourself sometimes. The only thing I’m missing right now is my family to cheer together for Croatia. Today at 5 PM CEST Croatia is playing the final football match against France. This is a historic event for my dear little country and a big success that makes every Croatian proud. What makes me especially happy i...