bicycle designs

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2010 is definitely the year of the bicycle. It is not only a means of movement but a totally cool one (the Earth is thankful for this!) and an icon of fashion. People are no longer thought as poor when driving a bicycle but cool, conscious and responsible. Even Bucharest has official roads for bicycles though riding one here means risking your life a bit (because of crazy car drivers).

I attended Bread&Butter Berlin this January and besides chaotic fashion, which honestly I don’t find disturbing, knitted designs and the cool way of displaying fabrics in a deserted airport (Tempelhof), bicycles were in the spotlight! Many brands start adding a bicycle to their collections as an accessory. And as knitting is so in fashion now we will soon start to dress not only ourselves but also our bicycles. Tell me you didn’t already think of a nice hoodie for your bike, ha?

Monocle, my very favorite magazine, has an interesting video on designer bikes where bicycles are portrayed not only as objects but as story tellers: ‘bicycles need to be an expression of who we are, beauty and simplicity being required’.

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Velorbis has everything a girl ever wished for in a bike. Take a look at this ‘red and cream dream ladies bicycle, Velorbis Dannebrog‘, how they call it. Gents, you are not out of this talk: the Scrap Deluxe  Gents will drive you crazy. And for the additional wood basket fans there’s the wood carrier crate, ’so practical and easy to fit with its convenient quick fastening system – it’s perfect for bicycle connoisseurs who appreciate luxurious design and want to ensure that their ‘precious cargo’ is transported safely from A to B in style‘.

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So, people, bicycle is a must have this spring!

meet Alma

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When it comes to animated movies, Nemo is for me the one and only. Meaning, since then, I am waiting for something to outrun it. In the meantime I ran into a couple of great short animated amongst which Alma will immediately turn on your senses. Freaky but also sweet, the short tells the story of a young girl who becomes intrigued by the contents of a mysterious toy shop.

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It is finally available online after being well kept by Pixar animator Rodrigo Blaas. Blaas took time off to make his directorial debut with this animated short film titled Alma. Originally from Spain, he has worked in animation for more than ten years, and was able to collect some of the best artists in the field to be part of his independent project: French animator Bolhem Bouchiba, character designer Carlos Grangel and Sergio Pablos, ArtDirector Alfonso Blaas, music composer Mastretta and sound designer Tom Myers.

Alma has been nominated for the Goya Awards in the category of Best Animation Shortfilm, the highest award for filmmakers in Spain. Watch the film embeded!

who is Alexandrina?

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The Romanian musical scene took off. And hopefully there is now a chance to let go of O-Zone with Dragostea din tei that created an international madness and start being associated with what I like to call good music. Could it be soul, jazz, funk, chillout, electropop, alternative? Why not? It already has a name: Alexandrina Hristov. She is a musician, a painter and a poet. Coming from Moldavia, she graduated the Academy of Music and Plastic Arts in Chisinau and in 2005 she had one of the leading roles in the movie “Trois femmes de Moldavie”, directed by Paul Cuzuioc. Some of her songs are part of the soundtrack of the movie. After this, she moved to Romania where she started her first concerts and recently exhibited her paintings in Bucharest at Cărturesti, under the name of “La femme qui t’aime”.

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Afina/Blueberry

Petale de cires sau aripioare secrete/Cherry wings or secret little wings

Dor sau aripioare negre/Missing you or black wings

Nor alb nor negru/White cloud black cloud

Pasarea Mihaelei/Michaela’s bird

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I guess you agree with me when I say that you know special & talented people because they somehow pop in your eyes and instantly charm you. Seeing her paintings and hearing her voice made me think she is one of a kind. Be charmed and spread the word!