6-28-2026 MY WEEK: back from vacay

before i share my travel adventures in croatia, let me tell you the story on how i got engaged - the one time sib and boyfriend fiancé managed to surprise me. when i was a kid, my bratz dolls had a wonderful winter engagement, with the song the gift by 98° playing. so, i often told my friends i was to have an après ski engagement, in gstaad (budget didn't matter in my head). 

hence, when boyfriend suggested we go to dubrovnik for a romantic getaway while we're in my hometown, the thought of a potential proposal was just fleeting. getting my nails done with sib before traveling was also something that did not pose any suspicion. and when my mom insisted i need to be well dressed while in dubrovnik, under the guise that one simply must be overdressed, i took offense rather than started connecting the dots. i thought, "wow, mom thinks i can't dress for shit, huh?"

when we arrived at the high-top location of srđ to take pretty photos of the view, i was annoyed that my bra strap was showing and my hair was messy, and when i asked boyfriend to redo the, he refused. he stopped me and only then did i realize what the hell was happening. i, of course, said yes. the ring - an absolute art deco gem. shock, then tears. even a surprise photographer, and i yelled "did you hire this guy?!". happy tears kept flowing when we finally drove back down to our air bnb and the radio played where is my husband?!

happy tears with a breathtaking view

now onto other fun adventures of the two weeks, hence my hiatus from blogging. to put it in sib's words, i was living in the moment. while i was collecting fit pics, travel pics, and ideas, i almost got overwhelmed from the number of things in needed to write about. but here i am, back in the states with a break from travel and sightseeing. the grind doesn't stop though. more about that toward the end.

after returning from a dreamy romantic getaway, sib, fiancé, and i did a road trip to krka waterfalls and had delicious dinner in the town of skradin. 

skradinski buk, krka

next stops were the island of vir where i learned how to swim as a child. sib insisted we check out the remote cliff beach with its red soil, and unforgiving terrain. the view - breathtaking. but the heat made it harder.

i've had some fantastic cocktails this trip, mostly in my go-to bar pocco loco and deep - a cave bar in makarska which i'd love to visit for a night out someday again. besides phenomenal cocktails and my own homemade espresso martinis, coffee is on the menu with dad, on occasion even two in a row. finally, dinner plans consist of seafood, my fave being cuttlefish risotto. just be sure to bring extra napkins and don't wear white.

post-engagement espresso and a dubrovnik panorama

finally, fiancé and i were invited to a wedding for my high school friend vera and her now husband ivan. i had a brief high school reunion with some friends i haven't reconnected in a while, enjoyed multi-course meals and bongo drums on the dancefloor. 

the last week was spent mostly on the beach to soothe the heat wave, time with mom, a shopping spree at local boutiques, coffee dates with dad, and prepping for world cup games.

i believe we're halfway through the year. this month was such a crazy whirlwind of excitement, and i feel like the excitement is still lasting. could this be the summer? i often chase the high of the 2012 or 2016 summers when i was a teenager, and while 2024's brat summer felt amazing, this one - this is a historic one. 

i'm taking inspiration from dua lipa's eternal vacation lifestyle. my plan is to keep this 'high on life' vibe going as long as i can milk it out. this means flashing my ring excitedly at every restaurant fiancé and i go to for the rest of the summer at least. 

this week's looks

i got 2 weeks' worth of fits, so let's make this short and simple:

6/15 monday dubrovnik→makarska

6/16 tuesday. makarska beach

6/17 wednesday. coffee with dad

6/17 wednesday. beach

 6/17 wednesday. family hangout

6/18 thursday. trip to krka

6/19 friday. coffee dates

6/19 friday. klapa concert nite

6/20 saturday. vir island

6/20 saturday. theater play and drinks with mom

6/21 sunday. wedding

6/22 monday. errands

6/22 monday. beach

6/23 tuesday. coffee date with dad

6/23 tuesday. beach

6/24 wednesday.
coffee and hangout with friends

designer sunnies only.
   me in gucci, dad in valentino, sib in versace

6/25 thursday. last coffee date of this season

6/26 friday. travel back to the states

6/27 saturday. world cup watch party
croatia vs ghana

6/28 sunday. church and brunch

6/28 sunday. pool day

what am i looking forward to this week?

well, we're back to reality, but like i said earlier, the party continues. it's a short work week due to the upcoming holiday, and i have plans for the fourth. i'm getting my nails done accordingly too. croatia and portugal are playing on thursday so expect more red and white looks! finally, bestie vic, sib and i follow up for proper post-vacay kiki'ing. ajde bok!