The scariest experience of my life

Hello friends and readers! Hello from devastated Nepal! I believe everybody out there have heard about the dreadful earthquake that hit the country on Saturday. Not that it came as a surprise to anybody living in Nepal. This earthquake had been expected for several years. According to statistics such major earthquakes happen in the region every 70-75 years. The last occurred in Nepal in 1934, 81 years ago. So, actually it was even slightly over due. Interesting, that in spite of this, as I read in a local newspaper a couple of months ago, 80% of the respondents of a sociological survey believed that the Big One would not happen during their life time. Naivety? Sooner, our human nature: we refuse to believe that something like this can really happen to us. Even me...not that I didn't believe in reality of this earthquake but somehow I hoped that I will not be in Nepal when it happens.

Traditional embroidery of the republics of Central Asia

Embroidered wall hanging, Shakrisyabz, Uzbekistan, 19th century. Cotton, with chain-stitch embroidery in silk and red wool, trimmed with djiyak braid. Design Museum, Helsinki 

Embroidery is an important cultural tradition in Central Asia. Literally everything is decorated with embroidery  - wall hangings, curtains, cushions-covers, bed-covers, bags, animal trappings, women's headdresses and tunics, trousers and boots. A guest may be offered a piece of embroidery as a token of friendship or as a good luck talisman for the journey.
All types of thread are used for embroidery: metal, wool, cotton, silk. The most common stitches are couching, buttonhole and chain stitch, herringbone. Usually one type of stitch dominates the embroidery of a particular ethnic group. For example, a lacing stitch is much used by the Turkmen tribes, satin stitch characterizes the Kohistan embroidery, and Uzbek and Hazara embroiderers use various types of cross stitch.

Asymmetrical hem dress, smart and casual

This is my second asymmetrical hem dress. The first one, with citruses and flowers all over it, I bought myself. And this navy blue one was given to me by my daughter. I used to wear it with a statement necklace and high heel shoes, the look being rather smart. But to tell you the truth I think that the dress worn on its own emphasises my hour-glass figure a bit too much.

Floral midi skirt and lace top

Many people celebrated Easter last Sunday. But in my native Belarus (as well as in some other countries of Orthodox Christianity) Easter is celebrated tomorrow (Sunday). I am going to the Russian culture centre for some socializing to mark the day. And that's what I am planning to wear for the event, I took the photos in advance as tomorrow I will really have no time for this. Both things, the lacy top and the floral skirt, are new, I will be wearing them for the first time. I love the shape of the skirt, actually it is the first skirt of such shape in my wardrobe.

Nautical: dress over skirt

Here it is again, my all year favourite navy blue maxi skirt. You have seen it quite often here on the blog during last year. I wore it paired with different tops accesorized with different jewelry, bags and shoes. And what about today? I'm wearing it with a dress! This dress is a bit too short for me to wear it on its own here in Nepal. Of course, I can always wear it over skinnies but it seems a rather trivial and predictable variant. I wanted something more interesting. Then I noticed that the base colour of the dress and the colour of my favourite maxi skirt matches absolutely. So, I decided to give this combination a try. And I liked the result.