:: MIXTAGRAM ::

It`s time for another Mixtagram! ;) 

Instagram: majarotovnik

Left: Selfie ; Right: H&M Rings

Left: A walk with my dad ; Right: Something frutty & sweet

Left: The best dessert ; Right: Frenchie

Left: Clipper Tea <3 ; Right: Veggie risotto

Left: Saturday morning ; Right: Lasagna - yum!

Left: I was low on sugar, so I needed smth good ; Right: Blue sky

:: BITS OF MY WEEK :: WEEKEND ::

Well, on Friday I should be on a roadtrip to Budapest, but that didn`t go as I planned so I stayed at home. 

I was sad because I couldn`t spend an amazing weekend with my friends from "far away countries", but Summer will come soon and that`s the time for catching up what we`ve missed. So, in the end my weekend was pretty laid back. A morning tea with a friend in the city, a long walk with my dad, some birdwatching, family lunch and a bday party of a friend of mine + thousands of other small everyday things, like ironing, washing clothes, cleaning the kitchen, bathroom....you know how that goes. :)

I hope you had a wonderful weekend, ours was very Winter like, cuz it was snowing every day and I don`t even remember when was the last time we had so much snow. It`s beautiful and everything, but I have enough. I want spring, sun, flowers, picnics, birds that are singing in front of my window and no more layers that keep me warm from the cold. 

How about you, are you excited cuz the Spring is already around the corner? ;)

xo, M.

Saturday Sunny Morning

Sunday foggy Afternoon

On a walk with my dad

Birdwatching

Forest 

:: FILM :: 3 IDIOTS ::

If you haven`t seen this movie yet, than it`s time for you to watch it! ;) I couldn`t find the trailer with an English subtitles, so I decided for this one where you can watch the Full Movie.

Prepare for a good measure of laugh, tears (that`s mostly for girls) and a whole bunch of other feelings. I`d say this is an educational movie, where you can go through your moral standards in case you lost them somewhere on the way.

So, just watch it. Maybe it`s just me, but I really love this movie! ;)

p.s. Thank you Sanda for recommending it! ;) 

Hugs to all of you, 

M.

IMDB (8.3/10)

:: TOKYO FIXED + A VIDEO |a bike made out of cars| ::

Something pretty for the eyes & ride, that I would love to have (Tokyo Fixed Gear) + a super cool video, that I found while browsing at Poppytalk. Check it out! ;) 

xo, Maja <3 

Miss Schweiz 2013 Candidates

Miss Schweiz 2012 Alina Buchschacher

The most prestigious beauty in Switzerland will held its final on June 8th. The winner will represent Switzerland at Miss Universe 2013. Here are the girls vying for the title and crown!

Letizia Rebozzi

Alice Stark

Snezana Stojadinovic

Sara Wicki

Lianna Müller

Vera Morger

Pamela Ljubas

Heidi Lushtaku

Melanie Seifried

Janine Baumann

Sandra Marjanovic

Viktoria Grasser

Dominique Rinderknecht

Anita Mustafa

Ilena Fattori

Jenny Pedrazzi

Chantal Lüthi

Dorina Podrimja

 

Kathryn Hamm: Top 5 Myths About Gay & Lesbian Wedding Photography

As engaged couples prepare for the upcoming wedding season, there is more competition than ever for great venues and the services of talented professionals. Relatively new to this mainstream mix in 2013 are greater numbers of same-sex couples who will be affirming their life-long commitments to one another in legal and non-legal ceremonies. This will certainly be true in states where marriage equality has recently been enacted -- yes, that's you Maine, Maryland and Washington state! -- and where it's speculated it shall follow shortly -- I'm looking at you Rhode Island, Illinois, Minnesota, Hawaii and Delaware!

Regardless of whether same-sex couples will be booking legal elopement weddings or staging ceremonies and receptions in their home states, coupes will be asking themselves how they will document this significant milestone. Ask friends to take pictures? Rely on Instagram for a slick filter and efficient viral "just married" announcement? Most likely, yes, and also... Same-sex couples will be looking for, meeting with, and booking the services of wedding photographers. Thankfully, there are more photographers than ever who are ready, willing and able to serve them. But is that enough? Not always. That's why I'd like to debunk five of the top myths about gay and lesbian engagement and wedding photography.

MYTH #1: Photographing an opposite-sex couple is the same as photographing a same-sex couple.

While it can be said that beautiful wedding photography is beautiful wedding photography regardless of sexual orientation, it cannot also be said that the process of creating beautiful wedding images of same-sex couples is the same as the process for photographing straight couples. Traditional wedding photography relies on some basic assumptions built around a white gown and a tux (or dark suit), masculine and feminine gender roles, and expectations of the physical differences between a man and a woman. Generally speaking, these assumptions don't translate well to most same-sex couples. For example, while a dip pose (a wedding playbook standard) might easily translate to the average straight couple, the pose could fall flat--literally and figuratively--for a same-sex couple.

MYTH #2: Booking a contract with a gay-friendly photographer is credential enough./

In the aughts and early days of gay weddings, most same-sex couples were relieved to find and happy to sign contracts at the minimum threshold of finding a photographer who identified as gay-friendly. This is changing, and changing quickly. Increasingly, same-sex couples want more than vendors who are gay-friendly; they want vendors who are gay wedding-competent. From the standpoint of booking a photographer, the difference can mean a gallery of wedding photos that is good or a gallery that is great.

MYTH #3: A photographer who identifies as LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender) is always the best person for the job.

One thing for sure: booking a photographer who identifies as LGBT means that there are a lot of nuanced background details a same-sex couple won't have to describe about what it means to be gay or what it means to plan a gay wedding. There can be some real advantages to "keeping it in the community." Even so, sexual orientation or gender identity one way or the other does not a qualified photographer make. When booking a photographer, same-sex couples need to think about budget, desired outcome, references, and compatibility. Wedding photography is a significant investment and it's important to make sure that the photographer has the experience and know-how to do the job well.

MYTH #4: Professional photography networks, associations and educational programs are doing enough to prepare photographers for engagement and wedding sessions with same-sex couples.

Though more educational seminars than ever have introduced the importance of understanding who same-sex couples are and what their needs are, most professionals have not been presented with the background training to delve more deeply into the nuanced differences that do exist between straight and gay weddings. This is certainly true in the photography industry, which, with the exception of Capturing Love: The Art of Lesbian & Gay Wedding Photography (which I've co-authored with Thea Dodds), does not offer any pose books or specific education on working with same-sex couples. Best bet for couples: take a look at a potential photographer's body of work and consider booking an engagement session first as a lower stakes way to get to know the photographer and his or her style and your compatibility.

MYTH #5: Same-sex couples are only getting married and booking photographers in states where it's legal.

Interest in the gay wedding market has often followed the headlines of advances in marriage equality and partnership recognition (like civil unions), but that doesn't mean that the only places that couples are tying the knot is where it's legal. Same-sex couples have been having ceremonies for many years now, and the advances in marriage recognition and growing ease with which LGBT persons can be "out" means that couples are more likely to have weddings and/or receptions in their hometowns, with an option to travel for an out-of-state marriage license if they so desire. In either case, most of us want to have a photographer on hand as a way to document these important milestones in our lives.

via huffingtonpost.com

Ceska Miss 2013 Contestants

Ceska Miss World 2012 Linda Bartosova, Ceska Miss Universe 2012 Tereza Chlebovksa
and Miss Earth 2012 Tereza Fajksova

Meet the contestants of Ceska Miss 2013! Three winners will be crowned and will represent Czech Republic in Miss Universe 2013, Miss World 2013 and Miss Earth 2013. The grand event will be witnessed this March 24, 2013.

:: MIXTAGRAM :: A WINTER FAIRYTALE ::

On Saturday we were lucky enough to have a wonderful day at Rogla. 
It truly was a Winter Fairytale.

xo, Maja

Photos: Instagram 

Hunk Talks: Tarik Subara

It has been weeks since we last released our "Pageant Vixen Talks." This time, it won't be "Pageant Vixen Talks" this week, we are going to feature men who represented their country in a male pageant. We call their segment as "Hunk Talks." This week, we are going to feature Manhunt International Bosnia & Herzegovina 2012. Let's get to know him on his journey in Manhunt International held in Thailand. Take note that we did this interview after his competition in Manhunt International 2012.

UBC: Who is Tarik Subara on a normal day? 
Tarik: An 18 years old boy from Bosnia who is going to the high school, My free time I usually spend on the computer chatting with my friends, playing basketball and going to gym which is clearly manifested through my brawny, athletic built.

UBC: How do you describe yourself in 3 words and why?
Tarik: Crazy – I always laugh and do crazy things with my friends, I am sometimes a little bit lazy, I like procrastinating and linger on unimportant stuff. That's not good for me but it's going to be better and I'm very ambitious, that should everyone be.

UBC: What made you decide to join Manhunt International – Bosnia and Herzegovina? 
Tarik: I wanted to get in the world of Modeling and that was the best way to get in and find new friends and experience. But my real reason is my friend who push me to join this competition. He helped me a lot in the past with in inspiring me, encouraging and broaden my knowledge spectrum on pageantry. He is now really proud of me.

UBC: Representing your country in an international pageant how was the feeling? 
Tarik: Winning the grand tittle of Manhunt Bosnia and being able to represent my country in Manhunt International this year is my greatest achievement so far. I was the youngest on the competition and on the Manhunt also. I am greatly honored.

UBC: Can you share to us some memorable experiences in Bangkok for Manhunt International 2012? 
Tarik: Definitely one of my best time in life. So much new friend, experience, fun etc.. If I would start now writing I would need 100 papers to write it down. I' am a little disappointed about the organization but in the end everything was great.

UBC: Many were expecting you to be part of the top 15, how would you react to this? 
Tarik: I am not sad about not coming in the top 15. Apparently everybody loved me and put me in the top 5 expect the judges. But my main reason was to get contracts around the world and work there and I was very successful. I didn't expect so much jobs and opportunities, but in the end I am the winner :D

UBC: After the international pageant, what can the fans look forward on Tarik Subara? 
Tarik: This year and the next 2013 will be very exciting for me and I have to do many things.  First I will finish my high school and go to a college that is the most important to me. About the modeling future, I will go to India on summer 3 months and  do some jobs around the world in the next few months.

UBC: If it’s okay for you to go on your personal side, what do you think is your sexiest body part? 
Tarik: I don't know exactly. I think the girls would give you a much better answer then me ahahha

UBC: How should a man carry himself? 
Tarik: One of the important things are: he should be self-confident, to know what to do in his life and be proud on himself, everybody is special!

UBC: How do you keep your body fit at the same time healthy?  
Tarik: The kind of food you eat is very important. A diet more of fruits and vegetables with running as an exercise are beneficial. A combination of this, makes one fit and healthy. I think everybody of as should go to gym at least 3 times in a week.

UBC: Share to us some bits of your love life, it is okay for you.   
Tarik: I don't like to talk about that but if u ask me I gonna share with you all this,  I'm in a relationship right now since May this year. I am really happy with her, and I can't imagine my life without her :D

UBC: How will you treasure the experience of being Manhunt International Bosnia and Herzegovina? 
Tarik: I has been a real honor for me representing my country on the Manhunt.I got many experience and new friend, I think that will help me in the future. I' am very happy with the final results and I got jobs around the world as the only one in the competition.

UBC: Message to all your fans.  
Tarik: Special thanks to all my fans worldwide and to this site that give me the opportunity to do this interview. My final massage would be, Be yourself, not someone that others want you to be and follow your dreams that is the most important! XoXo

Thank you so much Tarik for sharing to us your experiences during the Manhunt International 2012. UBC thanks you for allowing us to interview you. UBC will always be here to support you in your modelling career. Good luck in your studies.