5 PLACES TO EAT IN TALLINN

NOP, J. Köleri 1

A lovely, colourful breakfast can be found at NOP Tallinn. Very interesting place almost hidden in Kadriorg. All food is made from fresh ingredients straight from markets and local farmers. Their poached eggs with salmon and avocado are an absolute delight.

LENDAV TALDRIK RESTO, Telliskivi 60A

Lendav Taldrik ("The Flying Saucer") is located in the middle of old factory buildings and industrial wasteland. It is Tallinn like you have never seen it before. This little gem offers the best Asian food in town by a clear mile. My chicken jalfrezi came for a mere 4.65 EUR (approx. £3.70) and was an absolute delight.

KOHVIK MAIASMOKK, Pikk tn 16

 

Cafe Maiasmokk ("Sweet Tooth") is the oldest operational cafe in Tallinn and entire Estonia. It has operated at the same location since 1864. Its unique interior has been unchanged for more than a century. The cafe offers you delicious handmade pastries, cakes and candies. Make sure you get down early as the best cakes are usually gone by mid-day.

 KOHVIK KOMEET, Estonia pst. 9, 4th floor

Cafe Komeet boasts with one of the best views in Tallinn overlooking the national opera theatre Estonia and the town's vibrant city centre. It offers arguably the best cakes in Tallinn. The chocolate berry cake with a latte did not disappoint. A bit pricier than a usual cafe in Tallinn, but definitely worth a visit.

FRANK, Sauna 2

Frank is a lovely bohemian restaurant in the middle of Tallinn old town.  Nice atmosphere with a cheeky American twist. The food is very good and much better priced than a lot of places in the neighbourhood. Make sure you try their beef schnitzel and ice cream desserts. They are an absolute delight. The restaurant is quite small and gets very busy at the weekends so make sure you make a booking!

 

CLAZZ TALLINN, Vana Turg 2

Jazz Club Clazz is a unique restaurant-club in Tallinn old town that offers live Latin, jazz and blues rhythms seven days a week. Make sure you ask one of their lovely waitresses to make you a special Kiwi Martini. The best in the world!

 

Anet x

HOW TO MAKE IT IN FASHION

A few years ago, I was one hundred percent sure that I am going to work in fashion one day. I had just finished my three years in higher education and awarded my 2:1 degree from a prestigious university. I was young and extremely ambitious... There are a lot of things that have changed since then, but I believe the five golden rules to crack the fashion world I put down on paper back then are still as valid as ever.

1. STAND OUT/BE UNIQUE

It all starts from the bottom. You are a nobody, just a name on the list, who needs to make its way behind the closed doors of a fashion world. Addressing an email to 'Madam or Sir someone in Glamour magazine or Matthew Williamson' won't get you very far. Trust me. Pick one person, that being the junior editor or PA of a fashion designer, any industry insider really. Do your research. Literally stalk their Twitter, Instagram. Know what they like, where they hang out. Be creative. Boring CVs and cover letters about previous experience will make them yawn. Use Pinterest, Tumblr, Instagram, ANYTHING. Tell them what you can bring to the company, not what you have already done for others. Be unique, stand out and don't be afraid to speak your mind. Talk about your ambitions and dreams regardless how big or small they are. 

2. KNOW THE BRAND

If you are heading for a job in Glamour magazine, check Conde Nast and all their publications. Read every issue of Glamour you can get your hands on. Find your favourite authors. Check their other publications, Google them. Stalk their twitter, again. When heading to a fashion house, use Wikipedia or Google. Know everything about their history, previous collections, even know which university their designers studied. Know it all. You can never be over educated. Less is more won't work this time. Simple.

3. MAKE GOOD USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Don't have a Twitter yet? Where have you been? Make one. Right NOW! And then there's Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, Tumblr. You do know what I'm talking about? If not, you're certainly not ready for a fashion job. It's a best way to get social, practice creative writing and get your hands-on styling or make-up. Use your friends as models, use your phone camera. You don't need a tonne of money to make it work. It's all about passion, hard work and again, hard work. What comes easy isn’t good, what's good, won't come easy.

4. COLLABORATE

Fashion is one of the most competitive businesses right now. I hate to break it. Only 1 out of 1000 will make it, but why can't one of them be you? Make contacts with other bloggers/fashionistas. Make joint blog posts, interview other bloggers, get in touch with up-and-coming photographers in your area. Don't be shy. Approach them. You might find someone special. Learn from others, observe what they do, but never steal. Never copy. Take in what you see and put your own twist on it. Knowing what's already there can help you to find what isn't there. And that will make you stand out.

5. NEVER GIVE UP

Got rejected from Glamour and Vogue? Didn't even get a reply from Matthew Williamson and House of Holland? Don't worry. This is not the end of the world. There are hundreds of magazines and fashion houses. Just because the first one said no.... or okay, first ten said NO, it doesn't mean the eleventh can't say YES!! Don't expect diamonds and champagne. It's all hard work, blood and tears, but that's what's going to get you there. One day, I'll promise. You will get there. Smile, take a deep breath and get started!

Anet x