(not really) Slacking

shirt: Old Navy, jeans, shades;Loft, shoes, belt: (old), 

Friends, I do apologize for the lack of posts. It's been crazyyyy around here! I haven't really had bad outfit days but either there was a lot of wind, too much sun or just not enough time to take a pic. Between packing and house hunting, it's been none stop go, go, go... And I'm tired... Also the smirk on my face says it all (and I wasn't even grumpy that day). Though, I'm excited to get on the road, I'm hesitant to pack month worth of clothes, presents and stuff for cousin's wedding into one (1!) suitcase... I have a feeling there is going to be two of them... Me dragging through airport with two suitcase and carry-on? Lovely picture. With that in mind, I'm off to try to stuff that suitcase with whole bunch of goodies and presents. Any tips or thoughts on packing? Do share!

From Russia With Love

Olga's Flavor Factory - Cold Beet Soup

The weather is frowning at us and I'm just going to make a bit pout lip and not get all dressed up his morning. Instead, I'm making good food. Sometimes, I crave something from mother Russia and then call up my mom to ask how it's made. Well, today is one of those days. I already called up mom and she gave me all the tips and tricks, so I can get to work. I'm making a truly authentic Russian dish - a cold beet soup, served with hot potatoes. We Russians put beets into everything (almost) and here in US they are hard to find at times. So here goes the recipe, which I found on another blog by a great young Russian cook, and let me tell you, she does a great job with recipes. I encourage you to try this recipe on a hot summer day - you will thanks me. Enjoy!

Busy Body

shorts: J.Crew, cardigan: Forever21, necklace: Calvin Klein,
sandals: similar (color block DIY)

            In our culture, everyone is in everyone else's business. There are countless magazines about lives of 'celebrities', and everyone and anyone who's willing to share information about their life. We are so consumed with who's marrying who and wearing what, that we forget to take a good look at our life. So in an effort to be less of a busy body, I'm not going to open any magazines or go on any popular websites to get the latest scoop. I have enough difficulties and happenings in my own life, why should I care what some thin-like-a-rail actress is wearing when she's grocery shopping? Well, I shouldn't. I'm staying outta of people's business. It's settled.

P.S. Posting a weekend outfit on Monday is just cruel. Good thing I can wear that same outfit on any day of the week. Work is done and summer has officially began.

Pause For a Proverb:  It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

Party All Night Long

dress: Loft, clutch: DIY, necklace: Calvin Klein

 We were invited to a graduation party at a fancy golf club and of course it was just another reason to dress up. But don't let the title mislead you - I was home (hubby had to work) by 8:30 and in my PJs but 9 pm. So much for living it up huh? I had several compliments but the best one was when a waiter was coming around and taking orders for drinks, she asked me if I wanted one and I said 'no thank you'. Then she turned around  and goes 'are you even of drinking age?' HA. Also, while my mother was introducing me, lady asked if I was still in high school HAHA. I know I will appreciate it this 10 years from now. Today, not so much.

Have a great weekend!

It's Delicious. It's Pizza.

In an effort to eat more healthy and stay within our budget, I decided to try to make a pizza. Maybe for some of you it's a piece of cake (yuummmmm, cake....) but for me it's kinda of big deal. It's hard to get it right when your oven isn't even and parts burn while others are under cooked. So I found this recipe in Cooking Light Magazine that I get and let me tell you, it's delicious! Very easy too!

Recipe is from the Cooking Light Website but I also added some prosciutto, which was an idea from another recipe.
ENJOY!

When You Don't Know What To Wear

top: Marshall's, skirt: Talbots, sandals: Bandolino, belt: Old Navy

Have you stood before your closet and didn't know what to wear? Well, I do it all the time. So how do you go about picking out an outfit? Here are my thoughts on it.

1. Start with one piece of clothing that you want to wear FOR SURE. Something you either really like, feel comfortable in or just want to show off.
2. Pick 3 coordinating pieces of clothing you could wear it with and put them close to each other, while looking in the mirror. (This step may take several minutes, or hours). See which of them will look better on you and go with the occasion you are dressing for. Try it on!
3. Once you picked out the two main articles, start layering and accessorizing. Add a cardigan,  blazer, a scarf, necklace, bracelet, a pin, or a hat and a bag.
4. Last but not least, finish with shoes. They complete the outfit and make it look more polished and put together. (Sometime I reverse the process and start with a pair of shoes I want to show off)


Couple other thought:

- During the summer months, have at least one bright statement article on, be that necklace or shoes. It will make your outfit!
- Try to stay away from clashing too many things and have just one or two accent pieces. 
- If the main focus of your outfit is the new dress then tone down the accessories. But if you want to show of your new diamond necklace, LBD with hair up is the way to go.
- Be comfortable in everything you wear! Let it be your personal style, not just a copy of another mannequin . 

I Have This Thing With Rain

top: Talbots, skirt: Loft, bag: H&M
I wore this outfit on Friday for a spontaneous Date Night with hubby.
We tried appetizer in one place but went for dinner to another. It was fun. 

Honestly, I don't know what is it, but whenever I'm home and it's raining - I'm having the best day ever! I have mentioned before, that I love opening the windows and listening to the soothing sound of water drops hitting the ground. Well, this morning I didn't get up early enough to take the towels, that I hung up on the clothes line yesterday, down. So now I'm listening to the soothing sound of my laundry getting wet all over again. But since it's already wet - ohhhh well. I was planning on venturing out of the house but seriously contemplating on  canceling all plans that involve getting into a car, driving places and getting wet. See, I like to enjoy the rain dry. That's the beauty of it. 

It Was Fun. Now What?

dress: Banana Republic, shows: Guess (via TJMaxx), pearls: Gift from Hubby

Ohhhhhhhhhhh my! I can't believe the weekend is over! Don't get me wrong, it was a fun and interesting couple of days but I'm exhausted. Like dead tired. More then that, it turned out I had to work this morning and that's just not cool. It was a wedding weekend and I was the wedding decorator/planner/designer. I love doing wedding - they are draining and tiring but so rewarding. To see the bride's face when she sees the reception hall and her flowers is just priceless (unless of course she doesn't like it; then we
re in trouble). Really, it's a very rewarding business emotionally and that's why I do it.
There was a lot of excitement and, of course, stress. Accordingly, today is my stress-free day where I'm going to walk around the house in PJs and make myself some delicious, home-made pizza and start planning my long trip (with another wedding I am planning, decorating and designing). Again. Let the stress begin.

Living It Up

top: Willi Smith (via TJMaxx), jeans: Loft, shoes: Bandolino, necklace: Calvin Klein 

So before every summer begins, I say that I want to be active. I want to go hiking and camping, do lots of picnics in the park and visit another city. Then the summer comes and we are just hanging out in the backyard, watching action movies at night and eating lemon ice. And what's wrong with that? Honestly, I think too many people aren't living in the present and only planning on 'living'. So, I'm going to stop making plans and get to implementing 'em things . First up, picnic in the park! Hope you enjoy your weekend and live it up some!

Thankful

top, skirt: J.Crew,  belt: Gap, sandals: Bandolino, necklace: Calvin Klein

When there is nothing to say, when life seems gloomy, just thank God for everything you've got...

Piperlime Giveaway

One of my favorite fashion blogs is Jessica Quirk's What I Wore style blog. She's stylish and yet her style is accessible, trendy but grounded in classical pieces. Also, she's a fellow thrift store regular which makes her one of the best fashion bloggers out there. I have found inspiration for long forgotten items in my closet from her outfits and she continues to surprise. Therefore, I'm passing on the love. So, fashionistas, need some money for shopping? Who doesn't! Head over to her blog to find directions to entering a $500 giveaway from Piperlime. You can thank me later by taking me shopping. You are welcome! 

P.S. I'm still experimenting with background and layout of the blog. thanks for your patience

Be The Better (Wo)Man

top, shows: via TJMaxx, blazer: H&M, skirt: J.Crew, belt: thrifted, 

It's good to do good but it certainly feels better when the one you are doing good for, appreciates it. I know that we are supposed to love our enemies but try doing it over and over again while they still don't notice the good. Then what? Well, I've decided to take the high road and kill them with kindness. Of course, it's not going to be easy and I'm probably going to want to punch them in the face couple of times. Instead, I'm going to do my best to be the better (wo)man. Let's see how long that's going to last.

The Pressure of Being Perfect

top: American Eagle, jeans: Loft, wedges: Adrienne Vittadini, belt: Target
necklace: Calvin Klein, bag: Kate Spade NY

I have to admit, I'm a perfectionist. Hubby is somewhat too, only he denies the whole thing. Lately, I've been feeling more pressure then usual to be perfect - perfect wife, perfect daughter, perfect church-goer, perfect you name it. 

I have found myself spinning in a cycle of expectations left by someone else. From clothes to goals in life - there is just so many expectations. 

I have an image, more like an idea in my head, what should a good wife, sister, daughter, friend, blogger, Christian, teacher, employee do. It's the awful feeling of never living up to everyone else's expectations, not being good enough and always, always trying to be perfect. 

But what's worse, I expect only better then best from myself and sometimes life becomes unbearable.

So in an effort to have a life, I daily need to remind myself that life is NOT perfect at all. Life is full of mistakes, messes and disappointments. 

The problem with being perfect is that you are never enough. But being yourself, being your imperfect perfect self is just that - perfect.

Sequin Clutch (DIY)

I gave my red clutch a little make over. Let's face it, the clutch needed it BIG TIME. Couple of weeks ago I bought a sequin skirt but just never got up the courage to wear it because well, I don't go clubbing. It was on clearance for $5 and just didn't seem to fit right (I realized when I  got home). So I decided to make a new purse for myself. It wasn't a hard project and took me only about 30 minutes. Here it is.

Inspiration

Christian Louboutin

Prada

Materials:

- old clutch, purse

- sequined material (depending on the size of the clutch)

- glue gun

- glue sticks

- scissors

HOW TO
Clean the clutch and measure how much material you need. Warm up the glue gun and cut the material appropriate to size. Leave about 2 inches seem allowance or as much as you need to cover the entire clutch.

Carefully start gluing. I started with the seem and matched it with the bottom of the purse so it looks more professional.

 I completely glued down the sides before taking care of the side seems.

Cut the edges nicely and make even seem with sequins folding on each other. Glue the sides and tuck in the bottom corners.

Start gluing the inside. Fold the material in and glue it under the zipper with a little glue.

  ***Careful not to drop glue on zipper - you will ruin it.***

Glue the corners in very carefully and press them down for a minute.

After gluing everything down, put something heavy on top for couple of minutes to make sure glue sets.

Ta-Da!

Thanks again for reading and commenting!

Familiar

skirt: J.Crew similar, blazer: Loft similar, shoes: Guess (via TJMaxx), bag: Kate Spade

The skirt last styled here

The uncomplicated treasure of familiarity. A thought came to me as I was grocery shopping when I knew exactly what kind of coffee hubby would like and what kind of creamer to go with it. And that we both like energy drinks and cheese. That tomorrow he will want something 'with meat'.
There is something to be said about sharing a life together. Yes, the idea can be unromantic or dull but often times it goes unappreciated. 

My grandparents have been married for 50 years. They don't have a lovey-dovery relationship, I haven't even heard them say I love you (which isn't exactly a great thing) and they haven't had a vacation in their life and don't know what date night is. But I know that they love each other. How? They showed it in their everyday life.
Often times, the image of love is the one portrait in romantic movies but that's not it. Love is the familiar, comfortable, messy, beautiful, confusing, hard, routine, day-to-day life. 

Nothin To Say

jeans: H&M, blouse: TJMaxx, blazer: Gap, shoes: Charlotte Russe, bag: Kate Spade

Nothing much to say today. Therefore let's avoid the awkward silence and move on with life. 

Inspired::Incorporated

top: Old Navy, jeans: Gap, belt: Michael Kors (via TJMaxx), shoes: thrifted

I know it's lame to talk about weather all the time but in New York it's pretty crazy. We went from scorching hot to pouring rain in a matter of a week. So I'm still trying to look summery and not too dressed. Really want to start wearing all my summer dresses any time now. On another note, I need to pack three weeks worth of  clothes AND tons of gifts for the peoples I'm visiting into ONE suitcase. Good luck! So I had this thought, to do couple of posts on that topic. Basically I need to take pieces  that will mix and match with each other. It's not going to be an easy task but I have some ideas in my mind.

P.S. Gingham is very "in" right now and I'm loving it... The inspiration for this sunny outfit came from these very creative girls at What I Wore, Kendi Everyday and Atlantic to Pacific.

Time Travel

dress, clutch: Thrifted(1965), shoes: Guess (via TJMaxx), belt: Old Navy

I absolutely love the feel of this vintage dress. Hubby said that all I needed is a
 pie in my hands to look like a housewife from 1960s.
Jessica Quirk from fashion blog What I Wore is the inspiration for this look.
She rocks vintage dresses here(1), here(2), here(3), and  here(4).

Every Monday is like a new beginning. You have plans, ideas and things to do for the entire week. You haven't failed at anything yet, you haven't screwed up something and the history is yet to be written. And wouldn't you love to go back in time and just erase some of those dumb, stupid, crazy, embarrassing, idiotic and etc. things you did? Yeah... SIGH... me too. But let's not dwell on that. I'm taking this week by it's horns and doing stuff (since it's gonna rain almost all week anyway). What better time to organize cupboards, finish DIY, and find the perfect pair of walking shoes for the miles and miles of walking I will be doing on my trip to Europe?  Let's get a move on!

Pause For a Proverb: Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. (Proverbs 10:14)

Half Way Through

tee: Gap, capris: Loft, sandals: Steve Madden (via TJMaxx), hat: Target

Today is June 1st (as you noticed on your calendar this morning) and it just hit me - we are half way through the year! Time flies so fast. Which makes it logical that LIFE in general is just going so fast. First you are planning your high school graduation party and giggling with boys next you know BAM you are a married lady with fancy college education and people asking you for marital advice. Whoa! When did that happen?

I didn't make concrete New Years resolutions but I am doing many things that I was meaning to for years. And that deserves an A for effort. Let's see how I did...

Health

- finally did get off my butt and started exercising more, running and parking far from the entrance in Walmart (they say it all counts)

- taking my vitamins (most days)

Relationship

- developing the best relationship with my mom I have ever had. it's sweet to come home:)

- hubby and I are stronger then ever - hard times do bring people closer

Spiritual

- learning some real lessons on trust. Trusting God that He knows best. I mean, in my head, I know He does. I know it, but it's TOTALLY different when you know it with you heart. When you can fully surrender to God and let go. Let go of your plans and ambitions and let Him lead you. It's a new place for me. 

Finances

- last month has been tough with keeping away from shopping and trust me, I have caught up in the last 2 weeks.  

Lifestyle

- paying attention to how I treat people and learning to be non-judgmental

- in the process of getting a sewing machine. I'm gonna do it!

- trying to wear everything I have 

- getting back on track with cooking and trying out new fancy recipes