Shall We Polka?

dress: Old Navy (in stores only), shoes: Guess, belt: Calvin Klein, bag: Target

Ohhhhh yes it's back! Polka dots are so in this season - it's the new stripes! So we that being said, I love my polka dot dress and how it's super versatile! I think it's going to be the easiest piece to transition from summer to fall. And being under $25 is just another awesome part of this post. Changing belts, shoes and purses while adding a colored cardigan - there is about 25 outfits right there. Do you have a perfect dress?

P.S. Jessica from What I Wore is thinking exactly the same thing here, so go check it out!

Thanks for reading!

Chartreuse

top: TJMaxx, skirt: J.Crew, belt: Target, shoes: DIY , clutch: old

On older lady was complimenting color combination for my outfit and said that she loved this hue of  chartreuse. Who knew that it's name was so fancy! I was just standing there trying to catch on to what she was saying. I was just going to name it mustardy-green but chartreuse sounds way more edumacated.

Speaking of edumacation (btw I do know how to spell education), I was offered a job at a local community college as a Mathematics instructor! I'm so thrilled to have this opportunity to teach yet very nervous about it at the same time. If you had a similar experience I would like your advice and any words of caution.

Have a great Monday!

Pause for a Proverb: A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels (1:5)

It's Really Sweet

I love traveling and visiting, being the guest in the house and having the many invites over people's houses. 

Yet, there is nothing better then home! I breathed a sigh of relief when I landed on American soil and it was a sweet reunion. I have had the best welcome back from my hubby - no really, I'm that wife. You know the one with the most amazing husband? Well, me again! He French Onion Soup for dinner and Creme Brulee for dessert, cleaned the house and actually washed the bed sheets! I love this guy like a lot...

Enough about the lovey dovey stuff.

On more unpleasant note, I do not like flying any more. Three flights in 22 hours is just absolutely ridiculous and I was dead tired when I finally made it to the car. Countless security points, luggage checks and other airport stuff just doesn't make me want to go anywhere. Really. I don't know how people travel for living - I wouldn't be able to do it.

Enough about annoying stuff.

Funny story. My last domestic flight was overbooked and they were looking for a volunteer to wait for the next plane for about 4 hours with $500 credit good towards any flight in the world. No one wanted to be left behind, so after announcing it about a hundred times, the speaker said that they will start removing people by force. Just think about it, they overbooked the flight and I have to get off the plane? Well, all I said is they are going to have to apply a lot of force to remove me from the plane because baby, I'm going home! 

About good things we have here.

Our apartment, at one time seemed small and outdated, looks very polished and spacious comparing to the space people live in over seas. We are spoiled and don't know it. 

So today, I'm ever so grateful! 

P.S. Rachel over at Pink Peonies Blog has brought us another great giveaway! 

It's Always Been a Mystery to Me

I myself don't like those posts with mushy, over the top declaration of love for the spouse, after reading of which you just wanna barf a little. Well, It's not going to be like that. Maybe just a little. 

I have missed my hubby so so so so much! And although we have been apart for 3 weeks (the longest period of time we have ever been apart), AND I missed our 4 Year Anniversary AND his birthday (I'm an awful person, I know), I have had a great time. 

I think it's actually a good therapy for a relationship.

Being together day in and day out, getting on each other's nerves and bickering, you begin to devalue the relationship and your spouse. When you have it good, you don't know how good you've got it, until it's gone. Even if temporarily.

The idea of having two people come together, two absolutely different people - from different families and backgrounds, but becoming the two closest people in the world is amazing! 

I don't know how God put in us the desire to share our life with someone, but only to think that couple of years ago this incredible man of mine has been a stranger to me. Today, I cannot imagine my life without him. 

So on this note of sappy love song, I want to wish my hubby Happy Birthday!

My world would be empty without you and my life incomplete.

P.S. The outfit posts are coming back soon... 

A Giveaway (via Pink Peonies)

The Pink Peonies Blog

I am a big fan of Pink Peonies and read it on regular basis. Rachel has a great style and I absolutely love everything she wears! Here is a giveaway from the amazing blog!

Entry Rules:

• Like hobo on facebook

• Follow Hobo on Twitter

• Follow Pink Peonies via GFC

Additional Entry:

• Post the link to this giveaway on your facebook/blog

Good luck! 

Giveaway will close Monday the 23rd at 11:59 MST. The winner will be selected at random and announced Tuesday morning.

Have a great weekend!

Pleasantly Surprised

The lady with the umbrella and I.

The Hotel Minsk

My gorgeous cousin and I

The alley above the underground mall completed with fountains and glass domes

  

Blinchiki are the Russian version of crepes but better. These are served with blueberry preserves

The decor was amazing! Done to resonate with the old Russian house with all its quirks 

Can you tell I'm enjoying my food like a lot? 

Minsk is the capitol of Belarus, the biggest city in the country and pretty much the center of everything that there is in this little country in the middle of Europe. It's like a mini version of New York City but with pretty much the same prices (comparing salary and standard of living wise). 

It was cold and gloomy but we (my cousin was showing me around) made the most of it. Apart from the signs being in Russian and a different currency, walking through an underground mall for couple of hours felt like home away from home. And it was as expensive as home too. Honestly, I don't know how people live, eat and dress here - it's literally crazy expensive for them. 

We had a great time buying souvenirs, Belarusian candy, going out to eat and buying more presents. The going out to eat  part was the best. I didn't expect to have such nice facilities and great food but yes, the era of cold war is over and Minsk is living up to the best European standards. The city is spotless, there are blooming flower beds and baskets everywhere and the people are actually nice. Yes, you heard it right. Honestly, we might go back for another trip through the city just admiring old architecture and visiting a museum. 

I hope you guys are having a great week, although you are not visiting one of the oldest cities in eastern Europe. 

P.S. Thanks for reading!

Not Doing Much

Comfy clothes are my go-to as miles of walking aren't going to go well with heels.
Jeans, flats and t-shirt with cardigan is the perfect ensemble for the ever changing weather. 

We get so used to working and doing things that it's hard to get into vacation mode. We dream about not doing nothing but when it comes to it - doing nothing isn't that easy. You have to tell yourself that laying in bed until 10am is OK, watching some cheesy movies for hours on end is just fine and going out to eat all the time is plain awesome. 

Well, it's been a challenge to change up gears and get into vacation mode but finally I've arrived. Doing nothing all day except going shopping, going out and hanging out with family. It's absolutely fabulous! Buying presents for family, treating cousins to ice cream and taking pictures in the central alley. Tomorrow we are planning a trip to the capital city and going to do more of the same. 

I hope you guys are taking a vacation this summer and enjoying yourself. 

I'm Back Baby

After a long pause, I'm finally back into the world of technology and Internet connection. Although, I must say that camping for a week is kind of fun. Living in camping conditions - not so much. I left civilized world unexpectedly on Monday morning and just returned. It was great seeing my grandparents and spending a whole week reminiscencing and asking my grandmother about my ancestors. I didn't know half of the stuff she told me - I love finding out where I come from. There are people in my family tree with some interesting professions and lives. So my trip continues as I spend another week with my cousins - going shopping and having fun. Tonight I'm treating my whole extended family to pizza which is going to be lots of fun. 

It's Different Over Here

My aunt has a gorgeous garden of lillies! Aren't they pure delight to look at?
They are dressed up better then any fashioista in the world!

As many of you know, I haven't been this side of the world for almost a decade. And the more you forget the reality, the more you embrace the romanticized memories, which are going to 'get real' very soon. 

From the moment I stepped my foot onto Belarus soil, it was a reminder of the different type of life. People here are hardened by life and just tough all over. They also don't apologize for the lack of softness. 

Going through passport control, there were absolutely no signs telling me to go and buy obligatory health insurance first, then get in line for passport check. So I'm standing in a mile long line waiting for my turn (also there are people waiting  for me outside the gate) then approaching the window, I'm told to buy the insurance and come back. 

The insurance kiosk is on the second floor and there is no escalator or elevator. Now I'm just mad! I have to haul my 27 lb carry on up the stairs and then come back to stand through another long line. Lovely! But thank you Lord the process went smooth after that, I got my luggage, had nothing to declare and was free to go!

 That was the beginning of my adventure... 

And also, the time difference is killing me - it's 6 am local time and I'm wide awake with like a million of crows outside my window. 

Although, the weather is nice - hot during the day (in upper 80s) and cool during the night. Very lovely and so absolutely peaceful. 

Hope you had fun Fourth of July!

Traveling

top: H&M, pants: LOFT, shoes: Guess, belt: Target

This is not the outfit I am traveling in, but it's the last interesting clothes I wore before tucking everything away. Today I have my jeans and t-shirt on with sweater - nothing interesting... Just comfy cozy clothes for 22 hour trip. I will talk to you on the other side.
Don't have too much fun without me!
Thanks for reading!

Last Day On This Side of The Pond

top: INC, skirt: Celvin Klein, shoes: Guess, necklace: J.Crew

 Today is the last full day on American soul and I sure am going to miss drive throughs, Dunkins Dounuts, prompt service, 'please' and 'thank you', timely post service and my car. 

Among other things, I'm spending a week at my grandparents' farm village with no running water, an outhouse for bathroom and fresh sent of farm animals. 

Ohhhhhhh and no internet connection for a whole week! How am I going to survive? 

You guys make sure nothing major happens in the world while I unplug ok? Thanks. 

Also, say thank God that you have hot running water and bathroom in your house - it's the little things.

 I'm off to last minute errands and a pedicure. 

Thanks for reading and commenting!