On Perfectionism

top: Ann Taylor, pants: thrifted, heels: BCBGirls, bow: Old Navy (belt from dress), bag: Target

I must admit: I'm a perfectionist by nature. With people-pleasing, every-person-approval-seeking tendencies. Sometimes it gets a little nuts in this head of mine. 

My desire for the 'right' way sometimes gets in the way of what's more important - things like friendships, personal relationships and love.
The most difficult part about motherhood (and life in general) is finding balance. The balance between a disciplinarian and too permissive parent, accepting friend and judgmental one.
In an effort to find that balance I'm trying to go a little easier on myself and on my child.
There will be bad days. That's just a fact of life.
Sometimes he will be fussy and I won't feel like going by schedule.
Sometimes you just have to let go and let it be.
Those are the times when you figure out that life will go on with unwashed dishes in the sink and take out dinner, so that mama can get some rest and relaxation.
As you know, when mama is happy, everybody is happy.
So go ahead and have yourself a perfect day.

Random

top, cardigan: Loft, pants: Target, shoes: Aldo, bag: Kate Spade NY

Couple random things that have absolutely nothing to do with each other.

- For one, spring in New York is a bazaar event. We technically don't have the ideal warm spring days slowly warming up to summer. We jump from snowing one day into 70-degree weather the next, so it's funny watching people's choice of clothes. Walking in the park earlier this week I saw everything from warm winter boots to tank tops and it wasn't even that warm. First glimpse of sunshine and people are ready to go tanning on their porch. We are desperate. 

- Pinterest is my new addiction now. Trying to decide how to decorate a bare wall in my living room, I cannot stop searching for different ways to use that space. I'm afraid, I will never decide on either use all black frames for personal family pictures or just buy a giant wall art. Help.

- I used to think that ladies who stay at home with an infant have ton of time on their hands. Now that I'm doing that and I don't seem to have any time for leisure, I get upset when people assume I'm lounging all day. It takes a lot of work to care for such a little person.

- I want to learn to sew well enough to make my own clothes, or at least learn how to alter them.

- Having a budget is tough. Having a budget that you share with everyone on internet is just plain harsh. I'm biting my lips but sticking to it.

5Days5Ways: Day 5

Being Creative: Day 5

top: American Eagle, skirt: J.Crew, shoes: Tahari, bag: Kate Spade NY, necklace: NY&Co

Whew! For some reason this week is going by at about 90 pmh. It's already Friday and I feel like Monday was just here. And it's not the good kind of feeling 'yay! Friday is here' but 'what? it's already Friday?'

 It's not that I'm terribly busy (I think), as much as you can be with an infant, but time just seems to fly by.

Sunshine and longer days are really motivating me to do a lot more. Get outside, clean the garage, organize all the boxes from the move, finally put away my winter clothes, take out my pretty spring wreath and hang it on the front door, hang up family pictures and decorate our bare walls. 

There is just so much to do and I'm itching to start.

You see, I'm a perfectionist so either I do it exactly the way I want or I just don't do it at all. 

So that's why you will either see a spotless and perfectly neat garage/closet/kitchen/basement or there is an absolute mess. I don't do things half way - it's either all or nothings. 

Tomorrow I'm doing it all. 

Welcome spring!
Are ya here to stay?

5Days5Ways: Day 4

 Being Creative: Day 4

top:Old Navy, skirt: J.Crew, flats: Target, clutch: TJMaxx

So now we are back to spring. Oh my goodness, this weather is craaaaaazy!

Enough about the weather though.

I have discovered an amazing cake recipe. It's not from Pinterest or FoodNetwork. Well, I'm sure someone somewhere on the face of the Earth already thought of it, but that's not important. The point is - I came up with it all on my own. Of course, it doesn't help the weight loss cause but we had people over and that's just another excuse to make a cake. And let me tell you, it was delicious. Not  to brag or anything but I think it was the best cake I have ever made. Recipe will be coming shortly because I forgot to take pictures the first time and need to make another one. Seriously not doing myself any favors here.

Anyhow. 

I'm off to run errands because daddy is home and staying with Jonathan today. Mama needs some time to herself and that amazing cup of green tea latte from Starbucks, that I haven't had in months. Yes please! 

Enjoy the sunshine!

5Days5Ways: Day 2

Being Creative: Day 2

button-up: Hollister, skirt: J.Crew, necklace: Sharlotte Russe. bag: H&M, shoes: Kenneth Cole

So have you guessed my repeating item of clothing? Yes, it's the cobalt blue pencil J.Crew skirt. I love skirts because they are very versatile - they can go from very dressy with a silk blouse to casual with a simple white tee. Honestly, I think I own five times as many skirts as jeans. Plus I like to dress up. 

Staying at home most of the time doesn't give me many chances to wear pencil skirts, except to church. So I've primarily focused on putting together casual outfits that can be worn while doing everyday activities.

On a totally separate note, yesterday was April Fools day and I had a chance to joke with some people.

 It was much fun!

Have a great Tuesday!

5Days5Ways: Day1

Being Creative: Day 1

top: Loft, skirt: J.Crew, shoes: Ann Taylor, necklace: NY&Co, bag: Kate Spade NY

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend.

I have been a little challenged in my closet with my postpartum body. It's hard to find clothes that fit with the little bit of belly I have left and little more of booty. I have a few pieces that fit right now but don't want to get a whole new wardrobe just for this transitional stage, because I am planning on loosing the extra poundage. 

I am very optimistic. 

But right now I still have to get dressed and be creative with the few clothes that fit my bum. 

So here is a challenge: take a piece of clothing and using other pieces from my wardrobe to create 5 outfits. That's five days taken care of! And although I don't like to have so few pieces to work with, it's challenging me to think creatively. Plus re-discovering clothes that I put away before my last trimester is like shopping all over again. And I don't spend a single cent. 

Here is to being creative with what you've got!

Day 1.

Happy Easter

top: Loft, cords: J.Crew, scarf: Target, bag: Kate Spade NY, boots: Old Navy

No wise words, smart or quirky remarks today just wishing you a...

Happy Easter! 

And remember that it's not about the chocolate bunny, or the Easter baskets or the egg hunt.

It's the joyous occasion of the Resurrection of Jesus! 

Enjoy time with family and friends!

Spring Fever

sweater: TJmaxx similar , skirt: NY&Co similar, shoes: BCBGirls similar, 
clutch: H&M similar, necklace similar:  Macy's

As you may notice in the pictures, we still have snow on the ground. And Easter is only a  few days away! Who celebrates Easter in winter??? No open toe pretty shoes for me.

I have a serious spring fever. It's been cold and snowing last few months and I'm so ready for spring. Having a baby makes it that much more difficult to get out anywhere. Staying home ad cuddling in our warm PJs sounds a lot more appealing. 

But I want to go places, see people and not be stuck at home all the time. 

Between having a cute little chubby cheeks constantly attached to my boobs and not having a single moment by myself, I'm getting tired. I think I'm going mad.

I need a change of pace. 

I want to go to the park for long walks basking in warmth of sunshine.

I want to finally start decorating my bare walls and putting up baby pictures in pretty frames.

I want to start exercising to loose this stinking baby fat. Post baby fat sucks! Did you know that?

I want to just go.

So come on spring! Bring it on!

Sunday

top: Loft, cardigan:Gap, skirt: JCPenny, shoes: Nine West, necklace: Charlotte Russe

Another week. Another Sunday night (when I'm writing this post).

It's amazing how fast the time flies. Especially with a newborn. 

Sundays are our busiest days. Think getting a three course dinner for twelve out of town guests busy.

It goes like this. 

I feed Jonathan as hubby makes some coffee for himself and tea for me.

Then he burps and changes a diaper as I do my make up and hair.

Then I get baby dressed, and probably change again, as hubby dresses himself.

Then I get dressed (and hopefully something fits)

Somehow we manage to eat left over pancakes and bacon from yesterday and have some coffee/tea. 

Then strap the kid into the car seat, check the diaper count in the bag and off we go.

Come back. Have lunch. That is Jonathan gets his lunch first then we eat.

Maybe a nap.

Repeat routine from morning and off we go again for evening service.

By the time we get home that night we are beat.

The only way we (read: I) can survive a day like this is by planning ahead.

I get all the outfits picked out the night before and iron everything that needs to be ironed, then hang them on the door.

Then I get lunch ready to be set in the oven the next morning. I even pour water into tea cattle so all I have to do the next morning is to turn it on.

Don't get me wrong,

I love being in the service. I love the people.

 I love Sundays.

But they are just a tad busy.

Thank God there are Mondays.

Then it starts all over again. 

Advice

top: Target, skirt: thrifted, shoes: Tahari, necklace: Sharlotte Russe, 
belt, glasses: Loft, bag: Kate Spade NY

Yesterday was the second time we took Jonathan to church. He loved it - sleeping the car seat the entire time. Who wouldn't? He was snuggled in his penguin suit with the matching hat, covered with a blankey and a cover for the outside and quickly became most popular kid on the block. I mean, he is the cutest. 

Yet somehow, 'he wasn't warm enough' according to some.

There isn't one way to raise a kid. All advice isn't good. And only because another mother did it this way does not mean I have to follow. 

It may sound selfish, but I want to do it my way. 

I may not know everything, I don't have the years of experience but what I do have is mother's instinct. 

There are so many people (I mean, like everyone) offering advice. 

He's crying - must be you didn't feed him enough. Don't do the schedule thing, just give him boob every time.

He's crying again - tummy hurts so give him some water.

Again - don't rock him, he will get used to it.

And again - he's just plain cold (favorite of Russians).

Everyone has some kind of advice to offer and only because they raised couple kids and did something and it worked for them, it does not mean it will work for me. 

I really do like good advice. I listen. I take it all in. Only I decide what's good for me and what isn't. 

It's a right I reserve for myself as a mother.

Because mother knows best. 

:-)